Florida Personal Injury Lawyer Blog

The victim in this Florida negligence case was 38 years old and had been supporting two children on his own for years. As an employee of a local gas company, he was in the process of delivering liquid petroleum gas to one of his customers, when the distribution hose on his truck ruptured, causing liquid propane gas to spew into the alley way behind the building where it ignited, causing a massive explosion. The victim was turned into a fireball, and he was caused to suffer severe burns all over his body and injured his spine in the process of attempting to put the fire out that was burning his flesh.

As a result of this accident, this victim sustained second degree burns over thirty-six percent (36%) of his body. The areas that were affected were his face, ears, chest, back, abdomen, and both legs. He also had edema and swelling of the brain.

After the incident, the victim was airlifted to St. Mary’s Hospital and the immediately transferred to Jackson Memorial Hospital where he was admitted to the burn unit. He was in critical condition for several weeks and his prognosis was very grim. He was in and out of consciousness for several weeks. He remained in the burn intensive care unit for more than three weeks. He experienced renal problems.

Upon his release he was immediately sent to a rehabilitation center in Delray Beach, Florida. He remained there for approximately two weeks and then continued on an outpatient basis for approximately three months.

After seeing numerous physicians, including psychological and psychiatric counseling, it was ultimately determined that this victim was permanently 100% disabled from the injuries he sustained as a result of this accident. He was placed on disability where he will remain for the rest of his life. His medical bills and lost wage claim totaled greater than $400,000.00.

Continue reading " Rupture of Hose on Gas Truck in West Palm Beach, Florida Results in Severe Burns " »

The victim in this Florida automobile/pedestrian collision was a 36 year old married man in excellent health and the father of two small children. His wife was 29 years old and their marriage and family life was loving, warm and happy.

On the date of this tragic incident, the victim was employed by a railroad carrier engaged in interstate commerce. He was directed by his employer to visit the premises located in downtown West Palm Beach where an automobile repair shop was located to arrange to have repairs made to his employer’s vehicle. When the victim arrived at the repair shop,
there was a large dumpster owned by the City of West Palm Beach and leased to the owner of the repair shop sitting right next to the edge of the driveway and just inches from the street. There was also a tractor trailer that was backed into the driveway of the premises so that its front bumper was virtually even with the edge of the street. So not only was the dumpster unlawfully placed because it was located on the public right of way, but the truck was illegally parked as well. The victim parked his employer’s pickup truck between the tractor cab and the dumpster, although further into the driveway, and proceeded into the automobile repair facility. While inside, the victim’s co-employee arrived at the scene in another truck owned by the employer and parked on the other side of the street, across from the dumpster.

When the victim left the automotive repair facility, he walked to curbside to speak with his co-employee. He came to a stop at curbside just south of the dumpster. While standing there, the victim’s head was struck by a southbound van owned by the City of West Palm Beach and driven by one of its employees.

The victim’s testimony is unrebutted that he never stepped off the curb and had no intention of doing so. A toupee he was wearing was found about 2 feet south of the dumpster. Police photographs of the van only show damage on the passenger side of the windshield and passenger sideview mirror. The victim sustained severe head trauma and broken ribs on his left side, but no injury below his waist. The driver of the van testified under oath that he never saw the victim.

Continue reading " Collision Between Motor Vehicle and Pedestrian in West Palm Beach, Florida Results in Severe Brain Damage " »