Wrongful Death

August 7, 2015

What Jeep & Chrysler Owners Need to Know About Fiat Chrysler Enforcement Action

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recently issued a press release regarding the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Fiat Chrysler Enforcement Action.

Fiat Chrysler has acknowledged violations of the Motor Vehicle Safety Act and admitted to failing to handle the required repairs on vehicles with safety defects. They have agreed to federal oversight, buy backs and a civil penalty.

They are facing a $105 million civil penalty- the largest penalty ever imposed by the NHTSA.

Violation of the Motor Vehicle Safety Act

NHTSA officials pointed out various problems with Fiat Chrysler’s execution of 23 vehicle safety recalls, covering more than 11 million defective vehicles. The automaker violated the Safety Act in three ways:

Timely Recall Remedies
Notification to Vehicle Owners as well as Dealerships
Notification to the NHTSA

Fiat Chrysler In the Future

Fiat Chrysler is facing significant civil penalties. The automaker will have to pay an initial $70 million in cash, and spend another $20 million on meeting performance requirements in the Consent Order. Another $15 million could be taken if the independent monitor uncovers any further Safety Act or Consent Order violations. The NHTSA is sending out a powerful message to Fiat Chrysler as well as other automakers: You cannot place profits above consumer safety, and you cannot violate the Motor Vehicle Safety Act.

Are You a Jeep or Chrysler Owner?

Owners of certain Jeep and Chrysler vehicles will have the chance to sell their defective vehicles back to Fiat Chrysler, under the Consent Order. More than half a million automobile owners with vehicles that have defective suspension parts will be eligible to sell these vehicles back. More than a million Jeep owners will also be able to trade their vehicles in for above market value prices or will receive financial incentives to get their car’s fixed. To find out if your vehicle is under recall, check Safercar.gov’s VIN search tool.

July 27, 2015

Court Agrees to Hear Appeal in Hospital PIP Lawsuit

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A federal court has agreed to hear an appeal on whether drivers in Palm Beach County and across Florida should be granted class-action status in their claim that HCA hospitals, including JFK Medical Center in Atlantis, are severely overcharging for services under the state’s car insurance system.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit in Atlanta agreed this week to consider an appeal of a lower-court decision in Florida that drivers could pursue lawsuits individually, but not as a group. The plaintiffs allege that the hospitals are draining Personal Injury Protection benefits by charging up to 65 times what Medicare pays.

An HCA statement issues said the case lacks merit and the company intends to defend it vigorously.

Recently, the Florida state legislature has taken steps to reduce the amount of fraud in the insurance system, reduce payment delays and limit use of the court system. The following changes were implemented:

In the past, injury victims had an unlimited time frame to make an injury claim, but now injury victims only have 14 days to seek medical treatment that may be covered by PIP.
Under the new law, people with minor injuries might be limited on the amount of financial recovery that they will receive from PIP coverage.
PIP compensation is limited to 80 percent of your medical costs.

July 20, 2015

Voluntary Recalls & What They Mean

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

When the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission finds fault or a potential for danger in a certain product, they have the authority to request a product recall. A product recall is a government issued request to return a defective product to the maker. While these product recalls can be costly and tarnish a company’s reputation, overall, they are helpful in limiting liability for corporate negligence.

In some cases, companies will issue a recall voluntarily, which means the recall was not mandated by the CPSC. Nearly all announced recalls are voluntary. Voluntary product recalls are thought to be safeguards against potential lawsuits and tricky legal situations.

Voluntary Recalls in 2015

In 2015, there have been many headlines listing several high-profile voluntary recalls, including:

Takata Airbags – Takata airbag inflators were recalled for a defect that involved more than 34 million vehicles. This recall came after it was found that the inflators could rupture when deployed, causing them to seriously injure occupants in the vehicle. At least 6 deaths and more than 100 injuries have been associated with the defect. This recall is currently the largest automotive recall in the history of the U.S.

Niagara Bottling – After evidence was found linking E. coli bacteria at the springsource, a voluntary recall was made. This recall involved spring water produced at two of their Pennsylvania plants from June 10 to June 18, 2015.
Blue Bell Ice Cream – Blue Bell Creamery issued a recall for all ice cream, frozen yogurt, sherbet, and any of their frozen snacks after it was found that these foods might have been contaminated with Listeria. At this time, there are at least 10 different cases of people who have been infected with the disease and three deaths.

Sabra Hummus – Sabra Dipping Co., LLC issued a nationwide voluntary recall of select batches of its classic hummus due to a possible contamination with Listeria.

Kraft Mac & Cheese – Kraft issued a voluntary recall in March after a concern arose of metal pieces located in approximately 240,000 boxes of Macaroni & Cheese dinners.

July 18, 2015

Boy Drowns at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

A 3-year-old boy drowned Tuesday night at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, according to deputies.

The call came in around 8 p.m. to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies claim the boy got separated from his parents and drowned in the pool. He was transported to Celebration Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The family was visiting from New York.

Florida, especially the Orlando and central Florida area, is home to a great number of water parks. Children of all ages love water parks, and they are an ideal destination for many families who enjoy the wave pools, slides and fun. However, if waterparks are not properly operated or staffed, they can be quite dangerous, especially for young or inexperienced swimmers. Children can easily get trapped by drains that are missing their covers or they can hit their heads while on a slide other ride and become incapacitated in the water.

Waterpark operators have a legal responsibility to take adequate steps to ensure the water park is free from any hazards. This may include making sure the rides are built, maintained and inspected properly. Additionally, this also includes ensuring that drains are working properly and safety equipment is in working condition. Water parks must also ensure they are staffed accordingly. They must have enough lifeguards, and these lifeguards must be properly trained to perform their duties.

July 15, 2015

Four Killed in U.S. 27 Crash in Frostproof

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Four people are now dead after a crash Sunday night in Frostproof.

Around 10:15 p.m., a 29-year-old Avon Park man is believed to have lost control of his Dodge sedan on southbound U.S. 27 between County Road 630-A and U.S. 98, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.

The Dodge exited the roadway, struck a concrete culvert and came to rest in a drainage ditch.

First responders found two passengers dead: a 38-year-old Frostproof man and a 28-year-old Eustis man.

The driver and another passenger, a 33-year-old Frostproof man, were airlifted to Lakeland Regional Health. One man passed away the same day and another died Monday.

Police believe a second car may have been involved. They suspect a 1990s black Honda with a light-colored left-front fender may have been in the area. The car would have been heading south on U.S. 27. Anyone with information about this vehicle is asked to call Deputy Sheriff Johnnie Wombles at 863-297-1109.

Across the United States, on average, a person dies in a car accident every 12 minutes. Car accidents are the leading cause of death for all people under 35.

Most auto accident fatalities are entirely preventable, resulting from driver negligence. When one driver’s negligent actions behind the wheel causes the death of another person, survivors of the victim are entitled to make a claim for financial compensation for the wrongful death of their loved one.

While no amount of money can compensate for the loss of a human life, making a wrongful death claim for an auto accident fatality is not really about the money, it’s about accountability and making careless drivers face up to the tragedy they have caused a family. Nothing can bring the person back, but holding the wrongdoer accountable can be of some comfort and possibly prevent future similar accidents.

July 8, 2015

Orlando Eye Re-Opens After Passengers Stuck for Hours

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Orlando Eye officials have confirmed that the ride was officially re-opened, almost 24 hours after it was shut down.

Officials said that after conducting a thorough inspection, technicians were able to resolve the default that monitors the wheel’s position.

According to reports, some passengers were stuck on board the Orlando Eye for nearly two hours on Friday. The ride stopped and guests were stranded on the large observation wheel around 3:45 p.m.

“The operating systems for the Orlando Eye indicated a technical default with the system that monitors the wheel position of the Orlando Eye,” said a spokesperson for the attraction on International Drive. “As a safety precaution, the attraction is designed to automatically shut down if communication with this system is interrupted.”

People remained in the capsules while engineers and technicians worked to fix the issue. No injuries have been reported.

One of the Orlando Eye passengers told FOX 35 that she had been stuck for 90 minutes before fire trucks began to assemble below. She stated that the enclosed capsule had no fresh air being pumped through it at the time.

“Immediately following the default, the operations team began working to resolve the matter to allow guests to disembark the attraction,” according to a spokesperson for the Orlando Eye. “A backup system was employed that allowed capsules to be moved to the platform and opened manually.”

Reports indicate that operators of the Orlando Eye maintained constant communication with passengers during the event. As of now, operations have been fully restored.

Millions of visitors come to the Orlando area every year, and Orlando-area rides and amusement parks are a big reason why people choose this area as their vacation spot. The theme park business is highly competitive, and theme parks are always looking for the fastest, scariest rides that provide the greatest thrills to guests. The sad truth is that some of these rides that are designed to appear dangerous actually are. Due to negligent design, poor maintenance and other factors, many people can suffer serious harm on these rides.

July 2, 2015

Fourth of July Road Dangers

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Fireworks are definitely dangerous, but they are not the only dangers to avoid this Fourth of July weekend. The roadways are especially hazardous during the summer holidays. When you are traveling to or from an Independence Day party this year, please remember to be on the look out for reckless drivers.

Here are a few dangers to try and avoid this Fourth of July:

Drunk drivers. Think about it, almost every Florida Independence Day celebration will have alcohol. Partygoers who are drinking at parties and such should not get behind the wheel of a car. If you see a car weaving or dodging in and out of traffic, keep your distance. If you have a passenger with you, consider notifying authorities.
Drowsy Drivers. Many holiday drivers are travelling lengthy distances to get to their final destination. Those who have been driving for hours may be feeling fatigued. Drowsy driving is often as dangerous as drunk drivers, so stay alert.
Distracted Drivers. Keep in mind that many travelers on Florida roadways are from out of town and have never been to the area before. Taking your eyes off the road for just a few seconds to look at a navigation device can have devastating results. Avoid being a distracted driver by staying off your cell phone and having other passengers check your GPS or phone for you.
Speeding Drivers. People that are anxious to get where they are going may decide to speed or drive recklessly. Make sure you obey the posted speed limits and monitor your speed if there is heavy traffic.

June 19, 2015

GM Adds More than 243,000 Cars to Takata Airbag Recall

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

General Motors is adding more than 243,000 compact hatchbacks in the U.S. and Canada to the growing number of already recalled vehicles for airbags that can explode with too much force.

The company said Friday that the expanded recall for passenger air bags covers the Pontiac Vibe from 2003 through 2007. The cars were designed by Toyota and made at jointly owned factory in California.

The Vibe recall comes after Takata Corp. of Japan agreed to double the size of its air bag inflator recall to 33.8 million in May, thus marking it the largest automotive recall in U.S. history.

The propellant in some Takata inflators can burn too quickly, blowing apart a metal canister and sending shrapnel into the passenger compartment. The problem has been blamed for at least seven deaths and more than 100 injuries.

Just last month, Takata declared many of its products defective due to pressure from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The company agreed to double the number of air bag inflators being recalled.

The giant recall covers driver and passenger airbags in cars and trucks made by 11 automakers. Takata, the automakers and the NHTSA are still trying to pinpoint what exactly causes the inflators to malfunction.

Owners can find out if their car is part of the giant recall by going to https://vinrcl.safercar.gov/vin/ and typing in their vehicle identification number. The number is located on many state registration cards and is stamped on the dashboard near the bottom of the driver’s side windshield.

May 26, 2015

Largest Recall in US History: Takata Declares 33.8M of its Inflator Mechanisms Defective

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Japanese airbag manufacturer Takata recently announced that the initial recall of its exploding airbags has been expanded to nearly 34 million vehicles. Thus marking Takata’s current situation as one of the largest consumer products recalls of all time. According to ABC News, nearly one in seven cars on the road are being impacted by this recall. The airbags in question could unexpectedly deploy and explode, shooting shrapnel at the faces, neck and chest region of drivers and passengers in impacted cars. At this time, six deaths are being attributed to the exploding airbags with many more injuries being reported.

Automakers Are Being Held Accountable

Last year, there were record-breaking recalls on vehicles across the country. While we are only partially through 2015, it looks like 2015 could give 2014 a run for its money. In the past, federal safety regulatory agencies have been way too easy on automobile manufacturers. However, as it stands now, the government is taking great strides to hold automakers accountable for dangerous faulty and defective parts.

April 29, 2015

Illness, Injuries Reported at Orlando Theme Parks

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

During the first three months of 2015, three people felt seriously ill after riding Harry Potter & the Forbidden Journey at Universal Orlando.

According to a quarterly theme-park injury report submitted to the state of Florida, Walt Disney World reported six injuries and Universal reported seven.

There were no reported injuries at SeaWorld, Wet `n Wild and Legoland.

According to reports, the injuries on the Harry Potter ride include a 69-year-old man who felt chest discomfort, a 51-year-old man with a pre-existing condition had difficulty moving his extremities and a 76-year-old woman experienced “altered mental status.”

The parks report injuries that take place on a ride and result in an immediate hospital stay of more than 24 hours.

At Disney’s Magic Kingdom, a 64-year-old man hurt his ankle while stepping out of a car at the Indy Speedway. At the Animal Kingdom, two people reportedly felt ill after riding Expedition Everest.

Theme park accidents actually occur more often than the public might think. The major Florida theme parks include Universal Orlando, Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon, Wet ‘n Wild Orlando, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Islands of Adventure, SeaWorld Orlando, Disney’s Blizzard Beach, LEGOLAND Florida, DisneyQuest, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, Universal Studios Florida, Discovery Cove and many more.

Most people tend to think that roller coasters are the most dangerous areas of a theme park. While in some cases these rides do present serious risks, injuries at an amusement park can also frequently result from:

Slip and Fall Accidents
Negligent Security
Drowning or Near-Drowning
Waterborne Illness
Disney Monorail Accidents
Shuttle Bus Accidents
Food Contamination
Malfunctioning Machinery
Animal Bites & Attacks