Shareholders Christopher L. Hill and Chase E. Boswell recently defended a hospital from a vicarious liability claim, in a medical malpractice case in Circuit Court of the Tenth Judicial Circuit in and for Polk County Florida. The plaintiff alleged that the Emergency Medicine physician at the hospital failed to properly diagnose the patient and did not provide appropriate care. The plaintiff further alleged that the hospital was vicariously liable for the Emergency Medicine physician’s alleged breach of duty because the physician was an agent of the hospital. Last month, the Court heard and entered summary judgment in favor of the hospital and against the plaintiff on plaintiff’s actual agency and apparent agency counts. The Court found there was insufficient evidence to support plaintiff’s claim that the physician was an agent of the hospital. This entry of summary judgment in favor of the hospital effectively removed them as a defendant from the lawsuit. Christopher L. Hill’s practice focuses on insurance defense and litigation, including medical/dental malpractice, bodily injury and under/uninsured motorist claims, auto/trucking litigation, Personal Injury Protection claims, and commercial litigation, as well as commercial Landlord-Tenant law. Christopher is licensed to practice law in Florida and Georgia and has been admitted to practice in the U.S. District Court for the Middle and Southern Districts of Florida. Chase E. Boswell’s practice focuses on insurance defense litigation, including medical/dental malpractice, products liability, premises liability, auto/trucking litigation, corporate and business matters, and employment litigation. Chase is licensed to practice law in Florida and Georgia, the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, and has been admitted to practice in the U.S. District Court for the Northern, Middle, and Southern Districts of Florida, and the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Georgia.

Shareholder Christopher Hill recently presented a lecture to dental students at the University of Florida College of Dentistry, during the Business Dentistry Symposium. The lecture covered important topics educating the students and informing them about the intersection of law and medical/dental care. During his lecture in April 2025, Christopher presented on the litigation process in Florida, including an overview of Florida’s mandatory pre-suit notice of intent requirements, the presuit discovery process, as well as the formal litigation process after the pre-suit period ends. He educated the students on the various types of litigation (including civil, criminal, and administrative matters), depositions, and tips on how to avoid litigation. He also took questions from the students, and presented on the importance of documentation in patient dental records, and what constitutes appropriate informed consent. Christopher Hill obtained his undergraduate degree and law degree from Florida State University. His practice focuses on insurance defense, including medical/dental malpractice, bodily injury and under/uninsured motorist claims, auto/trucking litigation, Personal Injury Protection claims, and commercial litigation, as well as commercial Landlord-Tenant law. Christopher is licensed to practice law in Florida and Georgia and has been admitted to practice in the U.S. District Court for the Middle and Southern Districts of Florida.