COKER · SCHICKEL · SORENSON · DANIEL

has successfully represented clients in Complex Civil Litigation since we began the firm in 1977. Our results can be seen by the cases we have concluded before juries or in mediated settlements.  See our Noteworthy Cases.

We dedicate our experience, expertise, commitment, and resources to help clients get recovery in a wide variety of situations of serious injury or harm. These practice areas include:


Traumatic Brain Injury

There are numerous causes of traumatic brain injuries, including: motor vehicle accidents, defective products, medical errors, work accidents and other dangerous situations.  Cases of this nature require experience and the resources needed to take the case to trial and win what is needed to pay for specialized medical care. (back to top) New Case Inquiry


Personal Injury

Personal injury cases include claims for bodily injury or property damage as the result of the negligence of someone else. Personal injury encompasses a broad range of cases, from automobile accidents, slip and falls, construction accidents, to many other forms of injury. Most personal injury cases include physical, emotional, and financial hardships.  (back to top) New Case Inquiry


Motor Vehicle Accidents

Automobile liability coverage is the portion of your automobile insurance that protects you if another driver or a pedestrian makes a claim against you as a result of an automobile accident. Automobile accidents are an everyday occurrence. Despite the frequency of accidents, being injured in a collision can have serious effects on a victim’s life. Victims of automobile accidents often face high medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, severe injury, or even death. Even if you are not sure that the other driver was at fault, you may be entitled to financial compensation.  (back to top) New Case Inquiry


Insurance Claims & Bad Faith

Insurance companies have a responsibility to its policyholders to provide them with "good faith and fair dealing." Insurance claims are based on the legal responsibility insurance companies have to their policyholders. If they fail to treat them fairly or cause them harm or loss, then legal assistance should be sought.

Bad Faith claims arise when an insurance company refuses to abide by the terms and conditions of the policy in the payment of a legitimate claim to a policyholder. In addition to suing for breach of the contract, proving that an insurance company denied benefits the policyholders is entitled to by the terms of the policy, can result in a claim for additional damages, including punitive damages. (back to top) New Case Inquiry


Defective Products

Products liability refers to the liability of any or all parties along the chain of the manufacture of any product for damage caused by that product. This includes the manufacturer of component parts, an assembling manufacturer, the wholesaler and the retail store owner. Products containing inherent defects that cause harm to a user of the product are the subjects of products liability suits.

There are three types of product defects that incur liability in manufacturers and suppliers: design defects, manufacturing defects, and defects in marketing. It is irrelevant whether the manufacturer or supplier exercised great care; if there is a defect in the product that causes harm, one or both of them can be held liable for it. (back to top) New Case Inquiry


Medical Malpractice

Florida has a statute that defines the standard of care as that level of care, skill, and treatment that is recognized as acceptable and appropriate by reasonably prudent similar healthcare providers under similar circumstances. In other words, the standard of care may sometimes be described as doing what a reasonably prudent doctor (or nurse, dentist, etc.) would do under the circumstances. In a malpractice trial, the judge tells the jury about this definition, and after hearing the evidence of what happened, the jury decides what they believe a reasonably prudent similar healthcare provider would have done under the circumstances. This decision by the jury is normally aided by the testimony of expert witnesses from both sides, who explain the medical issues during the trial.

Dealing with medicine is not a black-and-white issue. It’s technical and complicated and it takes a team of educated and proven professionals to represent your side of the case. Each health care provider, including hospitals, doctors, nurses, and other providers must provide care at the level of the standard of care required by their field. When they fail to provide that level of care and it causes serious and permanent injury, a claim may be viable. These claims are subject to numerous rules and requirements that are not common to other types of serious injury claims and can involve a variety of medical specialties and subspecialties, including but not limited to obstetrics, emergency medicine, neurology, cardiology, oncology, and pediatrics.

If a health care provider violates his or her standard of care, he or she can be responsible for the damages caused, including pain and suffering to the individual, loss of wages and medical bills, and in the event of the death of a loved one, the mental pain and suffering of the immediate family survivors.  (back to top) New Case Inquiry


Workers’ Compensation

When you are hurt while performing your duties as an employee, there is a specialized area of legislation that governs from whom and how much you can recover. This differs from other types of injuries. Workers’ compensation is a benefit that is available to nearly all employees who suffer an injury arising out of and in the course of their employment.

Accidents can occur in almost any job setting. Regardless of how an accident occurs, serious injuries can cause the victim to temporarily or permanently lose the ability to perform his or her job. Medical care and rehabilitation are often expensive. Injured workers often do not receive the appropriate wage loss or medical treatment needed. Workers’ compensation can help injured workers receive pay while they recover and also get help paying for their treatment. If you are denied the benefit you deserve after an on-the-job injury, we can help(back to top)  New Case Inquiry

Appeals

After a decision is rendered in civil or criminal case, the party who loses is entitled to have the decision reviewed by a higher court. Appeals are different than other forms of litigation – it is presented to a multi-judge appellate panel and is decided almost entirely on written briefs.  (back to top)  New Case Inquiry