Florida Verdicts
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Amount:
$371,862
Type:
Verdict-Plaintiff
State:
Florida
Venue:
Marion County
Court:
Marion County Circuit Court, 5th
Injury Type(s):
other-thumb; other-sutures; other-laceration; other-puncture wound; other-scar and/or disfigurement; epidermis-bite mark; hand/finger-hand
Case Type:
Animals – Dog Bite; Premises Liability
Case Name:
Natasha Mills v. Terri Wickman, and Triple Crown Properties, LLC,
No. 42-2013-CA-2175
Date:
March 9, 2015
Plaintiff(s):
Natasha Mills (Female, 37 Years)
Plaintiff Attorney(s):
Harran E. Udell;
Morgan & Morgan P.A.;
Orlando,
FL,
for
Natasha Mills
Defendant(s):
Terri Wickman,
Triple Crown Properties, LLC
Defense Attorney(s):
None reported;
for
Terri Wickman, Triple Crown Properties, LLC
On June 9, 2012, plaintiff Natasha Mills, 37, alleged she was bitten by a dog on the premises of her apartment complex in Marion County. Mills claimed she sustained injuries to her left thumb and hand. Mills sued the owner of the dog, Terri Wickman, for negligence. Mills also sued the owner of the apartment complex, Triple Crown Properties, LLC, for negligence. Mills’ counsel alleged Wickman was negligent for failing to control her dog and Triple Crown Properties, LLC was negligent for failing to properly maintain the premises in a reasonably safe condition, by allowing Wickman to have a dog on the premises she could not control. Defense counsel for Wickman and Triple Crown Properties, LLC did not file an answer or responsive pleading and the court entered default judgments on liability against the defendants. The trial proceeded on the issue of Mills’ claimed damages.
Mills was taken by ambulance to a local emergency room after the incident. She sustained puncture wounds and deep lacerations to her non-dominant left hand and thumb. Mills underwent surgery and received multiple sutures. Mills claimed permanent scarring on her hand and thumb. She will also require additional surgery. Mills was unable to return to work as a result of her injury, and she also claimed limitations in performing activities of daily living. Mills sought to recover damages for past/future medicals, past/future lost earnings, and past/future pain and suffering.
The jury determined that Mills’ damages totaled $371,862.
Natasha Mills: $67,042 Personal Injury: Past Medical Cost; $10,500 Personal Injury: Future Medical Cost; $87,360 Personal Injury: Past Lost Earnings Capability; $56,960 Personal Injury: Future Lost Earnings Capability; $100,000 Personal Injury: Past Pain And Suffering; $50,000 Personal Injury: Future Pain And Suffering
Judge:
Edward L. Scott
Trial Length:
1
days
This report is based on information that was gleaned from court documents and plaintiff’s counsel.