Miami Jury Awards $30K in Crash Case Against Painting Firm
Table of Contents
Case Background
A routine drive-in southwest Miami turned into a civil lawsuit after a collision along Southwest 177th Avenue on June 8, 2021. Plaintiff Ruben Manzo traveled northbound when a white 2007 Chevrolet work truck, owned by Brothers Painting of South Florida, Inc. and driven by its employee Darwing Antonio Zepeda Berrios, attempted a left turn across his lane. The turn caused a direct impact with Manzo’s vehicle, and his passenger, Greyce Pavon Martinez, also claimed injury. Both Plaintiffs filed suit in the Circuit Court of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit in Miami-Dade County, seeking damages for medical expenses and other losses tied to the crash.
The suit centered on claims that the company controlled the truck and bore legal responsibility for its driver’s conduct under Florida’s vicarious liability laws governing motor vehicle ownership. The case moved through discovery, depositions, medical evaluations, and motion practice before reaching trial in March 2025.
Cause
The Plaintiffs asserted that Zepeda Berrios failed to yield while making a left turn and crossed into oncoming traffic. They argued this driving decision violated the duty of care owed to other motorists, and the company shared responsibility because it owned the vehicle and allowed its use in business operations.
Injury
Manzo and Martinez reported physical injuries requiring medical treatment. Manzo sought compensation for medical bills and pain linked to neck, back, and related soft-tissue injuries. Martinez sought compensation as a passenger, alleging her own medical expenses resulted from the collision. Neither Plaintiff asserted permanent injury at trial, based on the verdict form responses.
Damages Sought
Manzo requested compensation for past medical expenses, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and reduced capacity to enjoy life, both past and future. He also sought potential future damages if the jury agreed he sustained permanent injury. Martinez sought similar compensation for past medical costs.
The complaint stated total damages exceeded $30,000, but no specific dollar demand appeared in the filings. The final jury award reflected only past medical expenses for both Plaintiffs.
Key Arguments and Proceedings
The case unfolded as a straightforward negligence dispute. Plaintiffs argued the crash occurred because the truck turned across their lane without proper clearance. They contended the impact was unavoidable from their position in traffic and that they exercised normal care while traveling northbound.
The defense pointed to potential comparative negligence, arguing Manzo contributed to the crash through his own driving. This theme appeared on the verdict form, which included a question asking jurors to assign fault between the parties. The jury ultimately rejected that argument.
Legal Representation
Plaintiff(s): Ruben Manzo | Greyce Pavon Martinez
· Counsel for Plaintiff(s): Alejandro Uriarte
· Experts for Paintiff(s): Juan Ponce de Leon
Defendant(s): Brothers Painting Of South Florida, Inc | Darwing Antonio Zepeda Barrios
· Counsel for Defendant(s): David D. Hernandez
· Experts for Defendant(s): Jonathan Hyde | Michael S. Zeide | Rafael J. Fernandez | Geoffrey A. Negin
Claims
Negligence Against Darwing Zepeda Berrios
Manzo alleged the driver failed to operate the truck safely. He argued the left turn violated Florida traffic laws and directly caused physical injury. He claimed medical expenses, pain, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Negligence & Vicarious Liability Against Brothers Painting of South Florida, Inc.
Manzo asserted the company owned the vehicle and bore legal responsibility for its driver's negligence under Florida’s dangerous instrumentality doctrine. Martinez’s claims proceeded under the same theories as a passenger.
Defense
Brothers Painting denied liability and argued that Manzo may have contributed to the crash through his own actions behind the wheel. They challenged the severity, causation, and permanence of the injuries. The verdict suggests the defense disputed whether the injuries met the threshold for non-economic damages under Florida law, since jurors declined to award pain and suffering for Manzo after determining he did not sustain a permanent injury.
Jury Verdict
The jury in the case of Ruben Manzo et al. v. Brothers Painting of South Florida, Inc., returned a verdict on March 20, 2025, finding both the Defendant, Brothers Painting Of South Florida, Inc., and the Plaintiff, Ruben Manzo, negligent, with that negligence being a legal cause of loss, injury, or damage. The jury awarded specific damages: Plaintiff Ruben Manzo was awarded $15,000.00 for past medical expenses, and plaintiff Greyce Pavon Martinez was also awarded $15,000.00 for past medical expenses.
Final Judgment by Jury
However, despite the jury's findings and damage awards, the Court subsequently entered a Final Judgment on June 18, 2025, in favor of the Defendant, Brothers Painting of South Florida, Inc., as the prevailing party, after granting the Defendant's post-trial motion. This final judgment ordered that the Defendant shall go "hence without day," and retained jurisdiction to determine the Defendant's entitlement to costs and attorney's fees. The case was ultimately closed as to all parties.