Plaintiff Claimed Car Owner Gave Permission To Drunk Driver
On Nov. 7, 2003, plaintiff Chadwick Paddock, 50s, an event planner, was driving his sports car on Immokalee Road in Collier County when he was hit head-on by a sedan driven by Yuri Jimenez, whose vehicle is owned by Tarcisio Vasquez Delgado, her uncle.Paddock sued Jimenez and Delgado for her vehicular negligence and for negligent entrustment.Jimenez was intoxicated at the time of the accident. She testified that this was the first time she consumed alcohol, and she could not remember the quantity she drank. Blood alcohol tests indicated that Jimenez had consumed roughly a dozen beers. She’s currently serving a 4.5-year prison term for the accident. Jimenez, an illegal alien is awaiting deportation to Mexico.
Plaintiff’s counsel argued that Delgado had given permission to Jimenez to drive the vehicle. Delgado possessed a valid insurance policy on the vehicle. During her deposition Jimenez testified that she often use Delgado’s car with his permission to drive to work and run errands.
Delgado’s counsel argued that Jimenez stole the car. Delgado claimed that he had no knowledge that Jimenez took his vehicle, and she knew where he kept the keys for the vehicle. Jimenez once lived with her uncle, and knew where he kept the car keys. Defense counsel stated that theft can occur even among family members.
Paddock sustained fractures to his hip, knee, pelvis and both of his feet. He had multiple surgeries to his hip, pelvis and feet, including the implementation of hardware. He was hospitalized for about a month, and incurred roughly $651,656 in medical expenses.
An event planner prior to the accident, Paddock claimed that his injuries have precluded him from going to work. He claimed roughly $275,000 in past and future lost wages.
Paddock claimed that he is coping with significant disabilities. Plaintiff’s counsel contended that Paddock will likely need future medical care of about $802,500 in future medical expenses, which included several surgeries. Paddock claimed he is dealing with residual pain, and has difficulty walking long distances. Favorite activities such as attending his children’s athletic contests have been curtailed due to his injuries, argued plaintiff’s counsel.
Paddock’s wife, Donna, claimed damages based on loss of her husband’s household services due to his injuries.
The jury found that Delgado did not negligently entrust his car to Jimenez. The jury found Jimenez negligent and awarded Chadwick and his wife $6,990,931. Plaintiff’s attorney Randall Spivey stated that he hopes the verdicts serves as a reminder of the tragic results that drunk driving can cause. He hopes a message was sent to other drunk drivers with this verdict.