December 16, 2025. GMKE attorney Christian Shaheen secured a very favorable verdict in the State Court of Gwinnett County for her client. The lawsuit arose out of a motor vehicle collision involving 4 vehicles that took place on October 11, 2023, in Walnut Grove, Georgia. The accident occurred when the defendant’s vehicle rear-ended vehicle 1, causing that vehicle to rear-end the vehicle directly ahead, which then caused that vehicle to push forward into the Plaintiff’s vehicle in front of it.
At trial, the Plaintiff claimed his main injury was back and knee pain, which caused consistent pain while working and doing activities of daily living. Plaintiff’s counsel focused extensively on the change in his daily life, specifically his business. The Plaintiff admitted photographs of the damage and medical bills. Ms. Shaheen, however, objected to the introduction of any medical records with medical narrative as proper notice had not been given. That objection was sustained by the Court. Plaintiff did not present any treating physicians to testify and depended solely on the medical bills. Plaintiff presented special damages in the amount of $36,159.41.
Ms. Shaheen focused her defense strategy on cross examination of the Plaintiff and the fact that the Plaintiff was in a subsequent accident 6 days after this one.
During closing, Plaintiff’s counsel asked the jury to award $300,000. Ms. Shaheen argued the Plaintiff did not prove causation and further argued that if they found causation that the jury should consider which injuries came after which accident. The jury deliberated for 3 hours and twenty minutes before returning a verdict of $5,811.39 in favor of Plaintiff.
Prior to trial, the defense had submitted an Offer of Settlement under O.C.G.A. 9-11-68 in the amount of $40,000, putting the defense in position to recover the fees and costs of litigation.
The case is Roderick Gartrell v. Eliezer Leon Valencia and Gregorios Invert Builders, LLC, State Court of Gwinnett County, CAFN 24-C-07933-S6.
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