Scott A. Shelton

Overview

Associations

• The Florida Bar
• Orange County Bar Association
• Claims Litigation Management, Member
• Florida Defense Trial Lawyers Association

Representative Matters

Laureano v. Citizens Property Insurance Corporation
Plaintiff’s Requested Award: The full policy limits plus attorneys’ fees
Verdict: Complete Defense Verdict
Date: 2026
Summary: First party property insurance dispute arising from an alleged roof leak and water intrusion claim following a hurricane. Plaintiff alleged a covered peril created an opening in the roof that allowed water to enter the property. The jury found in favor of Defendant and returned a complete defense verdict.

Miller v. Johnson
Plaintiff’s Requested Award: Approximately $2 million
Verdict: Complete Defense Verdict
Date: 2026
Summary: Motor vehicle accident arising from a December 8, 2022 collision in Pinellas County. Plaintiff alleged injuries resulting from the accident.  Defendant admitted liability for the accident but disputed the cause of Plaintiff’s injuries.  The jury found Defendant’s negligence was not a legal cause of Plaintiff’s claimed injuries and returned a complete defense verdict.

Pena v. Carmella Raymond Trust
Plaintiff’s Requested Award: $600,000
Verdict: Complete Defense Verdict
Date: 2026
Summary: Premises liability case arising in Volusia County. Plaintiff alleged injuries as a result of Defendant’s negligence. The jury found that Defendant was not negligent and returned a complete defense verdict.

Norman v. Alvarez, Mobile One Restoration and Progressive
Plaintiff’s Requested Award: $2 Million +
Date: 2026
Summary: This uninsured motorist case arose from a motor vehicle accident involving a total loss and alleged orthopedic injuries, including an ankle fracture. During trial, a mid-trial deposition of Plaintiff’s treating physician took place by the defense which undermined key aspects of the Plaintiff’s allegations and supported the defense’s position on causation and treatment. Shortly thereafter, Plaintiff accepted the previously tendered $40,000 policy limits, which had been offered long before trial,  resolving the case without a verdict.

Jenkins v. A Chair Affair, Inc.
Plaintiff’s Requested Award: $7 Million +
Verdict: Complete Defense Verdict
Date: 2026
Summary: Motor vehicle accident arising from a May 4, 2023 collision in Hillsborough County.  Liability was admitted by the Defendant and the cause was tried solely on causation.  The jury found that Defendants’ negligence was not a legal cause of Plaintiff’s claimed injuries and returned a complete defense verdict.

Williams v. Madison
Plaintiff’s Requested Award:  $3 Million +
Verdict: $123,000 (near amount suggested by defense and less than Defendant’s PFS)
Date: 2026
Summary: This was an admitted liability motor vehicle case that was tried on causation / damages only   Plaintiff had an immediate on-set of pain and subsequently underwent surgery to her shoulder as well as procedures to her neck and back.  This post-tort reform case resulted in Plaintiff boarding approximately $63,000 in past medical expenses and Plaintiff requested over $800,000 through a Life Care Plan.  The jury awarded Plaintiff’s past medical expenses and a small fraction of the requested future medical expenses.  The jury also found Plaintiff did not sustain a permanent injury which resulted in no money for pain and suffering.  The verdict was slightly above the amount suggested by the defense during closing arguments and lower than Defendant’s expired Proposal for Settlement.

Martinez v. Gar Shing Realty Corp
Plaintiff’s Requested Award: $6.1 Million +
Verdict: $0 – Complete Defense Verdict
Date: 2025
Summary: Slip and fall case where Plaintiff shattered his knee after falling in Defendant’s parking lot and immediately underwent surgery. Plaintiff asked for over $6 million before the jury returned a complete defense verdict.

Paulus v. Washington
Plaintiff’s Requested Award: $2 Million +
Verdict: $10,000 (Defense Win; reduced to $0 after set-offs)
Date: 2025
Summary: Rejected tender case following an admitted liability auto accident. Plaintiff alleged extensive neck and back injuries and underwent surgery. Jury awarded $10,000, later reduced to $0.

Howard v. Smith and Jeri
Plaintiff’s Requested Award: $1 Million
Verdict: Complete Defense Verdict
Date: 2025
Summary: Slip and fall incident in client’s kitchen in Palm Beach County. Plaintiff sought just under $1 million in closing arguments. Jury returned a complete defense verdict.

Gillette v. Archway International, Inc.
Plaintiff’s Requested Award: $4 Million +
Verdict: $17,000 Verdict; 50% Comparative Fault; Net Zero (Defense Win)
Date: 2025
Summary: Plaintiff alleged injury after stepping on a nail following Defendant’s roof renovation. Jury found Plaintiff 50% negligent and awarded limited past damages with no future damages.

Murphy v. Suncoast Laundromats
Plaintiff’s Requested Award: $1.4 Million
Verdict: Complete Defense Verdict
Date: 2024
Summary: Slip and fall at laundromat with alleged neck and back injuries requiring surgery. Plaintiff boarded $240,000 in past medical bills. Jury returned a complete defense verdict.

Goods v. ABG 13 LLC
Plaintiff’s Requested Award: $500,000 +
Verdict: Complete Defense Verdict
Date: 2024
Summary: Plaintiff alleged toxic mold exposure at apartment complex causing respiratory issues and loss of a singing career. Jury found no breach of lease and returned a defense verdict.

Spears v. Storage Strategies
Plaintiff’s Requested Award: $3 Million +
Verdict: $94,000+ (Defense Win)
Date: 2024
Summary: Rear-end collision involving a motorcycle. Plaintiff boarded approximately $210,000 in past medical expenses. Jury awarded past medical expenses only, with no future medical care or pain and suffering.

Bennett v. Raulerson
Plaintiff’s Requested Award: $500,000 +
Verdict: $11,000
Date: 2024
Summary: Rear-end collision involving a disabled plaintiff. Liability was admitted but causation was contested. Jury awarded approximately $11,000.

Martin v. Gil
Plaintiff’s Requested Award: $1.5 Million +
Verdict: $0 – Complete Defense Verdict
Date: 2024
Summary: Alleged side-swipe collision with significant vehicle damage and claimed future medical expenses exceeding $800,000. Jury returned a complete defense verdict.

Hernandez v. Progressive
Plaintiff’s Requested Award: $1.6 Million
Verdict: $0
Date: 2024
Summary: Rear-end collision with approximately $220,000 in past medical expenses. Jury found Defendant’s admitted negligence was not the legal cause of Plaintiff’s injuries.

Hancock v. Florida Farm Bureau
Plaintiff’s Requested Award: $13.5 Million
Verdict: $0
Date: 2024
Summary: Bad faith case arising from a fatal bicycle accident. Jury found the carrier’s alleged bad faith was not the legal cause of the excess judgment.

O’Neil v. Seascape Towers
Plaintiff’s Requested Award: $1.7 Million
Verdict: $12,000
Date: 2024
Summary: Trip and fall at a condominium resulting in leg and foot surgery. Jury awarded $12,000.

Silvestri v. Allstate
Plaintiff’s Requested Award: Just under $1 Million
Verdict: $172,000 (Past Medical Expenses Only; Below Pre-Trial Offer/PFS)
Date: 2023
Summary: Rear-end accident with emergency room treatment. Jury awarded only past medical expenses and found no permanent injury.

Ruiz v. Colexpress
Plaintiff’s Requested Award: $1.6 Million
Verdict: Complete Defense Verdict
Date: 2023
Summary: Rear-end collision with admitted liability and cervical fusion surgery. Jury found Defendant’s negligence was not the legal cause of Plaintiff’s injuries.

Jundi v. Robinson
Plaintiff’s Requested Award: $1.1 Million
Verdict: Complete Defense Verdict
Date: 2023
Summary: Admitted liability motor vehicle accident with alleged surgical neck and back injuries. Jury returned a complete defense verdict.

Dominguez v. Preferred Materials
Plaintiff’s Requested Award: $700,000 +
Verdict: Complete Defense Verdict
Date: 2023
Summary: Alleged lane-change collision involving a commercial vehicle on I-4. Jury returned a complete defense verdict.

Stenike v. Young’s Garbage Service
Plaintiff’s Requested Award: $700,000
Verdict: $3,335; Net Zero After Set-Off
Date: 2023
Summary: Head-on collision involving a commercial garbage truck. Liability was admitted, but causation and damages were disputed. Jury awarded $3,335.

Diaz v. NASCAR
Plaintiff’s Requested Award: $650,000
Verdict: Complete Defense Verdict
Date: 2023
Summary: Vendor injury at speedway resulting in partial finger amputation. Defense called no experts. Jury returned a complete defense verdict.

Irvin v. Winn-Dixie
Plaintiff’s Requested Award: $2 Million +
Verdict: Complete Defense Verdict
Date: 2022
Summary: Slip and fall captured on surveillance video with approximately $300,000 in medical bills. Jury returned a complete defense verdict.

Brown v. Camuy Genesis Trucking
Plaintiff’s Requested Award: $6 Million
Verdict: Approximately $234,000 (Beat Defendant’s PFS)
Date: 2022
Summary: Tractor-trailer rear-end collision involving neck and back surgery. Jury awarded approximately $234,000 and found no permanent injury.

Robinson v. Freeman
Plaintiff’s Requested Award: $900,000
Verdict: Complete Defense Verdict
Date: 2022
Summary: Rear-end collision at a red light with admitted liability. Jury found Defendant’s negligence was not the legal cause of Plaintiff’s injuries.

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