Case Background
Homer and Virginia Pew, a couple from Palm Bay, Florida, sought justice for a car accident that upended their lives in the summer of 2021. The incident happened on July 15, 2021, near the busy intersection of State Road 528 and State Road 417 in Orlando. Homer Pew drove the vehicle while his wife, Virginia, sat in the passenger seat. On that same afternoon, Naveed Sami operated his own vehicle in the same vicinity.
Cause
The legal dispute centered on the claim that Naveed Sami failed in his duty to drive safely. The Pews alleged that Sami operated his vehicle so carelessly that he crashed into their car. This collision served as the primary cause for the subsequent legal action, as the Pews contended that Sami’s negligence directly led to the crash.
Injury
Both Virginia and Homer Pew reported significant physical harm from the impact. They claimed to have suffered serious and permanent personal injuries that affected their daily lives. The injuries reportedly included bodily pain, physical disability, and the aggravation of health conditions they already had before the accident. Furthermore, they mentioned experiencing mental anguish and a diminished ability to enjoy life.
Damages Sought
In their initial complaint, the Pews requested compensation exceeding $30,000. They sought to recover costs for hospital stays, surgical procedures, and ongoing medical and nursing care. Beyond medical bills, they asked for reimbursement for lost wages and the loss of their future ability to earn money. Additionally, both spouses filed "loss of consortium" claims, arguing that their injuries prevented them from providing the same level of companionship and service to each other as they had before the crash.
Key Arguments and Proceedings
The case moved through the Ninth Judicial Circuit Court in Orange County, Florida. The Pews named both Naveed Sami and their own insurer, State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company, as Defendants. They included State Farm because Sami reportedly did not have enough insurance coverage to pay for the full extent of their damages.
Legal Representation
Plaintiff(s): Virginia Pew and Homer Pew
· Counsel for Plaintiff(s): Nadia Y. Barsoum of Dan Newlin Injury Attorneys
Defendant(s): Naveed Sami and State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company
· Counsel for Defendant(s): Zea R. Mcdonnough | Matthew T. Smith
· Experts for Defendant(s): José H Jiménez Almonte | Daniel Cousin | Lawrence S. Gorfine | Mathew Greenston
Key Arguments or Remarks by Counsel
Counsel for the Pews argued that the couple had followed all necessary steps before filing the lawsuit and that the accident had clearly caused their permanent suffering. They emphasized that State Farm had refused to pay the full value of the claims despite the Pews having a valid policy with uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
Claims
The Pews raised several specific legal claims against the Defendants. Virginia Pew sued Sami for negligence and loss of consortium related to Homer's injuries. Similarly, Homer Pew sued Sami for negligence and loss of consortium regarding Virginia's injuries. They also brought parallel claims against State Farm, asserting their right to collect benefits under their insurance policy because Sami was an underinsured motorist.
Defense
State Farm offered a robust defense against these claims. In its formal answer, the company admitted that the Pews lived in Brevard County and that the accident occurred in Orlando. However, the defense firmly denied that the Pews had suffered any actual damages because of the Defendants' conduct. They argued that they lacked enough information to know if Sami had actually been negligent or if the Pews had truly sustained permanent injuries. Furthermore, State Farm contested the Pews' entitlement to interest and attorney fees.
Jury Verdict
After hearing the evidence, the jury reached its decision on September 30, 2025. They concluded that Naveed Sami’s negligence was indeed the legal cause of the damage to both Virginia and Homer Pew.
Verdict for Virginia Pew
The jury awarded Virginia Pew a total of $15,567.20. This entire amount covered the medical expenses she had already incurred in the past. Notably, the jury decided that Virginia did not sustain a permanent injury or a permanent aggravation of a pre-existing condition. Because they found no permanent injury, they did not award any money for future medical expenses or for past or future pain and suffering.
Verdict for Homer Pew
The jury awarded Homer Pew a total of $16,932.97. Like his wife’s award, this sum specifically covered the medical costs he had already paid or owed. The jury also found that Homer did not suffer a permanent injury from the collision. Consequently, they provided no compensation for future medical care or for any form of pain, suffering, or mental anguish.
Court Documents
