Civil rights attorney Ben Crump has secured a $779 million verdict in a wrongful death case, marking a significant legal victory for the family of Lewis Butler, a Florida security guard fatally shot during an armed robbery in 2023.
A Gadsden County jury awarded $779,389,024.37 to Butler’s widow, Kimberly Butler, after finding that the internet café where the shooting occurred—operated by Fortune MGT 2023 LLC and Manishkumar Patel—was negligent in failing to address known security risks.
Crump argued that the business ignored prior criminal incidents and illegal gambling activity, which directly contributed to Butler’s death.
Butler was shot eight times while protecting a cashier. The civil lawsuit highlighted that a previous robbery at the same location had not been reported, leaving employees and patrons vulnerable.
“Obviously, we want to compensate the family for this monumental loss that they suffered, this monumental wrong that this jury verdict helped to have a monumental right,” Crump said.
Kimberly Butler is now advocating for stricter oversight and the closure of internet gambling cafés, citing their links to criminal activity.
Crump noted that she has testified on the issue since her husband’s death, emphasizing the need for systemic change to prevent future tragedies.
The nearly $780 million award ranks among the largest negligent-security wrongful death settlements in Florida history and represents a broader push for justice in cases affecting Black families, often disproportionately impacted by systemic negligence.
Crump, who gained national recognition representing victims of police brutality such as Ahmaud Arbery, George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Trayvon Martin, continues to use his legal platform to challenge systemic injustices and advocate for marginalized communities.
