Archive for November, 2009

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Jacksonville safe shopping

Friday, November 27th, 2009

images-12Be safe while doing your Jacksonville holiday shopping with the following tips:

1. Clear out the trunk or storage area in your vehicle before you go shopping, so you can store your purchases there. If the area can be viewed, bring along a blanket to cover up your purchases. Never leave handbags, wallets, or change lying on seats or in cup holders even if doors are locked (and they should be). There is no sense making your vehicle, and your gifts, into tempting targets.
2. When you go shopping, take someone along if possible or at least try to go before dark if you can. Do not park in distant, dimly lit areas. Even if you have to drive around a bit, wait for a parking space closer to the entrance of the mall or store.
3. Clean out your handbag or wallet before you go shopping. Don’t leave important items inside such as your social security card inside. Remove any credit cards or checkbooks you won’t be using. Carry cash on your person if possible.
4. Make sure you collect all your receipts. Stash credit card receipts in your handbag or wallet instead of sticking them in the bag or the box with your purchase. They tend to have at least some identifying information on them, and identity thefts love to find such things. Toss an envelope into your bag before setting out to make it easier to keep track of receipts.
5. Beware of anyone watching you or getting too close to you when you approach an ATM. Make sure you have plenty of space before punching in your PIN, and take your receipt. If anyone crowds you or makes you feel uncomfortable, walk away, and come back later. Anytime someone makes you uncomfortable, move to an area where there are other people. If necessary, request security to escort you to your vehicle.
The Law Office of Henry Gare has represented victims of negligent security in Jacksonville for over 15 years.

Posted in Homeowner Liability | No Comments »

Jacksonville Construction Accidents: Who is at fault?

Sunday, November 22nd, 2009

images-2Jacksonville construction accidents: Who is at Fault?

When determining responsibility in a Florida construction accident, several factors must be considered. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) holds the prime contractor responsible for construction site safety. This makes sense, given that prime contractors are involved with all aspects of worksite management, including coordinating work schedules, work quality, and equipment on-site. Even when a subcontractor is present on a Florida construction site, the prime contract is still ultimately responsible. Both prime and subcontractor share responsibility when a subcontractor is involved.

Prime and subcontractors can prevent construction accidents through a focus on safety. This includes proper training in the use of dangerous equipment, monitoring employees for overexertion, and training in proper lifting techniques to prevent all-too-common back and soft tissue injuries. If you have been hurt in a Jacksonville construction accident call the Law Office of Henry Gare at (904) 387-6101.

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

Family pleads for return of father’s ashes

Tuesday, November 17th, 2009

images1As an attorney who handles cases involving Florida cremation mistakes I thought I would relay the following story in an effort to get the word out.

An urn containing the ashes of a decorated Korean War veteran has been stolen from a van the soldier’s family rented to attend his burial at Arlington National Cemetery.

The family of retired Army Col. Norbert Otto Schmidt went ahead with the burial Friday. Instead of the ashes being put in a grave, Schmidt gets a headstone in a part of the cemetery for former soldiers whose remains are missing.

The 83-year-old Schmidt, of Satellite Beach, Fla., died Aug. 4. His remains were stolen Thursday from a van his family rented to drive from Florida to Washington. Jewelry and electronics were also taken from the van. Let’s hope that the thief has the decency to give back the stolen urn.

Posted in Funeral Home, Cemetery and Cremation Mistakes | 1 Comment »

Jacksonville dog bite answers: Who is liable?

Saturday, November 14th, 2009

images-11Jacksonville dog bite answers: Who Is Liable: Owners and Keepers
The informative website doglaw.hugpug.com has the following helpful information-
Usually, a dog’s owner is legally responsible for damage or injury the dog causes. But someone else may also be liable, if any of the following is true:

Someone besides the owner was taking care of and had control over the dog.
The dog’s owner is less than 18 years old.
The owner’s landlord knew the dog was dangerous but didn’t do anything about it.
The dog was on someone else’s property, and that person was negligent in not removing the dog.
Under the common law (discussed above), someone who harbors or keeps a dog is just as liable as the legal owner of a dog if the dog causes injury. Many state dog-bite laws also make the “owner or keeper” of a dog liable for damage or injury the dog causes.

Keepers and Harborers
A “keeper” is someone with care, custody, and control of a dog.46 A Minnesota court put it this way:

Harboring or keeping a dog means something more than a meal of mercy to a stray dog or the casual presence of a dog on someone’s premises. Harboring means to afford lodging, to shelter or to give refuge to a dog. Keeping a dog … implies more than the mere harboring of the dog for a limited purpose or time. One becomes the keeper of a dog only when he either with or without the owner’s permission undertakes to manage, control or care for it as dog owners in general are accustomed to do.47 If or a loved one has been the victim of a Jacksonville dog bite and you need answers call the Law Office of Henry Gare at (904) 387-6101 seven days a week.

Posted in Dog Bites & Animal Attacks | No Comments »

Jacksonville Pedestrian Accidents

Tuesday, November 10th, 2009

images-1Jacksonville has the 4th highest death rate for pedestrian accidents. Walking in Jacksonville is dangerous everywhere, according to a national study released Monday. It found that Jacksonville is the fourth most dangerous metropolitan area in the country for pedestrians.

The rest of Florida isn’t so safe, either: The three most dangerous areas were Orlando-Kissimmee, Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, and Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach.

Other cities in the top 10 most dangerous include Memphis, Tenn; Louisville, Ky.; Houston; Birmingham, Ala.; and Atlanta.

This study demonstrates the need for more spending on pedestrian safety, said Geoff Anderson, co-chairman of Transportation for America , the Washington, D.C.-based advocacy group that conducted the study.

Its review was based on what it called a “pedestrian danger index,” which uses the average pedestrian fatality rate per 100,000 population and the percentage of people who walk to work.

Only metropolitan areas with a population of more than one million were counted.

Jacksonville had an average of 2.61 deaths per 100,000 population, the fifth-highest death rate in the country behind the other Florida areas and New Orleans . Jacksonville rated worse than New Orleans overall because fewer residents here walk to work. If you have been injured in a Jacksonville accident please call the Law Offices of Henry Gare at (904) 387-6101.

Posted in Automobile Accidents | 2 Comments »

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