Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Child Pedestrians at Risk in Florida
The 2017-2018 school year is underway, which means that motorists need to stay alert and drive more slowly through school zones — especially here in Florida, which ranks second in the country for child-pedestrian fatalities. In fact, almost one-third of child pedestrian fatalities occur between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m., which is when many… Read More »
Wind Damage from Tropical Storms and Hurricanes, and Insurance Claim Denials
Tropical Storm Emily hit with almost no warning. Generally, tropical storms and hurricanes form far enough out that Florida residents have enough time to prepare for the rain and wind. But Emily formed overnight in late July and made landfall in Southwest Florida the next morning. Forecasters from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration… Read More »
Understanding the Accident Report Privilege
In 2009, a 17-year-old girl and her attorney allegedly told a Tampa police detective that she was driving the car that struck and killed a homeless woman in a hit-and-run accident. The detective issued her a ticket for careless driving, which was later dismissed in court. The detective said he had trouble building a… Read More »
National Flood Insurance Program Set to Expire Unless Congress Acts
Florida sees a lot of hurricane and tropical storm activity, including a recent storm that surprised meteorologists by forming just off the coast and then making landfall in Southeast Florida hours later. That was Tropical Storm Emily. The heavy rain that accompanies such storms puts Florida homes and businesses at risk of flood damage,… Read More »
Florida Supreme Court to Review Asbestos Case
The Florida Supreme Court recently agreed to review an appeal seeking to reinstate an $8 million verdict against a tobacco company and an industrial manufacturer in an asbestos case. The lawsuit was filed by a man who allegedly developed mesothelioma, a cancer of the outer lining of the lung and chest as well as… Read More »
Claim Bills and Personal Injury Verdicts Against Government Officials
The 2018 legislative session doesn’t begin until January, but Florida senators have already filed 18 claim bills, including one attempting to collect $17.8 million from the city of Tampa. That is the largest jury verdict ever awarded against the city. According to a legislative manual, a claim bill is legislation “that compensates a particular… Read More »
Who Is Liable for a Student-Athlete’s Injuries?
The beginning of the school year also marks the beginning of high school football, cross country and other sporting events. While these activities can be fun and beneficial for students, what happens if your child suffers in the waning summer heat or takes an especially hard hit to the head? Students are especially vulnerable… Read More »
Is a Commonly Used Pesticide Safe for Human Use?
Multiple class action lawsuits have been filed against the manufacturer of a weed killer that people claim has made them sick. A Cape Coral man recently joined a lawsuit alleging that he used Monsanto’s Roundup weed killer regularly for 30 years and that exposure to the product’s main ingredient, glyphosate, led to his non-hodgkin’s… Read More »
Appealing an Adverse Judgment
Not everyone wins in litigation. In a typical lawsuit, one side wins its case and the other side loses. It’s important to keep this in mind when filing a personal injury lawsuit: what happens if the other party prevails? Having a viable claim doesn’t always ensure success. Sometimes the other party has a valid… Read More »
Car Crashes Leading Cause of Death Among U.S. Teens
Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among teenagers in the United States. In 2015, 2,333 teens between the ages of 16 and 19 died in car accidents and more than 220,000 others were injured. According to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that means six teens died every… Read More »