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Archive for May, 2010

Help reduce Jacksonville car accidents

May 26

Posted by admin in Auto Accidents | No Comments

As the Memorial Day weekend and the end of the school year quickly approach us, the roads will be filled with younger less experienced drivers. Instead of sitting in a classroom, young kids will be headed to the beach, the local malls and just going to hang out with friends and family. Some out driving on their own for the first time.

We can all keep an eye out for these less experienced drivers and help ensure that they don’t cause an accident or become the victim of a Jacksonville car accident. No one wants their summer or for that matter anytime ruined by the far reaching effects of an auto accident or the injuries resulting from that accident.

This time of year is also a good time to remind people of the hazards of drinking and driving, using your cell phone or texting while driving, and driving while over-tired on those long vacation road trips. At least it looks like gas prices will cooperate this year so we can all afford that family vacation.

Take a moment to remind friends and family about the importance of safe driving and giving your full attention to the roadway and those vehicles around you. Take a deep breath and relax – you’ll enjoy the summer more and have a much better chance of arriving all in one piece to where ever it is you decide to go.

Have a great Memorial Day weekend and enjoy the upcoming summer months (safely) from all the lawyers and staff at Harrell & Harrell, PA - your Jacksonville personal injury team

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Child’s Death Prompts Product Recall

May 18

Posted by admin in Product Recalls | No Comments

The deaths of two children have prompted Family Dollar Stores, Inc in conjunction with the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to announce the recall of close to two million toy dart guns.

Family Dollar received reports of two asphyxiation deaths of a nine year old and ten year old boy. The soft pliable darts can be inhaled into the throat and prevent a person from breathing. Please click on the recall link for more information including pictures of the recalled product which was sold exclusively by Family Dollar from 2005 until 2009.

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Yamaha ATV recall

May 14

Posted by admin in Product Recalls | No Comments

Yamaha Motor Corporation, in conjunction with the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), has voluntarily issued a safety recall for approximately twenty thousand Yamaha ATV’s – the non power steering versions of the Grizzly 550 and Grizzly 700.

Apparently the steering column support assembly can crack and fail potentially causing serious personal injury to riders. There have been 19 incidents so far.

ATV owners should immediately stop using the vehicle and contact their local Yamaha dealer for a free repair.

www.harrellandharrell.com

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Fire and burn hazard recall

May 12

Posted by admin in Product Recalls | No Comments

The US Consumer Product Safety Commission in conjunction with Imagine Nation Books Ltd. have recalled the “Fly Dragonfly” or “Queen Bee” remote-controlled helicopters because it is a potential fire and burn hazard to the user.

Most toys should not generate enough heat from their batteries to create flames but this toy has done just that on numerous occasions. Consumers should immediately stop using the product and contact the company for a full refund.

www.harrellandharrell.com

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SOCIAL SECURITY – SPECIAL HANDLING FOR “CRITICAL CASES”

May 7

Posted by admin in Social Security Denial | No Comments

The Office of Disability Adjudication and Review (ODAR) designates certain cases for “special expedited processing.”  These are deemed “critical cases.”  Currently, ODAR recognizes five situations warranting the use of expedited claims handling:
 
(1)  Where the claimant’s illness is terminal.  These are known as TERI cases.
 
(2)  Where the disability claim involves a military service personnel injured October 1, 2001 or later, regardless of how or where the disability occurred, whether in the United States or on foreign soil, provided the claimant was on active duty when the injury occurred.  This is known as an MSCC (Military Service Casualty Case).
 
(3)  Where the claim is flagged as a Compassionate Allowance case.  The Social Security Administration maintains a list of impairments that qualify as a “compassionate allowance.”
 
(4)  Where the claimant is without and is unable to obtain food, medicine, or shelter.  These are known as DIRE NEED cases.  A dire need exists when a person has insufficient income or resources to meet an immediate threat to health or safety, such as the lack of food, clothing, shelter or medical care.  The circumstances defining the ”dire need” situation must be specifically alleged.
 
(5)  Where there is an indication that the claimant is suicidal or homicidal.
 
If you have been denied Social Security Disability and/or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, please contact us to discuss your claim. 
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Swimming Pool Safety

May 5

Posted by admin in Personal Injury, Wrongful Death | No Comments

I thought about this topic as I was cleaning the out the filters and skimmer in my pool early this morning.

How much thought do you put into swimming pool safety this time of year?

With a house full of little swimmers, it is constantly on my mind. With temperatures starting to climb into the 90′s here in Jacksonville, FL the pool temperature is steadily going up. My kids think it is because daddy has the heater running (little do they know) but that is for another article.

It only takes a moment for a child or adult to drown in even the slightest bit of water. We should all make sure our pool safety fences are in good condition and that the self-locking mechanism device on the gate  is operating properly. For those of you that have doors and windows equipped with alarms – check to see if they work just like you would for your smoke detector. You don’t want to find out after a swimming pool accident that it could have been easily avoided. Next, it’s time to consider swimming lessons for the little ones that have not developed gills yet. There are plenty of options out there from private to group lessons.

As far as the pool itself goes, you should have a qualified expert like your local pool company come out and  make sure your safety devices such as the pressure relief valve on the drains are working. Who knows what kind of creature could have called your pool equipment home over the winter months.

There are many other things to consider but one of the most important is to not swim alone or let a non-swimmer have access to your pool without qualified supervision. We have all heard horrific stories of how fast a drowning can occur – Don’t let it happen on your watch or in your pool!

www.harrellandharrell.com

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Someone may be watching

May 4

Posted by admin in Auto Accidents | No Comments

As a personal injury attorney in Jacksonville, Florida, one of the most common ways an accident occurs is when a driver runs a red light.  Last week, the Florida Legislature took action in an attempt to deter drivers from running a red light.  A bill was passed by both the House and Senate and will become law when Governor Charlie Crist signs the bill.  The new law will permit cameras to be installed at intersections to catch motorists running red lights.   When driving on the roads of Jacksonville, I would suggest drivers err on the side of caution when faced with a decision to come to a stop or speed up to run a light.   The consequences of running the light all to often lead to an accident and now within the next few days will also lead to a ticket of up to $160.00 

Drive safe, David Black, Esquire

Here’s a link to the newspaper story

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Injured due to crime

May 3

Posted by admin in Personal Injury, Premises Liability | No Comments

The good news is crimes were down locally and statewide for 2009. 

The bad news is Jacksonville still had the highest crime rate in the state per 100,000 population and the highest per-capita murder rate of all metropolitan areas in the state. The murder rate has been the highest for 11 years running.  For more information on the crime in Jacksonville, go to the Times Union news story.

The residents of Jacksonville need to be aware of the high crime rate in Jacksonville and take steps to keep themselves and their families safe.  Harrell and Harrell is doing their best to make sure owners and managers of malls, hotels, businesses and apartment complexes are keeping their premises safe for Jacksonville families.  However, if you’ve been the victim of a crime outside your home, please call Harrell and Harrell or visit us on the web.

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