Van Zyl v. Fain

Summary

In this automotive negligence litigation proceeding, plaintiff Deon S Vanzyl alleged Daniel Fain of being negligent by colliding his car with plaintiff’s motorcycle, due to which Deon Vanzyl suffered a transection of the spinal colum at T-6, leaving him a paraplegic at age 22, with no motion or feeling in his body from the chest down.

Mr. Vanzyl had been a rugby player and grill cook, with career dreams of becoming an executive chef. But his injury left him severely disabled, with reduced life expectancy, neurogenic bowel and bladder, fewer career options, and permanent medical difficulties. The purpose of the trial was to determine the amount of damages to which Mr. Vanzyl was entitled.

The plaintiff was represented by attorneys Alexander Clem and Keith Mitnik. The defendant in this case, Daniel Fain was represented by attorney Stephen Hayskar, Dale Parker and William Kebler.


The jury awarded over $18M in damages.

For more information, visit the CVN News Blog.

Outcome

Medical Expenses: 420,875.70- Past, 1,252,000-Future
Economic: 16,000- Past, 700,000- Future
Non-Economic: 5,000,000- Past, 11,500,000-Future
Totals: 18,888,875.70