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Lawsuit Earns 300% Larger Settlement A BIG WIN FOR A GREAT CLIENT!
I received a pleasant surprise in the way of an unscheduled office visit from a former client on Sept. 5, 2015. He advised our receptionist, Samantha, that he had questions because he had been involved in an automobile accident. Samantha relayed the information to me, and I am glad I happened to be present so I could go speak to my former client, friend, and neighbor, Robert Duprey. Mr. Duprey, a very pleasant U.S. veteran and retired air traffic controller, had questions because he was injured in an automobile accident just two days before. The driver of a medical supply van ran a stop sign and crashed into the front passenger side of his vehicle. Mr. Duprey was concerned because he was in pain and had done absolutely nothing to cause this crash, which happened less than two miles from his home. lumbar fusion from a work-related accident in 2010. His injuries also involved the aggravation of pre-existing degeneration and new injuries to his neck. He suffered an aggravation to a pre-existing right shoulder injury, too. Mr. Duprey exhausted all conservative treatment options and, ultimately, required two surgeries to repair injuries he suffered to his neck and right shoulder. Mr. Duprey incurred significant medical and other out-of-pocket expenses which the insurance company initially refused to adequately compensate him for. In fact, it became clear to us that the at-fault driver’s insurance company simply wasn’t going to be fair to My client suffered significant injuries from this crash. His injuries involved the aggravation of a pre-existing
my client unless I filed a lawsuit against their driver. In June of 2017, approximately four months after Mr. Duprey underwent a three-level cervical fusion, we filed a lawsuit against the driver of the supply company and the company itself. Under Florida law, an employer is responsible for the negligent acts of its employee when those negligent acts are committed during the duration of the employment. An employer may also be held responsible for negligence in their hiring and retention of their employees. For instance, a pizza delivery business who hires a delivery driver with multiple prior convictions for reckless driving or speeding exposes itself to liability for negligent hiring should this driver cause a crash. One of the most complicated parts of pursuing a claim for damages from any kind of accident is proving what injuries the accident caused and the value of those injuries to the plaintiff. Degenerative and other changes in the spine and prior accidents can really complicate the evaluation process. Insurance companies are careful to make sure they pay for only the damages and losses they are legally responsible for, and the plaintiff’s experienced lawyers are zealous about maximizing the value of their clients’ settlements. In 2010, Mr. Duprey underwent a lumbar fusion to repair an old job-related injury. He did well after his lumbar fusion and eventually was able to continue with the same lifestyle he had become accustomed to — boating and fishing as much as possible. I am very grateful for Mr. Duprey’s doctors who helped him
recover from his injuries, allowing him to return to the lifestyle he enjoys so much!
The insurance company’s highest pre-suit offer to settle Mr. Duprey’s claim was $100,000. We filed a lawsuit and the Insurance company eventually paid $310,000 to resolve the claim. Now, 27 months after the accident, Mr. Duprey can appreciate closure and go back to living easy and enjoying his retirement.
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Narrow the Field and Find the Perfect Fit
Injury Claims and Monetary Damages in FLORIDA Have you or a loved one suffered an injury because of someone else’s negligence? Perhaps you know someone who has been involved in auto accident? Regardless of whether your injury results from a minor fender bender or from a semi-truck accident, you may be entitled to compensation. How much? Well, calculating and substantiating the amount of compensation you may be entitled to is complicated. Consult with an experienced Florida personal injury attorney to ensure you maximize the monetary damages you may be entitled to. Sadly enough, companies will push truck drivers to drive further and longer than what is considered safe, even at risk of violating governmental regulations. Generally, an employer A child being left with family is always best for everyone. In the event neither parent or responsible family member is available then consider the following advice: Date night is good for the whole family, and the University of Lincoln found that, even when all other factors are removed, couples who regularly go out together are more likely to stay together. But child care is a full-time job, and it doesn’t leave much room for romantic moonlit strolls. Having a great babysitter will free up your schedule for some much-needed couple time. But how do you find a sitter you can trust? These tips and resources will help you find a sitter your whole family will feel comfortable with. SEEK OUT PERSONAL RECOMMENDATIONS When you’re looking for a high-trust service like babysitting, it’s often best to ask friends and family for
recommendations. This is especially true if you know people whose children are a similar age as your own. Be sure to ask questions about the referrals you receive and make sure your potential sitter will be a good fit for your family’s needs. TURN TO TRUSTED LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS Colleges, neighborhoods, and places of worship often maintain lists of reliable sitters within the community. Asking members of these groups for testimonials will help you gauge a candidate’s professionalism. Kindergartens and day care centers are another great local resource to turn to. Often, teachers and assistants will moonlight as sitters, bringing with them a host of child care skills. SURF THE WEB There are great web-based resources for finding babysitters. Make sure the sites you visit are properly accredited and have plenty of good reviews. Most
national sites do a full background check on all of their listed sitters. These almost always charge a membership fee, but many parents feel that added layer of security is worth it. CONDUCT INTERVIEWS Ultimately, the only way you can know if a candidate is the right babysitter for you is to meet them yourself. Make sure the whole family is present; you’ll want to pay attention to how your potential sitter interacts with your kids during the interview. Ask questions specific to your family’s needs and keep the needs of the sitter in mind, as well. Finding a babysitter who can give you and your partner peace of mind is essential. Thankfully, there’s a wealth of local and web-based resources you can pull from.With a little inquiring, you’ll be able to leave home knowing your children are in great hands.
is liable for the actions and misdeeds of their employees while they are at work.When a company directly violates a regulation, they may be strictly liable for the resulting injuries and damages. The injured party may even be entitled to make a claim for punitive damages, which is additional monetary relief awarded to the plaintiff solely to punish the defendant, and to deter them from engaging in acts of gross negligence in the future. Preserving evidence after any type of accident is extremely important. It is very helpful to document and maintain a diary of how your injuries restrict your daily activities. One should keep detailed notes of symptoms, limitations, restrictions, medications, doctor appointments, and physical therapy
appointments. This documentation provides evidence for your claim and can make all the difference in your case. If you have questions about preserving evidence related to a claim for personal injuries, ask your lawyer. Finally, do not talk to any insurance company before you speak with a lawyer. An insurance company’s primary goal is to get out of paying you all of the compensation you deserve. Remember, it is only your lawyer who always has your best interests in mind. If you have been involved in any type of accident where you believe you have been injured through no fault of your own, then call us today at (904) 360-6100.We will get you the compensation you deserve!
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“JACKSONVILLE’S ATTORNEY AT LAW.”
ALWAYS Speak to a Lawyer BEFORE FILING AN INSURANCE CLAIM
N obody expects to file an insurance claim; companies have two goals: 1) collecting premiums and 2) minimizing their payout on claims. If you find yourself in a position to file a claim, it is highly recommended that you speak with an experienced attorney so you can better prepare yourself to fight against lowball offers and improper denials. When filing a claim, there’s a good chance you will be dealing with an at-fault party’s insurance company.The most important thing to know is that you have rights and obligations, regardless of whether you are making a claim or maintaining your insurance coverage.You also have rights and obligations in regard to the information you may be required to share with an insurance company. Another important obligation arises anytime a person is involved in an automobile accident in the state of Florida. If you are filing a claim for injuries related to an automobile accident in Florida, you have an obligation to regardless, claims are made every single day. Those who have filed will tell you that insurance
seek medical treatment within 14 days from the date of the crash. If you do not seek medical treatment within 14 days, you could lose a minimum of $10,000 in Florida “no- fault” benefits you would otherwise be entitled to. Often, consumers find themselves giving up valuable information they never had to share in the first place. Insurance representatives are skilled at obtaining information from you that can be used against you in your claim.That’s why it’s so important to hire an insurance claims lawyer.They can advise you on what information to share and what information to withhold.Your lawyer’s job is to ensure that your rights as a consumer are protected. Low payouts and claim denials help save insurance companies millions of dollars.The only way to protect your rights as a consumer is to retain an experienced insurance claims attorney to represent you. If you need help filing an insurance claim or if your claim has been denied, call us today at (904) 360-6100. Don’t give in! Get the help you need today.
TAKE A BREAK BACON-WRAPPED TATER TOT BOMBS
Sure, your showoff pal can wrap a tater tot with a piece of bacon and call it “The Daniel,” but you can take it a step further. Prepare a couple batches of these savory snacks for your Super Bowl party or the next family get-together. Snag a few for yourself before they disappear!
Wintery Appalachian Pass
Ingredients
• • •
2 cups frozen tater tots, defrosted
• •
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 ounce sharp cheddar, cut into 1/4-inch squares
1 tablespoon chopped parsley
4 slices bacon, quartered
Directions
1.
Heat oven to 400 F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. Press a cheese square into each tot, then wrap with a piece of bacon. Dredge each tot in brown sugar.
3.
Place tots seam side down on baking sheet. Bake for 20–25 minutes, using metal tongs to turn halfway through. Garnish with parsley, if desired, and serve immediately.
2.
4.
South Carolina Off-Road Adventure
Recipe inspired by ThisGrandmaIsFun.com.
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MAXIMIZING THE VALUE OF YOUR AUTO CLAIM INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1. 2. DO YOU HAVE THE RIGHT BABYSITTER? HAVE YOU BEEN INJURED THROUGH NO FAULT OF YOUR OWN? BEFORE YOU FILE AN INSURANCE CLAIM, DO THIS! BACON-WRAPPED TATER TOT BOMBS 3.
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HAVE YOU HEARD OF RUBY CHOCOLATE?
Sample These
Chocolate lovers, rejoice! After 80 years, a new variety of chocolate has finally graced the world: ruby chocolate. This naturally pink chocolate, created by Swiss chocolatier Barry Callebaut, is not milky like milk chocolate, sweet like white chocolate, or bitter like dark chocolate. Instead, Callebaut describes the flavor of his confection as a “tension between berry fruitiness and luscious smoothness.” Unfortunately, while ruby chocolate sounds like a wonderful treat, it is not yet available to consumers. So, as you wait for ruby chocolate to be stocked in your local grocery store or candy boutique, satisfy your chocolate cravings with some sweet facts about your favorite treat. IMPOSTERS! The names of certain chocolates can be very misleading. German chocolate cake, for example, is not named after the country of Germany. It’s actually an American dessert that was first baked in 1852,
named for its creator, Sam German, and originally called “German’s chocolate cake.”White chocolate also suffers from a mistaken identity. Made primarily from cocoa butter, white chocolate does not contain any cocoa solids, which means it’s not technically chocolate. WHAT’S IN A NAME? The ancient Mayans are credited as the first people to grow and consume chocolate. However, the word “chocolate” comes from the later Aztec civilization.The Aztecs loved a bitter, spicy beverage made from cacao beans called “xocoatl.”And since we’re on the topic of words, the scientific name for the tree that grows cacao beans,Theobroma cacao, is a Greek word, which translates to “food of the gods.”This just proves cocoa connoisseurs were right all along — chocolate really is divine. A SWEET DEAL Speaking of the Aztecs, their civilization loved chocolate so much that cacao seeds
were used as a form of currency in Mesoamerica. During the American Revolution, chocolate was still accepted as payment, sometimes used in soldiers’ rations in lieu of wages. Even today, chocolate remains a valuable commodity.The chocolate industry is worth around $110 billion a year. Humans have enjoyed the sweet pleasures of chocolate for thousands of years.And with so many chapters of candy history left to explore, namely ruby chocolate’s eventual entrance, it’s clear the treat won’t go out of style any time soon.
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