Jury increases judgment in car accident

Monday, Nov. 19, 2001 | 9:08 a.m.

A Clark County jury more than doubled the amount awarded to a car accident victim Thursday in a second trial in her lawsuit against another driver.

Sherry Flick, 34, was awarded more than $3 million from Kenneth DeJesus. She sued after the car she was driving in was forced off Interstate 15 by DeJesus in June 1992.

DeJesus admitted liability, but the case went to a jury in 1996 to determine the award. Flick claimed she suffered permanent injuries, including brain and nerve damage.

That jury awarded Flick $1.4 million, but the Nevada Supreme Court, in a 4-3 decision, ordered a second trial. Justices said Flick's attorney, W. Randall Mainor, engaged in "egregious misconduct."

Mainor, who retried the case with his son, Brad, said he feels vindicated by the jury's decision. He added that the high court ruling had resulted in attorneys feeling that they couldn't be aggressive client advocates.

"I'm especially happy for Sherry," Mainor said. "She was maligned. She was painted as a faker and a liar and she was not."

DeJesus' attorney, Don Shreve, said Mainor shouldn't say he feels vindicated until the Nevada Supreme Court looks at the case again. He declined to comment further other than to say Flick's list of injuries was longer during the second trial. She now claims to have epilepsy, too.