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.
It is likely that courts will eventually recognize permanent injuries to and the loss of companion animals due to veterinary malpractice in a manner similar to medical malpractice and wrongful death actions involving humans. Doing so will elevate the legal status of animals under state and federal law to afford them the rights and protections they deserve.
In Florida, over-sized umbrellas at beaches and sidewalk cafes or restaurants are abundant, creating the risk of significant personal injury.
Florida lawmakers were busy in 2012, passing a number of controversial and widely-criticized bills. The most notorious of these among Florida personal injury attorneys was HB 119, also known as the PIP Reform Act.
Last year, Florida governor Rick Scott announced with great bravado his plans to implement strict measures to prevent the rampant neglect and abuse of disabled and elderly residents at assisted living facilities (ALFs). A year and a half later, Scott has receded dramatically from his previously valiant stance on ALF reform.
A group of chiropractors, massage therapists, and acupuncturists have filed the first of numerous anticipated lawsuits over Florida’s recently overhauled personal injury protection (PIP) law. Nearly eight months after the PIP law passed, auto insurers have not yet reduced any premiums. In fact, State Farm recently proposed increasing the PIP portion of its insurance by 22 percent, but it is willing to settle for a mere 7.9 percent increase.
The fundamental purpose of insurance is to provide a safety net to support its policyholder in dire times. Whether it is financial protection following a natural disaster, auto accident, or life-threatening illness, Americans turn to insurance companies to ease their stress and help them rebuild their lives. Unfortunately, most hard-working individuals and their families in the United States are insured by massive conglomerates that strive to undercut policyholders at every opportunity, raise premiums without warning, deny claims whenever possible, and effectively betray the trust and fiduary duties owed to their insureds.
Gregory Perenich, a partner at PERENICH The Law Firm, and his associate, Jowita Wysocka, have been invited to speak at an upcoming Clearwater Bar Association lunch seminar hosted by the Civil Practice Section. The one-hour seminar is titled “Highlights of the New PIP Law” and will begin at 12:00 noon on Thursday, September 20, 2012 at the Clearwater Grand Hotel, 20967 US Hwy 19 N, Clearwater, Florida.
Stand up paddleboarding (affectionately termed “SUP” by those in the know) is the latest water activity to take the beaches, lakes, and other waterways by storm throughout the country. SUP is particularly popular in Florida, where locals and tourists are able to enjoy the sport year-round. Unfortunately, this popular new sport has been marred by injuries and even a recent death. With the following tips in mind—along with a little practice—your stand up paddleboarding experience should be exhilarating, enjoyable, and free of accidents or injuries.
The recent death of a 70-year-old man at The Villages community in Lady Lake, Florida has raised new concerns about golf cart safety. According to the St. Petersburg Times, David Tillman was a passenger in a golf cart when he was ejected as the driver made a left-hand turn. He later died at the hospital from his injuries. According to the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC), “there are approximately 15,000 golf car related injuries requiring emergency room treatment in the US each year.”
