Overview
A teenager developed Conversion Disorder and Dissociative Disorder in the months following an ATV accident. After his insurer disputed both catastrophic impairment and whether the accident caused his condition, the accident benefits claim was settled at mediation for $1.12 million.
Key Takeaways
- Settlement amount: $1.12 million
- Accident type: ATV accident
- Initial injuries: Relatively minor injuries
- Primary conditions: Conversion Disorder and Dissociative Disorder
- Notable legal issues: The insurer denied catastrophic impairment and disputed whether the ATV accident caused the client’s problems
- Legal process: A legal action was started against the insurer
- Medical evidence: Expert medical opinions were obtained
- Resolution method: Settlement at mediation
The Case
Our client was a teenager when he fell from an ATV being driven by a friend. His initial injuries were relatively minor, and he went home following the accident. Over the next several months, however, he began experiencing psychological symptoms that progressed into Conversion Disorder and Dissociative Disorder.
An application for accident benefits was submitted on his behalf, along with an application for catastrophic impairment. His accident benefits insurer denied that he had sustained a catastrophic impairment and also took the position that the ATV accident had not caused his problems.
A legal action was started against the insurer, and expert medical opinions were obtained to assist our client. The accident benefits claim was ultimately resolved at mediation for $1.12 million.
Why It Matters
This case involved psychiatric disorders that developed over the months following an accident, despite the client initially sustaining relatively minor injuries. The insurer challenged both the catastrophic impairment application and the connection between the accident and the client’s subsequent problems.
The claim was resolved for $1.12 million at mediation after legal action was commenced and expert medical opinions were obtained.