Opinion ID: 1798404
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Injuries of Adrian Conklin Kowalczewski.

Text: The jury awarded damages to Adrian Conklin Kowalczewski in the sum of $7,500 for pain, suffering, and disability. Mrs. Kowalczewski was born on October 23, 1944. She was in the front seat of the car when the collision occurred and testified that the impact threw her around, causing her to strike her head on the rearview mirror. She visited Dr. Tax the next morning, complaining of nausea, headaches, and pain in her back, shoulder, and neck. Treatment continued for four and one-half months. She was employed at the time of the accident, doing domestic work for $20 per week plus meals, but she claimed that she had to discontinue this job for approximately six months. She was involved in a second accident in 1963. At the time of the trial, Mrs. Kowalczewski stated that she still gets headaches which last from the morning until midafternoon and that her neck bothers her when she touches her head. She also testified that when she turns her head a very sharp pain is elicited along the right side of the neck into the shoulder. Dr. Tax examined Mrs. Kowalczewski on 23 occasions and diagnosed her injuries as a musculo-ligamentous strain of the cervical spine, a contusion to the forehead, and acute traumatic myositis of the right trapezius muscle. He testified that the pain experienced upon extreme flexion of her head would be permanent but that the headaches may improve.  Dr. Salinsky examined her on just one occasion and testified that she had sustained an acute traumatic cervical syndrome and injury to the supporting ligaments of the cervical spine. He stated that Mrs. Kowalczewski would continue to experience pain and stiffness in the base of the neck upon extreme flexion of the head and neck. He expressed the opinion that this condition is probably permanent. At the instance of the defendants, Mrs. Kowalczewski had an examination by Dr. Coles, and he testified that she had probably sustained a contusion to the forehead and a cervical sprain, but he could find no evidence of permanent residuals flowing from the accident.