Hartwell v. Paisner

53 Mass. App. Dec. 16
CourtMassachusetts District Court, Appellate Division
DecidedDecember 31, 1973
DocketNo. 70
StatusPublished

This text of 53 Mass. App. Dec. 16 (Hartwell v. Paisner) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Massachusetts District Court, Appellate Division primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Hartwell v. Paisner, 53 Mass. App. Dec. 16 (Mass. Ct. App. 1973).

Opinion

Murphy, P.J.

This is a remanded tort action to recover damages as a result of injuries sustained in a collision of automobiles on February 9, 1972 on Longwood Avenue, Brookline, Massachusetts. It was alleged by [17]*17the plaintiff that this collision was due to negligence and unskillful operation of a motor vehicle by the defendant.

An answer was filed on behalf of the defendant which contained a general denial and affirmative defences of which only two are material, to wit:

1. The action has been brought in violation of the no-fault provision of Chapter 90 of the Massachusetts General Laws as amended by St. 1970, c. 670.
2. The plaintiff is not entitled to recover damages for pain and suffering under the General Laws Chapter 231, § 6D (1-5).

The court found for the plaintiff in the sum of $4,475.00.

At the trial there was evidence tending to show:

The plaintiff was operating his car, a Volkswagen, on Longwood Avenue, Brookline, Massachusetts, on February 9, 1972. The plaintiff stopped his car behind one in front of him and while waiting for traffic to move, was struck in the rear by the defendant.

The plaintiff’s car was pushed across the street into the curb. As a result of the impact, the hood was smashed in over the engine, the bumper was pushed in over the hood that covers the engine, the left door was sprung, the bucket seat collapsed and was sprung. The defendant’s front end grill and [18]*18hood were pushed in. The plaintiff was pinned in his car and rendered unconscious.

J He remained in the car until the police arrived and extricated him. The police wrapped bim in a blanket because he was shivering and asked him if he could walk to the police car. He could not and they carried him out of his car to the police car and he was taken to the Beth Israel Hospital.

The plaintiff felt dizzy and his leg was hurting him. He was released from the hospital that same day and taken home by his mother. His knee stiffened and swelled one-fourth of its normal size.

The following day he was taken to the clinic at Northeastern University where he was treated by Dr. Grafton E. Burke, who was a Board member internist and specialized in physical rehabilitation.

The plaintiff was treated from February 10, 1972 through April 1972 by Dr. Grafton iBurke at Northeastern. Dr. Burke testified ethat the fair and reasonable value of medical services rendered to the plaintiff as a result of the injuries sustained in the accident were as follows:

x-rays of cervical and dorsal spine

x-rays of the skull

x-rays of both knees

x-rays of the chest $300.00

Laboratory Work 50.00

[19]*19Consultations with Dr. Bender, an Orthopedic Specialist 4 Consultations @ $25.00 each 100.00

Therapy treatments: 20 whirlpool haths for knee @ $5.00 each 100.00

38 physical therapy treatments @ $7.00 each 260.00

16 quadricaps exercise therapy treatments @ $10.00 each 160.00

Examination, consultations and all treatments under the personal supervision of Dr. Burke 300.00

Beth Israel Hospital Neck collar furnished Crutches furnished 20.00

Medicines purchased by plaintiff:

Fiorinal Tablets 2.25

21 Telfa Pads .95

Gauze Bandages 1.50

1 Cane for support in walking 3.95

Heating Pad 9.45

Fiorinal Tablets

(refill) 2.25

$1,288.35

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Related

Arwshan v. Meshaka
192 N.E. 162 (Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, 1934)
Karff v. Commercial Insurance Co. of Newark
43 Mass. App. Dec. 218 (Mass. Dist. Ct., App. Div., 1970)

Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
53 Mass. App. Dec. 16, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/hartwell-v-paisner-massdistctapp-1973.