Category Archives: Personal Injury

Safety Summer Tips

The summer is a fun care free time for many, but it’s easy to get carried away with the summer lifestyle. We here at Blick Law Firm have some tips and advice to share in regards to summer safety to help you and your family remain safe during the summer. While it is important to have a good time, we encourage all of you to remember safety is a priority.

General Tips
1. Be careful around fireworks. While they are fun, simple fireworks such as sparklers can reach temperatures of up to 1000 degrees Fahrenheit. Always keep an eye out for any children playing with fireworks.
2. Use insect repellents containing DEET when outside in order to prevent insect-related diseases.
3. Make sure that you and your children wear helmets when bicycling, rollerblading or skateboarding in order to properly prevent head injuries.
4. Remember never to leave children or pets in hot cars. In just 60 minutes, your vehicle can reach temperatures 40 degrees higher than the outside temperature.
5. When children are walking to and from the areas in the neighborhood, ensure they utilize the buddy system and have a cell phone in case of an emergency.
6. Avoid sun exposure during peak sun hours (10 AM – 6 PM).
7. Every family should have at least one first aid kit at home which is well stocked and readily accessible in case of emergencies.
8. Remember to ensure that children have proper adult supervision for any beach or pool activities.

The Summer can be full of dangers, and it’s imperative to always practice keeping you and your children safe, whether from insects, sunburn, or strangers. Keep these tips in mind during your summer time escapades, and we hope that you and your family have a great and wonderful time this upcoming summer.

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Personal Injury Services | Tampa Law Firm

Written By: Moneer Kheireddine

road-accidenT Generally, most people in the world have a schedule. They have a set way that they do things; their own, personalized, rule of order. Each and every day they follow the same times, the same roads, and the same tasks. This is the reason why we find so much comfort within order. However, this is also the reason why auto accidents tend to affect us to such a large extent. Something entered our lives that broke our normality.

Try to imagine some of your own, personal accidents as a reference to how these people who are victims of a personal injury feel. Remember how you felt when these unexpected occurrences happened in your own life and the confusion and pain you felt as a result. Now, imagine the same accident, but take into consideration the fact that the accident was not caused by you, but by someone else’s recklessness, which directly caused you pain and suffering. The impact that these accidents have on your life can be life altering and detrimental, and in the confusion you may not know who to turn to or ask for help. This is where we come in.

Blick Law Firm is the firm you can turn to in your time of legal need! To us, every client is treated with the upmost care and respect, and we try to help you every step of the way on your road to recovery and return to normalcy. We offer services ranging anywhere from automobile accidents, to slip and falls, medical malpractice, and everywhere in between. If you are injured in any way, give us a call, because we want to help. Our consultation services are at no cost to you, which provides you with an opportunity to receive free legal advice! Call Blick Law Firm today to speak to a trusted personal injury attorney to guide you and your loved ones back on a road to recovery!

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Were you the victim of life altering medical malpractice? Think Quick, and Call Blick. Was your friend caught in an automobile accident? Think Quick, and refer them to Call Blick. Did the neighbors Rottweiler get out again and manage to inflict a severe bite wound on you? Think Quick, Call Blick. No matter the situation, no matter the cause, we are here to help. If you, or someone you know, have been the victim of any form of personal injury, our doors are always open. Free consultation is available, and we are happy to assist anyone in their time of need.

Here at Blick, our motto is “Helping The Hurting”, a motto contrived and founded upon helping those who have suffered in this world. We believe that everyone deserves to be treated with decency and respect, and uphold the values of helping everyone who walks through our doors. If you know of anyone who needs help through personal injury, or you yourself are a victim and are in need of assistance, we highly encourage you to at least give us a call at 813-931-0840, or schedule a consultation online at www.BlickLawFirm.com.

Remember, Blick is here to help, no matter the circumstance. If you are ever in doubt, Think Quick, and Call Blick.

Have you ever been the victim of personal injury? Have you found help within the Blick Law family? Do you have an opinion on Personal Injury laws within America? Leave a comment in the comment section below!

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Social Media Privacy

By: Moneer Kheireddine

 

Social Media: A New Generation of Evidence?

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As this generation of tech-savvy individuals grows up, we as a society find ourselves in more situations where our advancing usage of the internet and social media contributes to a very thin border of what violates the rights of citizens, and what doesn’t. This debate has been widespread and heavily discussed since modern media came into existence, and will continue to be discussed until definite guidelines are set in regards to what is private within social media and what isn’t. Take, for example, earlier this month the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit stated that the usage of a rap video and images of tattoos from defendant Melvin Colon’s Facebook page did not violate his First Amendment rights by giving this information to the Jury.

 

Melvin Colon as well as Earl Pierce and Joshua Meregildo were convicted in 2013 of murder, conspiracy, racketeering, firearms offenses and narcotics trafficking due to their actions on behalf of the Courtlandt Avenue Crew, a notorious street gang. In recent years, the usage of rap lyrics, photos, and other information shared on gang members and criminals Facebook’s has caused concern among citizens. Americans are growing more and more distressed everyday about what exactly is private in this newly digitized world.

social-media

 

Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and many other social media outlets have been consuming more and more of our lives. We share our opinions, our ideals, our (not always so eloquent) photos, each and every day. People might share things they might not necessarily want to be shown in a courtroom, and yet most tend to share them anyways. The truth is, in this day and age, anything you share can and will be used against you in a court of law. If you want to take steps to minimize the chances of information that you post being used against you, whether in the courtroom, when pursuing employment, or anything in between, we here at Blick Law Firm are here to help. Here are some tips to consider:

 

  1. Make sure your Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram profiles are set to private! Ensure that no one except your friends has access to your accounts.
  2. If you post something and immediately regret it after, don’t be afraid to delete it! You never know what might come back to haunt you.
  3. Take time every couple of months to go through some of your older posts and photos and see if there is anything you should remove, or that might make you look bad. You don’t have to delete them, but you can always set it to only be viewed by you or select friends.
  4. Try googling your name and seeing what comes up! This allows you to see what’s public knowledge and what anyone can find by simply looking up your name.
  5. Always remain respectful and courteous, especially on social media. Nothing you say is anonymous, and people will know that you said it.
  6. If you know a big job interview (or something of that nature) is coming up, professionalize your social media! You wouldn’t want employers getting the wrong idea.

If you ever have any questions concerning what is appropriate to post, if you find yourself in need of legal advice, or know of anyone who is, we highly encourage you to contact us here at Blick Law Firm at 813-931-0840. We pride ourselves on always being here to help the hurting and those in need. Think quick, call Blick!

 

Do you have an opinion on how social media is impacting our lives? Do you believe that it is/is not constitutional to use social media in the courtroom? Do you constantly keep tabs on your social media profiles? Share your opinions and views in the comment section below!

 

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Neglect in Elderly Care Centers

Elderly Care photoWritten By: Louie Talacay

We owe our elderly loved ones everything in life. If it were not for them, who we are and where we are going would be impossible. These are the people that nurtured us, gave us food & shelter and above all, life itself. The mountain of gratitude and reverie can never be achieved to thank someone for the miracle that is life.

There comes a point in life when these elderly loved ones may need assistance to go about their daily lives. Unable to provide the care that is required, because of work and other pending responsibilities, we outsource this care to a facility that can provide for all their needs. Best part of all, they can be social with other patrons, keeping their mental game keen and sharp.

Amongst a mountain of accusations regarding neglect, these facilities no longer have that appeal of caretaking that they should have. Instead, we fear for our loved ones safety, unsure that they are getting the treatment and respect that they deserve. It is that moment of insecurity that makes us question, are our loved ones safe?

Because of these accusations, HIPPA is reconsidering wiretapping laws that allow cameras and audio recording devices to be placed in the nursing homes. These devices will be used to audit the behavior of caretakers and ensure that negligence will be handled properly.

Is this a violation of privacy law? The federal government has a clear view about the use of hidden cameras or recording devices in general. If they are there, they must be disclosed to the public. Of course, this pushes the envelope on an ethical debate that has been waged ever since technology revolutionized life as we know it.

Even though the use of cameras may seem extreme, they serve a purpose that creates a true end to problems. They will expose the workers who obviously need to be replaced and highlight the ones that provide true and general wellbeing for their patrons. Perhaps they will highlight the need for reform that is common with negligence such as the current trend towards VA reform.

The elderly should not have to be afraid of their caretakers. They deserve respect and compassion. We all go from cradle to grave and it is our own social security that should see to it that everyone is getting the treatment they deserve. If your elderly loved one has been hurt as a result of negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. The Blick Law Firm specializes in personal injury cases. We understand that although elderly care facilities may have the best intentions at heart, they must do more to ensure that they are screening their employees well. They must be held accountable for the workers they hire and must set a standard that is respectable and fair for the compensation that is provided. If your loved one was hurt as a result of negligence, don’t sit on your case; Call us today at 813.931.0840 or visit our website to schedule a consultation at….call

www.BlickLawFirm.com

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Red Light Cameras| Legal News

simple_img_6Written By: Marissa Marshall

Traffic citations are not fun for anyone. No one likes to go to their mailbox maybe weeks later to find they have a ticket for running the red light. Red light camera tickets are a little different than being pulled by an officer because the officer can use discretion while a camera cannot. It’s common to hear people issued red light camera tickets complain about the fairness, because of these complaints many states have had to look into the legality of these cameras.

American Traffic Solutions is the company that provides the red light cameras. The company helps municipalities to issue about 4 million citations annually. ATS has about 2,500 red light cameras through 275 communities in more than 20 states. The income generated from these cameras has made substantial revenue contributions for my municipalities.

According to Florida law the police have certain powers that cannot be delegated to private vendors; this is where things get a little sticky. Arizona based ATS has been able to use discretion and dismiss certain cases, but here in Florida that is not legal.

In South Florida 24,000 red-light tickets worth an estimated $6 million were dismissed earlier this week because of concerns that ATS is too involved in the outcome of cases. The number of red light cameras across the country has seen a steady decrease from their peak in 2012 according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

On October 15, 2014 the case of City of Hollywood v. Eric Arem ruled that the City did not have the authorization to delegate its police power to any red light camera vendor. The police had allowed a vendor to screen data and determine if a traffic violation had occurred before issuing a citation. This violates Florida statues, and the citation issued was made void. In October 2014 Palm Beach County stopped the use of red light cameras to issue citations.

In a June 12, 2014, decision, the Florida Supreme Court issued an opinion to address the contradictory decisions of Masone v. City of Aventura and City of Orlando v. Michael Udowychenko. The third district court of appeal upheld the red light camera citation issued in Aventura, while the fifth district court issued the citation in Orlando unlawful and void. The supreme court of Florida agreed with the fifth district, holding the issuing of these citations void.

What do you think about Red Light Cameras? Are they ethical? Should they be legal? Go to https://www.blicklawfirm.com and give us your thoughts and opinion regarding Red Light Cameras. call

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Car Accident Liability

simple_img_6Written by: Marissa Marshall

Have you been involved in an auto accident that caused serious harm to you and your family? During this difficult time there is some important information that you need to know about your rights, what you are entitled to, and the appropriate steps to take moving forward. For most personal injury claims in the state of Florida the case is about proving the other person’s negligence resulted in your injury. For auto accidents the rules are a little different we live in a no fault auto insurance state, which means, the usual personal injury process does not apply to auto accidents.

If you are in an auto accident the first thing you need to do is seek medical attention! Many people involved in auto accidents may feel fine immediately after, but then suffer from pain days later; it is imperative to seek medical attention immediately to strengthen any personal injury claim you may have to pursue.

The state of Florida has no-fault auto insurance. This means that instead of pursuing another person or their insurance to pay for any damages, your own insurance covers the cost. Florida drivers are required to have a minimum $10,000 in personal injury protection benefits and $10,000 in property damage liability benefits.

According to the Florida office of insurance regulation the goal of this is to provide drivers up to $10,000 in immediate medical coverage as opposed to waiting though the process of establishing fault in court. When you are injured and in need of medical attention the lapse in time of the accident and the process of your case going through the court system could prove to be detrimental to your health.

You cannot file a lawsuit for an auto accident in Florida unless it qualifies under the serious injury threshold. According to the 2014 Florida statutes, this means significant or permanent loss of bodily function, injury that will continue to need medical attention, significant and permanent scarring, death, and costs in excess of the policy limit.

The statute of limitations in Florida for personal injury cases resulting from traffic incidents is 4 years, this 4 year limitation is calculated from the day of the accident.
The best option is to contact a personal injury attorney and speak personally with them if you believe you have suffered serious injury and are eligible to file a personal injury lawsuit. If it can be proved that the other person is at fault for injuring you, you may be able to receive compensation for lost wages from work, property damage, emotional distress that includes anxiety and depression, and the cost of hiring someone to do house hold chores that you were not capable of doing as a result of the auto accident.

If you feel you have a personal injury claim and would like to speak to an attorney please visit our website. The Blick Law Firm is a well-established firm that services the Greater Tampa Bay area. We provide counsel and coaching our clients for their case. We provide unique individualized services for each client because we understand that each case is different. Please call us for a free 15mins consultation at 888-973-2776!call

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