Answering the N-C-J questions - the Aunt probably sued for $127,000 because that's what her medical bills were - it's amazing how fast they add up! And she sued probably to try to get the nephew's parents' homeowners' insurer to pay those bills so her health insurer (and her, with deductible and co-pay) wouldn't be stuck with them. Finally, the lawyer most likely took the case on a contingency basis - the Aunt most likely didn't pay anything up front - with the thought it would probably settle and everyone would get a little something out of it (plaintiff lawyers for the most part do NOT take cases with the idea they will have to take them to Trial)!