Articles Posted in Personal Injury

The holiday season may be awfully pretty, with the decorations in and out of our homes, but did you know that many decorations come with some serious dangers?

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), close to 13,000 people are treated in emergency rooms across the nation for injuries sustained while putting up lights around the house each and every year. These injuries include falls, shocks and cuts.

Our Vero Beach injury attorneys understand that Christmas trees come with some serious dangers too, to you, your family, your home and those around you. The CPSC reports that these lighted trees cause about 300 fires each year, causing at least 10 fatalities, another 30 injures and more than $10 million in property damages and loss.

In addition to these accidents, there are another 12,000 resulting from candles. These little lights of glory wind up killing close to 200 people, injuring more than 1,000 and costing more than $170 million in proper damage and loss. One of the easiest ways to prevent these kinds of accidents is to make sure that each candle is in a nonflammable holder.

“Sometimes people are having such a nice time during the holidays that they forget to extinguish candles,” said Hal Stratton, Chairman of the CPSC.

Tips for a Safe Holiday:

Trees:

-Make sure that artificial trees are labeled “fire resistant.” This means that the tree will resist burning, not that it won’t catch on fire.

-Choose the freshest tree. Needles should be tough to pluck from the branch. The trunk should also be sticky.

-Make sure you place your Christmas tree away from sources of heat. Don’t place it near anything flammable and keep it out of exit ways.

-Use thin guy-wires to secure large trees to the walls or to the ceiling of your home. Don’t worry! These wires are almost invisible!

Lights:

-Use lights where directed by manufacturer (indoor/outdoor).

-Check each strand of lights before using. Check for cracks or frays in the wiring.

-Never connect more than three strands together.

-Don’t put lights on metallic trees.

-When fastening down lights, use hooks instead of staples to avoid piercing the wires.

-Be careful when removing them. Never yank or tug.

Decorations:

-Never put candles near a tree or near any other flammable objects.

-Keep candles away from children and from pets.

-When using “angel hair” to decorate, make sure you wear gloves.

-Make sure you follow the directions when hanging or spraying artificial snow decorations.

Have a plan! If something should happen, like a fire, have an escape plan set out for your family. Know how to get out, where to meet and who to contact. Review this policy with your family today!

We all want to make this holiday season a beautiful one. Let’s all do our part to make sure it’s a safe one, too! Be extra careful around these decorations. Happy Holidays!
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Black Friday is the busiest shopping day out of the entire year. It’s also the most dangerous. Are you ready? Our Coconut Creek injury attorneys are here to help you to get through your shopping spree safely.

Retailers need to focus on safety measures as much as they need to advertise the deals they’re offering. Companies need to beef up security. Many bring on law enforcement officers to help keep crowds under control. Last year, national attention was directed toward Arizona after a grandfather caught up in the Black Friday chaos at Walmart was kicked unconscious over some video games.

And it’s not just in Arizona, there are a number of states that have reported serious injuries in the past because of the Black Friday bonanza.

Some stores are working to spread out their hot-ticket items. Keeping them in separate areas will help to break up the crowds. Some stores are even handing out ticket numbers, limiting how many people can be in the store at once.

Not everyone’s doing it though.

According to recent studies, it’s the electronic devices that are getting the most attention.

“The safety of our shoppers is our top priority,” said Neal Kleinman, Macerich’s vice president of property management. Macerich owns and operates malls in portions of the U.S.

Even with all of the last-minute meetings among security officers at malls and shopping plazas, there are things you can do to help to keep safe over Black Friday.

Black Friday Safe Shopping Tips:

-Get there early so you don’t have to fight through the people to find the items you want.

-Leave the kids at home. It’s best to get them a babysitter or leave them with a family member.

-Don’t push through people to get to what you want. Let’s all be nice!

-Be nice to store employees who are trying to help you find an item. They can’t possibly know where every single item is.

-Remember that there aren’t large quantities of all items. Items can sell out.

-Try to shop online to avoid the mess.

-Have your keys in hand when approaching your vehicle. Check the back seat and around the car before getting in.

-Use a credit card to avoid thefts of large amounts of cash that are irreplaceable.

-Allow yourself with enough time to get the store. No item is worth getting into a car accident.

-Get enough sleep the night before so you’re less irritable.

-Don’t take all of the items off of the shelves. Let someone else get a chance to grab what’s on their wishlist.

-Don’t bite off more than you can chew and don’t purchase more than you can carry.

-Visit a store before Black Friday so you know where everything is that you would like to buy.

-Keep an extra close eye on your purse and wallet.
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A tragic accident left a 24-year-old Florida visitor, Anthony Purcell, with a lifetime of problems. It all happened when he dove into the water off of South Beach in Miami and right into a sandbar.

Luckily, he was able to survive, but was paralyzed in the accident. He suffered from two bruised vertebrae and a broken neck. He was at the intensive care unit at Jackson Memorial Hospital for six weeks. For most of his time spent there, he was in a medically induced coma. During his stay, his lungs collapsed more than 15 times.

“I thought I was going to die,” recalls the young man.

As soon as he could, he started rehabilitation, which made all the difference. The young man and his mother recently founded a foundation to help to get similar victims the same kind of help. It’s the Walking with Anthony foundation. Now, he can stand with a walker and can bench press nearly 200 pounds!

Our Coral Springs personal injury attorneys understand the pain and the struggle that these victims experience after such catastrophic accidents. It’s always uplifting to hear about those who fight their way through the struggle. When the young man first entered rehab, he couldn’t even stand, now he’s walking around and working out. He even recently hosted his first fundraiser on the 2nd of November.

The event was called “South Florida Movement for Change: It’s Time to Soar” and was held at the Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport. The fundraiser is helping to collect grants for Chris Hickox and Nick Williams, both students were athletes from Cardinal Gibbons High School. One was paralyzed from the waist down and the other was left with a serious spinal cord injury after a 2009 ATV crash.

The grants that are raised are going to help to get the two much-needed treatment for the Spinal Cord Injury Recovery Center in California.

“You need rehab immediately,” says Purcell’s mother. “The faster, the better. I’ve seen that with my own son, and I can’t imagine someone else not being able to do that for their own.”

The family decided that they wanted to launch this foundation when the figured out that there was little help for these injury victims, despite all of the funding that goes toward research. Most people who experience these injuries don’t have the funds to treat them. Unfortunately, most insurance companies only cover this treatment for less than 3 weeks.

The foundation has raised nearly $250,000 so far and has already been given to those in need to rehabilitation services.

According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Database, each year there are more than 10,000 people who suffer a spinal cord injury. Close to 85 percent of these victims are men.

The truth of the matter is that lifetime costs for these kinds of injuries can be millions of dollars. Unfortunately, we don’t all have that lying around as spare change. That’s why it’s important that we fight for our rights and for the compensation that we deserve. That’s where an aggressive attorney comes in.
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One out of every three elderly residents in the state of Florida will be the victim of a fall accident. Falls can serve up some serious injuries, including severe head injuries and bone fractures, and can also increase your risk for an early death.

One of the biggest problems, aside from the actual fall accident itself, is the fact that most elderly residents never talk to their doctor about it. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are close to 2.5 million people who were sent to the E.R. because of a fall accident in 2010. Another 660,000 of these elderly residents were hospitalized because of their injuries.

Our Fort Lauderdale accident lawyers understand that falls are the number one cause of injury for residents over the age of 64. The costs for these kinds of accidents in 2010 totaled roughly $30 million. Many of these accidents can be prevented though, by following a few simple safety tips.

In 2010, the overall rate of nonfatal fall injury episodes for which a health-care professional was contacted was 43 per 1,000 population. Persons older than 75 had the highest rate (115).

What are the results of fall accidents?

-Nearly 25 percent of people who experience a fall accident are seriously injured. These injuries can make life tougher for these individuals and can lead to an increase in the risks for an early death.

-Fall accidents are the most common cause of Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI). As a matter of fact, these injuries were the cause of close to half of all fall fatalities.

-Most fractures that are sustained by elderly residents are the result of fall accidents. Most commonly, these injuries occur to the upper arm, the leg, the hip, the hand, the pelvis, the leg and the ankles.

-Even when people fall and are not injured, they develop a fear that can hinder their everyday activities. They’re scared of falling again. This fear can actually increase their risks for another fall accident.

The death rates from falls among older men and women have risen sharply over the past decade.

Remember that businesses have an obligation to provide safe passage. Premises liability suit can result from slippery floors, broken sidewalks, dark stairwells and other dangers that contribute to falls, which can be particularly dangerous for older adults. This is especially relevant in the state of Florida, which has such a large elderly population.

Make sure that you take these same safety precautions at home. Make sure that you clear walkways, that your home in well-lit, that all floors are dry and that you have railings and handles where needed. You should also exercise regularly and have your vision checked annually.
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Parasailing is a popular activity for both Florida residents and for visitors to our area. Unfortunately, it’s not one of the safest activities to do around here. There is no government regulation of any of kind and safety concerns abound as dozens of operators take to the coastline to make a buck.

Because of the lack of oversight, consumers continue to be at high risk of accident. Residents and visitors are strapping to unsafe equipment that hasn’t been inspected or properly replaced, and it’s threatening lives.

According to ABC News, one of these horrific accidents claimed the life of a young women celebrating her anniversary in Pompano Beach. This accident took the life of a 28-year-old woman from Connecticut. She was parasailing with her husband off of Pompano Beach when she slipped from the harness. She fell close to 200 feet to the water below.

Our Pompano Beach personal injury attorneys understand that there have been close to 450 people who have been seriously injured in parasailing accidents over the last 30 years. According to the Parasail Safety Council, more than 70 people have died during this period. Most of the fatalities were the result of them drowning in the water after falling from their harness as well as from getting entangled in the ropes.

“There’s no mandated rule that a person has to change his rope at a certain cycle period or change a canopy at a certain cycle period or even change a harness or any of the equipment,” said Mark McCuloh, head of the Parasail Safety Council.

The truth of the matter is that these companies and operators should never be allowed to profit from thrill-seeking beach goers without being required to meet specific safety regulations, or without having someone regularly verify this compliance.

The state of Florida currently has an inspection program in place for carnival rides, but nothing on the books for parasailing. The carnival ride safety inspection program was enacted after a number of deaths on carnival equipment. Still, there’s nothing for parasailing and injuries and fatalities continue on.

Unfortunately, agencies like the Federal Aviation Administration and the Coast Guard still only have limited jurisdiction over this industry and they don’t have the proper resources to overlook or inspect these operation. Back in 2007 and 2008, Florida Legislature considered regulatory proposals, but all were denied.

County governments can do this though! They’re in the best position to provide a reasonable degree of protection by simple regulations, inspections and licensing. County officials are already spending their time and money on making sure that our beaches are properly groomed and attractive, they can and should do more to them safer for everyone too — and start by regulating parasailing safety!

Until then, professionals in this industry should remember that they have an important responsibility to make sure that they’re conducting business in a safe, responsible and respectable manner.
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A South Florida visitor was killed in a parasaling accident at Pompano Beach. According to NBC6, the woman fell about 200 feet when she was parasailing with her husband. The accident occurred just after 3:15 p.m. when her harness broke.

According to Sandra King, the city’s spokeswoman, the man’s harness didn’t break, so after the woman fell, the boat operators were able to reel him back down to the boat after losing the woman.

They later found his wife face-down in the water. Boaters attempted to perform CPR on her while they called 9-1-1 and brought her into the Hillsboro Inlet. Officials with the Pompano Beach Fire-Rescue continued CPR and administered “advanced life support” to the woman. At that point, she was in cardiac arrest. She was then taken to Broward Health North and was immediately listed in critical condition. Later that afternoon, she was pronounced dead.

Our Broward County personal injury attorneys understand that a fall to the water from 150 to 200 feet in the air is just like hitting a brick wall. Vacationers and visitors to our east coast beaches look forward to these kinds of attractions to bring some excitement to their day in the sun. Unfortunately, many overlook the dangers and the risks that are associated with these kinds of activities. This particular couple was vacationing in the area from Connecticut.

The company that was operating the boat is based in Pompano Beach. The company’s website promoted parasailing in particular while emphasizing safety.

Officials with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and with the Broward Sheriff’s Office are looking into the accident. Officials spent hours talking with workers from the company.

Back in 2007, another tourist was killed in a woman in a similar accident in the city. But did you know that parasailing is actually an unregulated watersport that is not overseen by any government agency? Companies aren’t required to report any sort of specific information to authorities.

Because of this lack of enforcement, Pompano Beach Mayor Lamar Fisher has been rallying legislators.

“And so here we are today, losing another life, because of no inspections and no opportunities to make sure that this equipment is safe,” said Fisher.

Statistics that deal with parasailing accidents, injuries and fatalities are tough to come by because this sport is not federally regulated. One report concludes that there have been close to 350 who were injured or killed in these accidents from 1980 and 2010.

Common causes of parasailing injuries:

-Falls, oftentimes from great heights, like the recent Pompano Beach accident.

-Drowning.

-Collisions with buildings and other large objects.

-Mechanical failure of boats or other towing vehicles

-Failure of parachutes, harnesses and other safety equipment.

Both residents and visitors are cautioned about these companies. We’re not saying they’re bad, we’re just saying that they’re not federally regulated. It’s important to make sure that you do your homework before selecting a company to do business with. Ask for inspections, background information and any other related safety information necessary to make an informed decision.
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A number of buildings and homes had to be evacuated during a recent tree trimming accident in Fort Lauderdale. According to the Sun Sentinel, the accident happened on Southeast 10th Street when workers were trimming tree limbs. While cutting the trees, one of the limbs dropped, falling on a gas meter. The falling tree broke a one inch galvanized pipe below the shut-off valve. Witnesses say that the sound of escaping gas could be heard from more than a block away.

According to Matt Little, fire rescue spokesman, areas on Southeast 9th and 10th Streets as well as the 900 block of Southeast 2nd Avenue were evacuated.

Our Fort Lauderdale injury attorneys understand how important it is to keep your yard in shape. Whether you’re working on it alone or you bring in a crew to do it for you, there are steps that everyone needs to follow to make sure that your yard is as safe as can be and that the risks for injuries are minimized.

According to a recent poll, conducted by Consumer Reports, consumers aren’t taking the right precautions before digging into their yard. To help keep yard workers safe, the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) released a number of safety measures that every consumer should review before firing up the tree trimmer, the edger or the lawnmower. Taking the proper safety precautions can help to avoid unintentional, and potentially fatal, injuries, according to Occupational Safety & Health.

“Making good decisions around using mowers, edgers, leaf blowers and other maintenance tools are key to yard safety,” said Kris Kiser, vice president of the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute.

Lawn Safety Precautions:

-Make sure you know how to operate the equipment before jumping in. Consumers are urged to read the entire manual before beginning. Know the controls and follow the safety instructions.

-Be careful when handling gas. Fill up before starting the equipment. Always fill on a cold engine.

-Make sure you dress accordingly. Always wear close-fitting clothes, long pants and substantial shoes.

-Clear the yard before you begin. Remove sticks, stones and other dangerous objects that could fly up and injure someone. The most common injuries related to yard work result from objects flying up and striking someone.

-Wear eye protection.

-Wear protection for your ears to alleviate the risks of injury associated with damaging sounds.

-Avoid listening to music during this time. Music can cause you to miss an important shout out or stop you from seeing a potentially dangerous hazard.

-Clear everyone, and pets, from the area. Keep kids inside under the supervision of an adult.

-Never start a mower inside.

-Never drink and do yard work! Sprucing up your lawn is no time to deal with impaired judgment.
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Although we’re at the tail end of Spring Break, we still have thousands of visitors in South Florida so it is prudent to remember safety remains a top priority. According to recent studies from the University of South Florida’s Alcohol and Substance Use Research Institute, alcohol use among college students follows strict seasonal patterns. One of the most active seasons is Spring Break in Florida. It’s important to stay safe and to help ensure that those around you are safe at all times. This means that if you decide to drink alcoholic beverages, do so in moderation, never drink and drive, and ensure that property owners are keeping their premises safe and secure for guests. With just a few safety precautions, we can all do our part to help reduce the risks of an accident in Fort Lauderdale over the spring holiday.

“Spring break is a holiday defined by drinking,” said Richard Reich, an assistant professor of psychology at USF Sarasota-Manatee.

Our Fort Lauderdale injury lawyers understand that being away from people who would typically restrict behavior is a big trigger for drinking. It’s not just being away from home, but it’s also being away from school, class and the library. Some of the most horrifying news headlines over this holiday every year include college students drinking themselves into the hospital, drinking and driving, falling off balconies and other catastrophic events.

In one effort to help to reduce the risks of Spring Break accidents, officers with the Fort Lauderdale Police Department have been setting checkpoints near and along the beach, according to the Sun Sentinel. Officers will be randomly selecting vehicles to check. They’ll be looking for valid drivers’ licenses, impaired drivers, proofs of insurance and vehicle registrations. The goal is not only to nab intoxicated drivers but to help increase awareness about the importance of public safety on the beach during Spring Break.

Spring Breakers are also warned about swimming. No, we’re not saying don’t go swimming; we’re just saying please do so safely, especially if you’ve been drinking.

“We lead the nation in accidental drownings,” said Broward County Sheriff Al Lamberti. There were nearly 15 drownings in Broward County alone in 2011.

Unfortunately, Spring Break is also a time when we see a plethora of accidents at Florida hotels. Oftentimes, the reported headlines we hear about during Spring Break are falls over balconies and other similar catastrophic events. According to Florida law, property owners are required to minimize the dangers and the accident risks of dangerous balconies by making sure all balconies meet the minimum safety and design specifications. This means that balconies in hotels, rental condos and other properties are required to have railings that are at least 42 inches high. Under Florida law, the bars on these balcony railings are to be no more than four inches apart. This is used to reduce the chances of a person squeezing through the bars and falling over.

If a hotel fails to maintain these standards, the hotel may be found negligent. When a guest is injured as a result of the owner’s negligence, compensation may be collected, including compensation for pain, suffering, lost wages and medical expenses.
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