This week the Florida Senate unanimously passed Senate Bill 320 (2014), which would regulate the parasailing industry. Parasailing is a water sport in which people wear a parachute and a harness attached to and towed by a motorboat. Parasailing is a popular water sport offered to tourists on many of Florida’s beaches. Unfortunately, the potential dangers of this sport have been highlighted by several catastrophic parasailing accidents in recent years. Parasailing accidents usually result in severe personal injury or wrongful death. An identical bill is working its way through the Florida House of Representatives....
Continue readingAlert Today, Alive Tomorrow
Alert Today, Alive Tomorrow is the Florida Department of Transportation‘s pedestrian and cyclist safety awareness initiative. The initiative’s website provides access to Florida laws and safety tips for pedestrians and cyclists. There are countless bicycle accidents and pedestrian accidents each year. Awareness and education of motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists should help prevent and reduce the incidence of bicycle accidents and pedestrian accidents and the resulting personal injury or wrongful death....
Continue readingFlorida Supreme Court Overturns Statutory Caps on Noneconomic Damages in Wrongful Death Medical Malpractice Cases
The Florida Supreme Court has ruled that the statutory caps on noneconomic damages in wrongful death medical malpractice cases are unconstitutional. Click here for the Court’s opinion. This ruling will have a significant impact on claims for medical malpractice resulting in wrongful death. However, the caps on noneconomic damages in personal injury medical malpractice cases remain in effect....
Continue readingState Lawmakers Pushing to Ban Texting While Driving
State lawmakers around the country are fighting for stronger legislation to ban texting while driving. For example, the Utah Senate and the South Dakota Senate recently passed bills banning texting while driving. Many other states have passed similar measures. However, enforcement of these laws varies state to state. Florida’s law banning texting while driving may only be enforced as a secondary offense. This means that a driver can be cited for texting while driving only after a driver is cited for another, primary offense such as speeding. The South Dakota Senate bill calls for enforcement as a primary offense. Texting while driving is dangerous...
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