Takata Air Bag Injury Cases
| Gary T. Lazarus | 0 Comments | Takata Air Bag Injuries | ,

Takata Air Bag Injury Cases

Defective Air Bags May Cause Serious Injuries

Many people may remember the days when you would get in your car and drive off into the streets of your city or a highway without even thinking about buckling your seat belts. The first seat belt was developed by a Swedish engineer and installed on Volvos in 1959 and spread around the world but many people considered them a nuisance and ignored the life-saving straps.

According to the CDC: Seat belts dramatically reduce risk of death and serious injury. Among drivers and front-seat passengers, seat belts reduce the risk of death by 45%, and cut the risk of serious injury by 50%. Seat belts prevent drivers and passengers from being ejected during a crash.

fort lauderdale personal injury attorneysIt wasn’t until 1986 that the State of Florida began to enforce a requirement for seat belts.

Airbags were first introduced in the early 1970’s and since then, vehicles, as well as their safety features, have developed rapidly. Since model year 1998, all new cars have been required to have air bags on both driver and passenger sides.

Tens of millions of vehicles with Takata air bags are under recall. Long-term exposure to high heat and humidity can cause these air bags to explode when deployed. Such explosions have caused injuries and deaths.

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) urges vehicle owners to take a few simple steps to protect themselves and others from this very serious threat to safety.

Check for Recalls using your vehicle identification number (VIN).

If you or someone you know has been injured due to a defective Takata air bag, we can help. We are representing victims who are seeking compensation for their medical bills, time lost from work, pain & suffering, and property damages.

We are available for a free consultation if you call 954-356-0006 – We’re here 7 days a week.

Takata Air Bag Injury Cases

Exactech® Recalls
| Gary T. Lazarus | 0 Comments | Defective Medical Products |

Exactech® Hip, Knee, and Ankle Implant System Recalls

You Can Protect Your Right to Compensation for Defective Medical Products

The Law Firm of Lazarus and Lazarus is now accepting cases from victims who had a recalled Exactech® implant system that subsequently failed, requiring revision surgery.

Many patients who received the defective implants have experienced pain and suffering due to the defective nature of those products and patients often will endure more physical issues and medical expenses.

fort lauderdale personal injury attorneysIn June of 2021 Exactech® recalled many Novation-branded hip replacement systems due to a risk of premature wear. Subsequently the company expanded the recall to include more hip systems and then knee and ankle systems.

Exactech® is based in Florida and many patients who had their products implanted are Florida residents. Multiple lawsuits are being initiated in Florida, across the country, and around the world. Events surrounding the recall cases are moving rapidly and the time to reach out for information is now.

Nature of Defects:

The recalled devices contain polyethylene inserts, cups, and liners, which can degrade when exposed to oxygen. To prevent this, the products should be placed in oxygen-resistant vacuum bags with a secondary barrier layer of ethylene vinyl alcohol for further protection.

Exactech® did package the products in vacuum bags, but some of the bags lacked the secondary barrier layer. Exactech® admitted that 80 percent of the inserts manufactured since 2004 were placed in non-conforming packaging. This allowed oxygen to reach the polyethylene components and begin degrading the material.

Patients have experienced:

  • Pain
  • Impaired mobility
  • Physical disability
  • Loss of use of a limb
  • Amputation
  • Permanent disfigurement
  • Death
  • The need for revision surgery

If you or someone you know received an Exactech® joint replacement system and that person is experiencing symptoms as described above we are available to help. We are positioned to look into these cases and take immediate action if appropriate.

We’re available 7 days a week by calling 954-356-0006.

Weston, Florida and Fort Lauderdale, Florida Personal Injury Attorneys

personal injury attorney fees
| Gary T. Lazarus | 0 Comments | Personal Injury Attorney

Personal Injury Attorney Fees

Personal Injury Attorney Fees

It’s Important to Understand What Your Legal Costs Might be Upfront

Imagine yourself in one of these situations:

  • Your spouse has served you with a lawsuit asking for a divorce and wants to have custody of your children.
  • You are arrested for a crime.
  • A real estate transaction you are involved has an involved party who suddenly wants back out.
  • You are involved in a serious auto accident and you have been injured.
  • Your parent or other relative has passed away and you are in their will but you don’t understand the details.

fort lauderdale personal injury attorneysEvery one of the above dilemmas involve legal issues and so you should be concerned about knowing how to protect your legal rights. The minute people are presented with these situations their first thought is “I need legal help” and their second thought is “how much will that help cost me?”

Attorneys are experts in law, and they spent a lot of time and money on their education and proficiency to become experts in their field. Therefore, they deserve to be paid for their services.

Here are some of the ways attorneys charge for their services:

Consultation Fees: This is where you have questions, but aren’t necessarily involved in an immediate legal dispute. Attorneys may charge by the hour for their time and recommend a certain course of action. What this hourly rate is depends.

Contingency Fees: These arrangements are common with personal injury and medical malpractice attorneys. The client usually pays nothing up-front, and the attorney accepts a percentage of the final settlement or judgement. Contingency fees (percentage) can vary according to the type of case.

Flat Fees: This is usually an option if the attorney handles large volumes of a particular kind of case, allowing the attorney to drive the cases through the use of forms and standardized practices. These are usually relatively simple cases like uncontested divorces, evictions, or foreclosures.

Hourly Rate: This is a common way for attorneys to charge for their services and it certainly seems like a reasonable system. A client must understand that staying abreast of time and expenses compiled stay within the limits of their budget is important.

Retainer: This is like a deposit paid toward future fees and costs. The lawyer is paid a set fee, often based on the lawyer’s hourly rate multiplied by a certain number of hours.

Lazarus and Lazarus • Most of Our Clients Pay no Upfront Fees

For the vast majority of cases the Law Firm of Lazarus and Lazarus uses the contingency fee system, which means after a free consultation, the client pays nothing. We represent our clients for a percentage of the final financial recovery.

We believe this is the most equitable way to structure a fee agreement with our clients, many of whom have been devastated financially from an accident and injuries sustained.

If you or someone you know has been injured in any type of accident it’s important not to delay in reaching out for help. Florida law limits the amount of time victims have to seek compensation for hospital bills, property damage, and pain & suffering.

The first step is to call us – 7 days a week – at (954) 356- 0666

Personal Injury Attorneys Lazarus and Lazarus • Weston and Fort Lauderdale, Florida

| Gary T. Lazarus | 0 Comments | Florida Personal Injury Attorney

Jury Verdict or Settlement – Which is Better for Your Case?

It’s Important to Know When to go to Trial and to Always Be Prepared

People have always enjoyed TV shows and movies about legal drama in the courtroom. LA Law, Boston Legal, Matlock, A Few Good Men, and Night Court, a comedy, are among dozens of examples.

To Kill a Mockingbird is considered by many to be the greatest novel ever written and was set mainly in a courtroom.

People love legal drama, as long as they aren’t directly involved.

Courtrooms are fascinating places where often serious, life-altering decisions are made by judges and juries. Attorneys who work inside courtrooms must understand the law and be highly skilled or they can hurt, not help their clients.

The truth is that most legal cases, both criminal and civil, never get to court. Cases are usually settled “out-of-court” and that often produces the best outcome for everyone.

Mediation is a great help in many cases. According to the website Florida Courts:

Mediation is a way for people who are having a dispute to talk about their issues and concerns and to make decisions about the dispute with the help of another person (called a mediator). A mediator is not allowed to decide who is right or wrong or to tell you how to resolve your dispute.  In mediation, you can try to find solutions that make sense to you and the other person in the dispute to resolve some or all of your concerns.

When someone is involved in a serious personal injury case such as a car, truck, or motorcycle crash, it’s very important to have legal advice and services from an attorney who knows when to negotiate a settlement, when to utilize a mediator, and when to go to trial. Sometimes we encounter cases where a settlement is expected and suddenly we must prepare for trial. It’s important to be prepared.

The primary goal for every personal injury attorney is to put their client’s goals first, meaning compensation for injuries, damages, and pain & suffering. People can return to the life they had before their injuries when the have the resources to do so. Medical and rehabilitation costs have skyrocketed in recent years, and time away from work makes it even more difficult to get back to normal.

The Law Firm of Lazarus and Lazarus has been helping people in south Florida get the money they need to move on in their lives. We investigate and probe every detail of every case so we know what the best plan of actions is.

Questions? Of course! That’s why we answer the phone 7 days a week and you will speak directly with an attorney when you call us at 954-356-0006.

Florida Personal Injury Attorneys Lazarus and Lazarus

| Gary T. Lazarus | 0 Comments | Uncategorized

Economic and Non-Economic Losses in a Personal Injury Auto Crash Case

A Thorough Investigation and Diligent Research are Essential for Maximum Compensation

When people are involved in a car, truck, or motorcycle crash their immediate concerns should be treating injuries and dealing with damages. Those priorities are important but in the days and weeks that follow any injury it is important to look into additional losses – economic and non-economic – that may have been sustained and that deserve compensation.

Initially victims of car crashes and other incidents involving injuries worry about covering their medical bills and their lost or damaged property. These are certainly substantial concerns, but it’s also important to look at all economic and non-economic losses and to address these issues immediately so there are no stones left unturned. This should be done as soon as possible because in all legal actions, time is important.

In a legal context, “time is of the essence” is a statement that may be included in the language of the provisions of a contract to emphasize that the parties must complete their obligations on time. In other words, the phrase “time is of the essence” means that timing is material to the performance of the contract. Cornell Law School

Examples of economic losses include:

  • Medical Expenses
  • Property Damages
  • Lost Wages
  • Rehabilitation Expenses

While economic losses refer to quantifiable financial expenses, non-economic damages refer to subjective, non-monetary losses. You may have frequently heard the term “pain and suffering,” and that’s what people are referring to. This includes compensation for:

  • Emotional distress
  • Physical pain and suffering
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Diminished quality of life
  • Mental anguish
  • Loss of consortium (loss of spousal emotional or physical support)
  • Permanent disabilities and impairments
  • Permanent disfigurement

When you choose an attorney to handle your damage/injury it’s very important to select someone who is thorough and not just rush to a settlement for economic losses only.

Experience has taught us to probe deeply into every case a look for potential long-term effects, some which may last a lifetime. We fight hard for our clients to make sure they get the maximum compensation they deserve.

A consultation is free and easy to arrange. Please call us at (954) 356-0006 seven days a week.

Accident Attorneys Fort Lauderdale
| Arleen Lazarus | 0 Comments | Auto Accident Attorneys | ,

Glove Compartment Check-Up and Checklist – Lazarus & Lazarus Law Firm – Auto Accident Attorneys

Motor Vehicle Accident Checklist

What do you have in your glove compartment? Probably not gloves because we’re in Florida!

How often have you gone to the grocery store without a list and then realized later you forgot something? Probably about two thousand times. Imagine being in an accident and then trying to remember what to do when you’re completely stressed out. You’ll likely forget several important things.

Automobile accidents are among the most stressful things that happen and fortunately they are pretty rare. The average driver will be involved in an accident every 17 years. If you’re a careless driver probably more often, if you’re a very careful driver, less.

If and when you do have an accident, a little preparation now will make things much better, in fact a little information now may save you time and money later.

Check your glove compartment to make sure you the have the basics:

Evidence of Insurance. If you have it on your phone you still may want a copy in your glove compartment in case Auto Accident Checklistyour phone dies.

A copy of your vehicle registration.

A checklist of things to do after an accident. Where can you get such a checklist? Right here!

We have put together a checklist that covers things that might not jump into your head immediately after an accident because you’re anxious and confused. Click Here to download the checklist.

Remember that everyone’s safety is the top priority immediately after an accident. Your actions subsequent to those first moments are also very important, and in a state of confusion you want a clear headed person to guide you. The Law Firm of Lazarus and Lazarus has been helping people injured in car, truck, and motorcycle accidents for nearly 30 years and we are proud of our record of success and our reputation as experts in our field. Call us at (954) 3556-0006 if you have any questions.

Accident Checklist Fort Lauderdale Accident Attorneys

Personal Injury Lawsuits
| Arleen Lazarus | 0 Comments | Personal Injury Lawsuits

Eight Steps to a Personal Injury Case – Law Firm of Lazarus and Lazarus

Every Case is Different but this is a General Guide

Fort Lauderdale and Weston Personal Injury Lawsuit and Settlement Options

You wake up every day with plans to get things accomplished and make life better for you and your family. Sometimes there is a bump in the road and sometimes there are serious setbacks. Injuries caused by accidents are something we don’t expect but they happen more often than you may think.

When people are hurt due to someone else’s carelessness, negligence, or malpractice, they do have options. The key is to have someone to help you navigate the system, protect your rights, and heal physically, emotionally, and financially. This is what experienced personal injury attorneys do.

Our primary goals for every client are to (1) expedite the process so victims can move forward as soon as possible and (2) obtain the highest possible financial settlement or award so there are no issues regarding medical care or other expenses related to the injuries.

Here are 8 steps we are prepared to initiate to benefit our client’s cases. They are in no particular order and they may not be necessary, but it is good to understand the process.

Fort Lauderdale Personal Injury CasesGet the Facts – We will obtain all necessary reports and details so we understand the who, what, when, where, and how for each incident.

Gather Evidence – We want to win for you so we spare no effort in getting everything we need to prove your case. Physical evidence, photographs, witness testimony, and more.

Demand Letters – Often we can quickly settle a case with a very effective demand letter. We are tenacious dealing with insurance companies and they know we are serious about getting results.

File a Lawsuit – Lawsuits are sometimes necessary when a reasonable settlement is not possible. Once again, we plan and prepare to win every case and our reputation for complete and thorough lawsuits is well-known.

Settlement – Our experience has taught us when to settle and when to press on for more. Settlements sometimes happen literally hours before the start of a trial. We make sure your best interests are completely covered. Please remember that it’s generally not a good idea to sign a settlement without at least a consultation with your own legal advisor.

Mediation – This is often a preferred way to achieve a reasonable conclusion to a personal injury lawsuit. An impartial mediator helps settle issues in a manner that is acceptable to everyone.

Trial – When there is no way to settle or mediate a case, we are prepared to go all the way to a trial by judge or jury.

Appeal – In some rare cases lawsuits don’t go the way we hoped or expected. A careful appeal can reverse a previous decision and bring out the truth so justice is done.

Every option for every case is considered and we take the time to explain every step we take. As a small firm we are happy to spend time with every client so they never feel they’re on the outside of the process.

We’re available seven days a week at (954) 356-0006 for questions about your situation.

The Law Firm of Lazarus and Lazarus

(954) 356-0006

Fort Lauderdale Injury Attorney
| Arleen Lazarus | 0 Comments | South Florida Car Accident Attorney

Can You Afford to Hire an Attorney After an Accident? The Law Firm of Lazarus and Lazarus

Ask About Fees Before Making a Decision

South Florida Accident and Personal Injury Attorneys

Have you ever signed a contract and later regretted it? Maybe you bought a car and agreed to a payment that was too high? Or you signed up for a monthly service that committed you to a long-term commitment?

Accident Injury AttorneysHere’s Some Good News: Almost all personal injury and accident cases that involve an attorney are initiated on a contingency basis. This means it is an arrangement between a plaintiff and a lawyer, stating that the lawyer will represent the plaintiff without money to pay up front. In these situations, the plaintiff pays the lawyer only if the lawyer wins the case.

In many other circumstances involving, for example, criminal law, family law (divorce), and contract law (real estate) an individual must pay an up-front fee to an attorney for services.

Florida Bar Association rules prohibit any fee agreements that can result in an illegal, prohibited, or clearly excessive fees or costs. Whether a fee is excessive is a matter of “reasonableness” under Florida Bar rules. An unreasonable fee is one where the fee constitutes a “clear overreaching or an unconscionable demand by the attorney.” A fee is also unreasonable if it is based on fraud or intentional misrepresentation.  Florida Bar rules set out factors for reasonableness that mirror rules set for by the American Bar Association.

We are here first and foremost to help people who have been injured in an auto, truck, or motorcycle accident. We also work for people who have been hurt in other accidents caused by someone’s neglect or negligence. Our areas of experience include:

  • Construction Accidents
  • Inadequate or Negligent Security
  • Aviation and Train Accidents
  • Boating Accidents
  • Defective Products
  • Medical Malpractice

Our consultations are free and it is unlikely you will be charged any upfront fees at all if we represent you.

The Law Firm of Lazarus and Lazarus has been helping people who are injured in accidents since 1992. We are committed to helping our clients recover from any and all damage done by medical errors.

We are available 7 days a week by calling (954) 356-0006

Gary and Arleen Lazarus

(954) 356-0006

| Gary T. Lazarus | 0 Comments | Auto Accident Attorneys

Is Your Insurance Company Really Your Friend? Lazarus Law Firm – Weston Personal Injury Attorneys

Weston Personal Injury Attorneys

Do you know what companies match to these slogans?

  1. Just do it.
  2. What’s in Your Wallet?
  3. Finger Lickin’ Good.
  4. Breakfast of Champions.
  5. You’re in Good Hands.

The answers are below, but most people know the answers right away. Slogans are a big part of branding and they are designed to get a response in consumers, sometimes an emotional one. Insurance companies want people to feel safe and protected when they pay their premiums every month and it works. State Farm Insurance says they are “Like a Good Neighbor” and everyone likes to have a good neighbor looking out for them.

All big corporations offer products and services that hopefully benefit the consumer who buys them but their primary goal is to make a profit which means they need to take in more money than they pay out. Insurance companies differ from others in that they only pay out benefits after a loss by their customer so they are very meticulous about trying to minimize money going out. That’s not to say they cheat people, but if they can offer a low settlement to the victim of an auto accident, for example, and the person accepts it….that’s a good day for them.

Insurance companies have employees called claim adjusters who review circumstances of a claim and determine what benefits their company should pay. They often ask a victim to sign a settlement agreement which may or may not be the best outcome available. Insurance companies and their adjusters are not “bad” but they will usually put their financial interests first, and that’s not good for a person who has just been injured in a car accident.

Is There a Solution?

Working with a personal injury attorney means you’ll have someone working for you who wants to see you obtain the best financial out come possible. Experienced attorneys have dealt with insurance companies for years and they know when  it’s time to settle and when it’s time to negotiate for more.

The Law Firm of Lazarus and Lazarus has represented victims of other’s negligence and won substantial outcomes since 1992. A free consultation is available by calling 954-356-0006.

The Answers are:

  1. Nike
  2. Capital One
  3. Kentucky Fried Chicken
  4. Wheaties
  5. Allstate Insurance

Weston Personal Injury Attorneys

The information provided on this website does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this site are for general informational purposes only.

No reader, user, or browser of this site should act or refrain from acting on the basis of information on this site without first seeking legal advice from counsel in the relevant jurisdiction.

Use of, and access to, this website or any of the links or resources contained within the site do not create an attorney-client relationship between the reader, user, or browser and the Law Firm of Lazarus and Lazarus.

South Florida Wrongful Death Attorneys
| Gary T. Lazarus | 0 Comments | WRONGFUL DEATH

Wrongful Death Cases in Florida – Lazarus and Lazarus Law Firm

South Florida Wrongful Death Attorneys Lazarus and Lazarus

When someone is injured in an accident because of someone else’s negligence they have the right to sue and seek compensation for damages. The right to sue is guaranteed by the Seventh Amendment to the U.S. Constitution which ensures that citizens’ civil cases can be heard and decided upon by a jury of their peers. The jury trial provides a forum for all the facts to be presented, evaluated impartially and judged according to the law. Chapter 768 is a lengthy section of the Florida Statutes that covers issues related to negligence.

South Florida Wrongful Death AttorneysWhat happens when a person is killed in an accident? Who speaks for them, and do they have a right to justice?

Thankfully the answer is yes. A suit Wrongful Death may be filed with the court to seek compensation for damages.

A wrongful death claim may come after an auto, motorcycle, or truck accident, including DUI. Wrongful death cases also arise after a product liability issue, a workplace accident, an incident occurring because of negligent security, or any number of other tragedies including plane crashes that result because of the negligence of a person, product, or business entity.

Examples of damages after a wrongful death:

Medical bills,
Property damage,
Lost wages,
Pain and suffering, and
Loss of enjoyment of life.

Attorneys who are experienced with Florida Statutes and Federal and Local Law are capable of gathering the evidence necessary to proceed with personal injury and wrongful death cases. When considering attorneys to represent you in a legal case always look for length of experience and reviews by previous clients.

The Law Firm of Lazarus and Lazarus has been serving victims of negligence in south Florida since 1992 and we are available 7 days a week be calling 954-356-0006.

The information provided on this website does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this site are for general informational purposes only.

No reader, user, or browser of this site should act or refrain from acting on the basis of information on this site without first seeking legal advice from counsel in the relevant jurisdiction.

Use of, and access to, this website or any of the links or resources contained within the site do not create an attorney-client relationship between the reader, user, or browser and the Law Firm of Lazarus and Lazarus.