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Biography
Matthew Reed Danahy (Matt) is a native of Tampa, Florida. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from The University of Florida in 1983. He subsequently attended Stetson University College of Law, and earned a Juris Doctor in 1986.
Following his admission to the Florida Bar, Matt practiced for fifteen (15) years in the field of Insurance Defense litigation, including coverage disputes. His practice also include defending claims for medical malpractice, maritime law, product liability, premises liability, and automobile negligence as well as cases involving serious personal injury and wrongful death. In addition, he defended cases involving first party insurance matters including personal injury protection claims (P.I.P.), uninsured motorist claims (U.M.), property insurance claims, as well as resulting claims for improper claims handling (bad faith).
In 2001 Matt changed the direction of his practice. Since that time he has exclusively represented insured individuals, businesses and homeowners associations who are denied or underpaid insurance benefits, or otherwise mistreated, by their insurance carrier in connection with an insurance claim.
In 2004, together with David C. Murray, Matt formed the firm of Danahy & Murray, P.A. The Firm exclusively represents insured’s throughout Florida in first party disputes against their insurers. These include claims resulting from property damage, health, life and disability claims, failure to defend and other denials of coverage. The firm also handles resulting claims based on unfair claims handling practices (bad faith).
Matt is rated “AV” by the Martindale-Hubbell legal rating service – signifying the highest level of professional excellence. He is Board Certified in Civil Trial Law by the Florida Bar (a distinction enjoyed by only 7% of lawyers admitted to the Florida Bar) and he is Board Certified as a Civil Trial Advocate by the National Board of Trial Advocacy.
Matt is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum membership (www.milliondollaradvocates.com), which is limited to attorneys who have won cases in excess of a million dollars. He has been honored by the Florida Super Lawyers publication (www.superlawyers.com/florida), each year from 2007 through 2012 as a specialist in insurance coverage. He has also been selected by his peers as one of the Florida Legal Elite for the years 2011 and 2012 (Florida Trend magazine) in the field of insurance.
Matt’s practice includes handling appeals as necessary to protect and advance his clients rights. He has handled in excess of sixty (60) appeals and has appeared in all five (5) Florida Appellate Districts, the Florida Supreme Court, and the Federal 11th Circuit Court of Appeal. He has dozens of reported decisions.
The Windstorm Insurance Network has Certified Matt as an umpire, and he has served as both an umpire and an appraiser under the appraisal provisions found in most property insurance policies. He is also a Certified Circuit and County Court Mediator.
Matt regularly speaks before professional associations and groups such as the Windstorm Insurance Network and the Florida Association of Public Insurance Adjusters. In addition, he has made numerous media appearances to discuss first party insurance claims and insurance issues.
Representative Reported Cases: Rowland v. Scottsdale Ins. Co., 2012 WL 882552 (M.D. Fla. 2012);
Paxton v Great American Ins. Company , 2009 WL 5064054( S.D. Fla.); Paxton v Great American Ins. Company, 650 F. Supp 2d 1208(S.D. Fla. 2009); Jackson v. Metropolitan Property and Casualty Insurance Co., 2007 W.L.2936213 (M.D. Fla.); 2008 W.L.58953 (M.D. Fla.); 2009 W.L.1456439 (M.D. Fla.); Goff v. State Farm Florida Insurance Co., 999 So.2d 684 (Fla 2nd DCA 2009); Wilson v. Federated Nat. Ins. Co., 969 So.2d 1133, (Fla.App. 2 Dist. 2007); Burnett v. Clarendon Select Ins. Co., 920 So.2d 188, (Fla.App. 2 Dist. 2006); Widdows v. State Farm Florida Ins. Co., 920 So.2d 149, (Fla.App. 5 Dist. 2006); General Star Indem. Co. v. West Florida Village Inn, Inc., 874 So.2d 26, (Fla.App. 2 Dist. 2004); Lasman v. Freedom Life Ins. Co. of America, 862 So.2d 787, (Fla.App. 2 Dist. 2003); Infinity Ins. Co. v. Berges, 806 So.2d 504, (Fla.App. 2 Dist. 2001); Dominion of Canada v. State Farm Fire and Cas. Co., 754 So.2d 852, (Fla.App. 2 Dist. 2000); Fireman's Fund Ins. Co. v. Signorelli, 681 So.2d 720, (Fla.App. 2 Dist. 1996); Ady v. American Honda Finance Corp., 675 So.2d 577, (Fla. 1996); Russo v. Plant City Moose Lodge No. 1668, 656 So.2d 957, (Fla.App. 2 Dist. 1995); Ady v. American Honda Finance Corp., 652 So.2d 415, (Fla.App. 2 Dist. 1995); Silver Springs Moose Lodge No. 1199 v. Orman, 631 So.2d 1119, (Fla.App. 5 Dist. 1994); Roe v. Amica Mutual Ins. Co., 533 So.2d 279 (Fla 1988).
(Resume.pdf)
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