by Spencer Aronfeld | May 10, 2018 | Personal Injury News and Safety Resources, Slip and Fall/Premises Liability
How Much is Your Slip and Fall Case Worth? On the surface, it can be difficult to estimate how much a legal case is worth, especially if the case involves a slip and fall. However, if someone is injured in a fall due to a hazard on another person or businesses’ property, it is important that he or she be aware of the factors that can affect filing a lawsuit. For example, all states have a statute of limitations on how long an individual has to file a lawsuit. In Florida, the injured party has four years from the date of the accident to file the lawsuit. If the person does not file within this period of time, he or she can end up barred from any relief. Here are factors that will determine the value of your slip and fall case: Medical Expenses: Present and Future Medical expenses are one of the first things used to calculate damages in a slip and fall case. When meeting with an attorney, bring any and all medical expenses to help the attorney evaluate what types of medical expenses may be outstanding and what may be in the future. Damages can sometimes be the amount the healthcare provider has billed the injured client or the amount the healthcare provider agreed to receive as payment in full, if the healthcare provider agreed to a lesser amount. It helps if the client has reached what is known as “maximum medical improvement,” meaning the doctor has declared that he or she has recovered as fully as he or she is anticipated to recover, and additional...
by Spencer Aronfeld | May 10, 2018 | Personal Injury News and Safety Resources, Slip and Fall/Premises Liability
Ways Seniors Can Avoid Slip, Trip and Fall Accidents According to a recent statistic from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately a quarter of all seniors over the age of 65 suffer a serious fall every year. These falls can happen anywhere, whether it is at home, a grocery store, hotel or at a shopping mall. On an annual basis, slip and fall accidents account for 2.8 million injuries and 27,000 fatalities for the nation’s elderly. The injuries can include trauma to the head, as well as bone fractures and lacerations. Here are some tips to help seniors avoid slip, trip and fall accidents. Clear the Floor One of the biggest causes of slips, trips and falls is clutter on the floor. It can be beneficial to regularly check the floor for any hazards that could cause someone to trip and fall. These hazards can include liquids on the floor; merchandise left in walking paths or even bunched up rugs or mats. Anything that a normal person would not expect in his or her walking path needs to be cleared and routinely checked. Clean Up Messes or Spills Accidents can happen, especially in the retail industry. As soon as an accidental spill or mess is made, the store has a duty to immediately clean up spills as soon as they happen. Messes or spills should also be cleaned up as soon as they happen in the home. This helps prevent a slip and fall accident from occurring in the home. Routinely Exercise Muscle weakness is a big contributor as to why seniors suffer slip and falls and...
by Spencer Aronfeld | May 10, 2018 | Personal Injury News and Safety Resources
Preparation can be the key when it comes to meeting with a personal injury attorney for an initial consultation. Keep in mind that you are interviewing them when it comes to their qualifications, background and whether you feel the attorney and his or her firm can properly handle your case. It can help to write questions down in advance and bring them with you to your free initial consultation. We have included some of the most important questions you should ask when ‘interviewing’ your attorney. What Is Your Main Practice Area? Like doctors, attorneys will often primarily focus in a certain area of law. General practitioners do exist, and many of them can be quite qualified. However, it helps a great deal if the firm specializes in the area of personal injury in Florida. Ask the attorney how much of his or her practice is dedicated to this specific area of the law. How many cases has the attorney handled? If this area of the law is one of specific focus for the attorney, does he or she regularly attend training to remain updated on current law? All of this information is helpful to know since you will want someone who is experienced and knowledgeable handling your case. In addition, ask the attorney if he or she has handled similar cases to your specific case. While no one case is the same, it helps if he or she has experience in these types of cases. Ask the attorney how these cases turned out, whether they settled in the client’s favor or went to trial. How Much Trial Experience Do...
by Spencer Aronfeld | Mar 29, 2018 | Cruise Ship Accidents, Personal Injury News and Safety Resources
Cruise Excursions and How to Enjoy Them Safely Spring break is upon us and going on a cruise is one of the most popular ways spring breakers choose to spend their vacations. One of the fun parts of going on a cruise involves the day-long excursions that cruise lines offer on various ports throughout the voyage. The excursions can be a lot of fun, so long as the cruise passengers are safe. Here are some tips to help ensure your safety while on these exciting excursions. Do Not Wander It can be tempting to want to “explore” once the cruise goer is on port. However, it is safe to stay on the beaten path. Stay in the areas recommended by the cruise line. There is a reason that they put together recommendations for passengers, and it is best to frequent those spots rather than wander off to find an undiscovered “treasure.” The possibility of getting lost and not being able to make it back to port on time is too strong, and the chances of being robbed or worse is too great a risk, if the traveler encounters an unsafe situation. Use common sense and stay in populated areas. Book Excursions through the Cruise Company or Reputable Traveler Agent It is best to only book excursions through the cruise line and not through someone who is not licensed or regulated by the visiting port. If any questions arise as to whether the person through whom the passenger is booking the excursion is licensed, always ask. If the person is licensed, he or she will be able to provide the...
by Spencer Aronfeld | Mar 27, 2018 | Personal Injury News and Safety Resources
Retail Workers Experienced a Combined Injury and Illness Rate Higher Than Those in the Construction Industry The retail industry comes with its own set of risks, and like any other industry, the possibility of accidents, injuries and illnesses are part of the job. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports, in 2016, a combined injury and illness rate was higher for retail workers than construction workers. Most of the injuries sustained were a result of employees moving and stocking products from delivery trucks to storage areas and onto shelves in the store. Musculoskeletal disorders were the most common types of injuries while slips, trips and falls were also reported. What Can Be Done to Prevent These Injuries? The rise of injuries and illnesses in the retail industry brings the question of what can be done to increase the safety measures put in place by the company. It is up to store management to make the safety of its employees and customers a top priority. It is recommended that employers hold annual training sessions for all employees that emphasize the prevention of slip, trip and fall accidents, how to safely use ladders, manual material handling, proper housekeeping techniques, and parking lot cart-collection. Handle with Care Handling merchandise and other materials is often the leading cause of retail injuries. It is important that employees be given proper equipment and be trained to lift properly to prevent these injuries. One way to reduce the chance of injuries is to minimize how many times a worker touches a product. Equipment Design Focusing on ergonomics can also help reduce injuries by ensuring that...
by Spencer Aronfeld | Mar 21, 2018 | Car Accidents, Personal Injury News and Safety Resources
Hit-and-Run Accidents Reach Epidemic Proportion in South Florida – How You Can Protect Your Legal Rights Following a Hit-and-Run Accident The month of February marked Hit-and-Run Awareness Month where Florida Highway Patrol sought to remind all drivers of the importance of staying at the scene of an accident. “This is a significant problem throughout the State of Florida. It has arisen to an epidemic proportion in Miami-Dade County,” said FHP Maj. Chris Dellapietra. For those who are victims of a hit and run accident, the whole experience can bring out a range of emotions, leaving those injured angered and worried about how they will protect themselves and receive compensation for any damages and injuries sustained. Certain actions can help protect you if you find yourself or a loved one the victim of a hit-and-run accident. What Is a Hit-and-Run? A hit-and-run accident occurs any time a driver intentionally leaves the scene of an accident without providing his or her contact information. This can happen when a car hits another car, motorcyclist, bicyclist or passenger and speeds off. A hit-and-run can also occur when a driver hits an unattended parked car and fails to leave any contact information for the car owner. What to Do after the Hit-and-Run As soon as the accident happens, it is extremely important that the victim gather as much information as possible about the car that hit him or her. The more information that can be recalled, the better the chances are that the police will be able to later identify and catch the driver who hit him or her and the easier it will...
