Trial lawyers have a unique set of skills, knowledge and proficiency, and are at a tactical advantage against non-trial lawyers. At Corless Law Group, we don’t just anticipate a jury trial, we expect it from Day One. With valuable assets at stake like your home and business property, hiring an experienced trial lawyer shows you are ready to go the distance to protect your interests if an insurer attempts to delay, deny or underpay your claim. We have secured record-setting results in the most complex property disputes, and the reason is always the same: Like athletes, we win because we prepare, prepare again and then prepare some more.

Corless Law Group consistently demonstrates a high level of courtroom prowess and acumen. We have a special training in advocacy beyond the standard experience of every lawyer. The trial lawyers at Corless Law Group anticipate – from the filing of the case through the discovery phase – what challenges will be faced at the ultimate trial and we are equipped to minimize those challenges.

We offer innovative problem-solving for a wide range of insurance disputes, property damage claims and bad faith cases. We have tried more punitive damage cases than many other lawyers have tried slip-and-fall cases or rear-end collisions. Our familiarity with burdens of proof, evidentiary rules and judicial requirements sets us apart and gives the policyholder the best chance at a favorable outcome. After the claim is filed, if you look close enough you know what to hunt for, and it is in those early stages where the most important details are born before your very eyes.

A trial attorney is a specific breed of barrister. Trial work requires a specific set of skills, training and advanced education, which is learned in school and then polished over decades until the lawyer turns the rules of evidence into muscle memory.

While approximately 90% of cases settle outside of court, many non-trial attorneys fail to prepare adequately for trial under the expectation that their cases will resolve themselves. In fact, property damage claims are the most common types of cases tried to verdict, likely due to the amount of money involved. The bigger the dispute, the more money insurers can justify fighting their insureds over what they owe. Frequently, if the insurer can slow the litigation process, they think the property owner and their lawyers will lose steam. Not on my watch. Corless Law Group is always prepared to go to court.

As of this writing, Corless Law Group is preparing for not one, but two multi-million dollar trials, between now and June 1. I have a history of winning high-value, Large Loss insurance disputes in the courtroom. I handle most trials in the First Chair (lead attorney) position, which is not an experience or skill that many trial lawyers possess. I also surround myself with experts during trial preparation, such as professional engineers, forensic accountants, graphic designers, video editors, data analysts and technologists.

With 25+ years of trial experience under my belt in state and federal court throughout multiple jurisdictions, I am at home in a courtroom fighting for the rights of my clients. Many times, like a sports team, I am recruited by clients as well as other law firms to bring my perspective to the matter at hand.

My goal is to seek full and fair compensation while advocating for justice, which means holding insurance companies accountable. Contact Corless Law Group at 813-258-4998 if you’ve experienced property damage and your insurer is attempting to delay, deny or underpay your valid claim. Let’s get ‘em.

In order to buy fireworks in the Sunshine State you have to sign a form declaring you’ll use them to illuminate railroads or scare away birds. Don’t laugh – that’s actually the law. (Under Florida law, devices such as sparklers are legal for Floridians to buy.)

Individuals can buy and use aerial and explosive devices if they sign a waiver saying they will use the fireworks for certain agricultural purposes, specifically for “frightening birds from agricultural work and fish hatcheries.”  As you can imagine, rarely do Floridians who sign the form use fireworks for such purposes. 

In an effort to allow Floridians to add a little sparkle during the Fourth of July holiday and other celebrations, a pair of new proposals would allow individuals to pledge to use the fireworks “solely and exclusively” during one of three designated holidays.  

The push to make the sale of fireworks legal on Independence Day, Memorial Day, and New Year’s Eve is being spearheaded by Sen. Travis Hutson, a St. Augustine Republican, and Rep. Ana Maria Rodriguez, R-Doral.  The duo have filed legislation (SB 140, HB 65) for consideration during the 2020 legislative session, which begins Jan. 14.

State lawmakers over the years have tried and failed to amend the statute regulating the use and sale of fireworks in Florida, from repealing the ban altogether to proposing changes to the legal waiver. 

Fireworks are explosives that have the potential to cause serious bodily harm. Fireworks are also responsible for starting fires that destroy homes and property. When you bring explosives into the mix, things can go sideways very fast for people and their property.  

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, in 2017, an estimated 12,900 injuries were treated in U.S. hospitals that were a direct result of firework accidents. Some of the more common injuries associated with firework accidents include:

• Burns
• Eye Injuries
• Broken bones
• Loss of fingers or toes
• Loss of hearing
• Soft tissue injuries
• Disfigurement
• Scarring
• Emotional trauma

It is important to know if your insurance policy covers damage from fireworks and fires. When fireworks are defectively designed or manufactured, the injuries people and their property sustain can be devastating. Fireworks can be used in a negligent or careless way, or used by unauthorized or inexperienced individuals.

If you are injured by a firework, whether from a product malfunctioning or as a spectator, the manufacturer, distributor, or fireworks user may be liable for your injuries.  Moreover, if your property is damaged due to fireworks and fires, you should contact a lawyer. 

Corless Barfield Trial Group has extensive experience litigating fireworks claims, products liability cases, and property damage insurance disputes. Call 813-258-4998 today for a free consultation. 

The Problem: Johnson & Johnson recently recalled one lot, about 33,000 bottles, of its Johnson’s Baby Powder because the U.S. Food and Drug Administration found asbestos in a bottle. People who own a bottle of Johnson’s Baby Powder from Lot #22318RB should stop using it, Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc. said in a release announcing the recall and refunds.

According to the New Jersey-based company, the recall is limited to just one lot of Johnson’s Baby Powder produced and shipped in the U.S. last year. This announcement comes on the heels of the company facing previous allegations of asbestos contamination in its talcum powder.

Over the past century, asbestos was used as an ingredient in many different construction, insulation, and manufacturing materials. Asbestos-containing materials have likewise been used to insulate steam pipes, boilers, turbines, pumps, and other industrial equipment.

A Reuters report published last year said that Johnson & Johnson was aware for decades of asbestos in its baby powder but did not disclose that information to the public. The Justice Department and U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is investigating the company over allegations that Johnson’s Baby Powder is contaminated with asbestos. The Justice Department is conducting a criminal investigation into whether the pharma giant misled the public about cancer risks of its talcum powder.

The Litigation: Lawsuits have been filed against Johnson & Johnson in the U.S. alleging that asbestos in its talcum powder cause cancer. In one historic decision last year, a jury awarded $4.69 billion to 22 women and their families. The women had claimed that their ovarian cancer was linked to asbestos contamination in the company’s powder and talc products.

Exposure to asbestos can seriously compromise your health and livelihood. Having an attorney who understands and recognizes the various types of exposure that can occur is essential in asbestos lawsuits. For a free consultation, contact Corless Barfield Trial Group at 813-258-4998.

If you or a family member is suffering from an asbestos–related disease or illness, contact our team of lawyers at 813-258-4998 to learn more about how we can help you. The lawyers at Corless Barfield Trial Group have represented numerous injury victims and are available to help you as well.

At Corless Barfield Trial Group, we don’t recommend settlement unless it’s in our client’s best interests. We offer our clients this unique, tactical benefit: Corless Barfield Trial Group thoroughly and painstakingly prepares cases with the view that they are going to trial. It’s all in the name – we are a personal injury law firm prepared and focused on trial. Corless Barfield Trial Group is committed to creating winning strategies for trial.

If you’ve been seriously injured or lost a loved one due to another’s negligent or reckless behavior, we will assess your case and provide you with an honest opinion on your case at no cost to you. For a free consultation, call us today at 813-258-4998.

Corless Barfield Trial Group is a law firm serving the Carrollwood and Westchase communities. If you are wondering if you have a personal injury case, the best thing to do is get a professional opinion from Corless Barfield as soon as possible. There are time limits on filing a case and delaying could jeopardize your right to compensation.

Our attorneys have extensive experience representing seriously injured people and their families in motor vehicle accidents, slip and falls, motorcycle accidents, premises liability accidents, and other catastrophic event cases. We provide the highest quality of service to our clients. Our lawyers handle accident and personal injury claims including:

• Car Accidents
• Pedestrian Accidents
• Truck Accidents
• Commercial Vehicle Accidents
• Motorcycle Accidents
• Bicycle Accidents
• Slip, Trip, and Falls
• Premises Liability
• Wrongful Death

Our group of top-rated, experienced, and knowledgeable personal injury attorneys have substantial resources to develop and present comprehensive and convincing evidence in court.

Corless Barfield Trial Group maintains strong relationships with internationally known experts in the fields of medicine, engineering, accident reconstruction, law enforcement, technology specialists, and economists to provide evidentiary support for our client’s claims.

We spare no resource in the investigation and preparation of each case for trial. We incorporate cutting-edge courtroom technology into our litigation strategy to help support expert testimony and assist jurors in fully understanding the various and complex aspects of a case.

All personal injury cases are carefully developed so that our courtroom presentations are powerful and successful. We aim to out-prepare and out-perform opposing counsels, insurance companies, and other third party entities so that our client’s message resonates with judges and jurors. We have the resources necessary to go up against the largest adversaries.

Our personal injury lawyers know the lengths insurance companies will go to limit the amount of money they have to pay to injury victims and we’re ready to fight for your rights. Our talented litigators understand how insurance companies operate and are prepared to stand up to them at trial. Contact us today at 813-258-4998 to schedule your free case evaluation with a personal injury trial attorney. We are your community law firm.

Trial work is not easy, and a lot of lawyers claim to do it but they either have little to no experience trying cases or they are not very good at it. Real trial lawyers go to trial often and win. For a free consultation on your Florida property damage claim, contact Corless Barfield Trial Group today at 813-258-4998.

Corless Barfield Trial Group has handled hundreds of property damage cases and collected hundreds of millions of dollars for insureds. We are a high stakes trial law firm and outperform other law firms through our tenacity, experience, and preparation.

Some lawyers live in libraries or conference rooms with stacks of paper, arguing over terms and conditions, and some get hired on cases where they may need to go to trial. We take cases where we believe we can recover what the client is due, and trial must be inevitable. Otherwise, insurance companies will deny or underpay what they owe.

Most lawyers go to trial because they have to; our lawyers go to court because that’s what we do. Through our experience managing major investigations, working as jury consultants and with focus groups, and using enhanced technologies in the courtroom, we have a track record of success litigating complex, high stakes insurance disputes.

Our successes and record-setting verdicts are well-documented in the media. CBTG is composed of highly skilled trial lawyers, whose clients are not just insureds but other law firms whose clients now require the experience we can provide as co-counsel.

We pride ourselves on mastering the following skills that we believe greatly contribute to our excellent courtroom success:

• Experience
• Communication
• Negotiation
• Analytical Skills
• Interpersonal Skills
• Organization
• Polished Performances
• Teamwork

In trial, success comes from experience, and as a client of ours, you’ll have the experience of attorneys who have tried more than 100 jury cases. We know the ins and outs of jury selection, how to convey complex information to a jury, and how to persuade a jury by telling your story in a way that resonates with jurors from all walks of life.

We have found that what it takes to win big ticket property damage cases is unsurpassed storytelling skills, gritty determination, slavish preparation, refined listening skills, good judgment, and expert cross-examination. There is no substitute for trial experience when it comes to your case. Choose wisely. If you want to play in the Big Leagues, you need a Big League law firm.

Corless Barfield Trial Group represents Florida property owners in their insurance disputes, which include hurricane damage, storm damage, wind damage, sinkholes, catastrophic ground cover collapse, fire loss, and water damage.

As damages can cost thousands to hundreds of millions of dollars, you need a property damage litigator who can fight back and win at trial since insurers regularly seek to delay, deny or underpay insurance claims.

Call Corless Barfield Trial Group today at 813-258-4998 to put our trial experience to good use for you. We provide trial services from the very start of litigation through appeal where necessary. Learn more at www.corlessbarfield.com and call us for a free consultation on your property damage insurance claim.

After being involved in a car accident, the last thing you want to think about is your insurance claim. Unfortunately, it must be done, and it must be done right (unless you don’t want to be reimbursed for your pain!). There are a few things that you should keep in mind in order to be sure that your insurance claim does not go awry. The following car insurance claim advice could save you a lot of money, and a lot of headache.

Be honest

Lying is easy to do, especially if you aren’t familiar with the law and are understandably traumatized from your car accident. In fact, even if you don’t actively, purposefully lie, any inconsistencies in your interviews or the physical evidence may be labelled as lying, either because your insurance company thinks you’re lying or because they have a reason to pay you less money.

Therefore, always be sure to get yourself in a calm state before speaking with your insurance company – do not allow them to pressure you into talking about something that you do not feel comfortable talking about. If you feel uncomfortable with the questions you are being asked, contact a lawyer. While you are not obligated to answer any questions at any time, it is of course necessary for you to provide certain information for your insurance company to pay your claim, and other information is not quite as necessary.

Do not discuss your claim

Again, you are not legally obligated to discuss your claim with anybody. When sharing information that is vital to getting your claim paid, only do so to your lawyer or with your lawyer present. While it may seem reasonable to discuss the details of your accident with insurance adjusters, opposing counsel, and jurors, you do not want to share information that may be perceived as dishonesty, blame, or any number of things.

Therefore, keep the conversation to your attorney and your attorney only. Do not discuss it with your friends, family, or on social media. Car insurance claims are very complicated, and the more ears who have heard your side of the story, the more complicated it is. Your insurance claim is nobody’s business except that of you and your lawyer.

Don’t sign anything

Unless you have already sought the advice of your lawyer, do not sign anything. Even the most seemingly innocent documents can have fine print or clauses which result in dire consequences for your case, such as admitting total fault (and therefore losing your claim). This is likely the most important piece of car insurance claim advice.

Your insurance company is in the business of making money, therefore it should not be surprising if they attempt to sign off any potential settlements. Besides your insurance company, any other party involved in your case could have reason to derail you from receiving the care that you deserve.

Attend all your appointments

While this may seem like a painfully obvious piece of insurance claim advice, or even an unnecessary one, your medical treatment is an essential part of your lawsuit. Even if you do not feel injured after your car accident, it is imperative that you seek treatment immediately after, as some injuries may not produce physical symptoms for weeks after the fact. If you experience a delayed physical response but your injuries were not already confirmed by a doctor, your insurance company will refuse to consider your injuries as part of your claim.

Further, once you have sought medical treatment, be sure to attend all future appointments suggested by your doctor. Not following your doctor’s advice may appear callous, or may be interpreted as a sign that you are not really injured and do not need medical attention. This will also send the message to your insurance company that you do not need to be paid for your medical treatment resulting from your accident.

Stay off social media

Posting information on social media about your accident is not only irresponsible, it could cost you your case. Your insurance company is looking for reasons to deny your claim, so anything you say publicly that could be misconstrued to be about your case could be used against you. This piece of insurance claim advice should not be forgotten.

This includes not only talking directly about your case, but also about any activities you are doing that may involve a physical injury you’ve sustained. For example, posting that you are participating in a 5K immediately after your car accident sends the message that you do not need help from your insurance company. Be cognizant of what you put online, and remember to protect your insurance claim at all costs.

Looking for more car insurance claim advice? Do not hesitate to contact Corless Barfield for a free consultation.