| Gary T. Lazarus | 0 Comments | SPINAL CORD INJURY, Uncategorized

Permanent Disability from Spinal Cord Injuries

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Spinal cord injuries can be temporary or permanent, and are very serious medical issues in either case. According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (NSCISC), there are around 12,000 new spinal cord injuries every year in the United States. Of those, 40% are caused by motor vehicle accidents. Many of victims are young men between the ages of 16 and 24. Motorcycle riders are also at higher risk.

The Effects of Permanent Disability from Spinal Cord Injuries While some spinal cord injuries only are only problematic for a few days or months, most victims suffer lasting, lifelong effects from damage to the spine. A permanent spinal cord injury can lead to partial or complete paralysis and can completely change the ability of a person to live, work and function normally. The NSCISC reports that nearly 60% of spinal cord injury victims are typically employed full or part-time at the time of their accidents. After a year of recovery, only 11% were ever able to return to work. Loss of employment, exorbitant medical bills and ongoing care costs are just some of the life altering changes that a spinal cord injury victim may expect.

Because the physical, emotional and financial repercussions of spinal cord injury can be so severe, it pays to have a lawyer on your side who can defend your case and demand that the insurance company pay you what you deserve. You may be offered a settlement amount immediately after your injury, but it takes a skilled personal injury lawyer to be able to negotiate the costs of your long-term needs and medical costs.

| Gary T. Lazarus | 0 Comments | INSURANCE COVERAGE, Uncategorized

Insurance Fraud Suspected in Intentional Accidents in Florida

According to Bloomberg News (June 28, 2010), insurance fraud in Florida has reached new levels as more and more policyholders are intentionally causing auto accidents to generate medical claims. The National Insurance Crime Bureau reports that “staged” accidents in the state of Florida climbed 58 percent to nearly 2,000 in 2009. Tampa is one of the cities where many reports of fraud have been filed recently, with the number of intentional accidents quadrupling in this city alone last year.
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Throughout the state, insurance companies are taking a hard look at crashes that may show signs of fraud. In addition to pursuing drivers, a conglomerate insurance board called U.S. Car Insurers is also on the lookout for doctors who engage in these schemes and who are suspected of medical claim fraud. According to the USCI, auto insurance fraud for coverage of bodily injury totaled between $4.8 billion and $6.8 billion in 2007, and they are looking to reduce that amount drastically by cracking down on guilty parties. In the process, some people who have legitimate claims are being refused adequate coverage or are being made to jump through hoops just to receive compensation for their injuries.

Experts believe the economic hard times since 2007 may be to blame for the recent surge in deliberate car accidents in Florida. The insurance industry is now looking to raise insurance rates across the board in order to cover the costs of fraud. In addition, other drivers on the road have to be extra cautious of people willing to cause accidents to receive payments for medical care they don’t need.

If you have been injured in an auto accident in Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Orlando or any other Florida community, it is vital that you contact a reliable auto accident attorney to fight for your case. A lawyer can help you defend your rights against an insurance company or another driver who isn’t willing to pay what you’re owed.

The Law offices of Lazarus and Lazarus, P.A. frowns upon fraud of any kind, especially insurance fraud, which makes it more difficult for our clients who have legitmate claims. If you know of anyone engaging in Insurance fraud, please contact the Florida Dept. Of Law Enforcement immediately.

| Gary T. Lazarus | 0 Comments | AUTO ACCIDENTS, Uncategorized

Never Discuss Fault at the Scene of an Accident

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In Florida, drivers must carry a minimum amount of car liability insurance because it is a “no-fault” state. This means that no fault is assigned to drivers when accidents occur and insurance companies automatically pick up expenses for medical bills and lost wages, up to the policyholder’s limit. However, the no-fault rule does not apply when it comes to paying for the car’s repair after an accident.

This means that insurance claims for car repairs are still based on fault. So, at the scene of a crash, it is vital that you never acknowledge your part in the accident (if any). Insurance adjustors can use this information against you to deny you benefits. Instead, simply exchange information and allow your insurance company to deal with the investigation. Similarly, be sure to make note if the other driver admits fault in the accident, as this information can be used to strengthen your case as well.

If you have talked to your insurance company and the insurer of the other driver and are getting nowhere, it’s time to hire a reliable auto accident attorney. An attorney can file the necessary documents to get the insurance company to pay. They can also expedite the process if you’re having trouble getting straight answers on your own. Although Florida is a no-fault state, there is still plenty of room under the law to fight for the compensation you deserve.

| Gary T. Lazarus | 0 Comments | AUTO ACCIDENTS, Uncategorized

What To Do If You’ve Been In An Auto Accident

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If you’ve ever been involved in an auto accident in Fort Lauderdale, you know how scary the experience can be. In the moments just after a collision occurs, most people are in shock for a few minutes and many people aren’t sure of the steps they should take immediately after a crash. Here’s a list of auto accident basics that can help you expedite the claims process:

1. Stop your vehicle. Never flee the scene of an accident, even if it wasn’t your fault.
2. Check for injuries to yourself and your passengers. Call 911 immediately if anyone is hurt in your vehicle. If you can move safely, check the driver/passengers of the other vehicle(s) as well to see if they need emergency assistance.
3. Call the police if the accident is serious or if it is a hit and run. Minor fender benders don’t need police attention in most situations.
4. Exchange information. Regardless of fault, you have to exchange information with the other driver(s). Be sure to provide and receive names, phone numbers, addresses, license plate numbers, insurance information and driver’s license numbers. Get contact information from witnesses as well.
5. Document the scene and the damage. Use your cell phone camera or a digital camera to take pictures of all vehicles at the scene or as soon as possible. Take note of the weather conditions, the other driver’s car and any other pieces of pertinent information.

After you’ve taken these steps, contact your insurance company and report the accident. Also, be sure to seek medical attention for any injuries you may have received. This step is a crucial part of your personal injury case against another driver who is responsible for your injuries. Be sure to call a Fort Lauderdale personal injury attorney to handle your case. Insurance companies will work hard to deny you adequate coverage and an experienced lawyer can help you recover damages for your injuries.

| Gary T. Lazarus | 0 Comments | GENERAL PERSONAL INJURY, Uncategorized

Fort Lauderdale Not Yet Affected By Gulf Oil Spill

As of June 17, 2010, the city of Fort Lauderdale’s website claims that all tourism-based businesses are yet unaffected by the recent oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. However, there is real concern among residents, business owners and tourists alike that the spill may soon reach the South Florida coast and its beaches.

The Fort Lauderdale city website states that “Greater Fort Lauderdale and Broward County are not within the projected impact area” of the oil spill. However, officials also admit that winds, tides and continued leakages could drastically affect the path of the oil over the coming weeks.
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Signs That the Spill May Affect Tourism
Many travel companies are also looking at this issue very seriously in South Florida. According to USA Today, the travel booking website Orbitz announced an “Open Beach Guarantee” on June 14, 2010 that offers travelers full refunds on hotel stays in South Florida through July 31st as the spill continues to grow. If the government closes a beach within 20 miles of the property at which you booked a room, you get a full refund. The same guarantee applies if the beach is declared “dangerous” for visitors. No announcements have been made on refunds for air, train or car travel.

If you have been affected by the oil spill in Fort Lauderdale or the surrounding areas, you may wish to consult with a personal injury attorney regarding your situation. How this oil spill will affect residents, workers and tourists will remain to be seen over the coming months and years, but it is never too soon to talk to a professional legal representative about health risks or injuries you may have received as a result of the spill.

| Gary T. Lazarus | 0 Comments | SLIP AND FALL, Uncategorized

Slip and Fall at South Florida Performing Arts Center Kills Man

Slip and fall injuries happen frequently in South Florida. Unfortunately, injuries resulting from these types of incidents can end in serious tragedy. According to CBS 12 News, a man fell from a catwalk at the Kravis Center in West Palm Beach last week.

The man, Finton Hollingsworth, was a theater operation technician who was setting up for the Voices of Pride concert. He fell 30 feet onto the stage below. He died of head injuries at St. Mary’s Medical Center in West Palm Beach. The incident is still under investigation.

The statistics on slip and fall injuries are staggering. The National Safety Council reports that over 9 million disabling slip and fall accidents occur each year, which led to over 95 million lost work days and an average cost of $20,288.00. A survey by the Bureau of Labor Statistics showed that slip and falls are the most common type of work-related injury.

Of course, each incident is different, but with these numbers in mind, it is important for businesses to take all the steps necessary to ensure that they maintain a safe environment, so that their employees and their patrons can avoid injury.

| lazaruslaw-2 | 0 Comments | DEFECTIVE PRODUCTS, Uncategorized

Nationwide Blender Recall

Recently, Haier America, the New-York based appliance company, announced a recall of over 530,000 of it s blenders. The Associated Press reported that the product defect stems from the blades.

The assembly of the blades may break or come apart, which could lead to cuts and lacerations. According to the story, there have been around 60 reports of blades breaking. The blenders were sold throughout the U.S. between 2006 and 2009. Haier America will offer free blade assembly to replace the defect.

We have noted in our blog many incidents in which consumers throughout the country, including South Florida have been injured due to defective products. Whether it is defective Chinese drywall, floor mats in cars or cribs, consumers are subject to the inconvenience and dangers caused by product recalls. Luckily, watch dog groups and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission are constantly investigating and enforcing safety standards.

The defective models are the stainless steel, 500-watt blenders with model number HB500BSS. If you have purchased one of these blenders or you need more information, you can get more information by calling 866-327-6147 or visit the company website or the CPSC.

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

Search Is On in South Florida for Hit-and-Run Driver

The Sun Sentinel reported on December 1 that an investigation is underway surrounding an incident just before Thanksgiving.

On November 25, a 62-year old pedestrian was struck by a car in Fort Lauderdale. Anostrave Benjamin is reported to be in critical condition at Broward General Medical Center. According to the story, a white Dodge Neon struck Benjamin while he was crossing West Sunrise Boulevard at Northwest Fourth Avenue Lauderdale. Though not much is not known about the vehicle, police stated that the Neon was missing hubcaps and had tinted windows.

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We have discussed many stories about pedestrian accidents on our blog. Attention has grown due to incidents such as this, and staggering statistics which show that 502 pedestrians were killed in Florida in 2008. Despite the drop in fatalities over the past four years, it’s stories like this that remind us to be careful when crossing the streets in the major metropolitan areas of South Florida, especially during the holidays.

If anyone has information regarding this incident, police have asked that you call Fort Lauderdale Traffic Homicide Investigator Cheri Creque at 954-828-5825 or Broward County Crime Stoppers at 954-493-8477.

| Gary T. Lazarus | 0 Comments | AUTO ACCIDENTS, PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENTS, Uncategorized

Study Reveals Florida is the Least Safe State for Pedestrians

Pedestrians may want to think twice before taking a stroll in South Florida. According to NBC Miami, a study by Transportation for America showed that Florida is the least safe state in the country for pedestrians and bikers. The Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach area ranked 3rd overall, with the Orlando-Kissimmee area and the Tampa-Clearwater-St. Petersburg area beating out South Florida. Jacksonville was ranked 4th.

The study and the report by NBC note that much of the problem may be due to infrastructure. Florida is constantly growing and the truth is that our cities may not have been prepared for such growth. State highways throughout the country have widened, and state governments have put sidewalks and bike lanes on the back-burner to accommodate traffic.

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However, the study also notes budgetary spending might be an issue. According to the study, no state uses more than five percent of federal transportation funds on pedestrian-friendly mechanisms such as crosswalks, sidewalks and speed humps.

Our state must act quickly because the numbers are high and, without attention, will continue to rise. In Florida, there are 3.02 pedestrian fatalities for every 100,000 people while the U.S. average is 1.26 people, according to Transportation for America. Over 16 percent of traffic deaths in Florida involved pedestrians, yet only 1.5 percent of state funds are used for bicycle and pedestrian projects.

With straining state budgets throughout the country, there are no guarantees that our legislature will be able to implement more safety measures without more resources. It is up to us as drivers to promote safety in all of our cities.

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

South Florida Cycling Event Honors Teen Biker Killed by Driver

About a month ago, 17-year-old Rodolfo Rojo of Bay Harbor Islands was killed in an auto accident around 2:30 a.m. when he and his friends were riding their bikes on Biscayne Boulevard near 113th Street in Miami and Rojo was struck by a vehicle.

To honor Rojo, Critical Mass, an event in which cyclists gather in a large group to promote bicycle safety and awareness, dedicated their Friday bike ride in his memory. According to an article in the Miami Herald, the bike ride will proceed along the same route where Rojo was killed and parents and friends will leave a white painted bike with a plaque.

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This is another unfortunate story pointing out a major problem with cycling fatalities in South Florida. According to the article, Florida has the highest number of fatalities in the U.S. Bicycles are classified as vehicles and cyclists have rights. Though they are required to have front and back lights when riding at night and cyclists and drivers must observe safety laws, a lack of bike lanes on Miami’s busy streets and growing numbers of bikers leaves many people concerned.

It is obvious that more action will need to be taken to ensure cyclist safety, focusing on both the driver and the cyclist’s observance of the law.