Orange County Jury Awards Plaintiff Just Over 10% of Eight Figures Requested at Trial

On January 30, 2026, Scott Macdonald and Danielle Boyd secured a verdict in the Orange County Superior Court for an admitted liability, alleged traumatic brain injury case.  The case involved a side-swipe accident in which plaintiff’s driver’s side door was hit by a third vehicle after our client ran a red light.  Plaintiff hit her head against the passenger side window causing a hematoma.  She was self-transported to the hospital after the collision where she was diagnosed with a concussion.  Imaging also revealed a pre-existing Chiari I malformation.  Plaintiff sought care with multiple lien providers following the accident with complaints of headaches and other associates neurological symptoms.  She claimed a significant life disruption including difficulties working and caring for three children.  Plaintiff sought over $15,000,000 at trial for a life-long injury.

Mr. Macdonald and Ms. Boyd introduced evidence that two of plaintiff’s three children were born after the accident.  Social media and investigative footage demonstrated that plaintiff was not as impaired as claimed.  Expert testimony established that the concussion was mild and would have resolved within a short period of time.

After deliberations, the jury awarded less than half of plaintiff’s past medical bills, $50,000.  The jury awarded a small percentage of the Life Care Plan sought by plaintiff, $115,000.  The jury awarded past pain and suffering of $450,000 and future pain and suffering of $40,000.  The total verdict was $655,000.