Mock Injury Case Summary

Below is a mock case summary for an injury matter I created with the assistance of Claude.ai.

I will use this extensively in reviews and case studies.

Mock Motor Vehicle Collision Facts Summary

Martinez v. Greenfield Logistics, Inc. (MOCK CASE)

Source: Claude Sonnet 4.5 October 12, 2025

THE INCIDENT

Date: March 15, 2024
Time: 2:47 PM
Location: Intersection of Harbor Boulevard and Maple Street, a busy commercial district

Accident Details

The collision occurred at a four-way intersection controlled by traffic signals. Harbor Boulevard runs north-south and is a four-lane divided highway (two lanes each direction) with a posted speed limit of 45 mph. Maple Street runs east-west and is a two-lane residential street with a speed limit of 25 mph.

Weather Conditions: Clear and dry, approximately 68°F, excellent visibility

Traffic Conditions: Moderate mid-afternoon traffic

The Collision

Plaintiff Sarah Martinez, age 34, was driving her 2019 Honda Accord eastbound on Maple Street, approaching the intersection with Harbor Boulevard. She had a green light and proceeded into the intersection at approximately 22-25 mph.

Defendant’s driver, Robert Chen (42), was operating a 2022 Ford F-550 box truck owned by Greenfield Logistics, Inc., traveling southbound on Harbor Boulevard. The truck was carrying approximately 8,000 pounds of commercial kitchen equipment. Chen was returning from a delivery and running approximately 45 minutes behind schedule due to traffic delays earlier in his route.

As Martinez entered the intersection, Chen’s truck ran the red light (red for approximately 2.3 seconds, according to traffic signal timing records) and struck Martinez’s vehicle on the driver’s side at approximately 38-42 mph (speed estimated by accident reconstruction expert based on skid marks, vehicle damage, and truck’s electronic logging device).

The impact occurred slightly forward of the driver’s door, causing Martinez’s vehicle to spin counterclockwise approximately 270 degrees before coming to rest against a traffic signal pole on the southeast corner of the intersection.

Emergency Response

911 was called immediately by witnesses. Martinez was conscious but disoriented and complaining of severe left-side pain. She was unable to exit her vehicle without assistance. Paramedics arrived within 8 minutes and extracted her from the vehicle. She was transported by ambulance to St. Joseph’s Medical Center, arriving at 3:12 PM.

Chen exited his truck under his own power, appearing shaken but claiming he was uninjured. He stated to the responding officer, “The light was yellow when I entered the intersection. I couldn’t stop in time with the load I was carrying.”

Police Report

Officer Amanda Rodriguez responded and prepared an incident report. Key findings:

  • Chen was cited for running a red light
  • No evidence of drug or alcohol impairment for either driver
  • Two independent witnesses (pedestrians waiting at the crosswalk) stated the light was “definitely red” when the truck entered the intersection
  • One witness estimated the light had been red for “at least two seconds, maybe three”
  • Traffic camera footage exists but image quality is poor due to sun glare; shows the collision but signal light color is not definitively determinable
  • No evidence Martinez was speeding; witnesses confirmed she was traveling at normal residential speed
  • Both drivers’ cell phones were collected; forensic analysis showed no usage within 5 minutes of the crash for either party

THE PLAINTIFF

Name: Sarah Martinez
Age: 34 years old
Occupation: Marketing Director at a mid-sized technology firm (annual salary: $87,000)
Marital Status: Married to David Martinez (38), with two children: Emma (7) and Lucas (5)
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Communications, MBA
Residence: Homeowner in suburban neighborhood, 15 minutes from workplace

Pre-Accident Life

Martinez was in excellent health prior to the accident. She exercised regularly (jogging 3-4 times per week, yoga twice weekly), participated actively in her children’s school activities, and had no significant medical history beyond routine care. She had no prior accidents or injuries requiring medical treatment.

She enjoyed an active lifestyle including hiking with her family on weekends, coaching her daughter’s soccer team, and playing recreational volleyball in a local league. Her performance reviews at work were consistently excellent, and she was being considered for a Vice President promotion.

THE INJURIES

Immediate/Emergency Room Treatment

At St. Joseph’s Medical Center ER:

  • Initial trauma assessment revealed: alertness but significant pain, tenderness along left ribcage and left arm
  • CT scan of head/neck: negative for brain injury or cervical spine fracture
  • X-rays revealed:
    • Displaced fracture of left humerus (upper arm) requiring surgical intervention
    • Three fractured ribs (ribs 6, 7, and 8 on left side)
    • No rib puncture of lung, but moderate pulmonary contusion (lung bruising)
  • Additional imaging revealed moderate left shoulder soft tissue damage

Surgical Intervention

Martinez underwent open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) surgery on her left humerus the following day (March 16, 2024), performed by orthopedic surgeon Dr. Michael Stevens. Surgery involved:

  • 2-hour procedure under general anesthesia
  • Insertion of titanium plate and eight screws to stabilize the fracture
  • Patient remained hospitalized for 3 days post-surgery for pain management and monitoring

Subsequent Medical Treatment

Orthopedic Care:

  • 12 follow-up appointments with Dr. Stevens over 8 months
  • Hardware remains permanent; surgeon advises against removal unless complications develop
  • Bone healing progressed normally but with persistent reduced range of motion

Physical Therapy:

  • Initiated 4 weeks post-surgery
  • 3 sessions per week for 6 months (72 total sessions at $185/session)
  • Focus on restoring arm strength, shoulder mobility, and functional movement
  • Progress slower than typical due to concurrent rib injuries limiting certain exercises

Pain Management:

  • Initial prescription: Oxycodone for 3 weeks post-surgery (which Martinez discontinued early due to adverse side effects)
  • Transitioned to combination of NSAIDs and acetaminophen
  • Ongoing periodic use of pain medication 18 months post-accident
  • Three epidural steroid injections for persistent thoracic spine pain ($1,200 each)

Psychological Treatment:

  • Martinez developed anxiety and PTSD symptoms following accident
  • 6 months of weekly therapy sessions with licensed clinical psychologist Dr. Jennifer Wong ($200/session)
  • Diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and adjustment disorder with anxiety
  • Symptoms include: flashbacks to accident, anxiety when driving (especially through intersections), hypervigilance as vehicle passenger, nightmares, avoidance of Harbor Boulevard
  • Prescribed anti-anxiety medication by her primary care physician

Ongoing Complications (as of October 2025):

  • Persistent reduced range of motion in left shoulder (approximately 70% of pre-injury mobility)
  • Chronic pain in left arm rated 3-4/10 on average, with episodes of 6-7/10 with weather changes or prolonged use
  • Permanent visible scarring (8-inch surgical scar on left arm)
  • Occasional sharp pain in rib area, particularly with deep breathing or physical exertion
  • Continued anxiety symptoms, though improved; Martinez still experiences significant distress when driving through intersections with heavy truck traffic

DAMAGES

Medical Expenses (Billed Amounts)

  • Emergency room and initial hospitalization: $34,200
  • ORIF surgery and surgeon fees: $42,800
  • Anesthesiology: $3,400
  • Follow-up orthopedic visits: $4,800
  • Physical therapy (72 sessions): $13,320
  • Pain management injections: $3,600
  • Psychological counseling (26 sessions): $5,200
  • Medications: $2,100
  • Diagnostic imaging (post-acute): $3,800
  • Total Medical Bills: $113,220

Lost Income

  • 12 weeks complete absence from work (FMLA leave, short-term disability covered 60% of salary)
  • Lost wages during complete absence: $20,077
  • 6 months of reduced productivity/partial days upon return (estimated 40% reduction in hours): $17,400
  • Missed promotion opportunity; VP position went to colleague during recovery period (estimated annual differential: $25,000)
  • Quantifiable past lost wages: $37,477
  • Future diminished earning capacity: disputed

Property Damage

  • 2019 Honda Accord: Total loss, fair market value $18,500
  • Personal property damaged in vehicle: laptop ($1,200), phone ($800), professional clothing ($450)
  • Total Property Damage: $20,950

Quality of Life Impacts

  • Unable to continue coaching daughter’s soccer team
  • Discontinued recreational volleyball permanently due to shoulder limitations
  • Reduced ability to lift and carry children (particularly problematic during recovery year)
  • Difficulty with household tasks requiring left arm strength
  • Self-conscious about surgical scar, affecting clothing choices and body image
  • Marital strain due to personality changes, anxiety, and physical limitations (couple attended 8 sessions of marriage counseling)
  • Takes alternative 20-minute longer route to work to avoid Harbor Boulevard/Maple intersection

Treating Orthopedic Surgeon: Dr. Michael Stevens, M.D.

  • Testifies injuries consistent with T-bone collision of this severity
  • Opines permanent partial impairment of 25% to left upper extremity
  • States Martinez has reached maximum medical improvement but will experience chronic pain and limitations permanently
  • May require future surgery if hardware becomes problematic (approximately 15% chance)

Treating Psychologist: Dr. Jennifer Wong, Psy.D.

  • Diagnosed PTSD and adjustment disorder with anxiety
  • Testifies symptoms are genuine and consistent with motor vehicle accident trauma
  • Prognosis: symptoms may persist for years; Martinez will likely always experience some level of intersection anxiety
  • Treatment duration was appropriate; premature termination would have been clinically inappropriate

Life Care Planner: Rebecca Morrison, RN, CLCP

  • Projects future medical needs including:
    • Annual orthopedic monitoring: $1,200/year for life
    • Ongoing pain management: $2,400/year for life
    • Possible future hardware removal surgery: $35,000 (15% probability)
    • Periodic physical therapy: $1,800/year for life
    • Psychological maintenance therapy: $4,000/year for 5 more years
  • Total future medical costs (present value): $127,000

Economic Expert: Dr. Robert Yamamoto, Ph.D.

  • Calculates past lost wages: $37,477
  • Estimates future wage loss due to missed promotion opportunity: $387,000 (present value)
  • Notes career trajectory permanently altered; less likely to advance to C-suite positions
  • Accounts for reduced work-life expectancy due to physical limitations

INSURANCE AND SETTLEMENT POSTURE

  • Defendant’s commercial auto policy limits: $1,000,000
  • Plaintiff’s initial demand: $875,000
  • Defendant’s highest offer pre-trial: $250,000
  • Plaintiff rejected offer; case proceeding to trial

ADDITIONAL RELEVANT FACTS

  • Greenfield Logistics had one prior lawsuit 3 years ago involving a different driver (rear-end collision, settled for $85,000)
  • Traffic signal maintenance records show the light system was inspected and functioning properly 3 weeks before accident
  • Martinez’s auto insurance provided $18,500 for total loss of vehicle under collision coverage
  • Martinez’s health insurance paid $68,340 of medical bills with contractual write-offs; lien amount for reimbursement: $68,340
  • Venue: State court with modified comparative negligence (plaintiff barred from recovery if more than 50% at fault)

This MOCK fact pattern presents complex issues for trial strategy including: disputed liability based on conflicting accident reconstruction opinions, substantial damages with both hard costs and subjective pain/suffering components, questions of medical causation and reasonableness of treatment, economic damages requiring expert projection, and emotional/sympathy factors balanced against corporate defendant’s resources.