Cremation negligence answers: As a funeral malpractice attorney who represents the families of loved ones who have been wrongfully cremated I am frequently asked what to do if you suspect a mistake has been made. The first thing to do is to call you local health department. If your local health department is closed you should call the police. Any documentation you are given should be copied or photographed. This would include contracts and all identification materials. Make sure to write down the names of any witnesses and any funeral home or crematory employees that you deal with. If you are asked to give back any remains do not do so until you have spoken to an experienced cremation negligence attorney.
January 16th, 2010
Cremation Negligence Answers
January 11th, 2010
Jacksonville dog bites and Jacksonville dog attacks: Do I need a rabies shot?
If you are a victim of a Jacksonville dog bite or Jacksonville dog attack the first thing you may ask yourself is do I need a rabies shot. The answer is probably not. Rabies is uncommon in dogs and cats in the United States. If a dog or cat that bit you appeared to be healthy at the time of the bite, it’s unlikely that the animal had rabies. However, it’s a good idea to take some precautions if you’re bitten by a dog or cat.
If you know the owner of the dog or cat that bit you, ask for the pet’s vaccination record (record of shots). An animal that appears healthy and has been vaccinated should still be quarantined (kept away from people and other animals) for 10 days to make sure it doesn’t start showing signs of rabies. If the animal gets sick during the 10-day period, a veterinarian will test it for rabies. If the animal does have rabies, you will need to get a series of rabies shots (see below).
If the animal is a stray or you can’t find the owner of the dog or cat that bit you, call the animal control agency or health department in your area. They will try to find the animal so it can be tested for rabies.
If the animal control agency or health department can’t find the animal that bit you, if the animal shows signs of rabies after the bite or if a test shows that the animal has rabies, your doctor will probably want you to get a series of rabies shots (also called post-exposure prophylaxis). You need to get the first shot as soon as possible after the bite occurs. After you receive the first shot, your doctor will give you 5 more shots over a 28-day period. If you or your child has been the victim of a Jacksonville dog bite or Jacksonville animal attack please call the Law Offices of Henry E. Gare at (904) 387-6101.
January 10th, 2010
Jacksonville traffic deaths down
Here is some good news to start the new year. The number of people killed in Jacksonville car crashes is dropping.
Fatalities dropped 14 percent in a year, from 2,986 in 2008 to 2,570 in 2009, according to preliminary figures released last week by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
The rates also declined in Duval, Nassau and St. Johns counties. One more motorist died in Clay County in 2009, but its 16 fatalities was still 11 less than the 27 fatalities in 2007.
Safety advocates and law enforcement officials listed a wide variety of reasons for the decline, including better safety equipment, more driver education, new seat belt laws and increased police patrols in areas where accidents can occur.
“The most important factor that impacts our fatality rate is driver behavior,” said Lt. Bill Leeper of the Florida Highway Patrol. “But we also know that other factors such as roadway conditions, vehicle conditions, weather conditions and even economic conditions can impact these totals.”
Targeted education and enforcement campaigns that focus on wearing a seat belt, not driving drunk and avoiding distractions behind the wheel have all helped lower the fatality rate. If you have been in a Jacksonville car accident be sure to call an experience Jacksonville car accident lawyer.
January 2nd, 2010
Jacksonville car accidents: Texting found to be more dangerous than talking on a cell phone
Not surprisingly, a recent study, done at the University of Utah, determined that texting while driving, not only increases the risk of having a car accident, but is significantly more dangerous than talking on a cell phone while driving.
A new study shows that texting while driving is more dangerous than talking on a cell phone. The study determined that texting drivers were less likely to apply their brakes in a timely manner to avoid a car accident, that they followed other vehicles too closely and demonstrated significantly delayed reaction times. Further, the researchers determined that texting drivers were 6 times more likely to be in a car accident, as compared to drivers who were concentrating on driving.
The study found that texting to be more dangerous than simply talking on a cell phone, determining that drivers can better split their attention between a call and driving, rather than texting, which causes the driver to concentrate more upon typing or reading a message. This research, from the journal Human Factors, ultimately determined that drivers increased their risk of being in a car accident by thirty percent when texting. If you have been injured in a Jacksonville car accident please call the Law Offices of Henry E. Gare at (904) 387-6101.
December 19th, 2009
A tragic Jacksonville car accident
A tragic Jacksonville car accident happened today. Our thoughts go out to the local family that lost their daughter today. A 5-year-old Jacksonville girl died after being struck by an SUV while crossing a busy Mandarin street with her mother and younger brother late this morning, police said.
The unidentified girl was dragged under the vehicle on southbound San Jose Boulevard at Kori Road shortly before noon. The light turned green before she, her mother and 4-year-old brother, in a stroller, could get across, said detective John Hurst of the Sheriff’s Office.
The mother was hospitalized, but her injuries were not thought to be life-threatening. She told police they were heading home from the nearby Kmart, Hurst said.
The van was being driven by an unidentified man who did not see the girl, Hurst said. No charges have been filed. I drive on San Jose Boulevard everyday and can confirm that this intersection is one of the most dangerous in Jacksonville. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family who suffered this tragedy.