Personal Injury Settlements
| Arleen Lazarus | 0 Comments | Uncategorized

Personal Injury Settlement Amounts – How are They Determined?

Monetary Amounts for Pain and Suffering Vary According to Circumstances

If someone offered you $100 but you would have to endure an excruciating pain in your lower back for the rest of your life, would you accept it?

Of course not!

Personal Injury Settlements FloridaWhat about $1000? Still no. There is no amount that would be sufficient to accept a lifetime of agony so how does an insurance company or judge or jury decide how much to pay the victim of an accident for their pain and suffering? It’s a complex question and one that rarely has a satisfactory answer.

The process of determining what is reasonable and fair is one that Lazarus and Lazarus has engaged in thousands of times since 1992 and it’s one we don’t like to lose. We meet with clients who are often severely hurt by many types of accidents and we see firsthand what kind of damage is done. It’s very difficult to put a price on that pain and suffering, but it must be done to move forward to the process of healing.

People should understand that “pain and suffering” is a legal term that includes more than physical pain. There are emotional and mental injuries such as fear, insomnia, grief, and even the loss of enjoyment of life.

How Can You Maximize Your Settlement?

Getting the largest possible monetary settlement is where the skill and experience of your attorney are significant. Putting together all the facts and evidence into a convincing case requires diligence and a meticulous is the job of every personal injury attorney and it is our highest priority because it will most affect our client’s future.

The bottom line is that the amount of any settlement will be determined by the negotiations between the victim’s attorney and the insurance company and/or the decision of a judge or jury.

We will never make unrealistic predictions or promises because we believe every client deserves the truth. Please click here to read what our clients have to say about our service and results.

We are available 7 days a week to speak with you about your situation if you call 954-356-0006.

Personal Injury Attorneys in Weston and Fort Lauderdale, Florida • Since 1992

Personal Injury Settlement Amounts – How are They Determined?

Accident Attorneys Lazarus
| Arleen Lazarus | 0 Comments | Personal Injury Attorney | , , ,

Drowsy Driving is Dangerous – Here are Some Prevention Tips

Like Drunk Driving, Drowsy Driving Causes Serious Injuries and Death on America’s Roadways

Personal Injury Accident AttorneyWhen you travel by plane or train there isn’t much you can do to speed up the trip. Traveling by automobile or truck or motorcycle is a different situation and many people try to “drive straight through” instead of taking some rest stops to recharge their batteries. This is not a prudent thing to do.

Last week was officially Drowsy Driving Prevention Week but it’s something we need to be aware of all the time and we should caution others about the dangers. If you know someone who likes to drive without proper rest you may want to want to make them aware of these facts:

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration drowsy driving is responsible for an annual average of:

  • 83,000 crashes
  • 37,000 injury crashes
  • 886 fatal crashes

How does sleepiness affect drivers? Studies show that driving without adequate sleep makes drivers less attentive, affects their decision-making ability, and slows reaction time.

Preventing Drowsy Driving Accidents

  1. Get at least 7 hours of sleep before embarking on a long trip.
  2. Never take medication that might cause drowsiness before you drive.
  3. On long trips take a break every 100 miles or every two hours.
  4. If you feel your eyelids “getting heavy” it’s time to pull over and rest.
  5. If you have to roll down the windows and drink coffee to stay awake, stop and rest. Those things are short-term and won’t stop you from nodding off.

The Law Firm of Lazarus and Lazarus has seen it all in our many years dealing with serious crashes and injuries, and many cases have involved drowsy driving. If you have been involved in any kind of accident it is always best to get professional legal advice about how to proceed. We answer our phones 7 days a week so please call 954-356-0006 at your convenience.

Personal Injury Attorneys in Weston and Fort Lauderdale Florida

Personal Injury Attorneys
| Arleen Lazarus | 0 Comments | Personal Injury Lawsuits in Florida | ,

Time Limits for Filing Personal Injury and Other Civil Lawsuits

Florida Law Requires Timely Actions to Protect Your Rights to Compensation for Injuries and Damages

A driver named Bob is sitting at a red light in Fort Lauderdale when suddenly someone strikes his car from behind. Poor Bob is dazed and shaken but it seems at first there are no serious injuries.

The police come and complete a crash report, the car is not drivable so it’s towed, and Bob goes to the emergency room to have some cuts and bruises treated. Bob calls his insurance company and then waits to hear some news.

What Happens Next?

Months down the road Bob realizes that the nagging pain in his neck has worsened, and that the cause is a serious spine injury that was misdiagnosed by the doctors who treated him immediately following the accident. His car has been repaired but when he drives down the road it pulls strongly to the left and repair shop is totally unresponsive about his problem. Bob didn’t receive a satisfactory check from his insurance company, and he doesn’t know what to do to cover medical bills or how to recover the salary he missed when he was out of work.

What About Bob?

No one cooperates with Bob regarding his issues, so he wonders if he can file a lawsuit to get the help he needs? The answer is maybe.Personal Injury Lawsuits Fort Lauderdale

In this hypothetical case or in an actual case a victim may seek legal action against the driver who caused the accident, the insurance companies, the doctors who made mistakes diagnosing and treating injuries, and the repair shop that did not fix the car as long as it is done according to the rules governing civil procedures.

The State of Florida has established statutes regarding civil and criminal case timetables and procedures, and failure to be aware of them is not an acceptable excuse for missing a deadline.

Since 1992 we have invited people injured in any type of accident to take advantage of our free and confidential consultations so your rights are protected and you don’t miss deadlines. Calling 954-356-0006 will put you in touch with either Gary or Arleen Lazarus and we will provide you with options for your situation and personal service.

Click Here to see various Statutes of Limitations in Florida

Personal Injury Attorneys in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and Weston, Florida

 

south florida pharmacy error attorneys
| Arleen Lazarus | 0 Comments | Prescription Errors, Uncategorized | ,

How to Catch Pharmacy Errors Before They Hurt You – Fort Lauderdale Personal Injury Attorneys

South Florida Personal Injury Attorneys

Did you ever make a measurement mistake while following a recipe? A common one is to confuse teaspoon (tsp) with tablespoon (tbsp) and sometimes while making baked goods it can make a big difference in the outcome. Still, a little too much baking soda or not enough vegetable oil probably won’t cause a major health issue.

A mistake like that with prescription medication may cause serious harm or death.

We have always advocated that patients be their own watchdogs in addition to asking questions and verifying everything with their own doctors and pharmacists. Doctors, pharmacists, and pharmacy technicians are trained to be accurate, but the Food and Drug Administration estimates that 1.3 million people are injured by medication errors annually in the U.S. – Source: AARP.org

According to DrugTopics.com a pharmacist reported making a mistake that involved mixing up the dosage for a very powerful pain killer. The medicine was dispensed for an infant and the error involved a mix-up of milliliter and teaspoon measurements. It’s important to note that one milliliter is equal to 0.202884 teaspoons. This particular error could have been fatal.

Another error that has happened too many times involves a “called-in refill” where a pharmacy refills a prescription that has actually been replaced by a new medication. In one instance the patient was having adverse reactions to a medication and the doctor changed to a new one. The pharmacy refilled the old one and the patient became very ill.

Sometimes pharmacists and doctors may be unaware of a patient’s pre-existing conditions or other medications. In one case a patient that had recently undergone chemotherapy was prescribed a medication that was totallyPersonal Injury - Pharmacy Negligence inappropriate for such a situation. The patient, doctor, and pharmacist never communicated what was going on and once again there was a very bad reaction and the patient nearly died.

Communication and verification are key elements to avoid prescription medication errors and injuries. Take the time to ask your doctor what is being prescribed, why it is being prescribed, and make absolutely sure your doctor is 100% aware of every medication you are taking, even if it’s over-the-counter.

When you pick up your prescription don’t hesitate to ask the pharmacist questions. Make sure the right pills are in the right bottle and that the dose is correct. If your doctor prescribed 100 milligrams per pill of a medicine make sure you didn’t get 500 milligrams. It is your right to have a consultation with your pharmacist.

One of the most common errors patients make is forgetting to take a pill or other medication or taking it twice in one day when the directions call for only once. A daily pill counter can help with these situations. Make sure all medications are stored where children cannot get to them.

The AARP has published a helpful page online: What You Can Do to Avoid Medication Errors

Always maintain and carry with you a complete and current list of every medication you take, even if it’s aspirin or vitamins. If something happens and you are rushed to the hospital they medical professionals who treat you will need to know your situation. Also, while you can’t carry around your complete medical history, it is a good idea to write the dates of previous surgeries and major events. For example, if you had heart bypass surgery ten years earlier, the doctors in an emergency should know that.

South Florida Pharmacy Error Attorneys

Lazarus & Lazarus Law Firm has helped victims of prescription medication errors by healthcare professionals since the start of our firm in 1992. We have also helped people who have been harmed by bad drugs. If you or someone you know has received an incorrect prescription drug please reach out to us at (954) 356-0006 and we will use our experience and knowledge to investigate what happened and how.