Jurimatic: Verdicts and Settlements

A Florida jury awarded $3,556,572.74 to Martha Mahecha after she suffered a severe electric shock while using a FURNO 300 Heat Gun at work. The incident, which left her with spinal injuries and psychological trauma, led to a lawsuit against both the manufacturer and her employer. Jurors found both parties liable for design defects, workplace negligence, and emotional abuse.

Meagan Wolfla sued Bennett Malik after tripping on an uneven sidewalk on his Jacksonville property. She alleged negligence and sought over $30,000 in damages. Malik denied liability, claiming Wolfla contributed to the fall. On March 19, 2025, a Duval County jury found Malik was not negligent, and the court entered judgment in his favor, awarding no damages.

Abel A. Rodriguez, who was a minor when identity thieves opened fraudulent accounts in his name, successfully sued Adir International (d/b/a Curacao) and Experian for failing to remove the false credit entries despite repeated disputes. On March 25, 2025, a jury awarded Rodriguez $60,000 in damages—$40,000 for negligent noncompliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act and $20,000 for violating the California Consumer Credit Reporting Agencies Act. The court did not award punitive damages.

Rachele and Carmine Malangone sued Fieldstone, LLC and others over misrepresentations about land they purchased to build a two-bedroom home. Fieldstone failed to secure necessary approvals, leading to financial loss and emotional distress. On March 28, 2025, the jury awarded the Plaintiffs $287,104.48 against Fieldstone and $210,000.00 against Connecticut Concrete Solutions, LLC for fraud and other claims.

Mary Benz filed a personal injury lawsuit against Maryellen Travis following a 2022 rear-end collision in Danbury, Connecticut. Benz alleged that Travis drove negligently, causing the crash and resulting injuries. The case proceeded to trial, where both sides presented evidence and arguments. On April 2, 2025, the jury returned a verdict in favor of Travis, finding she was not negligent. The court awarded no damages, and judgment was entered for the defense.

Blanca Mourez-Cabrera, 81, was awarded $9 million by a Florida jury after developing terminal mesothelioma linked to decades of using Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder. Filed in 2019, the lawsuit alleged the product contained asbestos and lacked proper warnings. Johnson & Johnson denied the claims, citing regulatory compliance. However, the jury found the company negligent and its product defective, concluding it caused the plaintiff’s illness. The verdict included $3 million each for medical expenses, past suffering, and future suffering. The case highlights rising legal and health concerns over talc-based consumer products.

In a high-stakes family dispute, a Miami jury ruled in favor of Lucia Lopez, who faced eviction and financial claims from her daughter, Cindy Lopez. The case involved allegations of unlawful detainer, unjust enrichment, and property rights. The jury awarded no damages to Cindy.

A New York federal jury recently awarded $21,980,444.70 in a breach of contract lawsuit brought by Sanmina Corporation against Dialight PLC over a terminated manufacturing agreement. The case, filed in the Southern District of New York, concluded after the jury found Dialight liable for failing to pay for completed goods and excess materials following its 2018 contract termination, entitling Sanmina to recover unpaid invoices, material costs, and legal fees under the terms of the agreement.

In a dispute over an unpaid short-term loan and a bounced check, a Florida court awarded $725,000 to Parminder Gyani and his company, Humble Hustler Corp. The case arose from a $150,000 loan made to Katiuska Vegas in September 2022 for a foreclosure deal. Vegas issued a postdated check through Invepa Properties LLC, which was later dishonored due to insufficient funds. After paying only $5,000 and denying the transaction, Vegas and Invepa ignored a statutory demand. Gyani and Humble Hustler sued for breach of loan agreement, a worthless check, and fraud. In April 2025, the Court ruled for the Plaintiffs on Counts II, III, and IV, awarding $145,000 and $435,000 to Humble Hustler, and $145,000 to Gyani. It denied the fraud claim.

Briana Booth won $32.5M in a 2018 crash case after a jury found Samantha Delano and Linda Fowler negligent. Booth suffered spinal injuries, chronic pain, and partial paralysis. Delano was found 85% at fault; Fowler, 15%. The award includes medical and non-economic damages.

Dan Alexis sued Union Autobody Shop and others over a 2020 hit-and-run crash on I-95. Despite the defense denying liability, a jury awarded Alexis $1.95 million for injuries, pain, and suffering. The verdict held all defendants, including Union Autobody, responsible for the collision.

Dawn International sued Jacob Fleishman Sales for $5.2M over unpaid pork shipments and contract breaches. A federal jury sided with Dawn, awarding over $3.76M in damages. Fleishman’s defenses and fraud claims were rejected, marking a major win for the supplier.