FL Court Finds Security Company 5% For Drowning Death-Victim-95% Responsible
Jacksonville FL May 14 2020 A jury largely absolved a Jacksonville community’s security provider in its handling of an incident when a guest drowned.
On Oct. 26, 2014, Nicholas Sitts, 20, used an illicit substance while visiting a friend at the Pablo Creek Reserve gated community.
A security guard later saw Sitts wandering through the community.
The guard telephoned 911 and waited for police.
Sitts fled and later drowned in a lake in the community.
Sitts’ mother sued the guard’s employer, contending he didn’t do enough to aid her son.
The jury found the guard 5 percent liable, placing the rest of the blame on Sitts and a friend who provided the illicit substance. The jury’s $2.97 million award was reduced to $148,360.
Case: Estate of Sitts v. Ames, No. 16-2015-CA-000794-XXXX-MA
Plaintiffs attorneys: Eric Block, Michael D. Marrese and Dustin Middleton, Morgan & Morgan, Jacksonville
Defense attorneys: Daniel J. Santaniello, Boca Raton, and Todd T. Springer, Jacksonville, Luks Santaniello,
