Yacht Accident Client Obtains 5 Million Verdict

On January 21, 2019, the Law Offices of Diana Santa Maria obtained a 5.5 million-dollar verdict for a client (Aldiyev) injured when a yacht he was working on failed to provide a safe gangplank for disembarking. Diana Santa Maria tried the case before Judge Rodolfo Ruiz in Miami Dade County Circuit Court. “This verdict was a fair and just result given the injuries suffered by the Plaintiff and the negligence and lack of care evidenced by the Defendant(s)”.

In the case of Murad Aldiyev vs. Pavel Uglanov and Niko Petroleum Retailers of Florida, LLC, the plaintiff, Murad Aldiyev, suffered severe and permanent injuries while working as a first mate on Uglanov’s yacht. Aldiyev fell due to a defective gangplank, resulting in a significant injury to his right leg, including an open fracture of the tibia, which required multiple surgeries and extensive medical treatment. His injuries included severe pain, bleeding, and long-term physical impairments, necessitating continued medical care and surgeries, significantly impacting his quality of life and earning capacity.

Aldiyev's negligence claim against the Defendants was based on their failure to provide a safe working environment, appropriate safety equipment, and the required workers' compensation insurance.

The court awarded Aldiyev a $5.5 million verdict, considering his extensive medical expenses, ongoing need for treatment, and significant loss of earning capacity. The judgment also accounted for the severe and permanent impact on Aldiyev’s physical abilities and quality of life, including his inability to perform his previous job and the associated economic losses.

The Law Offices of Diana Santa Maria, P.A., founded in 1991, has set a benchmark for legal excellence in South Florida. Diana Santa Maria, a graduate from the University of Miami, established her practice committed to righting wrongs for injured plaintiffs.

With over 32 years of legal experience, Diana has secured multi-million-dollar verdicts, including a $31.9 million verdict for catastrophic injury and a $3.25 million settlement in a pedestrian wrongful death case. Her firm's success is reflected in its prestigious recognitions, including The Best Lawyers in America® and a pre-eminent AV rating by Martindale Hubbell.

Beyond her legal practice, Diana is a respected leader in organizations like the American Board of Trial Advocacy (ABOTA) and the Florida Justice Association (FJA). She continues to inspire through her dedication to justice, excellence, and community service.