North Carolina Lawyers Weekly
John Lantz was hit head on by a driver who had bald tires and lost control while exceeding a safe speed in a curve. Lantz suffered catastrophic injuries of a C4-5 dislocation fracture.
Over the course of approximately 50 days, he underwent multiple surgeries, infections and complications. At the end of this time, Lantz and his family decided to withdraw life-support measures.
At the time of death, he was 71 years old and was survived by a sister and over 20 nieces and nephews. Counsel for the plaintiff created a day-in-the-life video and settlement documentary to vividly portray the life and injuries sustained by Lantz.
Mediated Settlement Report
Type of action: Personal injury- auto
Injuries alleged: C4-5 fractures with quadriplegia for 50 days, resulting in death
Case name: Estate of John Lantz v. Confidential
Case number: None
Court: Granville County Superior Court
Mediator: Anderson Little
Verdict or settlement: Mediated settlement
Date: October 2010
Amount: $1.2 million
Experts: Dr. Guy Fried, M.D. (Pennsylvania)
Plaintiff’s attorney: David Henson of Henson Fuerst (Raleigh)
Editor’s note: The information in Lawyers Weekly’s verdicts and settlements reports was submitted by the counsel for the prevailing party and represents the attorney’s characterization of the case.
