Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Jury Trials in Civil Cases
In August 2017, two men rented a boat in Dunedin from Pirate’s Cove Boat Club. About two hours into their fishing trip, the boat began taking on water in allegedly shark-infested waters. They say the boat wasn’t equipped with a radio or working flares. They called 911, and a Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office marine… Read More »
Suing Lyft for Negligent Hiring and Retention
A female Lyft customer recently filed a lawsuit against the ride-sharing company and one of its drivers, claiming that 61-year-old David Glen McNeill sexually assaulted her and that the company was negligent in dealing with him. In March 2017, McNeill picked the woman up in Orlando. She was partially naked and unconscious in the… Read More »
Frequently Asked Questions About Products Liability Claims
In July 2014, a West Palm Beach teen accidentally shot himself in the head with an air rifle. His mom recently filed a lawsuit against the rifle manufacturer, alleging that the rifle was in “safety mode” when it fired pellets into her son’s head. He suffered physical injuries, as well as depression and post-traumatic… Read More »
Understanding Service of Process
There’s a lot to think about when you’re injured in an accident. First, you need medical attention. If possible, you should also gather information about the accident, including the parties involved and the details of what happened. Even these initial steps can be overwhelming, which is why you should contact an experienced personal injury… Read More »
The Stages of Personal Injury Litigation
Personal injury claims are generally grounded in negligence, which means that the injury happened because someone failed to use reasonable care. Maybe a driver ran a redlight, or a restaurant employee didn’t clean up a spill. Whenever negligent behavior causes an injury, the injured person has a right to seek compensation from the responsible… Read More »
Understanding Vicarious Liability
You might think you know who’s responsible for your injuries if a vehicle changes lanes into you or runs a red light and crashes into your car. But sometimes there’s more to the story. Let’s say the negligent driver works for a trucking company and was making a delivery when he caused the accident…. Read More »
The Dangers of Trampoline Parks
NBC6 recently published an investigation that highlights the risks of visiting a trampoline park. (A trampoline park is just what you think. It’s an indoor fitness facility with wall-to-wall trampolines, where kids and adults go to bounce around and have fun.) Investigators examined 911 calls made from South Florida trampoline parks in the last… Read More »
The Future of Flood Insurance
The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is set to expire on July 31, 2018, which is a problem for Floridians and anyone who lives in flood-prone areas. Especially since standard homeowner’s insurance policies don’t cover flood damage. What is the National Flood Insurance Program? Recognizing that most insurance policies don’t cover flood damage, the… Read More »
Medical Providers and Florida’s Personal Injury Protection System
A child was ejected from his vehicle in a March 2013 car accident and flown by helicopter to a hospital in West Palm Beach. He died from his injuries soon after arriving at the hospital. The air ambulance billed $27,975 for its services. The child’s father had car insurance through State Farm Mutual Automobile… Read More »
Liability for Sinkhole Accidents
More sinkholes open in Florida than in any other state in the country. Sinkholes can cause property damage, they can cause environmental damage, and they can also cause personal injuries — and in some cases, even death. You might be able to file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit depending on the circumstances… Read More »