| 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 | 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.