AI and ChatGPT are no longer just buzzwords.  This cutting-edge technology contributes to more economical firm management.  Not only does AI save time, but it produces more accurate, higher-quality legal research, eDiscovery, litigation strategies, document drafting and management, risk assessment and predictive analytics for legal outcomes.  

This paradigm shift in the legal industry allows for labor-intensive tasks to be accomplished by AI while adding tremendous value and amplifying efficiencies and client growth.  In many cases, AI augments what humans do and frees them up to take on higher-level tasks such as advising clients, negotiating deals and appearing in court, mediations and arbitrations. 

Law firms that fail to capitalize on the power of AI will be unable to remain cost-competitive, losing clients and undermining their ability to attract and retain talent. As a result, Corless Law Group has created tools and services to assist fellow attorneys and other law firms in the following AI-related areas: 

• Artificial Intelligence 
• ChatGPT
• Apps
• Matterport 3D technology
• Virtual Reality
• Storage to organize huge amounts of complex data that can be used to make vital decisions
• Tools that minimize risk using predictive coding and continuous active analysis in order to learn which documents matter most, and to mark the right time to act on a case

At Corless Law Group, we can provide leverageable technology to help you transform your legal practice, regardless of firm size, geographic location or practice area.  We will help you establish goals and maintain data quality, all while providing sound and savvy legal advice surrounding these new technologies.  

Call 813-258-4998 to see how our AI tools and services can assist you in streamlining your cases to lead to more success inside and outside the courtroom.  Used correctly, AI can generate both quantifiable and indirect benefits while maintaining a human touch.  From onboarding, tech support and best practices for implementation, Corless Law Group is your partner in this exciting new AI ecosystem to guide you through the intersection of law and technology.  

We continue to live in unprecedented times, and as we approach 2021, there remains important questions about how to continue to move forward against our client’s adversaries.  Technological advancements have allowed us as trial lawyers to continue conducting court business and seek maximum compensation for our personal injury and policyholder clients for all accident and property damage claims.

The reality is, many civil jury trials will continue to go virtual for the foreseeable future.  The Florida Supreme Court is trying it out in several places, including Miami and Orlando.  The judge, clerks, attorneys, and jurors all gather in a virtual courtroom, listening to testimony remotely.  Florida courts are exploring various options to keep their dockets running smoothly but big questions remain.

Some courts are moving towards the restoration of in-person proceedings, but those will have a very different look and feel.  For example, only emergency matters, some criminal cases, and critical proceedings have been permitted to be conducted in-person.  Additionally, judges will have to identify metrics to monitor case backlogs and make recommendations on priorities while figuring out which proceedings should continue to be held remotely.

The Tampa Bay area’s circuit and county courts aim to resume having jury trials and grand jury proceedings.  All local courthouses require visitors to undergo basic wellness screenings and temperature checks.  Plans call for jury trials to resume in Hillsborough County starting October 19 and in Pinellas and Pasco counties on October 26. 

In our office’s insurance dispute arena, we are currently set for trials in mid-December, mid-January, and March of 2021.  In federal court, we have just received our first jury trial date for January 11, 2021, in the U.S District Court in the Middle District of Florida.  Whether there are enough jurors available for these trials remain to be seen. 

There will probably be a much higher percentage of no-show jurors after they receive their notices to appear for jury duty.  This is understandable, given that appearing for jury duty when you are already stressed at work raises the burden on each juror.

Suppose you receive a notice to appear for jury duty. In that case, if you have a material reason why you cannot serve, it is imperative you contact the court administrator and plead your case.  Do not be surprised if they listen but then tell you to show up anyway.  Then, at the initial conference in the courthouse, you can explain to the judge why you should be excused. 

Courts may consider whether you are responsible for another person (child care, elder care, etc.) but the excuse, “my boss won’t like me missing work” probably won’t persuade the judge, as the judge may then offer to call your boss and tell them the importance of this civic duty.  When judges make the offer to “call your boss,” most people decline and accept their fate for the week they will miss work.  If you must serve, it is against the law for your boss to fire you for that reason, but we all know, in a smaller work environment, it does not mean you won’t get pressured by your boss to attempt to avoid it. 

There are specific segments of the population who have been disproportionately impacted by coronavirus.  Reports show a higher percentage of people of color get COVID-19.  Much of this is believed to be because more African Americans than Caucasians have no choice whether to work from home or return to the workplace, where they have more regular exposure to the public. 

The new normal of civil jury trials raise questions about fairness, safety, and due process in a court system that, like everything else, is affected by the coronavirus.  There is substantial data to suggest that the juries selected during the pandemic would be less diverse and not truly representative of a jury of one’s peers. Our law firm intends to be extra vigilant on this point and protect our clients’ interests, even if it means delaying any trial. 

Corless Barfield Trial Group is here to answer your questions about personal injury and property damage cases, and how the COVID pandemic may impact the court system or your access to justice.  Call us anytime at 813-258-4998.

For all of us at Team CBTG, we take steps to preserve the life, safety, and comfort of our staff who make up the backbone of our 25+ years of success. From the senior attorney to our administrative team as well as the lovely lady who cleans our offices every Saturday, we want to protect the health and welfare of everyone.

COVID-19 has changed the types and frequency of accidents and injuries that are occurring this summer. As we collectively respond to the developing COVID-19/Coronavirus outbreak, the well-being of our clients and colleagues remain our paramount concern.

We have found most courts to be vigilant in how they schedule hearings while allowing us to use electronic applications like Zoom. As frightening as we know the pandemic has been for everyone, the stress of the crisis has brought out the innovators among us, who remain focused on our client’s future recoveries.

We are available to our clients and strategic partners 24-hours a day, 365 days a year. An attorney from our office can meet with you to discuss your legal options and details of your case, at no cost. We will also continue to offer virtual appointments for clients who prefer to stay home. We meet virtually and in-person with our clients, which include injury victims, Condo Association Boards, LCAMs, Property Managers, and unit owners dealing with insurers who are slow rolling their coverage. To arrange a free consultation, call Corless Barfield Trial Group at 813-258-4998.

Corless Barfield Trial Group’s goal is for you to have a summer of safety in 2020 and beyond, which is why we want to give you the latest information about trends we’re seeing that have accelerated due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

Driving Accidents and Distracted Drivers

Disturbingly, there has been an uptick in reckless driving since the Coronavirus outbreak started. Coronavirus lockdowns led to reductions in traffic but as drivers sped up on quieter roads, collisions became deadlier. People are more stressed and less vigilant drivers due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We must maintain the same sense of urgency when it comes to the road as we do with wearing masks and other types of PPE. Together, we can prevent the needless loss of life.

Swimming, Drownings, Water Accidents

Swimming pools along with boating and water sports are beacons of fun for summer adventures, particularly in the era of social distancing. However, it’s easier than ever for adults to become distracted and take their eyes off children playing in the water. The Sunshine State has seen a startling increase in child drownings during the Coronavirus crisis.

School Reopening

In news that shocked the nation, Florida’s Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran signed an executive order mandating that all “brick and mortar” schools must reopen full time for the fall semester. Healthcare professionals were baffled by this edict as the Commissioner’s directive comes as the state experienced a massive surge in Coronavirus cases. While it is true that children are less likely to suffer from severe complications from COVID-19 than older adults, public health experts say they can spread it to older and frailer adults. Additionally, there are reported cases of a sometimes fatal inflammatory syndrome in children that is believed to be linked to the Coronavirus. Lost academic time and lessons can be made up through virtual classes – a life cannot.

#CorlessCares #MaskMission

“Protecting and supporting the needs of first responders and healthcare workers is critical to safeguarding the health of our community during this crisis. The virus is spreading and that is impacting the whole community, and we are part of that community,” Founder and Partner Ted Corless remarks.

Corless Barfield Trial Group is on its continued mission to distribute as many protective personal protection equipment, including N95 masks as possible during the Coronavirus outbreak. If you are in need of masks, email service@corlessbarfield.com. So far, we have donated nearly 7,000 masks through our #CorlessCares #MaskMission campaign.

Due to COVID 19, our law firm is providing in-depth and free consultations via secure phone or video conferencing for your safety and convenience. Our thoughts continue to be with those around the world impacted by COVID-19. We are grateful to all those in the medical and governmental communities who are on the front lines of fighting COVID-19. Do not hesitate to call us with questions at 813-258-4998. We’re here for you and your loved ones.

The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak as a pandemic. This designation signifies that we are in the midst of a global disease outbreak, which occurs when a new virus emerges for which there is little or no immunity in the human population.  Coronavirus can cause serious illness, and spreads easily person-to-person worldwide.

Corless Barfield Trial Group is your Tampa-based law firm that is open and available to address legal matters with our clients nationwide. Our attorneys continue to guide clients through the complex process of property damage, insurance disputes, and personal injury law. If you have questions about court closures, pending legal matters, or new cases, please call us at 813-258-4998.  We have moved to a remote platform and will return your calls in an expeditious manner. 

Our law firm wants to do our part to contain COVID-19’s spread and to implement the federal and state government’s health and safety recommendations. We do this out of concern for the safety and health of our clients and hard-working staff.  

You may also have questions about different areas of law that may be impacted by the coronavirus, including contracts, force majeure clauses, employment law, or workers’ compensation. We invite you to call Corless Barfield at 813-258-4998.  We are here to help clients better understand and prepare for impending legal complications resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. We have lawyers and support staff ready, willing, and able to answer your questions. 

For the latest health information, visit cdc.gov and who.int. You may also find the following link helpful regarding Florida State Courts: informz.net/FB/data/images/AOSC20-13.pdf. 

Check back on our website and social media platforms for continual updates as part of Corless Barfield Trial Group’s ongoing coverage about important COVID-19 coronavirus topics and resources.  Our attorneys continue to monitor developments to provide up-to-date advice to our clients.

We deliver outstanding results, and we will continue to do so. Together, we will get through this.

Repealing PIP, a state study found, could save Floridians $81 per car per year, nearly $1 billion collectively. Lawmakers for years have debated whether to get rid of the PIP system, which requires motorists to carry $10,000 in PIP coverage to help pay medical bills after accidents.

Floridians pay the nation’s third-highest car insurance rates despite state roads being relatively straight, flat, and snow/ice-free. 

PIP repeal bills are working through committees, with sponsors citing tweaks that make them more appealing to insurers, physicians, and hospitals that have vigorously opposed past reform attempts.

The proposal, at least for now, appears stalled in the Senate over a proposed amendment designed to restrict “bad faith” lawsuits, which involve allegations that insurers have not properly looked out for the interests of their customers (policyholders).  

Unfortunately, insurers regularly engage in bad faith behavior and practices.  Accident victims and policyholders must have a mechanism to hold bad faith insurers accountable. 

The law states that your insurance company must treat you fairly and honestly when evaluating the validity of your claim, and settle claims against you if it can do so within the coverage limit.  

If you are currently facing problems with your insurance company, you should get in touch with the insurance claim attorneys at Corless Barfield Trial Group.  Insurers look to delay, deny or underpay valid personal injury and property damage claims all the time. We will help you fight back against an insurer’s illegal tactics.  Please call our office at 813-258-4998 for a free and confidential case evaluation. 

Insurance companies are expected to act in “good faith” when resolving, examining, and settling claims made against their policyholders. Yet in many situations, insurance companies act in defiance of the law, which is why you need an attorney representing your rights. 

What type of activity illustrates bad faith? The following actions on the part of your insurance company may serve as the basis for prohibited bad faith conduct:

• fails to pay or settle a claim within policy limits without a reasonable basis; 
• fails to properly and promptly investigate or defend a claim; 
• fails to provide justification for denying a claim; 
• offers inconsistent or baseless interpretations of the policy; 
• uses deceptive practices or intentional misrepresentations to avoid paying claims; 
• terminates a claim that should have been paid; or 
• fails to offer the full value of a claim’s worth, or giving an unreasonably low offer to compensate damages.

It should come as no surprise that insurers have sought for years to put more restrictions on bad faith lawsuits and have attempted to tie it to no-fault auto insurance, as they are doing here when it comes to repealing PIP coverage. 

Corless Barfield Trial Group has secured record-setting judgments against insurance companies that refused to protect their insureds by properly evaluating the claims against them.  Our attorneys have successfully tried countless bad faith claims. Our goal as personal injury and property damage lawyers is to ensure the insurance company does not wrongfully deny your claim for full and just compensation. For your no-obligation, case consultation, call Corless Barfield at 813-258-4998. 

Accidents involving smartphones can result in serious injuries and even death.  Something is being done to reverse the devastating effects of smartphone use and driving. FHP troopers have launched an awareness campaign with this message: “Put it down. Focus on driving.” 

The arrival of 2020 brings a handful of changes stemming from the 2019 Florida legislative session, including final pieces of enforcing a new law that cracks down on texting and driving. On Jan. 1, 2020, law enforcement officers in Florida will begin writing tickets for drivers caught texting and driving. Authorities are now able to pull over anybody they spot texting while driving, just for that reason.

Lawyer Up: Corless Barfield Trial Group aggressively represents injury victims who have been harmed due to the negligence or recklessness of another.  By hiring an attorney, victims can fight for maximum compensation to recover the cost of medical bills, rehabilitation, pain and suffering, and lost wages.

Texting behind the wheel has become one of the greatest dangers facing motorists today. To discuss your accident case, call us at 813-258-4998 or fill out this simple form: www.corlessbarfield.com/contact. 

Rules of the Road: The penalty for first-time violators of the new texting and driving law is $30 plus court costs. The fee doubles to $60, plus court costs and three points added to the driver’s license in school and work zones.  The fines go up even more if you’re speeding. Expect those fines to exceed $150 once taxes, court costs, and county-regulated surcharges are added. 

Police officers can only stop a driver for texting and driving when the car is in motion. Officers cannot stop someone seen texting at a stop light unless they are impeding traffic, which would be a different citation.  By law, a driver can decline to hand over their phone, but also under the law, the officer does not need electronic proof to write a ticket.

Moreover, golf carts are a very popular way to get around Florida. The new texting and driving law impacts this mode of transportation, too. Those caught texting and driving golf carts on roadways can be found at fault by law enforcement the same as other motorists. However, those driving golf carts in gated communities or at a golf course won’t be penalized under the new law.

Our Tampa car accident attorneys are experienced in a wide range of Florida auto accidents. We will fight for the maximum compensation to help our clients fully recover. To find out how Corless Barfield Trial Group can assist you, please call 813-258-4998 today. Your confidential, initial case evaluation is 100% free. Our skilled team of distracted driving trial lawyers are ready to help you with your car accident case.

Salvatore Anello was charged by Puerto Rican authorities in the July death of his granddaughter, 18-month-old Chloe Wiegand. Chloe fell from an open window that Salvatore thought was closed on the 11th story of a Royal Caribbean cruise ship in Puerto Rico on July 7. The accident occurred while the ship was docked in San Juan.  Puerto Rico’s Justice Department arrested Salvatore on the charge of negligent homicide.

There was no joy for recent passengers aboard the Norwegian Joy. Authorities say 19 people on this Norwegian Cruise Line ship reported flu-like illnesses in Nov. as they reached a Southern California port. The Los Angeles Fire Department says authorities were called to evaluate patients after they fell ill on the ship. It was the same ship that paramedics responded to a week earlier after four passengers became ill. 

Two Americans were killed and five others were injured during a bus crash in Belize, as they traveled in the country as part of a Carnival Cruise Line shore excursion. The seven Carnival guests who were involved in the bus accident were traveling on a seven-day voyage on the Carnival Vista ship. The ship departed Galveston, Texas, on Nov. 23.

Cruise ship accidents are more commonplace than you might think. If you or a loved one has been the victim of injury or harm while onboard a cruise ship or during a shore excursion, you may be entitled to compensation for damages. Call Florida-based Corless Barfield Trial Group today at 813-258-4998. Our experienced injury attorneys represent those whose lives were impacted by the negligence of cruise lines. 

All cruise lines must ensure that their passengers and employees are safe from the risk of serious injuries. If you suffered injuries while aboard a ship, and you believe that a cruise line failed in their duty to protect you from harm, you may be entitled to a recovery for your damages. 

If you experienced a slip and fall, sexual assault, shore excursion injury, food poisoning or contaminated food, unsafe conditions (such as defective handrails), tender boat accidents, cruise ship medical malpractice, or onboard fires, call Corless Barfield Trial Group at 813-258-4998.

Whether your personal injury claim is subject to Florida state, federal, or international law, our knowledgeable and experienced accident attorneys are ready to handle even the most complex cases. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.

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.