David Langham, the Deputy Chief Judge of Compensation Claims for the Florida Office of Judges of Compensation Claims and Division of Administrative Hearings, writes in a June 18, 2020 blog post that “litigation is slowing.” Workers’ compensation petition filings for “new cases” filed with the Florida OJCC had been increasing in fiscal 2020 (started July 1, 2019), according to the Judge. In March 2020, petition filing dropped 2% compared to March 2019. April 2020 petitions dropped 23% over 2019. The new figures for May demonstrate a 29% decrease compared to […]

The Florida Division of Workers’ Compensation recently issued a “2020 COVID-19 Report” with a data summary through May 31, 2020. From January 1, 2020 through May 20, 2020, COVID-19 indemnity claims numbered 3,807, or 15 percent of the total of all 25,449 indemnity claims during that time period. The total benefits paid (indemnity and medical) were $3.43 million for the COVID claims and $118.02 million for all claims. The COVID-19 total paid benefits as a percentage of total paid was 2.9 percent. According to the report, COVID-19 should be reviewed […]

Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. Juneteenth is also known as Freedom Day and Jubilee Day. On June 19, 1865, the Emancipation Proclamation – which was issued on January 1, 1863 – was read to newly freed African Americans in Texas by General Gordon Granger. Based on schedule availability, Boyd & Jenerette team members are invited to take an optional and personal moment of silence at the 19th minute of any or each hour during the day representing how freedom […]

Shareholder Kansas Gooden and partner Kevin Franz successfully defended against an appeal brought by a plaintiff in a wrongful death action where the trial court ruled that the owner of the vehicle involved in the accident was limited to $100,000 in liability. The case arose out of a fatal accident where an estate of the decedent sued the vehicle’s owner as well as his stepson who was driving the vehicle. Under section 324.021(9)(b)(3), a vehicle owner’s vicarious liability under Florida’s dangerous instrumentality doctrine is limited to $100,000 per person and […]

The Fourth District Court of Appeal in Matrisciani v. Garrison Property and Casualty Insurance Co., 4D19-406 (Fla. 4th DCA June 10, 2020), addressed multiple issues frequently argued in personal injury suits. First, the court concluded a trial court was within its discretion in granting remittitur of an amount of past medical expenses where the amount awarded was more than the expenses submitted to the jury. In relation to setoffs, the court held that PIP benefits may be setoff from an award after verdict, but the plaintiff is entitled to credit […]

Kansas Gooden has been appointed to serve on The Florida Bar’s Board of Legal Specialization & Education (“BLSE”). The BLSE has oversight responsibility for the evaluation of all CLE accreditation submissions. The BLSE also oversees the work of all the certification committees. These committees are responsible for proposing criteria for the issuance and renewal of certification, reviewing applications, developing and grading examinations, and recommending to the BLSE certificates be issued to those individuals found to have met both the minimum standards imposed by the certification plan and the particular standards in the […]

When did you first know you wanted to be an attorney? What drew you to this career? From a child I was always told that I would grow up to become an attorney, because of my strong personality and debating spirit. Prior to becoming an attorney, I worked as a paralegal for six (6) years. During that time, I began to enjoy the legal field and developed a passion for knowledge of the law. It was at that time, I decided I wanted to go to law school. What personal […]

Boyd & Jenerette P.A. aims to create a workplace environment where diversity is encouraged and in which every member of the firm can realize their potential for excellence. We believe that diversity considerations extend beyond race and gender. We will always advocate to assist those who are underserved no matter their disability, religious belief, age, culture, sexual orientation, physicality, education, and socio-economic status. Discrimination or harassment on any of these grounds is loathsome. However, we must take our policies outside of the work environment. We must continue to bring this […]

Boyd & Jenerette congratulates associate Kimberly J. Woods on being named one of the 2019-2020 Leaders in the Law for the Florida Association of Women Lawyers. This designation is awarded annually to a select group of attorneys from around the state who have been nominated by their local FAWL chapters and meet the criteria for the recognition. To be named a Leader in the Law, an attorney must have earned the respect of others professionally, been involved in activities for the betterment in her local community, exemplified the qualities of […]

The law firm of Boyd & Jenerette is honored to have Kristen Van der Linde selected to the 2020 Florida Super Lawyers list and to also have Kansas R. Gooden and Gregory J. Kahn selected to the 2020 Florida Rising Stars list. Congratulations, you’ve worked hard to earn this selection! Each year, no more than 5% of the lawyers in the state are selected by the research team at Super Lawyers to receive the honor of being included on The Super Lawyers list and no more than 2.5% of attorneys […]