Scott V. Berglund of our North Florida/Tallahassee office is pleased to report a big win on behalf of the Palm Beach County School District and insurance carrier F.A. Richard & Associates. Judge of Compensation Claims Timothy M. Basquill in West Palm Beach ruled the statute of limitations expired. The Claimant was a bus driver who was involved in several accidents over the years involving her shoulder, neck, and lower back. After years of initial litigation, all Petitions were resolved in […]

Carmen Rodriguez-Altieri, an associate in the firm’s Miami office, has been chosen for the third year in a row as a 2011 Rising Star in Construction Litigation by Florida Super Lawyers Magazine. “Only 2.5% of attorneys in their geographical region are named to the Rising Stars list. The selection process is based on peer nominations and independent research.” The magazine has also recognized Bernard I. Probst and Thomas Falcon, partners in the Miami office. Listings will appear in the magazine […]

Claimant at maximum medical improvement with no permanent impairment not entitled to continued remedial medical care. Beth Leahy and Douglas Cohen of WLSC’s Fort Lauderdale office successfully obtained a Summary Final Order in favor of the Employer/Carrier in the case of Pedro Vasquez v. Office Depot on March 18, 2011. The Claimant sought additional remedial medical care, but was found to have reached Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI) with no permanent impairment in a prior final compensation order. MMI occurs when […]

In lower and superior court victories represented by WLSC, the Fourth DCA agreed that a rooftop worker was not hired by the defendent, so defense was not liable for a catastrophic injury  Grubb & Ellis, Co., the property manager of several commercial warehouse buildings in Fort Lauderdale, recently prevailed on appeal and sustained a Summary Judgment which was granted at the trial level. The Plaintiff sued Grubb & Ellis after he was injured in a work place accident while conducting […]

After three days of trial in May, a Melbourne, Fla. jury returned a defense verdict in favor of WLSC clients WRI-SRP Indian Harbour, LLC and Weingarten Realty Management Company. The Plaintiff suffered a displaced fracture of her elbow when she fell in the Defendants’ parking lot at a shopping center in the town of Indian Harbour Beach, allegedly as a result of tripping on a wheel stop in a handicapped parking space. In a hard fought case Miami Associate Tom […]

Senior Partner Beth Leahy recently addressed the Broward Chapter of the Risk and Insurance Management Society (RIMS), titled “Social Media: New Frontier, New Risk.” More clients are asking for consultation and education in new and old areas of law. For example Leahy also recently lectured in Tampa on “Investigation Techniques and Fraud Claims.” Risk managers are often happy to learn that WLSC offers such seminars for in-house audiences, and the firm has veteran speakers able to address concerns. Enquire with […]

Her Tail Bone May Be Connected to Her Wrist Bone, But It Wasn’t Close Enough. On October 20, 2010, Bernard Probst, Cristina Brodermann, and Ian Ronderos tried the workers’ compensation fraud case of Ivonne Hunter v. Mercy Hospital before Judge Charles M. Hill. Ms. Hunter had altered a doctor’s prescription form for a CT scan of her wrist, so as to include her cervical and lumbar spine in the CT scan. Claimant claimed that a receptionist spoke to a doctor […]

Call Linda Fullwood to register at (561) 689-6700. Visit www.Waltonlantaff.com for updates. FOUR LOCATIONS FOR 2011 Fort Lauderdale January 20, 2011 Marriott North, 6650 N. Andrews Ave., Ft. Laud. Tampa February 3, 2011 Hilton Tampa Airport Westshore, 2225 N. Lois Ave., Tampa Tallahassee March 10, 2011 Residence Inn, 600 W. Gaines Street, Tallahassee Lake Mary Date TBA 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. PROGRAM 9-10 a.m. PLENARY 1: “What do They Think We Do Right or Do Wrong in Claims Handling” […]

Alienated Premises Exclusion Applies to Damage Occurring Subsequent to Property Sale In a marathon-like victory, requiring three hearings and over four hours of argument for summary judgment, Judge Edward Fine granted final summary judgment in favor of the insurer based on the alienated premises exclusion. Here, the buyers of property brought suit against the insured for damages arising out of the insured’s misrepresentations as to the condition of the home.  Damage to the property existed prior to the sale of […]

GEICO Insurance Company, represented by Tom Caldwell and Stephanie Bandy of Walton Lantaff Schroeder and Carson, successfully appealed a summary judgment entered against it by a Miami-Dade Court. Plaintiff Sanchez, a Miami lawyer, sued GEICO claiming that GEICO violated Florida law by failing to provide him with a required notice that his policy of automobile insurance was about to expire. Sanchez did not pay his renewal premium when due, allegedly because he did not get any notice from GEICO, and […]