Jacksonville Personal Injury Blog

News is beginning to emerge in the popular media that the plant, St. John’s wort may, while being a cure for mild depression, not be good for our eyesight.

Research out of Fordham University finds that in the lab, hypericin, which is the active ingredient in St. John’s wort, may also make the eye susceptible to sunburn, even in visible light, which can cause a cloudy lens, leading to cataracts, and a damaged retina, which can mean irreversible macular degeneration which can lead to blindness.

In other words, the herb is phototoxic to the ocular lens.

If that is true we would expect to see the effects in a large population…and that is exactly what we are seeing.

Using data from the 2002 National Health Interview survey, epidemiologists from the University of Alabama cross-compared St. John's wort use and cataracts and came away with a statistically significant result - participants with cataracts were 59 percent more likely to report SJW use for at least a year.

This is intriguing at the very least and should serve as a red flag for anyone turning to “Nature’s Prozac.”

Unlike medications, the FDA regulates dietary supplements under a different set of regulations. The Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 (DSHEA) allows dietary supplements to be regulated like food and requires the manufacturers to be responsible for ensuring the product is safe before it’s marketed.

The FDA’s role is to monitor any adverse events that may crop up AFTER the supplement is on the market.

Continue reading " St. John's Wort and the Cataract Connection " »

A Jacksonville woman died when her SUV plunged into a pond in Orlando Saturday afternoon.
She has now been identified as a 35-year-old. Her fiancée was in the car as were two girls. The girls were both hospitalized in critical condition, the fiancée and a 13-year-old suffered minor injuries.

It’s still a mystery how this accident happened. The 2004 GMC Yukon was in the parking lot at the Floridays Resort off South International Drive. For some reason it jumped a curb, went through a fence and overturned after plunging nine feet into the pond.

Orange County deputies rescued the two girls while the others got out of the vehicle themselves. The woman, however, was found hours after the crash. Police have not yet determined who was behind the wheel of the Yukon when it went into the retention pond.

A terrible accident this time of year - the family is in our prayers and we will think of the girls still hospitalized. Police say alcohol was not a factor in this crash and no charges have been filed. There is no word whether anyone was wearing their seat belts.

With all of the water around Florida, the worst nightmare of many is to lose control of your vehicle and plunge into the water. It rarely happens, but if you are wearing your seat belt you, increase your chances of survival. Without a seat belt, you increase your chances of being knocked unconscious, hitting your head on a dashboard for example.

Continue reading " Family Crashes SUV into Orlando Pond " »

The popular weight loss liquid drink, Slim-Fast ready-to-drink cans are being recalled because of a possible bacterial contamination. Unilever issued the voluntary recall in cooperation with the Food and Drug Administration Friday.

The New Jersey based company found a bacterial contamination - Bacillus cereus, a micro-organism, which may cause diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. The products were sold in stores nationwide the company says in a statement.

Unilever says the possibility of getting sick is remote. The recall covers the 11 ounce ready-to drink products and does not affect powdered shakes, meal or snack bars. The list of products includes Slimfast Ready to Drink 3-2-1- French Vanilla, Rich Chocolate and Milk Chocolate Unilever says it is issuing the recall in an “abundance of caution.”

Look for individual or packaged cans in cardboard cartons containing four, six, or 12-cans.
The recall was initiated after the company conducted quality testing on Slim-Fast RTD products in cans. The company says it is in the process of identifying and correcting the production issue and is alerting distribution centers, and retail outlets. Production will be resumed when the issue is corrected, the company says.

Call the company for a full refund at 800-896-9479, opened M-F until 6 p.m. EST.

A Sarasota man has died after a motorcycle wreck in Jacksonville this week.

The 40-year-old was hospitalized after the wreck on New Berlin Road in Jacksonville on Tuesday.

The man reportedly lost control of his Kawasaki, while traveling north around 2:15 p.m. He was wearing a helmet say police and there were no other vehicles involved in the crash. The man hit a guard rail and was thrown from the bike. He was pronounced dead at the hospital Thursday night.

In another motorcycle accident in Jacksonville a motorcycle and car collided Thursday night. A 59-year old man was on his Harley when it collided with a Honda Civic at New Kings Road and I-295. Police report the vehicle turned in front of the motorcycle as it was attempting to enter I-295. The rider was thrown from the motorcycle. He was not wearing his helmet. He is listed in critical condition at Shands. The driver and passenger in the Civic were wearing their seat belts and were not injured.

Continue reading " Motorcycle Crash " »

A young woman was lucky to have survived a Ford Explorer SUV rollover that killed four of her classmates last June.

The teenager was one of nine inside the Explorer on the last day of school all heading to the beach when the car blew a rear tire and rolled. None of the occupants was wearing a seat belt and all were thrown from the car, except the driver, the only one wearing a seat belt.

That happened six months ago.

Tuesday, another SUV injured this woman, this time crashing through the wall of her bedroom narrowly missing the teen as she slept in her bed. The girl says she felt the ceiling fall in on her. Her father found her under four feet of debris after the SUV plowed into the house.

Luckily, a mattress shielded the girl who suffered a broken pelvis, broken ribs, cuts and bruises. It’s fair to say that she is lucky twice, or unlucky twice, depending on how you look at it.

Continue reading " Teen Critically Injured By SUV, Injured Again " »

Beginning January first, it is not going to be as easy as it has been in the past to renew or replace your driver’s license in Florida’s St. Johns County.

It’s all part of the Real ID Act that was passed by Congress on May 11, 2005. Previously, the rules were not as stringent, but now residents will have to provide their Social Security number, prove their identity, and address.

The Act was passed to help prevent fraud and identity theft and to make it more difficult for terrorists to easily assimilate into the general population. Remember 18 of the 19 Saudi nationals that hijacked planes had valid U.S. driver’s licenses.

Here is what you will need to bring with you as a form of identification – a certified U.S. birth certificate (a hospital birth certificate is not acceptable); a valid U.S. passport; a Certification of Naturalization; or a Consular report of birth abroad. You may have to contact the vital statistics department in the state you were born.

Continue reading " Tougher License Requirements January First " »

A San Diego woman lost her ability to walk after her Ford Explorer rolled over and its roof collapsed on her spine, crushing it. She was awarded $369 million by jurors who sat and listened to the evidence against Ford. That amount was later whittled down to $83 million by an appellate judge.

The U.S. Supreme Court allowed the punitive judgment to stand Monday rejecting an appeal from lawyers for Ford Motor Co. They had argued that punitive damages were unfair and unconstitutional since the design of the Ford Explorer met all safety standards set by the government and industry.

It seems that almost weekly we are reporting on Ford Explorer rollovers.

It was an Explorer filled with high school students who rolled on a Jacksonville road killing four of the teens in the Florida SUV rollover accident on the last day of school in June.

Notoriously unstable, until stability control was added, and with a high center of gravity, the Ford Explorer also had an insufficient roof strength that allowed it to collapse. In hearing the case, the jury heard that Ford could have strengthened the roof and avoided catastrophic head injuring for about $20 per vehicle.

Ford was joined by its friends at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in the appeal. The Chamber usually sides with big business no matter what the issue and no matter how morally questionable the product made by the industry (asbestos, cigarettes etc).

Continue reading " $83 Million Judgment Against Ford for Rollover " »

St. Augustine, Florida contains the longest-standing port in the continental United States and is frequently referred to as “the nation’s oldest city.” With about 12,157 residents making up St. Augustine’s population, the area also receives tons of visitors passing through Northern Florida. With convenient access to several beaches and museums, St. Augustine is a highly navigated area and is located only 5 miles east of Interstate 95, and 40 miles south of Jacksonville.

Taking into account the bustling population of St. Augustine and its large amount of commuters, several job positions and businesses contribute to the city’s economy. Many employees working in St. Augustine would like to believe that injury or illness does not ever arise out of or in the course of various kinds of employment. However, although rules of procedure and safety regulations are issued by state and federal entities, some employers, managers, or contractors fail to maintain a danger-free working environment. This kind of negligence on the part of an individual or group in-charge often leads to workers suffering serious illness, injury, and even death.

When an employee endures an injury or develops an illness due to an unsafe working space, a wide range of factors not only influence their physical and mental health, but also their financial constancy. If an employer is negligent and allows safety risks to go unnoticed or if employees are not property trained and personal injury or wrongful death occurs as a result, workers’ compensation benefits may not be enough to fully compensate injured victims and their families.

When taking on employers or any other individual or large group responsible for a work-related injury or illness, the legal knowledge and skill of a St. Augustine workers’ compensation lawyer may be obtained. Do not allow the chance to receive just compensation pass you by. Instead, seek adequate legal counsel from the experienced personal injury attorneys at Farah and Farah. We may be able to help you receive compensation to help pay for past and future lost wages, medical bills, pain and suffering, and much more. Contact us today for a free and confidential consultation at our St. Augustine office:

(904) 797-7977
1301 Plantation Island Drive
Suite 206A
St. Augustine, Florida 32080


View Larger Map

She was just 18-years old. A young woman from St. Augustine and another teenager were killed Sunday night when the truck they were riding in collided with an ambulance.

It all happened on U.S. 1 near The Avenues Mall. At about 8:20 p.m., the 18-year old woman was riding in the middle of the front seat in a friend’s Chevy Silverado. The former Bartram Trail High School student was not wearing her seat belt, probably because there is not a belt for three people in the front.

Suddenly their truck collided with an ambulance. Law enforcement on the scene was not sure who had the right of way.

The young woman was pronounced dead at Shands Jacksonville. The driver of the truck, a 19-year-old, was also pronounced dead at the hospital Monday night. The other front seat passenger, a 17-year-old from Jacksonville was in critical condition at Shands. The two passengers in the rear were in serious condition. The four others in the pickup truck were not wearing their seat belts either, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Our prayers go out to the families of the two young people killed. The 18-year-old had left high school in 2006 and was in school to become a nurse. Her Facebook and MySpace shows that this beautiful young woman was full of life and loved by many. Many people say they felt blessed to have known her.

Continue reading " 18-year-old Dies in St. Augustine Collision " »

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is warning parents and caregivers about the dangers to young children from furniture in the home that is not properly secured and leads to tip-over deaths. It happened in Jacksonville this year when a young girl reached for a toy on the top of a television just resting on a stand. It toppled over onto her killing her. She was just one of about 134 tip-over deaths reported to the CPSC in recent years. More than 16,300 children under the age of five were treated in emergency rooms in 2006 because of tip-over hazards.

Some parents may not think that an unsecured television, furniture, or appliances could be a hidden hazard, but they are and they exist in almost every room.

“The most devastating injuries resulting from furniture tipping on children are injuries to the brain and when a child is trapped under a heavy piece of furniture and suffocates,” according
to Dr. Gary Smith, who is Director of the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio.

Continue reading " Tip-Over Injury Warning - CPSC " »

Brunswick, Georgia is situated just 30 miles north of Florida and is home to the fourth-largest automobile port in the eastern U.S. The city proper has an approximate population of 16,235 and an estimated metropolitan population of 101,792. Dubbed “the shrimp capital of the world,” Brunswick is the center of Georgia’s shrimp and crab industries. The economy in Brunswick also relies upon agricultural processing, bulk cargoes, and manufacturing.

Considering that Brunswick’s metropolitan area is the twelfth-largest in the state of Georgia, one can only imagine the vast array of businesses and various job positions that contribute to the city’s economy. Many residents of Brunswick do not want to admit that injury or illness may arise out of and in the course of different kinds of employment throughout the bustling city. Despite safety regulations and rules of procedure being implemented by state and federal entities, some employers, managers, or contractors fail to maintain a risk-free working environment.

When an employee suffers an injury while on the job, whether minor or catastrophic, a variety of factors not only influence their physical and mental well-being, but also their financial stability. When an employer proves negligent in letting safety hazards go unnoticed or if employees are not properly trained and personal injury or wrongful death result as a consequence, workers’ compensation benefits may not be substantial enough to fully compensate injured victims or surviving family members of wrongful death victims.

The knowledge and skill of a Brunswick, Georgia workers’ compensation attorney is needed when taking on employers or any other individual or large group responsible for a work-related accident. Don’t let the compensation that you deserve to slip away. Allow the experienced personal injury lawyers at Farah and Farah to assist you with your work injury case. Contact us today for a free and confidential consultation at our Brunswick, Georgia office:

(912) 466-8896
4216 Coral Park Drive,
Suite 107
Brunswick, GA 31520


View Larger Map

A petite 35-year old woman was a doctor’s office receptionist with a problem.

After purchasing nearly 4,500 doses of painkillers in one year, she got behind the wheel of a Dodge Durango on June 4, 2004 and weaved in and out of traffic before plowing into a man who had helped repair a flat tire on the side of a highway. The 21-year-old young man was killed at the scene. She also hit a 33-year-old man who was helping the other individual. He was injured. The female driver was not.

A lawsuit filed by the families of these afflicted men is pending in the Nevada Supreme Court. It charges that Wal-Mart Stores, CVS, and Walgreen Co. need to be held liable when they do nothing to curb prescription drug abuse.

It’s a precedent setting case that puts all pharmacies on alert. Typically pharmacies have been sued for providing the wrong prescription drug. The pharmacy industry predicts higher prices for all if litigation is allowed to hold them responsible for filling valid prescriptions.

It’s not unlike the situation with bartenders. They too can be held liable if a customer is served too much alcohol and doctors have been sued for failing to warn patients not to drive after taking certain medications.

Under Nevada law, pharmacies share prescription information among doctors, other pharmacists and law-enforcement officials in a database that is reported each month. It’s all intended to track potential drug abuse, such as that by Copening. It is reported to a Prescription Controller Substance Abuse Prevention Task Force which is supposed to send a form letter to the pharmacies the patient has visited to help get the patient into treatment after encouragement by the pharmacist. It sounds like a good intention, but has put pharmacists on the hot seat.

Continue reading " Pharmacies Fear Lawsuits Over Drug Abuse " »

110,000 Toyota Tundra pickup trucks are being recalled. The announcement was made the day before Thanksgiving, a good time to hope something goes unnoticed.

The problem according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is that road salt used in the winter can cause the underside of the Toyota Tundra’s frame to corrode.
That is the area where the spare tire is mounted and a falling spare tire can cause road hazards. That is also the area where the rear brake lines are located and corrosion can lead to a brake system failure, according to NHTSA.

Tundra trucks from model years 2000 through 2003 can be brought back to the dealer. 20 states are affected where they use chemical de-icers or road salt including: Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia.

Tundra trucks, model years 2000 through 2003, can be brought back to the dealers to be repaired.

Toyota says it will contact owners.

However, the bigger story is Toyota’s announcement that it will reconfigure the accelerator pedal in 4 million recalled vehicles in the U.S. to avoid the pedal from becoming stuck under the floor mats causing unintended acceleration. The pedal will conform with the floor mat and in some models the shape of the floor surface will also be reconfigured.

In addition, the company plans to install a brake override system in the Camry, Avalon, and Lexus ES 350, IS 350 and IS 250 models as “an extra measure of confidence.”

Continue reading " Toyota Recall of 110,00 Tundra Trucks " »

A 14-year-old from Mississippi was killed Saturday in Laurel Hill, Florida while racing at a motocross park in an all-terrain-vehicle, or ATV. The accident happened at the West Florida Motocross Park in Walton County. Witnesses say that the ATV flew into the air after the driver topped a hill, throwing him over the handlebars and onto the ground. At that point, the ATVcrashed on top of him with such force that it split his helmet in half. He was pronounced dead at the hospital.

As Christmas approaches, many parents might think getting an ATV for the kids is a good idea. Think again. Recently a five-year-old was killed in South Carolina, a 15-year-old girl in North Carolina, and a three-year-old boy in central Wisconsin. A 15-year-old from Georgia was killed when he lost control of an ATV and crashed in rural Chattooga County. While ATVs were developed as a fun sporting three-wheel vehicle for hunters and outdoor enthusiasts, the next generation - the four-wheel version – includes the Yamaha Rhino side-by-side or SXS.

It has two bucket seats, an open cage with roll bar and no doors. The Rhino is a particularly dangerous type of ATV. Described as a “golf cart on steroids,” and a width of 54 inches and a high center of gravity, it is particularly prone to tip, even on flat surfaces or turning at slow speeds.

It’s fair to say this is an example of the tail wagging the dog. The Rhino SXS is new to the market and government regulations have not caught up with design. Classified as a recreational off-highway vehicle, or ROV, it is in a largely unregulated category of vehicle, not low speed, and not cars, and not exactly ATVs because it can go up to 40 mph.

CBS News tells the story of a young mother who went for a ride in the Yamaha Rhino in November 2005. Her husband sat next to her and their 2-year-old was in the back. Traveling down a rocky road in Arizona, the woman tried to turn left and flipped the Rhino causing it to roll onto the driver’s side. The woman hit her head on the roll cage and died instantly. Her husband suffered three skull fractures, while their boy was okay.

Continue reading " Rhinos, Rollovers and Death " »

The city of Palatka is home to approximately 10,804 and has seen a 7.5% jump in population since 2000. As a popular city in Florida, Palatka only has a population density of 1553 people per square mile in its stretch of 6.96 square miles in size, which is fairly low compared to other cities comparable in size. Situated in Putnam County, a little over 20% of Palatka residents both live and work in the city. With such a large amount of people commuting within and outside of Palatka’s area limits, the reliance on privately owned vehicles is evident.

With the amount of vehicles on the road in Palatka in mind, an unfortunate occurrence of accidents, injuries, and death have been known to occur due to defective vehicles. Whether these catastrophic incidents are brought on by disjointed auto manufacturing standards or the negligence of a particular auto maker, the failure of auto parts can have damaging repercussions for drivers and passengers to endure.

One of the most controversial vehicles when it comes to auto product liability is the 15-passenger van. Despite continuous warnings about the risk and inadequacy of 15-passenger vans provided by the U.S. Department of Transportation, consumers still buy and use these vehicles. Defective in their design, 15-passenger vans possess a high center of gravity that creates a vulnerability of “fishtailing” and overturning. Tire inflation which can cause a rollover accident is also a major issue of concern with 15-passenger vans.

When a defective vehicle or poorly designed auto part causes innocent people to suffer serious injury, compensation may be sought on their behalf from negligent parties responsible for manufacturing the vehicle or its parts. The experienced Palatka auto product liability attorneys at Farah and Farah have many years of experience helping defective vehicle injury victims in receiving just restitution. Whether you think that your auto accident and resulting injuries were brought on by a defect in a small passenger vehicle, truck, or 15-passenger van, our Florida personal injury lawyers can help. Please contact Farah and Farah today at our Palatka office for a free consultation:

(386) 328-2889
417 St. Johns Avenue
Palatka, Florida 32177


View Larger Map

A bicyclist has been in the hospital and recovering for the last six weeks after a hit-and-run driver nearly killed him while riding on his bicycle.

He was on his bike on McCormick Road in Jacksonville, training for a charity ride, the MS 150, in Daytona. But on October 1, two days before the event, he was hit by a truck, pinning his bike against the railing and throwing him in the air. He says he has no recollection of being hit or of the driver speeding off leaving him behind in the road.

Five broken ribs and a broken shoulder blade, three weeks in the hospital, a drug-induced coma, and 40 pounds lighter, the injured bicyclist is happy to be alive. His wife can’t believe someone left her husband in the road to die.

"I was floored by the disregard that someone had for him. As he said, there was ample bicycle lanes, no reason for this to have happened," she said.

McCormick Road has just received its own bike lane just so accidents like this don’t happen. But they do.

Continue reading " Hit and Run Bicyclist Survives to Tell His Story " »

Because of Florida’s weather, we are a perfect place for off-road vehicles.

There are two-passenger motorized vehicles designed for drivers 16 and older that look like a golf cart, go a lot faster, and with a roll cage, resemble a miniature Jeep. Known as ROVs or off-road recreational vehicles, the consumer Product Safety Commission has decided that these vehicles have so many potential problems that mandatory rules will be written to oversee the vehicles.

This comes after more than 100 deaths since 2003, many of them teenagers and young children.

The makers of ROVs proposed their own voluntary regulations, but the CPSC says they fell short. The Consumer Federation of America believes that the industry has been dragging its feet even when facing well-documented hazards caused by these products.

Continue reading " Off-Road Vehicle Increased Oversight " »

Amelia Island, Florida is situated just off the coast of Florida and is a bustling part of Nassau County. Also referred to as the “Isle of Eight Flags”, Amelia Island has a population of approximately 68,437 within 18.2 square miles. As visitors continue to flock to Amelia Island, tourism thrives and many are drawn to desirable camping sites, sailing spots, and the several festivals hosted by the island every year.

Considering the vast number of visitors and residents throughout Amelia Island, accidents, injuries, and even wrongful death take place as a consequence of vehicles that are defective in some way. Whether these incidents occur because of inefficient auto manufacturing standards or the pure negligence of a particular auto maker, the failure of auto components can inflict several harmful circumstances for drivers and passengers to overcome.

The U.S. Department of Transportation has continuously warned consumers against the potential dangers linked to the inefficiency of 15-passenger vans. However, these vehicles are still purchased and used. 15-passenger vans are poorly designed and create a significantly high center of gravity. Thus, the vehicles have a tendency to “fishtail” and overturn. Tire inflation problems also pose serious issues and can cause a rollover accident to take place.

As an auto product liability injury victim, you may be able to receive compensation from negligent parties to help pay for expenses associated with your grievances. The skilled Amelia Island auto product liability attorneys at Farah and Farah have devoted many years to helping defective vehicle injury victims obtain the restitution that they deserve. Whether you think your auto collision and subsequent injuries were caused by a defect in a small passenger vehicle, truck, or 15-passenger van, our personal injury lawyers can help. Contact Farah and Farah today at our Amelia Island office for a free and confidential consultation of your case:

(904) 261-4440
501 Centre St.
Fernandina Beach, Florida 32034


View Larger Map

The consumer group, Public Citizen, is recommending that patients wait until at least the year 2012 before taking the prescription diabetes drug, Byetta.

Public Citizen issued the warning in the November 2009 issue of its Worst Pills, Best Pills report.

As is true with many drugs, we don’t really know the side effects until a drug has been used on a population for at least five to seven years.

In the case of Byetta (exenatide), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently announced that additional information will be added to the drug’s label warning of a risk of kidney failure among users, including reports of acute renal failure. Reportedly 80 adverse events have been linked to Byetta concerning kidney function.

In 2007 and again in 2008, the FDA issued safety alerts about Byetta and pancreas problems, including severe hemorrhagic pancreatitis and necrotizing pancreatitis, which can be fatal.

Public Citizen launched its own independent analysis of a longer reporting period of 47 months concerning Byetta, and found a total of 181 reports of acute pancreatitis between April 2005 and March 2009, including 142 serious cases that required hospitalization.

Continue reading " Byetta Ranks Among Worst Pills - Public Citizen " »

An 18-year-old who struck and killed a pedestrian drove off Monday night only to be caught by the Florida Highway Patrol three hours later. The male teen was taken into custody for leaving the scene of an accident.

The 65-year-old pedestrian from Jacksonville was found unresponsive at the scene of Timuquana Road and Seaboard Avenue where he had been walking on the side of the road. He died at the scene.

Law enforcement had a good clue where to look for the hit-and-run driver because troopers found a portion of a headlight and side-view mirror from a Ford F-150 pickup truck.

No word on how they found the male driver, but it was good work on their part. The teen driver is now jailed with bond set at $100,000.

If hit by a car going 40 mph, a pedestrian has an 85 percent chance of dying, so when striking someone with a car, it is almost certain there is some injury. To leave that pedestrian in the street with no idea of the extent of injuries or to potentially leave a fatally injured person on the road, turns an accident into a crime and in the eyes of the law is very serious. A conviction of a hit-and-run can bring a 15-year prison term.

His lawyer pled to the judge that the teen is a good kid and was planning to attend college and facing a felony charge and years in prison is extreme punishment. That argument may have fallen on deaf ears. Arguing that the teen is not a flight risk appears to be nonsense when describing someone who left the scene of an accident.

Continue reading " Teen Found and Charged in Hit and Run " »

Many banks are continuing to add fees and increase rates on your credit cards just because they can.

New and more stringent law are set to take place in February and just under the gun, the largest bank issuers are still using many of the tactics that led to the new regulation in the first place.

The Pew Health Group’s Safe Credit Cards Project finds some 400 credit cards from the nation’s 12 largest bank issuers engaging in unfair and deceptive practices. What are they?

The majority - 99.7 percent - allowed issuers to hike the interest rates on the outstanding balance, up from 93 percent who were doing that in December.

Have you ever seen a bank penalty rate of 28.9 percent? That was the median rate and again the majority of bank cards - 90 percent - had hikes that were triggered by one or two late payments in a year.

Continue reading " Credit Cards and Deceptive Practices " »

As the largest town within the Jacksonville Beach community, Jacksonville Beach has an estimated population of 21,849. The population of Jacksonville Beach has grown by 4% since the year 2000. Often called “Jax Beach”, the popular area is a major section of Duval County. In being called home by thousands, Jacksonville Beach also attracts several tourists throughout the year to its beautiful beaches and vast cultural attractions.

With its immense population and large amount of visitors taking to the road and local highways, it is an ill-fated reality that accidents, injuries, and even death take place in Jacksonville Beach due to defective vehicles. Whether these tragic incidents are caused by the negligence of a particular auto maker or auto manufacturing standards that are unorganized, the breakdown of auto components often create detrimental circumstances for drivers and passengers to endure.

At the head of auto product liability concern, the U.S. Department of Transportation has constantly cautioned consumers about the threat and inadequacy of 15-passenger vans. These vehicles are defectively designed due to possessing a high center of gravity which creates a tendency to “fishtail” and overturn. Additionally, 15-passenger vans have demonstrated serious problems with tire inflation which can cause a rollover collision. These accidents may sometimes lead to a roof caving in and seriously injuring anyone within the van.

Those who have been injured by a defective vehicle or poorly designed auto part have legal rights and deserve to receive compensation from negligent parties. The skilled Jacksonville Beach auto product liability lawyers at Farah and Farah have years of experience helping defective vehicle injury victims obtain the restitution that is owed to them. Whether you believe your auto accident and resulting injuries were brought on by a defect in a small passenger vehicle, truck, or 15-passenger van, our personal injury lawyers may be of assistance. Contact Farah and Farah today at our Jacksonville Beach office for a free consultation of your case:

(904) 249-2585
472 Osceola Avenue
Jacksonville Beach, Florida 32250


View Larger Map

Florida Gov. Charlie Crist has come out with a Legislative wish list for 2010. He clearly stated he is in favor of a ban on texting while driving this upcoming year, adding new momentum for the state Legislature to finally adopt some bill in 2010 after repeated tries in recent years.

At a Cabinet meeting the governor even prodded the head of the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles to also support a ban.

“We support limiting texting and driving,” Julie Jones said.

The Department of Transportation estimates 6,000 died on the roads last year in part because of distraction from cell phones. It may be a generational issue.

A study by Vingo Corp. of Massachusetts finds that 60 percent of teens admit to at least reading an incoming message while driving. It’s now the primary way teens send messages. An unbelievable 54 percent say they send more than 500 text messages every month, much more use than making a phone call.

In a recent AAA survey, over two-thirds of respondents admitted they had talked on a cell phone and 21 percent admitted to reading or sending a text while driving.

Continue reading " Crist Supports Texting Ban this Leg Session " »

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is recalling one million of the popular Maclaren strollers after 12 children had their fingertips amputated in the stroller hinges.
The recalled strollers have been sold in the usual retail outlets since 1999 up until November of this year. They are made in China and sell from $100 to $360. People generally love the strollers.

The CPSC stated in an announcement on its Web site that, “The stroller’s hinge mechanism poses a fingertip amputation and laceration hazard to the child when the consumer is unfolding/opening the stroller.”

So far 15 reports have been made of children placing their finger in the stroller’s hinge, with 12 children losing fingertips. Maclaren will send parents protective covers for the hinges.
This recall involves all Maclaren single and double umbrella strollers. The word “Maclaren” is printed on the stroller. The affected models included Volo, Triumph, Quest Sport, Quest Mod, Techno XT, TechnoXLR, Twin Triumph, Twin Techno and Easy Traveller.

Continue reading " Popular Baby Stroller Recall After Babies Lose Fingers in Hinge " »

The city of Jacksonville has a population of about 805,605 and is the most populated city in the state of Florida. Jacksonville is also the 12th most populous city in the U.S. Covering 874.3 square miles in size, Jacksonville is the biggest city in the country for total land area. As more and more people are drawn to the vast culture and lively nature of Jacksonville, the area’s popularity for tourism also increases. Taking the large amount of inhabitants and visitors throughout Jacksonville into consideration, accidents, injuries, and even wrongful death occur as a result of defective vehicles. Some of these incidents take place due to shoddy auto manufacturing standards or the negligence of a specific auto maker. Nevertheless, the failure of auto components can create numerous life-altering effects for drivers and passengers to endure.

One major point of concern for auto product liability and auto defects pertains to 15-passenger vans. Even with the U.S. Department of Transportation issuing warnings for consumers regarding potential dangers associated with the inefficiency of 15-passenger vans, these vehicles are still purchased and used. 15-passenger vans are defectively designed with a notable high center of gravity which creates a propensity to “fishtail” and overturn. Issues with tire inflation are also a serious problem with 15-passenger vans because this can contribute to a rollover collision.

Individuals who have suffered property damage, physical injury, or emotional trauma from an accident involving a poorly designed auto part or defective vehicle have legitimate legal rights. As an auto product liability injury victim, you may be able to receive compensation from negligent parties to help pay for expenses associated with your grievances. The skilled Jacksonville auto product liability lawyers at Farah and Farah have dedicated many years to assisting defective vehicle injury victims in obtaining the restitution that they deserve. Whether you believe your auto collision and resulting injuries were brought on by a defect in a small passenger vehicle, truck, or 15-passenger van, our personal injury attorneys can help. Contact Farah and Farah today at our Jacksonville office for a free and confidential consultation of your case:

(904) 396-5555
10 West Adams Street
Jacksonville, Florida 32202


View Larger Map

The premise of health care reform is that the larger number of participants in insurance pools, the greater the risk is spread among many keeping costs down for all. But that may not be the case in Florida, which is one of 11 states that has filed bills to “opt out” of federal legislation in case it does not meet its liking.

Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) had suggested the “opt-out” of public option compromise as a way to get something moving among Republicans in a spirit of compromise.

State Sen. Carey Baker R-Eustis and Scott Plakon R-Longwood have filed a proposed constitutional amendment to let Florida businesses and residents opt out of a federal health care plan. But it’s unlikely a state can legislatively trump a federal mandate. That would have to be supported by three-fifths of the state Legislature and then 60 percent of voters.

Continue reading " Florida May Opt Out Of Health Care " »

When you need to access health care in a hurry in Florida, you might not be thinking about how difficult it is to read the bill at the end of the day. Confusing codes, indecipherable language and discounts that may or may not apply, make shopping for the best and lowest cost health care something you don’t think of.

But consider this. Shop for health care like you shop for anything when you want to save money – wisely. The state of Florida is making it a bit easier.

Many consumers of medical services in Florida may not know that under law they have the right to reliable and understandable information about their health care charges.

Since January 1, 2009, when the “Health Care Consumer’s Right to Information Act” took effect, uninsured consumers have been entitled to receive a reasonable estimate of charges for any planned nonemergency medical service from a health care provider.

That includes everything from an osteopath to podiatrist, a hospital to an ambulatory surgical center. Even allopathic physicians are included in the requirement. In addition, the facility must provide reliable information on any discount or charity policies that might apply to the uninsured patient. The estimate is supposed to be written in lay language – in other words, in language that is understandable to the ordinary person without medical training.

Continue reading " Consumers Have Right To Know About Medical Charges " »

A St. Johns Circuit Judge has refused to dismiss manslaughter charges against a 51-year-old woman accused of letting teens drink in her house and doing nothing to stop it.

The Judge said that the woman’s actions “set in motion a chain of events” that ended with the January 11 deaths of an 18-year-old and a 17-year-old.

The two St. Johns County teens were leaving a party at the woman’s home. Friends say they were too drunk to get behind the wheel of a 1991 Ford Thunderbird. The car veered off State Road 13 near Orangedale and hit some trees, bursting into flames. Both teens died. The driver’s blood alcohol level was 0.18, more than twice the legal limit.

The woman’s attorney says that allowing someone to leave your home intoxicated does not merit a manslaughter charge and her defense will be that the kids arrived at her house already intoxicated.

But prosecutors say the woman allowed, provided, or encouraged minors to drink alcohol at the house party and smoke marijuana. And they say this was not the first party hosted by this particular woman, according to prosecutors. She is alleged to have hosted parties in September, two in December 2008, as well as the one in January.

Continue reading " Party-House Mom Facing Manslaughter Charges " »

Situated within Columbia County, Florida, Lake City is also known as the “Gateway to Florida.” Lake City is a typical stop for travelers on their way to Southern Florida and is a popular tourist destination. The population in Lake City continues to increase and was recently estimated to be about 12,000. Columbia County, where Lake City is located, has approximately 68,000 inhabitants as of 2006. With such an array of residents and visitors taking to the road, it is an unfortunate actuality that accidents, injuries, and even death take place in Lake City as a result of defective vehicles. Some of these tragic incidents are caused by the negligence of a specific auto maker or are caused by inefficient auto manufacturing standards. No matter what the exact cause, the failure of auto parts can inflict serious ramifications on drivers and passengers.

15-passenger vans are a big concern when it comes to auto product liability and defective auto parts. Despite constant warnings from the U.S. Department of Transportation regarding the inefficiently and danger of 15-passenger vans, consumers continue to purchase and travel in these vehicles. One of the issues associated with the vans connects to tire inflation which can contribute to a rollover crash. In addition, these vans are defectively designed and have a high center of gravity which can lead to the van “fishtailing” and/or overturning.

Those who have suffered from a defective vehicle or poorly designed auto part in Lake City have valid legal rights and may be able to obtain compensation from negligent groups. The experienced Lake City auto product liability attorneys at Farah and Farah have many years of experience helping defective vehicle injury victims. Whether you believe your auto accident and subsequent injuries were caused by a defect in a small passenger vehicle, truck, or 15-passenger van, our personal injury lawyers can help. Please contact Farah and Farah today at our Lake City office for a free consultation of your case:

(386) 754-7534
212 N. Marion Ave Suite 208
Lake City, FL 32055


View Larger Map