ORLANDO — Three bus passengers are suing a common carrier operator, alleging assault and battery by a bus driver.
Renato Pereira Barbosa, Steve Lizano and Eric Lizano filed a complaint July 30 Orange County Circuit Court against Ortega Jackson Talbert, Mears Transportation Group LLC and Mears Destination Services Inc., alleging Mears negligently hired and retained a driver who will physically assault bus passengers.
According to the complaint, on April 10, 2018, Barbosa, Steve Lizano and Eric Lizano were passengers on the defendants' bus. The suit says Talbert, while acting within the course and scope of his employment with Mears, assaulted and battered the plaintiffs and verbally abused and humiliated them. The lawsuit states the plaintiffs gave Talbert no reason to act in this manner.
The plaintiffs say they sustained serious bodily injuries, resulting in pain and suffering, disability, disfigurement, mental anguish, medical expenses and loss of earnings.
The plaintiffs seek trial by jury and judgment against each defendant of more than $15,000, excluding costs. They are represented by attorney Robert Solomon of Law Office of Saban & Solomon in Plantation.
Orange County Circuit Court case number 18CA008244