Personal Injury Lawyer

Top 8 Things You Should Know About Testifying as an Expert Witness

June 21, 2016 | Wolfson & Leon

Let’s start with the assumption that you are well-educated and charming. You are board certified and have all the specialist certifications anyone in your field could hope to have in a lifetime. You love your family and your country. You know your field. People call you an expert and seek your opinion. So, does that mean you are ready to be an expert witness? Not necessarily.

The Miami personal injury lawyers at Wolfson & Leon have worked with experts in Florida for more than 60 years. Here are the top 8 things our attorneys say you should know about testifying as an expert witness:

You are what your records say you are. If there are any public records that might prove embarrassing, you can rely on a decent trial lawyer to find them. Understand that part of trial work is investigating the witnesses. That includes civil and criminal records; any state or federal records that are available; and even the property appraiser. If you are going to be an expert in court, then you should make sure your online presence in social media is pristine.

JUROR SAFETY AND IDENTITY THEFT

December 21, 2015 | Wolfson & Leon

A mistrial was declared in Broward Circuit Court when several jurors voiced concerns about their personal safety from a criminal defendant and his supporters. The jurors were also worried about identity theft because of their personal information being in the public record. The jurors’ fears and concerns, while rare, were indeed valid.

idtheft

The mistrial was declared on the second day of trial because the defendant could not be assured of a fair and impartial jury. The defendant had been charged with second-degree murder for shooting someone outside a Davie, Florida pool hall. Jury selection lasted two day and 180 potential jurors were interviewed before selecting eight jurors for the trial. On day two of the trial, one female juror asked a question that ultimately caused a mistrial. She asked Broward Circuit Judge Jeffery Levenson if her personal information, such as her name and address, was part of the public record that could be viewed by anyone. Later other jurors told the judge that they were also concerned with whether their personal information was secure from not only identity thieves but from the defendant and his supporters. The mistrial was declared and the trial was reset for early 2016.

This incident involves two issues – juror safety and identity theft. As for juror safety, jurors’ identities are generally known to everyone. Usually, a juror will not be asked about their race, religion or sexual preference. They will be asked about what neighborhood or city they live and work in. They can be asked about marital status, family members and even what magazines or websites they like. Jurors can be asked to sit for a criminal or civil case. In general, jurors are not anonymous except in rare high profile criminal cases. In most criminal cases, potential jurors are concerned about their safety from the defendant and his/her supporters but that issue is usually handled in jury selection. Juror safety concerns are almost exclusively reserved to criminal trials because of the nature of the proceedings. The defendant is charged with a crime, often a violent one, and as a result is in danger of losing their life or liberty. Juror safety concerns in criminal trials is of paramount importance to the judge, the lawyers and to the system itself.

CHIROPRACTOR WINS $14.5 MILLION AGAINST GEICO

November 9, 2015 | Wolfson & Leon

A chiropractor and his wife were awarded $14.5 million in their lawsuit against GEICO in Miami-Dade County. The jury’s verdict was based on a December 2004 highway collision with an uninsured motorist. Dr. David Zucker and his wife filed their lawsuit in 2006 and finally received their verdict over 9 years later.

The jury found in favor of Dr. Zucker and awarded him damages for:

$767,740.00 in Past Lost Wages: The amount of money he lost as income because of the crash

Filing a Wrongful Death Claim in Florida

October 6, 2015 | Wolfson & Leon

The death of a family member or loved one can be a painful experience. This is particularly true in situations when the death was easily preventable and occurred because of negligence.

Each state has specific procedures regarding how the courts can handle such situations, and in many cases, a wrongful death claim is the best way to seek some form of compensation from the at-fault party. These wrongful death claims are civil lawsuits, and there are specific laws in Florida that govern this procedure.

If you believe a member of your family was the victim of wrongful death, contact a Miami personal-injury lawyer for advice. Filing a claim for wrongful death is a complicated process, and if you intend to sue the negligent party, a lawyer may be able to help.

Tragic Disney Bus Crash Kills Woman

March 5, 2015 | Wolfson & Leon

Florida car accidents cause more than 2,000 fatalities every year, according to statistics from Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Of these, at least one-third involve alcohol impairment, and a large number injure pedestrians, motorcyclists and bicyclists. This ultimately puts the car crash fatality rate in Florida at 1.25 deaths per 100 million car miles travelled, which is above the U.S. average.

A car crash can leave you and your family in a desperate situation, but if you are suffering from car accident injuries, there are options available. As an innocent car crash victim, you may be able to recover costs for medical bills associated with the crash.

An experienced Miami personal-injury lawyer can evaluate your case to determine if you may have a claim. At Wolfson & Leon, LLP, we have many years of experience with car accident cases, and we will give your case the individual attention it deserves. To schedule a free case evaluation, call us at 305-285-1115 today.

Two Deadly Pedestrian Accidents Make Headlines in Florida

March 5, 2015 | Wolfson & Leon

In 2013, there were more than 420,000 criminal traffic citations on the state of Florida’s roads, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Incidents that fall under this category of infringement typically include driving under the influence, reckless or negligent driving, fleeing, or racing on a highway. Non-criminal moving citations in the state, for the same period, total more than 2.2 million. These typically include minor speeding, traffic light violations and stop sign violations.

It is obvious, therefore, that there are a significant number of incidents on the state’s roads each day, and as recent stories in the news highlight, these figures are particularly concerning for pedestrians.

If you have been injured in an accident, even if you were not in a vehicle at the time, you may be entitled to compensation. Depending on the circumstances specific to your accident, a Miami personal-injury lawyer at Wolfson & Leon, LLP we may be able to assist you in this process. There is no reason why you should struggle with your injuries on your own. Call us today at 305-285-1115 for a free consultation with an experienced personal-injury lawyer.

Two Miami Truck Accidents Make National Headlines

March 5, 2015 | Wolfson & Leon

There is a phenomenal number of vehicle accidents each year in Florida. Recent statistics released by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles suggest that there are more than 200,000 vehicle crashes on the state roads each year, which involve more than 300,000 drivers. This all equates to more than 500 car accidents that take place on the state’s roads each day.

While the state does not report comprehensive truck accident statistics, it is obvious that heavy vehicles cause some of the most dramatic accidents and increase the risk of serious harm and injuries to individuals. On a national level, there were more than 4,000 people killed in accidents involving a large truck or bus during 2013.

If you have been involved or injured in an accident on the state’s roads, especially if another driver’s negligence caused the accident, you may have a right to seek compensation. At Wolfson & Leon, LLP, we are ready to help. Florida has specific rules pertaining to the trucks and large vehicles that travel on the state’s roads, and an experienced accident attorney can examine how these relate to your particular case. We have experience in many forms of personal-injury law, and if you would like more information on how we can assist, schedule an appointment today by calling us at 305-285-1115.

Florida Bicycle Accidents Leave Injuries, Fatalities

March 5, 2015 | Wolfson & Leon

Bicycle crash statistics in Florida are shocking, and each year, thousands of cyclists are killed or injured on the state’s roads. Recent figures released by Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles indicate that there are more than 4,500 non-fatal cycling accidents involving motor vehicles per year in Florida.

The impact of these accidents is far-reaching, and if you are a cyclist, it is important that you know your rights, especially when it comes to negligent drivers.

If you have been involved in an accident, your best approach is to work with a qualified personal injury lawyer who can advise you on the process. Wolfson & Leon, LLP has been representing accident victims since 1963, and we have the expertise to fight for maximum compensation. Call us today at 305-285-1115 to set up a free case evaluation.

Doctor, Healthcare Service and Medical Center Face Wrongful-Death Lawsuit

March 5, 2015 | Wolfson & Leon

A recent case involving the death of a 78-year-old male, Kenneth Steadman, while under the care of a Florida medical center has brought serious medical malpractice claims back to the spotlight. In this situation, as reported by The Ledger, the elderly male died from complications involving an issue with blood clots in the lungs, or pulmonary thromboembolism.

Subsequent to an investigation into the matter, the man’s wife, Linda Steadman, has filed a civil lawsuit against all concerned, including the doctor, Lozano Internal Medicine Clinic, the Lake Wales Hospital Corporation and Lakeland Home Care Services. The amount claimed is $15,000.

Steadman and her personal-injury attorney believe the circumstances surrounding the case are clear indications of malpractice and improper procedure being followed. Ms. Steadman claims the healthcare providers incorrectly assessed her husband’s deteriorating condition.

2 Athletes Sue After Debilitating Brain Injuries

March 5, 2015 | Wolfson & Leon

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a very serious health issue that contributes to a high number of deaths and permanent disabilities. It is also a hot topic right now because professional athletes are beginning to display the long-term symptoms of repetitive concussions.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 2.5 million people suffered a TBI in 2010. The Brain Trauma Foundation even claims that TBI is the number-one cause of death and disability in Americans under the age of 44.

When negligence leads to a TBI, victims often file injury claims because brain injuries are expensive and difficult to treat. If you are planning to file a personal-injury lawsuit in Miami after suffering a TBI, you’re probably looking for an experienced attorney to help you plan, file and win your lawsuit. At Wolfson & Leon, LLP, we have 50 years of experience helping Miami residents win their injury claims. To arrange a consultation with a personal-injury lawyer from our firm, please call 305-285-1115.