Benavides v. Tesla, Inc., 1:21-cv-21940 (S.D. Fla.); on appeal, No. 26-10858 (11th Cir.)

Summary

Neima Benavides, for the estate of Naibel Benavides Leon, and Dillon Angulo sued Tesla over an April 2019 crash in Key Largo, Florida, in which a 2019 Model S driven by its owner with Autopilot engaged hit a parked SUV that then struck the two pedestrians, killing Benavides Leon and seriously injuring Angulo. Tesla removed the case to the Southern District of Florida in May 2021, and it was consolidated with Angulo's case. Defective design and failure-to-warn claims went to a jury, which found for the plaintiffs on August 1, 2025, assigned Tesla 33% of the responsibility and awarded punitive damages. Judge Beth Bloom entered judgment for $242.57 million: $42.57 million in compensatory damages after the 33% reduction and $200 million in punitive damages. She denied Tesla's motion for judgment as a matter of law or a new trial on February 19, 2026. Tesla appealed to the Eleventh Circuit on March 16, 2026, and execution of the judgment is stayed pending appeal.

Key dates

1. May 25, 2021Filed
2. August 1, 2025Resolved
3. October 16, 2026Checked against sources
4. October 21, 2026Checked against sources

Developments are added when the record is reviewed. Next review: January 15, 2027.

Evidence

Each passage is quoted from its source. The quoted passages are re-checked against the live pages every month.

1. On August 3, 2025, the Court entered a Final Judgment against Tesla in the amount of $242,570,000.00. ECF No. [538].

   Supports: Judgment amount

   the jury found Tesla to be only 33% responsible for Plaintiffs' injuries

   Supports: 33% fault allocation

   25, 2019, McGee was driving the Vehicle when it hit a parked Chevrolet Tahoe, which then struck Decedent Naibel Benavides Leon and Plaintiff Dillon Angulo

   Supports: Crash facts

   Order on Amended Renewed Motion for Judgment as a Matter of Law or, Alternatively, Motion for New Trial (ECF 612), entered 20 February 2026 U.S. District Court, S.D. Fla. (RECAP copy via CourtListener) Primary source

2. Case 1:21-cv-21940-BB Document 534 Entered on FLSD Docket 08/01/2025

   Supports: Verdict date (scanned form; only the header is text)

   Jury Verdict (ECF 534) U.S. District Court, S.D. Fla. (RECAP copy via CourtListener) Primary source

3. Defendant TESLA, INC. appeals to the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit from this Court's final judgment

   Supports: Appeal (entered 03/16/2026)

   Notice of Appeal (ECF 616) U.S. District Court, S.D. Fla. (RECAP copy via CourtListener) Primary source

4. 1 May 25, 2021 NOTICE OF REMOVAL (STATE COURT COMPLAINT – Complaint for Damages and Demand for Jury Trial)

   Supports: Docket number; removal May 25, 2021

   Benavides v. Tesla, Inc, 1:21-cv-21940 (docket) CourtListener (PACER/RECAP docket) Primary source

5. Execution of the final judgment is stayed until 30 days after the latest of (1) the expiration of the time to petition for a writ of certiorari

   Supports: Judgment stayed pending appeal

   Order approving stipulation to waive appeal bond and stay execution pending appeal (ECF 619), entered 18 March 2026 U.S. District Court, S.D. Fla. (RECAP copy via CourtListener) Primary source