Attorney Blog

Bed Sores Caused by Florida Nursing Home Neglect Can be Fatal

lawman@lawteam.com (Blog Author)27404 — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 08:00:00 EST

Many elderly people are admitted into Florida nursing homes daily. Family members admit them under the assumption that they are going to receive quality care. However, that is not always the case. In some situations family members discover that their loved ones are being neglected at the hands of those they originally trusted to care for them.

Are you familiar with bed sores? You may have heard the term but may not know exactly what they are or what causes them. A bed sore is also referred to as a pressure sore and usually develops when a person remains in the same position for a lengthy period of time. They can often be found in the hip, lower back and heel regions.

Unfortunately, nursing homes residents are vulnerable to developing bed sores in Florida. Often, nursing home staff fails to rotate and move patients enough to avoid bed sores.

No one wants to learn that their family members are being neglected and you may not think that bed sores are all that serious. However, keep in mind that not only are bed sores serious, they can also be deadly.

If you or someone you know has been a victim of neglect or abuse in a Florida nursing home, you should contact an experienced Palm Beach nursing home abuse attorney at Fetterman & Associates at (561) 845-2510 or (800) LAW IN FL (529-4635).

What You Can Do If Your Loved One Is Abused In A Florida Nursing Home

lawman@lawteam.com (Blog Author)27402 — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 08:00:00 EST

Do you or someone you know have a loved on in a Florida nursing home? If so, you placed them there with the assumption that they were going to receive the best possible care. Unfortunately, that is not always the case and people are abused in Florida nursing homes.

As unbelievable as it sounds, many elderly suffer physical, sexual and emotional abuse at the hands of nursing home employees. This scenario leaves family members wondering what to do. Fortunately, there are several things you can do.

You need to speak with someone who is in charge. Do not settle with talking with low level staff.

Submit your concerns in writing. This will notify the nursing home that you are serious about your concerns. Request their response in writing. You need to also make sure you follow through with any requests that you make.

Also, plan on making more visits and not always at the same time. You do not want the nursing home staff to clean up their “act” when they know you are coming.

Lastly, it is imperative that you seek legal counsel. A Florida nursing home abuse attorney who specializes in nursing home neglect and abuse cases will be able to help you resolve your issues.

If you or someone you know has a loved one who is a victim of nursing home abuse in Palm Beach County, Martin County or Port St. Lucie County, you should contact an experienced Palm Beach nursing home abuse lawyer at Fetterman & Associates at (561) 845-2510 or (800) LAW IN FL (529-4635).

You Can Prevent Injury in a Palm Beach Auto Accident

lawman@lawteam.com (Blog Author)27111 — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 08:00:00 EST

When you load your family into the car, you are probably not thinking about your chances of being hurt in a Palm Beach car accident, but unfortunately, crashes occur on a daily basis. In 2008, an average of 665 traffic accidents occurred every day in Florida. It has also been estimated that over 41,000 people are killed in the United States in motor vehicle accidents.

You cannot always prevent an accident from happening, but you can help avoid serious injuries and death. For example, when child safety seats are properly installed and used, they can lower the risk of death by 47 to 54 percent for toddlers (ages 1 to 4) and by 70 percent for infants.

Seat belts have been found to reduce severe injury to the head, chest and extremities by 50 to 83 percent. Seat belt usage is also believed to reduce deaths anywhere from 45 to 60 percent. Over two-thirds of people in the United States buckle up, but ideally, this number should be significantly higher.

You can also reduce your risk of injury in a Florida auto accident by avoiding driving after you have had one too many drinks. Drunk driving accidents are to blame for countless deaths in Florida each year.

If you have been hurt in a car crash in Palm Beach County, St. Lucie County or Martin County, contact a Palm Beach car accident attorney at our office at 1-800-LAW IN FL (529-4635).

Trucker Texting Ban Could Lower the Amount of Florida Truck Accidents

lawman@lawteam.com (Blog Author)27108 — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 08:00:00 EST

Up to this point, commercial truckers and bus drivers have been allowed to text and drive in Florida. However, things have changed.

The federal government has recently banned bus drivers and truckers from texting while driving. These new restrictions apply to interstate truckers and operators of vehicles carrying at least eight passengers. Truckers and bus drivers who violate this ban could be fined up to $2,750. It will be interesting to see the impact this ban will have on the amount of Florida truck accidents.

"This helps to establish a uniform safe application of texting bans around the country. This is a high-risk behavior. Drivers who text take their eyes off the road for (an average of) 4.6 seconds. In this congested environment, we cannot allow these conditions to continue," said Anne Ferro, head of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

There have been numerous studies into the dangers of cell phones and other driver distractions. One study, found that taking your eyes of the road for a mere three seconds significantly impacts your probability of being involved in a collision. According to Ferro, texting takes even longer. For truck drivers, they have to be alert to dangers at all times, as it takes quite a bit longer to stop these massive vehicles.

If you have been hurt in a truck accident in Palm Beach County, St. Lucie County or Martin County, contact a Palm Beach truck accident attorney at our office at 1-800-LAW IN FL (529-4635).

A Palm Beach Car Accident Can Lead to a "Talk and Die" Head Injury

lawman@lawteam.com (Blog Author)27022 — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 08:00:00 EST

Imagine learning that you fractured your skull and didn’t know it. Unfortunately, many people fracture their skull in a Florida car accident and are unaware of the extent of their injury until later. Medical experts refer to this situation as the “talk and die” syndrome.

This condition is very serious. When a person suffers a skull fracture he or she runs the risk of having bleeding or swelling in the brain, which can lead to major complications and death. The frightening part of it is the fact that the complications may arise late after the accident.

As you know, a head injury can be a result of many kinds of accidents, including a fall at work or from a Palm Beach car accident. It may even be caused by negligence on the part of someone else. You may appear fine at first, but again, the complications might arise later.

If you have injured your head in an accident, no matter how minor it appears, you should seek medical attention.

Also, the impact that a serious head injury can have on your family, as well as your job, can be drastic. You may be left with tough questions, such as who is going to pay your medical bills or who will care for your family?

If you or someone you know has been injured in a Palm Beach County car accident, you should contact an experienced Palm Beach car accident lawyer at Fetterman & Associates – The Law Team at (561) 845-2510 or (800) LAW IN FL (529-4635).

For more information on this topic, read the article, A “Minor” Bump On The Head In A Car Accident Could Actually Be Serious.

Young Lives Are Lost in Florida Car Accidents

mindy@fosterwebmarketing.com (Blog Author)26836 — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 08:00:00 EST

The national leading cause of death among children and young adults is car accidents. In Florida, auto accidents claim countless lives and many of them are young victims. More children and young adults die each year from motor vehicle related-injuries than by any other means in the United States.

If you are a parent then you need to be made aware of the risks that your child faces. Car accidents are a huge problem in America for children, including Florida.

The exact reasons may not be clear but we can all agree that children on bikes and scooters are in danger of being hit by a car at anytime. A tragic story of a recent accident in Edgewater, which left a 10-year-old girl in critical condition, is a prime example of the seriousness of motor vehicle accidents.

If you or someone you know has been injured in a Palm Beach County car accident, you should contact an experienced Palm Beach car accident lawyer at Fetterman & Associates at (561) 845-2510 or (800) LAW IN FL (529-4635).

Read the article, Are Florida Car Accidents the Leading Cause of Child Death, for more information on this topic.

How Palm Beach Toyota Dealerships are Responding to Accelerator Pedal Recall

mindy@fosterwebmarketing.com (Blog Author)26175 — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 08:00:00 EST

If you own one of the Toyota vehicles involved in a nationwide recall, you probably have a lot of questions and a lot of concerns. The massive recall was initiated after a problem with the accelerator pedal was identified. This Toyota recall has left many residents in Palm Beach scrambling to find out more information.

The auto manufacturer made a bold move recently when it halted sales and production of many of its vehicles. Jim Lentz, president of Toyota Motor Sales, emphasized during a conference call that Toyota wants to place the safety of its customers first.

There have been numerous reports of accelerator pedals becoming stuck. In Florida, this defect could become a deadly problem for motorists. A serious Palm Beach car accident could result from this defective auto part.

Apparently, as the pedal becomes worn it may not operate smoothly and could become jammed. Engineers discovered that there was an issue with a friction device in the assembly, which is supposed to give the appropriate pedal “feel” by adding resistance.

Many Palm Beach County Toyota dealerships have been fielding calls inquiring about the defective pedals. However, the response among Florida drivers has been varied. Glenn Grosso, area vice president for Penske Automotive Group, which owns Royal Palm Toyota and Palm Beach Toyota, stated that “some people are finding this extremely urgent, other people not so much.”

According to Grosso, his dealerships are conducting as many as 50 to 60 vehicle inspections every day. He said that they haven’t found a sticky pedal yet.

If your Toyota vehicle has been involved in this recall, contact your local Florida Toyota dealer or call the manufacturer at (800) 331-4331.

Palm Beach Gardens Car Accident Injures At Least One

sue@lawteam.com (News Author)13318 — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 08:00:00 EST

A Palm Beach Gardens car accident involving two vehicles leaves at least one person injured after the two vehicles collide. The incident took place at approximately 5:00 AM on Friday morning, February 26, 2010, along Interstate 95 just north of PGA Boulevard.

According to reports, the two vehicles collided along Interstate 95 blocking two lanes. One person was reported as being injured. Rescue crews had to use special equipment to remove the victim from the mangled vehicle.

Details concerning the victim’s injuries were not immediately known. Unfortunately, the injuries are considered to be life-threatening. It was unclear whether anyone else suffered injuries as a result of the early morning wreck.

The two-vehicle accident blocked the left and center lanes along the interstate and commuters were inconvenienced due to a slowdown that went as far back as Donald Ross Road. However, crews were able to clear the accident scene quickly and the lanes were reopened by 6:30 AM.

The Palm Beach Gardens auto accident is still under investigation by local authorities. The cause of the accident has not yet been determined.

This is an unfortunate accident and our thoughts go out to all of those who have been affected by the crash.

Boynton Beach Motorcycle Accident Leaves Man in Critical Condition

sue@lawteam.com (News Author)13007 — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 08:00:00 EST

A Boynton Beach motorcycle accident involving two vehicles leaves a motorcyclist fighting for his life. The incident took place at approximately 4:45 PM on Tuesday afternoon, February 2, 2010, near West Boynton Beach Boulevard and Northwest Eighth Street.

When officers arrived on the scene they found the motorcyclist, Joseph S. Williams, 18, of Boynton Beach, unconscious on the road. They also found a smashed motorcycle helmet. Rescue crews transported Williams to Delray Medical Center where he was listed in critical condition from injuries sustained in the accident.

According to Boynton Beach Police, Williams suffered critical injures including hemorrhaging in the brain, a broken femur, broken bones in his neck and numerous internal injuries. Doctors had to give the motorcyclist massive blood transfusions.

Witnesses told police that a white Isuzu turned in front of the motorcycle, causing Williams to lay down the bike. The car then fled the scene.

Police later located the driver and have him as Sergio Herrera-Pena, 32, of Lake Worth. Herrera-Pena has been charged with failure to remain at the scene of an accident.

The Boynton Beach accident is still under investigation by local authorities.

Our thoughts go out to Mr. Williams and his family. We wish him a speedy recovery.

Wellington Car Accident Involves Founder of International Polo Club

sue@lawteam.com (News Author)12952 — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 08:00:00 EST

A Wellington car accident that left a man dead sent shock waves throughout the Polo community. The incident took place Friday, February 12, 2010, at the intersection of 120th Avenue South and Lake Worth Drive.

According to investigators, John B. Goodman, millionaire and founder of the International Polo Club Palm Beach, was driving a Bentley when he ran a stop sign and slammed into a Hyundai. The force of the impact sent the Hyundai into a canal killing the driver, Scott Wilson, 23, of Wellington.

Goodman had just left a local restaurant and investigators believe that he had been drinking prior to the accident. They are currently awaiting toxicology reports to confirm if he was driving under the influence of alcohol or another substance.

Wilson had recently graduated from the University of Central Florida and was about to take a job as a mechanical engineer.

“He was just the most amazing son,” said Wilson’s mother, Lili Wilson.

The fatal Wellington auto accident is still under investigation by the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, which has not yet handed the case over to the State Attorney’s Office.

It is always tragic to lose a loved one in a traffic accident. We extend our condolences to Mr. Wilson’s family and friends.

Palm Beach Truck Accident Leaves One Person Dead

sue@lawteam.com (News Author)12940 — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 08:00:00 EST

A Palm Beach truck accident involving a tractor-trailer and an overturned truck leaves one man dead. The incident took place late Monday evening, February 8, 2010, along U.S. 27.

According to reports, a driver of a truck that was transporting livestock southbound on U.S. 27 lost control of the vehicle, causing the truck to become jackknifed and eventually overturning on its side. That is when the tractor-trailer truck smashed into it, killing the driver of the tractor-trailer, who has been identified as 64-year-old John Edward James.

The driver of the truck that was transporting the livestock has been identified as 43-year-old Benigno Gomez. He was reportedly not injured in the crash.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Gomez made an attempt to warn James by waving a flashlight. Unfortunately, James was unable to stop in time and slammed into the overturned truck.

Reports indicate that approximately 100 animals were killed in the accident. The accident shut down U.S. 27 for the remainder of the night and well into the next morning to allow crews to clean-up the accident scene.

The Palm Beach tractor-trailer accident is still under investigation by local authorities. However, investigators are still trying to determine what caused the original truck to become overturned.

Our thoughts and condolences go out to all of those who have been affected by this tragic and unfortunate accident.

Lake Worth Auto Accident Injures Mother and Son

sue@lawteam.com (News Author)12768 — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 08:00:00 EST

A Lake Worth auto accident involving two pedestrians leaves a mother and son hospitalized after a car drives onto a sidewalk. The incident took place at approximately 12:00 PM on Monday afternoon, February 1, 2010, at the corner of Lake Avenue and Dixie Highway.

According to the Palm Beach County's Sheriff's Office, the incident occurred when Winnifred Baugh, 63, who was traveling northbound on Dixie Highway, drove his car onto the sidewalk. He struck two traffic signs before striking the woman and her son, who were on the sidewalk and waiting at the corner when the incident took place.

The victims, Shena Wright and her 9-year-old son, Terrell Caldwell, were severely inured in the crash. Rescue crews transported the both of them to Delray Medical Center where they were listed in critical condition.

According to reports, Wright suffered broken bones and internal injuries. Her son was hospitalized with severe head injuries.

The Lake Worth auto accident is still under investigation by local authorities. It has not been determined as to why Baugh left the roadway and struck the mother and her son. No charges have been filed as of yet.

This is an unfortunate incident and our thoughts go out to all those that have been affected by the accident.

West Palm Beach Car Accident Kills 3-Month-Old

sue@lawteam.com (News Author)12763 — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 08:00:00 EST

A West Palm Beach car accident involving a chain-reaction crash leaves a 3-month-old dead and five others injured. The incident took place on Saturday afternoon, January 30, 2010, on Forest Hill Boulevard near Kudza Road.

According to the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office, Yanitza Gonzalez, 27, of West Palm Beach, was driving westbound in a 1999 Honda when she was rear-ended by a 2010 Honda. The baby, 3-month-old Yanley Gonzalez, was a passenger in the Honda.

Rescue workers transported Yanley to Delray Medical Center. Unfortunately, the 3-month-old was pronounced dead due to injuries sustained in the accident.

Yanitza Gonzales and another passenger in the Honda were also taken to Delray Medical Center. They were listed in satisfactory condition, according to a hospital official.

The driver that rear-ended Gonzalez has been identified as Jason F. Brown, 30, of Middletown. Brown was also transported to Delray Medical Center where he was treated for serious injuries.

The force of the impact pushed Gonzalez's car into a 1995 Mitsubishi driven by Jose Ramos, 38, of West Palm Beach. Ramos and 2-year-old Maria Carmona were both taken to Wellington Regional Medical Center and treated for injuries.

The fatal West Palm Beach accident is still under investigation by local authorities. According to sheriff's deputies, drugs and alcohol may have played a role in the crash.

This is a horrific accident and our thoughts and condolences go out to all those who have been affected by it.