Brain-injured paratrooper wins $2.3 million

By Merylee Robbins

Published on April 06, 2006

After a night of drinking and disruptive behavior at the Palomino nightclub, Myran Gerald Hunt, 32, approached Reyes-Serra and a friend as they entered the shopping center where the bar is located. Mistaking Reyes-Serra for a bar-patron who had been talking to his girlfriend, Hunt began swearing at the men and proceeded to punch Reyes-Serra. After being hit, Reyes-Serra's head struck the pavement causing a fractured skull, herniated disk, severe brain injuries and loss of his sense of taste and smell. During the six months following the attack, Reyes-Serra suffered repeated seizures and mood swings and underwent intensive rehabilitation to relearn everyday tasks. As a result of his brain injury, Reyes Serra lost his designation as a paratrooper in the U.S. Army; however, he still continues to serve as a soldier.

On Nov. 6, 2003 Hunt plead guilty to criminal assault inflicting serious bodily injury in addition to drunk and disorderly conduct, and was sentenced to 12 months of supervised probation. Reyes-Serra subsequently filed his lawsuit against Hunt on August 20, 2004 and Hunt failed to appear in court on March 13. Hunt was ordered to pay $2.3 million in damages. $500,000 of the amount was designated to be paid to Reyes-Serra's wife and $33,356.13 to the U.S. Government to cover incurred medical expenses.

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