The Bok students were selected as this year’s Lilly, O’Toole & Brown’s Perseverance of Academic Achievement Award winners. The award recognizes students who persevere despite obstacles in pursuit of achievement. Part of the award is being treated to a Detroit Tigers spring training game in Lakeland.

Article from Lake Wales Charter School

“Much has been said about perseverance and the role it plays in success,” says Pulido. “But perhaps my favorite saying is the quote from Henry Ward Beecher, which I chose to include on the award certificates: ‘The difference between perseverance and obstinacy is that one comes from a strong will, and the other from a strong won’t.’ The students chosen for these awards have a strong will.”

Pulido notes that the students, one male and one female from each of the participating schools are chosen by faculty and administration. This year’s award winners are:

Patricia Blair, McLaughlin Middle School and Fine Arts Academy; Stanley Rivera, McLaughlin Middle School and Fine Arts Academy; Kaitlyn King, Edward Bok Academy; Jaquez Johnson, Edward Bok Academy; Abbey Thompson, Lake Wales High School; Mason Branscom, Lake Wales High School.

In addition to receiving a framed award certificate, Pulido treated the students and a faculty member of each school to Detroit Tiger’s spring training baseball games on different days.

Article from The Lake Wales News

A report from SunSentinel.com details what happened in 2 unrelated cases of road rage/driver violence that transpired during the evening of Tuesday, Nov. 16. Both incidents involved gunfire and serious injury.

In the first case, a young man was shot while driving on Interstate 95 just north of Hollywood in Broward County. The other shooting-which took place on Interstate 75 close to Miami Lakes-is believed to have been related to an instance of road rage that led 2 men to stop their vehicles and fight on the side of the busy highway.

While most instances of road rage or aggressive driving will not result in such extreme actions, Florida safety officials are expressing concern about the growing number of cases involving driver aggression and other potentially deadly behaviors. As crash statistics from 2009 show, Florida has a very high rate of vehicle accidents and deaths.

The SunSentinel.com story cites a 2007 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report that says cases of aggressive driving have risen across the country by 51% since 1990. What is even more alarming is that this driving behavior accounts for 66% of all motor vehicle accident deaths and that Florida is one of the worst states in terms of aggressive driving.

SunSentinel.com says authorities believe “inconsiderate or oblivious driving that can threaten other motorists” is commonplace on our highways, such as I-75 and I-95. In addition, a 2010 GMAC Insurance National Drivers Test survey showed that 25% of drivers in Florida would not pass a written driver’s test.

If You Were Injured in a Road Rage Accident in Central Florida

If you were injured or lost a loved one in a car accident in Florida that you believe was the result of road rage, aggressive driving or some other type of driver negligence, you may have grounds for legal action. The Central Florida car accident lawyers at Lilly, O’Toole & Brown are familiar with the issues facing drivers in our region and we understand how aggressive drivers place innocent victims at risk for serious or even fatal injury.

We are committed to protecting your best interests and helping you fight for the damages you and your family need and deserve to move on with your lives. Contact our firm today to schedule your consultation – 863-683-1111.

The dangerous and defective blinds are outfitted with a pull cord that forms a continuous loop that hangs loosely by the window, if not secured to the floor or wall with some type of tension device. If a child’s neck is caught up in this loop, the child could very easily strangle to death. 

The Washington Post reports one notable incident involving a 22-month-old boy and one of Hanover’s roman shades. The boy got the pull cord wrapped around his neck and could not free himself. He later died of his injuries.

This recent product recall is an extension of a previous recall by Hanover Direct Inc. in October of 2009 which included 90,000 roman shades. The products were sold in stores nationwide between January 1996 and October 2009. The dangerous product recall has now been expanded to include 495,000 roman shades and 28,500 roller and roll-up blinds.

If your child has suffered a similar injury, be sure to report said injury to the CPSC. If you or a loved one has suffered any injury because of a defective product, you may have the grounds for a product liability claim in Florida, even if the manufacturer or retailer was not from your area.

Contacting a Central Florida Product Liability Attorney

If you or someone you love has been injured because of a dangerous or defective product, it would be in your best interest to contact an experienced central Florida product liability attorney who can help you to fight for the compensation to which you may be entitled. Call now to schedule a FREE evaluation of your case – 863-683-1111.

The Washington Post reports that a weakness in the frame mounting bolts and wheel axle bolts is the cause of concern with this particular defective product. The mounting and axle bolts are often loose on the new skates. These loose wheels and/or frames can cause the rider to fall, resulting in anything from minor injuries to more serious conditions, such as brain trauma or spinal cord injury. 

This recall includes roughly 29,000 pairs of defective skates nationwide. Rollerblade USA and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) have received approximately 31 complaints about the defective product. Most of the accidents resulted in only minor injuries.

If you or a loved one, especially a child, has suffered injuries because of these defective roller skates or another recalled product, you have several opportunities for justice. First, be sure to report the incident to the CPSC.

It is also extremely important that you contact an experienced product liability attorney as soon as possible. It is the responsibility of the company from which you buy a product to make sure that said product is safe to use. An experienced product liability attorney can help you build a case for compensation.

Contacting a Central Florida Product Liability Attorney

If you or someone you love has been injured because of a dangerous or defective product, it would be in your best interest to contact an experienced Central Florida product liability attorney who can help you to fight for the compensation to which you may be entitled. Call now to schedule a FREE evaluation of your case – 863-683-1111.

The first few days after your accident will likely involve a lot of tests to determine how much sensation and movement you have. These tests can help determine the extent of the damage and begin revealing what treatment options are available.

Rehabilitation will begin as soon as your body is ready, which is determined by a doctor who specializes in spinal cord injuries. The type of rehabilitation you receive whether it is physical, occupational or otherwise will depend on the extent of your injuries and your level of mobility.

Part of your treatment plan after a severe spinal cord injury will include learning how to do the following:

• prevent pressure sores from developing;
• exercise to maintain flexibility and strengthen muscles;
• managing weight with a healthy, well-balanced diet;
• managing your bowel and bladder; and
• using a wheelchair or any other device that enables you to function on a daily basis.

Spinal cord injuries that result from a serious Florida accident can be devastating. These types of injuries and their necessary treatments can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars over the course of a lifetime. If someone else’s negligence caused your accident, you shouldn’t have to pay for these treatments on your own. Contact a Lakeland accident lawyer today to discuss your legal options. 

Get Legal Help Now – Contact a Lakeland Accident Attorney

The Lakeland accident lawyers at Lilly, O’Toole & Brown can work with you to fight for the compensation you deserve. Contact our firm today to schedule your consultation; 863-533-5525.

At the time of the pedestrian accident the school zone was unopened and no crossing guards were stationed in the area.

Swayze was transported to Halifax Medical Center in Daytona Beach and is listed in critical condition. Schoenbeck was not injured in the crash and police are still investigating the pedestrian accident. No charges have been filed at this time.

Pedestrian accidents can result in serious or fatal injuries, especially when small children are concerned. If you or your child has been injured in a pedestrian accident in Central Florida, the personal injury attorneys at Lilly, O’Toole & Brown can help you determine your legal options. Contact our firm today to schedule your FREE case evaluation; 863-533-5525.

Top 10 Florida Counties for Fatal Accidents

According to the 2009 Florida crash statistics, the top 10 Florida counties for fatal accidents include: 

• Miami-Dade County - 259 fatal accidents.
• Broward County - 189 fatal accidents.
• Palm Beach Country - 151fatal accidents.
• Hillsborough County - 141 fatal accidents.
• Orange County - 141 fatal accidents.
• Duval County - 114 fatal accidents.
• Pinellas County - 104 fatal accidents.
• Polk County - 94 fatal accidents.
• Volusia County - 94 fatal accidents.
• Lee County - 80 fatal accidents.  

The trend indicates that Miami-Dade County has been the county with the highest number of fatalities since 2005. At the same time, the number of fatalities in Miami-Dade County has also steadily declined since 2005.

While 2009 Florida crash statistics can reveal patterns, they don’t predict whether you will be an actual victim in a Florida accident. If you have been injured in an accident in Florida, contact a Central Florida accident lawyer today. 

Contact a Central Florida Accident Lawyer Today

A Central Florida accident lawyer at Lilly, O’Toole & Brown can work with you to fight for the compensation you deserve. Contact our firm today to schedule your consultation – 863-533-5525.

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), liquid can pool underneath the control knobs on the stoves. This causes the heating element to turn on and heat to a soaring temperature.

The CPSC is urging consumers to stop using these recalled stoves. In addition, consumers are urged to unplug the stoves and turn off their circuit breakers to make sure the cook tops cannot turn on.

The manufacturer is recalling approximately 122,000 Frigidaire Slide-In Ranges and Electrolux ICON Smoothtop Electric Cooktops, sold between January 2005 and August 2010. There were reports of 3 fires that resulted in property damage and 2 minor burns to consumers.

Based in Charlotte, N.C., Electrolux Home Products Inc. has received 70 incident reports on the recalled stoves. Consumers can contact Electrolux at 888-281-5310 for a free repair kit.

A defective product can result in serious injuries to consumers. Contact a Central Florida product liability attorney if you have suffered injuries because of a defective product. A Central Florida product liability attorney will examine the facts in your case to determine whether the manufacturer or another party may be held liable.

Contact a Central Florida Product Liability Attorney Today

A Central Florida product liability attorney at Lilly, O’Toole & Brown can work with you to fight for the compensation you deserve. Contact our firm today to schedule your consultation – 863-533-5525.

The voluntary automotive recall will include a total of 1.53 million vehicles worldwide, with roughly 740,000 recalled Toyotas in the United States. The current Toyota recall comes after reports of issues with leaking brake fluid and fuel pump problems in the affected cars.

Toyota, the world’s best-selling car manufacturer, has had a troublesome 2010 with more than 10 million vehicles recalled throughout the world. Earlier Toyota recalls were attributed to issues with unintended acceleration, braking issues and stalling engines, among other problems.

According to a story from Orlando Sentinel, the current Toyota recall has not yet come with any reports of accidents, injury or death. Previous recalls did include cases involving serious accident injuries and even fatalities.

The latest voluntary Toyota recall includes the following models sold in the U.S.: 

• Avalon (2005-2006);
• Highlander (non-Hybrid, 2004-2006);
• Lexus RX330;
• Lexus GS300 (2006);
• Lexus IS250; and
• Lexus IS350. 

Officials from Toyota have downplayed the most recent recall, saying that it is simply a precautionary measure and that there is very little danger to consumers. However, if you have used a brake fluid in your recalled Toyota vehicle other than the factory-standard brake fluid and have experienced issues with braking capability, be particularly alert. Affected consumers will begin receiving official notice of the recall in early November.

Contacting a Central Florida Product Liability Attorney

If you or someone you love has been injured in a Florida crash involving a recalled Toyota or any defective automobile, it would be in your best interest to contact an experienced Florida product liability attorney who can help you to fight for the compensation to which you may be entitled. Call now to schedule a FREE evaluation of your case 1-863-683-1111.