Gainesville Personal Injury Law Blog

What can I not do when collecting debts for my business?

On behalf of Moody, Salzman, Lash & Locigno, Attorneys & Counselors at Law posted in business law on Wednesday, May 22, 2019.

There is nothing more frustrating in business than when you have to collect a debt. Whether your customer simply did not pay a bill or otherwise owes you money, trying to get it can be tough. However, you do have some recourse under Florida law to collect debts. You just have to be sure not to overstep and violate the law yourself with your efforts.

The Florida Statutes explain debt collecting requires being truthful. You cannot pretend to be someone you are not or give the person false information. You also cannot threaten or harass someone when trying to collect a debt.

Why a slip and fall is no laughing matter

On behalf of Moody, Salzman, Lash & Locigno, Attorneys & Counselors at Law posted in personal injury on Monday, May 6, 2019.

At Moody Salzman Lash & Locigno, Attorneys & Counselors at Law, in Florida, we represent many clients who suffered serious injuries as the result of a slip and fall accident. Unfortunately, a slip and fall can lead to catastrophic consequences, despite the humor you may find in old TV shows and movies when the unlucky star takes a huge pratfall, much to the amused consternation of bystanders. Remember, these pratfalls represent the end of a highly choreographed stunt.

Real slip and falls can, and often do, result in serious injuries, such as a traumatic brain injury. The Mayo Clinic explains that a TBI occurs when the force of your head hitting the floor or pavement makes your brain violently swing back and forth within your skull. This, in turn, can cause your brain to malfunction.

Your sleepy commute may be more dangerous than you realize

On behalf of Moody, Salzman, Lash & Locigno, Attorneys & Counselors at Law on Wednesday, April 24, 2019.

The Monday morning commute can be rough, especially if you did not get to bed on time the night before. However, you may not have realized that driving while sleepy risks your safety and the safety of others on the road, and can even be as dangerous as driving drunk.

Being tired can make you less attentive, can impair your decision-making ability and can slow your reaction times, some of the same effects that consuming alcohol can cause. Because of these effects, drowsy driving killed almost 800 people in 2017, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

How to avoid boating accidents

On behalf of Moody, Salzman, Lash & Locigno, Attorneys & Counselors at Law posted in personal injury on Friday, April 19, 2019.

Summer is approaching, and many Florida residents like to spend more and more time outside to take advantage of the longer days and beautiful weather. Recreational water sports such as boating, jet skiing, canoeing and kayaking are a favorite pastime, but unfortunately when preventative measures are not taken, personal injury and even death can occur. We here at Moody Salzman want you to know there are many things while boating to ensure your safety and the safety of your passengers.

According to the U.S. Coast Guard, in 2017 there were 658 deaths and 2,629 injuries as a result of 4,291 recreational boating accidents. They also resulted in a total of approximately $46 million in property damage.

Florida hit-and-run sends car flying

On behalf of Moody, Salzman, Lash & Locigno, Attorneys & Counselors at Law posted in personal injury on Tuesday, April 2, 2019.

On Thursday morning, an SUV pulled quickly out of a left turning lane on US-1 in Miami Florida and struck a passing car with enough force to send it briefly into the air. The force of the collision sent the SUV into a red pickup truck. It was only a matter of moments before the driver of the SUV drove off and left the scene of the accident. Fortunately for the victims of the crash, a witness to the accident had recently installed a dash cam that recorded the entire incident, the footage of which is now in the hands of authorities.

The dash cam video is not the only photographic record related to the crash. Another witness followed the SUV after it left the accident scene and took a picture showing the SUV, and its unusual copper color, more clearly. Authorities continue to investigate the crash and ask any citizens with further information to come forward.

What are some common injuries related to landscaping?

On behalf of Moody, Salzman, Lash & Locigno, Attorneys & Counselors at Law posted in workers' compensation on Wednesday, March 27, 2019.

Landscaping is a physically taxing job. As a landscaper, you work outside in all weather conditions moving heavy objects and performing repetitive tasks. This labor is exhausting, and can also be dangerous. It’s no wonder that landscapers frequently incur workplace injuries.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has compiled a list of the most common workplace accidents that happen to landscapers. The administration hopes to raise awareness of the hazards that landscapers and other laborers face on the job. If you work in landscaping, these are some of the risks to watch out for.

Can slip and fall incidents occur indoors?

On behalf of Moody, Salzman, Lash & Locigno, Attorneys & Counselors at Law posted in personal injury on Friday, March 22, 2019.

In many other areas of the country, one of the primary reasons for a slip and fall incident is because the roads were icy and not properly warned for. But what about in Florida, where icy roads aren't such a problem? Slip and fall incidents can occur indoors, as well.

FindLaw specifically examines some of the other causes of slip and fall incidents that don't involve ice. Most of these have to do with the ground itself. For example, slip hazards can be created if tile floor is mopped and no warning signs are left behind to indicate where the cleaning product is. Waxed floors can create the same dangers.

The unique nature of tourism industry injuries

On behalf of Moody, Salzman, Lash & Locigno, Attorneys & Counselors at Law posted in personal injury on Friday, March 8, 2019.

Florida is one of the states with the highest population of workers involved in the tourism industry. These workers face many hazards during the course of their jobs. Some are involved with adventure travel, while others have unique working experiences on cruise boats.

There are several laws that govern workplace safety, and each industry is different. For example, incidents arising from demonstrating zip line safety and problems from working on a cruise ship could necessitate different legal actions when it comes to seeking compensation for injuries.

How much power do HOAs have?

On behalf of Moody, Salzman, Lash & Locigno, Attorneys & Counselors at Law posted in real estate law on Monday, February 25, 2019.

Florida is known for, among other things, luscious homes, condos and waterfront properties in the Land of the Sun. For many people, buying their own Florida home represents a lifetime dream. But before you get too excited thinking that you have found your dream house, you should carefully check out the local homeowners’ association.

As FindLaw explains, the HOA’s rules and regulagions can severely restrict what you can do with your home once you move into it, including restricting the following:

The type of roof you can have
The exterior paint colors you can use
The type of siding you can install
The type and height of fencing you can install, assuming you can install any fencing at all
The type and amount of landscaping you can have
The number of pets, if any, you can own

Pilgrim’s Pride recalls chicken because it may contain rubber

On behalf of Moody, Salzman, Lash & Locigno, Attorneys & Counselors at Law on Tuesday, February 5, 2019.

Pilgrim’s Pride is recalling some chicken products because the chicken may contain rubber. According to the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), the manufacturer is recalling 58,020 pounds of uncooked popcorn style chicken fritters.