Leighton Panoff Law, P.A.

10/19/2026

A brain injury is not always visible, but its effects can change nearly every part of life.

Traumatic brain injuries can result from motor vehicle crashes, falls, recreational accidents and many other incidents. Depending on the severity, a TBI may affect memory, concentration, speech, balance, behavior and the ability to work or live independently.

For families, a severe brain injury can also mean long-term rehabilitation, medical care, lost income and major changes in daily life.

Leighton Panoff Law handles catastrophic personal injury cases throughout Florida, including cases involving serious brain injuries.

Learn more at LeightonLaw.com

10/16/2026

The other driver may leave the scene. Your next steps still matter.

A hit-and-run crash can leave an injured driver dealing with medical concerns, vehicle damage and one enormous question: What happens if the person responsible cannot be found?

First, prioritize safety and call law enforcement. Seek medical attention when needed, document the scene and damage, and obtain information from any witnesses. Nearby businesses, homes or traffic cameras may also have captured information about the fleeing vehicle.

Insurance coverage can become particularly important in a hit-and-run case, including whether applicable uninsured motorist coverage may be available.
Most importantly, do not assume that a disappearing driver means you have no options. The circumstances and available insurance coverage should be carefully reviewed.

Leighton Panoff Law represents victims of serious Florida motor vehicle accidents.

Read more about handling hit-and-run accidents in Florida: https://bit.ly/4yp7Qr9

10/15/2026

An injury in a public place can leave you wondering who, if anyone, is responsible.

A serious accident can happen at a shopping center, restaurant, parking garage, park, entertainment venue or other property open to the public.

If you are injured, your health comes first. Seek appropriate medical attention. When possible, document where the incident happened, photograph the condition involved, obtain contact information from witnesses and report what happened to the property owner or manager.

Those details may become important later because Florida personal injury and premises liability cases can turn on evidence about the condition of the property, how long a hazard existed and whether reasonable measures were taken to address it.

Read more about your rights after being injured in a public place in Florida: https://bit.ly/4hlaisA

10/13/2026

The scariest thing at a theme park shouldn’t be an actual injury.

October means Halloween events, haunted attractions and busy weekends at Florida’s amusement and theme parks. While most visits end with good memories, injuries can happen in more ways than many guests realize.

Leighton Panoff Law identifies common causes including guest behavior, operational errors, technical problems, accidents while boarding or exiting rides, ride motion and heat-related illness. Injuries can range from fractures and lacerations to head, neck, back and internal injuries.

When an amusement park accident occurs, responsibility can depend on what caused it. Ride operation, maintenance, restraints, property conditions and even defective equipment may need to be examined.

Enjoy the thrills this fall, but take safety warnings seriously.

Read six common ways people are injured at theme parks: https://bit.ly/3Vajvvd

10/10/2026

Some medical outcomes cannot be prevented. Some medical mistakes can.

Patients enter hospitals expecting established safety procedures to protect them. Yet preventable medical errors can still have catastrophic consequences.

Wrong-site and wrong-procedure surgeries are often called “never events” because health care systems have safeguards specifically designed to stop them. Patient verification, surgical timeouts and communication among medical professionals are intended to make sure the correct procedure is performed on the correct patient and at the correct location.

When those systems fail, patients and their families can be left dealing with permanent injuries, additional surgeries, overwhelming medical expenses or the loss of a loved one.

Not every medical complication constitutes malpractice. Determining whether medical negligence occurred requires careful review of the facts, medical records and applicable standard of care.

Read more from Leighton Panoff Law about preventable medical mistakes: https://bit.ly/4iQKupn

10/08/2026

Recognition from your peers carries a special kind of meaning.

Leighton Panoff Law is proud to share that founding partner John Elliott Leighton has been recognized in the 2027 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®.

John is recognized for his work in three areas: Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs, Medical Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs and Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs. Best Lawyers lists him as a recognized attorney continuously since 2008.

Best Lawyers bases its recognition on peer review, seeking the consensus of attorneys about the professional abilities of colleagues practicing within the same geographic and legal practice areas.

For John, the distinction reflects a career devoted to representing people and families facing catastrophic injuries, medical negligence and other life-changing circumstances.

Congratulations, John, on another year of recognition.

10/06/2026

Schools entrusted with protecting students must take warning signs seriously.

Leighton Panoff Law represents a former Riverview High School student in a lawsuit against a former teacher and the Hillsborough County School Board.

The complaint alleges the former student was groomed and sexually abused by his teacher over multiple school years and that the School Board failed to take reasonable measures to protect him. The former teacher was previously criminally prosecuted and pleaded guilty to multiple charges.

Partner Max Panoff, lead counsel in the civil case, has emphasized that the lawsuit is about accountability and a school system’s fundamental obligation to protect children in its care.

Cases involving alleged sexual abuse require sensitivity, careful investigation and a focus on the people whose lives have been affected.

Read the coverage from the Tampa Bay Times.

After a Hillsborough teacher was arrested and fired for sexual battery, lawyers say the board could have done more to intervene.

10/04/2026

Experience in the courtroom is meant to be shared.

Last month, Leighton Panoff Law founding partner John Leighton returned to the National Crime Victim Bar Association’s National Conference in Chicago as a featured speaker.

His Sept. 10 presentation, “How to Litigate and Try Negligent Security and S*x Abuse Cases With Today’s Polarized Jurors,” focused on the challenges trial lawyers face when presenting complex cases involving violent crime and sexual abuse to modern juries.

John’s connection to the NCVBA runs deep. He is a past president of the organization and was its first president to serve two years. His work with the organization reflects decades spent representing crime victims in civil litigation and educating fellow trial lawyers.

Leadership in the legal profession extends beyond the courtroom. It includes helping advance how serious cases are investigated, prepared and tried.

Learn more about John’s work at LeightonLaw.com

Florida personal injury lawyers. Some of Florida's largest verdicts and settlements. Offices in Miami and Orlando.

10/02/2026

A thrill ride shouldn’t become a medical emergency.

A new CNN investigation into the X2 roller coaster at Six Flags Magic Mountain is raising serious questions about amusement-ride safety.

CNN found that more than a dozen riders have suffered serious injuries and hospitalizations associated with the coaster over nearly two decades. This summer, two women reportedly suffered similar brain hemorrhages within days of riding X2, and both required emergency brain surgery.

Roller coasters are designed to deliver thrills, but operators and others responsible for amusement rides also have obligations related to inspection, maintenance, operation and guest safety.

When a recreational attraction results in catastrophic injury, determining what happened may require examining maintenance records, prior incidents, warnings, operating procedures and the design of the ride itself.

For families, a day of fun should never end with life-changing questions about what went wrong.

Read the CNN investigation: https://bit.ly/3TTp4hb

10/01/2026

You’ve been Injured. How do you know when it’s time to call a lawyer?

“Personal injury” is a broad legal term covering situations in which someone is harmed because of another’s actions or negligence. That can include serious accidents, unsafe property conditions, defective products, medical malpractice and many other circumstances.

Not every injury requires a lawsuit. But when an injury is serious, medical bills are mounting, an insurance company is disputing responsibility or you simply do not understand your rights, speaking with an experienced Florida personal injury attorney can help you understand your options.

Leighton Panoff Law represents injured individuals and families throughout Florida, with offices in Miami and Orlando.

The sooner important evidence is identified and preserved, the better informed you can be about what comes next.

Learn more about personal injury claims at Leightonlaw.com