FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 1, 2008

Contact: Eric W. Boyer, Esq.
Managing Partner
305-670-1101 Ext. 1023
Email: eboyer@qpwblaw.com 

QPWB ATTORNEYS OBTAIN SUMMARY JUDGMENT IN FAVOR OF THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

JACKSONVILLE, FL – Quintairos, Prieto, Wood & Boyer, P.A. (QPWB) trial attorneys obtained a Summary Judgment on behalf of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), in a case involving an alligator attack at Big Talbot Island State Park.

On July 6, 2001, Plaintiff Tammy A. Woehle (Woehle) was bitten on the leg by an alligator while jogging with her dog along the beach at Big Talbot Sate Park. She brought negligence charges against the DEP that included failure to warn her of the presence of alligators at Big Talbot Island State Park, and failing to take adequate steps to prevent her from being attacked.

On June 19, 2008, the defense successfully argued that the DEP neither had a duty to warn Woehle of the presence of alligators or to guard her against the attack. The Honorable L. Haldane Taylor granted summary judgment in favor of the State of Florida.

The defense stated: “The DEP had no knowledge of alligator sightings where the attack occurred and could not have anticipated the danger of an attack from a wild animal living in its natural habitat.”