Christopher Lyons of Mase Seitz Briggs Featured on SiriusXM’s Mad Dog Sports Radio

DUI Manslaughter Charges Against Former Raider Wide Receiver Henry Ruggs III

Attorney Christopher Lyons, Of Counsel at Mase Seitz Briggs, recently appeared on SiriusXM’s Mad Dog Sports Radio with Lance Medow to discuss the ongoing matter involving NFL wide receiver Henry Ruggs III (formerly of the Las Vegas Raiders), who has been charged with a DUI manslaughter.You can hear the entire SiriusXM’s Mad Dog Sports Radio with Lance Medow interview here:

Fatal Drunk Driving Accident

On November 2, 2021, at approximately 3:30 am, law enforcement received reports of a collision involving two vehicles. When Las Vegas police arrived, they found a Toyota Rav4 engulfed in flames. The 23-year-old driver Tina O. Tintor and her dog were killed as a result of the crash. 

As reported by NPR, former Las Vegas Raider wide receiver Henry Ruggs III was behind the wheel of the other vehicle driving over 150 miles per hour when he rear-ended the Rav4. According to prosecutors, Ruggs had a blood-alcohol content twice the legal limit in Nevada. There are also reports indicating that he was not cooperative at the scene.

On November 3, he was charged with multiple felonies, including DUI causing death or substantial harm. The 22-year-old first-round pick is currently released on house arrest awaiting a December hearing on the matter.

Attorney Lyons Offers Legal Insight 

Attorney Christopher Lyons recently spoke with SiriusXM Sports radio host Lance Medow about the DUI case. Mr. Lyons offers unparalleled legal insight into the matter, having represented former NFL wide receiver Donté Stallworth in a similar incident in 2009. Stallworth was charged with DUI manslaughter after reportedly hitting a pedestrian while driving with alcohol in his system.

When asked about the situation with Ruggs, Mr. Lyons noted, “it’s a horrible situation, and he needs to focus on his life and this legal proceeding and not worry about football right now. Football is secondary.” 

As indicated in the interview, Lyons recommends accepting responsibility early and showing genuine remorse. If he was the attorney for Ruggs, he would be “reaching out to the victim’s family, there are legal ways that you can express remorse without admitting liability.” 

Moving Forward After Tragedy

After a suspension, Stallworth was able to move forward in a positive way by taking responsibility and doing the right thing. “He went out into the community, and he spoke at high schools. He joined Mothers Against Drunk Drivers national chapter,” said Lyons.

He also worked closely with the commissioner to help young players understand the dangers of drinking and driving. To this day, he still speaks to rookies and continues his community outreach. Early on, he took full responsibility for the accident, cooperated with the police, and immediately moved to do the right thing.

Right now, for Ruggs, Lyons suggests focusing on moving forward. He should “worry about football in the future.” As for consequences, he is potentially facing various civil lawsuits and over 20 years in prison if convicted on criminal charges. 

Final Thoughts

Attorney Lyons said it best, “The consequences of that tragic accident on that early Tuesday morning hours has impacted so many lives.” It is widespread and will likely last for decades. 

Contact Mase Seitz Briggs

Mr. Lyons represents individuals in civil and criminal matters with a focus on sports and entertainment law. With over 25 years of experience, he has successfully tried over 100 jury trials. He is Of Counsel with Mase Seitz Briggs and practices in the Miami area and, along with our other attorneys, has represented victims of fatal car accidents.

If you need legal assistance, contact Mase Seitz Briggs at (844) 627-3529 today to speak with an experienced member of our team. Our attorneys are nationally-recognized, award-winning trial lawyers handling matters in Miami and throughout Florida.

Six-Figure Victory for Insured Boat Owners

Mase Mebane Seitz’s Curtis J. Mase and Tyler J. Rauh, together with JP Salas of Salas Law Firm, recently represented boat owners in a claim against their insurer, earning a settlement agreement of $250,000.00 after a federal judge found that a widely-used marine insurance policy contains ambiguous language. 

Mase Mebane Seitz has decades of admiralty and maritime law experience. This case is one of many in which Curtis J. Mase—2021 Lawyer of the Year for Admiralty & Maritime in Miami, Florida, according to US News and World Report—successfully argued a novel issue in admiralty and maritime law.

The marine insurance claims at issue arose from a grounding accident and onboard fire. After submitting a claim for the fire damage, the insurance company denied coverage under two exclusions. 

One exclusion precluded coverage for damage to the vessel’s engines unless the damage was caused by an “accidental external event.” The insurance company argued that, because the fire started onboard, the damage could not be caused by an external event, so they did not need to provide coverage for the engine damage.

Along with their co-counsel, JP Salas, Curtis J. Mase, and Tyler J. Rauh convinced the judge otherwise. The policy did not define what “external event” meant. Specifically, the policy is unclear as to what the event must be external: the vessel’s engines or the vessel itself? 

Curtis Mase and Tyler Rauh attacked that missing definition, arguing a fire that originates outside the engines should provide coverage because the policy says “external” event; it does not say “off-board” event. If the fire started outside the engines, then there should be coverage for damage to the engines.

The judge agreed. On a motion for partial summary judgment, the court found that the policy is ambiguous and, thus, must be interpreted in favor of the boat owners. The insurance company paid $250,000.00 for the claims shortly after the court’s decision.

Multi-Million Dollar Recovery Secured for Family of Boating Accident Victim

A fun day on the water can quickly turn deadly. Tragically, the trial lawyers at Mase Mebane Seitz in Miami know this too well: two clients experienced the loss of their college-aged daughter after a boat propeller struck her head and neck. The vessel, a pontoon boat, was leased from a Florida livery and operated by the victim’s friends. The parties being represented recently reached a confidential multi-million dollar settlement.

Pontoon boats provide a party on water. They generally have larger capacities than recreational fishing boats and may appear innocuous. Oftentimes, however, boaters are unaware of the dangers pontoon boats pose. For example, swimming under the boat and between the pontoon tubes is a recipe for disaster because the operator is unable to see the swimmer. Likewise, it is difficult to see behind the boat from the helm, which can result in serious injury by the propellers if the operator starts the engine without a proper lookout.

That is what happened in the recently concluded lawsuit brought by Mase Mebane Seitz on behalf of the deceased woman’s family. To relax on a Summer Saturday, the woman and her friends leased a pontoon boat from a Florida livery for an afternoon. When it was time to return, the boat operator failed to do a proper headcount to ensure everyone was onboard. They turned on the engine and started to move. Moments later, the boating party realized that their friend was face down in the water behind the pontoon boat. She died later that night from head injuries.

Liveries in South Florida and throughout the state must adhere to the Livery Statute. Fla. Stat. § 327.54. The law demands that liveries provide certain instructions to all people who lease their vessels, including:

Additionally, the law requires that the vessel be seaworthy, meaning the vessel and its renters are qualified for recreational boating. The Livery Statute specifies required safety equipment, such as life jackets. Each violation of the statute imposes a misdemeanor on the livery and could render the livery negligent per se. This means that, in addition to the criminal misdemeanor(s), the livery can be held liable for monetary damages in a civil lawsuit if it is proven that livery violated the law’s requirements. To protect boaters, the law also requires liveries to carry an insurance policy that provides at least $500,000 per person and $1 million per event. This insurance requirement is particularly important for civil lawsuits.

The trial attorneys at Mase Mebane Seitz have significant experience suing under the Livery Statute and holding liveries accountable for their violations. If you or a loved one has been injured as a result in a boating accident in Florida, including a vessel leased from a Florida livery, call the experienced trial lawyers at Mase Mebane Seitz in Miami, Florida.

Mase Mebane Adds Shareholder William Seitz to Firm Name

Mase Mebane, P.A. is pleased to announce the addition of William “Bill” Seitz to the firm name.

Mase Mebane, P.A. has officially changed its name to Mase Mebane & Seitz, P.A. For almost 25 years we have focused on personal injury and maritime law, and boast several prominent practitioners in these areas. We continue to look to the future by developing and promoting our next generation of leaders.

In addition to adding shareholder William Seitz to our letterhead, we have recently hired a number of new lawyers to our maritime personal injury group with the goal of continued growth and leadership in the field.

Originally from the Midwest, William (“Bill”) is now a proud resident of South Florida. He first came here to attend the University of Miami School of Law and ended up staying here to practice and raise his family. Bill always took an interest in the local community whether it was as an avid Dolphins fan or as a member of charitable organizations like Lotus House and Nicklaus Children’s Hospital Young Professionals.

Bill first joined the firm in 2013. He was drawn to us because of our name as a leader in the maritime personal injury field and the number of trials and arbitrations the firm handled each year. He rose quickly through our firm, obtaining a shareholder position.

When asked what helped him reach his position in the firm and his goals, he responded:

“I think it was the mentorship of the senior lawyers when I started. They taught me the ins and outs of this niche area of law and also gave me the opportunity to actually practice trial skills in a courtroom. I think the firm has always encouraged its people to grow and take on as many challenges as they can. For me, I had an interest in not only the practice of law but also running a law firm. From an early time, the senior shareholders in the firm encouraged the growth in trial skills and the business of law, which helped me get to where I am today. I have to really thank all the shareholders who have been at the firm since I joined for helping me to where I am today.”

In addition to his local interests, Bill is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and was recently named to Best Lawyers Ones to Watch for 2021. From 2015 until 2019, he was chosen as a “Rising Star” by Florida Super Lawyers. He is a member of the Dade County Bar Association and the Florida Bar Admiralty Law Committee. Bill is a former Chair of the Florida Bar Grievance Committee for the Eleventh Judicial Circuit. He is also a proud supporter of the Nicklaus Children’s Hospital.

Working From Home in 2021

How to Navigate the New Norm of Remote Working

The COVID-19 pandemic has made many companies realize that they do not need expensive office real estate to maintain productivity. While some were forced into allowing employees to work from home because of government shutdowns for non-essential businesses, others were well on their way to a remote workforce long before the novel coronavirus.

At Mase Mebane, our legal team quickly shifted to a hybrid-remote model, allowing our employees the flexibility to continue providing our clients the highest level of legal representation throughout these trying times. Our firm is committed to providing you with up-to-date information regarding the latest COVID-19 news and developments. As we settle into 2021, we would like to share a few updates and tips about working from home.

Remote Work Statistics 2021

In 2018, only 5.3% of the American workforce worked remotely on a permanent basis. Today, it is projected that up to 70% of the American workforce will work virtually at least five days per month. The pandemic skyrocketed the number of companies that moved their employees to a remote environment, and the move does not appear temporary.

As noted in a recent Forbes article about remote work:

Florida Court Updates

The legal industry was not immune from COVID-related restrictions. Most courts shut their physical doors to help reduce the spread of the virus, and few have fully reopened. Many courts have had to pivot quickly as local case numbers dramatically increased over the summer and the winter holidays. 

For instance, Miami-Dade Courts remain closed to in-person proceedings with limited exceptions. Most proceedings are conducted remotely through “virtual court.” Jury trials were suspended through January 31 but resumed February 1st.

Internet technology has allowed courts to continue administering justice through Zoom trials and telephone hearings. While Zoom trials have their challenges, they have proven essential during these unprecedented times. A pandemic of this magnitude twenty years ago would have crippled the judicial system, but modern video-conference capabilities have allowed the courts to continue with little pause. 

How Remote Work Might Affect Workers’ Compensation Cases

The explosion of telecommuting and virtual offices has had a significant impact on workers’ compensation and other areas of the law related to employers’ liability. 

It is important to note that working from home does not eliminate an employer’s liability and does not bar you from submitting a workers’ compensation claim if your injury arose out of your employment and occurred within the course of employment. 

Given that a sizable percentage of the American workforce will likely be working remotely in the years to come, there will undoubtedly be new precedents set in the courts. We will continue to bring you the most recent updates as decisions are rendered at the state and federal level.

Tips for Staying Professional During Virtual Meetings

The widespread adoption of remote work has drastically changed the way we do business. One of the most important things companies seek is the ability for employees to stay engaged and collaborate. Adapting to virtual meetings is essential, and while it can be tempting to show up in your pajamas, you must maintain professionalism even when working from your home.

Tips for staying professional during Zoom meetings:

For attorneys who are new to virtual hearings, consider the Do’s and Dont’s of a Zoom Trial available on our blog.

Get More from Mase Mebane

Contact our office today at (844) 627-3529 to speak directly with an experienced attorney. 

Curtis Mase & Bill Seitz Named Best Lawyers

Every year, Best Lawyers selects attorneys from all firm sizes and numerous practice areas throughout the United States. Those selected have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement.  This year, we are proud to announce that Mase Mebane had two of its shareholders, Curtis Mase and Bill Seitz honored with Best Lawyers recognitions.  Curtis was recognized for his work in the maritime field, and Bill was recognized for his work on personal injury cases.

In addition to being recognized as a Best Lawyer for the 10th time in his career, Curtis Mase was also recognized as Lawyer of the Year in Admiralty and Maritime Law for the 2nd time (2004). Over the past 25 years, Curtis and the attorneys at Mase Mebane have helped develop a large portion of the passenger and crew member law in the Florida State Court and Federal District Courts.

The firm is honored to receive these recognitions and will continue to be leaders in these fields for its clients.