Lisa Goodrich is my partner and significant other. She has always been independent and self-reliant, and asking for help does not come naturally to her. Lisa is thoughtful, principled, and deeply caring toward others — qualities that have made this experience especially difficult for her. Nearly eight years ago, Lisa was seriously injured in a collision with a commercial semi-truck. She underwent multiple surgeries and faced a long, difficult road to physical recovery. What followed, however, was an extended legal process that has left her personally responsible for overwhelming medical liens and legal costs she cannot afford. Despite the severity of her injuries and facing a well-funded commercial trucking company, Lisa is now trapped between costly post-trial options — a retrial or an appeal — where access to justice depends not on the merits of her case, but on whether she can raise the funds simply to move forward.
During the legal process, Lisa experienced disability-based bias, where aspects of her bipolar disorder were emphasized in ways that undermined her credibility rather than focusing on the physical injuries she suffered. This added a deeply personal and destabilizing layer of harm, leaving her not only injured, but without meaningful financial protection. After trial, Lisa was placed in an impossible position. If a new trial is granted, she faces the substantial cost of re-litigating the case, including expert fees, discovery, and trial preparation, with no assurance she can secure representation without upfront funding. If she seeks to appeal, she must navigate a complex and costly appellate process while medical liens and financial exposure remain unresolved. Either path requires significant legal resources simply to move forward, and Lisa lacks the financial ability to pursue these legitimate legal options.
This fundraiser is intended to help cover legal costs for post-trial motions, appellate review, or a potential retrial, address medical liens, and preserve Lisa’s ability to pursue accountability through lawful legal channels. Supporting her now is not only about one case, but about ensuring that disability and limited means do not determine who can seek justice. Any support — whether through a donation or sharing this page — is deeply appreciated.
During the legal process, Lisa experienced disability-based bias, where aspects of her bipolar disorder were emphasized in ways that undermined her credibility rather than focusing on the physical injuries she suffered. This added a deeply personal and destabilizing layer of harm, leaving her not only injured, but without meaningful financial protection. After trial, Lisa was placed in an impossible position. If a new trial is granted, she faces the substantial cost of re-litigating the case, including expert fees, discovery, and trial preparation, with no assurance she can secure representation without upfront funding. If she seeks to appeal, she must navigate a complex and costly appellate process while medical liens and financial exposure remain unresolved. Either path requires significant legal resources simply to move forward, and Lisa lacks the financial ability to pursue these legitimate legal options.
This fundraiser is intended to help cover legal costs for post-trial motions, appellate review, or a potential retrial, address medical liens, and preserve Lisa’s ability to pursue accountability through lawful legal channels. Supporting her now is not only about one case, but about ensuring that disability and limited means do not determine who can seek justice. Any support — whether through a donation or sharing this page — is deeply appreciated.