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The Law Office of James W. Dodson Staff Profiles

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Jim Dodson Law Office of James W. Dodson, P. A. 1259 Myrtle Avenue South Clearwater, FL 33756 Download vCard


Jim is a second generation native Floridian. A graduate of Florida State University, he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree and law degree from Florida State University, where he graduated with honors in 1972.

Jim served in the Air Force for four years as a JAG prosecuting and defending criminal cases. He returned to Florida in 1977, and served as an Assistant State Attorney in Clearwater for 5 1/2 years. At the State Attorney’s Office, Jim was part of a special prosecution team handling only career criminal prosecutions until he became the supervising attorney for the entire Clearwater office.

After leaving the State Attorney’s office, Jim joined the Tampa office of the Justice Department as an Assistant United States Attorney. He defended law suits filed in Federal Court alleging medical malpractice against  physicians practicing at the Veterans Administration, US Air Force and Naval Center hospitals in Florida.

Jim entered private practice in 1984, joining an established Clearwater firm, where he became a partner, and remained for 17 years. During this time his practice became one exclusively focused on personal injury litigation.

In 2001, Jim opened his own practice devoted to representing those whose lives have been affected by the wrongful act of another, including: car accidents and  truck collisions, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian/crosswalk and bicycle injuries, child injuries, slips/trips and falls and unsafe premises ,wrongful death and medical malpractice.

Jim is a member of numerous professional organizations in addition to the Florida Bar Association, Florida Justice Association, American Association for Justice, St. Petersburg Bar Association, Clearwater Bar Association (where he served as President 1992-93), and the Mid-County Bar Association, (which he currently leads). In addition to belonging to other professional organizations, Mr. Dodson is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum for trial lawyers that have achieved a trial verdict, award, or settlement in the amount of One Million Dollars or more through their exceptional skills, experience, and excellence in advocacy. His peers have awarded him the highest possible rating for legal ethics and abilities, rating him AV®, Peer Review Rated.*

In the community, Jim has served for many years on the board of Isaiah’s Inn, a non-profit ministry serving families in need of temporary housing and support. He and his family have been actively involved in their church. For over twenty years, Jim has also attended, and often assisted in leading, a men’s community Bible study group.

Jim and his wife, Pam married in 1972. Pam has a Master’s Degree in Special Education and taught for many years. They have two grown children, Courtney and Mark. Courtney resides in San Francisco with her husband and daughter. Mark and his wife are both in medical school at UCLA. Although many miles separate Jim and Pam from their children and grandchildren, they are frequent visitors to the west coast. Jim and his son often look for opportunities to meet for mountain biking trips. Despite the distance, he and his wife remain actively involved in the lives of their children and granchildren. Jim has had a lifelong interest in running and fitness, as well as,other outdoors activities such as golf, mountain biking and boating.



* CV, BV and AV are registered certification marks of Reed Elsevier Properties, Inc., used with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards, and policies.

Professional Honors & Activities:










Publications:

The Five Mistakes that Can Wreck Your Florida Accident Case  is intended to help accident victims who have been injured in Florida. The book addresses various aspects of the insurance claims and civil litigation processes that are common in personal injury cases. It covers a wide array of accident claims topics such as, "What is a Personal Injury or Accident Case?", "How Do You Determine the Value of a Personal Injury Case?", and "Do you really need an attorney?" The book also details how to work with a claims adjustor, medical treatment considerations, and the different avenues of the legal process such as mandatory arbitration.  Click here to get your free copy!. 

 

 The Ultimate Guide to Your Protection From Irresponsible Drivers in Florida This FREE BOOK has been written to help you understand how to protect you and your loved ones from irresponsible drivers in Florida by someone who does not sell insurance. Florida Accident attorney James W. Dodson explains why some insurance companies do not encourage you to buy the most important insurance protection in Florida. Click HERE to get your free copy!






The Ultimate Guide To Injuries From A Fall: Dangerous Trips to Avoid in Your Fall Case If you’ve been injured in a fall, make sure you don't hurt your case, as well. Florida injury lawyer, James W. Dodson, has over 20 years experience representing clients injured in all types of falls. He has seen these cases commonly result in: broken bones; head, back and neck injuries; herniated discs; nerve damage; surgery, and; medical expenses and lost wages. Click HERE to get your free copy!

Download a Publication:

Florida Car Accidents & Truck Collisions

• Free Auto Insurance Review! Let Clearwater Car Accident Attorney Jim Dodson Review Your Policy!
• Florida Car Accident Victim's Guide | A Free Report on Car Accidents
• Should you Cooperate with the Defendant’s Insurance Adjuster after an Auto Accident?
• Diminished Value to Your Car After an Accident
• Covering Medical Care and Wage Loss When You've Been Hurt in a car Accident on the Job in Florida
• Common Myths About Auto Accident Cases
• Florida Car Insurance. . . What Does "Full Coverage" really Mean?
• Explanations and Advantages of Stacked Uninsured Motorist Coverage in Florida
• Considerations for Consumers When Rejecting Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage

Florida Pedestrian | Crosswalk Collisions & Bicycle Accidents

• Recovery for Injuries Suffered by Pedestrian
• Common Injuries Suffered by Bicyclists in Florida

Florida Wrongful Death & Fatal Accidents

• Clearwater Wrongful Death Lawyer | What is a Wrongful Death Claim?

Florida Child Injury

• Liability of Adult Caretakers for Failure to Place Child in Car Safety Seat
• Is a Pre-Injury Release of a Child Signed by a Parent in Florida Right?
• Dog Bite Injuries Suffered by Children

Florida Slip | Trip | Fall Accidents and Unsafe Premises

• Cracked, Broken or Irregular Sidewalk Causing a Fall
• Injured in Clearwater, St. Petersburg, but live out of State?
• Defective Sidewalk Handicapped Ramp Causing a Fall
• Grocery Store Slip and Fall
• Different Types of Knee Injuries One Can Suffer as the Result of an Accident

Golf Carts and Electric Vehicles

• Legal Requirements for Golf Carts in Florida | What You Need to Know
• Low Speed Vehicles and Neighborhood Electric Vehicles in Florida

Dog Bites

• Learn About Dog Bites and Dog Bite Prevention
• Dog Bite Injuries, Finding Insurance Coverage

Spinal Cord Injury

• The Use of an MRI in a Case Involving Neck or Back Pain

Consumer Advice

• Insider Secrets | How Insurance Companies Work to Limit the Amount They Payout in Claims
• Consumer Advice about Air Bag Fraud
• What is Mediation?
• Clearwater Child Safety and Auto Accident Lawyer 5 Tips for Seatbelt Use
• The Truth about Lawyer Advertising | Helpful Information | Clearwater Personal Injury Lawyer
• How To Select a Qualified Personal Injury Lawyer
• Answers to Common Questions Clients Have About their Case

Trial Practice

• Will My Case Go to Court?
• What Is a Personal Injury Case?
• Is There a Defense Strategy on Motions to Dismiss for Fraud?
• Failure to Recall Prior Physical Complaints and Treatments... Does It Mean Dismissal of Your Case?

Some of the Cities We Serve

• Oldsmar Personal Injury Lawyer talks about the City of Oldsmar
• About the City of Seminole
• Largo Personal Injury Lawyer talks about Largo Florida
• Safety Harbor Lawyer talks about Safety Harbor
• Pinellas Park Personal Injury Attorney talks about the City of Pinellas Park
• St. Petersburg Attorney Talks about the City of St. Petersburg
• Clearwater Car and Personal Injury Attorney Talks about Clearwater, Florida
• Dunedin Personal Injury Lawyer shares some Information about Dunedin
• Bradenton Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyer
• Tampa Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyer

Newsletters

• October 2009 Newsletter
• August Newsletter
• May 2009 Newsletter
• August 2008
• March 2008
• October 2008
• February 2009
• January 2008
• July 2008

General

• Why You Must Not Allow Your Shrubbery to Grow into A Public Right-Of-Way
• Should You Settle Your Injury Claim Without a Lawyer
• The Danger to Your Case When Your Lawyers Send You to “Their” Doctor
• How Long Will My Case Take?
• Building Your Case: Working as a Team
• Commitment To Our Clients

Why You Need James W. Dodson if You Have Been Seriously Injured in Florida:

• Jim Dodson is a member of the prestigious Million Dollar Advocates Forum,awarded to trial lawyers who have achieved a trial verdict, award or settlement in the amount of $1,000,000.
• He is a former U. S. Federal prosecutor, defending medical malpractice and personal injury claims.
• He served as an Assistant State Attorney as part of a special prosecution team.
• He has over 20 years of trial experience.
• He has achieved the highest possible AV® Peer Rating Review for legal ability and ethics.
• He offers a FREE evaluation of your case and legal consultation.
• No Fees until Florida personal injury attorney Jim Dodson wins your case.
         
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