Ben H. Cristal, Esquire
Ben was born in Westhampton Beach, New York. Ben received his Bachelor of Science degree in the dual majors of Economics and Business Management from the State University of New York at Stony Brook in 1992. He received his law degree from the Hofstra University School of Law in 1996 where he served as Notes and Comments Editor for the Hofstra Labor Law Journal, 1995-1996. Ben is also published in the Hofstra Labor Journal in the Spring 1996 edition in a note entitled Going Beyond the Judicially Prescribed Boundaries of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Ben was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1996 and is also admitted to the U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida. He has lectured numerous times throughout his career. Ben is certified by the Florida Department of Financial Services as an instructor in Workers' Compensation as well as General Lines (Property & Casualty). He defends wrongful termination claims, cases falling under the United States Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act and the Florida State Workers’ Compensation Act with a special focus on handling fraudulent claims and defense of Employee Leasing Companies. Ben also handles Employer Liability claims and counsels employers in handling issues that confront them with the Florida Department of Financial Services, drafting service agreement contracts for PEOs and creating return to work programs.
Ben is a member of the Hillsborough County Bar Association (Member, Workers' Compensation Section); The Florida Bar (Member, Workers' Compensation Section). Practice Areas: Labor and Employment Defense; Insurance Defense; Workers’ Compensation Defense; Civil Appeals; Commercial Litigation and Civil Litigation.
Email: Bcristal@CristalLawGroup.com
Michael L. Cantrell, Esquire
Michael was born in Taylors, South Carolina. Michael received his Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Emory University in 1999. He received his J.D., magna cum laude, from Creighton University School of Law in 2004.
Michael was admitted to the Florida Bar in 2004. He has lectured on issues dealing with Workers’ Compensation, Employer Liability exposure and Leasing Company issues. Michael is certified by the Florida Department of Financial Services as an instructor in Workers' Compensation. He also specializes in representing both insured and uninsured employers in workers’ compensation claims. Michael is also experienced in Nursing Home defense.
Michael is a member of the Hillsborough County Bar Association and The Florida Bar. Practice Areas: Civil Litigation; Commercial Litigation; Insurance Defense; Workers’ Compensation Defense and Civil Appeals.
Email: MCantrell@CristalLawGroup.com
Dixie T. Switzer, Esquire
Dixie T. Switzer was born in Duluth, Minnesota. Dixie received her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with concentration in paralegal studies from Florida Southern College in 2005. She received her law degree from Stetson University College of Law in 2008 where she served as Justice of the Brewer Chapter of Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, International. She also received her Master of Business Administration degree from Stetson University in 2005 through Stetson’s joint JD/MBA program. Dixie continues to serve as Alumni advisor of the Florida Southern College chapter of Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, International, of which she was the founding Vice President in 2004.
Dixie was admitted to the Florida Bar in 2008. Dixie is a member of the Hillsborough County Bar Association and The Florida Bar. Practice Areas: Civil Litigation; Commercial Litigation; Civil Litigation; Insurance Defense; Workers’ Compensation Defense and Civil Appeals.
Email: Dswitzer@CristalLawGroup.com