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student athlete

Student Athlete Injuries

Student Athlete Injuries 1080 1080 Panter, Panter & Sampedro

Who is Accountable When a Student-Athlete is Injured on School Grounds?  Schools and universities, like any other property owners and supervisory entities, are legally obligated to provide a safe environment…

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What is the Florida 14-Day Car Accident PIP Rule?

What is the Florida 14-Day Car Accident PIP Rule?

What is the Florida 14-Day Car Accident PIP Rule? 1080 1080 Panter, Panter & Sampedro

It is critical to seek medical treatment as soon as possible after a car accident to both ensure the wellbeing of your health and that you retain your rights under…

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What is Negligent Security?

What is Negligent Security?

What is Negligent Security? 1080 1080 Panter, Panter & Sampedro

When thinking about personal injury, one may first think about car accidents, property defects, or slippery floors. So, it may come as a surprise that many of the most serious…

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Florida theme parks

Officials Question Lack of Details in Florida Theme Parks Injury Reports

Officials Question Lack of Details in Florida Theme Parks Injury Reports 2560 1920 Panter, Panter & Sampedro

Florida is home to some of the most popular theme parks in the world where locals and tourists alike come to experience fun and excitement. Unfortunately, accidents do not take…

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Construction Worker Injury

Increased Construction Worker Injury Risk During Boom?

Increased Construction Worker Injury Risk During Boom? 2560 1696 Panter, Panter & Sampedro

Construction worker injury stories are not uncommon. In early August, six workers were hospitalized after a serious accident at a Brickell construction site. The accident happened as a result of…

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Nursing Care facilities

Six Questions to ask Nursing Care Facilities

Six Questions to ask Nursing Care Facilities 1080 1080 Panter, Panter & Sampedro

Many loved ones are often faced with tough decisions about their elder family members, including whether or not to place them in nursing care facilities. Since the beginning of the…

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personal injury

The Dangers of Social Media During a Personal Injury Case

The Dangers of Social Media During a Personal Injury Case 2560 1437 Panter, Panter & Sampedro

Amidst the ongoing pandemic, many have found comfort in connecting with others via social media. According to Statista, popular social media outlets such as Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube are…

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coronavirus and personal injury cases

Coronavirus and Personal Injury Cases in Florida

Coronavirus and Personal Injury Cases in Florida 2560 1707 Panter, Panter & Sampedro

In these unprecedented times, we are all looking for ways to adopt to normalcy as best as we can.  As attorneys with over 30 years of experience, this has certainly…

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boat safety

Boat Safety in Florida

Boat Safety in Florida 1080 716 Panter, Panter & Sampedro

In Florida, locals and tourists commonly enjoy being out in the water whether that is for pleasure, business, or travel. With a big chunk of locals owning or operating a…

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Pedestrian Safety

Florida’s Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Bill

Florida’s Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Bill 2560 1707 Panter, Panter & Sampedro

With drivers turning every which way in popular Florida cities, it can be dangerous to be walking along the streets.  Over a 10-year span in Florida, there were 5,433 pedestrian…

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In recent years, many Florida residents have started riding on new high-speed passenger railroad lines as a fast and easy way to travel to various cities throughout the state. However, this new mode of transportation faces a few safety concerns. The Florida tri-rail trains, Amtrak and Brightline, were said to create a fast and secure way of transporting Florida citizens to and from various cities around Florida, including West Palm Beach, Tampa, Orlando, and others. However, this year alone, Brightline has struck approximately 40 people due to suicide attempts and errors by individuals attempting to cross the railroad tracks according to the Federal Railroad Administration. In order to improve railway safety, Florida will be introducing Bill SB 676, the Florida High-Speed Rail Safety Act. High-Speed Passenger Rail Safety Act Kevin Thibault, Secretary of the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), announced the statewide safety initiative after an Amtrak train struck a woman and her two grandsons in West Palm Beach due to a lack of warning signals or gates. Before this announcement, it was reported that Brightline, which is rebranding to Virgin Trains USA, had the worst per-mile death rate in the nation (one death for every 29,000 miles) compared to other railroads. However, it should be noted that these fatal accidents were not due to faulty equipment or employee error. The majority of the Brightline deaths were due to suicide, while other fatal accidents involved drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists who ignored warnings and believed they could cross the railroad in time. A year ago, a study of Florida’s passenger rail system found that while the FDOT and the Federal Railroad Administration placed regulations for conventional (up to 80 mph) and high-speed (126 to 220 mph), they had not yet developed regulations for trains traveling at 81 to 125 mph. To help resolve the rampant problem, State Senator Debbie Mayfield and State Representative Tyler Sirois have reintroduced the “Florida High-Speed Passenger Safety Act.” The Florida Highway Safety Act is composed of two bills, which, if enacted, will go into effect on July 1, 2020. House Bill 465 speaks of the regulation of high-speed railroad companies and includes the minimum safety standards as well as the safety inspection requirements and the construction and maintenance of certain fencing. Senate Bill 676 requires the FDOT to regulate the railroads in cases where it is not already obligated to do so under federal law. As of November 7, 2019, the Act has reached the Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee and is awaiting a decision. If approved, the Act will be referred to the Transportation and Tourism Subcommittee and the State Affairs Committee for further review. According to the Florida Passenger Rail System Study, there are specific recommendations that can be followed to improve safety: Enforce Railroad Crossing Trespass Violations – Establish harsher penalties for crossing trespassing or a photo/video enforcement program for at-grade crossings. Review Rail Safety Resources –Assess current resources of the Department of Children and Families and Department of Health to determine a statewide suicide prevention activity to be leveraged. Update FDOT’s Mandate – Clearly define its regulatory role in implementing safety regulation on a state level. Implement State-of-the-Art Practices – Set regulations on quiet zones in urban areas to address railroad system noise or create a requirement for navigation applications to include audio and visual alerts of upcoming railroad crossings. Safely Navigate Railroad Crossings Here are a few reminders for train safety: Trains cannot stop and always have the right of way. Make sure to stop, look both ways, and listen. When driving, stop 15 feet away from the flashing lights, lowered gates, or stop signs. Never drive around a lowering gate, as it is extremely dangerous and can result in a fine. If your car stalls in the middle of a crossing, exit your vehicle and call 911. Be patient and do not race the train! No life is worth risking, cross carefully. If you live near a rail line, it is extremely important to educate your family on the dangers of being near the active tracks, as trains will become a more common mode of transportation here in South Florida and throughout the state. If you or a loved one are seriously injured or even killed as a result of an accident, it is always important to contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible as you may be able to recover for economic and non-economic damages. References: Florida to roll out new safety measures to curb deadly rail-crossing accidents (n.d.) Retrieved December 26, 2019 from https://orlandoweekly.com/Blogs/archives/2019/12/05/florida-to-roll-out-new-safety-measures-to-curb-deadly-rail-crossing-accidents Always Expect a Train #crosscarefully (n.d.) Retrieved December 26, 2019 from https://nhtsa.gov/campaign/rail

Florida Reintroduces High-Speed Passenger Rail Safety Act

Florida Reintroduces High-Speed Passenger Rail Safety Act 0 0 Panter, Panter & Sampedro

In recent years, many Florida residents have started riding on new high-speed passenger railroad lines as a fast and easy way to travel to various cities throughout the state. However,…

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Airbnb Premises Liability

Airbnb Premises Liability 150 150 Panter, Panter & Sampedro

Airbnb premises liability looks to be a hot topic heading into 2018. In 2017, Florida became the second most popular state, following California, for Airbnb usage as a way for…

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Using Drone Technology to Prove Negligence in Premises Liability

Using Drone Technology to Prove Negligence in Premises Liability 150 150 Panter, Panter & Sampedro

Every owner of a property, whether commercial or residential, has an obligation to make sure that the premises are reasonably safe and secure for anyone who enters. This can mean…

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Trust A Top Personal Injury Law Firm

8 Tips for a Toddler Proof Bedroom

8 Tips for a Toddler Proof Bedroom 1920 1280 Panter, Panter & Sampedro

We often hear parents talk about baby proofing their home, but as the child grows it’s equally important to take steps to prepare a toddler proof bedroom. According to Safe…

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New ‘Quiet Car’ Safety Standard Requires Electric Cars to Make Noise at Low Speeds to Protect Pedestrians

New ‘Quiet Car’ Safety Standard Requires Electric Cars to Make Noise at Low Speeds to Protect Pedestrians 150 150 Panter, Panter & Sampedro

It’s not very often that we hear of a government agency wanting vehicles to be louder. However, that is exactly what happened when the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway…

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Florida medical malpractice case leads to newly proposed bill

Florida medical malpractice case leads to newly proposed bill 150 150 Panter, Panter & Sampedro

A tragedy occurred in Florida 2003 that left a family grieving the untimely death of their loved one. The incident involved a reportedly botched surgical procedure that resulted in the…

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3 Steps to Selecting the Right Car Seat for Your Child

3 Steps to Selecting the Right Car Seat for Your Child 150 150 Panter, Panter & Sampedro

Any parent can tell you that their first priority is keeping their child safe. Among the numerous safety issues that parents must consider is vehicle safety. In addition to choosing…

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Pokémon Go Players Responsible for an Increase in Accidents on and off the Road

Pokémon Go Players Responsible for an Increase in Accidents on and off the Road 1200 1200 Panter, Panter & Sampedro

On July 6 a brand new craze swept the nation. The beloved childhood 90’s cartoon, Pokémon, has now become an interactive game you can take to the streets. The game…

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