On August 25, 2009, Louis R. Moliterno of our office tried to conclusion the matter of Anis Algahmee, et al. v Clifford Reid, in the Mahoning County Common Pleas Court, Case No., 07-CV-01091, before The Honorable James C. Evans.

This case arose from a two-car motor vehicle accident that occurred on August 1, 2006.   At that time, the defendant, Clifford Reid, operated a 1999 Chevrolet pickup truck.   The accident happened on Mahoning Avenue, which is two lanes in each direction headed north/south.  As Mr. Reid approached a curb cut from Rite Aide accessing Mahoning Avenue, he indicated a motorist stopped northbound and waved him out.  He pulled out, past the vehicle that had waved him by, and immediately collided with a vehicle operated by plaintiff, Anis M. Algahmee.  Negligence was stipulated

Plaintiff submitted medical “specials” in excess of $7,300.00 he relates to the subject motor vehicle accident with most of the treatment being rendered by Synergy Physical Therapy between August 5, 2006 and September 27, 2006

Plaintiff testified that immediately following the accident, he was experiencing pain in his back which he describes as low and primarily on the left side.  As a result, he went to Austintown Ambulatory, which is right across the street from one of his businesses.  He acknowledged being treated and released, and his only complaints involved the low back, neck and shoulders.  He was given a prescription for Flexeril.  He was told to follow-up with Dr. Marino.  Mr. Algahmee indicates he had no regular doctor at the time of the subject motor vehicle accident. He went to Health Ridge Medical in Campbell when he was sick, but did not go to that institution for injuries from the accident. 

He was referred to physical therapy by Dr. Marino.  He has no idea what the treatment plan was.  He indicated he did make his appointments, those he missed he was able to make up.  He received no complaints with regard to his compliance with therapy.  At the conclusion of his first course of therapy, he saw Dr. Marino and was released from care.  About a month later, the pain came back and he returned to Dr. Marino.  He was then referred for a second course of therapy.  After the second course of therapy, his back continued to hurt and he asked for an MRI.  He had no idea what the outcome of the MRI was, but he was told that he did not have a surgical option.

Mr. Algahmee testified that after the second course of therapy, he only had “occasional” problems with his low back.  He indicated that every couple of weeks he would experience pain.  He was given home exercises, which he does when he gets a flare up.  He also took Aleve.  Mr. Algahmee acknowledged that no one has told him he has a permanent injury.  He has no plans for future treatment.  Mr. Algahmee indicated he also sought care from massotherapist, Shannon Smith, at the direction of Dr. Marino.  He had no treatment since the February 2007 MRI.
Treatment in February of 2007 included doctors visits at the request of plaintiff’s counsel.  In addition, plaintiff’s complaints were fairly benign at that time, and for reasons unknown, resulted in a referral for an MRI that was completely negative. 

After deliberations, the jury returned a verdict in favor of the plaintiff against defendant, Clifford Reid, in the amount of $3,500.00.  An offer made on behalf of defendant Reid before trial in the amount of $10,500.00 was rejected by plaintiff.

Should you wish any additional information in reference to this trial, please do not hesitate to contact Attorney Louis R. Moliterno of our office at our toll free number 1-888-648-3894, or his e-mail address at lmoliterno@wmslawohio.com.