Latest News

• Workers’ Compensation Hall of Fame

  The firm congratulates Steve Rissman, one of only 18 individuals elected to the charter class of the Florida Workers’ Compensation Hall of Fame. Steve was elected President of this organization which is comprised of lawyers, members of industry, and the judiciary.

• Rissman, Barrett, Hurt, Donahue & McLain, P.A. is proud to announce it has been named among “Florida’s Top Ranked Law Firms” by The Wall Street Journal in conjunction with Lexis Nexis and Martindale Hubbell for 2012.

• Johnson v. Walbridge Aldinger

  Congratulations to Greg Giannuzzi and Paul Fulmer for obtaining a defense verdict in the Johnson case for Walbridge Aldinger on behalf of Travelers. Plaintiff filed action against Walbridge Aldinger, three of its employees and a subcontractor. The plaintiff alleged that during construction of a school, Walbridge Aldinger and the subcontractor illegally parked equipment at the end of a dead end road, which obstructed a large barricade with reflectors. The decedent crashed his vehicle into the equipment, causing his death. Defense argued that the decedent was impaired and that the equipment was clearly visible. The case was bifurcated, with the jury only deciding liability. After deliberating for 1 hour, 40 minutes, the jury returned a verdict for the defendants, finding no negligence.

• Congratulations Rissman, Barrett, Hurt, Donahue & McLain, P.A. for being recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one the best law firms in the nation!

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• Summary Judgment- Mendez v. Galaxie Corp. v. Nanotec Metals

  Congratulations Paul Fulmer for obtaining summary judgment in the Mendez v. Galaxie Corp. v. Nanotec Metals product negligence case. Plaintiff brought suit against Galaxie and Galaxie brought Nanotec in as a third party under theories of breach of contract (Indemnity), common law Indemnity, contribution and negligence. This case was heavily litigated, with depositions around the country. Attorney Fulmer filed an extensive motion for summary judgment in behalf of Nanotec vigorously attacking each of Galaxie’s claims. Ultimately the federal court judge granted Nanotec’s motion on all counts. Nanotec will be pursuing its fees and costs.

• Defense Verdict- Virgilio v. Richard Whisnant, M.D.

  Congratulations to Richard Mangan, Cliff Acord and Bryan Snyder for obtaining a defense verdict for Dr. Whisnant and Suncoast Pathology on behalf of The Doctors Company. Plaintiff alleged that the Defendants negligently contaminated biopsy specimen with adenocarcinoma which resulted in plaintiff undergoing an unnecessary subtotal gastrectomy. DNA testing suggested the cancer was from another patient. The jury determined there was no negligence by the defendants presumably finding that plaintiff did in fact have cancer.

• Defense Verdict- Eaton v. Goldsmith

  Congratulations to Vance Dawson and Susan Fuller for obtaining a favorable verdict for John Goldsmith, a State Farm insured, in the Eaton case on Oct. 19, 2011 in Kissimmee. This was a rear-end auto accident case in which the plaintiff claimed a low back injury. The jury awarded past medicals only which after reduction for setoffs netted a zero verdict for plaintiff. The defense expects to collect attorneys’ fees and costs based upon its proposal for settlement.

• Defense Verdict- MacDonald v. Kaufman

  Congratulations to Bucky Hurt and Skip Jewett for obtaining a defense verdict on October 13, 2011 in MacDonald v. Kaufman, on behalf of The Doctors Company. This five week trial involved an infant medical malpractice case in litigation for over ten years. Plaintiffs claimed that Dr. Kaufman failed to obtain informed consent and was negligent in the use of a vacuum during birth and delivery. The jury deliberated five hours and forty minutes before finding for Dr. Kaufman and WHA on both claims.

• Defense Verdict- Hayward v. State Farm

  Congratulations to Vance Dawson and Laura Lytle for obtaining an excellent result on October 5, 2011 during the trial of Hayward v. State Farm, a property damage breach of contract case. During cross examination, the plaintiff allegedly perjured herself and later agreed to dismiss her case with prejudice.

• Lawyer of the Year

  The firm is proud to announce that Dick Womble has been named “Lawyer of the Year- Medical Malpractice Law, Orlando”. This important distinction, awarded by Best Lawyers, is based solely on peer review and is awarded to a single lawyer in each speciality within a specific geographical area. Congratulations Dick!