News & Events

On July 31, 2026, Hollywood partner Jonathan Abel and associate Claire Snell received a defense verdict in a six day medical malpractice case tried in West Palm Beach, FL. The plaintiff had a chronic skin condition called prurigo nodularis, which produces extremely itchy and debilitating lesions. The defendant is a dermatologist who treated the lesions with corticosteroid injections. After 5 weeks of treatment, the plaintiff developed spontaneous extensor tendon ruptures in his left hand. The plaintiff was a life-long guitar player, and the injury eliminated his ability to play guitar, or otherwise perform functions requiring the use of his left hand. The plaintiff claimed the doctor provided an excessive amount of medication in too short of a time period, thereby causing the ruptures. The defense contended the dosage and frequency were reasonable, and that there was no known connection between intralesional steroid injections and tendon ruptures. In addition, the defendant presented evidence of metabolic causes for the injury. The plaintiff asked the jury for an award in excess of $3,000,000. The jury deliberated for less than an hour before returning a defense verdict. A Proposal for Settlement was previously filed. There was no demand at time of trial. 

Hollywood Partner, Lauren McEndree successfully obtained summary judgment on behalf of a condominium association and property management company in a Miami-Dade County premises liability case. The plaintiff alleged she sustained injuries after becoming trapped in a trash chute room and eventually jumping down the building's trash chute. The court ruled that, even assuming a factual dispute existed regarding the condition of the door, the plaintiff's voluntary decision to jump down the trash chute established a cause that broke the chain of legal causation. The Court found that the plaintiff could not establish that the defendants' alleged negligence caused her claimed injuries. 

West Palm Beach partners, Kathleen Beesley, Jeffrey Rubin, and associate  David Weiger successfully obtained Final Summary Judgment in a premises liability lawsuit in Miami-Dade County, Florida. The plaintiff alleged injuries arising from a slip-and-fall incident. The defense focused its arguments on the legal standards governing the mode of operation doctrine and the plaintiff's inability to establish actual or constructive notice of the alleged dangerous condition. The court agreed and granted Final Summary Judgment.

Tallahassee Partner Michael J. Bonfanti prevailed on a motion for summary judgment on a wind loss claim in Duval County. The Plaintiff argued and claimed damages to the roof and interior of the home were related to the subject date of loss. The Defendant argued the damage to the roof and interior of the home were related to an unrepair prior claim and specifically excluded by the policy of insurance. The Court determined there was no dispute of a material fact in the case and found for the Defendant.

West Palm Beach Partners Kathleen Beesley and John Howard successfully defeated plaintiff's Motion for Permanent Injunction in a construction dispute matter in Martin County, Florida. The plaintiffs sought to halt all construction activities at the client's property; however, the court denied the motion, allowing the development to proceed without interruption.