All Topics

• 70-car Pileup, Multiple Deaths in Lakeland Highlight Outdated Sovereign Immunity Limits

  K.C. Bouchillon | January 09, 2008 10:09 AM | 0 CommentsCentral Florida, FL

  A "controlled" burn started by Florida Fish and Wildlife turned into a raging brushfire and a deathtrap for motorists on I-4 Wednesday morning, January 9, and when the smoke clears, the government agencies responsible for this tragedy will pay next to nothing to the victims and their families.As of this writing, four are dead and more than three dozen injured as a result of the collisions. More...

• Twin Florida Southern Students Killed When Tractor Trailer Runs Red Light

  K.C. Bouchillon | January 08, 2008 7:27 PM | 0 CommentsCentral Florida, FL

  The investigation is continuing into the death of one twin sister and the critical injury of the other when a tractor trailer ran a red light and plowed into the sisters' Honda vehicle on the morning of January 7. Since the collision involved a death, it is likely that the results of the investigation will not be disclosed for up to three months. Unfortunately, as dedicated as the Florida...

• Florida Property Insurers Face Possible Class Action over Broken Promises

  K.C. Bouchillon | January 08, 2008 7:00 PM | 0 CommentsCentral Florida, FL

  Florida Gov. Charlie Crist is investigating a possible class action suit against property insurers for failing to lower rates and pass on savings to insurers after receiving historic concessions from the Florida Legislature.In the face of massive lobbying by insurance companies begging for relief from several years of disasters and allegedly declining profits, the Florida Legislature in January...

• Man's Trading Company Recalls Super Magnet Toys

  Jenny Albano | December 24, 2007 1:32 AM | 0 CommentsCentral Florida, FL

  Man's Trading Company, in conjunction with the CPSCSuper Magnets because they can pose aspiration and intestinal hazards to children who swallow the magnets. The magnet attached to the bottom of a small toy panda can detach. If swallowed or aspirated by young children, the magnets can attract each other internally and cause intestinal perforations or blockages, which can be fatal.The recalled...

• Deadline for Florida Smoking Damage Lawsuits Draws Near

  Courtney Mills | November 30, 2007 10:30 AM | 0 CommentsCentral Florida, FL

  The number of weeks remaining before plaintiffs can file suit for damages as a result of smoking-related illnesses has dwindled down to six. In Miami Dade and Broward counties, there have been only 120 smoking lawsuits filed for smoking-related illnesses to date, according to the Miami Herald.Part of the reason for so few cases is that plaintiffs' attorneys are seeking out more ideal...

• Two Florida Deputies Killed by Another Deputies Car

  Jenny Albano | November 29, 2007 8:10 PM | 0 CommentsCentral Florida, FL

  Two Palm Beach County deputies were chasing a stolen vehicle in the Everglades when another deputy's car struck them. Both of the deputies hit by the patrol car were killed, the other deputy was injured. One of the car thieves was eventually arrested.The deputies, described as very close friends, had put spikes on a road that punctured the stolen car's tires. But when they ran to remove the...

• 21-year-old motorcyclist killed when truck pulls in front of him

  K.C. Bouchillon | November 14, 2007 8:42 AM | 0 CommentsCentral Florida, FL

  Ryan Lain, a 21-year-old resident of Lakeland, Florida, was killed while riding his motorcycle on the evening of Tuesday, November 13. He was northbound on County Line Road when a tractor-trailer turned in front of him to go south on County Line Road. The investigation is continuing. Accidents like this are all too common. Issues that often arise in these kinds of mishaps, but which are often...

• Merck Settles Vioxx Claims for $4.85 Billion

  K.C. Bouchillon | November 13, 2007 10:31 AM | 0 CommentsCentral Florida, FL

  Merck, the manufacturer of the heavily marketed arthritis/pain medication, Vioxx, has committed $4.85 billion toward settlement of claims that the product was defective and could and did cause death. Merck pulled the product from the market about three years ago when reports of Vioxx-related deaths surfaced. Since then, the company has been accused of putting marketing and profits ahead of...

• Florida Legislature Reauthorizes PIP Statute, With a Twist

  K.C. Bouchillon | October 20, 2007 3:48 PM | 0 CommentsCentral Florida, FL

  The Florida Legislature has reauthorized the Florida Personal Injury Protection ("PIP") statute, which will become effective on January 1, 2008. One particular provision of the new PIP statute dealing with reimbursement of a claimant's attorney's fees is particularly interesting. In some cases, there may be no attorney's fees awarded at all. When a claimant files suit against his or her...

• Dairy State Foods Recalls Minnie's Bake Shop Chocolate Chunk Cookies Because of Undeclared Nuts

  Jenny Albano | October 15, 2007 11:44 PM | 0 CommentsCentral Florida, FL

  Dairy State Foods, in conjunction with the FDA, is recalling Minnie's Bake Shop Chocolate Chunk Cookies because they may contain undeclared macadamia nuts. Those who are allergic to macadamia nuts can have a severe allergic reaction that could be life-threatening.The packaging is labeled with a code date of Best if used by March 2008 and Minnie's Bake Shop Chocolate Chunk, but the cookies are...