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Jury compensates woman for injuries

Apr 30, 2008 | Nancy Lowry | NC News Online

A Lawrence County jury has awarded a Wampum woman $400,000 for life-changing injuries sustained in a traffic accident.

The award stems from a Jan. 20, 2005, traffic accident in Perry Township.

Attorney Larry Kelly, who represented Eleanor Andorfer, 81, said Andorfer, then 78, had been employed as a certified nursing assistant.

On the day of the accident, he said, Andorfer was northbound on Mercer Road when her vehicle was hit by one driven by Linda Manz of Ellwood City.

Kelly said Manz's vehicle had been hit from behind by one driven by Billie Jo Miller, also of Ellwood City, and pushed into Andorfer's car.

The accident resulted in Andorfer fracturing both ankles. She underwent three surgical procedures and extensive rehabilitation, accumulating medical expenses of $17,441. She also spent eight months in a nursing home following the accident.

As a result of her injuries, Kelly said, Andorfer must use a walker to get around, and has been unable to return to her job.

"The issue wasn't medical bills," Kelly said he argued to the jury. "It is independence. My client lost that as a result of the accident. She lives in her own apartment, but no longer drives. She must depend on her children and others to take her where she needs to go."

The jury found Miller to be responsible, but exonerated Manz.

Wexford-based Attorney Nelson Gaugler, who represented Miller and Nationwide Insurance Corp., said he was not surprised at the size of the verdict, even though it was about twice the amount he anticipated.

"Mrs. Andorfer had some very serious injuries," he said. "Both of her feet were essentially driven into her lower legs."

Gaugler said he does not anticipate appealing the verdict.