Miami Accident Lawyer Blog

October 27, 2014

The Privacy Concerns in Getting Witness Information

In all kinds of cases, witnesses can provide vital information that can lead a jury to enter a verdict for damages in favor of an injured person. Witness information is of particular importance where facts are disputed. A single witness, especially neutral witnesses with no stake in the outcome, can be the difference between recovering for an injury and being left with nothing.

In many cases, witnesses voluntarily come forward. For example, someone who witnesses a car accident may remain on the scene, and provide their contact information to an investigating police officer, or a treating doctor may be expected to be called as witnesses.

But what about witnesses that may not have come forward voluntarily? Or aren’t even aware they have information to provide? How does someone who is injured get their information to call them to testify at an injury trial?

October 23, 2014

Court Allows Victims to Recover Even if a Condition is Open and Obvious

by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

If you are injured in a fall on a business owner’s premises, a crucial question will be whether the dangerous condition was “open and obvious” to you. The open and obvious doctrine can be a difficult hurdle to overcome for injured victims seeking damages for their injuries, but a case earlier this year may have made that hurdle a little lower.

What is Open and Obvious?

As the name implies, an open and obvious condition is one which is out in the open, and readily observable to anyone demonstrating due care. Generally, we all have a duty to look out for our own safety. This includes avoiding dangerous conditions that are open and obvious.

October 15, 2014

Pedestrian Accidents are More Complex Than They May Seem

by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

When a car hits a pedestrian, it’s no wonder that there is often very serious injury that results. On one side are tons of steel barreling at significant speeds. On the other side, is a soft, slow, and vulnerable human body, which may not even see the accident coming. The result is almost always a huge disaster.

The Facts on Pedestrian Accidents

From 2009-2013 in Miami Dade County, there were 6,419 car-on-pedestrian accidents of varying degrees of injury. In the 0-17 age group, at least one injury was reported in 84% of accidents. Children, who are often walking about the neighborhood, playing in the street with friends, or who just may not appreciate the dangers of walking amongst cars, are sadly the ones most at risk.

October 8, 2014

Line Between Medical Malpractice and Ordinary Negligence is Not Always so Clear

by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

Florida law has a very complex and often expensive pre-suit process for anyone who seeks to sue for medical malpractice. The pre-suit requirements are mandatory, and must be strictly complied with. But in many cases, it may not be so clear whether an injury was caused by medical malpractice or not. If that question is answered incorrectly, the result can be devastating for a case.

The Pre-Suit Requirements

If someone believes they have been a victim of medical malpractice, notice to all prospective defendants must be sent, describing the nature of the claim and the injuries. The potential defendants can then reject the claim, offer to settle it, or request the claim go to arbitration.

October 7, 2014

WOMAN HIT BY DRUNK DRIVER EMPLOYED BY CLUB LEXX AS AN EXOTIC DANCER

by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

On May 16, 2008, plaintiff Alcira Marcella Britt was hit by drunk driver Shanna Clayton who was employed as an exotic dancer at Club Lexx in Miami, Florida. Ms. Britt was obeying the law and driving safely when Clayton’s car crashed into hers, leaving her seriously injured. Britt’s injuries caused her disfigurement and unable to live as she had before. Her injuries were severe that and she has the ability to earn money, as well.

All of Britt’s pain and suffering were due not only to Clayton’s negligence, but also due to the negligence of the owners of Club Lexx. Actually, Club Lexx encouraged Clayton to drink with customers while working and then left her to drive home intoxicated. The defendant, Club Lexx, owed a duty to the plaintiff, Alcira Marcella Britt, as well as to the general public. The club owners failed to supervise their exotic dancers as far as how much alcohol they were consuming while on the job. Furthermore, knowing that their employees, such as Clayton would have to drive home at the end of their shift, this was totally irresponsible.

Club owners have a responsibility to put policies and procedures in place which assist intoxicated individuals to leave their premises at closing time, without having to operate motor vehicles on public roadways. Clubs should never allow employees to leave their premises, if they are intoxicated to the point where their normal faculties are impaired. Obviously, if they do so then they are endangering the public.

October 2, 2014

Miami Club “The Spot” Hosts Minors and Gun Violence

by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

Liberty City nightclub, The Spot, was the scene of a massive shooting on Sunday, September 28^th early in the morning. The nightclub which is located at NW 7^thave and 64^th street in Miami, was hosting a party when gunfire broke out randomly throughout the club. According to sources, 15 people were shot, including many under the age of 21. It was initially reported that the club obtained a liquor license this past April and was legally permitted to serve alcohol until 3 am. Yet, its doors appear to have been open to minors of nearly all ages. In fact, a young girl only 12 years of age was in the nightclub during this shooting. One of those critically wounded was a 15 year old boy.

As the criminal investigation continues, more information about the potential negligent and illegal operations of this business are trickling in. Our Miami Crime Victim Lawyers are keeping a close eye on the criminal investigation and representing one of the innocent shooting victims. Earlier today, news reports were that the club manager was arrested. It was also reported that the club was licensed to operate as a business but not a “nightclub”. Other news reports state that the “Spot” may only have been licensed to sell beer and wine only.

Under Florida common law negligence principals, property owners and operators have a duty to maintain their premises in a reasonably safe condition. The latest news reports of numerous violations may be proof of not just ordinary but “gross negligence” under Florida law. This could open the door to potential punitive damages under Florida Statutes 768. 72.

According to sources, there may have been 2 shooters involved. However, no suspects have been arrested. The only lead the police have is that the getaway vehicle may have been a white car.

September 26, 2014

Failure to Understand Rules of Appeal Prevents Plaintiff From Recovery

by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

When a personal injury case goes to trial, many attorneys are prepared for the trial itself. They may line up witnesses, prepare evidence, and have a good working knowledge of trial rules. But many attorneys don’t realize how important it is to not only understand the rules of evidence at trial, but to also understand the rules of appeals.

Preserving Matters for Appeal

Contrary to popular belief, an appellate court cannot review just anything that may go wrong or be improper at trial. An appellate court can only consider arguments that are made at trial. This is often called “preserving” an issue for appellate review. And it means that a trial lawyer must understand what has to be done at trial to preserve problems for appellate review.

September 18, 2014

Florida Supreme Court Strikes Down Caps on Medical Malpractice Damages

by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

Normally in a jury trial involving personal injuries, a jury is free to award as damages whatever amount they see just and fit, based upon the evidence presented. Traditionally there has been no cap or maximum on an amount that can be awarded, again, so long as the award is supported by the evidence presented.

However, with the push of doctor and insurance lobbyists, a few years ago, Florida passed a cap on certain damages that could be recovered by victims and their families in a medical malpractice claim.

About the Cap

September 15, 2014

Despite $4.3 Million Verdict, Texting and Driving is a No-Win Situation

by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

Florida’s laws banning texting and driving are relatively new, and have been scorned for not being tough enough. That may be true as far as criminal penalties, but when it comes to asserting a claim for injuries in civil court, anything that distracts drivers can lead to significant liability when there’s an accident, and that’s been the law for a very long time.

The Verdict for Texting While Driving

The right to recover damages in civil court for text-related car accidents was reinforced recently when a Florida woman injured in an accident was awarded $4.3 million for permanent disabilities suffered at the hands of a driver who was texting while driving.

September 9, 2014

Bad Jury Instructions Can Lead to Problems Later On

by Gerson & Schwartz, P.A.

When a personal injury case gets submitted to a jury, the jury doesn’t just automatically know what questions it must decide on, nor does it know what kind of law applies. It’s up to the parties, at the conclusion of a trial to instruct a jury to give them guidance on how to rule. That’s normally done by submitting jury instructions.

Both parties must agree to the instructions, and when they can’t it’s often a judge that will make the final decisions.

Those instructions are vitally important. As you can imagine, subtle wording can persuade a jury, and misstating the law, or what the parties have to prove to win, can be the difference between winning and losing. And when jury instructions are incorrect or inaccurate, it can create huge problems, such was the case in a recent appeal to Florida’s Third District Court of Appeals.