Florida jury awards millions for death of police officer who suffered brain damage and died

Wrongful death award in Florida set by jury at $11.5 million dollars for loss of a police officer’s life. The defendant’s were the Florida Department of Transportation, William Russo and Natasha Russo. According the firms’ press release:

Officer "Oreo" Lorenzo, a highly decorated Police officer with the City of North Miami Beach Police Department, was driving westbound on Pines Boulevard in Pembroke Pines, Florida on July 2, 2004, when 18 year old Natasha Russo failed to stop at a stop sign and attempted to make a left turn eastbound on to Pines Boulevard, causing Officer Lorenzo to swerve to avoid a direct impact. As a result, his car swerved and tripped on the median curb, rolled over and slammed up against a Royal Palm tree within the median that crushed the roof of his police car and ejected him into the street. He sustained a serious head injury that resulted in his death a week later.

There is no indication whether post-trial motions have been filed by the defense.