Searcy Denney Scarola Barnhart & Shipley Wins $12 Million Verdict for Parents of 9-Year-Old Victim

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., March 6, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Attorneys from Searcy Denney Scarola Barnhart & Shipley PA (Searcy Denney) today secured a $12 million verdict for the parents of a South Florida boy killed in 2011 when he was struck by a car while riding his bike.

Searcy Denney attorneys Greg Barnhart, Karen Terry, and Matthew Schwencke represent Tracy Curtis and Andre Kovacs, parents of the victim, Andrew Curtis.

Members of the jury decided that the condominium association and management company of Jupiter's Villas on the Green Condominium as well as condominium resident Helen Bygel, who was driving the car that crashed into Andrew Curtis, must pay the family $12 million for the loss of their son. The jury found the management company 60 percent at fault, the condominium association 30 percent at fault and Ms. Bygel 10 percent at fault.

"We can never fill the void that Andrew's parents must live with every day but, with this jury verdict, we've given them at least a portion of the justice they deserve," said Mr. Barnhart.

Andrew Curtis was bicycling with his father when Ms. Bygel, now 83, struck him as she was leaving the condo driveway to enter U.S. Highway 1. While all parties acknowledge that Ms. Bygel was at fault, the family contends that the condominium association and management company were negligent.

The crash could have been prevented had the Villas on the Green Condominium Association and management company M.M.I. of the Palm Beaches followed traffic regulations established by state and local authorities, including the height and location of stop signs.

"The condo management company blatantly ignored traffic codes," said Mr. Barnhart. "For years, they chose to overlook simple fixes – like maintaining safe hedge height and placing stop signs within driver sight lines. "The building driveway became the scene of a terrible tragedy because such basic common-sense safeguards were neglected."

About Searcy Denney Scarola Barnhart & Shipley, PA:

A nationally recognized trial law firm, Searcy Denney Scarola Barnhart & Shipley, P.A. is committed to protecting victims of negligence, defective products and corporate wrongdoing.  Over the past 35 years, the firm has represented clients in courtrooms throughout Florida and across the nation.

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