Latest jury verdicts, settlements, and legal outcome analysis
Nora Garcia won a $3,773,873 jury verdict after a Los Angeles County jury found PCL Construction Services, Inc. negligent. The case arose from a 2024 trip and fall at Orange High School in Orange, California. Jurors assigned PCL 65% of the responsibility for her harm.
In Marquita Smith v. FEG Sawgrass, LLC, a Broward County jury found the operator of a Johnny Rockets restaurant negligent for a December 15, 2019 slip-and-fall incident. Smith claimed she fell on a slippery floor inside the Sunrise, Florida restaurant due to unsafe conditions the Defendant failed to address. After trial, the jury assigned 80% liability to FEG Sawgrass and 20% comparative fault to Smith. They awarded $584,589.44 in damages for medical costs and pain and suffering, subject to reduction for Smith’s percentage of fault. The February 24, 2025 verdict concluded a multi-year dispute over premises safety, causation, and damages.
In a Broward County courtroom, a routine slip-and-fall case turned into a lesson in shared responsibility. Algene Edwards sued Westgate Plaza, Inc. for negligence after tripping on a damaged sidewalk in Fort Lauderdale. Edwards alleged the property owner ignored a known hazard, while Westgate argued the danger was obvious and avoidable. The jury agreed both sides shared blame—assigning 75% fault to Edwards and 25% to Westgate Plaza. Though total damages reached $741,276.57, Edwards’s recovery was sharply reduced under Florida’s comparative negligence rule. The verdict underscored the delicate balance between property maintenance and personal caution.
On August 28, 2024, Emily Buntyn and the City of Los Angeles agreed to settle her personal injury lawsuit for $175,000. Buntyn had accused the City of failing to maintain safe public property conditions that led to her fall and injuries. After nearly two years of litigation, both sides avoided trial by finalizing the settlement, bringing closure to the case and compensation for the plaintiff.
On March 8, 2021, Chip Brown visited the Mercantile Lofts in downtown Los Angeles. As he stepped onto the building’s entrance ramp, a worker power-washed the area, leaving water pooled on the surface. Brown slipped on the wet concrete and fractured his left tibia and fibula, also damaging ankle ligaments. He required surgery, months of therapy, and missed work. Brown sued ICO Development, LLC, alleging negligence and premises liability. He said the company failed to provide slip-resistant surfaces, proper drainage, and warning signs during cleaning. ICO Development denied wrongdoing, claiming Brown was careless and that other parties might share blame. After testimony from medical and safety experts, the jury found ICO Development negligent and concluded its actions substantially caused Brown’s injuries. Damages included compensation for medical costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, and lasting impairment.
On September 22, 2023, Mary Feller tripped on a raised sidewalk near 3400 Lawton Street in San Francisco, suffering serious injuries. Her husband, Gordon Feller, claimed emotional distress and loss of consortium. The couple alleged that property owner Tilo Dickopp and the City and County of San Francisco knew of the hazard but failed to repair or warn, despite prior notices. The defendants denied liability, citing statutory immunities, comparative negligence, and trivial defect defenses. To avoid trial, the parties reached a $250,000 settlement, resolving all claims with prejudice.
James LaFountain sued JPD Properties after falling on deteriorated stairs at a commercial property in Enfield, claiming the landlord failed to maintain safe conditions. He suffered serious shoulder injuries requiring surgery and ongoing treatment, while his wife, Janet, filed a loss of consortium claim. The defense argued James was responsible for his own fall. After trial in October 2024, the jury found for JPD Properties on both counts, awarding no damages to the LaFountains. The verdict underscored the hurdles in proving negligence in premises liability cases.
Milagros Copeland sued Delice Enterprises after she fell in a poorly maintained parking lot in Waterbury, fracturing her wrist. She claimed the company neglected repairs, while the defense argued she was at fault. The landlord countered with a claim for more than $26,000 in back rent. After trial in October 2024, a jury ruled for Delice Enterprises on the injury claim but rejected its counterclaim, leaving both sides without a full win.
In Jessica Green v. Cedar Park Hotel, LLC, a Connecticut jury heard claims that the hotel failed to clear ice from its parking lot, causing Green to slip, fall, and suffer injuries to her back and wrist. She sought damages for medical bills, pain, and loss of enjoyment of life. The hotel denied liability, arguing she was careless and could have avoided the hazard. On March 27, 2024, the jury sided with Cedar Park Hotel, rejecting Green’s claims and awarding her no damages.
