South Florida Injury Attorney Blog

Last month I posted a story on the recent cruise ship accident "Costa Concordia" in Italy. I discussed the some of the options that passengers may have should they decide to file suit against the owners Costa Cruises.

So following up on that last blog here is another article where the Italian Association of Tour Operators and consumer groups, where they reached a decision to pay out 11,000 Euros to all 3,200 passengers.

Rome (CNN) — Passengers of the Costa Concordia are expected to receive a compensation lump sum of 11,000 Euros ($14,400) each, the Italian Association of Tour Operators said in a statement Friday.

The captain of the ill-fated cruise ship is under house arrest and faces possible charges of manslaughter, shipwreck and abandoning ship.

This is food for thought, as in articles and reports I have read that filing suit against the owners of the Costa Concordia maybe impossible even though the owner of Costa Cruises is Carnival Corporation a US based company. I will continue follow this story and keep you informed on the outcome.

Should you or a loved one find yourself a victim of a cruise ship injury please contact and experienced attorney in this field who will ensure that you receive the proper compensation that you deserve. Contact us online or via telephone 954 431 8100 or 305 624 9186 for your FREE consultation telephone 954 431 8100 or 305 624 9186 for your FREE consultation.

Continue reading "Cruising Liability - Where are MY rights!!!" »

This one is one for the records, on the WSVN 7 morning news last Wednesday there was a report of a concrete dump truck colliding into several parked police vehicles and a palm tree just outside the American Airlines Arena where there was a Heat Game about to start.

No one was injured after the driver of a dump truck lost control of his vehicle and crashed into several police vehicles, then hit a palm tree. The crash happened just a few feet away from the American Airlines Arena, just as hundreds of Miami Heat fans were walking into the arena for Tuesday night's game.

The driver was brought to tears from the nearly catastrophic crash. "Thank the Lord there was no injuries to report, no occupants in any of the vehicles, and the driver of the dump truck is safe," said Cruz. No one was injured.

The Department of Transportation is investigating the accident and are looking into whether the truck was overloaded.

Luckily for this driver of the truck there were no injuries except for the damages to the parked vehicles but had the driver not been able to control the truck the outcome of this situation would have been worst. As stated in the report above Heat fans were on their way to the game.

As an attorney practicing Personal Injury in Miami- Dade and Broward should you ever find yourself a victim of an automobile injury, you should always seek legal counsel to ensure you are compensated for your injury and damages. Feel free to contact us for your FREE consultation or visit us online.

Continue reading "Dump Truck accident at Miami Heat game" »

As usual catching up with the morning news saw this report on the WSVN 7 channel, that I had to write about. This accident occurred in Miami yesterday, a FedEx delivery truck collided with a Miami-Dade Transit bus.

Multiple people suffered injuries after a Miami-Dade Transit bus and FedEx truck collided, Tuesday.

The injured were transported to Jackson Memorial Hospital, University of Miami's Doctors Hospital, South Miami Hospital and Mount Sinai Medical Center.

As the article above stated all the injured were transported to the local hospitals for additional care and observation, also there was a passenger on the bus that was already in a wheel chair and I also saw a man on a stretcher with crutches which can only mean he was already injured before this accident. As an experienced Attorney in automobile accidents I would advise these passengers to seek legal counsel, provide them with all the information relevant to their injuries and as much information on the accident. Passengers on the bus should get a copy of the accident report from the police, and lastly and most important copies of all medical bills and pictures of injuries that they sustained should be submitted to their legal counsel.

Should you or a loved one find yourself a victim of this type of automobile accident injury please contact and experienced automobile accident injury attorney who will ensure that you receive the proper compensation that you deserve. Contact us online or via telephone 954 431 8100 or 305 624 9186 for your FREE consultation.

Continue reading "Bus collision in the news" »

Monday morning there it was on the news... NY Attorney to represent victims of the Costa Concordia Cruise ship accident. It was inevitable I was just waiting to see who would be the representing attorney and hear his views. Listening to him I decided to also do some research as he made valid comments in his interview, and I also found this article out of Milan..... I'm posting part of the article and will add the link for you to read more......

MILAN - Passengers of the doomed Costa Concordia launched a legal battle for compensation Tuesday, but experts expect the cruise operator to offer a settlement to stave off a court case.

In Italy, consumer rights' association Codacons said 70 passengers have joined a class action suit against the shipowner Costa Crociere.

"Over 70 passengers who were on board the ship have joined the class action suit initiated by our association," Codacons head Carlo Rienzi said in a statement.

"Our objective is to get each passenger at least 10,000 euros compensation for material damage and also for ... the fear suffered, the holidays ruined and the serious risks endured," he said.

The legal action will have to be judged admissible by a magistrate in a procedure that could take "some months," according to the co-head of the consumer rights association, Marco Ramadori.

Ramadori said he was "fairly confident" that the action would be allowed.

The Costa Concordia was carrying more than 4,200 people when it ran aground on Friday shortly after starting a seven-day Mediterranean cruise, leaving at least 11 dead and about two dozen still missing. Read more

So from all that I have read it looks like the surviving passengers of the Costa Concordia will have an uphill court battle against Costa Crociere who owns the "Costa Concordia". Some articles have stated that the victims will be barred from filing suit in the United States against Costa Crociere who owns the vessel, even though Carnival Corp who is Miami-based is the actual owner of Costa Crociere. Reason for this being the incident took place in Italian waters. They also go on to say there is a clause written into the Concordia's ticket that basically states all cruise ship lawsuits must be brought in the courts of Genoa, Italy. I am sure that is not the last of the case of the Costa Concordia that I will be writing about as this is pretty interesting and extremely knowledgeable. Also I read that even if the injured passengers pursue the lawsuit, compensation may be limited as apparently there is an International Agreement called the Athens Convention that caps the cruise ship operator liability to about $80,000 per person.

Contact us online or via 954 431 8100 or 305 624 9186 for your FREE consultation, should you find yourself a victim of a cruise ship accident to ensure you receive proper compensation.

Continue reading "Do you have any Rights as a Cruiser" »

In the local Weston newspapers I found an article about a student of a Weston Elementary school that received serious injuries from a hit and run accident. The article stated that the student apparently ran out of the school yard through a gate that was open an unattended before his morning line up.

The report stated that the student ran into the street and was hit by a car. The driver of the vehicle that hit the kid did not stop but witnesses were able to provide the police the tag # of the car that was involved. Paramedics and police were called out to the scene of the accident, he sustained injuries serious enough to be hospitalized. He suffered a broken leg and internal injuries he was hospitalized for a week.

His parents sought legal counsel from a Fort Lauderdale attorney who is experienced in this type of accident injury, but then again who would be the responsible party. They provided their attorney records of the injury and all medical bills that their son sustained along with pictures of his injury and the immediate area at the school where the gate is located. As I stated earlier there are schools and neighborhoods being built all over Broward County and drivers have to practice their due diligence when driving on the streets and highways, especially through school zones.

Whether you have personally been injured or harmed in a pedestrian accident or whether you are the relative of someone killed as the result of a pedestrian accident caused by a negligent driver, you should seek legal assistance as soon as possible. A qualified and experienced lawyer in this field can work to get compensation for harm, injuries, distress, medical costs, loss of earnings, and any other damages or expenses that result from the pedestrian accident. Contact us online or at 954 431 8100 or 305 624 9186 for your FREE consultation.

Another article that made the news was story on personal injury due to road debris; the news report stated that a couple travelling on the Florida interstate was seriously injured by a piece of debris.

“According to the report on the couple was travelling southbound on the Interstate 95 when the accident occurred. Ms. Jones who was driving at the time recalls that by the time she realized that they were going to be hit it was too late to swerve to avoid the flying debris and Raymond was struck in the face. She stated that she never thought it would have been such a huge piece of metal. Raymond was struck in the face damaging his throat and mouth causing him to bleed and drift in and out of consciousness. Mr. Sewell was treated at the hospital and later released; he received stitches to the mouth and will also require dental work as the impact of the metal object caused several of his front teeth to get knocked out.”

Question anyone in this situation would ask is “Can I seek compensation for the injuries and medical bills that I have incurred? And if the answer to that first question was YES then who do I file the claim against and how do I proceed?” As an attorney practicing personal injury law in Fort Lauderdale, we have represented victims of these types of injury and been successful.

One can only assume that this couple sought legal counsel and filed claim against city or state that would have been responsible for maintenance of the Interstate where they were injured. Proper record of all his injuries would be most beneficial when filing the claim, a copy of the accident report from the police, and seeing that he would have required dental work, all his dental bills would also be necessary to file claim and be properly compensated for all his damages etc.

Everyday we are on the roads of South Florida and this type of accident can happen at any time, should you or a loved one find yourself in a similar situation always seek legal counsel to ensure you are properly compensated. Contact us online or at 954 431 8100 or 305 624 9186 for your FREE consultation.

On one my regular trips to the mall to drop off/ pick up my daughter, I’ve realized the dangers that can come to you before you have even entered the mall. Sometimes whilst I sit and wait for her to come out I see things that can happen, drivers not paying proper attention to their surroundings and pedestrians doing the same.

These mishaps I am sure are numerous and as an experienced attorney practicing personal injury law in Fort Lauderdale and its environs I have represented victims of these types of personal injury, but I can also see that some of these victims may not think that they can file a claim for the injuries that they may have sustained from inattentive drivers.

I have made a short list of my observations whilst at the mall:

* Do not walk closely behind parked cars as you never when the car may have a driver ready to reverse an may have not seen you walking behind the car;

* Pay close attention when you are crossing the car park, I have seen people just cross the car park drive ways without even looking;

* Families please watch your children. I have seen on numerous occasions where they take the child out of the car and maybe getting something else out of the car and the child decides to walk out from the safety of the parked vehicle.

Should you ever find yourself in any type of accident no matter how minor it is you should always seek legal counsel. Our office is experienced in handling minor injury claims; we will ensure you get the compensation that you deserve. Please contact us for your free consultation, either online or at 954 431 8100 or 305 624 9186.

Recently in the news we saw the sinking of the cruise liner off the coast of Italy. Eleven lives lost but the majority of the passengers and crew were saved. Then in the news the sister ship set sail from Miami and reporters interviewed some the passengers that were boarding for their cruise, all comments from the passengers were that they were excited for their trip. Honestly who would not cruising the blue Caribbean Sea, wish it was me, anyways back to the blog.

As a Fort Lauderdale attorney who has represented victims of cruise ship injuries over the past couple year’s injuries on board a cruise ship no matter how minor or serious they may be should not be taken lightly. This is the reason why my staff and I sat down and put together a list of procedures to follow should you find yourself a victim of personal injury whilst cruising.

1. Go to the ship's doctor to get treatment for your injury, should you require medical attention;
2. Write up an accident report with as much photographs of your injuries and submit to the Security department on board; keep a copy of the report for your record and any other medical bills that you may have incurred due to the injury;
3. Also get the ship’s Security Department report and keep for your records;
4. Your photographs should be of the immediate place where the incident occurred;
5. Should there be Witnesses make sure and get all their information;
6. You should visit the shore side doctor to check on your injury at the next port of call; keep your medical bills etc;
7. Should you decide to file suit or a claim, please see the Cruise Line ticket as that may specify where the suit/claim has to be filed. Miami is the headquarters of many of the large cruise lines so the ticket may specify Miami, Dade County, Florida. If suit is filed in the wrong location and one year has gone by, you could be thrown out of court and it will be too late to file in the correct location.

Should you be injured whilst cruising and you remember to follow maybe not all but at least some the steps we have prepared for you, seek immediate legal counsel once you are back from your trip to ensure you are compensated for your damages and medical bills incurred.

Hopefully, you will not have to worry about any of these things and you will have a safe and enjoyable vacation, however, it is better to be aware of your rights. Contact us online or at 954 431 8100 or 305 624 9186 for your FREE consultation.

Another blog that was an interesting read was on an accident that involved a bus and a distracted driver of a delivery truck which took place in Sunrise.

The police report stated that the driver of the delivery truck was not paying attention and hit the Broward Transit bus from behind when it stopped to pickup/ drop off passengers. This accident occurred at the corner of Sunrise Blvd and NW 56th Avenue, in Lauderhill.

After investigations by the Police/ the Broward Transit authorities and the company that owns the delivery truck it was evident that the driver of the deliver truck was at fault. Although as I stated in the blog that this could have gone against the driver of the bus which would have then made Broward Transit Authority liable for all the damages of the passengers that received injury.

But, as I stated earlier the driver of the delivery truck was found to be negligent therefore making him and his employer liable for the injuries and damages of the passengers who was on board the bus at the time of the accident.

Injured victims in such cases can seek compensation for all medical expenses, loss of wages, and cost of hospitalization, rehabilitation and other related damages. The best personal injury law firms will always offer a free consultation and comprehensive case evaluation to injured victims and their families.

Should you or a loved one be a victim of accident injury you should consult an experienced attorney. Contact us online or at 954 431 8100 or 305 624 9186 for your FREE consultation.

Driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs is illegal in South Florida a driver whose act of driving under the influence results in the death of another will likely face vehicular manslaughter charges. Drivers determined to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol may also be held civilly liable for the accidents and damages they cause.

In one of my older blogs I wrote about a couple that was seriously injured in Fort Lauderdale whilst driving on the I-95. Reports stated that the couple was heading south on the Interstate 95 when they collided with a driver heading north in the southbound lane. Police stated that the accident took place just south of the Sunrise Boulevard ramp. Investigations revealed that the driver of the Honda Civic was driving under the influence of alcohol and apparently got disorientated and somehow entered the I-95 heading in the wrong direction and collided with the oncoming SUV the couple was driving. Charges were made against the driver of the Civic.

The occupants of the SUV sought legal counsel from an experienced Fort Lauderdale Accident Attorney and were able to file suit against the drunk driver and received compensation for the damages and medical expenses they incurred.

Should you or a loved one be a victim of accident injury you should consult an experienced attorney to ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve. Contact us online or at 954 431 8100 or 305 624 9186 for your FREE consultation.

Another interesting story was the workplace injury to a man who fell at his jobsite in Davie Florida.

As I recall the worker received his injuries when he was repairing a hole in the roof of a building that was recently damaged by fire. Paramedics was called to the scene as the worker was unconscious briefly, he was transported to Broward General where he was kept for observation.

Once he was released he was advised to seek legal counsel to ensure his rights were recognized and he received proper compensation for his medical bills and lass of wages due to his injury. Apparently he was entitled to workers compensation benefits from his employer. There was an accident report filed by his supervisor as there would have been investigations to ensure that it was not negligence or failure to adhere to the safety standards as mandated by both OSHA and the federal Occupational Safety and health Administration for the city of Davie.

The worker’s attorney was experienced in this type of accident and filed a claim on his behalf, to which he was successful. Always contact an experienced South Florida Personal Injury Attorney who will look into a third party claim, which is usually filed against an entity or a person other than the victim’s employer, whose negligence may have caused the workplace accident, your personal injury attorney should have a strong and successful track record in handling these third party claims, as he will be able to help this worker in securing the compensation they deserve.

Should you or a loved one be injured at the workplace you should consult an experienced attorney in workplace injury and premises liability to ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve. Contact us online or at 954 431 8100 or 305 624 9186 for your FREE consultation.

As the year comes to an end and we look forward to great things for 2012, I want to recap some of my injury blogs that I have written over the past year. One in particular was the injury of a spectator at a local park whilst he was waiting on his son to complete his practice.

The accident occurred whilst Mr. Sanchez was waiting on his son to complete his batting practice session. He was standing at the fence when he was hit in the eye by a ball, paramedics were called to the park, his injuries were minor, but he was still taken to the hospital for observation, he was eventually released.

Mr. Sanchez sought legal counsel for an experienced attorney in premises liability and decided to file a claim against the City for damages, medical bills and loss of wages that he incurred from his injury. In the State of Florida if you are injured at any of these recreational parks in the various cities, to be able to file any claim against local authorities, paramedics have to be called out and the injured has to be taken by ambulance to the local hospital. Mr. Sanchez provided his attorney with all the relevant information pertinent to his case, information such as the accident report from the police; pictures of his injury and pictures of the area where he was injured; he also provided his attorney with his medical bills as he planned on also filing for loss of wages as his injury required him to be away from work.

As an experienced attorney practicing in Broward and Miami-Dade County I have represented victims of this type of injury both in and out of the courtroom for years. We have offices located Fort Lauderdale, Miami-Dade and West Palm Beach and has successfully represented seriously injured individuals throughout the cities of Broward County such as Sunrise, Plantation, Davie, Cooper City, Miramar, Pembroke Pines, Coral Springs, Weston, Tamarac and Margate.

Always contact an experienced attorney that practices in premises liability and personal injury to ensure that you receive proper compensation for your damages. Feel free to contact us at 954 431 8100 or 305 624 9186 or visit us online.

As I mentioned in my previous blog I will continue with the remaining 4 tips that you should follow should you be a victim of personal injury from a slip and fall accident. See below:

1. Medical reports and bills: Should your slip and fall be serious for you to be hospitalized you should have the attending doctor note how you received your injuries.

2. Follow the advice of your medical providers and keep all appointments with your physicians, physical therapists, etc. If you skip appointments, or don't follow the advice of your medical providers, the supermarket, or its insurance company, will use this against you during your case and will claim that if you would have followed the advice, or kept your appointments, your injury would healed or improved.

3. Should you be injured at a supermarket their representative (usually a risk manager) or an insurance company representative will contact you for a statement. It is advised that you consult with legal counsel before you speak with any representative.

4. Photograph evidence try to take as much photographs of the scene.

Once you have followed these 8 tips and you have retained your legal counsel to represent you should you decide to file claim, submit all the information you have to your attorney. This information will assist your experienced attorney in slip and fall injury in filing your claim.

Should you or a loved one find yourself a victim of personal injury contact us for your FREE consultation via 954 431 8100 or 305 624 9186 or you can visit us online.

In the United States, slip and fall accidents are the second leading cause of injuries and are the cause of over 15,000 deaths each year. An injury or death from a slip and fall, or a trip and fall, are oftentimes caused by a dangerous condition left to remain on a floor of a business open to the public, such as water on the aisles of neighborhood supermarkets, for an unreasonable period of time.

Below are 8 tips which I will divide into two blogs. These tips should be followed after a slip and fall at a workplace/ supermarket/ shopping mall or any other venue where an injury is sustained:

1. Seek medical attention right away. Call 911 and wait for the paramedics to arrive.

2. Determine what caused you to fall. Look around the area where you landed for water or other substances on the floor. Look at your clothing for water or stains. If you have a camera phone, take a couple photographs. Retain all physical evidence for example clothing etc that can be used as physical evidence to be used at trial.

3. Witnesses; should there be witnesses get all contact information from them as they will be extremely important to your case if your case goes to litigation.

4. Premises liability; building management; manager on duty. Report your fall right away. If you suffer an injury due to a fall at a supermarket, report the fall to the manager before you leave. Ask for a copy of the incident report while you are still at the scene of the accident.

As an experienced Slip and fall injury attorney practicing in Fort Lauderdale we advise that you seek legal counsel to ensure you are properly compensated should you decide to file claim. contact us for your free consultation via 954 431 8100 or 305 624 9186 or online.

Whilst surfing the web looking for topics to write about I read an article where the rider of a motor scooter was knocked of his bike by a distracted driver in Fort Lauderdale. Reports claim that the driver of the car was distracted and swerved into the path of the scooter. Luckily for the rider of the scooter he had enough space where he was able to swerve away but hit the curb of the pavement and was thrown from his scooter. The driver of the car stopped to make sure that the rider was not seriously injured, paramedics was still called to the scene for the rider of the scooter, he was eventually released but was told to follow up with his Doctor.

Riders should practice always be aware of their surroundings at all times, keep an eye out for distracted drivers; drivers who may be texting whilst driving or talking on their cell phones and generally not paying attention. Daily on the road we have drivers who do not respect other users of the road whether it’s a cyclist, a pedestrian or another driver which sometimes can lead to unnecessary personal injury to an innocent traveler. Cyclists whether they are riding a bicycle or a motor cycle should always wear protective gear to protect themselves on the road.

Being an experienced Accident Injury Attorney in Fort Lauderdale I have represented numerous victims of accident injury stemming from a distracted drivers. Always practice safe riding and due diligence to avoid any unnecessary injury to yourself and or your passenger.

Should you or a loved one find yourself being a victim of personal injury caused by the carelessness of other drivers on the road, you should seek legal counsel from an experienced personal injury attorney in Fort Lauderdale who will ensure that you are properly compensated for your damages. Feel free to contact us online or at 954 431 8100 or 305 624 9186 for a FREE consultation.

As it gets closer to the holiday season we can all be seen heading malls to do our shopping. I wrote in one of my earlier blogs about an employee that was involved in a slip and fall at one our local shopping malls. He retained a personal injury attorney in Fort Lauderdale and was able to file a claim for his injury.

Apparently Alex was injured when he slipped and fell just outside his office on the 3rd floor of the mall, as the mall maintenance had recently cleaned up a spill but refrained to display signage warning of the wet spot. Obviously Alex not knowing and there being no proper signage notifying Alex and mall patrons of the wet spot, he slipped and fell fracturing his patella in four places, he had to be hospitalized.

Alex’s sought legal counsel from an Attorney experienced in these types of slip and fall injury and was able to file claim against the mall’s managing office for compensation for his medicals covering his rehab and he was also able to seek future loss of wages as he was no longer able to continue pursuing his career in law enforcement as the injury limited his mobility. He was successful as he had all the proper documentation that assisted him in filing his claim.

Always hire an experienced Personal Injury Attorney should you feel that you are the victim of a slip and fall injury accident. Feel free to contact us at 954 431 8100 or 305 614 9186 to set up a FREE consultation to discuss your legal options or visit our website at www.florida-attorney.org

Following up on my previous blog Personal Injury Attorney’s will always advise to follow the following steps should you be involved in an accident causing personal injury:

1. Proper Medical Treatment & Documentation - Documentation of all injuries is very important; take photographs and videos of all injuries sustained and medical care received including therapy of as you will need to provide all your medical records to your personal injury attorney to support your personal injury claim.
2. Witnesses - Personal injury attorneys advise that it is important to obtain the names and contact information for all witnesses and potential witnesses. Record all physical evidence including all vehicles involved in the accident with your camera in your phone, or ask witnesses if they have a camera if you are unable.
3. Photographs of Scene and Vehicles - Photographs and videos of the physical evidence and all motor vehicles involved should be taken immediately in their after-impact position. Photograph the scene of the accident and the surrounding area, specifically where the accident occurred.
4. Diagram Accident Scene - The investigating police officer will prepare a diagram as part of the report that will include the location of all motor vehicles involved and their final positions after the accident. Request a copy of the police report including the accident scene diagram and submit to your personal injury attorney.

Whether you have been injured in Plantation; Sunrise; Pembroke Pines, Davie; Ft. Lauderdale or Miramar hiring of an experienced Personal Injury Attorney is advised to ensure you receive proper compensation for damages.

Should you or a loved one find yourself a victim of personal injury you should contact an experienced personal injury attorney. Feel free to contact us at 954 431 8100 or 305 614 9186 to set up a FREE consultation to discuss your legal options or visit our website at www.florida-attorney.org

I cannot emphasize how important it is to follow the steps that I have listed below and throughout my previous blogs. Once you have followed these steps you should always seek legal counsel from an experienced Personal Injury Attorney to represent you and file your claim. Although some victims will tell you that at the time of the accident they were nervous and upset and being an experienced Fort Lauderdale attorney we have noticed that is when victims make costly mistakes.

With the holiday season already started and the roadways being extremely busy with partygoers and shoppers, distractions for these roadway users are abundant. Here are some steps that you should follow which will assist you, should you find yourself a victim of personal injury:

1. Call 911 immediately;
2. Keep calm;
3. Report accident to your insurance broker or agent immediately.
4. Note the date and time of the accident. Write down the location. Draw a diagram, if possible.
5. Write down the name, address and the insurance company of the owner of the other vehicle involved, whether or not the driver is the owner of the vehicle;
6. Give only your name, address, license number, license plate number, name of registered owner of the car and your insurance company.
7. Be sure to write down the names, addresses, and phone numbers eyewitnesses who saw the accident, but were not involved in it.
8. Take photographs of the scene of the accident and damages to all vehicles involved in the accident;
9. Don’t discuss the accident with anyone or blame anyone, including you; only give the particulars pertaining to the accident to the attending Officer, DO NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY.
10. Obtain a copy of the Police Report for your record and future use should the need arise; and keep records of all your injuries including rehab and medical bills.

Feel free to contact us at 954 431 8100 or 305 614 9186 to set up a FREE consultation to discuss your legal options.

Just being on the road can be considered hazardous to your health, as daily we see in the news and on the television reports involving pedestrians, motorcyclist and motor vehicle drivers involved in different types of accidents.

In one of my earlier blogs I wrote about a cyclist who received serious injuries when he was thrown from his bike as he rode into a “pothole” that was in the bicycle lane and was thrown from his bike. He received serious injury and had to be hospitalized. Mr. Schwatts’s family followed all the steps necessary to follow when you are involved in an accident from first calling 911, to proper recording of his injuries with photographs of his injury and the scene of the accident. He also kept record of all his medical bills and made a timeline from the beginning when he was injured and all of his recovery stages. He also took pictures and kept dates as to how long the city took to repair the “potholes” in the lane.

With the information that Mr. Schwatts had kept, by the time he contacted our office he was already ahead of the game, as he presented us with all the information pertinent to his case. Our office also did our own investigation and added more information to assist in preparing a solid claim against the city. Some cities have had claims filed against them where the Plaintiffs have been successful, making it easier for injured victims to be compensated for personal injuries caused by various types of road hazards.

Should you or a loved one find yourself in a situation similar to this always seek legal counsel from an experienced Fort Lauderdale Personal Injury attorney. Your attorney will use all the information that you would have provided their office to file your claim, against an office of the state, or a municipality office. These claims sometimes are complex, therefore to ensure that you receive proper compensation, victims of road hazards should consult with an attorney who has had experience filing these types of personal injury claims. Feel free to contact us at 954 431 8100 or 305 614 9186 to set up a FREE consultation to discuss your legal options.

Going through my usual morning regime – coffee and watching the daily news on WSVN Channel 7 news, I saw a story that I decided to blog on. 6yr old Brian Wilson was crossing Lucy Street near Second Avenue in Homestead with his father and 3-year-old brother on Thursday, when he reportedly was struck by Shemira Brown who fled the scene of the accident. Brian recalls his dad picking him up off the street and putting him out of harms way. Shemira Brown turned herself in and was charged in fleeing the scene of the accident.

Reports state that Brian was attempting to cross when he was struck, paramedics were called to scene where Brian was transported to Homestead Hospital then to Miami Children’s Hospital. Luckily for Brian, his injuries were not life threatening but serious for him to be hospitalized. Shemira Brown turned herself in to the police and according to reports she was held accountable for the accident.

As an Attorney practicing in Broward and Miami-Dade we would advise that Brian’s family get the accident report from the paramedics; keep all medical reports as they will require this should the family decide to file claim. Should you or a loved one find yourself in a situation like this please contact an experienced Accident Injury attorney who will advise you of your legal rights. Feel free to contact us at 954 431 8100 or 305 614 9186 to set up a FREE consultation to discuss your legal options.

Recently in the news I have been seeing police car chases, where the end result is the perpetrator is caught and luckily for the drivers on the road no serious accidents involving innocent victims. But what would be the worst case scenario should a driver be injured in one of these police chases.

Recently there was a chase that began in Miami, with the suspect heading north on the I-95, where he exited somewhere in North Miami where the chase ensued through a busy neighborhood he ran traffic lights, four way stops all the time narrowly missing unassuming drivers on the road who was totally unaware of the danger that they may have just narrowly missed. The suspect eventually abandoned his vehicle and continued on foot running into an apartment where he was eventually held by the police.

For arguments sake let’s say that a driver gets caught up in the chase and injured, with injuries serious enough for the driver to be hospitalized. What would be the liability issues, who would be responsible for the driver’s damages etc. As we have seen in some states a “vehicle pursuit policy” has been adopted by Police departments which allows the agency not to be held responsible or liable. The policy covers the following:- any civil damages for personal injury to; death of any person or damage to property resulting from the accident of a vehicle being operated by an actual or suspected violator of the law who is being, has been, or believes he of she is being or has been pursued in a motor vehicle by a peace officer employed by the public entity.

As a Fort Lauderdale Attorney practicing Personal and Accident Injury law in Broward and Miami-Dade County for more than 10 years, we always advise first and foremost after calling 911 and seeking medical attention if required you should seek legal advice or counsel from and experienced attorney should you decide to file claim. Should you or a loved one find yourself in need of an experienced Accident Injury attorney, we have offices located in Fort Lauderdale, and throughout Miami-Dade, Broward and West Palm Beach. Contact us at 954 431 8100 or 305 614 9186 to set up a FREE consultation to discuss your legal options.

Another interesting story I wrote was injury to 13 people on a tour bus in the Florida Keys.

The report stated that the injury collision occurred on US 1 when the tour bus veered off the roadway. There were 50 people on board the bus including the driver, the police accident report stated that 13 people had to be transported to local hospitals for minor injuries. Officials say the bus was exiting the freeway when it went out of control and crashed. Some of the questions asked was what caused the driver to lose control was there a auto defect or a mechanical malfunction in the bus that could have caused this accident. Maybe it was driver error that played a part was he travelling at an unsafe rare of speed, was he tired, impaired or inattentive at the time he was exiting the freeway. Investigations were made and they still are investigating as this case has not been closed.

Some liability issues to be considered are:

Bus companies - whether they are public or private carriers - owe their passengers the utmost duty of care. This means that bus companies are responsible for the safe transit of their passengers. If this accident was caused by driver error or inadequate vehicle maintenance, then, the bus company can be held liable for the resulting injuries and damages. If the accident was caused by an auto defect, the bus manufacturer or the maker of the defective auto part can be held liable. Compensation: Injured victims in such cases can seek compensation for all medical expenses, loss of wages, and cost of hospitalization, rehabilitation and other related damages. The best personal injury law firms will always offer a free consultation and comprehensive case evaluation to injured victims and their families.

Should you or a loved one be a victim of accident injury you should consult an experienced attorney to ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve. Contact us online or at 954 431 8100 or 305 624 9186 for your FREE consultation.

With the economy slowly picking back up we see construction sites hiring workers and this can only mean injuries on jobsites are evident. Recently a 30yr old man Mr. Ramos received injuries after falling from the roof of a home at a jobsite in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. His company sent him out to a neighborhood to do roof repairs to a couple homes. Mr. Ramos was doing minor repairs to a roof which from the recent rains was leaking, and, not realizing the extent of the damage fell through the roof. Paramedics were called to the scene as he was said to be unconscious briefly, and the owner of the home was uncertain as to the extent of his injuries. Mr. Ramos regained consciousness but was taken to Broward General where he was kept under observation.

As a Fort Lauderdale attorney I have worked on numerous cases like this and Mr. Ramos will no doubt be entitled to workers compensation benefits from his employer. Once he has filed claim for Worker’s compensation his employer will have investigations done to ensure there was no negligence on the worker’s behalf and ensure that there was no failure to adhere to the safety standards as mandated by both OSHA and the Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration for the city of Fort Lauderdale. The worker in turn should keep all records: the incident report and all medical bills etc which he will have to present to his attorney once he has filed claim for injury.

Should you or a loved one find yourself in a situation like Mr. Ramos, please contact an experienced Personal Injury Attorney who will look into a third party claim, which is usually filed against an entity or a person other than the victim’s employer, whose negligence may have caused the workplace accident, your personal injury attorney should have a strong and successful track record in handling these third party claims, as he will be able to help this worker in securing the compensation they deserve. Contact us at 954 431 8100 or 305 614 9186 to set up a FREE consultation to discuss your legal options.

What a caption for this blog. "The Snowbirds are here" means that the roads are full more than normal with elderly out of state drivers and I mean out of state. On the road daily you see an array of license tags from Canada to upstate US, as they have headed south for the winter, to soak up some of the Florida sunshine. With that comes the driving, some of the complaints I have heard: driving slow in the "fast lane"; unexpected stops and turns without properly notifying by indication; reversing from parking spots without ensuring that it is safe to do so, and the list can go on.

Personal injury caused by a motor vehicle accident or collision is one of the most unfortunate situations you may find yourself in. Whether you were in a rear-end collision or any type of collision you would have received damages and injuries caused by these collisions some may be serious and/ or permanent. From neck and back injuries to broken bones, and in the most unfortunate situations injuries which may cause brain damage or paralysis, damages from any motor vehicle collision can and may alter your life. Daily we get calls from victims of these types of injuries as they are unsure what their legal rights are and if they do have. First and foremost call 911 to report the accident, then seek immediate medical attention for any injury you may have received as this step is a crucial part of your personal injury case against another driver who is responsible for your injuries, and last but most important keep all records of your injuries, accident reports and pictures of the scene of the accidents.

Be sure to call a Fort Lauderdale Personal Injury Attorney to handle your case. We have offices located in Fort Lauderdale and we have successfully represented injured individuals throughout the cities of Broward County such as Sunrise, Plantation, Davie, Cooper City, Miramar, Pembroke Pines, Coral Springs, Weston, Tamarac and Margate. Contact us at 954 431 8100 or 305 614 9186 to set up a FREE consultation to discuss your legal options.

I recently attended a soccer tournament at a Regional park in Fort Lauderdale over the weekend with some friends, this was the first time that I was so close to the game. I normally sit in the stands and watch the game, but at these local tournaments you are able to stand right at the side of the field you could even reach out and touch the players. It was really exciting to be so close until a spectator was hit by a loose ball.

The spectator was standing behind the goal when she was hit by the stray ball. It was a ball from a free kick so I can only imagine the power it was coming at, and obviously she was not paying attention and was hit right smack in the chest. She immediately doubled over and the paramedics that was on site attended to her. She was taken to the hospital for observation due to area that she was struck, although the injury seemed to be minor. She was released, and was advised to seek legal advice for damages, medical bills that she incurred from this injury.

In the State of Florida to be able to file any claim if you are injured at any of these recreational parks in the various cities, paramedics have to be called out and the injured has to be taken by ambulance to the local hospital. There is always risk to be taken into consideration when attending these sporting activities and one should always seek legal counsel from an experienced personal accident injury attorney to ensure that you know your rights.

It is always good advice for victims of personal injury always to seek counsel from an experienced personal injury attorney or premises liability attorney as it is important that you understand and know what your legal rights and options are. We have offices located in Fort Lauderdale, and throughout Miami-Dade and West Palm Beach, and we have successfully represented injured individuals throughout the cities of Broward County such as Sunrise, Plantation, Davie, Cooper City, Miramar, Pembroke Pines, Coral Springs, Weston, Tamarac and Margate. Contact us at 954 431 8100 or 305 614 9186 to set up a FREE consultation to discuss your legal options.

This story caught my interest whilst I was doing research for my writing Twelve students and two teachers at the North Orange County Regional Occupational Program building in Anaheim were taken to the hospital with injuries after the roof of the adult classrooms collapsed on December 15, 2008 because a main drain failed. News reports in The Orange County Register, the injured victims suffered neck, back, muscular, skeletal and wrist injuries.

Officials are saying that the roof caved in after a main drain failed above one of the classrooms. This caused water to collect and the roof to cave in taking an air-conditioning unit down with it. The injured victims were said to have been between 17 and 50 years old. It was stated in the article that the school took out a building permit for a new roof in August of 2007 and a final inspection was completed the following month.

Reading this article I realized that this can happen at any time in Florida, and as a Fort Lauderdale attorney I would advise the injured to seek legal counsel from an experienced personal injury attorney immediately after seeking medical attention. Keep records and a timeline from the time the accident occurs to present: pictures of all injuries and medical bills for injuries and rehab that was incurred.

Should you or a loved one find yourself being the victim of personal injury, you should immediately contact an experienced personal injury attorney, as the authorities responsible for maintenance of the building can be held liable for the injuries caused from the roof cave-in. Contact us for your free consultation at 954 431 8100 or 305 624 9186.

This blog is just for information purposes. With the winter starting any motor cycle rider will tell you it’s the perfect weather for riding. I found this article whilst doing research on Motor cycle safety and found it very interesting and informative.

The Motor Safety Foundation ‘MSF’ will start an in depth study into motor cycle safety. The study will follow 100 motorcyclists in different age groups who ride three types of bikes and riding in various environments. The study will also factor weather and traffic conditions and rider gear requirements. States that will be involved in the study are California, Virginia and Florida, riders will be chosen from them.

The information will be collected through the use of small video recorders and other devices mounted on each of the rider’s bike. The video recorders will include the following views: forward, sides/rider’s hands, rider’s face, and rearward. The study will cover rider’s behaviour and their reaction time; it will also cover rider skills and decision making prior to a crash. It will also collect the sequence of events and factors in the leading up to a crash and the differences between evasive manoeuvres which will work and which will not.

As an experienced motor cycle attorney in Fort Lauderdale we have found these studies to be beneficial to riders to practice defensive riding. Whilst riding your bike should you and your passenger become a victim of injury due to the negligence of a driver or road user, you should seek legal counsel from a motor cycle attorney to ensure that you are compensated for your damages, loss of wages and medical bills incurred. Contact us at 954 431 8100 or 305 614 9186 to set up a FREE consultation to discuss your legal options.

Injuries at the workplace are a 'lil' more common than we realize, if you have been injured at work you will have to first apply for Worker's Compensation through your employer's insurance company. Representing victims of work place injury for the past years in Fort Lauderdale we have found some situations where the victim may be able to file a third-party injury claim for damages associated with your injuries. This is where seeking legal counsel from an experienced work place accident attorney in Fort Lauderdale is best in these situations, as your attorney will give you the guidance you need and will assist you to understand your rights.

Workplace accident third-party injury claims can include such circumstances such as :
- use of a defective product or equipment;
- injury due to a toxic substance at the workplace;
- intended wrongdoing of your employer;
- injury through a third-party whilst at your workplace.

Workers' compensation will provide payment and benefits to the injured victims but may not compensate for damages. It will also not cover punitive damages against employers who did not take proper workplace safety measures. Injuries in the workplace can range from slip and fall accidents, to injuries to the body such as back, arm, shoulder, elbow and knee. As I always advise victims of workplace injury always seek counsel from an experienced workplace accident injury attorney or premises liability attorney as it is important that you understand and know what your legal rights and options are, and ensure that you receive the proper compensation that you deserve. Contact us at 954 431 8100 or 305 614 9186 to set up a FREE consultation to discuss your legal options.

Fort Lauderdale and South Beach can be considered party central every weekend in South Florida, and on any given Monday we receive calls from victims of personal injury, whether it’s a slip and fall injury or the victim of a fight at a club or a pedestrian accident seeking legal counsel.

At the usual spring break festivities there were some incidents that occurred over the week, some serious to warrant police and a trip to the emergency room and others minor where paramedics have dealt with the injury and released. Recently our Fort Lauderdale office received a call from a man in his early 20’s, seeking legal counsel. He states that he was out partying with some friends that were visiting for the break, where he received the injury. Apparently he was partying at a night club on Fort Lauderdale beach, when he got into an altercation with another patron at the club, there was a fight and he was stabbed. Police and paramedics were called to the scene; he suffered a flesh wound and a punctured liver and had to be hospitalized.

Investigations were conducted by the authorities and our office also did some investigative work on behalf of the victim. Reports from the police showed that the nightclub did not have the required amount of security on the said night which makes then liable. Our client would be able to file claim against the night club for “negligent security”.

Should you or a loved one find yourself a victim of this type of injury or should you know someone that was in the same situation they should immediately seek legal counsel to ensure that they receive the compensation that they deserve for their damages and medical bills incurred. Contact us online or call us at 954 431 8100 or 305 624 9186 to set up a FREE consultation to discuss your legal options.

Protecting the rights of victims of injury due to the recklessness of drivers on the roads of South Florida, car and motor cycle accident victims should remember the following people are upset and when upset make costly mistakes. Representing drivers and bikers who wish to file claim due to an accident injury in Sunrise, Fort Lauderdale, Cooper City, Davie and Plantation we advise you take heed of the points below.

Here is what you should do:
1. ALWAYS keep calm, and do not let the emotions get the better of you remain calm at all times;
2. Report the crash immediately to the police department; and if there is injury call an ambulance for the injured party;
3. Take contact information including driver’s license, telephone contact and the insurance company of the owner of the other vehicle/s involved in the accident;
4. If it’s a company vehicle take down the name, address, operator’s license number, driver license and the phone number of the driver of the company vehicle.
5. Give only your name, address, license number, license plate number, name of registered owner of the car and your insurance company.
6. Don’t not accept responsibility or blame anyone for the accident.
7. Call your Insurance Company and report accident to your broker or agent immediately.
8. Make a note of the date and time of the accident, write down the location. Draw a diagram, if possible.
9. Cell phones come equipped with cameras, take pictures of the of your bike and the other vehicles involved, do not only focus on the area damaged take pictures of the entire vehicle
10. Be sure to take pictures of the area surrounding the accident scene immediately after the accident. Pictures of the terrain, the road or any other amenities that could have been a factor or played a part in the accident;
11. Witnesses – make sure to write down all the contact information of the people who were witness to the accident but not involved in it.

Should you or a family member be the victim of a car or motor cycle accident injury, you should contact an experienced Fort Lauderdale Attorney should you have questions after the accident and to ensure you know your rights and are properly compensated. Contact us online or call us at 954 431 8100 or 305 624 9186 to set up a FREE consultation to discuss your legal options.

Recently whilst doing research on motor cycle safety for my blog I stumbled upon an article “Mandatory motorcycle safety training in two more states” on the website Clutch and Chrome. It states that motorcycle training has become mandatory for future riders in Connecticut and California before riders can take tests and licenses issued. Following Rhode Island and Florida that require riders to complete a safety course to get their license, this mandate was introduced in 2008.
In Connecticut the law took effect as of January 1st 2011 and was driven by the mother of a 19 year old boy that was killed in a accident when he collided with a minivan, although he was wearing a helmet he had not taken a safety education class. In the article she stated that she believes her son might be alive today if he had take a course for novice riders, which the prior to the mandate of January 1 2011 only applied to motor cycle applicants under the age of 18. The new requirement does not apply to Connecticut riders who already have a motorcycle endorsement or those who are moving from another state with a motorcycle endorsement.

DMV Commissioner states that this new requirement will ensure that all riders have proper training and safety education before acquiring a license to operate a motor cycle; he also went on to say that this law is all about making riders and their passenger’s safety.

The other state that has this similar legislation is California. The state mandate requires residents of California younger than 21 to complete a motor cycle safety course before they will be issued an instruction permit that will allow them to practice riding a motor cycle. The permit must be held for six months before the rider will receive his/her license.

This law also came about from a motorcycle tragedy; according the article three years ago 18 year old Jarred Cole was getting driving lessons from his dad Evan Cole who is an experienced rider in front of their home. He had passed the DMV written exam allowing him to get his learner’s permit. His dad was giving him his first lesson and he stepped into the garage to get some practice cones when he heard the motorcycle engine revving followed by an ominous thud as stated by Clutch and Chrome. Jarred died from a severed artery, doctors stated he could not be save him even if he lived across from the hospital. This tragedy got Jarred’s younger brother and his friend to launch a drive in their High School “Change State Law”.

As an experienced motor cycle attorney practicing in the cities of Fort Lauderdale, Sunrise, Margate, Coral Springs, Pembroke Pines, Miramar, Davie and Cooper City we always advise that once you have received personal injury stemming from a motor cycle accident you should seek legal counsel to ensure you are compensated for your damages and injuries received. Contact us online or call us at 954 431 8100 or 305 624 9186 to set up a FREE consultation to discuss your legal options.

In Fort Lauderdale, Sunrise, Plantation, Weston and many other cities across Broward County kids and teens can be seen maneuvering their skateboards in all the plazas in these cities. We have found that in many cases, a skateboarding accident normally results from someone else's negligence.

Skateboarders are often invisible to distracted, inattentive drivers of cars, SUVs, vans, and trucks. Even if these kids follow the rules and practice their own safety tips whilst skateboarding, they can still be hit by negligent drivers. Hospital emergency rooms state that approximately 26,000 persons are injured yearly. Most of these skateboard injuries can stem from sprains, fractures, contusions and abrasions; these are some of the most common types of injuries.

Some of the factors that can be taken into consideration and that can add to the reasons for some of these accidents besides driver negligence, are the rider may not be wearing the proper protective equipment, poor board maintenance and irregular riding surfaces.

Our office has also seen that these injuries happen mainly to the following:
• Almost every 6 out of 10 kids under the age of 15 are more susceptible to injuries due to lack of experience on their board;
• Skaters with a year or more of experience have the next highest number of injuries as they are the ‘risk ‘ takers - willing to try more tricks on their boards;
• Experienced skaters mainly suffer injuries when they fall after they strike rocks and other irregularities in the riding surface or when they attempt difficult stunts.
• Riding surfaces that are uneven such as surfaces that have holes bumps rocks and other debris account for over half of the skating injuries leading to falls. Before riding, skaters should screen the area where they will be riding by checking for holes, bumps, rocks and any debris.
• Skating in the street can result in collisions with cars causing serious injury and even death.

South Florida known as the “Sunshine State” is home of these skateboarders, hence the reason why there has been a rise in injuries mainly from driver negligence. Should you or a loved one be the victim of personal injury due to driver negligence whilst riding their skateboard you should seek legal counsel for your minor to ensure that you are compensated for damages and medical bills should you decide to file claim. Contact us online or call us at 954 431 8100 or 305 624 9186 to set up a FREE consultation to discuss your legal options.

Seeing that I touched on Street/drag racing in a previous blog, I decided to blog a bit more about the seriousness of this illegal sport. Florida Highway Patrol and other law enforcement agencies have been clamping down on these illegal races, by conducting stings on U.S. 27 and Krome Avenue between Miami and Broward Counties. One night during summer troopers arrested approximately 47 juveniles, 21 adults, and 129 spectators lining the road. Law enforcement agencies involved noted that with the success of that sting others will follow.

Politicians in Miami and Broward have stated they want stiffer penalties for these racers and spectators, as the only way to stop the racing is to go after not only the racers but the crowd that watches and encourages this illegal activity. Because of this type of recklessness driving on the streets of Miami and Broward County, other users of the roadways are put in harm's way. We have seen in the news, reports of accidents caused by these drivers injuring innocent drivers sometimes even ending tragically for both the drivers and racers who are normally teenagers. For example a street-racing crash on the Rickenbacker Causeway in Miami-Dade County sent two children, ages 2 and 3, and four adults to the hospital. This accident occurred when a Porsche and a BMW were drag racing and one of the cars crashed into a SUV with a family of 5 on board. Paramedics were called to the scene and the driver of the BMW and all the occupants of the SUV were taken to the hospital, luckily there were no life threatening injuries. Police reports states that the racers were travelling in excess of 100 miles per hour.

As an experienced auto accident attorney practicing in Miami and Broward County I have represented victims of these types of auto accidents and I always advise you to seek legal counsel should you decide to file claim to ensure you receive proper compensation for your damages, medical bills and loss of wages.

Should you or a loved one be the victim of an automobile accident stemming from these illegal car races, CONTACT US online or call at 954 431 8100 or 305 624 9186 to set up a FREE consultation to see legal counsel.

With South Florida rainy season still in effect sometimes just "running into" a store can be hazardous. With the weather finally holding up this past week, previously the afternoon showers, made running into a pharmacy in Miramar a dangerous task for Simone B.
Approximately three weeks ago with the ususal afternoon showers, Simone had to stop off at a pharmacy after work to run an errand. She parked and was entering the store when she slipped on the wet floor just as she entered the door. There was no notification or the yellow cones that you normally see stating "BE CAREFUL WET FLOOR". Simone hit the floor really hard and paramedics was called out, by the Store Manager as did not want to move her as they were unsure of the seriousness of her injury. Simone was taken to the hospital where she was seen by a Dr and referred for a follow up visit to a Specialist. Simone's injury was not serious for hospitalization as she only bruised her coxic bone "tail bone", but was given time off as this type of injury can be extremely painful. Simone did the follow up to the Dr just to ensure that there was no additional injury.

Simone's slip and fall caused her loss of wages, and medical costs incurred from the follow up visits to the Dr. She sought legal counsel from a Personal Injury Attorney practicing in Miramar, FL to ensure she received proper compensation from her injuries sustained from the fall.

In Florida we come across numerous slip and fall cases or personal injury claims are filed against businesses due to their own error. Should you or a loved one find yourself in a similar situation always seek legal counsel to ensure you are properly compensated. Contact us online or call us at 954 431 8100 or 305 624 9186 to set up a FREE consultation to discuss your legal options.

Whilst doing research on sports injuries I stumbled across this article whereabouts a 12 year old girl Nicole was injured whilst playing basketball. The article stated that apparently during basketball practice, Nicole was shooting the ball when a defender tried aggressively to block her shot. The two players made contact, and Nicole hit the floor headfirst. “The way she was hit took her whole body out from under her, and she landed directly on her head,” said her mother, “We immediately knew this was serious as she was very confused and looking at people like she didn’t know who they were.”

Paramedics were called to the scene and she was taken to the hospital for observation. At the hospital, doctors diagnosed a minor concussion —an increasingly common injury in basketball, particularly among minors, yet one that has yet to gain widespread attention. In fact, Nicole's mom said, she knew enough to worry about concussions — she also stated that even though Nicole played soccer more than basketball she worries more about the latter sport as the chances for broken bones and other injuries can occur being that it is a hard floor as the physical contact of basketball similar to that of football except that its indoors.

Injuries on basketball courts are common across South Florida from Sunrise, Plantation, Miramar, Coral Springs and Aventura, some are serious to warrant hospitalization and observation at a hospital or some maybe minor not requiring medical attention, although we always advise to visit your medica practioner to ensure that the injury in not serious. Also it allows you to keep record of your injury if you do eventually decide to file a claim. Practicing law in Fort Lauderdale and representing victims of sports injuries I always recommend to parents and victims that it does not matter how serious the injury you should always seek advice from an experienced sports injury attorney.

Should you or a loved one be the victim of a sports injury, always seeks legal counsel to ensure you know your rights and you are compensated for your damages. Contact us online or call at 954 431 8100 or 305 624 9186 to set up a FREE consultation to see legal counsel.

Continuing from my previous discussion/blog post Safety Tips for Cyclist, I have realized that this topic is extremely interesting and informative for all. Again I always state should you or your loved one find yourself a victim of a bicycle accident always seek counsel from an experienced attorney practicing in Fort Lauderdale to ensure your are properly compensated. Bicyclists of all ages are on the road daily and should follow these road rules to ensure their safety at all times.

Here are some more tips for proper road safety and the codes where you can find the Statute pertaining to bicycle riding:

SIDEWALK RIDING (see Section 316.2065, F.S.)• When riding on sidewalks or in crosswalks, a bicyclist has the same rights and duties as a pedestrian.
• A bicyclist riding on sidewalks or in crosswalks must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians and must give an audible signal before passing.

SIGNALING TURNS (see Sub-section 316.155(2) and 316.157(2), F.S.)• A signal of intention to turn must be given during the last 100 feet traveled by the vehicle before turning. If a bicyclist needs both hands for control, the signal need not be given continuously.
• A bicyclist may signal intent to turn right either by extending the left hand and arm upward or by extending the right hand and arm horizontally to the right side of the bicycle.

Whether you are in Broward or Miami Dade County, should you or a loved one be the victim of a bicycle injury, contact us online or call at 954 431 8100 or 305 624 9186 to set up a FREE consultation to seek legal counsel.

With the fall weather beginning in South Florida, it is now perfect for outdoor activities as its cooling down therefore I decided to cover safety tips for bicyclist to follow to ensure everyone’s safety on the roads. Once these safety tips are followed, you as a cyclist would have been practicing your safe riding habits. So should you or a loved one be a victim of a bicycle accident you should seek an experienced Fort Lauderdale bicycle accident attorney to ensure that you are properly compensated for your damages.

Here are some more tips for proper road safety which I will list below for you:

PROPER USE OF ROADWAY (see Section 316.2065, F.S.)
• A bicyclist who is not traveling at the same speed of other traffic must ride in a designated bike lane or as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway. A bicyclist may leave the right-most portion of the road in the following situations: when passing, making a left turn, to avoid road hazards, or when a lane is too narrow for a bicycle and a car to share safely.)
• A bicyclist operating on a one-way street with two or more traffic lanes may ride as close to the left-hand edge of the roadway as practicable.
• Persons riding bicycles upon a roadway shall not ride more than two abreast except on paths or parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles. Persons riding two abreast shall not impede traffic when traveling at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions existing, and shall ride within a single lane.

WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN (see Section 316.151 (1)(b)(c), F.S.)
• A bicyclist intending to make a vehicle left turn is entitled to full use of the lane from which the turn is made. After scanning, signaling, and moving to the center of that lane, the bicyclist must check the signal, and then proceed when it is green and safe to do so.
• In addition to the normal vehicle left turn, a bicyclist may proceed through the right-most portion of the intersection and turn as close to the curb or edge as possible at the far side. After complying with any official traffic control device, the bicyclist may proceed in the new direction.

Whether you are in Broward or Miami Dade County, should you or a loved one be the victim of a bicycle injury, CONTACT US online or call at 954 431 8100 or 305 624 9186 to set up a FREE consultation to seek legal counsel.

Seeing that I touched on Street/drag racing in a previous blog, I decided to blog a bit more about the seriousness of this illegal sport. Florida Highway Patrol and other law enforcement agencies have been clamping down on these illegal races, by conducting stings on U.S. 27 and Krome Avenue between Miami and Broward Counties. One night during summer troopers arrested approximately 47 juveniles, 21 adults, and 129 spectators lining the road. Law enforcement agencies involved noted that with the success of that sting others will follow.

Politicians in Miami and Broward have stated they want stiffer penalties for these racers and spectators, as the only way to stop the racing is to go after not only the racers but the crowd that watches and encourages this illegal activity. Because of this type of recklessness driving on the streets of Miami and Broward County, other users of the roadways are put in harm's way. We have seen in the news, reports of accidents caused by these drivers injuring innocent drivers sometimes even ending tragically for both the drivers and racers who are normally teenagers. For example a street-racing crash on the Rickenbacker Causeway in Miami-Dade County sent two children, ages 2 and 3, and four adults to the hospital. This accident occurred when a Porsche and a BMW were drag racing and one of the cars crashed into a SUV with a family of 5 on board. Paramedics were called to the scene and the driver of the BMW and all the occupants of the SUV were taken to the hospital, luckily there were no life threatening injuries. Police reports states that the racers were travelling in excess of 100 miles per hour.

As an experienced auto accident attorney practicing in Miami and Broward County I have represented victims of these types of auto accidents and I always advise you to seek legal counsel should you decide to file claim to ensure you receive proper compensation for your damages, medical bills and loss of wages.

Should you or a loved one be the victim of an automobile accident stemming from these illegal car races, CONTACT US online or call at 954 431 8100 or 305 624 9186 to set up a FREE consultation to see legal counsel.

Daily on the road across South Florida we see debris whether it been pieces of rubber to sometimes even larger items that can cause serious injury to drivers on the road. We have had victims of these types of accidents contact our office seeking legal counsel. Victims of these types of injuries sometimes don't realize that they can file a claim as they are uncertain of exactly who is responsible.

A couple years ago a father and daughter was travelling south on the I-95 between Oakland Park Boulevard and Sunrise Boulevard when a piece of metal pipe flew thru the front windscreen of their car stabbing his daughter in the shoulder. She was rushed to Broward General where doctors removed the metal pipe. In a case like this the victim's family should immediately seek legal counsel to know their legal rights.

Being an attorney practicing personal injury law in Fort Lauderdale, I would recommend to the family to retain all medical bills that his daughter had incurred due to her injury to support her claim along with the accident report from the police. Their retained attorney will review the documents that they have provided and advise whether they are able to file a claim and exactly who they should be filing the claim against.

Should you or a loved one find yourself in a similar situation always seek legal counsel to ensure you are properly compensated. Contact us online or call us at 954 431 8100 or 305 624 9186 to set up a FREE consultation to discuss your legal options.

Injuries at the workplace are a 'lil' more common than we realize, if you have been injured at work you will have to first apply for Worker's Compensation through your employer's insurance company. Representing victims of work place injury for the past years in Fort Lauderdale we have found some situations where the victim may be able to file a third-party injury claim for damages associated with your injuries. This is where seeking legal counsel from an experienced work place accident attorney in Fort Lauderdale is best, as he/she will give you the guidance you need and will assist you to understand your rights.

Workplace accident third-party injury claims can include one or more of the following :
- use of a defective product or equipment, or you may be
- injury due to a toxic substance at the workplace, maybe you were injured due to
- maybe thru intended wrongdoing of your employer
- injury through a third-party whilst at your workplace

Workers' compensation will provide payment and benefits to the injured victims but may not compensate for damages. It will also not cover punitive damages against employers who did not take proper workplace safety measures. Injuries in the workplace can range from slip and fall accidents, to injuries to the body such as back, arm, shoulder, elbow and knee.

As I always advise victims of workplace injury always seek counsel from an experienced workplace accident injury attorney or premises liability attorney as it is important that you understand and know what your legal rights and options are, and ensure that you receive the proper compensation that you deserve. Contact us at 954 431 8100 or 305 614 9186 to set up a FREE consultation to discuss your legal options.

In a recent comparison performed by my firm in Fort Lauderdale we have seen that in some cases motorcycle accident victims we have represented have received larger settlements when compared to those who did not seek legal counsel from an accident attorney…..

Firstly once you have been involved in a motorcycle accident you should seek legal counsel from an experienced Fort Lauderdale accident attorney. Once you have retained an attorney he/ she will start to gather information to start building your case. They will request that you provide all your medical bills and records as depending on the severity of your injuries there maybe loss of wages involved. Once you have provided your accident attorney with these records they will review and interpret these records making them understandable for the court to comprehend the severity of the injuries you may have incurred. That is why proper recording of all your injuries is extremely important.

You should have pictures taken on the scene of the accident and the surroundings areas, pictures of all your injuries should also be taken, pictures of the damage to your bike and the other vehicle that was involved in the accident should also be taken as this will assist the attorney in building a strong case on your behalf.

Representing motorcycle accident victims over the years we have found that there are additional factors to be considered as part of your case like:

• Work environment: Your attorneys will not the difference in your performance at work?
• Home environment: How your injuries have affected your home life
• Witnesses: who will testify about your life changes at work and at home since you received injuries from the bike accident
• Extracurricular activities: activities and events that you are not able to participate in because of your injuries?

Hiring of an experienced accident attorney is important should you or a loved one be involved in an accident to ensure you receive the proper compensation you deserve. Whether your or a loved one has been the victim of car accident injury, always seek counsel from an experienced Automobile Injury Attorney to ensure that your rights as the victim are protected and that you receive the proper compensation. Contact us at 954 431 8100 or 305 614 9186 to set up a FREE consultation to discuss your legal options.

Many accidents occur due to a driver being under the influence of drugs or alcohol but what about the driver being too drowsy to drive? Falling asleep at the wheel is as dangerous as a person drinking and driving. The result can be just as devastating. Getting little or interrupted sleep over an extended period of time can cause a person to become drowsy or fatigued, which can result in impaired driver's reaction time, judgment and their vision.

City Commissions in Margate, Plantation, Sunrise, Davie, Pompano Beach and the Broward County Commission have started a public awareness campaign is designed to educate the public of the dangers of driving while drowsy. Experts suggest we need 7 to 9 hours of restful sleep to maintain alertness during the day. Work schedules can be hectic. Shift workers are often affected as their schedules don't always coincide with getting the kids off to school. Working nights often affects your internal body clock; make a point of taking a nap if you know you will be on the road.

Always plan ahead and identify where you will stop along the way to rest and for meals. Taking the time to stretch or walk around during a long trip helps keep you energized and alert. On a long trip, you should take breaks about every 100 miles or every two hours of driving. A driving companion can not only share the driving but talk along the way, keeping you engaged and alert. Do the same on your return trip to avoid exhaustion or fatigue as you return to your regular routine.

Whether your or a loved one has been the victim of injury, always seek counsel from an experienced Personal Injury Attorney to ensure that your rights as the victim are protected and that you receive the proper compensation. Contact us at 954 431 8100 or 305 614 9186 to set up a FREE consultation to discuss your legal options.

Good advice would be once you, a friend or a family member or members have been involved in any type of car accident and they have received injures, even if the injuries are not serious enough for you to be admitted to a hospital, it is always important to see legal counsel from an experienced auto injury attorney. It is imperative that you find the most qualified car accident injury attorney in your area. Whether you reside in Sunrise, Plantation, Coral Springs or Miramar always seek the most experienced attorney to work with you. Having an experienced attorney representing you or your loved one will ensure you receive the compensation for damages you have suffered, as you deserve to be compensated for the injuries that you have suffered stemming from a car incident.

As we all know or some of us may have even experienced, car accidents can be very upsetting and even painful. But depending on the injuries you may have sustained, once you have retained the services of an attorney experienced in auto injury he/she will ensure that you are properly compensated for your medical expenses that you may have incurred, loss of wages and rehab as medical bills can be costly and can pile up pretty quickly.

This blog I will keep short and as I stated at the beginning it is always good advice or practice once you have been injured in any type of car accident, after the initial stages it is very important to retain an experienced auto injury attorney as soon as you can as they will need time to prepare your case to ensure you receive the compensation that you rightly deserve. Whether your or a loved one has been the victim of car accident injury, always seek counsel from an experienced Automobile Injury Attorney to ensure that your rights as the victim are protected and that you receive the proper compensation. Contact us at 954 431 8100 or 305 614 9186 to set up a FREE consultation to discuss your legal options.

In a previous blog I touched what you should do should you be injured on someone else's property, seek immediate medical attention; then contact a Personal Injury Attorney to know your rights. Now, I will list a few things that you should NOT do should you be injured on someone else’s property, they are:

• Do not provide any statements to the property owner;
• Do not sign any statements or incident reports;
• Do not say anything that would imply fault on your part.

Depending on where you may have been injured, Personal Injury Attorney’s have found that in many cases, if you suffered the injury on public property the property owner will file a premises liability accident report, and a claims adjuster will contact you to get more information about your injuries. Again, do not give a statement to anyone that contacts you. First, consult with a personal injury attorney that specializes in premises liability cases and will be able to advise you accordingly. Many adjusters are trained to try and persuade you to settle the claim immediately and sign a release, talk to a lawyer first.

Always seek counsel from an experienced Personal Injury Attorney to ensure that your rights as the victim are protected and that you receive the proper compensation. If you or a loved one has suffered injury contact us at 954 431 8100 or 305 614 9186 to set up a FREE consultation to discuss your legal options.

With the weather as perfect as it is in South Florida, families and kids can be seen daily at the local parks and playgrounds enjoying the sunshine. In many of these cities across Broward and Miami-Dade county are owned by the cities and public agencies. Should you or a loved one be a victim of personal injury at one of these parks you should first contact the city that the park is located to find out that the deadline is for filing claim should you decide to. Many of these cities have short deadlines set for filing claims and they could run from 60 – 90 days within which you may have. After contacting the city and seeking medical attention you should immediately contact an experienced attorney in the city to seek legal counsel and file claim.

Examples of park and playground accidents resulting in personal injury are:
• Broken/poorly maintained park or playground Equipment (swings, “monkey bars” climbing apparatus, slides, gates)
• Falls from heights in parks/playgrounds
• Broken pavement in parks and playgrounds
• Exposed tree roots in parks or playgrounds

Apartment complexes, condominiums, cooperatives and schools also own or maintain parks and playgrounds. Whether the owner or operator of the park or playground where the accident you are inquiring about is a public or private entity, you should contact your personal injury attorney so they can perform a prompt investigation and advise you of your rights.

As an experienced attorney practicing in cities such as Fort Lauderdale, Sunrise, Davie, Cooper City, Weston, Plantation, Miramar and Pembroke Gardens, daily we see victims of these types of injury mainly to kids. Parents and victims should always remember to take pictures of the area where the accident occurred and the damages to the victim. Keep records of all the victims’ injuries including medical bills etc.

If you or someone you know has been injured in a park accident or playground accident, contact an experienced personal injury attorney to seek legal counsel to ensure you are properly compensated. Contact us at 954 431 8100 or 305 614 9186 to set up a FREE consultation to discuss your legal options.

Florida the cruising capital of the world, the two main ports: Fort Lauderdale – Port Everglades and Miami – Port of Miami will be busy with ‘cruisers’. From families, couples or just groups of friends out to have a good time, everyone should be informed of what steps they should follow if they injured whilst on a cruise ship or cruising.

As a Fort Lauderdale attorney representing victims of cruise ship injuries over the past couple years my office has put together some steps you should take immediately or follow once you or a loved one are injured whilst vacationing on board a cruise ship.
1. Go to the ship's doctor to get treatment for your injury, should you require medical attention;
2. Take photographs of your injuries and keep records of all your medical bills etc
3. Prepare an accident report and submit to the Security department on the ship, keep a copy for your records;
4. Also get the ship’s Security Department report and keep for your records;
5. Take photographs of the scene of the incident before it changes, if possible. If the scene has changed, still take photographs;
6. Witnesses are very important so make sure and get all their information even if they live out of state or out of the country;
7. Should you require additional medical attention, go to a shore side doctor at the next port of call; keep your medical bills etc.
8. Should you decide to file suit or a claim, please see the Cruise Line ticket as that may specify where the suit/claim has to be filed. Miami is the headquarters of many of the large cruise lines so the ticket may specify Miami, Dade County, Florida.

NOTE: If suit is filed in the wrong location and one year has gone by, your claim could be thrown out of court and it maybe too late to file in the correct location.

The above are just some steps and things to remember if you plan a cruise vacation. Hopefully, you will not have to worry about any of these things and you will have a safe and enjoyable vacation, however, it is better to be aware of your rights.

Should you or a loved one be the victim of injury on board a cruise ship, please seek immediate legal counsel once you are back from your trip to ensure you are compensated for your damages and medical bills incurred. Our firm represents clients throughout Florida who have been injured in a boating accident, or individuals in a cruise ship accident anywhere in the Caribbean. If you or a loved one has suffered an injury as a result of a boating or cruise ship accident, contact us online or call us at 954 431 8100 or 305 624 9186 to set up a FREE consultation to discuss your legal options.

Florida's weather allows for our kids to be on the road daily riding whether they are riding to and from friends and in and around our neighborhoods. We must encourage them to practice safe riding habits to ensure that they are safe and do not become the victim of personal injury on the road.

Florida Bicycle Association has some rulings for safe riding habits that all bicyclists should practice at all times to avoid injury. See below:

BICYCLE REGULATIONS
• A bicyclist must obey all traffic controls and signals.
• A bicyclist must use a fixed, regular seat for riding.
• No bicycle may be used to carry more persons at one time than the number for which it is designed or equipped.
• At least one hand must be kept on the handlebars while riding.
• Every bicycle must be equipped with a brake or brakes which allow the rider to stop within 25 feet from a speed of 10 miles per hour on dry, level, clean pavement.

BICYCLE LIGHTING

• A bicycle operated between sunset and sunrise must be equipped with a lamp on the front exhibiting a white light visible from 500 feet to the front and both a red reflector and a lamp on the rear exhibiting a red light visible from 600 feet to the rear.
• Additional lighting is permitted and recommended.

HEADSETS USAGE
• A bicyclist may NOT wear a headset, headphone, or other listening device other than a hearing aid when riding. Wearing a headset blocks out important audio clues needed to detect the presence of other traffic.

These rules and safety tips should be adhered by all cyclists. Should you or a loved one be the victim of a bicycle injury, contact us online or call at 954 431 8100 or 305 624 9186 to set up a FREE consultation to seek legal counsel.

When you say South Florida you think "Sun-Sea-Sand" and obviously the numerous bars that cover the coastline from South beach to West Palm. As an Attorney practicing in South Florida we have come across numerous car accident and personal injury cases where our clients are the victims of drunk drivers. Driving under the influence as we all know can cause serious harm to yourself and anyone else on the road.

I recently visited MADD’s website whilst I was researching Drunk Driving for my blogs and found lots of information pertaining to the new campaign, which I will be covering in my upcoming blogs. Statistics don’t lie and Florida in 2009 had 2,558 road fatalities due to drunk drivers we were rated 3 in the United States with California at the top with 3,081.

As stated on their website local law enforcement will be extremely visible on the roads in order to catch drunk drivers, it will also discourage intoxicated drivers from getting behind the wheel drunk and causing personal injury to other drivers on the roadways. Ignition Interlocking Devices or breathalyzers installed the car is another step that MADD and the Government which I will cover in my following blog, and lastly using today’s technology along with the car industry to assist in protecting the driver by failing to operate if the driver if found to be impaired, I will also cover in another blog.

The three components that are listed above I will cover more in my future blogs. Should you receive injury due to a drunk driver contact your South Florida Personal Injury attorney to seek legal counsel. Cohn, Smith & Cohn can help please contact us 954-431-8100 or 305-624-9186 to set up a free consultation with our dedicated attorneys who will go over your case with you and explain your legal rights and options. We have more than three decades of experience helping people who’ve been seriously injured on Florida roads due to drunk drivers.

Patty Benne, 30, of Weston, FL was involved in a Bicycle Accident on the evening of November 15. Benne was traveling on her bicycle from west to east across Royal Palm Blvd in Weston, when her bike hit an uneven piece of the bike path; Benne was ejected from the bike and thrown onto the curb. Patty was rushed to Memorial Regional with minor injuries; luckily she was wearing a helmet.

According to the U.S. Office of Health, Safety & Security, the six most common causes of bicycle accidents are:
(1) Bicyclist traveling on the wrong side of the road;
(2) Vehicle makes an unsafe turn;
(3) Bicyclist traveling into the path of a vehicle from a driveway or sidewalk;
(4) Auto driver opening door while bicycle passes;
(5) Bicyclist weaving or leaving the edge of the road/bike lane.

With the weather in South Florida being perfect for bike riding many people use their bikes as a means of transportation or for training. In my practice as a personal injury attorney in Fort Lauderdale and its environs; Weston Miramar, Pembroke Pines, Sunrise, Pompano and Coral Springs, I have represented many victims of traumatic head and body injuries sustained from bicycle incidents. Just as the use of a seat belt is a critical safety tool when operating or riding in an automobile, so is the use of a bicycle helmet. Invest in a helmet.

Always seek legal counsel from an experienced south Florida Personal Injury Attorney should you become the victim of a bicycle accident to know your rights. Cohn, Smith & Cohn offers free, confidential case evaluations, so you risk nothing by telling us about your case and learning more about our experience. To set up a meeting, call us today at (954) 522 4600.

South Florida is considered a growing state and Broward County’s population is growing by leaps and bounds. As you will see across the county there are neighborhoods being built in and around the county, and with these new neighborhoods being built there is the need for schools for the families that will be residing in these neighborhoods.

Recently out in Weston an elementary school student received serious injuries from a hit and run accident. The student apparently ran out of the school yard through an unattended gate right into the street just before his morning line up. Paramedics and police was called out to the scene of the hit and run, he sustained injuries serious enough to be hospitalized. He suffered a broken leg and internal injuries he was hospitalized for a week.

His parents sought legal counsel from a Fort Lauderdale attorney who is experienced in this type of accident injury. They were able to provide the attorney record of the injuries that their son sustained, pictures of the injury and pictures of the immediate area where the hit and run accident occurred. They also provided all the medical bills for the injuries that their son sustained. As I stated earlier there are schools and neighborhoods being built all over Broward County and drivers have to practice their due diligence when driving on the streets and highways, especially through school zones.

Whether you have personally been injured or harmed in a pedestrian accident or whether you are the relative of someone killed as the result of a pedestrian accident caused by a negligent driver, you should seek legal assistance as soon as possible. A qualified and experienced lawyer in this field can work to get compensation for harm, injuries, distress, medical costs, loss of earnings, and any other damages or expenses that result from the pedestrian accident.

Contact Cohn, Smith & Cohn today for a free evaluation of your case. We have more than 35 years of experience successfully pursuing personal injury lawsuits in the State of Florida, and we are dedicated to getting you the fullest possible compensation for your injuries. At a free consultation, our dedicated attorneys will discuss all of your rights and options with you, to help you determine your best course of action. Because there's no further obligation to you, there's no harm in speaking to us. Contact us online or call us at 954-431-8100 or 305-624-9186 to set up a FREE consultation to discuss your legal options.

In my previous blog I touched what you should do should you be injured on someone else's property, seek immediate medical attention; then contact a Personal Injury Attorney to know your rights. Now, I will list a few things that you should NOT do should you be injured on someone else’s property, they are:

• Do not provide any statements to the property owner;
• Do not sign any statements or incident reports;
• Do not say anything that would imply fault on your part.

Depending on where you may have been injured, Personal Injury Attorney’s have found that in many cases, if you suffered the injury on public property the property owner will file a premises liability accident report, and a claims adjuster will contact you to get more information about your injuries. Again, do not give a statement to anyone that contacts you. First, consult with a personal injury attorney that specializes in premises liability cases and will be able to advise you accordingly. Many adjusters are trained to try and persuade you to settle the claim immediately and sign a release, talk to a lawyer first.

Always seek counsel from an experienced Personal Injury Attorney to ensure that your rights as the victim are protected and that you receive the proper compensation.

If you or someone you love is a victim of a slip and fall injury in Florida, you should contact Cohn, Smith & Cohn to set up a free, confidential consultation, you can call our main office at (954) 431-8100

Martha and Tom Divia, and elderly couple living in Pembroke Pines, had a recurring engagement of visiting their friends Lori and Jake John at their condominium in an Over 55 community in Sunrise Lakes every first Saturday of the month to play bridge. This Saturday was no different than any other even though a thunder storm had passed through the Sunrise Lakes neighborhood earlier that day. As the couple was walking up to the front door of their neighbor’s home, Tom slipped and fell on the wet walkway leading up to the front door and suffered an injury.

Paramedics were called to the scene and Tom was taken to the hospital for observation, luckily he was not seriously injured just minor bruises. If you are injured on someone else’s property you should seek medical attention as soon as possible since the severity of injuries may not always apparent. After seeking medical attention you should contact an experienced Personal Injury Attorney to know your rights should you decide to file a claim against the owner of the property or the management company.

If you are the victim of any type of personal injury, you should call Cohn, Smith & Cohn today for a free evaluation of your case. We have more than 35 years of experience successfully pursuing personal injury lawsuits in the State of Florida, and we are dedicated to getting you the fullest possible compensation for your injuries. At a free consultation, our dedicated attorneys will discuss all of your rights and options with you, to help you determine your best course of action. Because there's no further obligation to you, there's no harm in speaking to us. If you or a loved one was injured, contact us online or call us at 954-431-8100 or 305-624-9186 to set up a FREE consultation to discuss your legal options.

On Saturday 29th January, Mrs. Jameson suffered severe and permanent personal injuries when the back yard deck of a house she was visiting collapsed from under her. The house – a foreclosed property in downtown Fort Lauderdale had been listed for sale on the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Website and had been examined by HUD inspectors’ prior to Mrs. Jameson’s, visit. They overlooked or ignored the signs of the rotten wood flooring on the back yard deck.

In the collapse, Mrs. Jameson, who was considering purchasing the vacant property had climbed the back steps to the deck to look in the windows, when the floor collapsed. Paramedics were called to the house as she received injuries severe enough for her to be hospitalized. The hospital report from her attending physician states that Mrs. Jameson suffered a mangled foot and a fracture of the ankle from the collapse of the floor. She underwent five surgeries to repair the damage, but was still left with a very restricted range of motion and would require rehabilitation.

Mrs. Jameson’s family sought legal counsel from a Ft. Lauderdale personal injury attorney and presented evidence including medical reports documenting all her injuries to assist in filing her claim.

Should you or a loved one become the victim of a slip and fall injury you should seek legal counsel from an experienced South Florida Personal Injury attorney to know your rights. Please feel free to contact us for your free legal consultation.

Basically a tort is an act that injures someone in some way, and for which the injured person may sue the wrongdoer for damages. It is different from criminal law in that a crime involves a duty to society, while a tort involves a duty owed to another individual.

In South Florida, torts happen every day. You hear news of people getting assaulted in Fort Lauderdale, Kendall, Miami Beach, Palm Beach, Davie, Jupiter. You hear about batteries that happened in Boca Raton, Coral Gables, Delray, Margate, Homestead, and Miramar. The truth of the matter is the world can be a dangerous place. People must act in a way that does not intentionally harm other people or interfere with their daily lives. However, when people break these rules and violate other people’s rights, tort law recognizes that there are consequences. If you feel that a tort has been committed against you, you should contact your South Florida criminal defense or personal injury attorney immediately. Another class of torts is products liability, when a manufacturer may be responsible for a defective product causing harm.If you have been injured by a product, the manufacturer, distributor or supplier can be held liable to pay for your damages.

Another large class of torts is negligence, where individuals who fail to do what a reasonably prudent person would ordinarily have done (or not done) under certain circumstances can be held liable for the repercussions of their actions. If you have been the victim of one of these torts in Plantation, Palmetto Bay, Tamarac, Tamiami, or Westchester, there is a legal remedy in place that says you should receive compensation for someone causing you harm or injury.

A South Florida personal injury lawyer has vast experience in the Courts in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and West Palm Beach and they can help you find out what your rights are and get justice for someone else violating your rights.

Pool safety is a priority on all home owners, condo associations, hotels, resorts and the local parks in Sunrise and Plantation. It’s seen all the time on your television and in your local newspapers stories about drowning in pools due to poor supervision. These drowning incidents are sometimes ruled as accidents and no negligence found, but these stories like this one are have become all too common during the summer months in our County.

If you have a pool, it's important to use the following pool safety tips to avoid tragic accidents on your property:

1. Make sure an adult is supervising children at ALL times. Even walking away for a few minutes can lead to tragedy.
2. Contain the pool with some sort of barrier (such as a fence with gates that automatically close) around the pool on all sides.
3. Install alarms on pool gates so that you know if anyone enters the pool area while you're not watching.
4. Use safety covers to prevent drowning while the pool is not actively in use.
5. All adults and children who use the pool should know how to swim.
6. Get basic CPR training and first aid training to help victims in case of an accident.
7. Install an outdoor phone line or keep a cell phone handy to quickly reach emergency services should and accident occur.

With more than one million pools between these three cities: Sunrise, Fort Lauderdale and Plantation, pool safety should be top of mind this summer. If you have experienced the loss of a loved one on someone else's property, it is critical that you contact a Fort Lauderdale personal injury lawyer to represent your case.

As a practicing Fort Lauderdale personal injury attorney we come across a variety of cases one in particular was a lawsuit filed against Dr. Thom a Fort Lauderdale Plastic Surgeon by his former neighbor Rhoda Marx. Marx claims that the Dr’s dog Max attacked her without provocation or warning, as stated in her personal injury complaint. Marx’s medical report states that she sustained abrasions, cuts, and deep puncture wounds from the bite.

Ms. Marx claimed that Dr. Thom knew that the dog could be unpredictable and had a history of biting persons and other pets. She filed a personal injury claim for compensation for her medical expenses, income loss, general damages, and pain and suffering.

Per Florida’s dog bite statute, a dog owner can be held liable for damages if the dog bites a person who is lawfully allowed to be on the property where the incident happened. The pet owner's prior knowledge of whether or not the dog is vicious is irrelevant. Also, there is a leash law requiring that a dog owner keep the pet on a leash unless it is confined to the home or within a fenced property. Depending on the circumstances surrounding the incident, if the attack occurred on property that is not owned by the dog owner, the premise owner may also be held liable.

Unfortunately, dog bite accidents happen. While owners must do what they can to prevent such incidents from happening, there are also steps you can take to protect yourself. If you or family members are a victim of a dog bite incident contact your Fort Lauderdale Personal Injury attorney to discuss your rights.

Police departments across Broward County announced in Fort Lauderdale its new Countywide Anti-Texting Campaign. The Program is designed to warn drivers about the dangers of texting and driving. The various police departments all pointed out that texting while driving has lead to many serious automobile and truck accidents in the South Florida. According to the Fort Lauderdale Police department, one of their recent studies found that texting while driving increased a driver's chances of being involved in a car wreck by more than 23 times.

Florida statistics show that cell phone usage contributed to more than 1,780 traffic car crashes in the State of Florida in the year 2009 alone. These motor vehicle accidents have caused serious injuries and death. As stated by the various Broward County Police departments, distracted drivers cause many of the traffic accidents in South Florida every year. Of these accidents, cell phone use is the number one distraction.

Fort Lauderdale auto accident attorney’s knows, car accidents involving drivers who are texting, talking on the cell phone or otherwise distracted happen too often. We have had a number of cases where the defendant driver is suspected of being on the cell phone at that time he or she caused a car accident. In those cases, your accident attorney will frequently ask the defendant to identify his or her cell phone provider, so that he/she can subpoena the cell phone provider's records to try to determine whether the defendant was using a cell phone around the time of the car accident. In some cases, cell phone usage may merit that your personal injury attorney include a count for punitive damages in their lawsuit for personal injuries. In effect, Fort Lauderdale injury Attorney’s are asking the court or jury in Broward to award punitive damages to an injured person in order to, among other things, deter similar conduct in the future.

Always remember to contact an experienced South Florida Attorney should you find yourself a victim of a car accident.

Grocery or food shopping is a weekly errand for everyone. On any given day during the week supermarkets across Broward County are full of shoppers. Margaret McPherson running her usual errands last Saturday, was at in the checkout line of an Albertson's in Davie, FL when her bag slipped as the clerk was handing it to her, Margaret bent over to prevent the bag from falling and spilling the groceries across the floor. She rested her hand on the credit card machine stand for support when it gave away and she fell to the floor. As minor as this injury may have seemed EMT's were called to the grocery by the store manager.

Margaret's received injuries serious for her to be hospitalized caused her loss of wages, and medical costs as she suffered serious damage to her knee and required surgery. She sought legal counsel from a Personal Injury Attorney practicing in Sunrise, Florida to ensure she received proper compensation from her injuries sustained from the fall.

In Fort Lauderdale we come across numerous slip and fall cases or personal injuries where claims are filed against businesses due to their own negligence. Should you or a loved one be the victim of a slip and fall injury you should seek legal counsel from an experienced South Florida personal injury attorney to know your rights.

When you say South Florida you think sun, sand, South Beach and cruising. The Port of Everglades in Fort Lauderdale can now be called the home of Cruise ships with some of the largest ships making this port their home. Cruise ships may look sparkling clean and safe, but behind the surface lays an industry that lacks formal regulation and accountability for what occurs on-board. As an experienced Fort Lauderdale attorney practicing law for over 30 years, we have come across many incidents on board cruise ships that go unreported from sexual crimes, violent assaults covered up by ship personnel, to passengers that go missing — never to be seen again.

Most people are shocked when they learn just how poorly regulated the cruise industry is or how easily victims can find themselves with no recourse for the harm they may have suffered. Personal injury attorney’s have represented victims of these cruise ship mishaps and accidents or the families of these victims in any way we can to ensure that proper compensation is received. Attorneys have been working behind the scenes to ensure that the appropriate regulations and safeguards are enacted by Congress — so that dream vacations don’t turn into nightmares.

Should you be on your dream vacation cruising through the Caribbean and you find yourself a victim of personal injury on board the cruise ship, you should seek legal counsel from an experienced South Florida attorney to know your rights, and to ensure you are properly compensated.

Last Monday Dr. Yohan Jameson, a former surgeon, was driving his sports utility vehicle, at the intersection of State Road 7/ 441 and Pembroke Road where he ignored a red light and collided with a car causing serious injury to the driver and passenger, Mrs. Yates a school administrator and her 10-year-old daughter Melanie, from Pembroke Pines. Mrs. Yates and her daughter Melanie suffered injuries from the accident serious enough for them to be taken to the hospital for observation, Dr. Jameson suffered minor injuries and was released at the scene.

Reports taken from the scene of the accident stated that the physician was given a sobriety test as it was alleged that he was driving under the influence. After investigation by Mrs. Y’s attorney, it was revealed that the surgeon has three previous convictions for driving while under the influence of intoxicants. The police report also stated that he may have also ingested a combination of prescription drugs prior to the accident.

Mrs. Yates and her family sought legal counsel from Personal Injury Attorney in Davie, to assist in filing personal injury claims against the surgeon for loss of wages, damages to her vehicle and compensation for medical bills for herself and her daughter from the injuries sustained from the accident.

Contact an experienced South Florida Personal Injury attorney who will advise you of your legal rights and ensure you receive proper compensation for your loss and damages you may have incurred.

Yesterday whilst on my way back home, I was at the traffic light on the corner of Oakland Park Boulevard and Nob Hill Road in Sunrise, waiting to head south on Nob Hill Road. It was around 9.00pm and the traffic was flowing on Nob Hill Road in both directions. To my disbelief a cyclist heading north on Nob Hill Road was crossing Oakland Park Boulevard, the cyclist had on no reflective or protective clothing, nor did he have any identifying lights on his bike. There was a car heading south on Nob Hill Road, making the left turn onto Oakland Park Boulevard just barely missed the cyclist. Luckily no one was injured but this could have gone extremely wrong, the driver of the car would have not seen the cyclist crossing the intersection and would have definitely hit the cyclist ending in serious injury.

Police and City Officials across Broward and Miami-Dade County have been asking that bicyclist and motor cyclist practice safe riding habits. Always wear protective clothing a helmet and goggles, reflective clothing to ensure other users on the road can see you. When riding at night or between sunset and sunrise your bicycle must have a lamp/light on the front of the bike exhibiting a white light visible from 500 feet to the front, your bike must also be equipped with a red reflector and a lamp on the rear and must be visible from 600 feet to the rear, additional lighting is also permitted and recommended.

Continue reading "Cyclist BEWARE" »

For the upcoming blogs I will be going over some scenarios that as an attorney practicing in Fort Lauderdale, I deal with daily. If you have been the victim of personal injury always seek legal counsel to ensure that you receive proper compensation for your injuries.

Fort Lauderdale injury attorney’s knows that accidents involving motor cyclist almost always result in serious injuries to both rider and passenger. In some cases, these accidents can end in death for one of the two or sometimes both. Motor cyclist have to be on their “P’s and Q’s” daily on the roads always being conscious of their surroundings. I have worked on cases where motor cyclists and their passengers have been seriously injured as a result of these hit and run drivers. In some cases, police reports state that the driver stops only to drive off, or they do not stop at all, therefore not realizing the damages they have caused.

These types of accidents are becoming more and more common on the roads of Broward County from Miramar to Margate and Coral Springs including cities such as Sunrise, Davie, Cooper City, Pembroke Pines and Plantation, especially along the Interstates I-95 and the I-595. Florida law provides that if someone negligently injures or kills someone and there are aggravating circumstances involved, such as failing to render aid, and leaving the scene of the accident, the offending party may be liable for punitive damages.

Continue reading "Motorcycle Accidents caused by Hit-And-Run Drivers" »

In Fort Lauderdale, Sunrise, Plantation, Weston and many other cities across Broward County kids and teens can be seen maneuvering their skateboards in all the plazas in these cities. We have found that in many cases, a skateboarding accident normally results from someone else's negligence.

Skateboarders are often unseen or distracted, and inattentive drivers of motor vehicles forget that they can share the road as well as bicyclists. Even if these kids follow the rules and practice their own safety tips while skateboarding, they can still be hit by negligent drivers.

Hospital emergency rooms state that approximately 26,000 skateboarders are injured yearly. Most of these skateboard injuries can stem from sprains, fractures, contusions and abrasions; these are some of the most common types of injuries.

Some of the factors that can be taken into consideration and that can add to the reasons for some of these accidents besides driver negligence, are the rider may not be wearing the proper protective equipment, poor board maintenance, and irregular riding surfaces.
Skateboard riding requires good balance and body control, yet many young skateboarders have not developed the necessary balance and do not react quickly enough to prevent injury.

Our office has also seen that these injuries happen mainly to the following:

Almost every 6 out of 10 kids under the age of 15 are more susceptible to injuries due to lack of experience on their board;
Skaters with a year or more of experience have the next highest number of injuries as they are the ‘risk ‘ takers - willing to try more tricks on their boards;
Riding surfaces that are uneven such as surfaces that have holes bumps rocks and other debris account for over half of the skating injuries leading to falls. Before riding, skaters should screen the area where they will be riding by checking for holes, bumps, rocks and any debris.
Skating in the street can result in collisions with cars causing serious injury and even death.
Experienced skaters mainly suffer injuries when they fall after they strike rocks and other irregularities in the riding surface or when they attempt difficult stunts.

South Florida known as the “Sunshine State” is home to many skateboarders, hence the reason why there has been a rise in injuries, mainly from driver negligence. Should you or a loved one be the victim of personal injury due to driver negligence while riding a skateboard you should seek legal counsel for your minor to ensure that you are compensated for damages and medical bills should you decide to file claim.

On the local news a few days ago, I saw a story about a couple that was travelling on the I-95 when a huge chunk of heavy metal came up from the road and flew through the windshield of the car, as the driver attempted to avoid the debris it was her friend who was struck in the face causing severe injury.

According to the report on WSVN 7 News, the driver was travelling southbound on the Interstate 95 when the accident occurred. The female who was driving recalls that by the time she realized that the car was going to be hit by the object, it was too late to swerve to avoid the flying debris and her friend was struck in the face. She stated that she never thought it would have been such a huge piece of metal. The male passenger was struck in the face, mouth and the throat causing him to bleed and drift in and out of consciousness.

The first reaction in a situation like this is to panic as you are unsure about the extent of injury that your passenger has received. The young man eventually calmed down the driver as she was extremely shaken up by the incident. The diver exited the highway on to Hollywood Blvd and flagged down an ambulance which she then followed to Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood. The young man was treated at the hospital and later released; he received stitches to the mouth and will also require dental work as the impact of the metal object caused several of his front teeth to get knocked out. The couple is now trying to determine who was responsible for the incident.

Being an attorney and practicing personal injury law in Fort Lauderdale, I would recommend to the young couple that they to record all the damages done to their vehicle, and to keep record of all his medical bills including the dental costs that he will incur due to his injury to support his claim.
Should you or a loved one find yourself in a similar situation always seek legal counsel to ensure you are properly compensated for the damages to yourself and the vehicle involved.

Personal injury ruling varies by state to state, but there are two basic legal frameworks that control who pays “fault and no-fault” (this is called “economic liability") for damages and personal injury caused by vehicular accidents. In simple terms, the fault system requires that “fault” be determined through an investigation by the Insurance Company involved and/or judgment by the court before any economic responsibility is assigned.
Normally, whomever is found legally at fault be in Cooper City, Hollywood, Margate or Pembroke Pines, the "at fault" party pays the accident victim for any cost incurred, due to personal injury, vehicle replacement, and/or vehicle repairs.

The “no-fault” system is easier by providing the accident victim with immediate compensation, regardless of who is at fault. Both systems are in use throughout the US and some states even have a combination of both, causing us the personal injury attorney representing the accident victim to address the “pros and cons” of each.

Florida is considered a “no-fault” state, and the issue of fault and negligence in any personal injury case is always a concern, when seeking money for a victim of a car accident caused by another. Therefore, clear understanding of the accident victim's insurance policy and the limits and fault as stated in the said policy will impact the case, and is crucial to a clients overall understanding of their claim for damages and the litigation process. Insurance companies will work hard to deny you adequate coverage and an experienced lawyer can help you recover damages for your injuries. Be sure to call a personal injury attorney to handle your case in the county in which the accident took place Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, or any similar jurisdiction.

A teenaged pedestrian was seriously injured in an auto accident, crossing an intersection near Sunrise Boulevard and Pine Island Road. The Police report indicated that the teen was crossing a driveway at the Plantation Shopping Plaza when she was struck by a vehicle entering the plaza from Pine Island Road. Sunrise Police was called to the scene and got statement from witnesses. They obtained a description of the vehicle a black truck and a partial license plate number. The young woman was taken to a Broward Hospital as she was in critical condition from the injuries she received. The driver did not stick around it was unfortunately a hit and run accident.

Of course, it is possible that the identity of the driver of the vehicle in this accident will never be determined. In this case, the pedestrian would not be able to pursue a claim until the person or vehicle owner is identified. If the owner of the vehicle is found, an unknown, unidentified or "phantom driver" is considered the operator of the motor vehicle, in Florida, for which an uninsured motorist claim can be sought. This is separate from an underinsured motorist claim. An underinsured motorist claim applies when the identity of the driver is known and the driver had liability insurance, but the liability insurance is not sufficient to compensate the injured accident victim.

Attorneys located in Broward County, handle personal injury cases throughout the county including cities such as Sunrise, Weston, Fort Lauderdale, Davie, Margate, Plantation, Miramar, Pembroke Pines and Cooper City. Should you decide to seek compensation for any injuries you sustained, contact an experienced personal injury attorney in any one of these cities for legal counsel.

The Broward Sheriff’s Office was investigating a traffic accident in which a white sedan crashed into a storefront window. The accident occurred at The Check Cashing Store in Davie, west of Interstate 95, just around 5.30pm on a Friday. A man had just entered the Davie Check Cashing Store to cash his paycheck, when the accident occurred. The man was about to step up to the cashier counter when a car suddenly crashed through the store window, the driver of the vehicle apparently made an attempt to reverse out of a parking spot but had to stop and pull forward back into the spot to avoid hitting a pedestrian crossing behind his car, once the pedestrian had crossed, the vehicle driver made another attempt to reverse out, but forgot that he had put the car in drive, and that was when his car crashed through the store front window injuring the man at the cashier counter.

Emergency Rescue took the driver and the injured man to a Broward hospital, luckily the injuries they sustained were not major, but the innocent by standard’s injuries were serious enough for him to be hospitalized for at least a twenty four hour observation.

The man that was injured sought legal counsel from an experienced Fort Lauderdale personal injury attorney to secure his rights and to seek proper compensation.

Should you or a loved one become the victim of an accident, contact a personal injury attorney to ensure you receive proper compensation for any injuries you may have sustained.

Photographs are an important tool when being used as evidence to document an injury, whether you were a victim of a vehicular accident, a slip and fall injury, or any injury caused by the negligence of another person(s) or business. Victims have used their mobile and cell phones as they have built in cameras, to document these injuries or record the scene of the accident. We typically advise clients to take photographs with any camera available to ensure the photographs clearly document the injuries or the scene of the accident soon after it happens.

Personal Injury Attorneys practicing in Fort Lauderdale, Davie, Sunrise and Cooper City, advise that you should always document your injuries and keep all your medical records should you decide to file a personal injury claim. Photographs have been pivotal in documenting some of the following: vehicle damage; the scene of the accident from all angles including the road and the surrounding terrain or area.

If you were the victim of a slip and fall injury photographs will document the area where the injury occurred: wet or dangerous floors, parking lots, stairs, escalators and other conditions that may have caused the injury. Photographs will also assist in keeping record of your injuries: lacerations, burns, cuts, stitches, staples, and surgical incisions, Facial and or eye injuries and bruises, welts or any scarring. If you do not have a camera, ask to borrow one or buy a disposable camera.

Sometimes, the photograph is the most important evidence when presented in court to support a claim or lawsuit. Of course, always seek legal advice; from a South Florida attorney should you decide to file a claim.