It is sometimes possible for employees injured on the job in Florida to be compensated through both the state’s workers’ compensation system and its civil justice system. As to the compensation available and the manner in which the compensation is sought and received, the systems are more different than they…
Under the legal doctrine of respondeat superior, employers can be held liable for the negligent or purposeful acts of their employees. See Valeo v. East Coast Furniture Co., 95 So. 3d 921, 925 (Fla. 4th DCA 2012) (holding negligence of employee imputed to employer when employee “committed the negligent act:…
In just about every personal injury and workers’ compensation case, the defense will seek the production of records from non-parties to the suit. The typical non-party targets are medical providers and insurance companies. In most instances, the records sought were not generated in connection with the subject case. The defense…
In every negligence action for injuries or wrongful death the plaintiff must establish (1) a duty owed by the defendant; (2) the defendant’s breach of the duty; and (3) and that said breach proximately caused the damages claimed. In negligence actions Florida courts follow the more likely than not standard…
On March 24, 2023, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed into law a bill passed by the Florida Legislature aimed at limiting the rights of individuals from seeking and obtaining civil redress in the courts for personal injuries. The bill is House Bill 837. Parts of the bill became effective when…
We have a case in which the defendant knowingly did the same thing after we sued him that he denied doing knowingly in our case. The thing he has denied doing forms the crux of our case. The case is on the trial docket. In the lead-up to calendar call,…
Florida employees hurt at work have the potential of being compensated under the State’s workers’ compensation and civil laws. To recover under civil law against employers and fellow employees (including corporate officers or directors, supervisors, and managers), employees must overcome workers’ compensation immunity. Section 440.11(1)(b), Florida Statutes sets out what employees…
Parties to civil lawsuits in Florida have the right to learn things about an opponent’s case through a process called discovery. The discovery procedures are set forth in the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure. Rule 1.280 sets forth the general methods and scope of discovery. Concerning scope, subsection (b)(1) provides…
“Ignorance of the law is no defense” is a popular expression. It means that a person will not be excused from punishment for not knowing that particular conduct was against the law. A similar rule holds true when it comes to written documents: Ignorance of a document’s content does not…
The competition to advance money to those injured in accidents is fierce. The reason for the fierce competition is the potentially high rate of return on the investment. Numerous companies, some large with a national presence, engage in the competition. Because their only security is the injury case itself (workers’…