Other Areas of Liability

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Estate of F.G. v. Lounge and Package Store

An 18-year-old high school student was sold beer at a drive through window of a rural package store. He became intoxicated and crossed the centerline striking our client’s vehicle. Our client was in a chronic vegetative state for many months before eventually succumbing to her injuries. Our investigation determined that the female manager often served minors. The cases against both the student driver and the liquor store settled for several million dollars. The careful use of trusts, guardianships and structured settlements allowed us to provide for the client’s immediate needs (prior to her death) and the future of her child.

Estate v. Liquor Store

An underage drunk driver who ran a stop sign killed our client’s husband. Our investigation identified the source of his alcohol and interviews with other young people proved that the store often sold to minors. We actually found high school cheerleaders who testified that they bought beer on game nights while wearing their high school cheerleading uniforms. The case settled on the eve of trial for more than $1 million.

D.R. v. Palm Beach County Sheriff

Following six years of litigation and a week long trial in United States District Court in Palm Beach County, Florida, Mr. Hinkle obtained a jury award of $2,000,000. For seven years, our clients, husband and wife, operated an outstanding child day care center in Palm Beach County without any complaints or allegations of improper conduct or any kind. This all changed when a Palm Beach County Sheriff was “too quick on the trigger” and arrested D.R. on a capital felony, without probable cause, violating his Fourth Amendment rights. Unfortunately the District Judge and Court of Appeals ignored the jury’s findings and a judgment was entered for the Deputy finding he had sufficient cause as a matter of law.

Estate of Child v. Water Park

Our client’s child went to a water park with an Aunt. The child did not swim well but got into the “wave pool.” Poor lifeguard supervision allowed the child to drown. A lifeguard saw the child on the bottom of the pool but thought he was a towel. Mr. Hinkle achieved a confidential settlement prior to even filing suit.

V.G. v. Wal-Mart Pharmacy

Our client’s anti-seizure medication was mistakenly filled with high blood pressure medicine. She suffered dehydration and may have had a seizure. The trauma left her with psychological residual effects. A Leon County jury returned a verdict of $177,718.86.

R.C. v. Farmers

Our client left the late shift at work one night and was driving to see his girlfriend when he struck a cow in the middle of the road. The cow had recently given birth and jumped a fence in her search for her baby. We sued the owner of the cow, the owner of the property where the cow was maintained and the farm that sold the cow for negligently failing to match it up with her young calf and for ceasing efforts to locate the mother (and not warning motorists) when it got dark. Our client sustained a closed head injury. We were successful in obtaining a partial settlement of policy limits ($100,000) with the landowner and just under policy limits ($425,000) with farmer who sold the cow.

C.G. v. Police Department

Our intoxicated client was in a disturbance with his sister and her son. They had calmed down before the police arrived. After the police asked, “What happened?” the argument started again and our client’s nephew threw a punch. In separating our client from his nephew, the police officers pushed him out the door and forced his head into the ground causing a subluxation of the vertebrae in his neck. Mr. Hinkle settled the case for insurance policy limits of $500,000.

L.M., A.G. and R.G v. Construction Company and City

$1,200,000 settlement as a result of burns due to open gas line.