Carlo Martin v. Kenneth Grubbs, et al

Case Background

On August 15, 2022, Plaintiff Carlo Martin filed a car accident lawsuit in the  Florida Circuit Court (Case number: 2022-CA-1498). Judge Dean Mosley presided over this case.

Cause

On August 9, 2021, a car accident occurred in Lake County, Florida, involving Carlo Martin, a 50-year-old machine worker, and Kenneth Grubbs, an employee of Professional Dirt Services, Inc., an excavation and paving contractor. Grubbs drove a company vehicle and made a turn across traffic, colliding with Martin. He claimed that Martin was speeding and failed to turn on her headlights. However, Martin testified that her headlights were on and that she did not exceed the speed limit. An independent witness confirmed that Martin was not speeding but stated that her headlights were off at the time of the crash.

Injuries

The car accident caused Martin to suffer severe neck and lower back injuries. She required ongoing chiropractic care, pain management injections, and, eventually, a microdiscectomy to treat her spinal injuries. Chronic pain and limited mobility affected her ability to work as a machine worker, making daily tasks difficult.

Damages

Martin sought compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering caused by the accident. Her treatments included chiropractic adjustments, injections, and spinal surgery, leading to significant medical costs. The accident also limited her ability to perform her job, causing financial hardship.

Key Arguments and Proceedings

Legal representation

  • Plaintiff(s): Carlo Martin
    • Counsel for Plaintiff: Richard Dellinger | Dan Newlin | Ali Kamalzadeh | Michelle Stein
  • Defendant(s): Kenneth Grubbs | Professional Dirt Services, Inc.
    • Counsel for Defendants: Gary Vasquez | Esteban Scornik

Claims

Martin alleged that Grubbs’ negligence caused the car accident. She argued that he failed to yield the right-of-way and did not exercise reasonable caution while driving. She also claimed that Professional Dirt Services, Inc. bore responsibility for his actions as his employer. Martin asserted that her injuries, medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering resulted directly from the defendants’ negligence. She further argued that the accident reduced her quality of life and ability to perform daily activities.

Defense

Grubbs and Professional Dirt Services, Inc. denied liability for the accident. They argued that Martin’s own negligence contributed to the crash. Grubbs claimed that she was speeding, which reduced her reaction time. He also asserted that her headlights were off, making her vehicle less visible. The defense contended that Martin’s negligence played a major role in the accident. They also argued that some of her medical conditions existed before the crash and were not caused solely by the collision. Professional Dirt Services, Inc. maintained that Grubbs acted within the scope of his duties and exercised reasonable care while driving. They sought to reduce liability and minimize the damages claimed by Martin

Jury Verdict

On January 17, 2025, the jury awarded Martin $655,900.32 in damages for injuries sustained in the car accident. They allocated $159,080.32 for past medical expenses and $75,000 for future medical costs. The jury awarded $16,820 for past lost wages and $93,600 for future lost earnings. They also granted $30,000 for past pain and suffering and $281,400 for future pain and suffering. The jury determined that negligence caused the accident, with the defense bearing 90% of the liability and Martin 10% at fault.

Court Documents:

Documents are available for purchase upon request at jurimatic@exlitem.com