Jurimatic: Verdicts and Settlements

A Miami-Dade County jury issued a $30,077.87 award to homeowner Yiliana Pena after finding that Universal Property and Casualty Insurance Company breached its contract by failing to pay her valid property-damage claim. The jury rejected the insurer’s defenses, ruling that Pena complied with all post-loss requirements, including document requests, inspection access, and the Sworn Proof of Loss. The verdict confirmed that Universal failed to meet its burden and was responsible for compensating Pena for the full covered loss to her Cutler Bay home.

In the Florida case Jose Hernandez vs. PSAN PI/WD Trust (Case No. 2022-023625-CA-01), the Plaintiff alleged life-changing injuries after a defective Takata airbag inflator in his 2005 Honda Civic violently ruptured during a minor collision on December 13, 2020. The inflator exploded with excessive force, sending metal fragments into the vehicle cabin, including a large, sharp metal piece that pierced Mr. Hernandez’s right arm, causing permanent disability, disfigurement, and chronic pain. Mr. Hernandez filed suit in December 2022 against both the Takata compensation trust and the Miami-based Honda dealership involved with the vehicle. He sought damages for medical bills, lost earning ability, and significant non-economic losses such as lifelong pain, disability, mental anguish, and loss of enjoyment of life. After hearing extensive testimony and reviewing expert evidence regarding the defect and the severity of the injuries, the jury returned a verdict on May 1, 2025, siding with the Plaintiff. The jury awarded a total of $3,000,000 in non-economic damages, allocating $2,500,000 for past suffering and $500,000 for future suffering, recognizing the irreversible impact of the airbag failure on the Plaintiff’s daily life and physical abilities. The verdict reflects the ongoing legal fallout from one of the largest defective safety product scandals in automotive history and underscores accountability for manufacturers and distributors when safety mechanisms fail catastrophically.

In the Miami-Dade Circuit Court case Serafettin Akkoc vs. Asuman Erguc et al, the dispute arose from a failed agreement to purchase the Golden Greek Souvlaki restaurant for $140,000. Plaintiff Serafettin Akkoc paid $91,000 toward the deal, but the Defendants—Asuman and Alper Erguc and Atlas Foods, LLC—refused to transfer ownership or the lease as agreed. The case centered on breach of contract, unjust enrichment, and allegations of fraud. The Ergucs denied wrongdoing and counterclaimed, arguing the buyers could not be trusted and alleging fraudulent misrepresentation. After nearly five years of litigation, a jury reached a decisive verdict on May 29, 2025. The jury found that Asuman Erguc breached the contract and awarded Akkoc $105,000 in damages. All counterclaims brought by the Defendants were dismissed. On June 3, 2025, Judge Beatrice Butchko Sanchez entered the final judgment. With statutory pre-judgment interest calculated at $35,857.50 from January 17, 2020, the total award reached $140,857.50, holding the Defendants jointly and severally liable. This ruling closes a prolonged legal battle over a broken business transaction and affirms the enforceability of written agreements in commercial sales.

The lawsuit Ramirez v. Bennett (2020-CA-007627-O) stemmed from an August 17, 2019 motor-vehicle collision in Orange County, Florida. Plaintiff Maria Ramirez alleged Defendant Jonathon Bennett negligently caused the crash and sought compensation for permanent injuries, medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Bennett denied all allegations and argued comparative negligence, improper medical treatment, and collateral source reductions. The case centered heavily on whether the accident caused permanent injury under Florida law — a requirement for awarding non-economic damages. After years of litigation, extensive expert testimony, and contested medical evidence, the jury returned a full defense verdict on May 20, 2025. The jury concluded that Bennett’s actions were not a legal cause of loss, injury, or damage to Ramirez, eliminating the need for further findings on permanency or damages. As a result, no monetary award was issued, and Bennett prevailed completely.

In Hajrudin Mesic v. Mildre Pernia et al., a Duval County jury issued a substantial verdict following a 2022 motor vehicle collision. Plaintiff Hajrudin Mesic alleged that Defendant Mildre Roxana Florez Pernia negligently caused the crash, resulting in permanent and significant injuries. Mesic also pursued a claim against Auto-Owners Insurance Company for uninsured/underinsured motorist benefits. The jury found that Mesic suffered a permanent injury as a direct result of the collision. Based on the evidence and expert testimony presented, jurors awarded a total of $469,324, including $82,825 in past medical expenses, $287,616.50 in future medical care, $36,500 in past non-economic damages, and $62,383.50 in future non-economic losses. The defense arguments—challenging causation, arguing comparative negligence, and seeking offsets—were rejected. The verdict, signed May 9, 2025, represents a full win for the plaintiff and confirms entitlement to compensation for both economic loss and future anticipated medical treatment and suffering.

A Miami-Dade County jury delivered a decisive verdict in Nadir Elamri et al. v. Felix Diaz, resolving a contentious partnership dispute involving Motoro Cars I, LLC and Motoro Cars II, LLC. The Plaintiffs former business partners alleged that Defendant Felix Diaz engaged in self-dealing, breached fiduciary obligations, and destabilized the company’s operations. After reviewing testimony and evidence, the jury found Diaz responsible for wrongful conduct and persistent violations of his duties of loyalty and care. The verdict ordered the judicial expulsion of Diaz from both companies an extraordinary legal remedy rarely awarded in business litigation. The jury also awarded $7,150 in damages to Plaintiffs Nadir Elamri and Cristopher Suarez for unjust enrichment. The decision completely rejected Diaz’s counterclaims and affirmed that the Plaintiffs acted within the bounds of their legal rights. The ruling marks a significant outcome in corporate governance and partnership litigation disputes involving limited liability companies in Florida.

A civil jury in Orange County, Florida, ruled in favor of Hugh Miller in a defamation lawsuit against Fernando Alejandro. Miller alleged that Alejandro published false and damaging statements that harmed his reputation, emotional well-being, and financial stability. During trial, Miller presented evidence linking the defamatory statements to worsened health, medical costs, and significant economic losses. Alejandro’s defense argued truth, opinion, and lack of causation, but the jury rejected these arguments. On April 24, 2025, the jury awarded Miller a total of $194,795.17, including compensation for reputational damage, health injury, medical expenses, and lost earnings. The verdict confirmed that Alejandro’s statements directly caused substantial harm to Miller, warranting full compensatory damages.

A San Diego County jury ruled in favor of Hanh M. Bui, M.D., a Professional Medical Corporation, in a contract dispute arising from the sale of assets from Dr. Kenneth Carr’s cardiology practice. The lawsuit centered on an Asset Purchase Agreement and a Promissory Note that required Dr. Carr to meet several Conditional Obligations before payment became due. Dr. Bui’s Corporation alleged that Dr. Carr failed to satisfy essential conditions, including maintaining his employment agreement, settling financial obligations with former employees, and transferring all clinical research accounts and contracts. The defense argued that Dr. Carr substantially performed and that any shortcomings were minor or caused by the Plaintiff. After reviewing extensive testimony and financial evidence, the jury found Dr. Carr in breach and awarded $194,601 in damages. The verdict confirmed that the unfulfilled conditions materially harmed Dr. Bui’s Corporation and disrupted the intended transition of the cardiology practice.

A Contra Costa County jury ruled in favor of Sherene Fearon in a motor vehicle negligence case stemming from a 2018 collision near I-680 in Danville. Fearon argued that driver Tammy Ault caused the crash through unsafe operation, while co-defendant Robert Nobriga was liable as the vehicle’s owner. Ault and Nobriga denied negligence and claimed Fearon shared blame. After trial, the jury found Ault negligent and responsible for causing Fearon’s injuries. They also rejected all comparative fault claims, assigning Fearon zero responsibility. The Court entered judgment in July 2025, including 10% annual interest until paid.

A jury ruled that Officer Devendra Persaud of the City of Orlando acted negligently when he entered a busy intersection against a red light with emergency lights but no siren, colliding with Brianna Becker’s vehicle. Despite establishing fault, the jury awarded Becker no damages for her alleged injuries, medical expenses, or loss of life enjoyment. The verdict reflected shared responsibility and emphasized statutory standards for emergency vehicle operation. Becker claimed the crash caused permanent injuries and aggravated pre-existing conditions, while the City argued she failed to yield and challenged the severity of her injuries. The outcome underscored how liability caps, comparative negligence, and emergency response protocols can limit recovery in municipal auto-collision cases.

A San Francisco jury ruled in favor of American Medical Response Ambulance Service, Inc. on April 24, 2025, concluding the company was not negligent in a 2022 vehicle collision involving plaintiff Adam O’Connor. The verdict ended deliberations at the first question on the verdict form, preventing any findings on causation, comparative fault, or damages. O’Connor had sought compensation for medical expenses, lost earnings, and pain and suffering stemming from an August 4, 2022 crash, which he claimed resulted from careless operation of an ambulance vehicle. The defense maintained that the ambulance operator acted safely and that O’Connor contributed to the collision. The jury’s finding that AMR bore no negligence effectively resolved the case in favor of the defendants.

A Miami-Dade jury awarded a total of $30,000 to Ruben Manzo and Greyce Pavon Martinez after finding both Brothers Painting of South Florida, Inc. and Manzo negligent in a 2021 traffic collision on SW 177th Avenue. The jury awarded each Plaintiff $15,000 for past medical expenses and found no permanent injury. Despite the jury’s findings, the court later entered Final Judgment for the Defendant after granting a post-trial motion, declaring Brothers Painting the prevailing party and reserving jurisdiction to address costs and attorney’s fees. The ruling closed the case in June 2025.