Lucrative Labors

Leon Patricios was quoted in an article on prevailing plaintiff attorney fees under the Federal Labor Standards Law. Under that law, a prevailing plaintiff attorney is automatically entitled to attorney fees from the defendant. The article cited a case where the plaintiff's attorney requested "$16,000 in fees on a $315 claim that was settled weeks after the claim was filed."The case was cited as highlighting a fierce debate in the world of labor and employment law. The article cited the fact that in most Federal Labor Standards Law cases, the amount of money at issue is relatively small and that "employers tend to pay the claims quickly and without much of a fight". Mr. Patricios was quoted as saying that "employers typically want to settle, while plaintiff lawyers typically want to litigate to increase their fees." The issue of fees "comes up a lot and it hurts the possibility of settlement," Mr. Patricios said. "The issue of fees gets ahead of the settlement."

Joseph Zumpano Weighs in on Health Care Courts

Joseph Zumpano was cited in an article in the American Medical Association News on health care courts. The article states that health care courts are a possibility that legal and health care observers are pitching as a solution to today's much maligned medical liability system. Joseph Zumpano was quoted as stating that "Administrative courts, such as workers' compensation or vaccine liability courts, often have administrative officers with experience in that area presiding over them. The procedures also are freer flowing to fit a specific situation. A health court would be novel as a new type of special court, but America has a history of special courts. When you look at it, health courts can become a reality."

Leon Patricios on "Storm of Litigation from Wilma" - South Florida Legal Guide

Leon Patricios was extensively quoted in an article on business litigation likely to arise from Hurricane Wilma damage. Mr. Patricios commented on risk of loss, force majeure and other aspects of contract law on this subject.