Brain injury and no-fault insurance law experts David Christensen and Sarah Stempky Kime of Christensen Law recently received the largest ever personal injury verdict in Michigan when a Wayne County jury awarded their client $17.8 million in damages after a serious car accident left her unable to live independently. After eight days of trial, the jury compensated the injured driver by awarding her damages on June 11, 2014 for lost wages, pain and suffering.
“The jury’s verdict made it possible for me to have closure, have a new outlook on my life, start the real healing process, let go of the anger and ultimately, allowed me to see the silver lining,” said Vaylma Dorado, the 36-year-old plaintiff in the trial.
On September 17, 2010, Dorado was rear ended by a cement truck on Telegraph Road. The driver of the truck was distracted, reading paperwork while driving 50 miles per hour. He ran into the back of Dorado’s vehicle while she was waiting to turn, driving her Volkswagen Jetta into a utility pole.
Because of the accident, Christensen’s client had to have three spinal fusion back surgeries, a hip fusion and shoulder surgery. Dorado now has a collection of screws and plates in her spine that causes her constant pain. She also suffered a significant traumatic brain injury (TBI). As a result, she is no longer able to work or live independently.
“Nothing that happened since the accident will restore our client’s health, but the money the jury awarded will ensure that she has the medical and professional care she needs so that financial concerns will no longer stand in the way of her continuing rehabilitation,” said David Christensen, founder of the firm.
Co-counsel Sarah Stempky Kime commented, “Thanks to the jury’s decision, our client can now focus on healing and adjusting to her new life-changing circumstances without the added anxiety of wondering how she would pay for the additional assistance she needs as a result of the accident.”
Christensen and Stempky Kime explained that the firm’s trial record is among the top 1 percent of trial attorneys nationwide. They believe that every case – large or small – must be carefully prepared for trial from day one and that their tenacious approach to personal injury case facts is responsible for their success in this and many other cases.
Christensen Law is a personal injury law firm that specializes in helping victims of automobile and truck accidents.
Founder David Christensen earned his law degree, with honors, as well as a Master’s Degree from the University of Michigan. Currently, he is Chairman of the Michigan Association for Justice’s no-fault committee. He testifies before the Michigan legislature and his expertise has led to appointment to key positions that affect the development of Michigan’s no-fault law. In 2012, Christensen was chosen as a “Leader in the Law” by Michigan Lawyer’s Weekly.
Attorney Sarah Stempky Kime graduated from Alma College and Michigan State University’s College of Law with a certificate in Trial Practice from the Trial Practice Institute. Stempky Kime has worked with David Christensen since 2010. Based on her success in a relatively young career, she was awarded the “Up and Coming Lawyers” award by Michigan Lawyer’s Weekly that is given to the top 25 attorneys in Michigan in their first 10 years of practice. She has also been named a “Super Lawyers Rising Star,” an award based upon the votes of other attorneys in her field.
