• The US Coast Guard responded to 4,730 accidents in 2009. 736 of these involved a fatalities and 3,358 caused injuries.
• Boat accidents caused $36 million in property damage in 2009.
• 75% of all the fatal accidents in 2009 involved a drowning victim. 84% of the victims were not wearing a life jacket.
• 70% of drowning victims were on boat 21 feet or less.
• Only 14% of fatal accidents occurred with a boat driver who had received some sort of boating safety instruction.
• Alcohol is the leading contributing factor in fatal boat accidents.
• Operator inattention, inexperience, excessive speed, failure to look out and alcohol are the top five factors in fatal accidents.

So keep these facts in mind this year as you enjoy the Florida waters and sun. Do not drink and boat, follow the law, wear a life jacket and pay attention.

Wooten, Kimbrough & Normand, P.A.—Orlando wrongful death attorneys.

The preservation of evidence from the scene of the accident can be crucial to your case. Your best bet is to contact an attorney as soon as possible to assist you in the investigation. If your injuries permit after the accident, try to take photos. Do not speak to investigators or the truck driver until you speak with an attorney. The trucking company will likely have their own lawyers and investigators on the scene quickly.

The trucking companies are required by law to keep maintenance records and driver hour logs. This information is vital to your case, and you should have your attorney review it.

Do not accept any sort of settlement or compensation for the accident without first speaking with an attorney, even if it seems fair at the time. The trucking company and the insurance company are interested in protecting their bottom lines, you need a lawyer who has your best interests in mind.

Wooten, Kimbrough & Normand, P.A.—Orlando personal injury attorneys.

• Limit distractions. Many accidents involve some sort of driver distractions, and the number continues to rise each year. Do not use your cell phone (even if it is hands-free), do not adjust your makeup, eat, mess with your GPS, etc. All of these distractions greatly increase your chance of being in a wreck.
• Do not speed. Drive at or under the speed limit. Limits are set on certain roads for a reason, and keeping within the speed limit keeps you and other motorists safe. Sometimes it can be difficult to not go slightly above the posted speed limit, but by staying at it you greatly reduce your risk.
• Do not drink and drive. This may seem like an obvious one, but it cannot be stated enough. Never under any circumstances operate a vehicle while intoxicated or get in the car with someone who has been drinking.
• Wear your seat belt. Even after following all of these safety tips there is still a chance you may be involved in a crash. You cannot account for the actions of other motorists. Better safe than sorry.

Do you have any questions about a car accident you were involved in?

Wooten, Kimbrough & Normand, P.A.—Orlando personal injury attorneys.

One of the first things the insurance company will want you to do is speak with a third-party insurance adjuster. This is an independent entity that will assess the damage to your vehicle and determines fault. The third-party adjuster will likely ask you to submit a recorded statement about the accident. It is a good idea to consult with an attorney before submitting a statement to the adjuster. The adjuster’s job is to save the insurance company money, and the term ‘third-party’ can be misleading.

You have the right to have your vehicle repaired wherever you choose. The at-fault party must also supply you with a rental vehicle comparable to the one you had. You can also have your own insurance company cover the repair costs when the third-party is making you jump through too many hoops. You may have to pay your deductable, but can be reimbursed by the third-party insurance company.

If you were injured in the accident, you will want to immediately retain an experienced personal injury attorney.

Wooten, Kimbrough & Normand, P.A.—Orlando personal injury attorneys.

A: Please keep in mind that I can only respond based on the information in your question, and my answer is not legal advice. With that being said, it sounds like you do have a case. The restaurant at Walt Disney World is responsible for your medical bills as well as any general damages, including pain and suffering. You should look to retain an attorney in Orlando, particularly one who specializes in tourist injuries.

Wooten, Kimbrough & Normand, P.A.—Orlando personal injury attorneys.

• Bruises and bleeding. Some bruising can be typical; elderly people tend to bruise easily. However, if the bruising is excessive or consistent, it could be a sign of abuse.
• Sudden change in weight. Particularly weight loss can be a sign of neglect, or a loss of appetite due to distress.
• Soiling, poor hygiene. This is one of the common signs of neglect. Patients and rooms should always be kept in clean and sterile conditions.
• Disappearance of personal items. This is a clear sign that caretakers cannot be trusted.
• Emotional withdraw. This can be harder to pick up on, but if abuse is occurring, you can expect it.

You should immediately ask to speak with facility management if you expect abuse or neglect. If the staff ever refuses or delays your visits, this is also a red flag.

Wooten, Kimbrough & Normand, P.A.—Orlando personal injury attorneys.

“By identifying what’s happening to patients, that’ll prove a learning process,” said Deputy Inspector for the DHHS Ruth Ann Dorrill. Physicians need to be held accountable in order to protect the public.

Currently, there is no set number for punitive damages in Florida medical malpractice cases.

Potential tort reform may put a cap on the punitive damages that can be awarded in medical malpractice cases in Florida. There needs to be a financial incentive for physicians and hospitals to provide the best care possible. If there is no financial incentive to keep hospitals and their physicians on their toes, health care will become more and more reckless.

Have you or a loved one ever experienced or witnessed a medical error that went unreported?

Wooten, Kimbrough & Normand, P.A.—Orlando personal injury attorneys.

• Keep still. If you are injured—even if it seems minor at the time—remain still until paramedics arrive to assist you.
• Call 911. This should be the first thing you do if you are involved, or simply witness the accident.
• Remain silent. Say as little as possible, even saying something simple like “sorry” or “I’m fine” can have repercussions that you may not even consider at the time. It is best not to even speak to the truck driver or other drivers, speak only to the arriving police officers.
• Pay attention to details. Try to remember everything about the crash. Write things down so you don’t forget them, including anything you noticed before or after the accident.
• Take pictures. Take pictures of the accident scene, your vehicle, the truck and debris or injured parties.

Have you or a loved one been injured or killed in a truck accident? Would you be able to remember these tips if you found yourself in an accident? It is important to remain calm to protect yourself and your rights as well.

Wooten, Kimbrough & Normand, P.A.—Orlando personal injury attorneys.

PWC’s are smaller, quicker and easier to navigate. Timothy C. Nies, contributor at Avvo.com, cites a University of Florida study that shows how PWC accidents can cause more serious injuries than other boats.

“Most PWC injuries are caused when an operator or passenger is thrown off the vessel at high speeds,” says Nies.

Remember to always read the owner’s manual before operating a PWC and enroll in a PWC safety course. Avoid crowded areas, especially before you are experienced. Always wear a lifejacket and keep the engine cut-off lanyard around your wrist.

Keep these tips in mind before you take off on a PWC. Have you or a loved one been injured in a boating accident?

Wooten, Kimbrough & Normand, P.A.—Orlando personal injury attorneys.

His website pictured patients with flawless skin and bodies, and he even had a swanky office at Castleton Corners. Many patients feel they were mislead and are now outraged. After more than 40 medical malpractice lawsuits, Dr. Cattani may never again practice.

“I haven’t had a good night’s sleep in three years;” said Marilyn Franklin, who underwent plastic surgery from Dr. Cattani in 2009 for a neck lift. “Every night I wake up with shooting pain…I went in to have my turkey neck done and came back the bride of Frankenstein.”

When Franklin went to another physician to seek treatment following the botched operation, the nurse recognized Dr. Cattani’s handiwork instantly.

“She guessed it on the spot it was him. She said ‘I can’t tell you how many patients we are aware of who were scarred and maimed.’ How did that doctor still have a license?”

The list of horrendous allegations against Dr. Cattani is seemingly endless. In 2010, according to records, he refused to transport a liposuction patient to the hospital even as he went into kidney failure. He refused to let EMS treat the patient as well. He has refused to respond to complaints from many other patients following their operation.

Hopefully this monster will never receive another license to practice medicine anywhere. Have you or a loved one been injured by a careless physician?

Wooten, Kimbrough & Normand, P.A.—Orlando personal injury attorneys.