John P. Joy John P. “Jack” Joy, Esq. is a Senior Partner at WLSC who works out of the firm’s offices in Fort Lauderdale and Gainesville, as his practice extends throughout the state of Florida. Mr. Joy has been with the Firm since graduating from law school. Originally from New York, Mr. Joy is a “double Gator” having attended the University of Florida for both his undergraduate degree and for law school. After surviving a four-hour interview with one of […]

Walton Lantaff Schroeder & Carson invites you to attend a free CEU course:“How to Successfully Combat Premature Bad Faith Litigation (Webinar)” Date: Wednesday, September 16, 2020Time: 1:00 p.m. EDTDuration: 1 hour (approx.) REGISTER HERE: https://bit.ly/32Qkx0i Provider #1256 (Walton Lantaff)Course ID #1129382Course Offering: #114304Continuing Education: 1 CEUCA Description: CE 3-24A – Adjuster Law and Policy.Level – Intermediate Course DescriptionThis webinar will focus on providing an explanation of what conduct is considered bad faith in the insurance context, updates in case law […]

Whether you are general counsel, vice president of claims, the claims manager of your particular organization, or in charge of overseeing your business’ legal operations, one of your main responsibilities is likely the selection and ongoing evaluation of your defense counsel.  Some of the factors universally considered when making this assessment are the general knowledge, experience and competence of the attorney/firm, the hourly rate being charged, and the coverage area(s) they can assist you with.  However, far too often that […]

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 […]

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.