In one of the most costly wrongful death cases in recent history, a Florida woman was awarded $330 million in September 2009 for the death of her 13-year-old daughter. The tragic death of this teenage girl illustrated the dangers and deadly consequences of negligent and reckless drivers.
The girl’s death was the result of a fatal car accident caused by 27-year-old Christopher Marcone, whose blood alcohol level at the time of the DUI accident was .207, which is more than twice the legal limit in Florida.
Marcone’s truck had run a stop sign in a residential neighborhood in eastern Hernando County when it struck the side of the van in which Shelby Stone was riding.
According to reports, Shelby was wearing her seat belt, but her head became caught in the belt, which added to her injuries. Shelby died the following day as a result of the injuries she suffered.
Marcone is serving a 13-year-prison-sentence for a DUI manslaughter charge. Meanwhile, Shelby’s mother Angela Stone has also filed a Florida wrongful death lawsuit against Kia Motors Corp., as well as a local auto dealer, claiming that a defective passenger restraint system ultimately resulted in her daughter’s death.
Florida wrongful death lawsuits such as this case-which included punitive damages in addition to actual damages-are effective in sending a clear message to negligent parties that their mistakes have consequences. If you have lost a loved one because of a Florida car accident that was caused by a drunk driver, you have the right to pursue compensation in a Florida wrongful death claim.
The Central Florida wrongful death attorneys at Lilly, O’Toole & Brown understand the complexities involved in a wrongful death lawsuit. We are committed to protecting your best interests and helping you collect the damages you and your family need and deserve to move on with your lives. Contact our firm today to schedule your consultation; (863) 533-5525.
