As another languid summer in Tampa Bay draws to a close and children prepare to return to school next week, drivers should prepare to be particularly careful on the roads during the early morning and afternoon commutes. In recent years, there have been far too many incidents of motorists striking children walking along high-traffic roads in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties, among others, on their way to school or the bus stop.
Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate has moved their main office to the prestigious office building with the physical address of 25749 US Highway 19. Located in the heart of the Countryside region of Clearwater, just north of Sunset Point Road, the new office provides convenient access from its high profile exposure on US Highway 19.
A wrongful death lawsuit against the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office and a private company providing medical care to inmates has settled for a total of $1 million.
Last week, the Florida Supreme Court ruled that a hospital’s agreement with patients to limit medical malpractice damages by 75% of what the law allows and to require arbitration was not enforceable. Presently before the Florida Supreme Court is the McCall v. United States case, in which the appellants also challenge as unconstitutional Florida’s medical malpractice caps against practitioners of $500,000 (and $1,000,000 for wrongful death) under section 766.118, Florida Statutes.
Florida Governor Rick Scott has until June 12 to sign a number of bills presented to him by the legislature, including SB 1792, which diminishes significantly the number of available expert witnesses who may testify in medical malpractice lawsuits. While the change may not seem all that significant at first glance, the statute in its current form already places strict requirements on potential experts. More important, this is is yet another attempt the Florida legislature or Governor Scott to diminish the rights of victims of medical malpractice and other forms of negligence.
A San Francisco company remains under investigation for the deaths of five women who suffered fatal burn injuries last week as they were trapped in a burning limousine.
After five years of prolonged legislative debate and delays, Florida lawmakers have finally approved a compromised bill that if signed into law by Governor Scott would ban driving while texting, instant messaging, and emailing.
Last week CNN and other news outlets reported that over 7,000 patients in Tulsa, Oklahoma were negligently exposed to unsanitary medical procedures and other dangerous healthcare practices. Now these patients are being told they are at risk of contracting HIV and hepatitis. Investigators found that patients of Dr. W. Scott Harrington were exposed to unsafe medical practices during the past 6 years at two of Dr. Harrington’s dental clinics.
As college students, families with young children, and snow birds from the north flock to Florida, Tampa Bay area roadways such as US 19, Gulf Boulevard and Bayshore Boulevard become particularly susceptible to accidents involving motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians.
Mere weeks after Carnival passengers arrived in Mobile, Alabama, some have already hired attorneys and filed lawsuits against the mega-liner. That a life-threatening outbreak did not occur on the impaired ship was purely a matter of luck.
