Parking Lot Safety a Holiday Concern

November 30, 2022 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

After two holiday seasons marred by the coronavirus pandemic, there is early evidence that people are visiting the malls and big-box stores in record numbers as Black Friday officially opens the holiday shopping season.

Our injury lawyers in Fort Myers and Cape Coral recently wrote about the risks of holiday shopping injury But a significant number of injuries occur in the parking lot, before shoppers even make it to the store. Being aware of the risks, and what you can do to keep you and your family safe, can go a long way toward avoiding injury this shopping season.

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Help with Hurricane Claims in SWFL

November 29, 2022 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

As Southwest Florida continues to dig out from the historic aftermath of Hurricane Ian, there are growing concerns and frustration over lengthy waits for hurricane damage claims to be processed by insurance companies.

While the unprecedented scope of loss certainly plays a role, it’s important to note that insurance companies have historically been much better at collecting premiums than paying claims. Most homeowners have received letters stating they are responsible for doing whatever possible to avoid secondary damage, which could include tarping roofs and boarding up broken windows. However, homeowners should not be held responsible for damage caused by lengthy waits for payments from insurance companies to cover obvious losses.

At Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner, Attorneys for the Injured, we have lived and worked for more than half a century right here in Southwest Florida. This is home and we are doing everything possible to assist family, friends, coworkers and our community to rebuild after this devastating story. We have partnered with law firms that focus on property damage claims to help ensure Southwest Floridians get the experienced legal help they need during this trying time. We are here to help devastated homeowners who need assistance with hurricane claims.

Florida Scuba Diving Injuries in Focus

November 28, 2022 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

Florida is second only to Hawaii when it comes to scuba diving.

The death of a well-known 36-year-old tech CEO in a diving accident along Hollywood Beach this month highlights the risk as Florida’s winter diving season gets underway. Earlier this year the former owners of a scuba dive charter in Key Largo pleaded guilty in a case that went on for 10 years after their boat was found to be in such poor condition that it sank, claiming the life of a diver. DAN, Divers Alert Network America, reports the number of diving deaths has been on the rise, with 169 recreational scuba deaths reported in 2016, the last year for which statistics are available.

From freshwater caves in North Florida, where visibility is 100 feet or more, to wreck diving in the Florida Keys, to drift dives along the East Coast, Florida draws divers from all over the world to enjoy our warm clear waters, coral reefs, and abundant sea life, including Goliath Grouper, Stingrays, Sharks and Sailfish. The state’s 2.6 million active divers account for nearly half the world’s 6 million divers.

Shopping Safety in Focus as Holidays Begin

November 15, 2022 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

The holidays increase injury risks in a number of ways, from motor vehicle accidents to defective products we unwittingly bring into our homes.

But, while most consider shopping a fun departure from our daily life, too many overlook the risks, particularly at the holidays.

Our injury lawyers in Cape Coral and Fort Myers know this season could be riskier than most, both because shoppers are expected to return to stores in droves after the last two holidays shopping seasons were stunted by spiking COVID cases, and because business are still trying to recover from Hurricane Ian.

Travel Smart, Travel Safe this Thanksgiving

November 13, 2022 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

There is every evidence this will be a record Thanksgiving travel season.

The week of Thanksgiving is always the busiest week on the roads each year. But this year is expected to be busier than most for a number of reasons: Gas prices, while still high, have moderated, families are determined to get together after two years of holiday plans interrupted by COVID, and flying is an expensive mess.

The Thanksgiving Travel Survey 2022 projects nearly half of all adults — some 112 million motorists — plan to travel for Thanksgiving.

Early Darkness Increases Car Accident Risks in SWFL

November 11, 2022 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

Setting the clocks back an hour brings with it early darkness and an increased risk of car accidents, particularly those involving pedestrians.

There has been much debate about Daylight Savings Time, with many favoring setting the clocks and eliminating the twice-yearly changing of time. Advocates for permanent Daylight Savings Time, which brings more light to early evening hours, cite a reduction in car accident risks and more time for residents to shop, dine and spend money at local businesses.

But it’s a debate that has raged for decades and still we deal with early darkness each fall.

Avoiding Hurricane Scams in SWFL

November 1, 2022 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

The damage caused by Hurricane Ian was historic. By most estimates, the destruction will surpass Hurricane Katrina as the most costly storm in U.S. history.

At Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner, Attorneys for the Injured, our attorneys and staff members live and work right here in Southwest Florida. For 50 years since Bruce L. Scheiner set up his first downtown office, we have been dedicated to fighting for the rights of victims and families in Lee, Collier and Charlotte counties.

While recovering from the destruction wrought by Hurricane Ian will be a monumental challenge, there is already evidence of scammers working the area to take advantage of the tragedy. Unfortunately, with tree-trimmers, roofers and general contractors in high demand, and residents desperate to make repairs and prevent further damage, too many homeowners will be vulnerable.

Protecting Yourself From Property Injuries in SWFL

October 31, 2022 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

As we work toward recovery from the historic damage caused by Hurricane Ian, it’s important for private property and business owners to understand their liability when it comes to preventing injury resulting from hazards on their property.

Businesses are fighting for survival and working hard to get employees back to work as quickly as possible. Property owners, likewise, are doing everything possible to rebuild. Nobody wants to be responsible for an injury resulting from dangerous or hazardous conditions. There are steps you can take to help protect yourself and visitors.

Florida premises liability law categorizes property guests as invitees, licensees, or trespassers.

We Stand With SWFL after Hurricane Ian

October 30, 2022 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

When it comes to helping in the wake of Hurricane Ian, each of us at Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner are committed to doing whatever we can.

For more than 50 years, Bruce L. Scheiner has fought for the rights of Southwest Florida residents. Our large staff of attorneys, paralegals, investigators and support personnel live and work right here in Southwest Florida. We are working shoulder-to-shoulder to help family, neighbors, co-workers and complete strangers with basic needs as we all begin the process of rebuilding our beautiful community, better and stronger.

In addition to organizing assistance efforts and working with organizations in our communities, we have partnered with law firms who focus on property damage claims to help ensure Southwest Floridians get the experienced legal help they need during this trying time. We are here to help devastated homeowners who need assistance with hurricane claims. As areas of Southwest Florida regain power and return to some measure of normalcy, let’s not forget some will be working toward recovery for years, while others will never recover from the devastation wrought by this generational storm.

Motorcycle Safety a Year-Round Concern in SWFL

October 1, 2022 | Associates and Bruce L. Scheiner

Riding is a year-round activity in Florida. While motorcycles are being stored for the winter throughout the northern parts of the country, motorists should expect to see them hitting the streets in large numbers here in Southwest Florida.

In fact, winter is the busiest time for bikers in our area. When the rain ends and cooler temperatures return, solo bikers and large riding groups make their way onto our local highways and byways. A number of large motorcycle events—from Cape Coral Bike Night to Daytona Bike Week —will also draw riders to our area from across the nation.

For more than half a century, our motorcycle injury attorneys have been fighting for the rights of motorcycle riders and their families in Lee, Collier, and Charlotte counties. Riders are often blamed for collisions in the court of public opinion, but statistics show that more than half of all crashes involving a passenger vehicle are the fault of the passenger vehicle’s driver.

Florida Injury Lawyer Blog