An Orange County jury awarded the widow of Richard Wiederhold, a former Brevard County District Fire Chief, $10.1 million in damages as a result of a vehicle accident in which he was rendered a quadriplegic and subsequently passed away due to complications from his injuries.
ORLANDO, FLORIDA – An Orange County jury awarded the widow of Richard Wiederhold, a former Brevard County District Fire Chief, $10.1 million in damages as a result of a vehicle accident in which he was rendered a quadriplegic and subsequently passed away due to complications from his injuries.
The Gainesville-based law firm Avera & Smith represented Wiederhold’s widow in a disputed liability case before the Orange County Circuit Court against Domino’s Pizza for the January 2011 traffic incident on East Colonial in Orange County.
According to court records, Wiederhold swerved to avoid a collision when a pizza delivery driver turned left in front of him. Wiederhold lost control and his vehicle flipped over. He suffered a spinal cord injury that rendered him a quadriplegic and he died 15 months later from complications.
Mark Avera
“It’s a bittersweet result in such a serious case, as nothing we do can return Richard to his family,” said Mark Avera, managing partner at Avera & Smith.
“However, it is important that the responsible parties were held accountable and hopefully it positively impacts the driving behavior of others who learn about this case.”
Born in Orlando, Wiederhold received his BA from Florida State University in English and Masters degree in Public Administration from University of Central Florida.
A firefighter at the Reedy Creek and Winter Park Fire departments, he was EMS Director and later a Brevard County District Fire Chief for more than 34 years.
He was a published author of four text books that was used and translated at universities all over the world, a commercial rated pilot whose passion was flying, as well as an “angel flight” pilot transporting sick children across the country for free.
