January 7, 2013 Everybody who uses the interstate has likely driven past a car accident. But the scene must have been downright surreal Jan. 5 as motorists inched past an accident on I-75 near Gainesville, which involved 32 live bulls. The bulls were being transported in a semi truck, which is routine, when the truck blew a tire and evidently lost control, skidding off the road. The truck came to a halt by slamming into a tree. Despite – or perhaps because of – how closely packed the bulls were, they apparently managed to survive the accident unharmed. But all did not end well: three of the bulls escaped from the truck trailer and fled, leading state troopers on a … Continue reading
With DWIs, prevention works better than prosecution
October 1, 2012 In 2011, Florida’s intoxicated drivers caused more than 20,000 accidents resulting in nearly 1,000 fatalities. About 30,000 people a year are convicted in the state for DUI, with 2,274 cases in Miami alone, reports the Huffington Post. The root cause of drunken driving accidents is the driver, not the alcohol. Since driving while intoxicated is often a symptom of alcoholism, diagnosing and treating alcohol abuse will directly lower the number of DWI drivers on our roads. We all have an obligation to intervene when we see a friend, coworker, or family member abusing alcohol or drugs, but it is Florida’s doctors and nurses who can best identify patients who are at risk for alcohol abuse. The American … Continue reading
Workers sue parent company for compensation
September 28, 2012 According to a Miami lawsuit, Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, Red Lobster, and other restaurants operated by Darden Restaurants violated federal labor laws by underpaying thousands of servers, reports the Miami Herald. The lawsuit seeks potentially tens of millions of dollars in back pay and other compensation for past and current employees who worked from August 2009 to the present. “Darden has a companywide pattern and practice of paying its employees below minimum wage and less than what the law requires,” the lead lawyer said. “We’re seeking not only to correct the wrongs that have occurred at Darden, but hopefully this will stimulate change across the country.” There are similar lawsuits around the country, but the one filed … Continue reading
Bikes recalled after causing falls, injuries
September 26, 2012 About 12,000 bicycles have been recalled, according to Local 10 News. After receiving reports that the bikes’ faulty front forks caused riders to fall, Specialized Bicycle Components, which equipped the forks on several bike models, said that riders should immediately stop riding the bikes. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commissioner, there have been four reports of riders suffering facial fractures, head and shoulder injuries, and cuts and bruises. These injuries have led to a nationwide recall. Manufactured in China by Kinesis, the forks are primarily found on Specialized’s Globe bike model, but riders should double-check their forks just to make sure. The brand name “Specialized” is on the lower frame tube, and the model name is … Continue reading
Florida drivers keep crashing into post offices
September 24, 2012 So far this year, eight motorists have crashed into post office buildings in Florida, according to NBC News. The top causes for the accidents are that drivers step on the gas pedal instead of the brakes or that they accelerate when they believe that the vehicle is in reverse. In June 2011, an 89-year-old woman drove her 2002 Subaru Outback all the way through a post office building in Oldsmar, the Tampa Bay Times reported. She told police that she had no memory of the accident. Damage to the building was $250,000. So far in 2012, in Indian Rocks Beach, Wimauma, Goldenrod, Lakeland, and Punta Gorda, five out of the eight accidents that have happened involved drivers … Continue reading
Steinger, Iscoe & Greene getting bigger and better
September 21, 2012 With 30 lawyers in our firm, Steinger, Iscoe & Greene was ranked as one of the top 100 law firms in Florida by the Daily Business Review . The ranking was based both on voluntary disclosures from the law firms themselves and on extrapolated date from the firms’ websites. Ranking are also based on total number of attorneys in the firm. The firms that the Daily Business Review surveyed have a major presence in Florida. Some are national firms that generate substantial revenue in Florida. Gross revenue represents legal fees billed and collected in the firm’s latest fiscal year. “Of counsel lawyers” are counted with associates as salaried employees whose compensation is an element of the overhead … Continue reading
Most dangerous times to drive
September 19, 2012 The summer months are known as the “100 deadliest days” for drivers, but the roads are no less dangerous as autumn approaches, reports a 24-7 Press Release. The roads may even become more dangerous during certain times of the day and on particular days of the week in the fall. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) says that most accidents occur between 3 and 6 p.m., during “rush hour” traffic. Many more cars are on the road at this time of the day. Also, afternoon drivers are usually mentally distracted. They may be thinking about picking up their kids from day care or school and taking them to extracurricular activities. Or they may have had a … Continue reading
Teen’s hair ripped out in Florida school accident
September 17, 2012 A 17 year old senior’s hair was ripped out in wood shop class by a drill press machine on Wednesday afternoon at Deltona High School in Orlando, Florida, reports the New York Daily News. The Florida shop teacher is under investigation for not enforcing safety rules in class and for lack of supervision. The girl’s mother, who is also a teacher in the district, said that her daughter’s teacher should not have let her daughter operate the machine when her hair was down. The teen admits that she should have tied her long brown hair back in a ponytail. Her hair remained tangled in the machine until a classmate tugged it free. Discussions continue about implementing new … Continue reading
Florida drunk driver causes accident
September 14, 2012 Following a crash that injured two people, a 39-year-old man was arrested Wednesday for DUI, reports Ocala.com. He also has two prior DUI convictions. A witness told the police that a red truck was slowing down to turn right when a truck struck it from behind. The Florida Highway Patrol trooper noted in his report that he thought that the driver of the white truck was impaired. The driver claimed that he had been distracted by answering his cell phone when he hit the back of the red truck. But he failed a field sobriety exercise, was arrested, and taken to the Marion County Jail. Blood tests registered .142 and .132. Florida’s legal limit is .08. Injured … Continue reading
Pedestrian struck by SUV in Lee County
September 12, 2012 This morning in San Carlos Park, a 14-year old-boy from Fort Myers was hit by an SUV, reports Wink News Now. The boy is being treated at Health Park for a leg injury. The accident happened just after 6 a.m. at the corner of Constitution Circle and Adams Circle. The Florida Highway Patrol says that the boy crossed in front of an oncoming vehicle, which swerved to miss him, but the boy was struck by the front end of the SUV. A witness who lives on the corner where the accident took place said that he heard a loud thud. By the time that he came out of his house, emergency personnel had already arrived on the … Continue reading
