Two-car collision: Failure to stop at stop sign: Partial blindness: Foot drop: Settlement

Law Reporter, May 1998

Shaffer v. Transportation Ins. Co., Wis., Milwaukee County Cir. Ct., No. 97-CV-7613, Jan. 21, 1998.

As Shaffer, 46, was driving on a highway, a company-owned vehicle ran a stop sign and hit his pickup truck on the driver's side. Shaffer suffered a traumatic injury to the left optic nerve, resulting in legal blindness of the left eye. He also suffered skull and pelvic fractures and pelvic nerve injuries resulting in partial foot drop. He was hospitalized for about seven weeks and under vent six months of rehabilitation. His medical expenses totaled about $130,000. Shaffer had been earning about $50,000 annually as an ultrasonographer but is unable to return to work.

Shaffer and his wife sued the insurance company for the driver's employer, alleging the driver had negligently failed to stop at the stop sign.

The parties settled before trial for $2.8 million, including $400,000 for loss of consortium.

Plaintiffs' Counsel:

*Gerald J. Bloch, Milwaukee, Wis.