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S. Sammy Cacciatore Jr. 
525 North Harbor City Boulevard
Melbourne, Florida 32935-6837
 

Communication Center 
Phone: 321-777-7777
888-735-6378
E-mail: Email Me
Fax: 321-259-8243
Web site: http://www.nancelaw.com


EducationHonorsPublished Works
AffiliationsRepresentative Cases


In addition to obtaining numerous multimillion-dollar verdicts and settlements for people injured in auto accidents or victims of medical or professional malpractice, Sammy Cacciatore helped rewrite legal history in 1973.

His pioneering efforts in the case Jones v. Hoffman established comparative negligence as the standard in Florida, which ultimately led the change to this standard throughout America. He stood off more than 400 corporations in America and changed the way in which injured people are compensated.

In the early 1970s, if defendants could prove that an accident victim was even 1% at fault for the accident, the victim would receive nothing. This legal argument, which unfairly protected big corporations, was called contributory negligence. Sammy argued that contributory negligence was unfair and benefited the wrongdoers who caused accidents. Jones v. Hoffman established comparative negligence as the fair way to rule in personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits. Today, courts and juries determine the degree of fault of all involved and then award damages accordingly.

Born and raised in central Florida, Sammy attended undergraduate and law school at Stetson University. He moved to his wife's hometown, Melbourne, joining Jim Nance one of the founding member of the Inner Circle of Advocates in August 1967. In addition to his heavy trial practice, Sammy has served on the Board of Directors of the Florida Justice Association for more than 20 years, serving as its president from 1984 to 1985. He was also elected by his colleagues in the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit to represent them on the Board of Governors of the Florida Bar.

Sammy is one of the few lawyers board certified in Civil Trial Law by the Florida Bar and in the specialty of medical malpractice by the American Board of Professional Liability Attorneys. He has handled many medical malpractice cases throughout Central Florida.

Here at home, Sammy has always been involved in the community in some way or another. He is an active member of the Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church, the Coastal Conservation Association, and the Back Country Fly Fishing Association. When his children were growing up, he was involved in their schools.

Year Joined Organization:
1967
Litigation Percentage:
100% of Practice Devoted to Litigation
Certification/Specialties:
Board Certified in Medical Malpractice, American Board of Professional Liability Attorneys


Board Certified in Civil Trial Law , Florida Bar


Board Certified in Civil Trial Advocacy, National Board of Trial Advocacy


Bar Admissions:
Florida, 1966
U.S. District Court Middle District of Florida, 1966
U.S. Court of Appeals 5th Circuit, 1967
U.S. Court of Appeals 11th Circuit, 1981
U.S. Supreme Court, 1971
District of Columbia Court of Appeals, 1982
Education:
Stetson University College of Law, Gulfport, Florida, 1966
J.D.


Stetson University, 1966
B.A.


Orlando Junior College, 1962
A.A.


Published Works:
Chapter on "Opening Statement", Florida Bar Handbook , "Trial Law Update"


Chapter on "Comparative Negligence and Damages", Florida Bar Manual, "Florida Civil Practice Damages"


Article on "Demonstrative Evidence", Florida Bar C.L.E. Manual


Representative Cases:
Jones v. Hoffman
Classes/Seminars Taught:
Lecturer, Trial Techniques, Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers' Seminars


Lecturer, Personal Injury Law and Trial Techniques, American Trial Association Seminars


Lecturer, State of Florida Circuit Judges' Annual Educational Conference, 1985


Lecturer, Applications and Problem Solving: Automobile Cases, AFTL CLE, 1993


Lecturer, Hospital Credentialing Negligence, ABPLA, 1999


Honors and Awards:
Listed in Who's Who in America


Listed in Who's Who in American Law


Listed in Best Lawyers in America


2009 Trial Lawyer of the Year, Central Florida Chapter of ABOTA (American Board of Trial Advocates)


Hall of Fame, Stetson University College of Law


Clarence T. Johnston Lifetime Achievement Award, Brevard County Bar Association, 2006


The Best Lawyers in America


A.V. Rated by Martindale-Hubble


Super Lawyer


Professional Associations and Memberships:
International Academy of Trial Lawyers, 1988 - Present


Brevard County Bar Association, 1967 - Present


Vassar B. Carlton American Inn of Court, 1983 - Present


Florida Supreme Court's Committee on Standard Jury Instructions in Civil Cases(Appointed by the Supreme Court), 2001 - Present


Florida Justice Association, 1984 - 1985
President, Board of Directors


Eighteenth Judicial Circuit, Florida Bar
Board of Governors


Coastal Conservation Association
Civic and Social Member


Several Judicial Nominating Commissions, Florida State Courts
Member


Stetson University, 2000 - Present
Board of Trustees


Stetson University College of Law Board of Overseers, 1995 - Present


Past Employment Positions:
Ninth Judicial Circuit Court, State of Florida, Assistant Public Defender, 1966


Billings, Frederick and Rumberger, Associate, 1966 - 1967


Law Offices of James H. Nance, 1967 - 1970


Nance & Cacciatore, Partner, 1970 - 1977


Nance, Cacciatore & Sisserson, Partner, 1977 - 1983


Nance, Cacciatore, Sisserson & Duryea, Partner, 1983 - 1991


Nance, Cacciatore, Sisserson, Duryea & Hamilton, Partner, 1991 - 1999


Nance, Cacciatore & Hamilton, Partner, 1999 - 2003


Nance, Cacciatore, Hamilton, Barger, Nance & Cacciatore, Partner, 2003 to present


Pro Bono Activities:
Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church, Active Member
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Nance, Cacciatore,
Hamilton, Barger, Nance, Cacciatore

525 North Harbor City Boulevard
Melbourne, FL 32935

Toll Free 888-735-6378
Phone 321-777-7777
Fax: 321-259-8243
E-mail - Melbourne Law Office

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