Massachusetts appeals court upholds $541,000 injury verdict in rare new-trial win

By AI, Created 9:26 AM UTC, June 04, 2026, /AGP/ – A Massachusetts appeals court has upheld a personal injury verdict for a woman hurt in a 2014 rear-end crash after a rare new-trial ruling and a second jury trial. The case ended an 11-year fight and left the plaintiff’s total recovery above $558,000.

Why it matters: - The ruling shows how a plaintiff can win after an initial defense verdict if a trial judge finds the jury ignored the evidence. - The case also illustrates the stakes of post-trial motions and appellate review in personal injury litigation. - The final recovery topped $558,000 after judgment, interest and litigation costs.

What happened: - A Massachusetts woman was injured in an August 29, 2014 rear-end collision in Lee, Massachusetts, while stopped to make a left turn. - Emergency responders transported the plaintiff to Berkshire Medical Center after the crash. - The plaintiff later underwent cervical spine surgery tied to injuries from the collision. - Attorney Greg Connly filed suit in December 2016 in Berkshire County Superior Court after settlement talks failed. - The defendant admitted fault for the collision at trial but disputed whether the crash caused the injuries and damages.

The details: - A first jury trial in September 2022 ended with a defense verdict finding no injury from the crash. - Medical evidence and expert testimony at trial acknowledged that at least some injury occurred. - Greg Connly and Barbara Connly moved for a new trial, arguing the verdict went against the weight of the evidence. - On November 2, 2022, the trial judge granted the motion and ordered a new trial. - The judge found that no reasonable jury could conclude the plaintiff suffered no injury or incurred no medical expenses from the crash. - The court also criticized trial arguments that suggested the defendant personally paid substantial expert witness fees. - The second trial began in October 2023. - Before that trial, the defense offered $75,000 to settle the case. - The plaintiff declined the offer on Greg Connly’s advice. - The second jury returned a $300,000 verdict for the plaintiff. - With statutory interest, the judgment totaled $454,608.84. - In October 2025, the insurance company paid the judgment, accrued interest and litigation costs in full.

Between the lines: - New-trial orders are unusual because Massachusetts courts rarely overturn jury verdicts after trial. - The appellate win matters because it validated the trial judge’s call that the first verdict was unsupported by the evidence. - The defense did not seek further appellate review, which ended the case at the appeals stage. - The gap between the $75,000 settlement offer and the final recovery underscores how post-trial leverage can change after a successful new-trial motion.

What’s next: - No further appellate action is expected after the defendant declined to seek additional review. - The case is now closed after full payment by the insurer.

The bottom line: - Dolan Connly, P.C. turned an initial loss into a final recovery above $558,000 by winning a rare new-trial ruling and defending it on appeal. - The firm said the case reflected persistence and preparation, but the legal record shows the jury had to answer the injury question twice before the plaintiff prevailed.