covid 19 coronavirus broward attorney

COVID-19 Action on Accident and Insurance Legal Claims

by Personal InjuryPersonal Injury ClaimsSurgeryTechnologyTraumatic Brain InjuryVacation Injuries

At The South Florida Injury Law Firm, we stand in support of the many brave men and women working in our hospitals, as well as our first responders fighting against COVID-19. We are taking care of our clients, our employees and our families and are doing whatever we can during these unprecedented times.

 

 

In order to help you through this trying time, we’ve put together some information on commonly asked COVID-19 legal questions:

 

Should I Get Medical Treatment During This Pandemic?

Yes. The most important thing to do after an auto accident is to obtain proper medical treatment. Your health is most important, and we want to ensure your concerns are safely addressed. In both Dade and Broward County, all medical practices are expected to follow proper health procedures to prevent the spread of disease

 

How do I file my car insurance claim during the new Coronavirus outbreak?

When filing a claim during this time, there is a very good chance you will have to meet with an adjuster virtually, instead of in person. In some cases, it may be that compensation for damage to your car, medical bills, and more may be delayed, since several insurance companies are struggling to adjust and appropriately deal with the virus. That being said, you can have peace of mind knowing that our experienced team at the South Florida Injury Law Firm will represent your interests every step of the way to help ensure you receive the compensation you need to get back on your feet again.

 

 

How can I contact my car insurance company during the COVID-19 outbreak?

Many businesses, including insurance companies, are now working remotely and are not going into their offices, which means that if you want to speak with your insurance company, you will most likely have to do so either over the phone, on their website/mobile app, or through email. Unfortunately, certain aspects surrounding the claims process may also be delayed, since local body shops and other businesses associated with car accident claims are now, for the most part, closed to the public.

 

 

Should I Settle My Case?

For many of you, you are the family worried about how they will pay their bills while in quarantine. This may cause you to accept the first offer from the insurance company without considering whether it’s enough.

Don’t let panic and desperation coerce you into accepting the insurance company’s first offer. They’re looking out for them and you should speak to your attorney who is looking out for you.

 

 

Do Not Delay Your Personal Injury Case Because Of COVID-19

Even with any roadblocks that could be encountered along the way, if you wait until after this crisis passes to call us a delay in hiring an attorney could hurt your case. Even a few days of delay in starting treatment can significantly reduce case value.

 

We Can Handle Your Case Remotely, Thus Reducing Your Exposure To The Coronavirus

The team at the South Florida Injury Law Firm all take calls from injured clients 24/7, 365 days a year and located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. We’re happy to speak with you by phone, and not have to worry about going to another public place, risking germ exposure.  However, if you have the need, one of our  personal injury lawyers can visit you in your home or, if necessary, in the hospital. To contact an accident lawyer, you can call The South Florida Injury Law Firm anytime at 954.764.7377 – seven days a week, 24 hours a day. Or fill out the convenient online form for a free case evaluation. Remember, the consultation is free and you will owe nothing until recovery of benefits is made.

We understand how significantly the virus has impacted our nation and others, which is why it is crucial you stay calm, stay inside, and practice good hygiene until the virus is eliminated.

south florida covid19 injury law firm

Living Through The Consequences of the Coronavirus Epidemic

by Personal InjuryPersonal Injury ClaimsSurgeryTechnologyTraumatic Brain InjuryVacation Injuries

The Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has completely changed the way of life for people all over this country. The court system has been dramatically affected, and those with ongoing personal injury lawsuits are having to make adjustments. COVID-19 is bringing numerous businesses, healthcare facilities, and court systems to a standstill. From a legal standpoint, the coronavirus will present both short term and long-term complications to personal injury claims.

 

 

There are so many unknowns with the current situation. Never before have we been faced with a pandemic of this magnitude. Every aspect of our lives is impacted. And the legal process and institutions are no exception.

 

At The South Florida Injury Law Firm, we are closely monitoring the effects of COVID-19 and monitoring how the virus is affecting our current cases. Accordingly, we are advising our clients on how best to stay on track with their medical treatments throughout the coming weeks.

 

 

 

How Does The COVID-19 Pandemic Affect My Personal Injury Lawsuit?

Our personal injury lawyers know several elements of your case could be affected by the pandemic, but the most important things to know are: You should not delay seeking medical treatment or consulting with an attorney. These are the quickest ways to jeopardize your health and reduce the value of your claim.

 

To help stay on track with your personal injury case, we recommend:

Continue medical treatment, if possible.

With many closures, appointments are likely to be canceled. Elective surgeries are canceled. If your medical provider can provide treatment or appointments through telemedical, and you can meet with your provider though video conference or phone, do so. If not, it’s important to be diligent in rescheduling any appointments that may be canceled. If you can receive medical treatment, we recommend following the advice and recommendations from the CDC and practice social distancing, frequent handwashing, and other precautions.

Keep your legal team Informed.

As appointments get canceled or rescheduled, it is important to keep your lawyer up to date on your treatment plans. Your case and its value can depend on continued treatment.

 

 

Living Through The Consequences of the Coronavirus Epidemic 1 Traumatic Brain Injury South Florida Injury Law FirmThe vast majority of personal injury cases are settled before they go to trial. However, the COVID-19 pandemic will also affect the negotiation and settlement process. Due to staying at home orders and social distancing efforts, most aspects of case preparation could be altered or delayed. This includes investigation, seeking witnesses, and taking depositions, and more.

This is an unprecedented time for Florida and the rest of the United States, but that will not stop our dedicated team of attorneys from working to obtain compensation for personal injury victims.

  • If you are involved in an auto accident or suffer a personal injury, it is important to keep receiving your doctor-recommended medical treatment or therapy. We understand that many people are hesitant to receive treatment at an emergency room or local hospital during the coronavirus pandemic.
  • If you are involved in an auto accident that results in injuries, you must not wait to receive medical treatment. If you wait until this crisis has lessened, it may be too late to receive appropriate medical care,  your insurance company may not pay and could jeopardize the compensation you would otherwise be entitled to for your injuries.

We understand that this is a difficult time for you and your family. Rest assured that we will continue to monitor every case we take. This includes keeping track of court deadlines and court closures.

forenha

A Slip and Fall Accident Can Cause Traumatic Brain Injuries

by Slip and FallTraumatic Brain Injury

 

 

If everything goes Sharon Sumner’s way, she will receive millions of dollars from her slip and fall case – but if all things were created equal, she’d prefer to have her life back.

 

Ms. Sumner, 61, is a former realtor who worked in West Palm Beach until she slipped and fell on a ramp outside of her office. After the fall, Sumner allegedly went to the doctor and learned that she had herniated discs in her neck and lumbar spine, and that the spinal damage also affected her brain.

 

Sumner’s lawyer has told jurors that the plaintiff racked up $670,000 in medical expenses alone after Sumner’s five surgeries following the incident. In addition to medical expenses, Sumner alleges that her traumatic brain injury has left her without the ability to work as she did before.

 

Because of these issues, she is asking for millions in compensation to cover her many damages.

 

Who exactly is she suing? The defendant in this case is Lantana Palm Beach Retail LLC, the owner of the property and the ramp where Sumner fell.

 

While the ramp had been previously safe to use, the plaintiff alleges that a paint job done by WGM Quality Painting, Inc. made the ramp slippery and unsafe to use. While Sumner could not tell the jurors in the first week of the trial why she fell, she said that the slipperiness of the ramp “definitely” contributed to her fall.

 

As the trial continues, Sumner will have to provide the evidence of her medical expenses and go more in-depth in explaining her injuries, and the defense will need to provide evidence about claims they have made regarding Sumner’s health, including her history with depression and a fall-related injury 20 years ago that caused her to leave her primary care physician.

 

There are a lot of factors in Sumner v. Lantana Palm Beach Retail, and the trial has just started. It will likely be a long time before we know what the final ruling and damages will look like.

 

Let’s go back to the reason Sumner is in court in the first place, though: she claims that a slip and fall caused a traumatic brain injury.

 

Is that even possible? In short, yes.

 

Slip and Falls and Traumatic Brain Injury – The Facts

 

Boca Raton Slip and Fall Lawyer

Not only is it possible to suffer a TBI while falling down, falls are actually the leading cause for TBI – especially in young children and seniors. They cause 55% of TBIs in children age 0-14, and 81% of TBIs in adults ages 65 and up. Other causes for TBI include blunt trauma, assaults, and motor vehicle accidents.

 

What exactly does “falling” mean? The term is a fairly broad umbrella that includes both things such as falling off of a high ledge as well as falls due to slipping on oil, grease, or other slippery substances that are left on the floor.

 

TBIs affect millions of people every year. In 2010 alone, 2.5 million people went to the ER or hospital, or died from injuries related to TBI, and traumatic brain injuries killed 50,000 people that year.

 

Interestingly enough, most TBIs are mild. If you’ve ever suffered a concussion, then you have suffered a mild form of a traumatic brain injury. Even when TBIs are mild, though, they are very serious because they deal with such an important (and fragile) part of the body. If a TBI is severe, the patient may lose certain motor skills, or suffer from an extended period of unconsciousness or memory loss.

 

Traumatic Brain INjury Attorneys

Basically, TBIs are nothing to mess around with, and it is vital that you know the signs, symptoms, and what to do in the event of a TBI.

 

Have You or a Loved One Suffered a TBI Due to a Fall?

 

No one should have to suffer through a traumatic brain injury. If the TBI was the result of unattended foreign substances on the ground, an abnormally slippery ramp, or other factors, the victim has the right to hold property managers and staff accountable for injuries that could have been prevented.

 

If any of the following occurred, you may have a slip and fall lawsuit on your hands:

 

  • The defendant was aware of the dangerous condition that led to the plaintiff’s slip and fall.
  • The defendant was aware of the dangerous condition and did nothing to resolve or remove it.
  • The defendant would have know about the dangerous condition if they had exercised reasonable diligence.

 

If you or a loved one have suffered a traumatic brain injury and are ready to take legal action, get in contact with a Florida personal injury lawyer.

 

About the Author:

 

Jeffrey Braxton is a trial lawyer in Fort Lauderdale who has devoted his 22-year career to the practice of personal injury law. As lead trial attorney The South Florida Injury Law Firm, Jeff has litigated thousands of cases and is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, an exclusive group of attorneys who have resolved cases in excess of one million dollars.

Bicycle Safety for National Brain Injury Awareness Month

Bicycle Safety for National Brain Injury Awareness Month

by Bike AccidentsTraumatic Brain Injury

Bicycle Safety for National Brain Injury Awareness Month

 

Your brain is one of the most vital organs in your body. And injuries to the brain can have lifelong ramifications.

 

According to the Centers for Disease Control, 2.5 million people sustained a traumatic brain injury (TBI) in 2010. Every day, 138 people die from injuries that include TBI in the United States, and TBI contributes to 30 percent of all injury deaths.

 

TBIs have been on the main stage recently in professional sports and the media, but anyone is susceptible to a TBI, even while going about their normal, everyday routine. That being said, there are certain activities that could potentially make you more likely to be harmed. Riding a bicycle is one of those activities. Especially riding a bicycle without a helmet.

 

That’s why, this March, we are observing National Brain Injury Awareness Month. By bringing awareness to this prevalent condition, we can understand TBI, the causes of TBI, and how to prevent TBIs in the first place.

 

What is Traumatic Brain Injury?

 

Traumatic brain injury is when the brain experiences dysfunction from an external force. This can be caused from a blow or a bump to the head or, in other instances, an object penetrating the skull can cause a TBI.

 

Symptoms for TBI can appear shortly after an injury occurs or even days later, and there are a wide variety of both physical and psychological symptoms for TBI, including:

 

  • Loss of consciousness
  • Consistent headaches
  • Headaches that get worse over time
  • Repeated nausea or vomiting
  • Seizures or convulsions
  • Loss of coordination
  • Unable to wake up from sleep
  • Numbness or weakness in fingers and toes
  • Extreme confusion
  • Slurred speech
  • Irritation, combativeness, and other unusual behavior
  • Comas and other consciousness disorders

 

So we know the symptoms, but what actually happens to the brain during a TBI?

Well, a number of things can take place depending on how you hit your head and the impact of the force. During a TBI:

 

  • Brain cells, blood vessels, and protective tissues can be damaged
  • Your brain can move back and forth in your skull
  • Brain cellular structures can be torn
  • There could be bleeding in and around the brain
  • There could be swelling or blood clots that prevent the supply of oxygen

 

And all of this can lead to lifelong complications such as altered states of consciousness, seizures, a buildup of fluid, infections, nerve damage, communication issues, cognitive problems, behavioral and emotional changes, and degenerative brain diseases.

 

Boca Raton Bicycle Accident Attorney

 

TBIs and Bicycles

 

Everyone knows that riding a bicycle with a helmet is important – but not everyone does it.

 

With 40 percent of TBIs caused by falls, it’s crucial to wear a helmet to prevent injuries in bicycle accidents. Helmets can reduce TBI and other head injuries be up to 85 percent.

 

So why doesn’t everybody do it? Because many people don’t like how their helmet looks or feels. But if the alternative is a brain injury, it shouldn’t matter.

 

In our state, children under 16 are required by law to wear a helmet on roads and trails, but private property is excluded. There isn’t a law regarding adults, but every bicyclist should take strides to protect themselves from a possible brain injury.

 

So in raising awareness for brain injuries, we’d also like to raise awareness for preventing brain injuries by insisting that everyone – regardless of whether you’re a child or an adult – wears a helmet when riding a bicycle.

 

 

About the Author:

Jeffrey Braxton is a trial lawyer in Fort Lauderdale who has devoted his 22-year career to the practice of personal injury law. As lead trial attorney for The South Florida Injury Law Firm, Jeff has litigated thousands of cases and is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, an exclusive group of attorneys who have resolved cases in excess of one million dollars.

 

Traumatic Brain Injury - Signs, Symptoms, and What to Do

Traumatic Brain Injury: Signs, Symptoms, and What to Do

by Traumatic Brain Injury

Traumatic Brain Injury - Signs, Symptoms, and What to Do

 

How do you know if you or someone you love has suffered a traumatic head injury?

 

Every year over a million Americans suffer traumatic brain injuries, or TBI. These injuries can be caused by blows or jolts to the head or body. They can also be caused when a person is shaken, or by an object piercing the head. Any type of accident or trauma – like a car crash, a fall, or a sports injury – can be  cause for unseen damage to the brain.  While symptoms of trauma sometimes appear immediately after the accident, often they may not show up until hours, days, or even weeks later.

 

Because of this, it is important to be aware of the warning signs for TBI. Those suffering brain trauma may require immediate medical attention to prevent long term brain damage or even death. Below we have listed common symptoms that may indicate TBIs. If you suspect you or someone around you has suffered a traumatic blow to the head, you should seek immediate medical attention.

 

Symptoms of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

 

Symptoms of mild forms of TBI may include:

 

  • Headaches
  • Nausea and/or vomiting
  • Loss of consciousness, lasting from a few seconds to a few minutes
  • Dizziness
  • Loss of balance
  • Lightheadedness
  • Blurred vision
  • Ringing noise in the ears
  • Sensitivity to light and sound
  • Tiredness or sleepiness
  • A bad taste in the mouth
  • A change in normal sleeping habits
  • Behavior or mood changes
  • Disorientation
  • Trouble with concentration, memory, focus and/or thinking
  • Sleeping more than usual

 

Symptoms of Moderate to Severe Traumatic Brain Injuries

 

A person with moderate-to-severe trauma may experience some of the symptoms above. Signs that a head injury may be more severe include:

 

  • Persistent headache that gets worse or will not go away
  • Loss of consciousness for several minutes to several hours
  • Loss of coordination and motor skills
  • Slurring speech
  • Seizures or convulsions
  • An inability to wake up from sleep
  • Repeated vomiting or nausea
  • Enlargement of one or both pupils (the dark center part of the eye)
  • Weakness or numbness in toes and/or fingers
  • Clear fluids draining from the nose and/or ears
  • Agitation, combativeness, or other changes from normal behavior
  • Coma

 

Signs of TBI in Children

 

Signs of TBI in Children

With children, traumatic brain injuries can be especially hard to recognize, as even older children often lack the ability to communicate abstract sensory or cognitive problems. Signs that a child has received a traumatic head injury include:

 

  • Change in eating or nursing habits
  • Unusual degree of irritability
  • Persistent crying with an inability to be consoled
  • Change in sleep habits
  • Sad or depressed mood
  • Loss of interest in favorite activities and toys
  • Change in ability to pay attention

 

It is important to note that the terms “Mild,” “Moderate,” and “Severe” refer to the effect of the injury on the brain’s ability to function. All types of head trauma, even “mild” forms, can be serious and require medical attention. If you or someone around you is displaying these symptoms following a blow or other type of traumatic injury to the head, seek emergency medical care immediately.

 

What To Do If You Suspect A Traumatic Brain Injury

 

What To Do If You Suspect A Traumatic Brain Injury

Before anything else, you should seek medical advice if you are concerned by any blow or head trauma. Even accidents that may seem minor can develop into more serious issues. Prompt medical advice is also important if you are considering pursuing a lawsuit, as a medical professional can help establish the extent of the injury you or your loved one has suffered.

 

Once you have gotten appropriate medical attention, it is important that you speak to an knowledgeable personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. These types of injuries can be incredibly costly, and if someone else’s negligence is responsible, you deserve to receive fair and just compensation so that you can get back on your feet. Speaking with experienced legal counsel is also useful if you are considering applying for workers compensation or negotiating with an insurance company.

 

If you think someone else caused you to suffer a recent traumatic blow to the head, please contact us. We strive to not only secure our clients the compensation they need to get the best possible treatment, but also hold guilty companies or individuals accountable for their misdeeds. By bringing them to justice, we hope to make our community just a little bit safer and keep someone from suffering the same kind of injury in the future. Don’t wait – seek qualified legal counsel with a track record of success in brain injury cases.