Stewart Tilghman Fox Bianchi & Cain, P.A. is a Miami-based personal injury law firm dedicated to representing clients in a wide range of practice areas. Whether you have been harmed in a motorcycle collision, lost someone you loved due to wrongful death, or need to take action in a medical malpractice case, our more than 200 years of experience can be used to help you. We take these matters seriously, maintaining a small amount of cases so we can use the correct amount of attention your case deserves. Since 1984, our firm has been dedicated to providing our clients with the highest level of quality representation. From start to finish, you will have a skilled team on your side to help you reach the outcome you desire. We have a record of success, including earning recognitions for our courtroom ability and our commitment to excellence. Call us today for the help you need.
The Florida Wrongful Death Act stipulates that the people who can be named in a wrongful death suit must either be the deceased's spouse, children, parents, or any blood relative or adoptive sibling who was at least partially reliant on the deceased person for support. In the case of children of unmarried parents, a child is automatically eligible to recover damages if the mother dies. If the father dies, a child is only eligible to collected damages if the father formally recognized the child as his own (or was obligated to pay child support).
Samantha Mesa has been in the legal field since 2018. She began her career as a paralegal for the Miami- Dade State Attorney’s office where she spent five years learning the legal system and attending numerous trials alongside Assistant State Attorneys. She was a victim liaison in the human trafficking division where she gained the reputation of being a compassionate paralegal guiding victims through the process and preparing them for court testimony. She expanded her knowledge by working for a criminal defense firm where she prepared cases for trial and worked side-by-side with attorneys to prove the innocence of their clients. She is thrilled to join STFBC and advocate for clients who have been catastrophically injured or have lost a loved one as a result of malpractice.
DUI/DWI
According to Florida Statute, section 768.125, any person or knowingly sells or provides alcohol to an underage individual (within their knowledge) may be held liable for injuries or damages that result due to drunk driving. Often, those addicted to alcohol will frequent familiar bars and restaurants. If the owner knows that a person struggles with alcohol abuse and drove themselves, they endanger others by providing the substance.
Wrongful Death
Michael is a shareholder with Stewart Tilghman Fox Bianchi & Cain where he represents people and families across Florida in catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases. Prior to joining the firm, Michael was a law clerk to United States District Court Judge Paul C. Huck and an associate in the litigation group at Bilzin Sumberg. He graduated with honors from the University of Florida and summa cum laude from the University of Miami School of Law. While in law school, Michael was a member of the University of Miami Law Review and the Charles C. Papy, Jr. Moot Court Board.
Traffic Violations
After Michael’s client was struck by a speeding 18-wheeler, she suffered a terrible back injury in addition to receiving nerve damage to her hand that required multiple surgeries. Five months after the accident, the case settled for $5,000,000.
Sex Crimes
Sexual assault cases are deeply traumatic and, sadly, the criminal justice system does not always provide for the victims. However, a civil claim may be able to offer an assault victim the closure, justice, and financial compensation they need. With 150+ years of collective experience, we have spent decades representing the victims throughout the country.
Misdemeanors
As of 2019, there are 44 states that have passed laws prohibiting hazing. Of those, only 10 states have laws that explicitly make hazing a felony when it results in death or serious injury. Louisiana may soon be the 11th state to pass such a law. The remaining 33 states have anti-hazing laws that prohibit hazing…but only allow it to be punishable as a misdemeanor. Many of these laws include language that defines hazing as a method of “initiation” or “pre-initiation,” but hazing as an activity extends far beyond initiation. Other laws make it so that only
Assault
Murder
Homicide
As a former Miami homicide prosecutor, Dax represented the people of the State of Florida prosecuting crimes of varying degrees, including homicide, armed narcotics trafficking, sexual battery, vehicular manslaughter, home invasion robberies, and many more.
Manslaughter
Hit and Run
In Florida, it's not just the driver who can be held liable for a pedestrian accident. This is good news for all pedestrians, especially accident survivors who might have been struck by a driver and left behind in a hit-and-run.
Mr. Bianchi has represented clients in a wide variety of cases including business disputes, defective cars and trucks, class actions, suits arising from poorly constructed homes, medical and legal malpractice, automobile accidents, negligent security claims, claims against insurance agents and insurance companies, airplane crashes and many others.
Premises Liability - $3.75 million settlement recovered in a premises liability case. Dax’s client was enjoying the rooftop deck of a local apartment building when she became stuck on the roof after the elevator malfunctioned. There were no employees present to help respond to her screams for help. Ultimately, she was forced to use an emergency exit and an escape ladder, which was not built to code. She fell and suffered horrific injuries to her feet and legs. In another premises liability case, a settlement was obtained of more than $5 million for a client who tripped and fell on a dangerous condition located on a walkway of a popular Florida resort resulting in a traumatic brain injury.
Construction Litigation
For over 50 years Larry Stewart represented clients in trials throughout Florida and many other states, such as California, Louisiana, Maryland, New Mexico, Ohio and Texas. Until he retired from active practice in 2016, his cases focused on catastrophic injuries, particularly ones involving victims of defective products and medical malpractice. He also tried many other types of cases including libel, construction claims, commercial disputes and other non-personal injury cases. Highlights of his career include over sixty verdicts or settlements of a million-dollars or more and many precedent-setting appellate opinions.
Property Damage
If you or a loved one is suffering because of a drunk individual, you might be able to obtain compensation for multiple losses including lost wages, medical bills, property damage, pain and suffering, and more. Speaking with an attorney is the best way to find out your potential for financial recovery.
Upon graduation, Jim joined the firm of Frates, Floyd, Pearson, Stewart, Proenza and Richman, and became a partner there in 1978. He left in 1984 to start his own firm with Larry Stewart, Gary Fox, and David Bianchi, and has practiced there ever since. During the first 20 years of his career, Jim was a trial attorney, representing clients in cases involving everything from commercial disputes, business torts, partnership dissolutions and tax liabilities to defamation and invasion of privacy to products liability, professional malpractice, and personal injury. He was Board Certified as a Civil Trial Attorney by the Florida Bar from 1986-1996.
Medical Malpractice
Larry Stewart is also widely known as a legal expert. He was named to academic conferences on topics such as automobile insurance, products liability and medical malpractice. He testified before Congress and state legislatures and frequently appeared on radio and television shows. He was selected for membership in the American Law Institute where he served as a special consultant to its tort law projects. He also served on the Boards of RAND Corporation’s Center for Catastrophic Risk Management and Compensation and the RAND Institute for Civil Justice. For 10 years Larry Stewart served on the Florida Supreme Court Committee on Standard Jury Instructions in Civil Cases. Additionally, during his career he testified as an expert witness in legal malpractice and bad faith insurance cases, was a frequent lecturer at continuing education programs throughout the United States and authored numerous professional articles.
Auto Accidents
Social Security Disability
Yvette Parron serves as the firm’s senior legal assistant, responsible for the training and orientation of other staff members. She spent 25 years working as a paralegal and office administrator at a firm that handled social security disability claims. In that role, she developed a keen understanding of the importance of being compassionate and caring to clients facing obstacles in their lives.