Trial Verdicts
Sotelo v. Deutschmann
Date: July 29, 2019
Judge: Honorable Judge Raag Singhal
Defense Counsel: Michael Robb, Esq. and C. Brandon Arzabe, Esq.
Synopsis: This lawsuit arose out of a rear-end collision which Defendants admitted liability for. The three day trial focused solely on damages. Plaintiff had undergone surgery and accumulated over $150,000.00 in total medical bills. The Defendants filed a proposal for settlement for $65,000.00 prior to trial beginning.
Verdict: The Jury returned a verdict for $22,360.00 less than Defendants proposal for settlement resulting in a Defense victory.
McCann v. Freeman
Date: December 4, 2018
Venue: Palm Beach County
Judge: Honorable Judge Joseph Curley
Defense Counsel: Jessica Bartell, Esq. and Michael Robb, Esq.
Synopsis: This lawsuit resulted out of an accident early one morning on the Turnpike. The Plaintiff was headed to work around 5:00 a.m. in the rain when the Defendant lost control of her vehicle causing the Plaintiff to take evasive actions and ultimately sending him into the concrete barrier. Both vehicles were totaled as a result. The Plaintiff had complaints of neck and back pain, medical bills of over $50,000.00 and was ultimately recommended for a surgery totaling $75,000.00 by his treating physician.
Verdict: The jury returned a verdict in favor of the defense in less than three (3) hours.
Johnson v. Travis
Date: October 9, 2018
Venue: Lee County
Judge: Honorable Judge Robert Branning
Defense Counsel: Jessica Bartell, Esq. and Leah Charbonnet, Esq.
Synopsis: This lawsuit arose out of an automobile accident that occurred on Martin Luther King Blvd, in Ft. Myers Florida. The Plaintiff was a pedestrian who was legally blind and attempted to cross a busy street. He was struck by the defendant’s vehicle which resulted in a fractured leg and various other injuries. The trial was bifurcated and tried on liability only.
Verdict: The jury returned a verdict in two and a half hours finding that the Defendant was not negligent in the operation of her motor vehicle.
Zucker v. Geico
Date: October 9, 2018
Venue: Miami-Dade County
Judge: Jacqueline Scola
Defense Counsel: Marc Buschman, Esq. and Michael Robb, Esq.
Synopsis: This case was originally tried in 2006 and went on appeal. The Fourth District Court of Appeals reversed the verdict and remanded it back to the lower court for a new trial. The Plaintiff was a chiropractor who was involved in an accident where liability was not at issue. The alleged injuries he suffered were extensive resulting in over one million dollars in medical bills including a large lost wage claim and loss of future earning capacity claim. After days of testimony, the Plaintiff’s lawyers asked the jury for $20 million dollars to compensate their client.
Verdict: The jury returned a verdict which after the appropriate set offs resulted in a defense win.
Morris v. Batista
Date: September 26, 2018
Venue: Broward County
Judge: Honorable William Haury
Defense Counsel: Michael Robb, Esq. and C. Brandon Arzabe, Esq.
Synopsis: This lawsuit arose as a result of a rear-end collision where our client accepted responsibility for the accident. As a result of the accident the Plaintiff claimed injuries to her neck and back which resulted in a cervical surgery. Her medical bills were in the six figures at the time of trial.
Verdict: The jury returned a defense verdict in an hour.
Hurd v. Whitfield
Date: April 25, 2018
Venue: Broward County
Judge: Honorable John Bowman
Defense Counsel: Leah Charbonnet, Esq.
Synopsis: This trial was bifurcated and tried on liability only. Plaintiff was on a skateboard and alleged that the Defendant, an 80 year old female, violated his right of way as he was crossing the intersection.
Verdict: The jury returned a defense verdict of no liability in approximately two (2) hours.
Fowler v. Geico
Date: March 8, 2018
Venue: Broward County
Judge: Martin Bidwill
Defense Counsel: Michael Robb, Esq.
Synopsis: This trial was a result of a rear end collision involving Plaintiff Douglas Fowler. Liability was not an issue. As a result of the accident, Plaintiff claimed injuries to his neck and back and had a lost wage claim as well as a loss of future earning capacity claim. The most significant part of this trial was Mercedes Fowler’s consortium claim. Mercedes Fowler is a paraplegic and has been for the past twenty (20) years. As a result of the accident, the Plaintiffs alleged that they had to let go of Mrs. Fowler’s caregiver which they could no longer afford due to Mr. Fowler being let go from his job. Plaintiffs also alleged that now Mr. Fowler had to be his wife’s caregiver as opposed to her husband and that this had affected their relationship. Mrs. Fowler was present at trial the entire time and cried throughout the entirety of her testimony. Plaintiff counsel’s entire closing played on sympathy for the disabled Mercedes Fowler and asked the jury to award his clients upwards of $7 million dollars.
Verdict: The jury returned a verdict finding the tortfeasor’s negligence was not a legal cause of loss injury or damage to the Plaintiffs and awarded them nothing. Michael Robb was featured on the front page of the Daily Business Review the following week with the headline: “Broward Attorney Sinks $7 Million Case Against Geico.”
Jules v. Miller
Date: February 15, 2018
Venue: Palm Beach County
Judge: Honorable John Frusciante (retired) filling in for the Honorable Joseph Marx
Defense Counsel: Jessica Bartell, Esq. and Michael Robb, Esq.
Synopsis: Plaintiff was a passenger in her boyfriend’s car at the time of the accident and was five (5) months pregnant. Plaintiff alleges that the Defendant cut off the vehicle she was traveling in as both parties tried to merge into a left hand turn in Miami Beach. Liability was in dispute. Defendant, claims the Plaintiff’s vehicle cut him off as they attempted to merge into the left turn lane. Plaintiff began having contractions and was taken to Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami for observation and prepared for a spontaneous abortion. She was monitored for four (4) hours and released. She subsequently received treatment for her neck and back after delivering a healthy baby without complications. She underwent injections and had medical bills exceeding $30,000.00. Plaintiff made a sympathetic witness as a single mother. Policy limits were $10,000.00 and were offered pretrial and rejected.
Verdict: After less than 2 hours of deliberation, the jury returned a verdict of no liability on the Defendant and Plaintiff was awarded nothing.
Reiss v. State Farm
Date: February 6, 2018
Venue: Miami-Dade County
Judge: Honorable Michael Hanzman
Defense Counsel: Michael Robb, Esq.
Synopsis: Plaintiff was rear ended by the tortfeasor while driving her 2013 BMW 328i. The tortfeasor’s insurance company tendered their $30,000.00 limits. Plaintiff had $10,000.00 in UM coverage available for this accident. As a result, she claimed injuries to her neck and back. Plaintiff’s orthopedist diagnosed her with three levels of herniated discs. She underwent several cervical epidural steroid injections and was eventually recommended for an anterior cervical discectomy and fusion. Plaintiff had a Proposal for Settlement in the amount of $225,000.00.
Verdict: After one hour of deliberation, the jury returned a defense verdict finding that there was no legal cause of loss injury or damage to the Plaintiff and she was awarded nothing.
Jean-Francois v. Medical Rehab and Dr. Charles Richard
Date: January 31, 2018
Venue: Broward County
Judge: Honorable Martin Bidwill
Defense Counsel: Leah Charbonnet, Esq.
Synopsis: This lawsuit resulted from a low impact parking lot accident. Defendant, Dr. Richard was backing out of a parking lot at a bakery and backed into the left passenger side of the Plaintiff’s Honda Pilot as she tried to pass behind him while he was backing out. Plaintiff alleged injuries to her neck and back and ended up having a cervical artificial disc replacement surgery. Medical bills exceeded $100,000.00. The surgery was done by Dr. Marshall Stauber. Plaintiff denied any prior injuries and accidents throughout trial. $50,000.00 was offered prior to trial and the case was defended on causation.
Verdict: The jury returned a defense verdict finding that the Defendant’s negligence was not a legal cause of loss injury or damage to the Plaintiff and awarded the Plaintiff nothing.
Rezende v. Small
Date: January 16, 2018
Venue: Broward County
Judge: Honorable Michael Gates
Defense Counsel: Michael Robb, Esq.
Synopsis: Plaintiff was traveling through an intersection on a yellow light when the Defendant, Small made a left hand turn in front of the Plaintiff violating her right of way. Liability was at issue. Plaintiff claimed injuries to her shoulder as a result of the accident resulting in a shoulder surgery. Her medical bills exceeded $70,000.00.
Verdict: The jury returned a verdict finding the Plaintiff was 40% at fault and found she had a permanent impairment. Ultimately, the verdict was one for the defense after applicable set offs. Plaintiff was not awarded any money for pain and suffering.
Ortiz v. Otero
Date: November 1, 2017
Venue: Palm Beach County
Judge: Honorable Peter Blanc
Defense Counsel: Michael Robb, Esq.
Synopsis: This was a bifurcated trial on liability only. There were two Plaintiffs each represented by separate counsel with serious injuries in this red light dispute. Defendant, David Otero was traveling in a blue Maserati with two passengers when he attempted to go through the intersection on what he contended was a green light. Plaintiff #2 was a backseat passenger in a Nissan Pathfinder being driven by Plaintiff #1. The Nissan Pathfinder entered the intersection on what Plaintiffs contend was also a green light. The vehicles came into contact and ultimately the Nissan Pathfinder flipped and rolled over several times before coming to a final rest. Plaintiffs called one eye witness who alleges the Pathfinder had the green light. Both vehicles were totaled as a result.
Verdict: The jury returned a defense verdict finding no liability on David Otero in the Maserati.
Wallace v. Andersen
Date: October 12, 2017
Venue: Broward County
Judge: Honorable Martin Bidwill
Defense Counsel: Michael Robb, Esq. & Jessica Bartell, Esq.
Synopsis: Plaintiff, Gail Harris-Wallace alleges she sustained injuries to her neck and back when she was impacted by Defendant, Michael Andersen’s vehicle on the turnpike traveling northbound. Liability was at issue. Defendant, Andersen claimed that a third phantom vehicle clipped the rear of his vehicle causing him to lose control and eventually impact the Plaintiff’s vehicle. The Plaintiff’s vehicle was declared a total loss as a result.
The Plaintiff underwent significant treatment including a lumbar fusion and cervical fusion performed by Dr. David Campbell. Her medical bills were over $300,000.00. Prior to trial, State Farm offered $500,000.00 which was rejected by the Plaintiff. Additionally, Plaintiff had a lost wage claim and loss of future earning capacity claim and her husband had a consortium claim.
Verdict: After approximately eight (8) hours of deliberation, they jury returned a defense verdict, finding the phantom vehicle 30% at fault and finding that the Plaintiff did not sustain a permanent injury as a result of the accident.
Parks v. State Farm
Date: August 31, 2017
Venue: Broward County
Judge: Honorable Sandra Perlman
Defense Counsel: Michael Robb, Esq. & Jessica Bartell, Esq.
Synopsis: Plaintiff, Jacob Parks alleges he was injured when the tortfeasor’s truck backed into him and ran over him at a bonfire in Davie, Florida. As a result he claimed injuries to his neck and back. Plaintiff underwent one trigger point injection. His medical bills totaled approximately $23,000.00. Plaintiff was in his early twenties and very active in the rodeo circuit. State Farm filed a Proposal for Settlement in the amount of $7,500.00. Plaintiff filed one for $50,000.00.
Verdict: The jury awarded the Plaintiff his medical bills of $23,000.00 and also found that he was 60% at fault resulting in a defense verdict.
Trial Verdicts
Sotelo v. Deutschmann
Date: July 29, 2019
Judge: Honorable Judge Raag Singhal
Defense Counsel: Michael Robb, Esq. and C. Brandon Arzabe, Esq.
Synopsis: This lawsuit arose out of a rear-end collision which Defendants admitted liability for. The three day trial focused solely on damages. Plaintiff had undergone surgery and accumulated over $150,000.00 in total medical bills. The Defendants filed a proposal for settlement for $65,000.00 prior to trial beginning.
Verdict: The Jury returned a verdict for $22,360.00 less than Defendants proposal for settlement resulting in a Defense victory.
McCann v. Freeman
Date: December 4, 2018
Venue: Palm Beach County
Judge: Honorable Judge Joseph Curley
Defense Counsel: Jessica Bartell, Esq. and Michael Robb, Esq.
Synopsis: This lawsuit resulted out of an accident early one morning on the Turnpike. The Plaintiff was headed to work around 5:00 a.m. in the rain when the Defendant lost control of her vehicle causing the Plaintiff to take evasive actions and ultimately sending him into the concrete barrier. Both vehicles were totaled as a result. The Plaintiff had complaints of neck and back pain, medical bills of over $50,000.00 and was ultimately recommended for a surgery totaling $75,000.00 by his treating physician.
Verdict: The jury returned a verdict in favor of the defense in less than three (3) hours.
Johnson v. Travis
Date: October 9, 2018
Venue: Lee County
Judge: Honorable Judge Robert Branning
Defense Counsel: Jessica Bartell, Esq. and Leah Charbonnet, Esq.
Synopsis: This lawsuit arose out of an automobile accident that occurred on Martin Luther King Blvd, in Ft. Myers Florida. The Plaintiff was a pedestrian who was legally blind and attempted to cross a busy street. He was struck by the defendant’s vehicle which resulted in a fractured leg and various other injuries. The trial was bifurcated and tried on liability only.
Verdict: The jury returned a verdict in two and a half hours finding that the Defendant was not negligent in the operation of her motor vehicle.
Zucker v. Geico
Date: October 9, 2018
Venue: Miami-Dade County
Judge: Jacqueline Scola
Defense Counsel: Marc Buschman, Esq. and Michael Robb, Esq.
Synopsis: This case was originally tried in 2006 and went on appeal. The Fourth District Court of Appeals reversed the verdict and remanded it back to the lower court for a new trial. The Plaintiff was a chiropractor who was involved in an accident where liability was not at issue. The alleged injuries he suffered were extensive resulting in over one million dollars in medical bills including a large lost wage claim and loss of future earning capacity claim. After days of testimony, the Plaintiff’s lawyers asked the jury for $20 million dollars to compensate their client.
Verdict: The jury returned a verdict which after the appropriate set offs resulted in a defense win.
Morris v. Batista
Date: September 26, 2018
Venue: Broward County
Judge: Honorable William Haury
Defense Counsel: Michael Robb, Esq. and C. Brandon Arzabe, Esq.
Synopsis: This lawsuit arose as a result of a rear-end collision where our client accepted responsibility for the accident. As a result of the accident the Plaintiff claimed injuries to her neck and back which resulted in a cervical surgery. Her medical bills were in the six figures at the time of trial.
Verdict: The jury returned a defense verdict in an hour.
Hurd v. Whitfield
Date: April 25, 2018
Venue: Broward County
Judge: Honorable John Bowman
Defense Counsel: Leah Charbonnet, Esq.
Synopsis: This trial was bifurcated and tried on liability only. Plaintiff was on a skateboard and alleged that the Defendant, an 80 year old female, violated his right of way as he was crossing the intersection.
Verdict: The jury returned a defense verdict of no liability in approximately two (2) hours.
Fowler v. Geico
Date: March 8, 2018
Venue: Broward County
Judge: Martin Bidwill
Defense Counsel: Michael Robb, Esq.
Synopsis: This trial was a result of a rear end collision involving Plaintiff Douglas Fowler. Liability was not an issue. As a result of the accident, Plaintiff claimed injuries to his neck and back and had a lost wage claim as well as a loss of future earning capacity claim. The most significant part of this trial was Mercedes Fowler’s consortium claim. Mercedes Fowler is a paraplegic and has been for the past twenty (20) years. As a result of the accident, the Plaintiffs alleged that they had to let go of Mrs. Fowler’s caregiver which they could no longer afford due to Mr. Fowler being let go from his job. Plaintiffs also alleged that now Mr. Fowler had to be his wife’s caregiver as opposed to her husband and that this had affected their relationship. Mrs. Fowler was present at trial the entire time and cried throughout the entirety of her testimony. Plaintiff counsel’s entire closing played on sympathy for the disabled Mercedes Fowler and asked the jury to award his clients upwards of $7 million dollars.
Verdict: The jury returned a verdict finding the tortfeasor’s negligence was not a legal cause of loss injury or damage to the Plaintiffs and awarded them nothing. Michael Robb was featured on the front page of the Daily Business Review the following week with the headline: “Broward Attorney Sinks $7 Million Case Against Geico.”
Jules v. Miller
Date: February 15, 2018
Venue: Palm Beach County
Judge: Honorable John Frusciante (retired) filling in for the Honorable Joseph Marx
Defense Counsel: Jessica Bartell, Esq. and Michael Robb, Esq.
Synopsis: Plaintiff was a passenger in her boyfriend’s car at the time of the accident and was five (5) months pregnant. Plaintiff alleges that the Defendant cut off the vehicle she was traveling in as both parties tried to merge into a left hand turn in Miami Beach. Liability was in dispute. Defendant, claims the Plaintiff’s vehicle cut him off as they attempted to merge into the left turn lane. Plaintiff began having contractions and was taken to Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami for observation and prepared for a spontaneous abortion. She was monitored for four (4) hours and released. She subsequently received treatment for her neck and back after delivering a healthy baby without complications. She underwent injections and had medical bills exceeding $30,000.00. Plaintiff made a sympathetic witness as a single mother. Policy limits were $10,000.00 and were offered pretrial and rejected.
Verdict: After less than 2 hours of deliberation, the jury returned a verdict of no liability on the Defendant and Plaintiff was awarded nothing.
Reiss v. State Farm
Date: February 6, 2018
Venue: Miami-Dade County
Judge: Honorable Michael Hanzman
Defense Counsel: Michael Robb, Esq.
Synopsis: Plaintiff was rear ended by the tortfeasor while driving her 2013 BMW 328i. The tortfeasor’s insurance company tendered their $30,000.00 limits. Plaintiff had $10,000.00 in UM coverage available for this accident. As a result, she claimed injuries to her neck and back. Plaintiff’s orthopedist diagnosed her with three levels of herniated discs. She underwent several cervical epidural steroid injections and was eventually recommended for an anterior cervical discectomy and fusion. Plaintiff had a Proposal for Settlement in the amount of $225,000.00.
Verdict: After one hour of deliberation, the jury returned a defense verdict finding that there was no legal cause of loss injury or damage to the Plaintiff and she was awarded nothing.
Jean-Francois v. Medical Rehab and Dr. Charles Richard
Date: January 31, 2018
Venue: Broward County
Judge: Honorable Martin Bidwill
Defense Counsel: Leah Charbonnet, Esq.
Synopsis: This lawsuit resulted from a low impact parking lot accident. Defendant, Dr. Richard was backing out of a parking lot at a bakery and backed into the left passenger side of the Plaintiff’s Honda Pilot as she tried to pass behind him while he was backing out. Plaintiff alleged injuries to her neck and back and ended up having a cervical artificial disc replacement surgery. Medical bills exceeded $100,000.00. The surgery was done by Dr. Marshall Stauber. Plaintiff denied any prior injuries and accidents throughout trial. $50,000.00 was offered prior to trial and the case was defended on causation.
Verdict: The jury returned a defense verdict finding that the Defendant’s negligence was not a legal cause of loss injury or damage to the Plaintiff and awarded the Plaintiff nothing.
Rezende v. Small
Date: January 16, 2018
Venue: Broward County
Judge: Honorable Michael Gates
Defense Counsel: Michael Robb, Esq.
Synopsis: Plaintiff was traveling through an intersection on a yellow light when the Defendant, Small made a left hand turn in front of the Plaintiff violating her right of way. Liability was at issue. Plaintiff claimed injuries to her shoulder as a result of the accident resulting in a shoulder surgery. Her medical bills exceeded $70,000.00.
Verdict: The jury returned a verdict finding the Plaintiff was 40% at fault and found she had a permanent impairment. Ultimately, the verdict was one for the defense after applicable set offs. Plaintiff was not awarded any money for pain and suffering.
Ortiz v. Otero
Date: November 1, 2017
Venue: Palm Beach County
Judge: Honorable Peter Blanc
Defense Counsel: Michael Robb, Esq.
Synopsis: This was a bifurcated trial on liability only. There were two Plaintiffs each represented by separate counsel with serious injuries in this red light dispute. Defendant, David Otero was traveling in a blue Maserati with two passengers when he attempted to go through the intersection on what he contended was a green light. Plaintiff #2 was a backseat passenger in a Nissan Pathfinder being driven by Plaintiff #1. The Nissan Pathfinder entered the intersection on what Plaintiffs contend was also a green light. The vehicles came into contact and ultimately the Nissan Pathfinder flipped and rolled over several times before coming to a final rest. Plaintiffs called one eye witness who alleges the Pathfinder had the green light. Both vehicles were totaled as a result.
Verdict: The jury returned a defense verdict finding no liability on David Otero in the Maserati.
Wallace v. Andersen
Date: October 12, 2017
Venue: Broward County
Judge: Honorable Martin Bidwill
Defense Counsel: Michael Robb, Esq. & Jessica Bartell, Esq.
Synopsis: Plaintiff, Gail Harris-Wallace alleges she sustained injuries to her neck and back when she was impacted by Defendant, Michael Andersen’s vehicle on the turnpike traveling northbound. Liability was at issue. Defendant, Andersen claimed that a third phantom vehicle clipped the rear of his vehicle causing him to lose control and eventually impact the Plaintiff’s vehicle. The Plaintiff’s vehicle was declared a total loss as a result.
The Plaintiff underwent significant treatment including a lumbar fusion and cervical fusion performed by Dr. David Campbell. Her medical bills were over $300,000.00. Prior to trial, State Farm offered $500,000.00 which was rejected by the Plaintiff. Additionally, Plaintiff had a lost wage claim and loss of future earning capacity claim and her husband had a consortium claim.
Verdict: After approximately eight (8) hours of deliberation, they jury returned a defense verdict, finding the phantom vehicle 30% at fault and finding that the Plaintiff did not sustain a permanent injury as a result of the accident.
Parks v. State Farm
Date: August 31, 2017
Venue: Broward County
Judge: Honorable Sandra Perlman
Defense Counsel: Michael Robb, Esq. & Jessica Bartell, Esq.
Synopsis: Plaintiff, Jacob Parks alleges he was injured when the tortfeasor’s truck backed into him and ran over him at a bonfire in Davie, Florida. As a result he claimed injuries to his neck and back. Plaintiff underwent one trigger point injection. His medical bills totaled approximately $23,000.00. Plaintiff was in his early twenties and very active in the rodeo circuit. State Farm filed a Proposal for Settlement in the amount of $7,500.00. Plaintiff filed one for $50,000.00.
Verdict: The jury awarded the Plaintiff his medical bills of $23,000.00 and also found that he was 60% at fault resulting in a defense verdict.