A woman who suffered multiple injuries after a driver turned in front of her has settled a claim against the at-fault driver for $1.25 million, her attorneys report.
Chuck Allen and Josh Allen of Allen and Allen in Anderson said that their client, Rebecca Vannelli, was driving south on Highway 81 in Anderson County in December 2019 when Helen Bartlett attempted to make a left turn in front of her. Vannelli’s car slammed into Bartlett’s.
Vannelli suffered serious injuries, including a traumatic brain injury, multiple bone fractures, a lacerated spleen, and collapsed lung. Vannelli was in the hospital for 17 days. She underwent surgery to insert hardware into her right leg and to repair ligament in the right knee. She also underwent 10 months of physical therapy.
“She is doing better and can walk on her own without assistance,” Josh Allen said. “She has an ankle injury that is not healing as anticipated. Doctors are hopeful it will heal on its own with treatment, but if not, an additional surgery to remove the ankle bone will be necessary.
James Walsh of Clarkson, Walsh and Coulter in Greenville represented Bartlett and her husband, who owned the car Bartlett was driving. He could not be reached for comment, but Josh Allen said the defense questioned the severity of Vannelli’s injuries.
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SETTLEMENT REPORT – MOTOR VEHICLE CRASH
Amount: $1.25 million
Injuries alleged: Traumatic brain injury, multiple bone fractures, lacerated spleen, collapsed lung, and ligament tear in back of knee
Case name: Rebecca Marie Vannelli vs. Helen Marie Bartlett and Richard P. Bartlett
Court: Anderson County Circuit Court
Case No.: 2020-CP-04-01079
Date of settlement: Nov. 19
Special damages: $262,435 (past medical bills)
Most helpful experts: Dr. John Murray of Anderson (orthopedics), Dr. Rock Weldon of Greenville (vocational issues), Dr. Charles Alford of Greenville (forensic economist) and Dr. Yadira Baez-Lockard of Piedmont (forensic psychology)
Insurance carriers: Auto-Owners and Farm Bureau
Attorneys for plaintiff: Chuck Allen and Josh Allen of Allen and Allen in Anderson
Attorney for defendant: James Walsh of Clarkson, Walsh and Coulter in Greenville