ZP&W Attorneys Win $86.5 Million Dollar Verdict for Daughter of Executed Pilot; Court Rules Against

The Miami Herald cited the historic ruling yesterday by Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Ronald Dresnick awarding $86.5 million to Janet Weininger, the daughter of CIA pilot Thomas "Pete" Ray, whose plane was shot down during the April 19, 1961 Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba. After being shot down, Ray was captured, executed and his body was desecrated while on display for nearly two decades. With the assistance of her attorneys, Leon Patricios, Joseph Zumpano and Spencer Eig, Weininger was able seek justice by filing a wrongful death suit against Cuban President Fidel Castro, his brother Raul, and the Republic of Cuba.

Thomas "Pete" Ray was an Alabama National Guard pilot and flew for the CIA during the Bay of Pigs invasion in an attempt to overthrow Castro's government. Flying over Cuban territory, Ray's B26 was shot down by Cuban forces. However, Ray survived the crash landing and was captured. While being held prisoner, Castro ordered Ray's execution which was carried out by a single shot to his right temple. Upon being executed, his body was frozen in a morgue and put on display.  Read More >

Joseph Zumpano Weighs in on Health Care and Immigration

Joseph Zumpano was cited in an article in the Daily Business Review on the financial strains faced by hospitals in South Florida treating a growing number of undocumented immigrants. The article cited a Florida Hospital Association study finding that that in 2002, Florida hospitals spent an estimated $40.2 million caring for undocumented immigrants. The article focused on a recent decision by Florida.s 4th District Court of Appeal ruling that a state judge has no legal authority to deport an illegal immigrant and that such authority was within the sole jurisdiction of federal immigration authorities. The case involved a hospital's effort to airlift a brain damaged illegal immigrant from Guatemala back to his native country. The Court further found that the hospital had failed to comply with federal regulations requiring Medicare certified hospitals to provide appropriate discharge planning, regardless of a patient.s insurance or immigration status. "The message is that because people who come here are going to need medical care, we must have a health care system that treats all people decently, regardless of where they're from or why they're here," said Zumpano, who was not involved in the litigation.

Cuban Defector Pursues Dream

The Miami Herald published an article today on Yolexandry Reina's journey from participation in the Florida Marlin's spring training this year. The article outlined Reina's defection from the Cuban national junior team in Canada, his travels to Costa Rica and his abandonment by his agent because of his confused immigration status. The article stated that "Reina, a 21 year old right hander, found his way back to Canada, only to be arrested for illegal entry, setting off an 18 month legal adventure that didn't end until the Miami firm of Zumpano Patricios & Winker, in concert with the Marlins, got him approved for a U.S. visa in January.