South Florida Accident Attorneys
| Gary T. Lazarus | 0 Comments | Auto Accident Attorneys

Hidden Auto Crash Injuries

Some Injuries are Immediately Evident, Some are Hidden – Get Professional Advice Immediately

If you live in Florida and you drive in Florida you probably already know that insurance rates are very high here. One of the reasons insurance is so expensive is because there are a lot of crashes in Florida and therefor a lot of claims for injuries and damages that are paid out.

One statistic that is very alarming is the number of fatal crashes and also the number of deaths per 100,000 population. Very disturbing.

STATE                    POPULATION               FATAL CRASHES                   DEATHS                DEATHS PER 100,000 POPULATION

California            39,499,738                           3,558                                                3,847                                      9.7

Texas                     29,217,653                            3,520                                                3,874                                    13.3

Florida                  21,569,932                           3,098                                                3,331                                     15.4

There are an average of 1100 crashes every day in Florida and many involve serious injuries to drivers, passenger, and pedestrians. Some of these injuries are serious and some are minor but many are not immediately diagnosed.

The most common injuries sustained in motor vehicle crashes include:

  • Bone Fractures
  • Lacerations
  • Internal Bleeding
  • Bruising
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  • Traumatic Brain Injury
  • Whiplash
  • Concussions
  • Burns
  • Knee and Ankle Injuries

Each of these injuries or conditions need to be carefully diagnosed and treated by a qualified physician immediately after a crash.

Whiplash is unique in that it is often hidden in that the victim may not feel any problems right away, in fact the associated pain may not manifest until sometime after the crash.

According to the Cleveland Clinic: “Whiplash is an injury that happens when sudden force or movement strains your neck and spine, damaging bone, muscle, ligaments and nerves. It’s most common in motor vehicle crashes, but can also happen for other reasons. It’s usually treatable and short-lived. However, some people experience chronic effects such as pain for months or even years.”

It’s very important that anyone involved in a motor vehicle crash get serious injuries treated immediately. It’s also important to make a call for legal assistance, even if you don’t feel you may be injured.

Since 1992 we have helped thousands of motor vehicle crash victims get compensation to pay for medical bills, time lost from work, pain & suffering, and damage to property. We would be happy to answer questions if you call us (7 Days a Week) at 954-356-0006

Personal Privacy During Divorce
| Gary T. Lazarus | 0 Comments | Divorce Attorneys |

Protecting Personal Information During a Divorce – South Florida Family Law Attorneys

Passwords, PINs, and Pet Names are Important Security Issues to Think About

People pay for things differently than they did years ago. Cash is hardly used and today debit cards, credit cards & Apple Pay are now the norm, as are other online methods of payment like Venmo and PayPal. Each of these have passwords, Personal Identification numbers (PINs) and security questions involved with access to the accounts.

Some of the common security questions are: 1) What was the name of your first pet? 2) What is your mother’s maiden mane? 3) What was the name of your favorite high school teacher?

You keep this information secret, but who would know the answers to these questions, or would know all your passwords? Probably your spouse.

When a marital relationship goes from harmonious to unhappy or worse, hostile, it’s time to consider making changes to financial accounts. If possible it’s a very good idea to make an agreement about changing passwords and securing money in accounts. It is important to understand that joint bank accounts should not be drained of funds by one spouse. The court will decide how all assets will be divided and distributed.

When choosing a new password it should be something complex and not related to family names or important dates.

Privacy and Social Media

As soon as you believe a divorce is coming in the near future, it is wise to stay off all social media platforms. Many people us Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter to badmouth their spouse but that can come back to haunt you. Posting information about your divorce in a public forum can not only make you look bad in court but could also have ramifications regarding your settlement agreement.

Mail

If one spouse moves out of the marital residence, that person is still entitled to receive their personal mail. Tampering with someone’s US Mail is a crime and is unacceptable to the court handling your divorce.

Financial Records

Tax returns and bank statements usually involve both parties in a divorce and they should not be kept from one spouse or destroyed.

Conclusion

Hire an attorney who can advise you on the best way to protect your interests while following the legal guidelines.

The Law Firm of Lazarus and Lazarus has been helping people in south Florida get through legal issues since 1992 and we are here to answer your questions about divorce including fair distribution of assets. We can be reached 7 days a week at 954-356-0006.

 

South Florida Family Law Attorneys
| Gary T. Lazarus | 0 Comments | South Florida Family Law Attorneys | ,

Children and Divorce – Florida Family Law Attorneys Lazarus and Lazarus

South Florida Family Law Attorneys in Weston and Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Kids Need Support and Time to Heal During a Divorce

Many times people who are considering a divorce have the attitude that “Kids are strong, they can handle it.” But too often children are not strong, and they suffer greatly as their world is transformed into a new and different place they may not care for.

Florida Statute 61.21 states, in part: “A large number of children experience the separation or divorce of their parents each year. Parental conflict related to divorce is a societal concern because children suffer potential short-term and long-term detrimental economic, emotional, and educational effects during this difficult period of family transition. This is particularly true when parents engage in lengthy legal conflict.”

The Statute also describes the value of a parenting course: “Parents who are separating or divorcing are more likely to receive maximum benefit from a program if they attend such program at the earliest stages of their dispute, before extensive litigation occurs and adversarial positions are assumed or intensified.”

It’s very important to make the transition from being married to being divorced with children in mind. Disagreements about money, visitation, and other issues should always be between the adults and not spill over to the children.

One of the most common things that happens during a divorce when there are minor children is parental alienation. Under Florida law, anything intentionally said or done to hurt a child’s relationship with the other parent can be considered parental alienation. Although parental alienation is not a crime and will not usually result in criminal penalties in Florida, it can affect a family court’s decision regarding child custody.

People should be aware that most judges will not tolerate parental alienation and parents who engage in it after warning risk the possibility of serious penalties.

Two of the most severe consequences of alienation upon the child are fearfulness and low self-esteem, and these effects can continue into adulthood. Basically, the longer the alienation has persisted, the more damage to the parent-relationship, and treatment will be required to correct the situation.

If you are involved in a divorce and there are children involved you may be tempted to try to influence them against your spouse. Please follow this guideline: Don’t do it. Child psychologists unanimously agree that this practice is dangerous and unacceptable.

Counseling is an excellent option to help parents and children work through a divorce and the uncomfortable issues that almost always accompany it. Family Law attorneys are experienced with counselors who can help parents and children with feelings of anxiety about all the changes that come with divorce.

If you have questions about divorce, children’s issues related to divorce including parental alienation, the Law Firm of Lazarus and Lazarus is willing to set up a consultation to help with answers. We are available 7 days a week by calling 954-356-0006.

Product Liability Cases
| Gary T. Lazarus | 0 Comments | Product Liability

Product Liability: Recalled Eye Drops Have Caused Deaths and Serious Injuries

Dangerous Bacteria Found in Several Brands

The manufacturer of eye drops that have been linked to an outbreak of serious bacterial infections in the US, including at least three deaths, did not follow proper protocol to prevent contamination of its products, according to an inspection report published Friday by the US Food and Drug Administration.

The FDA (US Food and Drug Administration) visited a Global Pharma Healthcare facility in India for an inspection that started in mid-February, 2½ weeks after the company recalled EzriCare Artificial Tears due to possible contamination.

Personal Injury AttorneysOther name brands are involved, and before you use any eye drops you should check with your doctor or pharmacist to make sure they are not on the recall list.

Federal health investigators are uncovering more about an outbreak of an uncommon strain of bacteria known as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which is increasingly being traced back to eye drops. The bacteria can trigger debilitating eye infections that may cause permanent blindness, or even surgical eye removal altogether, which has been the case for at least one woman in Florida recently.

If a person is injured as a result of any defective product, there are laws in Florida that are in place to help victims. People should understand that:

  • Product Liability Lawsuits in Florida Require a Strong Basis
  • Florida has Statute Limitations for Product Liability Lawsuits
  • Florida Follows the Pure Comparative Negligence Rule
  • Florida’s Product Liability Laws are not Limited to the Manufacturer
  • There are Four Elements to a Successful Product Liability Claim in Florida
  • There are Two Kinds of Damages that can be Awarded in a Product Liability Case in Florida
  • A Retailer Holds Some Responsibility for Selling Defective Products in Florida

We will be blogging about these product liability issues in the coming weeks but if you are the victim of any product that injures you, we are available to speak about it. Seven days a week we can be reached at 954-356-0006.

South Florida Divorce Attorneys
| Gary T. Lazarus | 0 Comments | Divorce Attorneys | ,

Hiring a Family Law Attorney – South Florida Divorce Attorneys Lazarus and Lazarus

South Florida Family Law Attorney

Making the Right Choice is Crucial for You and Your Family

As most people grow from adolescence to adulthood they make plans for their futures. Some plans involve education for a career, and plans to have their own family, which often include marriage.

According to The Week: “The first recorded evidence of marriage ceremonies uniting one woman and one man dates from about 2350 B.C., in Mesopotamia. Over the next several hundred years, marriage evolved into a widespread institution embraced by the ancient Hebrews, Greeks, and Romans.”

Religion has been a big part of marriage and the marriage ceremony over the years, and people could usually not obtain a divorce without the permission of the Church.

When a couple recites their wedding vows, a divorce is certainly the last thing on their minds, but according to the U.S. Census Bureau approximately 41% of marriages end in divorce.

If it seems that a divorce is inevitable there are literally dozens of factors to consider. A few of them include:

How to handle care for and custody of dependent children. Kids sometimes adapt very well to their parents going through a divorce but sometimes they don’t, so their well-being should be a top priority.

Property and Financial Disclosures are very critical to understanding and agreeing to asset distribution between two parties in a divorce. Required forms must be completed truthfully and in a timely manner.

Future support including Child Support and Alimony must be thoroughly investigated, conform to guidelines, and enforced.

The law in Florida that pertains to divorce and related issues is CHAPTER 61 DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE; SUPPORT; TIME-SHARING and it is a very detailed and lengthy statute. It’s very important to hire an attorney who completely understands this statute and others to protect your interests.

Your attorney should also make sure that the other party follows the rules, and that you and your family are safe from any harm whatsoever.

Divorce can and should be accomplished in a peaceful and professional manner, and an experienced attorney can make the process as seamless as possible. The Law Firm of Lazarus and Lazarus has been helping people in South Florida get through legal predicaments since 1992. Please call for a free consultation: 954-356-0006.

Divorce Attorneys in Weston, Florida and Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Florida Divorce - Assets and Debt
| Gary T. Lazarus | 0 Comments | Florida Family Law Attorneys | , ,

Florida Divorce – Marital Assets and Debts

Determining “Who Gets What” in a Florida Divorce

The first thing people should understand about divorce is that the court is going be the ultimate decision-maker when it comes to almost all issues involving assets, liabilities, custody of minor children and more. When you get married that is a legal event, and when you get divorced it is also a legal matter.

Divorce – the legal dissolution of a marriage by a court or other competent body.

Once the paperwork is filed with the Circuit Court in your area, a judge will be assigned to your case. According to Florida law, the judge “must begin with the premise that the distribution should be equal, unless there is a justification for an unequal distribution based on all relevant factors.”

Therefore, if one spouse contributed more money to the purchase of a home, the court may see that property as an equally owned asset.

Factors that may influence property division include:

  • Contribution to the marriage and economic circumstances of both parties at the time of divorce. This includes any contribution to the other’s career or education.
  • Particular desire or interest to retain a specific asset after the divorce.
  • Accidental or intentional damages, destruction, or depletion of marital property.
  • Contribution to the upbringing and care of children, including their education.

Debts are also equally divisible and they may include credit cards, mortgages, car loans, and more. Things can get complex when dealing with retirement plans, pensions, and insurance policies. Certain assets such as corporations are not easy to put an exact value on so business experts may have to be called upon to help.

The section of the Florida Statutes 61.079 Premarital Agreements includes this: “Premarital agreement” means an agreement between prospective spouses made in contemplation of marriage and to be effective upon marriage. People usually sign these in order to protect certain assets from the other spouse and they affect the way the court will divide assets and liabilities.

Every divorce is truly unique so they can be simple or extremely complicated. Either way, having an attorney on your side can give you confidence that you’re having your rights protected. Moving forward you want to make sure you get the settlement that is best for you and your family, and an experienced family law attorney will accomplish that.

Since 1992 the Law Firm of Lazarus and Lazarus has been helping people all over Florida receive the best outcome from their legal issues. We would be happy to sit down with you and discuss your situation. Call us 7 days a week at 954-356-0006.

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Florida Family Law Attorneys • Weston, Florida • Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Takata Air Bag Injury Cases
| Gary T. Lazarus | 0 Comments | Takata Air Bag Injuries | ,

Takata Air Bag Injury Cases

Defective Air Bags May Cause Serious Injuries

Many people may remember the days when you would get in your car and drive off into the streets of your city or a highway without even thinking about buckling your seat belts. The first seat belt was developed by a Swedish engineer and installed on Volvos in 1959 and spread around the world but many people considered them a nuisance and ignored the life-saving straps.

According to the CDC: Seat belts dramatically reduce risk of death and serious injury. Among drivers and front-seat passengers, seat belts reduce the risk of death by 45%, and cut the risk of serious injury by 50%. Seat belts prevent drivers and passengers from being ejected during a crash.

fort lauderdale personal injury attorneysIt wasn’t until 1986 that the State of Florida began to enforce a requirement for seat belts.

Airbags were first introduced in the early 1970’s and since then, vehicles, as well as their safety features, have developed rapidly. Since model year 1998, all new cars have been required to have air bags on both driver and passenger sides.

Tens of millions of vehicles with Takata air bags are under recall. Long-term exposure to high heat and humidity can cause these air bags to explode when deployed. Such explosions have caused injuries and deaths.

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) urges vehicle owners to take a few simple steps to protect themselves and others from this very serious threat to safety.

Check for Recalls using your vehicle identification number (VIN).

If you or someone you know has been injured due to a defective Takata air bag, we can help. We are representing victims who are seeking compensation for their medical bills, time lost from work, pain & suffering, and property damages.

We are available for a free consultation if you call 954-356-0006 – We’re here 7 days a week.

Takata Air Bag Injury Cases

Exactech® Recalls
| Gary T. Lazarus | 0 Comments | Defective Medical Products |

Exactech® Hip, Knee, and Ankle Implant System Recalls

You Can Protect Your Right to Compensation for Defective Medical Products

The Law Firm of Lazarus and Lazarus is now accepting cases from victims who had a recalled Exactech® implant system that subsequently failed, requiring revision surgery.

Many patients who received the defective implants have experienced pain and suffering due to the defective nature of those products and patients often will endure more physical issues and medical expenses.

fort lauderdale personal injury attorneysIn June of 2021 Exactech® recalled many Novation-branded hip replacement systems due to a risk of premature wear. Subsequently the company expanded the recall to include more hip systems and then knee and ankle systems.

Exactech® is based in Florida and many patients who had their products implanted are Florida residents. Multiple lawsuits are being initiated in Florida, across the country, and around the world. Events surrounding the recall cases are moving rapidly and the time to reach out for information is now.

Nature of Defects:

The recalled devices contain polyethylene inserts, cups, and liners, which can degrade when exposed to oxygen. To prevent this, the products should be placed in oxygen-resistant vacuum bags with a secondary barrier layer of ethylene vinyl alcohol for further protection.

Exactech® did package the products in vacuum bags, but some of the bags lacked the secondary barrier layer. Exactech® admitted that 80 percent of the inserts manufactured since 2004 were placed in non-conforming packaging. This allowed oxygen to reach the polyethylene components and begin degrading the material.

Patients have experienced:

  • Pain
  • Impaired mobility
  • Physical disability
  • Loss of use of a limb
  • Amputation
  • Permanent disfigurement
  • Death
  • The need for revision surgery

If you or someone you know received an Exactech® joint replacement system and that person is experiencing symptoms as described above we are available to help. We are positioned to look into these cases and take immediate action if appropriate.

We’re available 7 days a week by calling 954-356-0006.

Weston, Florida and Fort Lauderdale, Florida Personal Injury Attorneys

personal injury attorney fees
| Gary T. Lazarus | 0 Comments | Personal Injury Attorney

Personal Injury Attorney Fees

Personal Injury Attorney Fees

It’s Important to Understand What Your Legal Costs Might be Upfront

Imagine yourself in one of these situations:

  • Your spouse has served you with a lawsuit asking for a divorce and wants to have custody of your children.
  • You are arrested for a crime.
  • A real estate transaction you are involved has an involved party who suddenly wants back out.
  • You are involved in a serious auto accident and you have been injured.
  • Your parent or other relative has passed away and you are in their will but you don’t understand the details.

fort lauderdale personal injury attorneysEvery one of the above dilemmas involve legal issues and so you should be concerned about knowing how to protect your legal rights. The minute people are presented with these situations their first thought is “I need legal help” and their second thought is “how much will that help cost me?”

Attorneys are experts in law, and they spent a lot of time and money on their education and proficiency to become experts in their field. Therefore, they deserve to be paid for their services.

Here are some of the ways attorneys charge for their services:

Consultation Fees: This is where you have questions, but aren’t necessarily involved in an immediate legal dispute. Attorneys may charge by the hour for their time and recommend a certain course of action. What this hourly rate is depends.

Contingency Fees: These arrangements are common with personal injury and medical malpractice attorneys. The client usually pays nothing up-front, and the attorney accepts a percentage of the final settlement or judgement. Contingency fees (percentage) can vary according to the type of case.

Flat Fees: This is usually an option if the attorney handles large volumes of a particular kind of case, allowing the attorney to drive the cases through the use of forms and standardized practices. These are usually relatively simple cases like uncontested divorces, evictions, or foreclosures.

Hourly Rate: This is a common way for attorneys to charge for their services and it certainly seems like a reasonable system. A client must understand that staying abreast of time and expenses compiled stay within the limits of their budget is important.

Retainer: This is like a deposit paid toward future fees and costs. The lawyer is paid a set fee, often based on the lawyer’s hourly rate multiplied by a certain number of hours.

Lazarus and Lazarus • Most of Our Clients Pay no Upfront Fees

For the vast majority of cases the Law Firm of Lazarus and Lazarus uses the contingency fee system, which means after a free consultation, the client pays nothing. We represent our clients for a percentage of the final financial recovery.

We believe this is the most equitable way to structure a fee agreement with our clients, many of whom have been devastated financially from an accident and injuries sustained.

If you or someone you know has been injured in any type of accident it’s important not to delay in reaching out for help. Florida law limits the amount of time victims have to seek compensation for hospital bills, property damage, and pain & suffering.

The first step is to call us – 7 days a week – at (954) 356- 0666

Personal Injury Attorneys Lazarus and Lazarus • Weston and Fort Lauderdale, Florida

| Gary T. Lazarus | 0 Comments | Florida Personal Injury Attorney

Jury Verdict or Settlement – Which is Better for Your Case?

It’s Important to Know When to go to Trial and to Always Be Prepared

People have always enjoyed TV shows and movies about legal drama in the courtroom. LA Law, Boston Legal, Matlock, A Few Good Men, and Night Court, a comedy, are among dozens of examples.

To Kill a Mockingbird is considered by many to be the greatest novel ever written and was set mainly in a courtroom.

People love legal drama, as long as they aren’t directly involved.

Courtrooms are fascinating places where often serious, life-altering decisions are made by judges and juries. Attorneys who work inside courtrooms must understand the law and be highly skilled or they can hurt, not help their clients.

The truth is that most legal cases, both criminal and civil, never get to court. Cases are usually settled “out-of-court” and that often produces the best outcome for everyone.

Mediation is a great help in many cases. According to the website Florida Courts:

Mediation is a way for people who are having a dispute to talk about their issues and concerns and to make decisions about the dispute with the help of another person (called a mediator). A mediator is not allowed to decide who is right or wrong or to tell you how to resolve your dispute.  In mediation, you can try to find solutions that make sense to you and the other person in the dispute to resolve some or all of your concerns.

When someone is involved in a serious personal injury case such as a car, truck, or motorcycle crash, it’s very important to have legal advice and services from an attorney who knows when to negotiate a settlement, when to utilize a mediator, and when to go to trial. Sometimes we encounter cases where a settlement is expected and suddenly we must prepare for trial. It’s important to be prepared.

The primary goal for every personal injury attorney is to put their client’s goals first, meaning compensation for injuries, damages, and pain & suffering. People can return to the life they had before their injuries when the have the resources to do so. Medical and rehabilitation costs have skyrocketed in recent years, and time away from work makes it even more difficult to get back to normal.

The Law Firm of Lazarus and Lazarus has been helping people in south Florida get the money they need to move on in their lives. We investigate and probe every detail of every case so we know what the best plan of actions is.

Questions? Of course! That’s why we answer the phone 7 days a week and you will speak directly with an attorney when you call us at 954-356-0006.

Florida Personal Injury Attorneys Lazarus and Lazarus