MOTOR VEHICLE

BROWARD CIRCUIT COURT

A jury awarded more than $440,000 to a chef who was rear-ended by a Florida Power & Light Co. utility truck.

Donna Richards-Gibson, 55, was driving a sedan in July 2014 when she stopped behind other vehicles at a red light in Hollywood. Gregory Schmidt, who was driving the FPL truck, rear ended Richards-Gibson's car. She claimed injuries to her neck and back and underwent cervical and lumbar fusion surgery.

The defense argued the injuries were unrelated to the accident, but the jury found otherwise. It awarded Richards-Gibson a total of $441,795.

Case: Richards-Gibson v. Florida Power & Light

Case No.: CACE15018093

Plaintiffs attorneys: Jorge P. Gutierrez Jr., The Gutierrez Firm, Coral Gables; and Michael Wallace, Fenstersheib Law Group, Hallandale Beach

Defense attorneys: Kevin Donaldson and Eric R. Hoecker, Florida Power & Light, Juno Beach