Fort Lauderdale Injury Lawyer Blog

In 2010, Florida drivers who are found at fault in three or more car accidents in a three year period will be required to take a special driving course or their driver's license will be cancelled. The driving course is sixteen hours which includes four hours behind the wheel of a car. According to Florida's Department of Motor Vehicles, over 3,000 drivers were at fault in three or more car crashes in a three year time period concluding in 2008.

This story is just a brief reminder to drive safe during the New Year and to avoid drinking and driving. Traffic safety must be taken seriously by all drivers especially when traveling through school zones and roadway construction areas.

Continue reading "Driving Course Now Required for Florida's Accident Prone Drivers" »

Despite popular belief, the breed of a dog is not a factor behind a dog biting or displaying aggressive behavior. Instead, it is owners who are primarily responsible for the aggressive nature of their animal due to dominance or competition of their pets. Some of the factors that cause dog aggressiveness include: first time dog ownership, failure to subject the dog to formal obedience training, not using physical punishment when required, buying a dog as a present for someone else, leaving the dog with a constant supply of food and spending little quality time with the animal.

Approximately 40% of dominance aggression in dogs and dog bites is associated with the lack of authority of its owner. Although the breed of the dog, sex of the dog, size of the dog and age of the dog have some impact on overall aggression, these factors have a minimal effect on whether a dog behaves aggressively as compared to an owner's actions. In fact, dogs that are trained properly are less likely to bite and display aggressive behavior.

Continue reading "Breed of Dog Not a Significant Factor in Dog Bites and Aggressive Behavior" »

Three young children in Delray Beach wandered away from their home and nearly drowned when they fell into a neighbor's murky pool. It is still unclear how the children were able to gain access to the neighbor's pool and whether they were being adequately supervised at the time. The children were taken to Bethesda Memorial Hospital where they remain in critical condition.

Another neighbor who knows how to perform CPR was called to the scene. She performed CPR on all three of the unconscious children while the paramedics were called. Her heroic efforts are what saved these children's lives. A criminal investigation is pending regarding this near drowning incident.

Continue reading "Three Delray Children Hospitalized After Nearly Drowning in Neighbor's Pool" »

A recent study showed that young children are most vulnerable to dog bites when temperatures outside are high. The study specifically found that there is a correlation between severe dog bites to the head and neck of children and rising temperatures. Out of the eighty-four dog bites that were evaluated, most occurred in the summer months when temperatures were the highest. The evaluation also found that 27% of the 84 bites were caused by family owned dogs. It was unknown why there was such a jump in the number of dog bites in the summer months but two suggestions were that children spend more time outside with dogs during the summer and/or that dogs are more uncomfortable and, therefore, more aggressive when it is hot outside.

Obviously, this study should concern all parents in South Florida (especially Miami and Fort Lauderdale) where it is hot all year round. As we have previously reported, it is extremely important that parents talk to their children about the correct ways to interact with dogs including staying away from them when they are eating and not pulling their ears or tails and provoking them into biting.

Continue reading "Florida Parents Beware: Threat of Dog Bites Increases When Temperature Rises" »

The risk of being involved in a car accident with personal injury is twice as likely if you are using a legal prescription of codeine or a medication containing codeine. The study showed that those drivers who had used 400 tablets or more of codeine in a year are three times more likely to be in a serious car accident.

This article is an important reminder to take extreme caution while driving and taking any medication. Please make sure that a doctor authorizes operation of motor vehicles while taking this type of medication in order to avoid car crashes. In South Florida (especially in Fort Lauderdale and Miami), drivers must be extra cautious because of the elderly population of the region and the snowbirds that populate the area during the winter months. Many of these elderly individuals are taking numerous prescription medications and, accompanied by their age, make them a significant danger on the roadways.

Continue reading "Florida Car Accidents Increase When Using Medication" »

A recent study showed that rural regions in Florida are more dangerous than suburban cities when it comes to car accidents. The study showed that the number of fatal motor vehicle accidents is 40% higher in rural parts of the state than in more populous cities. For those who live in the countryside in remote areas like in Florida's panhandle as opposed to Broward, Miami-Dade, Palm Beach and Collier Counties, inhabitants are 2-3 times more likely to die in a traffic-related accident.

Additionally, the risk of death or serious bodily injury to new drivers in rural regions is 20-30 percent higher than in cities. The reason for the increase is that many new rural area drivers have larger distances to drive and, therefore, are more likely to get into a car wreck. Moreover, consumption of alcohol in rural regions of the state also adds to the increase of a young driver getting into a car crash.

Continue reading "Florida's Rural Areas More Dangerous Than Cities for Car Accidents" »

Hall of Fame quarterback, Joe Namath, is being sued in Palm Beach County, Florida by a former UPS worker who was attacked and bitten by his dogs while trying to make a delivery. The victim of the animal attack has been out of work since 2007 as a result of the bites he suffered to his neck, back and knee. He required four surgeries to treat his injuries. The dog bite victim is suing Namath for more than $15,000.00 in damages.

Namath was recently fined by Palm Beach County after his dogs allegedly attacked three different people on three different occasions. His dogs were quarantined and were declared dangerous by a local magistrate. As a result the dogs must be muzzled and walked on Namath's property only.

Continue reading "Joe Namath Sued Over Dog Bites" »

Recently, a Davie, Florida veterinarian lost a client's dog when the animal was taken for a walk by a dog walker. A Boca Raton, Florida woman left three of her dogs with the veterinarian and one got away. The sad thing is that the vet failed to call his client and notify her of the incident. Instead, he thought that he would be able to locate the dog before she returned. More than three months later, the dog has not been found.

The story was covered in the Sun Sentinel. Please click on the following link to read the entire story entitled, "Where, oh where, is Pixie?" Howard Citron was asked to comment on this incident because the woman was curious to know what damages she was able to collect from the veterinarian as a result of the alleged negligence. Under Florida law, dogs are treated as property and nothing more. Unfortunately, the law is clear that a person is unable to sue for damages other than the replacement cost of the animal. There is no remedy available for pain and suffering and/or emotional distress damages although our pets are considered family members. In this case, the vet offered to compensate the woman the $2,000.00 she paid for the lost dog once she produced a receipt verifying the price.

Continue reading "Veterinarian Loses Client's Dog - What Can She Do?" »

A Florida panther was killed when it was struck by an automobile in Broward County. This was the first reported death of a panther in Broward County where the cause was a car accident. The accident occurred on I-75 where most of the highway is surrounded by a chain link fence to prevent wildlife from walking onto the interstate. Unfortunately, this accident took place in an area without the chain link fence. Road kills are the second leading cause of panther deaths in Florida. Only fights between panthers ranks higher.

Continue reading "Car Accident Kills Protected Florida Panther in Broward County" »

Statistics show that only Texas and Georgia have a higher number of deaths caused by dog attacks. Florida ranks third. Interestingly, most of these attacks occurred on an owner's property and the victims were family members. According to the report, Pit Bulls and Rottweilers are the breeds responsible for the most human fatalities. The report goes on to say that 67% of all dog bites and animal attacks are caused by these two breeds. Sadly, the victims of the majority of the dog attacks that cause human fatalities are children.

Continue reading "Florida Has Third Highest Death Rate By Dogs" »

A Miami postal worker was attacked and bitten by three dogs while attempting to deliver the mail. The postal worker received at least 15 puncture wounds on her chest and on her legs. The postal worker used a deterrent spray to keep the dogs away but, despite her spraying the chemical at the animals, they continued to attack her. Miami-Dade County Animal Control believes that the dogs either jumped over a fence or broke through a fence to attack the postal worker. The woman was taken to Jackson Memorial Medical Center for treatment of her dog bites and injuries. This is the second time in recent months that a postal worker suffered serious dog bites while delivering the mail.

The owner of the dogs was not present when the animal attack took place. He was fined $515.00 by animal control officers for the incident. In addition, the dogs were taken from the owner and quarantined for 10 days to determine if they carry the rabies virus.

Continue reading "Miami Postal Worker Attacked and Bitten by Dogs" »

Palm Beach County, Florida has adopted a strict dangerous dog law as a result of an increase in recent dog bites and dog attacks. Authorities can declare a dog dangerous after it bites or attacks a human being or another animal just once. In the past, a dog needed to attack twice before it was able to be classified as dangerous. The penalty for the owner of a dog who has a dog declared dangerous includes significant fines and monetary penalties. The penalty for the dog is that it is mandated to be muzzled when it leaves an owner's home and must be kept in an escape proof enclosure.

In more severe attacks which cause death or serious bodily harm to a human being or animal, a dog can be declared vicious. The penalty for this designation is that a dog can be euthanized. Since 1995, 61 dogs have been declared vicious and have been put down in Palm Beach County.

Continue reading "Palm Beach County Adopts Strict Dangerous Dog Law" »

Two airboats in Miami, Florida collided and injured five people. Miami Dade Fire Rescue used helicopters to search the area for those who were injured. One of the men fell into the propeller of one of the boats during the accident causing his leg to be severed. Fellow passengers used a make shift tourniquet with clothing and wrapped it around his leg to prevent the man from bleeding to death. These actions are what are credited with saving this man's life.

Continue reading "Airboat Collision in Miami Injures Five" »

An elderly woman died after she was struck by a car in Pembroke Pines, Florida. The driver of the automobile accidentally pressed the accelerator instead of the brake and ran her car into the woman. The car jumped the curb and crashed into three pedestrians, including the woman who died as a result. The other two pedestrians, young children, only suffered minor injuries.

Continue reading "Pembroke Pines Auto Crash Kills One" »

A Fort Lauderdale man was seriously injured when a scooter he was riding crashed into a car that turned into the same lane. The driver of the scooter was thrown to ground following the collision. The scooter accident was categorized as a hit and run because the driver of the car failed to stop after the crash.

When driving scooters on Florida's roadways drivers must take extra precautions and yield to traffic. At the same time, automobile and truck drivers need to be courteous to scooter and bicycle riders so that tragedies like this one can be avoided.

Continue reading "Fort Lauderdale Man Injured in Scooter Crash" »

Recently, a couple sued J.C. Penny after they were bitten by bed bugs that had infested a mattress and furniture set purchased from the store. According to court files, the couple experienced months of itching and scratching after the bed bugs continued to bite them each night they slept in the bed. Although J.C. Penny offered to remove the furniture and exterminate the couple's bedroom, they decided to contact a lawyer and prosecute this matter. A jury returned a verdict of almost $50,000.00 to compensate this couple for their pain and suffering.

Many hotels and motels throughout South Florida are infested with bed bugs. Not only do these bugs bite, they can carry and pass disease. Additionally, the bites can leave permanent scarring and disfigurement to the body.

If you or a loved one were bitten by bed bugs in a recent hotel or motel stay in South Florida, please call our office for a free consultation.

Continue reading "Bitten by Bed Bugs - Couple Receives Five Figure Verdict" »

The Tampa Tribune has compiled research of animal attacks and dog bites in Florida for the last 35 years. The information is available at www.tbo.com. The research details incidents as common as dog bites and cat scratchings to tiger and shark attacks. The database classifies the information based on date, county, location, victim name, animal class and species.

Continue reading "Florida Animal Attack and Dog Bite Injuries Analyzed by Researchers" »

A ninety-one (91) year old Boca Raton man was killed when the wheelchair that he was using was struck by a pickup truck. The man was in a wheelchair because he was struck by a car some days earlier. Charges are pending against the driver who was involved in the truck accident.

This story serves as a reminder to be alert when driving and to pay special attention to pedestirans making their way across the street through crosswalks.

Continue reading "Boca Raton Man Killed When Wheelchair Struck By Truck" »

A ten year old Boynton Beach child was killed when the scooter he was riding was struck by an SUV. The driver of the SUV did not stop to help the child and contniued driving. She was charged with leaving the scene of an accident and driving without a license causing death.

Unfortuantely, the injured child was not wearing a helmet when he was struck by the car and this scooter accident occured. This may have contributed to the seriousness of his injuries and eventual death.

Continue reading "Boynton Beach Child Killed in Scooter Accident" »

Studies have shown that the incidence of dog bites increases during the holiday season. Dogs, like people, are normally more stressed during the holidays resulting in an increase in bites and attacks. The holidays also bring loud children to homes where they are made to interact with dogs that they are unfamiliar with. These unfamiliar guests accompanied by changes in a dog's normal routine can lead to an increase in aggression.

Some suggestions to reduce dog bites during the holidays include crating a dog when your house guests arrive at the home. Although the dog might be confined, this will serve to permit the animal to feel comfortable in a place they are familiar with when the guests invade their space. You can also put your dog on a leash inside an area of your home or gate the dog so that it only has access to one area of the house.

Of course, holiday guests should not hug, chase or scream near a dog. Guests should also refrain from pushing and pulling the animal and picking it up. These can all cause a dog to become afraid and act on its fear. Finally, a holiday guest should never disturb a dog while it is eating. This can result in dog bites, attacks and maulings.

Have a happy and, more importantly, safe holiday season - free of dog bites and animal attacks.

Continue reading "Increase in Dog Bites During the Holiday Season" »

A Fort Lauderdale man who was speeding on his motorcycle near I-75 in Weston was killed. The motorcycle accident occurred when the driver of the bike collided with the rear of a box truck. Immediately upon impact, the motorcycle burst into flames as the man was thrown to his death. The driver and passenger of the truck that was struck were not injured.

This story is a perfect reminder why it is important to abide by the speed limits on Florida's roadways. If you see a speeding motorcycle on the roads, write down the license plate and immediately contact the police.

Continue reading "Fort Lauderdale Man Killed in Motorcycle Crash" »

It is commonplace that many families decorate their homes both on the interior and exterior during the holiday season. It is equally common that accidents and injuries occur when putting up these decorations. The Consumer Public Safety Commission estimates that 10,000 people go the emergency room for treatment of injuries related to holiday decorating.

Of all the dangers caused by holiday decorations, injuries caused by candle lighting are the most frequent. As many as 14,000 house fires occur each year due to negligent use of candles resulting in 170 deaths annually. Accidents and injuries also are caused by holiday lights. Unfortunately, people use old holiday lights that have frayed wires and broken bulbs that cause them to be injured. Finally, holiday tree safety is important. Many injuries from trees that catch fire are reported each year. To avoid such a tragedy in your home, make sure that your holiday tree is not too dry. One tip is to fill up the reservoir at the base of the tree every few days to avoid the tree drying out and becoming a fire hazard. There are also automatic tree watering machines on the market that water a natural holiday tree for you after you set a timer.

Remember, this is the time of year to enjoy family and "deck the halls" safely and soundly. Please take an extra minute or so inspecting all of your decorations, especially the older ones, before putting them up so that you and your family remain safe this holiday season.

Continue reading "Tips to Avoid Holiday Decorating Accidents in Florida" »

On Friday afternoon, a three year old child was found floating in a pool in Hollywood. According to authorities, the child's family members fell asleep and were napping which permitted the little girl to exit the apartment where she was staying and find the pool.

The girl drowned when she fell into the pool. Although police were called, all attempts to revive the child were unsuccessful. Police continue to investigate this drowning accident. This incident calls into question why a baby fence was not erected to surround this pool.

All parents reading this story should be reminded how important it is to maintain constant supervision of children when water is involved. Sadly, this incident like many drowning and near drowning accidents can be prevented with acute attention to safety.