Todd Rios v. Michael Philhower
- Court: Connecticut State, Middletown Division, Superior Court
- Case Number: MMX-CV22-6033966-S
- Filed: April 7, 2022
- Judges: Rupal Shah
- Case Type: V01 – Vehicular – Motor Vehicles – Driver and/or Passenger(s) vs. Driver(s)
- Cause: Negligence
Parties Involved
- Plaintiff(s): Todd Rios
- Counsel for Plaintiff: Brian M. Flood
- Experts for Plaintiff(s): Arpad Fejos, MD | Emmanuel Kenta-Bibi, MD | Gary Roegiers, PT | Jeffrey Bash, M.D.
- Defendant(s): Michael Philhower
- Counsel for Defendants: Meehan Di Palma Roberts & Turret Law Office
- Experts for Defendant(s): Aris D. Yannopoulos, M.D.
Verdict Information
- Verdict Date: May 16, 2024
- Total damages awarded to Plaintiff: $3,000,000
- For past economic damage: $73,433.22
- For future economic damage: $120,000
- For non-economic damage: $2,806,566.78.
About the Case
Cause
On July 8, 2021, around 3:17 pm, a rear-end collision occurred on Marlborough Street, a public road in Portland, Connecticut. Todd Rios was driving a vehicle westbound on Marlborough Street when Michael Philhower’s vehicle, also heading west on the same street, suddenly and without warning, crashed into the rear of Rios’ vehicle.
Rios filed a personal injury lawsuit against Philhower in the Superior Court of Middlesex at Middletown on March 8, 2022. In the complaint, Rios alleged that Philhower’s negligent driving caused the rear-end collision and his resulting injuries. Specifically, the complaint stated that Philhower failed to maintain a proper lookout, failed to turn or swerve to avoid the crash, neglected to apply the brakes in time, did not sound the horn or provide a timely warning, failed to keep the vehicle under proper control, drove inattentively, operated at an excessive speed violating Connecticut’s reasonable speed statute (§14-218a), and followed too closely behind Rios’ vehicle in violation of the state’s following too closely law (§14-240(a)).
Injury
As a result of the rear-end accident, Rios sustained several injuries, including a disc bulge at the L4-L5 vertebrae, back pain, lumbar radiculopathy (nerve root impingement causing radiating pain), right leg/foot/toe pain, numbness and tingling, an aggravation of a pre-existing lumbar condition, and mental/physical pain and suffering. Due to the collision, Rios incurred medical expenses for treatment, lost wages from missed work time, and an inability to engage in normal activities.
Damage
In the statement of amount in demand, Rios sought monetary damages greater than $15,000 exclusive of interest and costs. This personal injury lawsuit stemmed from a rear-end car accident where the plaintiff alleged negligence by the defendant, resulting in injuries that required compensation for medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and diminished quality of life.
Jury Verdict
The jury found in favor of the plaintiff, Todd Rios, against the defendant, Michael Philhower, in the personal injury lawsuit stemming from the rear-end car accident on Marlborough Street in Portland, Connecticut. The jury awarded Rios a total of $3,000,000 in damages.
For economic damages, the jury determined that Rios incurred $73,433.22 in past economic damages. The jury also awarded $120,000 for future economic damages, which would compensate for estimated future medical costs and lost income relating to Rios’ injuries from the car accident. The total economic damages amounted to $193,433.22.
In terms of non-economic damages, meant to compensate for pain, suffering, emotional distress, and diminished quality of life, the jury awarded Rios $2,806,566.78.
Court Documents:
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