06/18/2010 // West Palm Beach, FL, USA // Tara Monks // Tara Monks
Atco, PA – Camden County, PA came to an agreement with an Atco man who was injured by a guardrail after a crash, Thursday, June 17, 2010, consenting to pay $15 million for his injuries and medical treatments, as reported by The Philadelphia Enquirer.
Nicholas Anderson, 24, was involved in a crash on a county-maintained road in 2004. The crash sent his vehicle into a guardrail, which sliced through his vehicle and severed one leg and partially severed an arm. Anderson explained, “I’m in pain every day.”
As his case has slowed to a crawl over the past years, due to appeals from the state, county and insurance carrier, State National; he has been unable to afford medical treatment for his injuries, according to the suit.
As part of the settlement, the county will pay Anderson within four months.
Anderson sued the county on the basis that the road was dangerous because of a six-inch drop between the road and shoulder. The lawsuit also blamed the guardrail’s design, stating that instead of absorbing the impact, it snapped.
Officials have installed different guardrails throughout the county, as a result of the accident.
Initially, in 2008, a jury awarded Anderson $31 million in damages. In 2009, a judge reduced the payout to $19.3 million. Appeals slowed the payout though, as the county fought to reduce the sum and the insurance carrier refused to pay.
This recent settlement was termed “fair” by a County Attorney.
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