Florida Court Awards Ex-Collier County School Teacher $3 Million
The Florida 2nd Court of Appeal has upheld a 2011 Lee County Circuit jury verdict that awarded an automobile accident victim $3 million dollars. The lower court jury had ruled against the plaintiff’s own insurer, which had refused to pay the $2 million that the plaintiff claimed he was covered for under his under-insured motorist policy.
The former 1983 Collier County Teacher of the Year was on sabbatical when the accident occurred. A Pensacola man smashed into the teacher’s pickup truck in Lehigh Acres in 2008, leaving the victim with severe injuries. The teacher suffered fractures to his neck and wrists and had plates inserted into his neck to stabilize it.
The driver who hit the victim was only covered for $25,000, so the accident victim sought the $2 million policy limit under his uninsured motorist policy. His company, State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company, refused and paid him $190,000 instead.
The teacher sued his insurer, claiming he would not be able to return to work and that he was looking at years of medical expenses, pain management sessions, and surgeries. During the trial, State Farm asked that the jury give the plaintiff $400,000.
The attorney for the plaintiff was pleased with the appeals court ruling. He told Naplesnews.com, “The jury understood the victim’s injuries will affect him for the rest of his life and their award has been upheld. This will help pay for his pain management and lost earnings.”
If you believe you are being mistreated by your insurer after suffering an injury or loss, contact the Collier County automobile accident attorneys at Farah & Farah. You do not have to settle if your insurer refuses to pay benefits you feel you are entitled to. Contact Farah & Farah online or call us at (800) 533-3555 to set up your free, no-obligation case review.
