Fort Lauderdale West Partners Sanaz Alempour and Gregory Willis received a complete defense verdict in a seven-day wrongful death trial that took place in Hillsborough County.
A tragic car accident resulted in the death of a victim who was struck and killed on a dark median while a construction project was underway on a state road. The family sought $10 million in damages, believing that the road markings recently installed as part of a Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) project may have confused drivers and contributed to the accident.
Ms. Alempour and Mr. Willis represented the company hired to put down special railroad markings at several crossings across the state. Their defense centered on the fact that our client completed its work precisely according to FDOT's plans and under constant supervision and approval from state inspectors.
When a different accident occurred a few days prior, our client’s team raised concerns to their supervisors, noting that the unique angle of the tracks could possibly confuse drivers. However, after a thorough investigation, FDOT determined the markings weren't responsible for that incident.
On the night of the fatal accident, the victim’s vehicle was struck after pulling over to the median. Although the family argued that our client’s markings were at fault and that the company should have done more to prevent confusion and that they should have had a designated safety supervisor on site, there was no direct evidence that the driver had followed or even seen the markings before leaving the road.
Special thanks to the team members who supported the case, including Associate Frances Dourvetakis, Miami Associate W. Perren Vazquez, Paralegal Marybeth Stone-Kassner, and Legal Assistant/Paralegal Toni Ortiz.
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