Taylor Moseley Scholarship

Scott & Wallace Attorney, Robert Scott, selected a Top 20 Golden A.C.E. Nominee

The Tallahassee Network of Young Professionals has recently closed taking nominations for their second annual Golden A.C.E. awards. The award recognizes young professionals under the age of 40 who are excelling in one of twenty industry sectors and who exemplify authentic community engagement (A.C.E.)

Scott & Wallace is proud to congratulate Robert Scott on his nomination for Entrepreneurship and all the nominees for their respective industries. The winners will be announced on March, 23, 2013 at 8pm. The event will be held at the Horizon Ballroom at Hotel Duval. If you are interested in attending the event, you can buy tickets at the Tallahassee Network of Young Professionals’ website: www.TallahasseeNYP.com. All proceeds will be donated to the winner’s pre-selected charity.

Source: Tallahassee Network of Young Professionals, Tallahassee Announces Top 20 Young Professional Nominees, WCTV.TV (March 12, 2013), http://www.wctv.tv/home/headlines/Tallahassee-Announces-Top-20-Young-Professional-Nominees-197628791.html

Florida Hit & Run Car Accidents on the Rise

In recent years, the number of hit-and-run crashes in Florida has risen significantly. This has become a major dilemma for law enforcement officials. In an attempt to stifle the frequency of these incidents, the Florida Highway Patrol is partnering with various other organizations including the Florida Department of Transportation and the Florida Sheriff’s Association. According to a release from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, these organizations hope to combat the number of hit-and-run incidents by “educating drivers on their responsibilities if involved in a crash and the consequences they face if they leave a crash scene.” While the responsibilities of an individual involved in a crash may seem obvious right now, accidents can be both traumatic and confusing, and many people are left wondering what they should do after the fact. The Florida Highway Patrol has outlined the following steps to take if you have been in a crash:

CALL law enforcement.
REMAIN calm.
OBTAIN vehicle, witness and driver information.
SKETCH the scene, showing vehicle crash locations.
HELP the injured.

It is also important to note the consequences that may result if you leave the scene of an accident. According to Florida law, leaving the scene of an accident where a death has occurred is a first degree felony, and carries a maximum sentence of 30 years. Likewise, leaving the scene of a crash where injuries have occurred is a third degree felony, punishable with a maximum sentence of five years in prison. Even if there are no injuries, it is crucial that every person involved remain at the scene. Leaving a scene where property damages have occurred can still result in 60 days in jail or a monetary fine of $500.

Please remember to remain cautious and alert while driving. If you have been involved in an accident and you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact an accident attorney at Scott & Wallace.

FSU Alumni And Celebrated Photographer Barry Mittan Died In Car Crash

After sustaining a serious head injury caused by a car crash, Tallahassee local Barry Mittan died on Wednesday, January 23. The crash occurred the previous day on Mahan Drive, and there were four vehicles involved. After the crash, Mittan was taken to Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare, where he remained until the next day when he was declared brain-dead and taken off life support.

Mittan began what would become a lifelong career as a photographer while attending Florida State University in the 1960s. He was the photographer for several different university organizations, including the newspaper and yearbook. Mittan was also the unofficial photographer for Florida State’s Flying High circus, which he was a member of, for over three decades. Other hobbies of Mittan included golfing and gardening—for the past two years he donated the profits from his homegrown flowers to the Red Cross and the Leon County Humane Society.

All of us at Scott & Wallace would like to remind everyone to stay alert and exercise caution while on the roads. We also wish to extend our condolences to the family and friends of Barry Mittan as they face this tragic loss.

Source: Ensley, Gerald. The Tallahassee Democrat. “Photographer Barry Mittan died after four-car crash.” January 24, 2013. http://www.tallahassee.com/article/20130125/NEWS01/301250017/Photographer-Barry-Mittan-died-after-four-car-crash

Loveable Liabilities: Important Information About Florida Dog Bite Laws

Commonly known as man’s best friends, dogs are kept as pets in about thirty-nine percent of homes in the United States. Unfortunately, dog behavior can often be unpredictable. According to the Florida Department of Health, about 4.7 million people in the United States suffer from dog bite injuries annually, and half of these victims are children. Whether or not you own a dog, chances are you will end up interacting with them regularly, and it is critical to be aware of the laws concerning dog bite victims. Dog bite cases are unique within the realm of personal injury law because of the automatic liability of the dog’s owner.  If a dog bites you, or your child, the dog’s owner is responsible for any damages caused by the dog bite injury. And the accident does not necessarily have to happen at a park or in the street; if you are lawfully in a private home and are bitten by a dog, the owner must still assume full responsibility. According to the law, dog owners are responsible for dog bite damages and injuries “regardless of the former viciousness of the dog or the owners’ knowledge of such viciousness.” Rabies, tetanus, and bacterial infections are just a few of the health problems that can occur as a result of dog bite injuries, and it is critical to seek medical attention immediately after the accident.

If you have been the victim of a dog bite, contact a Tallahassee dog bite attorney at Scott & Wallace to discuss your case.

Sources: Florida Department of Health Report by Danielle Stanek. Dog Bites. http://www.doh.state.fl.us/environment/medicine/dog_bite/DogBites.pdf

U.S. Pet Ownership Statistics. The Humane Society of the United States. August 12, 2011. http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/pet_overpopulation/facts/pet_ownership_statistics.html

Tallahassee Car Accident Update: What the Changes to Florida Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Laws Mean for You

The Law

Effective January 1, 2013, there are several changes to Florida’s PIP, or Personal Injury Protection, laws. Even the safest drivers find themselves involved in traffic accidents, and with an average of almost 650 accidents occurring daily on Florida roads, it is important for everyone to be aware of the laws surrounding car insurance.

First, it’s important to understand what the PIP laws actually are. Personal Injury Protection regulations are a part of the Florida Motor Vehicle No-Fault Law. According to the report prepared by the Committee for Banking and Insurance for the Florida Senate in 2005, “The principle underlying no-fault automobile insurance laws is a trade-off of one benefit for another, by assuring payment of medical, disability (wage loss) and death benefits, regardless of fault, in return for a limitation on the right to sue for non-economic damages (pain and suffering).” In theory, the No-Fault Law was enacted to alleviate the inequities of insurance recovery under the previous system, lower automobile insurance premiums, and limit the number of court cases relating to traffic accident lawsuits.

The Changes

So, what is different about the law, and how will these changes affect you? One of the most crucial changes to the law is concerning the PIP Medical Benefits. For anyone seeking accident-related benefits, initial healthcare services must be received within 14 days after the accident. Previously, there was no time-limit in place. Basically, don’t wait to seek professional healthcare services after your accident. Another new aspect of the bill to keep in mind are the coverage limits, which are based on the medical severity of the individual’s condition as determined by a physician or other healthcare professional. If the individual is determined to have an “emergency medical condition,” and requires immediate medical attention, they are eligible to receive up to $10,000 in medical benefits. Without the diagnosis of an emergency medical condition, an individual is only able to receive up to $2500 in medical benefits.

Other revisions to the law include $5000 in death benefits (now in addition to the $10,000 in medical and disability benefits) and an updated medical fee schedule through Medicare. The bill also includes changes to the Investigation and Payment of Claims portions of the law. An important piece of information to note is that if an individual “unreasonably fails to appear for an independent medical examination (IME), the carrier is no longer responsible for benefits.”

If you have been involved in a car accident, contact a Tallahassee personal injury attorney at Scott & Wallace immediately so that we provide you with the information you need to insure that you maintain the insurance benefits you have paid for.

Tallahassee Man Dies After Being Struck By Car

According to the Tallahassee Police Department release, pedestrian Edward Dennis was killed after being hit in a traffic accident. The accident occurred on Monroe Street near Allen Road on January 6, 2013. David Northway of the Tallahassee Police Department reported that “police were called to the area and learned a pedestrian was struck by a car.” Dennis was immediately transported to the hospital for treatment, but died the next day due to his injuries from the accident.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Edward Dennis as they deal with this tragic incident. We ask all drivers to be cautious and aware of pedestrians.

Source: Tallahassee Police Department Release— January 6, 2012 - 9pm. TPD Release Update— January 11, 2013. http://www.wctv.tv/news/headlines/Pedestrian-Struck-in-Tallahassee-Traffic-Accident-185821202.html?ref=202

Florida State University Baseball Player Stephen Spradling Recovering After Sky-diving Accident

According to reports, on December 30, 2012, second-year FSU baseball player Stephen Spradling was hospitalized after a sky-diving accident. In order to avoid another sky-diver that was headed directly toward him in the air, Spradling forced his chute downward and crash-landed. He was taken to Holmes Hospital in Melbourne, Florida immediately after the accident. According to FSU assistant coach Mike Martin Jr., Spradling suffered from “a broken pelvis, broken hips, broken ribs and a broken bone in his back.” While he is expected to walk again, he will most likely have to remain in a wheelchair for two to three months after being released from the hospital. In his past season as a Seminole, Spradling hit .262 in 42 at-bats and ranked No. 2 on the team with 12 hit-by pitches.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Stephen and his family as they work toward his recovery. We hope to see him back out on the diamond soon.

Source: Clark, Corey. “FSU baseball player hospitalized after sky-diving accident.” Tallahassee Democrat January 3, 2013. http://www.tallahassee.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2013130103010

Deadly Crash on Old Bainbridge Road in Tallahassee

On October 27, 2012, the Florida Highway Patrol responded to a vehicle crash on Old Bainbridge Road. According to reports, Stephen Mackewitz was riding his 2008 Harley Motorcycle south on Old Bainbridge when he lost control of his motorcycle while trying to navigate a curve. Mackewitz’s motorcycle slid into the adjacent land and hit a passing tuck head on. Tragically, Leon County EMS pronounced Mackewitz dead on the scene. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Mr. Mackewitz’s family. 

Source: Mike Springer, Neighbors Concerned About Dangerous Road After Deadly Crash, WCTV.TV (October 28, 2012), http://www.wctv.tv/home/headlines/Leon-County-Roadway-Closed-after-Accident--176117191.html

Fatal Car Accident in Suwannee County

The Florida Highway Patrol responded to a car accident in Suwannee County on September 27, 2012. According to reports, Steve Wayne Mathis walked into the northbound lane of County Road 137 from his driveway to meet with a tow truck that had arrived to pull his vehicle out of the mud. The tow truck had come to a complete stop in the southbound lane facing south. As Mathis approached the truck an unknown make & model, four door, white car was traveling north in the northbound lane and struck Mathis. Suwannee County Emergency Medical Services pronounced Mathis dead on the scene.

Our thoughts go out to the Mathis Family as they deal with this terrible tragedy. 

Source: FHP Release, Fatal Hit and Run in Suwannee County, WCTV.TV (September 28, 2012), http://www.wctv.tv/news/headlines/Hit-and-Run-in-Suwannee-County-171805291.html

Golf Cart Recall for Fire Risk

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Club Car LLC announced a nationwide recall of the golf carts due to a fire risk posed by a possible fuel leak. It was discovered that a crack can form in the furl tank filler neck which would allow fuel to leak out which is a possible fire hazard.  The CPSC advises consumers to contact Club Car for a free replacement fuel tank if you have not already been contacted by Club Car. A full list of recalled golf carts can be viewed at, http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml12/12748.html. 

Source: Nicole Howley, CPSC: Club Car Recalls Golf Carts, Utility Vehicles for Fuel Leak and Fire Risk, JusticeNewsFlash.com (September 26, 2012), http://www.justicenewsflash.com/2012/09/28/cpsc-club-car-recalls-golf-carts-utility-vehicles-for-fuel-leak-and-fire-risk_20120928103727.html