South Florida Injury Lawyer Blog

Florida Boat Explosion Injuries Six People

May 13, 2009 | by David J. Halberg, Esq.

On Saturday afternoon, six members of the same family were seriously injured when their 33-foot cabin cruiser exploded and burned to the waterline off the southwest corner of Pine Key Island (as known as Beer Can Island) in Florida. An explosion rocked the boat, and it caught fire.

According to a spokesman for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, six people were seriously injured and were airlifted to Tampa General Hospital, while four children were treated for minor injuries at the scene of the boat accident. The remaining four people on the boat (including one other child) were wading in the water and were not injured. The family has requested that the hospital not release their conditions to the public.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the Tampa Fire Department’s Investigations Unit are investigating the boat accident.

Officials investigating boat explosion at Beer Can Island in Tampa; 6 still hospitalized, St. Petersburgh Times, May 11, 2009
Officials investigate weekend boat explosion, Florida AP, May 11, 2009 Continue reading

South Florida Student, Teacher Die in SUV Rollover

May 8, 2009 | by David J. Halberg, Esq.

According to the Broward Medical Examiner’s Office, a student and teacher from South Florida Christian Preparatory Academy died after the driver of their SUV apparently fell asleep at the wheel and lost control of the vehicle.

Elizabeth Codie Lewis, 17, died at North Broward Medical Center three days after the car crash, which occurred on their return from a class trip to Universal Studios in Orlando. Her teacher, Gerald Jerome Oliphant, 27, died on Sunday, and six of her classmates were injured in the motor vehicle accident.

Officials from the Florida Highway Patrol said that none of the passengers were wearing seatbelts. Five people were ejected onto the Coconut Creek Parkway exit when the SUV crashed. Six students ranging in age from 17 to 20 are still hospitalized at Broward General Medical Center, and their conditions are unknown.

Student, 17, dies; 6 others still hospitalized in SUV rollover that killed teacher, South Florida Sun Sentinel, May 6, 2009 Continue reading

South Florida Man Killed in Construction Accident

May 5, 2009 | by David J. Halberg, Esq.

Last week, an early morning industrial accident in South Miami-Dade killed a South Florida construction worker. A telescoping arm connected to a concrete pump truck fell on the 67-year-old man, killing him instantly as he worked on the ground. He had worked for C&C Concrete for the past five years. A supervisor said he is still trying to figure out what caused the machinery accident.

According to Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, rescue personnel arrived after receiving a call around 9am and found that a constructions worker had been crushed beneath the arm of the concrete pumping device. A construction worker who witnessed the accident said it looked like the first section broke off. Crews were building businesses and condos for a new mixed-use development across the street from the Dadeland Mall.

The Miami-Dade police and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration said they will investigate the fatal construction accident.

Construction Worker Killed In Accident, CBS4.com, April 27, 2009 Continue reading

Delray Beach Motorcycle Crash Injures Cyclist

May 1, 2009 | by David J. Halberg, Esq.

Earlier today, a motorcyclist ran into a city of Delray Beach utility truck on Linton Boulevard near August Circle. Police say the cyclist is in critical condition after the collision sent him flying. The name of the injured cyclist has not been released, but he was wearing a helmet and is being treated for injuries at Delray Medical Center.

Police say they are investigating how the motorcycle accident occurred.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 76,000 motorcyclists were injured in traffic accidents in 2004. Another 4,008 motorcyclists died on the road, which represents an 8% increase over 2003 statistics. A serious accident can have life-changing results for those involved, including head injuries, broken bones, and even death.

Motorcyclist in intensive care after crash in Delray Beach, South Florida Sun Sentinel, April 29, 2009
Traffic Safety Facts, 2004 Data (PDF)
Continue reading

Florida Board of Medicine Gets Low Marks from Consumer Group

April 23, 2009 | by David J. Halberg, Esq.

The South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports that the consumer group Public Citizen released a report about states disciplining doctors who violate state standards. Although Florida had previously performed at or above average compared to other states, the 2008 report indicated that Florida ranked number 44, putting the state among the ten worst for disciplining doctors.

The report examined data collected from the Federation of State Medical Boards and defined serious disciplinary actions as medical license revocations, surrenders, suspensions, probations, or restrictions. Doctors might receive these actions as the result of criminal activity, severe medical negligence, or patient abuse.

Florida’s medical board includes 12 doctors and three consumer members. Public Citizen’s acting president said the drop in rankings could potentially be attributed to a reduced budget for investigating complaints or the board’s proximity to the medical profession.

Report Finds That State Medical Boards in 2008 Disciplined Fewer Physicians Than in 2004, Kaiser Network, April 21, 2009
Florida lenient in disciplining doctors, South Florida Sun Sentinel, April 20, 2009

Public Citizen Report
Public Citizen’s Health Research Group Ranking of the Rate of State Medical Boards’ Serious Disciplinary Actions, 2006-2008 (HRG Publication #1868)
Continue reading

Pembroke Pines Car Crash Kills Miami Man

April 20, 2009 | by David J. Halberg, Esq.

Early yesterday morning, a two-car accident in Pembroke Pines claimed the life of a 22-year-old man from Miami Springs. According to a release from Pembroke Pines police, Alfredo Belerra was riding in the right-rear passenger seat near the 10800 block of Pines Boulevard when the car was hit from behind. A 2006 Nissan SUV struck the 2008 Nissan, causing the driver , a 24-year-old from Miami Springs, to lose control and hit a tree in the median.

Following the car crash, Belerra died at Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood.

The drivers of both cars and two other passengers were treated for minor injuries at a nearby hospital. Police have not released information about charges in the fatal auto accident, but they ask those with information on the crash to call Crimestoppers at 954-493-8477.

Miami man dies in Pembroke Pines car accident, South Florida Sun-Sentinel, April 19, 2009 Continue reading

Florida Motorcycle Accident Kills Man, Injures His Wife

April 16, 2009 | by David J. Halberg, Esq.

On Sunday, a Tampa motorcycle accident left one man dead and critically injured his wife, who was riding on the back of the cycle. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, neither one was wearing a helmet.

Troopers said Gregory L. Lewis, 55, was driving a Harley-Davidson northbound on Interstate 275 when he veered across multiple lanes and hit a concrete wall. The impact of the motorcycle crash sent Lewis and his passenger, 52-year-old Bonnie Lewis, over the wall. They landed on the grassy shoulder below.

Gregory Lewis was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. Emergency medical responders took Bonnie Lewis to St. Joseph’s Hospital, where she was listed in critical condition as of Monday.

One dead, another critically injured after I-275 motorcycle accident, TampaBay.com, April 13, 2009
Motorcycle Accident Claims Life Of Mansfield Man, WMFD.com, April 13, 2009 Continue reading

Florida Trooper Injured in Accident on Interstate 4

April 13, 2009 | by David J. Halberg, Esq.

According to a spokesperson for the Florida Highway Patrol, a FHP trooper will be confined to a wheelchair for the next three months as he undergoes surgery to mend a broken pelvis from a car accident on Interstate 4. Trooper Rickie Zigler, 47, also suffered wrist injuries when a driver switched lanes and rammed into a Jeep that Zigler pulled over.

He was speaking to the driver through the passenger-side window when he was hit. The seven-year FHP veteran is recovering at Halifax Health Medical Center, while the driver of the Jeep that hit him was treated for minor injures at Central Florida Regional Hospital. Donalo White, the driver of the car that switched lanes, was taken by helicopter to Orlando Regional Medical Center. White had to be cut out of her car and is listed in critical but stable condition.

Because of White’s injuries, police have not been able to investigate why she switched lanes.

Injured trooper to spend three months in wheelchair, News-Journal Online, April 10, 2009 Continue reading

Fort Lauderdale Construction Accident Injures Two Workers

April 10, 2009 | by David J. Halberg, Esq.

In Fort Lauderdale, Florida, two construction workers were injured at the Pine Crest School after a large sheet of steel fell on them. Officials said the men were trying to guide a 12-foot-by-5-foot sheet of steel through the construction site when it fell. The construction accident occurred at the private school campus at 1501 NE 62nd Street.

Police have not released the names of the injured construction workers. One of the men, a 53-year-old, was taken to North Broward Medical Center to receive treatment for severe leg injuries. The other man, age 47, was transported to Holy Cross Hospital, according to Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue officials.

No other injuries were reported.

Two workers injured in construction accident at Fort Lauderdale private school, South Florida Sun-Sentinel, April 9, 2009 Continue reading

South Florida Family Fighting to Collect Injury Compensation

April 9, 2009 | by David J. Halberg, Esq.

A 1998 car accident left Eric Brody, now 29, paralyzed and severely brain damaged after a Broward County deputy ran into his car. At the time of the accident, Brody was a high school senior preparing for graduation. Now he will need care for the rest of his life.

He and his family are lobbying lawmakers in Tallahassee to pass a claims bill that would ensure that Brody can collect the nearly $31 million in injury compensation that he was awarded by a jury. The legislation is sponsored by Rep. Rachel Burgin, R-Brandon, and Sen. Ken Pruit, R-Port St. Lucie.

According to the Florida Constitution, governments are held liable up to $200,000 unless the Legislature passes a claims bill. Though lawmakers have approved close to two dozen claims bills, collecting the money has proved difficult because of Florida’s budget shortfall.

The family hopes that if lawmakers see Eric, the will understand the need to pass the Brody’s claims bill. The bill had not received a hearing in the Senate as of March 31, 2009.

Aid bill for Broward crash victim stalls, Miami Herald, March 31, 2009
Florida families want their injury compensation; State poses hurdle, CBS12.com, March 30, 2009 Continue reading