PREMISES LIABILITY

OSCEOLA CIRCUIT COURT

A $1 million settlement was reached in the death of a man who drowned at his grandson's birthday party.

Julius Rajendra Francis, 66, who was retired, was attending the party at a private 100-acre ranch Sept. 30, 2017. Francis went into the swimming pool to play with the kids at the party and was later discovered submerged in the water. His estate claimed the defendants failed to obtain the proper permits and commercial pool codes applied.

The defense claimed the pool was designated a residential pool and commercial codes and statutes did not apply. Before a lawsuit was filed, the defendants' insurer agreed to tender its $1 million policy limit.

Case: Estate of Francis v. BG Ocala Farms

Case No.: Not filed

Plaintiffs attorneys: Jason R. Brenner and Michael A. Haggard, The Haggard Law Firm, Coral Gables and Edward McClellan, McClellan & Batsel, Ocala

Defense attorney: Steve E. Baker, Quintairos, Prieto, Wood & Boyer, Orlando