Florida Injury Attorney Blog

In Florida, a Palm Beach County jury awarded the estate of a man murdered at a West Palm Beach apartment $3.2 million for his wrongful death. The defendant in the Florida premises liability wrongful death case was Haverhill Affordable Housing and Picerne Management, the management company and owner of the complex where Corey Beckford died.

The 32-year-old father of four was shot to death on April 10, 2007 at Saddlebrook Apartments. This was not the first murder at the complex. In 2005, a 25-year-old man died and his nine-year-old daughter was injured after being shot by a masked gunman.

Florida’s Wrongful Death Statute:

768.19 Right of action.--When the death of a person is caused by the wrongful act, negligence, default, or breach of contract or warranty of any person, including those occurring on navigable waters, and the event would have entitled the person injured to maintain an action and recover damages if death had not ensued, the person or watercraft that would have been liable in damages if death had not ensued shall be liable for damages as specified in this act notwithstanding the death of the person injured, although death was caused under circumstances constituting a felony.

The managers and owners of the many housing and apartment complexes and retirement centers in Florida are responsible for keeping their properties safe for residents and visitors. Adequate security measures, such as locks on entrances and windows, proper lighting, alarm systems, security cameras, security gates, and security guards, must be in place—especially on a premise where there has been a history of crimes committed on the property or in the surrounding area.

When failure to take the necessary steps to prevent crimes from happening occurs, the injury victim of the estate/family members of the deceased can file a personal injury or wrongful death claim or lawsuit based on premises liability and/or inadequate security.

Contact our Palm Beach wrongful death lawyers to discuss your case.

Jury awards $3.2 million in wrongful death at apartment complex, Sun-Sentinel May 7, 2008

The 2007 Florida Statutes

Related Web Resource:

Saddlebrook Apartment Homes, Yahoo.com

Continue reading "Florida Jury Awards $3.2 Million Premises Liability Wrongful Death Award to Estate of Man Killed at West Palm Beach Apartment Complex" »

Posted by Paige Trop & Ameen | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Premises Liability , Wrongful Death

Bookmark:

In Florida, the husband of a woman who was kidnapped from her North Port residence and murdered says he plans to file a wrongful death lawsuit against Charlotte County and the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office. He is accusing them of “severe incompetence” over the handling of a 911 call about her abduction.

Denise Amber Lee disappeared from her house in January. Her husband, Nathaniel Lee, returned home in the afternoon and found their two children, ages 2 and 8 months, alone. Denise’s naked body was discovered in a shallow grave two days later. Michael King was arrested and charged with her murder. He has pled not guilty.

Nathaniel says that a Port Charles woman heard Denise screaming and banging on King’s Camaro after he had raped her. The woman called 911, reporting that she had heard crying and “not happy screaming.”

Two 911 dispatchers failed to send police to the intersection where the woman said that she saw Denise. She is believed to have been killed several hours after the 911 call was placed.

Just 90 minutes before her call, police had issued a “be on the lookout” for Lee and his Camaro. A Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office is located less than half a mile from where Denise’s body was found.

An internal affairs investigation found that Denise also called 911. Transcripts record her saying “I'm sorry I just want to see my family, please let me go,” before the call was disconnected.

Police officers, lawyers, doctors, investment brokers, and other professionals are required to provide a certain level of professional care when doing their jobs. When failure to perform at that required standard results in serious injuries or deaths in Florida, the negligent or careless party may be held liable under Florida’s Wrongful Death statute.

Our South Florida personal injury law firm is committed to protecting you. We Represent the People, Not the Powerful. Contact one of our Florida wrongful death lawyers to discuss your case.

Denise Lee's husband files intent to sue sheriff's office, ABC7.com, April 10, 2008

Charlotte should settle Lee lawsuit, Heraldtribune.com, April 13, 2008

Nathan Lee: dispatcher showed "severe incompetence", Tampa Bay 10.com, April 10, 2008

Related Web Resource:

Charlotte County Sheriff's Office

Continue reading "Florida Husband To File Wrongful Death Lawsuit Against Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office For Handling of 911 Call" »

Posted by Paige Trop & Ameen | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Wrongful Death

Bookmark:

The husband of Randi Gorenberg, the 52-year-old Boca Raton resident who was abducted and shot in the head before her body was dumped behind a South Florida civic center, is suing Town Center at Boca Raton Mall and its owner, Simon Property Group, for their alleged inadequate security-related premises liability negligence that led to her kidnapping and wrongful death.

Randi’s body was found an hour after credit card receipts document purchases that she had made will shopping at the mall. Her husband, Stewart, is seeking unspecified damages. This is the third Florida personal injury lawsuit recently filed that names the mall and its owners as defendants over inadequate security-related injuries and deaths.

Police in Florida have never said that Randi was kidnapped, but Stewart’s Florida personal injury lawyers said they believe that they can prove that she was abducted from the mall premises. Simon Property Group calls the allegations “self-serving and ridiculous.”

Palm Beach County police are investigating whether there Is a connection between Randi’s murder and the murders of 47-year-old Nancy Bochicchio and 7-year old Joey Bochicchio-Hauser, a mother and daughter that were kidnapped while leaving the mall, forced to take money from an ATM, and then bound and shot in the heads Their bodies were discovered in their SUV at the mall’s parking. Bochicchio’s family sued the mall and Simon Property Group for Nancy and Joey’s wrongful deaths.

In August, a mother and her two-year-old son were kidnapped and also forced to withdraw money from an ATM. The woman was able to free herself and her son after their attacker left them tied up. She is suing the mall for injuries related to alleged negligence and inadequate security that allowed the crime to happen.

In January, Boca Raton Council members accused Simon Property Group and the mall for not remedying inadequate security issues after the Bochicchio slayings. Boca Raton police and mall patrons have also complained to the mall about its poor security measures.

If someone you love has died because of the negligence of a property owner or anyone else, our South Florida wrongful death law firm can help you determine whether you have grounds for a civil case. You may be entitled to wrongful death compensation for your losses.

Lawsuit filed against Town Center mall owners over 2007 murder, Sun-Sentinel.com, April 23, 2008

Boca mall faces lawsuit in murders of mother, Sun-Sentinel.com, January 9, 2008

Related Web Resources:

Town Center at Boca Raton

Simon Property Group

Continue reading "Town Center at Boca Raton Mall Sued For Premises Liability that Allegedly Lead to Wrongful Death of Customer" »

Posted by Paige Trop & Ameen | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Premises Liability , Wrongful Death

Bookmark:

The family of Kenneth "Roger" Gadd has filed a Florida wrongful death lawsuit against the city of Lakeland, Florida. Gadd was killed on July 17, 2006 when the car that he was riding in was struck by a truck being driven by a theft suspect that Lakeland police were chasing.

The suspect, Tonya English, was sentenced to 30 years in prison for DUI manslaughter. Police discovered that there was alcohol and drugs in her system when the car accident happened.

Gadd’s son, his mother Dorothy Holm, and his sister Deborah McGlothen are also suing English and Erik Pearson, the owner of the car that English was driving. Pearson had picked up English, a hitchhiker, and left her in the car with the engine running while he ran into a store. English took off with his car and Pearson called 911.

Police chased English, even deploying stop sticks. The police pursuit was moving as fast as up to 70mph. During the chase on State Road 33, English moved into the opposite late and hit Gadd’s Toyota Camry. He died instantly.

Lakeland police say the pursuit was justified and that they acted within police pursuit policy. Gadd’s family says that they hope the lawsuit will lead to a stricter police pursuit policy.

The family is suing Pearson because they believe that he never took responsibility for leaving a stranger in his car with the engine on, which resulted in the deadly car chase and collision.

Our South Florida wrongful death law firm has helped many families recover compensation for the accidental deaths of their loved ones. In Florida, survivors of a decedent that can claim wrongful death include the deceased’s children, spouse, parents, and other that may have relied on the victim for support. One of our Florida wrongful death lawyers in Hollywood, Naples, or Miami would be happy to speak with you during a free consultation.

Financial recovery for wrongful death may include medical expenses, funeral/cremation/burial costs, loss of earnings, pain and suffering, loss of financial support, loss of emotional support, and other damages.

Family of Police Chase Victim Files a Lawsuit, The Ledger.com, April 3, 2008

Related Web Resources:

Woman Charged In Police Chase That Killed Innocent Motorist, TBOBlogs.com, September 26, 2006

Statutes, The Florida Senate

Continue reading "Family Sues City of Lakeland, Florida For Man's Wrongful Death During Police Car Chase" »

Posted by Paige Trop & Ameen | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Car Accidents , Wrongful Death

Bookmark:

The Florida Highway Patrol has identified Kenneth Jenkins as the driver whose wrong-way driving on Interstate 95 lead to a car crash that killed three people on Sunday in Delray.

According to investigators, Jenkins, a 25-year-old North Lauderdale resident, was driving his Pontiac headed southbound in the northbound lanes when he crashed head-on into a Mercedes. Riding in the Mercedes were Boris Rapoport, his mother Renee, Robert Rutman, and Angelica Pagliuca.

Pagliuca was seriously injured and her condition has improved to fair since then. Rapoport, his mother, and Rutman were killed in the fatal car crash.

Jenkins is reportedly in fair condition at Delray Medical Center. Conflicting witness reports had initially made it difficult to identify which car was driving in the wrong direction. Florida Police are waiting to see whether alcohol or drugs were involved. They have yet to press criminal charges against Jenkins.

Two other accidents related to the wrong-way driving collision also occurred on Sunday. Lake Worth resident LaShawn Antoinette Brown sustained minor injuries while trying to avoid the deadly crash. In the process, she hit one of the cars involved, as well as a white Honda Accord.

Delray Beach police Sgt. Toby Rubin broke his ankle when he was hit by another car that was trying to avoid the Pontiac, driven by Jenkins. Rubin had been following the Pontiac from the freeway shoulder and tried to warn other drivers.

Wrong-Way Driving
Driving the wrong way on a road or freeway can be very dangerous and can lead to serious injuries or death for the driver and other motorists and pedestrians. According to information from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), 350 people die every year in the United States because of wrong-way driving.

When a driver is careless, reckless, or makes a mistake by driving the wrong- way on a road and others are injured or killed as a result, the driver may be held liable by the injured parties through personal injury and wrongful death claims and lawsuits.

Our Florida injury law firm has helped the victims of car accident, truck crash, motorcycle collision, and injured pedestrians recover injury compensation for the harm they have suffered.

Wrong-way driver identified in I-95 crash in Delray, Sun-Sentinel.com, March 19, 2008

FHP faults Pontiac driver in wrong-way crash, Palm Beach Post, March 19, 2008

Wrong-Way Driving on Freeways: Problems, Issues, and Countermeasures

Related Web Resources:

Top 10 Basic Driving Mistakes

Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles

Continue reading "Florida Highway Patrol Name Wrong-Way Driver in Deadly Delray Car Collision" »

Posted by Paige Trop & Ameen | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Car Accidents , Wrongful Death

Bookmark:

The family of William T. Fain, 80, has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Westside Regional Medical Center. Fain was admitted to the hospital’s ER on Super Bowl Sunday in 2006 after having a seizure. Hospital doctors told nurses to take him to the intensive care unit and to make sure that he didn’t fall off the bed. The nurses were ordered to lower the bed, install bedrails, and frequently check on him.

The agency nurse monitoring Fain did not follow these orders. Soon after kissing family members goodbye for the night, Fain was found on the floor after falling off the bed. He sustained brain damage from hitting his head and died two weeks after the fall.

The family alleges that the fact that agency nurses are unfamiliar with or do not follow hospital procedures is an issue at Westside Regional. The hospital has responded to this accusation by stating its confidence in the care that the nurses at the hospital provides. Nightingale Nurses is the staffing agency that provided the agency nurse to the hospital.

Agency nurses are being used more often to staff hospitals because of the shortage of full-time nurses. In two hospital surveys conducted in 2007, results showed that 10% of nursing posts are vacant. This does not take into account the fact that many hospitals reportedly wish that they could hire more nurses than the number of posts that their budgets allow.

About 1 out of every 8 nurses working in Florida is a fill-in nurse. The Florida Hospital Association has acknowledged the downside of employing someone who is only a temporary worker and not a permanent part of an organization. It also, however, noted that hiring a temporary nurse is better than being understaffed. The use of agency nurses is reportedly an even more common practice at hospices and in the home health service.

Problems that can arise with fill-in nurses include:

• They may be unfamiliar with the facility, its policies and procedures.
• Because they don't always work with a patient regularly, they may not notice when there has been a change in the patient's condition.

Groups who represent Florida nurses are supporting bills that would obligate Florida hospitals to report staffing levels, including nurse-to-patient ratios. They are hoping that such a mandate would improve work conditions for nurses and provide better care for patients.

Our Florida personal injury law firm handles wrongful death cases as well as claims and lawsuits involving medical malpractice.

Lawsuit over man's death puts use of agency nurses in spotlight, Sun-Sentinel, March 10, 2008

Measure would require hospitals to divulge nurse staffing levels, Naplesnews.com, March 9, 2008

Related Web Resources:

Westside Regional Medical Center

Nightingale Nurses

Continue reading "Florida Wrongful Death Lawsuit Focuses on Use of “Fill-In” Nurses in Hospitals " »

Posted by Paige Trop & Ameen | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Medical Malpractice , Nursing Home Abuse , Wrongful Death

Bookmark:

The family of 20-year-old Rachel Finzi has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Florida psychologist Adam Feder, who has been criminally charged with her manslaughter death and of trafficking in controlled substances.

Finzi was a patient of Feder, 40, for two years. He also was sexually involved with Finzi, who he started treating when she was 18. The wrongful death lawsuit, filed today in Miami-Dade Circuit Court, accuses Feder and Compass Health Systems (CHS), the company that employed Feder, of being responsible for her death.

Finzi’s family brought her to CHS for treatment because she was suffering from psychological problems and depression. Feder was her psychologist and he gave her illegal prescription drugs and marijuana. Prosecutors say that Feder used other doctors’ prescription pads to write the prescriptions and obtain them illegally. As a psychologist, Finzi is not allowed to prescribe medication.

Finzi was found dead at his apartment from an OxyContin overdose in 2006. Finzi’s family says that CHS acted negligently by hiring Feder.

Medical professionals are required by law to provide their patients with the proper and ethical medical care. When failure to do so results in the serious injury or death of a person, that medical provider can be held liable via a medical malpractice or wrongful death lawsuit.

In South Florida, our wrongful death law firm has successfully handled all kinds of death and injury cases, including claims and lawsuits involving medical malpractice. We would like to offer you a free consultation to discuss your case.

Finzi’s family is seeking financial compensation for their daughter’s medical costs and their pain and suffering caused by her death.

Victim's Family Files Lawsuit against Florida Psychologist Arrested for Patient's OxyContin Death, EMediaWire.com, March 3, 2008

Psychologist charged in girlfriend's OD death, Miami Herald, February 26, 2008

Related Web Resources:

OxyContin, DEA

OxyContin Side Effects, RxList

Continue reading "Family of 20-Year-Old Girl Sues Florida Psychologist for Her Wrongful Death by Prescription Overdose" »

Posted by Paige Trop & Ameen | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Medical Malpractice , Wrongful Death

Bookmark:

In Florida, the mother of a man who drowned last year while trying to save two girls caught in the ocean currents is suing the Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach for his wrongful death.

Giankarlo "J.C." Squicimari died last May while at the resort. He and his friend were at the beach, when they reportedly heard the girls screaming and noticed that resort employees did not respond. No lifeguards were on duty. Squicimari, 31, and his friend ran into the water to help the girls. His friend saved the 12-year-old, but nearly drowned until someone else came to the rescue.

Squicimari held the 8-year-old girl above the water so she wouldn’t drown. He was under the water for several minutes before he was pulled out. He never regained consciousness.

The National Weather Service had cautioned that there were very dangerous rip currents that day that could put even experienced swimmers at risk of being dragged into the ocean.

Squicimari’s mother, Olga Giner filed her complaint in Palm Beach County Circuit Court today. She says the resort only had one sign, located near the pool, which noted the temperature of the water and the low and high tides.

The lawsuit claims that even though the sign explained what the different colored warning flags signified, no one who was at the beach on May 27 remembers seeing any flags. No explanations were posted regarding what to do if someone got caught in a rip current. Such signs exist at public beaches. Since Squicimari’s drowning death, the Four Seasons has posted similar signs.

It is the responsibility of all premise owners—especially the owner of a property frequented by guests, visitors, patrons, or workers—to ensure that their premise is safe and hazard free. In the event that a hazardous condition does exist on the premise, the premise owner must remedy the condition or—at the very least—provide proper warning that the unsafe condition exists. Failure to do so can be grounds for a premises liability or wrongful death case if someone on the premise is seriously injured or dies.

Family of hero who drowned during rescue sues Palm Beach resort, Sun-Sentinel.com, February 13, 2008

Related Web Resources:

Four Seasons Palm Beach

Rip Current Fact Sheet, National Weather Service

Continue reading "Woman Sues Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach for Wrongful Death of Son in Florida" »

Posted by Paige Trop & Ameen | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Premises Liability , Wrongful Death

Bookmark:

The 70-car collision on Florida’s I-4 on January 9 injured 38 people and killed at least 5 people. The multi-vehicle collision in Polk County is considered one of the worst highway disasters in the state’s history. Many personal injury lawsuits are expected to be filed as a result of this catastrophic accident.

At the time of the pileup, visibility was zero on a freeway made even more challenging to drive on by thick fog and the smoke from a 400-acre controlled fire. Florida’s Department of Agriculture and the Florida Highway Patrol are among those investigating the cause of the accident. The first collision occurred at 4:30am, just a little over one hour after a Florida officer had given the all clear.

Car drivers, truck drivers, truck companies, motor vehicle manufacturers, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation, the Department of Transportation, the Florida Highway Patrol, and other government agencies will be investigated for possible liability in causing the multi-vehicle collision. While the Florida Highway Patrol says 10 collisions occurred within the 70-car pileup, the state of Florida might say that there was just one accident involving 70 motor vehicles.

One family that has already filed a personal injury lawsuit is the Gomez family. Five family members were in one of the cars involved in the crash. Three of them were hospitalized in critical condition. One of the family members, Adrian Gomez, died from his injuries last week.

The Gomez family claims that there were no sign to warn them that there was a controlled burn taking place near the vicinity of the freeway. The drivers that struck their car and the Division of Forestry are named in the Gomez family's injury lawsuit.

Florida’s waived sovereign immunity only lets an injured driver recover up to $100,000 or $200,000 for dependents. Any other recovery must be filed through a law called the Claims Bill.

While Florida’s PIP (personal injury protection) insurance coverage covers up to $10,000 in medical costs for drivers—regardless of who caused the accident—some injuries require medical treatment that go well beyond this financial limit.

A good Florida motor vehicle accident lawyer can help you file a claim or lawsuit against any and all negligent parties so that you have the financial recovery you need to pay for your medical care and other associated costs.

Smoke Closes Same Stretch Of Highway Tuesday Morning, News4Jax.com, January 15, 2008

Slew of I-4 pileup lawsuits will cover wide range of blame, Orlando Sentinel, January 13, 2008

4 Killed, 38 Injured In 70-Car Pileup, Local6.com, January 10, 2008

Related Web Resources:

Florida Highway Patrol

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation

Florida Department of Transportation

Continue reading "Personal Injury Lawsuits Expected in 70-Motor Vehicle Crash on Florida’s I-4" »

Posted by Paige Trop & Ameen | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Car Accidents , Personal Injury , Wrongful Death

Bookmark:

NASCAR and insurer United States Aviation Underwriters have reached a settlement agreement with the family of Janise Woodward, the Sanford. Florida woman who, along with her 6-month old son Josiah, died when a plane operated by the racing agency crashed onto the Woodward residence last July.

The wrongful death claims were filed separately on behalf of Janice’s husband, Joseph Woodard, and their daughter, Jurnee, 4.

The deadly plane accident occurred on July 10, when the plane when down in an Orlando neighborhood. Two NASCAR employees were flying the plane.

The plane’s pilot noticed smoke coming from the cockpit soon after leaving Daytona Beach. Controllers were guiding the plane so it could land at Orlando-Sanford International Airport when the collision occurred.

The plane also crashed onto another Sanford residence, this one owned by Peter and Milagros Dechat. Peter sustained serious burn injuries in the accident. The Dechat’s daughter Gabriel, 4, also died in the aviation accident. Their son Daniel Happy, 10, is still being treated for his burn injuries at Cincinnati’s Shriners Burns Hospital. The couple says that they plan to file injury and wrongful death claims also.

Personal injury and wrongful death claims and lawsuits related to plane accidents can be challenging cases to handle without the help of an experienced Florida plane accident lawyer.

Plane accidents often leave no survivors and can also seriously injury or kill innocent bystanders and residents on the ground who are just going about their daily life—whether they are walking up the street, riding a car, or sitting in their kitchen having breakfast.

A good plane accident attorney can determine whether the pilot, the air traffic control team, the plane company, or anyone else can be held liable.

Your personal injury attorney should have a solid understanding of aviation law and the different rules that govern private planes, commercial airliners, and military jets.

Family reaches settlement after fatal Sanford plane crash, OrlandoSentinel.com, January 16, 2008

Family Who Lost Mother, Son In Sanford Accident Settle With NASCAR, Aero-News Network, January 16, 2008

Related Web Resources:

Federal Aviation Administration

United States Aviation Underwriters

NASCAR

Continue reading "NASCAR and Florida Family Reach Wrongful Death Settlement" »

Posted by Paige Trop & Ameen | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Wrongful Death

Bookmark:

A Florida Panhandle man died on Tuesday after having a heart attack while riding Walt Disney World’s Expedition Everest roller coaster ride in Orlando. There was no portable defibrillator available to try and restore Jeffery C. Reeb’s heartbeat.

Reeb, a Navarre resident, died of dilated cardiomyopathy. He had a history of heart arrhythmias and had an enlarged heart. He was unresponsive and unconscious when he returned to the unloading area after riding the roller coaster.

A Disney employee and a registered nurse who was visiting the amusement park gave him cardiopulmonary resuscitation at the scene. It is unclear whether having a portable defibrillator at the scene immediately would have helped. Investigators say the ride was operating properly.

Reeb was transported to Florida Hospital Celebration Health where he later died.

Just last November, Walt Disney Co. announced that it would install 200 more defibrillators at Walt Disney World and 250 more defibrillators on its other properties. Walt Disney World says that as many as 40 lives may have been saved at Disney World, Disneyland, and on Disney Cruise Line Ships since 650 defibrillators were installed four years ago.

There were in fact two defibrillators close to the Everest roller coaster on Tuesday—one was located at a first-aid station just a couple of hundred yards from the Everest ride; another defibrillator was on a mobile cart.

In 2005, a 4-year-old boy suffered a heart attack after riding the Mission: Space Ride at Disney’s Epcot. The boy’s family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Disney. The lawsuit was settled for an undisclosed amount.

If you were seriously injured at a Florida amusement park or if someone you love was killed on an amusement park ride because the ride was not working properly or because the amusement park was negligent or careless, you should contact a Florida personal injury lawyer immediately.

Amusement parks are obligated to make sure that their rides and their premises are safe for visitors. The park also must have the proper first-aid facilities to treat visitors in the event of an emergency.

Autopsy: Man died from heart attack on Disney roller coaster, Orlando Sentinel, December 20, 2007

Magical Mountain.net, Heart Attack Cause Of Death On Disney Ride, December 20, 2007

Related Web Resources:

Ride Accidents

Accident Watch, Theme Park Insider

Continue reading "No Defibrillator Available As Florida Man Dies of Heart Attack on Disney’s Expedition Everest Roller Coaster" »

Posted by Paige Trop & Ameen | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Wrongful Death

Bookmark:

The family members of 43-year-old Florida resident Ronald Wadsworth have filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Volusia County, Prison Health Services Inc., and psychiatrist Dr. David Hager.

Ronald—called Ronnie—passed away at an Ormond Beach nursing home on June 30. Ronnie was mentally retarded. He also had Parkinson’s disease. His condition had deteriorated by the time he was released from Volusia County Branch Jail a few months later and sent to Avante, a nursing home in Ormond Beach.

The lawsuit claims that Ronnie Wadsworth did not get the proper medical care that he needed while incarcerated. Family members say that his condition deteriorated a great deal while he was in jail. They say that he lost so much weight that he only weighed 100 pounds. He had many bedsores. They also say that Wadsworth did not get the medication he needed. The lawsuit says that the infection and ulcers he got as a result of the neglect are what killed him. Wadsworth was not able to complain about his physical illness because he was mentally ill.

This is not the first lawsuit that has been filed against Volusia County Branch Jail because of the way it allegedly treats mentally and physically ill inmates. The jail is located on Red John Road off U.S. 92.

Wadsworth was illiterate. He was arrested after he snuck out of a group home in May 2006 to masturbate while naked on a neighbor’s porch. Wadsworth was charged with burglary but released on bail when the Clear Path Group home promised to watch him more closely.

Wadsworth was ordered to jail again after a neighbor took photographs of him climbing out of one of the home’s windows. A judge ordered Wadsworth to stay in jail until a better place could be found for him.

The lawsuit is seeking unspecified damages from the county for numerous claims, including its negligent hiring of Prison Health Services staff members.

In a wrongful death claim or lawsuit, there may be more than one party that can be held liable for your loved one’s death.

In Florida, a deceased person’s surviving family members can file a wrongful death claim or lawsuit. “Surviving family members” can refer to the decedent’s husband, wife, mother, father, children, adoptive siblings, other blood relatives that were dependent on the decedent for services or support.

Family sues over jailed man's death, Dayton Beach News-Journal Online.com, December 11, 2007

Related Web Resources:

Volusia County, Florida

Wrongful Death, Justia

Continue reading "Florida Family Sues Volusia County and Prison Health Services Inc. for Wrongful Death " »

Posted by Paige Trop & Ameen | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Wrongful Death

Bookmark:

A 3-year-old boy and his grandfather are dead in the wake of a deadly multi-car accident caused by a drunk driver in Lake City, Florida.

Craig Camiel Jr. and his grandfather Henry, 61, died on Saturday when the Honda they were riding in was rear ended by an SUV driven by 18-year-old Aaron Adler. Adler's Honda then crossed the median and was struck by a Chevrolet pickup.

The Florida Highway Patrol says that Craig, who wasn’t in a car seat, died at the accident scene. Henry was pronounced dead at the hospital.

The three people in the pickup were in critical condition and taken to Shands at the University of Florida. Lake Butler resident George Griffis, the driver of the pickup, was later released. His wife Cathy and mother Katherine, who were also riding the pickup, were still at the hospital on Sunday.

Aaron Adler was arrested on two charges of DUI serious bodily injury and two charges of DUI manslaughter.

Alcohol-alert.com offers the following 2005 drunk driving statistics for the state of Florida: Out of the 3,541 traffic fatalities that occurred in Florida in 2005, 1,471 of them involved drunk driving. Drunk driving is a punishable offense in Florida.

If you or someone you love has been seriously injured because of a drunk driver, you should speak with an experienced Florida car accident lawyer who can help you file a personal injury claim or lawsuit against the negligent party. If someone you love has died in Florida because of a negligent car driver, you are entitled to receive wrongful death compensation.

The death of a loved one can leave behind an inconsolable and permanent hole in the lives of the loved ones who are left behind. Losing a mother, father, son, daughter, husband, or wife is life changing and extremely painful. Loss of emotional support, companionship, and financial support may result. There also may be expenses incurred by the death, including funeral and medical costs.

Crash kills grandson, grandfather, The Gainesville Sun, December 3, 2007

Florida Drunk Driving Statistics, Alcohol-Alert.com

Related Web Resources:

Florida Automotive Safety & Statistics, DMV.org

Florida Wrongful Death Act

Continue reading "Florida Grandfather and 3-Year-Old Grandson Die in Three-Car Collision in Lake City" »

Posted by Paige Trop & Ameen | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Car Accidents , Wrongful Death

Bookmark: