Miami Resort Injury Lawyer Blog

Air travel is regarded to be among the safest ways a person can get from point A to point B. In fact, it is less likely that you will be injured or killed on a flight than you are from traveling via other forms of transportation. However, there are exceptions to every rule. And simply being 30,000 plus feet up in the air does not eliminate the possibility of serious and sometimes severe injuries.

In October 2011, a flight originating from Puerto Rico experienced "extreme" turbulence as it crossed the Atlantic on its way to Boston. Specifically, the turbulence lasted approximately 5 minutes "with one serious up- and downdraft causing altitude deviations of about 200 feet . . . ." The turbulence was so significant that it caused severe emotional distress to some passengers and physical injuries to others.

Out of the ten passengers who reported injuries, three refused treatment while the other seven suffered injuries ranging from coffee burns to neck, back, and head injuries. As for the emotional distress, that was a product of the turbulence taking place only an hour after take off, which left several passengers uneasy for the remainder of the flight.

To illustrate, one passenger, Tracie Spooner of Exeter, R.I., stated that she thought the plane was going down. "I felt like that was it."

In a separate, but similar incident, a Lufthansa flight heading to Munich from Charlotte had to make an emergency landing in Boston after also experiencing severe turbulence. Several injuries were reported on this flight, two of which had to be treated at hospitals in the Boston area. The plane, according to the flight crew, changed its course heading as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of those on board.

Continue reading "Turbulence in the Sky Can Cause Significant Injuries" »

Get ready. The sound of dice being thrown, roulette wheels being spun, and crowds cheering for the lure of easy money appears to be headed to South Florida.

What has been a pipe dream for so many for so long appears to be on the verge of being realized. Legalized gambling may be coming to Miami sooner than you think.

While South Florida has had gambling at the local Indian Reservation for years now, a strong push is being made to bring Las Vegas style gambling to downtown Miami.

Appellate Court Ruling is a Victory for the Hialeah Racetrack

A Tallahassee appellate court cleared the way for legislators to expand gambling in South Florida without a referendum vote. The ruling was a victory for the Hialeah Racetrack and serves as a promising omen for the push by the world's largest gaming companies to bring resort casinos to Florida.

The reason being is that this case concluded that Florida legislators can authorize slot machines anywhere in the State of Florida.

The immediate impact of this ruling is that the Hialeah Racetrack is now eligible to place slot machines on its facility. The reason being is because at issue in that case was whether or not the Hialeah Racetrack could put slot machines on its facility. The appellate court affirmed the lower court's ruling in concluding that the Hialeah Racetrack was free to add the slots.

Looking at the decision more broadly, this ruling will usher in a new era for equal access to gambling in Florida, especially in South Florida, by adding to an existing mix that includes horse and dog racing, jai alai and Seminole Indian casinos.

The era of the Resort Casino may be upon us

Florida legislators, led by Rep. Erik Fresen, are pushing a proposed plan to build three resort casinos in Miami Dade and Broward Counties without first having to seek voter approval. And such a plan is bolstered by the appellate court's ruling permitting slot machines to be added to the Hialeah Race track.

The plan would invite companies to submit bids for three casino licenses to a newly-created Florida Gaming Commission. Each of the bidders would be required to show that they will invest a minimum of $2 billion in capital in each facility.

Impact on South Florida

It is all but certain that gambling is coming to South Florida at some point in the near future. There is also no question that gambling will pump billions of dollars into the economy and help revitalize Miami-Dade county.

Gambling also has the potential of catapulting South Florida's status among international tourists and make South Florida one of the most popular tourist destinations in the United States, and that is above and beyond its current popularity.

But gambling will not be without its negatives. With the influx of more people and money into South Florida will no doubt come more crime. These "resort casinos" will need to be equipped to handle the large influx of potential travelers. And that is not just from a gambling perspective, but from a safety and risk management perspective. The best way to curtail violent crimes is prepare for them and properly staff the properties.

Continue reading "Gambling Appears to be Coming to South Florida" »

Summer is officially in full swing and even with the unpredictable nature of gas prices many families decide to hit the road for that all-American road trip. If you plan on traveling this summer, here are some tips to make your travels safer and better.

If you're taking a road trip, plan your trip ahead of time. If you're going to a city you've never visited then make sure to do some research to avoid the seedy and crime-ridden parts of that town. Only take the credit cards you'll really need. Rather than travel with a big wad of cash, use traveler's checks.

Once you get to your hotel, check the locks in your room to make sure they all work. Also, never leave your room unlocked. Even if you're just going to get ice or the vending machine lock the door. Also, avoid using side or rear entrances at hotels. Always use the main entrance because they are usually very well lit.

On a road trip, you're going to inevitably stop for gas. When picking a gas station don't choose one because it has the cheaper price. Instead, you should be going to a well-lit gas station. When purchasing gas choose the pumps that are closest to the station building. Credit card scammers replace the credit card slots with skimmers on the pumps furthest from the station because an attendant is less likely to see them there.

When you're traveling the last thing you want to worry about is something bad happening. However, they do happen. If you follow these tips and use your common sense, you can avoid a car accident, a slip and fall or even from being the victim of a violent crime at your hotel.

Continue reading "Tips for a Safe Summer Road Trip" »

A 22 year old University of Washington student was paralyzed from the chest down as a result of a horrific accident on the beach. A 31 year old man broke his neck while chartering a group of students to a popular lake. A star football recruit was killed when he fell off a balcony.

What do all of these unfortunate and tragic tales have in common? They all occurred during spring break.

Traveling for spring break has become increasingly popular over the years. As winter would lessen its chill, and thoughts turned to regeneration, rejuvenation, and new birth, many college aged students became particularly frolicsome during spring break. As a result, spring break has become a popular time of the year for many to vent their ingrained urges.

However, spring break is not without incident and its share of problems. Here are some tips for those planning on traveling during spring break:

1. Driving. If you're driving make sure your car, and tires, are in good condition. Also, while driving make sure to stay alert at all times and avoid all distractions like sending text messages, or speaking on the cell phone. And above all else, never drink and drive.

2. Hotel Rooms. If possible, reserve a room on a floor above the 1st floor because those rooms are harder to break into. Never give a stranger your room key. Also, be mindful of bed bugs in your room and use these tips to combat bed bugs. Also, make a note of where your exits are located.

3. Drinking. Be careful when drinking and never accept drinks from strangers. Be responsible and always pace yourself and avoid binge drinking. And be mindful that those who are heavily intoxicated become easy targets for criminals to prey on.

4. Swimming. Make sure to always swim while a life guard is on duty. Be careful of ocean currents and rip tides. Always swim within the designated area, and always swim with a buddy.

5. Stay with your friends. Always avoid being alone, or with a group of people you don't know or trust. To best avoid that issue, always stick with your friends. In crowded situations, you and your friends should designate certain times and places where everyone should physically present themselves.

6. Have fun. And above all else, please make sure to have fun during spring break, and please make sure to stay safe.

However, should you, or a loved one, be injured during spring break then please call our office to discuss your case and your rights. Such common claims involve sexual assaults at resorts due to the resort's lack of adequate security, auto accidents, parasailing accidents, slip and fall incidents and a host of other such claims.

If you're making way to Florida, for spring break, or you're a local planning a "staycation" be sure to keep your eyes and ears open for dangers. However, if you find yourself in the unfortunate position of getting injured, make sure to call Alvarez & Barbara.

While bed bugs have become a recent concern, travelers have always been wary of germs when traveling. Spring break is here so there will be a surge in travel over the next coming weeks. If you're traveling in the near future, you're definitely going to encounter the sneezing and coughing airline passenger and the dreaded public bathroom. Here are a few tips on how to tackle bacteria and viruses that you'll encounter when traveling:

Beware of the airplane bathroom. As you would imagine, it turns out that the airplane bathroom is the dirtiest place you'll encounter on your trip. Experts tell us to presume that the bathroom is teeming with bacteria. Try to touch as little as possible when you're using the bathroom and if you do have to touch anything use a paper towel or a sanitizing wipe. When you get back to your seat make sure you sanitize your hands.

Clean your seat on a plane. Once again, you're going to want to sanitize. Wipe down the seat, arm rest, and tray table with sanitizing wipes. It turns that the tray table is last place which is cleaned on a plane, so its most likely the dirtiest. Also, avoid the magazines in the seat back. Those magazines are just full of germs from previous passengers.

Protect yourself from sick passengers. Being in an enclosed cabin allows for the easy spread of airborne diseases. Wearing a face mask would definitely help, but a less extreme measure is to ensure you're all caught up on your vaccines. Last, don't touch your eyes, nose or mouth. That's how most airborne diseases spread.

At the hotel, clean the tv remote, alarm clock, and ice bucket. These items are usually not cleaned between guests, so your best bet is to sanitize them yourself. Make sure to also clean the hotel glasses yourself.

Its impossible to completely avoid germs when traveling. However, its important to limit your exposure when possible. If you practice these tips, you'll certain cut down the risk of getting sick.

If you have been injured in an accident, attacked by bed bugs, or food poisioning, please contact our office today for an initial free case evaluation and to discuss your rights.