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

Heading: 243 The Injuries of Wesley Conklin.

Text: The jury awarded damages for pain, suffering, and disability to Wesley Conklin in the amount of $6,500. Mr. Conklin was born on June 24, 1942. He was in the back seat of the car, leaning forward, when the collision occurred. He testified that the car slid forward about two feet after the impact; he flew backward, hit the side of the doorjamb and back seat, and then bounced forward, hitting the front seat with his neck and shoulder. He visited Dr. Tax the next morning, complaining that he could hardly move his right arm, that his back was stiff, and that he was experiencing headaches. He stated that he had to leave his job since he could not do the necessary lifting because of his back and arm pain. At the time of the trial he was employed as a billing clerk. At the trial, Mr. Conklin said that he still had pain in his back and shoulder. He testified that he could not lift over 10 pounds without getting backaches and had difficulty bending over and picking up. Dr. Tax treated Wesley Conklin on seven occasions after the accident. His diagnosis was a musculo-ligamentous strain of the lower back and lumbar spine and a traumatic myositis of the muscles of the right shoulder girdle. He testified that he believes the condition is probably permanent. Dr. Salinsky examined Mr. Conklin on only one occasion and testified that he had sustained a traumatic cervical syndrome, in addition to the musculo-ligamentous strain of the lower back. He testified that Wesley Conklin had suffered a musculo-rotator cuff injury to the right shoulder and that he will experience some pain and stiffness involving the right shoulder, especially upon heavy lifting or forceful pushing with the right upper extremity. He testified that in his opinion the residuals which he delineated are permanent.  Dr. Coles examined Mr. Conklin for the defendants on one occasion and testified that it seemed probable that he sustained a lumbo-sacral sprain in the accident. He also testified that at the time of his examination he was unable to find any evidence of permanent residuals flowing from the accident.