Glen was recently elected into the Florida Workers Compensation Hall of Fame for his contributions, his work to improve and preserve the workers compensation system. He was one of 6 lawyers inducted and their primary focus is in representing injured workers and their families. Glen has spent many years trying to encourage the Florida Legislature to provide more benefits and better benefits for injured workers. He has also fought to improve access to courts and to speed up the process by which workers get paid their benefits. We congratulate Glen on this excellent achievement and recognition for his many years of hard work.
Deputy’s Death Shows Problems With Workers Compensation System
Sadly it takes a death of a Seminole County Sherriff deputy to show the problems with Florida’s workers compensation system. For years the legislature has slashed benefits to injured workers to help businesses. The deputy’s widow will get $7,500 for the funeral which will likely cost $15,000 or more. She will then have to try to live on 33% of his wages which is paid to her every two weeks for a very limited time. There is a cap of $150,00 but that may take years to be paid since it is paid at one third of his wages and is paid bi-weekly. If she remarries those payments stop. Our elected officials in Tallahassee think that is fair compensation for the death of a spouse. If he had not been married, the family could only get the $7,500 to bury him. When the Disney monorail driver(a Stetson University student) died when two monorails crashed while the supervisor was at Denny’s, Disney paid the family $7,500 in total death benefits.
It is sad that the legislature cares so little for those families left behind when a loved one dies in the line of duty. Our prayers are with the deputy’s family and his widow at this most difficult time.
If you want to know more about your rights after a traumatic accident, call us at 407-841-7699 or visit us at WhenJusticeMatters.com. Wieland, Hilado & DeLattre, P.A.
Police Chase Causes 3 Car Accident in Orlando
Another police chase results in a car crash that sends several innocent citizens to the hospital. While a helicopter was following a driver suspected of burglarizing an Orange County home, police officers were giving chase through downtown Orlando and through heavy traffic. When the suspect sped into the intersection of Orange Avenue and Colonial Drive, he crashed into a jeep totaling both vehicles. The driver of the jeep was badly injured as the impact was into the drivers door. There were also two dogs in the Jeep that jumped from the car and ran. The dogs were eventually located and were not seriously injured.
This type of accident is a perfect reason why you need to carry Uninsured Motorist coverage on your car. The driver of the Jeep could sue the police for chasing the
suspect as it is likely a violation of police policies as chases like this clearly endanger
the lives of innocent citizens, just like it did in this accident. We have won a jury
verdict for the death of a young man because of a police chase. However, by laws
passed by our legislature police departments never have to pay more than $200,000
for causing an accident even if the medical bills and lost wages total over $200,000.
And the police departments rarely ever pay any money without forcing the victim to
go to trial. The police refuse to admit they are ever wrong and will spend thousands
and thousands of taxpayer dollars to defend the case.
Protect yourself and buy Uninsured Motorist coverage and buy as much as you can afford.
If think you have been a victim of negligence or of a wrongful police chase, call us at Wieland, Hilado & DeLattre, 407-841-7699 or visit our website at WhenJusticeMatters.com
Orange County Woman Swerves To Miss A Cat Crashes Car Into House
A cat roaming loose ran out into the roadway causing a woman to swerve and lose control. She crashed into a neighbors house. Accidents like this can cause the owner of the animal to be responsible for all damages. Florida law places strict liability on owners of dogs and cats. This means that if your dog or cat causes an accident you could have to pay. This includes bites, scratches or any other way your pet caused the accident. If your dog runs into your neighbors ladder knocking him off and sending him to the hospital, you could be responsible to pay thousands of dollars to your neighbor. Some homeowners insurance policies will pay for the damages, but many won’t. Check your policy or call your agent to make sure your policy protects you and any damages that may be caused by your pet. If you have been injured by someone’s pet, we would be happy to speak with you and answer any questions you may have. We will also be happy to review your policy and tell you if you are protected should your pet hurt someone. Consultations are FREE. Wieland, Hilado & DeLattre, P.A. 407-841-7699 WhenJusticeMatters.com
Posted in Car Accident, Personal Injury
Tagged Auto Accident, dog bite, personal injury
Leave a comment
Pedestrian Killed By Hit And Run Driver
A man was hit and killed by a black jeep with a loud muffler on Semoran Boulevard. The driver of the jeep fled the scene. The driver can face criminal felony charges for leaving the scene of an accident. We have seen this many times in other cases where we have represented the injured person. In those cases where we found witnesses, the driver had been drinking, had no drivers license or had criminal issues pending. We have also found that people who flee the accident scene may not have insurance. This is a great reason that you should make certain that you have Uninsured Motorist coverage on your car. The Uninsured Motorist coverage will protect you and pay for for injuries, lost wages and other damages when the person who hit you does not have insurance. It may also protect you when you are a pedestrian. This would
include walks on the beach where cars are allowed and sunbathing on the beach. Recently a lifeguard in a pick up truck ran over a sunbather at the beach because he did not see her. Protect yourself and your family by making sure you are properly
insured. One accident that keeps you from working for 6 months is not worth the risk
of saving 15% or 20% on your car insurance. Call us fo a Free Consultation on your accident or just to review your insurance policy and your coverage. Wieland, Hilado & DeLattre. 407-841-7699 or visit our website at WHDJustice.com
NTSB Says No Cell Phone Use While Driving
The National Transportation and Safety Board (NTSB) Has been studying cell phone use and how it distracts drivers. Conclusion- no cell phone use at all while driving and this includes no handsfree use. Too many accidents and too many deaths and there is no call or text or email that is worth a human life. We expect to see more legislation and we also expect the cell phone companies to fight against any legislation to restrict cell phone use putting Profits over safety and human life. In Clermont not far from Mr. Delattre’s home a motorcyclist was killed when he was rear ended by a driver. The driver stated he never saw the motorcycle which was properly stopped at a red light. Driving is now more dangerous than ever and even if you drive defensively a distracted driver may cause a deadly accident. Less than three weeks ago another Clermont driver was killed while she was properly stopped at a red light. Make sure you have Uninsured Motorist coverage on your car as over 33% of drivers don’t have insurance to pay for your medical bills, lost wages, and injuries. If you have questions about any legal matter, call us for a FREE consultation. 407-841-7699 or visit us at WhenJusticeMatters.com
Bakery Worker Gets Arm Caught In Mixer
Young bakery worker’s arm was caught in a larger industrial mixer. He was lucky that it did not twist and rip his arm off. We handled an identical case and pursued a products liability claim as well as a claim against the employer who had failed to properly maintain the machine. These accidents should never occur if the equipment has the proper safety elements and are properly maintained. However many employers don’t spend the money to maintain the equipment because they are trying to maximize profits which puts the safety of the worker at risk. With the limited benefits available under workers compensation, workers have now become expendable and replaceable. It is sad but true. If you have questions about your rights, we will answer them. Initial consultations are always FREE. Call for an appointment. 407-841-7699. WhenJusticeMatters.com
Car accident death caused by changing a CD
Another Central Florida driver died on the Turnpike when another driver lost control of her vehicle while trying to change a CD. Distracted drivers are dangerous especially at the speeds on our highways. At 70 miles per hour it only takes a split second of distraction or a small turn of the wheel to lose control. This is not only dangerous to those in your car but your car is deadly to other drivers. Nearly every day we read about accidents and deaths caused by distracted drivers. At Wieland, Hilado & DeLattre we frequently talk to families whose lives are turned upside down from needless accidents. We can help navigate you through the maze of problems from an accident. Call us for a FREE consultation. 407-841-7699 WhenJusticeMatters.com
Multiple car accidents on Black Saturday
We have Black Friday and now Black Saturday for shopping deals. But in Orlando it was Black Saturday for many families who were victims of car accidents. A death in Clermont, a death on West Hwy 50 and a head-on crash in Orange County at Powers Drive that sent 8 people to area hospitals. Some were ejcected from their vehicle. Some were children. We are all rrquired by law to wear our seat belts and adults are required to make sure children are properly buckled in or are in approved child seats. Before you leave the driveway make sure everyone is secure and buckled in. If you have legal questions about your rights when suffer injuries from any accident, call us at Wieland, Hilado & DeLattre for a FREE consultation. 407-841-7699. WhenJusticeMatters.com
Motorcyclist dies in Orlando accident
A car pulled into the path of a motorcycle for no apparent reason. The 26 year old motorcyclist was killed when he impacted the car tha just pulled in front of him on West Colonial Drive. Many drivers just don’t see a motorcycle and the unprotected motorcyclist is the one who suffers. We have represented numerous motorcyclists whose medical bills are huge because of a careless automobile driver. Our consultations are always FREE. Wieland, Hilado & DeLattre. 407-841-7699. WhenJusticeMatters.com
Posted in Uncategorized
Leave a comment
