Florida Accident Attorney Blog

A new report confirms what people who live and work in Broward County, Palm Beach County and Miami-Dade County already know: South Florida traffic is frustrating at best, dangerous at worst. Fort Lauderdale car accident injury attorneys like us see the tragic outcomes of this situation in our daily work on behalf of families. And it appears traffic here in the Sunshine State is actually getting worse.

According to The Miami Herald, the Texas A&M Transportation Institute's 2012 Urban Mobility Report ranks the Miami Dade, Broward County, and Palm Beach County, Florida region as 11th among the 15 worst urban areas for traffic congestion. The study looks at both cities and surrounding suburbs, where people commute to and from work.

The number-one worst traffic was reported in Washington, DC, with Los Angeles, San Francisco-Oakland, New York-Newark, Boston, Houston, Atlanta, Chicago, Philadelphia, and Seattle beating out South Florida as the worst-traffic leaders. The report discusses a number of problems that contribute to and result from the nation's and South Florida's traffic headaches, including the following:

• Motorists do not plan ahead to allow sufficient time to get through congested areas.


• So many vehicles stopped in traffic creates waste of gas and increased carbon dioxide emissions released into the environment.


• Auto crashes, bad weather, work zones, detours, police stops, and other factors contribute to traffic slowdowns.


• Tourist hot spots -- of which we have many here in South Florida -- contribute to the problem.


• Friday is the worst day to travel, with both work and weekend travel coinciding along with school and other activities.


• Overnight and mid-day travel accounts for 37% of traffic congestion -- despite these being times that motorists expect free flowing traffic.


• Commuters in areas with more than 3 million people suffered an average 52 hours of delay in 2011. That's more than a full work week of time wasted in traffic!


• Shippers hauling freight in large commercial trucks across Florida and other states add to the complexity of the problem.

The report discusses the need for both more advanced planning on the part of commuters as well as commercial vehicle owners, and expansion of transportation infrastructure. (See link to report PDF below.)

South Florida traffic can cause headaches and lead to reckless or even aggressive driving behavior. In addition to having some of the worst traffic congestion in the U.S., South Florida cities, including Fort Lauderdale, have been reported as some of the most dangerous and deadly for pedestrians. If you or a family member were involved in a car accident with injury that you believe was caused by a negligent or reckless driver, contact an experienced Miami-Dade car crash lawyer to see if you may have a case.

Related Florida Accident Injury Attorney article:

Florida Pedestrian Accident Death Rates Still Among Worst in the Nation (Sept. 2012)

Sources:

Traffic woes: South Florida roads among most congested in U.S.
The Miami Herald Feb. 5, 2013

TTI’s 2012 URBAN MOBILITY REPORT Powered by INRIX Traffic Data (PDF)
Texas A&M Transportation Institute : The Texas A&M University System Dec. 2012

Just like for car and truck drivers, tires are an integral part of motorcycle operating safety. Miami, Florida defective tire accident attorneys like us keep track of tire safety recalls issued by the U.S. government. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) receives on average 20 tire recalls in one year -- most for car, truck and SUV tires. This latest tire defect recall however is for certain motorcycle tires made by Continental.

On January 23, 2013, NHTSA issued the following alert for recall campaign ID number 13T001:

Synopsis: Continental Tire is recalling certain ContiMotion motorcycle tires, size 180/60R16 M/C 74H produced from December 19, 2010, through September 24, 2011. The tires were sold as replacement equipment for Honda GoldWing 1800 motorcycles. Some of these tires may experience uneven wear, groove cracking, and belt lift. This could result in a loss of inflation pressure. A loss of inflation pressure while riding could cause the motorcycle operator to lose control, increasing the risk of a crash. Continental Tire will notify owners and reimburse customers for the affected tires. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact Continental Tire customer service toll-free at 1-888-799-2168.

Any of these potential tire defects could lead to loss of inflation pressure, which could cause a motorcycle accident. See link to the NHTSA safety recall page below for more information.

NHTSA maintains databases of Safety Issues for Vehicles, Child Restraints, Tires, and Equipment. Safety Issues include all government and manufacturer-issued Recalls for your product as well as Safety Complaints other users have filed. You may sign up for email alerts at the SaferCar.gov website (link below) to keep track of safety recalls for your vehicle or equipment. Consumers may also browse complaints filed by other consumers, which may prompt investigations of potentially faulty equipment.

Consumer complaints may lead to NHTSA conducting safety investigations and issuing tire and other automotive safety recalls. Also, motor vehicle, child car seat, and tire manufacturers may report safety issues to NHTSA, which can also prompt a safety recall.

If you or a loved one have been in a motorcycle or auto accident and you think defective tires may be to blame, contact an experienced Florida tire recall accident lawyer. Personal injury attorneys like us who have handled tire blowout and tire failure cases know how to work with police reports and industry experts to find out what caused the vehicle accident.

Drivers of all vehicles -- motorcycles, cars, trucks, minivans, and SUVs -- should inspect their tires regularly for flaws, damage, or signs of wear. Good tire maintenance is integral to the safe operation of your vehicle. However accidents may happen without warning. These tire safety recalls are designed to remedy problems and prevent accidents from happening.

Related Florida Accident Injury Attorney article:

Florida Parents : Why a Fast Car or Motorcycle May Not Be Smart Gift Ideas for Teenage Drivers (Jan. 2012)

Sources:

NHTSA RECALL Subject : Rear ContiMotion Tire may Lose Air

Subscribe to NHTSA's Recall Notification E-mail System

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) SaferCar.gov website issued its list of recalled motor vehicles and equipment December 2012. While no defective tires or child car seats were recalled last month -- a full 12 pages of cars, trucks, SUVs, RVs, and motorcycles made the government's recall list.

Fort Lauderdale car accident injury lawyers like us keep an eye on automotive recalls. Defective car parts, tires, and equipment can lead to motor vehicle accidents causing injury or death. A sampling of some of the vehicles and problems that made the government's December safety recall list:

Ford is recalling certain Ford Escapes and Ford Fusions due to coolant system leaks, which may cause the engines to overheat and leak flammable engine fluids.

BMW is recalling certain model scooters for problems with front side trim panels, which could come loose and/or separate while driving – posing potential hazard to both the scooter driver and other motorists.

Mercedes-Benz is recalling several models of vehicles due to a problem with fuel filters, which may crack at high temperatures.

Porsche is recalling certain vehicles for a problem with rear wheel hubs.

Winnebago is recalling certain of its motor homes for a problem with refrigerator circuits, which could lead to vehicle fire.

Chrysler is recalling particular Durangos due to errors on the seating capacity labels, which could lead to overseating. This could lead to injury during vehicle crash.

Jaguar Land Rover is recalling very particular models made on a certain date due to the possibility that rear brake caliper retaining bolts may be insufficiently torqued.

Hyundai is recalling certain vehicles for an issue with the parking brakes.

Honda is recalling several vehicles for a problem with the ignition switch.

Triumph is recalling certain motorcycles for an error in the tire labelling.

Subaru is recalling several vehicles for a potential problem with short circuiting around puddle lights.

As you can see from this list, auto manufacturers recall vehicles for a wide variety of reasons. Auto manufacturers are supposed to notify consumers when their vehicles have been recalled (this may occur through the car dealer). In many cases the auto maker will replace or repair the defective part for free.

However as Fort Lauderdale personal injury attorneys know, not all defective vehicles and parts are recalled before accidents happen. If you or a loved one has been in a motor vehicle accident that you suspect was caused by defective auto equipment or tires, contact an experienced Florida accident injury attorney to discuss your case.

See link below under "Sources" to PDF document containing more details on the recalled vehicles and reasons for recall, along with auto maker numbers to call. Readers may also visit the SaferCar.gov website to sign up for email alerts for their particular vehicles, and to search for recalls or complaints about their vehicles.

Related Florida Accident Attorney articles:

Child Car Seats Among November Automotive Product Safety Recalls (Dec. 2012)

NHTSA Warns Against Counterfeit Air Bags : Major Makes and Models of Motor Vehicles Affected (Nov. 2012)

Sources:

SAFETY DEFECT/NONCOMPLIANCE NOTICES RECEIVED DURING DECEMBER 2012 (PDF)
SaferCar.gov Jan. 3, 2012

Related Web Resources:

SaferCar.gov:

Subscribe to NHTSA's Recall Notification E-mail System

Search Safety Complaints for Your Vehicle

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has released its November list of automotive product safety recalls. As Miami, Florida accident injury attorneys, we pay attention to cars, trucks and parts that land on this list. This month child car seats have made the list of recalled equipment.

NHTSA reports that child car seats manufactured by Britax have been recalled due to a potential problem with the car seat straps. The chest pads on the straps are apparently made out of a soft material that children may be tempted to chew upon. Teething children who break off chunks of the straps and put them in their mouths are at risk of swallowing or choking hazards – which could lead to serious injury or death.

As experienced Miami, Florida child accident injury lawyers, Attorneys Jason and Debi Chalik represent families in cases where faulty automotive parts, tires, or equipment may lead to injury or death. As parents themselves, the attorneys realize the importance of properly placing babies and children in safe car seats appropriate for their age, weight and size. The proper functioning of these child car seats is important to children's safety.

Parents who own child car seats manufactured by Britax should download NHTSA's PDF report below for a full listing of the model numbers affected in the safety recall. The manufacturer will provide replacement pads to fortify the affected parts to avoid children chewing on them and breaking off pieces in their mouths. Also please see link below to manufacturer website for more information.

Chrysler and Toyota Also on November NHTSA Auto Recalls List

Other news from NHTSA for last month's auto safety recall notices… Chrysler, Toyota, and Mercedes-Benz vehicles are among those on the auto safety recalls lists:

> Chrysler is recalling older Jeep Cherokee and Jeep Liberty vehicles for concern over potential air bag failure. See report below for exact manufacturing years affected.

> Toyota is recalling 2012 and 2013 Scions for a potential problem with the occupant safety system and the passenger seat cable, which could lead to the air bag not deploying properly. Certain year Toyota Prius hybrids are also on the list for a potential problem with the water pumps. Other Prius vehicles may have a problem with the steering system.

> Mercedes-Benz, Airstream, and other vehicles are also on the government's November automotive safety recall notice list. Auto manufacturers are supposed to notify owners when their vehicles are part of safety recalls.

There were no defective tire safety recalls for the month of November. See link to NHTSA report below for additional details on all recalled vehicles for November 2012.

Related Florida Accident Injury Attorney article:

Florida Child Safety and Car Seats : Study Shows U.S. Parents Don't Always Follow Guidelines to Protect Children in Auto Accidents (Aug. 2012)

Sources:

SAFETY DEFECT/NONCOMPLIANCE NOTICES RECEIVED DURING NOVEMBER 2012 (PDF)
NHTSA Published December 10, 2012

Britax Safety Notices

A serious traffic accident with injuries and fatalities has occurred on a South Florida highway. Florida Highway Patrol and emergency responders arrive to assist accident victims and secure the scene. Once the injured have been taken by ambulance to the hospital, the police begin the process of examining the accident scene to piece together what happened.

As Orlando, Florida car accident injury attorneys, we are very familiar with the painstaking process of auto crash scene investigation. The police will normally document what they find at the scene and speak to witnesses and the accident victims themselves. All of the information they gather is critically important, if the motor vehicle crash was caused by negligence or recklessness – and insurance claims and/or lawsuits are brought against responsible parties.

Evidence found at an auto crash scene can make the difference in an injury claim or lawsuit. The wrecked car, truck, or SUV has its own story to tell. Accident scene reports are critical to our work as personal injury attorneys representing Florida traffic accident victims. We may also enlist the help of expert witnesses to shed further light on what caused the motor vehicle accident to occur – including in cases where tires blow out or other automotive equipment fails.

Now a new Federal proposal to make "black boxes" standard in all automobiles has traffic safety advocates and accident injury attorneys like us intrigued, while raising concerns among privacy watchdogs. These black boxes are similar in concept to the ones that are standard in commercial jet liners. They record data about what is happening in the jet's operation – and in the unfortunate event of a crash – they give investigators clues as to what may have happened.

Should black boxes become standard in all automobiles, investigators in Florida and around the US would gain valuable details about what may have caused a serious motor vehicle crash.

Florida car owners may be surprised to learn this: Black boxes are already in use in the vast majority of new automobiles, revealing the driver's speed, braking, seat belt usage, and whether air bags deploy in a crash. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that 96 percent of 2013 model vehicles have the black boxes installed. The new proposal would make black boxes mandatory on all vehicles as of 2014.

States have laws governing who can access automobile black box data (in some states, the police can with a warrant). Consumer advocates have raised concerns that insurance companies might access the data and use it against accident victims -- who might not even know their car has a black box recording information.

Black box data -- also known as "event recorder" data -- was central in a 2002 Pembroke Pines, Florida auto accident case. Two girls were killed backing out of a driveway when a driver going over 100 mph in a residential area slammed into them. The black box revealed the driver's speed. The defendant's attorney argued that black boxes are evolving automotive technology and are therefore unreliable. However the Florida Supreme Court upheld the manslaughter conviction -- making automotive black box data evidence admissible in Florida court.

Black box data has already been used in some other high profile motor vehicle accident cases, where the drivers' description of the accident differed from what the black box data revealed. These include the cases of Massachusetts Lt. Gov. Timothy Murray, who crashed his car at 100 mph, and another high-speed crash involving New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine. It will be interesting to see if these black boxes are made mandatory and how the data may affect car accident injury claims and lawsuits in the state of Florida.

Related Florida Accident Injury Attorney article:

Review of Florida Highway Safety Laws : Could Tougher Laws Prevent Accidents and Save More Lives? (June 2012)

Sources:

Feds propose making black boxes standard in new cars, raising privacy hackles
Yahoo! Autos Dec. 7, 2012

Black Boxes in Cars Raise Privacy Issues
My Fox Orlando Dec. 7, 2012

Automotive Black Boxes, Minus the Gray Area
Wired May 23, 2011

Has your Florida car, truck or SUV been in a motor vehicle crash where the airbag deployed? Did an independent auto repair shop replace your air bag? If so, you should be aware of a new consumer safety warning related to "counterfeit airbags."

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced that counterfeit airbags are finding their way into a wide range of vehicle makes and models. While no consumer injuries or deaths have been reported due to the counterfeit airbags to date, there is enough concern for NHTSA to issue a warning.

Since air bags were made standard equipment on family cars and light trucks several years ago, they've made motorists in Florida and across the U.S. feel a little bit safer. Drivers and passengers are reassured knowing that in the unfortunate event of a motor vehicle accident – the air bag deploying could save lives and prevent injuries. However the introduction of counterfeit airbags into the market is a concern for consumer and public safety advocates.

NHTSA reports that counterfeit air bags bear the insignia of major motor vehicle manufacturers – including Acura, Audi, BMW, Chevrolet, GM, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Mercedes, Subaru, Toyota, Volvo, and other major U.S. and foreign auto manufacturers. However these counterfeit airbags were not made by the manufacturers whose brands they bear, and may not perform up to safety standards in the event of a car or truck crash. In addition, NHTSA has concerns that the fraudulent air bags could spray shrapnel (pieces of metal) when deployed.

NHTSA reports that consumers who are most at risk of having defective air bags in their vehicles are those who have…

• Cars, trucks, or SUVs that were in a traffic accident with air bag deployment


• Vehicle air bags that have been replaced within the last 3 years


• Found airbags for sale at discounted prices on eBay and other online retailers


• Had their vehicle airbags replaced not by a dealer who sells new cars, but by another auto repair shop or station


• Motor vehicle titles that say the car, truck, or SUV was salvaged or reconstructed

Vehicle owners in Florida and elsewhere should not be concerned if they bought their vehicle new from a dealer, or if they are certain their vehicle was never in an accident with airbag deployment and replacement.

Miami, Florida product defect lawyers work with injured individuals and grieving families, when a defective piece of automotive equipment caused a serious or fatal auto accident. See link below to NHTSA website for a full list of vehicle makes, models and years affected, and where to get more information on the fake air bags.

Related Florida Accident Injury Attorney articles:

Florida Drivers, Check Your Tires! Summer Tire Safety Defect Recalls Include Goodrich, Uniroyal, Kumho, Other Brands (Sept. 2012)

Florida Child Safety and Car Seats : Study Shows U.S. Parents Don't Always Follow Guidelines to Protect Children in Auto Accidents (Aug. 2012)

Source:

NHTSA: Counterfeit Air Bags Information

Related Web Resource:

Wikipedia: History of Air Bags

Floridians pride themselves on maintaining an attractive appearance, from head to toe. This often involves getting a manicure / pedicure at a South Florida hair and nail salon.

However as Fort Lauderdale, FL beauty salon accident injury lawyers will attest – the chemicals and sharp tools used at hair, nail, and beauty salons can be hazardous to both workers and salon patrons. Burns, cuts, infections, and other injuries can occur as a result of many beauty salon treatments, including eyebrow and bikini waxing; hair dying, permanent curling, and straightening (i.e, Brazilian hair treatment); as well as manicures and pedicures.

Consumers are now being warned about possible safety hazards of gel manicures – a type of manicure known for fast-drying nail polish, which purportedly lasts weeks longer than a traditional manicure. Gel manicure nail polishes have a chemical composition which dries to a hard, glossy shine under a UV light.

However a physician quoted in a Yahoo! beauty report suggests that repeated exposure of the hands to UV lights could cause skin damage such as dark spots. In addition, removal of the hard polish requires soaking in acetone nail polish remover – a potentially harsh chemical many consumers prefer to avoid (as an assortment of store-bought nail polish removers come free of acetone). Some wearers of gel manicures have also complained that if the gel polish chips or peels off, it can take the top layer of the nail with it.

The potential safety issues with gel manicures are not new; in 2010 Consumer Reports did an article quoting women who'd experienced problems and injuries resulting from gel manicures and traditional manicures. CR reported women claiming to have suffered nerve damage from manicures. (See link to report below.)

As with any beauty treatment, consumers are advised to do their homework and consider whether the procedure is really safe. However businesses may be held liable if injury comes to a patron resulting from a procedure. Research any beauty shop online to see if there have been any consumer complaints against the salon.

South Florida consumers who have suffered an injury in a hair salon, beauty salon, or manicure/pedicure shop are advised to consult with an experienced accident attorney who can help determine whether they have a case.

Related Florida Accident Attorney article:

Florida Women, Do You Use Suave Hair Straightener? Plaintiffs in Defective Product Lawsuit Say Product Caused Burns, Hair Damage (Sept. 2012)

Sources:

Are Gel Manicures Dangerous?
Shine from Yahoo Nov. 16, 2012

Manicures: The price may be higher than it seems
Consumer Reports Apr 28, 2010

Warning about gel manicures after injury
ABC News New York June 29, 2010

With increased traffic volume and the likelihood of more people drinking and driving, holidays are riskier times for auto accidents occurring on Florida roadways. If Thanksgiving traffic in South Florida feels particularly harrowing -- it's not your imagination. A total 411 people were killed on US roadways in traffic crashes over the Thanksgiving holiday in 2009. Of those motor vehicle accident fatalities, 34 percent involved drunk driving. (Source: FARS/GES 2009 Data Summary.)

AAA considers Thanksgiving Eve among the heaviest travelled times of the year. With gas prices down slightly, AAA predicts a somewhat higher volume of traffic on our nation's roadways this Thanksgiving. Fort Lauderdale, FL car accident injury attorneys like us know that the festive holiday mood can turn tragic in a heartbeat, when a motor vehicle crash occurs. In fact, Florida Highway Patrol reported that 30 people died on Florida roadways in motor vehicle accidents last Thanksgiving weekend. Alcohol was involved in many of those fatal accidents, and many people were not wearing seatbelts.

The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) and Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) offer a few driving tips to make Thanksgiving travel in South Florida safer this year.

Plan your route ahead of time. FDOT reports that the heavy holiday traffic in South Florida starts around 3 p.m. on Weds. Thanksgiving Eve – when many people who work in the Fort Lauderdale area calls it quits for the long holiday weekend. The DOT has traffic cameras recording miles of traffic backups in Broward County. Plan your route and your alternate route, and give yourself extra time to get to your Thanksgiving destination.

Make sure your vehicle is roadworthy. Check tires, brakes, windshield wipers, and engine fluids. Gas up early! What's worse than being stuck in South Florida Thanksgiving holiday traffic? Being broken down or out of gas on the side of Florida I-95 or some back road in Broward County.

Check on updated traffic reports! Florida drivers can access FDOT updates through 511, by using the iPhone or iPad app, checking the FDOT Twitter feed, going online or dialing 511. (See link to the Florida 511 Traveler's Info System below.)

Drive sober. People who eat a big Thanksgiving meal accompanied by alcoholic drinks may not be alert enough get back in the car and drive.

Buckle up and drive defensively. Be sure to put on your seat belts and watch out for aggressive and drunk drivers. You may report any erratic drivers seen on Broward County or other South Florida roadways to the Florida Highway Patrol. Call *FHP (*347) to report intoxicated or aggressive drivers, or in the event your motor vehicle breaks down and you need assistance. Use 911 to call for for emergency services.

Sources:

FHP, FDOT Give Tips for Thanksgiving Travel
MSNBC.com Nov. 20, 2012

Thanksgiving Safety Tips from the Florida Highway Patrol

Florida's Statewide 511 Traveler's Information System

Busier airports, full planes seen on Thanksgiving
The Miami Herald Nov. 7, 2012

In our years as Fort Lauderdale, Fla. personal injury attorneys, we've heard many tragic stories of how our clients suffered injuries or lost loved ones in motor vehicle accidents. Often the cause is reckless driving such as speeding, drunk driving, or distracted driving. Other times, faulty mechanical equipment, shoddy vehicle repair, or defective tires are to blame. As injury attorneys, we hear the personal stories behind the statistics for serious and fatal Florida motor vehicle accidents.

Though Florida and the U.S. as a whole have made improvements in recent years in lowering auto accident fatality rates, we still have a long ways to go to get to zero deaths. The statistics shed some light on where we've made improvements…and where more work needs to be done:

Florida closed out 2009 with 2,563 motor vehicle accident fatalities – a decrease of 15 percent compared to 2008 and the lowest accident death rate in 18 years. (Source: Florida Traffic Safety Facts Oct. 2010 : Fatalities, Report Compiled by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles)

Still, Florida is considered the overall second worst state in the nation to drive in, considering traffic accident rates, gas prices, and speeding tickets. (Source: The Car Connection, May 23, 2012)

Florida saw accident death rates decrease in all types of motor vehicle traffic accidents, including auto crashes (including alcohol related traffic fatalities), motorcycle crashes, bicycle accidents, and pedestrian accidents. Yet in spite of those gains…

> Florida has the highest pedestrian traffic accident death rate in the country, at 2.51 per 100,000 people. The national average is 1.33 per 100,000 people. (Source: 2009 Motor Vehicle Crash Data from FARS and GES)

> Fatal crashes in Florida involve people across age groups: teens and children under 19 (12 percent of fatalities), 25 to 34 year olds (16 percent of fatalities), 45 to 54 year olds (16 percent), senior citizens aged 65 and older (15 percent of fatalities). However…

> More men (71 percent) than women (29 percent) are killed in Florida motor vehicle accidents.

> What's the deadliest month for traffic accidents in Florida? Surprisingly, it is March, followed by December. Saturday is the deadliest day, followed by Sunday.

> Careless driving accounts for nearly one-fifth of all fatal Florida traffic crashes, followed by drunk driving (19 percent) and failure to yield right of way (10 percent).

> Two-lane highways are the deadliest, claiming 38 percent of Fla. traffic accident lives, followed by four-lane roadways (33 percent), and six-lane highways (20 percent).

> More than 40 percent of fatal car crashes happen in daylight, with about 29 percent occurring after dark with the street illuminated and 26 percent occurring when it is dark with no illumination.

> Alcohol is a factor in 40 percent of fatal Florida traffic crashes.

(Source: Florida Traffic Safety Facts Oct. 2010 : Fatalities, Report Compiled by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, except where noted.)

With Thanksgiving around the corner, it's wise to keep in mind that while statistics show trends – motor vehicle accidents in Florida can happen to anyone at any time. Drive sober and drive defensively.

Related Florida Accident Attorney Articles:

Florida Named Among Most Worst States for Driving (Again) (May 2012)

Fort Lauderdale and Miami Florida Among Worst Cities for Pedestrian Traffic Accident Risks (May 2011)

Proud parents in Florida will tell you – every birth of a healthy, happy baby is a miracle. Pregnant moms and their partners spend 9 months planning for the big day, to ensure things go smoothly in the delivery room. However birthing complications and birth injuries leading to conditions such as Erb's Palsy and Brachial Plexus Palsies can happen. In fact, according to a report on Shoulder Dystocia published in the medical journal American Family Physician, brachial plexus palsies are among the most common fetal complications, occurring in 4 to 15 percent of all infants.

As experienced Fort Lauderdale, Fla. medical malpractice attorneys, we are familiar with the things that can go wrong during the childbirth process. A birthing complication known as a shoulder dystocia – that is, when the baby's shoulder becomes lodged in the mother's birthing canal and/or stuck behind her pubic bone – can lead to birth injuries to both mom and baby if the doctor uses excessive force in attempts to free the shoulder.

OB-GYN doctors and nurses are expected to follow standard operating procedures in the delivery room – including if and when an emergency situation such as a shoulder dystocia arises. In fact, there is a reminder word or "mnemonic" known to doctors spelling out what to do if a shoulder dystocia birthing complication arises. That word is HELPERR. The actual medical procedures involved in this framework are very technical to describe (see journal article below). However this is what HELPERR stands for in a layperson's terms:

H is for Help: When birthing complications arise, the doctor should call for help and request that additional equipment brought into the delivery room.

E is for Evaluate for Episiotomy: Medical staff should evaluate the situation and determine the best methods to dislodge a "stuck shoulder" a/k/a a shoulder dystocia. Episiotomy (a surgical incision to the mother) may be considered during the procedure but this process alone will not free the baby.

L is for Legs: The doctor positions the mother's legs and thighs on her abdomen, in an attempt to dislodge the baby's shoulder. This is known as the McRoberts Maneuver.

P is for Suprapubic Pressure: The doctor places his or her hand on the baby's stuck shoulder and administers an approved motion to try to free the shoulder.

E is for Enter Maneuvers: The doctor uses internal rotations in an attempt to free the lodged shoulder.

R is for Remove: The doctor attempts to dislodge the stuck shoulder and free the infant by removing the posterior (rear) arm of the baby from the mother's birthing canal.

R is for Roll: The doctor may have the mother change position and roll onto all fours, in an attempt to let gravity help dislodge the stuck shoulder and free the infant safely.

As we Fort Lauderdale birth injury lawyers have written about in the past, it's important for women to choose a good baby doctor in Florida – a medical professional they feel they can trust. Mothers are encouraged to discuss any existing medical conditions and previous difficult births with their Florida OB-GYN doctors – so everyone is prepared to make good choices if a difficult birth arises.

Related Florida Accident Attorney articles:

Florida Mothers : How Do You Choose a Good Baby Doctor? (Sept. 2012)

Birth Injuries in Florida Newborns Can Include Nerve Damage Leading to Erb's Palsy (July 2011)

Source:

Shoulder Dystocia
American Academy of Family Physicians
Am Fam Physician. 2004 Apr 1;69(7):1707-1714

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released automotive safety recalls posted in the month of September. While there were no defective tire recalls for that month, there were a number of motor vehicle recalls to report. Fort Lauderdale, Florida car accident injury attorneys keep track of automotive safety recalls such as these. The September list includes the following vehicle makes and models:

Ford Escape 2013 for a problem with a cylinder head "freeze plug," which could become dislodged and cause loss of engine coolant. This leakage of fluid onto the hot engine could create conditions for engine compartment fire.

Ford Edge 2012 for a problem with fuel line housing cracking, which could lead to fuel fumes and leakage. A fuel leak is dangerous in the presence of an ignition source, which could cause a motor vehicle fire.

Honda Ridgeline 2012 for a problem with the passenger airbag status indicator. The problem could lead to passengers being unaware that the airbag is "off" and may not deploy in a motor vehicle accident.

Honda Element 2007 – 2011 for a problem with the accessory trailer hitch wiring harness. The problem has resulted in the turn signal only illuminating when the brake lights are on. This could cause confusion on the roadway and potentially lead to a motor vehicle crash.

Volvo S60 and XC60 year 2013 for a problem with the seat belt pretensioner and / or inflatable curtain, deploying without cause. This could startle and distract the driver, and potentially cause a car accident.

South Florida motorists who own or drive any of these vehicles should contact the vehicle manufacturer or their local Florida dealer for repair. Most auto manufacturers repair recall problems at no cost to the consumer. NHTSA also tracks recalls pertaining to child car seats. For a list of all the September motor vehicle and automotive equipment recalls, please see the link to the NHTSA document below. You may also search for recalls by your vehicle make, model and year at the SaferCar.gov recall search portal, linked below.

Related Florida Accident Attorney Articles:

Florida Drivers, Check Your Tires! Summer Tire Safety Defect Recalls Include Goodrich, Uniroyal, Kumho, Other Brands (Sept. 2012)

Florida Honda Owners Alert : Auto Safety Recalls and Investigations for October (Oct. 2012)

Florida Child Safety and Car Seats : Study Shows U.S. Parents Don't Always Follow Guidelines to Protect Children in Auto Accidents (Aug. 2012)

Sources:

SAFETY DEFECT / NONCOMPLIANCE NOTICES RECEIVED DURING SEPTEMBER 2012 (PDF)
NHTSA Published October 12, 2012

SaferCar.gov Recall Search Page

Here in South Florida, we're no strangers to the devastation that hurricane winds, torrential rains, water surges and flooding cause to our communities. Hurricane Sandy brought quite a bit of misery to the Northeast, with New Jersey and New York City experiencing street and subway flooding. The scenes of cars abandoned in the streets, with water up to their door handles, are all too familiar to those of us in Florida who cope with the hazards of living in Hurricane Alley.

But one scene that arose from Hurricane Sandy news footage was of a different nature.

A construction crane soaring 1,000 feet into the sky appeared to have buckled at the top under the heavy hurricane winds – leaving a boom precariously swinging over Midtown Manhattan. Safety experts speculated whether the crane might collapse into the streets below, and tourists and residents were evacuated.

The crane was being used in the construction of a 74-story luxury high-rise. At the time of this blog article publication, newscasters had called on crane operation experts to speculate on whether the crane boom was properly secured in advance of the storm, and if the boom or the entire crane structure could fall down to the city blocks below.

As experienced Fort Lauderdale, Florida construction accident lawyers, we have knowledge pertaining to liability in cases where cranes collapse and injure or kill workers or bystanders. Cranes, derricks, and scaffolding structures are all integral to the Florida construction industry. When a crane accident occurs causing injury or death, the construction company, crane operator, property owner, and other parties may be held liable.

Cranes are a familiar site in Florida building, highway, and bridge construction. They are also used in the mining and oil industries. There are many types of cranes, including fixed cranes, such as the one in New York City, and mobile cranes that ride atop construction vehicles.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that in 2006, Florida was among states with more crane accidents than the rest of the country. Data shows a total of 72 crane accident deaths for 2006. From 2003 to 2006, the most fatal occupational injuries involving cranes occurred in Texas (42) followed by Florida (27), California (25), and Louisiana (17).

The media will continue to track the New York City collapsed crane story, as dramatic pictures capture the public's attention. City officials and construction experts are trying to figure out how to safely secure the dangling crane boom. However most work related construction accidents in Florida and elsewhere don't receive national news attention. This case draws attention to the importance of proper crane maintenance and operation, including when the crane is at rest and not in use.

Related Florida Accident Injury Attorney article:

Preventing Florida Construction Slip and Fall Accident Deaths : OSHA Campaign Aims to Prevent Worker Injuries and Save Lives (May 2012)

Sources:

Crane dangles from NYC high-rise, clearing streets
AP in The Miami Herald Oct. 29, 2012

Crane-Related Occupational Fatalities Fact Sheet (PDF)
Bureau of Labor Statistics July 2008

Related Web Resource:

Wikipedia: Cranes