Pasco Law Blog

Press Release:  April 8, 2010

The Million Dollar Advocates Forum is pleased to announce that attorney Jeff Lucas of New Port Richey, Florida has been certified as a member.  Attorney Lucas joins his partner James L. Magazine who is also a member.

The Million Dollar Advocates Forum is recognized as one of the most prestigious groups of trial lawyers in the United States.  Membership is limited to attorneys who have won million and multi-million dollar verdicts, awards and settlements.  The organization was founded in 1993 and there are approximately 3000 members located throughout the country.  Fewer than  1 percent  of U.S. lawyers are members.  Forum membership acknowledges excellence in advocacy, and provides members with a national network of experienced colleagues for professional referral and information exchange in major cases.  Members must have acted as principal counsel in at least one case in which their client has received a verdict, award or settlement in the amount of  one million dollars or more.   Please see their website www.milliondollaradvocates.com for further details concerning membership qualifications.

The week of February 22 through February 26 finds the attorneys at Lucas, Green & Magazine in trial.   The past several months have been very busy for our attorneys and support staff as they have been preparing for this trial week.  Our attorneys are currently  prepared to try five (5) cases in Pasco, Pinellas and Martin County.  With our Florida Bar Board Certified Civil Trial attorneys and our team approach to trying cases, our firm is prepared for this very busy trial week.  At Lucas, Green & Magazine our trial experienced attorneys work together by discussing and planning the best presentation of our client’s case for the courtroom.  Although they often find “great minds think alike,” sometimes round-tabling accident cases may bring a new perspective and fresh ideas.  At Lucas, Green & Magazine we know each client is different and each case is different.  The attorneys you meet at our firm, and the staff that handle your claims will always keep your best interest at heart.

Staff of Lucas, Green & Magazine choose to wear Red, White and Blue in honor of Veteran’s Day 2009.

May we all remember that the freedoms we have in this country are in place due to our Veteran’s.  On this day may we remember those who are still with us, and those who lost their lives while serving others.

May we never take for granted the rights and freedoms that continue to be protected galantly by our  men and women in the armed forces.

When you or a loved one are involved in an accident of any type, whether it be an automobile or a slip and fall, most people are shocked, startled and confused. It is very important to try to focus and think clearly when the incident happens. Although this can sometimes be difficult, if we are educated and prepared, hopefully we can try to calmly review the situation and be proactive.

When the accident is a Slip and Fall, it is important to inspect the area where you or your loved one fell, and try to determine what caused you or your loved one to fall.

Make sure to write down the names, addresses and phone numbers of anyone in the vicinity where the incident occurred - both those who saw the fall, and others who were there after the incident. The individuals will likely be needed as witnesses on the victim’s behalf. Even if someone did not see the fall, he or she could, if necessary, describe your pain and the conditions of the floor, lighting, or other hazard immediately after the fall.

If the incident occurred in a store or place of business, speak with the manager or supervisor on duty, and have them make a record of the incident, being sure to get a copy of anything prepared. If anyone (especially an employee, supervisor or manager) makes a comment suggesting that this has occurred before, or that they were aware of the condition before the fall, obtain this person’s name and job title. Make sure to get the name, address and phone number of anyone else who heard him or her make the statement.

Have someone take photographs of the area as soon as possible, so a record is made. Dangerous conditions have a way of changing if the property owner thinks that you might file a claim for injuries.

If you slip on any substance on the floor, obtain a sample of the substance if possible.

After receiving appropriate initial medical treatment, contact an attorney with experience in handling claims for personal injury resulting from slip and fall accidents.

If you’re a passenger who has sustained injuries in an automobile accident, you are entitled to receive compensation for your injuries. As a passenger, you may have a claim against both the driver of the vehicle in which you were riding as well as the drivers of any other vehicles (or any other negligent party) involved in the collision.

A passenger is generally not considered to be at fault or partially at fault in an auto accident unless he or she does something that specifically causes the accident such as distract the driver. If you have been injured as a passenger in a vehicle involved in a collision, an attorney at Pasco LawGroup can help you file a claim and get monetary compensation for your injuries.

If you or a loved one has been involved in an automobile accident contact Pasco Law Group at 1-800-4-INJURY.

The Law Office of Lucas, Green & Magazine is assisting the Joshua House in the collection of back to school supplies for foster children in need.  Items that can be donated include: notebooks, crayons, colored pencils, rulers, scissors, highlighters, notebook paper (college rule), scientific calculators,  5-subject notebooks, mechanical pencils, pocket dictionaries, erasers, glue/glue sticks and backpacks.  Donations need to be dropped by our office by Wednesday, August 5, 2009.  Monetary Donations are accepted.  Please make your checks payable to “Friends of Joshua House Foundation” write “School Supplies” on the memo line and mail to:  Friends of Joshua House Foundation, Inc., PO Box 26333, Tampa, FL 33623.

On July 1, 2009, the seatbelt law in the State of Florida changed. Floridalaw has required drivers and front-seat passengers to wear seatbelts, however on July 1, 2009 the law changed so that you can be stopped just for not wearing your seatbelt. The law used to be that if you were stopped for another traffic violation, you could also be sited with a “no seatbelt” violation on top of the original charge.

The Florida Primary Seat Belt Law makes it a primary charge not to be wearing a seat belt while driving.  Drivers not wearing their seat belts may know that it’s not the safest of practices. They may even be aware that not wearing a seatbelt is against the law.

However, now law enforcement officers can pull over drivers and their passengers for not being buckled up.  With this change, there real is no excuse not to wear your seat belt. Drivers who get caught face a $30 statewide fine, plus an added county penalty.

Since 2005, law enforcement officers have been able to pull over a vehicle if any occupant under the age of 18 was not wearing a seat belt.  The change now is that the law applies to the driver of the car and the front-seat passenger regardless of age, and still applies to passengers in the back seat under 18.  There are no warnings.”

With my son in his junior year of college at Florida Gulf Coast University, I thought I was at the end of my parenting days.  True, you are always a parent to your children no matter how old they are, but at 21 your children either “get it” or they don’t.  They don’t require any supervision; they just need a few reminders now and then.  However, this week I learned that my life was coming full-circle as I learned I now had to be a parent to my parent.

Yes, I had to practice some tough love with my 87 year old mother.  Somehow she seems to have gotten herself released early from the hospital.  It appears that she was behaving “as cantankerously as she could” to the hospital staff.  Due to her surgery she could not go home immediately and live independently.  She will need to recover in the rehab facility.  She will need to heal, get her strength back and learn how to take care of her “new self.”  I had to sit her down and tell her that like it or not, she had to stay in the skilled nursing facility. If you have not been in this position, let me suffice it to say that it is very strange.  Here is the parent who lectured you about behaving yourself and minding your manners, behaving in a way that requires that the tables be turned.

“You are not going anywhere mom.  You are staying here, and if you want to get back home, you will need to behave and listen to your caregivers.  You need to make sure you eat right so your wounds will heal faster. Be nice to others, so they will be nice to you.”

I watched and held her hand as the nurses assessed the condition of her now frail body.  They checked and noted on their paperwork, every bruise, cut or other out of the ordinary injury on her body.  When I was ready to leave, she had settled down.  She promised to behave and try to be patient with her caregivers. Love you mom, see you tomorrow.

When you or a loved one are injured in an automobile accident, motorcycle accident, slip and fall or other accident, it is important that you take care of your injuries and receive proper medical care.    Your recovery is the most important thing.  The hiring of a personal injury attorney can assist you in your recovery by taking the stress of dealing with insurance companies and other issues associated with a personal injury by allowing the attorney to assist in the handling your claim.  But when choosing an attorney, it is important that you choose an experienced attorney. 

To assist the public in making an educated decision when seeking and choosing a personal injury attorney, the Supreme Court of Florida directed the Florida Bar Association to offer a “Board Certification” program for Florida Bar members.   In order to be recognized as a Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer, not only must the attorney pass rigorous written examinations, but the attorney must also show documented evidence that they have actually practiced law inside the Courtroom and have taken cases to trial.  Less less than 2% of  lawyers that are members of  The Florida Bar, are Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyers.  Civil trial law includes personal injury, wrongful death and medical malpractice.

The Law Offices of Lucas, Green & Magazine have two attorneys on staff that are Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyers; partner Jim Magazine and associate attorney Steve Haskins.  Attorney Jim Magazine is also a member of the Million Dollar and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum.  http://www.milliondollaradvocates.com/  This prestigious group of trial lawyers is limited to attorneys who have won million and multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements.  Fewer than one percent (1%) of U.S. lawyers are members.

If you or someone you love are in need of a personal injury attorney, please contact our office at 1-800-4-INJURY or 727-849-5353.