Brunswick Personal Injury Lawyers
Featured Settlements and Verdicts
At Farah and Farah, we represent clients in matters involving everything from medical malpractice to nursing home abuse and auto accidents. We are extremely proud that we have been able to help so many victims and families recover the compensation they need to start rebuilding their lives. The settlements and verdicts below represent just a sampling of the cases we have successfully settled or brought to trial for our clients. If you would like to speak with an attorney about your case, don't delay - contact Farah and Farah today.
Verdicts and Settlements:
Medical Negligence - $5.9 million Award to Minor
A minor child was admitted to a hospital for treatment for a severe asthma attack. Upon admission, he was alert, speaking, and could see. Due to negligent administration of medications, the boy lapsed into unconsciousness and had to be resuscitated. As a result, the child, who is 13 years old, is now legally blind and suffers from neurological damage.
Trucking Collision Case - Recovery $4.8 million
It was supposed to be a good day for Jensie Edwards. February 1, 2004 was her 39th birthday but on her early morning drive to work her life would be permanently altered. Stopped at a red light at the intersection of Martin Luther King Boulevard and Canal Street, a driver for Southland Waste Systems slammed his dump truck into the rear of her car at a speed of 40 mph. Her Dodge Caravan was destroyed and Edwards received severe back injuries. Suffering from continuous pain and limited mobility, Edwards lost her job as a warehouse worker.
A new cutting-edge spinal cord stimulator which controls her pain has been permanently implanted in her body.
The Law Firm of Farah and Farah represented the couple in their claim against the insurance carrier. In early April, 2006, a Duval County jury awarded Edwards and her husband $4.8 million. Eddie Farah noted "this award will assist our client to obtain the future medical care she requires and will help to compensate her for her future loss of wages."
Farah and Farah Obtain $3.4 Million Verdict for Mother of Two in Trucking Case
November 8, 2004 started like any other morning for 37-year-old Wendy Sugalski. She had just dropped her teenage child at school and was heading east on Atlantic Boulevard near Kernan to pick-up her other teenager.
She was stopped at a red-light when her car was rear-ended by a 26,000 pound moving truck traveling 40 miles per hour. Her Honda Civic was pushed forward, the force crushing the trunk of her car into her back seat.
Mrs. Sugalski didn't see it coming but immediately she felt the pain.
She suffered at least one herniated disc in her neck and suffered significant soft tissue damage. Treated immediately at the emergency room, Sugalski would undergo extensive pain management treatment including 69 injections in her neck and two surgical procedures that probe the nerves, then heat them to deaden pain.
Today she is in constant pain. Doctors tell her to expect that for the rest of her life.
Her career as a ballet, lyrical and acrobatic dance instructor at Let's Dance in Ponte Vedra Beach, would be forever restricted to instruction, not demonstration. Her future as a dancer at exhibitions was over.
On Thursday, September 13th 2007, Sugalski won a $3.49 million dollar judgment against Reads Moving Systems of Florida, Inc.
The company denied they were at fault. "That's the nature of the beast," says Eddie Farah. However, shortly before the trial, the Court ruled as a matter of law that Reads Moving Systems of Florida, Inc. was responsible for the crash. "They don't offer you any money unless you go to court and get a verdict. They wear you down because they know people are hurting for money and will take whatever they throw out," says Farah.
Reads Moving Systems, a national company with offices on Philips Hwy., offered Ms. Sugalski $27,500 prior to a lawsuit being filed and $60,000 before trial.
"The insurance company never took her seriously," says Randall Rutledge who was co-counsel in the case. But the court determined that Reads was at fault and that focused the case on damages. "Causation and the amount of Mrs. Sugalski's damages is what the jury had to determine," says Farah.
The six-person jury agreed. The award includes almost $40,000 for past medical bills, $150,000 for past pain and suffering and $2.25 million for future pain and suffering. Included in the award is $1 million for future medical care which will include twice yearly nerve treatments known as RFL, radiofrequency lesioning which costs about $5,000 per treatment.
Car Accident Case - Recovery $1.8 million
A married father with a young daughter is totally disabled in a low impact collision while driving company truck. Recovered $1.8 million.
Negligent Trucking Award $1.35 Million Will Help Teen Without A Father
Farah and Farah represented the surviving child of a Jacksonville truck driver, killed while on the job.
When the 49-year-old man brought his truck into a loading dock in Atlanta in April, 2008, he stopped and opened the rear doors of his truck to prepare for a load.
That’s when another driver in a big-rig pulled up behind him.
When the second driver, working for a major hauler, reached down to retrieve something off the cab floor, he unintentionally let the truck lurch forward, crushing the driver of the first truck between the vehicles, He died a short time later.
The negligence claim was settled in September 2009. Attorney, Randall Rutledge says it will provide his client, the man’s child, now a teenager, with the funds he needs to continue his education, and his life without his father.
Car Accident Case - Recovery $1.25 million
On January 11, 2001, our client was asleep in the right front passenger seat of a pickup truck owned by a large corporation. The driver of the truck, who had been drinking heavily, lost control of the vehicle, driving it into the median where it flipped over, ejecting our client and then rolling over him, ending his life. The driver of the truck also died in the car accident.
The truck was owned by a large corporation that allowed the driver to take the vehicle home and drive it to and from work. The morning of his death, the young man had gone by the home of his parents just to hug them and say how much he loved them and how grateful he was to have such good parents.
Our client had four young children whom he loved very much. As a result of his death, these children were deprived of their father's love, support, and guidance and his parents have lost a loving son.
After long negotiations, we were able to recover the sum of $1.25 million for the cost of the children's future education. Although money can never replace their loving father, these children will be assured of a secure financial future.
Car Accident Case - Recovery $1.2 million
A 35-year-old master electrician suffered spinal and cervical damage after a driver rear-ended his truck at 45 mph. The injuries and necessary surgeries affected his work performance and limited his earning potential. After following his case for two years, our team of car accident attorneys, nurses, and litigation experts prepared for trial. Hours before the trial was to begin, the defendant's attorney settled the claim. Recovered $1.2 million.
Car Accident Case - Recovery $1.115 million
Retired Navy man severely injured in rear end collision on the Buckman Bridge. Recovered $1.115 million.
Car Accident Case - Recovery $1 million
An elderly woman suffered a fractured skull when her mailman accidentally hit her with his vehicle. The insurance company refused to settle for an adequate amount, claiming her life expectancy was too short to warrant one. Our car accident attorneys argued under a Federal Tort Claim and won a substantial recovery. Recovered over $1 million.
Car Accident Case - Recovery $950,000
A woman was widowed when a careless driver ran her and her husband off the road. The insurance company tried to claim she was responsible because she was too tired to drive; we proved otherwise. Recovered $950,000.
Car Accident Case - Recovery $760,000
A couple in their late 60s were driving down a dark interstate when their car crashed into the rear of a huge dump truck traveling under the speed limit with no taillights or other illumination. The wife passed away after three months in the hospital with medical bills totaling over $125,000. Our experts demonstrated the dump truck was at fault because of its numerous safety and traffic violations. Because of our research, the insurance company awarded the husband a substantial settlement to cover medical expenses and ensure a comfortable future. Recovered $760,000.
Car Accident Case - Recovery $756,000
On Friday, March 19, 1999, at approximately 12:00 a.m., Christopher Wayne Andrews was operating a 1989 Honda CRX, north on County Road 241. At the time the crash occurred, there was total darkness in the area with no artificial lighting present. According to the Traffic Homicide Report, the darkness and lack of visibility associated with the night-time conditions were a contributory factor in the crash. At trial, investigating officers stated that there was no fault on the part of Christopher Wayne Andrews.
Suddenly, and without warning, the vehicle driven by Christopher Wayne Andrews collided with a large, solid black cow in the northbound lane of the roadway. The impact propelled the 1000+ pound cow upward and onto Mr. Andrews' left side A-pillar, windshield, and roof. The roof was crushed down to only 14 inches above the seat. The vehicle spun in a counterclockwise rotation diagonally toward the south shoulder and ultimately became airborne for approximately 27 feet. As the vehicle landed it rolled, traveling 45 feet, striking a barb-wire fence. Christopher Wayne Andrews suffered fatal, multiple blunt traumatic injuries and died at the scene.
The Black Angus cow was tagged and identified as belonging to the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Santa Fe Beef Unit. The Florida Board of Education, its agents, and/or employees negligently failed to properly restrain its Black Angus cow and permitted it to run at large contrary to FS §588.14 and §588.25 and in so doing created a public nuisance as defined by said statutes in permitting livestock to run at large in violation of the statutes and in failing to contain said animal as required by statute. This negligence resulted in the death of Christopher Wayne Andrews.
The State of Florida, its agents, and/or employees destroyed the gate that was evidence. At the trial, an employee of the State admitted that had the second gate been closed, the cow might not have escaped onto the road.
At trial, The Law Firm of Farah & Farah, P.A. obtained a jury verdict in the amount of $756,000 for the parents and estate of Christopher Wayne Andrews - the largest verdict ever awarded in Union County, Florida.
Car Accident Case - Recovery $410,000
A 21-year-old mother was killed when she, her young son, and a driver were in a car accident. The driver had little insurance but we found a large policy of UM/UIM insurance maintained by the victim's mother. Because the deceased was living with her mother at the time, her estate was awarded damages. Recovered $410,000.
Car Accident Case - Recovery $317,675.61
Our client was driving her vehicle north on Belfort Road in Jacksonville, Florida. At the same time, an employee of the Jacksonville Electric Authority (JEA) was traveling behind our client, driving a vehicle owned by JEA, and was within the course and scope of his employment with JEA.
Both vehicles stopped for a red traffic signal. However, the defendant driver's foot slipped off the brake pedal and the JEA vehicle he was driving crashed into the rear end of our client's vehicle. The JEA employee admitted that he was solely responsible for causing the car accident.
Our client had never been injured in any prior accident, had never previously complained of pain in the cervical region, and was asymptomatic prior to the collision. Our client began a program of physical therapy; however, MRI of the cervical revealed a central and left paracentral herniated disc at C4-5 and a disc bulge at C5-6. She was referred to a neurologist for her complaints of numbness of her right side. MRI of the lumbar area revealed moderate lumbar spondylosis, worse in the upper levels, with moderate disc bulges at the L3-4 and L4-5 levels and mild foraminal encroachment at the L4-5 level. A thoracic MRI revealed moderate spondylosis. Finally, the cervical MRI showed moderate degenerative disc disease at the C6-7 level. She subsequently had a myelogram which showed a disc bulge at L3-4 and cervical spodylosis at C6-7. A CAT scan revealed two disc ruptures in the cervical area. Dr. Kilgore felt it prudent that she try pain management, and if not successful, obtain a neurosurgical evaluation.
Our client underwent anterior cervical discectomy, fusion, bone bank graft, and plate fixation at C4-5 and C5-6.
We filed suit and the jury returned a verdict in favor of our client in the amount of $317,675.61.
Car Accident Case - Recovery $196,000
A 5 mph impact results in back surgery to driver. Jury confirms injury. Recovered $196,000.00.
Car Accident Case - Recovery $115,000
A 79-year-old Canadian woman visiting Jacksonville sustained injuries to her neck, shoulders, and back in a crash caused by a negligent driver. She was no longer able to knit, do household chores, or even wash her own hair. The insurance company refused to settle, saying she had only a soft-tissue injury and arthritis caused her pain. We took them to court and proved otherwise. Recovered $115,000.
Car Accident Case - Recovery $100,000
Insurance carrier refuses to pay $100,000. Uninsured Motorist Benefits to client trapped in auto after a crash. Jury awards victim for pain and suffering. Recovered $654,837.00
Motorcycle Accident Case - Recovery Seven Figures
A young mother riding as a passenger on a motorcycle suffered a crushed pelvis when the motorcycle collided with a car. Her injuries were so severe she required extensive surgery and therapy to walk again. Seven figure settlement.
Motorcycle Accident Case - Recovery $400,000
Our client suffered severe injuries and a permanent leg deformity when a car crashed into his motorcycle. The driver of the at-fault vehicle had only $10,000 in bodily injury policy limits but failed to tender the policy limits within a set period of time. The Florida attorneys at Farah & Farah, P.A. maintained a bad faith claim and recovered $400,000 for our client. Recovered $400,000.
Medical Malpractice Case - $1.125 million
Infant suffered brain damage as a result of medical malpractice. Parents receive award for his future care. Recovered $1.125 million.
Workplace Machinery Accident Case - Recovery $1.56 million
Dangerous machinery causes wrongful death of a worker. Sons receive compensation for their mother's death. Recovered 1.56 million
Product Liability Case - Recovery $1.7 million
A 20-year-old mechanic was crushed by a 20,000 pound sign that collapsed as he walked under it. Through investigation, it was discovered that no maintenance had been performed on the bolts that secured the sign to its post in the approximate 18 years since it was erected. The case was prepared for trial and defendants settled shortly before trial was scheduled to begin. Recovered $1.7 million.
Product Liability Case - Recovery $320,000
While pumping gas at a large gas company, our client suffered injuries during an accident caused by a pump cover. A chip fracture to the top of his foot and nerve damage left him unable to operate machinery or wear the steel-toed boots that his job required. We presented substantial evidence in this product liability case and the insurance company saw things our way. Recovered $320,000.
Nursing Home Abuse Case - Recovery $450,000
A nursing home resident developed bed sores because she was not turned or cleaned adequately. We cited evidence that her nutritional status was not being evaluated and her care was insufficient, and secured a settlement. Recovered $450,000.
Nursing Home Abuse Case - Recovery $275,000
A nursing home resident was not given adequate heel protection, nutrition, or monitoring by the staff. The lack of care resulted in a Stage 3 heel ulcer. We fought for compensation and won. Recovered $275,000.
Premises Liability (Slip and Fall) Case - Recovery $750,000
On July 1st, 2001, a client of ours fell in a puddle of water in a large retail/supercenter chain. She asked for help and was treated rudely by the manager. She requested an ambulance because of the intense pain she suffered when she fell on her hand and her back. The manager replied, "You don't need any help." There were two eyewitnesses who observed the accident, and the store's employees told them to get out of the store as soon as one of the employees discovered that they were witnesses. The business failed to obtain an account of the accident from the eyewitnesses.
The lady who fell was subsequently diagnosed with Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD). It caused her left hand and fingers to curl up like a hook, and she experienced extreme pain and circulation problems caused by this little known neurological condition. Our office contacted one of the preeminent experts in Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy. This physician examined her and set out a course of treatment. In the meantime, she was experiencing great difficulty taking care of her young children, who she had previously home-schooled, and managing the day-to-day tasks which she, and her family, had grown accustomed to doing without any difficulty. In addition, she was planning on starting a job as soon as her youngest daughter began kindergarten.
She subsequently was given a series of nerve block injections, which provided minimal relief. The RSD expert and her pain management doctor agreed that a permanent morphine pump would have to be installed in her body to alleviate her pain. This would involve an extremely invasive procedure to place a very expensive device inside her body, which would provide a morphine drip for pain relief for the rest of her life. Her doctors also concluded that she would never be able to work.
The Defendant refused to acknowledge fault. Our office hired an engineer who specialized in air condition and refrigeration because the water which the client fell in came from an open refrigerator case. The expert was able to show that the store failed to properly maintain and inspect the cooler, and if it merely did the most basic maintenance procedures, the accident would have never happened.
The store would not agree to adequately compensate her during a court-ordered mediation. We prepared the course for trial and forced the store to turn over many documents which they first refused to disclose, which clearly established their negligence. Just before trial, the store agreed to compensate our client for $750,000.00.
Premises Liability (Slip and Fall) Case - Recovery $198,559
A very active woman in her mid-forties walked into the break room at work, slipped on water from a leaky faucet and broke her ankle. We went to trial and proved that building maintainers were negligent because they failed to correct the problem even after being given prior notice of the danger. Recovered $198,559.
Premises Liability (Slip and Fall) Case - Recovery $130,000
A 77-year-old man fell and severely broke his arm when his pant leg got caught on a broken concrete parking stop at a fast food chain. His injury was so severe, he couldn't lift his arm above shoulder level and modifications had to be made to his home for him to get around. We went up against the big company and convinced them to settle. Recovered $130,000.
Premises Liability (Slip and Fall) Case - Recovery $65,000
A man from Germany who was visiting Jacksonville slipped and fell in some liquid on the floor of a grocery store. He suffered severe injuries that required surgery to remove an infection. Because the man couldn't speak English and would soon be returning home, the grocery chain stalled and eventually denied responsibility. We put a case together with expert doctors and translators and they agreed to pay compensation. Recovered $65,000.