$8,172,000.00 for husband sought damages after wife was killed by alleged drunk driver
On May 25, 2020, plaintiff’s decedent ********, 57, a pharmacist, was operating a sedan on Northeast 54th Street in Miami, Fla. At the same time, ******* was operating a sport utility vehicle in the opposite direction of the same road. His vehicle was traveling 70 miles per hour, and the decedent’s car was traveling 40 mph.
****** veered over the center line. His vehicle struck the plaintiff’s car head-on. ******* sustained fatal injuries.
******* was arrested at the scene. Subsequent tests revealed that his blood alcohol content was over the legal limit. At the time of publication, he was still awaiting his criminal trial.
******* widower, *******, acting individually and as the personal representative of his late wife’s estate, sued *******. The lawsuit alleged that ******* was negligent in the operation of his vehicle. The lawsuit also included a claim against the SUV’s owner, *******, for vicarious liability.
The defendants did not respond to the lawsuit, and a default was entered against them. The matter proceeded to an empty-chair, damages-only trial.
Injuries/Damages
******* died of blunt force trauma at the scene. She left behind her husband and three adult children.
Plaintiffs’ counsel noted that ******* and ******* had been married for over 30 years at the time of her passing. They came to America from Nigeria together and worked at the same hospital.
******* has an autoimmune disease that affects his fine-motor skills. He noted that his wife used to help him get ready in the morning. However, since her passing, he has had to get dressed and do other daily tasks himself. These activities thus take him a long time.
The estate sought recovery of ******* lost earnings and net accumulations. ******* sought recovery of funeral expenses and damages for the loss of his wife’s support and services. He also sought recovery of damages for the loss of his wife’s companionship and protection, and for his mental pain and suffering.
