Case Results: Personal Injury

Missouri’s Most Trusted Personal Injury Attorneys

Personal injury attorneys, Ron Netemeyer and Jill Harper, have won millions for their Missouri clients by focusing on the details and developing a winning process. Instead of working cases on an individual basis, they work as a team to focus on every detail and provide an exceptional experience and outcome.

The attorneys at the Harper, Evans, Hilbrenner & Netemeyer have decades of experience representing clients in complex criminal defense, family law, and personal injury cases. See examples of our case results below:

$5M Settlement – A 42-year-old handicapped man was brutally murdered in county jail by another inmate when they were both supposed to be in solitary confinement. The attack lasted over 17 minutes with no intervention by guards. HEWN attorneys hired a focus group to watch the video of the attack and had them fill out sample verdict forms. The likely verdicts were given to the defense attorneys at mediation and the case was resolved prior to a lawsuit. Audrain County, Missouri.

$44.6M Judgment – A 25-year-old man was playing “Knockerball” at a local mall when the vertebra in his neck fractured and compressed his spinal cord leaving him paralyzed from the neck down. When the insurance company wasn’t willing to accept responsibility, Harper, Evans, Hilbrenner & Netemeyer took his case to trial. As a result, the judge awarded the client nearly $45M dollars. Cole County, Missouri.

$3M Settlement – A 66-year-old woman was hit by a Missouri Military Academy van that attempted to cross the median to turn left onto the highway in front of the woman and her daughter. The woman was airlifted to a nearby hospital and faced a leg amputation and multiple surgeries followed by months of rehabilitation. Callaway County, Missouri.

$2.3M Confidential Settlement – A 64-year-old man suffered burns to his face, arms, hands and legs during a propane gas explosion. Harper, Evans, Hilbrenner & Netemeyer immediately filed suit began an investigation. The defendant agreed to settle shortly thereafter for their policy limits. Moberly, Randolph County, Missouri.

$2M Settlement – A motorcyclist suffered a permanent, traumatic brain injury and various other injuries after being hit by a delivery truck that failed to yield. An air ambulance brought the man to a nearby hospital where he underwent emergency procedures. Pettis County, Missouri.

$1.8M Settlement – A 32-year-old man was struck by an uninsured driver while picking up traffic cones during the course and scope of his employment. While the insurance company initially denied coverage, HEWN attorneys filed suit and got the insurance company to pay their full policy limit plus an additional penalty for the company’s initial vexatious refusal to pay the claim. Boone County, Missouri

$1.6M Confidential Settlement – Medical Malpractice failure to diagnose and treat condition of cancer patient. Central Missouri.

$1.455M Settlement – Two women were killed after being rear ended by a truck driver who failed to stop. The vehicle in front of the women’s van stopped improperly at a flashing yellow light, and as the van slowed, the truck driver plowed into them, killing them both on impact. Lewis County, Missouri.

$1.45M Settlement – A motorcyclist became injured when another vehicle made a left turn directly in front of our client’s bike. As result, the cyclist sustained multiple fractures requiring various surgeries. Harper, Evans, Hilbrenner & Netemeyer were able to convince the insurance company of the magnitude of the cyclist’s injury and made a great recovery for the client. Moberly, Randolph County, Missouri.

$1.4M Verdict – A man suffered multiple broken bones, including a fractured femur and humerus, after being hit head on by an intoxicated driver on the highway. Warren County, Missouri.

$1.4M Settlement – A 34-year-old man riding a motorcycle was struck by a Columbia city bus and pinned under the bus for several minutes. The motorcyclist underwent emergency trauma surgery and died later that evening. Columbia, Boone County, Missouri.

$1.25M Settlement – A 43-year-old woman faced multiple broken arm and leg bones and a variety of internal injuries after being hit by a suspected drunken driver who crossed into her lane of traffic. The woman was hospitalized for one month and had multiple surgeries throughout her recovery. Boonville, Cooper County, Missouri.

$1.25M Settlement – A local police officer, unbeknownst to him, bought a defective firework that blew up in his hand while celebrating Independence Day. After losing most of his hand, and the firework company failing to acknowledge fault, HEWN attorneys filed suit and eventually settled the claim for $1,250,000.00. Cole County, Missouri

$1.125M Settlement – A dump truck driver was struck by another vehicle causing him to overturn down an embankment resulting in the degloving of both of his feet. HEWN attorneys were able to get the auto insurance company and the work comp insurance company to pay their limits prior to trial. Adair, County.

$1.125M Settlement – A Columbia couple, who faced multiple severe bone fractures, filed suit after being blamed for a head on vehicle collision. Visibility for both drivers was extremely limited, however the other vehicle had crossed the centerline while attempting to turn left, which ultimately caused the accident. Columbia, Boone County, Missouri.

$1.15M Confidential Settlement – Claim against bars serving alcohol to minor resulting in serious injury. Central Missouri.

$1.1M Confidential Settlement – A hidden camera recorded a nurse physically abusing a severely handicapped child. When contacted by the parents, Harper, Evans, Hilbrenner & Netemeyer got the police involved and forwarded the video to the insurance company with a demand for payment. Quickly realizing the gravity of the situation, the insurance company paid $1.1M in just a few short months. Confidential

$1.1M Settlement – A 30-year-old speeding motorcyclist suffered brain damage and several internal injuries after colliding with another vehicle that failed to yield and improperly changed lanes. Boone County, Missouri.

$1M Verdict – Two friends were in a one-car accident in which the vehicle veered off the road, flipped, and ejected both men from the car. Each of the men involved claimed the other was driving and both faced severe injuries. Chariton County, Missouri.

$1M Settlement – A woman, who was left unable to work, suffered a ruptured back disc and underwent two surgeries after a vehicle that was attempting to turn left pulled out in front of her. A challenge was presented in the case when the doctor claimed that the woman had a preexisting bulging disc, but it was found that the accident made the surgeries necessary. Jefferson City, Cole County, Missouri.

$920,000.00 Confidential Settlement – Malpractice claim against a chiropractor. Central Missouri.

$900,000.00 Settlement – A woman was forced off the highway by a tractor-trailer while trying to pass another vehicle. There was no contact between the vehicles however the woman suffered a fractured spine, fractured ribs, a fractured sternum, and broken fingers. Monroe County, Missouri.

$867,000.00 Settlement – Client’s mother was killed while driving in Fulton, Missouri when an unidentified piece of pipe flew through her windshield and struck her in the head. Police reports were unable to identify the vehicle that dropped the pipe on the road surface. Harper, Evans, Hilbrenner & Netemeyer filed suit against numerous constructions companies doing work in the area and obtained settlement for the victim’s family. Fulton, Callaway County, Missouri.

$802,500.00 Settlement – A 15-year-old boy was riding passenger in a vehicle that flipped on the highway and settled in the passing lane. An incoming car braked at the sight and was then rear-ended by a tractor trailer, causing the car to hit the flipped vehicle. The boy was treated for a spine fracture and facial lacerations after being rushed to a nearby hospital. Boone County, Missouri.

$750,000.00 Settlement – This accident occurred in Lake County, Indiana. At the time of the accident, the driver of another vehicle was eastbound on SR 231 when he crossed the center line and collided with my client’s vehicle. My client’s vehicle came to rest 52 feet from the point of impact causing him to suffer serious injuries to both legs. Lake County, Indiana.

$750,000.00 Settlement – A man who was known to suffer from seizures was driving his vehicle, and while having a seizure, crashed head-on into our client’s vehicle. Our client had to be life flighted to the hospital and was diagnosed with right leg and foot fractures, knee lacerations, and internal injuries requiring intubation. The other driver’s insurance claimed the illness was “an act of god” and their insured was not responsible. After Harper, Evans, Hilbrenner & Netemeyer threatened them with a lawsuit, the insurance company agreed to pay their policy limit of $750,000.00. St. Charles County, Missouri.

$736,448.75 Settlement – An off-duty police officer was injured during a drunk driving accident after a minor had become intoxicated at a bar and crossed into our client’s lane of traffic. Unfortunately, after being in a coma for over a year, the patrolman passed away. Harper, Evans, Hilbrenner & Netemeyer was able to make a recovery for the patrolman’s family from the minor, and the bar where he was a patron. Columbia, Boone County, Missouri.

$720,000.00 Settlement – An Iowa couple were struck by a Chevy Silverado who attempted to make a left turn directly in front of them. The husband and wife were both life flighted to the hospital and racked up medical bills exceeding $600,000.00. They spent 24 days in the hospital and then had to be admitted to a skilled nursing facility. Attorneys at Harper, Evans, Hilbrenner & Netemeyer were able to collect the $100,000.00 per person policy limit from the responsible driver, the $250,000.00 per person underinsured motorist limit from their own coverage, and $10,000.00 of medical pay coverage for a total recovery of $720,000.00. The attorneys were also able to successfully negotiate down the medical bills leaving the clients with over $270,000.00 and their medical bills satisfied. Adair County, Missouri.

$700,000.00 Verdict – A 46-year-old man with schizophrenia died while he was inside a locked nursing facility after the staff administered a fatal dose of morphine and did not provide appropriate CPR. St. Louis County, Missouri.

$695,000.00 Settlement – A family who was driving down the highway was hit head on by an oncoming car that crossed the centerline. One of the passengers died at the scene, one of the passengers faced permanent damage to both legs, and the other two passengers suffered internal injuries. Cooper County, Missouri.

$600,000.00 Settlement – An elderly woman was killed when hit by a dump truck making a left turn. The driver refused to submit to a drug test and quit his job immediately following the accident. The woman’s four adult children filed a wrongful death claim against the company and reached a pre-trial settlement after an unsuccessful mediation attempt. Columbia, Boone County, Missouri.

$525,000.00 Settlement – Automobile accident at no fault of our client. Obtained policy limits prior to litigation. Audrain County, Missouri.

$535,000.00 Settlement – A woman riding passenger in a van sues a construction company after the air compressor attached to the back of their truck detached on the highway. The collision resulted in the woman fracturing a number of bones as well as injuring her spine. Boone County, Missouri.

$510,000.00 Confidential Settlement – A man sustained a below-the-knee amputation after doctors diagnosed him with gangrene but left him untreated. Harper, Evans, Hilbrenner & Netemeyer were able to establish medical malpractice and reached a settlement during pre-trial mediation. Southern Missouri.

$450,000.00 Settlement – Slip and fall accident when property owner did not maintain downspout directing water under sidewalk causing ankle fracture. Boone County, Missouri.

$400,000.00 Settlement – A husband and wife were traveling down the highway when a vehicle approached from a side gravel road and pulled out directly in front of them. Unable to avoid the collision, the husband and wife t-boned the other vehicle causing them to rollover. Both sustained multiple fractures and the wife had to be life-flighted due to a traumatic intracranial hemorrhage requiring an emergency craniotomy. Harper, Evans, Hilbrenner & Netemeyer were able to collect the $200,000.00 limit from the other driver’s policy in addition to another $200,000.00 from the husband and wife’s underinsured motorist policy for a total recovery of $400,000.00. Callaway County, Missouri.

$300,000.00 Settlement – A 13-year-old girl was injured in an accident when a car struck the van she was riding. The accident left a V-shaped scar on her forehead and caused her to have migraine headaches. The little girl was then bullied by her classmates because of the scar. Columbia, Boone County, Missouri.

$300,000.00 Settlement – Rear end collision causing cervical injuries to client. We obtained policy limits from the other driver and from client’s UIM coverage. Quincy, Illinois.

$300,000.00 Settlement – Defendant did not see my client’s vehicle and attempted to travel across US 63 southbound lanes, traveling into the path of his vehicle. My client attempted to brake, causing him to skid and strike the other vehicle. Boone County, Missouri.

$290,000.00 Settlement – A teenager was injured at school during a dangerous science experiment. As a result, the girl sustained a concussion and damage to her right eye. Harper, Evans, Hilbrenner & Netemeyer were able to establish that the school failed to properly supervise the experiment and made a recovery for the girl. Columbia, Boone County, Missouri.

$275,000.00 Settlement – At the time of the accident, my client was driving westbound on Vandiver when the driver of another vehicle attempted to make a left from Vandiver Square, causing a collision. Client suffered bulging discs for which we got him policy limits of two different insurance policies. Columbia, Boone County, Missouri.

$250,000.00 Settlement – Policy limits recovered for client injured in automobile accident. Cooper County, Missouri.

$250,000.00 Settlement – Excessive use of force case against Columbia Police Department. A man who was taken into custody for resisting arrest was pepper sprayed and placed in a holding cell. The man was asking for water to rinse his eyes when he was pushed into a concrete wall by one of the officers which caused a permanent compression fracture to his head. Columbia, Boone County, Missouri.

$250,000.00 Settlement – A motorcyclist was injured when a young driver turned left directly in front of his cycle. He sustained multiple fractures and had to do months of physical therapy. Harper, Evans, Hilbrenner & Netemeyer were able to establish liability on part of the driver and recovered her policy limits. Boone County, Missouri.

$250,000.00 Settlement – A woman was hit by a drunk driver who was driving on the wrong side of the roadway. Our client sustained a fractured pelvis. Harper, Evans, Hilbrenner & Netemeyer were able to recover the drunk driver’s policy limits. Columbia, Boone County, Missouri.

$250,000.00 Settlement – A woman was injured in May 2014, as a passenger, when a man crossed the centerline and struck our client’s vehicle head-on. The woman sustained a 6-inch laceration to her forehead. Harper, Evans, Hilbrenner & Netemeyer were able to recover the policy limits from the man, and additional insurance coverage from the client’s UIM policy. Osage County, Missouri.

$250,000.00 Settlement – The other driver was negligent and failed to yield the right of way when making a left turn in front of our client. Harper, Evans, Hilbrenner & Netemeyer were able to recover the driver’s policy limits. Columbia, Boone County, Missouri.

$250,000.00 Settlement – An elderly driver was struck head-on by a teenager resulting in a long hospital stay and admission into a skilled nursing facility. His medical bills totaled over $600,000.00 and there wasn’t nearly enough insurance coverage to fully compensate him. However, the attorneys at Harper, Evans, Hilbrenner & Netemeyer were able to collect the full $50,000.00 policy limit from the teenager driver and an additional $200,000.00 on the client’s own policy. They were then able to successfully negotiate down the medical bills, leaving the client with all of his medical bills paid, and over $125,000.00 in his bank account. Cole County, Missouri.

$240,000.00 Settlement – According to the Kirksville Police Department’s accident report, this accident occurred because the other driver failed to yield to my client and was under the influence of alcohol. The negligence of the defendant caused an accident in which my client suffered a fractured ankle. Kirksville, Adair County, Missouri.

$230,000.00 Settlement – A woman was killed while riding as a passenger in her sister’s vehicle. Unfortunately, the sister failed to stop at a stop sign and ran into a semi-tractor trailer. Harper, Evans, Hilbrenner & Netemeyer was able to recover the policy limits from the sister’s vehicle, as well as the client’s own UIM coverage. Moniteau County, Missouri.

$225,500.00 Settlement – A woman fractured her left knee when she slipped and fell on an icy side walk. Harper, Evans, Hilbrenner & Netemeyer were able to prove a dangerous property condition and received a settlement for the client’s injuries. Columbia, Boone County, Missouri.

$205,000.00 Settlement – Other driver attempted to make a left turn failing to yield the right of way and collided with my client’s motorcycle. My client suffered aggravation of prior back injury. Settled for policy limits of other driver’s liability coverage and my clients underinsured motorist coverage. Boone County, Missouri.

$200,000.00 Settlement – Premises liability case where worker trips and falls on debris outside of her work place. Moberly, Randolph County, Missouri.

$200,000.00 Settlement – Policy limits settlement for wrongful death case from automobile accident with multiple insurance policies. Marion County, Missouri.

$187,500 Settlement – Client suffered conversion disorder after being run off of the road by a semi-tractor trailer. Defendant’s insurance denied liability and challenged the validity of our client’s injury. Iowa.

$170,000.00 Settlement – A minor was injured while riding as a passenger with his sister. A woman failed to recognize their vehicle and made a left turn directly in front of them. As a result, the minor sustained a goose egg to his forehead which later caused him sinus issues. He ended up having three sinus surgeries to correct the problem. Harper, Evans, Hilbrenner & Netemeyer were able to make causation on the sinus injury with the accident and collected a settlement from the driver. Columbia, Boone County, Missouri.

$153,622.00 Settlement – A man was rear-ended while driving during the course and scope of his employment. He sustained lumbar disc herniation’s which required three surgeries. Harper, Evans, Hilbrenner & Netemeyer were able to make a double recovery for the client for worker’s compensation benefits and automobile insurance liability. Columbia, Missouri.

$150,000.00 Settlement – An apartment complex tenant was walking to his car through the complex parking lot, which had not been properly cleared of snow and ice. Further, there was a large water drain which caused water to flow [and freeze] directly through the parking area causing a dangerous condition. The tenant fell on the ice and broke his right hip which required a surgery. Although the complex argued the condition was open and obvious, and the fall was the tenant’s own fault, Harper, Evans, Hilbrenner & Netemeyer collected $150,000.00 after a successful mediation. Boone County, Missouri.

$150,000.00 Settlement – An elderly lady was injured while a passenger in her husband’s vehicle as they were backing out of their own driveway. As they were halfway into the road, a teenager came over a hill at a high rate of speed and slammed into them. Both the husband and the teenager were cited for causing the accident. Unfortunately, because of the collision, the wife had a minor stroke and three bulged discs requiring a surgery. Harper, Evans, Hilbrenner & Netemeyer were able to collect the teenager’s policy limit of $25,000.00, the husband’s liability policy limit of $25,000.00, and the wife’s underinsured motorist coverage limit of $100,000.00 for a total recovery of $150,000.00. Callaway County, Missouri.

$150,000.00 Settlement – A minor child was involved in an automobile accident resulting in a head injury. Initially, she hired another law firm, who received a policy limits offer within hours of the client hiring them. Rather than investigating for further coverage, the law firm recommended the client take the settlement, and they would take their 38% attorney fee. Not happy with their representation, the client fired the other law firm and hired Harper, Evans, Hilbrenner & Netemeyer who was able to locate an additional $50,000.00 in coverage and was able to keep the client from having to pay the other firm any attorney’s fees. Boone County, Missouri.

$137,000.00 Settlement – A man was injured as a passenger when the driver of his vehicle swerved to avoid another vehicle. The man sustained a fractured elbow and nose. Harper, Evans, Hilbrenner & Netemeyer were able to collect from three different insurance policies for the negligence of the “phantom driver,” the driver of our client’s vehicle, and under the client’s UIM policy. Columbia, Boone County, Missouri.

$130,000.00 Settlement – Excessive use of force case against Columbia Police Department. A woman suffered a broken arm after a Columbia police officer violently tried to arrest her without cause. She was treated at a local hospital’s emergency room and had to undergo surgery to repair the fracture. Columbia, Boone County, Missouri.

$130,000.00 Settlement – A young man was injured on his motorcycle when another driver made a left turn in front of him. The young man fractured his pinky which had to be surgically fixed. As a welder, this hand injury also caused him to miss substantial time from work. Not only did Harper, Evans, Hilbrenner & Netemeyer collect the other driver’s policy limit of $100,000.00, they also recovered an additional $30,000.00 from the client’s own policy, for a total recovery of $130,000.00. Boone County, Missouri.

$125,000.00 Settlement – A teenager was injured when her boyfriend suddenly turned left into traffic. The teenager sustained a facial laceration. Harper, Evans, Hilbrenner & Netemeyer was able to recover the boyfriend’s policy limits in addition to the client’s UIM coverage. Boonville, Cooper County, Missouri.

$122,000.00 Settlement – A retired Columbia resident was travelling on a Tennessee highway when a deer ran out in front of the vehicle he was travelling behind. They immediately slammed on their brakes casing our client to rear-end the vehicle. Immediately thereafter, our client was then rear-ended by a large truck and trailer causing his vehicle to be smashed from both ends. Unfortunately, he succumbed to his injuries and his adult children brought a wrongful death claim. After Harper, Evans, Hilbrenner & Netemeyer were able to establish liability against the truck driver, they were able to recover his $100,000.00 policy limit in addition to recovering $22,000.00 in accidental death benefits thereby making a total recovery of $122,000.00 for the adult children. Montgomery County, Tennessee.

$100,000.00 Settlement – A man was injured as a pedestrian while walking on the side of the roadway. A driver swerved off the roadway and struck our client throwing him 25 feet in the air. Harper, Evans, Hilbrenner & Netemeyer established negligence and collected the driver’s policy limits. Columbia, Boone County, Missouri.

$100,000.00 Settlement – A woman was killed as a pedestrian while walking on the side of the roadway with her friend. A driver swerved off the roadway and struck both our client and her friend. Harper, Evans, Hilbrenner & Netemeyer established negligence and collected the driver’s policy limits. Columbia, Boone County, Missouri.

$100,000.00 Settlement – A man was injured in a motorcycle accident when a woman failed to yield. Our client sustained a right shoulder fracture, left hand fracture and abrasions to his body. Harper, Evans, Hilbrenner & Netemeyer were able to recover the woman’s policy limits. Columbia, Boone, County, Missouri.

$100,000.00 Settlement – A man was injured in a motorcycle accident when another man turned left directly in front of our client’s vehicle. He sustained a fracture to his left shoulder and abrasions to his body. Harper, Evans, Hilbrenner & Netemeyer were able to recover the driver’s policy limits.

$100,000.00 Settlement – Our client, a minor, was in the truck-bed with three other people following a church function. The driver, a young foreign exchange student, crossed over the center line, over-corrected and ran off the roadway turning the vehicle on its side. Our client sustained a fractured nose, elbow and a 6-cm laceration to her forehead requiring 50 stitches and plastic surgery. Harper, Evans, Hilbrenner & Netemeyer was able to collect the $100,000.00 policy limit from the truck owner’s insurance company. Boone County, Missouri.

$97,500.00 Settlement – A woman was rear-ended by a semi after she avoided a collision with a vehicle stopped in her lane of traffic. The client sustained a disc bulge and underwent physical therapy. Harper, Evans, Hilbrenner & Netemeyer were able to establish the existence and liability of the “phantom vehicle” stopped in her lane, and negligence on part of the semi driver.

$90,263.21 Settlement – A pharmacist was stopped at a stop sign when a young driver crashed into the back of him. He was transported from the scene by ambulance and was diagnosed with sternum and rib fractures, along with a mild concussion. Due to his injuries, he was unable to return to work for some time. After skillful negotiation, attorneys at Harper, Evans, Hilbrenner & Netemeyer were able to recovery $90,263.21 to compensate the pharmacist. Randolph County, Missouri.

$90,000.00 Settlement – A man was injured while mowing his lawn after a cable company had recently hung new wires for cable service. Harper, Evans, Hilbrenner & Netemeyer were able to establish that the cable company had negligently and improperly attached the wires to the client’s home which caused them to fall. Our client, who was legally blind, was unable to see the fallen wire while on his riding lawnmower and close-lined himself while mowing the yard. Although the client had underwent previous neck surgeries, he had to have another because of this accident. Harper, Evans,

Hilbrenner & Netemeyer were able to recover $90,000.00 as compensation for his injuries. Miller County, Missouri.

$75,000.00 Settlement – A man was injured while attaching a trailer he had just bought to the seller’s tractor. The seller misinformed the client about hooking up the trailer which caused a malfunction. Our client lost the tip of his finger in the accident.

Past results are not a guarantee of the results in future matters, and the outcome of a particular case or matter cannot be predicated upon a lawyer’s or our law firm’s past results. We do not make any guarantee, promise or other assurance that the same or similar results can be obtained in any matter we may undertake, and you should not assume that a similar result or outcome can be obtained by our law firm in your legal matter. The outcome of a particular matter depends on a variety of factors – including, among other things, the specific facts and circumstances of the matter.