California Auto Accident Lawsuit Results in $21M Verdict

A California jury has awarded more than $21 million to an Iraq War veteran who was permanently injured in a 2007 car accident that caused multiple fractures and a debilitating stroke.

The California auto accident lawsuit was filed by 29 year-old Michael Nelsen against Hillyard, Inc., a cleaning supply company whose driver alleged caused a crash on August 17, 2007.

At the time of the accident, Nelsen was riding as a passenger in a vehicle that was allegedly going 15 miles per hour when the Hillyard van rear-ended the vehicle going at least 80 miles per hour.

As a result of the injuries sustained in the rear end accident, Nelsen suffered a broken femur and numerous other fractures. He later suffered a stroke caused by a blood clot that resulted from his injuries, leaving him with permanent damage to most of the left side of his brain.

According to a press release issued by Nelsen’s lawyers last week, a California Superior Court jury awarded $21,067,093.53 in October.

Nelsen served in the U.S. Navy and completed two tours in Iraq, and was studying at the California Art Institute at the time of the accident.