Social media has experienced shocking growth in the last two decades. Experts estimate that 313 Billion US citizens will be actively using social media by the end of 2024. That’s 90% of the population! Since their introduction to society, the use of platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and more recently, Tiktok, have taken the world by…

Have you been injured in an accident and are preparing to file a claim with a local attorney? As Tampa Bay’s trusted personal injury lawyers, Brooks Law Group wants victims to feel empowered and confident as they move forward in the claims process. This confidence comes with knowledge. That’s why we’re taking time to break…

If you’ve lived in Central Florida for any length of time, chances are you’ve driven on Interstate 4. I-4 is a major thoroughfare of the Sunshine State, spanning 132 miles from Daytona Beach to the Interstate 275 interchange in Tampa. The highway runs right through the heart of Orlando, making it a huge part of…

I (Steve Brooks) have enjoyed sharing a glimpse of the Brooks Legacy here on our blog recently, and this week I want to highlight my own father, Beach Alexander Brooks M.D. His decision to move to Winter Haven established a continued legacy here in the Polk County area and set a precedent that my brother,…

Tuesday brought the news of a tragedy to Auburndale High School. Winter Haven first responders received a call early on January 23 that a pedestrian had been hit near 34th St. and Avenue S NW. They pronounced the victim, 15-year old Yeriel Gonzalez, dead at the scene. He was struck while driving his electric scooter…

It’s very scary to think about getting hit by a car when you’re walking down the street. But this is a possibility that we have to prepare for, especially with how common it’s been recently. Just last week, a pedestrian was hit by a driver near the Tampa area when he failed to yield to…

After months of remote working, many of us have finally logged out of Zoom and headed back into the office. Returning to the daily commute can have some drivers remembering how dangerous it is. No matter if you work in a large city like Tampa or smaller towns like Winter Haven or Lakeland, you’re likely…

Nothing says summertime like a clear sky and an open highway. Does this time of year have you thinking about a ride on your motorcycle? There are a few things you need to check before you hit the road. Making sure you have all the proper motorcycle safety gear could mean the difference between a…

Around this time of the summer, families are usually counting down the days until the first day back to school. This year, that’s going to look a lot different. COVID-19 school closures in Polk and Hillsborough counties began in March and there still seems to be no consensus on how or when to reopen them….

Tech companies like Uber and Lyft stay ready for attacks from viruses—but COVID-19 was one they couldn’t protect against. Millions rely on rideshare services in cities as different as Tampa, Winter Haven, and Lakeland. However, there has been a drastic shift in demand during stay-at-home orders and quarantines. This shift has led to a decrease…

Over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, it seems that we have all learned to be a little more careful than usual. We are washing our hands, maintaining our distance from each other, and trying to keep our families healthy. But there may be a threat we haven’t considered: vehicle theft and burglary. There has…

A couple of months ago, the COVID-19 pandemic was the only thing that anyone could think about. Whether you turned on the TV or logged into your social media platform of choice, you were guaranteed to be confronted with the problem. Most of the country shut down in response to the rapidly surging hot spots…

It’s only June and we can already say that 2020 has been a very tough year.  We could talk about the state of the economy, the loss of jobs for millions of Americans or the virus that has taken the lives of more than one hundred thousand people in our country alone. But that’s not…

Florida’s Chief Justice Charles Canady issued an Order on May 21st that will allow civil jury trials to be held remotely. To stop the spread of coronavirus, Florida courts have not held a jury trial since March 16th of this year. As imagined, there is a backlog of cases that are waiting to be heard….

So far, there have not been significant increases in the number of COVID-19 cases. However, we have note seen a notable decrease in case numbers either. Florida is fast approaching Phase Two of our state’s plans to reopen the economy as the governor opens more and more businesses and increases crowd capacity within each. While…

As the coronavirus continues to impact the economy, the unemployment rate has become a major threat. After reaching a 50-year record at 3.5% the numbers rose by 11 percent. There have been more than 20.5 million jobs lost since March and the unemployment rate is the comparable to numbers seen during the Great Depression at…

Talcum Powder Linked to Cancer It has been found that the use of talcum powder routinely, for feminine hygiene practice, has been linked to cancer. Johnson & Johnson specifically has been held liable in many cases since 2016.  There is enough evidence to expose the fact that Johnson & Johnson has hidden information and knowingly…

Do I Need to Go to the Doctor’s Office? If you were injured in a car accident, seek medical attention within the first 14 days– even during a pandemic!  Recent times have been stressful enough – being in a car accident can add to the stress and leave you confused about which steps to take…

The Coronavirus Timeline Florida’s Gov. DeSantis declares a State of Emergency March 9th. The federal government recommends 15 days of social distancing on March 15th Disney and Universal close on Marth 17th Bars are closed, and restaurant to only offer take out and drive thru on March 20th All Florida public and private K-12 school…

On Monday, April 6th, Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice Charles Canady extended the COVID-19 Emergency Orders through May 29th. Local courts will continue the use of social distancing and remote technology. Remote technology utilized includes both video and phone hearings. Many services will remain limited. How does this affect you? What is suspended? Jury proceedings…

As of today, Tuesday, April 7th, the Coronavirus death toll in Florida stands at 283. There are 14,504 confirmed cases. There is still a shortage of tests and a shortage of medical supplies. The number of cases and deaths are expected to continue to rise. Cases range in severity and current area numbers are as…

Florida’s statewide stay-at-home order, in response to the coronavirus pandemic, is in effect. Residents will only be able to leave their homes for essential activities and only go to work if they work at an essential business. Thousands of stores have been closed and small businesses are either suffering or are already closed. This has…

On Wednesday, April 1st, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis issued a 30-day stay-at-home executive order. The mandate will go into effect at 12:01 a.m., on April 3rd and will end on Thursday, April 30th, at midnight. This decision transpired following President Trump’s decision, on March 31st, to extend the National State of Emergency for another 30…

Lately, it’s hard to turn on the television or go online without being bombarded by bad news about the coronavirus. We’re in troubling and uncertain times. Our prayers go out for every individual who has been affected by this pandemic. Even with our current situation, it’s important to focus on some positive things at times….

When your vehicle is in a collision with a semitruck, the consequences are often life-changing or even deadly. While car manufacturers have spent decades making their cars, trucks and SUVs as safe as possible, the force of a truck crash is enough to overcome even the most rock-solid safety features. In the case of pedestrian…