Police Officer Injured in Line of Duty

A police officer injured in a motor vehicle accident while responding to an emergency agreed to settle her injury claims for a total of $75,000. The tortfeasor paid $25,000 toward the settlement and the underinsured motorist carrier paid the balance of $50,000. The underinsured carrier also waived its subrogation lien for worker’s compensation benefits.

Alexandria City police officer, Plaintiff Venus Roman, was driving her police vehicle on South Glebe Road near the Arlington/Alexandria City line. She was on an emergency run with her siren activated and emergency lights flashing. As she attempted to go through the red light at the intersection of South Glebe Road and Mt. Vernon Avenue, she was “T-boned” by a vehicle driver by Defendant Jose Soriano. Defendant has the green light, but admitted that he failed to yield the right-of-way to an emergency vehicle. Plaintiff sought damages for her shoulder injury from the tortfeasor and from her employer, Defendant City of Alexandria, for underinsured motorist benefits.

Plaintiff claimed she suffered a torn rotator cuff which required surgery and follow-up treatment for more than one year. She claimed medicals and lost wages from a second job as a result of her injuries.

Defendants disputed the nature and extent of plaintiff’s injuries, but ultimately settled her claims prior to the lawsuit being served. Defendant City of Alexandria also waived its subrogation life for workers’ compensation benefits as part of the settlement.