A Florida jury has awarded $14 million in damages to Brandy Buckley, a Palm Bay resident who suffered severe injuries after consuming ice cream that contained metal nails and shards. The incident occurred in September 2018 at a Bruster’s Ice Cream location, where Buckley purchased a butter pecan cone through a drive-through.

According to court filings, Buckley initially believed the hard object she swallowed was part of the dessert. After taking several bites, she felt something lodged in her throat but assumed it was a pecan. The situation became clear when she later discovered what appeared to be a metal nail embedded in the cone.

Seeking medical attention, Buckley underwent imaging that confirmed she had ingested a metal object. Surgeons subsequently removed a nail and additional metal fragments. According to her legal team, the incident led to serious complications, including internal bleeding and a portal vein thrombosis, a condition involving a blood clot that affects blood flow to the liver.

Further medical treatment was required, and complications from those procedures resulted in permanent infertility. Buckley later testified that she had hoped to have more children, making the outcome particularly difficult.

The lawsuit, filed in 2019 in Brevard County, named Malabar Creameries, which operates Bruster’s locations, alleging the company failed to ensure the safety of its product. The complaint argued that the contamination occurred during the preparation process, despite the company’s claims that its ice cream is made fresh on-site by trained staff.

The defendant denied liability and argued the product was not defective, also raising claims of negligence on the part of the plaintiff. After reviewing the evidence, a six-member jury found in favor of Buckley and awarded damages covering medical costs, pain and suffering, and loss of quality of life.

Attorneys representing Buckley said the verdict reflects the severity of her injuries and the lasting impact on her life. Legal counsel for the defense is expected to pursue an appeal, meaning the case could continue in the courts before any compensation is finalized.