Defense Verdict: Automobile Negligence (St. Lucie County, Florida)

Fort Lauderdale Partners Robert Paradela and William Peters, and Associate Watsonie Denis, Esq. recently secured a complete defense verdict in a highly contested automobile negligence case in St. Lucie County, Florida.

The case arose from a disputed intersection collision that occurred in 2015 and involved more than a decade of litigation. The Plaintiff alleged significant orthopedic injuries, multiple spine surgeries, a traumatic brain injury, and other related damages, with more than $1.2 million in past medical bills. Claims were also asserted on behalf of the plaintiff’s children for loss of parental consortium.

The defense faced a number of unique challenges throughout the litigation and trial. Both defendants passed away before trial, requiring the team to present its case with limited testimony and evidence available from key fact witnesses. Despite these obstacles, throughout the two-week trial, the team effectively utilized extensive documentary evidence, witness testimony, surveillance evidence, and expert accident reconstruction analysis to challenge the Plaintiff’s claims.

At closing arguments, Plaintiff’s counsel asked the jury for more than $18 million, but after deliberating for less than an hour, the jury found no liability on the part of our clients and returned a complete defense verdict.

Congratulations to Bob, Bill, Watsonie, and the entire trial team in Fort Laurderdale on this outstanding result.