Freeport Workers' Compensation Lawyers

ADMITTED -Florida and U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida, 1974 EDUCATION -Florida State University -B.S., 1972 -J.D., with Honors, 1974 -Law Clerk to the Industrial Relations Commission, 1973 PUBLICATIONS AND SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS -Author: “Evaluating Job Searches and Earnings in a Self-Employment Setting,” News and 440 Report (Summer 1988) -“Wage Loss Under the New Worker’s Compensation Statute,” 63 Florida Bar Journal 10 (November 1989) -Guest Speaker, “The 1989 Legislative Changes Concerning Workers’ Compensation,” South Florida Risk and Insurance Management Society (February 1990) -Instructor, State of Florida approved for Adjuster Continuing Legal Education, 1991 MEMBERSHIPS -Orange County Bar Association -American Bar Association -The Florida Bar -Member, Worker’s Compensation Section -The Association of Trial Lawyers of America -Board Certified Workers’...

Christopher Mossallati concentrates his practice representing clients in Workers’ Compensation cases and other related Labor and Employment Law matters. Mr. Mossallati received his Bachelor’s degree from West Virginia Wesleyan College in 2011 and his law degree from Florida Coastal School of Law in 2015. He is a member of the Florida and West Virginia state bars. Mr. Mossallati has lectured at various workers’ compensation seminars. He is a member of the American Bar Association, the Lee County Bar Association, and the Florida Bar (Workers’ Compensation and Labor Section). Prior to joining Morgan & Morgan, Mr. Mossallati worked in...

Ryan began his legal career as an Assistant State Attorney with the Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office, where he tried over 50 jury trials (and over 200 non-jury trials) at both the felony and misdemeanor levels. He then went on to practice law for a prominent insurance defense firm until the fall of 2007, when he joined the Plaintiff’s side and began helping Injury victims. He now represents plaintiffs’ rights in personal injury and wrongful death claims. In the past Ryan has defended insurance companies and their insureds, which provides him with a unique insight into the inner workings of...

Since 1991 I have practiced law representing thousands of clients in their bankruptcy and workers' compensation legal issues. Previously employed with Morgan & Morgan and as an assistant county attorney with Hillsborough County, I started my office in 2001and dedicated it to representing debtors who are trying to get a fresh start by discharging their debt, saving their homes from foreclosure, stopping lawsuits, and harassing phone calls. I have represented thousands of injured workers and have settled millions in workers' compensation disputes. Call me today for a free legal consultation. I offer payments plans and try to work within...

Betty Marion Whitman resides in Ocala, Marion County, Florida where she began practicing law in Marion County in 1987. Betty started her legal career as a secretary to her father, a general practitioner in Melbourne, Florida. She continued to work as a legal secretary in various cities in Florida and briefly in New York City. She obtained her A.A. degree from Brevard Community College, then went on to the University of Central Florida to obtain her B.A. degree, and then to Law School at the University of Florida. Betty has achieved an “AV Preeminent” rating by Martindale & Hubbell,...

Mr. Hesser was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1975. He attended Penn State University where he received degrees in both Political Science and Media Studies in 1997. Mr. Hesser then attended Wake Forest University School of Law in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where he obtained a Juris Doctorate in 2000. Mr. Hesser spent his final year of law school in Gainesville studying at the University of Florida Levin College of Law. Mr. Hesser practices in the fields of bankruptcy, employment, and workers’ compensation law. Prior to forming Schatt & Hesser, PA with his longtime colleague in Ocala, Ted Schatt, Ken...

Michael W. Wallace is a trusted personal injury attorney who represents injured clients throughout the State of Florida, including injuries arising from Auto Accidents, Premise Liability (Slip & Fall and Trip & Fall), and Wrongful Death cases.

Mr. Wallace is a south Florida native. He obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree in Legal Studies from the University of Central Florida (located in Orlando) in 2009. He then returned to south Florida where he attended and graduated from St. Thomas University, School of Law, in December 2012. While at St. Thomas, Mr. Wallace held the position of Articles Editor...

Edward D. Carlson was born in New Jersey. He founded the firm with Paul Meissner in 1971. He has served as a municipal judge for the cities of Belleair and Safety Harbor, Florida. Ed has been married for more than 40 years and has four grown children and five grandchildren.

Michael Perenich is a third-generation personal injury lawyer. Guy Perenich, his grandfather, founded a personal injury law firm in Clearwater, Florida, in 1955, and Michael's father Mark Perenich is a personal injury lawyer as well. Born in Clearwater and raised in Tarpon Springs, Michael currently resides in Palm Harbor. He went on to complete his philosophy degree at the University of South Florida. Following his graduation from USF, Michael, like his father, enrolled in Loyola University's New Orleans College of Law. Michael interned as a law student for Honorable Judge Robert Morris of the Second District Court of Appeals. In addition, he participated in...

Javier Ruiz is an attorney litigating in the areas of personal injury and workers' compensation. He specializes in Longshore and Defense Base Act cases for the injured. Mr. Ruiz works to help injured individuals through difficult and trying times by providing aggressive litigation and advice essential to obtaining benefits for them and settlements. Mr. Ruiz represents only the injured individual.

Prior to becoming an attorney, Mr. Ruiz worked extensively in the Court system for both Circuit Civil Judges and 3rd DCA judges. He gained a knowledge of case law research and legal writing while working these jobs. He also came to...

Experience matters. For well over two decades, Frank W. Piazza has been helping injured workers in Southwest Florida receive the benefits they deserve. Mr. Piazza received his undergraduate degree in political science from the University of South Florida in 1987, followed by his law degree from the University of Florida in 1990. Since May of 1992, he has represented literally thousands of injured workers in Southwest Florida, and has handled all types of cases. “My approach to representing people is perhaps different than others. I actually enjoy meeting with and getting to know each of my clients. In...

Victor Malca, a graduate of Texas Southern University Thurgood Marshall Law School, has practiced law in Florida since 1994. He is a member of the Workers’ Compensation Section of The Florida Bar, Dade County Bar Association, Broward County Bar Association and Florida Workers’ Advocates. Victor Malca specializes in representing injured workers in ‘ compensation cases and individuals in social security disability claims before the Social Security Administration.

Maria Isabel Amaro was born in Colombia, South America in 1970. Ms. Amaro relocated to Miami, FL in 1985 and has lived in Miami for the last 24 years.

Ms. Amaro graduated from Nova Southeastern University with her Bachelors in Business Administration and a minor in Professional Management in 2005. Ms. Amaro attended Saint Thomas University School of Law receiving her Juris Doctor in 2008.

She was also a certified legal intern for Legal Aid of Greater Miami in the Family Law department for two semesters.

Upon being admitted to the Florida Bar in 2008, Ms. Amaro joined the law firm of Friedman,...

John H. Russell, Jr. is one of the distinguished Daytona Beach personal injury attorneys at Politis & Matovina, P.A. He graduated cum laude from the Barry University School of Law and interned for the Honorable William C. Johnson, Fr. of the Seventh Judicial Court of Florida. He has a wide range of practice areas including personal injury law, workers’ compensation, social security disability, and criminal defense. Attorney Russell holds the position of President of Flagler County Bar Association as well as Vice President of Volusia Civil Trial Attorneys Association. Call his firm today for a free consultation.

Matthew Wheeley was born in Haines City, FL and grew up in Clearwater. He and his wife, Dianna, have two grown children who were recently married and live in Tampa. They have two spoiled dogs still living at home. Matt has completed a marathon, half-marathon, and numerous triathlons.

Born in Cocoa Beach, Florida and raised in Jacksonville, Florida, Kendall was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1998. After completing law school, she worked as a general civil practitioner before committing her practice solely to workers compensation attorney.

Certified by the Florida Department of Insurance as an instructor in Florida Workers Compensation Attorney.
MSCC Certified by the International Commission on Heath Care Certification in 2013.

Kendall has lectured at numerous seminars, including continuing education classes for workers’ compensation claims professionals.

Brian D. Tadros, Esquire is a long-time Florida resident. He was raised in Jacksonville, FL, which will always be his home. He graduated from the University of North Florida in 2000 before attending law school at Florida Coastal School of Law. He obtained his Juris Doctor degree in 2004.

Before even attending law school, Mr. Tadros worked as a legal assistant for a plaintiff firm in Jacksonville, Florida handling nothing but workers’ compensation cases. In 2006, he relocated to the Central Florida area and began working for a regional, multi-state defense firm doing nothing but defending...

Mr. Parafinczuk is a Board Certified Civil Trial Attorney, barely 1% of lawyers in the State of Florida hold that title. He has extensive jury trial experience and several verdicts in excess of $1 million. As a trial lawyer, he has tried almost every type of civil case. Most of his trial practice is currently devoted to Engle Tobacco cases and other serious injury and wrongful death cases. He spends a significant amount of time litigating mass tort cases throughout the country. As the first lawyer in the country to file an Essure Birth Control case, he has a significant role...

Manny is a graduate from Thomas M. Cooley Law School (1990) and was admitted to the Florida Bar in May of 1990, as well as the United States Middle District Federal Court. He is a certified Circuit Civil Mediator performing numerous private meditations in the area of Workers’ Compensation and Personal Injury in West Central Florida. Mr. Franco is a member of the Florida Bar Workers’ Compensation Section, Florida Workers Advocates, as well as the Hillsborough County Bar Workers’ Compensation Section. He has lectured on the topic of workers’ compensation mediation. He is a member of the Hillsborough County Bar...

Stephanie Vega Graves is a trial attorney who handles personal injury cases. Mrs. Vega Graves has represented severely injured clients in cases involving injuries as a result of slip and falls at popular supermarkets and malls; severe injuries due to construction accidents; wrongful death claims; negligent security outside of nightclubs, bars, parking lots and apartment complexes including shootings and assaults; pool drownings; premises liability; car accidents; dram shop; liquor liability; brain injuries; medical malpractice and bad faith claims handling by insurance companies. Mrs. Vega Graves has obtained legal experience at prominent real estate and personal injury law...

Personal Injury Lawyer Experienced trial attorney specializing in representing persons injured in an accident or at work . Ms. Johnson worked for the insurance companies for several years and is now working for you, the work accident victim. With the experience she gained, she will handle your workers compensation claim aggressively and efficiently

Rayo Moreno has been handling Florida Worker's Compensation cases for 18 years, and is a member of the Worker's Compensation section of the Florida Bar, Broward County Bar Association, and Florida Worker's Advocates. She is admitted to appear before the U.S. District Court for the Southern District.

About Personal Injury Attorney Mark Perenich Academics Bachelors in Public Administration: Loyola University New Orleans Juris Doctorate: Loyola University New Orleans Mark H. Perenich was born in Clearwater, Florida in 1956 and is the son of firm-founder, Guy N. Perenich, Esquire. Mark Perenich graduated from Loyola University New Orleans with a Bachelor of Public Administration in 1981 and a Juris Doctorate in 1984. Following graduation, he joined the firm where he is now a senior partner. Mark received the James Masters Award in 1981 and the American Jurisprudence Award in Wills & Estates and Corporations in 1983. Moot Court Member Taught business and corporate law at St. Petersburg...

Mr. Adams received his Juris Doctorate from the Shepard Broad Law Center, Nova Southeastern University, graduating in the top 5% of his class. In law school, Mr. Adams was a member of Law Review, as well as, the Chief Advocate for the Moot Court Honor Society. He attended law school as a Dean Fellow Scholarship recipient. While in law school, Mr. Adams received the "Book Award" (highest grade) in Corporations, Tax, and Appellate Practice. Prior to seeking higher education, Mr. Adams served in the United States Army and the New Jersey Army National Guard. He is a veteran of the...

Joseph A. Corsmeier is an "AV" rated attorney practicing in Clearwater, Florida. He concentrates his practice primarily in the areas of defense of attorney disciplinary matters before The Florida Bar, attorney admission matters before the Florida Board of Bar Examiners, and professional license and disciplinary matters before the Boards of the State of Florida. He provides expert analysis and opinion on conflict of interest and other attorney disqualification and legal malpractice issues and he testified as an expert in the Florida courts. Mr. Corsmeier served as an Assistant State Attorney in the Sixth Judicial Circuit from 1986 to 1990 where...

Harvey D. Friedman has over 50 years of experience helping and assisting clients in protecting their legal rights. He began practicing law in Florida in 1969, initially handling all types of legal matters. In 1976, he opened his own office in Miami Beach dedicated exclusively to all areas of personal injury-focusing primarily on serious injury accidents. Over the years Mr. Friedman has served in various leadership capacities on both public and religious organizations, including service as a past president of the Miami Beach Bar Association. He holds an AV Peer Review rating by Martindale-Hubbell-which is the highest rating for...

Suzanne Gorowitz has been representing injured workers in South Florida for 30 years. She is the owner of Sadow & Gorowitz, P.A. and has been given the highest rating of “AV Preeminent” through Martindale Hubbell for well over 20 years. Ms. Gorowitz graduated with her Juris Doctorate from the University of Florida in 1990. While there, she received book awards in both Professional Responsibility and Family Law. Prior to that, she graduated Phi Beta Kappa from The University of Florida in 1987 with a B.A. in Political Science. She was also honored by the National Association of Women...

I thoroughly understand Florida’s personal injury law and the tactics that insurance companies and their representatives use to avoid paying money to victims. Through years of outstanding service to clients, I have earned a reputation as a reputable advocate for the injured in Florida. I am a veteran of tough negotiations with insurers, and have not only gained the respect of my clients, but also the adjusters and attorneys on the other side of the conference table. They know my reputation for representing real victims with real damages, and as a result, I am able to work with speed...

Carol Avard is a member of the Medical Malpractice, Social Security, Federal Torts, and Motor Vehicle Collision sections of the American Association for Justice (formerly the Association of Trial Lawyers of America). She is also a member of the Bad Faith, Disability Law, Employment Law, ERISA Litigation, Insurance Law, Medical Negligence, Nursing Home, PI/Wrongful Death, Products Liability, Professional Negligence, and Social Security Disability Law sections of The Florida Association for Justice. Additionally, she is an Accredited Veterans Disability Attorney. Carol is a member of the NOSSCR Board of Directors – a professional association of Social Security Disability practitioners.

Benjamin A.A. Russell joined the Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner, Attorneys for the Injured, as a trial attorney in March 2011. Prior to joining Associates & Bruce L. Scheiner, Attorneys for the Injured, Benjamin was an Assistant State Attorney in Miami-Dade County where he prosecuted numerous cases in both jury and bench trials and was a Division Chief in Juvenile Circuit Court where he trained other Assistant State Attorneys for felony jury trials and represented the State of Florida in Juvenile Drug Court. After fighting for justice in the courts of Miami, Benjamin and his wife Jaime moved to Tupelo,...

Asheley Figueroa-Santana is an associate attorney at Cecere Santana, PA. Mrs. Figueroa-Santana works on cases relating to Personal Injury and Property Litigation claims. As a member of both departments, she assists Mr. Cecere with cases relating to automobile accidents, slip and falls, premises liability, negligent security, faulty products, and wrongful death. Additionally, she is responsible for obtaining benefits for our clients for damages from hurricanes, storms, fires, water among other types of property claims. She is a zealous advocate for our client’s rights and continually strives to obtain the best results.

Mrs. Figueroa-Santana began her...

Marc Yonker is a founding partner at Winters & Yonker Personal Injury Lawyers, a well-known personal injury law firm serving clients throughout Florida with offices in New Port Richey, Lakeland, Tampa, Clearwater and St. Petersburg. His father’s best friend was a personal injury lawyer. Marc admired his work ethic and the way he helped people in need. This admiration stuck with Marc, and he attended law school after graduating from the University of South Florida. He earned his J.D. from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in 1993. Subsequently, Marc was admitted to both the Florida and Pennsylvania State Bars. Marc...

Jason Reid began his career in Florida in 2006 with the Office of the Public Defender for the Ninth Circuit. Jason Reid moved to the Tampa Bay area joining a local lawyer firm in 2012. Jason Reid decided to take his dedication to his client's cases with a hands on approach at The Reid Firm in 2019.

Jason Reid is Board Certified Criminal Trial, Appellate, Personal Injury and Workers' Compensation lawyer with experience in all areas going back to at least 2012.

The Reid Firm is located in Bradenton, and handles cases frequently in Sarasota and Tampa. We are a...

Angel R. Kirkconnell represents the injured and their families, exclusively. Through aggressive advocacy, knowledge and preparation, Ms. Kirkconnell ensures that her clients receive all of the medical and indemnity afforded to them by law. Ms. Kirkconnell has the keen ability to exercise compassion and understanding and to obtain the best negotiated settlements possible. She gained her knowledge and experience by representing insurance carriers, third party administrators and employers in all phases of litigation. Her efforts resulted in negotiated settlements on complex and difficult cases. Ms. Kirkconnell has prevailed at numerous complex trials and hearings.

Ms. Kirkconnell graduated from Nova Southeastern University...

Brigitta Hawkins is an Of Counsel attorney with the Central Florida law firm of Bogin, Munns & Munns. Her primary areas of practice are Social Security Disability and Workers’ Compensation. She received her B.A. from University of Central Florida (2002) and her J.D. from the Florida A&M College of Law (2006).

Ms. Hawkins is the recipient of Florida Bar President’s Pro Bono Service Award 2017 for the 18th Judicial Circuit and the Florida Association for Women Lawyers Leader in Law Award, along with several awards for her pro bono work.