While our firm has handled thousands of cases across a comprehensive spectrum of industries—including Healthcare, Aviation, Transportation, Products & Construction, and more—these representative examples illustrate how we work and the results we obtain.
The common denominator in Wicker Smith cases is how we prioritize clients and their best interests above all, leveraging ingenuity, tenacity, and know-how to craft winning end-games.
American Airlines Evacuation
Our legal team was involved in the case for the emergency evacuation of American Airlines flight 1822 at Palm Beach International Airport.
Crash of Execuflight
Our legal team was involved in the case for the crash of Execuflight 1526 in Akron, Ohio.
US Airways Flight Incident
Our attorneys provided legal counsel in the US Airways flight 1702 runway overrun in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Crash of Comair Flight
Our attorneys represented Delta Air Lines, Inc. in the crash of Comair Flight 5191 in Lexington, Kentucky.
Chalk’s International Airlines Incident
Our legal team acted as the lead defense counsel for Chalk’s International Airlines in the incident involving the seaplane crash that occurred in Miami Harbor.
Crash Involving Aaliyah
Our attorneys were involved in the case of the airplane crash that killed the entertainer, Aaliyah, in The Bahamas.
Comair Michigan Crash
Our legal team represented Delta Air Lines, Inc. in the crash of Comair Flight 3272 in Monroe, Michigan.
Valujet Crash
Our attorneys acted as lead defense counsel in the case of the multi-district litigation for the Valujet crash in the Florida Everglades.
Breach of Contract
We received a complete defense verdict in a commercial breach of contract action. Plaintiffs sought over $1.5 million in damages and the contract contained a prevailing party attorneys’ fees provision. Our attorneys also obtained a $200,000 verdict for their client on a counterclaim for breach of contract.
One-Day Bench Trial
Our attorneys, Holly Howanitz and Hadley Mann, from our Brunswick office represented a major construction materials distributor in a contract dispute. They obtained a defense verdict in a one-day bench trial, and also received the court’s reserved ruling to award attorneys’ fees.
A Case of Wrongful Death
Richards H. Ford, Clay H. Coward, and Taylor Tribou of our Orlando office were involved in a medical malpractice case, where the plaintiff requested $3.9 million. After a seven-day wrongful death trial, our attorneys received a favorable defense verdict.
Complex Medical Malpractice
Kevin Crews, Ashley Withers, and Michael Shue of our Naples office were involved in a complex medical malpractice case. Although the plaintiff demanded $4.5 million, our attorneys received a favorable defense verdict.
A Complete Defense Verdict
Jason Glusman and William Bromley of our Fort Lauderdale office obtained a complete defense verdict. The plaintiff sustained a tri-mal fracture with two surgeries, $115,000 in medicals, and a recommendation for an ankle fusion. Although the plaintiff asked for $1.3 million, the jury returned a verdict of no negligence.
A Verdict in One Hour
Our attorneys, Kevin Crews and Ashley Withers, defended a hospital in a premises liability case. The plaintiff claimed hospital negligence when he failed to park in the designated loading dock and suffered injuries while exiting his vehicle. After a four-day trial, the jury returned a complete defense verdict in approximately one hour.
15-Minute Results
Our attorneys, Kevin Crews and Ashley Withers, defended a hospital in a premises liability case. The plaintiff alleged that he struck his head on a soffit while exiting the hospital and suffered medical injuries. After providing compelling evidence during a four-day trial, our attorneys obtained a favorable defense verdict in less than 15 minutes.
Concussions During A Football Game
Kurt M. Spengler and Melissa T. Woodward of our Orlando office represented trainers and coaching staff in a complex case. Our defendant allegedly ignored the symptoms of successive concussions exhibited by the plaintiff during a football game, causing a traumatic brain injury. The plaintiff proposed an economic plan of $9.6 million and asked for a minimum of $4 million, however, our attorneys received a favorable defense verdict.
A Weeklong Trial
Raymond E. Watts, Jr. of our Orlando office represented a long-term care facility in a case, involving allegations that the plaintiff suffered wrongful death and survival damages related to an MRSA infection. After a weeklong trial in northern Virginia, Watts obtained a favorable result.
An Injury During Surgery
Richards H. Ford, Joseph P. Menello, and Taylor Tribou of our Orlando office represented a hospital and surgeon after the plaintiff received an injury to her small bowel during robotic assisted laparoscopic surgery. The plaintiff suffered septic shock, underwent surgery, and spent six months in various hospitals, which cost over $1.2 million. While the plaintiff asked the jury for $13 million, our attorneys received a defense verdict.
Nursing Resident Case
We defended a hospital client in a case, where a nursing rehabilitation resident was admitted at age of 84, and then transferred to the defendant hospital where she died. The plaintiff claimed the defendant was negligent in their care of her. However, our attorneys denied negligence and received a defense verdict.
Third Defense Verdict
Our attorneys, Kevin Crews and Ashley Withers, received their third defense verdict in five weeks following a five-day medical malpractice/wrongful death trial. The patient was admitted to the defendant hospital after a neck surgery and developed complications, including hospital-based delirium and an abrupt syncopal episode. During the trial, the plaintiff claimed that the nurses fell below the standard of care, however, our legal team argued otherwise and stated that the plaintiff failed to present evidence of proximate cause for the patient’s syncope.
Triumph Before and After Trial
Our attorneys, Kevin Crews and Ashley Withers, represented a hospital client in a case, where a patient went into cardiac arrest and suffered an anoxic brain injury that resulted in death three weeks later. The estate alleged that the nurses did not report signs and symptoms of respiratory distress and failed to appropriately respond to the Code Blue. Prior to trial, our legal team was successful in striking the estate’s multi-million dollar loss of income and earnings claim by presenting evidence that the deceased’s income had been earned through an illegal Ponzi scheme. During the trial, our attorneys demonstrated that the nurses met the standard of care, and the jury returned a defense verdict.
No Negligence Found
Our attorneys, Kevin Crews and Ashley Withers, obtained a defense verdict in a medical malpractice case. The plaintiff alleged that the nurses employed by the defendant hospital were negligent in accidently overdosing the patient with narcotic pain medication, resulting in respiratory distress and the need for a Code Blue. Our legal team argued that the claims were not correct and, after five-day trial, the jury returned a no negligence verdict.
A Defense Verdict
Our legal team received a favorable defense verdict for a physician, who allegedly failed to accurately grade a renal tumor and provide further effective treatment.
A Directed Verdict
Our attorneys successfully received a directed verdict for the defense in a case, where the doctor was alleged to have caused or contributed to patient’s ultimate pituitary and adrenal gland problems.
Dismissal for Fraud
Our legal team was involved in a medical malpractice case, in which the firm represented a chiropractor accused of negligence that resulted in a herniated disc. We received a dismissal for fraud in pre-trial based on numerous, significant lies evidenced by the plaintiff’s deposition.
No Legal Cause
Theresa Caccippio and Vanessa Romero-Molina of our Fort Lauderdale office expertly handled an admitted liability case and received a defense verdict where the jury found no legal cause.
Motion Granted
Holly Howanitz and Steve Paveglio of our Jacksonville office defended a law firm in a legal malpractice case, where the plaintiff alleged negligence and breach of fiduciary duty regarding administration of an Escrow Agreement. The plaintiff claimed an excess of $650,000 in damages. However, our legal team argued that the plaintiff was not a party or intended beneficiary to the agreement, and the court granted the defendants’ motion for final summary judgment.
A Matter of Sandals
Jaime Baca and Vanessa Romero-Molina of our Miami office received an amazing no negligence verdict in a slip and fall case, where the plaintiff claimed she slipped on water at a grocery store. She incurred over $321,000 in medical expenses and asked for $2.2 million. Although there was evidence of water on the floor, our attorneys successfully argued that she did not slip but rather tripped on her sandals.
No Burden of Proof
Joseph Menello and Raychel Garcia of our Orlando office received a favorable defense verdict on a slip and fall case. While the plaintiff alleged to have slipped on water from a roof leak and incurred over $580,000 in medical bills, our attorneys presented evidence proving otherwise and successfully argued that the plaintiff could not establish her burden of proof.
A Million-Dollar Request
Jaime Baca and Rafael De Armas of our Miami office represented the defendant in a premises liability case. The plaintiff requested $1.25 million in damages, however, our attorneys obtained a favorable defense verdict.
Five Minutes of Deliberations
Jason Glusman of our Fort Lauderdale office represented a large grocery store in a bifurcated premises liability case. The plaintiff had over $150,000 in non-LOP medical bills for cervical fusion and knee surgery. After only five minutes of deliberations, the jury came back with a no liability defense verdict.
Yogurt Sample Verdict
Our Fort Lauderdale office attorneys represented a company in a slip and fall case. The plaintiff claimed negligence when she slipped and fell on yogurt sampled by an employee within the company’s area of responsibility. Our attorneys were successful in obtaining a directed verdict.
Slip and Fall Case
Jaime J. Baca of our Miami office represented a large chain supermarket in a case, where the plaintiff claimed to have slipped on oil. She suffered severe ankle damage and asked the jury for over $2 million, however, our attorneys argued that the plaintiff knocked down the oil. They also stated that her condition was completely pre-existing; as a result, the jury found there was no negligence on behalf of the supermarket.
A Successful Outcome is Served
Our attorneys were involved in a premises liability case, where the plaintiff claimed extensive injuries to his lumbar spine after falling at the defendant’s restaurant. The plaintiff alleged that the defendant breached its duties by failing to safely maintain the premises and warn him of a known danger. Our legal team argued that there was no merit to his argument, receiving a favorable defense verdict.
Premises Liability Case
Our attorneys received a favorable defense verdict in a case, where the plaintiff walked off a sidewalk and broke his elbow. He sued for damages based under a premises liability theory that the defendant knew or should have known about existing unsafe conditions. Our defendant denied all allegations and contended that the plaintiff was solely responsible for his damages.
Against the Odds
Our attorneys, Kurt Spengler and Raychel Garcia, represented a large theme park in a premises liability trial in front of Circuit Court Judge Keith White in Orange County, Florida. The plaintiff requested medical compensation after breaking her leg on the premises and presented an expert to validate her claim; however, our attorneys provided evidence that the plaintiff’s legs were very brittle due to bone cancer. They further found that the plaintiff’s parents had removed the footrests from her wheelchair, and the jury returned a favorable defense verdict.
Minimized Losses
Our attorneys, Holly Howanitz, Kevin Mercer, and Adam Remillard, were involved in an automobile liability case of adverse liability with significant property damage and airbag deployment. While the plaintiff was looking for $365,000, the jury returned a verdict for only $7,771.86.
Disputed Liability Case
Jaime Baca and Jordan Rosales of our Miami office represented the defendant in a disputed liability case over a traffic signal. The plaintiff requested over $350,000 for surgery to her cervical and lumbar spine, however, our attorneys navigated the case, receiving a no liability verdict.
Rear-End Collision
Our attorneys represented a defendant in a rear-end motor vehicle collision. The defendant’s vehicle was a total loss, and the plaintiff claimed injuries to her neck, back, and right hand. Although our defendant admitted fault for the accident, we successfully received a defense verdict.
Auto Negligence
Our attorneys received an auto negligence verdict in a case, where our defendant lost control of his vehicle and struck the plaintiff, a cab driver at 65 mph on I-95. The plaintiff suffered several injuries, incurred medical expenses in excess of $85,000, and asked for over $300,000 in damages during the trial. The jury returned a verdict for $37,000 not including surgery, $24,000 in past medical treatment, and $13,000 in past pain and suffering. The defense PFS was triggered and the insurance carrier sought attorney’s fees for this case.
Four-Vehicle Collision
Our attorneys were involved in a four-vehicle collision case, where our defendant admitted liability to striking the rear of the vehicle that struck the plaintiff. The plaintiff suffered facet injuries, incurring approximately $96,000 in medical expenses and future costs of $80,000-$100,000. Despite the admission of liability, the jury returned a jury award of $12,208 and, after collateral source set-off, the verdict was $2,208 with the right to attorney’s fees.
180-Degree Decision
Our defendant ran a stop sign and t-boned the plaintiff’s vehicle, causing it to spin 180 degrees. The plaintiff allegedly sustained injuries to his back, neck, knees, shoulders, and brain, asking the jury for $680,000 in damages. Despite the admission of liability, the jury returned a verdict of no legal cause, awarded the plaintiff no damages, and granted entitlement to attorney’s fees and taxable costs.
Successful Verdict Delivery
Our attorneys, Jaime Baca and Robert O’Malley, received a defense verdict in a case, where their client was making deliveries for a popular furniture retailor and rear-ended the plaintiff on the turnpike. The judge denied summary judgment and directed verdicts on this issue and found our driver only 20% at fault and not an employee or agent of the furniture company. The plaintiff asked for $1.9 million in damages and the jury gave the plaintiff her initial treatment; however, her net award was $6,924, less $10,000 PIP, and our PFS was $50,000.
