"SERVING ALL OF FLORIDA"
Chandler insurance award:
$1.4 million over lifetime
By Debbie Salamone
The Orange County teen-ager who was robbed, kidnapped and stuffed in a stifling car trunk last July is expected to receive at least $1.4 million over his lifetime under an agreement reached Wednesday with his father's car insurance company.
Philip Chandler, 17, will receive a $515,000 one-time payment from State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Co., court records show. After part of the money is invested in a tax-free annuity, the brain-injured teen will get a monthly stipend for life.
"It's very, very comforting to know Philip will have an income," said his mother, Eve Chandler of Pine Hills. "We don't know what the future is going to hold for him. Although we expect him to recover 100 percent, we don't know how long it will take him to be independent."
Philip's attorney, Russell Troutman of Winter Park, sued the insurance company in October, claiming Philip was entitled to the $515,000 benefit under his father's uninsured motorist policy.
Troutman contended that because the two teens accused in the case had no insurance and injured Philip during the operation of father Jim Chandler's automobile, the uninsured motorist policy should cover the teen-ager's injuries and treatment.
State Farm initially denied Chandler's claim, saying that because the father's Ford Mustang was insured, the uninsured motorist coverage didn't apply. The company later changed its position and offered to pay the policy's maximum, Troutman said.
State Farm's lawyer could not be reached for comment.
Some of the money — about $43,000 — will be set aside immediately to pay Philip's medical bills, and $43,000 will go to his parents for their emotional pain and expenses. Troutman received about $129,000 in attorney fees.
Under the agreement, Philip will receive $1,500 a month for life beginning in December, when he turns 18. Every five years beginning in 1999, he will receive a $20,000 payment. The $1.4 million estimate over his lifetime is based on a life expectancy of 56 years, court records show.
Philip is still recovering from his injuries. He lives with his parents and is a junior at Heritage Preparatory School in Orlando.
The part of the suit seeking damages from two teens charged in Philip's kidnapping will continue, Troutman said. Michael Daymon, 17, of Winter Park, and Terrence Jenkins, 18, of Orlando, are charged with attempted first-degree murder, kidnapping and robbery in the case.
Prosecutors contend they robbed Philip outside a Pine Hills shopping center in July, forced him into the car trunk and then drove around for hours as Philip slowly lost consciousness. The teen was found barely alive in a DeBary parking lot.
Daymon and Jenkins are scheduled for trial April 11 in Palm Beach County, where the trial was moved because of publicity.
From:
The Orlando Sentinel
Thu., March 31, 1994
Troutman, Williams, Irvin, Green, Helms & Polich, P.A.
311 W. Fairbanks Avenue - Winter Park, Florida 32789 - Phone: (407) 647-2277