Brooks Law Legal Blog
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
A recent Florida Supreme Court ruling confirmed what we already knew. Florida’s exclusive remedy provision, which states that workers’ compensation is the sole remedy for injuries (even fatal ones) sustained in the workplace, is here to stay. The case in question was Morales v. Zenith Ins. Co. It involved the 1997 death of Lawns Nursery & Irrigation…
Tomorrow is the last day for victims of the GM ignition switch recall to file claims and seek monetary compensation. Originally, that deadline was December 31st, 2014. However, GM has decided to extend the filing period by one month to ensure that all 2.6 million recall-eligible current GM owners (and 1 million former owners) have…
The Tampa Bay and Central Florida regions are home to dangerous highways filled with a bustling transportation industry. The growing number of semi-trucks on our fast paced roads is good reason for knowledge about critical risk factors. Tractor trailers are an average of 53 feet in length, with 3 major blind spots, and carry loads…
Florida consistently ranks among the worst states for uninsured motorists. Recent statistics from the Insurance Information Institute found that 20.4 percent of Florida drivers have no auto insurance. That’s the sixth-highest percentage in the country. The nationwide picture isn’t pretty either. Current data from the Insurance Research Council (IRC) show that one in eight drivers…
The first day and step in any trial, civil or criminal, is to select a jury. The qualifications for jurors in the State of Florida are relatively simple. To qualify as a juror, the person must be a U.S. citizen who is a legal resident of Florida as well as the county where the trial…
The companies that own and manage Consulate Health Care nursing centers in Lakeland and Winter Haven are finding themselves in hot water. Three wrongful death lawsuits have recently been filed in Circuit Court in Polk County against the companies by a Tampa law firm seeking damages in excess of $15,000. Those lawsuits accuse them of…
Now that Christmas is over, children all over the world that were fortunate enough to receive gifts are enjoying playing with their new loot. While the week after Christmas is a fun one for sure, parents should vigilantly monitor children while playing to prevent any injuries from toys. CBS News ranked the Top 10 Most…
The countdown has begun! The final day of 2014 is here. Are you planning on partying tonight? How about going out on a boat to stay away from crowds? By now we all know that driving on certain days of the year are more risky than others, New Year’s Eve night is no exception. If…
The costs of filing or defending a lawsuit can seem daunting. In fact, our laws are set up so that unless there is some specific basis in statute or contract, litigants must generally pay their own attorney’s fees and costs. These costs can make a major impact on how a case is litigated and, in…
Being in a car accident can be a very traumatic experience. It is difficult to remember to keep a cool head when you may be in pain, disoriented, or concerned about your passengers. Assuming you are conscious, consider taking these following steps if you find yourself in the unfortunate position of being in a car…
In an earlier blog post, we wrote about the Takata air bag recall, what led to the recall, and what vehicles were affected. In a quick recap: A crash can cause the inflator mechanisms on the airbags to rupture, spraying bits of metal and shrapnel into the faces and chests of drivers and front-seat passengers….
A recent discussion has formed with results coming from a study published by an international team of doctors collectively working for health science under Harvard. In 1986 Harvard researchers (USA, China) began a lengthy study with a large group of men for health and skin care purposes. When Viagra hit the market in 2000 a…
