South Florida Injury Lawyers Blog

Although Christmas Day has come and gone, many residents and business owners will keep their Christmas trees up for at least another week, if not two. Many of these trees were probably put up weeks ago, but it's not too late to check them thoroughly this week to be sure everything is safe. You may not realize it, but Christmas trees can quickly turn into hazards, causing injury, death and costly property damages if not taken care of properly.

Emergency response teams respond to roughly 240 Christmas tree fire accidents in Hollywood and elsewhere every year. Over the last six years, there has been an average of 13 fatalities, 27 injuries and more than $16 million in property damages each year as the result of these types of accidents.

Our Hollywood injury attorneys understand that in about one out of every 20 Christmas tree fire reports, a fatality occurred. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports that most of these accidents are the result of poor planning and careless decorators. About a fifth of all Christmas tree fires are the directly result of someone putting it too close to a heat source. If that is the case in your home or office, now's a good time to relocate it if you plan on keeping it up for another week or so.

About half of all Christmas tree structure fires that are reported happen in this month. Another third of these incidents are reported in January, while more than 40 percent are reported during the 12 days from December 23rd through January 3rd.

Causes of Christmas tree fires:

-Nearly 35 percent of Christmas tree fires are caused by electrical failures or malfunctions.

-About 20 percent of these fires occur because a heat source was located too close to a tree.

-More than 10 percent happen because lit candles were placed too closely to the tree.

-Nearly 15 percent happened because of a malfunctioning string of lights or other electrical issue.

Residents are urged to be cautious when taking down this year's Christmas tree. If you have an artificial tree, before you put it away for the year make sure it is labeled as either flame-resistant or flame-retardant.

If you've got a real tree, make sure the needles aren't falling off every time you touch it, because that means it's too dry. Remember to water live trees daily. When you're done with your tree, you should contact your recycling facility or household waste removal company to determine how to dispose of it. You never want to leave your old, dry tree laying anywhere around your house. That's a fire hazard in itself!

We hope you are enjoying the holiday season, and wish you all the best in 2012.

Continue reading "Christmas Tree Fires in Hollywood More Likely than you Think!" »

Injuries in Margate are likely to happen if a company doesn't properly prepare their stores for this year's Black Friday sales events. Black Friday is the biggest shopping day of the year and thousands of residents and visitors will be flocking to local retail center to snag some extra savings.

The Occupation Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is offering companies safety tips to help keep employees and customers safe during this year's shopping rush. Companies are required to keep grounds safe for all visitors. In 2008, someone died during a Black Friday sales event. Each year, an untold number of consumers are injured by falling merchandise, on slippery floors and in darkened parking lots.

Our Margate injury attorneys understand that shoppers are on the hunt for excellent bargains and Black Friday is the perfect day to get some super deals. We would like to remind shoppers to keep the spirit of the holiday season in mind and to be courteous to other shoppers. Business owners are required to keep grounds safe, meaning they're required to take the proper safety precautions to eliminate hazards and risks for accidents.

The name Black Friday started in Philadelphia. It was originally used to describe the heavy and disruptive vehicle and pedestrian traffic which would take place the day after Thanksgiving.

Company owners and supervisors are urged to consider the following recommendations to help handle the sale-seeking crowds and to keep everyone safe this Black Friday:

-Have trained security guards, police officers or crowd management personnel on hand.

-Be sure that all employees are designated to a specific spot in your store. Make sure that you have enough workers on hand to assist customers.

-Make sure that employees are trained to handle large crowds.

-Make sure that all local police departments and emergency responders are aware of your event.

-Ensure that your company has the proper licenses and permits.

-Designate an employee to contact emergency officials in the event of an accident.

-Make sure your store is signed clearly, pointing out the locations of hot sale items, opening and closing times, restrooms, check-out counters, etc.

-Address dangers and procedures regarding overcrowding, violent acts, fires and crowd crushing.

-Set up rope lines and barricades to help direct customers.

-Keep an eye on your building's maximum capacity limits. Do not exceed.

-Keep employees at the entrances and exits of your stores.

-Keep walkways clear of congestion.

-Make sure employees are on hand to explain entrance procedures to customers before entering.

-Make sure that employees have an effective way to communicate should something happen.

-Trying using an internet lottery, tickets or wristbands to help distribute hot items.

-Keep shopping carts and other potential obstacles out of walkways.

-Remind everyone of the entrance process shortly before opening your doors. Make sure your employees are aware of this information as well.

-Keep employees on the sides of walkways instead of in the center of a path.

-Try using more than one entrance, if possible, to eliminate the rush.

-Make sure that shoppers with disabilities have a safe way to enter and exit your store.

-Never block your exit doors.

-Always have first-aid kits and Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) on hand.

Black Friday doesn't have to be a dangerous day. With the proper precautions, shoppers can get some deals and store owners can get through the day without any headaches. Everyone is urged to be courteous to one another and celebrate the kickoff of the holiday shopping season safely.

Continue reading "Companies Urged to Prepare for Black Friday Rush to Reduce Risks of Injury in Margate" »

Elevator and escalator accidents in Fort Lauderdale and elsewhere throughout Florida can be complicated for a victim who is seeking proper compensation after an accident. These accidents can be the fault of the device's manufacturer, the property owner or the inspection agency. Unfortunately, faulty elevators put us at serious risks for injury on a daily basis as many of use ride them every single day. We step on to these elevators oftentimes without the thought of the potential dangers we're facing. Both elevators and escalators are required to undergo rigorous inspections and to be serviced regularly. Unfortunately, many are not.

Our Fort Lauderdale escalator and elevator accident lawyers understand how much maintenance these devices require. Day after day they transport thousands and thousands of pounds. Unfortunately, many of them are not properly maintained. Steps on escalators can come loose, elevator cables can become strained, flood hazards after heavy rainfall create risks for slip-and-falls, doors can jam, and clothing, fingers and arms can get caught in these devices. Elevators can plummet down the shaft, or their doors can open in a section of the building where there is no landing, causing a serious fall hazard.

Elevators and escalators have to be inspected by a certified inspector at least once every six months. To help raise awareness about the importance of safe-riding on elevators and escalators, the Elevator Escalator Safety Foundation is holding another National Elevator Escalator Safety Awareness Week. This year's awareness campaign will be taking place from November 13th through the 19th.

The week-long campaign is used to raise awareness about the need for safe equipment and to recognize the contributions that have been made by these devices to our quality of life.

In the United States, there are about 600,000 elevators and 30,000 escalators. These two devices help to transport nearly 600 million riders every day. Every year, more than 100 billion people ride an elevator and about 90 billion people use an escalator. They're used every day to provide us with convenience and quick travel.

Every year, approximately 30 people are killed and another 11,000 are injured on these transportation devices. Accidents can result in pinches, bone fractures, nerve and tendon lacerations ,and even death.

Injuries can happen when:

-Either of the machines get stuck.

-An elevator misses a floor.

-Escalators are not moving at an adequate speed.

-When elevators do not open at a level even with the floor.

-During jerky movements on either device.

-Elevator riders get stuck in the doors.

-Elevator doors open to an empty shaft.

-Elevators plummet down a shaft.

If you would like to join the National Elevator Escalator Safety Awareness campaign, you're urged to fill out a volunteer form. The foundation will provide you with all of the material you will need to help get you started in making a difference and helping to save lives.

Continue reading "Our Fort Lauderdale Injury Attorneys Invite You to Join Elevator and Escalator Safety Week" »

As part of National Fire Prevention Week our personal injury lawyers in Coconut Creek, Weston, Hallandale Beach and elsewhere want to remind residents to take fire prevention seriously. A fire can not only cause widespread property damage, but also severe and extremely painful burn injuries. The commemorative week was established as a remembrance of the Great Chicago Fire in 1871 that lasted almost two days, killed more than 250 people, burned more than 2,000 acres, and left 100,000 people homeless.

Recovery from a burn injury in Port St. Lucie or elsewhere can often be lifelong and require extensive medical treatment for scarring or rehabilitation. If you have suffered a burn injury from an act of negligence caused by someone else, contact an accident attorney to help you work through the complexities of the case.

First, it is important to understand the varying degrees of a burn because the higher the degree, the more severe the injury and the more complex it will be to determine proper treatment. According to Advanced Healing Institute, the most common types are first-, second- and third-degree burns. Severity is often determined by the depth of the injury or even the mass of body size that it covers. First-degree burn is when the outermost surface of skin is damaged but is still intact. Second-degree burns are more severe and break into the second layer of skin, or the dermis. The development of a blister is an indicator of a second degree burn. A third-degree burn is slightly more severe, as the burn destroys the first two layers of skin and has a full-thickness. A fourth-degree burn penetrates to deeper levels affecting muscles, bones, tendons and internal organs.

The American Burn Association reports that there are approximately 450,000 burn injuries annually that require medical treatment. On average, there are approximately 3,500 deaths per year as a result of residential fires, car and aircraft crashes or contact with chemicals, hot liquids or electricity. Specialized burn centers average about 200 admissions per year which has grown in recent years. Approximately 42 percent of burn injuries needing to be admitted to a hospital are caused by fires and flames. The majority of fires take place in a residence but 10 percent occur at work.

According to Web Health Centre, burns are dangerous when excessive amounts of fluid are lost and cause victims to go into shock. The first 48 hours for a burn victim are the most critical because of rapid fluid loss. Many burns can become infected if not treated properly, and severe burns usually leave scarring and cause some restriction in movements.

Minor burn injuries can be treated at home by running cool water over the burn or applying a cold compress to the burned area of the skin. To help prevent loss of fluid or infection, cover the burn loosely with a bandage or non-stick gauze. Burns typically are pretty painful so over-the-counter medication can be administered if the pain persists. It is extremely important to see a physician for severe burns or if an infection develops from a minor burn.

Continue reading "Burn Injuries From Fire-Related Accidents in Coconut Creek Are Costly, Requires Experienced Law Firm" »

Two separate Palm Beach County car accidents ended with vehicles under water. The first accident happened in Jupiter. Palm Beach County Fire Rescue reports that a vehicle plunged into a canal on Jupiter Farms Road near 175th Road North. The driver was taken to Jupiter Medical Center, according to the Orlando Sentinel.

The second vehicle submersion occurred on Yamato Road near Boca West Drive in Boca Raton. This accident happened when two cars collided. One vehicle was sent flying into a nearby lake.

Our Boca Raton car accident attorneys understand the risks that Florida motorists face from vehicle submersion in our state. According to Operation Live, vehicle submersion comes with one of the highest death rates for any type of single-car accident. We ask that you familiarize yourself with the proper safety steps to take if you find yourself in a submerging vehicle.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there are nearly 250 vehicle-submersion accidents each year in which a least one person dies. The data goes on to specify that about 2 percent of these vehicle submersion accidents experience result from a rear-end accident, more than 10 had a major side crash, nearly 50 percent experienced a major frontal crash, about 15 percent didn't involve a collision or a rollover and the remaining 23 percent were the result of a vehicle rollover and no collision. Every year, nearly 300 people die each year in these incidents.

There are three phases to vehicle submersion:

-The floating phase: This is the first 30 to 120 seconds where the vehicle typically floats. This is time that occurs before water reaches the bottom of the windows. This is the phase your vehicle's windows can be rolled down manually or broken if necessary. You do not want to open you doors during this phase because water will rush into the vehicle quickly and cause the vehicle to sink faster.

-The sinking phase: This is the time that occurs when water rises from the bottom of your window to the very top and before the inside of the car fills up with water. During this time, air is still inside the vehicle and occupants are able to still breathe. It is very difficult to open your vehicle's windows or the doors during this phase because the pressure of the water outside of the vehicle is so strong. As the vehicle gets filled with water, the vehicle will tilt engine down and begin to sink is a vertical position.

-The submerged phase: During this phase, the vehicle is completely filled with water and there are no air pockets left in the cab. During this time the water pressure is the same both inside and outside of the vehicle. You should try to open the doors during this phase. However, your chance of surviving the submersion is very low during this phase.

Your best time to escape a sinking vehicle is during Phase I. Unfortunately, most vehicles on our roadways have power windows and you're going to have to use the window to get out. This may be a little difficult because most power windows will stop working when the vehicle's battery is shorted by water contact. Since you should not open your doors at this time, your best bet is still to remain seated and belted and to break the windows.

Continue reading "Two Vehicles Submerged in Recent Car Accidents in Palm Beach County" »

A Fort Lauderdale woman and her two children were injured in a SUV rollover accident when a tire on her SUV separated, causing her car to flip several times earlier this week, according to The St. Augustine Record. The Florida Highway Patrol reported that she was heading northbound on Interstate 95 when one of the right tires separated causing her Ford Explorer to overturn.

Sport utility vehicles have the highest rate of deaths occurring in rollovers. Vehicles including the Ford Explorer, Toyota 4 Runner, Isuzu Rodeo and Honda Passport have all been popular cars that have seen their fair share of SUV rollover accidents in Miami and elsewhere. SUV rollovers are almost three times more likely to occur than the average passenger car, according to SUV Rollover News.

Our West Palm Beach car accident attorneys would like to point out that, from the beginning of the Firestone tire recall, Ford Motor Co. officials have continued to insist that these accidents with Ford Explorers are, in fact, a Firestone tire problem. No one wants to fess up to the faulty manufacturing.

"There are more than 3 million Goodyear tires on Ford Explorers that have not had, as far as we know, one tread separation problem," Ford President Jacques Nasser told Congress. "So we know that this is a Firestone tire issue, not a vehicle issue."

The Fort Lauderdale mother and one of her daughters were not wearing seat belts at the time of the accident. The child was ejected from the SUV. The older child, 8-months-old, was restrained by a child seat in the back seat.

According to Frontline:

-In the 10-year period during which Ford-Firestone related rollovers caused some 300 deaths, more than 12,000 people were killed in SUV rollover accidents unrelated to tire failure.

-The Ford Explorer is nearly 20 times as likely as the typical family car to kill occupants of another vehicle in a crash.

-A quarter of all vehicles sold in the United States are sport utility vehicles. SUVs are the most popular type of vehicle in America. The Ford Explorer is the most popular SUV in the world.

Ford Explorers that are equipped with Goodyear Tires have had a higher rate of tire-related accidents than any other SUVs, according to national fatal accident records.

"I'm not going to say there's anything wrong with Explorers," said James C. Whiteley, Goodyear's vice president for global product and process quality. "Explorers are Explorers. Jeeps are Jeeps. Our performance on all the vehicles has been very satisfactory. People have taken tires for granted. Tires are a highly engineered technical masterpiece, but people have to realize that tires fail. If you don't take care of a tire, we cannot make a tire that is indestructible."

Continue reading "Ford Explorers Targeted in SUV Rollover Accidents in Fort Pierce and Elsewhere" »

Back in June, Governor Rick Scott signed a new law into office aimed at strengthening Florida's "Silver Alert" program, which helps find missing elderly throughout the state. Scott signed the bill, SB 644, at the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office in West Palm Beach, according to NBC Miami. The law says that police, news media representatives and others have the responsibility of complying with requests to release Silver Alert information promptly, accurately and in good faith.

Each year, hundreds of seniors and others with Alzheimer's or dementia will wander away, on foot or driving. If they're not found within 24 hours, at least half of these elderly residents will suffer death or injury in Miami or elsewhere, according to the Alzheimer's Association. As baby boomers age, that toll is expected to multiply.

While the law says that only a the law enforcement agency that has jurisdiction over a case can request activation of a Silver Alert, our Fort Lauderdale personal injury attorneys ask that everyone cooperate with the alert and keep an eye out for the missing person. Information pertaining to these alerts is publicized on electronic flashing road signs.

Our state's Silver Alert Program has been in place for three years now. Since the initial launch of the program, more than 40 senior drivers have been located through the program.

The Silver Alert program first began in Oklahoma in 2005, according to the Sun Sentinel. Florida decided to pick up the program because of its overwhelming elderly population. Our state currently houses 4.45 million people over 60, with 1.7 million of them over the age of 75, says Ashley Marshall, spokesperson for the state's Department of Elder Affairs.

“The beauty of Silver Alert is that it’s something people can remember. If you just say ‘Silver Alert,’ people know there’s a confused elderly person out there who needs help,” Carlos Higgins of a senior advocacy group, the National Silver-Haired Congress.

There are at least 5.2 million Americans that currently suffer from dementia. Research shows that 6 out of 10 of those with the condition will wander. Only 4 percent of those who leave home alone are capable of finding their way back without help. According to the Alzheimer's Association, more than 60 percent of Alzheimer's patients will, at least once in their lifetime, wander and become lost.

"This tragedy unfortunately highlights the very real problem of older residents, many of whom suffer from diseases which leave them easily confused and disoriented, wandering away from their homes or care-giving facilities and meeting harm because family, friends and authorities could not find them in time," said U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-Fla.).

For there to be a Silver Alert issued in the state of Florida, the missing person must be 60-years-old or older and there must be "a clear indication" that the person has suffered some deterioration of "intellectual facilities."

Continue reading "Silver Alert Program Rescues Elderly Residents from Injury in Fort St. Lucie and Elsewhere in Florida" »

Palm Beach Fire Rescue was called out to the scene of a deadly West Palm pedestrian accident recently. The accident happened at the corner of Belvedere and Palmetto roads just before 5:00 a.m. The victim was taken to St. Mary's Medical Center in West Palm Beach and was later pronounced dead.

The sheriff's office Traffic Homicide Unit was sent to the scene to figure out exactly how the accident happened. Preliminary reports state that the pedestrian was struck by more than one vehicle, according to News Channel 5.

"So far we're looking at three (cars)," said Sgt. John Churchill, head of the Traffic Homicide Unit. "We're trying to match what people are describing to us to the actual number of cars."

Our Fort Lauderdale personal injury attorneys understand that this early morning pedestrian accident could have been caused by a number of factors. The driver could have been drowsy, distracted, intoxicated or speeding, just to name a few.

The pedestrian may have also been partially at fault by failing to acknowledge oncoming vehicles, not wearing brightly colored clothing or walking in the path of traffic. Regardless of who is determined to be at fault, it is important for everyone traveling on our roadways be extra cautious of one another in an attempt to avoid these fatal interactions.

USA Today contributes a number of factors to the high rate of pedestrian accidents that we see in Florida every year. First they recognize the increasing population. Florida has roughly 7 times more residents than it did back in 1950. Our state represents roughly 6 percent of the United States' population.

"Florida has developed faster than any other state in the nation," says Louis Malenfant, president of the Center for Education and Research in Safety. "The roadways have been built to accommodate a lot of traffic, and get trucks and cars moving from point A to point B in a very efficient way."

They also credit our booming tourist industry. In 2009, more than 80 million people visited our state. Motorists who are unfamiliar with our roadways and our weather conditions are only increasing risks for a car accident. Depending on the season of the year, more motorists will significantly increase these risks.

"Sometimes, when people factor in fatalities on a per-capita basis, they may not be calculating the impact of tourists," Malenfant says.

Lastly, USA Today cites the beautiful Florida climate. We all know how beautiful our Florida weather can be and because it's balmy year-round, residents and tourists tend to spend more time outdoors. Outdoor travel increases exposure to such accidents.

In 2008 alone, more than 11 percent of pedestrians and more than 17 percent of bicyclists were killed in the Florida. Nearly 500 people died that year because of accidents involving a pedestrian.

During these summer months, when everyone hits the open road, or sidewalk, to enjoy Florida's beautiful weather, please remember to be courteous to all travelers and help to keep everyone safe on our roadways.

Continue reading "Man Struck by Three Cars in West Palm Pedestrian Accident" »

The summer months are here and so are higher risks for a car accident in Fort Lauderdale and elsewhere throughout the United States.

The U.S. Department of Transportation recently released a consumer advisory urging all motorists to check the inflation of their tires and to check for signs of tread wear and damage. This advisory coincides with National Tire Safety Week. The summer heat and scorching pavement increase your risks for a tire-related accident.

"As the weather warms up, it's especially important for drivers to ensure their tires are properly inflated," Secretary Ray LaHood said. "For your safety and the safety of others on the road, inspect your tires regularly and maintain the proper inflation."

Our West Palm personal injury attorneys understand that many residents will be venturing out onto the roads for vacations this time of year. For this reason, safety advocates are urging motorists to take the proper safety cautions to ensure your safety behind the wheel this summer. Please take proper care of your vehicle to help keep you, your family and other motorists on our roadways safe during the next few months of busy travel.

According to the most recent data from the Department's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, roughly 3,400 people died from tire-related accidents from 2005 to 2009. Another 116,000 were injured.

"While it's true improperly maintained tires can contribute to a crash at any time of year, it is particularly critical for motorists to check tires during hot weather, when families and luggage often overload vehicles for long vacation trips," NHTSA Administrator David Strickland warned. "Underinflated tires spinning on hot asphalt for extended periods of time can be a recipe for disaster."

Motorists are urged to check their tire pressure regularly, especially before long trips. You are also urged to make sure your tires have not significantly aged. Hot weather and aging tires can prove to be a deadly combination because older tires are more susceptible to head stress. This risk increases even more if the aged tires are not properly inflated. Motorists can check the sidewall of their tires to see how old they are. You can also check with the owner's manual or the with the tire manufacturer for recommendations on how often you should change you tires.

Inflating your tires to the proper PSI (pound per square inch) can also help you keep some cash in your pocket as the Department of Energy's reports that under-inflated tires can lower your vehicle's gas mileage by nearly 0.5 percent for every 1 PSI drop in pressure of all four tires.

In vehicles with a fuel-economy rating of 30 miles per gallon and a tire pressure recommendation of 35 PSI, a tire pressure drop of just 25 percent would cost you a loss of nearly 9 percent in fuel economy. This means you would lose almost three miles per gallon.

Continue reading "New Consumer Report Flags Tire Pressure as Cause of Car Accidents in West Palm and Elsewhere" »

Florida has the most pedestrian deaths in the country, ranking it the most dangerous place for pedestrians, according to a pedestrian safety report released by Transportation For America.

The 2011 edition looks back on the 47,000 people killed walking along roadways in the United States. It also looks back on the 688,000 injuries sustained from these pedestrian accidents in Fort Lauderdale and elsewhere throughout the country. Now, in an attempt to reduce the risks of these accidents, Dangerous by Design 2011 will examine the information and attempt to form solutions for these preventable deaths.

The new report comes with a number of features. You are able to view fact sheets that are specific to each of the 50 states and you can even look, through interactive pedestrian maps, at the pedestrian fatalities that have occurred in your very own community.

Our Miami personal injury lawyers would like to stress the importance of this report as it illustrates our deadly streets. Florida experienced the most pedestrian deaths during the examined time period, 2000 to 2009. Florida metro areas took the first, second, third and fourth place for having the most dangerous metro areas in the country. We hope the release of this report will help raise awareness about the importance of safe and alert driving.

During the studied years, more than 5,000 people were killed while walking the streets of Florida. These accidents cost the state more than $22 billion. The Sunshine State has a Pedestrian Danger Index (PDI) of 182.8, which is what gives our state the number one ranking out of all 50 states.

The areas that saw the most pedestrian fatalities in Florida are:

-Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach, 1,555

-Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, 905

-Orlando-Kissimmee, 557

-Jacksonville, 342

-Cape Coral-Fort Myers, 178

Most of these pedestrian accidents happen along arterial roads. These roads are dangerous by design as they fall under federal construction and planning and are meant to accommodate speedy traffic flow. These roadways have little to no safety provisions for on-foot travelers.

The highways-only lobbyists insist that pedestrian safety is a mere luxury, an unnecessary feature, that is the responsibility of local government. Meanwhile, almost 70 percent of these pedestrian deaths occurred on federal-aid roads.

The federal funding that goes toward the safety of pedestrians only makes us less than 1.5 percent of the entire federal transportation outlay. This tiny bit of funding may cease as Congress is currently looking at eliminating it altogether. Shouldn't we have a say in where our tax dollars go?

If you would like to help increase the safety of our roadways, you are asked to contact Congress to tell them that it is no time to start cutting funding that could keep our pedestrians safe.

Continue reading "New Report Ranks Florida First in Fatal Pedestrian Accidents" »

The National Safety Council is urging communities throughout the United States to participate in National Safety Month throughout June. The NSC is estimating 128,200 unintentional deaths in 2009, which is the highest on record. In 1992, there were a total of 86,777 preventable deaths - about 47 percent less than what is anticipated for 2009.

For each week in June, the NSC will focus on different leading causes of unintentional injuries or fatalities. Summertime is especially important as school lets out and families start to attend outdoor events or travel on family vacations. The weeks of June are highlighted as follows:

-First Week of June 1-4 focuses on summertime safety. The goal is to promote health and safety practices at home, on roadways, in the workplace and throughout communities. The NSC will offer several safety and health fact sheets with regard to key issues like distracted driving, teen driving, workplace safety and home safety.

-Second Week of June 5-11 focuses on preventing overexertion. Sprains and strains in the lower back are a common type of overexertion but can often be preventable. Overexertion is the third leading cause of preventable injuries that are treated in hospital emergency rooms.

-Third Week of June 12-18 focuses on teen driving safety. Every year, more than 5,500 teen drivers, their passengers, occupants in other vehicles, cyclists, motorcyclists, and pedestrians are killed in crashes involving a young and inexperienced driver.

-Fourth Week of June 19-25 focuses on how to prevent slips, trips and falls. Emergency rooms treat these kinds of unintentional injuries daily as falls are common among all age groups, specifically adults 55 and older.

-Fifth Week of June 26-30 focuses on staying off the phone while on the road. Car accidents remain the leading cause of unintentional deaths in the U.S. Cell phones are often a distraction that leads to 23 percent of all motor vehicle crashes.

The cost per household annually for unintentional injuries is approximately $5,900. Throughout the country, Americans and employers spend more than $693 billion on preventable injuries each year.

Other sponsors committed to National Safety Month include PDA, JLG/LiftPod, AECOM, State Farm, Toyota, and FirstGroup America.

Week 1 Safety Tips offered by the NSC for summertime include:

-Canoe safety

-Inline skating and skateboarding safety

-Playground safety

-Safe bicycling

-Summer and alcohol safety

-Sun, heat exposure and surviving hot weather

-Using fireworks safely

Continue reading "Summertime Safety Aimed at Reducing Injuries and Fort Lauderdale Car Accidents" »

Employers and business owners have an obligation to protect the health and safety of employees and guests as Black Friday kicks off the start of the holiday shopping season.

Our Fort Port St. Lucie injury attorneys understand there are many causes of injury during the hectic holiday shopping season, including workers' compensation claims, slip and fall accidents and premise liability claims in Fort Lauderdale and throughout South Florida.

In fact, the Occupational Safety & Health Administration has issued a warning to the nation's largest retailers, reminding them that they are responsible for the safety of employees during sales events meant to draw large crowds for Black Friday. An employee was trampled to death at such an event in 2008.

Among the safety tips the government provides:

-Use trained security or crowd-management personnel.

-Have a detailed staffing plan and ensure workers are properly trained.

-Contact local safety officials to make sure events properly comply with requirements.

-Use signs and other crowd control measures.

-Have an emergency plan.

Business owners and managers are equally responsible for the safety of guests. Injuries to guests during the holiday shopping season may include:

-Elevator or escalator accidents

-Parking lot injuries

-Slip, trip and fall accidents

-Assault or negligent security injuries

-Merchandise falling from high shelves

-Injuries caused by large crowds

-Accidents or injuries caused by inadequate lighting

When you or a loved one has been injured on business property, it is important to contact an experienced law firm as soon as possible after the accident. Frequently, a business or property owner will take steps to repair a negligent condition following an accident. And the extent of your injuries should not be the determining factor in whether or not you seek experienced legal advice. Too often, serious injuries, including head injuries, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, or neck, back and joint injuries, do not appear serious at the time of the accident.

By the time the full extent of your injuries are determined weeks or months later, it can be much more difficult to make a proper claim for injuries and to conduct a thorough investigation.

Continue reading "Premise liability injuries a holiday danger in Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Port St. Lucie" »

A 49-year-old golf pro shop employee was severely beaten on Monday after he recognized a Rolling Hills Golf Club member behaving oddly outside the closed shop and opened the door to assist him, the Ledger reports. A Seminole County sheriff’s arrest report reveals that the victim sustained a broken nose, blood on the brain, an eye injury and various cuts after being assaulted with a pair of scissors and a golf club. The alleged perpetrator is being held without bail and faces charges of attempted first-degree murder and a host of other charges ranging from burglary to aggravated battery.

Our Hollywood, Florida personal injury attorneys know that incidents of workplace homicide have steadily declined since reaching an all-time national high in 1994 when 1,080 work-related homicides were reported. In 2009, workplace homicides reached an national low of 521.

Florida has seen a similar and ongoing downward trend in both fatal work-related injuries and workplace homicides since the Bureau of Labor Statistics began recording data in 1992. In Florida alone, the number of workplace fatalities dropped from 291 to 243 between 2008 and 2009 and the number of work-related homicides dropped from 41 in 2008 to 30 in 2009.

Nine out of 10 workplace fatalities (243) were men, while just 23 women were killed on the job. Of those, 7 were killed by a violent act or assault. More than half the victims were white and 65 percent were between the age of 25 and 54 at their time of death.

In Florida, workplace homicides reached a peak in 1994 with 78 murders. Since 1992, 933 Florida workers have been murdered while on the job, averaging about 50 homicide-related workplace deaths per year. Homicides are the second leading cause of death in the workplace and represent 12 percent of all work-related fatalities in both Florida and the U.S.

Business owners have an obligation to their patrons and employees to provide a safe work environment free of hazards – including protecting staff from potential acts of violence. Employing a security officer or establishing safety check protocols and equipment – like video cameras – can help protect staff as well as guests from assault. Negligent security, premise liability, personal injury or wrongful death claims may all arise from an act of violence in the workplace. An employee may also be entitled to Florida workers' compensation benefits.

Continue reading "Golf pro shop employee beaten by club member in bizarre Florida workplace assault" »

A nearly decade-long battle waging between 270 residents of the small community of Tallevast and Fortune 500 giant Lockheed Martin appears to be easing with the pending settlement of a civil suit over contaminated groundwater, the Miami Herald reports.

Our South Florida premises liability attorneys have been monitoring the complex case where long-toxic, tainted, property changed hands several times and attaching liability became an epic legal struggle. It is believed that groundwater supplying the small community first became tainted more than 40 years ago when the American Beryllium Co. operated a plant manufacturing parts for nuclear warheads. In 1996, the land was purchased by Lockheed Martin and the plant was shuttered.

A 2007 Sarasota Herald-Tribune article reveals that Lockheed Martin was aware that pollutants existed in the soil and groundwater before selling the property, and for several years failed to disclose to state and local officials and Tallavast residents that area well water was contaminated with potentially toxic levels of TCE, or tricholoroethylene. TCE is a compound linked to lung, liver and kidney cancer, leukemia and lymphoma.

Three other resident lawsuits remain as residents continued to fight to have Lockheed Martin foot the bill to relocate 80 homes in the community from the contaminated site. The company argues it has taken steps to make Tallavast a safe place to live, but, at the same time, admits it will take 50 years to eradicate traces of the pollutant from the soil.

Neither Tallavast residents, nor their lawyers, are buying it. Meanwhile, 275 wells continue to monitor environmental impacts of the pollution plume and the state is launching a $125,000 door-to-door study that will detail family medical histories, among other things.

Continue reading "Battle between Tallevast residents and Lockheed Martin eases with civil suit settlement over groundwater contamination" »

Three 2-ounce bottles of mercury found in a homeowner’s garage and opened could see clean-up costs reach $250,000 after decontamination effort in a suburban neighborhood spread to several homes along Northwest Third Place in Margate, the Sun Sentinel reports.

After a resident found the three small bottles of the liquid metal in his garage, he poured some on his driveway and shared a bottle with neighborhood kids. The kids played with the material and carried the toxic material to at least four homes. The Florida Department of Health indicates that mercury can be harmful to humans depending upon how much of the liquid the victim handles and for how long. In short, under the right circumstances – namely eating it, breathing it or touching it – mercury exposure could lead to a Fort Lauderdale personal injury claim.

With that said, because the presence of mercury is so common in the environment, almost everyone carries at least trace amounts of the element in their bodies. In places like Florida, where commercial and recreational fishing and seafood consumption are major industries, most consumers identify mercury consumption concerns with eating fish and shellfish.

It is common knowledge that most all seafood is known to carry a conversion of mercury – methylmercury – which is absorbed via small intestines. The larger and older the fish, the higher levels of methylmercury they carry. Edible predatory fish like sharks, swordfish and king mackerel accumulate even more of the toxic element because they almost exclusively feed on smaller fellow mercury-carrying sea life.

But being exposed to mercury due to a homeowner's negligence is a different matter. What the homeowner was doing with the mercury will certainly be investigated. But the gross negligence with which it was handled has put neighborhood children, and possibly their families, at risk.

Continue reading "Margate mercury spill highlights personal injury and premise liability hazards at home" »

A 14-year-old Hollywood boy avoided a possible 30-year prison sentence after pleading no contest to a manslaughter charge for shooting his best friend in the head with his mother's gun. The Palm Beach Post reported that the teen was sentenced to a rehabilitation program and could be released in nine months.

These are tragic cases. A Palm Beach child injury attorney can assist families in cases where a child is seriously injured or killed at a friend's house or on someone else's property, including a church, school or daycare center. Dog attacks and swimming pool accidents are frequent causes of child injury. But, tragically, the failure of families to safely store and maintain firearms continues to lead to serious or fatal accidents involving children.

The April 28 shooting death of the 13-year-old boy involved a 9 mm pistol belonging to the defendant's mother. She faces a charge of culpable negligence and the judge has entered a not guilty plea on her behalf while she finds legal representation.

These cases are a tragically common occurrence in Florida:

-In June, a 2-year-old boy apparently shot himself after a man visiting the child's mother left a loaded handgun on a bed. The man reportedly worked as a security guard, according to ABC7.

-In January, the Fort Myers News-Press reported the case of a 2-year-old boy who shot himself while visiting grandma's house.

-In December 2008, a Cape Coral teenager reportedly made up a story about a break-in by armed burglars after shooting another boy in his home. The father in that case was also charged with culpable negligence.

The University of Michigan reports that 9 children a day are killed by handguns, including hundreds who die each year as a result of accidental shootings.

Safety advocates recommend the following safety measures:

-Keep the gun locked
-Keep the gun unloaded
-Store the ammunition locked
-Store ammunition in a separate place
-Hide keys to firearm and ammunition boxes
-Only parents should know the location of firearms in the home
-Check with local police for additional advice
-Never leave a gun unattended
-Teach children about the dangers of guns
-Talk to children about the risks of gun injury outside the home, including the homes of friends

Continue reading "Palm Beach injury lawyers remind parents to keep firearms secured" »

The Palm Beach injury lawyers at Freeman & Mallard wish everyone a safe and enjoyable Fourth of July holiday. Please celebrate responsibly, don't drink and drive, practice safe driving habits on the road and on the water, and leave the fireworks to the professionals.

The threat of being injured by fireworks is very real. In 2006, 11 people were killed and more than 9,200 were treated in emergency rooms for fireworks-related injuries, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

On Wednesday, the Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel reported that rockets sold at fireworks stands in Florida and three other states are being recalled because they are overloaded with explosives. Anyone injured by a defective product in South Florida, including fireworks, should seek the advice of a qualified injury attorney about recovering damages from the manufacturer. In other cases, a Florida premise liability claim could result when guests are injured at a fireworks display.

Fireworks retailers may also be held liable in cases where a consumer is injured by high-grade professional fireworks that are inappropriately sold to a novice user. More than one-third of fireworks injuries involve professional-grade fireworks in the hands of consumers and the Fourth of July is, not surprisingly, the most common time of year for serious fireworks injuries.

More than two-thirds of all fireworks injuries occur around the Fourth of July holiday and children are the frequent victims. One-third of injuries occur to children under the age of 15 and nearly half occur to young people under the age of 20. The most frequent fireworks injuries involve the hands and eyes as well as the head, face and ears. Firecrackers cause the greatest number of injuries, followed by sparklers and rockets.

Fireworks injuries are associated with blindness, third-degree burns and foreign objects in the eyes, as well as scarring and the serious threat of deadly vehicle or house fires.

The most frequent causes of fireworks injuries include the availability of high-grade fireworks to consumers, being too close to fireworks, operator error, child curiosity and experimentation with homemade devices.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission provides the following safety tips for fireworks:

-Keep fireworks out of the hands of children.

-Older children should only handle approved fireworks, including sparklers, under adult supervision.

-Light fireworks outdoors, away from the house and away from dry leaves, grass or other flammable material.

-Keep a bucket of water nearby and pour it on fireworks that do not go off.

-Never try to relight or handle malfunctioning fireworks.

-Be sure other people are out of range before lighting fireworks.

-Never light fireworks in a container.

-Keep unused fireworks safe, both while lighting fireworks and while storing.

-Store fireworks in a cool, dry place and check for special storing instructions.

-Observe local laws.

-Never have any portion of your body directly over a fireworks while lighting.

-Don't experiment with homemade fireworks.

Continue reading "Palm Beach injury attorneys wish you a safe and enjoyable Fourth of July " »