South Florida Injury Lawyer Blog

Slip and Fall Injuries – What You Need to Do

Published on: February 8, 2021 | Anthony Quackenbush, Esq.

In Florida, if you have been seriously injured in a slip and fall on someone else’s property, you may be able to receive compensation. The success of the case depends on demonstrating the property owner’s negligence (or in some cases, the renter’s negligence). This is known as “premises liability.”

Premises liability refers to the legal responsibility of owners to maintain an environment that is safe and free from defects that could be hazardous. There are several kinds of premises liability — homeowner liability, renter and landlord liability, and business owner liability.

Types of Hazards

You Think You Can Sue – Now What?

Published on: February 4, 2021 | Anthony Quackenbush, Esq.

If you have experienced an illness or injury and you believe it is due to the negligence of another person, business, or other legal entity, you may have a personal injury case. The requirements for a personal injury case are:

The one who caused your injury owed you a duty of care
The person or business was negligent in that duty

COVID-19 Business Interruption Insurance Claims – An Update

Published on: January 28, 2021 | Anthony Quackenbush, Esq.

In the greater Fort Lauderdale area, businesses have been hit hard by the shutdowns and slowdowns caused by the pandemic and we look to what is happening across the country for guidance. Hundreds of business interruption insurance claims have been filed across the country on behalf of businesses, both large and small, seeking coverage from their business insurance policies for losses due to COVID-19. Many lawsuits have been dismissed by the courts, but some have successfully moved forward. By analyzing the successful cases, law firms and attorneys are beginning to see winning strategies to ensure their clients get the compensation they deserve under their insurance policies for losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Insurer Arguments

Insurers argue that the purpose of business insurance is to cover tangible items and to compensate for physical loss or damage. This has been a powerful argument before the courts, with many judges rejecting claimants because they have not demonstrated distinct, demonstrable physical alteration of their facilities.

What Do You Do When Your Insurance Claim Is Denied?

Published on: December 21, 2020 | Anthony Quackenbush, Esq.

In a personal injury case, you are probably dealing with multiple insurance policies, depending on the details of your situation. You could have claims for health insurance, auto insurance, a third party’s insurance, homeowners insurance, or business insurance. This is a lot for the average person to handle since most people are not dealing with insurance claims on a regular basis and don’t understand all the details, loopholes, and fine print that insurance companies often use to calculate their payout.

If your insurance claim is denied in connection with an injury or accident, reach out to a lawyer to determine if you have a case for a personal injury lawsuit. In many cases, the insurance company may claim that your injury or accident is not covered, the procedure isn’t covered or wasn’t medically necessary, or there is insufficient evidence to prove the company is responsible for reimbursing you.

As an expert personal injury lawyer in Florida dedicated to “fighting for the little guy,” I handle these details every day. I will help you determine whether you have a case, then work tirelessly to collect all the evidence you need through documentation, investigation, and research to create the strongest case for you. I will discover every avenue that can be taken and every party responsible, in order to provide you with sufficient compensation.

Medical Malpractice and COVID-19: Do I Have a Case?

Published on: December 18, 2020 | Anthony Quackenbush, Esq.

These are unprecedented times in the medical field. The novel coronavirus, also called COVID-19, caught the medical world unprepared. There is no question that some people experienced serious harm and death while under the care of a physician who used procedures that have since been proven to be less effective or in fact harmful. The question is, do you have a malpractice case?

The answer is unclear because it depends on your particular circumstances. It’s best to talk to an experienced malpractice lawyer to review the details of your situation. In order to prove medical malpractice, we need to prove that the healthcare provider or institution violated the standard of care, an injury occurred due to this negligence, and the injury resulted in serious damage.

The problem is that there has never been a situation quite like this before; therefore the “standard of care” for a COVID-19 pandemic has not been set. Quite a few COVID-related lawsuits have been filed, and the legal definition of “standard of care” will probably evolve for some time as these cases are settled.

Hit by a Drunk Driver – What You Should Do

Published on: November 18, 2020 | Anthony Quackenbush, Esq.

Driving under the influence (DUI) is automatically negligence since it is a crime in Florida to drive intoxicated. If you are hit by a drunk driver in Florida and you sustain injuries, you may be able to sue for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other damages. Whether you were a pedestrian, in a vehicle, or on a bicycle or motorcycle at the time of the accident, be sure to see a doctor, report the accident to the police, and if necessary, reach out to a personal injury lawyer.

What Defines DUI

In Florida, a minor (under 21) is considered DUI if the person’s blood alcohol content (BAC) is .02% or more. If 21 or older, BAC of 0.08% is considered intoxicated, and if driving commercially, the level is .04%. Many drivers will not even feel particularly impaired or only “buzzed” at this level. However, if police officers arrive on the scene and find that the driver’s alcohol level is over the limit they are automatically considered negligent and have committed a crime.

Wrongful Death in Florida – Who Can Sue and What You Can Do

Published on: November 17, 2020 | Anthony Quackenbush, Esq.

Losing a loved one is never easy, but losing a loved one to an accident or event that could have been avoided adds the pain of injustice to the pain of loss. If you have lost a loved one through an event that you believe was caused by negligence, please contact an expert in wrongful death cases to help you. Wrongful death lawsuits require an expert because they are not as straightforward as they may seem.

What is Wrongful Death?

The right to sue in the case of wrongful death is established in Florida’s Wrongful Death Act that specifically states:

Injured by an Uber or Lyft Driver in Florida? Know Your Rights

Published on: November 13, 2020 | Anthony Quackenbush, Esq.

Seeking compensation after being injured by an Uber or Lyft driver in Florida is similar to seeking compensation for any car accident, but the involvement of a rideshare company complicates things. There are many factors that affect who is liable and how much compensation you can seek, depending on the accident details. For this reason, it is best to contact an experienced personal injury lawyer as soon as possible after an accident.

Personal Insurance Protection (PIP)

After any car accident in Florida, drivers turn to their own insurance plans’ PIP coverage for the first $10,000 of medical expenses, regardless of who is at fault. There are factors and exclusions in the law, so the entire $10,000 may not be available in your particular case. After your personal insurance has covered as much as is allowable, you may then turn to other parties for further compensation.

Can You Sue If Your Child Is Injured in a Fraternity Party in Florida?

Published on: November 12, 2020 | Anthony Quackenbush, Esq.

Injuries at fraternity parties are not uncommon. Not only is a lot of alcohol often consumed, even by minors, but a lot of “partying” of other sorts – dancing, rough-housing, using drugs – may also take place, which can lead to injuries to those involved with the behavior as well as to innocent partygoers who are behaving themselves and acting with decorum. Other issues at fraternity parties may involve the quality or condition of the building itself.

A variety of types of incidents can happen at a fraternity party: falling from a balcony; slip and falls from wet floors; health issues after alcohol poisoning; fights; even falling through shoddy construction. In just one example, a floor collapsed at a Clemson University fraternity party on the floor below because of the weight and force of many people dancing.

As with all personal injury cases, it is necessary to prove that the defendant had a duty of care and that the defendant breached that duty. The defendants, depending on the situation, could be the hosts, the university, the owners of the property, or other individuals involved.

Injured on a Vacation in Florida? You Have Rights

Published on: July 23, 2020 | Anthony Quackenbush, Esq.

More than 100 million people visit Florida each year from out-of-state or overseas. Florida is full of wonderful destinations, hotels, beaches, and resorts. Everyone comes to have a great time, but sometimes things go wrong. If you or a loved one has been injured while on vacation in Florida, you may wonder what you can do to be compensated for another party’s negligence. Just as in your home state, you have the right to sue for damages. You must do so within the statute of limitations and prove the accident, injury, or illness took place in Florida. The statute of limitations for a personal injury case against another party in Florida is four years; against a government body, three years; for a wrongful death case, two years.

Types of Accidents

Car accidents are among the most common sources of injury while on vacation. Many people drive to Florida in their own cars, while others rent cars or use a service, such as a taxi, shuttle bus, Uber, or Lyft. As with any accident, it is critical to get identification and insurance information from the other driver, take pictures, and get medical attention as soon as possible. If the police are called to the scene, you should also obtain an accident report.