Jacksonville, FL – March 13, 2025 – National insurance and civil litigation defense firm Tyson & Mendes announced today a significant trial victory in Florida, led by Southeast Regional Managing Partner Holly Howanitz, Office Managing Partner Rob O’Malley, and Partner Ashley Hollingsworth. The Tyson & Mendes team successfully defended a commercial driver and staffing company against a multimillion-dollar claim. After plaintiffs sought more than $11 million in damages for alleged spinal injuries and future medical care, the jury awarded only past medical expenses, rejecting claims for future damages and pain and suffering altogether.

The case arose from a motor vehicle accident involving a large passenger van carrying multiple passengers. The plaintiffs, a husband and wife, claimed significant injuries requiring extensive medical treatment, including pain management and surgical recommendations. Represented by a team of four attorneys from a high-profile plaintiffs’ firm, they ultimately requested more than $11 million in closing arguments.

Despite an adverse liability position, the Tyson & Mendes team successfully limited the jury’s focus to the evidence and their common sense, anchoring them to a reasonable damages assessment by giving a number early and often. The team strategically highlighted inconsistencies in the medical records and emphasized the plaintiffs’ ability to maintain an active lifestyle post-accident, securing a defense-friendly verdict that eliminated any award for future medical costs and pain and suffering.

“Our goal for this case, as with our other cases of clear liability and contested causation was simply to be the most reasonable people in the room,” said Howanitz. “The concept of being reasonable along with the other T&M trial methods, fortunately, resonated with our jury.”

The case was tried on an accelerated timeline due to recent changes in Florida’s civil procedure rules, requiring swift preparation. Despite these challenges, Howanitz, O’Malley, and Hollingsworth effectively neutralized the plaintiffs’ damages claims, securing a victory that saved their client millions.

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 22 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.

For more information, visit www.tysonmendes.com

Keep Reading

Tyson & Mendes Expands National Presence with New Office in West Texas Tyson & Mendes Expands National Presence with New Office in New Orleans, Louisiana Tyson & Mendes Welcomes Krista M. Stoumbos as Partner in Sacramento and Northern California Offices Tyson & Mendes Achieves Defense Trial Victory with Verdict at Just 1% of Plaintiff’s $2 Million Demand Tyson & Mendes Promotes Cayce Lynch to National Managing Partner Tyson & Mendes Welcomes David Heemann as Partner in Seattle Office Tyson & Mendes Secures Full Defense Verdict in $16 Million Bicycle Accident Lawsuit Tyson & Mendes Opens New Office in Atlanta, GA Tyson & Mendes Welcomes Hector Jimenez as Partner in San Diego Office