Lois Farias, an 85-year-old former school crossing guard, was awarded $368,000.00 last month for injuries she sustained five years ago when a vehicle owned by the U.S. government struck her in a crosswalk while she was working as a crossing guard in Prince George's County.
Ms. Farias suffered deep tissue injury to her back, neck, knee and shoulder in the accident, for which the defendant took responsibility. The only issue at trial was damages. The goverment contended that her pre-exisiting arthritis was to blame for her current complaints and early retirement. Prior to trial, the government offered $125,000.00 to settle the claim. Ultimately, U.S. Magistrate Judge Paul W. Grimm awarded Ms. Farias $22,000.00 in past medical expenses, $46,000.00 in lost wages and $300,000.00 in non-economic damages. The Plaintiff was represented by Paul Bekman.
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