I-95 Crash Leaves Driver Permanently Disabled - Hubbard Construction is Sued

Judge denies defendants' motion to bifurcate, sets trial date

WEST PALM BEACH, FL.-The Galeas family of West Palm Beach can rest easier now that a judge has denied the Hubbard's motion to bifurcate, or separate the liability and damages in the case of Selvin Galeas vs. Hubbard Construction and has set a trial date in Palm Beach County Circuit Court for May, 2008.

On a summer day in June 2005, while driving northbound on I-95 in Palm Beach County, Selvin Galeas was suddenly and without warning struck by an Express Messenger car driven by Jason Stiger. At the time of the incident Galeas was just south of Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard, where on this date a construction project overseen by Hubbard Construction Companywas underway.

The impact of the crash forced Galeas' vehicle to leave the northbound lanes of I-95, where it came into contact with concrete, asphalt and other various debris that were left on the roadside to the west of the northbound lanes of I-95 by construction workers. As Mr. Galeas' vehicle plowed into the roadside hazard, it went up and over the guardrail separating the north and southbound lanes of I-95, landing on its roof.

Mr. Galeas was injured, including sustaining brain-damaged which now requires life-long medical and nursing care.

"Construction and engineering companies have an obligation and a duty to ensure the safety of the driving public when working on construction projects on the state highway system," said Ted Leopold, managing partner in the Palm Beach Gardens-based law firm of Ricci~Leopold, who is representing Mr. Galeas through his guardian Joseph Bemsmithen. "I-95 is dangerous enough let alone when the areas is negligently maintained. Instead of providing safety and protection to the motoring public Hubbard created a very dangerous situation which ultimately led to Selvyn's catastrophic injuries." The responsibility of Hubbard is first and foremost to make certain that in every project the public is to be kept free from roadside hazards. Unfortunately this did not occur in this case," said Leopold.

"We are committed to obtaining justice for Mr. Galeas and in holding these defendants accountable for their negligence. It is our hope, through this case, that future tragedies can be prevented," Leopold concluded. 

Trial and Scheduling Order (PDF)

First Set of Interrogatories (PDF)

Request for Production for Galeas v Hubbard Construction (PDF)

Ted Leopold is a managing partner in the law firm of Ricci~Leopold, P.A. As consumer justice advocates, the attorneys at Ricci~Leopold pursue justice for those who are harmed by the misconduct of insurance companies and corporations. The firm, founded in 1982, has six attorneys and is headquartered in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, with offices located at 2925 PGA Blvd. Mr. Leopold can be contacted at (561) 684-6500. Additional information about Ricci~Leopold, P.A. may be obtained from the firm's website at www.riccilaw.com