Harris County Jury Awards Widower $4.78 Million

The Ammons Law Firm successfully tried to verdict a wrongful death lawsuit brought on behalf of Mario Bernal, the surviving husband of Gabriela Rodriguez (age 31), in the 133rd District Court of Harris County, Texas. Gabriela was lawfully in the emergency shoulder of the South Sam Houston Tollway when she was struck by a vehicle driven by Terri Cox Ferguson. Gabriela Rodriguez died at the scene of the crash. Terri Cox Ferguson was intoxicated. Terri Cox Ferguson was represented by attorneys Robert Bateman and Adam Chambers of Bateman Pugh Chambers PLLC.

Gabriela Rodriguez was a homemaker. She had no earnings history. Rob Ammons argued that the work of a homemaker has great value and that it should be recognized as a pecuniary loss. The jury agreed.

At the conclusion of the trial, the jury was charged and a 12-0 verdict was returned which awarded Mr. Bernal, Gabriela’s husband, $4.78 Million in damages as follows:

Past Pecuniary Loss – $ 90,000.00
Future Pecuniary Loss – $ 390,000.00
Past Loss of Companionship & Society – $ 500,000.00
Future Loss of Companionship & Society – $ 150,000.00
Past Mental Anguish – $ 250,000.00
Future Mental Anguish – $ 100,000.00
Punitive/Exemplary Damages – $3,300,000.00

The Ammons Law Firm is located in Houston, Texas and practices personal injury law, including cases involving wrongful death, tire defects, oil rig explosions, 18-wheeler accidents, plant explosions, refinery accidents, post-collision fires, seat belt defects, seatback defects, airbag defects, SUV rollovers and workplace negligence.