Resources
This page was established by the law firm of McEwan, Martinez, Dukes, Hall & Vancol, PA to provide a quick reference and easy portal to a wealth of information and resources on Florida law, government and topics including the business of insurance, medical malpractice, products liability and construction law. For professional advice and effective representation in civil litigation and appeals in Florida, contact McEwan, Martinez, Dukes, Hall & Vancol, PA
Legal Resources and Government Agencies
Florida Courts – Home page and portal for all the courts in the state, from the Florida Supreme Court to district courts of appeal, circuit trial courts and county trial courts. Includes court locations and a jurisdiction chart.
Florida Statutes – Search the entire body of Florida statutory law by Title from this page maintained by the Florida legislature. Insurance is Title XXXVII.
Florida Administrative Code & Florida Administrative Register – Filing point for rules promulgated by state regulatory agencies. Publishes the Florida Administrative Register. Files and preserves rules and public records and makes them available to the public.
Florida Department of State – Manages the state’s elections and corporations, among other duties. Maintains the Administrative Code and Register for all rules promulgated by state regulatory agencies with rulemaking authority.
Division of Corporations – Online filing of annual reports, reinstatement, fictitious name registration and renewal, judgment lien filings, articles of incorporation, LLC dissolution and more.
Florida Office of Insurance Regulation – Responsible for regulation, compliance and enforcement of statutes related to the business of insurance. Monitors statewide insurance industry markets. FLOIR maintains a company complaint comparison database for auto and homeowner insurance.
Florida Department of Financial Services – Office of the Chief Financial Officer of the State of Florida. This office represents the merger of the Department of Insurance, Treasury, State Fire Marshal and the Department of Banking and Finance. Services include consumer insurance complaints, company and licensee searches, and mediation and neutral evaluation of certain insurance claims.
Florida Insurance Guide – Unofficial State of Florida website provides links to car insurance, identity theft insurance, insurance licensing and education, disaster insurance information, an insurance company lookup, and more.
Medical Malpractice Resources
American Medical Association (AMA) – National physician association aimed at advancing physician practices. The AMA’s Code of Medical Ethics covers aspects of the doctor-patient relationship as well as hospital relations, interprofessional relations, fees and charges, physician records and practice matters.
Florida Department of Health – operates a state health office in Tallahassee as well as 67 county health departments and a variety of regional offices and public health laboratories. Licenses and regulates approximately 50 different healthcare professions (dentists, nurses, psychiatrists, radiologists, paramedics, occupational therapists, etc.) and over a dozen different types of facilities, including pharmacies, pain management clinics, optical establishments and dental labs.
Florida Board of Medicine – Licenses and registers medical doctors, physician assistants, anesthesiologist assistants, and certain other medical professionals. Online services allow a user to verify a physician’s license or file a complaint against a doctor, dentists, psychiatrist, psychologist or other general healthcare provider.
Products Liability Resources
Consumer Product Safety Commission – Charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death associated with the use of consumer products, from toys and cribs to household cleaners and power tools. Issues recalls of potentially hazardous products.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration – Regulates food, drugs, medical devices, radiation-emitting products, cosmetics and tobacco products. The FDA also issues recalls or requires warnings and product labeling, including black box warnings on certain medicines.
www.Recalls.gov – One online resource combining recalls from six different federal agencies, including the FDA and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Allows users to sign up for e-mail alerts as new recalls are issued.
Construction Law and Workplace Resources
Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation – Licenses and regulates building contractors and other businesses and professionals in the State of Florida. Website allows users to verify a license and permits contractors to apply for, update or renew a license.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) – A division of the U.S. Department of Labor inspecting and enforcing workplace health and safety laws. Allows workers to file a complaint online. Website also provides help for employers to maintain compliance with OSHA standards.
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) – A division of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention dedicated to preventing workplace illnesses and injuries. Search for safety and health topics by industries & occupations, hazards & exposures, diseases & injuries or safety & prevention.
U.S. Green Building Council – LEED certification for energy-efficient, environmental friendly and sustainable building and construction practices.
Construction Safety Council – Not-for-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of safety and health interests in the field of construction. Develops safety curriculum and loss reduction tools.
International Code Council – Publishes building safety and fire prevention building codes.
