South Florida Injury Lawyer Blog

An Indiana University student is struck by a train at Southwest 2nd Street and Southwest 2nd Avenue while celebrating his spring break in Fort Lauderdale, according to the The Sun Sentinel.

This is the second time an accident like this has occurred in recent months. Fort Lauderdale spring break injury attorneys encourage you to party safely and responsibly on the east coast this spring break.

The college student was struck by the train at 1:45 a.m. It has yet to be reported if alcohol or other drugs were involved. According to authorities, the spring breaker walked around the railroad gate, which was down and alerting caution, and was struck by the northbound train.

Spring break accidents are not uncommon. The Examiner provides a list of the top 10 spring break injuries. The list includes incidents of car accidents, falls, boating accidents, drownings and various alcohol-related incidents.

SafeSpringBreak.org offers local vacationers these tips to help ensure a safe spring break:

-Go out with friends, and go home with friends. Parting responsibly with friends can help keep some out of trouble and accounted for. Make sure you always have a designated driver.

-Practice safe sex. Let's not ignore the fact that spring breakers have a history of promiscuity. Bring proper protection and set boundaries. Think first and don't allow you self to wind up in a compromising situation.

-Hit the beach with a buddy. Remember that the Florida sun can take a toll on beach goers. Keep yourself hydrated with plenty of water. Always swim with a friend. The east coast undertow can take hold of even the most experienced swimmer.

-Monitor your alcohol consumption. Be aware of the liquor laws in your spring break destination. A study by the University of Wisconsin reports that 75 percent of college males and 43 percent of females reported being intoxicated on a daily basis during spring break.

Continue reading "Ft. Lauderdale, Popular Spring Break Destination at Increased Risk for Injuries" »

It's a miracle that a 4-year-old child survived a fall from a 17th floor window at the Doubletree Grand Hotel Biscayne Bay on Friday. The Miami Herald reported that the child was chasing a balloon when he managed to open a slider and climb over a balcony railing.

He fell from the 17th floors before bouncing off the crown of a palm tree and landing in a dirt area surrounding the hotel's 10th floor pool area, according to Miami police.

Small children can get into trouble in an instant, even with proper parental supervision. However, hotels and motels have an obligation to ensure safe enjoyment of facilities. A South Florida premise liability claim can result when dangerous or unsafe conditions lead to a serious or fatal accident on hotel property. In this case, the family was living in a condo at the hotel. Police called it a miracle: Not only did the child survive, he appeared to have no broken bones when he was taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital, where he remained on Saturday and was listed in good condition.

In general, South Florida hotel accidents can occur when child safety measures, including door locks, are not in place or when balcony railings are inadequate to protect against falls.

The Sun-Sentinel reported there have been several recent high-profile falls from balconies in Broward and Palm Beach counties:

-A 30-year-old man was seriously injured when he fell from a Boca Raton balcony while trying to enter his locked apartment from a neighbor's balcony.

-In March 2007, a 3-year-old fell 20 feet from a third-floor balcony at an apartment complex in Lauderhill.

-In May 2005, a 70-year-old woman fell 100 feet from a ninth floor balcony in Fort Lauderdale and survived after landing on a decorative canopy.

The majority of the dozen cases listed in the Sun-Sentinel involved small children.

Continue reading "Hotel balconies a danger for guests; children at high risk for fall injuries in South Florida" »