R.J. Review Podcast with Attorney Thomas Ozbolt
Hello and welcome to this week’s case review from Shane Smith Law.
My name is Shane Smith, and today I’m talking with Thomas Ozbolt about a recently settled case where we were able to secure the full insurance recovery for our client after a serious crash and spinal surgery.
How the Accident Happened
Our client, who we’ll call KP, was driving through Cherokee, North Carolina around 5:30 p.m. on a rainy Tuesday in February. She had just gotten off work and was traveling about 45 miles per hour, within the speed limit.
As KP drove through wet conditions, another driver attempted to leave a commercial plaza and suddenly shot across three lanes of traffic, directly into her path. The at-fault driver struck KP head-on.
The impact was violent. KP’s airbags deployed, striking her in the face and head. Almost immediately, she began experiencing:
- Severe neck pain radiating into her shoulders and shoulder blades
- Pain traveling down her arms with numbness in her hands
- Significant injury to her left hip, leaving her unable to lift her leg without physically picking it up
- Difficulty walking
- Constant headaches
She went to the emergency room the following morning due to the severity of her symptoms.
Injuries That Did Not Resolve With Time
KP’s injuries did not improve quickly. Over the next several months, she treated with:
- A chiropractor
- A medical doctor
- Advanced imaging and specialist evaluations
Diagnostic testing revealed multiple disc herniations, including at:
- T2–T3
- C5–C6 and C6–C7
- L5–S1
- T11–T12
Because of the complexity of her spinal injuries, KP underwent a discogram on July 21, a specialized imaging procedure used to pinpoint which discs are actually causing pain. Based on those results, her doctor determined she needed an anterior lumbar interbody fusion at L5–S1.
Back Surgery and Recovery
KP ultimately decided to move forward with lumbar fusion surgery. While it was a difficult and emotional decision, she chose surgery to protect her long-term mobility and quality of life.
Fortunately, the surgery was successful. From all reports:
- Her pain significantly improved
- She felt she was “back to herself”
- While some physical limitations remain, she is no longer living with constant pain
The Biggest Challenge in the Case
One of the most important lessons from this case had nothing to do with fault, and everything to do with medical billing.
When KP went to the hospital after the crash, she told staff that GEICO, the at-fault driver’s insurance, was involved. The hospital mistakenly listed liability insurance instead of her health insurance.
That single, understandable mistake created months of complications.
Instead of being billed under Blue Cross Blue Shield, the hospital billed under liability, resulting in much higher charges. Thomas and our team then had to:
- Fight with the health insurance company to correct the billing
- Work directly with hospital billing directors
- Negotiate reductions equivalent to what health insurance should have paid
This process added months to the case, but it was critical to ensuring KP was not unfairly burdened with inflated medical bills.
Why the Case Took Longer — By Choice
While the case could have been resolved faster, Thomas made the deliberate decision to fight longer to protect KP’s financial outcome.
Instead of settling quickly and leaving her with excessive medical debt, he pushed to ensure:
- Medical bills were reduced appropriately
- KP received the maximum possible net recovery
That approach reflects how this firm operates. We prioritize the client’s long-term outcome, not quick resolutions.
Final Result
At the end of the case, Thomas secured:
- 100 percent of the available insurance coverage, totaling $100,000
- No money left on the table
- A resolution that fully accounted for surgery, treatment, and long-term impact
Takeaway for Accident Victims
This case highlights two critical points:
- Serious injuries may not be obvious right away, especially spinal injuries
- Medical billing decisions early on can dramatically affect your case later
Having the right legal team early can prevent costly mistakes and protect your recovery.
If you or someone you love has been hurt in a crash, remember:
In pain? Call Shane.
📞 980-999-9999
You can also request our free Victim’s Survival Guide to Car Accidents here:
👉 https://www.shanesmithlaw.com/car-accident-victim-survival-guide/
