Kendall Rigdon Esq. Professional Resume

Kendall B. Rigdon, Esq.

After 30 years of owning a vibrant insurance defense practice, I found myself needing a sabbatical for perspective to focus on personal growth and my health. As time passed, I found myself “volunteering” to help friends with their cases, finding the work engaging and missing the intricacies associated with civil litigation. Now, I am honestly, “chomping at the bit” to return to the hustle and bustle of Florida Litigtion.

Experience

First chair Personal injury defense for State Farm insureds and first party UM/UIM cases throughout Florida from 2000-2007: (9) cases tried to verdict.

First chair PIP defense for State Farm PIP from 2005 – 2009: (4) cases tried to verdict.

First chair premise liability defense for Food Lion, Inc. and subsidiaries for personal injury slip/fall; negligent security; commercial trucking liability: (11) cases tried to verdict.

First chair premise liability defense for Kash n’ Karry for personal injury slip/fall; negligent maintenance and/or training; commercial trucking liability: (3) cases tried to verdict.

First chair premise liability defense for Security First Insurance for first party homeowner’s claims against HO 3 and HO 5 policies; fraud investigation and breach of contract cases. 100+ matters from 2022-2024.

First chair Personal injury defense for Geico insureds and UM/UIM cases throughout Florida from 2008-2025: personal injury, breach of contract, and related civil remedies complaints.

First chair premise liability defense for Wal-Mart Stores, Inc and related subsidiaries for personal injury slip/fall; negligent maintenance and/or training and negligent security claims throughout Florida.

Professional Associations

Member of the Florida Bar: 1995 to present
Member of the Florida Bar Trial Lawyers section
Member of the Florida Bar Appellate Practice section
Defense Research Institute
Previously member of the Federal District Court, Middle District Florida

Employment History

Technical Skill Set

Self-sufficient and proficient at over 60 words/minute typing, drafting all my own work for the last thirty (30) + years. I am fully versed and self-directed with Microsoft Word, Excel and Mail as well as Microsoft Share point. Proficient on Mac devices as well.

I have reviewed tens of thousands of medical records and am well-versed in the fields of orthopedics, radiology, neurology, TBI, neurosurgery, psychological and psychiatric specializations in the field of evaluating claims of personal injury damages. I have retained and obtained expert medical opinions for all manner of injuries, from orthopedics to neurosurgery and accident reconstruction and catastrophic losses.

Professional Skill Set

Depositions: I have personally conducted more than 1,200 Plaintiff depositions of personal injury claimants. I have also conducted more than 500 Examinations Under Oath (EUOs). All discovery was taken in the defense of an individual insured, insurance company or SIR corporation. Experience includes approximately 200+ depositions in the defense of adjusters, employees, managers, claims managers and executives. This includes objecting to overbroad Notices of Depositions with Motions for Protective Orders, including interlocutory appeals on issues with jurisdictional briefs and subsequent Writs.

Alternative Dispute Resolution

Have supervised or personally attended over 1,200 mediations in Florida and Federal courts. This includes pre-suit mediation with detailed evaluations as to coverage, exposure, damages and valuations. Specialization in declaratory claims/cases where damages out-span available coverage.

Well-versed in Medicare Set Aside Trusts to protect SIR clients during personal injury claims resolution against potential subsequent SSDI claims under 42 U.S.C. §1395 et seq.

Appellate Practice

I have personally handled 21 state appeals from trial courts to District Courts of Appeal in all district courts including en banc proceedings and appellate mediations since the Fifth District began its pilot program in 2001.

Client Support

Competent in reporting requirements for most auto insurers writing coverage in Florida; Walmart Stores, Inc and subsidiaries; Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc., and Security First Homeowner’s reporting on ninety (90) day cycles with intermittent updates as to mediation, summary proceedings or Pretrial compliance mandates.