News and Results

The attorneys at Sessums Law Group, P.A. are proud of the results achieved for the firm’s clients. Below are some links to news articles about cases handled by the firm, and case results, verdicts, settlements, and arbitration awards obtained by the firm’s lawyers.

News articles

Please click on the links to see the articles.

• Gyrocopter accident report notes engine sounds
• Testy property dispute brings onetime allies to court
• Sessums Named to Super Lawyers List for 11th Consecutive Year
• Sessums Law Group published in The Florida Bar Journal
• Mark A. Sessums Appointed to Committee Studying Statutory Alimony Reform
• Mark A. Sessums Attends American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers Conference
• Sessums Receives Highest AV Rating
• Sessums Named to Super Lawyers List for Fifth Consecutive Year
• Estranged Wife Denied Husband’s Lottery Winnings
• Trial Begins In Civil Case Involving Two Local Accountants
• Trial Starts in $1.9 Mil. Lottery Suit
• NBA star in Sarasota court over child support
• Sessums Named to Top 100 in State of Florida

Verdicts and settlements

PARTIAL RESOLUTION-WRONGFUL DEATH

Sessums Law Group, P.A. recently partially resolved an automobile wrongful death accident case involving a teenager who was a passenger and was ejected and died in a single vehicle rollover. The allegations were that the driver was racing another vehicle and hit a curb causing the vehicle to roll over and our client to be ejected. The teenager client expired shortly after arriving at the hospital from a brain injury. The partial resolution was that the under insured motorist carrier tendered their policy limits. The case against the tortfeasor remains pending.

CONFIDENTIAL SETTLEMENT-DIVORCE ACTION

Recently, we were hired as the replacement lawyer for a United Kingdom citizen who was in the middle of a complex Sarasota divorce and was seeking new counsel. Both our client and her husband were elderly. Three years before their marriage, the husband had transferred a very valuable Sarasota residence to his later wife pursuant to a warranty deed that had no written side agreements. The husband contended that his future wife had promised to take care of him for the rest of his life and that the home transfer was payment for these future health care services. Four years after their marriage a divorce ensued. The husband sued for fraud, breach of contract and an annulment seeking the return of his prior home and monetary damages. The husband contended that his wife had fraudulently promised to take care of him for the rest of his life and had breached that agreement through fraud. We were able to bring together the voluminous evidence and ultimately obtain a settlement of the divorce action 2 days before trial that allowed the wife to retain ownership of her home without payment of any damages on the contract or fraud claims.

CONFIDENTIAL SETTLEMENT AMOUNT-MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT

Representation of the estate of a motorcycle driver who was hit from behind by a drunk driver and ultimately died as a result of the injuries.

$6,000,000.00 RECOVERY-FRAUD CIVIL ACTION

Sessums Law Group, P.A. successfully recovered $6,000,000.00 for a client in a fraud civil action.  Prior to the client’s divorce, the client negotiated and executed an agreement with his wife’s boyfriend that sought that the boyfriend would have no contact with the client’s wife.  The client paid a lump sum of $6,000,000.00 to his wife’s boyfriend for this no contact agreement.  Almost immediately, the wife’s boyfriend commenced communicating with the client’s wife and ultimately the client and his wife divorced.   Sessums Law Group, P.A. filed a civil breach of contract action against the then wife’s boyfriend ancillary to the divorce action seeking to recover the $6,000,000.00 paid to his wife’s boyfriend.  Sessums Law Group, P.A. was successful in adding punitive damages and in defending an interlocutory appeal of this additional damage claim.  Sessums Law Group, P.A. successfully added the wife to this civil action but dismissed her when she agreed to pay $3,000,000.00 in the divorce action to the client for his damages.  After the divorce, the wife agreed to pay another $3,000,000.00 to obtain a dismissal of the fraud action against her boyfriend.  The settlement did provide that the former wife would obtain a reduction the final $3,000,000.00 paid if she paid her boyfriend’s legal fees in the civil action (up to a ceiling of $200,000.00).  Thus, Sessums Law Group, P.A. recovered at least $5,800,000.00 for the client in the civil action.

$2,740,000.00—WRONGFUL DEATH HIT/RUN OF MOTORCYCLIST:

Representation of the plaintiff hit from behind on his motorcycle by a driver who was allegedly drunk at the time of the accident.  Sued the defendant; the bar that th4e defendant had been drinking and the defendant’s employer.

$1,929,000.00 REAL ESTATE DEFICIENCY VERDICT:

Representation of estate in real estate deficiency claim resulting in joint and several liability verdict against various doctors and chiropractors.

$1,000,000.00 SETTLEMENT—COLLISION:

Representation of estate in an automobile and tractor trailer collision that resulted in multiple deaths.

$905,000.00 SETTLEMENT—COLLISION:

Representation of professional individual who was rear-ended and forced into oncoming traffic and hit head-on by a hearse, resulting in hip fracture and ultimate hip replacement.

$700,000.00 Confidential MEDICAL MALPRACTICE—SETTLEMENT:

Failure to detect re-occurrence of rectal cancer resulting in wrongful death (suit against radiologist; clinic providing primary care; and joint venture between clinic providing primary care and employer of radiologist).

$550,000 SETTLEMENT—WRONGFUL DEATH/BACK INJURY:

Representation of both the estate of decedent and individual plaintiff in an auto collision case against driver of truck that T-boned plaintiffs’ vehicle at an intersection on U.S. 27. Incident resulted in death of one plaintiff and back surgery to second plaintiff. As main defendant was driving a state-owned vehicle, the recovery was arguably limited to sovereign immunity limits of $200,000.00.

$495,000.00 IN DAMAGES AWARDED IN LOTTERY CASE

Our client purchased a lottery ticket in 2017 for which he mistakenly believed he had won $100,000.00 due to his limited education and the fact that he was under the influence of drugs at the time the ticket was purchased. Our client was also living with the Defendant at the time the lottery ticket was purchased. Thus, our client made an agreement with the Defendant that the Defendant would cash in the lottery ticket on behalf of our client since our client did not have a car or the necessary identification to cash in the ticket.  However, due to the unusual spending habits of the Defendant after cashing in the ticket, our client discovered that the lottery ticket was actually worth $1,000,000.00, with a final payout after taxes of $570,000.00. We were able to bring the case to a trial where a jury awarded our client the full $495,000.00 in damages that we requested for the Defendant’s fraud.

$460,000.00 SETTLEMENT—SLIP AND FALL:

Representation of plaintiff in a slip and fall case due to leaky roof at major retail chain resulting in herniated disc and loss of job.

$425,000.00 SETTLEMENT—FAILURE TO INTUBATE:

Representation of plaintiff against nursing home for failure to follow life-care instructions of surviving daughter regarding intubation of her father, thereby resulting in father’s death.

$400,000.00 SETTLEMENT—SLIP AND FALL:

Representation of estate of individual who fractured skull and died due to negligent design and placement of traffic stop in pavement.

$400,000.00 SETTLEMENT—NEGLIGENT CHIROPRACTIC TREATMENT:

Representation of estate of deceased for negligent chiropractic treatment that resulted in total disability and suicide.

$400,000.00 SETTLEMENT—NEGLIGENT MENTAL HEALTH CARE:

Representation of estate of deceased for negligent mental health treatment of suicidal individual resulting in individual’s death.

$250,000.00 SETTLEMENT—BAD FAITH REFUSAL TO SETTLE:

Representation of plaintiff in lawsuit against automobile insurer for bad faith refusal to pay on uninsured motorist coverage claim involving injured ankle and lost earnings due to inability to work.

$250,000.00 —ARBITRATION AWARD:

Representation of plaintiff in an arbitration claim against a franchise.

$225,750.98 VERDICT—PERSONAL INJURY:

Representation of plaintiff for personal injury-automobile negligence and underinsured/uninsured motor vehicle insurance.

$200,000.00 SETTLEMENT—BORROW PIT:

Representation of plaintiff against landowner for defective borrow pit that enticed and drowned minor child.

$180,000.00 RECOVERY-REDUCED WORKER’S COMPENSATION LIEN:

Yes—automobile case: Client T-boned in automobile accident and required to have rotator cuff surgery.  No significant permanent injury, but significant medical/hospital expenses.

$175,000.00 SETTLEMENT—SLIP AND FALL:

Representation of plaintiff in slip and fall resulting in knee replacement.

$170,000.00 SETTLEMENT—DAMAGE TO PROPERTY:

Representation of plaintiff against insurance company for damage to crane.

$150,000.00 SETTLEMENT—DEFECTIVE DRUG/MISCARRIAGE:

Representation of plaintiff against a drug manufacturer for a defective drug that resulted in a miscarriage.

$140,000.00 SETTLEMENT – AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT:

Client was in a rear end car accident resulting in exacerbation of a pre-existing neck injury requiring surgery. Case involved the tortfeasor and the underinsured motorist carrier.

$135,000.00 VERDICT—COLLISION:

Representation of plaintiff in lawsuit against automobile insurer for uninsured/underinsured automobile case.

$125,000.00 SETTLEMENT—ELECTROCUTION:

Representation of estate in claim against electric company due to claim that they had not properly trimmed tree limbs resulting in plaintiff’s death; claim against homeowner’s insurance company for premises liability.

$125,000.00 SETTLEMENT—LEGAL MALPRACTICE:

Representation of individual against their former lawyer for negligent representation.

$113,067.14 VERDICT—NEGLIGENCE/ STRICT LIABILITY ACTION:

Representation of plaintiff against food manufacturer for negligence/strict liability action.

$110,000.00 SETTLEMENT – AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT:

Client was injured when the at fault driver failed to yield and turned across traffic causing the collision.  Case involved the tortfeasor and the underinsured motorist carrier.

$110,000.00 SETTLEMENT—AUTOMOBILE NEGLIGENCE:

Aggravation of knee injury in automobile accident.

$100,000.00 SETTLEMENT—NEGLIGENT FAILURE TO PROPERLY INCARCERATE SUICIDAL INDIVIDUAL:

Representation of estate of former inmate who died in jail after prison failed to properly provide treatment for obviously suicidal individual.

$100,000 SETTLEMENT – CAR ACCIDENT

Head on collision with temporary injury to left wrist, hand, neck and back with minimal wage loss.

$100,000.00 RECOVERY:

Client was hit head-on and required to have cervical fusion and rotator cuff surgery.  Significant medical/hospital expenses.  Case was settled for the policy limits.

$86,569.00 JURY VERDICT—UNINSURED MOTORIST:

Case involving plaintiff with 8 prior motor vehicle accidents with similar injuries. Plaintiff had inconsistent complaints of pain, but significant past medical expenses the jury found reasonable and necessary.

$84,875.77 VERDICT—BREACH OF CONTRACT:

Representation of plaintiff in lawsuit for breach of contract.

$80,000 Settlement – COLLISION

Obtained settlement for tortfeasor’s limits of liability and all available stacked UM insurance in automobile accident in which client T-boned resulting in fractured wrist. Fracture resulted in surgery and inability of college student to continue with restaurant server position.

$77,815.00 SETTLEMENT—SLIP AND FALL:

Representation of  plaintiff in slip and fall incident. An additional recovery was made for fees pursuant to proposal for settlement.

$77,100.00 VERDICT —FRAUD:

Representation of individual defrauded by Mississippi former judge and paralegal wife who obtained forged signature of plaintiff that resulted in his fraudulent removal from title to beach condominium. Motion for fees and cost pending.

$75,000.00 RECOVERY:

Client was t-boned at intersection and required to have surgery on left knee.  Moderate amount of medical/hospital expenses, without permanent impairment.

$58,000.00 SETTLEMENT—CATTLE BROKERAGE CASE:

Representation of cattle broker against corporation refusing to pay amounts due to him under contract.

$50,000 OUTCOME – Motorcycle Accident:

Rear end accident with exacerbation of pre-existing injuries.

$50,000.00 RECOVERED-TORTFEASOR LIMITS:

Client sideswiped while in turning lane by erratically driven vehicle.  Client suffered significant soft tissue injuries.  Presuit offer $17,000.00. UM claim remains pending.

$35,000 AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT. CONTESTED LIABILITY:

Client allegedly violated right of way. Client contended that opposing party failed to have on headlights. Obtained settlement for limits of liability on tortfeasor’s bodily injury coverage and client’s underinsured motor vehicle insurance.

$30,000 SETTLEMENT-PREMISES LIABILITY / BAR FIGHT INJURIES:

Representation of Plaintiff in a premises liability controversy. The Plaintiff was enjoying a holiday evening at a local bar and grill establishment when another patron punched the Plaintiff in the face, causing the Plaintiff to suffer a broken jaw and to require reconstructive dental work. The Plaintiff’s Complaint alleged that the Defendant bar and grill employees continued to serve alcohol to the other patron after it was apparent that the other patron was intoxicated; and, that the bar and grill Defendant failed to provide adequate security on the premises to protect the Plaintiff against a foreseeable risk.

$29,000.00 RECOVERY:

Client was t-boned at intersection.  Minimal medical/hospital expenses, without permanent injury.

$27,499.00 SETTLEMENT – INJURY AT SCHOOL

School Board and individual student sued for negligent supervision as student was physically assaulted on school premises by another student.  The student client suffered a broken bone that healed without incident.

$19,000.00 RECOVERED-FOR ALL 3 FAMILY MEMBERS:

Father and 2 children injured in T-bone accident.  No permanent injury.  Treated and released at hospital.

$10,499.00 RECOVERY:

Client was t-boned while crossing an intersection.  Injuries consisted of an exacerbation of prior condition.  Minimal medical/hospital expenses, without permanent impairment.

$9,999.00 SETTLEMENT – INJURY AT SCHOOL

School Board sued for negligence for supplying skate board to child at P.E. class that led to broken ankle that healed without incident.

HIT & RUN; CONFIDENTIAL SETTLEMENT:

Sessums Law Group was recently successful in settling a case for a hard working Polk County man whose hit and run accident resulted in a need for a knee replacement.  The defendant argued that our client had caused the accident.  We were able to prove through expert accident reconstruction testimony that the accident happened as our client testified despite the minimal damage involved.   The recent conviction for drugs and the hit and run facts we were able to demonstrate caused an attractive settlement for our client.  We are proud of the settlement as the knee replacement will likely cause an ultimate loss of the plaintiff’s relatively high paying job.

MEDICAL MALPRACTICE; CONFIDENTIAL SETTLEMENT:

Client was burned with a hot pack after delivering her son via Cesarean section.

CONFIDENTIAL PROPERTY SETTLEMENT:

Client’s vehicle was burglarized and her engagement and wedding rings stolen.  The perpetrator pawned the stolen items to a local pawn shop.  The pawn shop ignored the hold order from the police department and sold the engagement and wedding rings.  After suit filed for the Plaintiff, a confidential settlement was reached with the pawn shop for the value to our client of her stolen rings.

Nursing Home Negligence; Confidential Settlement Amount

Representation of the Personal Representative of the Estate of the patient who died due to negligent care while in the care of the nursing home.

Trolley Accident; Confidential Settlement Amount

Representation of passengers who were enjoying a sight- seeing tour aboard a trolley when the trolley was hit by a bus.  The passengers suffered soft tissue injuries.

MEDICAL MALPRACTICE; CONFIDENTIAL SETTLEMENT:

Client’s renal artery was negligently clipped causing the death of her kidney.

CONFIDENTIAL SETTLEMENT—DENTAL MALPRACTICE:

Representation of plaintiff in a dental malpractice case due to negligent implantation of mini-implants and negligent follow-up up care, resulting in the failure of all six (6) mini-implants in plaintiff’s maxilla (upper jaw).

HUNDREDS OF AUTOMOBILE CASE SETTLEMENTS:

Representation of hundreds of individuals in settlements in all types of automobile accident cases for sums less than $100,000.00.

DEFENSE VERDICT—ZERO DAMAGES—LOTTERY CASE:

Representation of defendant who won $3,000,000.00 lottery ticket holder in suit by plaintiff who claimed she had given him money to buy lottery ticket.

Contact Sessums Law Group to discuss your legal needs

The firm has three locations for the convenience of clients. Call the Lakeland office at 877-826-5630, the Sebring office at 863-658-4796, the Sarasota office at or contact us online to discuss how the attorneys at Sessums Law Group can help you.