I remember as a young lawyer, a wise, seasoned senior partner told me, “Never represent a family member – you can’t be objective”. Over the years, I have ignored this advice and helped family members and close friends with claims, including injury claims. I never really had a problem doing so nor did I feel that I had lost my objectivity or ability to see the case for its true value. That all changed a year ago.
Florida has some of the least protective automobile insurance laws in the nation. To register a car in Florida, you only need to purchase insurance that has personal injury protection (PIP) benefits and property damage liability. If your policy has these two basic elements of coverage you are deemed to have the required coverage under Florida law. This is not full coverage.
In response to a recent letter “Court Disorder”, a Miami resident dutifully responding for jury service was forced to endure an entire day of waiting without sufficient accommodations for food or basic courtesies. First, as a trial lawyer that recognizes the critical necessity of jury service; this citizen’s important message must be heard by the officials, judges and other court personnel responsible for management of the jury system. I have forwarded the letter to the Chief Judge and Office of the Court Clerk so that they are aware of this situation.
At the end of the 2021 legislative session, Governor DeSantis signed into law an act relating to bicycle and pedestrian safety. The general terms of the new bicycle laws are important for motor-vehicle drivers and bicyclists to understand.
Florida has some of the least protective automobile insurance laws in the nation. To register a car in Florida, you only need to purchaseinsurance that has personal injuryprotection (PIP) benefits and property damage liability. If your policy has these two basic elements of coverage you are deemed to have the requiredcoverage under Florida law. This is not full coverage
A recent Letter to the Editor concerning Premises Liability contained incorrect information. The letter stated that the law in Florida was unfair since owners of property are liable for injuries caused to trespassers. This is wrong.
The Florida House has passed HB 719, a bill which repeals provisions relating to Florida Motor-Vehicle No-Fault Law. This is great news! Personal Injury Protection benefits are a required type of motor-vehicle insurance that provides minimal protection and has led to an incredible amount of litigation and confusion. Florida motor-vehicle laws must require mandatory bodily injury insurance for all registered vehicles. Bodily injury insurance pays for the damage to a person that a careless driver causes. Florida is one of the few states in the entire nation that do not require this vital insurance protection. Thankfully, the Florida House has passed a law that repeals this ancient and obsolete PIP coverage in favor of true financial responsibility. Drivers will now be required to carry $25,000 worth of insurance coverage per person and $50,000 per policy in order to register their car in Florida. This is positive and helps all Floridians. Finally!
According to a March 17, 2021 article in The Miami Herald by Linda Robertson, Florida is the most dangerous state in the country for pedestrians. It ranks #1 as the state where a person walking is most likely to be struck and killed by a motor-vehicle according to the “Dangerous by Design” report. This report from the National Non-Profit Smart Growth America and its National Complete Streets Coalition Program has identified Florida as the most dangerous state in the nation for people walking on streets.
All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.
A recent Miami Herald article detailed the Florida Legislators efforts to limit business liability in Covid-19 lawsuits. A lawyer involved with the legislative workshop described it as a “solution in search of a problem”. For years, the Republican controlled house and senate in Florida has created crisis after crisis in order to enact laws that shield various sectors from lawsuits. These frivolous laws pretend to exist to prevent the avalanche of lawsuits that are coming. In actuality, these lawmakers are pandering to business groups and other influential organizations to back them.