By: Adrian Angelette, 2003
A 72-year-old Baton Rouge woman who suffered brain damage after being struck by a car last year settled her lawsuit against the driver for $1.25 million Thursday, her attorney said.
Lillian Daiges, 72, was trying to cross Highland Road near West Roosevelt Street on Jan. 29, 2002, when she was struck by a Chevrolet Malibu driven by Ryan M. Deville, an LSU student at the time.
Daiges contended Deville is liable for damages because he was speeding, failed to take evasive action to avoid the accident and failed to see her as she was crossing the road.
Daiges attorney, Locke Meredith, said the settlement amount was for the maximum insurance coverage on the car driven by Deville. Meredith said the liability insurance through Trinity Universal Insurance Co. was for $250,000 and the same company had a $1 million umbrella policy on the vehicle.
The attorney for Trinity Universal couldn't be reached for comment.
Daiges claims she suffered injuries to her brain and spine, is having to cope with serious headaches and now has memory problems.
"She was once a very independent woman and now she has to be cared for at the nursing home," Meredith said. "Her quality of life is now gone."
The lawsuit, filed in state district court in Baton Rouge, says she has been under constant care of physicians who have determined that her physical and mental problems are permanent.
District Judge Duke Welch has determined that Daiges is unable to care for herself. The judge gave control of her financial and legal affairs to her two sons, Edward and Darrell Veal.
