$100,000.00 Settlement for Disc Injury

Our client suffered a herniated disc in his lower back as a result of being rear-ended by a tractor trailer on I-10 in Jacksonville. The driver of the tractor- trailer claimed he was not at fault for the rear-end collision because he was distracted by a nearby pedestrian that was walking in traffic. However, the driver estimated his distance behind our client at a mere fraction of that required by law. We convincingly argued that one of the reasons for maintaining a safe following distance is in case something unexpected occurs, such as a sudden slow down in traffic. The client's doctors did not think that surgery for the herniated disc was warranted at this time.

$1.6 Million Settlement

The Lawrence Law Group, P.A., was hired by a woman seriously injured in a workplace accident when her foot was run over by a forklift. Although the broken bones in her foot healed well, she developed a serious nerve injury called Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy ("RSD"). Through an exhaustive investigation we were able to prove that the person driving the forklift was using cocaine and was allowed to operate the forklift despite failing his employer's safety quiz about forklift operation. The settlement will allow our client to pay her medical bills and replace her significant lost wages.

Firm Wins Permanent Total Disability in Worker’s Compensation Case

Our client was tragically injured when he sustained a high voltage electrical shock as a utility lineman working on transmission wires. The accident caused him severe burn injuries and resulted in the amputation of his left thumb and the toes on his left foot.

The insurance company for the employer strenuously fought our client’s claim of permanent and total disability. The case was heavily litigated for fourteen months. Just hours before trial, the insurer finally relented and agreed our client was totally disabled. As a result of this victory, our client will receive all benefits possible: lost wages until age 75; and medical care for the rest of his life.

Since he was in his early thirties at the time of the accident, this settlement will result in benefits to the client in excess of $1,000,000.00 over his lifetime. The Judge also ordered the insurance company to pay our attorney fees and costs of litigation on behalf of the injured worked. The insurance company appealed this ruling. The First District Court of Appeal affirmed the Worker’s Compensation Judge’s ruling. This means that our client received all benefits to which he was entitled without having to pay us anything from his recovery or out of pocket.

Firm Represents Nursing Home Whistleblower

Our client, a licensed nurse, was working at a nursing home for a large nationwide company. While working there, she became increasingly concerned about the nursing homes’ practices. The nursing home was providing substandard care and the facility was unclean.

While working at the facility, our client observed numerous violations including: incorrect gage settings on life-saving medical equipment; spoiled and curdled food product being fed to a patient via a gastrointestinal tube; human excrement on floors; overdue dressing changes; prescription medications on the floor; unsanitary conditions; and the failure to maintain the confidentiality of the residents’ health information.

Unfortunately, her complaints to management fell on deaf ears. So, she decided to do something about it. She took pictures. She quit. She provided the pictures to us.

Representing the nurse on a pro bono basis, our firm has provided this information on to the state agency in charge of regulating nursing homes. We have asked them to investigate the nursing home.

We applaud the actions of our client. Far too often, nursing home neglect and abuse goes unreported. Perhaps the residents at this nursing home and the other facilities operated by its parent company will receive better care.

Firm Teams With Searcy, Denney Firm in Boating Accident Case

The Lawrence Law Group has teamed with the prestigious West Palm Beach law firm Searcy Denney, Scarola, Barnhart and Shipley for the handling of a wrongful death case resulting from a boating accident. The accident happened in Biscayne Bay, Florida, when two racing style boats collided at a high rate of speed.

Another Successful Jury Trial

When our client, a local business, learned that one of its trusted employees was diverting work it could have done to a new company formed by that employee, it understandably terminated him. Surprisingly, that same employee sued the company and claimed he was due unpaid wages.

Following a jury trial lasting nearly a week, our attorney prevailed by demonstrating to the jury that the employee breached his contract of employment and his fiduciary duties to his employer by diverting work for his own benefit when he was supposed to be marketing for new business for our client.

Firm Wins $170,000 Settlement in Workers' Compensation Claim for RSD Injury

Our client was a young woman in her 20's who injured her shoulder when she lifted an item overhead to place it on a shelf at work. Despite her continued complaints of pain, the doctors were initially unable to identify any particular injury other than muscle strains. However, our client continued to suffer severe pain. She became concerned with the waning interest of the insurance company regarding her claim and her medical condition, prompting her to retain us for advice and direction regarding her workers' compensation case. We discussed her condition with her doctors, and we filed for permanent and total disability benefits on her behalf. Ultimately, the doctors concluded that our client developed a type of neurological disorder called Reflex Sympathetic Disorder or RSD, a complicated and often misdiagnosed condition. Due to the nature of the accident and unclear diagnosis, the insurance company was very skeptical of our client's claims regarding her condition and inability to work, and refused to pay permanent and total disability benefits. Our lawyers argued that the condition was permanently debilitating, and it would require the insurance company to pay for significant medical care and lost wages into the future. Based upon our arguments and preparation for a permanent and total disability hearing, the insurance company settled the case for $170,000.

$300,000 Workers' Compensation Settlement

Workers' compensation accidents can happen in the blink of an eye and forever change your life. They can strip you of your ability to work and provide for yourself or your family. Our client's life was changed in that way when a simple slip and fall resulted in a broken rib and elbow injury. Prior to his injury, our client was content earning a modest living in a packing house for a fruit hauling company. Unfortunately his injuries led to a neurological condition which the doctors diagnosed as reflex sympathetic dystrophy or RSD (also referred to a complex regional pain syndrome). Accordingly, we filed a permanent and total disability claim on his behalf, and fought for his back pay and medical care. We argued that his age, education, work experience and injuries resulted in his inability to return to any type of gainful employment for the rest of his life. The insurance company outwardly disagreed, but opted to settle the case for $300,000. This settlement will secure our client's financial future, allowing him time to focus on his health and physical recovery.

Trial Victory for Home Buyers

Our clients purchased a home in Orange Park, but, after closing learned that the home's pool had substantial leaks which would require extensive repair. Following trial at the Clay County Courthouse, the Court ruled that the seller had known of and failed to disclose the pool leaks to our clients, and it entered judgment to permit our clients to recover the resulting repair costs.

Client With Knee Injury Wins $167,500.00

Our client was injured in a car accident when a pizza delivery vehicle made an illegal u-turn directly in front of her causing a "t-bone" collision. As a result of the wreck, the client suffered a torn meniscus in her right knee. She endured arthroscopic surgery to repair the torn meniscus; however, months later, the repair failed, requiring a second surgery.

The second surgery was largely successful and the client regained most of her functional use of the knee. In addition to the knee injury she suffered aggravation of pre-existing neck and back problems. The settlement will help her pay for her medical expenses and compensates her for pain and suffering for injuries.

$1,000,000.00 Settlement

Our firm successfully represented the mother of a teenager killed in a tragic accident. We immediately filed suit and through our investigation learned that there was a $1,000,000.00 insurance policy. The insurer initially refused to pay the policy proceeds claiming that the insurance policy did not cover this sort of accident. We prevailed by demonstrating that, if the insurance company was correct, then almost no type of accident would be covered, meaning that the insurance was essentially worthless. Prior to hiring The Lawrence Law Group, P.A., several other law firms turned down the case.

Attorney Joins Firm

William Kempner, Esq., has joined The Lawrence Law Group, P.A., on an "of counsel" basis. He will focus on handling worker's compensation claims. Bill graduated from the University Of Florida College Of Law in 1993 and has practiced in the worker's compensation field since then. He has successfully represented both insurers and claimants in cases involving on the job injuries.

Prescription Error leads to Medical Malpractice Settlement

Our client was injured when her doctor either mistakenly prescribed her medication at twice the intended dose or wrote the prescription with such poor handwriting that the pharmacist mistook the intended dosage. Our attorneys were able to negotiate a fair, confidential settlement to compensate the client for injuries and medical expenses. Settlement was reached during Florida's statutory pre-suit process for medical negligence claims.

Dog Bite leads to Six Figure Settlement

Our client was in her front yard tending to a newborn horse, when a neighbor's dog came into the yard and attacked the foal. The dog then turned its attack on our client and, with a single bite, caused significant puncture wounds. Unfortunately, despite obtaining medical care for the wound, it became seriously infected which led to surgery to remove infected tissue and bone fragments. The complications continued and the client developed reflex sympathetic dystrophy ( RSD ), a rare neurological condition which causes severe permanent pain and limitations. The settlement will help to replace the client's lost wages and medical expenses.

Failure to Install Handrails results in Recovery for Injured Client

Our client, a self employed truck driver, suffered a serious broken leg falling down a set of stairs while delivering pine trees to a pulp mill in Fernandina Beach. Although the pulp mill denied responsibility for the accident, our investigation revealed that this accident could have been avoided if the pulp mill had installed on the stairs handrails as now required the local building code. As a result we were able to reach a settlement prior to trial to allow our client to make a recovery for the losses resulting from this needless accident.

Claims against Professional Wrestling Celebrity Settled

We were privileged to represent a Nassau County publishing company in a complex legal dispute with Rena Lesnar, an entertainer formerly known as "Sable" with the WWE. Our client entered into a contract with Mrs. Lesnar's limited liability company to produce and distribute her biography. Ultimately, the biography was not published, and we obtained a substantial judgment against her company for breach of contract. Unfortunately, her company was insolvent, and Mrs. Lesnar denied any personal responsibility. We refused to accept that as our client would be left with no recovery and pursued a direct claim against Mrs. Lesnar to hold her responsible for the judgment against her company. Although the claim was legally complicated, the matter was ultimately resolved with a financial settlement from Mrs. Lesnar.

Orange Park Office Opened

After representing clients throughout Clay County for years, The Lawrence Law Group, P.A., decided to increase its presence in Clay County by opening an office in Fleming Island at 4729 US Highway 17, Suite 203, Orange Park, Florida. Our main office will remain in downtown Jacksonville. In addition to meeting clients in either of our offices, we are always willing to meet at or near your home if necessary.

Appellate Victory

Sometimes winning a trial is not the end of a case. We proved to a jury that the driver of another car was completely at fault for an automobile accident and, as a result, our client was awarded a significant recovery. The other driver appealed, arguing that our client had to be at least partially at fault for the accident. The First District Court of Appeal ruled in our client's favor and upheld the jury's verdict. Although justice for our client was delayed, it was not denied.

Court of Appeals Upholds Victory

The Lawrence Law Group, P.A., was hired by a medical doctor who was sued by his former employer, The University of Florida, for allegedly violating a non-compete agreement. We prevailed by demonstrating that the doctor, an oncologist, was not unfairly competing with his former employer and was not seeing the patients he treated while working there. The University of Florida appealed and The First District Court of Appeal upheld our client's victory. The Court's opinion, adopting our argument, has become on of the most cited recent cases regarding the enforceability of non-compete agreements. The case citation is University of Florida Board of Trustees v. Sanal, 837 So.2d 512 (Fla. 1^st DCA 2003).

Trial Victory

A Duval County jury ruled in favor of our client and awarded her a recovery in excess of $235,000.00 for injuries resulting from an automobile accident. The defendant attempted to turn left across oncoming traffic. He did so directly in front of our client's vehicle causing a "t-bone" collision. The defendant claimed that our client must have been speeding because he thought he had enough time to clear the intersection. Using exhibits and photographs, the attorneys of The Lawrence Law Group, P.A., were able to demonstrate to the jury that the accident was not our client's fault, even if she was driving slightly faster than the speed limit. The defendant's insurer offered only $130,000.00 to settle the case prior to trial.