GEORGE VENIS vs. DONALD GOLDSTEIN and ALLSTATE INSURANCE COMPANY.
(Dade County Case No.: 98-00326 CA 06, Judge Amy Dean).


Defendant's Attorney:  MICHAEL P. RUDD


AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT: Uninsured Motorist Case.  Low-impact rear-end collision.   The plaintiff George T. Venis was stopped at red light on State Road 5 when Co-Defendant Donald N. Goldstein collided with the rear end of Mr. Venis’s vehicle.  It was Mr. Goldstein’s testimony that a hornet flew in his window and buzzed around his face making him take his foot off the brake for a moment.   Dr. Venis sued Mr. Goldstein for bodily injury and Allstate for Uninsured Motorist benefits.  Dr. Venis was 73 years old and claimed an aggravation of his pre-existing degenerative cervical spine condition resulting in cervical radiculopathy.   The thrust of Dr. Venis’s claim was that he was unable to continue his work as an assistant surgeon following the accident.  He alleged pas medical expenses of $14,103.61, cost of future surgery in the amount of $25,000 and past lost wages of $500,000.


Defense Verdict.