Miami Injury Lawyer Blog

This month, several former professional football players filed a class-action negligence lawsuit in Miami against the National Football League (NFL) over alleged known concussion risks to players. The lawsuit claims the NFL ignored evidence which demonstrated player head trauma during football games caused major medical problems later. Plaintiffs such as former Miami Hurricane running back Najeh Davenport claim the NFL spent decades ignoring evidence that the cumulative effects of head injuries such as concussions on the field caused mental and physical problems later. The lawsuit also alleges that retired players who experienced head traumas suffer from higher rates of memory loss, depression, migraine headaches, and early-onset dementia. Other plaintiffs who recently joined the Miami lawsuit include Santonio Thomas and Omare Lowe.

The Miami suit is one of nearly two dozen filed nationwide in recent months by former professional football players against the NFL and football helmet manufacturers. With hundreds of plaintiffs throughout the country, billions of dollars are potentially at stake. Plaintiffs include both largely forgotten players and league stars like Jim McMahon and Jamal Lewis. Four similar lawsuits were recently consolidated in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia before Judge Anita B. Brody. Other player lawsuits are expected to be consolidated with the multi-district litigation in the near future. Last week, a website intended for both former and current players was established to track concussion-related litigation against the NFL.

Because of the potentially lasting effects on an individual’s health, any brain injury should be taken seriously. Even a minor head trauma can have a devastating effect on a victim’s quality of life. A traumatic brain injury can cause both short and long term physical and cognitive disabilities including memory loss, depression, seizures, and changes in personality. A head injury may also raise the risk for developing other brain conditions in the future.

A disabling brain injury can result from any type of head trauma including a fall, car accident or a sports-related concussion. The medical costs associated with treating a brain injury can be astronomical. If the victim requires daily care, treatment costs will be ongoing and even higher, dramatically altering a brain injury victim's future. If you or your loved one has suffered from a traumatic brain injury due to another party’s negligence, you have the right to seek compensation for your injuries.

Continue reading " Former Players Sue NFL in Miami Over Concussion Risks " »

MIAMI, FL—A violent airboat crash on the St. John’s River in Melbourne, Fla. left four accident victims with various injuries. According to information provided by the Brevard Times, the boating accident appeared to have occurred in close proximity to the Sweetwater Boat Ramp on the evening of Feb. 7.

A boater called 911 after the airboat he/she was on struck a tree on the St. John’s River at approximately 7:12 p.m. Reports indicated one of the four boaters involved in the watercraft accident—a man in his 50s—was ultimately ejected from the airboat, which flipped over on impact of the tree. That man was said to be the most seriously injured victim.

Officials and personnel from the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, and Camp Holley Fish Camp made use of airboats to respond to the scene of the boating accident. Four airboat crash victims were transported to Melbourne-based Holmes Regional Medical Center to be treated for their injuries.

Statistical data provided by the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) indicated 668 boat accidents occurred during the year 2010. Those boat crashes and accidents resulted in 79 boating deaths and 389 injuries. Statistics suggest Florida has more boating accidents than any other state in the nation.

Continue reading " FWC Expected to Investigate Melbourne Airboat Crash That Injured 4 People " »

A Princess Cruise Lines ship returned to a South Florida port with an alleged outbreak of norovirus for a second week in a row. This week, the Crown Princess returned to dock at Port Everglades two days early after approximately 250 people on the ship became ill with vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pains. Last weekend, the same ship was disinfected for several hours after returning to port with about 400 sick passengers and crew members. This week, the nation’s Centers for Disease Control will be on hand to sanitize the Crown Princess before its next scheduled departure on Saturday.

Last week, two other cruise ships also returned to port with a suspected norovirus outbreak. The Ruby Princess, a sister ship of the Crown Princess which also sails out of South Florida, and Royal Caribbean’s Voyager of the Seas, which sails out of New Orleans, were sanitized after returning to port with hundreds of sick passengers and crew.

The Crown Princess is capable of carrying more than 3,000 people and more than 1,000 additional crew members. Although the norovirus is quite common, the purported outbreak generates considerable worry because of how close quarters the cabins, common areas, and ventilation systems are on cruise ships. The virus is highly contagious and spreads easily from person to person through both surfaces and contaminated food. Industry experts warn that the virus is tough to eliminate once it starts to spread on board a ship.

According to Princess Cruise Lines, the company has additional cleaning crews on hand to assist with the disinfection of all of the ship’s public areas. All furnishings, carpets, and any surface a passenger is likely to touch will purportedly be sanitized. Additionally, each state room will be cleaned repeatedly prior to being prepared for the ships’ next departure. At this time, the cruise line expects the Crown Princess to depart as scheduled on February 11th.

An accidental personal injury may arise unexpectedly in any number of settings, including on a cruise vacation. If you were injured on a cruise ship as a passenger or crew member, it is important to seek assistance from a qualified personal injury attorney. A variety of state, federal, and international laws may apply to personal injury claims associated with cruise ships and other vessels at sea. The amount of time you have to file your claim may be limited and the claim process can be cumbersome. If you were injured on a cruise ship, an experienced personal injury attorney can help you assess your claim and negotiate a reasonable settlement.

Continue reading " South Florida Cruise Ship Returns to Port Early With Another Suspected Norovirus Outbreak " »