Rear-End Crash Leads to Cervical Disc Replacement and Hip Surgery, $2.5 Million Settlement

In 2022, James Geringer was traveling in stop-and-go traffic in St. Louis County when Katrina Wohlstadter rear-ended his vehicle. The initial impact appeared minor, and Geringer did not immediately grasp the full extent of his injuries.

In the weeks that followed, Geringer developed persistent neck, lower back, and hip pain that failed to resolve on its own. His medical team, led by Dr. Kevin Rutz and Dr. Cory Solman, determined he needed cervical disc replacement surgery to address the neck injury. During that treatment process, physicians also discovered a hip tear that required a separate surgical procedure.

Geringer filed suit in St. Louis County Circuit Court (Case No. 22SL-CC04918). His attorneys, Jamie Boyer and Patrick Hinrichs of The Bruning Law Firm, built a damages case around $321,462.69 in documented special damages, along with evidence of the lasting impact on Geringer's daily life. He had been forced to give up his volunteer role at The Magic House and could no longer spend time with family and grandchildren the way he had before the crash.

Nationwide Insurance, which provided coverage for the defendant, was the insurer on the other side of the negotiation. Judge Brian May presided over the case. The parties reached a settlement on June 6, 2024, for $2,500,000, the full policy-limits amount available under the Nationwide policy.

The settlement was reported by Missouri Lawyers Media on January 30, 2025.