by Spencer Aronfeld | Apr 8, 2020 | Personal Injury News and Safety Resources
The coronavirus (COVID-19) has many of us on edge when it comes to doing basic tasks like going grocery shopping or ordering take-out. It has become increasingly competitive at grocery stores each week to obtain essentials before inventory runs out. On top of that, we now must worry about contracting COVID-19 while out in public. It can be a struggle to safely social distance while conducting what are essentially basic tasks. Anytime you go out in public, you run the risk of contracting the virus. It is recommended to bring Clorox wipes and hand sanitizer with you when going to the store. Make sure any surface you touch, such as your shopping cart, has been properly sanitized. Many people feel that gloves will adequately protect them. However, gloves will only work so long as you do not touch anything that has the virus on it and then touch your face. It is estimated that the coronavirus can live for a day on cardboard and up to three days on many metal and plastic surfaces, which means the groceries coming into your house could be contaminated. Disinfect your groceries. Anything that needs to be brought inside should be immediately disinfected, including items that go in the freezer. Studies have shown that the virus does not die from being contained in a freezer. If you do have to venture out in public to shop, make sure you are staying a safe distance away from everyone in the store, which is a recommended six feet. Many grocers are offering curbside pick-up and delivery services, and people are encouraged to take advantage of...
by Spencer Aronfeld | Apr 8, 2020 | Personal Injury, Personal Injury News and Safety Resources
The coronavirus has affected Americans in more ways than one. During this challenging time, let us assure you that Aronfeld Trial Lawyers is here and stands ready to help you even with it being remotely. We have had some inquiries about how COVID-19 may affect Florida personal injury cases and we would like to share with you some important information regarding the same. Status of Legal Proceedings One major disruption of the COVID-19 outbreak has been the delay of certain legal proceedings. However, the federal courthouse is still open and accepting filings. Our firm has and continues to file personal injury cases against the major cruise lines, even as many of them try to get cases against them stayed. The cruise line industry and their legal teams are working hard to have the court allow them to not respond to filings against them. Under an administrative order issued by Chief Justice Bertila Soto of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit Court, only mission-critical or emergency hearings will be heard during this time. The initial period was set to expire on March 27 but has recently been extended through April 20, unless a remote appearance technology platform has been implemented before that time. At that point, non-emergency court proceedings will be able to be held remotely, although jury trials will likely still be suspended until the COVID-19 crisis lessens. While emergency hearings may be the only actual hearings being heard, the Florida Supreme Court has issued an order that most legal business can continue. Depositions can still be done electronically, and the oath to tell the truth can be issued to parties...
by Spencer Aronfeld | Jul 3, 2018 | Car Accidents, Personal Injury News and Safety Resources
Auto manufacturers are recalling more vehicles than any other time in U.S. history. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), approximately 46 million cars have been recalled so far this year. The problem is many drivers have no idea that their cars are under recall. According to the NHTSA, 1-in-5 cars that are on the road are under some type of auto recall. The Takata airbag recall accounted for more than 37 million recalls after the defective airbags caused 23 deaths worldwide over recent years. Thousands of individuals were injured due to these defective devices, as well. As a result, the U.S. Department of Transportation launched a website called Airbag Recall to keep drivers updated on recall notices. The following vehicle recalls have been issued in the last year: 8 million recalls for cruise control problems; 4 million recalls due to loose steering wheels; 350,000 transmission shifter recalls; and 123,000 power steering recalls. Federal law dictates that auto manufacturers send written notification to all car owners if a recall is issued for their specific vehicle. While this written notification is legally required, it does not always make its way the current car owner. If ownership has transferred or someone has moved, the auto manufacturer may not have the most recent information for the owner. It is helpful if a potential purchaser reviews the car’s history before buying the car. Many different sites and apps exist to allow for a quick search, including CarFax. By entering the license plate or vehicle identification number (VIN), the owner or purchaser can get all of the recalls that exist for the...
by Spencer Aronfeld | Jun 29, 2018 | Personal Injury News and Safety Resources, Slip and Fall/Premises Liability
The idea of simply slipping and falling may seem minor but slip and fall injuries can range from serious to life-threatening. Falls are the leading cause of emergency room visits and hospitalizations for the 65+ age group. Not only can these injuries be painful, they can end up being costly in terms of medical bills and lost wages due to having to miss work due to injuries. The following are some of the more common types of injuries we as attorneys see in slip and fall cases. Cuts and Bruises Some of the more common injuries that result from a slip and fall are cuts and bruises, also known as abrasions. Cuts and bruises to the leg and arm are common, but other parts of the body can be affected as well, depending on the injury. Some of these only require first-aid type of treatment but others may need stitches or more serious treatment. Broken Bones If the fall is severe, broken bones can result. These breaks can be minor fractures to severe breaks or even dislocation of bones. If the individual who falls has weaker bones, the breaks can take more time to heal and require casts and ongoing physical therapy. Broken hips are common injuries when it comes to older individuals falling. Broken bones require immediate treatment and can be painful and debilitating. Swelling will almost always occur, and if the swelling gets out of hand, this can make it difficult to treat the break. Therefore, if you have any suspicion that you broke a bone, it is extremely important that you go to an emergency room...
by Spencer Aronfeld | Jun 27, 2018 | Personal Injury News and Safety Resources, Slip and Fall/Premises Liability
Premises liability is a legal term that often comes up in personal injury and slip and fall cases when a person is injured on someone else’s property, whether that be at a business or on someone’s personal property. This injury is usually due to an unsafe condition or undetected hazard on that property. Premises liability cases are based on laws of negligence. In order to have a successful claim, the injured person must show that the business owner was negligent in his or her ownership or maintenance of the property. Negligence means the property owner failed to use reasonable care with respect to the condition of the property and because of this failure, an injury occurred. The dangerous or hazardous condition does not have to be specifically known by the business owner. All that has to be shown is that the property or business owner knew or should have known of the unsafe condition and failed to take the steps necessary to fix it. This means that the property or business owner has a duty of routinely inspecting his or her property to ensure that there are no unforeseen hazards that could hurt others while on their property. Property owners are charged with the duty to ensure that the property is safe for anyone who enters his or her property, but this duty extends even further for those who are considered invitees and licensees on the property. An invitee is someone who has the property owner’s express or implied permission to be there, such as friends, relatives or neighbors. A licensee is a person who has the property owners...
by Spencer Aronfeld | Jun 26, 2018 | Personal Injury News and Safety Resources, Slip and Fall/Premises Liability
Slip and fall accidents can happen anywhere, at any time. Many times, falls happen through the negligence of the injured person, but other times, they occur because of the negligence of the property owner or business. Here are some of the most common causes of slip and fall accidents. Floors The most obvious reason why someone slips and falls is due to something being on the floor causing the individual to lose his or her balance. Property owners have a duty to maintain their common areas, specifically the floors. All floors are expected to be clean of liquids and debris, and if the property owner fails to maintain the floors in a safe manner, he or she can be held responsible. Some of the more common ways flooring can lead to injuries include: The property owner not putting up adequate warnings or notices that the floor was being cleaned, was still wet or damp or had any other hazards; If an area was damp or wet, the property or business owner failed to put up adequate barriers to close off the area; The property or business owner used too much wax or polish on the floor or applied it unevenly, leaving one area too slick; The property or business owner applied a floor treatment to a part of the floor that was on an incline or slope, leaving it dangerous to walk upon; or The property or business owner failed to use a “non-skid” floor treatment if that type of floor treatment is required. Essentially any time the property owner is negligent in maintaining carpeted floors, rugs or mats...
