Jury awards $4.5M to driver rear ended by sheriff in car accident case

Motor Vehicle - California
Driver awarded $4.5M for crash with sheriff

A jury awarded $4.5 million to a man who sustained a severe back injury when he was rear-ended by the Sacramento County Sheriff. In 2005, Timothy Friese, then 46, was struck by Sheriff Andrew Wyant who was on duty. Friese's injuries included headaches, severe neck pain with reticular complaints, wrist pain for which he underwent surgery and removal of a traumatically induced cyst, and severe low back pain for which he underwent surgery at L3-4. He chose not to have a suggested fusion surgery on his back. Later, Friese had to quit his job as an estimator for a construction company due to severe, ongoing pain. The defense admitted liability, but contended that if Friese underwent the fusion surgery, he would be able to work a full-time desk job.

Friese v. County of Sacramento