Teen Awarded $110 Million After Sustaining Serious Injury Resulting from Rolling a Four-Wheeler

In June 2017, Lizet Guerra, a 14-year-old at the time, went on a road trip with the defendants. Lizet’s mom instructed the defendants that Lizet was not to ride on any ATVs, including four-wheelers. The defendants broke their promise to Lizet’s mother and allowed her to drive a four-wheeler at Camp KOA, a park in Mathis, Texas. The park ranger kicked the defendants off the premises because Lizet and other teenagers under the defendants’ supervision were riding the four-wheelers in a reckless manner. The defendants left Camp KOA and headed to their private ranch. At the ranch, the defendants failed to supervise the teenagers and left the keys in the four-wheelers. The teenagers began to ride the four-wheelers at the ranch. Lizet Guerra and another teenager drove on a four-wheeler and rolled over. Lizet was life flighted to Christus Spohn Hospital in Corpus Christi, Texas.

The defense argued that Lizet assumed the risk and knew better because she was 14 years old.

The defense also argued that they told Lizet not to ride the 4-wheeler/ATV, which was disputed.

Lizet was taken by emergency air ambulance to Corpus Christi from Jim Wells County.

She followed up with her primary care doctor, who managed her care conservatively but didn’t identify any treatments for long-term relief.

Because she had severe headaches for over a year, she visited Dr. Leonardo Garcia, a neurologist in McAllen. He diagnosed her with mild traumatic brain injury, concussion syndrome, headache disorder, and anxiety disorder. He could only recommend a special diet to curtail her symptoms because of the lack of care that would, in fact, be curative for her condition and symptoms.

Because of the severe scaring to her lip, which affected her eating (lip got stuck in braces) and her self-esteem, she consulted Dr. Jason Bailey, a plastic surgeon in Houston. Dr. Bailey confirmed the severity of her lip scarring and recommended a reconstructive surgery.

Lizet’s injuries are the kind that tragically do not respond well to treatment. She deals with them as best she can.

Lizet was represented by Jesus Garcia, Jr. and Kevin C. Haynes, of Kherkher Garcia, LLP. This case resulted in a verdict of $110,000,000.00.