May 19, 2026. Senior Associate Samantha Feinberg tried a case this week in the State Court of Gwinnett County before Judge Shawn Bratton obtaining a result that was below the last settlement demand and well below what the Plaintiff asked the jury to award.
The case arose out of an automobile accident that occurred On December 3, 2021. The Defendant approached the Plaintiff from behind at a red light and tapped the back of his vehicle. There was very little damage to the rear of the Plaintiff’s truck, and no damage to the front of the Defendant’s truck. Defendant admitted simple negligence at trial. Both parties exchanged information without calling the police.
Weeks later, the Plaintiff saw a billboard advertisement for a chiropractor while driving on Highway 316. He began treating with the chiropractor 3.5 weeks after the car accident for neck and back complaints, was sent for an MRI on his back, and received two rounds of epidural steroid injections at an orthopedist. He also claimed lost wages for every day he went to the chiropractor.
During trial the Plaintiff testified about his neck and back pain limiting his life activities. There were no witnesses besides the Plaintiff and the Defendant. The Plaintiff entered his medical bills and medical records. During Plaintiff’s closing arguments, he emphasized that the Defendant did not accept responsibility for causing the Plaintiff’s injuries, and the Plaintiff should not be forced to spend money to bring a doctor to testify at trial. In closing, the Plaintiff had requested $31,500 in medical bills and lost wages, and pain and suffering “as you see fit” of at least $11,100. The jury deliberated for approximately two hours and returned a verdict of $2,000.
The case is Angel Rodriguez v. Lorenzo Rincon Sanchez, State Court of Gwinnett County, CAFN 24-C-03786-S2.
Click on the link to read the biography for Samantha Feinberg.
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