Case Background
A motor vehicle collision on the Florida Turnpike in Palm Beach County prompted a negligence and vicarious liability lawsuit in Miami-Dade County, Florida.
On January 5, 2021, Giorgio Soares Santos operated a 2013 Hyundai southbound on the Florida Turnpike in Palm Beach County, Florida. Santos's vehicle collided with a vehicle Bruce Losse operated. Giovani Santos Silva owned the 2013 Hyundai that Santos drove at the time of the collision. Both Santos and Silva resided at 10544 NW 56th Drive, Coral Springs, Florida 33076.
Losse, a resident of Miami-Dade County, filed an amended complaint on May 18, 2023, in the Circuit Court of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit in and for Miami-Dade County, Florida, Section CA24. He named Giorgio Soares Santos and Giovani Santos Silva as Defendants and demanded a trial by jury on all issues.
Cause
Losse brought two counts. Count I alleged negligence against Giorgio Soares Santos. Losse alleged that Santos owed a duty to operate and/or maintain the motor vehicle in a safe and reasonable manner and to keep control of the vehicle so that it would not collide with any other vehicles or pedestrians. Losse alleged Santos breached that duty when he carelessly and negligently operated and/or maintained the vehicle and caused it to collide with Losse's vehicle.
Count II alleged vicarious liability against Giovani Santos Silva under the dangerous instrumentality doctrine. Losse alleged that Silva owned the motor vehicle Santos operated and/or maintained, and that Silva gave Santos permission or consented to the operation of the vehicle.
Injury
Losse alleged he suffered bodily injury that was permanent within a reasonable degree of medical probability as a direct and proximate result of the collision. He alleged resulting pain and suffering, physical impairment, disability, disfigurement, inconvenience, mental anguish, and loss of capacity for the enjoyment of life. He further alleged expense of hospitalization, medical and nursing care and treatment, loss of earnings, loss of ability to earn money, and aggravation of a previously existing condition. The complaint stated these losses were either permanent or continuing and that Losse would suffer them in the future.
Damages Sought
Losse sought damages in excess of $50,000 along with costs, interest, and all other relief the Court deemed just and proper.
Key Arguments and Proceedings
Legal Representation
Plaintiff: Bruce Losse
· Counsel for Plaintiff: Ramon Blanco-Herrera
Defendants: Giorgio Soares Santos | Giovani Santos Silva
· Counsel for Defendants: Not Mentioned
Key Arguments or Remarks by Counsel
Claims
Losse alleged Santos carelessly and negligently operated and/or maintained the 2013 Hyundai while driving southbound on the Florida Turnpike on January 5, 2021, and caused the vehicle to collide with Losse's vehicle. He alleged the collision directly and proximately caused him permanent bodily injury.
Against Silva, Losse alleged vicarious liability under the dangerous instrumentality doctrine. He alleged Silva owned the 2013 Hyundai and gave Santos permission or consented to the operation of the vehicle, which made Silva vicariously liable for the damage, injury, or loss Santos's negligence caused.
Losse sought compensation for past and future medical expenses, pain and suffering, disability, physical impairment, disfigurement, mental anguish, inconvenience, loss of capacity for the enjoyment of life, hospitalization and medical care expenses, lost earnings, diminished earning capacity, and aggravation of a previously existing condition.
Jury Verdict
The jury returned its verdict on May 28, 2025. On the first question of the verdict form, the jury awarded Losse $150,000 in damages for medical expenses incurred in the past and medical expenses to be incurred in the future.
On the second question, the jury found that Losse sustained a permanent injury as a result of the motor vehicle collision with Giorgio Soares Santos.
On the third question, the jury awarded Losse $500,000 for pain and suffering, disability, physical impairment, disfigurement, mental anguish, inconvenience, and loss of capacity for the enjoyment of life sustained in the past and to be sustained in the future.
The jury's total damages award for Bruce Losse came to $650,000.
On May 29, 2025, Circuit Court Judge Antonio Arzola entered the final judgment. The Court adjudged that Plaintiff Bruce Losse recover from Defendants Giorgio Soares Santos and Giovani Santos Silva the sum of $650,000 with costs in the sum of $940.74, for a total judgment of $650,990.74. The judgment bore interest at a rate of 9.38 percent per year. The Court closed the case as to all parties.
