Florida Jury Finds No Permanent Injury in Pizarro Crash Case

Case Background

This civil action arose from a motor vehicle collision that occurred in Orange County, Florida, on September 22, 2020. Plaintiff Jessica Pizarro brought the suit against the driver, Wayne Grandison, and his employer, S.E. Funeral Homes of Florida, LLC, which operated as Orlando Care Center.

Pizarro’s complaint, filed in April 2021, asserted that the accident resulted directly from the negligence of the Defendant driver. Grandison was reportedly operating a vehicle owned by S.E. Funeral Homes of Florida in the course and scope of his employment when the crash happened. The Plaintiff alleged the severe nature of the impact caused her to suffer significant and lasting physical harm, necessitating extensive medical treatment and resulting in substantial damages. The core legal fight centered on whether Pizarro sustained a legally defined permanent injury a critical requirement under Florida law for collecting damages related to pain and suffering.

Cause

Pizarro claimed a single cause of action: Negligence. She argued that Defendant Wayne Grandison failed to operate his motor vehicle with reasonable care, causing the collision and all subsequent injuries. Because Grandison drove the vehicle as an employee of S.E. Funeral Homes of Florida, the corporate entity also became liable for the driver's actions under the legal principle of respondeat superior.

Injury