Boone County, MO jury rejects plaintiffs’ request for $5 million in traumatic brain injury case

Following a week long jury trial, a Boone County, Missouri jury rejected plaintiffs, Martha and Ken Knuppel’s, request for $5 million in damages.  Martha Knuppel was struck by a drunk driver in the early morning hours of March 20, 2009.  The Knuppel’s claimed significant injuries resulting from the 2009 accident including traumatic brain injury and severe neck and back injuries.  Prior to the accident, Ms. Knuppel worked as a labor and delivery nurse, but claimed that following the accident and as a result of her injuries she could no longer work as a nurse.  Ms. Knuppel additionally claimed that she was no longer able to function as the chief financial officer in the family business.  At trial, liability for the accident was admitted, leaving only the issue of the value of plaintiff’s claimed damages.  After less than 2 hours of deliberation, the jury assessed plaintiff’s damages at $600,000, less than the total amount offered before trial. The case was tried by Nikki Cannezzaro, attorney for the defendant.