Benavides v. Tesla (Autopilot)
Benavides v. Tesla — Autopilot Wrongful Death Verdict (S.D. Fla.)
S.D. Fla. · Benavides v. Tesla, Inc., No. 1:21-cv-21940 (S.D. Fla. Aug. 1, 2025)
- Status
- Blocked / in litigation
- Took effect
- August 1, 2025
- Applies to
- Tesla, Inc.
A Florida federal jury found Tesla 33% liable in August 2025 for the 2019 death of Naibel Benavides Leon, in a crash involving Autopilot. The jury awarded $243M ($129M compensatory + $200M punitive); in February 2026 the court denied Tesla's post-trial motions and upheld the verdict in full — the first Autopilot wrongful-death verdict against Tesla.
Who is protected: Pedestrians, cyclists, and bystanders injured by Autopilot-engaged Teslas
Legal detail
Benavides v. Tesla, Inc., No. 1:21-cv-21940 (S.D. Fla., verdict Aug. 1, 2025; Judge Beth Bloom). Jury allocated 33% fault to Tesla and 67% to the driver; awarded $129M compensatory and $200M punitive damages, left in place when the court denied Tesla's post-trial motions on Feb. 19, 2026 (ECF 612); Tesla appealed on Mar. 16, 2026 (11th Cir. No. 26-10858, pending). Distinct from Banner v. Tesla (Jeremy Banner, 2019 Delray Beach crash), a separate Florida state-court action. Theory: Autopilot defective design and failure to warn under Florida products-liability law; Tesla allegedly marketed Autopilot beyond its actual ODD (operational design domain).
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | S.D. Fla. |
|---|---|
| Level | Federal |
| Citation | Benavides v. Tesla, Inc., No. 1:21-cv-21940 (S.D. Fla. Aug. 1, 2025) |
| Topics | consumer protection · automated decision-making |
| Court record | Tesla Autopilot $243M Verdict — Reuters |
Related consumer protection rules elsewhere
- Missouri AI Therapy Chatbot Ban (SB 1019) · In effect
- Vermont Data Broker Law (H.211) · Enacted (not yet in effect)
- Arkansas Frank Broyles Act AI amendment — voice and likeness protection (2025) · In effect
- PA v. Character.AI (Fake Psychiatrist Chatbot) · Blocked / in litigation
- NAACP v. xAI (Colossus 2 Air Pollution) · Blocked / in litigation
- RI Therapy Chatbot Ban (2026) · In effect
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