Case Results

A teenage male was killed while riding an ATV. His neighbor invited him to drive the ATV. He was permitted to operate the ATV without proper safety equipment and without adult supervision. While operating the ATV on the defendant’s property, the teenage male struck a barbwire fence and was decapitated. The defendant’s homeowner insurance failed to timely appoint an attorney to represent the defendant. Subsequent to a default judgment granted by the Court against the defendant, the attorney, who was finally appointed for the insurance company, withdrew from representation of the defendant and we proceeded to trial. At trial, the jury found in favor of the teenage male and awarded his parents $20 million in damages. After trial we proceeded against the insurance company in an effort to collect the judgement. Of course, the insurance company had various defenses which they vigorously asserted. Ultimately a seven figure settlement was reached which enabled our clients to receive some compensation for the tragic loss of their son.

Our firm's recent jury verdict illustrates the importance of drivers being diligent in watching out for motorcyclists. Our client was riding his motor scooter on the Melbourne Causeway (US 192) when he was rear-ended by the at-fault driver. He sustained a traumatic brain injury resulting in severe brain damage. He had over $800,000 in medical bills and had significant limitations as a result of the brain injury. We took the case to trial. On the evening of August 11, 2011, a Brevard County jury rendered a verdict in favor of our client for just under $15 million dollars. The jury found that our client was 25% comparatively negligent for not wearing a helmet. Thus, the net verdict was over $11.1 million dollars. We were able to collect the entire insurance proceeds. We pursued a "bad faith" claim against the insurance company in which we attempted to collect the judgment amount which was in excess of their insurance policy. We also pursued an action against additional defendants which were alleged to have contributed to our client's serious injuries. That case was eventually settled for a substantial amount. We hope that these results will enable our client to receive the medical treatment and continual care which he needs for the duration of his life.

A 12-year-old child sustained severe injuries as a result of being struck by a cement truck. At the time of the incident, the child did not have access to the crosswalk due to the fact that the sidewalk was under repair. Given that the driver did not have sufficient time to stop, the child was struck by the cement truck. A law suit was filed against both the driver of the truck and his employer and the contractor who was working on the road and sidewalk.

Plaintiff was riding on a motorcycle when he was struck by Defendant. As a result of the impact Plaintiff was ejected and killed instantly.

This tragic accident happened in Hillsborough County when our client suddenly turned across three lanes of traffic on I-275 and into the path of a truck who did not have sufficient time to stop (we believed that the truck was going too fast for the traffic conditions). Her vehicle was crushed, resulting in her sustaining very significant injuries, including severe neurological injuries.

A 34-year-old male who was riding his motorcycle when a tractor-trailer turned left into his right of way. The collision caused his death. He was survived by his wife and two minor children. Case was settled for the policy limits of all available insurance.

Following an accident on his scooter, our client suffered a head injury which required treatment at a local hospital. It was alleged that the hospital and/or the physicians failed to recognize the need to perform an emergency procedure, and, as a result, our client sustained severe brain damage.

Minor male was seriously injured while riding a motorcycle with his father. The defendant changed lanes in front of the motorcycle causing the motorcycle to strike the rear of the defendant’s vehicle. The minor male was thrown from the motorcycle. As a result, he sustained serious brain injuries as well as extensive damage to bones, muscles, and tendons throughout his upper body.

Client was a 43-year-old female who was rear-ended by a commercial truck resulting in injuries that included disc herniations requiring anterior cervical fusion.

53-year old male was rear ended by the Defendant. Client suffered from a three level herniation which was ultimately operated on with anterior cervical disc fusion. Case settled for $1,575,000 shortly before trial.

69-year-old male was seriously injured when the defendant failed to observe clearance under power lines. The defendant caused the power lines as well as two power poles to fall into the road. The plaintiff subsequently struck one of the power poles. The plaintiff’s injuries included a left rotator cuff injury requiring surgery as well as a compression fracture in his spine. The jury awarded the plaintiff $1,529,282.

63-year old male sustained a fractured pelvis, a right knee injury and a back injury when the defendant turned directly in front of the client while the client was on a motorcycle. The client’s fractured pelvis required two surgeries. We obtained the limits of all available insurance in the case.

Our client was northbound on Commercial Way near the intersection of Kelso Road. The defendant was headed westbound on Kelso Road, but failed to stop for the stop sign at the intersection. As a result, our client’s vehicle T-boned the defendant’s vehicle causing substantial damages to both vehicles. Among other injuries, our client suffered a cardiac contusion which his treating physicians believed led to a stroke shortly after the accident. Unfortunately, due to the serious nature of his injuries, our client passed away shortly thereafter. He was survived by his wife. We were able to resolve the case for an amount in excess of $1 million dollars. Unfortunately, our recovery was limited by the amount of insurance available. Based on our efforts, however, we were able to convince them to pay every dollar of available insurance in settlement of the case.

44-year old male was injured when the defendant sideswiped the vehicle that the client was operating. As a result of the collision the client sustained a severely fractured right arm, cervical disc herniations, and back pain. Due the severity of the fracture to the client’s right arm, the plaintiff underwent two surgeries including bone grafts to repair his arm. The amount above represents the remaining limits of available insurance in this case.

Our clients, husband and wife, were involved in a serious accident where the defendant ran a red light. He suffered back and shoulder injuries, and she had an injury to her neck. This settlement represented the maximum amount of insurance coverage available.