Jim Carey Wins $2.1 Million Award

SiebenCarey, a personal injury law firm with offices in Minneapolis, Duluth and Lakeville, today announced attorney and managing partner, Jim Carey, has won a multi-million dollar award for Chisago City, Minn., resident Paula Cottingham. On Dec. 10, 2014, Cottingham was involved in an intersection accident on U.S. Highway 8 when another vehicle ran a stop sign and t-boned her vehicle. She suffered many serious injuries, including a traumatic brain injury, and PTSD, and she has been unable to return to work since the accident.

“This was a horrific accident in which the driver who ran the stop sign lost his life and Paula lost her ability to fulfill her hopes and dreams she had planned. Her goal to one day own her own salon ended that day,” said Carey. “What’s more, the insurance company attempted to minimize her injuries, offering a settlement of just $21,000.”

Carey and his investigation team compiled evidence and presented it to a jury on behalf of Cottingham. During the trial, Carey pointed out how the insurance company went to remarkable lengths to avoid its obligation in hopes to reduce the compensation owed to Cottingham. Only after the lawsuit was filed and litigation initiated, did the insurer admit that the other driver involved in the accident was completely at fault and that Cottingham was an innocent victim.

On August 29, 2019 after six hours of deliberation, the six jurors agreed to the special verdict, awarding Cottingham $2.1 million ($370,000 for past damages and $1.75 million for future damages.

“I’m always pleased to help clients when they need it most,” said Carey. “This is another example of big insurance companies trying to take advantage of a situation instead of just doing what’s right from the onset. Sometimes litigation is the only answer to obtain justice for people who have been harmed.”