Jurors returned a verdict in the amount of $1,094,034.30 on Friday, February 12, 2010 for a young man tragically injured in a crash with a Palm Beach County School Bus.

The 14 year old boy, Altavious Carter, was being driven home by his basketball coach after practice. The coach made a routine stop at a red traffic light. A Palm Beach County School District bus was traveling at 45 or 50 miles per hour, approaching the unsuspecting 14 year old basketball star. For reasons still unclear, the bus failed to slow; failed to stop; and rear ended the vehicle where the 14 year old was appropriately seat belted. The 14 year old boy, who loved basketball, suffered a broken neck and other serious injuries.

Not surprisingly, the Palm Beach County School District admitted their fault in the accident and the case went to trial in Palm Beach County last week. The School District argued they should not owe the young man more than $250,000 for his very significant injuries; because they argued he had failed to suffer a permanent injury.

Searcy Denney attorneys, Brian Denney and Jack Hill, tried the case to a jury of six Palm Beach County jurors.

This young man has fought a valiant battle in coming back from his injuries. Doctors feared he would be paralyzed, but this young man has demonstrated a heroic courage. He has had very limited resources with which to rehabilitate himself and has largely been successful through sheer strength of will.

Because the School District of Palm Beach County is a “sovereign immune”, governmental entity, it is not likely they will voluntarily make payment of the verdict. It will be necessary to win a claims bill submitted to the Florida legislature before any payment will be made to Mr. Carter. Although the battle is not over Attorneys Denney and Hill are ecstatic that their client will have the funds to go forward in his life on a more positive basis than he has been able to do so far.

In case you missed it during the 2008 presidential primary news blizzard of the past few months, which has consumed the front page of newspapers nationwide, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has once again failed to protect the American public from harm caused by pharmaceutical drugs and devices. Choosing to protect the outrageous profits of the major drug manufacturers over the health and welfare of each of us, and after failing to gain the support of Congress in their quest to do so, the FDA went behind Congress’s back to President Bush to propose new rules concerning labeling requirements on drugs. In addition to the fact that important side effect information would be less likely to reach consumers under the proposed rule, the change would also permit companies to update their drug and device labels with new safety information without waiting for FDA approval.

(more…)

I was driving to work this morning and heard the tale of a puppy found suffering after someone poured hot oil on him and left him to suffer to death. What sort of low-life does it take to torture an innocent, defenseless, animal? What should the penalty be for this savage, brutal act?

I confess, my wife and I are DINKS (double income no kids). Yes, we are those people who think of their four legged friends as “the kids”. So, I have a particular affinity for dogs and cats that I know some people do not. Dogs in particular give their love and companionship freely. When I come home, my animals are excited to see me and free to express their love and devotion. Their only complaint; where have you been and we missed you.

(more…)

Let me first tell you that I am new to this blogging thing. I am one of the senior partners here at this firm; some would say emphasis on “senior”. I have spent the better part of my life fighting for injured victims and I now realize that my country has become one of those injured victims. My feelings for my country are as fervent and passionate as my feelings for the clients I represent. The gentleman who runs our blog has advised me against this publish, because he felt it was too political; I, of course, am ignoring him.

As someone who used to be a die-hard Republican, I must confess that I am angry and appalled at what my government is doing to its people. Yes, my government; because you see, even when we would rail against what our government has become, in the end, it is still our responsibility.

(more…)