In December of 2017, the plaintiff was traveling northbound on Hughes Road when the defendant pulled out from the Waffle House parking lot in front of him, causing a collision. During trial, the plaintiff claimed permanent tinnitus and pain and suffering as his only damages. The case was tried for 1.5 days in Madison County in front of Judge Karen Hall, wherein the plaintiff asked the jury to award $554,316 in damages. The jury deliberated for exactly 1 hour before returning a verdict in favor of the plaintiff for only $25,000.

Johnson and Bottoms represented the defendant, insured by State Farm. State Farm had previously tendered their limits of $50,000, which was fronted by the UM carrier, USAA. USAA opted out of the trial of the case. USAA had also offered an additional $50,000 to the plaintiff, which was rejected.