James O. Cunningham 
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Camp Lejeune LawsuitsPersonal Injury | Orlando Accident & Injury Blog - Part 10
New Florida PIP Law Could Make it Tougher for Injured People to Receive Compensation
Revisions to a current law scheduled to go into effect on Jan. 1, 2013, have James O. Cunningham and other Orlando personal injury lawyers very concerned about the impact they could have on injured people getting the fair and just compensation they deserve from negligent drivers. Under the current law, all drivers are required to purchase Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance, which helps ensure that anyone injured in an auto accident will have some coverage for medical bills whether they were at fault for causing the accident or not. Under Florida law (Title XXXVII, 627.736), PIP insurance covers up to 80 percent of medical bills up to a maximum of $10,000, 60 percent of the injured party’s lost wages, as well as a $10,000 death benefit in the case of a fatal accident.
Florida Man at Bus Stop Killed When Driver Loses Control of Car
A man was killed recently when a driver lost control of his car and plowed into the bus stop where the victim was waiting. The Florida Highway Patrol reports that the accident occurred around 9:30 p.m. on Dec. 22 just outside the University of Central Florida campus. Troopers say that the driver is a 26-year-old Chuluota man and are still trying to determine how and why he lost control of his vehicle while driving on State Road 434.
Sanford May Allow Golf Carts on City Streets
Sanford may be the latest Florida city to allow golf carts on city streets in the downtown district. Orlando golf cart accident attorney James O. Cunningham is monitoring developments in this decision very closely, as with each new city that allows golf carts, there has been a corresponding rise in golf cart accidents. During a recent meeting, Sanford officials agreed to vote on the proposed golf cart ordinance at the next meeting in January. The ordinance would designate where golf carts can and cannot be driven on city streets and specify restrictions on the vehicles.
Orlando Personal Injury Lawyer Advises Everyone to Practice SAFE Driving This Holiday Season
Orlando personal injury attorney James O. Cunningham would like to remind readers to exercise extra care while driving during the upcoming holiday season and heed the advice given recently by two Orlando firefighter paramedics. Paramedics Joe McCluan and Scott Neusch recently presented a Stay Alive From Education (SAFE) program to Air Force cadets, where they showed graphic photos and grisly videos from auto accidents and had cadets participate in role-playing exercises to illustrate the poor choices that some drivers make that lead to accidents.
Four Workers Injured in Orlando Construction Accident
Four workers were injured while working at a construction site near the University of Central Florida in Orlando. The workers were injured as a concrete floor was being lowered into place by a large crane at the site of an apartment building that is slated to become a dormitory for UCF students. Little information has been released about the circumstances surrounding the accident, but witnesses say that a total of four workers were sent to area hospitals for treatment. Two of the injured are listed in serious condition and the other two are listed in stable condition. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has been contacted and an investigation into the accident is expected in the coming weeks.
Police Officer Injured in Florida Dog Bite Attack
An officer with the Palm Bay Police Department suffered a dog bite that required stitches recently when he assisted an elderly woman who called police after the dog would not leave her garage. Officer Phil Erwin responded to a call at a house on Eatonia Street and found a 120-pound pit bull in the woman’s garage. The dog belonged to the woman’s neighbor, but she found that local Animal Control officials would not come to her home unless it was restrained, leading to the police call. When the officer arrived, the dog was not behaving aggressively, but it refused to leave the premises.
Florida Nursing Home Worker Facing Charges in Financial Elder Abuse Case
A nursing home worker in police custody faces several charges in connection with stealing a credit card from one of her patients at the Indigo Palms assisted living facility in Maitland. The woman is accused of using her position at the facility to steal from elderly patients. Police say that she broke into a patient’s room, stole her credit card and went on a shopping spree to buy clothing, office supplies, two cellphones and a family cellphone plan. Police report that she was still in her work scrubs when she was booked into jail.
Generators Recalled for Fire Risk
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recently announced a recall affecting two models of Champion Power Equipment portable generators sold at Costco stores due to fire hazards. The CPSC issued the recalls due to fuel leaks from some carburetors posing a serious fire risk. Both Champion Power Equipment models affected by the recall feature a back frame with yellow and black control panels, a bar handle and two wheels. Costco estimates that around 8,600 of the faulty generators have been sold exclusively at their stores throughout the U.S. from December 2011 through July 2012 for around $699. The models affected by the recall include number 41332 and number 41532.
Study Finds Drivers Less Likely to Stop at Orlando Crosswalks
While the Best Foot Forward campaign launched last summer has made some progress, a recent study conducted by MetroPlan Orlando indicates that much work remains in order to make Orlando roadways safer for pedestrians. Area law enforcement officials and pedestrian safety advocates launched the campaign in response to the Orlando metropolitan area’s reputation as being the most dangerous place in the country for pedestrians. High-profile signage and police stings at pedestrian crosswalks has had some impact on getting drivers to stop for pedestrians at crosswalks, especially at intersections where the speed limit is 35 mph or less.
Florida Investigation Sheds Light on Abuse of Disabled People
James O. Cunningham and other Orlando personal injury lawyers are closely following developments in a case involving abuse at a Central Florida care facility. State officials filed a complaint against the Lake County school and care center for disabled people after receiving numerous complaints about abuse at the facility. They say that complaints from residents about abuse by staff members are nothing new at the Carlton Palms Education Center, located in a remote orange grove outside Mount Dora. State officials began investigating residents’ complaints after hearing that they were being routinely beaten, choked and dragged across the floor at the center. One resident lost a tooth after being struck by a staffer, another reported being tripped by one of the employees and another resident was reportedly struck over the head with a large plastic trash bin until his head was bleeding profusely.
Mr. Cunningham is an excellent and knowledgeable attorney.