Legal News
This section covers industry and legal news. To assist both consumers and attorneys, some of the more notable legal developments are in this section for easy reference.
Going Into the Hospital Far Riskier Than Flying
July 28, 2011 -
Millions of people die each year from medical errors and infections linked to health care and going into hospital is far riskier than flying, the World Health Organisation. "If you were admitted to hospital tomorrow in any country... your chances of being subjected to an error in your care would be something like 1 in 10. Your chances of dying due to an error in health care would be 1 in 300," Liam Donaldson, the WHO's newly appointed envoy for patient safety, told a news briefing. This compared with a risk of dying in an air crash of about 1 in 10 million passengers, according to Donaldson, formerly England's chief medical officer. Stephanie Nebehay, Reuters, Hartford Courant 07/26/2011
A Tampa retiree claims he lost everything to a foreclosure blunder
June 28, 2011 -
After going out of town, an 82-year-old man returned home to find his house emptied out. Even the trash was gone. He found a padlocked door and a sign for a company that cleans out properties in foreclosure. But Benito Santiago Sr.'s home wasn't in foreclosure, public records show.
Mental Health Crisis
November 4, 2010 -
In 2007, our client was placed into a mental health crisis facility for short term stabilization. In spite of clear internal rules governing the appropriate medications for a patient with a history of dependence issues, and knowledge it would significantly decrease the possibility of a withdrawal seizure, the psychiatrist and facility failed to give a critical dose of Librium. The health care providers chose to "wait and see" if there was a problem, rather than follow their own rules. As a result of that decision, our client sustained a withdrawal seizure, suffered a catastrophic fall, and became a paraplegic for life.
Nursing Home Liabilities
November 4, 2010 -
More and more Florida nursing homes are choosing not to secure liability insurance, hoping to deter valid claims by asserting the absence of assets if the facility is found liable for neglect. Many firms have abandoned litigation calculated to enhance protection of the elderly in response to this maneuver. We, however, have chosen to even more aggressively prosecute those who mistreat these vulnerable citizens.
Insurance Bad Faith
November 4, 2010 -
Insurance Bad Faith occurs when an insurance carrier chooses its own interests over those of its insured. In Florida, "bad faith" law helps regulate large insurance companies, affording an avenue for relief when insurers hold profits in higher esteem than people.
David Paul Elected to ABOTA
October 5, 2009 -
Paul & Perkins is proud to annouce David Paul's recent election to the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA). David Paul is the youngest Lawyer in Central Florida Elected Into ABOTA.
David Paul Speaks at CFTLA
October 5, 2009 -
David Paul was recently a keynote speaker at the Central Florida Trial Lawyers Association's (CFTLA) annual seminar. Mr. Paul spoke on the issue of "Shifting from Facts to Story: A New Approach to Damages".
Jury Returns Verdict of $5.9 million in Industrial Accident Case
June 21, 2009 -
In February, 2006, a warehouse worker was injured when he was struck by a forklift while performing his duties on a loading dock in Orlando, Florida. The rear wheel of the forklift struck his right foot, causing a "degloving" injury, in which the skin, muscles and tendons were torn from the skeletal structure of the foot. The accident also crushed some of the bones of the foot and ankle joint. The foot was reconstructed over a period of two years, requiring more than eleven surgeries and procedures.
Jury Verdict to Replace Home Damaged by Tornado
June 21, 2009 -
In January of 1995, an Orlando couple's home was struck by a tornado causing extensive damage. Their insurance company made initial repairs to the home at a cost of approximately $30,000.00. Unfortunately, the couple continued to have problems with the home. It continued to allow water and moisture to seep through the walls. The summer months were particularly uncomfortable, because the home was impossible to keep cool. The couple took care of their elderly parents in the home and continued to report the problems to their insurance company over the next several years.
David Paul and Paul Perkins Form Law Firm in Orlando
May 29, 2009 -
Attorneys David Paul and Paul Perkins have joined forces to form a Plaintiff's trial practice in Orlando, Florida. With Jason Paul and Joe Tamborello, the firm is composed of four lawyers that are passionate about helping seriously injured people obtain justice in the courts of Central Florida.
What the Jury Never Sees
January 10, 2009 -
Did you know that in Florida, there is no such thing as an “accident report.” They are called Crash Reports, and the State of Florida officially re-named them crash reports in 1998. The reason they are called Crash Reports, is because accidents can all be avoided if people take precautions and are careful. Therefore, there really are no accidents, only people who are driving unsafe, thus causing a crash.
