Michael J. Damaso, II
Top rated Personal Injury attorney in Orlando, Florida
Practice Areas:
Animal bites,
Birth injury,
Brain injury,
Construction accident,
Medical malpractice,
Motor vehicle defects,
Premises liability - plaintiff,
Sexual abuse - plaintiff,
Trucking accidents,
Wrongful death
Education Qualification:
Barry University Dwayne O. Andreas School of Law
Practice Areas:
Animal bites,
Birth injury,
Brain injury,
Construction accident,
Medical malpractice,
Motor vehicle defects,
Premises liability - plaintiff,
Sexual abuse - plaintiff,
Trucking accidents,
Wrongful death
500 Delaney Ave, Suite 404Orlando, Florida, 32801
First Admitted: 2005, Florida
Professional Webpage: https://whkpa.com/attorney/michael-damaso/
Bar / Professional Activity:
- Florida Bar, 2005 – Present
- American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), 2020 – Present
- Central Florida Trial Lawyers Association, 2006 – Present
- Central Florida Trial Lawyers Association, Board Member, 2012 - Present, President, 2016
- Orange County Bar Association, 2006 – Present
- American Association for Justice, 2005 – Present
- Florida Justice Association, 2005 – Present
- Florida Justice Association, Board Member (2014-2016)
Verdicts / Settlements (Case Results):
- Florida Supreme Court Upholds $5.2 Million Jury Verdict Obtained for Chemical Burn Injury Victim The Florida Supreme Court rules injury claims viable under state pollution statute. ORLANDO – (March 9, 2020) The personal injury law firm of Wooten, Kimbrough, Damaso & Dennis, P.A. recovered a $5.2 million judgment for their client, a tow truck driver who suffered severe chemical burns after helping clean up a tractor-trailer spill that scattered hundreds of car batteries across the highway. “We were determined to do everything in our power to ensure our client received a fair judgment for the devastating and lifelong injuries he suffered while on the job,” said attorney, Michael Damaso. “Our client’s physical injuries progressively worsened as a result of the chemical burns, which caused him to undergo numerous skin grafts and years of treatment.” The tow truck driver suffered injuries following a 2011 tractor-trailer crash when the semi-driver lost control of the big rig going off the road and slamming into an embankment of trees, catching fire. The tractor-trailer was carrying more than 800 car batteries when it crashed, and after firefighters pumped thousands of gallons of water onto the wreckage to extinguish the ensuing flames, highly corrosive battery acid mixed with the water at the scene. The tow truck driver spent around 15 hours removing the wreckage. The next day, his boots and pants were crumbling and falling apart. The stinging sensations around his feet and legs were the result of direct exposure to sulfuric acid. “It is a shame that the defendant and their insurance company refused to make good on the damage they caused. After years of litigation, two trials, and appeals it came down to a very easy decision for the Florida Supreme Court. The court unanimously decided that companies that pollute in Florida must be responsible for all the harm they create. Our client’s life was forever changed by this incident, and the defendant did everything they could to avoid taking responsibility,” said attorney, Jack Adams. The Florida Supreme Court unanimously overturned the First District Court of Appeal's decision on December 19, 2019. The lower court held the tow truck driver could not sue the trucking company for personal injuries under Florida's Water Quality Assurance Act, a 1983 strict liability law designed to protect Floridians from contaminating groundwater. The lower court's ruling effectively vacated the jury's $5.2 million verdict. The Florida Supreme Court said it is wrong to apply the more restrictive definition of damages to the 1983 law, which allows for individuals to sue for “all types of damages.” The 'all damages' language of the 1983 act applies, not the more restrictive definition of the 1970 act that excludes damages to human beings," the high court ruled. "The plain meaning of 'all damages' includes personal injury damages." The tow truck driver is represented by Michael J. Damaso, II and Jackson W. Adams of Wooten, Kimbrough, Damaso & Dennis, P.A. and Peter D. Webster of Carlton Fields, 2020
Pro bono / Community Service:
- Barry University Law Alumni, President, 2012, 2005 – Present
- Orange County Teen Court Advisory Board, 2019
- Generous donation of smart technology devices to West Lakes Partnership to help seniors connect with their loved ones during this time of restriction caused by the pandemic on September 9, 2020, 2020
- Wooten, Kimbrough, Damaso & Dennis, P.A. Donate Vital “Smart Home” Systems to Nemours Children’s Hospital in Orlando Donation will help paralyzed, traumatically injured victims regain partial independence ORLANDO – The Law Firm of Wooten, Kimbrough, Damaso & Dennis, P.A. donated home automation systems to Nemours Children’s Hospital to help therapists and medical professionals prepare their patients for life after they are released from the hospital. By learning how to control everyday devices with their voice, patients and their family members will be better positioned to utilize “smart home” technology as they adapt to their new normal. “It was a special day being able to donate such needed devices to children and families at Nemours Children’s Hospital,” said Michael Damaso, Partner at Wooten, Kimbrough, Damaso & Dennis, P.A. “We sadly see every day the struggles of people adapting to life after a traumatic injury. Medical professionals and physical therapists tell us how home automation devices can improve things for those who have no — or very limited — mobility.” Home automation products that many people take for granted as a luxury have become vital for those recovering from traumatic injuries. The ability to control lights, heating and air conditioning, view who is at the front door or summon assistance is fun technology for most consumers but can make the difference between complete dependence and partial independence for victims of horrific accidents rendered paralyzed. The donation by Wooten, Kimbrough, Damaso & Dennis, P.A. is part of a national outreach event known as the Injury Board Day Of Action — a collaborative effort by the nation’s leading plaintiff’s attorneys to make a difference in their local communities, 2019
Honors:
- Super Lawyers – Rising Star, 2013 – Present
- Million Dollar Advocate Forum Invitee, 2017
- U.S. News & World Report, Best Law Firms, Tier #1, Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiff, 2013 – Present
- Tier #1 - Personal Injury Plaintiff, U.S. News World Report Best Law Firms, U.S. News World Report, 2019
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