Melissa Hailey and Liz Hart – $7.6M Verdict for a Teen with Debilitating Headaches
Their client was just 16 when a driver T-boned her vehicle, leading to years of debilitating headaches that require cutting-edge treatments every 12 weeks. In this case breakdown with host Keith Fuicelli, Melissa Hailey and Liz Hart reveal how they approached the case with meticulous pre-litigation case development, strategic big data jury research, and expert medical testimony. Jurors awarded $7.1 million in future medical costs and $500,000 in non-economic damages. Tune in for the team’s insights about limiting economic demands to maintain credibility – and about joining forces to develop a successful law practice.
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Episode Snapshot
- Elizabeth's journey from wanting to be a criminal defense attorney to becoming a plaintiff's lawyer after five years in insurance defense.
- Melissa's unconventional path from conservation biology to environmental law to personal injury practice.
- The lawyers envisioned a women-owned plaintiff's firm during Covid and opened Hailey | Hart in 2021.
- Their collaborative trial approach: splitting responsibilities, with Liz handling jury selection and closing and Melissa doing opening and rebuttal.
- In this case breakdown, they describe representing a 16-year-old client who suffered chronic migraines after a T-bone collision.
- The client contacted lawyers three years after the crash when USAA refused to pay policy limits despite expensive ongoing neurological treatment.
- A cutting-edge infusion medication given every 12 weeks called VYEPTI became the cornerstone of the client's successful treatment plan
- The team used big data research to identify jury resistance points and craft strategy around potential damages objections
- They decided to limit their economic ask to $7.1 million for only two types of treatments (VYEPTI and trigger point injections) rather than including all medications.
- The jury awarded exactly $7.1 million in economics and zero in permanent impairment, validating their approach.
The information contained in this podcast is not intended to be taken as legal advice. The information provided by Fuicelli & Lee is intended to provide general information regarding comprehensive injury and accident attorney services for clients in the state of Colorado.
