24-year-old Caitlin Owens had a green light in Hollywood and planned to turn left. An underinsured motorist Yehoran Efrati, ran a red light. The heavy impact caused Caitlin's car to spin around. Caitlin's head hit the driver's side window. At Cedars Sinai ER, she complained of pain on the left side of her body, left neck strain, left chest wall contusion and upper left partial aspect of her head.

 

Caitlin began a conservative treatment with her chiropractor and tried acupuncture with her DC's referral.  Over six months later she stopped all care for one year. She then returned to her DC where she was referred to a pain management MD. Caitlin received sub acromial steroid injections for an impingement syndrome. Her pain did not resolve. She was referred to the Santa Monic Orthopedic Group where she was diagnosed with labral tear and impingement syndrome. She underwent a left shoulder arthroscopic type 2 SLAP repair and direct posterior labral tear repair

 

Defense argued that Caitlin only suffered impingement syndrome which aggravated a pre-existing thoracic outlet syndrome. That most of her complaints for a 24 year was 'pre-existing'.

 

Defendant offered $75,000

Plaintiff demanded $165,000

 

Arbitrator Darrell Forgey, Esq awarded $167,283.81 but reduced by 10% for gap in care.