South Florida Injury Lawyer Blog

A Palm Beach Gardens man who lost both his legs in an offshore boating accident last year his filed a civil lawsuit against the boat's operator. The suit alleges that the boat's operator, a 56-year-old Stuart man, came into the diver's flag zone and did not render aid following the boat accident. The incident occurred on January 9, 2009 roughly 4.5 miles northeast of the St. Lucie inlet.

In addition to losing both his legs, the diver has lost his job and continues to undergo extensive rehabilitation. He is able to continue diving with the use of prosthetics that propel his body through the water.

Following a yearlong investigation of the boating accident by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the State Attorney's Office also filed second-degree misdemeanor charges for allegedly violating navigational rules.

Source: Diver sues after losing legs, WPTV.com, January 22, 2010

Continue reading "Man Charged in Boating Accident that Injured Florida Diver " »

Posted by David J. Halberg, Esq. | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Boating Accidents

Bookmark:

Last week, The St. Petersburg Times reported that a car accident on Thursday morning involved a 30-year-old New Port Richey women and a 17-month-old child. According to a report from the Florida Highway Patrol, the auto accident occurred at State Road 54 and Rowan Road.

The driver who reportedly caused the motor vehicle accident is accused of driving under the influence and causing a car crash. Charges include DUI, two counts of DUI with damage to property or person, DUI causing personal injury, knowingly driving with a suspended or revoked license, and child neglect.

As of Friday afternoon, she was in jail without bail.

Source: Pasco crash caused by impaired driver with toddler in car, FHP says, TampaBay.com, January 22, 2010

Continue reading "Florida Highway Patrol Says Pasco Car Crash Caused by Impaired Driver" »

Posted by David J. Halberg, Esq. | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Car Accidents

Bookmark:

On Monday afternoon, a three-vehicle crash in Lake Wales, Florida killed a police officer. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the crash occurred on State Road 25 and Jackson Street when the police officer was driving an SUV that traveled into the path of another vehicle. The officer attempted to avoid the auto crash and went into the path of the SUV, causing it to overturn.

The auto accident victim was thrown from his vehicle and passed away at the scene of the accident. The officer's passenger suffered minor injuries, but no other injuries were reported.

The Florida Highway Patrol continues to investigate this deadly car accident.

Source: Lakeland officer killed in crash, ABC Action News, January 19, 2010

Continue reading "Florida Car Crash Kills Police Officer" »

Posted by David J. Halberg, Esq. | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: SUV Rollovers

Bookmark:

On Friday, a former resident of Live Oak, Florida was arrested in connection with a fatal motorcycle crash that occurred last spring. According to reports from the Florida Highway Patrol, the 47-year-old man was driving his motorcycle when it veered off the road and overturned.

The man's passenger, a 40-year-old woman also of Live Oak, died the following day. The cyclist, who was also hospitalized with critical injuries, has been charged with driving with a suspended license resulting in death or serious injury. Prison records show he is also charged with having no driver's license for a motorcycle.

Motorcycle accidents can be especially dangerous, because the rider does not have the protection of a car or bus around them. Serious injuries, such as broken bones, internal bleeding, or head trauma, can result, particularly if the rider is not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident.

Source: Arrest made in fatal motorcycle crash, Sewanee Democrat, January 18, 2010

Continue reading "Former Florida Resident Arrested in Motorcycle Accident " »

Posted by David J. Halberg, Esq. | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Motorcycle Accidents

Bookmark:

The widower of a woman who died in a 2007 motorcycle crash has filed a wrongful death suit against the owner of the motorcycle, claiming the owner was aware that he had not properly maintained the Harley Davidson.

The surviving spouse has sued the motorcycle's owner, a Palm Beach County resident, and seeks at least $15,000 in damages. The lawsuit claims the owner failed to maintain the motorcycle's brake and rear turning lights, preventing the truck driver from seeing the couple right before impact.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the woman was killed after the motorcycle she was riding in was hit by a pick-up truck in a hit-and-run accident. The woman was ejected from the motorcycle and left by the side of the road.

Source: Wrongful death suit filed in 2007 crash, WPTV.com, December 29, 2009

Continue reading "Palm Beach County Resident Sued in Wrongful Death Case" »

Posted by David J. Halberg, Esq. | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Motorcycle Accidents , Wrongful Death

Bookmark:

In South Florida, state regulators have discovered a sobering trend: at least 41 South Florida doctors treat both drug addicts and pain patients. Experts worry that this combination of medical specialties could be dangerous, because it puts potentially addictive drugs to treat pain alongside a population that may already have drug dependencies.

According to an article in the Miami Herald, many of the doctors dispensing painkillers at South Florida pain clinics do not have special certification in addiction or pain management.

New Jersey requires doctors to be board certified in pain management before they can prescribe painkillers, but Florida doctors are allowed to dispense painkillers provided they have completed an eight-hour training course, have a valid medical license, and have approval from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

Many of these doctors have reportedly been disciplined for recklessly prescribing addictive drugs, but they can continue prescribing the drugs after they return from suspension.

Source: South Florida pain-clinic doctors also treat drug addicts, Miami Herald, December 29, 2009

Continue reading "Experts Worry Over South Florida Doctors Who Treat Pain and Drug Addicts " »

Posted by David J. Halberg, Esq. | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Drug and Medical Device Litigation

Bookmark:

The day after Christmas, a 30-year-old man from Oviedo, Florida was killed when his canoe capsized. Neighbors reportedly tried unsuccessfully to rescue the man after he fell into the water. The Seminole County Sherriff's office dive team discovered the boat accident victim's body around 3:25pm.

The victim was apparently not wearing a life jacket, though investigators and rescue crews did see personal flotation devices nearby.

The medical examiner will determine the man's cause of death. The boat accident is being investigated by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. A Wildlife spokesperson notes that cold temperatures make caution extra important during the winter months.

Source: Oviedo man dies in boating accident, Orlando Sentinel, December 26, 2009

Continue reading "Canoe Accident Kills Florida Man " »

Posted by David J. Halberg, Esq. | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In:

Bookmark:

Earlier this morning, a car accident on State Road 415 injured two people and closed the state road for a few hours. Neither of the victims was identified. One of the car crash victims was airlifted to Health Medical Center in Daytona Beach. According to a representative for the Deltona Fire Department, he had to be extricated from the vehicle.

The other victim was taken to the same hospital by ambulance. An Evac ambulance spokesperson said the man was in stable condition.

The auto accident, which occurred around 6:30am, is still being investigated by the Florida Highway Patrol.

Source: Two hurt in crash on State Road 415, News-JournalOnline.com, January 4, 2009

Continue reading "Florida Car Crash Injures Two on State Road 415" »

Posted by David J. Halberg, Esq. | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Car Accidents

Bookmark:

The Miami Herald reports that four men and three dogs fell into the Caloosahatchee River earlier this month. The boating accident occurred when two boats tied together flipped over.

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the United States Coast Guard initially and recovered three men and three dogs, but one of the men was still missing until several hours later, when they found the body of the 51-year-old Fort Myers man.

Officials say the boating accident victim's body showed no signs of trauma, and they plan to perform an autopsy to determine the cause of death.

Source: Man found dead after boating accident, Miami Herald, December 19, 2009

Continue reading "Fort Myers Man Dies in Boating Accident, Cause of Death Unknown" »

Posted by David J. Halberg, Esq. | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Boating Accidents

Bookmark:

On Friday evening, an accident involving four vehicles on State Road 54 killed one person and injured several others. The car accident victim, a 52-year-old man from Palm Harbor, was riding in a 2001 Honda Accord that got rear-ended while stopped at a traffic light.

According to investigators, a 2003 Ford Sport Trac was headed east on State Route 54 when the driver failed to slow down for a traffic signal. The Ford struck the Accord while it was stopped at the light and then hit a 2003 Infiniti G35 in the northbound lanes of Seven Springs Boulevard. The impact pushed the Honda into the intersection and it was hit by a 2003 Ford Explorer.

In addition to one fatality, two people were taken to St. Peterburg's Bayfront Medical Center in serious condition and one was listed in critical condition. Another driver was taken to Community Hospital in New Port Richey, where he was listed in serious condition. Several more drivers and passengers also sustained minor injuries in the auto accident.

Source: Troopers: 1 dead in 4-car crash in Pasco, The Suncoast News, December 19, 2009

Continue reading "Four-Car Florida Crash Kills Palm Harbor Man " »

Posted by David J. Halberg, Esq. | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Motor Vehicle Accidents

Bookmark:

Last Thursday afternoon around 3:45pm, two highway contract workers were seriously injured in a truck accident on Highway 31. Authorities say the two workers were working in front of their Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck next to a guardrail when the rear of the truck was hit by a delivery truck.

One of the workers underwent a complete leg amputation when he was pushed along the guardrail. The other suffered severe leg injuries. The two were taken to Pensacola's Sacred Heart Hospital by two LifeFlight helicopters.

The driver of the delivery truck and a third worker, who suffered a head injury, were taken by ambulance to D. W. McMillan Hospital in Brewton.

Source: Four Injured In Flomaton Wreck; One Suffers Amputation (With Photo Gallery), NorthEscambia.com, December 10, 2009

Continue reading "Florida Truck Accident Injures Four Workers " »

Posted by David J. Halberg, Esq. | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Truck Accidents

Bookmark:

South Florida police say a car crash injured three people when a car jumped a curb. The car was reportedly driven by an elderly woman who police say may have hit the wrong pedal while in a parking spot. Her car apparently accelerated out of the parking spot and careened through some bushes before it jumped the sidewalk and injured three people.

According to police, one of the people sustained serious injuries, but the injuries to the other two people were more minor. They have not released the names and ages of those involved in the auto accident.

Officers are still investigating the motor vehicle crash.

Source: 3 people injured when car jumps curb in South Fla., Miami Herald, December 11, 2009

Continue reading "Pembroke Pines Car Accident Injures Three People " »

Posted by David J. Halberg, Esq. | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Motor Vehicle Accidents

Bookmark: