26Mar
As a precaution against the evolving COVID-19 health emergency, the Florida Supreme Court provided additional direction to Florida courts – and to "parties" and court "participants" – in a March 24, 2020 administrative order (AOSC20-17). Principally, the new Order extends to April 17, 2020, the suspensions, delayed deadlines, and restrictions of prior orders (AOSC20-13, AOSC20-15, and AOSC20-16). The Order cautions that further restrictions may be forthcoming. The Order recognizes the "pandemic continues to have a massive effect upon the operations of the State Courts System and the lives of all Floridians." As with prior orders, the Court's purpose is "to[...]
20Feb
CSK Miami Partner Richard Adams and Jacksonville Associate Christopher Walsh recently obtained a very favorable verdict after a week-long trial in Jacksonville, Florida. The case involved a rear-end accident with admitted liability. The defendant was in the course of his employment and driving a company van. The plaintiff claimed significant injury and had undergone a one level cervical fusion. Following surgery, the Plaintiff still complained of continued neck and back pain and was therefore on a lifetime course of pain management. Plaintiff’s past economics were over $200,000, and at trial, Plaintiff asked the jury for $1.8 million. The jury found[...]
18Feb
CSK Orlando Partner Robert (Bob) Swift recently obtained a complete defense verdict in an insurance agent errors and omissions (negligence) case seeking $825,000. Our client was sued for negligence and breach of fiduciary duty for selling an insurance policy to a tennis center that contained a comprehensive exclusion for tennis operations. Plaintiff was severely injured warming up for a match and the insurer denied coverage under the exclusion. Plaintiff had severe, permanent nerve damage to her wrist and hand, and could no longer play tennis or perform routine tasks. After a 4-day trial, Bob obtained a directed verdict on the[...]
22Nov
CSK Partners Barry Postman, Jonathan Vine and Justin Levine of the firm’s West Palm Beach office obtained a complete defense verdict in a two week jury trial held in Federal Court today. CSK represented two lawyers and their law firm in defense of a multi-million dollar claim for legal malpractice and fraud stemming from the lawyers representation of real estate developers in a complicated commercial development. It was alleged that the CSK clients failed to keep their clients (the Plaintiffs) informed of their representation, agreed to the entry of a final judgment without consent, and then concealed their efforts by[...]
31Oct
CSK Partners Dan Shapiro and Mary Elizabeth (“Liz”) Lanier of the Firm’s Tampa Office obtained a complete defense verdict in a survival action in Pinellas County, Florida after a 7-day trial. Plaintiff, by and through the Estate of the former nursing home resident, alleged nursing home negligence where the resident suffered a stroke which went unrecognized by the facility’s staff, causing a delay in treatment, catastrophic injuries, and lingering disabilities for the remainder of the resident’s life (four years). During closing arguments, Plaintiff’s counsel asked the jury to award between $25M and $50M for the resident’s disability, medical expenses, and[...]
22Oct
CSK Partners Michelle Bartels and Daniel Shapiro of the firm’s Tampa Office obtained a complete defense verdict at trial in an auto negligence claim. The plaintiff alleged that our client, who was driving a tractor across the road, was negligent in crossing into her path of travel, causing an accident and serious injury. The plaintiff had over $400,000 in medical specials and asked the jury for an award in excess of $2,000,000. The jury deliberated for a few hours before returning a complete defense verdict.
14Oct
Cole, Scott & Kissane, P.A. (CSK) is pleased to announce that Ed Gooda has joined us as an Executive Consultant, assisting with CSK’s London-based insurance business. Mr. Gooda lives and works in London and will serve as a liaison between the United States and London by cultivating and helping to support CSK’s relationships with its clients throughout the London insurance market. Mr. Gooda has worked in the insurance industry since 1988 and has held senior management roles for a number of composite insurers and reinsurers, a managed general agency, a Lloyd’s managing agency and a firm of chartered loss adjusters.[...]
11Oct
CSK Partners Ben Fernandez and David Herrero of the Miami Office obtained a complete defense verdict in a trip and fall case in Miami-Dade. Plaintiff was a very likeable, middle-aged female attorney who tripped and fell over a parking wheelstop inside our client’s retail parking garage. Plaintiff argued through their expert that the wheelstop was a concealed danger due to insufficient lighting and insufficient contrast from the garage floor, and that it was considered an obstruction within a foreseeable means of egress. Plaintiff sustained complex fractures to her foot and ankle which required surgery and left her with only 25%[...]
19Sep
CSK Partners Scott Shelton and Mike Merrill of the Firm’s Orlando office obtained a complete defense verdict in a trip and fall case this week in Orlando, Florida. Plaintiff was a likeable, middle-age female resident of a HOA who was out walking with her husband when she tripped and fell over an uneven sidewalk on our property. It was determined that the defendant had notice of the condition. Plaintiff fractured her arm and, due to complications, had 3 surgeries and over $120,000 in past medicals. At trial, she alleged CRPS as well as additional nerve damage. The primary defense was[...]
18Sep
Cole, Scott & Kissane congratulates its newest Florida Bar members. Read more >>>
