A seemingly routine case turned extraordinary when Alana Anzalone and Melanie Stuckey secured a $2.2 million verdict in Adams County for a 22-year-old client with herniated discs. Their victory is even more remarkable considering this was Melanie's first trial after transitioning from paralegal to attorney, and they faced a defendant who shockingly denied even hitting their client's car despite totaling it. Host Keith Fuicelli explores how their teamwork, strategic witness preparation, and powerful rebuttal of the defense's degenerative disc claims led to a jury award exceeding their request.
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☑️ Alana Anzalone | LinkedIn
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☑️ Melanie Stuckey | LinkedIn
☑️ Donaldson Law on LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook
☑️ Keith Fuicelli | LinkedIn
☑️ Fuicelli & Lee Injury Lawyers Website
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Episode Snapshot
- Melanie's inspiring journey from 25-year paralegal career to law school graduate and trial lawyer in 2020.
- The case involved a 22-year-old client with multiple herniated discs after being rear-ended on I-25 by a 78-year-old distracted driver.
- State Farm initially offered only $28,000 on $66,000 in medical bills, then later made a $95,000 statutory offer that the client rejected.
- The defendant shocked everyone at trial by denying he even hit the client's car, despite causing so much damage that it was totaled.
- The defense expert tried to attribute the young client's injuries to degenerative disc disease, claiming all symptoms were pre-existing.
- The chiropractor played a critical role by establishing the plaintiff’s permanent impairment through his testimony about ligament laxity.
- The case benefitted from the co-counsels’ complementary styles: Melanie's calm demeanor and Alana's fiery approach.
- The jury awarded $2,232,500, exceeding what was requested, including $40 per day for physical impairment based on the client's barber fee.
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