Florida Injury Lawyer Blog

Workplace Violence Prevention in SWFL

April 18, 2019 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

Workplace violence is an area of growing focus and concern for area employers.

The National Safety Council reports more than 18,000 injuries and nearly 500 fatalities occur each year as a result of workplace violence, making it among the leading causes of serious and fatal on-the-job injuries.

Certain careers, including healthcare, education and taxi or livery drivers, face higher risks. But every workplace should have a plan when it comes to reducing or eliminating the chances of workplace violence.

Our injury attorneys in Cape Coral and Fort Myers know it’s the mass shootings that make the news. But these incidents more commonly involve former spouses, or a personal dispute that results in a perpetrator assaulting an employee in the workplace. Many of these instances can be prevented by properly monitoring workplace access, and by educating employees about how to deal with trespassers or intruders.

Dangerous Child Products Under Recall

April 17, 2019 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

Fisher-Price is recalling its Rock ‘N Play product, which has been linked to more than 30 infant deaths. The company is offering a cash refund to customers who have owned the product for six months or less. Those who have owned the product for longer can seek a pro-rated voucher refund from the company.

MarketWatch reports the recall could cost Fisher-Price up to $60 million and involves nearly 5 million units. The Rock ‘N Play sleeper is manufactured in China and retails in the United States for between $40 and $149. We can see by the pro-rated refund “voucher” that the company continues to focus on the bottom line, and not on the safety of consumers.

Frequently recalls highlight the risk of serious or fatal injuries resulting from dangerous or defective consumer products. But issuing a recall does not relieve a company of the legal liability associated with marketing these products to consumers.

Mattel issued the recall after complaints to the company and the Consumer Product Safety Commission that infants could roll over and suffocate. The CPSC reports more than 30 infant deaths have occurred while using the product in the last decade. The company said the recall was voluntary and blamed some of the incidents on incorrect use of the products that were contrary to safety warnings and instructions. Our injury lawyers know neither the “voluntary” recall nor the assertion that the product was used incorrectly will protect the company from legal liability in this case.

May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month

April 16, 2019 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month.

Many motorists think that means it’s time for motorcycle riders to focus on safety. In reality, it’s drivers and vehicle occupants that need the reminder to share the road.

Nearly 600 riders are killed on Florida roads each year, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Motorcycle deaths account for 1 in 5 of Florida’s road fatalities each year, despite there being far fewer motorcycles than vehicles on Florida roads.

Our motorcycle accident lawyers in Fort Myers and Cape Coral have been representing injured riders and their families in Southwest Florida since 1971. Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner, Attorneys for the Injured, is once again providing headline sponsorship for Cape Coral Bike Nights, the area’s largest family-friendly motorcycle event. You can also find us promoting rider rights and safety awareness at events throughout Southwest Florida.

Road Construction Accidents a SWFL Risk

April 11, 2019 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles is reminding motorists to use extra caution in construction zones as the summer road construction season gets underway.

The week of April 8th is National Work Zone Awareness Week, as safety advocates work to raise awareness about the increased risks of driving through construction zones in Southwest Florida. The awareness campaign has been conducted at the start of road construction season each year since 2000. More than 100 construction workers are killed each year in road construction transportation accidents, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Risks of road construction zones include changing traffic patterns, narrowed rights-of-way, uneven roadways, lack of breakdown lanes, and other hazards that increase the risk of motor-vehicle collisions. Federal statistics show drivers and passengers are most likely to be seriously injured or killed in road construction zones. Each year more than 600 motorists and passengers are killed, as well as more than 100 bicyclists and pedestrians. About 200 fatal work zone collisions each year involve a large commercial truck or bus.

Dog-Bite Prevention Week Highlights Risks in Florida

April 10, 2019 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

Florida has the second-highest rate of dog bite injuries in the nation, according to State Farm insurance data.

Dog bite prevention week is April 7-13 and is a good time to talk to your family members about staying safe around dogs.

Young children are at highest risk of dog bite injury. Our injury lawyers in Cape Coral and Fort Myers know these can be extremely serious cases, often involving facial injuries and scarring that can lead to long-term trauma and emotional problems for young victims.

WINK News reports a fifth-grader was attacked by a pit bull in Belle Glade recently. The boy was reportedly bitten at least 10 times on the face. A separate dog-bite incident in Cape Coral resulted in a child needing 31 stitches on his face.

Record Pace of Fatal Boating Accidents in Southwest Florida

April 9, 2019 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

Already this year, five fatal boating accidents have occurred in Lee County, prompting authorities and safety advocates to urge boaters to use more caution off the coast of Southwest Florida.

The News-Press reports more than twice as many fatal boating accidents have occurred in Lee County waters so far in 2019, compared to 2018 when two people were killed.

Our boating injury lawyers in Fort Myers posted about boating safety in November as tourist season opened with the 46th Annual Fort Myers Boat Show. The rash of fatal accidents shows there is still much work to do when it comes to improving boater safety.

Know your Policy! Rising Auto Insurance Rates in Southwest Florida

March 30, 2019 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

Auto insurance rates continue to rise in Southwest Florida. Auto insurance companies in Florida enjoy some of the highest insurance rates in the nation, while offering very little coverage to those opting for minimum required protection. Our Fort Myers car accident attorneys urge you to carefully review your policy and make sure that you properly understand what protections it affords you and your family. Otherwise, you likely are not getting what you thought you were paying for in the event of a collision.

WINK News reports auto insurance rates are rising, with increases of 5-15 percent in the Fort Myers-Naples market. Local agents point to Southwest Florida’s explosive growth and instances of insurance fraud as reasons for the increase. Florida auto insurers have long used insurance fraud as a reason to continue to increase rates while lobbying for reduced coverage.

Storefront Injuries an Overlooked Risk in SWFL

March 29, 2019 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

Disturbing video footage of an SUV smashing through a convenience store in the heart of Fort Myers offers a sobering reminder of the risk of these storefront collisions.

WINK News reports the truck slammed through the storefront in south Fort Myers in an incident that was captured on the store’s security cameras. The video dramatically depicts how dangerous these crashes can be, as a storefront parking stop and curb were no match for the large SUV that barreled through the glass storefront, where a customer was standing at the checkout.

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The incident occurred at the 7-Eleven located at College Parkway and U.S. 41. The Florida Highway Patrol reports a 36-year-old Lehigh Acres woman was charged with driving with a suspended license. A store employee and a customer were transported to the hospital, though miraculously, it appears nobody was critically injured. Media reports indicate the driver has a lengthy record of driving violations.

Injuries on business property continue to be a serious issue in Southwest Florida. However, the risks of storefront crashes are often overlooked. Our Fort Myers injury lawyers wrote recently about tourist injuries in Southwest Florida. And about parking lot injuries and storefront crashes in a blog post last September after a car rammed into a seafood restaurant in Cape Coral.

Lee County Bus Stop Deaths Highlight Risks to Vulnerable Road Users

March 28, 2019 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

For the second time this year a child has been killed near a Lee County bus stop.

Monday’s tragic death of an 8-year-old Cape Coral girl has rallied the entire community. She was struck by a truck while waiting with her twin brothers at the side of the road. A red pickup truck traveling toward the intersection struck her and then left the scene. An outpouring of community support and a GoFundMe page have raised more than $48,000 this week. Police have recovered the truck and identified a suspect as the investigation continues.

So far in 2019, a total of 28 people have died on Lee County roads, a record number, The News-Press reported. Nearly half of these deaths have victimized our most vulnerable road users, including the deaths of seven pedestrians, as well as four cyclists.

Florida Construction Injuries on the Rise

March 24, 2019 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

The risk of construction injuries has increased substantially as the Southwest Florida economy continues to flourish.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited numerous Florida companies for incidents that have resulted in serious and fatal employee injuries since the first of the year. In March, a South Florida restaurant was cited after an employee suffered severe burn injuries, a contractor was cited for safety violations after two fatalities at a hotel construction site in Orando and a contractor was cited after a roofing worker fell to his death at the Forest Glenn Community in Naples.

Other recent Florida work safety violations include a landscaper who suffered fatal heat-related injury, and employers that have been cited for amputation and machine-guard risks or violations. Our injury lawyers in Fort Myers and Cape Coral know those working in the construction industry face the highest injury risks.