Leiter Belsky & Tharp

Attorneys at Law

Eric G. Belsky, Esq.

Eric G. Belsky, a founding partner and shareholder in the firm, concentrates on litigation and appellate representation in first-party and third-party insurance coverage disputes, declaratory judgment actions, statutory and common law bad faith actions, and civil litigation in insurance-related matters on behalf of privately-held insurers, public corporations, third-party administrators and self-insureds.

Mr. Belsky received his Bachelor of Science degree from Nova University (1990) and a Juris Doctorate (Cum Laude) from the University of Miami School of Law (1993). Mr. Belsky is admitted to practice before the Florida Bar, the United States District Courts for the Southern, Middle and Northern Districts of Florida, the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, and the United States Supreme Court.

As a trial and appellate attorney, Mr. Belsky has represented clients in various landmark insurance coverage decisions in Florida, including Montalvo v. Dept. of Environmental Regulation, 667 So.2d 816 (Fla. 4th DCA 1995) (involving commercial general liability coverage for environmental clean-up costs), Lassiter Construction Co. v. American States Insurance Co., 699 So.2d 768 (Fla. 4th DCA 1997) (involving coverage for construction defects and damages ), and Boulton Agency v. Phoenix Worldwide Industries, 698 So.2d 1248 (Fla. 3d DCA 1997) (regarding an insurance carrier’s liability for errors and omissions by producing agents). Notable decisions in other insurance coverage and litigation-related matters handled by Mr. Belsky include:

  • Stephens v. Auto-Owners Insurance Co., Inc., 906 So.2d 322 (Fla. 4th DCA 2005) (affirming final judgment for insurer in uninsured motorist action and exclusion of adverse expert witnesses).
  • Beacon Glass Co., Inc. v. Old Dominion Insurance Co., 30 So.3d 507 (Fla. 4th DCA 2010) (per curiam) (affirming summary declaratory judgment of no duty to defend or indemnify bodily injury claims excluded by CGL pollution exclusion).
  • General Star Indemnity Co. v. Boran Craig Barber Engel Construction Co., 895 So.2d 1136 (Fla. 2nd DCA 2005) (granting certiorari and quashing order denying insurer’s motion to sever direct action by insured contractor pursuant to Florida’s Non-Joinder Statute).
  • Lopez v. The Canteen Corp., 815 So.2d 685 (Fla. 3d DCA 2002) (affirming final summary judgment for insured/defendant in negligence action alleging faulty electrical work).
  • Eagle American Insurance Co. v. Nichols, 814 So.2d 1083 (Fla. 4th DCA 2002) (affirming declaratory judgment for insurer finding “per claim” policy limits, not “aggregate” limits, applied to action alleging attorneys failed to join multiple defendants in underlying medical malpractice action).
  • Glucksman v. Persol North America, Inc., 813 So.2d 122 (Fla. 4th DCA 2002) (reversing final judgment in legal malpractice action and remanding with instructions to enter judgment in favor of defendant as a matter of law).
  • Grabois v. Ultracare Ultrasound, Inc., 782 So.2d 966 (Fla. 3d DCA 2001) (reversing dismissal of defendant’s crossclaims for contribution and indemnity in medical malpractice action).
  • Leatherwood v. Cardservice International, Inc., 929 So.2d 616 (Fla. 4th DCA 2006) (affirming dismissal of action for lack of venue pursuant to internet “Click Agreement”).
  • Timco v. City of Coral Gables, 744 So.2d 1214 (Fla. 3d DCA 1999) (affirming final summary judgment for City finding lack of legal duty to warn of open and obvious dangers).
  • Horvath v. Anderson, Moss, Parks & Sherouse, P.A., 728 So.2d 315 (Fla. 3d DCA 1999) (affirming directed verdict for defendants in legal malpractice action over objections of juror coercion).
  • City of Pompano Beach v. T.H.E. Insurance Co., 709 So.2d 603 (Fla. 4th DCA 1998) (affirming in part final declaratory judgment upholding manuscript “Shooter’s Exclusion” endorsement in CGL policy issued to fireworks display vendor).
  • Ochlockonee Banks Restaurant v. Colvin, 700 So.2d 1229 (Fla. 1st DCA 1997) (reversing final judgment for plaintiff and granting defendant’s motion for new trial based upon improper “compromise” jury verdict).
  • Bucci v. Auto Builders South Florida, Inc., 690 So.2d 1387 (Fla. 4th DCA 1997), review granted, 709 So.2d 1381 (Fla. 1998) (quashing appellate court order and holding that jury verdict awarding past and future medical expenses with no award of intangible damages is not “inadequate verdict” as a matter of law).
  • Paston v. Wiggs Contracting Co., Ltd., Inc., 698 So.2d 933 (Fla. 4th DCA 1997) (affirming final judgment for insured defendants in action alleging construction defects and damages).
  • Avis Rent a Car v. Monroe County, 660 So.2d 413 (Fla. 3d DCA 1995) (interpreting application of non-exclusivity provisions in rental car company’s concession agreement).
  • Mendez v. Blanco, 665 So.2d 1149 (Fla. 3d DCA 1996) (affirming dismissal of lawsuit by claimant as sanction for misrepresentations made under oath during discovery).
  • Cecil v. D’Marlin, 680 So.2d 1138 (Fla. 3d DCA 1996) (affirming final summary judgment for bus company for injuries sustained by claimant while disembarking).
  • Banegas v. Reco Realty, 700 So.2d 448 (Fla. 3d DCA 1997) (affirming final summary judgment for insured property-owner in action alleging injuries on leased premises).
  • Barnett Bank v. Baldwin & Assoc. Landscape Architects, 633 So.2d 125 (Fla. 3d DCA 1994) (affirming directed verdict for defendant in catastrophic automobile loss).
  • Provident Life & Accident Insurance Co. v. Lewis, 709 So.2d 587 (Fla. 4th DCA 1998) (establishing method of calculation of subrogated insurer’s pro rata share of reimbursement following underlying settlement).
  • lhussain v. Sylvia, 712 So.2d 806 (Fla. 4th DCA 1998) (quashing service of process for lack of personal jurisdiction over non-resident Florida defendant).
  • Allstate Ins. Co. v. Occidental Internat’l, 140 F.3d 1 (1st Cir. 1998) (Puerto Rico) (regarding conflict and choice-of-law principles in insurance coverage actions and affirming insurer’s denial of claim on late notice defense).

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EDUCATION
J.D., Cum Laude, University of Miami, 1993
B.S., With Distinction, Nova University, 1990

ADMITTED TO PRACTICE
The Florida Bar
U.S. District Court, Southern, Middle and Northern Districts of Florida
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
U.S. Supreme Court