Background: Namnit Kaur Guram, the plaintiff, brought a personal injury claim against Denny Chanthavimone, the defendant, for damages from a motor vehicle accident on April 28, 2019. The defendant admitted liability, and the trial focused solely on damages.

Key Legal Issues:

1. Whether Ms. Guram suffered a mild traumatic brain injury or concussion from the accident.
2. The extent to which the accident-related injuries impaired Ms. Guram’s capacity to earn an income.

Accident Details: The collision occurred when Mr. Chanthavimone’s car struck Ms. Guram’s vehicle from behind. Both vehicles were subsequently written off.

Injuries and Treatment: Ms. Guram reported ongoing issues, including headaches, neck and back pain, and cognitive difficulties. She underwent extensive treatment, attending over 500 appointments. Medical experts provided conflicting opinions on whether she sustained a concussion.

Expert Evidence: The plaintiff’s experts, including Dr. Steven Helper and Dr. Manu Mehdiratta, supported the concussion diagnosis, while the defendant’s experts, like Dr. Vance Makin, disputed it.

Credibility and Evidence: The court found inconsistencies in Ms. Guram’s accounts to medical experts and her trial testimony. The defendant’s witnesses were deemed more reliable.

Damages and Award: The court ruled in favor of the defendant regarding the concussion claim but acknowledged the plaintiff’s soft tissue injuries. The judgment awarded Ms. Guram a total of $565,910 in general damages, special damages, loss of income-earning capacity, and future care costs.