Aventura Mall Security Shooting – $1,510,000 verdict – premises liability – shooting at shopping center

Tim Jeffery was working near the Aventura Mall when he heard an elderly woman scream. He watched as a man grabbed her purse and ran into a waiting truck.

He chased the truck on foot and banged on the darkly tinted window demanding a return of the woman’s purse. He was shot by the robber in the chest, nearly causing his death. 

Fortunately this heroic man survived and made an excellent recovery.  He was left with some scarring and discomfort in his arm. John Elliott Leighton represented Tim and his wife, and tried the case to a Miami jury.

He demonstrated at trial that the security was lacking and there had been prior complaints of crime in the area where this took place. The jury awarded Tim $1,510,000.

Jeffery v. Publix Supermarkets confidential settlement

This is the first known application of the “rescue doctrine” in an inadequate security case in the United States. Prior to trial a confidential settlement was obtained from the landlord. Jeffery v. Publix Supermarkets.

Mr. Leighton’s success in this trial was recognized by being the featured case in an entire chapter of the book Persuasive Jury Communication: Case Studies From Successful Trials, Chapter 10: “Persuasion in a Premises Security Case” (Shepard’s/McGraw-Hill, 1995).

Disclaimer: The information about past verdicts and settlements of the firm’s cases are based on the unique facts of each case. These amounts reflect the gross recovery in each case (before attorneys fees, expenses and medical costs are deducted). Although these results were obtained by our firm, they may not indicate the success or value of any other case. By clicking on Verdicts and Settlements you are acknowledging that each case is unique and must be evaluated on its own merits. The information contained here has not been reviewed or approved by The Florida Bar.