South Florida Injury Lawyer Blawg

Scarring and Disfigurement Injuries in Florida

Published on: November 3, 2016 | by Law Offices of Robert Dixon

Scarring and disfigurement can have serious physical, emotional, and psychological consequences for a victim. If someone’s carelessness or recklessness caused your accident and resulting injuries, we can help. At the Law Offices of Robert Dixon, we are well versed in virtually all types of personal injury cases and can advocate for your rights at every step of the way. These cases can be quite complicated, but you can rest assured that we can thoroughly examine the facts of your case to determine fault.

Severe burns, amputations, and loss of limbs are some examples of disfiguring injuries. Scars can be the result of burns, lacerations, scrapes, or puncture wounds. They often remain even after a wound heals and may significantly alter how a person looks. Some causes of scarring and disfigurement injuries include but are not limited to chemical spills, fires, road hazards, motor vehicle accidents, surgical errors, explosions, and construction accidents.

Dangerous and Defective Florida Roadways

Published on: October 7, 2016 | by Law Offices of Robert Dixon

A difficult left turn, a sharp curve, or a large pothole can all be causes of serious accidents. If you or someone you know has been injured or killed due to a dangerous or defective road condition, it is important to seek the help of a skilled Miami injury attorney who can assess the merits of your case. We proudly represent clients who have been hurt as a result of poorly designed or maintained public roadways.

There are both federal and Florida laws set in place to protect motorists from dangers on the road. These laws typically govern how and when construction can take place, as well as when certain warnings and gradients must be used.

Appliance Accidents in Florida

Published on: October 7, 2016 | by Law Offices of Robert Dixon

Most Americans use a number of electronic appliances each day to ease daily tasks. Unfortunately, these appliances can often injure their users. If an appliance that was unreasonably dangerous, defective, or lacking in adequate warnings has injured you or someone you know, you may be entitled to compensation for your harm. At the Law Offices of Robert Dixon, our Miami product liability attorneys can analyze the facts of your situation and determine the viability of your claim.

According to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) National Electronic Injury Surveillance System, home appliance accidents cause over 150,000 emergency room visits each year. A number of appliances can cause injuries, including microwaves, refrigerators, freezers, space heaters, and ceiling fans, as well as stoves and ovens. Appliance accidents can cause a wide range of injuries, including but not limited to bruises, cuts, serious burns, and even death.

If a hazardous or defective product has hurt you, you may be able to take legal action against the at-fault party. Manufacturers have an obligation to make safe appliances that work as intended. A wholesaler and retailer may also be liable for the injuries caused. Product liability lawsuits can be categorized in one of three ways: manufacturing defects, design defects, and failures to warn. A manufacturing defect takes place when an error is made in the assembly of a product, resulting in an item that is not made as it was supposed to be made. A design defect, on the other hand, occurs when there is a fundamental flaw in the design, which makes it inherently dangerous to users. Lastly, an injured victim may have a claim based on a manufacturer’s failure to warn the user about inherent but non-obvious risks.

Photographs of Hazardous Condition in Broward County Sufficient to Create Jury Issue of Causation

Published on: October 7, 2016 | by Law Offices of Robert Dixon

Each year, many people in Florida and throughout the United States are injured in slip and fall accidents due to dangerous conditions. Evidence in slip and fall cases can be difficult to gather. This is because the last thing an injured victim is thinking about right after a fall is the legal process. Instead, the injured victim is typically trying to recover from the injuries. A decision from an appeals court in Florida recently addressed the issue of what happens when a plaintiff cannot testify with certainty regarding the cause of the fall. The court held that, in such instances, photographs of where the accident took place that show a hazardous condition will allow a case to come before a jury.

In Christakis v. Tivoli Terrace, LLC, the plaintiff alleged that she fell on steps at Terrace Apartments in Broward County in 2012. As a result, the plaintiff sustained injuries, including fracturing her right ankle. The plaintiff sued Tivoli Terrace LLC for negligence, claiming that the establishment was aware that the stairs had divots but failed to repair them.

The defendant stated that the plaintiff, who was a resident of the apartment complex, must have fallen because of her own carelessness. The defense introduced testimony by an accident reconstruction expert who said there was nothing faulty about the stairs. In addition, the defense claimed that the plaintiff was not able to point out the specific step on which she fell. The jury agreed with the defendants and found the plaintiff to be 90 percent liable for the incident.

Wrongful Death Claim Permitted After Personal Injury Case Based on Same Conduct Resolved

Published on: September 23, 2016 | by Law Offices of Robert Dixon

Medical malpractice cases are extremely complex, and multiple causes of action may be appropriate in a single situation. The success of a claim depends heavily on having significant and concrete evidence to show a medical facility or doctor’s malpractice. This is why it is important to consult a capable Miami injury lawyer if you are considering a potential medical malpractice claim.

In Spangler v. Mcquitty, the parents of a boy, Dylan, filed a personal injury lawsuit against a physician who delivered the child on behalf of their son, contending that the son’s severe disabilities were a result of birth injuries caused by medical negligence.

While pregnant with Dylan, the mother’s doctor failed to obtain informed consent for the treatment that was administered to her, causing a placental abruption, which ultimately left the son with cerebral palsy and other long-term injuries. Cerebral palsy is a broad term for a variety of disorders that impair the motor functions and development of a child.

Mold Injuries in Florida

Published on: September 23, 2016 | by Law Offices of Robert Dixon

Mold can be extremely harmful to anyone who is exposed to it. In fact, people can sustain long-term or even lifetime conditions as a result of mold exposure. If you or someone close to you has suffered an injury from mold, it is imperative to reach out to a skilled Miami injury attorney who can evaluate your case. At the Law Offices of Robert Dixon, we have helped many South Florida clients resolve their personal injury claims and can help you as well.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the term “toxic mold” is inaccurate. This is because, in most cases, the mold itself is usually not toxic or poisonous. Large mold infestations can typically be seen or smelled. Some harmful effects of mold exposure include nasal congestion and irritation, eye irritation or wheezing, coughing, breathing issues, headache and fever, and memory loss.

Drone-Related Injuries in Florida

Published on: September 23, 2016 | by Law Offices of Robert Dixon

Personal drones are becoming more and more popular. As drones become more common, so do injuries resulting from their use. Many times, drone operators treat drones like toys, but the reality is that these unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) can cause serious harm. If a drone has injured you or someone close to you, our skilled Miami injury attorneys can help. We understand the nuances of personal injury law, and you can rest assured that we will make every effort to get you the compensation you deserve for your harm.

People use personal drones for a number of reasons, such as flying them for fun, photography, filming, and more. The FAA estimates that by 2020, approximately 300,000 drones will be used for all types of commercial uses.

Drone accidents can take place because of user error, battery failure, or faulty parts, among other reasons. One way a number of people have been recently injured around the country is because of a drone falling and directly hitting a person. This type of accident can cause eye injuries, facial lacerations, broken bones, head injuries, neck injuries, and spinal cord injuries. Furthermore, the sharp blades may cause cuts and bruises on the victim as well.

RV Accidents in Florida

Published on: September 23, 2016 | by Law Offices of Robert Dixon

A recreational vehicle (RV) refers to a motor vehicle or trailer equipped with a living space and amenities traditionally found in a home. These vehicles are sometimes called campers, motor homes, or travel-trailers as well. While RVs can vary in size, all of them are larger than an average car on the road. RV drivers are operating these huge vehicles like trucks, but they do not have to take any special driver training or possess a higher-level driver’s license, as truckers do. As a result, RV driver errors, such as sideswiping a car in the next lane, failing to stop in time, making too tight a turn, or failing to secure equipment on the top of the RV properly, are often the cause of accidents. If you or someone you love has been injured in an RV accident, we can help.

RV accidents can have severe and catastrophic consequences. RV accidents can result in a traumatic brain injury, broken bones, broken ribs, herniated discs, the loss of a limb, and more. In the most serious cases, RV accidents can result in death.

Car Crash Settlements Involving Minors in Florida

Published on: September 7, 2016 | by Law Offices of Robert Dixon

Unfortunately, automobile accidents injure a number of children in Florida and throughout the United States each year. In Allen v. Montalvan, a grandmother was killed in a tragic car crash, and her adult daughter, minor son, and three minor grandchildren were hurt to varying degrees when a drunk driver slammed into their vehicle.

The mother hired personal injury lawyers and gave them the authority to prosecute any suit and settle, dismiss, or discontinue the lawsuit. The lawyer sent a letter to the plaintiff’s insurance carrier, asking for the insurance policy coverage information. The insurance policy had limits of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per incident.

The insurance company then mailed a letter to the attorney, globally tendering the policy limits. Two checks were enclosed, as well as a proposed release for each claimant. The release for the decedent was for $25,000. However, due to the uncertainty regarding the allocation of money for the surviving occupants, the insurance company left the amounts blank in the remaining releases. Two years later, the attorney returned the signed releases, accompanied by a letter that said that all the claims with regard to the settlement were released. The consideration on the mother’s release was filled in as $25,000, and the consideration for each of the kids was marked as $0.

Kayaking Accidents in Florida

Published on: September 7, 2016 | by Law Offices of Robert Dixon

Kayaking can be a great source of fun and entertainment. Whether you do it alone or with a group, it is supposed to be an enjoyable experience. Unfortunately, there are times when a kayaking adventure can turn into a nightmare if something goes wrong. If you or someone close to you has been hurt in a kayaking accident, you may be able to seek compensation from the at-fault party. These cases are highly fact-intensive, so it is important to seek the help of a skilled Miami attorney who can thoroughly examine what happened in your case.

The Outdoor Foundation estimates there are about 10.3 million Americans who participate in kayaking at least once each year. The majority of these kayakers, approximately 8.1 million, participate in the activity recreationally, while 2.4 million partake in sea/tour kayaking, and 1.9 million are involved in whitewater kayaking.

Kayaking injuries can take place in a number of ways, including a kayak overturning or colliding head-on with another vessel in the water. Other risk factors for kayakers include a lack of familiarity with the water, an inadequate skill level, no spare paddle, poorly maintained equipment, high water, and changing weather conditions.