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Articles Posted in Personal Injury

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Jeffrey P. Gale, P.A. // Exculpatory Clauses Place Florida School Children at Risk

One of the main goals behind holding individuals and corporations accountable for the damage caused by their negligence is to make society a safer place. The thinking is that to avoid the substantial hassle and expense of lawsuits and damage awards, thoughtful people will act reasonably. An exculpatory clause purports…

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Jeffrey P. Gale, P.A. // UM Carrier Not Entitled to Setoff for Benefits Paid by Private Health Insurance

The law disfavors windfall recoveries and insurance carriers are always seeking to be the beneficiaries of this public policy. One way carriers seek to benefit from this policy is by reducing jury verdicts by amounts recovered in damages from other sources. This is known as “Setoff.” Uninsured and underinsured motor…

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Jeffrey P. Gale, P.A. // $2 Million Settlement Achieved by Avoiding Florida’s Workers’ Compensation Immunity Law

What began as a product liability investigation, ended in a $2,000,000 personal injury settlement against the owner of an altered riding lawnmower (pictured). Our client lost his right leg when run over by the lawnmower he was operating for his employer. Initially thinking that the mower was owned by the employer,…

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Jeffrey P. Gale, P.A. // Where the Insurance Policy is Delivered Can Matter

We recently resolved a case involving a reimbursement dispute under an Occupational Health & Disability Insurance Policy. Our client, an independent trucker, had sustained catastrophic injuries from being struck by a motor vehicle as he was changing a tire while parked in a gore on I-95 in Florida. He was…

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Jeffrey P. Gale, P.A. // Proceed Cautiously With Settlement Releases

Think of an injury case like navigating a ship from one port to another. Signing up the case is the equivalent of throwing off the ropes and pulling safely away from the dock. Being at sea is analogous to litigation. Some days you will eat the bear and some days…

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Jeffrey P. Gale, P.A. // Personal Injury/Wrongful Death Damages Can Include Those Caused by an Aggravating Intervening Cause

We are representing the surviving spouse of an elderly gentleman who fell and broke his hip due to the negligence of a condominium association. While hospitalized for the serious injury, he contracted Covid 19 and died. Our claim against the condo association is for his wrongful death rather just for…

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Jeffrey P. Gale, P.A. // Health and Disability Insurance Reimbursement Rights in Florida Personal Injury Cases

It is common for health and disability (lost wages) insurance companies to pay benefits to their insureds who have been injured through the negligence of others. Most of the insurance policies contain language granting the insurance company a right of reimbursement for the money it has paid out from the…

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Jeffrey P. Gale, P.A. // Ordinary Negligence vs. Medical Negligence (Malpractice)

The difficulties and limitations associated with medical negligence claims are many. The list includes: Medical malpractice claims have a shorter statute of limitations than ordinary negligence claims — two years versus four years. See § 95.11(4)(b) and § 95.11(3)(a). Prospective medical malpractice plaintiffs must comply with complex and costly presuit…

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Jeffrey P. Gale, P.A. // Personal Injuries Sustained in Subsequent Accident May Be Compensable

We currently represent an elderly woman who was knocked down in the hallway of her condominium building by a large, unleashed dog. She fell and struck her head on the ground. In the days following the event, she had headaches and was lightheaded. While taking a shower, she fainted. As…

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Jeffrey P. Gale, P.A. // Licensed Massage Therapists Not Entitled to PIP Payments

Personal Injury Protection (PIP) is mandatory insurance coverage for Florida motor vehicle owners. It covers a limited amount of medical expenses and lost wages, typically $10,000 total. The PIP statute,  s. 627.736, is particular as to which types of medical providers may seek reimbursement. In Geico General Insurance Co. v.…

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