Fort Lauderdale Injury Lawyer Blog

A Los Angeles jury has ruled that Barron Hilton (Paris's little brother) is responsible for almost $ 5 million dollars in damages to a gas station attendant he struck with his car in 2008. Earlier that same day he was arrested for drunk driving.

Fernando Tellez claims he was severely injured and underwent several surgeries and medical procedures after 18-year-old Barron collided him with his Mercedes-Benz as he pulled into a Pacific Coast Highway gas station.

Before his accident with Tellez, Hilton was was arrested for DUI after his blood-alcohol level registered 0.14, well above California's legal limit. Witnesses also said Barron Hilton was driving the wrong way down the highway for miles just before crashing into Tellez.

In the DUI proceeding, Barron pleaded no contest and received three years' probation.

According to the Los Angeles Times, the $4.6 million judgment covers pain and suffering, medical expenses and loss of earnings. Additionally, Hilton must also pay $225,000 in punitive damages and almost $71,000 in interest.

Barron was unavailable for comment. According to his Twitter page, the day the jury rendered its verdict, he was vacationing in the Hamptons.

Apparently the jury was unimpressed with Barron's family background. Instead of showing his concern for the judicial process and the victim of the accident, Barron took off to the Hamptons. Looking at the amount of the verdict and the fact that it involves punitive damages, it appears that the jury was trying to send young Barron a message. I can't help but wonder if Barron got it.

Continue reading "Paris Hilton's kid brother owes $5 Million to Gas Station Employee " »

Miami television news station, Channel 4, reports that the driver of the car that struck a motorcyclist in east Fort Lauderdale which resulted in the death of a Miami Heat dancer stated to police that he had consumed two alcoholic drinks.

Channel 4 was able to access the search warrant filed in Broward County court which stated the driver, Mario Careaga of Fort Lauderdale, advised the police that he had the drinks at the Galeria Mall in Fort Lauderdale. The accident occurred near downtown Fort Lauderdale. So far no criminal charges have been filed against Careaga.

Police records state that Careaga was driving his 2009 Mercedes when he struck Miami Heat dancer, 22, of Plantation, who was riding a motorcycle near downtown Fort Lauderdale. The motorcylist had been heading west in the right lane on East Sunrise Boulevard, near North Federal Highway, in Fort Lauderdale, when Careaga's car rear-ended the motorcycle, propelling Lopez-Ruiz off it.

This case raises a number of issues from the standpoint of filing criminal charges against the driver. One of the potential issues in any criminally prosecution which might be pursued against the driver of the automobile is whether he was under the influence of alcohol or a narcotic. Usually, two drinks do not contain enough alcohol to impair a driver's faculties. However, drivers suspected of DUI frequently understate the amount of alcohol consumed in an attempt to minimize their potential criminal exposure.

In situations like this other evidence may come into play, such as a blood alcohol test or a breathalyzer test to determine whether the level of alcohol in the driver's blood exceeded the legal limit. There may also be a video of the driver performing roadside tests administered by the police or even a video from the bar where he apparently admits to have been drinking. Likewise his tab at the bar may also reveal how many drinks were ordered.

On the other hand, this could simply be the case of a non-impaired driver who simply wasn't paying attention and may have negligently rear-ended the victim. It will be the responsibility of the Broward County State Attorney's office to sort all of this out.

Continue reading "Miami Heat dancer's death involved driver who had been drinking" »