Jury Awards $70K to Sheena Burrus in Orlando Crash Case
Table of Contents
Case Background
Sheena Burrus, the Plaintiff, filed a lawsuit in the Ninth Judicial Circuit Court in Orange County, Florida, against Edgar Alvarez and his employer, Concrete America LLC. The lawsuit sought financial compensation for injuries Ms. Burrus sustained in a motor vehicle collision that occurred on June 28, 2022. The Plaintiff asserted that Mr. Alvarez, while operating a vehicle for Concrete America LLC, caused the accident through his careless driving. The case proceeded to a jury trial which concluded in March 2025.
Cause
The lawsuit was built on the fundamental legal theory of negligence, claiming the Defendants failed to act responsibly on the road.
Negligent Operation of a Vehicle
The Plaintiff argued that Defendant Edgar Alvarez operated his motor vehicle negligently. This negligence meaning he failed to use the reasonable caution required of a driver was the direct, legal cause of the collision with Ms. Burrus’ vehicle.
Vicarious Liability
The complaint established a crucial link between Mr. Alvarez and his employer. Ms. Burrus claimed that at the time of the crash, Mr. Alvarez was acting within the scope of his employment with Defendant Concrete America LLC. Under Florida law, this makes the employer, Concrete America LLC, equally and legally responsible (vicariously liable) for the negligent actions of their employee.
Injury
As a result of the collision, Ms. Burrus suffered significant bodily injuries. The Plaintiff claimed these injuries created a series of ongoing and permanent problems.
Bodily Injury and Permanence
The Plaintiff alleged she suffered bodily injury resulting in pain and suffering, physical impairment, and mental anguish. The most critical claim was that the losses were either permanent or continuing, meaning Ms. Burrus would continue to suffer from these injuries indefinitely. She also claimed damages for the aggravation of any previously existing condition and damage to her personal automobile, including the loss of its use during repair.
Damages Sought
Ms. Burrus initially sought damages in excess of $50,000, which met the jurisdictional threshold for the Court. She pursued recovery for all costs related to her injuries, both immediate and long-term.
Compensation for Losses
Ms. Burrus sought recovery for expenses related to her hospitalization, medical and nursing care, and treatment she required. She also claimed damages for her pain and suffering, loss of capacity to enjoy life, and the physical impairment and disfigurement she sustained.
Key Arguments and Proceedings
The case, which began with the filing of the complaint in February 2023, involved both sides presenting competing versions of the accident and the severity of Ms. Burrus' injuries to the jury.
Legal Representation
The Court records identified the legal teams that represented the parties in the Orange County dispute.
Plaintiff(s): Sheena Burrus
· Counsel for Plaintiff(s): Jared M. Wise, Esq. | Ryan Rodems
· Experts for Plaintiff: Thomas Lawyer | Anthony P. Cucchi | Chintan Desai | Jennifer Rae Cavalleri | Chanel Morales | James Ciliberti | Thomas Pontinen
Defendant(s): Edgar Alvarez | Concrete America LLC
· Counsel for Defendant(s): Robert M. Pickett, Esq. | Jennifer Miller Brooks, Esq. | Francesco Demeo | Zea Mcdonnough
· Experts for Defendant: Michael J. Foley | Jeffrey Rosen
Key Arguments or Remarks by Counsel
The trial centered on whether Mr. Alvarez’s negligence caused the crash and whether Ms. Burrus’ injuries were permanent, which is a major factor under Florida’s motor vehicle law.
Claims
Counsel for the Plaintiff established that Mr. Alvarez’s negligent driving directly led to the collision. They successfully argued that, due to his employment status, Concrete America LLC shared liability for the resulting damages. The Plaintiff’s legal team presented evidence, likely including medical testimony, to convince the jury that the physical harm suffered by Ms. Burrus qualified as a permanent injury under the law.
Defense
The Defendants, Edgar Alvarez and Concrete America LLC, filed an answer that generally denied the allegations of negligence.
Denial of Negligence
The defense challenged the central claim, denying that Mr. Alvarez acted negligently or that his actions were the legal cause of Ms. Burrus’ claimed injuries.
Damage Mitigation Arguments
The defense typically raised arguments common in injury cases, such as asserting that the Plaintiff failed to mitigate her damages. This legal position claimed that Ms. Burrus did not follow reasonable medical advice, which made her injuries worse than they needed to be. They also asserted that any damage award should be reduced by payments received from outside sources.
Jury Verdict
On March 21, 2025, the jury delivered a verdict that affirmed the central claims of the Plaintiff.
Past and Future Medical Expenses
The jury awarded $10,000.00 for medical expenses Ms. Burrus incurred in the past. Recognizing the permanent nature of her injuries, they awarded a larger sum of $60,000.00 to cover her estimated future medical costs.
Pain and Suffering Damages
Although the verdict form did not specify an amount for past and future pain and suffering damages (disability, physical impairment, mental anguish, etc.) on the section provided, the jury's affirmative finding of permanent injury legally entitled Ms. Burrus to pursue these non-economic damages. The total damages were calculated by adding the awarded medical expenses.
The total damages awarded to Sheena Burrus, based on the specific figures entered on the verdict form, amounted to $70,000.00. This judgment held the Defendants responsible for the injuries and the permanent impact the crash had on Ms. Burrus’ life.