Date: 12-14-2001

Case Style: Alicia Bustos, et aux v. Lazaro Leiva and Dyke Industries, Inc.

Case Number: 01-13370

Judge: Unknown

Court: Circuit Court, Miami-Dade County, Florida

Plaintiff's Attorney: Michael Andrew Haggard and Wm. Andrew "Andy" Haggard of Haggard, Parks, Haggard & Bologna, Coral Gables, Florida

Defendant's Attorney: Daniel Draper and Patrick Knight of Kubicki Draper, Miami, Florida

Description: Automobile accident - Alicia Bustos, age 78, was severely injured when the car in which she was a passenger was hit while turning left at an intersection by a Ford Explorer being driven by Lazaro Leiva. Mrs. Bustos, who was wearing her seatbelt, was a passenger in a Buick driven by her husband. She sustained a crushed chest, ruptured aorta, lacerated liver and multiple fractures in the collision. The plaintiffs claimed that Levica was distracted by a cell phone conversation and did not attempt to brake his vehicle at all as he entered the intersection. The plaintiffs produced telephone records that indicated that Levica made a 74 second telephone call a short time before calling 911 after the accident.

Outcome: Plaintiffs' verdict for $21 million (later settled for $16.1 million).

Plaintiff's Experts: Unknown

Defendant's Experts: Unknown

Comments: E-mail suggested corrections, comments and/or corrections to: Kent Morlan

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