Phillip T. Jones - Vernis & Bowling

Phillip T. Jones, Esq.
Department Managing Attorney
Vernis & Bowling of the Gulf Coast, P.A. 2203 N. Lois Avenue Ste. 711 Tampa, FL 33607
Phone: (813) 712-1700
Email: PJones@Florida-Law.com
Fax: (813) 712-1701
Website: www.national-law.com
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Verdicts and Dispositions

Lapsley, Danielle v. Sara Reid
Phillip Jones (Tampa, Florida) (Automobile Liability) obtained a Final Summary Judgment in Pasco County, Florida on a case involving a motor vehicle accident and claimed bodily injuries.

Plaintiff brought a bodily injury claim in relation to a motor vehicle accident. Plaintiff claimed that our client was speeding when the accident occurred. The undisputed testimony of all parties showed that our client was driving straight and the Plaintiff was attempting to make a left-hand turn. At the time of impact, both directions had a yellow light. The Plaintiff and her son testified that the vehicle came out of nowhere and had to have been speeding because their vehicle flipped 4 times. Our client testified that she believed the speed limit was 50 mph and that she was going the speed limit.

At the hearing on the Motion for Summary Judgment, Plaintiff attempted to argue that there was still a question of fact as to whether our client was speeding, which would make her partially at fault. The Plaintiff relied on the police report which stated the posted speed was 45 mph. Therefore, there was a question of whether our client was going 5 miles over the speed limit. Our office argued that Plaintiff had no admissible evidence showing our client was speeding and that Plaintiff could not prove her case. We further showed the court evidence that the posted speed on the road was 50 mph, which confirmed our client’s testimony.

The Court agreed and granted the Motion for Final Summary Judgment finding that the Plaintiff was 100% at fault for the accident and that Plaintiff failed to show our client breached her duty of care.
Milian-Capote v. Citizens Property Insurance Corporation
Phillip Jones (Tampa, Florida) (Property) obtained a Final Summary Judgment in Hillsborough County Florida on behalf of Citizens Property Insurance Corporation.

Plaintiff brought a homeowners breach of contract claim in relation to an alleged windstorm resulting in damage to the Plaintiff’s roof and interior of the Plaintiff’s home. The alleged date of loss was December 24, 2020. The Plaintiff did not report the loss to Citizens until June 27, 2022. Citizens ultimately found that it could not determine the cause of the loss due to the passage of time. The Plaintiff then filed suit

Our office took the Plaintiff’s deposition and was able to solicit testimony that the alleged damages were observed shortly after the alleged date of loss of December 24, 2020. However, instead of reporting the claim, the Plaintiff painted over the damages.

At the hearing on the Motion for Summary Judgment, Plaintiff attempted to argue that there was still a question of fact as to whether the notice was timely. Our office argued that based on the insured’s undisputed testimony the notice was untimely. Plaintiff submitted a report and affidavit of an expert engineer who opined that the Plaintiff’s damages were caused by the December 24, 2020 event. Further, Plaintiff’s expert opined that Citizens had enough information and could have made a coverage determination at the time it inspected. Therefore, Plaintiff argued that Citizens was not prejudiced. We argued the affidavit and report should not be considered as it was based on an inspection that occurred three and half years after the alleged date of loss.

The Court agreed with Citizens that the claim was not reported timely and that Citizens was prejudiced in its investigation. Based on the same, the Court granted Citizens’ Motion for Final Summary Judgment.
Silvio Abreu Jorge v. Citizens Property Insurance Corporation
Phillip Jones (Tampa, Florida) (Property) obtained a Summary Judgment in Hillsborough County Florida.

Plaintiff brought a homeowner’s breach of contract claim in relation to an interior plumbing loss. Citizens accepted coverage for the loss and provided payment of $10,000.00 pursuant to a water damage sub-limit contained in the policy. The Plaintiff argued that an additional amount was owed under the policy.

At the hearing on the motion for Summary Judgment, Plaintiff argued that there was mold damage and that an additional $10,000.00 would be due under the policy. Citizens argued that the complaint did not allege a claim for mold damage and that Plaintiff did not submit any evidence to show that any additional mold damage or coverage was owed.

The Court agreed with Citizens and granted Final Summary Judgment in its favor.
Dinanath v. Citizens Property Insurance Corporation
Phillip Jones (Tampa, Florida) (Property) obtained a Summary Judgment in Hillsborough County Florida.

Plaintiff brought a homeowner’s breach of contract claim in relation to an alleged windstorm resulting in damage to the Plaintiff’s roof. After investigating the claim, Citizens denied coverage as the roof did not show any damage related to a covered peril and instead exhibited signs of wear and tear.

At the hearing on the motion for Summary Judgment, Plaintiff submitted an affidavit alleging there was no damage to the roof before the storm, but damage after the storm. Therefore, Plaintiff argued that the alleged storm had to be the cause of the damage to the roof.

Citizens argued that the affidavit contradicted the deposition testimony, wherein the Plaintiff testified that he never observed the alleged damages and never got on the roof. Citizens presented an affidavit of an expert who opined that the damage to the roof was a result of wear/tear and age-related deterioration.

The Court agreed with Citizens that the claim was excluded under the policy and granted Final Summary Judgment in Citizen’s favor.

Areas Of Practice

Automobile Liability (PIP/PD/BI/UM)
Construction and Construction Defect Litigation
First and Third Party Property and Casualty Claims
General Civil Litigation
Guardianships and Estates
PIP/Personal Injury Protection Litigation
Premises Liability
Product Liability

Bar & Court Admission

Florida Bar

Education

Graduate:
Stetson University College of Law, J.D.
Honors:
cum laude
High Grade Award in Federal Taxation of Estates, Gifts, and Trusts
Mathew Bender Elder Law Book Award
Undergraduate:
Florida State University, B.S. in Social Sciences Interdisciplinary

Phillip Jones joined Vernis & Bowling in 2016. Prior to joining the firm, Phillip attended Stetson University College of Law where he earned his Juris Doctorate with Honors. Since joining Vernis & Bowling, Phillip has represented Insurance Companies in thousands of first party disputes in the areas of Personal Injury Protection (PIP) and First Party Property claims. Phillip has also represented clients on hundreds of cases in the areas of construction defect, bodily injury/uninsured motorist claims, and premises liability. Phillip is admitted to practice in the State of Florida.

Vernis & Bowling takes pride in offering cost effective, yet aggressive litigation strategies. Over the years, Phillip has obtained tremendous results for his clients through his unique approach to first party claims, which provides clients with low-cost representation without sacrificing the quality of the same. Phillip has also instructed several continuing education courses for Insurance Companies and Adjusters.

When Phillip is not vigorously advocating for his clients, he enjoys fishing, Tampa Bay sports, and playing music.

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