Jacksonville Personal Injury Blog

Two men riding in a truck in Northeast Florida accidentally flipped over Thursday night and one man lost his life.

A 38-year-old Elkton, Florida man was a passenger in the Jeep Grand Cherokee driven by his friend of St. Augustine. The man who was ejected was not wearing his seat belt when the vehicle traveled into the grass median and overcorrected before it flipped around 9 p.m. There is no word on why the vehicle drifted off the road except that that’s where the road curved. The driver, also not wearing his seat belt, was seriously injured and taken to Flagler Hospital in St. Augustine.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol report, alcohol was involved in the auto accident which occurred on State Road 207 in St. Johns County, south of Meadowbrook Road.

Our condolences go out to the family of the men involved.

Personal injury attorneys in Florida will tell you that wearing a seat belt is essential to saving lives. Whenever we hear a vehicle occupant was ejected, the first question we ask is, was he wearing a seat belt? More often than not, an ejected passenger will suffer a head injury which could ultimately be fatal.

A new survey shows that seatbelt use in Florida is at an all-time high - 85 percent - exceeding the national average of 84 percent. That may be due to the primary seat belt law that went into effect in June. It allows law enforcement to pull drivers over solely for not wearing a seat belt.

Back in 1998, only 57 percent of drivers buckled up.

Continue reading " North Florida Man Killed After SUV Flips " »

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Posted In: Auto Accidents , Law & Information , Personal Injury

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It was an unbelievable fall at a Jacksonville Beach strip mall.

A 7-year-old boy plunged through a skylight on the roof, falling 14-feet to the ground. A witness said she heard the child cry and the boy’s mother and sister were also on the roof.

The child was transported by air ambulance to Shands Jacksonville and is reported to be in serious condition. The skylight was a dome made out of soft plastic and not glass and it is reported to be flexible, which likely prevented the boy from severe lacerations.

The property owner says no one is supposed to be on the roof. Our prayers go out to the little boy for a swift recovery.

Under Florida law, the first step is to understand the specific legal category the injured person occupies. Unless the mother owns the building or had some reason to be there, she could be cited for illegally trespassing. Did the landlord want them up there? Was there some good reason they might be on the roof, such as easy access and an attraction?

Under normal Florida premises liability law, the owner of a building has the responsibility to make sure that it is in good working condition for everyday use, which in this case might be shopping.

When he boy fell, he complained of back and arm pain. Some people complain (rather cynically) that the mother will likely find a personal injury attorney to represent her for financial gain. What’s interesting here is that unless this woman had a reason to be on the roof – there may be a limited application of premises liability law here.

In order for this mother to file a premises liability case, her attorney must prove that the property owner knew or should have known of the dangerous condition, that a person could likely encounter the condition, whether invited or not, and then failed to correct this condition.

The duty to a trespasser is a lot less, but trespassers too are owed a duty to prevent injury, especially if they are children. Generally that applies to attractive nuisances such as swimming pools, deserted car, trampolines, or refrigerators.

Continue reading " 7-Year-Old Falls Through Mall Skylight " »

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Posted In: Law & Information , Personal Injury , Premises Liability

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A single-car wreck in Jacksonville has left one person dead and three injured, including a baby. None of the automobile occupants was wearing a seat belt. The accident happened on Edgewood Avenue and Valley Forge Road Monday morning.

Police report that the three people were heading west when their vehicle suddenly hit a sign and a telephone pole about 6 a.m. and then went airborne, during which time all three occupants were ejected. A 20-year-old woman was taken to Shands Jacksonville where she was pronounced dead.

We know there was fog on the road at the time of the accident and the roads were wet. The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office is asking for any witnesses to help with information on the case by calling 904-630-0500, or call Crime Stoppers at 866-845-TIPS and you can remain anonymous.
In an accident, the insurance company for the other side will argue that there should be little or no liability because the individuals were not wearing a seat belt. The driver’s attorney can argue that wearing a seat belt in this case would not have increased the chance for survival or avoiding injury.

In 2008, The Florida Highway Patrol reports that there were 1,795 traffic deaths of drivers and passengers in the state, 60% or 1,085 of these people were not wearing their seat belts.

And 68 % of the children up to age 17 killed in auto accidents in Florida last year were not using safety equipment such as seat belts or child restraint systems.

Continue reading " Young Woman Killed in Single-Car Wreck " »

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Posted In: Auto Accidents , Law & Information , Personal Injury , Wrongful Death

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Need to get a driver license in the New Year?

You will need to be aware of the new documentation requirements by the Department of Motor Vehicles. Beginning January 1, 2010, those who need a new license, or who have changed their name or are there to replace a lost or stolen license or ID card must bring the following: 1) identification, 2) a Social Security number and 3) two items that show your residential address.

If you simply need to renew the license, you can do so via the Internet or by mail one time between office renewals in a state driver license office or a participating tax collectors office. The state has created a Web site www.GatherGoGet.com to help you with what is required and provides drivers with a list of local driver license offices.

Continue reading " New Requirements to Get Florida Drivers License " »

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The city of Brunswick is located about 30 miles north of Florida and encompasses part of southeastern Georgia. Sometimes referred to as the “shrimp capital of the world,” Brunswick is home to Georgia’s main shrimp and crab industries. Brunswick’s approximate metropolitan population of 101,792 and city proper population of 16,235 make it the twelfth-largest metropolitan area in the state of Georgia.

With the large population of Brunswick in mind, it is an unfortunate reality that birth injury takes place from time to time as the result of hospital malpractice or the negligence of medical professionals. However, with the legal assistance of a Brunswick birth injury attorney, families may be able to hold negligent parties legally responsible for their wrongdoing. Although birth injuries or complications are rare, they take place more than most people would like to admit. If a doctor fails to act in a timely manner or if medical professionals overlook a problem or condition that they are supposed to be able to identify, a newborn baby may endure serious health problems, scarring, disfigurement, or even death.

Hospital malpractice can come in a variety of forms and negatively impact a wide range of individuals. No matter what a person’s age or medical condition, he or she has the right to receive adequate medical care from a doctor, nurse, or other professional who has been properly trained. If hospital malpractice causes an innocent patient to suffer, those responsible for such negligent action and treatment may be held accountable.

If you and your family have experienced a birth injury or another form of hospital malpractice in Brunswick, please contact the skilled personal injury lawyers at Farah and Farah. We have been protecting the rights of injury victims and their families for many years and know what it takes to reach a successful outcome in birth injury and hospital malpractice litigation. Get in touch with Farah and Farah today at our Brunswick, Georgia office for a free and confidential consultation:

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

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A trucker is dead after an early morning accident on I-95 in northern Flagler County, two miles south of the St. Johns County line in North Florida.

The accident happened after the driver of a tractor-trailer rig was trying to pull back onto I-95 from the emergency lane where he was stopped to check for a problem. Heading south, he was struck from behind by another semi pulling onto the highway. The Florida Highway Patrol says the second truck was pulling onto the highway and the first vehicle just pulled in front of him.

Damage to the first rig was estimated at $100,000. The driver who died was wearing a seat belt. No tickets have been issued in the accident.

Continue reading " I-95 Trucking Death in Flagler County " »

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Posted In: Auto Accidents , Law & Information , Personal Injury , Truck Accident

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Two Floridians both had colonoscopies and both have kidney disease. Both have also filed Florida pharmaceutical lawsuits against the drug makers of the drugs used to cleanse the bowels. Both Floridians took drugs that contain sodium phosphate. Doctors often refer to it as the “killer of kidneys” and their lawyer argues the drugs caused their kidney damage.

The drugs are known as over-the-counter drugs Fleet Phospho-soda and OsmoPrep pills.
One of the individuals is 63 and relies on dialysis after suffering kidney failure, reports Health News Florida. The other individual is 80, is a retired airline pilot, and is not on dialysis, but he cannot enjoy a normal active lifestyle.

OsmoPrep now carries a black box warning about the possible link between the preparation and kidney damage. Fleet Phospho-soda has been taken off the market.

While a single dose of the product for bowel cleansing is considered safe, Fleet allegedly recommended a double dose without FDA approval. Publix, where Schlichting bought his product was also named in the lawsuit.

Continue reading " Floridians File Lawsuit Against Drug Makers " »

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Posted In: Defective Drug , Personal Injury , Pharmaceutical Litigation , Product Liability

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They are a lot like the Amber Alerts. Since Florida began the Silver Alert program a year ago, 136 alerts have been issued for missing Florida seniors from ages 54 to 94. Some have Alzheimer’s or dementia. Many wander away from their homes. The alerts are also sued for younger adults who have developmental disorders.

In October of last year, Gov. Charlie Crist established the Silver Alert program that uses the media outlets, electronic message boards, and local law enforcement to help find missing persons, and find them fast.

Enlisting the help of the community is crucial when someone is missing. Every minute counts and the Silver Alerts engage motorists to be on alert. So far motorists have found about 15 percent of the state’s total cases.

“The Silver Alert is one of those resources you hope you never have to use, but when you do need it, it is a tremendous safety net for the elders covered by the alert,” says Jon Peck, the communications director for the Florida Department of Elder Affairs.

Continue reading " 136 Silver Alerts Issued in First Year " »

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As a part of Putnam County, the city of Palatka is home to approximately 10,804 residents and is 7.5 square miles in size. Palatka has a population density of about 1,543 individuals per square mile and has witnessed a 7.5% increase in population since 2000. Despite a little over 20% of Palatka inhabitants living and working within the city limits, work-related accidents are an unfortunate reality.

When illness or injury is caused by a work accident or unsafe working environment, an employee’s physical, mental, and financial well-being may suffer greatly. These types of occurrences are never easy and may pose many challenges for an injured worker and his or her family to endure. However, with an experienced Palatka workers’ compensation lawyer on your side, you may be able to hold negligent parties legally accountable for your pain and suffering as well as expenses associated with your injury and medical needs.

It is a personal injury attorney’s job to inform an injured worker of their legal options and provide them the quality legal advice and representation that they need. At Farah and Farah, our skilled Personal Injury Law Firm has helped several injured individuals in Florida receive compensation to cover past and future lost wages, hospital bills, medical treatment, and much more. Get in touch with Farah and Farah today at our Palatka office for a free and confidential consultation of your workers’ compensation or personal injury case:

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

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A six-year-old Jacksonville girl didn’t stand a chance when she was hit by an SUV in a Jacksonville crosswalk Saturday morning. Her mother was pushing a stroller with her five-year-old disabled brother crossing San Jose Boulevard near Kori Road. The three were in the furthest southbound lane when the light turned green and a SUV pulled ahead and hit the little girl, killing her at the scene. Her 38-year-old mother was hospitalized with non-life threatening injuries including a few broken ribs and a crushed ankle. The brother was not injured.

First Coast News reports that teddy bears and candles have been placed in the area of the traffic pole marking the accident scene.

The family attorney says the family didn’t have enough time to get across the busy San Jose Boulevard Saturday when she was hit. When Channel 4 tried the crosswalk, they found that if you hit the cross button, it gave you 45 seconds before the light turns green. If you don’t hit the button, it gave you 30 seconds - far too short for the busy road. While it is unclear when the family entered the crosswalk, that really doesn’t matter. State law says the pedestrian has the right of way the entire time they are in the crosswalk, as long as they enter the crosswalk with the walk light. An attorney for the family says it is clear that the family didn’t have enough time to cross the six-lane street.

That puts the burden of proof on the family attorney to prove that the city was not following the mandate for crosswalks and pedestrian safety.

Continue reading " Jacksonville Child Killed in Crosswalk " »

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Posted In: Auto Accidents , Pedestrian Accidents , Personal Injury , Wrongful Death

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Amelia Island is positioned right off the coast of Florida and has an estimated population of 68,347. Also referred to as the “Isle of Eight Flags,” Amelia Island is home to Amelia City and Fernandina Beach. Despite encompassing a relatively small 18.2 square miles in size, Amelia Island is overflowing with diverse culture and vibrant activity. The city hosts the Amelia Island Jazz Festival, the Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival, the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, and the Amelia Island Film Festival.

In having various job positions and businesses providing workers and residents of Amelia Island the means to provide for their families, it is an unfortunate reality that unsafe working environments or improper training may cause injury or illness while on-the-job. Employers, contractors, or managers who fail to uphold their responsibility of creating and maintaining secure working surroundings may place employees in harm’s way. If a worker suffers an injury, whether minor or severe, his or her physical, emotional, and financial well-being may be compromised.

When an employee is injured due to an employer’s negligence, a hurt worker may need more than what workers’ compensation benefits supply. In order to ensure that your effort in seeking compensation for your injuries or damages is successful, you may want to contact a skilled Amelia Island workers’ compensation lawyer. At Farah and Farah, our attorneys have devoted many years to assisting injured employees obtain the compensation that the need to cover medical bills, past and future lost wages, and other expenses associated with their injury. Contact the Florida Personal Injury Law Firm of Farah and Farah today for a free consultation of your workers’ compensation or personal injury claim at our Amelia Island office:

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

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Jacksonville has had its first serious drug side effect of paralysis to report, apparently a result of receiving the swine flu vaccine.

Shortly after receiving the H1N1or swine flu shot, a Jacksonville firefighter has become paralyzed with the condition called Guillain- Barre syndrome or GBS. He is in Baptist Hospital and appears to be recovering.

GBS affects the nervous system causing paralysis and it has rarely been seen in the 2009 version of the swine flu vaccine; however, in 1976, during the last round of swine flu, the vaccine created at that time was known to cause GBS as a side effect.

With millions of vaccines given across the U.S., the head of the Duval County Health Department says there are about 10 cases of GBS across the country. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that about 3,000 to 6,000 cases of GBS are contracted in the U.S. every year with the flu vaccine, adding another one for every one million. Most people are expected to eventually recover.

Continue reading " H1N1 Strikes Jacksonville Man " »

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Posted In: Defective Drug , Personal Injury , Pharmaceutical Litigation , Product Liability

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A mother says in an interview that she's been waiting for this day to come ever since her one-year-old daughter was strangled by a home window blind cord in June 2002. That’s when she tucked twins into baby blankets in their cribs. One of the twins accidentally strangled herself by looping an inner cord within the window blinds around her neck.

Since the twin’s death, the mother has formed Parents for Window Blind Safety, lobbying the federal government for a recall of the dangerous blinds.

This week, the federal Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced one of the biggest product recalls in U.S. history, working with industry to recall all Roman-style shades and roll-up blinds with cords because of the risk of strangulation.

That includes more than 50 million blinds and shades from multiple manufacturers. The CPSC Web site has pictures of the various blinds that are involved in the recall. Basically whether a roll-up shade or a Roman shade, both have visible cords that can be pulled out from inside the folds on the blinds. For some toddlers, that is too much temptation to resist.

The CPSC has received reports of five deaths among children and 16 near-strangulations from fabric-looped Roman shades since 2006. Three deaths associated with roll-up blinds have been reported since 2001.

Continue reading " Roman Shades Recall " »

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Jacksonville Beach has an estimated population of 21,849 and is the largest town in the Jacksonville Beaches community in Florida. Also referred to as “Jax Beach,” Jacksonville Beach’s population has increased by 4% and is a major part of Duval County. As a bustling coastal town, Jacksonville Beach brings in several tourists and draws more and more residents every year. With tourism being a huge part of the economy in Jacksonville Beach, tons of other jobs contribute as well.

Many employees working in Jacksonville Beach do not like to admit that injury or illness does arise out of or in the course of different types of employment. When federal and state rules of procedures and safety regulations are ignored by employers, contractors, or managers, a working environment can become dangerous, thus putting workers at risk of injury or even death.

When an employee develops an illness or suffers an injury due to an unsafe working space, a wide range of factors not only influence their physical and mental health, but also their financial security. If an employer is negligent and permits 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.

At Farah and Farah, our skilled Jacksonville Beach workers’ compensation lawyers have helped many injured workers hold negligent employers legally responsible for their injuries and suffering. When challenging employers for a work-related injury or illness, you need an attorney who is highly skilled and knowledgeable in Florida workers’ compensation law and personal injury litigation. Contact Farah and Farah today to learn more about how we may be able to help you receive compensation to pay for past and future lost earnings, pain and suffering, and medical bills. Get in touch with us at our Jacksonville Beach office today:

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

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Two pedestrians were hit by cars in two separate accidents Monday night. Both are now recovering at Shands Hospital.

The first pedestrian, a 70-year-old man, was hit just before 8 p.m. Monday as he was trying to cross Beach Blvd. near the intersection of St. Johns Bluff. The Florida Highway Patrol says the man stepped out in front a car driven by a 25-year-old. The pedestrian is reported to be in serious condition. Then about an hour later, another pedestrian was hit by a vehicle at the intersection of Timiquana and Brent Street and is reported to be in serious condition.

We offer our condolences to the family and friends of these seriously injured victims. Please keep them in your prayers.

While there is no word yet on whether any charges will be filed, it is not clear whether the drivers stopped on their own. According to Florida Statute Section 316.027 , the driver of any vehicle involved in a crash on public or private property that results in injury must immediately stop the vehicle at the scene and render aid. When a death is involved and the person leaves the scene, they are guilty of a felony in the first degree, punishable by 30 years in state prison.

Jacksonville is the fourth most deadly city for pedestrians, according to a national study released in November. The top three dangerous areas for pedestrians were Orlando-Kissimmee; Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater; and Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach. The advocacy group, Transportation for America, measures the “pedestrian danger index,” taking into account the number of fatalities per 100,000 population.

Continue reading " Two Jacksonville Pedestrians in Serious Condition in Separate Car Collisions " »

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Posted In: Auto Accidents , Pedestrian Accidents , Personal Injury

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This news comes from the highly credible nonprofit organization, The Environmental Working Group (EWG).

EWG finds there are over 300 pollutants in U.S. tap water. After analyzing almost 20 million records, EWG finds that more than half of those chemicals are not even subject to health or safety regulations. That means they can legally be there in any amount, regardless of their safety. Sometimes it takes a nonprofit to do the work that our federal government should be doing. For example, no new regulations for drinking water standards have been established for the last eight years.

For those chemicals that are regulated, 49 have been found at levels above the guidelines, meaning that tap water is polluted for more than 3 million Americans.

EWG is encouraging the government to do a national assessment of drinking water quality and set new safety standards.

So how did Jacksonville fare? How about 91 out of 100? JEA serves 800,000 in Jacksonville and the quality of the water is overseen by the state Department of Environmental Protection. Over the legal limit are 12 chemicals, Total trihalomethanes or TTHMs, among them and 23 contaminants were detected, many of them agricultural pollutants.

See the report here: http://www.ewg.org/tap-water/whatsinyourwater/FL/JEA/2161328/

Continue reading " Jacksonville Water Among the Worst, Says Environmental Group " »

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A 20-month old little Florida boy was attacked and killed by a Rottweiler after dropping his cookie on the floor, according to law enforcement authorities in New Port Richey, Florida. The baby was visiting his aunt’s home during a party Saturday night. The boy went to grab the cookie when the dog went for him.

Panicking, family members tried to pry the dog off the child, but it was too late. He died in the hospital. Animal control took the dog, which under law they have to keep for 10 days during which time the owner may request a hearing.

When a dog is in the hands of animal control and they are considering putting him up for adoption, one of the tests is to see if he is food aggressive. They try and remove the food while the dog is eating. If the dog goes for the person, he is considered unable to be put up for adoption.

Surely the owners of this dog would have known they had a problem with a large animal that had food aggression. Nonetheless, our hearts go out to this family for their tragic loss.

Generally, the owner of an aggressive dog that bites a person is liable for damages suffered by persons bitten. However, if there is any negligence or contribution by the person bitten, it reduces the liability of the owner. For example, if you are trespassing and are bitten by the dog that is there to protect the property, the liability of the owner is reduced. If a child provokes the dog, it could be considered the cause of the accident, reducing his recovery of damages.

However, if the child is under the age of six, it is presumed he is incapable of committing such negligence. Parents still have the responsibility of controlling and adequately supervising their child. If they fail to do so, it too could reduce the compensation payable by the dog owner if there is a bite.

Continue reading " Rottweiler Kills Toddler " »

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Jacksonville, Florida is one of the more desirable points of interest in the Sunshine State. As the 12th most populated city in the United States, Jacksonville has a population of approximately over 800,000. Covering a span of 874.3 square miles, Jacksonville is home to a diverse collection of vacationers, tourist-attractions, cultural spots, residents, and businesses. When considering the busy population of Jacksonville and its sizable amount of commuters, several businesses and employees contribute to the city’s financial stability. Multiple employees working in Jacksonville would like to think that illness or injury never arises out of or in the course of different kinds of employment; however, the reality is that work accidents and injuries do happen.

Sadly, even though safety regulations and rules of procedure are initiated by federal and state entities, some employers, managers, or contractors fail to create and maintain a hazard-free work setting. This type of negligence may contribute to workers suffering severe illness, injury, and even death. If an employee endures an injury or develops an illness due to an unsafe working environment, their physical and emotional health, as well as their financial security, may be jeopardized. Workers’ compensation benefits may not be substantial enough to fully compensate injured victims and their families. However, a personal injury attorney may be able to help an injured worker file for other viable claims while holding negligent employers legally responsible.

When taking on an employer or a large group responsible for a work-related injury or illness, the legal knowledge and skill of a Jacksonville workers’ compensation attorney may be required. At Farah and Farah, we have assisted many injured individuals obtain compensation to help pay for past and future lost wages, medical bills, pain and suffering, and much more. Contact Farah and Farah today for a free and confidential consultation at our Jacksonville office:

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

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Six people have been arrested for stealing vehicles stripping them for parts or changing their identity for resale. Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office arrested the six as part of what’s commonly known as a “chop shop.”

As part of Operation Blue Crush, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office cracked down on the salvagers who bought a stolen car from undercover sheriff’s deputies. In all of the 10 different salvage operations that were visited, two businesses bought the cars without title of ownership.

The Florida legislature recently passed a new law making it illegal for salvage companies to accept a car for scrap metal or to strip it for parts unless it has the title to the vehicle.

Continue reading " Jacksonville Arrests For Stolen Car Scam " »

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Florida is known for its sunshine and now it’s in the national spotlight for a dubious distinction.

Florida is in the No. 2 spot nationwide for having the second highest foreclosure rate in the country in November. The sunshine state beat out California for the distinction. The statistics come from RealtyTrac, and are reported by the South Florida Business Journals.

That means one out of every 165 homes is receiving a foreclosure notice filed in November.

California is not far behind with the third-highest rate at one in every 180 housing units receiving a foreclosure notice in November.

Ahead of them all - Nevada – with one in every 119 housing units receiving a foreclosure notice in November, a number that is 3.5 times the national average.

For a while it looked as if things were improving. After two monthly decreases, the Florida foreclosure rate increased slightly in November. As for actual notices, RealtyTrac says that 52,935 Florida properties foreclosed, up eight percent from one year ago.

Areas especially hard hit include Cape Coral-Fort Myers, which came in fourth among metropolitan areas in Florida. The Orlando-Kissimmee area came in at No. 8; Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach was ranked at No. 13; and Palm Beach County ranked 18th with Broward County ranked fifth.

Continue reading " Florida Second in Nation for Foreclosures " »

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Talc is the world’s softest rock but the minute fibers contained in talc are very similar to asbestos. For years, environmental scientists have been saying that talcum powder can cause cancer. Now that issue will be going to court.

A 52-year-old woman from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, is suing Johnson & Johnson and two mining companies for failing to warn consumers about the possibility of contracting ovarian cancer from talcum power.

She was diagnosed in 2006 after using the powder in her genital area every day after showering from 1975 to 2007.

The Argus Leader reports that the federal complaint says the talc caused her cancer and the mines and health care company failed to warn the public, making them guilty of negligence.

A Harvard University study from 2008, suggests women who use talc once a week might be increasing their risk of cancer by 36 percent. Daily users’ risk of ovarian cancer jumped by 41 percent.

You are urged by The American Cancer Society to replace talc with a cornstarch-based powder.

Consumer Help
Consumers can look on the Web site of the National Cancer Institute which has additional information about the risk of using talc near the vaginal area. Ovarian cancer strikes more than 21,000 women a year and leads to about 14,000 deaths annually. Often it is without symptoms.

Continue reading " Talcum Powder and Ovarian Cancer " »

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A woman driving in the Middleburg community near Jacksonville was fatally injured Sunday after being involved in a two-vehicle accident, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

The 67-year-old woman from Venice, Florida was initially hospitalized in critical condition. The accident occurred on Blanding Boulevard at County Road 215. Investigators believe that she drove her Toyota Prius into the path of a southbound Ford SUV, failing to stop at both a stop sign and a flashing red light. The accident happened about 5:15 p.m. so it was still light enough to see. The SUV was driven by a Jacksonville man who suffered minor injuries.

Both individuals were wearing their seat belts. The woman died at Shands Jacksonville hospital.

The Toyota Prius has had its problems with unintentional acceleration.

While the story here does not say if that was a problem it certainly should be considered as part of any investigation. Other drivers have found themselves behind the wheel of the accelerating Prius they have no control over and have reported the incidents to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Continue reading " Woman Dies From Runaway Prius " »

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Posted In: Auto Accidents , Auto Product Liability , Personal Injury , Product Liability , Wrongful Death

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Often referred to as the “Gateway to Florida”, Lake City is located in Columbia County and is a common stop for travelers headed towards Southern Florida. As a popular tourist destination itself, Lake City is home to approximately 12,000 residents and Columbia County has about 68,000 inhabitants. Considering the booming population of Lake City and its large quantity of commuters, multiple job positions exist and many businesses contribute to the city’s economy. Many employees in Lake City would like to think that illness or injury does not occur out of or in the course of various types of employment. However, work-related accidents do take place even though rules of procedure and safety regulations are implemented by state and federal entities.

Employers, managers, or contractors who fail to maintain a danger-free working environment are doing a huge disservice to employees. This kind of negligence on the part of an individual or group in command can lead to workers suffering serious injury, illness, 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 emotional well-being, but also their financial stability. If an employer is negligent and allows safety risks to go overlooked, or if employees are not accurately trained and personal injury or wrongful death occurs as a result, workers’ compensation benefits may not be enough to fully assist injured victims and their families.

Injured workers taking on employers for a work injury or illness may want to consider contacting a skilled Lake City workers’ compensation attorney who has many years of experience handling Florida workers’ compensation claims and personal injury litigation. The lawyers at Farah and Farah may be able to help you obtain full compensation for your injuries to help pay for pain and suffering, past and future lost wages, and medical bills. Contact us today for a free and confidential consultation at our Lake City office:

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

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Toyota has had its share of problems recently with the sudden, unexplained acceleration in some of its vehicles that led to a recall of 4 million vehicles. While the floor mat was initially blamed, Toyota will add additional safety features to prevent the accelerator and brake from applying at the same time as part of the fix.

The company is facing another federal safety probe. Now regulators are trying to understand why Corolla and Matrix cars from model year 2006 are experiencing engine stalling problems. That can occur even at highway speeds and intersections. The 1ZZ-FE engines are named specifically.

The Corolla is a top seller for Toyota, ranking fifth among all vehicle sales this year.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) launched the investigation November 30 after it received 26 complaints from drivers. Neither model is included in the previous recall of 4.2 million cars.

Continue reading " Toyota's New Problem - Stalling " »

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Posted In: Auto Accidents , Auto Product Liability , Personal Injury , Product Liability

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After failing to enact legislation for many years, Florida will finally require pain practitioners to register with the state by early January.

Part of the new law requires the Department of Health (DOH) to establish a monitoring database. It gives pharmacies 15 days to report in after dispensing a prescription narcotic.

The goal is to prevent “doctor shopping” by monitoring the prescribing and dispensing of controlled drugs, making it difficult for addicts to collect large quantities of pills, and allowing doctors, pharmacists, and even law enforcement to identify those who are “doctor shopping” for prescription pills.

Some legislators were concerned about privacy issues that we were forming a “Big Brother” to monitor citizens in the state. One legislator even suggested a fingerprint be used to track prescriptions rather than a name.

Florida will become the 39th state to establish a state-run prescription drug database. Doctor shopping is reported to be a cottage industry in Florida even drawing people from nearby states to look for easy access to prescription pills. Broward County is known as the nation’s capital of illegal prescription drug trafficking with 100 storefront pain clinics and Florida leads in oxycodone sales, mainly due to the clinics, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

The South Florida Sun Sentinel wrote last March that among 100 pain clinics, 18 who had doctors who had been disciplined by the state for professional violations or convicted of crimes. The law will require that that the prescribing physicians actually be present on the premises of the pain clinic.

Continue reading " Florida Cracks Down On Doctor Shopping " »

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Posted In: Health & Information , Personal Injury

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As a major suburb of Jacksonville, the city of Orange Park is located within Florida’s Northeast Clay County. Just south of Jacksonville, Orange Park has a diverse community that offers much history and culture. Along with a population over approximately 180,000, Orange Park boasts a high population density as well. Orange Park has a wide range of job positions and businesses that provide workers and residents with the ability to provide for their families. However, many individuals do not realize that the risk of injury and illness arising out of and in the course of different kinds of employment does in fact exist.

When employers, managers, or contractors fail to create and monitor safe working environments, they are not only doing a serious disservice to devoted employees, but they are also violating both state and federal safety regulations and rules of procedure. If a worker endures minor or tragic injury while on the job, his or her physical, mental, and financial welfare may be greatly jeopardized. When an employer is negligent in allowing safety hazards to go unnoticed or does not properly train employees and personal injury or wrongful death takes place as a result, an injured worker or surviving family members of a deceased worker may require more than what workers’ compensation benefits provide.

To ensure that you are fully compensated for your work-related personal injury, you may want to consider contacting an experienced Orange Park workers’ compensation attorney. At Farah and Farah, our lawyers are dedicated to helping injured workers hold negligent employers accountable for work accidents and subsequent injuries. Contact Farah and Farah today for a free consultation of your workers’ compensation or personal injury claim at our Orange Park office:

(904) 264-0700
1534 Kingsley Avenue
Orange Park, Florida 32073

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Cheerleaders didn’t feel much like cheering Saturday but members of the River City Rockets team did so anyway for their late team mate.

The 14-year-old and her mother were both killed in a family accident this week. The young girl was trying to park the family GMC Yukon in an Orlando parking lot when the large SUV suddenly lurched forward and fell into a retention pond landing on its roof. Her mother was killed instantly, the girl after the accident. Three other family members got out alive.

“The driver didn’t stop or the vehicle’s brakes didn’t work,” said Trooper Jorge Dedlahoz at the time.

The 14-year-old had been on life support as well at an Orlando hospital but she never recovered. The ninth-grader at Darnell-Cookman Middle /Senior High is being remembered by friends as sweet and smart. The cheerleaders wore bright colored socks in her honor.

The 14-year old girl’s mother never made it out of the vehicle. Divers found her some time later. But the girl’s sister, who is 3-years-old, remains on life support. The mother’s fiancé and his teenage child managed to get out of the vehicle suffering minor injuries.

Continue reading " Teen Driver Dies after Family Drives Into Pond " »

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Posted In: Auto Accidents , Personal Injury , Wrongful Death

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