Author: Stephen K. Brooks

Tragic Truck Accident Reminds Us of the Dangers of Texting While Driving

Most Floridians are aware that a texting and driving ban has been in effect since 2013. Texting while driving is a secondary traffic offense, meaning that a police officer may not stop a car solely for texting; the driver must commit a primary driving offense – like speeding – and, if he or she was…

Why Are Intake Specialists So Important?

When you’re in an accident, you’ll likely face confusion and want support. We all know how frustrating it is to call a business and get no answer. And navigating through an automated service? No one likes that. What we like is honesty, personal interaction, and results. Brooks Law Group has the solution to this dilemma:…

Five Students Killed in Commercial Truck Accident

Last month, a tragic multi-vehicle accident took the lives of 5 promising young nursing students and injured two more. The young women were en route to St. Joseph’s/Candler Hospital in Savannah to begin their last day of their first clinical set of rotations, or hands-on instruction. The girls – Caitlyn Baggett, Morgan Bass, Emily Clark,…

Florida: The Deadliest State for Pedestrians

Florida is notorious for pedestrian accidents. It’s been named the worst state for pedestrian deaths in the nation in multiple studies. In a single recent year, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) recorded 9,736 pedestrian crashes. Of those collisions: 734 people died. 1,534 suffered incapacitating injuries, such as broken bones or…

Class Action Lawsuits Continue to Succeed Against Big Tobacco

Big Tobacco continues to endure punches as lawsuits against it for various injury-related claims wind their way through the court system labyrinth. This week, a jury in Broward County awarded a whopping $46.5 million to a smoker from Ft. Lauderdale that suffers from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The breakdown of the damages was $21.5 million…

Think Twice Before You Do a Rideshare

The ride share business is taking over the world. Technology has the upper hand by using smart phone apps to connect people for rides, dates, and food these days. The unique position of ride sharing has had an ephemeral run of worry free days. More states are cracking down on application companies such as Uber…

Nissan Announces Urgent Recall in the U.S. and the U.S. Territories

Nissan made an official recall announcement to expand its original recall of vehicles containing a Takata airbag. The Takata brand has been the cause of over 25 million vehicles from a dozen manufacturers world wide. The Takata brand airbag inflation devices deploy with too much force which causes shrapnel to explode from within the car…

The Definition of Wrongful Death Is Wider Than You Think

At the onset of his criminal trial for murder of Odin Lloyd, pro New England Patriots football player Aaron Hernandez seemed as if he didn’t have a care in the world. He projected confidence and kept his cool. Upon hearing that he was guilty of murder this week, however, his nonchalant smile evolved into a…

Zofran Under Fire for Birth Defects

Zofran is a pharmaceutical drug that was initially used during cancer treatments preventing nausea and vomiting during chemotherapy. Zofran has the generic name Ondansetron and has been marketed to treat morning sickness in pregnant women as well. In 2012 the manufacturer GlaxoSmithKline paid a 3 billion dollar fee for failure to report safety data and…

Complications from NuvaRing Have Tragic Results

“Oh! It’s easy to use,” stated a TV commercial for NuvaRing, one of the most popular birth control goods on the market. It may be easy to use, but for some women, that convenience came with a tragically hefty price. NuvaRing is a flexible ring inserted vaginally that continuously releases a combination of hormones: estrogen…

Update on the Church Bus that Killed 8 Passengers

Last Sunday night a cargo van carrying members of the Independent Haitian Assembly of God church were travelling back from a convention in Fort Myers on Highway 27 near Lake Okechobee. The road has a stop sign and low lighting which seems to have caused the driver to cross 4 lanes of traffic and miss…

Dog Bite Case in Fort Lauderdale, Florida Raises Liability Questions

A South Florida mother and her young son are still recovering after they were the victims of a brutal dog attack this past weekend. The Sun Sentinel reports that 35-year-old Gracieuse Jean-Baptiste and her son Shamar, age 9, were attacked last Saturday by a 2-year-old Cane Corso-pitbull mix named Kane. The incident occurred outside the…

Diagnosed with Mesothelioma

The word asbestos sounds scary enough but when you dig into the facts that make up this natural mineral you begin to understand the legitimate reasons to be afraid. In the early 1970’s the U.S. produced over 800,000 metric tons of asbestos for use as insulation in the attics of new homes. The majority of the mineral…

Recent Fatal Accidents in Tampa Bay, Florida

Tampa Police need your help finding the driver of a rented 2015 Camaro that was involved in a hit and run on March 21st overnight. The driver fled on foot in the Woodlawn Heights neighborhood, it is unknown if the driver is the person who rented the Camaro in Orlando. The victim, Herbert M. James, was…

What’s the Difference Between Case Managers and Paralegals?

When you first start a personal injury case, you may be confused about many things. Brooks Law Group is here to make the process easy and stress-free for you. One of the ways we do this is through our amazing case managers and paralegals. But what’s the difference between case managers and paralegals? Let’s break…

Potential Premises Liability at Lake Bonny Skate Park

This week, The Ledger reported an incident involving a case of possible premises liability at the Lake Bonny skate park in Lakeland. Last month, as 13-year-old Christopher Walker was attempting a skateboarding maneuver in the park at 10 p.m., the facility’s outdoor lights suddenly switched off, plunging the area into darkness. As a result, the…

Qualifications a Personal Injury Attorney Needs

Are you currently represented but dissatisfied with the progress of your case or the treatment you receive? Have you been injured and are looking for the best attorney to represent you? There are a few things you will want to look for as you scour web sites and make your list. First, look to see…

A List of Resources for Florida Residents

We have all needed a little help from our community whether it is a shoulder to cry on or a place to stay. There are some helpful resources locally that can really take the edge off for those who need it. If you are a victim of domestic violence there are several shelters throughout the…

Two Fatal Accidents on I-4

In the early hour of Wednesday morning tragedy struck a 21 year old man on I-4 as he was killed upon impact. Thirty year old Nick Nicholas was driving an unknown SUV westbound at about 5 am when he slammed on his brakes causing the victim who drove a Honda Accord to crash into the…

As Spring Arrives in Florida, So Do Increased Motorcycle Accidents

Now that Spring is finally here, Floridians are enthusiastically packing hooded sweatshirts and long-sleeved T-shirts into the farthest reaches of their closets. The warmer temperatures and sunny skies that we love so well are here to stay, and there’s no better time to enjoy the outdoors! Motorcyclists, in particular, are jumping at the chance to…

2015 Update on Takata Airbag Recall Lawsuits

A lot has happened in the Takata Airbag Recall since our last update. In early February, lawsuits from around the country were consolidated and brought before a federal judge in Miami. Thus far, 1 in 4 airbag-related injuries and deaths have occurred in Florida, making our state the most affected in the Takata case. The…

How to Choose the Best Injury Attorney

There are a few critical steps to finding the BEST Personal Injury attorney to represent you. First, research is important. You must find out as much information about the attorney as well as the law group. What kind of trial and court experience do they have? Have they won awards? Does your lawyer have a…

Tragic Lakeland Accident Reminds Us to Take Precautions in Heavy Fog

Last Monday, a 23-year-old mother lost her life in a three-car accident involving a semi-truck in Lakeland. The deceased driver, Kaylie Cadwell of Lakeland, was heading southbound on Combee Road North. She collided with another vehicle, a Chevy Malibu, at the intersection of Combee Road and Old Combee Road when the Malibu unknowingly turned into…

Why You Should Request an In-Person Social Security Disability Appeal Hearing

Has your Social Security Disability claim reached the appeal phase? If so, you’ve probably found yourself having to decide whether you’d like to conduct your appeal via video teleconference (VTC) or in person. As of September 2014, claimants must make this decision within 30 days of receiving notice that their appeal has been scheduled. (Previously,…

Unbelievable Semi-Truck Accidents in Florida

These stories will have you buckled up and driving safely in no time. From the fall of 2014 to the first few weeks of the New Year we have encountered chilling stories about accidents involving semi-trucks. Some made it out with luck on their side, but others paid the price with their life. Starting with…