FIRM NEWS

The trial team of Joseph Taraska and Scott Noecker of Jacobs & Goodman, P.A. obtained a verdict of $13,338,606.00 against a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson on October 28, 2008. The verdict came about as a result of the utilization of a defectively manufactured Duragesic (Fentanyl) pain patch manufactured by Alza, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson. The patch was utilized by a 34-year old woman who was the mother of five. As a result of the use of the patch, she died in her sleep. The trial lasted three and one-half weeks with liability being divided: 80% against Alza Corporation and Janssen Pharmaceutica; and 20% against a physician’s assistant on a related medical malpractice case.

The firm is accepting referrals on Fentanyl pain patch related deaths, not only those manufactured by Janssen Pharmaceutica and Alza Corporation, subsidiaries of Johnson & Johnson, but Mylan (generic form) and Sandoz.

The Florida Justice Association Presents Glenn Klausman with the S. Victor Tipton Award

The FJA created the S. Victor Tipton Award in 1989 to honor those individuals whose superior achievement in legal writing and commitment to the profession honors the role that Victor Tipton played within our organization. This year, we are pleased to present Glenn Klausman with the S. Victor Tipton Award in recognition of going above and beyond in his dedication to the civil justice system through excellence in legal writing.

In 2008, Glenn was recognized as a "Legal Elite" attorney in Insurance Law by Florida Trend magazine, one of only seven consumer-representing attorneys out of 18,000 to receive this distinction. As a leader within the FJA since 1987, Glenn has proven himself a master of insurance law. He has served on the FJA Insurance Committee since 2001 and Co-Chaired the Motor Vehicle Insurance Sub-Committee. Glenn has participated in drafting numerous legislation proposals beneficial to consumers and motor vehicle accident victims since 2001 including Motor Vehicle No-Fault legislation. His extensive knowledge and writing abilities have enabled several of these drafts to pass through in the legislature, saving consumers countless amounts of dollars as well as granting them greater protections.

After the substantial legislative changes in the Florida Motor Vehicle No-Fault Insurance law in 2003, Glenn spoke at the FJA Annual Convention on the new laws as well as served as the moderator and speaker at the FJA "No-Fault Insurance Law Seminar." He has spoken and presented at numerous other seminars and written extensively on the topic. His work has been featured in the FJA Journal and has received various recognition and awards for his efforts.

It is difficult to find an attorney in the State of Florida with a more thorough understanding of Florida Motor Vehicle No-Fault benefits than Glenn Klausman. Through all his hard work on behalf of the consumers and victims of this state, he exemplifies the dedication necessary to understand the nuances involved in insurance law. In his meticulous attention to detail, Glenn demonstrates the incredible talent necessary to have a proficiency in legal writing, a skill no one was better at than Victor Tipton. I can think of no other individual more deserving of this award than Glenn and it is with great honor that the 2008 S. Victor Tipton Award goes to Glenn Klausman.