Trial Magazine

Kara Hansen, 16, was driving northbound on a highway in her father’s car. As she slowed to turn left into her driveway, Corbin Hamilton rear-ended her vehicle, which caused her to move out of her lane and collide with a southbound motorist. Hansen suffered cervical injuries that resulted in quadriplegia. Her medical expenses totaled $1.2 million.

Hansen and her father sued Hamilton, alleging inattentive driving and failure to keep a proper lookout. Among other claims, suit alleged Hamilton had been texting while driving.

The jury awarded $38.5 million to Hansen and $17,300 to her father. The court reduced the award to approximately $20.77 million under the state’s damages cap.

Citation: Hansen v. Hamilton, No. 2014-CV-000078 (Kan. Dist. Ct. Cherokee Cnty. Feb. 2, 2018).

Plaintiff counsel: AAJ members Roger Johnson, Anna Sanderson, and Scott Vorhees, all of Joplin, Mo.