While the rainy weather may have postponed the silent auction portion of the event until next month, it didn’t dampen the spirit of those participating in the poker ride from Bunnell to Ormond Beach, according to David L. Sweat, whose law firm helped sponsor the fundraiser.

 “This is an example of how our community steps up to help others when they are in need,” said Sweat, a partner in the Port Orange-based firm of Rue, Ziffra & Caldwell. 

 Leonard, who has been involved with the law firm in numerous benefit poker runs to help others, is facing expensive medical treatment and has no health insurance, Sweat said. 

 The silent auction, which originally was scheduled toward the end of the poker run, will begin at 6 p.m. May 4 at the Iron Horse Saloon in Ormond Beach.

 For more information, visit www.rueziffra.com or call 386-788-7700.

About Rue, Ziffra & Caldwell:  Founded by John D. Rue and Allan L. Ziffra, the personal-injury law firm of Rue, Ziffra & Caldwell has served the Central Florida community for more than 25 years.  The firm’s commitment to its profession and its clients has earned it a reputation as one of the top personal-injury law firms in Central Florida.  Known for handling everything from automobile and motorcycle accidents to medical malpractice, wrongful death, and social security and disability cases, Rue, Ziffra & Caldwell has recovered millions of dollars for injured clients and their families. With a staff of nine attorneys, the firm maintains offices in Port Orange, DeLand and Palm Coast.  For more information, visit www.rueziffra.com.

For more information about this release, please contact:

  Allan L. Ziffra, President, Rue, Ziffra & Caldwell, 386-788-7700 oraziffra@rueziffra.com

  Jessica Eckelbarger, Marketing Director, Rue, Ziffra & Caldwell, 386-788-7700 or jessicae@rueziffra.com

  Charlene Hager-Van Dyke, Larry Vershel Communications, 386-532-8862, 407-644-4142 or chagervandyke@yahoo.com 

While the rainy weather may have postponed the silent auction portion of the event until next month, it didn’t dampen the spirit of those participating in the poker ride from Bunnell to Ormond Beach, according to David L. Sweat, whose law firm helped sponsor the fundraiser. 

Leonard, who has been involved with the law firm in numerous benefit poker runs to help others, is facing expensive medical treatment and has no health insurance, Sweat said.

The silent auction, which originally was scheduled toward the end of the poker run, will be held at 6 p.m., May 4 at the Iron Horse Saloon in Ormond Beach.

“This is an example of how our community steps up to help others when they are in desperate need, Sweat said.

Medical malpractice is negligent care that causes a significant injury.  Negligent care is the doing or failing to do that which any other like healthcare provider would or would not do under same or similar circumstances.  The law requires that the acts of omission or commission directly cause or substantially contribute to a significant injury or a significant change in the outcome of the care.

There are frequently instances of negligent care, but not always a significant damage that is associated with the negligence.  Say, for example, a doctor orders a certain medication for a headache and the nurse gives you a different medication.  This is negligent care.  If, however, the headache goes away and you do not suffer any injury related to the administration of the incorrect medication there would not be a medical malpractice suit to pursue.    Likewise, if you go to the hospital with an appendicitis that goes undiagnosed, but you get to another hospital because of ongoing abdominal pain and they appropriately diagnose you with appendicitis and you have your appendix surgically removed then there is no medical malpractice claim for the missed diagnosis at the first hospital.

Sometimes the care is negligent and there are no damages but the negligence is so egregious that we recommend the instance be reported to the Department of Health also known as the Agency for Health Care Administration.  This can be done by making a call to the Agency or downloading the complaint form that is available on their website.  The number to call is 1-888-419-3456.

At Rue, Ziffra and Caldwell there is an attorney dedicated to the pursuit of medical malpractice claims and a registered nurse/licensed healthcare risk manager on staff to talk to you about your particular circumstance.  We offer free consultations and review of medical records to adequately assess the particulars of each case on an individual basis.

It’s just a way for the firm to “get back to its roots,” according to founder John D. Rue, a motorcycle aficionado who was recognized in the early ‘80s as “the motorcycle attorney”, not only because he represented motorcycle riders in accident cases, but because he also rode motorcycles.

“Back then, I was developing a motorcycle community here,” he said. “I felt that bikers had a bad image and by promoting racing as a sport it became a family thing. It was more of a safety issue then, and I just wanted people to know that motorcycle riders had the right to be on the road, too.”

Next week, during the 110th anniversary of Harley-Davidson, the Port Orange based personal injury firm will sponsor the #77 bike driven by 19-year-old Eric Stump of OPR Level 10 Racing in the Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson Series on March 15. The following day they will sponsor the #37 bike driven by 49-year-old John Ashmead of Peter Brady Racing and OPR Level 10 Racing in the 72nd Daytona 200 AMA Pro GoPro Daytona SportBike races.

Rue, who created John D. Rue Racing in the ‘80s, said the firm was so involved in motorcycle racing back then that he and a few others went to Japan to race some experimental bikes named Suzukis. “We actually brought Suzukis back to Daytona Beach for racing,” he said.

One rider who accompanied Rue to Japan was Paul Schwemmer, who later was sponsored by the firm for more than a dozen years when he raced in the Daytona 200 in the ‘80s and ‘90s. The two eventually drifted apart after Rue became interested in racing cars in New Smyrna Beach.

“We reconnected a few years ago,” Rue said. “Paul called me, we talked about the old days and he said he was getting back into racing with his OPR Level 10 Racing team.” Rue said he and the firm’s other partners decided to sponsor Schwimmer’s company once again to see if either up-and-coming Eric Stump from New Jersey or John Ashmead, a Palm City resident who won the Daytona 200 in 1989 and will celebrate his 30th Daytona 200 start this year, will bring home the biggest trophy.

Schwemmer said working with John Rue again has been “like old home week.”

“It’s great to have John back with us, especially for the 110th anniversary of Harley-Davidson,” he said. “We’re all just tickled to death to have him back on board with us and because of that, and our talented riders, we have good expectations this year.”
Rue agrees and says he’s looking forward to seeing Schwemmer’s team do well.

“It will be very nostalgic for me to go back and watch the motorcycle races again,” he said, adding that both riders are very well qualified. “We mainly want to give Paul’s team – a local racing company – another chance to compete, and to continue promoting motorcycle safety through the racing industry; a group of people who are very generous and very loyal.”

About Rue, Ziffra & Caldwell: Founded by John D. Rue and Allan L. Ziffra, the personal-injury law firm of Rue, Ziffra & Caldwell has served the Central Florida community for more than 25 years. The firm’s commitment to its profession and its clients has earned it a reputation as one of the top personal-injury law firms in Central Florida. Known for handling everything from automobile and motorcycle accidents to medical malpractice, wrongful death, and social security and disability cases, Rue, Ziffra & Caldwell has recovered millions of dollars for injured clients and their families. With a staff of nine attorneys, the firm maintains offices in Port Orange and Orange City. For more information, visit www.rueziffra.com.

 
For more information about this release, please contact:
Allan L. Ziffra, President, Rue, Ziffra & Caldwell, P.A., 386-788-7700 or aziffra@rueziffra.com
Jessica Eckelbarger, Marketing Director, Rue, Ziffra & Caldwell, P.A., 386-788-7700 or jessicae@rueziffra.com
Charlene Hager-Van Dyke, Larry Vershel Communications, 386-532-8862, 407-644-4142 or chagervandyke@yahoo.com

The Port Orange-based firm and the Daytona Beach dealership have become regular partners as the two companies sponsored the first simulated texting session last September, and they’ve funded numerous safe-driving classes for teens the past two years, according to Carlos Lira√, general manager at Gary Yeoman’s.

“It’s great working with Rue, Ziffra & Caldwell, as we agree on the importance of letting our teens learn by using the simulators themselves on how deadly texting and driving can be,” he  said.

The training program – dubbed the “Text Free Zone” – puts students in the driver’s seat while they use a state-of-the-art, hands-on texting and driving simulator.  The sponsors say they hope to have as many as 5,000 local students use the educational equipment this year.

The five days – which is presented free of charge by the law firm, car dealership and WESH 2 – will begin April 29 at DeLand High School and continue April 30 at University High School, Orange City; May 1 at Atlantic High School, Port Orange; May 2 at Matanzas High School, Palm Coast and May 3 at Warner Christian Academy, South Daytona.

National statistics show that about 50 percent of drivers between the ages of 18 and 24 texts while driving.  Currently,Floridais one of a handful of states with no restrictions on texting or talking on a cell phone while driving.

Data compiled from simulated sessions throughout theUnited Statesshowed that nearly all of those who got behind the wheel failed after speeding, swerving and sometimes even striking simulated pedestrians.

“We’ve seen too many reports of teenage drivers who either injured others or themselves because of this type of distractive driving,” said Allan L. Ziffra√, president of the personal injury firm.  “So, we’re very motivated to offer this type of program to help prevent more accidents.”

For more information about the program, please visit rueziffra.com or wesh.com, or call 386-788-7700.

About Rue, Ziffra & Caldwell:  Founded by John D. Rue and Allan L. Ziffra, the personal-injury law firm of Rue & Ziffra has served the Central Floridacommunity for more than 25 years.  The firm’s commitment to its profession and its clients has earned it a reputation as one of the top personal-injury law firms in Central Florida.  Known for handling everything from automobile and motorcycle accidents to medical malpractice, wrongful death, and social security and disability cases, Rue & Ziffra has recovered millions of dollars for injured clients and their families. With a staff of nine attorneys, the firm maintains offices in Port Orange, DeLand and PalmCoast.  For more information, visit www.rueziffra.com.

For more information about this release, please contact:

Allan L. Ziffra, President, Rue, Ziffra & Caldwell P.A., 386-788-7700 or aziffra@rueziffra.com

Jessica Eckelbarger, Marketing Director, Rue, Ziffra & Caldwell, 386-788-7700 or jessicae@rueziffra.com

Charlene Hager-Van Dyke, Larry Vershel Communications, 386-532-8862, 407-644-4142 or chagervandyke@yahoo.com

The first session will be led by Rolling Thunder board members John Trask and Ken Paul from 6 to 7 p.m. at Rue, Ziffra & Caldwell, 632 Dunlawton Ave., Port Orange.  Classes, which are planned for every two weeks at alternating sites, will include training in MSWord, Excel, Power Point and basic internet searches.

“We’ve taken it upon ourselves to ‘pay it forward’,” Trask said of the volunteer organization that works to educate the public about prisoners of war and those still missing in action and left behind in previous wars.

According to Trask, many returning veterans have limited skills, a sense of being alone and often feel they have no place in society.

“At this time, the folks at Rue, Ziffra & Caldwell are the sole sponsors of this training program and they have been extremely generous in helping us,” Trask said.  “But, we are hoping to gain additional support to allow us to expand our computer training and offer additional programs and eventually open a storefront for classes five days a week.”

Allan L. Ziffra, president of the personal-injury law firm, said they are excited to help and they hope veterans in the community take advantage of the free program.

“We’re very happy to help with this program,” Ziffra said.  “It’s important that our veterans get the basic computer skills they need, whether it’s to find jobs, stay informed or to just keep in touch with family and friends.”

Class sizes are limited and reservations are required.  More information, including additional class dates and times, is available from Rolling Thunder members Ken Paul at 407-797-4848 or kpofusa@yahoo.com or Trask at 386-503-7009 or jrtrask1950@cfl.rr.com.

Anyone interested in sponsorship can also contact the group for details, Trask said.

“Helping other veterans return from a war experience to become a working member of society is the biggest reward you can get from your efforts,” he said.

About Rue, Ziffra & Caldwell:  Founded by John D. Rue and Allan L. Ziffra, the personal-injury law firm of Rue, Ziffra & Caldwell has served the Central Florida community for more than 25 years.  The firm’s commitment to its profession and its clients has earned it a reputation as one of the top personal-injury law firms in Central Florida.  Known for handling everything from automobile and motorcycle accidents to medical malpractice, wrongful death, and social security and disability cases, Rue, Ziffra & Caldwell has recovered millions of dollars for injured clients and their families. With a staff of nine attorneys, the firm maintains offices in Port Orange, DeLand and Palm Coast.

For more information, visit www.rueziffra.com.

For more information about this release, please contact:

Allan L. Ziffra, President, Rue, Ziffra & Caldwell P.A., 386-788-7700 or aziffra@rueziffra.com

Jessica Eckelbarger, Marketing Director, Rue & Ziffra, 386-788-7700 or jessicae@rueziffra.com

John Trask, Rolling Thunder, 386-503-7009 or jrtrask1950@cfl.rr.com

Charlene Hager-Van Dyke, Larry Vershel Communications, 386-532-8862, 407-644-4142 or chagervandyke@yahoo.com

Luis Gracia, a partner for the personal-injury firm of Rue, Ziffra and Caldwell, received a favorable ruling on a case he and many others at the Port Orange firm spent a dozen years working on

PORT ORANGE – The Port Orange-based law firm of Rue, Ziffra & Caldwell wrapped up 2012 by celebrating the end of a personal-injury case that one attorney took very personally.

Luis Gracia, who has been with the firm since 1998, worked relentlessly for 12 years fighting for a client in a social security disability case that required many briefs to be written, and numerous hearings and appeals to be held.

He was rewarded for his tireless efforts when a United States magistrate judge for the Orlando Division of the United States District Court, Middle District of Florida, ruled in his client’s favor in November.

“After 12 years of fighting her claim through hearings and appeals, we finally won,” a jubilant Gracia said after the decision was handed down by Judge Gregory J. Kelly.  “My client and I are thrilled as there are very few cases in the country in which a claim has been approved after such a long period of time.”

Gracia – who filed the suit on Jan. 1, 2000 – never wavered as he, Attorney Edward S. Rue  and several other colleagues pursued the case, which centered on his client’s claim for Social Security Disability benefits, alleging she had degenerative disk disease and depression/adjustment disorder.  Nearly two years later, the case received an unfavorable decision even though an administrative law judge said the client was credible, and her physicians stated she was unable to perform her required work, Gracia said.

After four hearings by three different judges, the Commissioner of Social Security’s decisions denying her application were reversed, once by the Appeals Council and twice by the United States District Court, according to the recent order.  At a fifth hearing in October 2012, the court denied the commissioner’s motion to remand the case for another hearing, saying the previous denials were not supported by evidence and that the judge failed to comply with the federal court’s directives.

According to Gracia, the court then issued its final decision reversing the case and seeking a calculation of benefits for the client in November, saying that the administrative law judges’ actions for such a long period of time had resulted in a miscarriage of justice for his client.

Quoting the First Circuit Court of Appeal in a similar case, Judge Kelly ordered the case closed in favor of Gracia’s client, adding that “The Commissioner is not entitled to endless opportunities to get it right.”

Allan L. Ziffra, president of the longtime firm, agrees.

“It was important to seek justice for the client and our social security attorneys did a great job,” Ziffra said.

“And, it is the longest case in our firm’s history.”

While 12 years to settle a lawsuit may seem extreme, some cases such as a Massachusetts commercial property lease lawsuit filed in 1983 – Richard Aronovitz and another vs. Madlyn A. Fafard and another – has been going on for more than 25 years.  And, in a Louisiana case based on a will from the 1800s – Gaines vs. Hennen – the case continued for 68 years, even after the woman who filed it had died, according to www.Justia.com, a website of the U.S. Supreme Court Center.

Gracia says he’s just thankful that his client finally can move on.

About Rue, Ziffra & Caldwell:  Founded by John D. Rue and Allan L. Ziffra, the personal-injury law firm of Rue, Ziffra & Caldwell has served the Central Florida community for more than 25 years.  The firm’s commitment to its profession and its clients has earned it a reputation as one of the top personal-injury law firms in Central Florida.  Known for handling everything from automobile and motorcycle accidents to medical malpractice, wrongful death, and social security and disability cases, Rue, Ziffra & Caldwell has recovered millions of dollars for injured clients and their families. With a staff of nine attorneys, the firm maintains offices in Port Orange, DeLand and Palm Coast.  For more information, visit www.rueziffra.com.

For more information about this release, please contact:

Allan L. Ziffra, President, Rue, Ziffra & Caldwell, 386-788-7700 or aziffra@rueziffra.com

Jessica Eckelbarger, Marketing Director, Rue, Ziffra & Caldwell, 386-788-7700 or jessicae@rueziffra.com

Charlene Hager-Van Dyke, Larry Vershel Communications, 386-532-8862, 407-644-4142 or chagervandyke@yahoo.com

“Helping people with Social Security claims is quite personal for me, having watched a family member go through a process that often is long, complicated and frustrating,” he said.  Rue recently worked with his partner to get a client a Social Security disability award that lingered in the judicial system for 12 years.

Before joining Rue, Ziffra & Caldwell, Rue practiced criminal and insurance defense, which enabled him to understand how insurance companies and defense attorneys evaluate and defend cases.

“Ed’s extensive knowledge and experience in insurance defense now is being used to the advantage for his clients,” said Allan L. Ziffra, president of the longtime firm.  “Those qualities have made him invaluable to us these past six years.”

A 1998 graduate of the University of Wisconsin at Madison, Rue graduated cum laude from the University of Wisconsin Law School, J.D., in 2002.  A top student, he won the Wisconsin State Bar Law School Award for Highest Achievement in Torts, and the William Herbert Page Award for the best Wisconsin Law Review article.
He is a member of the American Bar Association, American Association for Justice, the Florida Bar, Florida Justice Association, the Wisconsin Bar, Volusia County Bar Association, and the National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives.  He is eligible to practice in all Florida courts, all Wisconsin courts and the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida.

About Rue, Ziffra & Caldwell:  Founded by John D. Rue and Allan L. Ziffra, the personal-injury law firm of Rue, Ziffra & Caldwell has served the Central Florida community for more than 25 years.  The firm’s commitment to its profession and its clients has earned it a reputation as one of the top personal-injury law firms in Central Florida.  Known for handling everything from automobile and motorcycle accidents to medical malpractice, wrongful death, and social security and disability cases, Rue, Ziffra & Caldwell has recovered millions of dollars for injured clients and their families. With a staff of nine attorneys, the firm maintains offices in Port Orange, DeLand and Palm Coast.  For more information, visit www.rueziffra.com.

For more information about this release, please contact:

Allan L. Ziffra, President, Rue, Ziffra & Caldwell, 386-788-7700 or aziffra@rueziffra.com

Jessica Eckelbarger, Marketing Director, Rue, Ziffra & Caldwell, 386-788-7700 or jessicae@rueziffra.com

Charlene Hager-Van Dyke, Larry Vershel Communications, 386-532-8862, 407-644-4142 or chagervandyke@yahoo.com

“We always look forward to these holiday events, but we’re less than two weeks away from them and we need lots of help to collect canned and boxed food for those in need,” said Jessica Eckelbarger, marketing director for the personal-injury firm.

The “2^nd Annual Volusia County Grub Run” – an escorted motorcycle tour along scenic Volusia roadways – will begin with registration at 10 a.m. Saturday Dec. 1 in the firm’s parking lot at 640 Dunlawton Ave. and end at the First Turn Steakhouse & Sports Lounge, 5236 S. Ridgewood Ave. in Port Orange.  The cost is $10 or the donation of non-perishable food.

The “36th annual Port Orange Christmas Parade” – a two-hour, 1.5-mile-long event with floats, marching bands, horses, fire trucks, dancers, beauty queens and Santa Claus – will begin at 2 p.m. Dec. 2 at Nova Road and Dunlawton Avenue.

Several Rue, Ziffra & Caldwell employees will be on hand at each event by assisting with food collection or riding in the bike run on Saturday, or giving away hot dogs and hamburgers along the parade route on Sunday, Eckelbarger said.

Along with other bike run sponsors – Thunder Roads Magazine and First Turn Steakhouse – Rue, Ziffra & Caldwell is encouraging bikers to sign up early to participate in this year’s event.  Highlights will be live bands, raffles, food and giveaways, including $100 prizes for the most pounds of food collected, according to firm partner David Sweat, an avid motorcyclist, who will ride in the Grub Run to help collect food and cash for the Second Harvest Food Bank and the Children’s Home Society.

“For anyone who can’t make it to the Grub Run, we’ll also have donation boxes set up at both of our Port Orange offices at 632 and 640 Dunlawton Avenue,” he said. “We know that people are in need all year long, but, we especially want to make someone’s holidays brighter by donating food for their Thanksgiving dinner.”

For details or to register for the ride, visit www.rueziffra.com/volusia.county.grub.run or call 386-788-7700.  For parade information, call 386-506-5936.

About Rue, Ziffra & Caldwell:  Founded by John D. Rue and Allan L. Ziffra, the personal-injury law firm of Rue, Ziffra & Caldwell has served the Central Florida community for more than 25 years.  The firm’s commitment to its profession and its clients has earned it a reputation as one of the top personal-injury law firms in Central Florida.  Known for handling everything from automobile and motorcycle accidents to medical malpractice, wrongful death, and social security and disability cases, Rue, Ziffra & Caldwell has recovered millions of dollars for injured clients and their families. With a staff of nine attorneys, the firm maintains offices in Port Orange, DeLand and Palm Coast.  For more information, visit www.rueziffra.com.

For more information about this release, please contact:

  Allan L. Ziffra, President, Rue, Ziffra & Caldwell, 386-788-7700 or aziffra@rueziffra.com

  Jessica Eckelbarger, Marketing Director, Rue, Ziffra & Caldwell, 386-788-7700 or jessicae@rueziffra.com

  Charlene Hager-Van Dyke, Larry Vershel Communications, 386-532-8862, 407-644-4142 or chagervandyke@yahoo.com

About Rue, Ziffra & Caldwell:  Founded by John D. Rue and Allan L. Ziffra, the personal-injury law firm of Rue, Ziffra & Caldwell has served the Central Florida community for 36 years.  The firm’s commitment to its profession and its clients has earned it a reputation as one of the top personal-injury law firms in Central Florida.  Known for handling everything from automobile and motorcycle accidents to medical malpractice, wrongful death, and social security and disability cases, Rue, Ziffra & Caldwell has recovered millions of dollars for injured clients and their families. With a staff of nine attorneys, the firm maintains offices in Port Orange, DeLand and Palm Coast.  For more information, visit www.rueziffra.com.
 
 
For more information about this release, please contact:

Allan L. Ziffra, President, Rue, Ziffra and Caldwell P.A., 386-788-7700 or aziffra@rueziffra.com

Jessica Eckelbarger, Marketing Director, Rue & Ziffra, 386-788-7700 or jessicae@rueziffra.com

Charlene Hager-Van Dyke, Larry Vershel Communications, 386-532-8862, 407-644-4142 or chagervandyke@yahoo.com