News & Insights

A wide range of claims adjusters and risk managers attending the Florida Workers Compensation Institute Conference will benefit from a deep dive breakout session being offered on the subject of the Medicare Secondary Payer Act, Wednesday, Aug. 24th from 8:45 am to 3:45 pm. Sharing a panel discussion at 11:30 am, WLSC’s Michele E. Ready will address “MSA Allocations, Approvals, and Administration.” The panel will go through a comprehensive overview of Medicare Set Aside allocations, approval process, and the impact […]

The importance of hiring a Real Estate attorney/Title Agent/Settlement Agent to handle your real estate transaction is critical. In today’s real estate market, Buyer/Seller/Lenders face new risks when purchasing real property: Changes to title insurance underwriting rules and regulations that can lead to policies that do not insure Buyer/Lender’s of specific title exceptions; Recent foreclosures, short sales, and MERS practices require specific compliance to insure marketable title; and Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) changes to Settlement Statement preparation and funding […]

Walton Lantaff Schroeder & Carson congratulates our Miami partner James T. Armstrong on his appointment as 2011 National Chairperson of the Lawyers For Children America Board of Directors. LFCA is a national non-profit child advocacy group that provides direct pro bono legal representation to children who are victims of abuse, abandonment, or neglect and collaborates for systemic change to improve children’s lives. Jim has been representing the child clients of this deserving organization for over 25 years. Lawyers For Children […]

Millstone v. Keyes, Preira, Jonasz & Keyes, LLP, Law office of Richard J. Preira & Richard J. Preira, 4D09-1689, (Fla. 4th DCA 2011), Appellees represented by Deborah Fitzgerald of the Fort Lauderdale office, oral argument was held on Jan. 25, 2011. McMillan v. FAU and Department of Risk Management, 1D10-3816, (Fla. 1st DCA 2011), Appellees represented by Michele Ready of the Miami office, oral argument was held on January 19, 2011. Bruce v. Sentinel Property Management Group, LLC, 53 So. […]

Scott V. Berglund of our North Florida/Tallahassee office is pleased to report a big win on behalf of the Palm Beach County School District and insurance carrier F.A. Richard & Associates. Judge of Compensation Claims Timothy M. Basquill in West Palm Beach ruled the statute of limitations expired. The Claimant was a bus driver who was involved in several accidents over the years involving her shoulder, neck, and lower back. After years of initial litigation, all Petitions were resolved in […]

Carmen Rodriguez-Altieri, an associate in the firm’s Miami office, has been chosen for the third year in a row as a 2011 Rising Star in Construction Litigation by Florida Super Lawyers Magazine. “Only 2.5% of attorneys in their geographical region are named to the Rising Stars list. The selection process is based on peer nominations and independent research.” The magazine has also recognized Bernard I. Probst and Thomas Falcon, partners in the Miami office. Listings will appear in the magazine […]

Claimant at maximum medical improvement with no permanent impairment not entitled to continued remedial medical care. Beth Leahy and Douglas Cohen of WLSC’s Fort Lauderdale office successfully obtained a Summary Final Order in favor of the Employer/Carrier in the case of Pedro Vasquez v. Office Depot on March 18, 2011. The Claimant sought additional remedial medical care, but was found to have reached Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI) with no permanent impairment in a prior final compensation order. MMI occurs when […]

In lower and superior court victories represented by WLSC, the Fourth DCA agreed that a rooftop worker was not hired by the defendent, so defense was not liable for a catastrophic injury  Grubb & Ellis, Co., the property manager of several commercial warehouse buildings in Fort Lauderdale, recently prevailed on appeal and sustained a Summary Judgment which was granted at the trial level. The Plaintiff sued Grubb & Ellis after he was injured in a work place accident while conducting […]

After three days of trial in May, a Melbourne, Fla. jury returned a defense verdict in favor of WLSC clients WRI-SRP Indian Harbour, LLC and Weingarten Realty Management Company. The Plaintiff suffered a displaced fracture of her elbow when she fell in the Defendants’ parking lot at a shopping center in the town of Indian Harbour Beach, allegedly as a result of tripping on a wheel stop in a handicapped parking space. In a hard fought case Miami Associate Tom […]

Senior Partner Beth Leahy recently addressed the Broward Chapter of the Risk and Insurance Management Society (RIMS), titled “Social Media: New Frontier, New Risk.” More clients are asking for consultation and education in new and old areas of law. For example Leahy also recently lectured in Tampa on “Investigation Techniques and Fraud Claims.” Risk managers are often happy to learn that WLSC offers such seminars for in-house audiences, and the firm has veteran speakers able to address concerns. Enquire with […]