Jurimatic: Verdicts and Settlements

Jane Ellen Peregrin filed a personal injury lawsuit under Connecticut’s strict liability dog statute after being knocked down by Asauntewa Calaway’s dog. Peregrin claimed serious injuries, including a fractured knee and emotional suffering. Despite these claims, a Hartford jury found in December 2024 that the defendant was not liable. The court entered judgment in favor of Calaway, closing a case centered on the limits of pet owner responsibility under Connecticut law.

A Florida jury awarded $52.8 million to influencer Danielle McQueen after she sued fellow influencer Gregory Harris for secretly recording and selling a sex video without her consent. The jury found Harris acted with specific intent to harm and awarded both compensatory and punitive damages, concluding his conduct was driven by financial gain and a reckless disregard for McQueen’s rights.

Jacob Thompson, through his parents, filed a medical malpractice lawsuit against Dr. Kevin Burners, a radiologist, alleging negligence after a misdiagnosis that led to an appendix rupture and an extended hospital stay. The case was filed in the Tennessee Circuit Court, Eighth Judicial District. Judge Lynne T. Ingram presided over this case. [Case number: 21-1194] Jacob Thompson, aged 14, arrived at the ER of Tristar StoneCrest Medical Center at 5:00 a.m. on April 17, 2020. He reported pain in his lower right quadrant and mentioned eating "Hot Cheetos" the previous night. The attending ER doctor suspected appendicitis and ordered an ultrasound. Although the ultrasound did not visualize the appendix, the risk of appendicitis remained high, so Thompson was discharged. Later that morning, at 10:48 a.m., Thompson returned to the Children's Hospital at Tristar Centennial with increased pain. His white blood cell count reached 16,000, and his blood pressure measured 156/101. The me

Stephen Wertheimer filed a negligence lawsuit against Vail Andrew Szendrei following a 2022 vehicle collision in Miami-Dade County. Wertheimer alleged Szendrei’s driving caused serious injuries and sought significant damages. But on December 19, 2024, a jury found Szendrei not liable and issued a defense verdict, awarding no compensation to the plaintiff.

Max Spielberg filed a civil lawsuit against Betty and Jefferson Granado, and GEICO, following a July 2021 auto accident. After a full trial in Miami-Dade County, a jury awarded him $3.6 million in damages for medical costs and pain and suffering. The case revolved around allegations of negligence and a disputed insurance claim.

Angela Samuels sued Miami-Dade County after hitting a pothole on a public road in 2020, claiming serious injury and negligence. She alleged the County failed to maintain safe road conditions. On April 1, 2025, a jury found in favor of the County, concluding it was not liable for her injuries.

Clifford Law Offices obtained a $4.85 million settlement on June 4, 2025, for the family of a 27-year-old man who died in a trucking crash. The victim was a passenger in a vehicle making a left turn when a speeding semi-truck struck it, resulting in fatal injuries. Attorneys Bradley M. Cosgrove and Charles R. Haskins led the case, which settled before trial, providing the family with financial support and holding the trucking company accountable for its role in the tragedy.

A Miami-Dade County jury delivered a defense verdict on April 25, 2025, in a high-profile workplace harassment and retaliation lawsuit filed by firefighter paramedic Treena Wright. The suit accused county officials of sexual misconduct, discrimination, and defamation, but jurors ultimately found no liability on the part of Miami-Dade, Chief Daniel Bolline, or Lieutenant Angelica Kenyon. Wright, who sought damages for emotional and financial harm, received no compensation following the trial.

In a motor vehicle negligence case arising from a 2022 lane change collision on Route 15 in Meriden, Connecticut, a Waterbury jury ruled in favor of the defendant, Michael Tomarelli. Plaintiff Kim Sanders-Croom alleged that Tomarelli’s unsafe lane change caused the crash and her resulting injuries. The defense argued Sanders-Croom’s own negligence contributed to the incident. On March 26, 2025, the jury awarded no damages, finding Tomarelli not liable for the crash.

A Hartford jury awarded $30,230.18 to Michelle Burnham following a motor vehicle accident involving Victor Mendez in June 2021. Burnham, injured in the collision, brought claims of negligence and sought damages under her uninsured motorist coverage with State Farm. The jury found Mendez entirely at fault, holding State Farm liable for the full award. The verdict was accepted and entered by Judge Baic on April 4, 2025.

After Tropical Storm Eta damaged her Miami-Dade home, Rebeka Perera filed a claim with Heritage Property & Casualty Insurance Company. The insurer denied coverage, citing policy exclusions and delayed reporting. Perera sued for breach of contract and declaratory relief. On May 2, 2025, a jury found the loss was covered and awarded her $631,187.40 in damages. The case highlights the challenges homeowners face when seeking insurance benefits after major storms.

Mark Garbitini secured a $10.3 million jury verdict following a severe workplace injury at a Connecticut packaging facility. The case centered on allegations that Sun Automation Group and its affiliates failed to inspect or upgrade a Langston Die Cutter machine that caused Garbitini’s partial hand amputation. The jury found the company primarily liable, though an inconsistent defense verdict raised post-trial questions. The lawsuit highlights ongoing safety concerns in industrial equipment maintenance.