Monthly Archives: April 2011

Slow start for Florida’s foreclosure mediation program

Posted on April 28, 2011 by Blick Law

Florida homeowners seeking relief under the state’s foreclosure mediation program were disappointed, according to new report, that says only a small percentage of mediations were successful. So far, the process doesn’t seem to have helped.

The first statewide report on the Supreme Court’s foreclosure mediation program is out, and at least one South Florida judge says the program is neither helping homeowners nor clearing caseloads.

About 4 percent of 57,909 foreclosure cases referred to mediation between March and November 2010 ended in agreement between the bank and borrower, according to the program evaluation, which included all 20 circuit courts.

The success rate is higher — 27 percent — if only mediations that actually occurred are considered.

The report, released on this week, was compiled by the Office of the State Courts Administrator.

Mediation was required by a 2009 state Supreme Court order as a way to lighten judicial caseloads, as well as aid borrowers — objectives Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Jennifer Bailey said have not been achieved.

“I think it’s fair to say the program has not met the case management goals we hoped to meet in terms of reducing the number of cases to be handled by the court, and, more importantly, it has not significantly helped Floridians stay in their houses,” said Bailey, who served as chairwoman of Florida’s Task Force on Residential Mortgage Foreclosure Cases. “It is incredibly disheartening.”

Florida requires that every foreclosure go through the courts, which had a backlog of 322,724 cases as of February.

Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/04/27/2188546/slow-start-for-floridas-foreclosure.html#ixzz1KpzzHj3a

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Not All Fun & Games: Amusement Park Safety Tips

Posted on April 27, 2011 by Blick Law

Florida is not only a vacation spot for beaches and cruises, but this sunny states’ main attraction lies in amusement parks. When you think back on your days vacationing, images at a park should more than likely recall happy times, full of fun. However, whether you are going to an amusement park for a fun-filled day or you work there, accidents that occur at an amusement park are both very serious or fatal.

Serious amusement park injuries include whiplash, neck and back injuries, heart attacks, broken bones and internal injuries. If  you recently have been injured at an amusement park from visiting the park or are employeed there, you may be eligible to file a claim and receive compensation for your pain and suffering.

The facts

According to the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA), approximately 1,343 ride-related injuries occured within the United States in 2008.

Who is responsible if you are found injured?

Accidents occur at all types of amusement parks. From a carnival-type  to well-known theme parks, accidents are bound to happen.

The amusement park owners have legal responsibility to ensure safety for all those that visit their park. Parks ensure the property and the attractions on them. Attractions are to be regularly maintained and kept in proper safety conditions.

If an injury occurs on the amusement park property or attraction and the injury could have been prevented through reasonable steps, the injured person may be eligible to sue for compensation from sudden loss or injury.

Know your rights

Depending on the circumstances of the accident, harm upon visitors or employees may rest on the responsibility of the amusement park owner. An experienced attorney can help evaluate the statute of limitations in your circumstance and make sure you receive proper legal guidance and compensation for your injury. If you or your loved one has been injured from an amusement park injury, call to get your free legal evaluation at 813-931-0840! There are no fees, unless you get paid! Think quick, call Blick!

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Healthy sleeping positions to reduce further neck and back pain

Posted on April 19, 2011 by Blick Law

According to CNN’s article, which sleep position is healthiest?  It points out that the position you sleep in can be beneficial or can actually harm your body’s overall health.

Not only can this help you in the long run with regard to healthy sleeping habits, but sleeping correctly may help your personal injury claim as well!! Think about it… If you have been recently injured in an auto accident, sleeping the right way may enhance the healing process and help you recover faster.

Your preferred p.m. pose could be giving you back and neck pain, tummy problems, even premature wrinkles. Below are the best and worst positions for your body.

The Best: Back Position

  • Prevents neck and back pain, reduces acid reflux, and minimizes wrinkles.
  • Bad for: snoring

Sleeping on your back makes it easy for your head, neck and spine to maintain a neutral position. It does not force extra curves into your back and is ideal for fighting acid reflux.

**Back-sleeping prevents wrinkles because there is nothing pressing on your face.

The Next Best: Side Position

  • Prevents neck and back pain, reduces acid reflux, snoring less and sleeping during pregnancy.
  • Bad for: Your skin – can cause wrinkles.

Side-sleeping is great for overall health because it reduces snoring and keeps your spine elongated. Helps reduce acid reflux.

**If you are pregnant, sleeping on your left side is ideal for blood flow.

Not Ideal: Fetal Position

  • Helps reduce snoring and okay for sleeping while pregnant
  • Bad for: Can cause neck and back pains and wrinkles.

Resting in a fetal position is not a great idea. May cause future unease to your back and joints. This curved position may restrict diaphragmatic breathing as well.

The Worst: Stomach Position

  • Reduces Snoring
  • May cause neck and back pain and wrinkles.

Stomach-sleeping makes it difficult to maintain a neutral position with your spine and the pose puts pressure on joints and muscles, which can irritate nerves and lead to pain, numbness, and tingling.

Overall the best sleeping position is on your back! If you have recently been injured in an accident, the back position will help to elevate the head and keep alignment neutral for recovery.

For further information regarding best ways to sleep or how to enhance the healing process in your Tampa auto accident claim, call us today at 813-931-0840.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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TONIGHT: Red light camera protest in Tampa

Posted on April 12, 2011 by Blick Law

According to 10 News, In Tampa tonight protestors plan to picket red light cameras at intersections in Tampa, Spring Hill, New Port Richey and six other locations around Florida. So-called liberty groups are planning the statewide protest, which will take place from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday.

The protests are supported by groups like Campaign for Liberty, the Libertarian Party of Florida, the Republican Liberty Caucus, Florida Civil Rights Association, the 1787 Radio Network and several local tea party groups.

Opponents argue red light cameras increase crashes and issuing citations violates the Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

These groups are also urging their members to contact their state legislators and tell them to support Senate Bill 672 and House Bill 149, which would ban the use of red light cameras in Florida.

Last week, the Tampa City Council voted to install red light cameras at at least 10 of the city’s most dangerous intersections.

Exactly what intersections will get the cameras hasn’t been determined, but the company will most likely look at Tampa Police’s list of the 20 most dangerous intersections.

If you’re caught running a red light, it will cost $158. Read more.

Do you think this will reduce auto accidents risks on the road? Let us know!

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Tampa-St. Petersburg area adds 6,300 jobs

Posted on April 7, 2011 by Blick Law

Eighty-one of the nation’s top 100 markets — including Tampa Bay — added jobs from February 2010 to February 2011, according to a report issued Wednesday by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The Tampa-St. Petersburg area added 6,300 jobs. Bradenton-Sarasota added 1,100 jobs, while Lakeland saw an increase of 400.

Read more and see a searchable database of regions here.

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Blick Law’s Custom Car and Bike Show Details + Featured Sponsors

Posted on April 5, 2011 by Blick Law

TAMPA – Blick law firm hosts quarterly bike and car shows in Tampa Bay in hopes to reach out to the surrounding community and promote to those with any legal needs in personal injury and real estate laws and bankruptcy. Each bike and car show is open and free to the public. There will be a DJ, live music, vendors, games, free raffles and so much more!

Registration for car and bike 12 to 3 p.m. ($15). Pre-register and get a FREE TSHIRT. Register with Riding Clean Magazine: Randy @ 813-356-9969 or rc@statusind.com

Classes for show: Import Mild/Wild, Domestic Mild/Wild, Performance, Truck/SUV, 21″ and up!, Choppers, Cruisers, Sports Bikes, Best Paint, Best Interior, Best Audio, video-Best Motor, Best Club Participation!!

Our featured sponsor spotlight:

Provides a wide array of services for all Motorcycles , ATV’s, and dirtbikes.  Our factory certified metric and Harley mechanics can help you with everything from a small tire and oil change to a complete engine rebuilds.  Services that cannot be done in house, we have partnered with the best of the best in the area to bring you the absolute best performance at a low cost.  For more information about services please go to FJMotorsports service link.

Advance Performace Tires and Wheels, an independently owned and operated custom automotive business. With over 15 years in the automotive wheel and tire industry, our staff has the knowledge and technical expertise to provide a level of service and support unmatched in the Tampa bay area. From our humble beginnings as an importer and seller of high performance used tires from Europe, we have grown to offer a full line of custom wheels including our own private label “NZO wheels”. For more information visit: www.advanceperformance.com

Ever wonder how Professional Detailers, Body Shops, and Auto Dealers get their vehicles looking so good? Since 1990, Jax Wax Car Care products have been developed, tested, and refined exclusively for Professional use – in order to: Realize Outstanding Results the First Time; Be Fast and Easy to use now you can purchase the same Professional-Strength products, and enjoy the same results in less time – just like they do. All Jax Wax products are manufactured in-house. We use the best ingredients available in order to control and ensure the highest quality and performance. You can purchase the products from us or online at www.cianfroccadetail.com.

Symmetric Engineering Group is a Full Service IT Company, leaders in Managed IT and Network Services for the Tampa Bay business community. At Symmetric Engineering Group we constantly invest time and effort in finding better ways to offer our clients the highest level of service and support by staying on top of the latest technology and business trends. No matter the size of your company, Symmetric Engineering Group can provide efficient, cost sensitive, and reliable solutions for your company’s exact technical needs.

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