Thomas F. Brown

Tom is a member of the Casualty Department and serves as the Managing Attorney of the Orlando office. He devotes his practice to civil litigation defense, advocating for corporations in claims of premises liability, wrongful death and product liability. He has handled hundreds of cases on behalf of a variety of corporations, many involving catastrophic injuries. During his career, he also has handled cases involving employment law, labor law, negligent security, trucking and transportation, motor vehicle accidents, sexual abuse and workers’ compensation. He also has experience handling cases involving allegations of mold resulting in personal injury and/or property damage. As part of his amusement and entertainment practice, Tom represents venues including theme parks, golf courses, water parks and retail stores. Tom is an active member of the International Amusement and Leisure Defense Association (IALDA).

Tom co-chairs the firms Rideshare Liability practice where he represents some of the nation’s leading ridesharing companies, their independent drivers and insurance carriers. In this capacity, he assists in managing the unique legal issues that often arise with rideshare claims, including insurance coverage, direct and vicarious liability and statutory compliance challenges.

Tom began his career at a civil litigation firm in Miami where he worked with one of the presidents of the Florida Bar. In 2006, he moved to Orlando where he joined a statewide defense litigation firm. Tom continues to dedicate his practice to defending corporations in civil litigation here at Marshall Dennehey.

Tom obtained his undergraduate degree from Rollins College where he made Dean’s List and President’s List. In 2001, he graduated cum laude from the University of Miami School of Law. As a law student, he made Dean’s List and earned the Dean’s Certificate of Achievement as well as the CALI Excellence for the Future Award.

Tom is a member of the Florida Bar and is admitted to the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida.

Honors & Awards

•The Best Lawyers in America, Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants (2023-2026)

Classes/Seminars Taught

•Mock Trial, Trial Run, Tabletop Role Playing - Guilty or Not Guilty?, Bus Industry Safety Council (BISC) Annual Summer Meeting, Orlando, FL, July 22, 2024
•Sharing Economy: Carshare and Rideshare Litigation, Florida Defense Lawyers Association (FDLA) webinar, February 9, 2023
•The Complexity of Rideshare Claims, AM Best Insurance Law Podcast, June 2021
•Defending Catastrophic Injury Claims - How to Stack the Deck in Your Favor, Marshall Dennehey Florida Claims Symposium - Casino Royale, Tampa, FL, September 20, 2018
•Legal RoundTable, Amusement Industry Manufacturers & Suppliers International Conference, Orlando, FL, 2015
•Blitz on Damages: Challenging Medical Bills, Marshall Dennehey Florida Claims Symposium - The Best Defense is a Good Offense, Orlando, FL, September 17, 2014
•Analyzing Slip and Fall Claims, Gallagher Bassett Services, April 2014, co-presenter
•Legal Round Table, IAAPA Convention, 2012
•Reducing The Risk & Severity of Claims, Athletic Business Conference, 2011
•Roller Skating Association and International Laser Tag Association Convention, 2011
•Legal Round Table, IAAPA Convention, 2011

Published Works

•'Defending Ride-Hailing and Car-Sharing Claims: Handling Accident-Related Lawsuits in a Shared Economy,' CLM Magazine, January 2022

Results

Successfully Resolved Highly-Publicized Wrongful Death Action in Florida

We successfully resolved a wrongful death case involving a 14-year-old boy who fell from an Orlando attraction, navigating a concurrent criminal investigation, state review, and intense media scrutiny on behalf of the ride's owner/operator.

Thought Leadership

Case Law Alerts

Florida Court Affirms Dismissal of Claims Against Lyft, Clarifying TNC Immunity at the Pleading Stage

April 1, 2026

Florida’s Third District Court of Appeal affirmed a trial court order dismissing a lawsuit against Lyft, arising from a motor vehicle accident. The plaintiff asserted claims of negligence and vicarious liability against Lyft. The trial court dismissed those claims, and the appellate court entered a per curiam affirmance, citing Florida’s TNC Statute and pleading rule. On appeal, the major point of contention was whether Lyft had to put forth evidence to support its argument for immunity under the TNC statute. Lyft argued no evidence was required, because the trial court concluded they could not be held liable based on the facts alleged in the complaint. While the Third District did not write an opinion, it presumably accepted Lyft’s position. This case suggests that a motion to dismiss can be an appropriate vehicle for rideshare companies to have trial courts determine applicability of TNC immunity.

Case Law Alerts

Florida Appeals Court Upholds Lyft’s Immunity Under TNC Statute in Wrongful Death Suit

January 1, 2026

Florida’s Third District Court of Appeal affirmed summary judgment in favor of Lyft in a wrongful death action stemming from an accident where a Transportation Network Company (TNC) driver collided with a motorcyclist. The plaintiff asserted claims of vicarious liability as well as negligent hiring and retention against Lyft.The court found Florida’s TNC statute was applicable even though it was enacted only a few days prior to the accident. Further, the court concluded Lyft was not vicariously liable for the driver’s negligence because he was an independent contractor.As to the claims of negligent hiring and retention, the court concluded the plaintiff provided an inadequate basis, despite the driver having received citations for speeding and reckless driving a few months before the accident, as well as a low rating from one passenger and a complaint of feeling scared from another.This case reinforces that plaintiffs face significant hurdles based on statutory protections for transportation network companies.

News

Marshall Dennehey Announces New Office Managing Attorneys in Orlando and Tampa

January 12, 2026

98 Marshall Dennehey Attorneys Recognized in the 2026 Editions of The Best Lawyers in America and the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America

August 20, 2025