Attorney Philip Hall's Legal Cases

Slip and fall accident

John F. Ratzlaff vs. MSK Enterprises, Inc.

Sep 15, 2022

OUTCOME: $4 million dollar verdict for Plaintiff

A jury awarded $4 million to John Ratzlaff, a former Santa Rosa County employee, who sustained a TBI (traumatic brain injury) after slipping on water from a cracked tile at Church’s Chicken. Phil Hall ... of Phil Hall, P.A. and Chris Crawford of Crawford Law represented Mr. Ratzlaff at trial. The jury was asked to determine the amount of loss, injury, or damage Mr. Ratzlaff has sustained and will sustain in the future. MSK Enterprises admitted liability in its failure to maintain its premises but disputed the value of the case.

Medical malpractice

Latisha A. Gradia v. Baptist Hospital, Inc. No. 1D21-1560

Aug 10, 2022

OUTCOME: order for summary judgment reversed in part

The First District Court of Appeals reversed the trial court’s summary judgment, entitling our client to a trial for damages caused by the alleged negligence of the hospital’s agents or apparent agents ... . The trial court had ruled that Baptist Hospital could not be held vicariously liable for the acts of its emergency room physician. The appeals court ruled reversed, holding that “unresolved factual issues” exist regarding vicarious liability.

Medical malpractice

Dirga v. Butler, MD; 39 So.3d 388 (Fla. 1st DCA, 2010)

Jun 21, 2013

OUTCOME: After losing three separate appeals to the First District Court of Appeal, the Defendant doctor's insurance company settled for confidential amount.

This case dealt with an act of medical malpractice that occurred in Alabama but caused the Plaintiff to die in Florida. This particular aspect of the case established conclusively that Alabama doctors ... not licensed to practice medicine in Florida have no right to presuit protections afforded under Florida's Medical Malpractice Reform Act.

Defective and dangerous products

Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. v. McGowan, 83 So.3d 713 (Fla. 1st DCA, 2012)

Mar 15, 2012

OUTCOME: $9.2 million dollar verdict for Plaintiff

Mr. McGowan was severely injured after a medical stapler manufactured by Ethicon Endo-Surgery malfunctioned during surgery. Trial counsel demonstrated that the product had a manufacturing defect that c ... aused Mr. McGowan's injuries. After a large verdict, Defendant appealed to the 1st DCA complaining that the damages were too high, the testimony too scarce, and the blame was someone else's. I served as appellate counsel at trial and had the pleasure of briefing that case and arguing the case to a three-judge panel. In fewer than 36 hours after oral argument, the panel returned an Opinion affirming the verdict in all respects.

Personal injury

GROOMS V. SERVICE MAX DELIVERY AND INSTALLATION, INC., 953 So.2d 624 (Fla. 1st DCA, 2007)

Oct 19, 2007

OUTCOME: $1,206,190.56 Verdict for Plaintiff Marion Grooms

Mr. Grooms was severely injured when servicing a dishwasher that was improperly installed by an employee of Service Max. In an attempt to minimize Mr. Grooms' injuries, Defendant attempted to schedule ... a "private" psychological examination of Mr. Grooms without allowing the examination to be viewed or videotaped. Mr. Grooms objected, but the trial court ruled that the examination could go forward in private and that Mr. Grooms would have to forego his right to have a videographer present. On behalf of Mr. Grooms, I appealed that decision to the First District Court of Appeal who agreed that the trial court's order was a departure from the essential requirements of law. The case proceeded to trial where Mr. Grooms obtained a verdict in excess of $1.2 million.

Philip Hall's Legal Cases (5)

John F. Ratzlaff vs. MSK Enterprises, Inc.

Latisha A. Gradia v. Baptist Hospital, Inc. No. 1D21-1560

Dirga v. Butler, MD; 39 So.3d 388 (Fla. 1st DCA, 2010)

Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. v. McGowan, 83 So.3d 713 (Fla. 1st DCA, 2012)

GROOMS V. SERVICE MAX DELIVERY AND INSTALLATION, INC., 953 So.2d 624 (Fla. 1st DCA, 2007)