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Hablamos Español / No Recovery No Fee

Palm Beach County: 561-655-2028  |  Martin County: 772-283-6839  |  Toll-Free: 1-877-LAW-LLLS

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Case Results

We are a referral based practice, and we are happy to evaluate all cases for our clients and push them forward aggressively to get the best possible result. Our lawyers have obtained verdicts, judgments and settlements that total in the hundreds of millions of dollars. Here are some of those results:

Car Accident/Wrongful Death

Pre-Trial Offer:

$50,000

Estate of Candreva VS Penzenik

$6,300,000

Jury Verdict

Nursing Home
Abuse

Pre-Trial Offer:

$100,000

Dahmer VS Lake Worth Manor

$1,775,000

Jury Verdict

Car Accident

Pre-Trial Offer:

$225,000

Yzaguirre VS Wedge

$708,824

Jury Verdict

WRONGFUL DEATH

Pre-Trail Offer: NA

NA Ammount

Estate of Confidential

$12,200,000

Settlement after arbitration

DRUNK DRIVING WRECK

Pre-Trial Offer:

$15,000

Tarrats VS Headley, et al.

$20,786,882

Jury Verdict

MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT

Pre-Trial Offer:

$150,000

Hamzi VS Mack

$524,000

Jury Verdict

Road rage

Pre-Trial Offer:

$15,000

Estate of Jolly VS Rodriguez, et al.

$1,750,000

Settlement after jury verdict on liability

INSURANCE BAD FAITH

Pre-Litigation/Pre-trial Offer:

$15,000

Confidential insurance company

$3,250,000

Settlement: 325 times $10,000 Policy

AUTO WRONGFUL DEATH

Pre-Trial Offer:

$150,000

Estate of Alicia A. Brennan VS Charles Edward McComas Jr.

$5,000,000

Jury Verdict

We have certainly had other $1 million+ results for our clients. Our intent is not to list them all here. This is just a small sample of the cases we have handled. Furthermore, we know that many deserving clients do not have “million dollar” cases, and we do not limit our practice to only “million dollar” cases. We have handled thousands of cases, of all sizes, over the years. We welcome the opportunity to discuss your case with you — regardless of its size. Every case we accept is important to us.

$575,000 Settlement: for Injured Cyclist After Insurance Denial

After a 69-year-old bicyclist was struck by an HVAC van and knocked to the ground, the defendant’s insurance carrier added insult to injury and not only denied his initial claim but dug in their heels when a lawsuit was filed.   That’s when the bicyclist’s personal injury attorney suggested he call Firm Partner Joe Landy to take over the case.  The driver of the van said that our client rode his bicycle into the vehicle, but Joe Landy proved during deposition that his version of the crash defied the laws of physics.  The defense also hired numerous experts to argue that our client’s treatment for significant pain in his neck and shoulder was caused by prior accidents and a pre-existing condition.  On the eve of trial, Joe forced the defense to move from their denial of the claim and resolve it for $575,000.  We are happy to have obtained this excellent recovery for our client and appreciative of competitors who refer cases to us when they require our expertise. Trust from competitors underscores our leadership and proficiency in the field, as well as the high standards we uphold in delivering exceptional results for our clients.

From Trauma to Triumph: Firm Secures Significant Settlement in Explosion Case

When Christy went on a glamping trip to celebrate her birthday, she had no idea her life was about to forever change.  After renting a yurt online, she drove to a campground and set up the portable tent. Christy was told there was material available near the community fire pit to help her get a fire started. Unbeknownst to her, the can in the area contained an explosive accelerant. What happened next was the worst moment of Christy’s life – the product exploded causing horrific burns that required a lengthy hospital stay and an arduous recovery. Firm Partner Joe Landy fought for justice and reached a significant confidential settlement on her behalf. But the case did not come without challenges. The insurance carrier denied Christy’s claim and stated she was the sole cause of the explosion. The litigation was lengthy, but Joe’s experience and tenacity led to a life-changing settlement for Christy, providing her financial security but most importantly, giving her justice, closure, and the strength to move forward with her life. Hiring a lawyer with experience in handling traumatic injuries is crucial if you are burned in an explosion because they bring specialized knowledge and understanding of the intricate issues involved in these cases. Joe Landy’s expertise in these matters ensures that our client’s rights are protected, especially when dealing with insurance companies. 
Car Accident

Justice Served: $2 Million Settlement Secured for Victim of Restaurant Negligence

Imagine for a moment that it’s a beautiful, sunny South Florida day and you’re eating lunch next to an open window when suddenly, the large electronic retractable shade detaches and slams onto your head. That’s exactly what happened to our client, causing traumatic injuries to her neck that required four surgeries. The restaurant tried to deny liability, but Firm Partner Jeffrey Gordon uncovered surveillance video from inside the restaurant that caught the entire sequence of events on camera. A restaurant employee negligently began lowering the window shade, and a gust of wind blew the shade and its bracket completely off the window frame. The bracket and shade flew directly into the head and neck of our client.
Jeff also hired an expert engineer who inspected the shade and determined that a lack of maintenance had caused certain parts of the internal mechanism to wear out. The restaurant knew or should have known that given the lack of maintenance, and prior issues, that it was likely the window shade would fail at some point. The case was settled for $2 Million before trial.  When it comes to holding businesses responsible for injuries caused by unsafe conditions as a result of negligence, the team at Lesser, Lesser, Landy & Smith will vigorously pursue your case to make sure justice is served. Our attorneys are available for consultation throughout the state on premises liability matters.
Trucking Accident

Lesser Law Firm Crash Investigation Leads to
$1 Million Settlement

Due to their size, tractor-trailers can cause massive damage when their drivers are careless.  Our client was the victim of such carelessness when a tractor-trailer cut in front of him and violated his right of way in Osceola County. The resulting collision was tremendous. 
Firm partners Gary Lesser and Mickey Smith undertook an immediate investigation of the crash. They also retained an accident reconstruction expert so that no stone was left unturned. Presented with evidence of their insured’s negligence and the seriousness of our client’s injuries, the insurance company tendered the $1 million policy limits.  Our client and his family were especially appreciative of our responsiveness and compassion. It was our honor to represent this deserving client.
Car Accident

Lesser Law Firm secures million-dollar settlement for Vietnam Veteran

Our client was stopped at a red light in West Palm Beach when a Freightliner truck crashed into the rear end of his vehicle.  It was a violent crash that caused our client’s seat back to collapse and pushed his vehicle into the car stopped in front of him. 
Our client, a Vietnam Veteran, was rushed to the VA Hospital with serious injuries that ultimately required multiple spinal procedures, including two fusion surgeries.  The insurance company tried to dig deep into his VA records looking for a reason not to pay his damages, and they ended up making a low-ball settlement offer that barely covered his medical expenses. 
Managing Partner Gary Lesser and Partner Steve Clarfield filed a lawsuit against the truck driver and his employer. After aggressively litigating the case for many months, the insurance company settled before trial for $1,000,000.  Our client was very happy with the outcome of the case.
Gary and Steve worked together as a team to get their client the best possible resolution for this traumatic event in his life.
Trucking Accident

Lesser Law Firm Secures Justice for Family in Major Car Accident

Our client, his pregnant wife and two young children were involved in a major car accident earlier this year when an elderly driver pulled out directly in front of their car.

Our client sustained a broken wrist, along with neck and back injuries. His wife, who was 7 months pregnant at the time, was airlifted to the hospital with injuries. Fortunately, their baby was born healthy, and their two other children were OK too!

The defendant’s insurance company initially tried to place blame on our client and claimed he was speeding. Firm Partner Glenn Siegel proved they were wrong with evidence obtained by expert witnesses and the case settled at mediation for a significant amount.

Car Accident

Justice for Family of High School Student Killed by Tractor Trailer

Our client’s daughter never got to go to the prom.  Or go to college.  Or meet someone, fall in love, and get married.  Or start a career.  Or have children of her own.  Why?  The negligence of an inattentive tractor-trailer driver took her life – and all the promise it held.  The constraints of a rigid confidentiality provision limit what we can say about this tragic case.  We can say that our client’s daughter was an innocent passenger in her friend’s car.  That car was involved in an accident and was in the roadway, disabled, there for anyone paying proper attention to see and easily avoid.  Both girls were stunned but otherwise fine.  Unfortunately, the tractor-trailer driver failed to see the car until it was too late.  He simply was not paying attention.  The resulting collision was incredibly violent, pushing the car the distance of three football fields.  This is unsurprising, as a loaded tractor-trailer can weigh 80,000 pounds.  The driver of the car, who lived, recounted the horror of the oncoming tractor-trailer as she and her friend prepared to exit the car.  They could not understand why the truck continued to come right at them.

Firm Partners Gary Lesser and Mickey Smith filed a lawsuit to obtain justice for the grieving father.  The defense fought hard, as they always do in trucking cases, but on the eve of trial we were able to reach a settlement that helped our client achieve closure.  A parent who has to bury a child suffers the ultimate loss.  That grief is intensified when that loss was preventable, as it was here.  We were honored to fight on behalf of this wonderful family.

Lesser, Lesser, Landy and Smith stands ready and able to help those trying to pick up the pieces after a trucking accident.

Confidential

Significant Confidential Settlement – Minor Sexual Abuse Case

Whenever we handle a case involving abuse, it is always emotional.  When the victim is a child, the consequences are particularly gut-wrenching.  Partners Gary Lesser and Joe Landy had the honor of representing a victim of an improper touching by his team coach.  Using social media and diligent investigation, the lawyers were able to find numerous witnesses and prove that the team, as well as the league, were aware of the perpetrator’s history of improper behavior yet they failed to take any action to stop it. Faced with this compelling evidence, the insurance carrier was forced to resolve the case.

The resolution of the case will provide financial stability for the victim for the remainder of his life.  More importantly, it turned the tables on the perpetrator and, by holding the wrongdoers fully accountable under the law, empowered the victim and his family.  The result has been simply life-changing – it has given him the strength and courage to move forward with his life and put this horrific event behind him.  In addition,  it will protect other children in the future from being victimized by this coach.  The firm is proud of its efforts to obtain justice for this family while also protecting our community from future harm.

Confidential

Confidential Settlement – Drunk Driver Made to Pay

Firm Partners Gary Lesser and Mickey Smith just concluded a lawsuit in North Florida involving a tragic drunk driving fatality. The confidential nature of the settlement prohibits us from discussing the specifics, but the basic facts are straightforward. Our client’s beloved husband was killed in a horrific wreck caused by a drunk driver traveling 30 miles over the speed limit and with a blood alcohol level almost twice the legal limit.

The irresponsible drunk driver had minimal insurance. Thankfully, our client’s husband had purchased a very substantial policy of uninsured motorist (“UM”) coverage. We were ultimately able to obtain every penny of the UM policy.

After investigating the drunk driver’s assets, we believed he should be made to pay out of his own pocket, in addition to his minimal insurance. Otherwise, we would amend the lawsuit and pursue a claim for punitive damages. Eventually, the drunk driver agreed to make a substantial contribution from his own assets, and the case was resolved.

This tragic case teaches a couple of lessons. You already know the dangers of drunk driving. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a person is injured or killed in a drunk driving accident every 2 minutes. Our lovely client wants to help spread the word about the very real dangers of drinking and driving. As she puts it, “if sharing my story prevents just one person from drinking and driving, it is worth it.”

Most people do not know how vitally important UM insurance is. We frequently hear people tell us they thought they had full coverage and first learn they had no UM coverage after a wreck happens. Lesser Lesser Landy and Smith recommends that you check your insurance policy now and make sure you have significant UM coverage to protect you and your family.

Confidential

$20.78 Million Verdict – Drunk Driving Accident

February 12 is a day Lisa will never forget. It was the day she became the victim of a drunk driver behind the wheel of an Enterprise rental car. As a result of the wreck, Lisa suffered disc injuries in her spine that will require surgery. When attempts to settle Lisa’s claim failed, a lawsuit was filed against both the drunk driver and Enterprise. After a trial that involved several days of complex medical testimony concerning Lisa’s pre-existing fibromyalgia, the jury awarded compensatory and punitive damages in the total amount of $20,786,882. Lisa was also awarded lawyers’ fees because of Enterprise’s failure to accept her offers to settle. It is the hope of Lesser, Lesser, Landy & Smith that this widely publicized verdict will serve as a wake-up call to drunk drivers. Nearly half of all fatal motor vehicle collisions involve alcohol.

Confidential

Multi-Million Dollar Settlement – Medical Malpractice

Our 22-year-old client was a ventilator dependent patient at Delray Medical Center. Without warning, the ventilator became disconnected, thereby stopping his oxygen supply. Alarms sounded, yet no one responded. Jairo’s restrained wrists, which were tied to the bed to prevent him from inadvertently removing the breathing tube, made it impossible for him to move. The alarms continued to ring. Incredibly, the nurse responsible for monitoring Jairo went on a break without informing her co-workers or obtaining coverage. Moreover, she left her stat pager, a device which would have immediately notified her that a crisis was occurring, at Jairo’s bedside. By the time the hospital staff finally responded, it was too late – the lack of oxygen caused Jairo to sustain a devastating and life-altering anoxic brain injury from which he will never recover. For the remainder of Jairo’s life, he will be bedridden, blind, unable to communicate, but yet still able to feel pain. Prior to trial, a settlement was obtained which included funds which will cover the cost of Jairo’s round-the-clock needs and medical care for the remainder of his life.

Malpractice

$12.2 Million+ Confidential Settlement

The constraints of confidentiality prevent us from discussing the details of our representation in this precedent-setting case. The settlement is believed to be the largest of its kind in Florida history for this type of case. Lesser, Lesser, Landy & Smith is not afraid to take on the powerful, nor are we afraid to “think outside of the box.” We utilize a team approach that allows us to always place our client’s interests first.

Confidential

Multi-million dollar confidential settlement

Our clients suffered one of the worst losses imaginable – the death of their precious 11-year-old daughter. Confidentiality agreements prevent us from providing the details of this record-setting settlement. Nevertheless, we can say that after over 2 years of hard fought litigation — the file occupied dozens and dozens of boxes — and depositions of expert witnesses all across the country, the defendants agreed to our demands on the eve of trial. Lesser, Lesser, Landy & Smith has both the legal ability and the financial wherewithal to go toe-to-toe with the largest product manufacturers and insurance companies in the world. It is gratifying that our efforts helped bring closure to the parents of an innocent child whom we will never, ever forget.

Confidential

Confidential Settlement – Paralysis

The confines of a strict confidentiality provision prohibit us from providing any details of this tragic accident.  Suffice it to say, driving impaired can have devastating, lifelong consequences.  Our young client will be in a wheelchair for the remainder of his life because of the negligence of another.  We are honored to know him and proud we were able to help him achieve justice.

Confidential

Confidential Settlement – Pedestrian Death

On the date of the crash, Ms. M was walking to church as she had daily for the past ten years. When she was not in services, she was volunteering at the church. She was the lifeblood of her church, as well as her family. As she walked safely along the sidewalk, she passed a large, construction vehicle that had parked halfway on the sidewalk and halfway on the street. As she passed the truck, the truck driver began to drive forward, running her over and literally crushing her body. She died hours later with her children by her bedside. Her lineage left behind included her eight children. After the family retained Lesser, Lesser, Landy & Smith, we immediately secured all of the evidence and performed a reconstruction of the accident, thereby nullifying the corporation’s attempt to place blame on Ms. M. Shortly thereafter, we were able to obtain a large, confidential settlement which provided this family with a sense of justice, as well as a sense of closure.

Pedestrian Icon

$6.3 Million Verdict – Motorcycle Accident

Lesser, Lesser, Landy & Smith is a boutique law firm that utilizes a team approach to its cases. We are small enough to provide the personal touch, yet large enough, and with sufficient resources, to effectively represent clients in cases involving catastrophic injury or death. In this case, Josh, age 23, was wrongfully killed when an elderly driver turned directly in front of his motorcycle. The jury found the elderly driver completely at fault for causing the wreck and awarded $6.3 million in damages. We were successful in obtaining justice for Josh’s parents by utilizing a team approach that involved many of the firm’s lawyers. Our lawyers have considerable jury trial experience and do not hesitate to use that experience, when needed, to obtain justice for our clients.

Motorcycle Accident Icon

$6 Million – Uninsured Motorist/Insurance Bad Faith

Tiffany is a young woman who was involved in a terrible car wreck. The wreck left her a paraplegic. Tiffany lived with her grandparents, and they had a total of $4.5 million of uninsured motorist coverage. Those limits should have been paid immediately. When they were not, Tiffany’s grandparents contacted the family’s lawyer, who filed a lawsuit against the uninsured motorist insurance carrier. The insurance company would not even concede the amount of available insurance – much less pay Tiffany. We worked with the family lawyer to achieve justice for Tiffany in a hard fought Federal lawsuit in Ft. Myers. We were successful in obtaining a crucial ruling from the Federal Judge establishing conclusively that the available coverage was, in fact, $4.5 million. Shortly after this ruling, the insurance company tried to settle the claim for $4.5 million. Given the insurance company’s delay in meeting its obligations, we were successful in obtaining a total settlement for Tiffany of $6 million. Lesser, Lesser, Landy & Smith encourages our clients to carry ample uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage because of the large number of drivers in Florida who either have no liability insurance or inadequate coverage.

Bad Faith Icon

$5.33 Million – Loss of Son

Joey Bartolucci was the kind of son any mother would be proud of. A graduate of the University of Florida – and a huge Gator fan – Joey was murdered by a convicted felon. Both Joey’s mother and his sister were hurting and needed to know everything possible would be done to avenge Joey’s death. While the felon confessed to second-degree murder in his State criminal case, was there anything that could be done in the civil courts? After all, the felon’s multi-million dollar assets had been seized by the Federal government in connection with related charges. Regardless, the Firm simply refused to allow this injustice to stand and immediately filed a lawsuit against the felon. After an emotional trial, the jury awarded Joey’s mother over $5.33 million – to the penny what was requested. Thereafter, a petition was filed with the Federal government seeking remission of the felon’s assets to compensate Joey’s mother for her loss.

Confidential

$5 Million – Dram Shop/Insurance Bad Faith

In Florida, those who sell alcoholic beverages have certain obligations to both their customers and to the public at large. Likewise, insurance companies owe their insureds the obligation to settle claims made against them – but only when they can and should do so. In this case, both the insured and the insurer failed to follow the rules. First, the insured over-served a known drunk, who could thereafter barely stagger out to his truck. The resulting wreck the drunk caused left our client with permanent brain damage. Instead of promptly paying the $300,000 policy limits, as it should have, the insurance company stonewalled. The insurance bad faith claim we handled resulted in a settlement that exceeded the policy limits by $4.7 million. Lesser, Lesser, Landy & Smith holds insurance companies accountable for their actions.

Bad Faith Icon

Confidential Settlement – Nursing Home Death

Often, the survivors of loved ones retain our services not only to seek vindication for the negligence of others but also to determine the true cause of their loved one’s demise. The son and daughter of Mrs. Smith are a perfect example. After Mrs. Smith fainted at her home, she was transferred to St. Mary’s Hospital and discharged to an area nursing home where she died nine days later. An autopsy was performed and the medical examiner determined Mrs. Smith died of natural causes. Fortunately, a private medical examiner was retained for litigation purposes. After the expert performed a detailed autopsy, he determined the true cause of death – skull fracture. After conferencing with the expert, and in conjunction with his records review, we determined that Mrs. Smith fell in her home and struck her head, thereby resulting in a skull fracture. The skull fracture went undiagnosed in the nursing home. During her stay at the nursing home, Mrs. Smith complained of worsening, excruciating headaches. Despite the complaints of the resident and her children, the nursing home did nothing. We determined that the complaints were due to swelling of the brain which destroyed tissue and was the sole cause of death. Furthermore, if the condition was timely recognized, life-saving medication could have been used. Shortly thereafter, a significant, confidential settlement was obtained.

Confidential

$4.5 Million Settlement – Trucking Accident

It is our client’s desire that the specific details of this personal injury case remain private. We are proud of our efforts in this complex and hard-fought lawsuit, as they helped bring justice to a very deserving client.

Trucking Accident

Confidential Settlement – Nursing Home and Assisted Living Facility (ALF)

We are proud that our clients find us through referrals based upon our reputation in the community.  Ms. B was no exception, contacting us after reading in the newspaper about a successful nursing home verdict we obtained.  When we met Ms. B, she was recovering from a stroke that left her unable to walk and bed bound.  Initially, she was admitted to a nursing home where she sustained a significant bedsore.  Her insurance plan required her to be transferred to an ALF.   After the first four ALFs refused to admit Ms. B, a fifth ALF, unfortunately, chose to admit her.  As an ALF, it did not offer skilled nursing care and did not have sufficient staff to care for Ms. B’s wound – a prerequisite to a proper admission.  Her wound quickly declined and became infected with MRSA.  After meeting with the family, we assisted with getting Ms. B transferred to an area wound care hospital and filed suit against the nursing home and the ALF.  Ms. B was forced to undergo multiple surgical procedures, an extensive hospitalization, and the use of a wound vac.  Ultimately, we were thrilled to learn her wound fully healed.  In addition, we were able to obtain a significant settlement from both the nursing home as well as the ALF.  No aspect of our job gives us greater satisfaction than obtaining justice for our clients while providing life-changing advice.

Malpractice

$3.6 Million – Insurance Bad Faith/Personal Injury

Lesser, Lesser, Landy & Smith has been honored to co-counsel cases involving insurance bad faith issues with lawyers throughout Florida. Several of our lawyers and staff worked for insurance companies before joining the Firm. Accordingly, we have a unique insight into how insurance companies work. In this case, we were pleased to handle the bad faith aspects of a case that resulted in a pre-trial settlement that was 144 times the $25,000 policy limits. Insurance bad faith cases are complex and hard fought. We have the knowledge and experience to hold insurance companies accountable when they violate Florida law and act in bad faith.

Other Injury

Denial of Coverage Results in Settlement Over 250 Times Policy Limits

In Florida, insurance companies are governed by a set of rules they must obey. When they arrogantly ignore these rules and operate in a bad faith fashion, there are consequences. Jack’s insurance company wrongly decided that he had no coverage for the claim made against him. By not providing him the defense and coverage he was entitled to, we were successful in forcing the insurance company to satisfy the entire judgment entered against Jack — even though it was over 250 times the coverage amount. Our lawyers have had decades of experience defending insurance companies. We know both the rules and the tricks insurance companies sometimes use to try to break them. We handle cases throughout Florida when insurance companies break the rules and operate in bad faith.

Bad Faith Icon

$3.25 Million – Insurance Bad Faith Motorcycle Wreck

Henry’s wife needed help. Her husband was in a coma at St. Mary’s Hospital as the result of a terrible motorcycle accident. She retained a lawyer who, after doing some research, discovered there was only minimal insurance available from the at-fault driver. The lawyer told Henry’s wife she did not need to incur the expense of retaining a lawyer since the $10,000 in coverage should immediately be paid by the at-fault driver’s insurance company. When Henry came out of the coma, his wife began to wonder when the family would receive the $10,000 in coverage. She again contacted the lawyer who, disgusted by the insurance company’s failure to settle, immediately filed a lawsuit against the negligent driver. The lawyer then contacted us to pursue an insurance bad faith claim against the driver’s insurance company. We were successful in convincing the insurance company to mediate the entire dispute before Henry’s injury claim went to trial. The result? A settlement of 325 times the $10,000 policy limits. Lesser, Lesser, Landy & Smith is available for consultation throughout the State of Florida on insurance bad faith matters.

Motorcycle Accident Icon

Confidential Settlement – Medical Malpractice

Jennifer was a single mother of a baby girl when, at the age of 25, she became very sick. She went into her local walk-in clinic with a 103.6 degree fever, blood pressure of only 80/60, poor appetite, bowel changes, excessive thirst, indigestion, nausea, vomiting, weakness, numbness all over her body, and memory loss. Based solely upon her subjective symptoms, she was prescribed antibiotics and sent on her way. The treating physician failed to document the chart, prepare an assessment, or prepare a plan of care. More importantly, despite the fact that she had a fever of almost 104 degrees for three days, she was discharged home instead of to an emergency room. Tragically, she died twelve hours later leaving her baby daughter behind. Although it is physically impossible to undo the hands of time, the firm was able to secure a significant recovery which will take care of Jennifer’s baby into adulthood.

Malpractice

$3+ Million Dollar Recovery – Wrongful Death

On June 6, 2017, 92-year-old Claire was leaving her bridge game at a local church.   As she walked through the parking lot, a vehicle backing out of a parking space struck her, throwing her to the ground and fracturing her hip.  She was taken to the hospital, underwent a hip replacement surgery, but suffered for the next four months until she died on October 20, 2017.

Pursuant to the Florida Wrongful Death Act, the damages on a case like this are not for the loss of life, but for the mental anguish of the survivors – her three sons: Abe, Elliott, and Matthew.  Typically, given the elderly’s limited life expectancy, wrongful death cases involving a victim in her 90’s would result in more conservative jury verdicts.  In this case, one of her surviving sons had special needs.  Partner Joe Landy, who has given lectures to trial attorneys across the State of Florida regarding the handling of cases involving the special needs population, clearly recognized the unique damages sustained by the special needs son, as well as the other surviving adult children.  Joe’s insight into these types of damages, coupled with this passion to obtain justice for the family, resulted in a $3,050,000 recovery.

Other Injury

Confidential Settlement – Construction Site Accident

When John Doe arrived at the new building construction site, he could never have imagined that in the following minutes the building, and subsequently his life, would begin to crumble around him. Due to one error after another by the general contractor and its subcontractors, the building literally collapsed underneath him while Mr. Doe was performing drywall work. The multiple defendants and the insurance companies worked together to fight Mr. Doe and his lawyer for years. When Mr. Doe was on the verge of giving up hope, Lesser, Lesser, Landy & Smith took over the case. Within months, the defendants’ united front crumbled like the building’s floor and a confidential settlement was reached which will provide young Mr. Doe with financial security for the remainder of his life.

Work Accidernt

$2.1 Million – Policy Limits Recovery Motor Vehicle Accident

When Hubert’s family came to Lesser, Lesser, Landy & Smith, they felt as though their life was falling apart. Just days earlier, Hubert was involved in a horrific motor vehicle crash which broke his neck and left him paralyzed. The hospital was already threatening to discharge him and they did not have insurance to pay for the cost of his post-discharge care, nevertheless rehabilitation. Moreover, the insurance company for the other driver had already hand delivered a check for $100,000.00 and claimed that was the only available insurance coverage. Unfortunately for Hubert’s family, this policy was far less than his outstanding medical bills. After accepting representation, we immediately declined the policy limits and filed suit against the other driver. Thereafter, we proved that the driver was in the course and scope of his employment, entitling Hubert to his employer’s coverage as well, resulting in a 2.1 million dollar policy limits recovery. During the course of the litigation, we were able to arrange for Hubert to be admitted to an in-patient, spinal rehabilitation facility. After several months of rigorous therapy, Hubert regained his ability to walk. It is incredibly gratifying that our efforts assisted not only with our client’s financial recovery, but also with recovering his health.

Car Accident

$2 Million – Premises Liability – Multiple surgeries

Our client and her husband were having dinner at a restaurant in Broward County. They were seated at a table adjacent to a large exterior window, which had a large electronic retractable shade. The shade was attached to the window by means of a heavy bracket that ran the length of the window.  A restaurant employee negligently began lowering the window shade, and a gust of wind blew the shade and its bracket completely off the window frame, and the bracket and shade flew directly into the head and neck of our client. This entire sequence of events was captured on the restaurant’s security videotape.

As a result of these traumatic injuries, including herniated discs in her neck,  our client had to undergo four separate surgeries to address these problems. The restaurant originally denied responsibility for the incident they caused and ultimately agreed to resolve the case, which was vigorously pursued by Partner Jeff Gordon.

Malpractice

Confidential Settlement - Multi-Million Dollar Settlement

Unsurprisingly, firearms are classified as “dangerous instrumentalities” in the State of Florida. As a result, gun owners can be held liable when their guns harm others. Although we are limited in what we are able to disclose regarding this sad case, we can say this confidential settlement resulted from a wrongful death lawsuit we filed involving the shooting death of a minor child. We were honored to represent this precious child’s loving parents.

Malpractice

$2 Million – Policy Limits Settlement Construction Site Accident

Veny was living the American dream. A white collar worker in his native country, he readily accepted a blue collar job here until he could find something more suitable. On the day of his untimely death, he was simply following orders. His boss told him to assist a driver unloading date palm trees. Tragically, the trees had shifted in transit, but the driver released the straps holding them before walking around the truck to see if it was safe to do so. The trees suddenly and unexpectedly rolled off the truck, crushing Veny’s skull. The insurance company for the trucking company refused to settle with Veny’s family lawyer, who contacted our firm to assist him. We retained an expert to quantify the family’s economic loss. A compelling video was also presented to the insurance company to demonstrate the devastating suffering Veny’s wife had suffered and would suffer for the rest of her life. The insurance company promptly offered the $2 million policy limits after seeing our presentation. Lesser, Lesser, Landy & Smith is here to help those victimized by the wrongful death of a loved one.

Work Accidernt

Confidential Settlement – Nursing Home

Reverend Smith was a family man and the pillar of his community. Unfortunately, in his later years he developed severe dementia and his wife was forced to admit him to a nursing home. Approximately eight (8) weeks after admission, his wife arrived at the facility to find him covered in ants. According to the nursing home records, the Reverend suffered at least eighty (80) ant bites. His eye was swollen and his foot was bleeding. He was rushed to the hospital and subsequently discharged to an area rehabilitation facility. The admitting staff at the facility discovered that the Reverend had a large, stage four decubitus ulcer of the left heel and a stage two ulcer of the right heel. The family turned to Lesser, Lesser, Landy & Smith for help. We initiated the statutory pursuit process and, in response, the defendant nursing home claimed that the Reverend had the ulcers when he initially arrived at the home. After vigorous discovery, we were able to prove through the use of the Reverend’s hospital and physicians’ records that his skin was intact at the time of the nursing home admission. The case settled for a very significant confidential settlement. Bringing abusive nursing homes to justice is not just our job — it’s a passion!

Elder Abuse

$2 Million – Policy Limits Recovery / Wrongful Death – Trucking Accident

Loss of a loved one is devastating. This is especially so when the loss occurs under violent and unjust circumstances. At Lesser, Lesser, Landy & Smith we have significant experience in handling wrongful death cases and work hard to represent our clients in a sensitive, caring fashion. In this case, following a tragic loss in a trucking accident, we moved quickly to employ investigators and engineers so that crucial evidence would not be destroyed or tampered with. Our prompt examination of the truck’s “black box” proved critical. The data confirmed what we suspected – the trucker had been speeding and did not even slow down for a red light. When confronted with this objective evidence, the insurance company was forced to pay the available policy limits. Wrongful death cases require experience and resources. Lesser, Lesser, Landy & Smith has both.

Trucking Accident

$1.9 Million – Bicycle Accident

Lesser, Lesser, Landy & Smith frequently works with attorneys who refer us cases, including larger cases we handle throughout the State of Florida. This accident happened in the Ft. Myers area. Our client sustained significant orthopedic injuries when he was struck by a car while riding his bicycle. Our athletic client was an experienced bicyclist and did everything right – he wore a helmet and brightly-colored clothing, rode in the bicycle lane, and even used lights on his bicycle during the day for added safety. Nevertheless, the elderly driver of a large sedan turned directly into our client, who needed four surgeries for his resulting orthopedic injuries. Thankfully, our client’s use of a helmet saved him from any brain injury. We are very experienced in handling bicycle accident cases and in working together with other attorneys who refer us all types cases throughout the State.

Bike-Accident

$1.75 Million – Road Rage Trial

Road rage can be deadly.  It was here.  Our client was the passenger in a Chrysler Sebring that became involved in a road rage incident on I95 with the defendant’s vehicle.  The facts of the accident were hotly disputed, but it was undisputed the two vehicles never came into contact.  Furthermore, FHP placed all of the fault for this rollover accident on the uninsured driver of the Sebring, as the defendant driver claimed the Sebring driver threw something at his vehicle and, while in the process of doing so, simply lost control.  Lesser, Lesser, Landy & Smith retained an experienced accident reconstruction expert who was able to prove the physical evidence did not support the defendant driver’s version of the events.  Instead, it appeared both drivers were to blame. This analysis, along with testimony obtained during cross-examination of the defendant driver, led the jury to place 60% of the fault on the defendant driver and 40% on the driver of the Sebring.  After the trial establishing fault on the defendant driver, the case settled before a jury trial on damages.  There is an expression, “It takes two to tango.”  This tragedy could have easily been avoided if either driver would have simply calmed down and disengaged from the incident.

Car Accident

$1.8 Million – Wrongful Death

At Lesser, Lesser, Landy & Smith we work hard for our clients. Here, our clients, the loving parents of a 32 year-old son, did not suffer any economic loss when their son died. The emotional loss of losing one of their children was tremendous, though. We wanted to help them achieve a sense of justice. A confidentiality agreement prevents us from sharing the details of this hard fought, precedent-setting case. Nevertheless, we can say that our hard work on behalf of our clients was truly a labor of love.

Wrongful Death

Confidential Settlement – Assisted Living Facility Death

Ms. X was an 88-year-old battling Alzheimer’s disease.  When her family was no longer able to provide round the clock care, she was admitted to what they thought was the best assisted living facility (ALF) the family could afford.  The ALF assured the family that their mother would be safe in the secure, Alzheimer’s wing of the facility.  Unfortunately, the facility’s representations were false.  Shortly after admission, the resident gained access to an elevator, left the facility and fell.  During the fall, she sustained a broken hip necessitating surgery which ultimately caused her death.  In addition to the Firm obtaining a significant settlement for the family, the ALF has implemented new procedures so no other resident is able to fall into harm’s way.  The settlement provided us with great satisfaction as we not only obtained justice for this deserving family, we protected future residents as well from suffering a similar fate.

Elder Abuse

$1.55 Million – Texting Accident

Sadly, encountering the texting driver has become virtually a daily occurrence.  In this case, the other driver was so engrossed with her text that she blew through a red light and slammed into the side of our client’s car.  An independent witness confirmed the defendant driver was texting.  Indeed, the witness stated the other driver almost hit her before running the light and hitting our client.  The resulting collision spun our client’s vehicle into the far corner of the intersection.  The photographs were dramatic.  Even more dramatic was the manner in which our client’s injuries impacted his ability to work in his business.  We retained a certified public accountant to do a forensic analysis of our client’s business and assist us in determining his loss.  After presenting the accountant’s findings, along with a moving settlement documentary we had prepared, the insurance company settled the case.

Car Accident

$1.275 Million – Teen Driver

Many teens think they are invincible – bulletproof.  We see them weaving in and out of traffic on the Interstate or Turnpike and fear for the worst.  Here, a reckless teenage driver on I95 cut off our lovely client and caused a rollover accident that could have easily been deadly.  Thankfully, our client was wearing her seat belt and her vehicle was equipped with the latest air bags.  Nevertheless, the significant trauma of the crash left our client with permanent pain and a lifelong limp.  Those of us with teens need to emphasize to them the horrific consequences that can occur behind the wheel.  While the teen in this case hopefully learned her lesson, the damage she caused can never be erased.

Trucking Accident

$1.25 Million – Hit and Run Accident

Our client was stopped for a red light when he was slammed into by an F350 truck that fled the scene.  Thankfully, Good Samaritans were able to get a description, and the fleeing driver was ultimately located by law enforcement.  Unsurprisingly, the outlaw driver had inadequate insurance coverage but, fortunately, our client had purchased uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage to protect him from exactly this sort of occurrence.   We retained a forensic accountant to quantify our client’s business loss as a result of his injuries, and we were able to resolve the case without the need of filing a lawsuit.  This case is yet another example of the importance of adequate uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.  It protects you and your family when the other driver either has no liability insurance or, like here, has inadequate insurance coverage.

Car Accident

Confidential Settlement – Nursing Home Settlement

MB suffered from end-stage senile dementia.  She was no longer capable of caring for herself and required assistance with all activities of daily living.  As her children had to work to pay their bills, they could not care for their mother 24/7.  As a result, she was admitted to a local nursing home.  In addition, they also paid for a private duty nurse to provide extra care to their mother during the day.  On the date of the incident, two hours after the private duty nurse had left, MB was found in her wheelchair screaming from pain.  She was transferred to the hospital, diagnosed with a hip fracture, and was forced to undergo hip replacement surgery which ultimately led to her death.  The surgeon confirmed that the fracture was caused by significant trauma and she certainly was not physically capable of getting herself back into her wheelchair, following the fall, without assistance. Faced with this clear evidence, the nursing home agreed to resolve the case.  Equally important, however, they performed a full-blown internal investigation to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.

Elder Abuse

$1.25 Million – Accident at Intersection

Many people are surprised to learn that Section 316.185, Florida Statutes, defines intersections as “special hazards” and requires all drivers to slow down at intersections.  Indeed, this statute states that “the fact that the speed of a vehicle is lower than the prescribed limits shall not relieve the driver from the duty to decrease speed when approaching and crossing an intersection.”  In this case, an independent witness confirmed the driver who slammed into our client did not slow down but actually sped through the intersection, ignoring the red light.  The resulting impact was so hard our client required spinal surgery and surgery for diplopia (double vision).  We were honored to help this deserving client achieve justice against the reckless driver who injured him.

Car Accident

$1.2 Million – Golf Cart Accident

Golf carts seem safe.  After all, they do not go nearly as fast as cars and are largely made of fiberglass.  They just do not seem dangerous.  In fact, golf carts can cause devastating injuries.  In Florida, they are classified as “dangerous instrumentalities,” subjecting the golf cart owner to liability for the operator’s negligence.  We have handled many golf cart accidents through the years and know firsthand how dangerous they can be.  This case is typical.  The operator of the golf cart mistakenly hit the accelerator and ended up running over her 85-year-old friend’s lower leg.  Our client, formerly an avid golfer, was standing in the middle of the fairway when she was struck.  The resulting injury required multiple surgical procedures.  Fortunately, we were able to achieve a prompt settlement against the owner of the golf cart.  Special care should be taken when operating golf carts, and young children should never be allowed to operate them.  Golf carts are truly “a wolf in sheep’s clothing.”

Golf Cart Accident

$1.1 Million – Trucking Accident

Mitchell Corzine was everything good a son could possibly be in the eyes of his loving parents.  On the way home from school one evening, his life tragically ended.  He was a front seat passenger in a Kia driven by his close friend.  As they entered the on-ramp to the interstate, the small car struck the rear of a large, tractor-trailer.  The truck had parked illegally and the rear of the truck extended several feet into the roadway.  All it took was the driver of the Kia to look down for a quick second, and the vehicle struck the rear of the truck, instantly ending Mitchell’s life.  The insurer for the trucking company initially denied liability and contended that the driver of the Kia was the sole cause of the collision.  We were able to obtain the recorded statement of the truck driver, taken by FHP during a criminal investigation, wherein the truck driver admitted that the crash was his fault.  Faced with this strong evidence, coupled with the firm’s history of large verdicts in similar cases, the carrier quickly tendered its policy limits.

Trucking Accident

Multi-Million Dollar Settlement – Medical Malpractice

Our client was born allegedly a healthy baby, but quite quickly his mother realized something was wrong. Each time she returned to the hospital with her young son complaining about his fever, she was told that she was overreacting and that he would be fine. Unfortunately, nothing was further from the truth. The baby was suffering from a severe infection and, ultimately, when he was finally admitted to the hospital he had pneumonia, was intubated, and airlifted to a trauma hospital. Tragically, as a result of the delay in diagnosis, the baby lost multiple portions of his extremities. This multi-million dollar settlement will not only provide him with the care to help overcome his disability, it also will provide financial security for the remainder of his life.

Malpractice

Confidential Settlement – Product Liability

When Fred’s grandchildren told him that they wanted to zipline, he went online and attempted to purchase the safest product available. Unfortunately, unbeknownst to him the zipline was defectively designed and did not contain a safety restraint. After assembling the zipline in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, during a test run the zipline collapsed. After landing on the hard ground, he was unable to feel his feet. He was transported to a trauma hospital, underwent extensive surgery, and thereafter had therapy to learn how to walk again. The fine print from the product manufacturer’s website required us to file a lawsuit in Oregon. After extensive discovery, the case settled on the eve of trial. The recovery allowed Fred the financial resources to enjoy his golden years.

Product Icon

Confidential Settlement – Medical Malpractice

Following a successful bypass surgery, a nurse charged with providing an IV infusion inadvertently used the wrong dosage of calcium gluconate. Shortly thereafter, Dorothy’s arm became swollen, discolored, and painful. As a result, she underwent three surgeries which required an additional 28-day hospital stay. Thereafter, she underwent therapy to regain use of her arm. Ultimately, the case settled for the hospital’s insurance policy limits.

Malpractice

Confidential Settlement – Massage Therapist Malpractice

Our client, a long time massage therapist herself, suffered serious injuries as a result of an over-aggressive massage, ultimately requiring spine surgery. She was referred to the firm partners Gary Lesser and Joe Landy by one of her clients, an attorney who has been referring work to the firm for years.
 
The firm was required to file suit and aggressively litigate the case, finally resolving it right before trial. The firm actively litigated the case, requiring a large number of hearings and depositions resulting in significant settlement on the eve of trial.  Prior to our litigation efforts, the carrier denied the claim and refused to make an offer to the prior attorney handling the case. 
 
Following the firm obtaining justice on her behalf, the client wrote to us and stated, “I have to say that Gary Lesser and Joe Landy really are two very compassionate, caring and resourceful attorneys with sharp minds and keen negotiating skills.” It provides us with tremendous satisfaction that we have the available skills and resources to do battle with the largest insurance carriers and companies and hold them accountable.

Malpractice

$2.275 M Clients Struck by Delivery Van

Our clients were traveling in West Palm Beach when a delivery van violated their right-of-way and slammed into the rear driver’s side of the vehicle they were in.  In that moment, our clients’ lives were forever changed. They both suffered significant injuries that required extensive treatment, and each ultimately underwent spinal surgery. The insurance company refused to pay their claims pre-suit, requiring lawsuits to be filed for each of their cases. Firm Partners Joseph Landy and Glenn Siegel relentlessly litigated their cases, and ultimately, persuaded the insurance company to pay $2,275,000 to resolve prior to trial. At Lesser, Lesser, Landy & Smith, PLLC, we use a team approach and always put the best interest of our clients first. There is no greater satisfaction for us than obtaining justice for our clients.

$600,000 Settlement: Reckless Driver Forced to Pay

Our client was attempting to cross the street in the crosswalk when approaching vehicles followed the law and stopped to yield the right-of-way. One driver couldn’t be bothered to stop, and our client was left to suffer the consequences. As our client was almost across the street, a reckless driver went around the vehicles stopped in front of him and struck our client. He was thrown into the air and sustained devastating injuries. In addition to his physical injuries, our client and his wife were burdened with substantial medical bills and his inability to work. Firm Partner Joe Landy obtained our client’s $250,000 underinsured policy limits and the defendant’s driver’s $100,000 policy limits.  But he didn’t stop there. Joe forced the reckless driver to pay $250,000 out of his own pocket.  We will leave no stone unturned when it comes to seeking justice for our clients. We will fight until we get the best possible results. Let us do the same for you.

$1M settlement following crash caused by delivery driver

Our clients’ car was sideswiped by a cargo van whose driver was working for a delivery company that was subcontracted by Amazon. Following the crash, the driver, who had a warrant out for his arrest, fled the scene. Several minutes later, our clients tracked him down, and although he first denied any accident took place, he did finally admit to causing the crash and fleeing the scene because he had a warrant.  He pleaded with our clients not to call the police, and even after the driver’s callousness, they showed compassion and agreed. The injuries to our clients were significant. Both required extensive therapy and ultimately spine surgery. The hurdles were many, but Firm Partner Glenn Siegel fought on their behalf and ultimately won a $1M settlement. 

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Palm Beach County: 561-655-2028
Martin County: 772-283-6839
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