Gainesville man awarded $760K from city after breaking arms in downtown scooter accident

Andrew Caplan, The Gainesville Sun
·2 min read
Electric scooters parked in one of the pickup stations near the Plaza of the Americas on the University of Florida campus, in Gainesville Fla. June 7, 2021. The City of Gainesville and the University of Florida have partnered to launch a one-year pilot program, that begins this week, that will bring two-wheeled, electric scooters to town.
Electric scooters parked in one of the pickup stations near the Plaza of the Americas on the University of Florida campus, in Gainesville Fla. June 7, 2021. The City of Gainesville and the University of Florida have partnered to launch a one-year pilot program, that begins this week, that will bring two-wheeled, electric scooters to town.

An Alachua County jury has awarded a Gainesville man more than $765,000 for injuries he suffered while riding an electric scooter downtown.

The verdict came down on Wednesday, finding the city of Gainesville negligent for injuries sustained to Doug Haugen.

The city of Gainesville declined to comment due to the case remaining open at this time.

On April 12, 2020, Haugen, 66, was riding his scooter near the intersection of Southeast Third Street and Second Avenue when he hit a manhole cover that was surrounded by a sidewalk that was raised a few inches due to a nearby tree.

Haugen hit the raised sidewalk and was thrown from the scooter, fracturing both arms. He also received injuries to his hands, wrists, elbows, knees and stomach when he hit the ground.

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A manhole cover in downtown Gainesville where Doug Haugen, 66, was injured while riding an electric scooter, fracturing both arms.
A manhole cover in downtown Gainesville where Doug Haugen, 66, was injured while riding an electric scooter, fracturing both arms.

Gainesville officials had received multiple reports of the issue three months leading up to the accident.

"Despite the city’s attempts to blame Mr. Haugen for this incident, Morgan & Morgan attorneys Jared Comstock, James Biggart, and Jacob Barrow proved the City was 100% at fault and won the $765,000 verdict to cover their client’s medical expenses, lost earnings, and pain and suffering," a Morgan & Morgan news release said Friday.

Prior to the accident, Comstock said Haugen was in "incredible physical shape," even walking up to 8 miles a day and planning to hike the 2,000-mile Appalachian Trail. Now, he added, Haugen struggles with stamina and strength.

"We are pleased with this result to help him cope with what he has lost, heal from his injuries, and move forward as best he can," Comstock said in the release.

This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Jury awards Gainesville man $760K from city in scooter accident