A man who was rendered a quadriplegic as a teenager in a high-speed crash involving alcohol recovered nearly $13 million. Gabriel Maynoldi was 17 in 2001 when he and another teen crashed into a tree after leaving a high school party where they had been drinking. His family sued Archbishop Coleman F. Carroll High School and the Archdiocese of Miami because the principal and dance coach were at the party and were well aware of the students getting drunk in front of them. The principal and administrative officials also announced the party over the school public address system and allowed students to hand out flyers, with depictions of liquor bottles, that advertised the party. The jury awarded $55.8 million, but it was reduced because of comparative negligence finds against Maynoldi, his parents and non-party defendants. The school and Archdiocese were found 25 percent liable.
Maynoldi v. Archbishop Coleman F. Carroll High School Inc.