Campbell v. Monte Carlo: $100M Wrongful Death Verdict
Table of Contents
Case Background
On June 1, 2021, Jason Campbell was fatally shot while visiting a tenant at the Monte Carlo of Miami Condominium in Miami-Dade County, Florida. The shooting occurred in an apartment owned and managed by the Monte Carlo Condominium Association. Campbell died from a gunshot wound to the chest, leaving behind his mother Daphne Campbell, his father Hubert Campbell, and three children who depended on him for love, support, and guidance.
Daphne Campbell brought this action as the personal representative of Jason Campbell's estate against three Defendants: Monte Carlo of Miami Condominium Association, Inc., the condominium owner and operator; Akam On-Site, Inc., the property management company; and EMS Protective Group, LLC, the security company contracted to protect the premises.
Cause
The shooting was perpetrated by Lakoria Washington, who entered the condominium property without authorization and confronted a tenant named Jane Doe. Washington forced his way into the apartment, fired a gun at Doe, then entered the bedroom where Jason Campbell was resting and shot him fatally. This incident was not an isolated criminal act. Approximately four months earlier on February 22, 2021, Washington had gained unauthorized access to the same property, went to Doe's apartment without her permission, and later used a firearm to shoot out the windows of another visitor's vehicle in the parking lot. Defendants were aware of this prior incident but took no action to prevent Washington or other unauthorized and dangerous individuals from entering the property again.
Injury
Jason Campbell sustained a fatal gunshot wound to the chest. He exited the apartment seeking help, but ultimately collapsed and died from his injuries. His death devastated his family members, including his elderly parents and his three young children. Harmony Ava Campbell and Carter Dwayne Campbell, his minor children, lost their father and the parental companionship, instruction, and guidance he provided. His youngest child, Ja'niyah Marie Jean-Julien, also suffered the loss of her father's support and care.
Damages Sought
Under Florida's Wrongful Death Act, the Plaintiff sought compensation for funeral and medical expenses, the lost financial contributions Jason Campbell would have provided to his family, and the mental pain and suffering of his surviving family members. The Plaintiff also sought damages for the loss of companionship, guidance, and instruction experienced by his minor children.
Key Arguments and Proceedings
Legal Representation
Plaintiffs: Daphne Campbell
· Counsel for Plaintiff: Thomas Hasty | Patrick Chucri | Grant Reilly Gillenwater | Stephen A Marino
Defendants: Monte Carlo Condominium Association, Inc. | Akam & Associates, Llc | Ems Protective Group, Llc | Kent Security Services, Inc | Akam On-Site Inc
· Plaintiff’s Expert: Paul Kastes | George Kirkham
· Counsel for Defendants: J. Michael Grimley, Jr | Pedro Luis Demahy | Bruce Prober | Brandt Roen | Stefanie R Phillips | Seth V Alhadeff | Brandt Roen | Steven J Brodie | Eric S. Kay | Peter D Webster
· Defendant’s Expert: Bruce A. Jacobs | K.C. Poulin
Key Arguments and Remarks by Counsel
The Plaintiff's case focused on the Defendants' failure to provide adequate security despite knowing the property was in a high-crime area and despite the prior violent incident involving Washington in February 2021. The Plaintiff argued that all three Defendants owed a legal duty to protect invitees like Jason Campbell from foreseeable criminal attacks and that each Defendant breached this duty through multiple failures.
The Plaintiff contended that the Defendants knew or should have known that the prior incident with Washington and the shooting of the vehicle windows demonstrated a specific, serious threat. Instead of taking reasonable precautions, the Defendants allegedly allowed Washington to enter the property a second time without authorization or intervention.
Claims
Negligence Against Monte Carlo: The condominium association failed to maintain reasonable security, failed to warn residents of criminal threats, did not employ adequate security guards, did not position surveillance cameras strategically, failed to properly maintain gates and fences for access control, and did not establish proper security procedures.
Negligence Against Akam On-Site: As the professional property management company, Akam failed in its duty to exercise reasonable care in property management, implement adequate security measures, properly train security personnel, and maintain adequate surveillance systems despite knowledge of prior criminal activity.
Negligence Against EMS Protective Group: The hired security company failed to provide adequate security, failed to deter criminal activity, did not position sufficient security guards in visible areas, and failed to establish procedures for supervising and inspecting the premises.
Defense
The Defendants' positions were not detailed in the verdict documents, but the jury's findings indicated that the defense arguments regarding foreseeability and the duty to protect against criminal acts were overcome by the evidence. The jury apportioned a portion of fault to Shontia Mears, a witness or third party involved in the incident, though the primary negligence was found to rest with the three Defendants.
Jury Verdict
On July 15, 2025, after hearing all evidence and arguments, the jury returned a unanimous verdict finding negligence on the part of all three Defendants. The jury determined that the negligence of Monte Carlo of Miami Condominium Association, Inc., Akam On-Site, Inc., and EMS Protective Group, LLC. caused Jason Campbell's injuries and death.
The jury also found that Shontia Mears was negligent and apportioned the following percentages of fault: Monte Carlo eighteen percent, Akam fifty-seven percent, EMS eighteen percent, and Shontia Mears seven percent.
The jury awarded damages as follows for the survivors' mental pain and suffering and loss of parental companionship:
Daphne Campbell (mother): 25 million (Twenty-five million dollars)
Hubert Campbell (father): 25 million (Twenty-five million dollars)
Harmony Ava Campbell (daughter): 16 million (Sixteen million dollars)
Carter Dwayne Campbell (son): 17 million (Seventeen million dollars
Ja'niyah Marie Jean-Julien (daughter): 17 million (Seventeen million dollars)
Total Award: One hundred million dollars
The jury's verdict was rendered on July 15, 2025, affirming that the Defendants' failures in security measures, access control, surveillance, and proper training directly contributed to the tragic death of Jason Campbell and the substantial damages suffered by his surviving family members.