As the coronavirus (COVID-19) became an increasingly apparent threat to Americans’ health, those on cruise ships were among the first to be infected. Debi Chalik, partner at Chalik & Chalik Injury Lawyers, decided she had to take action as her parents were aboard Princess Cruises’ Grand Princess cruise ship amidst a coronavirus outbreak. The more…
With many people out of work or working from home, and many businesses remain remaining closed as a method to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the roadways are less congested than ever before. This presents an opportunity that some drivers cannot resist, driving dangerously faster than posted speed limits. Unfortunately, this means that while overall…
If you were injured in an accident due to someone else’s negligence in the state of Florida, you may be facing astronomical medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. These obstacles are important in terms of what to consider when you hire a personal injury lawyer. You may feel overwhelmed dealing with medical appointments,…
Several factors make for a dangerous intersection. The International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health reports that fatalities are more likely to occur at intersections where dense traffic allows little room for error while driving. Additional possible hazards include: High numbers of motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists. Poor visibility. Little signage or unclear road instructions….
It may seem straightforward who is at fault, and therefore liable, in a pedestrian accident, but it can be much more difficult to prove liability. In order to receive compensation and get paid for medical bills and lost income, the victim must establish four elements. First, the victim must prove that the person at fault…
Florida, along with forty-two other states, has adopted “move over” laws. These laws were designed to protect police officers and emergency workers as they work on the sides of busy highways and interstates. Florida law states that if it is safe, vehicles should move one lane over from a stopped police car or other emergency…
The Space Coast Transportation Planning Organization released a list of the top intersections for accidents in Brevard County. The top intersections, along with the vehicle crash frequencies, are: Babcock Street and Palm Bay Road: 77 .6 U.S. 1 and Eau Gallie Boulevard: 54.2 Minton Road and Emerson Drive: 52.6 Wickham Road and Sarno Road: 51.8…
Lump-sum settlements under Florida law are what a victim receives when he or she agrees to resolve a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit with a single, large payout. This type of settlement occurs after negotiations have concluded, and all parties have agreed on the terms and the settlement amount. The single payment covers the…
A Florida lawyer can prove fault in a car accident when the police report says otherwise. Police officers are trained in investigating car accidents and will prepare an official police report regarding the details of the accident in accordance with the Uniform Traffic Crash Report Manual. However, these police reports are not the only source…
Car accidents are a very serious problem in the state of Florida. They are a leading problem of injuries and death and result in billions of dollars spent in medical and work loss costs. Read on to learn some of the more notable car accident statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),…
A midair collision of two floatplanes carrying Princess Cruises passengers caused the deaths of six people on Monday, May 13, 2019. All passengers were guests of the Princess Cruises’ Royal Princess cruise ship. One of the planes involved in the crash, an Otter plane operated by Taquan Air, carried 10 passengers on a shore excursion….
The fear of accidents and injury shouldn’t be what scares your family this Halloween. It’s safety first when it comes to choosing the right costume and deciding on the evening’s events. Attorneys Jason and Debi Chalik, who are parents themselves, share their favorite Halloween safety tips. Getting Ready for Halloween Night The first step in…
Infants are more susceptible to head injury than adults given that their heads are proportionately bigger and they have yet to develop the muscles and coordination that adults have. While most head injuries in infants are minor, serious brain injuries can occur in traumatic accidents and during complicated births. Causes of Infant Brain Injury Infants,…
A Brachial plexus injury, also known as Brachial plexus palsy, is an injury that occurs during the delivery of a newborn when the head and shoulder are abnormally stretched, damaging the nerves of the shoulder. This birth injury may cause your newborn’s arm to lay limp or have limited mobility in the shoulder and/or hand….
As parents, we perform due diligence when shopping for a car that will keep our kids safe when we’re on the road. We choose only car seats that meet (or exceed) safety standards. We follow the speed limit and drive defensively. But what about those often-overlooked auto-related hazards? Below is an outline of four potential…
Child head injuries get lots of attention in the sports arena, but concussions aren’t limited to young athletes and high school football players. Infants and toddlers also are prone to head injury. This is especially true as infants and young toddlers begin to crawl, walk and explore the world around them. Seeing your baby “bonk”…
Our babies are precious and their safety is of the utmost importance to us. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that the leading cause of infant injury death is sleep-related suffocation. Choosing a crib that meets all safety guidelines will go a long way to protecting your baby from any dangers. As…
You will make lots of important purchasing decisions as a parent. Safety is the number one consideration when you’re shopping for an infant car seat, a convertible car seat or a booster car seat. Below are a few tips to help ensure you buy the right car seat and protect your child in the event of an…
As you begin your pregnancy, start looking for an obstetrician you feel absolutely comfortable with — one you trust will see you and your baby safely through delivery. As you begin your search, we’d like to encourage you with the following tips so that you can ensure you find an OBGYN who’s a good match…
Our gorgeous South Florida weather makes year-round pool parties a viable option. Unfortunately, these festive occasions are not without risk of pool accidents. The Florida Department of Health reports our state leads the nation in annual fatal child drownings for children younger than five years. In fact, the rate of drowning for kids ages one…
