Attorney Charles S. Philips Is Dedicated To Representing Accident Victims

Thursday, 29 March 2007 17:42

Charles S. Philips, Personal Injury Law, is a firm dedicated to victim representation in personal injury law and insurance coverage issues and handles legal matters in the areas of personal injury, wrongful death and insurance law, as well as sports agency law. Philips is assisted in his practice by paralegal Sharon Grimes, who has worked with him for 12 years. The firm recently outgrew the former location on Rancho Del Rio Dr. in New Port Richey and has relocated to a new office with twice as much room.

Although still in New Port Richey, the new office is located on River Crossing Blvd., near Timber Greens Golf Course. In addition to Pasco, Philips also represents clients at satellite locations in Pinellas, Hillsborough, Hernando and Citrus counties.

“I meet with my clients personally on every case because it allows me direct involvement with them,” says Philips. “I strive to provide comprehensive personal injury representation that suits the individual needs of each client.”

Philips received his undergraduate degree in Criminal Justice from the University of South Florida (with honors) in 1985 and graduated from Stetson College of Law in St. Petersburg in 1987. Then, in January 1988, Philips began his legal career with the State Attorney’s office in Pinellas County. He served five years in the Traffic and Misdemeanor Divisions as lead trial attorney and finally, as felony division assistant.

Philips later practiced insurance defense as an associate with the St. Petersburg office of the firm of Austin, Ley, Roe & Patsko, P.A., where he represented State Farm and Ohio Casualty insurance companies, as well as Kash N’Karry supermarkets. Philips decided that he wanted to represent victims and became an associate with the New Port Richey office of a personal injury firm, where he practiced personal injury law and insurance coverage litigation. After seven years as the lead attorney of that firm’s Personal Injury Division, Philips started his own firm in 2002, where he continues his focus on victim representation. He is a member of the Florida Bar, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Citrus County and West Pasco Bar Associations, as well as the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, Trial Lawyers of America and the Million Dollar Advocates Forum. He also is a Board member of the All Children’s Hospital Foundation and the Magic Bean Foundation.

Philips says he really understands how to help personal injury clients get the best possible outcome on their individual case. “I have a realistic approach to cases because I’ve been on the other side, so I let my clients know what they can reasonably expect,” he says. He adds that his unique legal background and experience as an insurance defense attorney have given him an astute understanding of both sides of personal injury law and enable him to help his personal injury clients understand what they can reasonably attain in injury cases.

“One of the benefits we bring to the table is that we’re one of only a few law firms that have worked on both sides (of personal injury law),” says Philips. “Having the experience of an insurance background helps in many ways — I know how insurance companies evaluate cases and I know what their levels of authority are, and having worked with adjusters, I know what factors they look at to evaluate a case.”

Philips says that not all personal injury cases need to go to trial. For some clients, court costs can exceed benefits, which is why it is so important for victims to make sure they have an experienced attorney to help them make an informed decision about the best way to handle their particular case.

“Our experience on the insurance defense side and, for the past 12 years, the plaintiff’s side, allows us to better serve our clients’ needs,” says Philips. “My job is to maximize benefits to the client, but always with a realistic approach. I’m not taking the case to make a fee — if I can’t help them get more than they would get for themselves, then I don’t want to be involved in the case. I don’t think there is any other way to be.” Philips does point out, however, that it is important for clients to make an appointment with an attorney as soon as possible for a free consultation to discuss any injury accident and that this should take place as soon as possible following the incident.

“Every case has a statute of limitations, so, it is imperative to not wait,” says Philips. “And, we don’t have any qualms about filing a lawsuit if it becomes necessary to enforce the rights of the client.” Philips says that he also is very comfortable in the courtroom and notes that when he worked on the insurance side of the equation, literally every case he handled was in litigation.

Philips also is happy to share advice on what to do if you find yourself in a motor vehicle accident. “First, you should exchange information — get the tag number, driver’s license number and insurance information of all involved individuals and vehicles,” he says. “And, report the accident to a law enforcement officer and report it to your insurance company promptly because you have a duty to report accidents to your insurance company within a certain amount of time.”

He adds, “An insurance policy is a contract, and part of your agreement with the company is to report incidents and the insurance company’s part is to provide benefits. If your insurance company wants you to give a taped statement, you should provide it but make sure that your attorney is present when you make your statement.”

And, Philips says you should always see a physician to get checked out following an accident because some injuries are not immediately apparent.

In addition to practicing law, Philips also makes time to volunteer for various charities and sometimes appears as a guest lecturer on Auto Insurance Law to paralegal classes at St. Petersburg College. He and his wife Diane, a medical technologist, enjoy spending time with their daughters, Lindsay and Savannah.

“We’re a very active family,” says Philips. “We love to fish, run and bike together and we are involved with our church.”

Philips says he also has worked with Major League Baseball Alumni charities and with All Children’s Hospital. He also has volunteered for the Make-A-Wish Foundation and serves on the Board of the Magic Bean Foundation, which uses equine-assisted psychotherapy for mentally challenged children and hippo-therapy (where therapists assist children in riding horses) to help physically challenged children. He says the work that the Magic Bean Foundation which uses equine-assisted psychotherapy for mentally challenged children and hippo-therapy (where therapists assist children in riding horses) to help physically challenged children. He says the work that the Magic Bean Foundation does is so interesting because children with neurological and muscular disorders respond very well to working with the horses which, in turn, seem very intuitive to the children. Hippo-therapy helps to strengthen musculature and has been shown to improve neurological response in these physically-challenged children.

Unfortunately, injury-related accidents happen every day and any of us could find ourselves in a situation in which we may need a lawyer. Rest assured that attorney Charles Philips has the experience necessary to offer sound legal advice. Initial consultations are free, so don’t hesitate to make an appointment and make sure your legal rights are being taken care of properly.

Charles S. Philips, Personal Injury Law, is located at 9400 River Crossing Blvd., Suite 103, in New Port Richey. Office hours are Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–4 p.m., with evening hours available by appointment. For additional information, please call 494-2008 or continue browsing our website.