Duane Kaizer | Clearwater Accident Lawyer

• Florida Justice Association Member
  2017 - Present
• Florida State Bar Association Member
  2006 - Present

• Over a decade of experience practicing law.

One memorable case: Client was hit by a drunk driver. Although there was not much visible property damage, my client had some positive MRI findings. I took a hard stance with the insurance company to determine the existence of any additional coverage and I wrote a demand for tender of the driver 10K limits and the owner's 10K limits. I informed that if the policy limits weren't tendered along with an affidavit of the owner that the owner does not have assets, I would file suit and later amend complaint to add a claim for punitives against the driver AND owner. My client, who was left without a vehicle after the accident, was extremely happy and was able to use some of the settlement funds to put a down pmt on a new vehicle. A former student of mine was in a car accident and she and her boyfriend came to me for assistance. She suffered severe neck trauma in the accident, and I worked hard to find all possible sources of insurance, including UM. Luckily, the BI limits were $100K. However, the carrier was known to fight. As such, I had to make sure my client stayed on top of her treatment, went to the appropriate providers, and exhausted all conservative care and conservative injection therapy before moving towards surgery. In the end, I was able to secure the full policy limits and UM policy limits pre-suit. With my lower contingency fee, she was able to realize a lot more out of the settlement funds.

A lot of man hours, and willingness to make sacrifices. My law partner and I did not have loans or savings to rely on, so we started from the bottom, working out of fast food restaurants where we were our own legal assistant, paralegal, and investigator. I lived on the bare minimum, and picked up a second job as an adjunct instructor to help pay bills while I worked to build a client base. But, a lot of building a successful practice, has been getting client to come back to you or refer friends and family to you. We have been very successful in that regard, because our clients were never treated like a number.

One of the most important things for a client is to have a lawyer that is accessible. It is understandable that lawyers get busy as their practice grows. However, no matter how big your firm gets or how busy your practice gets, you need to maintain some personal contact with your clients. Otherwise, the client will feel rejected and overlooked.

It is important to know the local players. This is more important when the case goes in litigation. In pre-litigation on the plaintiffs' side, it is important to have knowledge of the insurance companies and their local practices.

I would listen to the facts of the case and make a preliminary opinion and liability, extent of damages, and what treatment is likely going to be expected to settle the case. Insurance companies have gotten tougher and usually don't just pay out for a medical recommendation, especially a surgical recommendation. Clients need to show that they are will to start conservatively and go forward with treatment as recommended by their physicians.

It is important that I know exactly how the accident happened and was there a police report. Was anyone assessed with fault? Also, witnesses. I recently had a case where the insurance company picked up liability after I interviewed the one, unbiased witness, and provided the insurance company with his contact information.

My willingness to truly listen to my clients and make myself personally available to them at all hours of the day, seven days a week. Just last weekend I was in Orlando and about to walk into a restaurant (7pm on a Saturday night) when my phone rang. It was a client. I took the time to answer. My clients are not just another number. I treat them like a would a friend or family member.

When the client thanks me for all my hard work and for taking the time to pick up the phone to take their call, knowing that I am busy or knowing it's the weekend. It's that expression of gratitude that pushes me to see their case to conclusion and put a smile on their face by getting them the compensation they deserve.

I like writing music. I am also very interested in astronomy and the stars. The universe fascinates me.