Jury Awards $21.6 Million Verdict in Cell Phone Related Accident

$21.6 Million Verdict – Palm Beach Post
$21.6 Million Verdict – Sun-Sentinel Article

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Searcy Denney Law Firm Secures Victory for Victim’s Family

West Palm Beach, Fl. – (June 21, 2007)– South Florida law firm Searcy Denney Scarola Barnhart & Shipley PA (Searcy Denney) announced today that a jury has awarded $21,621,439.00 to the family of a Parkland, Florida woman killed in a motor vehicle accident.

Lesley N. Beers sustained a fatal injury when she was rear-ended by an inattentive motorist using a cell phone. After less than two hours of deliberation, a jury found in favor of Stephen Beers, her husband, the estate of Lesley Beers, and their two children, Olivia and Zachary. The jury found against Sheila Hulick, the driver, and against Reynolds and Reynolds, an Ohio Corporation that owned the vehicle. The trial took place in the Circuit Court of the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit in Palm Beach County.

“It is hoped that this verdict will bring a sense of justice to the family of Lesley Beers,” said Christian Searcy of the Searcy Denney law firm.

The accident occurred on November 19, 2004 on the Sawgrass Expressway in Broward County as Lesley Beers drove her car to work. Her vehicle was struck in the rear causing her to cross the median and into the travel lanes of oncoming traffic. Mrs. Beers was then struck by two other vehicles and died at the scene as a result of her injuries.

According to cell phone records, the driver of the car, Ms. Hulick, was using a cell phone when the accident occurred. The jury agreed that the driver’s negligence was the sole cause of the accident.

“This tragic death of a young mother of two small children was preventable,” said Jack Scarola of Searcy Denney Scarola Barnhart & Shipley PA. “It is a horrible example of the dangers of using a cell phone while driving.”

About Searcy Denney Scarola Barnhart & Shipley, PA:

A nationally recognized trial law firm, Searcy Denney Scarola Barnhart & Shipley, P.A. is committed to protecting and vindicating the rights of people injured through negligence, deceit and abuse of power. Over the past 45 years, the firm has represented clients in courtrooms throughout Florida and across the nation.

For more information, contact Derede McAlpin at 202-973-1314 or dmcalpin@levick.com