Key West Injury Lawyer Blog
Conch fritters, reef-snorkeling excursions, and/or six-toed cats at the Hemingway house are likely the most-searched topics when researching Florida Keys vacations.
As tourists prepare their itineraries, activities for cranky children during drives across the iconic Seven Mile Bridge, and packing lists, the potential for injuries may not come to mind. In fact, it is likely the farthest thing from their minds when they picture sunning by the pool or taking that coveted first bite of Key lime pie. At Leesfield & Partners, a personal injury law firm in Florida with five decades of experience, our attorneys know just how often a vacation can be soured by an unexpected accident.
Whether it’s a seemingly harmless motorcycle ride that turns deadly or a parasailing excursion gone wrong, our attorneys work tirelessly to ensure they secure the best outcome for every client. We know that the legal system can be daunting and revisiting painful memories can seem like an impossible task, however, it is essential in the path toward justice. For many families affected by preventable injuries, accountability helps acknowledge their pain and can lead to meaningful change aimed at preventing others from suffering the same harm.
Our attorneys help families and individuals navigate the uncertainties of this legal landscape with the compassion and diligence they deserve. Leesfield & Partners is committed to holding responsible parties accountable for their actions. The firm’s Founder and Managing Partner, Ira Leesfield, was involved in championing carbon monoxide protections in Florida through Senate Bill 1822, which was later passed and outlines CO detector requirements for public lodgings in the state. He first got involved in that project when he represented over a dozen people who were exposed to carbon monoxide at a Key West hotel. The cause of the leak in that case was a faulty roof vent that had been damaged in a hurricane.
Leesfield & Partners has had an office on historic Whitehead Street in Key West since at least the 1980s, however, the firm’s roots in the area date back much farther than that. In 1973, three years before the firm’s headquarters was established in Miami, Mr. Leesfield tried his very first case out of Key West.
This was the first trial in Florida to be tried under the state’s newly adopted comparative negligence law. That landmark case not only shaped the direction of Florida jurisprudence but also began the firm’s enduring commitment to the Keys community.
Today, the firm has represented countless Monroe County locals and visitors and has secured numerous record verdicts and settlements on their behalf. Additionally, Leesfield & Partners is honored to be able to support multiple local initiatives — such as the Florida Keys Outreach Coalition — that help the people in the area that need it most. In 2024, the firm and The Leesfield Family Foundation started the Dexter Butler College Scholarship to honor the life and legacy of a beloved teacher and coach who tragically died in March of that year.
For more information about the Dexter Butler College Scholarship and application instructions, click here or email sanchez@leesfield.com
Advocates for Safety
This dedication to the safety and wellbeing of Monroe County residents and tourists alike has resulted in numerous advocacy projects taken on by the firm, such as:
- Sober Driving
- Boating Safety and Education
- Pedestrian Safety
- Jet Ski Do’s and Don’ts
- Parasailing Excursion Accidents
- Cruise Ship Safety
- Juvenile Product Safety
Our attorneys have been staunch advocates of these causes and more through nonprofit work with organizations such as Friends of The Underline and Mothers Against Drunk Driving. Additionally, Mr. Leesfield and other attorneys at the firm have written extensively on safety hazards and have been featured in the media as authorities on these issues.
Previous Tourist Cases
In a historic negligent security case involving a Key West hotel, Leesfield & Partners represented a woman who was attacked by a hammer in an parking garage. The woman was attacked in the unlocked parking garage of a resort hotel in the area where a man was able to enter and roam around in a “drug-induced” state without being approached or questioned by any security. The man wandered for about 20 minutes before encountering our client and beginning the violent attack.
As a result of this horrific ordeal, she suffered serious and permanent injuries to her face and head. The hotel entered into a confidential settlement the night before a $40,580,000 verdict was handed down against the remaining defendant.
Partner Justin B. Shapiro represented a couple staying at a Florida hotel when they were viciously and brutally attacked. The hotel had a previous history of violent crime and officials within management were advised by police and a private security company to hire armed guards to patrol the property before this incident. To cut costs, this advice was ignored.
On the day of the incident, the assailant was able to enter the lobby without being a guest and travel up the elevator to our clients’ room. When the husband opened the door, the assailant rapidly launched his violent attack. This was before he turned to the wife who he beat, sexually assaulted, and raped.
At least part of this unthinkable and violent assault was witnessed by hotel employees and a security guard who did nothing to step in or help our clients as they were attacked.
Mr. Shapiro recovered $16 million for the couple,
Leesfield & Partners handled the wrongful death case of a husband and wife who were involved in a motor vehicle accident in Florida while visiting from the U.K. The two had come to the area specifically for a motorcycle tour that was happening in the area.
Leesfield & Partners obtained a $1 million partial settlement with the uninsured motorist insurance policy.
A newlywed German couple on their honeymoon were horrifically burned when an uncapped gas pipe in their vacation accommodations caused an explosion. The wife died as a result of her devastating injuries.
A multi-million-dollar award was secured for the husband in that case.
The firm previously represented a husband who lost his wife due to the negligence of a jet ski rental company. Under Florida law, these rental companies must ensure that every guest understands safety briefings given before they are set out on the water. A French-speaking tourist in this case, however, did not understand the tutorial, given in English. Asa result, this tourist eventually crashed into our client’s wife, causing fatal injuries.
A multi-million-dollar result was secured for the husband in that case.
A tourist from Brazil was brutally attacked while at a theme park in Central Florida. Leesfield & Partners obtained a confidential settlement for the victim in that case.
Trial Attorney Carlos A. Fabano secured a confidential recovery amount for the family of a woman who suffered a medical emergency and died as a result of a cruise ship’s medical staff failing to diagnose and evacuate her.
Mr. Shapiro represented a client who fell while on steps of a Key West hotel that violated the 1993 Florida Building Code. The steps lacked a handrail and proper lighting, creating a dangerous environment for guests, including our client. Compounding the situation, the hotel failed to warn guests about the hazardous steps.
As a result of the hotel’s negligence, the client in that case sustained life-altering injuries.
A student from Massachusetts was killed in a horrific car accident while visiting Daytona Beach. The bad faith case – meaning that the insurance company denied the claim without sufficient reasoning, evidence or proper investigation – was resolved with a $1 million award for the grieving family.
Leesfield & Partners represented the family of a man who died while visiting Dry Tortugas National Park with his wife on a boat tour. The man was found dead after officials with the tour company directed him to an area they assured him was “good to snorkel.”
The firm secured a $600,000 recovery for a client who was severely injured in a fall at a Florida amusement park.
The firm handled a premises liability case involving a woman who contracted Legionnaires’ Disease while staying at a Florida hotel. The woman routinely used the hotel’s hot tub during her stay and presented with symptoms the day she checked out from the hotel. Due to her exposure and diagnosis, the woman suffered an acute kidney injury, and regular bouts of pain and fatigue.
Eric Shane, a Leesfield & Partners Trial Lawyer, was able to secure a $300,000 settlement for the woman in that case.
Mr. Shane has handled numerous other Legionnaires’ cases, one of which was the largest recovery of its kind for a single plaintiff in the nation.
Recently, Evan Robinson, a Trial Attorney at the firm, returned a six-figure verdict for a woman who was injured at a popular Florida tourist attraction. In that case, the property’s sidewalk was flanked by a sharp divot with no railing to prevent falls. This hazard was known to property managers who regularly tasked employees to fill the trench with gravel.
When the narrow walkway became too crowded, our client stepped off it and into the trench. As a result, she lost her balance and violently fell to the concrete ground, shattering her hip.
Bernardo Pimentel II, a Trial Attorney at the firm, continues to represent a woman who was left emotionally scarred and traumatized after it was revealed that she was being filmed without her consent in her cruise ship’s bathroom. The hidden camera in that case was planted by an employee with access to the rooms of various passengers. He filmed multiple passengers, including children, and was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison for producing child sex abuse material.
That case is ongoing.
Injured on Vacation? What to Do?
Whether you slipped and fell on a cruise ship deck that was slick with water or you were the victim of a crime while staying at a Florida resort, these steps may help support your right to seek financial recovery, depending on the circumstances of your injury.
Your Safety Comes First — Firstly, it is important to ensure your own safety. If you are in immediate danger, you should seek help right away by dialing 911.
Report the Incident — It is important to report the incident right away to the correct office or personnel at the location where you were injured. Request that a report be filed of the incident by hotel, cruise line, or resort personnel. Depending on your circumstances, you may also wish to request that local law enforcement file a report of what occurred as well. Request a copy of any and all reports.
Seek Medical Attention as Soon as Possible — Even if your injuries may seem minor, a medical evaluation is needed. Not only does this ensure that nothing more serious is going on, but it will also help you begin the process of documenting the incident and your injuries.
Document the scene — As stated above, documents such as medical evaluations, X-rays, incident reports, photos and/or videos will be helpful in pending litigation. It is important to photograph or record the scene as it appeared when the incident occurred before anything is moved, cleaned, or changed.
Call a Personal Injury Law Firm like Leesfield & Partners — A personal injury attorney can help you understand your rights and whether you may be eligible to make a claim. With 50 years and numerous record verdicts throughout South Florida, Leesfield & Partners attorneys have seen just about every injury that can occur.
If you were hurt in an incident in Florida, don’t wait. Call a Leesfield & Partners attorney today to see if you may be eligible for compensation. Call: 305-854-4900.
