Jury Awards $1.6 Million To 69-Year-Old Woman Injured By A Miami-Dade County Bus

A Miami Jury awarded 69-year-old Norka Laureiro $1.6 million in damages against Miami-Dade County Transit Authority after finding the driver of a county bus liable for improperly running a stop sign and smashing into the side of Laureiro’s van.

On March 25, 1998 Norka Laureiro was driving her school van, carrying elementary schoolchildren, down the intersection of 113th avenue and SW 3rd street in Sweetwater when a Miami-Dade County Transit bus driver ran a stop sign, colliding with the van, ejecting several kids through the van's front windshield and causing the front of the van to cave in. Among the 13 people severely injured was Norka Lauereiro, the owner and driver of the van. Laureiro suffered a fractured eye socket, ankle, and heel, which required various operations over a period of 4 years including an orbital implant in the face, fusion of her ankle and heel, bone grafts and the placement of pins and screws to keep her foot in place. The injuries left Laureiro with disabilities and unable to work and support herself.

“People might view this as a lot of money”, said Ervin A. Gonzalez, attorney for Laureiro “But really, how many of us would allow our faces to be crushed, our bones to be fused and our ability to earn a living taken away for any amount of money. I’m happy that justice was served and I hope that this verdict sends a message to all reckless drivers. There is a price to pay for ruining someone’s life.”