Passenger in head-on collision burned over third of his body

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The plaintiff was a passenger in a vehicle that was involved in a head-on collision.

The collision caused a fire to occur in the vehicle the plaintiff was in, and the plaintiff caught fire. The flames were extinguished by the driver of the vehicle in which he was traveling.

The plaintiff sustained extensive burn injuries to his ears, forehead, nose, back, left leg, hands and arms, requiring debridement and skin grafting.

The plaintiff was left with permanent limitations, chronic pain, neuropathic symptoms, and scarring to 36.5 percent of his body.

Action: Motor vehicle negligence
Injuries alleged: Extensive burn injuries, scarring, chronic pain
Case name: Withheld
Court/case no.: Withheld
Jury and/or judge: N/A (mediated)
Demand: $11 million
Amount: $3.625 million
Special damages: $269,100.70, medical bills; $636,787, lost earnings
Most helpful expert: Forensic economist
Date: Jan. 28, 2025
Attorneys: Richard Rafferty, Mark W. Murphy and Travis Rafferty, of Eden Rafferty, Worcester (for the plaintiff)