Favorable Verdict: Automobile Negligence (Hillsborough County, Florida)

Miami Partner Jaime Baca and Associates Natalia Pinzon Martinez and Belissa Ardisson prevailed in an automobile negligence case in Hillsborough County, Florida this week.

We represented a national cell phone carrier in this case that involved our employee driver in an admitted-liability rear-end collision with Plaintiff’s vehicle. Plaintiff was a 38-year-old man who claimed he suffered a traumatic brain injury, multiple disc herniations, and a rotator cuff tear as a result of the accident. He underwent significant treatment including injections and PRP blocks, with medical bills totaling $85,000.

This was a transferred file that we received very close to the trial date. All discovery deadlines had already passed when we assumed control of the case and very limited defense expert testimony was available. These limitations notwithstanding, Jaime and his team still prevailed in striking several of Plaintiff’s experts and obtaining directed verdicts on the TBI claim and future damages claim. By the time the case went to the jury, the only claim left to consider was past medical damages. Plaintiff’s counsel asked for more than $300,000 in closing arguments, but the jury returned a verdict of just $15,000. This award triggers a Proposal for Settlement, which will enable our client to seek fees and costs.

Congratulations to Jaime, Natalia, Belissa, and the entire trial support teams in the Miami and Tampa offices on this outstanding outcome.