Truck Accidents in Florida
| Gary T. Lazarus | 0 Comments | Truck Accidents, Uncategorized | , ,

Video of Tragic Miami Accident Shows Devastation Caused by Large Trucks

Investigating Truck Accident Injuries Requires Unique Proficiency and Experience

A commercial truck accident can be far more catastrophic than an accident between two personal-use vehicles. A fully loaded commercial truck can weigh at least 25 times as much as a typical car. Because of this stark weight disparity and the basic laws of physics, most big rig truck accidents with other vehicles result in serious, even fatal, injuries.

Truck Accidents in FloridaCommercial truck drivers have received special training and are generally more careful on the road than automobile drivers. In 2012, there were 3,921 people killed and 104,000 people injured in crashes involving large trucks (gross vehicle weight rating greater than 10,000 pounds).

It is important to note that of those 3,921 people killed in big-truck accidents in 2012, 697 were in the big truck and 3,224 were occupants or drivers of the other vehicles, or pedestrians. This tells us that trucks are, by their size alone, dangerous. Drivers should always be alert and cautious but even more so when a large truck is nearby.

Florida Truck Accidents

An April, 2016 video of an accident in Miami demonstrates the immense power and destructive forces involved when a heavy truck impacts passenger vehicles.

This Miami Herald includes video of the accident, which may be disturbing: Miami Herald

In addition, truck accidents can be made worse by the freight the truck is carrying. For example, if hazardous or flammable materials (such as gasoline or industrial waste) are on board a big rig involved in an accident, secondary injuries from that dangerous cargo can result.

A few facts about big-truck transportation:

  • There are 3.24 million truck drivers in the U.S., according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
  • The average daily run for a long-haul, over-the-road truck driver is nearly 500 miles.
  • Most long-haul, over-the-road truck drivers average from 100,000 to 110,000 miles per year.

Long Hours

Drowsy driving can contribute to truck accidents, and here are the rules regarding consecutive hours for commercial drivers carrying property:

  • May drive a maximum of 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty.
  • May not drive beyond the 14th consecutive hour after coming on duty, following 10 consecutive hours off duty.

According to a study done by the Harvard Health Watch, an average American spends 101 minutes per day driving.

A commercial truck driver involved in an accident may be an independent driver, may work for a small company that does not provide insurance, or might be an employee of a large corporation that does provide insurance. Who is liable for damages in a truck accident can be very confusing, and requires extensive study to get to the facts.

People Who Care

The Law Firm of Lazarus and Lazarus has been helping victims of truck accidents in south Florida for over 20 years. We have the experience and expertise to properly investigate these terrifying events in order to understand how to help the injured participants. Reaching out to us is easy by calling 954-356-0006 and asking to speak with Gary or Arleen Lazarus. We will work hard to protect your rights to proper compensation for your damages. We are experienced Florida Truck Accident Attorneys.

 

| Gary T. Lazarus | 0 Comments | Motorcycle Accident Attorney, Uncategorized | , , ,

Are “Distracted Drivers” Killing Motorcyclists in Florida?

Study says Texting is to Blame for Many Accidents

Motorcycles are dangerous, there is little doubt about that. But some people shrug off the problem, thinking “it’s their fault for getting on those things in the first place.”

Motorcycle Accidents FloridaThe truth is, the majority (60%) of 2-vehicle accidents involving motorcycles are the fault of the other driver, not the motorcyclist. The question is, what caused the driver of the car or truck to cause the crash?

A study of over 10 years of crash data from Florida roads revealed that dozens of motorcycle fatalities were directly attributed to texting by the drivers of the other vehicle. It’s unknown how many were caused by, but the investigations failed to find evidence of texting.

Distracted Driving

Traffic crash studies are finding higher rates of distracted driving as the cause for crashes. What are the types of distraction?

  • Visual: taking your eyes off the road;
  • Manual: taking your hands off the wheel; and
  • Cognitive: taking your mind off of driving.

Distracted driving activities include things like using a cell phone, texting, and eating. Using in-vehicle technologies (such as navigation systems) can also be sources of distraction. While any of these distractions can endanger the driver and others, texting while driving is especially dangerous because it combines all three types of distraction.

Each day in the United States, more than 9 people are killed and more than 1,060 people are injured in crashes that are reported to involve a distracted driver.

As of April 27, 2016 a staggering 831 people have been killed on Florida roads. 154 were pedestrians, 37 were on bicycles, and the number of motorcyclists is not yet available.

What we do know is that Florida holds the dubious distinction of having the highest number of motorcycle deaths in the nation. In Florida, 491 people died in motorcycle accidents in 2012, more than any other state. Motorcycle fatalities accounted for one out of every five traffic deaths in Florida in 2012. Many motorcycle riders are very safety conscious, but still suffer serious or fatal injuries in crashes caused by other motorists. Often other drivers simply fail to see a motorcyclist.

Special Circumstances

Laws are being passed across the country to ban texting, and other laws are on the books to require only hands-free operation for calls. There is also a device on the market – TextBuster – that installs in a car under the dashboard and is designed to block all data and text messages while the car is turned on.

Unfortunately, people ignore these laws and continue to cause mayhem on the road. It takes losing a friend or family member for some people to understand the danger of distracted driving.

There is Help

Motorcycle accidents are a special category of traffic crashes, and they require special expertise and experience to investigate. Injuries are usually severe and often fatal. Also, there are unique issues related to insurance when motorcycles are involved in serious crashes.

The Law Firm of Lazarus and Lazarus has been dealing with the pain and suffering experienced by victims of motorcycle accidents for over 20 years. We understand what happens and what is required to protect victim’s rights and see that they receive the medical treatment and compensation they deserve.

Call Gary and Arleen Lazarus at 954-356-0006 to arrange a confidential consultation.

| lazaruslaw-2 | 0 Comments | PHARMACEUTICAL NELIGENCE, Uncategorized | , , , ,

Adverse Drug Events Soar as Number of People on Meds Reaches Record Number

Nearly Two-Thirds of American Adults Take 5 or More Medications

As 2013, the U.S. Census Bureau estimates that there are 242,470,820 adults living in the United States, and a new study says that 62% are regularly taking five or more medications. That’s a lot of pills, inhalants, drops, elixirs, ointments, and suppositories.

When someone has a serious reaction, becomes ill, or dies because of a medication it could be an error by the patient, a mistake by the physician, a mix-up by the pharmacist, or a defect in the medication itself. The terminology for these events varies, but the government has decided the general term is Adverse Drug Events, or ADEs.

It’s important that when an ADE occurs, and it’s serious or life threatening, that the cause be determined. Sometimes it is negligence or malpractice on the part of the medical professional involved. These people and, in the case of pharmaceutical companies and pharmacies, companies, need to be held accountable to the victims who suffer as a result of their errors.

ADEs account for nearly 700,000 emergency department visits and 100,000 hospitalizations each year. ADEs affect nearly 5% of hospitalized patients, making them one of the most common types of inpatient errors; ambulatory patients may experience ADEs at even higher rates. Transitions in care are also a well-documented source of preventable harm related to medications.

Another term you may not be aware of is Polypharmacy—taking more medications than clinically indicated. This is likely the strongest risk factor for ADEs. Elderly patients, who take more medications and are more vulnerable to specific medication adverse effects, are particularly vulnerable to ADEs. Pediatric patients are also at elevated risk, particularly when hospitalized, since many medications for children must be dosed according to their weight. Other well-documented patient-specific risk factors include limited health literacy and numeracy (the ability to use arithmetic operations for daily tasks), both of which are independently associated with ADE risk.

This is a table that identifies potential places where ADEs can happen and safety strategies:

STAGE SAFETY STRATEGY
Prescribing •Avoid unnecessary medications by adhering to conservative prescribing principles
•Computerized provider order entry, especially when paired with clinical decision support systems
•Medication reconciliation at times of transitions in care
Transcribing •Computerized provider order entry to eliminate handwriting errors
Dispensing •Clinical pharmacists to oversee medication dispensing process
•Use of “tall man” lettering and other strategies to minimize confusion between look-alike, sound-alike medications
Administration •Adherence to the “Five Rights” of medication safety (administering the Right Medication, in the Right Dose, at the Right Time, by the Right Route, to the Right Patient)
•Barcode medication administration to ensure medications are given to the correct patient
•Minimize interruptions to allow nurses to administer medications safely
•Smart infusion pumps for intravenous infusions
•Patient education and revised medication labels to improve patient comprehension of administration instructions

Note that the largest section of the table is “Administration” which is where the patient and his or her caregivers are most-directly involved. This is where the drugs contact the patient.

If a patient is unable to properly count the pills and understand when to take them, then someone must help that person. Almost everyone has been aware of a family member or friend who is in this situation. Please try to help them or find them the help they need.

If a family member, other loved one, or friend is the victim of an ADE, it’s important to contact the right people for help. Medication errors that cause harm is an arena in the legal profession that requires experience and expertise due to the complexity of the pharmaceutical industry and the various medical professions.

The Law Firm of Lazarus and Lazarus has dedicated a substantial portion of their legal practice to pharmacy errors and negligence. Calling 954-356-0006 will put you in touch with a dedicated team of legal professionals who can help.

| lazaruslaw-2 | 0 Comments | PHARMACEUTICAL NELIGENCE, Uncategorized | , , , ,

Florida’s Prescription Drug Monitoring Database Opens to More Online Users

Program is Intended to Reduce Abuse of Controlled Substances

When Florida’s famous “pill mills” were pushing out dangerous medications to patients with addictions, advocates for better medical records pushed for a central database to track prescriptions for controlled substances. The result was the 2009 Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) and most health-care professionals believe it has been a success.

Close-up of the Rx prescription symbol on a computer keyboard.

One of the drawbacks of the program has been the restrictions placed on who can actually access the system to input records, and view existing information. These restrictions specified that only physicians, pharmacists, and certain other practitioner s were able to actually access the system, not pharmacy techs or office personnel in doctor’s offices. The limits were put in place for good reason, as confidentiality is crucial to patient rights, but often the doctors and pharmacists are so busy that they lack the time to properly run the system as intended.

Often this blog has covered the high-volume of work placed on pharmacists as a contributing factor in the increasing number of prescription errors, and so this change may turn out to be a good one, time will tell.

Last month, the Florida Legislature passed Senate Bill 964, which changes who may access the database.  Currently only pharmacists and prescribers, such as physicians, dentists, and nurse practitioners, are authorized to access and submit reports to the database. Beginning July 1, 2016 the new law will specifically allow designees working on behalf of pharmacists and prescribers to check the database and submit reports.  This change is intended to improve compliance by making it easier for busy pharmacists and prescribers to delegate reporting activities to their staff.

While the PDMP is a good idea in principal, it applies only to controlled substances such as powerful painkillers and will not prevent patients from having drug interactions with their normal medications. It is very important for all patients to take time to discuss all their medications with their doctors and pharmacists. If you don’t understand something, ask.

The Law Firm of Lazarus and Lazarus has been representing victims of prescription medication errors and negligence for over 20 years. In that time the number of drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has increased by over 3000, which makes this area of law extremely complex. Gary and Arleen Lazarus remain highly proficient and are eminently qualified to represent victims of prescription errors, and their office is dedicated to protecting the rights of victims. Calling 954-356-0006 will put you in touch with their caring staff.

| lazaruslaw-2 | 0 Comments | CRUISE SHIP ACCIDENTS, Uncategorized | , , ,

Cruise Ship Accidents Leave Many Without Recourse

“Moving Hotels” Can be Dangerous

Cruises are supposed to be fun, and they almost always are. But the illusion that many people experience once they step foot on a ship is that they can completely let their normal sense of caution fly out the porthole and let loose for 5-7 days. That’s not entirely accurate.

A Google search of cruise ship accidents will reveal on-board pool drownings, slips and falls, and recently there was a tragic case of a woman who slipped off the Queen Elizabeth and was crushed to death by a tender boat. That horrific incident occurred in Cambodia where the investigative capabilities of police and other authorities are suspect at best.

Another unfortunate passenger suffered a slip and fall which resulted in a head injury. After visiting and being examined by the ship’s medical staff she was pronounced to be fine, only to later slip into a coma and die.

Have fun but Keep Your Natural Sense of Caution

Americans planning to go on a cruise for their vacation should go on the cruise. They just need to understand that like our bodies, caution needs to be exercised.

USCG“The Week” editor Lauren Hansen wrote a column titled “7 Reasons to never ever ever vacation on a cruise ship” and she outlines 7 particularly ghastly (and rare) incidents which drove her to reach her personal decision to never go on a cruise. The incidents were: Adrift and Powerless – Pirates! – Run Aground and Capsized – Flu Outbreak – Going Missing – Crime – and Collisions.

These types of incidents almost never occur, but when they do happen on a cruise ship, people need to be aware they are likely to be in international waters or in a foreign country where the rules are different. The laws, customs, and your rights are not the same when you’re out of the boundaries of the United States of America.

Specialized Area of Law

Who knows what to do when bad things do happen on board a cruise ship? Attorneys who specialize in Maritime Law and Cruise Ship Liability.

For over 20 years the Law Firm of Lazarus and Lazarus has dedicated a substantial segment of their Fort Lauderdale law practice to representing the victims of cruise line negligence and malpractice. South Florida is home to two of the busiest cruise-ship ports, the Port of Miami and Port Everglades.

If you or anyone you know has experienced an accident or was the victim of any injury while on board a cruise ship – or while on an excursion away from their ship, the best course of action is to seek advice from an expert.

Calling 954-356-0006 will connect you with the caring staff at Lazarus and Lazarus, who will hear your story and then connect you with Gary and Arleen Lazarus. All communications are completely confidential.

| lazaruslaw-2 | 0 Comments | AUTO ACCIDENTS, Uncategorized | , , ,

Are You Safe Riding with Uber in Florida?

Issues Regarding Insurance and Licensing Have Politicians Busy Deciding Their Future

It seems everyone these days is doing the Uber. Using Uber saves money over traditional taxi cabs and the service offers an opportunity to people with a car to make extra money. A win-win for everyone, right?

That’s not entirely accurate. Several issues have arisen over the past few years as Uber has grown from an idea to a multi-billion dollar enterprise in just 7 years.

Uber Technologies Inc. is an American multinational online transportation network company headquartered in San Francisco, California. It develops, markets and operates the Uber mobile app, which allows consumers with smartphones to submit a trip request which is then routed to Uber drivers who use their own cars. As of April 12, 2016, the service was available in over 60 countries and 404 cities worldwide. Since Uber’s launch, several other companies have copied its business model, a trend that has come to be referred to as “Uberification.”

In Florida, state, county, and municipal governments are challenging Uber’s right to operate due to unfair competition with traditional taxi companies, who must be licensed. Another big issue is insurance, and that is the main topic for this article.

Florida Auto Liability Insurance

The minimum requirement for auto insurance in Florida for a personal vehicle is $10,000 personal injury protection (PIP) and $10,000 property damage liability (PDL). If you have been in a crash or convicted of certain offenses, the Florida DMV can request you purchase additional auto insurance coverage such as bodily injury liability coverage (BIL).

A taxi must carry Bodily Injury Liability (BIL) coverage of $125,000 per person, $250,000 per occurrence and $50,000 for property damage liability (PDL) coverage.

An Uber driver must do what? This is where it gets murky.

Government Regulation

Broward County commissioners have been up, down, and all around when trying to get a permanent solution to ride-share services regulation. The Sun-Sentinel reported that the last time commissioners tried to regulate Uber, they got “Ubered” — the new word for politically clobbered — for going after laws that Uber called too onerous. The result is that in Broward, Uber is now largely free to police itself concerning drivers’ backgrounds, insurance coverage and condition of vehicles. Palm Beach County is still working on an ordinance. Miami-Dade, too.

However, as a result of Florida’s regulation of taxi cabs, many companies now regard their drivers as independent contractors. This means that cab drivers may own or lease their vehicles and are responsible for providing their own liability insurance. If a cab driver is accused of negligence, a cab company can distance themselves in an attempt to circumvent any liability.

Uber_Car_Murano
Miami Herald

There is this recent headline from the Miami Herald: “Uber Faces Lawsuit After Nurse Suffers Brain Damage in Miami Beach Crash,” and certainly this kind of tragedy needs to be carefully examined to make sure the victims are cared for physically, emotionally, and financially.

So, the question “are you safe in an Uber car?” has no definitive answer. Everyone must make a decision based on their own situation, but we would recommend everyone ask questions and be aware.

Trust the Legal Experts

The Law Firm of Lazarus and Lazarus has been assisting victims of serious auto accidents for over 20 years in south Florida. We have the experience, compassion, and commitment to represent you if you are ever involved in any accident and to sort out who is liable for your injuries and damages. Please reach out to us at 954-360-0006 and ask for a consultation with Gary or Arleen Lazarus. We will listen to you, and all communications are completely confidential.

| lazaruslaw-2 | 0 Comments | GENERAL PERSONAL INJURY, Uncategorized | , , , , ,

Law Firms – Does Size Matter?

Large and Small Legal Practices Serve Clients Well

Driving down the highway you see giant billboards for giant law firms with phone numbers in giant red numbers. Most people don’t give much thought to them until they have a sudden need for an attorney and they think “what was that 800 number I saw on I-95?”

Small law firms usually do their advertising by word-of-mouth, relying on clients to tell friends and family that they were well represented by a one, two, or three attorney law practice.

Which is better? The answer is both.

BIG_SmallThe legal profession is and has always been about the confidential relationship between a client and an attorney.  The concept of attorney-client privilege is defined as a US-American legal concept that protects certain communications between a client and his or her attorney and prevents the attorney from being compelled to testify to those communications in court.

What’s really important is the relationship as it pertains to an attorney’s commitment to remain understanding and responsive to a client during a very trying time. An attorney who is dedicated to addressing client fears and concerns and who always places the client’s rights and best interest first will serve that client well from a desk in a small office on Main Street or from a desk in the office of a 500-member firm in a big city.

The Law Firm of Lazarus and Lazarus was founded by law partners Gary and Arleen Lazarus. Their belief is that with their unique skills, experience, and personalities they can best serve their clients as a small, family firm. And so for 25 years they have represented clients, mostly from south Florida, in personal injury cases from their offices in Fort Lauderdale and Weston.

The Firm has also chosen some very specialized areas of law to focus on, to the point where they are among a handful of attorneys known for their pre-eminent knowledge and experience in these fields.

You would think that Maritime Law would be a common area for attorneys in Florida because the state is surrounded by water and the number of boats and vessels. But it is actually a very complex area because of the international implications and various jurisdictions involved.

Pharmacy errors and negligence is another facet of the Lazarus Law Firm’s expertise and once again it involves very specialized knowledge. Pharmaceutical products available to patients have skyrocketed, and their proliferation is resulting in too many accidents and cases of pharmacy and physician errors. Gary and Arleen are dedicated to helping people who, through no fault of their own, are becoming victims of medicine that was supposed to help them.

Auto accidents kill and injure thousands of people each year, and the firm has always been at the forefront of handling cases for victims in south Florida. These cases require knowledge of laws pertaining to liability, medical costs, traffic statutes, and they require a real sense of compassion for people suffering devastating loss.

Calling 954-356-0006 will put in direct contact with Gary and Arleen who are always ready to schedule a confidential consultation and help.

motorcycle accident attorney
| Gary T. Lazarus | 0 Comments | Motorcycle Accident Attorney, Uncategorized | , ,

Motorcycle Safety – Do you know the Facts or the Fallacies?

Lazarus and Lazarus Focuses on You First

Most people have an opinion on motorcycle safety but sometimes those opinions are based on personal experience or on what has been passed around as facts. Too often they are fallacies:

“Motorcycles are safe as long as you wear a helmet.” Or another one is “Loud pipes save lives.” There are many more.

Here are some facts right up front: In 2013 motorcyclists were about 26 times more likely than passenger car occupants to die in a crash per vehicle mile traveled and five times more likely to be injured, according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

In 2014, 62 percent of the people killed in motorcycle accidents were wearing helmets.

Helmet use of fatally injured motorcycle drivers and passengers, 2014:

Helmet                    No helmet            Unknown          Total

Number %                 Number    %            Number  %           Number  %

Driver                      2,484      62                1,420        35            131            3           4,035        100

Passenger               136           53                116            45            7                2           259           100

Total                        2,620      60                1,536        36            139            3           4,295        100

motorcycle accident attorney

Loud pipes don’t really save lives because the noise is most often going out the rear of the bike, or perhaps the side, and the motorcycle is moving away from it. The majority of threats to a motorcycle are coming from the front and an accident occurs before the other driver has a chance to hear anything. The Doppler Effect deals with the manner in which sound travels, and there are no solid facts supporting the belief that loud pipes saves lives.

Liability and Insurance

The Florida Legislature has not required motorcycle operators to obtain any insurance as a prerequisite to registering their vehicle. Personal Injury Protection, or “PIP” coverage is not legally necessary for any vehicle having less than 4 wheels. Yes, if the motorcycle is financed through a bank, the lending institution will probably require insurance coverage for theft and/or damage to the bike.

As a corollary to the 2000 repeal of the helmet law, should a rider decide to ride without a helmet, he must carry proof of $10,000.00 in medical insurance – literally a “drop in the bucket” should an accident occur. And while coverage for damage to property or injuries to third parties is not required, should the motorcycle operator be found at fault in an accident, they should expect a lawsuit which will threaten their personal assets.

Overall, there were 2,494 persons killed in vehicle crashes in Florida during the 2013 year. The population of Florida is approximately 20 million persons, so that translates to one in 8,000 Floridians dies in a vehicle accident each year.

Where Can You Turn for Help?

What happens when a person is involved in a serious car, truck, or on a motorcycle accident? Your life changes in many ways, much more than most people anticipate. There is a perception that the only reason the victim of a vehicle accident contacts an attorney is to “sue the other guy and get a big settlement.” That’s just not the primary concern for the Law Firm of Lazarus and Lazarus.

Gary and Arleen Lazarus are life-long south Florida residents and they have committed their law practice and their lives to helping improve the quality of life for people in their “hometown.” You can reach them by calling 954-356-0006 and asking for a consultation. Our first priority is to protect your rights and get you the help you need to deal with the aftermath of being in a serious accident.

Cruise Ship Negligence
| Gary T. Lazarus | 0 Comments | CRUISE SHIP ACCIDENTS, Uncategorized | , , ,

Is Your Safety Assured on a Crowded Cruise Ship?

If you have visited the beach near Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on a Sunday afternoon-evening, you have probably noticed the steady stream of cruise ships as they parade out to sea. One-after-another they go, destined for cruise journeys ranging from a few nights to a few weeks.

There are More Ships and Passengers Sailing from South Florida than Anywhere Else on Earth

When you consider the amount of food, liquor, and other supplies on board each ship it is staggering to imagine what a boom it is for the local economy. The Sun-Sentinel recently reported that a single day record for passengers leaving and arriving at Port Everglades in one day was set on December 20, 2015: 53,485!

South Florida is part of the Caribbean/Bahamas region, and you can see that no other area comes close in terms of market share:

  • Caribbean/Bahamas 3%
  • Mediterranean 9%
  • Europe w/o Med 8%
  • Asia 6%
  • Australia/New Zealand/S. Pac 1%
  • Alaska 4%
  • South America 4%
  • Other Programs 5%

Going on a cruise is usually a wonderful experience, with more sun, fun, and food than most people could ever hope to experience on dry land. But there are issues regarding safety and liability which must be known about before setting Cruise Ship Negligenceout into international waters.

I recall a friend telling me that when he enlisted the U.S. Navy he was informed immediately after being sworn in “You are now under the authority of the Uniform Code of Military Justice” and my friend said he was a bit concerned because he felt he had waived his rights under the U.S. Constitution and was now “doomed!” In a way, he had waived those rights.

Similarly, any traveler who embarks on a cruise ship is playing under a new set of rules. Maritime Law is not like U.S. Law, and incidents occurring on board a vessel at sea are not covered by the same rights and privileges a U.S. citizen can count on here at home.

For example, if an accident occurs as a result of negligence by a cruise line company or an employee of a cruise line it will not be easy to document and pursue compensation for injuries including medical expenses, pain and suffering.

Some of the calamities discussed in a New York Times article about cruise ship on-board events include: adrift at sea, running aground, fires, viruses, overflowing toilets, and finally, sinking. Not exactly sun and fun stuff.

Cruise ships operate under the stress of what’s known as a rigid financial bottom line. They must transport as many passengers as possible in a very competitive market, keeping the fares low and the quality as high as they can. Sometimes corners are cut, and passengers suffer the consequences.

Only a handful of attorneys have dedicated their practice to include the complex area of Maritime Law, and in Fort Lauderdale one such firm is Lazarus and Lazarus. For over 20 years Gary and Arleen Lazarus have represented passengers who suffered losses and/or injuries due to the negligence of cruise ship companies. You may reach the firm by calling 954-356-0006 and asking for a free initial consultation. All information exchanged with the Law Firm of Lazarus and Lazarus is completely confidential.

| Gary T. Lazarus | 0 Comments | Online Pharmacies, PHARMACEUTICAL NELIGENCE, Uncategorized | , ,

Online Pharmacies – Are Savings Worth the Risk?

You May Not Have Recourse for Internet-Purchased Pharmacy Errors

Nearly 60% of all Americans are taking prescription drugs, the highest rate ever according to a Washington Post article citing a study by the Journal of the American Medical Association. Not everyone has insurance to cover their drugs, and with the rising prices charged by pharmacies, many look to save money online.

online-rx-_Herby__Herbert__Me_largePharmacies and pharmacists are licensed in each state and are also required to have liability insurance. In Florida you can verify the license of any member of the medical community by visiting this website operated by the Florida Department of Health. While this may provide a certain comfort level for patients, it doesn’t guarantee an error-free experience when you visit Walgreens, CVS, or your local family-owned pharmacy. Mistakes still occur.

Doing business with online pharmacies carries a level of risk above and beyond a normal pharmacy. It is not so easy to verify licenses for pharmacies operating online, because many times you won’t have any idea where they are located, or who they really are. Insurance is also a gray area, they may have it, or they may not.

A lot of red flags should go up when thinking about ordering medicine over the internet: Consider that recent studies show that up to 50% of the medications are fake, and don’t even contain the ingredients they are supposed to deliver to a patient. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which has found in many instances counterfeit medicine – pills passed off as being from an established pharmaceutical company – don’t even have an active ingredient, or might have ingredients that are dangerous.

Study after study shows that it’s critically important to not only communicate with your physician, but with your pharmacist. Many people in a hurry use the drive-thru to pick up their prescribed medications, but we encourage people to take the time to go inside the building and avail themselves of a short but meaningful discussion with their pharmacist. Ask them to double-check the bottles, the dosages, and ask about any side-effects and interactions with other drugs or foods that you eat.

We also believe that online pharmacy orders are not worth the amount of money you might save, unless the business is thoroughly checked out and you can confirm that they are selling legitimate products.

Understanding the complex issue of prescription errors and pharmacy negligence requires special training and study in some very intricate areas law. Knowledge of the latest, and the older pharmaceuticals is also necessary to advise victims on their rights when it comes to injuries sustained because of prescription mistakes.

The Law Firm of Lazarus and Lazarus has dedicated a major portion of their practice to helping people who are the victims of prescription errors of all types. They have over 20 years of experience advising and defending the rights of victims, and they are always willing to listen to you. Calling 954-356-0006 will connect you with Gary and Arleen Lazarus, south Florida attorneys who truly care about the community and want to help those who have been harmed by others.