Latest News

• Defense Verdict- Torrence v. SIMS

  Congratulations Bucky Hurt, Vance Dawson and Steve Burres for obtaining a defense verdict in the TORRENCE case for Dr. Aparna Hernandez, Physician Assistant Sarah Army and Southwest Internal Medicine Associates in behalf of Mag Mutual. This wrongful death trial involved Torrence’s suicide, diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder, and the prescription medication, Zoloft. Plaintiff asked for over $5 million during closing argument. The trial lasted 4 weeks and the jury was out 4 hours before returning the defense verdict.

• Sabino v. Publix

  Congratulations Sean Crocker for obtaining summary judgment for Publix in Sabino v. Publix. In this slip and fall case, plaintiff alleged she had slipped on rain water but denied seeing water on the floor either before or after her fall. The trial court found that Publix was entitled to summary judgment as the plaintiff could not identify the alleged foreign substance on which she slipped.

• Save the Date!

  The Spring Forum, an exceptional seminar of law, tactics and quick closure techniques, is scheduled for Tuesday, May 22, 2012, at the Caribe Royale in Orlando, Florida. Further information to follow concerning this outstanding program but you can RSVP to debbie.scott@rissman.com. The cost of the seminar is free to clients of the Rissman and McConnaughhay firms.

• 67th Annual Workers’ Compensation Educational Conference

  This nationally acclaimed annual conference remains the premier forum for the study and discussion of workers’ compensation and is also the largest gathering of workers’ compensation professionals in the country. The 2012 conference with Program Chair and Senior Partner, Steve Rissman, will be held at the Orlando World Marriott Center from August 19 – August 22, 2012. Further information regarding the conference will be available on our site as the event approaches.

• Strawn v. Shamshin

  Congratulations Vance Dawson and Steven Burres for obtaining a very favorable verdict for Dr. Ahmed Shamsin, a State Farm insured, in the Strawn case. This was an auto accident case in which Plaintiff allegedly sustained a neck injury and incurred $89,000 in medical expenses. Plaintiff failed to disclose she had prior treatment for her neck. The jury found Dr. Shamsin negligent, but only awarded plaintiff $5,462 for the first 5 months of treatment after the accident. The jury concluded that continued treatment was not related to the accident and that Plaintiff had not sustained a permanent injury. Dr. Shamsin, on behalf of St. Farm, will seek attorney’s fees and costs pursuant to the defendant’s proposal for settlement of $60,000.

• Jawalapersad v. Seminole County

  Congratulations Susan Fuller for obtaining a voluntary dismissal of our client, Seminole County, from this property case. Plaintiffs alleged a road widening project adjacent to their home caused structural damage to the home and diminution in value to the property. Plaintiffs alleged counts in negligence, taking, nuisance and trespass. Susan persuaded Plaintiffs counsel of the frivolous nature of their case and they agreed to drop the matter.

• Defense Verdict- Heise v. Sound on Sound

  Congratulations Bob Jack and Jason Urbanowicz for obtaining a defense verdict on Jan. 26, 2012 in the HEISE case for Sound on Sound in behalf of Hertz Claims. This lawsuit arose out of a slip and fall accident in which plantiff allegedly tripped over an extension cord, placed by Sound on Sound. The jury deliberated for thirty minutes, returning a defense verdict finding that there was no negligence on the part of Sound and Sound. Sound on Sound will seek attorney’s fees and costs pursuant to its Proposal for Settlement.

• 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.