863-533-5525
Let us handle your hurricane damage claim.
WHO ARE WE
We are a law firm with over 100 years of combined experience handling insurance claims for homeowners and businesses throughout Florida. As far back as hurricane Andrew in 1992 we have been assisting people in putting the pieces back together by seeing to it that their insurance company treats them fairly. Over the years we have formed numerous on going relationships with Disaster Specialists, Remediation Companies, Contractors, Engineers, professional estimators, and others to assure that we can get you all the help you need without the customary delays associated with dealing with an insurance company.
WHERE ARE WE
Lakeland
200 Lake Morton Drive
Suite 300
Lakeland, FL 33801
863-533-5525
Ft. Myers
23150 Fashion Drive
Suite 232
Estero, FL 33928
239-367-9900
Sarasota
677 North Washington Boulevard
Suite 110
Sarasota, FL 34236
941-226-8600
Florida Keys
27989 Gulf Boulevard
Big Pine Key, FL 33043
833-941-7867
You can find a wealth of additional information on our two related websites below, and always feel free to contact us directly for a free consultation!
Whether it is by providing you with assistance getting repair estimates, the preparation and submission of your claim, or just answers to questions you may have, we want to help you.
We have represented insurance policyholders since 1992. If you believe your hurricane, hail, tornado, fire or water damage claim has been unfairly denied or underpaid, contact us today for a free case evaluation.
OUR ATTORNEYS
Neal O’Toole
Neal O'Toole
Neal L. O’Toole was born in New Rochelle, New York, where he was raised until 1978 when he enrolled at Loyola University in New Orleans, Louisiana. In 1982 he graduated from Loyola University cum laude with a degree in both Political Science and Psychology. He immediately enrolled at the Tulane School of Law and in 1985 Mr. O’Toole obtained his law degree. Upon graduation, Mr. O’Toole practiced law in New Orleans until 1988 when he relocated to the state of Florida. At that time, he joined a law firm in Bartow, Florida specializing in civil litigation. In 1992 he became a shareholder in the firm which was then known as Frost & O’Toole, P.A.
Mr. O’Toole is an AV rated lawyer the highest rating established by Martindale Hubbel, the agency which provides attorneys’ ratings throughout the United States. He is also board certified by The Florida Bar as both a Civil Trial Lawyer and in Business Litigation. This distinction is held by less than two percent (2%) of lawyers within the state of Florida and only four (4) lawyers in Polk County, Florida. Mr. O’Toole is a former President of the Wilson American Inns of Court, an invitation only group of judges and lawyers dedicated to returning civility to the practice of law. He is also a former member of the Board of Directors of the Polk County Trial Lawyers Association and a former member of the Executive Committee of the Trial Lawyers Section of The Florida Bar. Mr. O’Toole is a former chairman and an annual lecturer at the Florida Board Certification Review Course on the subject of State and Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. He is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, the National Institute of Trial Advocacy, the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, as well as a member with Eagle status in the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers.
Mr. O’Toole is admitted to practice law in Florida and Louisiana as well as before the United States District Courts and the Courts of Appeal within these states.
Joe Parrish
Joe Parrish
Joe Parrish, Jr. grew up in the small town of Auburndale, Florida where his father was the head football coach of the local high school. Mr. Parrish learned from his father, at a very young age, the value of hard work, perseverance in the face of adversity, and, above all, honesty. As an attorney, Joe Parrish, Jr. applies those same values with respect to his clients. All of Mr. Parrish’s clients – many of whom are experiencing their darkest days – are treated like family, because that’s what they deserve.
Mr. Parrish’s legal experience ranges from working for large international firms in Washington, D.C. and for largest plaintiffs’ firm in the world, all the way to operating his own private legal practice. Now, nearly all his legal practice is dedicated to battling insurance companies on behalf of people and small businesses devastated by the recent onslaught of hurricanes in Florida and Louisiana. Helping people get their homes rebuilt, there businesses recovered, and leveling the playing field for “the little guy” in the fight for a fair insurance recovery is what Mr. Parrish does – it’s why he became an attorney. Mr. Parrish’s legal career is dedicated 100% to advocating for “the little guy” against large corporations and insurance companies. Mr. Parrish has been instrumental in collecting over $22 million for his clients in hurricane insurance claims and is standing by to help you with your hurricane claim.
Practice Areas
- First Party Insurance Coverage Disputes
- Hurricane Insurance Claims
- Property Damage Insurance Claims
- Business Interruption Insurance Claims
- Boating and Marine Insurance Claims
- Cargo Insurance Claims
- Insurer First Party Bad Faith Claims
Bar Admissions and Licenses
- Florida
- Louisiana
- District of Columbia
- United States District Court, Middle District of Florida
- United States District Court, Southern District of Florida
- United States District Court, Western District of Louisiana
- United States District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana
Education
- The George Washington University Law School, Washington, D.C. - Master of Laws (LL.M.), International and
Comparative Law - Michigan State University College of Law, East Lansing, Michigan - Juris Doctor (J.D.)
- Pepperdine University School of Law, Straus Institute of Dispute Resolution, Malibu, California - Dispute
Resolution Program - Tulane University Law School – London International Law Program
- Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida - Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Psychology
Michael Ruel
Michael Ruel
For over 14 years, Michael practiced law for a leading South Florida law firm representing insurance companies against residential property claims by homeowners. A significant portion of Michael’s practice also involved being retained by insurance companies to represent construction companies and building owners with a focus on complex commercial property claims involving churches, hospitals, businesses, apartments, condominiums, and homeowners’ associations. His level of experience and success in these areas positions him perfectly to represent homeowners and policyholders who experience wind damage, sinkhole damage, and other major damage yet face opposition from the insurer or builder when they submit a claim.
Before embarking on his legal career, Michael served in the U.S. Air Force as a member of the 55th Special Operations Squadron. In addition to his military career, he has extensive experience in the retail sales, automotive, and banking industries, giving him the kind of first-hand, practical understanding of business operations that make him an excellent choice to represent business owners with first-party insurance claims or other business and contractual issues, including commercial litigation exposure.
Michael’s objective is always to obtain the most favorable resolution of his client’s case quickly and efficiently, minimizing the costs of protracted litigation. Sometimes this means early settlement, while other times a winning resolution requires a courtroom battle. In either case, Michael’s experience and his proactive approach to client communication allow him to craft the right strategy for each case. He regularly tries jury and bench trials in federal and Florida state trial courts and also advocates for his clients in arbitration as required.
Michael’s experience and success have earned him an “AV” rating from Martindale-Hubbell, the prominent legal directory’s highest rating for attorneys. He is also frequently invited to speak at seminars relating to his practice areas.
Brad Stewart
Brad Stewart
Hi, I’m Brad Stewart, the founder of Stewart Law Firm, P.A. I am honored that you are considering me to represent you. I assure you that I take your trust and confidence seriously, and I do my best to get the best possible outcome for my clients.
I haven’t always been a lawyer. I started out my working life as an insurance adjuster. I later worked for a large, self-insured trucking company that handled its insurance claims in-house and actually owned its own insurance company that handled insurance for other truckers. I learned a lot about insurance and handling insurance claims. In those days, we were taught to treat other’s insurance claims like we would want our own claim handled. We were told to pay claims that were owed and to pay them quickly. It was just that simple.
Over time, I saw the insurance industry changing. Insurance companies started laying off their experienced employees and hiring inexperienced people who would work for less. Then, the insurers started lowballing claims, using claim denials and claim delays to give the appearance of greater profits so stockholders could receive dividends and executives could get big paychecks. Sadly, these business practices filtered their way into my company. So, at age 37, I decided to go to law school so I could help others fight back against the insurers and get what they deserved to be paid.
It was at my last law firm that I made the decision to start my own firm. I was working for a very large firm that advertised heavily. The firm said all the right things on television about how clients should be treated, but in reality, everything was focused on increasing the law firm’s fees. I saw cases going to trial where reasonable settlement offers were made just so lawyers could meet their trial quotas or gamble with a client’s future at the chance of getting a big fee.
Travis Watson
Travis Watson
Mr. Watson is an experienced insurance lawyer. His primary focus is fighting insurance companies on behalf of individuals and businesses whose claims have been lowballed, denied, or delayed. Having litigated and resolved hundreds of insurance claims all across Florida since 2007, Mr. Watson has the experience and knowledge to aggressively navigate the complex arena of claim disputes and help people recover what they are owed by their insurance companies.
Raised in California, Mr. Watson later attended Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, where he received his B.A. in Political Science. After marrying a Florida native, Mr. Watson attended the Florida State University College of Law where he graduated Cum Laude.
Mr. Watson thoroughly enjoys the practice of law. He enthusiastically embraces his work on a daily basis and is committed to serving his clients and providing them the legal advice and representation that they need and deserve. When he’s not practicing law, Mr. Watson enjoys spending time with his wife and four children, serving in his church and the community, and playing sports.
JUST A FEW OF THE CONTRACTORS AND CONSULTANTS WE REGULARLY WORK WITH
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