Last Thursday a Lee County, FL jury awarded the Martinez family $14 million after their car was struck by a drunk driver in 2007. As a result of that crash, the two Martinez children tragically died at ages 1 and 6 of severe injuries.
George Butler, age 36, was driving around 80 mph on January 14, 2007 when he struck the family’s truck, causing it to flip on its side. The family’s other child, Juan Alexis Martinez, 11 at the time, suffered injuries during the crash but survived. Butler admitted that he was drinking at Top O’Mast Lounge on Fort Myers Beach and left to drive home on January 14. However, he also stated that he did not remember getting into his vehicle that night.
The six jurors awarded $12 million for pain and suffering to the parents and surviving son for the loss of the two boys. The remainder of the damages went to past and future medical bills and funeral costs. In addition, the jury awarded $25,000 in punitive damages.
