Perkins Law Offices Obtains $794,000 Judgment In South Beach Segway Accident That Left Elderly Resident Severely Injured

MIAMI, FL, April 22, 2015 (Newswire.com) - Perkins Law Offices today announced the final judgment entered in the case of an elderly client who was run over by an Italian National traveling by Segway on Miami Beach’s Ocean Drive. At about noon on Saturday, November 17, 2012, the defendant was driving a rented Segway southbound on the eastside sidewalk of Ocean Drive in Miami Beach, Florida between 5th and 4th Street when he negligently collided from behind directly into the then 88-year-old plaintiff, who was walking on the sidewalk ahead of the Segway in the same direction.

The speed and blunt force of the impact from the heavy Segway crushed her left leg and threw her to the ground causing multiple injuries, which required several surgeries and months in the hospital where she almost died from complications. The doctors were able to save her leg from a near amputation and instead put in place an external fixator with pins and screws which was worn for seven months. Her injuries resulted in skin grafts, three surgeries, renal failure and urinary incontinence.

"We originally tried the case in February and got a jury verdict that only awarded medical bills and very little pain and suffering dollars," said Alexander J. Perkins, Esq., principal of Perkins Law Offices in Coral Gables, Florida. "While the jury got it right that the accident was not her fault, we felt justice was not fully served because the amount the jury awarded was totally inadequate for the tremendous injuries she sustained and was inconsistent with the evidence and the law on non-economic damages. Fortunately, the judge agreed and increased the pain and suffering award after we filed our post trial Motion for Additur, something the judge had never done in his twelve years on the bench. We were pleased to have continued fighting to achieve a judgment that more accurately reflects her debilitating experience."

Alexander J. Perkins, Esq., Principal of Perkins Law Offices

The judge for the case wrote an eight page order increasing the non-economic damages to $500,000 resulting in a total judgment of $794,000 that more than doubled the originally awarded $335,000.

“We originally tried the case in February and got a jury verdict that only awarded medical bills and very little pain and suffering dollars,” said Alexander J. Perkins, Esq., principal of Perkins Law Offices in Coral Gables, Florida. “While the jury got it right that the accident was not her fault, we felt justice was not fully served because the amount the jury awarded was totally inadequate for the tremendous injuries she sustained and was inconsistent with the evidence and the law on non-economic damages. Fortunately, the judge agreed and increased the pain and suffering award after we filed our post trial Motion for Additur, something the judge had never done in his twelve years on the bench. We were pleased to have continued fighting to achieve a judgment that more accurately reflects her debilitating experience.”

For more information on the results of this case or to learn more about Perkins Law Offices visit www.perkinslawoffices.com or call 305-741-5297.

About Perkins Law Offices
Perkins Law Offices is a Coral Gables-based law firm helmed by skilled litigator Alexander J. Perkins, Esq. For more than a decade, Mr. Perkins has handled complex civil litigation involving a wide variety of high dollar value cases. Perkins is recognized as one of the Legal Elite attorneys in the State of Florida and is listed in the numerous editions of Super Lawyers, Legal Trend Magazine, and the South Florida Legal Guide.  He enjoys a 10 out of 10 rating on AVVO and is a lifetime member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum.  He also proudly serves as the Immediate Past President of the Miami Beach Bar Association.  Perkins Law Offices has represented clients from all over the United States and internationally. For more information on Mr. Perkins and Perkins Law Offices visit www.perkinslawoffices.com.

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