$2.8M Verdict in Duval County Car Accident Lawsuit
Table of Contents
Case Background
Christopher Patrick Gilliland initiated this legal action following a motor vehicle accident that occurred in the morning hours of May 3, 2021. The incident took place in Jacksonville, Duval County, Florida, while Gilliland traveled eastbound on University Boulevard. At the same time and location, Kandie Melendez-Ortiz operated a separate motor vehicle in the same direction.
The vehicle driven by Melendez-Ortiz belonged to Duval Auto Sales LLC, a Florida limited liability company. The dealership had provided Melendez-Ortiz with the express permission and consent to drive the car. The litigation moved through the Circuit Court of the Fourth Judicial Circuit, where Gilliland sought to hold both the driver and the owner accountable for the resulting damages. After the initial filing in February 2023, the matter proceeded to a jury trial which concluded in December 2025
Cause
The legal dispute originated from a motor vehicle collision that occurred on May 3, 2021. Christopher Patrick Gilliland traveled eastbound on University Boulevard in Duval County, Florida, when his vehicle was struck by another car. Kandie Melendez-Ortiz operated the second vehicle, which was owned by Duval Auto Sales LLC. Melendez-Ortiz had received express permission and consent from the dealership to drive the car at the time of the accident. The impact occurred because Melendez-Ortiz negligently maintained or operated the vehicle, leading to a direct collision with Gilliland’s motor vehicle.
Injury
As a result of the crash, Christopher Gilliland sustained a variety of serious and lasting physical injuries. He experienced a significant and permanent loss of important bodily functions and suffered permanent scarring. Beyond visible disfigurement, Gilliland dealt with permanent internal injuries and the aggravation of pre-existing physical defects or diseases. These physical conditions led to ongoing pain, mental anguish, and a diminished capacity to enjoy his life.
Damages Sought
Gilliland initiated a lawsuit seeking compensation exceeding $50,000.00 for the extensive losses he incurred. His legal demand focused on recovering the costs of medical care and treatment he had already received, as well as the anticipated costs for future medical needs. Additionally, he sought damages for lost wages and a projected loss of future earning capacity resulting from his disabilities. The complaint also requested compensation for non-economic damages, including physical impairment, inconvenience, and the overall loss of life’s enjoyment.
Legal Representation
Plaintiff(s): Christopher Patrick Gilliland
· Counsel for Plaintiff(s): Anthony Evans | Brandi Alexis Gartrell | Cortney Ricardo Hicks | Justin Brian Uhlemann
· Experts for Plaintiff(s): Mark S. Frisk | Bharat Patel | Robert K. Hurford | Frederick Moore | Aaron Bates | Hemant N. Shah | Adam Cartwright | Vincent Galiano | Chris Railing | Tyler McKinnon | Aristides Sastre | Calvin Barnes | Joshua Yellin | Thomas Chu
Defendant(s): Kandie Melendez-Ortiz | Duval Auto Sales LLC
· Counsel for Defendant(s): Justin Brian Uhlemann | Randal Scott Reep
Key Arguments and Proceedings
Attorney Anthony Evans argued that the negligence of the driver, Kandie Melendez-Ortiz, served as the direct and proximate cause of his client’s lifelong suffering. He emphasized that the injuries were not temporary but had become a permanent fixture in Gilliland’s life. The legal team contended that Duval Auto Sales LLC shared the blame because the company owned the vehicle and had granted Melendez-Ortiz permission to operate it on public roads.
Claims
The lawsuit presented two primary counts for the jury to consider. Under Count I, Gilliland asserted a direct claim against Kandie Melendez-Ortiz for her failure to operate the vehicle with reasonable care. Under Count II, Gilliland brought a claim against Duval Auto Sales LLC. He argued that the dealership should be held vicariously liable for the driver's actions because the company owned the car. Both counts emphasized that the Defendants' combined negligence forced the Plaintiff to endure medical expenses, physical pain, and a loss of income.
Defense
The Defendants appeared in the case as the driver and the owner of the vehicle involved. While the specific trial defenses were not detailed in the complaint or verdict form, the litigation proceeded through the Fourth Judicial Circuit Court in Duval County. The Defendants faced allegations that their vehicle caused permanent damage to the Plaintiff's health and financial stability.
Jury Verdict
The jury concluded their deliberations on December 8, 2025, and returned a verdict entirely in favor of Christopher Gilliland. After reviewing the evidence, the jurors determined that Gilliland deserved significant compensation for the hardships he had endured since the 2021 accident.
Medical Expenses and Economic Loss
The jury first addressed the concrete financial losses Gilliland faced. They awarded him $156,602.57 to cover the medical expenses he had already paid or owed for treatments received in the past. Looking toward his future needs, the jury allocated $398,441.00 for medical expenses they believed he would reasonably certain to incur for his ongoing care. Regarding his employment, the jury recognized the time he had missed from work and awarded $80,000.00 for his past lost earnings.
Pain and Suffering
The largest portion of the verdict addressed the "human cost" of the collision, including physical impairment, mental anguish, and loss of life's enjoyment. For the pain and suffering Gilliland experienced from the date of the accident until the trial, the jury awarded $423,360.00. For the suffering he was expected to endure for the remainder of his life, the jury awarded a substantial $1,834,600.00.
Final Judgment
In total, the jury awarded Christopher Gilliland over $2.8 million in damages. The foreperson signed the verdict form, confirming that all jurors had agreed on these amounts to compensate the Plaintiff for the negligence of Kandie Melendez-Ortiz and Duval Auto Sales LLC.