On July 20, 2020 the First District Court of Appeals issued an opinion in the case LSG Sky Chefs, Inc. / Liberty Mutual Insurance Company v. Santaella, Case. No. 1D19-4073, affirming the Judge of Compensation Claims’ order denying the Employer/Carrier (E/C) misrepresentation defense. The pertinent Florida statute in dispute is statute 440.105(4)(b)1-3., which states it is unlawful for any person to make, or cause to be made, any false, fraudulent, incomplete, or misleading oral or written statement for the purpose […]

Walton Lantaff Schroeder & Carson invites you to attend a free CEU course: “Dealing with Public Adjusters and Loss Consultants (Webinar)” Date: Friday August 14, 2020Time: 10:30 a.m. EDTDuration: 1 hour (approx.) REGISTER HERE: https://bit.ly/jose-ian-0814 Provider #1256 (Walton Lantaff)Course ID #1127775Course Offering 113720Course Authority: CE0324ACourse Level: Intermediate This webinar is designed as a panel discussion to address the duties of public adjusters as well as the emergence of loss consultants involved in adjusting property insurance losses. It will discuss the […]

On June 24, 2020, the Third District Court of Appeal issued an opinion in the case of Peoples Trust Insurance Company v. Lavadie, et al., Case No. 3D-19-1153 (which consolidated Case Nos.: 3D19-962 and 3D19-810).  The opinion addresses two consolidated appeals from a property insurance case originating in Miami-Dade County challenging the insurance company’s right to compel appraisal prior to litigation.  Of note is the Court’s clarification as to insured’s argument claiming waiver of the appraisal provision for failing to […]

To register click below:https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_d0mgTuAGShC30NtbuGdK0g

Allison C. Hartnett, Esq. is the Firm’s newly elected Managing Partner.  She is the first female to hold the position in the Firm’s 85-year history.  After attending Bunnell High School in Stratford, Connecticut, and undergraduate school at the University of Connecticut, she found her way to law school in Miami. It was while she was still in law school that Ms. Hartnett came to the Firm as a law clerk. She never left. After graduating from The University of Miami […]

When an insured makes a property claim to their insurance carrier, the insurer has the right to investigate that claim prior to an insured filing a lawsuit. One of the common pre-suit policy conditions contained in an insurance policy is an insurance company’s right to request a signed, sworn proof of loss is provided within a specified period of time from the Insured, generally 60 days. A signed, sworn proof of loss is a document prepared by or on behalf […]

How to Turn an Opposing Counsel’s Sneaky Tactic into a Winning Defense When defending a first-party property insurance hurricane claim, ensuring that the plaintiff’s counsel complies with the insurance policy’s supplemental claim provision is critical. Many policies require that the Insured provide a supplemental claim prior to filing suit when the cause of loss is due to a hurricane. The supplemental claim is almost always a repair and/or replacement estimate provided by a public adjuster on behalf of the plaintiff. […]

Ms. Benson-Villegas is an associate attorney in the Miami Office who primarily practices in the area of first-party insurance defense. Ms. Sandler Cromer is a partner in the Fort Lauderdale Office, her practice consists of insurance coverage and appellate matters.

With the advent of the current global pandemic and when considering your own health and providing for your family in the future, a Will will ensure your affairs are handled per your request after death. However, have you considered what might happen if you become incapacitated? Given the current global health climate, you should be concerned with having your affairs handled in the event of incapacity. The following estate planning documents are ones that every single adult, no matter your […]

Florida Supreme Court Amends Administrative Order 20-23 extending the suspension of Statewide grand jury proceedings through July 26, 2020, and all other jury proceedings, including grand jury proceedings, jury selection proceedings, and criminal and civil jury trials remain suspended through July 17, 2020. CLICK HERE TO READ THE ORDER