The Blog

Customers, tenants, vendors, and other visitors generally expect commercial properties to be reasonably safe when they enter them. Unfortunately, dangerous conditions can develop in restaurants, stores, hotels, office buildings, parking areas, and other commercial properties, sometimes resulting in serious injuries. Florida premises liability law can allow an injured person to pursue a claim when a property owner, operator, or other …

When someone suffers a catastrophic injury or a family loses a loved one because of another person’s actions, a civil claim may seek compensation for the losses resulting from that harm. In certain exceptional cases, however, the defendant’s conduct may go beyond ordinary negligence. Florida law allows punitive damages to be pursued when specific legal requirements are satisfied and the …

BRILL & RINALDI, The Law Firm recently resolved a significant maritime injury case involving a barge captain and deckhand who was seriously injured while working aboard a barge on Florida’s Intracoastal Waterway. The worker was following orders and removing chains from a piling when a pile-driving hammer suddenly dropped onto his dominant right hand, causing devastating injuries. The case involved …

When a large number of people are harmed by the same company, product, or business practice, filing hundreds or even thousands of individual lawsuits may not be the most practical way to seek justice. In some situations, the legal system allows individuals with similar claims to pursue a single lawsuit together through a class action. Class action litigation can provide …

Working aboard a yacht presents unique challenges and risks that most land-based employees never encounter. Crew members are often expected to perform physically demanding tasks, respond to unexpected situations, and follow the directions of vessel owners or captains in environments where accidents can happen quickly. When an injury occurs, maritime law provides protections that differ significantly from traditional workers’ compensation …

Consumers and businesses rely on manufacturers to produce products that are reasonably safe when used as intended. Whether the product is used in a home, on a construction site, or in a commercial agricultural operation, buyers have the right to expect that known risks will be disclosed through adequate warnings and instructions. When a manufacturer becomes aware of a dangerous …

Commercial truck drivers spend thousands of hours on the road each year transporting goods across Florida and the United States. While most drivers operate safely and follow federal regulations, fatigue remains one of the leading safety concerns in the trucking industry. To reduce the risk of fatigue-related crashes, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has established strict Hours-of-Service regulations …

When a serious accident results in catastrophic injuries or the loss of life, determining exactly what happened is rarely as simple as reviewing a police report. While law enforcement officers document the scene and gather initial evidence, many complex cases require a much more detailed analysis. This is where accident reconstruction experts often become an important part of the investigation. …

A recent hit-and-run crash in Fort Lauderdale has once again highlighted the devastating consequences of fatal traffic accidents and the legal questions families often face afterward. According to published reports, a woman riding her bicycle across the Southeast 17th Street Causeway Bridge was struck by a vehicle whose driver allegedly fled the scene before emergency responders arrived. Investigators later identified …

A recent norovirus outbreak aboard the Caribbean Princess has once again drawn attention to the health risks that can arise during cruise vacations. According to published reports, more than 100 passengers and crew members became ill during the voyage before the ship returned to Port Canaveral on May 11th, prompting enhanced sanitation efforts and an investigation by the Centers for …

Cruise vacations are often marketed as safe and relaxing experiences, particularly for passengers departing from South Florida ports such as PortMiami and Port Everglades. However, serious injuries can occur when cruise lines fail to maintain safe conditions aboard their vessels. From dangerous deck conditions to inadequate security and poorly maintained equipment, cruise ship negligence can lead to catastrophic consequences for …

Fatal hit-and-run accidents leave families facing not only the emotional devastation of losing a loved one, but also the frustration and uncertainty that come when the responsible driver flees the scene. These incidents often involve complex investigations and difficult legal questions, particularly when the at-fault driver is not immediately identified. In Florida, hit-and-run crashes resulting in death can lead to …

Maritime workers face unique risks while performing their duties aboard vessels. Because of the dangerous nature of maritime work, federal maritime law provides special protections for injured seamen that differ significantly from standard workers’ compensation systems. One of the most important of these protections is the right to maintenance and cure. Understanding how maintenance and cure works is essential for …

Traumatic brain injuries are among the most serious injuries a person can suffer after an accident. Unlike many physical injuries, the effects of a brain injury are not always immediately visible. In severe cases, victims may experience long-term cognitive, emotional, and physical impairments that permanently alter their daily lives. Because of the complexity and long-term impact involved, catastrophic brain injury …

Losing a loved one in a fatal accident is one of the most difficult experiences a family can face. In the aftermath, families are often left dealing with grief, financial uncertainty, and unanswered questions about what happened. When a death is caused by someone else’s negligence, Florida law provides a legal path for families to seek accountability and compensation through …

Maritime workers operate in environments where safety depends heavily on the condition of the vessel and its equipment. When something goes wrong, the consequences can be severe. In addition to claims under the Jones Act, injured seamen may also have the right to pursue an unseaworthiness claim. This is a distinct legal concept under federal maritime law that holds vessel …