Miami Resort Injury Lawyer Blog

According to the Palm Beach Post, a growing number of major insurers won't write insurance policies for owners of so-called bully breeds. Bully breeds comprised of dogs thought to be aggressive even if the individual dog has shown no history or inclination to attack. Pit bulls are a classic example of a "bully" breed that may jeopardize insurance coverage for the dog owner.

A single dog bite can often be an expensive proposition for an insurance company. The average payout per dog bite is $24,461. High medical costs, and serious medical complications to the victim of a serious dog bite, can also expose an insurance company to damages topping off at $1 million, and beyond. That is particularly the case given it is uncommon for victims of serious dog bite attacks to require reconstructive surgery, and other expensive medical attention.

Our dog bite attorneys continue to be concerned about the alarming rate of dog bites that occur way too frequently in Florida. Each year, more than 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs, and nearly 900,000 of them - half of whom are children - require medical care. Yet these simple tips could help avoid a dog bite.

Owners of pit bulls, including Staffordshire terriers, Dobermans, Rottweilers, chows, Presa Canarios, Akitas, huskies and wolf hybrids cannot get homeowners, condo and renters policies through Castle Key, the subsidiary of Allstate that writes such policies in Florida. United Property & Casualty Insurance excludes the same dogs as Castle Key plus German shepherds, American Eskimos or any mixed breed that is half or more of any of the banned breeds.

State Farm Insurance ignores breed and focuses on a survey dog owners must fill out before they are approved. The form asks whether their dog has a history of bites and if so what measures the owner has taken, such as obedience classes or a fence, to prevent the animal from attacking again.

Continue reading "Insurance Coverage Often Unavailable in Florida Dog Bite Cases for Dog Owners of so Called "Bully" Dog Breeds" »

New York City is in the process of launching a widespread public awareness campaign to help stop the growing spread of bedbugs. Recent reports reveal that 1 of every 15 New Yorkers battled bed bugs last year.

Bedbugs can cause great mental anguish with their persistent and fast-growing infestations, and they have rapidly multiplied throughout New York and many other US cities in recent years.

If you are thinking of taking a trip, it is important to keep a look-out for these creepy-crawling pests. Sadly, there has been a recent increase of travelers encountering bed bugs during their stays away from home, especially those in New York City. It may be wise to regularly check TripAdvisor or other travel-review websites for information and even photos confirming the presence of bed bugs in hotels.

In New York City, bed bugs have been discovered in theaters, clothing stores, office buildings, housing projects, and posh apartments. The recent outbreak in New York City also resulted in the closing of two trendy retail shops that prompted city officials to examine how they deal with the growing nuisance.

Bedbugs are about the size of an apple seed and often times live in places other than just beds. They can slip into cracks, and outlets, picture frames, lamps, and really just about any tiny space. Sadly, people who have bedbugs often never actually see them.

New York City is in the process of spending approximately $500,000 to begin educating the public on the growing bedbug epidemic. It is believed that more than 6% of all New Yorkers had battled bedbugs in the past year. That figure would equal roughly 400,000 adults in New York City. As a result, New York is taking the affirmative step of trying to educate the public in an effort to prevent the further spread of bedbugs. Indeed, the Environmental Protection Agency even recently hosted its first ever National Bedbugs Summit in response to the growing problem.

Continue reading "New York Spends Hundreds of Thousands of Dollars to Combat Bed Bugs While Bed Bug Attacks Continue to Increase In Miami and Nationally " »

Florida, with its sub-tropical climate and natural environment, is heaven for bed bugs. Now, with the summer months ahead of us, and Memorial Day weekend upon us, bed bugs are everywhere, even in the comfort of our own beds.

Bed bugs seek out people and animals, generally at night while these hosts are asleep, and painlessly sip a few drops of blood. These small wingless insects do a great job at hiding in beds, furniture, and crevices with the help of their tiny bodies and fast-moving pace. Bed bugs will commonly bite on the neck, arms, hands, and face. Small, flat, or raised bumps on the skin are the most common signs of a bite; redness, swelling, and itching commonly occur. Bed bugs are common to houses, dormitories, and even fancy and upscale hotel and resort rooms. And that includes many hotels and resorts right here in Florida, and South Florida.

As expected, tourism booms during the summer months. Therefore, if you are thinking of taking a trip, it is important to keep a look-out for these creepy-crawling pests. Sadly, there has been a recent increase of travelers encountering bed bugs during their stays away from home. It may be wise to regularly check TripAdvisor or other travel-review websites for information and even photos confirming the presence of bed bugs in hotels.

If signs of bed bugs are observed where you are staying, you may need to take extra precautions as you may inadvertently transport bed bugs or their eggs in your luggage and other personal effects. Clothing should be washed with hot water as soon as these items are brought back into the home. Suitcases should be carefully inspected, scrubbed with a stiff brush, and thoroughly vacuumed. Leaving such luggage for several hours in a closed vehicle in full summer sun may render the items bug free.

Continue reading "Bed Bug Attacks on the Rise at Hotels & Resorts " »

This week marks National Dog Bite Prevention Week. This is a campaign started by the United States Postal Service, to call attention to the dangers of dog bites and to offer tips on how each and every individual can prevent such incidents from occurring.

Dog owners in Florida should pay special attention to the disturbing statistics regarding dog bites in Florida, and in Miami. Florida has a low tolerance for dog bite incidents. In fact, Florida statutes impose strict liability upon dog owners for a dog bite that causes injury to a human being. Florida law provides that the owner of any dog that bites any person while such person is on or in a public place, or lawfully on or in a private place, including the property of the owner of the dog, is liable for damages suffered by persons bitten, regardless of the former viciousness of the dog or the owner's knowledge of such viciousness.

That is the case because the facts are troublesome, and as follows:

• Nearly 4.5 billion dog million Americans are bitten by dogs each year.
• One in five bites require medical attention
• More than 31,100 people underwent reconstructive surgery due to dog bites
• Severe injuries from dog bites are highest for children ages 5 to 9 years of age.
• Three-quarters of dogs involved in bite incidents belong to the victim's family or friend. • Sixty-one percent of dog bites occur at home or in a familiar place.
• Small children, the elderly, and Postal Service carriers -- in that order -- are the most frequent victims of dog bites.
• It is also stated that the number of dog bites exceeds the reported instances of measles, whooping cough and mumps, combined.
• Dog bite victims account for up to five percent of emergency room visits.

Despite these troubling statistics, dog bites are easily preventable. It is important that all adults and children practice these simple tips:

• Never tease, pull the tail or ears, poke the eyes, throw things at, try to ride, climb over or step on a dog.
• Never touch or play with a dog while he is eating or sleeping.
• Never take a dog's toy or bone away when he is playing with it.
• Never approach a strange or stray dog -- EVER.
• Never stare directly into a dog's eyes.
• Always ask the owner first before petting a dog.
• Always let a dog sniff your hand first, then pet him under his chin or on his chest rather than on top of his head
• Always go tell an adult if you see a stray dog walking on the street.

Continue reading "Miami Celebrates National Dog Bite Prevention Week" »