July 31 , 2025

TAMPA HUB – QPWB has secured a complete defense verdict in a recent personal injury lawsuit. Tampa attorney William Brumby, Peter Molinelli, and Alexander Dover successfully defended the client against a $550,000 demand. The jury's decision came despite admitted liability for the incident, with the defense successfully challenging the alleged causation of the Plaintiff's injuries.

Overview of the Case

The Plaintiff, an elderly female, was struck by the Defendant's electric shopping cart retriever, weighing over six hundred pounds. While liability for the incident itself was admitted by the defense, our team vigorously argued that the Plaintiff was comparatively at fault for stopping in front of the cart retriever and, crucially, that the incident was not the legal cause of her claimed injuries. The jury ultimately sided with the defense, finding in favor of the Defendant.

Key Difference-Makers

• William Brumby – Partner, Tampa Hub
• Peter Molinelli – Managing Partner, Tampa Hub
• Alexander Dover – Associate, Tampa Hub

Administrative Support:

• Matthew Brown – Trial Technician
• Lilly Perez – Legal Assistant
• Ashley Rice – Legal Assistant
• Deborah Morales Garcia – Paralegal

Claims Made Against Our Client

The Plaintiff claimed that the incident caused a two-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF), with past medical bills totaling over $231,000. Plaintiff's counsel presented testimony from her surgeon, who directly related the ACDF to the incident, as well as a retained radiologist who opined that a post-incident MRI showed an acute disc injury at one of the levels where surgery was performed.

Defense Strategy

Our defense strategy focused on two core arguments: the Plaintiff's comparative fault for stopping in front of the cart retriever, and a strong challenge to medical causation. We meticulously presented our medical causation defense through compelling expert testimony, highlighted a significant delay in the Plaintiff's treatment, and exposed inconsistencies between the Plaintiff's trial testimony and her medical records.

Impact on Final Outcome

Our approach, which meticulously honed in on the details of how the accident occurred, the Plaintiff's immediate response to the incident, and the actual impact (or lack thereof) of the incident on her life, painted a complete and convincing picture for the jury. By effectively discrediting the causal link between the incident and the claimed injuries, the jury ultimately rejected the Plaintiff's assertion that she was injured in the incident, leading to the $0 verdict.

Unique Aspects of the Case

The most unique aspect of this case was the jury's determination that the incident was not the legal cause of the Plaintiff's claimed loss or injury, despite her never complaining of neck pain before the incident per her own testimony and medical records. This highlights the power of a robust medical causation defense even when liability for the event itself is admitted.

Predicting the Future

This victory sends a powerful message, particularly in personal injury defense cases where liability may be admitted. It demonstrates that our firm is exceptionally equipped to handle and prevail in challenging scenarios by effectively dismantling the causation argument. This result reinforces QPWB’s commitment to aggressively defending its clients, showcasing the firm's strategic prowess and resilience.

Key Actions in This Case

• Mastering Causation Defense: Successfully argued lack of medical causation despite admitted incident liability
• Expert Witness Integration: Leveraged expert testimony to refute Plaintiff's injury claims.
• Detail-Oriented Presentation: Presented a comprehensive narrative that resulted in the jury's rejection of the Plaintiff's injury claims

About QPWB

Quintairos, Prieto, Wood & Boyer, P.A. is one of the fastest growing law firms in the United States providing a different focus on what it means to provide responsive service to clients and team members. With a national presence of 50 offices and a comprehensive scope of over 130 practice areas, QPWB delivers legal representation in litigation, regulatory, and corporate matters to a diverse range of industries. This scope and rapid expansion has attracted unique legal talent from all different backgrounds and experiences which has made them the largest minority-owned law firm in the country.