Verdicts And Settlements

A delivery driver crossed into our client’s lane and struck his motorcycle, causing a fatal crash. The restaurant carried only a $1 million insurance policy but refused to offer a single dollar to the grieving family. The insurance company claimed the driver was merely “doing the restaurant a favor” and not working at the time, arguing that the policy didn’t cover the collision.

After years of litigation, our team proved the driver was acting on behalf of the restaurant and that the insurer was responsible. The court awarded a $13.1 million judgment to our client’s parents, bringing long-awaited justice for the loss of their son.

Our client, an off-duty law enforcement officer, was seriously injured when a driver made a sudden left turn across his path on a rural county road. He suffered a burst fracture at T-12 and endured major surgery and months of rehabilitation to regain the ability to walk with arm crutches.

The defense offered less than $1 million to settle. We took the case to trial, and the jury found the driver 96% at fault, awarding a $9.4 million verdict, including $1.8 million in consortium damages for his spouse.

Our client was a young man driving his small pickup truck over the Shands Bridge when a dump truck driver collided with him head-on, resulting in a mild traumatic brain injury. This was the largest verdict in Clay County’s history.

A Tampa railroad conductor was severely injured when a dump truck driver failed to yield, pinning him between the truck and the front of the train. He lost one leg and the use of the other. Despite the seriousness of his injuries, the insurance company’s final offer before trial was only $250,000.

Our client, a mother of two, was driving home from work when a negligent driver ran a red light and crashed into her vehicle. She suffered life-threatening injuries and underwent multiple surgeries for severe internal trauma and a brain injury. For more than three years, the defendant driver and his employer denied responsibility while she worked to rebuild her health and stability. A first offer was made only weeks before trial.

Our client suffered a mild traumatic brain injury when the defendant failed to yield the right of way at an intersection and broadsided our client’s car.

Our client was injured in a head-on collision, and the defendant denied liability by claiming their driver had a medical episode. Our client required three orthopedic surgeries and weeks of inpatient rehab. A substantial verdict covered his expenses, lost wages, and future care.

A Good Samaritan stopped on the side of interstate 95 to render assistance to an overturned vehicle. As he was existing his pick-up truck, another pick-up truck who decided to go around a semi-truck struck the client’s vehicle propelling him into the air causing significant internal and other orthopedic injuries. Insurance companies tried to blame the client for being a good Samaritan but ultimately $3,250,000 was recovered for the client shortly after mediation.

Our client was returning to her vehicle after a concert when an automatic parking arm suddenly fell onto her head, neck, shoulders, and back. Although she remained conscious, the impact of this accident caused a traumatic brain injury that ultimately led to Parkinson’s Syndrome.

A three-year-old girl was left unsupervised at her babysitter’s home and was attacked by three dogs. She survived, but the injuries she suffered were life altering. The mobile home community denied knowing the dogs were on the property, despite the severity of the incident.

A severely overloaded 75,000-pound garbage truck traveling at an estimated 65 miles per hour swerved out of its lane and struck our clients’ vehicle head on. The crash took the life of a young mother and seriously injured her teenage daughter.

A young-woman, recent college graduate underwent emergency surgery for a dislocated fracture to her lumbar spine caused by the defendant driver pulled out of a side street straight into the path of our client. The insurance company tried to blame our client and downplayed her horrific injuries claiming she made a great recovery, but ultimately paid her $2,800,000 shortly after mediation.

While placing traffic cones along a construction zone, our client was hit by the side mirror of a passing truck. The insurance company tried to deny responsibility, claiming he caused the crash by standing too close to the road. Our team investigated and proved the truth that the truck had been speeding and veered off the roadway. Even though tire tracks were obscured by foot traffic before photos were taken, we uncovered the evidence needed to hold the driver accountable.

A Miami conductor was seriously injured when a malfunctioning switch jammed during routine operations. A jury later found the railroad liable for multiple violations of federal regulations governing switch and track maintenance. His injuries, including a damaged rotator cuff and torn labrum, ended his ability to return to railroad work.

During a weekend school field trip, our client struck his head in a collision with another child while playing “Capture the Flag” in the dark. The school supervisors did not seek medical care for him or notify his parents. The delay in treatment led to complications that required brain surgery, and he now faces lifelong cognitive challenges.

Female bridge tender operating a drawbridge over the Manatee river was attacked when she showed up for work. The poor lighting and the poor security provided by the railroad led to the attack and injuries to the face, head, knee and abdomen. The attacker was never found.

A bridge tender arrived at work for an early shift when she was violently attacked. Inadequate lighting and a lack of proper security in the area allowed the assailant to approach her without being seen. She suffered serious injuries to her face, head, knee, and abdomen.

Our client was on her way to work when a truck driver struck her vehicle. Although she remained conscious, the crash caused a mild traumatic brain injury that greatly affected her daily life and ability to work.

A young-woman, recent college graduate underwent emergency surgery for a dislocated fracture to her lumbar spine caused by the defendant driver pulled out of a side street straight into the path of our client. The insurance company tried to blame our client and downplayed her horrific injuries claiming she made a great recovery, but ultimately paid her $2,800,000 shortly after mediation.

A Navy serviceman was rear-ended at 66 mph, sending his truck into a utility pole. He lost consciousness, was hospitalized, and diagnosed with a herniated disc requiring long-term pain management.

Our client was sideswiped by a commercial truck on a four-lane road, forcing her vehicle into a ditch where she struck a tree. She suffered a traumatic brain injury and was left blind in both eyes.

An EMT was injured in the back of an ambulance when a crash threw him into the interior shelving. He required two low-back surgeries and a pain stimulator implant. The case settled on the second day of trial.

A pickup truck towing a trailer loaded with logs jackknifed and crashed into our client’s vehicle, forcing it off the road. The collision caused significant injuries, including a spinal compression fracture and damage to the knee that required surgical repair. The case was resolved through a settlement.

A customer slipped and fell on a hazardous substance left on the floor of a grocery store, resulting in significant injuries that could have been prevented with proper inspection and cleanup.

A school bus driver was rear-ended by a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed.

While walking home from work, a nurse was struck by a drunk driver whose blood-alcohol level was three times the legal limit. Earlier that day, the driver had been served multiple drinks at a bar despite clear signs of intoxication. The crash caused serious spinal injuries and lasting harm.

A pedestrian tripped and fell due to a defective sidewalk, suffering serious injuries caused by the property owner’s failure to maintain a safe walking surface.

A customer tripped and fell due to a defective curb at a convenience store, resulting in fatal injuries; although the insurance company initially refused to accept any responsibility, the case ultimately resolved for $875,000.

A commercial driver unlawfully changed lanes and struck our client’s vehicle. Harrell & Harrell was originally told there was no insurance for a commercial driver, but we did not give up. Once insurance was uncovered, the initial offer was $90,000. We were ultimately able to recover $750,000 for our client.

Our client lost their life in an apartment fire. The rental unit had bars on the windows, trapping them inside and preventing any chance of escape. Despite the seriousness of the circumstances, no compensation was offered before the jury reached its verdict.

A customer slipped and fell on a recently mopped floor in a grocery store, suffering significant injuries that occurred because the area was not properly dried or marked with adequate warning signs.

Our client suffered serious neck and back injuries after being struck by a negligent underinsured driver. The crash caused ongoing pain and the need for continued medical care. Despite clear evidence of his injuries, the insurance company attempted to minimize his condition and disputed the need for future treatment.

After a week-long jury trial led by Trial Attorneys David Black and BJ Taylor, the jury awarded a $469,000 verdict in his favor, and the insurance company was ordered to pay our fees and costs, not the client. 

An Army recruiter with nearly 18 years of service was rear-ended on I-10 and required shoulder surgery. Because of his injuries, he could not pass the mandatory physical and was medically released before reaching his full 20 years. After proving the value of his lost benefits and future compensation, the jury awarded full restitution for his losses.

A military servicemember was rear-ended by a commercial pest-control vehicle and suffered injuries serious enough to end his military career. The insurance carrier chose to settle the case before trial.

After being rear-ended by a tractor-trailer on I-95, our client required arthroscopic shoulder surgery and pain management for neck and back injuries. Although the trucking company argued her conditions were pre-existing, the case ultimately settled on the fifth day of trial.

A pedestrian was struck by a vehicle in a parking lot, sustaining substantial injuries after the driver failed to maintain proper awareness; despite an initial one-dollar offer, the case ultimately resolved for $300,000.

A guest fell from a second-story balcony when a defective railing gave way, suffering severe injuries caused by the property owner’s failure to maintain a safe and secure structure.

A visitor tripped and fell due to a defective parking lot surface, sustaining significant injuries after the property owner initially denied any responsibility for the hazardous condition.

A customer tripped and fell due to a defective door threshold at a restaurant, suffering injuries caused by the establishment’s failure to maintain a safe entrance for patrons.

A pedestrian tripped and fell due to uneven sidewalk pavers, suffering significant injuries caused by the property owner’s failure to maintain a safe walking surface.

A young mother was stopped in traffic when a truck rear-ended her, causing a permanent herniated disc in her neck. She now requires ongoing cervical epidural injections to manage the pain. The insurance carrier offered $60,000 before trial, but the jury returned a significantly higher verdict in her favor.

A customer tripped and fell due to a hazardous storefront sign placement, sustaining injuries after the property owner initially denied any responsibility for the unsafe condition.

A customer slipped and fell in a department store after rainwater was tracked inside, sustaining injuries when the wet floor was not promptly addressed or marked with adequate warning signs.

A customer slipped and fell due to water leaking from an ice machine, sustaining injuries that resulted from the store’s failure to address an ongoing hazard or provide proper warnings.

After a rear-end collision, an 18-year-old woman developed ongoing neck and back pain. Despite relatively modest medical bills, a Clay County jury recognized the long-term impact of her injuries and awarded her full compensation for future care and support.

A diner tripped and fell on uneven patio pavers at an outdoor restaurant, sustaining injuries due to an irregular walking surface that had not been properly maintained.

Large confidential settlement amount for reached for the mother of her adult son killed who was stuck while on the side of the road searching for his cell phone. A company fleet vehicle caused a 3 car collision that sent a truck and trailer careening off the side of the rural road and struck our client. The investigation showed that the company failed to supervise its tech and distracted them with its own dispatch devices inside the cab of the truck.