A Motorcyclist Injured by Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Officer and Sovereign Immunity Impedes Justice
West Palm Beach, Fla. Preparing for the birth of his child was Bobby Lemons No. 1 priority, until he suffered a serious neck injury while riding his motorcycle. Lemon was hit from behind while stopped by traffic by a cruiser owned by the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office (PBSO).
Mr. Lemon, age 40, was riding his motorcycle north on U.S. 1 at the intersection of Federal Highway and Atlantic Avenue in Delray Beach, Fla., when he was rear-ended and thrown into the vehicle in front of him. The Sheriff’s office admits liability for the accident, but sovereign immunity usually protects the officer or their insurance company from having to pay Mr. Lemon damages in excess of $100,000, the state legal cap.
With two herniated discs in his back, Mr. Lemon requires a two (2) level surgery expected to cost between $40,000 and $50,000. Furthermore, due to his length of employment as a substance abuse counselor, he was not yet eligible for health benefits. He has been forced to reduce his hours because of his injuries, which has decreased his earning power and his fiance is also due to give birth in four weeks.
“The Sheriff’s office is making a business decision at the expense of a human being, explained Jason Guari, managing partner of the law firm of Murray Guari and Mr. Lemons attorney. It has encouraged Mr. Lemon to have the surgery first, but no one knows for sure if the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office will pay for it. PBSO should do the right thing and pay Lemon’s damages now so he can get this necessary surgery.
Mr. Guari will file suit in the Circuit Court of the 15th Judicial Circuit for Palm Beach County, Florida on behalf of Mr. Lemons if the Sheriff’s Office refuses to pay.
Jason Guari is a partner in the law firm of Murray Guari Trial Attorneys PL. The firm was founded in 2005 and is headquartered in West Palm Beach, Florida, at 1525 N. Flagler Drive, Suite 100. Mr. Guari can be contacted at (561) 366-9099. Additional information about Murray Guari Trial Attorneys PL may be obtained from the firm’s website at www.murrayguari.com.
Contact
Scott Murray, Murray Guari Trial Attorneys PL
(561) 366-9099
Kim Sailer, BARD Marketing/PR
ksailer@bardmarketing.com
