Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Are Limousines Safe?
The recent tragedy in New York involving the deaths of 17 passengers in a limousine, their driver, and two pedestrians, raises a number of questions about the safety of these vehicles. Was this accident a result of driver error? Was there a mechanical failure of some sort? Are there inherent issues with all limousines?… Read More »
Drug Paraphernalia Charges
If you’ve been charged with possessing drug paraphernalia, you are facing a surprisingly stern penalty: Florida statute 893.147 lists it as a first-degree misdemeanor punishable by up to a year behind bars, plus as much as a $1,000 fine. For a law-abiding citizen who doesn’t have run-ins with law enforcement as a general rule,… Read More »
Students at Risk at School Bus Stops
Sending kids to school on the yellow school bus is iconic American life, whether you live in the big city, a suburb, or on a country road. But recent months have seen an escalation in the number and severity of accidents involving children while awaiting and/or boarding school buses, leading devastated family members to… Read More »
Sharing the Responsibility for Construction Zone Safety
Construction on Florida roadways is simply a fact of life. Workers are out in the sun every day, repairing bridges, widening roadways, repairing water lines under streets, and building the infrastructure that makes Florida such a wonderful place to be. These workers are exposed to a number of dangers in their daily routines: Heat… Read More »
Florida Dog Bite Injuries
Floridians are sun-lovers, there’s no question about it. That’s why, on any given day, you’ll find parks, boardwalks, and beaches filled with people of all ages out enjoying bike rides, skateboards, and roller skates. Many have a dog in tow, just as eager to lap up some of the summer sunshine. In the best… Read More »
Another Battery Arrest for Chris Brown
After a packed performance at the Coral Sky Amphitheatre, Chris Brown left the venue in handcuffs, arrested for an alleged April 2017 felony battery charge that had been hanging over his head since he was last here in Florida. Authorities have been holding off on charging Brown, since he’s been traveling for the past… Read More »
Trampoline Park Injuries
When one woman took her toddler son to a trampoline park in Miami for an afternoon of indoor giggles, she had no idea of the serious health impacts her son would suffer. Despite the park promoting trampolines as a safe, fun activity for toddlers, the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) warns that children… Read More »
Culpable Negligence in Florida: Fighting Back After Being Injured
Accidents happen all the time. But when those accidents are preventable, suffering the consequences of the incident can be more than just irksome: it can be grounds for a lawsuit. In Florida, Statute 784.05 addresses what’s called culpable negligence. It’s a concept worth understanding if you’ve been injured in an accident. In the event… Read More »
Boating Accidents on the Rise
In December of 2017, an airboat speeding along Panther Creek crashed into a tree, capsized, and ejected seven occupants. Four of them were injured and required medical care. The number of boating accidents on Florida waterways is increasing, which is particularly bad news when you consider the fact that Florida already leads the nation… Read More »
Speeding Costs Lives
Witnesses observed a pickup truck speeding in Delray Beach, erratically veering around traffic, before it smashed into the back of a van that was stopped prior to making a turn. All four people in the van died. Four individuals were in a third vehicle that was hit, but they escaped with just injuries. Florida… Read More »
