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https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/990107495Tampa, FL – The attorneys of Lesser, Lesser, Landy & Smith, PLLC have filed a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of the parents of a 3-year-old girl who died last year after she fell from a fourth-floor window when the screen gave way. “They used to call her the president of the class. She was, she was the leader. Her nickname was the president. And, you know, it’s so unfortunate that this world is not going to be able to experience her. So unfortunate,” Ed Daugherty said of his daughter, Riley. On October 15, 2023, the Daugherty family lived at the Mosaic Westshore apartment complex in Tampa. They said their windows were open because management had created an addendum to their lease instructing tenants to open them on dry days to prevent mold. Their attorney, Mickey Smith with Lesser, Lesser, Landy & Smith PLLC, said the complex did nothing to protect the safety of children living in their apartments. “This addendum recommends raising the windows. It does not warn of the danger of doing so and then at the end of the addendum says if you don’t follow the terms of this addendum, you could be held responsible for any property damage,” Smith added. The goal of the lawsuit is threefold: Seek justice for Riley and her family; raise awareness of the danger associated with children falling from windows and be an agent for change by holding Mosaic Westshore and the property management company, Willow Bridge, accountable for not taking any steps to protect the safety of children living in their apartments. There is a device that limits window openings to a maximum of four inches that can be purchased on Amazon for as little as $8. “Falls from windows are the leading cause of severe injury to children 5 and under,” Smith said. “Willow Bridge was certainly aware of the danger and that the danger could be eliminated cheaply, but it did nothing.” Over 5,180 children in the U.S. are treated in emergency rooms every year because of injuries from falls from windows – that’s more than 14 children per day, Smith said. This risk is generally not known to parents, but major hotels like Marriott and Hilton require window fall protection at all their properties, representing more than 2.3 million rooms. Ed and Amy Daugherty are now creating the Riley Jean Foundation as they raise awareness for other families while calling on lawmakers to implement the Riley Jean law which will require fall protection measures. “If we can save one life through this, which I think will save a lot more I’m confident we’re going to, but even one life… That one life could have been our daughter…. We will never fully heal from this tragedy. Ever. We’ve accepted that so we can fight for others. That’s what we’re gonna do and we will not give up. I can promise you that,” Ed Daugherty said. WFTS News Story Family sues apartment complex after their three-year-old daughter fell out of a window and died 

A butterfly lands on a yellow wildflower. Click, click, click!   
 
A clear lake surrounded by snow-covered rocks and densely forested hills covered with evergreen trees. Click, click, click!  
 
Fallen brown and red leaves on the ground. Click, click, click!  
 
Photo by Jessica Feloa
 
 
Capturing nature’s beauty from behind the lens of her Canon Rebel T7, Jessica Feola lives to take in every moment.  Beating leukemia will do that to you.  “I don’t take life for granted,” she said.   
 
 
Maintaining a healthy balance between life and her work as a paralegal to Firm Shareholder Joe Landy is of great importance to Jessica, who has worked here for 21 years. “The firm places a strong emphasis on work-life balance, which is super important as a full-time remote employee,” she said.   
 
 
Born in New York City and raised in West Palm Beach, Jessica lives in Canton, GA with her wife Kristina, legal assistant to Firm Shareholder Mickey Smith, and their two dogs. 

Photo by Jessica Feloa
 
During her free time, she enjoys landscape photography, gardening and planting (new skills) and traveling. This year she went to Greece and swam in the Mediterranean Sea. Scuba diving the Great Barrier Reef tops her bucket list (she just needs to learn how to scuba dive first).  
 
Jessica said the highlight of her time with the Firm has been working alongside Joe Landy, who values and invests in his team. “Joe Landy is more than a boss; he is family,” she said. “He leads by example with trust and respect.”
 
 
 
 
 

 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.

 Summer vacations are in full swing and more Americans are taking extended trips this July 4th holiday travel period. Since the start of the week and through Sunday, an estimated 70.9 millions people will travel 50 miles or more from home, AAA projects. Nearly 61 Million are forecasted to get there by car. Before you head out for a family road trip, look at this checklist to keep you and your loved ones safe.   Road Trip Checklist     Double check car seat installation. Even if your car seat is already installed in the car, it’s worth checking everything is safe and secure. According to AAA, an easy at-home way to do this is to “grab the seat at the car seat belt path and pull side to side and front to back. If it moves more than one inch in any direction, uninstall and start over until a secure fit is achieved.”Clean up items inside your car. Loose items can become projectiles in a crash. Clean up/organize your car before the start of your trip.Be prepared for the unexpected. A “Go Bag” or emergency kit with first-aid supplies, water, snacks, blankets, jumper cables, and flares is always a good idea on a long road trip. Make sure your phone is fully charged – and keep a charger in the car.  Plan Ahead. Identify rest stops ahead of time and take breaks to reduce fatigue. The National Safety Council reports that each year, drowsy driving accounts for about 100,000 crashes, 71,000 injuries, and 1,550 fatalities. Check out Florida’s network of rest areas, service plazas, truck comfort stations and welcome centers. The personal injury lawyers of Lesser, Lesser, Landy & Smith wish you and family safe travels this July 4th holiday travel period. We have vast experience in handling all types of motor vehicle accidents and are here to help you and your loved ones.