DISCLAIMER: The results are specific to the facts and legal circumstances of each of the clients' cases and should not be used to form an expectation that the same results could be obtained for other clients in similar matters without reference to the specific factual and legal circumstances of each client's case.

The Accident

On February 15, 2023, our client was stopped at a red light at the intersection of Beal Parkway and Green Acres Road in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, when a commercial box truck operated by an employee of Rodney H. Greenway, Inc. d/b/a RHG, Inc. failed to stop and rear-ended her vehicle. The investigating Florida Highway Patrol trooper cited the at-fault driver for careless driving.

The Injuries

Although our client initially felt able to manage her symptoms, her pain rapidly worsened over the days following the crash. She presented to the emergency department at HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital with complaints of neck pain and bilateral anterior shoulder pain stemming from the rear-end collision.

Despite extensive conservative care—including physical therapy, prescription muscle relaxers, and pain management—our client continued to experience debilitating neck pain radiating into her right upper extremity. Diagnostic imaging and consultations with orthopedic and neurosurgical specialists ultimately confirmed she was a surgical candidate.

Her treatment culminated in an anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) surgery performed in October 2024. Post-operatively, she was required to wear a cervical collar for six weeks, was unable to drive, and had to sleep upright for an extended period during recovery.

Treatment providers included HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital, White Wilson Medical Center, Select Physical Therapy, Institute of Diagnostic Imaging, Ascension Medical Group Sacred Heart Neurosurgery, Surgical Specialists ASC, Orthopaedic Associates, P.A. (Dr. Brandon W. Cook), North Florida Surgeons, US IOM Neuro, and iPerformance Center.

The Settlement

Browning Law Firm presented a comprehensive demand package to Imperium Insurance Company, the commercial auto liability carrier for Rodney H. Greenway, Inc., supported by hundreds of pages of medical records, billing, the PIP payment log, and prior treatment documentation. The carrier initially declined the policy-limits demand and extended an opening offer of $150,000.

Through sustained negotiation over several months, the firm progressively closed the gap between the parties' positions, ultimately securing a final settlement of $400,000.00 to resolve all bodily injury claims against Michael Defrane, Rodney H. Greenway, Inc. d/b/a RHG, Inc., and Imperium Insurance Company.

The settlement allowed our client to address substantial outstanding medical balances, including significant charges from Surgical Specialists, ASC and US IOM Neuro, as well as repayment of pre-settlement funding she had relied upon during her lengthy recovery.

Result

$400,000.00 settlement — Bodily Injury — Motor Vehicle Accident (Commercial Vehicle Rear-End Collision) — Okaloosa County, Florida.

(Matter ID: 23-11401917)

$400,000