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Court awards $308,749 after default in hit-and-run case; plaintiff sought punitive damages
Summary
In a default posture following a hit-and-run collision the court awarded plaintiff Ariela Lack $308,749 plus court costs; the award included billed medical expenses and amounts the court deemed uncontroverted.
Judge Tammy Long Hayward granted a default judgment in favor of plaintiff Ariela Lack for $308,749 plus court costs in a hit-and-run collision case after the defendants failed to defend.
Why it matters: the judgment reflects the court’s acceptance of the plaintiff’s uncontroverted medical bills and the plaintiff’s requested damages for pain and suffering and punitive damages tied to the hit-and-run nature of the incident.
At the Jan. 15 hearing plaintiff testified she was rear-ended and the striking vehicle fled the scene. Plaintiff produced medical records from Piedmont Hospital, chiropractic treatment, and an MRI at LE Radiology; the court admitted plaintiff’s exhibits (medical records and bills). Plaintiff’s counsel sought a total judgment of $308,749, comprised of $8,749 in medical bills plus claimed pain-and-suffering and punitive damages for the hit-and-run conduct. Judge Hayward said the defendants were served but did not defend; finding the medical bills and testimony uncontroverted, the court entered judgment for $308,749 plus court costs.
Court action: default judgment in the amount of $308,749 plus court costs is to be entered; plaintiff counsel directed to present a proposed order to the clerk for signature.
What happens next: plaintiff counsel will submit the proposed order; the plaintiff may pursue post-judgment collection remedies.
Quotes and attributions are taken from the hearing transcript and limited to speakers recorded on the record.
