Isam J. Alsafeer - Vernis & Bowling

Isam J. Alsafeer, Esq.
Department Managing Attorney
Vernis & Bowling of Melbourne, P.A. 1990 W. New Haven Avenue, STE 303 Melbourne, FL 32904
Phone: (321) 373-0842
Email: IAlsafeer@Florida-Law.com
Fax: (321) 373-0885
Website: www.national-law.com
V-Card Email

Verdicts and Dispositions

Wedry & Restore LLC vs. Citizens Property Insurance Corporation
Isam J. Alsafeer, Esq., and Jennifer H. Tedesco, Esq. (Melbourne, FL) (Property) obtained a Final Judgment for Defendant Citizens Property Insurance Corporation in an action brought by WeDry & Restore, LLC pursuant to an assignment of benefits regarding water damage sustained to the insured’s residence. The cause of action arose when WeDry & Restore, LLC performed water mitigation services for Citizens’ insured. WeDry alleged in its Complaint that it obtained an assignment of benefits from Citizens’ insured for its services for a loss related to water damage that occurred on September 3, 2021 and that Citizens failed to pay WeDry for the services it performed which it was entitled to pursuant to the assignment of benefits and that Citizens breached the policy. WeDry also attached a copy of the assignment of benefits documentation to its Complaint.

A motion to dismiss was filed in the case asserting that assignment agreements executed after July 1, 2019 were required to comply with Fla. Stat. 627.7152 and that WeDry’s assignment was invalid and unenforceable on its face as it failed to comply with the requirements set forth in the statute. The County Court held a case management conference in which Citizens’ motion was heard and an order was issued by Judge Burke in Palm Beach County granting the motion, entering final judgment in favor of Citizens. The order specifically found that the assignment of benefits failed to comply with Fla. Stat. 627.7152(2)(a)(4) and was invalid and unenforceable which could not be corrected and denied WeDry the ability to amend its Complaint.
Lovett v. Heughins
G. Jeffrey Vernis (N. Palm Beach, FL/Melbourne, FL) and Isam Alsafeer (Melbourne, FL) (Auto Liability) settled the matter of Lovett v. Heughins just days before trial for an amount less than the Defendant offered at mediation. This case stems from a motor vehicle-bus accident that happened on November 8, 2019 in Palm Bay, Florida. The Plaintiff was an occupant in a public transportation bus that was struck by a vehicle driven by Ms. Heughins. The Plaintiff claimed that he looked out the front of the bus window and saw the Defendant’s car heading at them head-on. Instantly, the bus collided with the car, running over and crushing the car, forcing the bus onto two wheels. After teetering on two wheels, the bus came slamming down, projecting the Plaintiff from his seat onto the floor. Unfortunately for the Plaintiff, none of this was true. This was a rather minimal sideswipe accident where there was minimal damage to the bus, and all was captured on the buses cameras.

As a result of the accident, the Plaintiff claimed severe injuries to his neck and low back, underwent multiple injections and back surgery at L4-5 and L5-S1. He incurred over $150,000.00 in past medical expenses and had a life care plan that totaled $1,061,383.00in future medical care needs. The Plaintiff’s counsel, a very large national Plaintiff’s firm, demanded $1,250,000.00 in their time limit demand and re-asserted that demand again at mediation. At mediation, the Defendant made a final offer of $50,000.00. We were specially set for trial beginning June 13, 2022. After mediation, we continued to press the Plaintiff’s counsel on discovery and were able to get the Judge to severely limit Plaintiff’s treating doctor’s testimony and was in the process of seeking the same regarding the Plaintiff’s life care planner. After the final pre-trial conference with the Judge and knowing the matter was proceeding to trial within a week, the Plaintiff’s counsel inquired if the amount offered at mediation was “still available”. After additional negotiations and with the great support from our claims professionals team, we were able to settle this matter for $38,500.00 just a few days before trial was to begin. If you would like any additional information on this case, please contact GJVernis@National-Law.com or IAlsafeer@Florida-Law.com.

Areas Of Practice

Automobile Liability (PIP/PD/BI/UM)
First and Third Party Property and Casualty Claims
General Liability Defense Litigation
PIP/Personal Injury Protection Litigation
Premises Liability

Bar & Court Admission

Florida Bar
United States District Court for the Northern, Middle and Southern Districts of Florida

Education

Graduate:
Florida Coastal School of Law, 2011, Doctor of Jurisprudence
Honors: Pro Bono Honors
Undergraduate:
Jacksonville University, 2007, B.S. degree in Political Science and Sociology
Honors Summa Cum Laude, Dean’s list, University Honors, Departmental Honors, and Phi Kappa Phi

Isam Alsafeer grew up in Jacksonville, Florida. While living in Jacksonville he received his Bachelor of Science from Jacksonville University in Political Science and Sociology. After college Isam attended Florida Coastal School of Law where he earned his Juris Doctorate in 2011. While attending law school he received an award for winning the Florida Coastal Law Review Symposium writing contest. Upon graduation he received Pro Bono Honors for his work with Jacksonville Area Legal Aid as well as the Department of Children and Families.

Isam began his legal career at Legal Aid and then with a law firm in West Palm Beach where he practiced Consumer Finance Litigation and Bankruptcy for several major financial institutions. Before joining Vernis & Bowling Isam also gained experience in insurance defense by representing carriers in Property Damage claims, Bodily Injury and Personal Injury Protection litigation. While at Vernis & Bowling, he primarily focuses on Automobile Liability, General Liability Defense, General Insurance Defense, First and Third Party Property and Casualty Claims, Premises Liability, and PIP. Isam’s claim philosophy is to tailor his plan to the circumstances surrounding each case and the goals of each client. “No claim is the same and each requires its own strategy to navigate the nuances that each case brings. One of the great things about being an attorney is that you can really help to deliver exceptional service to each client by being mindful of what they want to accomplish.

Isam’s outside interest include spending time with his wife Stefanie and their two dogs Ben and Hemingway, soccer, table tennis, and volunteering.

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