David M. Irvine

After being rear-ended by a tractor-trailer on Interstate 81, our client turned to Allen & Allen for guidance as his neck and back pain continued to worsen in the months and years that followed. Attorneys Kari La Fratta and David Irvine secured a settlement of $895,735.78, reflecting the extent of his injuries and the years of treatment that followed. The crash occurred on New Year’s Eve of 2021. Our client was driving on Interstate 81 during foggy conditions when he approached an earlier incident on the roadway. Warning signs alerted traffic ahead, and our client slowed his work vehicle to a stop. However, a tractor-trailer traveling behind him was unable to stop in time and struck his vehicle, pushing it into the median. Although he was evaluated at the scene by EMS, he initially returned home. Later that same day, he began experiencing increasing pain along the left side of his body, including his neck, back, and shoulder, along with dizziness and headaches. What followed was a long and evolving medical journey. He first completed 12 rounds of physical therapy and experienced relief from his pain. But over time, his symptoms returned and intensified. MRIs revealed degenerative changes in his spine, and he underwent months of pain management treatment, including injections and medication to find relief. While undergoing continued pain management our client was involved in a second motor vehicle collision which caused him to hit his head on the windshield and fracture his left hand. Following the second collision he reported no increased pain and continued with his prior pain management plan. As the years progressed, his symptoms persisted. Nearly two and a half years after the I-81 collision, further MRIs revealed a significant cervical spine condition requiring surgery. He underwent a cervical discectomy and fusion to relieve his ongoing pain and restore function. Attorneys Kari La Fratta and David Irvine along with their legal team worked to clearly connect the initial collision to the client’s ongoing pain, demonstrating how the crash set into motion a multi-year course of treatment that ultimately led to surgery. Through thoughtful preparation, they presented a clear and medically supported picture of the client’s injuries and their impact on his everyday life. The case was scheduled for trial but resolved during settlement negotiations. The final settlement of $895,735.78 provides our client with the financial support needed for his medical expenses and accountability after years of treatment and recovery. Our team was proud to stand by our client through his complex and extended recovery.