Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Tragic Accident With 18-Wheeler in Jacksonville
A report out of Jacksonville, Florida reminds all of us how tragic accidents with large trucks can be. In March of this year, four members of a family were traveling on the Buckman Bridge when they were struck by a semi-truck. The four family members were killed at the scene of the crash and… Read More »
Leaving the Scene of an Accident: Florida’s Hit-and-Run Laws
The problem of hit-and-run drivers after an accident is increasing in our state. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles reports that over the last two years hit-and-run crashes resulting in fatalities increased by 23% from 2013 to 2014. And the number of hit-and-run accidents overall has increased by 7% during the… Read More »
Family of Accident Victim Seeks Answers
Luis Rodriguez was left for dead by a hit-and-run driver on July 1st, 2015. Father, brother, son, and fiancee, Rodriguez had everything in the world to live for and look forward to, but that was taken away from him, and now the family is looking for answers as to who hit and killed him…. Read More »
Florida Court of Appeals Looks at Medical Malpractice Laws
In 2013 the Florida legislature adopted certain amendments to the Florida’s laws regulating medical malpractice lawsuits. At the time they were passed, the amendments caused a stir in the medical malpractice legal community because of the perceived burden they placed on victims of medical malpractice seeking to recover for their injuries. The controversial amendments… Read More »
Distracted Driving by Emergency Responders
When it comes to distracted driving, many imagine the role of emergency responders as the police, firemen, and paramedics as those show up to help. But a recent story out of Collier and Lee Counties shows that emergency responders are responsible for a large chunk of the distracted driving accidents that happen every year…. Read More »
Caught on Tape: Doctor Sued Over Disparaging Comments During Surgery
A doctor practicing in Florida recently left her practice as an anesthesiologist after losing a court case in Virginia. The court case was about brutally disparaging comments she made during a surgery while performing a colonoscopy. Reportedly, the doctor said things like, “I want to punch you in the face,” and warned her colleges… Read More »
Fourth District Court of Appeals Overturns Personal Injury Caps
Another of Florida’s tort-reform laws took a hit recently. Florida’s Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the damages cap of $500,000 for pain and suffering in medical malpractice cases violates Florida’s Constitution. This latest ruling comes after Florida’s Supreme Court ruled last year that the pain and suffering damages cap in wrongful death… Read More »
Uninsured Motorists: A Problem for Florida Drivers
No one wants to get in an accident. Accidents are dangerous, costly, and interrupt the lives of the victims. Unfortunately not wanting to get in an accident won’t prevent a Florida driver from going through such an ordeal. “At least,” you might say to yourself, “I have insurance and the person at fault has… Read More »
Florida’s Fireworks Laws Examined
Summertime gatherings create some of the best memories of the year for young and old alike. There are pool parties, cookouts, and picnics that we all look forward to. A big part of most people’s summer are the wonderful fireworks displays put on by local cities and counties. But with fireworks shows, and particularly… Read More »
Federal Agency to Investigate Jeep on Airbag Issue
Amid nearly daily stories in the news about faulty airbags, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration will probe Jeep over problems with its airbags, as well. This new investigation comes on the heels of Takata Corp. recalling millions of vehicles to have their airbags fixed because they can malfunction in an accident and send… Read More »