Woman wins $306K judgment over crash with officer

A Broward jury has awarded a Fort Lauderdale woman $306,000 after finding a police officer mostly at fault in a car accident that injured her in 2010.

The city has not decided whether to appeal the judgment, which is over the $100,000 state cap on government liability.

“At this time, the city is evaluating all of its options prior to moving forward,” said Fort Lauderdale spokesman ChazAdams.

AnnetteMancuso-Weiland, 52, was a passenger in a car driven by her son on Dec. 15, 2010, when Fort Lauderdale Police Officer Daniel Gowans, responding to a domestic violence call, entered the intersection of Sunrise Boulevardand SoutheastFourthAvenue.

Mancuso’s son crashed into the patrol car. Mancuso’s wrist was fractured in places, said her attorney, ReedTolber.

Jurors were told that Gowans had his lights and siren on, but due to traffic, Mancuso’s sonwas not able to see him until itwas too late to stop.

“Before he [Gowans] crossed into the intersection, he received a radio call that an officer had already arrived on the scene he was responding to,” saidTolber.

Mancusowas uninsured, and her hospital bill was more than $80,000. Doctors and administrators at Holy Cross Hospital were able to reduce the bill, but it was still more than she could afford, Tolber said.

Jurors found Gowans negligent and 90 percent responsible for the crash. Mancuso’s damages were calculated at $33,000 for past bills, $7,000 for future bills, and $300,000 for pain and suffering.

eight Gowans remains on the police force. Gowans was the subject of a 2012 lawsuit settlement involving a man who said he was wrongfully arrested for disorderly intoxication and resisting arrest. Home surveillance footage showed that the man, Winston Dudley, cooperated with police when they arrived at his home, but Gowans’ report claimed otherwise.

Dudleywas awarded$30,000in the settlement. Information about Gowans’ disciplinary and commendation recordwas not availableTuesday.

“We’re hoping the city does not attempt to ask for a new trial or an appeal,” said Tolber. “Our hope is that after five years of fighting this, they choose to honor the jury’s verdict.”

rolmeda@sunsentinel.com, 954-356-4457, Twitter@SSCourts and@rolmeda