Christopher S. Stratton

Partner/Palm Beach

"A man's accomplishments in life are the cumulative effect of his attention to detail."
John Foster Dulles

Mr. Stratton has been practicing law in Palm Beach County for many years, and is a well recognized face in its courthouse and surrounding areas. Mr. Stratton effectively defends major corporations and insured individuals in various types of civil cases including premises liability, products liability, wrongful death, automobile negligence, negligent security, toxic torts, false imprisonment/malicious prosecution, libel/slander/defamation, property damage, professional negligence, subrogation and insurance coverage issues.

He is admitted to the Florida Bar, the United States District Courts for the Northern, Middle, and Southern Districts of Florida, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. He is a past committee member of the Torts & Insurance Practice Section of the American Bar Association.

As for a personal background, Mr. Stratton was born and raised in northwestern New Jersey and relocated to the Sunshine State to attend Florida State University in Tallahassee. He obtained a degree in Media Communications and was employed by various radio, television and video production outlets. After graduation, Mr. Stratton worked for the state legislature as a videographer and director for live television news broadcasts.

Mr. Stratton attended the University of Miami School of Law where he was named to the Dean's List and earned academic honors in his "Litigation Skills" course, among others. . He graduated cum laude in the top 20% of his class and was a member of two scholarly publications - the University of Miami Entertainment & Sports Law Review and the University of Miami Business Law Review. While attending law school, Mr. Stratton also found time to operate Gavel Entertainment, Inc., an entertainment management/promotions firm in Miami's South Beach.

He began his legal career as an Associate practicing insurance and governmental defense with the firm of Panza, Maurer & Maynard, P.A., located in Fort Lauderdale. He then practiced as an Associate with the Stuart, FL firm of Cornett, Googe, Ross & Earle, P.A. in the areas of civil litigation, commercial litigation, construction defects and disputes, professional liability, collections, and community association matters.

Mr. Stratton resides in Wellington, Florida and away from work he enjoys the beach, playing guitar, music, kayaking, jet skiing, and golf.

GREAT RESULTS

Estate of K.W. vs. Waste Collection Corporation – Settlement

The Deceased engineering technician perished from exposure to toxic landfill gases which were unexpectedly released at one of the largest landfills in the country .  The Estate and surviving son demanded $10 Million, which included at least $1.4 Million in economic losses.  Settled for $350,000 from our client.

M.V. vs. Italian Restaurant Franchise – Settlement

The Plaintiff slipped and fell on water near the bar of this restaurant suffering a cervical herniated disc with spinal cord compression which required a fusion surgery.  She incurred in excess of $150,000 in past and future medical bills, and demanded $2.5 Million to settle.  The case settled for $175,000.

Gail Warren vs. AVIS Rent A Car – Trial

The Plaintiff allegedly suffered a severe cervical disc herniation with spinal cord impingement requiring fusion surgery, in a motor vehicle accident for which our insured driver admitted negligence.  The Plaintiff demanded $2.2 Million to settle.  The jury returned a DEFENSE VERDICT, finding the subject accident did not cause her injuries.

 R.S. v. Food Distribution Company, et al. – Settlement

The Plaintiff suffered a severe tear of his esophagus allegedly due to a metal foreign object in chicken distributed by the Defendant.  He underwent multiple surgeries including a thoracotomy and repair of the esophagus.  Complications occurred, including a bacterial infection, sepsis, pneumonia and renal failure, nearly causing the death of the Plaintiff.  He incurred in excess of $330,000 in past medical bills and was hospitalized for two months on a ventilator and feeding tube.  The Plaintiff demanded $1.875 Million to settle.   Our client settled for $50,000.

Doreen Leonard vs. GMH Associates – Trial

The Plaintiff tripped and fell due to a faulty expansion joint in the concrete flooring of our client’s parking garage.  She shattered her knee cap, underwent three surgeries, became inflicted with Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD), and incurred in excess of $120,000 in past medical bills.  The Plaintiff demanded $1.75 Million.  Settled for $105,000 on the third day of trial.

 T.F. vs. Family Grocery Store – Settlement

The elderly Plaintiff tripped and fell allegedly due to an exposed pipe on the floor of this supermarket.  He suffered a severe ulnar fracture, underwent multiple surgeries and developed complications and infections bearing in excess of $185,000 in past medical bills.  Possible amputation of the limb was contemplated.  He demanded $1.45 Million to settle the case.  Settled at mediation for $150,000.

 H.M. vs. National Steakhouse Franchise – Settlement

The elderly Claimant allegedly tripped and fell on debris in the parking lot at night, suffering hip and shoulder fractures requiring multiple surgeries including an eventual hip replacement.   His medical bills exceeded $345,000 and he demanded $1 Million to settle.  Settled for $35,000.

Joan Krogmann vs. Taco Bell – Trial

The Plaintiff tripped and fell on exposed rebar in the parking lot allegedly suffering fractured ribs and internal derangement of the knee requiring surgery.  The Defendant admitted negligence.  The Plaintiff’s past and future medical bills totaled approximately $100,000 and she demanded $300,000 to settle.  The jury returned a verdict of $7,000, finding only minimal scrapes and bruises were actually caused by this accident.

NADIA MESSINA VS. WASTE MANAGEMENT – DISMISSED

The Plaintiff allegedly suffered a cervical disc herniation requiring two fusion surgeries due to a collision with a garbage truck. She demanded $250,000 to settle. After filing a Motion to Dismiss for Fraud based upon Plaintiff’s concealment of prior injuries to her neck, the case was ultimately DISMISSED in the Defendant’s favor.

Tiphanie Nicole Parra vs. Tutor Time Learning Center – Adjudicated

The four year old Plaintiff suffered a hand injury including permanent vascular damage from having her hand slammed in the day care bathroom door by another student.  The Plaintiff claimed inadequate supervision by the Defendant day care and demanded $100,000.  A DEFENSE JUDGMENT was obtained via Motion for Summary Judgment.  The Plaintiff appealed the judgment to the 4th DCA and lost.