The most important job of every personal injury lawyer is to maximize the amount of his or her client’s monetary recovery. The damage elements of every personal injury case are “pain & suffering” and economic damages (which includes lost wages, loss of earning capacity, out-of-pocket expenses, and past and future…
Articles Posted in Litigation
Florida Law: Pre-Incident Waivers Precluding Actions Based on Subsequent Negligence
One would hope and expect in a society purporting to be civilized, that the negligence of any person or company could not be waived before it happened. Astonishingly, Florida law allows just that: pre-accident releases/waivers barring actions based on the subsequent negligence of the released party. In other words, Florida…
“Hot Coffee” – HBO to Air Documentary Exposing the McDonald’s Coffee Case Lies
In a previous blog, The Truth About the McDonalds Coffee Spill Case – Fallacy Debunked, I presented the honest facts about the infamous McDonald’s Coffee Spill case. Sadly, the truth bears little resemblence to the shameless lies spread by Corporate America. Why would Corporate America lie about this case? Simple.…
Florida Civil Law: Liability for Injuries Caused by Broken Chairs
Accidents caused by broken chairs are not uncommon. In some cases, the injuries can be severe (e.g., broken bones; herniated intervertebral discs). Through normal wear and tear, defects can develop that create conditions for imminent accidents. To avoid these dangerous situations, it is necessary to be reasonably observant and even…
Case Law Summary of Florida Employer v. Independent Contractor Liability
McCall vs. Alabama Bruno’s, Inc., 647 So.2d 175 (Fla. 1st DCA 1994): Florida follows the general rule that the employer of an independent contractor is not liable for the contractor’s negligence because the employer has no control over the manner in which the work is done, except when one of…
Florida Personal Injury Litigation: Compulsory Medical Exam (CME) & Invasive Procedures (e.g., X-rays)
Florida Rule of Civil Procedure (FRCP) 1.360(a)(1)(A) allows the defendant in a personal injury case to have a qualified expert of its own choosing perform a medical examination on the plaintiff with regard to the injury or injuries in controversy. This type of examination has come to be referred to…
Medical Malpractice (Amendment 7): Florida Hospitals Thumb Noses at Voters and Supreme Court
In 2004, more than 80-percent of Florida voters passed Amendment 7, technically Article 10 Section 25 of Florida’s Constitution, commonly known as the “Patients’ Right to Know Act.” The amendment provides that “patients have a right to have access to any records made or received in the course of business…
Florida Medical Malpractice – Communicating With Treating Doctors Employed By Defendant Hospital
The question often arises in civil cases as to which witnesses the Plaintiff’s lawyer is prohibited from communicating with outside the presence of the Defendant’s counsel. The answer is governed by Florida Rule of Professional Conduct 4-4.2. The Rule was put to the test in the context of a medical…
Compulsory Medical Exam – Florida Uninsured Motorist (UM) Insureds Beware!
Uninsured Motorist (UM) coverage is 1st party insurance maintained for the benefit of individuals injured by uninsured motorists. See these blogs: Florida 4th in the Nation in Number of Uninsured Vehicles Florida Motor Vehicle Insurance Law: What is Stacked Coverage? “Full Coverage” Vehicle Accident Insurance in Florida An insurance policy…
Death on the High Seas Act (DOHSA) – Cruise Passengers Beware!!!
Hurray for the Miami Heat. Boo (and shame on) Micky Arinson, the billionaire owner of the Heat. Micky Arison also owns Carnival Corporation, the world’s largest cruise operator. While the company operates many of its ships from American ports, enjoying the laws and protections only America can afford, it hides…