Jacksonville Personal Injury Blog

An analysis by USA Today finds that among 15,700 nursing homes nationally, about 20% receive low marks for overall quality, and those with the lowest ratings – one or two stars – are owned by for-profit companies.

There are an estimated 1.4 million Americans in nursing homes. About a quarter-million live in the low-ranked nursing homes. But even they must satisfy the basic Medicare requirements. USA Today examined the federal government's data from the first ratings of the homes' performance. Late in the Bush administration, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) began assigning the Zagat-like ratings based on quality, staffing, and health inspections. The Five-Star Rating System launched at www.medicare.gov.

Among the lowest rating - one star- nursing home, there was an average of about 14 deficiencies per home, including safety violations and quality-of-life measures. Unfortunately, in many states, homes with poor ratings may be the only nursing homes for miles.

Problems include infected bedsores, medication errors, poor food, and abuse and neglect of nursing home patients. About 20 percent of the more than 37,000 complaints inspectors received last year concerned abuse or neglect of patients.

Continue reading "Nursing Home Ratings - Low Overall Quality Found" »

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" »

This is a tragic story that serves to remind us of the dangers that can lurk, even at home.
A Palm Bay, Florida married couple and their son were all putting up a ham radio antenna in their back yard. The couple and their 15-year-old son were on the ground holding the antenna. Meanwhile a friend was on the roof.

Tragically, the antenna fell and struck a low-hanging power line that had 13,000 volts of electricity. The voltage shocked the family, killing them.

Our condolences go out to the friends and family of these poor individuals.

This story underscores how everyday premises can present a danger. Who would have thought that something so random and tragic could happen? The same sort of unexpected tragedies can happen on premises that do not belong to a homeowner.

Sometimes called “slip and fall,” the owner of a premise has the highest duty to keep those on the premises from harm, whether the individuals are invited or not.

Individuals under this definition may include business customers (shoppers at Wal-Mart), visitors to public places (museums or parks), and guests (social gatherings). Generally, if the property is open to the public and the property owner invites the public inside, the public is considered an “invitee.”

But a landowner is not responsible for a slip and fall accident if the person who fell is considered a trespasser.

But the property owner has certain legal responsibilities regardless of the status of the person entering upon the property. Some of these responsibilities include:

1. proper notice of any dangerous conditions of which the property owner may be aware;


2. keeping the property in a reasonably safe condition;


3. proper posting of “no trespassing” signs or warning of harmful or dangerous conditions regarding the property; and,


4. not creating a dangerous or harmful condition on the property, whether intentionally or unintentionally.

Continue reading "Electrocution Death of Three in Palm Bay" »

Located in Putnam County, Palatka had a reported population of 10,804 in July 2007 and has seen a 7.5% increase in population since 2000. Palatka is 6.96 square miles in size, and has a population density of only 1553 people per square mile, relatively low in comparison to other cities that are comparable in size. Within the busy regions of Palatka, many residents and visitors pass through a variety of establishments such as private homes, hospitals, department stores, and many other businesses and buildings. When property owners of such locations are negligent and fail to take necessary steps towards keeping their premises safe and hazard-free, incidents such as slip and fall accidents can take place in which those who suffer injury may require legal assistance from a skilled Palatka slip and fall accident lawyer.

Businesses and property owners must do everything possible regarding their premises to inspect, repair, warn, and maintain any dangerous or threatening conditions. Being injured on another’s premises can result in steep medical bills, pain and suffering, loss of wages, and other expenses associated with your injury that a skilled premises liability attorney can help you receive compensation for. At Farah and Farah, we have been assisting those injured due to unsafe conditions on another person’s premises receive the compensation they deserve so that they can seek the proper medical care they need without becoming financially unstable.

Property owners are responsible for any safety hazards on their premises that could cause harm to guests or customers. The dedicated and experienced Palatka slip and fall attorneys at Farah and Farah may be able to hold the business owner responsible for neglecting to uphold his or her premises in a reasonable safe condition for the welfare of all customers. For a free consultation regarding your premises liability or slip and fall accident case, contact Farah and Farah today at our Palatka office:

(386) 328-2889417
St. Johns Avenue
Palatka, Florida 32177

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Amelia Island is situated off of Florida’s magnificent coast with a population of around 68,347 people amidst an area amounting to 18.2 square miles. Known as the “Isle of Eight Flags,” it is the venue for numerous festivals that annually draw tourist attention, such as the Amelia Island Jazz Festival, the Amelia Island Film Festival, the Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival, and the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance. Amelia Island’s principle economic industry is tourism, with attractions ranging from sailing to camping. With so many people passing through private homes, hospitals, department stores, and numerous other public facilities, and when property owners are negligent and fail to maintain a safe premises, serious injury can occur. When such unfortunate and serious injuries take place, an individual who suffers from an accident on someone else’s property can seek legal assistance from a skilled Amelia Island premises liability lawyer.

Businesses and property owners must do everything possible regarding their premises to warn, repair, inspect, and maintain any dangerous or hazardous conditions. Property owners are responsible for any safety hazards on their premises that could cause harm to guests or customers. Being injured on another’s premises can result in steep medical bills, pain and suffering, loss of wages, and other expenses associated with your injury. In the most serious of cases, a slip and fall accident or other premises incident can result in wrongful death, in which the decedent’s family may be able to seek compensation.

At Farah and Farah, our dedicated and experienced Amelia Island slip and fall attorneys may be able to hold the business owner responsible for neglecting to uphold his or her premises in a reasonable safe condition for the welfare of all customers or visitors. For a free consultation regarding your premises liability or slip and fall accident case, contact Farah and Farah today at our Amelia Island office:

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

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Jacksonville Beach, Florida, also known as “Jax Beach,” has a population of 21,849 people as of July 2007. Part of Duval County, Jacksonville Beach has a population density of about 993 people per square mile, and is more or less an extension of the city of Jacksonville. Considered to be a prime tourist spot, Jacksonville Beach is made up of a diverse crowd of locals and out-of-towners. These inhabitants traverse through various properties and developments such as private homes, restaurants, malls, hospitals, grocery stores, and many additional public places in which specific safety conditions and procedures may be neglected and create the risk of injury.

Accidents that take place on another person’s property as a result of the owner’s negligence to maintain a safe environment are more common that most people realize. A person who suffers from an accident on someone else’s property, whether the injury is mild, such as broken bones, or serious to the point of causing brain injury, an experienced Jacksonville Beach premises liability attorney can be of assistance.

It is the responsibility of property owners, whether at a home, public establishment, or business, to establish and preserve their premises so that it does not create hazards that put people in danger of being in a slip and fall accident or suffering from any other calamity. At Farah and Farah, our skilled Jacksonville Beach slip and fall accident lawyers may be able to help you hold the business or property owner responsible for financial expenses brought on by your injury that resulted from their negligence.

If you were injured because the property owner failed to repair, inspect, warn, or maintain any hazardous or dangerous condition, you may be able to receive compensation for pain and suffering, medical bills, treatment, and other expenses relating to your injury. Contact Farah and Farah at our Jacksonville Beach office for a free consultation today:

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


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As the largest city in Florida, Jacksonville boasts an estimated population of 799,875 as of 2006. Jacksonville is located on the banks of the St. Johns River about 340 miles north of Miami and 25 miles south of the Georgia Border, placing it in the First Coast Region of northeast Florida. The city of Jacksonville has a total area of 874.3 square miles, making it the largest city in land area in the United States. Drawn to its many attractions and beautiful city skyline by the water, approximately 2.8 million visitors stayed overnight touring Jacksonville in 2008. Jacksonville is not only home to the NFL Jaguars and a number of minor league teams, but also to two universities, the fourth largest community college in the country, and a four year college.

In a region that attracts many visitors as well as new residents annually, various properties such as department stores, hospitals, private homes, and many other public places receive plenty of foot traffic in which certain safety precautions are overlooked and can cause injury. In such incidents, a person who suffers from an accident on someone else’s property can seek legal assistance from a skilled Jacksonville premises liability lawyer.

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Property owners are accountable for any safety dangers on their premises that could cause harm to guests or customers. At Farah and Farah, our dedicated and experienced Jacksonville slip and fall attorneys may be able to hold the business or property owner responsible for neglecting to uphold his or her premises in a reasonable safe condition for the welfare of all customers.

Owners of property must do everything possible regarding their premises to warn, repair, inspect, and maintain any dangerous or hazardous conditions. Being injured on another’s premises can result in steep medical bills, pain and suffering, loss of wages, and other expenses associated with your injury. To find out more about what can be done regarding your injury caused by a negligent property owner, contact Farah & Farah at our Jacksonville office for a free consultation:

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

Lake City is located in Columbia County, Florida and is known as the “Gateway To Florida.” With a population of about 12,000 and in a county whose population is on the rise (Columbia County has close to 68,000 inhabitants as of 2006), Lake City has become a popular tourist destination as well as a stop for those on route to Southern Florida. With such an expanse of visitors and residents passing through various private homes, shopping centers, hospitals, and many other public places, incidents of injury due to overlooked safety precautions are bound to occur from time to time. In such cases, a person who suffers from an accident on someone else’s property can seek legal assistance from a dedicated and skilled Lake City premises liability lawyer.

Businesses and property owners must do everything possible regarding their premises to warn, maintain, repair, and inspect any dangerous or hazardous conditions present. In the most severe accidents, a slip and fall accident or other premises incident can result in wrongful death, in which the decedent’s family has the right to seek compensation. Being injured on another’s premises can result in steep medical bills, pain and suffering, loss of wages, and other expenses associated with your injury that a quality premises liability attorney can help you receive compensation for.

Property owners are responsible for any safety hazards on their premises that could cause harm to guests or customers. A far too common example is a homeowner with a pool who neglects to take necessary steps to protect children from drowning. Another unfortunate injury could result from a store with a wet floor that did not post a warning to shoppers. At Farah and Farah, our experienced Lake City slip and fall attorneys may be able to hold the business owner responsible for neglecting to uphold his or her premises in a reasonable safe condition for the welfare of all customers. For a free consultation regarding your premises liability or slip and fall accident case, contact Farah and Farah today at our Lake City Office:

Phone: (386) 754-7534

212 N. Marion Ave Suite 208

Lake City, FL 32055


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Orange Park is a suburb of Jacksonville located in Northeast Clay County just south of Jacksonville, Florida. Rich in history and a thriving community, Orange Park has a great deal to offer. Clay County, which Orange Park is located in, is also a bustling region of Florida. With a population in excess of 180,000 and a very high population density, Orange Park experiences its share of premises liability incidents when properties such as hospitals, private homes, department stores, and many other well traversed places overlook necessary safety precautions that end up causing personal injury to an innocent visitor, patient, or customer. When such events take place, an injured victim who suffers from an accident on someone else’s property can seek legal counsel from an experienced Orange park premises liability lawyer.

Businesses and property owners must do everything possible regarding their premises to warn, inspect, repair, and maintain any hazardous or dangerous conditions. In the most serious of cases, a slip and fall accident or other premises incident can result in wrongful death, in which the decedent’s family may be able to seek compensation. Being injured on another’s premises can result in steep medical bills, pain and suffering, loss of wages, and other expenses associated with your injury that a skilled premises liability attorney can help you receive compensation for.

Property owners are responsible for any safety hazards on their premises that could cause harm to guests or customers. A far too common example is a homeowner with a pool who neglects to take necessary steps to protect children from drowning. Another unfortunate injury could result from a store with a wet floor that did not post a warning to shoppers. At Farah and Farah, our dedicated and experienced Orange Park slip and fall attorneys may be able to hold the business owner responsible for neglecting to uphold his or her premises in a reasonable safe condition for the welfare of all customers. For a free consultation regarding your premises liability or slip and fall accident case, contact Farah and Farah today at our Orange Park office:

Phone: (904) 264-0700

1534 Kingsley Avenue

Orange Park, Florida 32073


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St. Augustine is home to the oldest port in the continental United States – in fact, St. Augustine is commonly referred to as “the nation’s oldest city.” In 2004, the population was estimated to be 12,157. Home to beautiful beaches and museums, St. Augustine continues to be a popular tourist destination in Northern Florida. Located about 40 miles south of Jacksonville and 60 miles north of Daytona Beach just 5 miles east of Interstate 95, St. Augustine is also a well traversed location. As a vastly populated area visited by many, St. Augustine residents and guests navigate through various properties such as department stores, hospitals, private homes, and many other public places in which certain safety precautions are overlooked and can result in injury. In such incidents, a person who suffers from an accident on someone else’s property can seek legal assistance from a skilled St. Augustine premises liability lawyer.

Property owners are responsible for any safety hazards on their premises that could cause harm to guests or customers. A far too common example is a homeowner with a pool who neglects to take necessary steps to protect children from drowning. Another unfortunate injury could result from a store with a wet floor that did not post a warning to shoppers. At Farah and Farah, our dedicated and experienced St. Augustine slip and fall attorneys may be able to hold the business owner responsible for neglecting to uphold his or her premises in a reasonable safe condition for the welfare of all customers.

Businesses and property owners must do everything possible regarding their premises to warn, repair, inspect, and maintain any dangerous or hazardous conditions. In the most serious of cases, a slip and fall accident or other premises incident can result in wrongful death, in which the decedent’s family may be able to seek compensation. Being injured on another’s premises can result in steep medical bills, pain and suffering, loss of wages, and other expenses associated with your injury. For a free consultation regarding your premises liability or slip and fall accident case, contact Farah and Farah today at our St. Augustine office:

Phone: (904) 797-7977

1301 Plantation Island Drive

Suite 206A

St. Augustine, Florida 32080


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Brunswick is located in southeastern Georgia about 30 miles north of Florida. In 2007, the city proper had an estimated population of 16,235 and an estimated metropolitan population of 101,792. Brunswick’s metropolitan area is the twelfth-largest in the state of Georgia and includes the counties of Glynn, Brantley, and McIntosh. With a region that encompasses such a diverse area and a population that is on the rise, residents and visitors alike traverse through various properties such as department stores, hospitals, private homes, and many other public places in which certain safety precautions are overlooked and can cause injury. In such incidents, a person who suffers from an accident on someone else’s property can seek legal assistance from a Brunswick, GA premises liability lawyer.

Property owners are responsible for any safety hazards on their premises that could cause harm to guests or customers. A far too common example is a homeowner with a pool who neglects to take necessary steps to protect children from drowning or being injured. Another unfortunate injury could result from a store with a wet floor that did not post a warning to shoppers. At Farah and Farah, our dedicated and experienced Brunswick slip and fall attorneys may be able to hold the business owner responsible for neglecting to uphold his or her premises in a reasonable safe condition for the welfare of all customers.

Businesses and property owners must do everything possible regarding their premises to warn, repair, inspect, and maintain any dangerous or hazardous conditions. In the most serious of cases, a slip and fall accident or other premises incident can result in wrongful death, in which the decedent’s family may be able to seek compensation. Being injured on another’s premises can result in steep medical bills, pain and suffering, loss of wages, and other expenses associated with your injury. For a free consultation regarding your premises liability or slip and fall accident case, contact Farah and Farah today at our Brunswick, GA office:

Phone: (912) 466-8896

4216 Coral Park Drive

Suite 107

Brunswick, GA 31520


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A young Jacksonville mother and her child were found drowned this week and there are many unanswered questions.

The 18-year-old mother and her 18-month-old daughter were found just after noon in a subdivision community pool in Arlington, according to an article. The pool area is usually locked. The woman was said to be an accomplished swimmer. An unidentified 18-year-old man was found at the scene and hospitalized. He had reportedly ingested a great deal of chlorinated pool water and appeared in shock and was naked. Investigators will be anxious to talk to him to determine if there was any foul play in this Jacksonville wrongful death accident.

Our condolences go out to the family of this beautiful young mother and her child. It is a tragedy to have to lose two such special people.

Florida leads the nation in the number of drowning accidents of children between the ages of one to four. In 2006, there were 72 drowning deaths of children under the age of four. Duval County is among the counties with the highest number of drowning deaths, according to state statistics.

Some neighbors, who are still in shock, wonder if lightning might have struck nearby. July is the deadliest month for lightning strikes in Florida and we are reminded that lightning strikes can precede a storm. Already this year, two people in Central Florida have been killed by lightning. It happened at a picnic in Lakeland, Florida where the conditions were described as sunny with a slight drizzle.

Continue reading "Jacksonville Drowning of Mother and Child in Community Pool" »

According to a report, 22-year-old Antonio Creech was visiting his sister at the Eureka Gardens apartments two days before Christmas 2007 when he was shot and killed along with another man.

Now his parents, James and Cheryl Creech have filed a Florida premises liability lawsuit against the property owner, Flagship Property Managers. They say money won’t do anything to change the fact that they'd rather see their son again.

Antonio had never been in the trouble with the law. He loved playing football and played the trumpet in his high school band. James says about his wife, “I can’t do nothing for her but hold her.”

Flagship had a problem property. There had been seven murders in seven months. Even with the violence, there was no security, no gates, no guard and not enough lighting. A property owner has an obligation to keep anyone visiting or living on the property safe.

Flagship failed to establish security policies and procedures or work with law enforcement or independent consults to ensure that the property is as safe as it can be. That certainly would include adequate lighting, gates and security patrols and security systems including closed-circuit TV and alarm systems.

Continue reading "Jacksonville Negligent Security of Apartment Leads to Death of Young Man " »