Columbia County, FL – January 2, 2026 — National insurance defense trial law firm Tyson & Mendes, LLP announced today a significant defense verdict in an admitted liability rear-end collision (Sharon Freeman v. Hannah Marie Reeves, Case No. 19-92-CA, Third Judicial Circuit, Columbia Cty., Fla.). Despite the plaintiff’s request for $8.5 million in damages, the jury returned a verdict of only $150,000, representing a significant savings for the defense.

The jury award consisted of past medical bills and a small amount of past lost wages. No pain and suffering damages were awarded, nor were any future medical bills or future lost wages. After post-trial set-offs, the award will be significantly lower than $150,000.

The defense team was led by Holly Howanitz, the firm’s Southeast Regional Managing Partner, and Robert O’Malley, the firm’s Ft. Lauderdale Branch Office Managing Partner.

The plaintiff alleged injuries to her neck, lower back, and right knee. She sought substantial damages for pain and suffering, past and future medical expenses, lost wages, and loss of earning capacity, alleging the collision prematurely ended her career as a master hair stylist. In addition, the plaintiff hired multiple expert witnesses in support of her claims.

“As everyone knows, trials during the holidays can present unique challenges. Overall, this trial was run very smoothly. The judge and the entire courthouse staff were very professional,” Ms. Howanitz said. “I could not agree more. We also thank the jury for their service and focus,” Mr. O’Malley said. Consistent with The Apex, which is the firm’s method for stopping Nuclear Verdicts®, the defense accepted responsibility for causing the accident and agreed the defendant should be held accountable for damages that were supported by the evidence. The defense personalized the defendant by ensuring her continued presence every day throughout trial.

Bringing to bear another key component of The Apex, the defense effectively argued pain and suffering by arguing not only the true impact of the accident, but the impact of money on plaintiff’s life. The defense team effectively cross-examined the plaintiff, experts, and “before and after” witnesses regarding the extent of the plaintiff’s claimed limitations relative to her ongoing activities, and highlighted her family and community support. In addition, in opening statement and throughout the course of the trial, the defense proposed a reasonable damages figure of $100,000 or less to anchor jurors, another critical Apex strategy

In addition to focusing on the holes in the pain and suffering theories asserted by the plaintiff, the defense team affectively cross-examined the plaintiff’s life care planner and economist to expose bias and missing information in their analyses. “After post-trial set-offs for collateral sources, the jury’s award will be less than the $100,000 anchor,” Mr. O’Malley said.

For more information and to view career opportunities, visit www.tysonmendes.com. 

About Tyson & Mendes LLP 

Tyson & Mendes LLP is a nationwide, AV-rated litigation and trial firm specializing in insurance defense and protecting its clients from Nuclear Verdicts®. Founded in 2002 by Robert Tyson and Patrick Mendes, the firm has experienced tremendous growth, with offices across the United States. Tyson & Mendes is known for its expertise in defending corporations, insurance companies, and their clients against Nuclear Verdicts®.

Serving 21 states nationwide, Tyson & Mendes is one of the fastest-growing civil defense firms in the U.S. and is proud to offer one of the fastest and clearest paths to partnership for its attorneys of any mid-sized law firm in the U.S. The firm is honored to be recognized as a 2024 Best Law Firm by Best Lawyers, named a 2024 Best Company to Work For: Law Firms edition by U.S. News & World Report, awarded the 2023 Liberty Mutual Insurance External Law Firm Partner of the Year Award, awarded the No. 1 “Ceiling Smasher” in Law360’s 2022 Glass Ceiling Report for female equity partnership, and shortlisted for Financial Times’ 2022 Innovative Lawyers North America Award. The firm has also developed a spinoff consulting firm, Apex Defense Consulting, aimed at equipping carriers and counsel with the education, collaboration, and expertise needed to stop Nuclear Verdicts® and slow social inflation.

For more information, visit www.tysonmendes.com and www.apexdefenseconsulting.com.

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