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CAR AND TRUCK ACCIDENT LAWYER

PERSONAL INJURY CLAIMS

Motor Vehicle Accidents

As an Accident Lawyer, I represent clients that have been seriously injured in motor vehicle accidents. Motor vehicle accidents include any accident involving vehicles such as motorcycles, trucks/SUVs, semi trucks and cars. There is a myriad of legal issues for each type of accident in which you may be involved. You need an experienced Accident Lawyer to help you navigate through the complexities. More about Car Accident Attorneys San Antonio here

For example, if you are involved in a car accident, there are important issues stemming from the type of car insurance you purchased. You will have medical benefits coverage under you car insurance policy that covers medical bills for you and your family. Your health insurance will only cover you or your family after the medical benefits under the car insurance policy are exhausted. Moreover, you would have selected a lawsuit option under your policy. You selected either full tort or limited tort. Oddly enough, your selection of a lawsuit option affects whether you may bring a claim against the person who caused the accident. There are exceptions, however. For example, you may be deemed to have selected the full tort or zero threshold option if the accident involves a commercial motor vehicle. Do not confront these complex issues alone. Retain me as your Accident Lawyer to protect your legal rights.

If you are involved in a motor vehicle accident with a tractor-trailer, there are state and federal regulations governing maintenance and inspections of the vehicle, the number of hours per day the driver is permitted to operate the truck, and mandatory insurance requirements for the owner of the tractor or trailer: Title 49 CFR Part 391 – Qualifications of Drivers, Title 49 CFR Part 392 – Driving of Commercial Motor Vehicles, Title 49 CFR Part 393 – Parts and Accessories Necessary for Safe Operation, Title 49 CFR Part 395 – Hours of Service of Drivers and Title 49 CFR Part 396 – Inspection, Repair, and Maintenance In addition, most current day trucks including tractor-trailers have data recording devices or “black boxes” that may obtain critical information about your accident. This data needs to be preserved immediately. You need an experienced Personal Injury Lawyer to make certain that it is. If the data is favorable to you or your family, the owner of the tractor-trailer will be very disinterested in its preservation. The data can be easily written over once the tractor is put back on the road.

What to Do if Injured (Consider printing this page and carrying it with you.)

These suggestions are expressed for an auto accident; however, most of the suggestions will still be applicable in any type of personal injury claim.

* Call the police immediately at 911 if you or anyone is hurt and/or if there is damage
to vehicles or property. It is important that a police report be filed of record.
* Keep calm. Make no statements to anyone about the accident, or who might have
been at fault. Do not answer questions about the accident for anyone except
the police or medical personnel.
* If possible, write down the date, time, and place of the accident. Or do so as soon as
you can afterward.
* If possible, exchange driver’s license and vehicle registration and insurance
information with other parties involved.
* If possible, get the names and addresses of witnesses.
* Write down the name, badge number, and jurisdiction (i.e., Philadelphia, Cherry
Hill) of the police officer taking your accident report.
* If possible, take photographs of the scene and vehicles involved.
* Describe the accident to the police as simply as possible. Do not assess or accept
blame.
* If another party’s insurance company or investigator asks you to sign any papers or
provide a written or recorded statement, do not do so without first consulting with
me.

As seasoned Accident Lawyers, we have vast experience handling motor vehicle accidents. We will utilize the latest technology and consult with the best experts to prove your case. If you or a loved one has been involved in a motor vehicle accident, contact me to learn how a Personal Injury Lawyer can help you and your family during these difficult times. Call me, the initial consultation is free. Because we are trial lawyers, we only get paid if you win. We work solely on a contingency fee basis. Get a seasoned Accident Lawyer fighting for you!!

Please note, the Carabin Shaw Law Office has moved to 875 E Ashby # 1100 San Antonio, Texas 78212

This Blog was brought to you by the Carabin Shaw Law Firm, Principal Office in San Antonio

Car Accident Lawyers San Antonio

Our experts personally know how draining physically, psychologically, and economically a severe accident can possibly be. Our accident specialists have considerable knowledge in helping our clients recoup the full reimbursement authorized under the law for their damages, including traumatic loss of limb and wrongful death. Our attorneys have the understanding and experience to carefully take a look at your case and make sure you receive the maximum restoration the law authorizes for your injuries. Our task is to safeguard the well-being of our client, to maximize your healing while acquiring an equitable and sufficient resolution or judgment for the pain and suffering you have endured. We Secure your interests by dealing with all forms and arrangements with the insurer, meticulously taking a look at the scene of the injury, maintaining the evidence and getting eyewitness testimony, help you receive a specific summation of your injuries from a healthcare provider who recognizes your injuries and ensure you receive medical care and recovery services you need to attain maximum physical recovery. General damages cover the non-monetary aspects of your injuries such as pain and suffering and loss or impairment to certain aspects of your life. This can include emotional distress, disfigurement, loss of physical or mental capacity, and loss of enjoyment of life. Also included are loss of companionship and loss of consortium, which refers to a friendship or a marriage becoming compromised or strained due to injury. If your injury has caused you stress every time you get behind the wheel of a car if you can no longer play in your summer softball league, or even if you only lost a couple of nights of sleep, you should be entitled to a settlement for your general damages.

Important Information About Car Accident Lawsuits

If you are seriously injured or hurt in an accident hitting at the very least $1,000 in hospital costs you may well benefit from employing the services of a lawyer if you do not feel you are getting acceptable money from your insurance provider. You may also benefit from working with a personal injury attorney in the case that you experienced an injury that involved:
A malfunctioning car part.
A motorbike.
A pedestrian or bicyclist.
Drunk operators or motorists under the influence of a drug.
A head-on collision.
Road construction.
A semi-truck or bus.
Long-lasting injuries.
Missed work and pay for which you have not been reimbursed.
Inadequate coverage for your injuries or damages.
Under these conditions, you should never delay meeting with an attorney. If you spend too much time hammering out a deal with the insurance carrier and giving them total accessibility to your clinical reports, it will just make it simpler for them to develop a claim against you and will minimize a personal injury lawyer’s opportunities to develop a winning tactic for your dispute. The oversight many individuals make is thinking like they need to tough it out or suck it up instead of seeking remuneration for their damages or injuries. In order to receive the necessary sum for your settlement deal, you must be diligent about documenting your losses and injuries, keeping track of bills, and getting proof to assist with your claim.

Pointers About Car Accidents

Automobile wrecks are a huge root cause of fatality in the United States, with greater than 30,000 deaths happening annually, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The majority of accident lawsuits in the U.S. are a result of an incident involving a vehicle, truck, or another motor vehicle. Motor vehicle accidents that involve physical impairment, death, or other substantial damages may warrant the legal representation of an expert motor vehicle accident lawyer or attorney. Probably the most necessary thing you can do is to heal as rapidly as feasible from your pain. Insurance provider workers often believe those individuals who actively attempt to mend from their traumas. Also, insurance providers believe those individuals who are able to detail their impairments by means of healthcare statements, reliable health-related reports, and correct lost salary information that is neither exaggerated nor subject to conflict and interpretation.

Is a Car Accident Lawyer Your Best Option?

It is most effective to work with a car injury attorney first thing to stay clear of any pricey problems. The deadline for submitting injury lawsuits is different from area to area. Given that you may need to cover hospital bills and/or address lost incomes, the faster you contact an attorney at law the better. In general, a person should consult with a lawyer shortly after the collision takes place within a week or two of the accident but prior to arriving at a compensation with the insurance firm. You are not legally obligated to get a lawyer or attorney to take on your injury insurance claim. You could certainly submit all the essential documentation yourself and represent your own self in a court of law. Yet, your odds of winning your suit and obtaining the compensation you ought to get are much higher if you seek the services of an expert personal injury legal representative. They will be able to figure out should what is best, to have a go at settling out of court or taking the case to court should you employ an attorney. If the case goes to court, the specifics of the case and resultant damages will be brought before either a jury or a judge, who will then figure out the fault and any monetary award that should be provided. Lots of lawyers who are skilled in negligence lawsuits do not demand up-front fees from clients, and many only demand payment in the event that the client receives a settlement.

Motorcycle Accidents FAQs

How many people are injured or killed in the United States in motorcycle accidents?
Nearly 2,000 motorcyclists die every year in the US. In Texas, 300-400 riders die each year. 50,000 people are injured in motorcycle accidents nationwide. In fact, in almost 80% of all motorcycle wrecks in the United States, injury or death is a direct result. It is certainly no exaggeration to say that crashes involving motorcycles are far more dangerous than car accidents. In many cases, the drivers of other vehicles never see the motorcycle before a collision.

What is the number one cause of death in a motorcycle accident?

Head injuries, which occur in a majority of motorcycle accidents, are also the chief cause of death. Without the added protection of seat belts or airbags, or even the framework of an automobile, it is almost inevitable that motorcyclists involved in accidents suffer head injuries. Helmets can offset some of the damage, but in Texas, not all motorcyclists are required to wear them. More here

What should I do if I am involved in a motorcycle accident?

If you are involved in a motorcycle wreck in Texas, you should:

Remain at the scene of the accident.
Call the police immediately or have someone call the police for you.
File a police report as soon as the officers arrive.
Seek immediate medical attention, even if you don’t think you are injured. Not all injuries are apparent immediately.
Get the license number, personal and insurance details, and name of the other driver or drivers involved.
If anyone witnessed your accident, obtain their contact information – a witness may have noticed key details that you did not.

What if I am involved in a motorcycle accident that was not my fault?
Many motorcycle accidents occur because drivers of larger vehicles don’t ever see the motorcycle. While bikers have a responsibility to remain visible and obey all traffic laws, that does not mean that other drivers will always see them. If you are involved in a motorcycle wreck, you should first obtain medical treatment, and if you are able, get the insurance details and contact information of the other driver. Your next step, however, should be to contact an experienced Texas motorcycle accident lawyer at our Law Firm who can help protect your rights and determine if legal action is needed.

What is the statute of limitations for my motorcycle accident?
The statute of limitations is the time period in which you can file a claim for the injuries you have sustained in a motorcycle accident. Texas law mandates that for most wrecks, the victim or victim’s family has two years to resolve the claim or file a lawsuit against the responsible party. The statute of limitations varies for cases involving children and adults, however, and also differs from state to state. Because of these variances, you should contact an experienced Texas motorcycle accident attorney at our Law Firm to determine the statute of limitations applicable to your case.

Why do I need an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer?
When you suffer injuries from a motorcycle accident, you can incur extensive medical treatment and other financial burdens that require significant compensation. The bottom line is that the more experience and skill your motorcycle wreck lawyer has regarding Texas motorcycle accident cases, the higher chance you have of obtaining the compensation needed to deal with your injuries. A knowledgeable Texas motorcycle accident attorney will understand Texas laws and how they apply to your case, and he will know how to develop the most effective strategy to get you the maximum amount of compensation allowed by law.

How is negligence proven in a motorcycle accident case?
Motorcycle accidents can be caused by a number of negligent acts, including carelessness, failure to act, or recklessness – or sometimes a combination of all three.

Texas law stipulates that you owe everyone a duty to act as a reasonably prudent person would act under similar circumstances. When someone’s actions are not deemed to be reasonable, then they have violated that duty and are considered to be negligent – and will be held responsible for any resulting injury or damage. More information

Why should I sue? Won’t the insurance company of the other driver compensate me?
The decision to take legal action is very personal, but don’t let promises from an insurance company influence whether you file. Insurance companies have one goal – to minimize the amount of financial loss. That is their primary business and they are very good at what they do. When you have suffered a traumatic injury in a motorcycle crash, it’s difficult to think about lawsuits and claims. Many people don’t contact a Texas motorcycle accident lawyer because they think it’s too much trouble or they don’t need additional financial compensation.

Unfortunately, bike accident victims often do not realize the full extent of their injuries and the impact those injuries will have on their lives. Ultimately, only you can decide whether to pursue a lawsuit, but before you sign away your rights by giving a statement to an insurance company, make sure you are fully informed. Consulting with an experienced motorcycle accident attorney can help you make the decision that is best for you.

Nobody expects to get into a motor vehicle accident. And nobody is ever fully prepared when an accident happens. After an accident, the people who were involved may be confused and emotionally wrung out, not to mention needing to recover from any physical injuries they may have suffered.

In the event of injury in a motor vehicle accident, you or a family member will need someone to depend on for capable help. After you’ve been in a crash, there is no substitute for a capable legal advocate to see you through the difficult recovery period. An experienced attorney understands what needs to be done to ensure your best chance of recovering financial damages after an accident.

Motor Vehicle Accident Types

Several common types of motor vehicle accidents occur in the area. Each type of accident has features that require a particular kind of attention.

Car accidents: Passenger car accidents are the most frequent type of motor vehicle accident. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that car accidents injured more than 1.5 million people in the United States in one year, and over 17,000 people died in car accidents.
Pedestrian accidents: Pedestrians can easily be hurt when a motor vehicle driver is careless. For example, drivers may not be watching out for pedestrians crossing the road and may fail to yield the right of way to pedestrians.
Motorcycle accidents: Motorcycles are enjoyable to ride and economical. However, motorcycle riders and passengers don’t have the protection of a heavy car frame around them as they travel. They can be badly injured in a motorcycle accident.
Public transportation accidents: San Antonio has a popular, extensive, and busy public transportation system. Accidents involving Via buses can cause serious injuries. Operators and passengers can be hurt, as can the occupants of a car that collides with a public transportation vehicle.
Truck accidents: In a collision with a semi-truck, occupants of a smaller motor vehicle are likely to get the worst of it. Motorists may be justifiably apprehensive about driving on Texas roads in the vicinity of large trucks.
It’s important to consider the unique attributes of each kind of accident, in order to assert your legal rights when you’ve been involved in an accident. For example, did you know that semi-trucks are commercial vehicles subject to extensive regulation by federal and local law? That means owners and operators of these vehicles could face liability and penalties if any failure to meet legal standards is exposed in a truck accident investigation.

When You’ve Been In A Crash

The consequences of a collision go far beyond the immediate aftermath. Lives are changed. Every kind of accident can result in death or disabling injury. You will benefit immeasurably from finding authoritative information and skillful assistance when you are facing the death of a loved one or the challenge of lengthy rehabilitative treatment.

All right: it finally happened. Everyone in your family is a great driver. You respect the speed limit, drive defensively, and give the other motorist the right of way. But still, you (or a loved one has been involved in a major car accident near your home in Texas. It wasn’t your fault and now you’re wondering what to do as you or your family members recover.

One thing that is most important, aside from your return to good health, is that you must protect your legal rights against those who would deny you fair damage compensation for your painful (and painfully expensive) injuries. Even if you’re insured, the person who hit you and caused all this mayhem must step-up and pay for the medical bills, pain and suffering, lost income during recovery, and other damages. That includes his or her insurance company.

Your insurance company might be of some assistance as you sort this out through your PIP or uninsured motorist coverage. And that’s good. But eventually, the one who hit you has to pay for all of this. And in a sense your “good hands” auto dealer is basically fronting you the money to pay your medical bills. But if the other guy (or his insurance company) doesn’t step up to the plate, that unreimbursed PIP or uninsured motorist coverage you have will end up forcing you to pay higher coverage rates to your carrier. And medical bills are just the tip of the iceberg of the damage that your insurance company can’t help you with, past those medical bills.

Many times a car accident can be little more than a minor fender bender in a parking lot. Or they can be destructive wrecks that cause horrific injuries along with deep physical and psychological scars on the lives of the unlucky drivers and passengers. If it’s not your fault, regardless of whether it was minor or serious, you are likely entitled to seek compensation for the financial, physical, and emotional injuries you suffered in your car crash. But it is impossible to know the amount of compensation you may be entitled to because the damages you have a right to seek are relative to the unique circumstances of your case.

This is why we will try and explain some of the basics of auto personal injury cases and help you understand the clear need to hire an attorney, any attorney, who has experience in personal injury; especially surrounding vehicle accidents, if you hope to receive fair damage compensation. Some of you might feel you can handle this matter on your own. And if it’s just a little fender-bender with no complications or injuries other than a broken fingernail and wounded pride, you might be able to do that. But, for your own sake, especially if your auto car accident is a wreck, we strongly urge you to retain an experienced auto injury attorney who knows the ins-and-outs of Texas car accident claims and, if necessary – litigation. And you must do this as quickly as possible; otherwise, you’re asking for trouble. And your opponents will be all-too-happy to oblige.

Put our years of experience to work for you. If you want to know what your rights are, how to proceed with your claim, and how much compensation you can secure from your auto injury case. Call the auto accident attorneys with our Law Firm now for a free consultation and find out how we can help you recover the full fair value of the damages you have suffered through the negligence of another driver.

This Blog was posted by No.1 Lawyer – Carabin Shaw Attorneys At Law in El Paso

As experienced car accident lawyers, we have represented many personal injuries and wrongful death clients who have needed our services because of accidents involving texting while driving. The auto accident attorneys at our law firm present this information in the hope of dissuading you from texting while driving.

Texting is a form of distracted driving

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 16 people are killed and 1,300 people are injured daily in auto accidents involving a distracted driver. Distracted driving is driving while doing another activity that takes your attention away from driving. CDC statistics unequivocally show that distracting activities increase the chance of a motor vehicle crash and the need for a car accident lawyer.

There are three main types of distraction:

Visual — those that take your eyes off the road
Manual — those that require you to take your hands off the wheel
Cognitive — those that take your mind off what you are doing
Distracted driving activities include things like using a cell phone, texting, eating, drinking, and talking with passengers. While any of these distractions can endanger the driver and others, texting while driving is especially dangerous because it combines all three types of distraction. Texting takes the driver’s attention away from driving more frequently and for longer periods than other distractions, increasing the risk of an accident.

Texting and auto accident statistics

As these statistics indicate, texting and driving do not mix:

A study by Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company revealed that of the 1,200 drivers surveyed, 19 percent admitted to text messaging while driving.
CDC statistics show that more than a third of all drivers under age 24 regularly text while driving.
CDC statistics also show that texting is considerably more dangerous than driving while intoxicated. Texting is six times more likely than drunk driving to cause an accident.
The Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI) found that the act of sending or receiving a text message took drivers’ eyes off their driving for 4.6 out of each 6 seconds. This makes texting the most distracting of all cell-phone-related tasks.
VTTI statistics also show that texting while driving is at least 23 times more likely to get a trucker into an accident than non-distracted driving.

Texting and teen drivers
CDC statistics show that drivers under 20 years of age are the most likely to drive while distracted:

Nearly 13 percent of those under 20 admit to texting while driving.
Nearly 34 percent of teens ages 16 and 17 admit that they send and respond to text messages while driving.
Model safe behavior
Keep in mind that the driving habits of teenagers are highly influenced by the driving habits of adults. Since the CDC indicates that 48 percent of teenagers between ages 12 and 17 report that they have been in a car when the driver was engaged in text messaging, we are clearly not providing a model of safe driving to our children.

Particularly when your children are learning to drive, pay extra attention to your own driving behavior. Driving habits they might not have consciously noticed in the past now readily capture their attention when they are in the process of learning to drive.

Legal help from auto accident lawyers
When you are the victim in an auto accident, whether as a result of texting or of any other type of negligent driver behavior, call us today to schedule a free consultation with an auto accident lawyer.

Do or Don’t You Need a Local Auto Accident Lawyer who Knows the Ropes??

In most instances, it takes an experienced lawyer to make sure that accident victims recover the full and fair worth of their medical bills, pain, suffering, and damages to their vehicle and its contents. Depending on circumstances surrounding the accident and coverage level, a reasonably intelligent accident victim can handle his or her claim on their own, without the assistance of a lawyer. Aside from the general challenges presented by defendant insurers, below are a few instances that illustrate how your interests are best served with the assistance of a local, experienced car accident attorney.

You’ve Suffered Bodily Harm in the Wreck – If you’re really injured from your auto accident, you really must have an experienced lawyer handle your claim. If you need a return visit to your doctor after being treated for your injuries, call a lawyer. When you seek damages for bodily injuries, insurance companies don’t have to abide by any preexisting guidelines when deciding how much to pay you. Because, by their very nature, insurance companies are more about premiums than claims, they can choose to pay you nothing and hope they get away with it. This practice is the first benefit of having a lawyer who is looking out for your interests regarding your claim. If you’ve suffered broken bones, head injuries, back injuries, or any other sort of injury in your wreck, do the smart thing and call a reputable attorney quickly.

The Other Driver is Hard to Deal With – It’s also a good idea to call an attorney if the other driver involved in your accident gives you a hard time either at the scene of the wreck or later. If that other driver doesn’t want to provide you with his contact or insurance information, definitely call a lawyer. Belligerent accident “victims” usually have something to hide, either from the law or their insurance company. Their behavior could be an early warning that he’ll make it as difficult as possible for you to recover what you deserve. Treat this arrogant behavior as a big red flag that you need to seriously consider hiring a lawyer, or at least have a solemn visit with an experienced one.

You Can’t Afford to See a Doctor or Pay your Medical Bills – Many people don’t have health insurance, which could help them afford the treatment they need after they’ve been involved in a wreck. Even if an accident victim does have health insurance, the odds become less every day that their treatment needs will be covered under their health benefits. Whether or not they have health insurance, many accident victims are reluctant to get treatment for their injuries because they don’t think they can afford to take off of work to see a doctor. Perhaps they have higher-than-normal deductibles, which preclude even using their health insurance.

Seeing a doctor and being treated adequately for your injuries after an accident is not only essential to your returning health, it’s necessary to your injury claim or lawsuit. If you can’t afford treatment, or if you already have medical bills that you can’t pay, there’s probably something that our personal injury lawyers can do to help. We regularly work with doctors and healthcare professionals and can hook you up with the right doctor who will consider your situation. We have helped many of our clients receive necessary medical care after an auto accident at no out of pocket cost to them. Additionally, we can explain how the time you take off from work to get medical care may be computed in the damage compensation owed to you by the defendant in your case.

Besides, if you aren’t diligent in being treated for your injuries, why should the defendant be concerned with something that doesn’t appear to concern you?

If you’re lucky, and none of the above scenarios apply, the odds are pretty good that you can handle your case on your own, without the assistance of a lawyer, and reasonably resolve it. Sometimes, plaintiffs can successfully protect their rights when they’ve been involved in a wreck, which resulted in property damage only. If your car was damaged, but you’re not injured, insurance companies are bound by strict guidelines that tell them what they have to pay you in compensation for the damage to your car. Since these guidelines give them virtually no wiggle room, insurance companies have minimal opportunity to rip you off when they reimburse you for your repair bills or property damage. But if there are serious injuries, no guidelines exist. And that’s when you need legal help in defending your compensatory rights.

The auto accident lawyers at our Texas Law Firm have effectively handled car accident litigation for over 30 years. We’ve won favorable verdicts and settlements against nearly every major auto insurer in the state. Insurance companies recognize our name. And the reputation that precedes us is beneficial in securing special attention to our clients’ claims from these insurers. Our goal is to make sure that you recover as much as possible for your injuries and make this sometimes complicated legal process as easy as possible for you.

Put our years of experience to work for you. Know your rights, how to proceed with your claim, and how much compensation you can secure from your auto injury case. Call our Law Firm now for a free consultation and find out how we can help you recover the full fair value of the damages you have suffered through the negligence of another driver.

Following its own investigation, The Florida Bar has filed ethics complaints with the state Supreme Court against a former 12th Judicial Circuit judge and two Palmetto attorneys.

Former Judge John Lakin admitted to accepting Tampa Bay Rays baseball tickets from the firm of Kallins, Little & Delgado while still hearing motions in a slip-and-fall case in which attorneys Melton Little and Scott Kallins represented the plaintiff. If you or someone that you know has been injured in a slip and fall, call a Fort Lauderdale personal injury lawyer.

The justice system is meant to keep the world in order.Thos that serve in the justice system take an oath to administer justice without respect to persons, and do equal right to the poor and to the rich, and will faithfully and impartially discharge and perform all the duties incumbent upon them. When that oath is not followed out accordingly, they must answer. An ethics complaint was filed by The Florida Bar with the state Supreme Court against two Palmetto attorneys and a former 12th Judicial Circuit judge.

A Wrong Move For A Florida Judge
Former Judge John Lakin was said to accepting Tama Bay Rays baseball tickets from the firm of Kallings, Little & Delgado while he was still hearing motions in a slip and fall case in which attorneys Melton Little and Scott Kallins represented the plaintiff. Mr. Lakin admitted to the accusations.

The complaint read, Lakin presided in the June 2015 trial of Sandy Wittke vs. Wal-Mart Stores. Little and Kallins represented Wittke, who claimed to be injured when she fell at the Wal-Mart on Cortez Road in Bradenton.

The jury returned a verdict in favor of Wal-Mart. The next day, Little suggested to Kallins that Lakin would be interested in tickets to that evening’s Rays game with the Boston Red Sox. Kallins contacted Lakin’s judicial assistant with the offer. The law firm provided five tickets to Lakin, who used two and discarded the others. When Lakin received the tickets “the time period for filing post-trial motions had not expired.” Lakin asked the law firm for tickets to a Rays game with the Minnesota Twins, which Little delivered to the judge’s courtroom. The next day, Lakin overturned the jury’s verdict in the Wittke case and granted the motion for a new trial. “Prior to the Wittke vs. Wal-Mart Stores Inc. case, Judge Lakin had never overturned a jury verdict during his tenure on the bench.” In October, Lakin received tickets from the firm to a Rays game with the Toronto Blue Jays.

Florida Slip and Fall Attorney
Lakin was advised from his senior judges that accepting the tickets were inappropriate and that he was required to disclose his actions to both the Florida Judicial Qualifications Commission and the parties involved in the Wittke vs. Wal-Mart Stores case. Lakin admits that his actions were inappropriate but that accepting the tickets had no influence on his decision of the case.

The Bar concluded that Lakin’s “solicitation and acceptance of free baseball tickets” from attorneys appearing in a case before him “created an appearance of impropriety” and undermined his “independence, integrity and/or impartiality as a member of the judiciary.”