Bouncer Returns Keys to Drunk

Linda Swanson was so drunk that she ran two red lights before broadsiding John Doe at I-10 and McDuff Avenue in Jacksonville. John had to be cut out of his car and suffered orthopedic injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder. His medical bills and lost wages exceeded $100,000. Since Swanson had no assets and no insurance, Pajcic & Pajcic had to look for other negligent parties.

The investigation revealed that Swanson was so drunk that her boyfriend had given her car keys to a security officer at Gator's Dockside. Unfortunately, Swanson then prevailed on another bouncer to retrieve and return her keys. The second bouncer, who knew Swanson, said that even though she "had a buzz on" he thought she could drive safely. Faced with this evidence at mediation, the insurance company for the bar agreed in November 1997 to a structured settlement with a present value of $260,000.