Boca Raton Personal Injury Lawyers Blog

Haiti donors meet to plan rebuilding after quake destruction

2010-01-25T09:25:00.000-08:00

(CNN) --Secretary Of State Hillary Clinton and foreign ministers from more than a dozen countries will start laying out the groundwork for rebuilding Haiti on Monday, nearly two weeks after a devastating earthquake. Haitian Prime Minister Jean-Max Bellerive is also due to attend the conference of the Friends of Haiti group of nations in Montreal, Quebec. The United Nations, International Monetary Fund, World Bank and European Union are also sending representatives, Canada's Foreign Ministry said. The one-day meeting is a first step toward a larger reconstruction conference on Haiti that will take place in coming months, the ministry said. It comes amid anger and frustration that efforts to rescue possible survivors have been called off. Thousands of people pushed Sunday for rescue efforts to continue at a collapsed hotel, as a 24-year-old man recovered in a hospital after being rescued 11 days after the earthquake.

Families of Americans who were staying at the Hotel Montana started an online petition Saturday in an effort to continue search efforts "until all the survivors are accounted for." As of Sunday morning, 2,395 people had signed the petition and sent 6,216 messages to the Senate, Congress and the White House, said Sue Keller, a friend of a family whose relatives are among the missing. The families hope to have at least 5,000 signatures by Monday, she said. The Haitian government has said more than 111,000 people died in the 7.0-magnitude earthquake. On Saturday, however, a French rescue team saved one life as they pulled Wismond Jean-Pierre from the rubble of the Hotel Napoli Inn -- 11 days after the quake.

Jean-Pierre had no injuries, but was dehydrated. Crews put him in an ambulance and took him to a hospital. He was a clerk at a store in the hotel, according to his brother. He survived after finding food and drink in the store's wreckage, the brother said. Looking for loved ones in Haiti Rescues like Jean-Pierre's, and others that have come more than a week after the January 12 quake, spark hope among families of the missing. But the emotional rescue came on a day when much of Haiti was mourning as operations largely shifted from rescue to recovery, and the country's president attended the funeral of an archbishop who was one of the victims. International search teams have rescued at least 132 people, the U.N. said. More than 600,000 people have also been left homeless in and around the capital of Port-au-Prince, the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said.

Donations may be dropped off at the offices of Ellis, Ged & Bodden at 7171 North Federal Highway in Boca Raton between the hours of 7:30 am and 5:30 pm. For more information on the disaster relief efforts being coordinating through Ellis, Ged & Bodden’s, visit http://www.ellisandged.com/ or call (561) 995-1966.

Boca Raton Law Firm Responds to Devastating Earthquake in Haiti

2010-01-15T13:18:00.000-08:00

Ellis, Ged & Bodden launches drive to collect relief supplies

The lawyers of Ellis, Ged & Bodden, P.A., are teaming with Food For The Poor and Toussiant L’Ouverture High School to provide much needed aid to the victims of the catastrophic earthquake in Haiti. The earthquake, which, according to the US Geological Survey, was centered just off the coast of Haiti, about 10 miles west of the Caribbean nation's capital of Port-au-Prince had a preliminary magnitude of 7.0. Early estimates indicate that as many as 3 million people -- one-third of Haiti's population – may have been affected by the quake.

Food For The Poor is seeking donations of canned meats, fish, water and condensed, evaporated milk. Toussaint L’Ouverture High School will rely on its community ties in the devastated areas of Haiti to distribute additional relief supplies. Donations may be dropped off at the offices of Ellis, Ged & Bodden at 7171 North Federal Highway in Boca Raton between the hours of 7:30 am and 5:30 pm.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the people of Haiti and to the Haitian American community,” C. Glen Ged, a founding partner in the Boca Raton-based law firm, said in the wake of the deadly earthquake. “I feel humbled in the face of such staggering loss; surely those of us who can offer more than heartfelt sympathy have a responsibility to provide whatever measure of comfort we can.”

Food For The Poor, based in South Florida base, is a major international relief and development organization that serves millions of hungry poor in 17 countries of the Caribbean and Latin America. In addition to food, the interdenominational Christian agency provides emergency relief assistance, clean water, medicines, educational materials, homes, support for orphans and the aged, skills training and micro-enterprise development assistance, with more than 96 percent of all donations going directly to programs that help the poor. For more information please visit, http://www.foodforthepoor.org/

Toussaint L'Ouverture High School for Arts & Social Justice is an innovative charter high school in Boynton Beach, serving students in grades 9-12. The tuition-free, publicly funded institution seeks to provide motivated students a unique secondary school experience using arts as a vehicle for social justice and individual change. The school’s vision is geared toward helping youth acquire the skills they need to be successful in college and/or work and to have a voice in co-creating a world they can believe in.

For more information on the disaster relief efforts being coordinating through Ellis, Ged & Bodden’s, visit http://www.ellisandged.com/ or call (561) 995-1966.

Woman, 26, dies in turnpike crash

2010-01-04T07:52:00.000-08:00

South Florida Sun-Sentinel TAMARAC A 26-year-old Connecticut woman was killed when the car she was driving spun out of control on Florida's Turnpike and flipped over onto a guardrail, the Florida Highway Patrol reported Sunday.

Roshah Dejean was pronounced dead at the scene about 1 p.m. Friday. A passenger in the 1993 Toyota Camry, Johane G. Boursiquot, 30, was injured and taken to Florida Medical Center in Lauderdale Lakes.

Traveling north in the center lane near Commercial Boulevard, Dejean apparently lost control of the car while attempting to change lanes, the Highway Patrol said. The car spun across the lanes, hit the outside guardrail and overturned, coming to rest on the driver's side, officers said.The crash remains under investigation.

In all auto accident cases, it is essential that measures be taken promptly to preserve evidence and to investigate the accident. The staff at Ellis, Ged & Bodden has the experience and knowledge to analyze all avenues of recovery and will work with physicians and other expert witnesses to thoroughly evaluate any injuries and damages you have suffered.

The law provides a limited time period for you to bring an automobile accident claim. If you are in Florida, and have been injured in an auto accident, or if you have a loved one injured, contact Ellis, Ged & Bodden today. We will work diligently to protect your legal rights and to maximize your recovery. The initial consultation is free of charge, so call or email us today.

Tri-Rail train strikes car on tracks; 2 women killed

2009-11-23T06:47:00.000-08:00

The lights started flashing. The gates lowered. A gold Toyota Camry drove onto the tracks. Thirty seconds later a 325-ton Tri-Rail commuter train barreled through the crossing at 60 mph. The northbound train with 250 passengers aboard plowed into the car on Commercial Boulevard just west of Interstate 95, dragging it about 60 feet as Thursday morning's rush hour ended. The driver, Connie Hamblin, 44, and Felicia Hatmaker, 22, both of Tennessee, were thrown from the sedan and pronounced dead at the scene, said Fort Lauderdale police spokeswoman Detective Katherine Collins. Another passenger, Eddie Hamblin, also of Tennessee, was taken to North Broward Medical Center in Deerfield Beach, where he was listed in critical but stable condition. His age and relationship to the women was not known Thursday. The crossing has just about every safety measure available, spurred by the fiery 1993 wreck in which six people were incinerated on Cypress Creek Road west of I-95 when an Amtrak train slammed into a gasoline tanker trapped on the tracks. Officials say the only way to make the Commercial Boulevard crossing safer is to build a bridge over the tracks or closing it to drivers. Neither is feasible or practical.

Medians were raised to prevent drivers from skirting the gates. Flashing signs warn drivers not to stop on the tracks. Yet that is what Hamblin did as the crossing arms lowered and the lights flashed, said George Moreno, 45, who was a few cars behind the Camry when the crash happened about 8:45 a.m. Instead of crossing to the other side, the driver backed up and hit the crossing arm behind her, Moreno said. She then hit the gas pedal and lurched forward just as the northbound train roared through. ``It was the most horrific thing you'll ever see,'' Moreno said. ``In the blink of an eye, [the car] was gone.'' A couple who witnessed the crash ran from their car to the mangled Toyota that had flipped over and come to rest next to the tracks. Brandon Williams, 22, of Lauderdale Lakes, called police and knelt by one of the two women thrown from the car. ``She was still breathing. I tried to talk to her, tell her everything was OK,'' said Williams, whose pants were stained with blood. ``She was gasping. She was really, really trying to breathe. There was nothing I really could do.'' Around him, other motorists and witnesses were screaming.

Williams' fiancée, Matia Hughes, 23, ran to the other woman lying next to the car and prayed. The young woman died in front of her, she said. ``I just broke down crying,'' said Hughes, of Lauderdale Lakes. ``I feel like I should have done more.'' The crash halted all passenger and freight trains in the area for about four hours. The tracks reopened at 12:33 p.m. The crossing sits between two busy intersections -- Powerline Road to the west and the southbound I-95 on- and off-ramps to the east. When the traffic lights turn red, especially at rush hour, traffic often backs up onto the crossing in both directions. At least two experiments to address the problem either haven't worked out or haven't been carried out completely. In 2000, the Florida Department of Transportation tested a concept called a ``European X'' -- a box about the size of a car with an X painted on the roadway just beyond the crossing in each traffic lane. If drivers could see the X as they approached the crossing, they had enough room to pull across safely.

The pavement markings are no longer there, and no one at the department Thursday could recall the results of the experiment. The department also announced plans to install cameras at the crossing and at McNab Road, Cypress Creek Road, Powerline Road and Prospect Road. The cameras were designed to send an instant signal to the train operator to slow down if a motorist is stalled. But train operators balked over the liability. Since Tri-Rail began service in 1989, there have been seven car-train accidents at the Commercial Boulevard Tri-Rail crossing, killing three people and injuring two, according to Tri-Rail records. Six accidents involved Tri-Rail and one involved Amtrak. Before Thursday's accident, only one person had died at the crossing. Police are asking anyone with information about Thursday's crash to call Fort Lauderdale Police Traffic Homicide Investigator Cheri Creque at 954-828-5825.

If you or a loved one has been the victim of personal injury in any of the firm’s specialized legal areas listed above, you may have a valid legal claim and be entitled to monetary damages. Please contact one of our experienced and dedicated personal injury attorneys at Ellis, Ged & Bodden, P.A. today for a free consultation.

Fort Lauderdale police check for DUI after van hits county bus

2009-11-03T05:56:00.000-08:00

Sun Sentinel FORT LAUDERDALE - Police are investigating a van driver for DUI after he rear-ended a Broward County bus this morning, sending three people to the hospital with minor injuries, authorities said. A Broward County Transit bus had stopped for passengers in the 1800 block of West Commercial Boulevard around 7:52 a.m. when a white van struck it from behind, Fort Lauderdale police Sgt. Frank Sousa said. The van driver, Daniel Christy, is under investigation for possibly driving drunk, Sousa said.Two passengers in the bus and one in the van were taken to Holy Cross Hospital in Fort Lauderdale with minor injuries.The grill of the van was smashed, but the bus did not appear damaged.Witnesses or anyone with information about this accident are asked to call the Fort Lauderdale Police Department at 954-828-5700.

If you're a passenger in a vehicle involved in an auto accident, and if you have sustained injury as a result, you are entitled to receive compensation for your injuries. As a passenger, you may have a claim against:

The driver of the vehicle in which you were riding
The drivers of any other vehicles involved
Any other negligent party involved in the collision

A passenger is generally not considered to be at fault or partially at fault for causing an accident unless he or she does something such as distracting the driver. The law provides a limited time period for you to bring an automobile accident claim. If you are in Florida, and have been injured in an auto accident, or if you have a loved one injured, contact Ellis, Ged & Bodden today. We will work diligently to protect your legal rights and to maximize your recovery. The initial consultation is free of charge, so call or email us today

BSO Looking For Driver In Hit & Run Accident

2009-10-19T06:22:00.000-07:00

POMPANO BEACH (CBS4)- Broward Sheriff's deputies are looking for the driver of a 2006 Dodge Charger that investigators believe was involved in a deadly hit and run accident on Friday night. The accident happened on the 500 block of SW 3 Street in Pompano Beach.Jacinto Lopez Matias was driving home with a co-worker, Juilo Hernandez when the Charger hit Matias' van.
The van was pushed into the median and into a palm tree at which point the van spun out of control, throwing Hernandez from the van.

The Charger eventually came to a stop after hitting a steel bus bench. A witness told Broward Sheriff's deputies that the driver of the Charger got out of the car and stumbled off. Matias was taken to the North Broward Medical Center, where he was treated for minor injuries. Hernandez was pronounced dead on arrival. If you have any information about the accident, call the Broward Sheriff's Office at 954-765-4321 or Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS(8477).

If you or a loved one has been the victim of personal injury in any of the firm’s specialized legal areas, you may have a valid legal claim and be entitled to monetary damages. Please contact one of our experienced and dedicated personal injury attorneys at Ellis, Ged & Bodden, P.A. today for a free consultation.

Miami woman could get 30-year prison term for double-fatality crash

2009-10-16T06:06:00.000-07:00

Sun-Sentinel VERO BEACH - A 26-year-old woman who was speeding and weaving out of traffic on Interstate 95 is guilty of vehicular homicide of two motorcyclists she hit along the roadway. A jury deliberated for a hour Wednesday afternoon before finding Dominique Brice, of Miami, guilty of killing the motorcyclists parked along the northbound lanes on Feb. 29, 2008, near the juncture of Indian River and St. Lucie counties. Sentencing is Nov. 25. She could face up to 30 years in jail.

Killed in the mid-day accident were off-duty North Miami police officer Fritz Doucet, 37, and West Palm Beach computer technician Raul Ortiz. They were recently reunited high school buddies going to Bike Week in Daytona Beach, said Ortiz's sister, Carmen Sanchez, of New Jersey. "How can you call yourself a human being?" Sanchez told Brice shortly after the verdict was announced in the courtroom. Circuit Judge Robert Pegg allowed Sanchez to testify because she is from New Jersey and can't come back for the sentencing. Sanchez finally broke into sobs as Brice looked at the ceiling or at her relatives in the audience. Finally Brice was led out of the courtroom to be held in the Indian River County Jail.

Brice's mother, Angie Dixon, left the courtroom before the verdict because Pegg said he wouldn't tolerate outbursts. Brice's brother also declined comment. He was riding with her at the time of accident. Also in the car were her two young children who Dixon is now caring for. "You still have your children and brother," said Sanchez, who described Dixon as being unremorseful.

Doucet is survived by two sons, Fritz, 9, and Manny. 5, and his girlfriend Abigail Mena, of Broward County. Manny has only been told "his father is in heaven," said Doucet's sister Diana Doucet. "He asked if he could go too. When he asked why he (his father) had to go to heaven, I told him God needed him." Assistant State Attorney Brian Workman told jurors Brice was speeding at more than 80 mph, quickly changing lanes and cutting off cars like in a NASCAR race.

According to a witness, Ortiz and Doucet appeared to have been studying a map and only looked up at the last moment as Brice's Saturn slammed into them. The two men's bodies were knocked into bushes off the highway and their motorcycles were broken into pieces, reports show. Autopsies by the Medical Examiner's Office found that both men's spines were snapped in half and they had severe internal injuries. Brice contends another car forced her vehicle out of control. Her attorney, Assistant Public Defender Adrienne Bucci, said her client was just changing lanes. Former Indian River State College student Jessica More was on the highway and called 911 to report a reckless driver. While on the phone, she said, "Oh my God," as Brice's car swerved and slammed the motorcyclists. More testified in the trial as did an out-of-state couple who witnessed the accident.

"I satisfied with the verdict," said Doucet's brother, Daniel Doucet, of New York. "It is only fair."
At the law firm of Ellis, Ged & Bodden, PA, we can help you explore your legal options. We offer free consultations, and can meet with you at home, at work or even in your hospital room. We’ll listen to your concerns and tell you how we can help. You need to have a team on your side, to protect your interests. If a loved one has been killed in an accident, or if you have been injured as a result of someone’s negligence, please contact our wrongful death lawyers today.

School van driver faulted for Davie crash that sent 10 to hospitals

2009-09-23T11:29:00.000-07:00

Sun Sentinel-DAVIE - The driver of a school van was found at fault in a wreck that sent seven children and three adults to the hospital. The woman was driving a Nob Hill Academy van Monday afternoon when she crashed into a car and a minivan on the 7600 block of Stirling Road. No charges have been filed against her yet, Police Sgt. Greg Gasse said. He did not know the current condition of the victims.

One woman was seriously hurt and the seven children suffered minor injuries in the 2:45 p.m. crash, he said. The children were riding in the eastbound school van when it failed to stop for a Broward County school bus in another eastbound lane as it was dropping off students, Gasse said. The van kept going, hit a minivan and pushed it into the median, then hit a white sedan, Gasse said. The minivan and white sedan had both stopped for the school bus. The school van went over the median and landed in the westbound lanes. No one in the county school bus was hurt.

Thirteen patients were treated on the scene; seven children and three adults were taken to various hospitals, Fire-Rescue spokesman Braulio Rosa said. A woman was transported in critical condition to Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood. All the children had minor injuries, Rosa said. Some were taken to Memorial Regional Hospital and others to Memorial Hospital West in Pembroke Pines. The Nob Hill Academy van had a sign on its side that said "infant afterschool care." Police are investigating.

The law provides a limited time period for you to bring an automobile accident claim. If you are in Florida, and have been injured in an auto accident, or if you have a loved one injured, contact Ellis, Ged & Bodden today. We will work diligently to protect your legal rights and to maximize your recovery. The initial consultation is free of charge, so call or email us today

Chinese Drywall Lawsuit Claims Material Used in Las Vegas Homes

2009-08-27T06:59:00.000-07:00

A Chinese drywall class action lawsuit has been filed in Las Vegas, Nevada. According to the Las Vegas Sun, the lawsuit alleges that Chinese drywall is causing health problems for occupants of homes in two Las Vegas neighborhoods

The lawsuit was filed on behalf of four homeowners, the Sun said. Three of the homes are located in a neighborhood near Jones Boulevard and Grand Teton Drive; and the fourth is near Hollywood Boulevard and Desert Inn Road. The lawsuit, which seeks class action status for all residents of the state suffering health problems because of Chinese drywall, names subsidiaries of Miami-based homebuilder Lennar Corp. and drywall manufacturer Georgia-Pacific Corp. of Atlanta as defendants.

Defendants named in the suit claim that they did not use Chinese drywall in Las Vegas homes, and the Sun notes that domestic wallboard is made in the Las Vegas area. However, Georgia Pacific has been named in a Florida lawsuit that alleges its American-made synthetic drywall products are also causing corrosion in home components and health problems. The suit alleges that those products emit sulfur, methane and other volatile organic chemical compounds, the Sun said.

As we’ve reported previously, Lennar has acknowledged that Chinese drywall was used in about 400 of its Florida homes. The company has filed its own lawsuit against the makers and distributors of Chinese drywall.

Consumers in 24 states have filed a total of 1046 Chinese drywall complaints with the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC). Gases emitted from the drywall are being blamed for significant property damage, including damage to HVAC systems, smoke detectors, electrical wiring, metal plumbing components, and other household appliances. These gases also produce a sulfurous odor, similar to fireworks or rotten eggs, that permeates homes, and cause metals, including air conditioning coils and even jewelry, to corrode.

Earlier this summer, tests conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) found that Chinese-manufactured drywall contained elevated levels of strontium sulfide, as well as the presence of several organic compounds associated with the production of acrylic paint that were not present in samples of U.S.-made drywall. The Florida health department is expected to release further test results that could shed more light on potential health hazards posed by the drywall in September. The EPA and other government agencies are also conducting additional health testing, and those results should also be available soon.

CHINESE DRYWALL NEWS AND ARTICLES

2009-08-18T12:19:00.000-07:00

Chinese Drywall Imported to Guam, Saipan, American Samoa
Potentially defective Chinese drywall was imported to Guam, Saipan and American Samoa. According to the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC), more than 20,000 sheets of Chinese-made drywall made their way on to those islands in 2006. View entire article

Coral Gables builder guts his own bad drywall-plagued home
Across South Florida and the country, distraught homeowners feel stuck in their stinky, corroding homes that are breaking down bit by bit from something leaching from defective Chinese drywall. View entire article

Fort Myers drywall victim sick of wait
The owner of a $1.4 million Fort Myers home with defective Chinese drywall wants to know why his builder, Aubuchon Homes, won't fix it. Dr. Keith Baker, who moved his family out of the home Dec. 17, said State Rep. Gary Aubuchon, who is also president of Aubuchon Homes, did pay four months rent on an alternate residence and some expenses. But Aubuchon then cut off further assistance, Baker said. View entire article

Wall Street Journal: Lennar Confirms Bad Drywall in Homes
Lennar Corp. has identified 400 homes in Florida that have confirmed problems with defective Chinese drywall, and it has set aside $39.8 million to repair the homes, the Miami-based home builder said in a securities filing Friday. View entire Article

New Chinese drywall developments won't help some victims in SWFL
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA - More people living in homes built with Chinese drywall are speaking only to WINK News. They say it's ruining their life and new developments this week aren't helping their problem. View entire article

Vioxx Judge Puts Chinese Drywall MDL Cases on Fast Track

2009-08-12T05:56:00.000-07:00

New Orleans federal district court judge Eldon Fallon knows how to manage mass torts. He's the judge, after all, who oversaw the $4.85 billion settlement of Vioxx claims against Merck in 2007. So we were quite intrigued to see this story in the Miami Daily Business Review, outlining Fallon's plan for the 600-case multidistrict litigation involving allegedly sulfur-emitting Chinese-made drywall.

Fallon intends to begin trying bellwether cases before the end of the year, according to the Daily Business Review. Working with members of the defense and plaintiffs steering committees, he will pick five representative cases to test plaintiffs claims that the drywall in their houses is defective."

Fast-tracking is an understatement. It's a rocket docket. And he means business," plaintiffs steering committee member Ervin Gonzalez of Colson Hicks Eidson told the DBR. "He wants the first case tried by the end of the year, and he wants an inspection of every home. He wants to be able to get to the bottom of the problem."

Plaintiffs' lawyers told the DBR that Fallon's fast track to trial will encourage homeowners to consider settling their cases, but one of the lead drywall defendants, Knauf Plasterboard Tianjin said Fallon's inspection order and a requirement that all claimants fill out fact sheets "will substantially narrow the scope of the litigation and finally put to rest the speculation as to the number of homes that are impacted by Chinese drywall."

If you or a loved one is a victim of an injury caused by a defective and unreasonably dangerous product, contact the law offices of Ellis, Ged & Bodden now. The legal team at Ellis, Ged & Bodden have the experience and resources to both preserve and pursue your claim and will work to recover fair and reasonable compensation for your injuries. The law provides a limited time period during which you have the right to bring a defective product or product liability claim. So act now to protect your legal rights. The initial consultation is free of charge.

Nine months of work ends in nearly $12 million deal

2009-08-07T05:51:00.000-07:00

Attorney Marius Ged The Deal:

Miami-based Rigstar II Holdings paid $11.92 million for a 156,871-square-foot warehouse in northern Miami-Dade County. First Industrial Realty Trust was the seller in the deal that closed July 24.

Details: Ged, who represented Rigstar, worked on the deal for nearly nine months. First Industrial originally wanted $17.25 million, or $110 per square foot. Eventually, the Chicago-based real estate investment trust agreed to sell for $75.98 per square foot.

“On a price per square foot basis, we did pretty well,” Ged said. The 2-year-old warehouse, at 10910 NW 92nd Terrace, is within the Flagler Station business park, which has about 9 million square feet of office, retail and industrial space.

Rigstar plans to turn the warehouse into the logistical headquarters for a company that exports and imports electronics to Latin America. Rigstar is led by Ghassan Abboud, according to the Florida Division of Corporations. Rigstar obtained an $8.2 million mortgage from Citibank for 70 percent of the purchase price.

Ged said negotiations were complex in part because the seller wasn’t familiar with Florida laws, especially how property taxes are calculated. “I learned that when you are dealing with an out-of-state seller on a transaction this large, to require them to get local counsel because they don’t understand the nuances of Florida laws,” he said. “And it just becomes more difficult.”

Background: Ged is an attorney with Ellis Ged & Bodden. He leads the firm’s real estate, estate planning, asset protection and corporate business transactional departments. First Industrial was represented by Chicago attorney Dapo Adedeji of Barack Ferrazzano Kirschbaum & Nagelberg.

2009-08-05T05:58:00.000-07:00

The Dangers of Texting and Driving

Lately, it seems as if text messaging has become the preferred mode of communication for millions. As cell phones become more utilized on the road, driving tragedies involving text messaging, while behind the wheel, have been increasing.

One such recent tragedy involved a 17-year-old girl from Eureka, Illinois. The coroner stated that the teenager was texting when she lost control of her car and was killed. Based upon the data recovered from her cell phone, investigators found that she was sending and receiving text messages when the accident occurred.

Texting poses serious, sometimes fatal distractions to all drivers, but particularly teenagers. According to the Centers for Disease Control, auto accidents are the leading cause of death for people between 16 and 20, killing more than 5000 annually. Increasingly, drivers are texting on their phones and this is placing others at risk. Recent studies show that text messaging is a growing cause of auto accidents in the United States. Motorists who text message have been found to be more distracted and more likely to be involved in an accident.

A new study by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute found that when drivers engaged in texting while driving, their risk of an accident was 23 times greater than when not texting. This study showed that texting is much more dangerous than other driving distractions. The study also demonstrated that drivers spent almost five seconds looking at their cell phones while texting and driving.

An experiment this year with Car and Driver editor Eddie Alterman revealed that texting while driving had more of a negative impact on driver safety than being drunk. Although being legally intoxicated added four feet to Alterman's stopping distance at 70 mph, reading an e-mail added 36 feet and sending a text added 70 feet.

Fourteen states and the District of Columbia currently have full bans on texting while driving. Legislators in some states have rejected such rules. Some say they need more data to decide whether to ban the activity.

If you or a loved one has been involved in an auto accident due to another driver's texting or negligence, you should consult with an attorney to learn about the laws of your state and your legal rights.

Police catch man suspected of causing fatal Lantana crash

2009-07-24T06:26:00.000-07:00

LANTANA - A driver who police say caused a four-car crash that killed a pedestrian was caught after a manhunt. A Boynton Beach police officer came upon the crash at about 4 p.m. Thursday as he took the Lantana Road exit off Interstate 95 to turn around and return to the city.

Shortly before that discovery, the officer had attempted to stop a silver Mazda -- the car that apparently caused the crash, police say -- for breaking a traffic law on Interstate 95 near the Gateway Boulevard exit. But the car took off and sped away northbound. The officer did not pursue the car, but found what appeared to be the same silver Mazda involved in the crash on Lantana Road and 13th Street, said Boynton Beach Police spokeswoman Stephanie Slater. "It's believed to be the same car," she said.

The unidentified police officer saw a man run away from the accident scene but was unable to catch him, Slater said. Boynton Beach's K-9 units and the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office Eagle helicopter combed the area in search of the suspect. Witnesses said they saw the fleeing man jump over the fence behind the 7-Eleven convenience store wearing a white shirt and black shorts. The driver was later caught and arrested, Slater said, but police are not releasing his name. Charges are pending from the Florida Highway Patrol, she said. The dead pedestrian, a man, also remains unidentified.

No one else was injured in the crash, which involved a black Corvette, a white Explorer, a red Expedition and the Mazda, which had a Texas license plate. A preliminary check did not reveal the car was stolen, Boynton Beach Police Chief Matt Immler said. But that didn't eliminate that possibility, he said. James Spickler, 26, who lives nearby but was shopping at the 7-Eleven when the accident happened, called his wife at home to make sure the house was locked up. He was concerned for her safety with the suspect loose in the neighborhood.

"Because you never know," he said, "We saw all this debris and a body laying in the road. I told her to lock everything up." The Boynton Beach officer who attempted to make the traffic stop and tried to apprehend the fleeing suspect is on paid administrative leave, as per departmental policy, Slater said. Employees of the KFC just feet from the accident scene were shocked about a pedestrian's death nearby."That's like movie stuff," employee Cristal Huertas said. "I don't think I can eat. It's a sick feeling."

The law provides a limited time period for you to bring an automobile accident claim. If you are in Florida, and have been injured in an auto accident, or if you have a loved one injured, contact Ellis, Ged & Bodden today. We will work diligently to protect your legal rights and to maximize your recovery. The initial consultation is free of charge, so call or email us today.

Teenager Injured In SUV Accident

2009-06-30T05:40:00.000-07:00

Relatives identify the teenager as Christian Alarcon and say he was visiting his father for the weekend. Witness Dennis Marquez told CBS4 News Reporter Joan Murray that he saw the 14-year-old hanging on the side of an SUV standing on the running board. He said that he watched in horror as the boy slipped and fell under the back wheels. The child's mother was driving. "I called 9-1-1. The child was unconscious and there was blood coming out of his eye. It was sad to see because he's so young," Marquez said.

Broward Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Keyla Concepcion said the department received the emergency call at 5:44 p.m. at 227 NW 43 Ct. The child was rushed to Broward General Medical Center in Fort Lauderdale. A cousin identified as Danny Reyes said, "His lungs are bruised. We have to wait and see." BSO cited the child's mother and impounded the SUV she was driving.

In all auto accident cases, it is essential that measures be taken promptly to preserve evidence and to investigate the accident.d The staff at Ellis, Ged & Bodden has the experience and knowledge to analyze all avenues of recovery and will work with physicians and other expert witnesses to thoroughly evaluate any injuries and damages you have suffered.

CHINESE DRYWALL NEWS

2009-06-22T19:24:00.000-07:00

C. Glen Ged featured as a POWER POP in Boca/Delray magazine

2009-06-19T06:59:00.000-07:00

ELLIS, GED & BODDEN IN TRIAL, WEST PALM BEACH COURT HOUSE

2009-06-12T19:18:00.000-07:00

Joseph Duque was just 14 years old when he got caught up in an altercation during teen night at Rumbass night club in He was brutally stabbed and died in a dimly lit parking, trying to defend a friend who was being attacked by a number of unidentified individuals from the club.

2009-06-12T18:51:00.000-07:00

Attorneys from Ellis, Ged & Bodden, P.A. seek justice in wrongful death case, for teen stabbed at Rumbass night club in West Palm Beach on a summer night almost five years ago.

BSO: Woman, 87, killed by Amtrak in Pompano Beach may not have heard train

2009-06-03T13:47:00.000-07:00

POMPANO BEACH - The 87-year-old woman hit and killed by an Amtrak train at a Tri-Rail station Wednesday was hearing impaired and probably didn't hear the train bearing down on her, a Broward Sheriff's Office spokesman said Thursday. View Entire article

At the law firm of Ellis, Ged & Bodden, PA, we can help you explore your legal options. We offer free consultations, and can meet with you at home, at work or even in your hospital room. We’ll listen to your concerns and tell you how we can help. You need to have a team on your side, to protect your interests. If a loved one has been killed in an accident, or if you have been injured as a result of someone’s negligence, please contact our wrongful death lawyers today.

ON THE MONEY RADIO

2009-05-28T12:01:00.001-07:00

Steve Pomeranz, financial advisor from 90.7 F.M. in South Florida ON THE MONEY RADIO has invited Attorney Marius J. Ged to discuss current issues in today's economy. Topics will include: Real Estate, loan modifications,asset protection etc.. This interview aired at 7:30 p.m. May 27th, and Friday May 29th at 1:00 p.m.

Enclosed please find the link to the radio station and Steve Pomeranz show.

http://www.onthemoneyradio.org/guests/uploads/149.mp3

Salzlein Press Conference

2009-05-21T09:11:00.000-07:00

Press Conference held May 20th at Memorial Regional Hospital with Ms. Salzlein's son, John Salzlein and Attorney C. Glen Ged.

Sun Sentinel VIDEO

Accidents send 3 to hospital

2009-05-11T05:35:00.000-07:00

Two injury auto accidents on rain-slickened streets late Sunday afternoon sent three people to local hospitals, authorities said. The first crash, which involved three vehicles, occurred about 4:30 p.m. at S.W. 29th and Indian Hills Road, just southwest of the Topeka city limits. Two people injured in that crash were taken to local hospitals by American Medical Response ambulance.

Shawnee County sheriff’s Sgt. Justin Vest said the accident occurred when a white four-door Toyota Camry that was eastbound on S.W. 29th slowed to turn onto S.W. Indian Hills and was rear-ended by a Dodge Durango sport utility vehicle. The impact sent the Camry into the westbound lane of S.W. 29th, where it collided head-on with a silver four-door Oldsmobile Intrigue. Drivers of both the Camry and Intrigue were taken to the hospital. Vest said the driver of the Camry appeared to have sustained minor injuries, while the driver of the Intrigue had injuries that were considered serious but not life-threatening.

About an hour later, Topeka police responded to a two-car collision about 5:20 p.m. at S.E. 6th and Carnahan in which one vehicle crashed into a power pole. Police at the scene said a four-door Oldsmobile Alero and a four-door Ford passenger car were eastbound on S.E. 6th when the cars collided near the intersection of S.E. Carnahan After the collision, the Alero struck a wooden power pole on the southeast corner of the intersection, near a Cenex service station.
The Ford continued east on S.E. 6th and pulled into the filling station’s parking lot. A restrained child in the Alero, who had minor injuries, was taken by ambulance to the hospital as a precaution, police said. No other injuries were reported.

If you have been injured in a traffic accident, or if you have a loved one injured, the traffic accident attorneys at Ellis, Ged & Bodden P.A. will work diligently to protect your legal rights and to maximize your recovery. The initial consultation is free of charge, so call or email us today

Teacher dies in crash involving students returning to Broward from Orlando

2009-05-04T06:27:00.000-07:00

South Florida Sun-Sentinel - The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a single-vehicle crash that killed a Broward County teacher and injured seven high school students returning from a trip to Orlando.

Gerald Jerome Oliphant, 27, died at North Broward Medical Center after the Sunday morning accident at the Coconut Creek Parkway exit ramp on Florida's Turnpike. Six other passengers, including five teenagers, are at Broward General Medical Center, where their condition is not available. The driver, Livingston James Finley, 18, of Fort Lauderdale, is in critical condition at North Broward.

Family and friends told WSVN-Ch/ 7 that Oliphant, a teacher from Oakland Park's South Florida Christian Preparatory Academy, and the seven students were driving back from a high school senior trip at Orlando's Universal Studios. Troopers say Finley fell asleep at the wheel and lost control of the Chevy Suburban. The crash happened shortly after 6 a.m., in the southbound lanes of the turnpike, spokesman Lt. Roger Reyes said.

Five passengers were ejected from the Chevy Suburban, authorities said. No one in the vehicle was wearing a seat belt, FHP said. The other six passengers were identified as: Shantek Ellis, 17; Elizabeth Codie Lewis, 17; Demitri Johnson, 20; Nolan Browne, 17; Tekhoya Browne, 17, and Jackson Walker, 19. Eugenia Ellis told WSVN her daughter was on life support with a collapsed lung Sunday. Friends grieved outside Broward Medical Center for Oliphant, according to WSVN. "He was somebody who we all respect and love, and he was there for me a lot, and I'm going to miss him," Lamont Walker said. Reyes had no additional details about the crash, which is under investigation.

Chinese drywall not used in area

2009-04-22T06:14:00.000-07:00

The Free Lance-Star is reporting that, Area builders and drywall providers say Chinese-made drywall has not been used in Fredericksburg-area houses.

Chinese drywall has been making national news of late after hundreds of U.S. homeowners have complained that it smells and emits gasses that make people sick. Most of the claims have been filed in Florida and New Orleans. Homebuilder Lennar Corp., which is building homes in Spotsylvania County's Lee's Parke subdivision, disclosed Monday that it has been named in a class-action lawsuit filed in Florida on behalf of people who bought homes with Chinese drywall that were built during the boom.

Bob Krieff, division president for Lennar in Virginia, said Chinese drywall has not been used in any of Lennar's Virginia homes. He said it appears to be a Florida-only problem for Lennar. In Florida, Lennar has been inspecting homes it built that might have had the Chinese drywall and paying to replace it. Lennar sued the Chinese drywall manufacturer and distributors. Florida's health department has said it will begin testing the air quality in homes to determine whether the material can make people ill. Estimates indicate the drywall may be in more than 100,000 homes, more than 35,000 in Florida alone.

Harvey Gold, director of government affairs for the Fredericksburg Area Builders Association, said none of the association's builders he's checked with have reported using the Chinese drywall. He's also checked with local governments, and no problems have been reported. Executives for Ashton Innovations and Chatham Construction Co. Inc., which are two of the Fredericksburg area's bigger drywall installers, both said they do not and have not used Chinese drywall.

The Attorneys at Ellis, Ged & Bodden P.A. are offering FREE consultations to residents of Florida in all matters relating to Chinese drywall. If you believe your home and health may be at risk, please contact us immediately to protect your legal rights.

--The Associated Press contributed to this report.

3-month-old baby dies in Clearwater traffic crash

2009-04-17T07:20:00.000-07:00

CLEARWATER, Fla. — A 3-month-old boy who was ejected from his car seat during a two-vehicle crash has died.

The crash happened shortly before 6 p.m. Thursday. Clearwater police said the infant's mother, 19-year-old Priscilla Baltazar, was driving a Honda in a curb lane when she was hit by an SUV.
Her infant, Alden Perez, was ejected from his car seat and died at a local hospital. Officials said Baltazar and a 3-year-old child received minor injuries.
So far, no charges have been filed.

If you have been injured in a traffic accident, or if you have a loved one injured, the traffic accident attorneys at Ellis, Ged & Bodden P.A. will work diligently to protect your legal rights and to maximize your recovery. The initial consultation is free of charge, so call or email us today

Pedestrian, bicyclist killed in separate accidents west of Boca Raton

2009-04-15T11:13:00.000-07:00

Accoding to the Sun Sentinel WEST BOCA - Two people involved in traffic accidents on roads west of Boca Raton earlier this month have died from their injuries.Kevin Grant, 36, died Friday after being struck by a car as he stood on Dolphin Road on April 4, according to a Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office report. As Robert Hebert turned his 2001 Hyundai sedan onto Dolphin Road from Sandalfoot Boulevard his vehicle's side mirror struck Grant in the back of the head, the report states. Grant died Friday at Delray Medical Center. Grant and Hebert, 58, both are of the 10100 block of Marlin Drive.Bicyclist Timothy Williams died Sunday after being struck Saturday by a 2003 Dodge SUV driven by Miami resident Candice Curl, 36. Williams, 35, of west of Boca Raton, pedaled his Magna bike eastbound on Camino Real when Curl's SUV, also eastbound on Camino Real, struck Williams as he entered the intersection of Camino Del Mar, according to the report. Williams was pronounced dead at Delray Medical Center.
If you have been injured in a traffic accident, or if you have a loved one injured, the traffic accident attorneys at Ellis, Ged & Bodden P.A. will work diligently to protect your legal rights and to maximize your recovery. The initial consultation is free of charge, so call or email us today.

5 killed, 7 hurt when boat slams into tug near St. Augustine

2009-04-13T06:22:00.000-07:00

Sun Sentinel; PALM VALLEY, Fla. - Authorities were investigating Monday why a power boat packed with 12 people slammed into a docked tug boat, killing five occupants of the pleasure craft and seriously injuring 12.The 22-foot power boat crashed into the rear of the tug at about 7 p.m. Sunday on the Intracoastal Waterway in St. Johns County, about 20 miles northwest of St. Augustine, said Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission spokeswoman Joy Hill. The Intracoastal Waterway runs along Florida's east coastline.Three of the injured were airlifted from the crash site and all seven were taken to area hospitals, she said.Hill was not sure whether those on the Crownline boat were tossed into the water during the crash.

She said it doesn't appear anyone was aboard the 25-foot tug boat, which is registered to F&A Enterprises in St. Augustine.The victims names have not been released."Investigators are looking at anything that may have caused this," Hill said, including the speed and capacity of the boat, lighting conditions and whether alcohol may have been a factor.The boat was carrying 12 people, according to Jeremy Robshaw of the St. Johns County Fire and Rescue. He told The Florida Times-Union newspaper that three of those injured were in critical condition, with the others in stable condition.Robshaw said the pier was under construction and rescuers had to lay down planking before they could get to the crash victims.Herb Davis watched the rescue from the dock at his home down the street."There was a lot of moaning," he told the newspaper. "It was very clear, this lady was screaming so loud," he said.

If you are injured while boating, traveling on a cruise line, on a yacht, or simply offshore, the laws can get complicated very quickly. The laws governing your injuries and your potential remedies depend upon who you are, where you were, and what you were doing at the time of the accident.

The maritime lawyers at the law firm of Ellis, Ged & Bodden P.A. have extensive experience in litigating maritime cases in almost every major port in the United States as well as internationally.

Trooper hit during traffic stop

2009-04-10T06:37:00.000-07:00

DEBARY, Fla. — According to the Palm Beach Post Authorities say a Florida Highway Patrol trooper was seriously injured when a vehicle hit him during a traffic stop on Interstate 4 near DeBary.
An FHP spokeswoman says Trooper Rickie Zigler was standing on the shoulder after pulling over a sport utility vehicle Thursday afternoon driven by Luz Roman, who called 911 dispatchers for help with a domestic disturbance. Another vehicle driven by 78-year-old Donola White lost control and hit the SUV, causing it to hit the trooper.
Zigler was taken by helicopter to a Daytona Beach hospital with a broken pelvis and wrist. Roman was taken to a Sanford hospital with minor injuries. White, who had to be removed from the car, was taken by helicopter to an Orlando hospital and was in critical but stable condition.
If you are in Florida, and have been injured in an auto accident, or if you have a loved one injured, the auto accident attorneys at Ellis, Ged & Bodden P.A. will work diligently to protect your legal rights and to maximize your recovery. The initial consultation is free of charge, so call or email us today.

Local city to soon add red-light runner cameras

2009-04-07T07:10:00.000-07:00

CBS new 12 reported on the new driving conditions in West Palm Beach. Worried that the problem is only going to get worse, police say something has to be done about nabbing red-light runners."We think that a lot of people are running red lights. We don't have the personnel especially in today's budget situation to monitor them all the time," said Assistant West Palm Beach Police Chief Dennis Crispo.

City commissioners are considering a contract with an outside firm that would install and maintain the cameras and send tickets to violators. The fine would be $125.
West Palm Beach Police have identified ten intersections with the highest number of accidents.
Those intersections, such as 45th and Congress, will get cameras to videotape drivers who race through when the light changes to red. Drivers will get a ticket in the mail, and will have to pay a fine. They can even go to a website and see video of their car running a red light, if they don't recall the incident or want to make sure the city really does have them on camera.
Motorists we talked with say they don't have a problem with the plan to install red-light runner cameras.

"In south Florida, they gun it and run it instead of trying to stop, Absolutely. I think it's a great idea," said Mike Lewis, motorist. "I do think that running red lights is very dangerous. So I think probably the city has a right to do that if it is a real safety problem for the citizens," said Anne Pepper, another motorist. Crispo says the cameras would be installed in about three months.

Auto accidents are the most common basis for personal injury claims brought in the United States. When a person is careless in the operation of their vehicle, they are liable to all individuals who are injured as a result. In determining whether or not a driver was negligent, several factors are considered:

The driver’s speed
The weather conditions at the time of the accident
Any failure to obey traffic signals or signs
Any failure to follow proper procedures in operating the vehicle
Whether or not the driver was under the influence of any alcohol or drugs

The law provides a limited time period for you to bring an automobile accident claim. If you are in Florida, and have been injured in an auto accident, or if you have a loved one injured, contact Ellis, Ged & Bodden P.A. today. We will work diligently to protect your legal rights and to maximize your recovery. The initial consultation is free of charge, so call or email us today.

Motorcyclist dies after accident with Palm Tran bus in northern Palm Beach County

2009-04-06T06:53:00.000-07:00

Palm Beach Post reports today, Portions of County Line Road in northern Palm Beach County remained closed past 4:30 p.m. today after a motorcyclist was killed in a collision with a Palm Tran connection bus.

Authorities identified the motorcyclist as Stephen Charles Trapani, 68, of Tequesta.
Trapani was on a motorcycle by himself heading east on County Line Road just north of Tequesta near the Martin County line when he struck the front of the bus at 1:39 p.m., Palm Beach County Sherriff’s investigator Karly Gallart said. The bus was headed west and turning left onto Old Dixie Highway when the motorcycle collided, smashing the bus windshield on the driver's side. The driver and lone passenger on the bus were not injured.

Trapani, who was not wearing a helmet, was killed instantly, Gallart said.

Auto accidents are the most common basis for personal injury claims brought in the United States. When a person is careless in the operation of their vehicle, they are liable to all individuals who are injured as a result. The law provides a limited time period for you to bring an automobile accident claim. If you are in Florida, and have been injured in an auto accident, or if you have a loved one injured, contact Ellis, Ged & Bodden today. We will work diligently to protect your legal rights and to maximize your recovery. The initial consultation is free of charge, so call or email us today.

Good Counsel: Local Attorney Making A Positive Impact

2009-04-02T06:32:00.000-07:00

The Boca Raton Observer featured Attorney Ronda L. Ellis in their April 2009 Issue. This special edition honored women in business. Congratulations Ronda.

Victim in wrong-way crash on I-95 was immigrant seeking better life in America

2009-03-31T05:45:00.000-07:00

The sun sentinel recently posted an update on the accident that occurred on Friday: Her life ended on Interstate 95 just months after she arrived in South Florida to help her family abroad. Aracely Mendoza moved from Nicaragua in October for better job opportunities. The 23-year-old settled in Miami, found a service job and sent nearly all her earnings to her family, her friends said. "She was a good person — very moral," said one friend, Milbia Matamoros.

In the early hours last Friday, Mendoza was killed in a head-on wreck on Interstate 95 in Broward County that was caused by a car going in the wrong direction, the Florida Highway Patrol said Monday. Mendoza — the sole person who died in the crash — was a passenger in a white 2005 Ford van headed south at about 4:18 a.m. Near Commercial Boulevard, a silver 2003 BMW struck the van, shredding the BMW's front half and tearing into the front passenger side of the van, the FHP said. FHP Lt. Gene Hingson said evidence at the crash site and witnesses confirmed the BMW was traveling north in the southbound lanes.

No one has been charged in the crash. FHP investigators are waiting to obtain toxicology results of the BMW's driver, Davydson Soares, 31, of Pompano Beach, to determine whether he was driving under the influence, Hingson said. Soares was treated and released from Broward General Medical Center on Friday. He couldn't be reached for comment despite a visit to his home Monday.

State records show Soares has a suspended license for failure to pay traffic fines. On March 22, Miami Beach police charged him with the misdemeanor crime of disorderly conduct. He told authorities he was a chiropractor, records show.

The van's driver, Elba Matamoros, 39, and two passengers, Tonya Carrera, 24, and Ruby Castenerra, 29, were treated and released from Broward General Medical Center Friday. They all live in Miami. Elba Matamoros, Milbia Matamoros' sister, said Monday that friends were trying to raise about $5,000 to pay for Mendoza's body to be returned to her homeland.

Matamoros said someone must be held accountable for Mendoza's death. "I want justice," she said.

The law provides a limited time period for you to bring an automobile accident claim. If you are in Florida, and have been injured in an auto accident, or if you have a loved one injured, contact Ellis, Ged & Bodden P.A. today. We will work diligently to protect your legal rights and to maximize your recovery. The initial consultation is free of charge, so call or email us today.

Woman killed while walking in Southwest Miami-Dade

2009-03-30T05:39:00.000-07:00

The Miami Hearld is reported on a hit and run accident, A pedestrian died Sunday after what appeared to be a hit-and-run accident in Southwest Miami-Dade. A car struck the woman at about 3:30 p.m. near Southwest 157th Avenue and 289th Terrace, Miami-Dade police said.

The vehicle left the scene, police said, and headed north on 157th Avenue. The woman was airlifted to the Ryder Trauma Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital, where she died. Investigators later interviewed a suspect who was found near the scene. No names were released.

The key to filing a wrongful death lawsuit is determining that another party was negligent. This means that someone else failed to act in a reasonable, responsible way and that their action or inaction caused your injury. At the law firm of Ellis, Ged & Bodden, P.A., we can help you explore your legal options. We offer free consultations, and can meet with you at home, at work or even in your hospital room. We’ll listen to your concerns and tell you how we can help. You need to have a team on your side, to protect your interests. If a loved one has been killed or if you have been injured as a result of someone’s negligence, please contact our wrongful death lawyers today.

2009-03-27T11:27:00.000-07:00

The Miami Herald reported that a Miami woman was killed Friday morning in a head-on collision between a van and a BMW in the southbound lanes of Interstate 95 near Commercial Boulevard, the Florida Highway Patrol said. Four others were seriously injured in the crash, which led authorities to close the highway just north of Commercial Boulevard during the peak morning hours as they conducted an investigation. The roadway has since opened, said FHP spokesman Sgt. Mark Wysocky.

The woman who died was identified as 23-year-old Aracely Mendoza. Wysocky said details are still sketchy, but it appears the crash happened about 4:18 a.m.''We're still trying to determine what happened, whether someone was driving the wrong way or whether someone had spun out and then was facing the wrong way,'' he said.According to Wysocky, a man driving the BMW was taken to Broward General Medical Center in serious condition. Three other women in the van were taken to the same hospital, one in critical condition and two in serious condition.

The law provides a limited time period for you to bring an automobile accident claim. If you are in Florida, and have been injured in an auto accident, or if you have a loved one injured, contact Ellis, Ged & Bodden P.A. today. We will work diligently to protect your legal rights and to maximize your recovery. The initial consultation is free of charge, so call or email us today.

Driver caused I-95 hit-run crashes, officials say

2009-03-25T06:53:00.000-07:00

The sun sentinel.com is reporting that, A West Palm Beach driver could face charges in a spree of hit-and-run crashes on Interstate 95 in Broward County that injured a Davie woman, the Florida Highway Patrol said Tuesday.

Michele M. Fevola, 33, was involved in four crashes on I-95 that began at about 8 p.m. Monday in Deerfield Beach and ended minutes later in Fort Lauderdale, said FHP spokesman Sgt. Mark Wysocky. Troopers are awaiting toxicology results to determine whether Fevola was driving drunk, Wysocky said. The woman hurt in one of the crashes, Marisol Montellano, 21, was taken to Broward General Medical Center in Fort Lauderdale, where she was in good condition Tuesday, hospital spokeswoman Candice Ogden said. Fevola's 2002 Chevrolet pickup rear-ended a 2008 Lexus, then struck a 1994 Toyota before hitting Montellano's 2004 Isuzu SUV near Sunrise Boulevard, FHP said. Fevola lost control of her pickup, veered left and was struck by a 2009 Toyota, Wysocky said. Fevola was taken to Broward General, where she was treated and released, Ogden said. The drivers of the other vehicles were unhurt.

Fevola has had several run-ins with the law, state records show. She was convicted of driving under the influence in Broward in July 2001, Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles records show. Another DUI case the same year resulted in her license being revoked for five years.Her license was suspended this year for failing to pay a traffic citation, but it was reinstated last month, records show.

Auto accidents are the most common basis for personal injury claims brought in the United States. When a person is careless in the operation of their vehicle, they are liable to all individuals who are injured as a result. The law provides a limited time period for you to bring an automobile accident claim. If you are in Florida, and have been injured in an auto accident, or if you have a loved one injured, contact Ellis, Ged & Bodden today. We will work diligently to protect your legal rights and to maximize your recovery. The initial consultation is free of charge, so call or email us today.

What Caused the Montana Plane Crash?

2009-03-24T07:51:00.000-07:00

Butte, MT: While there have been conflicting reports surrounding the number of people killed Sunday afternoon in the horrific plane crash in Montana, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has confirmed that 14 people were killed.

Previous reports, including one that ran in the early edition of the New York Times this morning, suggested that anywhere from 14 to 17 people were on board. The latter observation came from an aircraft mechanic who was on duty at the airport in Oroville. He suggested that he let as many as a dozen children from the plane use the restroom at the facility, which was the last stop the single-engine turboprop plane made before it crashed 3 hours later into a cemetery in Montana. According to the New York Times an FAA spokesperson suggested also that 14 to 17 people were on board the plane, but as of a few minutes ago all the major media outlets appeared to have settled on a death toll of 14—7 adults and 7 children. There were no survivors.

The plane crash occurred Sunday at 3:26pm Mountain time. Eyewitnesses report seeing the plane wobble in the sky, and one witness noted that the plane was banked in a 90-degree vertical roll, with one wing pointing straight up, before the plane plunged nose-first into a wooded area of Holy Cross Cemetery and burst into flames. According to various reports the plane was leased by a number of families who shared a vacation property, and was presumably shuttling the passengers to a ski vacation. The flight is said to have originated in Redlands, California and had flown to Vacaville, where it remained on the ground for just under an hour. It is not known if the plane took on fuel at the time. From there, the Pilatus PC-12 took off for the short hop to Oroville, about 65 miles north of Sacramento. The plane took on no fuel at Oroville. It is here that many of the passengers exited the plane to stretch their legs and use the facilities. It was about 11am Pacific Time when the plane took off from Oroville for the presumed final leg of the journey, to Gallatin Field at Bozeman, Montana.

The latter is about a dozen miles from the Bridger Bowl Ski Area in the Gallatin Mountains. However, the plane never made it to Bozeman. At one point the pilot abruptly abandoned his flight plan and diverted to Butte, about 75 miles west of Bozeman and closer. Why the pilot diverted may never be known. As the plane was a leased plane on a private flight and not a commercial enterprise, there was no black box on board monitoring the comments of the pilot. There is also no communications tower at Bert Mooney Airport at Butte, which is more of a self-serve facility with even self-serve fuelling capability. Speculation, however suggests that when the pilot abandoned his flight plan and diverted to a closer airport, the need to land promptly was paramount. But why? Was there a sudden mechanical problem with the plane? Was the pilot low on fuel?

There are many questions, many of which will hopefully be answered by the FAA with an assist by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). One factor being looked at is the weight borne by the single-engine Pilatus PC-12, an aircraft built in Sweden and approved for civil aviation in the US in 1994. Specs for the aircraft cite a capacity for 9 or 10 passengers in some commercial configurations, although the specific plane that crashed yesterday afternoon was said to have approved seating for 12. However, even the most conservative estimate of 14 passengers, represents 2 more people than the plane was reported to be rated for. That also suggests that, given speculation of a vacation, there would be luggage for two additional people as well. Aviation experts agree that an aircraft is rated for number of passengers, and weight for specific reasons. A plane will handle differently and presumably burn more fuel if overloaded. And the sudden shifting of weight, whether the shift represents passengers suddenly changing their seat assignments, or the sudden shifting of gross weight such as luggage, could all have an impact on how the plane behaves in the air.

The specific Pilatus PC-12 did not appear to have any prior maintenance or safety issues. However, the New York Times was reporting this morning that according to the NTSB there have been 15 accidents involving Pilatus planes since 2001, six of which involving fatalities. There have also been reports that transportation authorities had put the Pilatus on watch for some ongoing issue with regard to the Pilatus engine. According to the FAA the doomed plane was registered to Eagle Cap Leasing of Enterprise, Oregon. It was not immediately known if the plane came with a pilot, or if someone else flew the plane. NBC was reporting this morning that five members from one family were killed when the plane went down.

Eyewitnesses who saw the crash ran over to the crash scene immediately after the crash, but by then the fire was raging and there was nothing anyone on the ground could do. There were no injuries to people on the ground. Investigators report the fire burned for about five or ten minutes, and that rescue crews were on the scene within minutes. The doomed plane crashed just 500 feet west of the runway at Bert Mooney Airfield at Butte. It is the third major plane crash in the US, in as many months.

If you or your loved ones were involved in a plane crash accident the Florida airplane accident attorneys can help you. Please contact our Boca Raton office at 561-9951966 or 1888 EGB FIRM.

15 year old shot and killed in Belle Glade

2009-03-24T05:49:00.000-07:00

Fox 29 is reporting today that the investigation continues in a Belle Glade shooting. In West Palm Beach, FL -- A fight at a local high school boiled over into a late-night shooting that ended the life of a 15 year-old boy, sheriff's officials said.

The Palm Beach County Violent Crimes Task Force is investigating the circumstances leading up to the shooting. It happened just after 10 pm at a mobile home park at 190 State Road 715 in Belle Glade, said Teri Barbera, spokeswoman for the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office. When deputies got to the scene, they found the 15 year-old victim dead from a gunshot wound to his torso. Witnesses described the shooting to police. They say the victim and a friend walked out of a trailer and saw another man fire off several rounds at three other people, who then took off on foot.

The victim then realized his friend wasn't with him. He went back to the scene, realized he had been shot, and later died. Detectives canvassed the scene for evidence. They have not released the name of the victim.

If you know anything, call Palm Beach County CrimeStoppers at 1-800-458-TIPS.

The key to filing a wrongful death lawsuit is determining that another party was negligent. This means that someone else failed to act in a reasonable, responsible way and that their action or inaction caused your injury. At the law firm of Ellis, Ged & Bodden, P.A., we can help you explore your legal options. We offer free consultations, and can meet with you at home, at work or even in your hospital room. We’ll listen to your concerns and tell you how we can help. You need to have a team on your side, to protect your interests. If a loved one has been killed or if you have been injured as a result of someone’s negligence, please contact our wrongful death lawyers today.

Driver of BMW loses control and dies in Sunday afternoon crash

2009-03-23T07:59:00.000-07:00

On Sunday CBS 12 news reported on a deadly accident in West Palm Beach. The Florida Highway Patrol is trying to determine if the driver of a BMW that spun out of control on Sunday afternoon was wearing a seat belt when he crashed.

The accident happened just off the southbound lanes of Australian Avenue in West Palm Beach. Investigators say the driver, 42-year old Pastro Munoz, was driving along Australian near the south end bend of the Palm Beach International Airport, when he lost control of his car.

According to witnesses, Munoz was speeding well over 70 to 75 miles per hour, in a 45 mile per hour zone, when he tried to pass several cars using the left lane. They say he hit the curb on the left side, crossed three lanes of traffic toward the right, sending the car into the air spinning. The car finally ended up in the parking lot outside 'Jet Aviation' near the airport. Munoz ended up about 100 feet away from the car.

Munoz was taken to St. Mary's Medical Center where he later died. No one else was hurt in the accident.

The law provides a limited time period for you to bring an automobile accident claim. If you are in Florida, and have been injured in an auto accident, or if you have a loved one injured, contact Ellis, Ged & Bodden P.A. today. We will work diligently to protect your legal rights and to maximize your recovery. The initial consultation is free of charge, so call or email us today.

Cleveland Browns' Donte Stallworth was legally drunk, source says

2009-03-20T10:45:00.000-07:00

The Sun Sentinel reported today that, Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donte Stallworth was driving drunk — blood alcohol tests showed he was over the legal limit — last weekend when he struck and killed a pedestrian with his Bentley in Miami Beach, a source with knowledge of the investigation told The Miami Herald. Miami Beach police would not confirm Stallworth had a blood alcohol level above the legal limit when his car struck Mario Reyes."We have not released anything regarding the blood work," said Jenny Velazquez, a Miami Beach police spokeswoman. "We're not confirming anything." WSVN-Ch. 7 reported Thursday that Stallworth's blood alcohol level was .12. The legal limit is .08.

No charges have been filed against Stallworth, 28. Robert Switkes, Stallworth's civil attorney, said he had not seen the toxicology report. "I have not seen them, and I have no comment," he said. Stallworth, who is cooperating with police, issued a statement Wednesday expressing his condolences to Reyes' family.

At the law firm of Ellis, Ged & Bodden, P.A., we can help you explore your legal options. We offer free consultations, and can meet with you at home, at work or even in your hospital room. We’ll listen to your concerns and tell you how we can help. You need to have a team on your side, to protect your interests. If a loved one has been killed in an accident, or if you have been injured as a result of someone’s negligence, please contact our wrongful death lawyers today

BUS ACCIDENT AT FORT LAUDERDALE AIRPORT

2009-03-19T09:50:00.000-07:00

The Sun Sentinel reported Two people suffered minor injuries this morning in an accident involving a shuttle bus and a car at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, the Broward Sheriff's Office said.Both people were in a Toyota that struck the bus and "appeared to have bruising from their seat belts," said Veda Coleman-Wright, a sheriff's spokeswoman said.The collision happened on the north side of the airport at Southwest 34th Street and Southwest Third Avenue about 6 a.m.As the Toyota attempted to turn onto 34th Street, it struck the bus with the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority, the Sheriff's Office said.

The Toyota's driver, whose name wasn't immediately available, was cited for careless driving. None of the five people aboard the bus was hurt.The bus travels between a Tri-Rail station in Dania Beach and the airport, said agency spokeswoman Jennifer Paul.

If you're a passenger in a vehicle involved in an auto accident, and if you have sustained injury as a result, you are entitled to receive compensation for your injuries. Contact the Fort Lauderdale accident attorneys at Ellis, Ged & Bodden today for a free consultation.

2008 Women Extraordinaire

2009-02-23T08:25:00.000-08:00

Ronda Ellis,Founding Partner of Ellis, Ged & Bodden PA was named a 2008 Women Extraordinaire by Business Leader Magazine.

Click here to read the full article

Raising The Bar

2009-02-23T06:14:00.000-08:00

Ellis, Ged & Bodden, P.A. presented an informative seminar to a group of Honduran seamen.

2009-02-10T08:27:00.000-08:00

John Billera, Esq. and Luis Maradiaga traveled to Honduras to speak on Maritime legal rights to those who are employed by ships.

International Business Expo

2009-02-05T08:08:00.000-08:00

Ellis, Ged & Bodden would like to congratulate Monica Blanco owner of Transcends Messages, Inc. raffle winner of 1 of our ipod prizes

January Trustee Spotlight

2009-01-28T08:41:00.000-08:00

Moving violations keep longtime lawyer on the go

2009-01-09T06:03:00.000-08:00

Published: December 22, 2008
Senior Status

More than 50 years out of law school, it would hardly be surprising if Boston attorney J. Albert Johnson were slowing his pace and pulling back from the high-profile cases that catapulted him to fame as a go-to defense attorney.

But there he was up in Portland, Maine, last month as his client, Robert LaPointe of Medway, was being sentenced to three years in a county jail on an OUI charge stemming from a fatal boating accident. Johnson's defense of LaPointe had led to a deadlocked jury and a mistrial on more serious charges of manslaughter against his client, whose speedboat had struck and killed two people out for a cruise along Harrison, Maine's Long Lake in August 2007.

Widely covered by the Portland Press Herald and other Maine media, the LaPointe case once again thrust Johnson into the limelight, from whose glare he has never shrink.

Whether it was former CIA operative James McCord, implicated in the Watergate scandal that took down the presidency of Richard Nixon, or newspaper heiress Patricia Hearst facing bank robbery charges or New Hampshire's Pamela Smart, charged with conspiring to kill her husband, or onetime colleague and longtime friend F. Lee Bailey hit with an OUI charge, Johnson has been their vigorous defender.

"I've tried cases in 33 states," he says, not so shyly, adding that those trials have come his way "by reputation, by referrals from other lawyers and a lot of it by publicity."

He came to his career by a somewhat unconventional route. Born and brought up in Waltham and educated at Northeastern University, a young Johnson was hired as an inspector for the Registry of Motor Vehicles and was assigned to investigate fatal accidents. Eight years later, after graduating from Boston College Law School and passing the bar in 1956, he became counsel to the RMV and served in the role for 39 years.

Four years later, a law student by the name of F. Lee Bailey found his way to Johnson's Boston firm, and thus began a long friendship and partnership, the former continuing to this day, Johnson reports.

That firm - known now as the Law Offices of J. Albert Johnson, with attorneys George Hassett and Michael F. Hanley as principals along with him - is very much a general practice and very much of another time, advertising itself online as offering a full range of legal services 24 hours a day - "nights, weekends and holidays."

Johnson sees that accessibility as distinguishing him from his younger counterparts at the bar.

"If there is any difference, it is my availability," he says of his round-the-clock schedule. "I don't know of other lawyers who promise that. I get calls all the time ... an average of 56 calls a day."

‘I shall never retire'

If there is one area of specialization within Johnson's general practice, it would be motor vehicle homicide cases and, as in the Maine boating accident case, motor vessel homicides. The two differ, he explains, in that U.S. Coast Guard rules govern the nation's waterways and boating accidents summon the application of the federal Rules of Criminal Procedure. Such rules do not apply in motor vehicle accident cases, Johnson notes.

Other than focusing on the motor vehicle/vessel homicide cases, Johnson stands ready to represent all manner of clients. He says the only two categories of cases he refuses to accept are those involving organized crime or drugs. "I think of myself as a cop," he says.

Indeed, his résumé indicates that he has served as legal officer and court prosecutor for the Hingham Police Department and is a life member of the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association.

Although his law office has been at Charles River Park since 1964, Johnson is quite the peripatetic person these days. He maintains a residence in Centerville on Cape Cod and says he does "a great deal of trial work" in Florida, where he is of counsel to the firm of Ellis, Ged & Bodden in Boca Raton.

And that leads a reporter to ask if retirement is in Johnson's future.

"I shall never retire," he declares. "I love the practice of law; I love trying cases; I love being in the courtroom. And I will continue to do it as long as possible."

It’s Better to Be Safe than Sorry - especially on Florida’s roadways

2009-01-08T11:20:00.000-08:00

By C. Glen Ged, Esquire

These days, lots of folks are looking for ways to trim the budget. Skipping that afternoon latte, sitting down for dinner at home instead of at a restaurant or adjusting the temperature on the thermostat by a few degrees are all good ideas. But, if you’ve thought about cutting back on your auto insurance coverage, you should think again.

A frightening number of drivers in South Florida are uninsured or underinsured; estimates range from approximately 60 percent to as high as 80 percent. With surging healthcare costs and staggering repair expenses, it’s easy to understand why uninsured motorist coverage may be the single most important type of auto insurance coverage you can get.

Currently, Florida law only requires residents to carry PIP and property damage coverage. PIP, which refers to the personal injury protection benefits provided under Florida’s Motor Vehicle No-Fault Law, commonly covers up to $10,000 of damages. The term no-fault generally refers to any auto insurance program that allows policyholders to recover financial losses from their own insurance company, regardless of who was at fault in the accident.

If an underinsured driver causes an accident, with injuries to you, you could be extremely vulnerable. Uninsured motorist coverage, which can allow you to collect damages in excess of the at-fault driver’s coverage from your own insurance company, will help you protect your physical and financial health. The ideal auto insurance policy should include coverage of at least $300,000 in combined single limit uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage; of course you should consult your attorney and buy more coverage if you can afford it.

You can purchase additional coverage for medical payments and funeral expenses not covered by PIP.

Other important parts of your auto insurance policy include your liability/bodily injury coverage, which applies if you or a covered member of your family cause bodily injury or damage; collision coverage, which insures you in the event someone else damages your car; and comprehensive coverage, which refers to accidental damage to your car caused by any means other than a motor vehicle accident. Personal Liability Umbrella Protection (PLUP), which offers additional excess insurance coverage to others when you are at fault, may also be appropriate. PLUP also protects your family by providing millions of dollars of coverage in exchange for relatively low premiums – which is why many insurance companies will not voluntarily offer to sell this coverage on your PLUP policy.

Make sure your family and your rights are adequately protected. Review your auto insurance policy with a reputable insurance agent and, in the unfortunate event that you need to file an uninsured motorists claim, consider consulting an attorney who will make sure the claim is decided based on your interests rather than the insurance company’s.

About the author: Charles Glen Ged is the Founding Partner in the Law Firm of Ellis, Ged & Bodden, P.A., where he specializes in all aspects of civil litigation with a strong emphasis on Personal Injury, Wrongful Death and PIP litigation. Ellis, Ged & Bodden offers a free review of your insurance policies so that you make sure your family and legal rights are protected. Please call to protect your rights before it is too late.

Local Professional Offers up Some Sage Advice

2008-11-11T12:48:00.001-08:00

Peace of Mind
By Marius “Marty” J. Ged

Everyone in Florida has a will, whether they know it or not. If you haven’t written your own will, the Sunshine State will be more than happy to distribute your assets according to the provisions of the intestate statutes. Of course, the State of Florida doesn’t know that you particularly want to leave your great-grandmother’s jade ring to your youngest daughter, that you promised your alma mater your collection of first editions or that you bought that blue chip stock with your grandson in mind. Don’t wait until tragedy strikes. The time to plan for your family’s future is now.

Everyone, no matter how big or how small their nest egg, can benefit from the use of an estate planning attorney. Proper estate planning and the use of pre-advance directives can provide you and your family with significant benefits and priceless peace of mind.

A family-oriented professional will take the time to understand the unique needs of your family. Depending on your situation, he or she may recommend the use of revocable trusts, irrevocable trusts or family limited partnerships as an effective way to ensure that your family’s assets will not be subject to the claims of creditors. Some families might benefit from the use of generation skipping transfers. The use of an estate planning attorney can also simplify the probate process and protect your family from those who would seek to profit from their loss. By working with a professional, you can also create a lasting legacy within your community through planned charitable giving or charitable trusts.

You’ll also want to ask a professional legal advisor about pre-advance directives, like a durable power of attorney, a living will and a health care surrogate. The use of a durable power of attorney is particularly important for families to consider. A durable power of attorney remains intact if a person becomes incapacitated. For example, if your mother unexpectedly suffers a stroke the day before she was going to write the monthly mortgage check, you would be responsible for paying her bills. You could get a court order that would allow you to draw on her accounts, but that can be a complicated and time consuming process. With a durable power of attorney, you could easily draw on her funds and successfully preserve her quality of life while reducing the emotional and financial strain on your family during a difficult time. If you have put off writing your will, you’re not alone. Every day, the State of Florida determines the legacy of plenty of folks just like you. You can chart your own course, though. When you plan for the future, you’ll start reaping the benefits today.
As the head of the Real Estate, Estate Planning and Corporate Business Transaction Department at the Boca Raton-based law firm of Ellis, Ged & Bodden P.A., Parkland resident Marius “Marty” J. Ged works with entrepreneurs and business owners to acquire, accumulate and transfer wealth. He is married and the father of twin boys.

Attorney C. Glen Ged, 2008 Legal Impact Leader

2008-11-10T09:02:00.000-08:00

South Florida Business Leader Magazine features attorney C Glen Ged, from Ellis, Ged & Bodden P.A. as one of the top 20 2008 Legal Impact Leaders.

Where There's a Will; By Marius J. Ged

2008-09-12T12:09:00.000-07:00

Florida’s plentiful sunshine and sandy shores make it one of the nation’s most popular tourist destinations. Unfortunately, the state also ranks high in the number of legal disputes that arise concerning wills and estates. The last place anyone would ever want to be is in the middle of a family dispute – even if it is in the Sunshine State. If a person dies without a valid will and no alternative arrangements have been made to indicate their final wishes, survivors may be left to face a complicated, time-consuming and expensive legal process.

When someone dies intestate (without a will) a probate court must step in to make the final decisions based on legal defaults that give authority and property to surviving relatives.

In the absence of a will or other valid legal document making specific arrangements, a surviving spouse or next of kin has “a legitimate claim of entitlement” to possession of the body of a deceased person for the purpose of burial, sepulture or other legal disposition, according to the Florida Statutory Probate Code. In the absence of a will specifying the decedent’s wishes, the court has been known to side with a judicially separated spouse over the objections of a decedent’s sons or daughters.

The surviving spouse, or the next of kin if there is no spouse, also has the right to select the burial plot and the casket unless the decedent made some provisions by will or otherwise.

If, however, the next of kin refuse to claim the body and is not legally responsible for the burial, the county must become involved. Florida Statutes authorize the Division of Universities of the Department of Education to receive dead bodies that are unclaimed or are to be buried at public expense. These bodies may then be used for medical science.

In matters of probate, there are, of course, exceptions to every rule, except perhaps one: When someone has died intestate it is always best to proceed with caution. Your efforts to help your clients in their time of need may put you in jeopardy. As the Florida Statutory Probate Code cautions, that interference with the disposition of a body may give rise to legal action. A legal expert in wills, estates and trusts can help you to help your clients find peace of mind.

A Thank You Letter for the Ellis, Ged & Bodden Team

2008-09-02T11:10:00.000-07:00

"Thank you so much to an incredible team, for helping me resolve my case and a special thank you to Gracie for her expertise and patience in bringing this long and tedious project to a smooth closure."

Thanks
J. Z.

Ellis, Ged & Bodden Launches an Additional Web Site

2008-07-03T08:26:00.000-07:00

Today marks the official launch of (www.fortheimmigrant.com) a new web site on the World Wide Web has been designed to offer those existing and prospective clients, a simpler and quicker means of accessing detailed information about immigration from a legal perspective.

We invite you to check out our new web site at http://www.fortheimmigrant.com/ and hope you find it to be useful. We welcome and value any feedback you may have. If you have any comments or suggestions, please feel free to email us at info@ellisandged.com

Floridians should prepare for life after no-fault

2007-08-31T09:38:00.000-07:00

http://vh10797.moc.gbahn.net/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070820/OPINION05/708200306/1006/OPINION

2007-08-08T11:29:00.000-07:00

El asilo político después de un divorcio

2007-08-08T11:28:00.000-07:00

No hay condonación para los residentes

2007-07-20T08:53:00.000-07:00

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that, beginning immediately, it will accept employment-based applications to adjust status (Form I-485) filed by aliens whose priority dates are current under the July Visa Bulletin. USCIS will accept applications filed not later than August 17, 2007.
On July 2, 2007, USCIS announced that it would not accept any additional employment-based applications to adjust status. USCIS made that announcement after receiving an update from the Department of State that it would not authorize any additional employment-based visa numbers for this fiscal year. After consulting with USCIS, the Department of State has advised that Bulletin #107 (dated June 12) should be relied upon as the current July Visa Bulletin for purposes of determining employment visa number availability, and that Visa Bulletin #108 (dated July 2) has been withdrawn.
"The public reaction to the July 2 announcement made it clear that the federal government’s management of this process needs further review," said Emilio Gonzalez, USCIS Director. "I am committed to working with Congress and the State Department to implement a more efficient system in line with public expectations."
USCIS’s announcement today allows anyone who was eligible to apply under Visa Bulletin No. 107 a full month’s time to do so. Applications already properly filed with USCIS will also be accepted. The current fee schedule will apply to all applications filed under Visa Bulletin No. 107 through August 17, 2007. (The new fee schedule that becomes effective on July 30, 2007, will apply to all other applications filed on or after July 30, 2007).

JULY TRUSTEE SPOTLIGHT IN THE REPORTER

2007-07-06T12:33:00.000-07:00

C. Glen Ged

When Gail Schroeder and her husband, Walter, first arrived in Glen Ged's office shortly after their 9-year old daughter was killed, they were devastated. As Ged listened to their story, his eyes filled with unshed tears. That's when the grieving mother says she knew she had found an attorney she could trust. "It wasn't just about winning or money," she later wrote to him, "You cared about us." As a founding partner in the law firm of Ellis, Ged & Bodden, P.A., Ged's compassionate nature is well suited to the task of seeking justice for his clients. His willingness to roll up his sleeves and get the job done means he is often very successful at that task. As a result, a majority of the firm's new business comes as a result of referrals.Mr. Ged specializes in all aspects of civil litigation with a strong emphasis on personal injury and wrongful death. "Life can be terribly unfair," he says, thinking of the clients he has served: the parent who lost a teenage daughter in an auto accident, a father injured and out of work or a family threatened by mounting medical bills. "People turn to us when they need help to overcome the blows life has dealt them," he explains, "It's an amazing responsibility to be given that kind of trust." The law firm of Ellis, Ged & Bodden, P.A., has been serving the South Florida community for more than ten years, offering comprehensive legal counsel and professional service in the areas of Personal Injury, Wrongful Death, Immigration, Real Estate, Asset Protection and Estate Planning. Recognizing a need, the firm launched 1st Florida Title Company. Earlier this year, to provide an additional level of service to their clientele, 1st Florida Mortgage joined the family.Ellis, Ged & Bodden, P.A, which has additional offices in Sarasota and Clearwater, is recognized by the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers as an Eagle Patron. The firm's Boca Raton headquarters feature a mock trial room, which is used to prepare clients and witnesses for effective courtroom appearances; it is also available as a teaching facility for students, professors and attorneys with an interest in courtroom and litigation procedures. For more information, visit www.ellisandged.com or call 561.995.1966.

FLORIDA PERSONAL INJURY PROTECTION NEWS

2007-07-03T11:07:00.000-07:00

Interest groups taking sides in Florida's 'no-fault' insurance fight

By Mark Hollis

Tallahassee Bureau

Posted July 1 2007

TALLAHASSEE It's known as "no fault" and was designed to safeguard motorists hurt in an accident. The down side, say auto insurers, is that it also shields fraudsters and doctors, lawyers and others who milk the system and jacks up insurance rates for the rest of us.

For 36 years, Florida drivers have been legally required to carry at least $10,000 in insurance to cover their medical bills in the event of a crash, no matter who was to blame (hence the phrase "no fault"). That law will expire Oct. 1, unless Gov. Charlie Crist, who wants it extended, calls a special session of the Legislature to renew it. Last week, Crist said he may do that in September, or sooner.

Personal Injury Protection - PIP

2007-07-01T11:26:00.000-07:00

End of no-fault car insurance would crimp emergency care

Thursday, June 28, 2007

On behalf of the Florida College of Emergency Physicians and the millions of patients treated by emergency physicians in Florida each year, I respectfully request that the state's elected officials go back to Tallahassee one more time to take care of another very important issue. That issue is PIP, or Personal Injury Protection, a law which requires that $10,000 of insurance money be available for medical treatment of injuries sustained in an automobile accident ("The end of no-fault: Legislators will have to rescue the program, but should they?," Business, June 10).

This no-fault law has been on the books for more than 30 years but apparently has been taken for granted by Floridians. This crucial source of financing for emergency-room care will fade away in October unless legislators and Gov. Crist hear from their constituents that it is vitally important to do something before then. The big-name auto insurers in the state are celebrating the fact that the Legislature adjourned its regular session without fixing PIP. They want Florida's drivers to celebrate, too, as their next automobile insurance premiums might be lower.

Read more about this serious issue by clicking on the link below:

www.palmbeachpost.com/opinion/content/opinion/epaper/2007/06/28/a17a_letter_0628.html

Florida No-Fault - Personal Injury Protection

2007-07-01T11:19:00.000-07:00

Three times lawmakers met in legislative sessions this year, only to fail their constituents each time by not extending the state's no-fault insurance law, which is scheduled to expire Oct. 1.

Gov. Charlie Crist is right to call them back a fourth time to keep it alive.

Imperfect, no-fault nevertheless has largely delivered for Florida motorists since it was created almost 40 years ago. It requires them to carry $10,000 in auto coverage to pay the cost of injuries suffered in accidents, no matter who's to blame. That in turn has limited lawsuits, which earlier had clogged courts as motorists queued to sue each other to recover their expenses.

Our position: Lawmakers need to extend no-fault after blowing three earlier opportunities.

Read more about this by clicking this link below:

www.orlandosentinel.com/news/opinion/orl-ed01207jul01,0,7879153.story

Florida No Fault - PIP

2007-06-30T17:41:00.000-07:00

TALLAHASSEE - Lawmakers are likely to return for a special session in September to revisit the political battle over auto insurance, Gov. Charlie Crist said Wednesday.

"I favor the continuation of personal-injury protection," Crist said.

"I know many in our hospitals [industry] favor it; it's important to people in terms of health care. And it's important to me. I would view favorably a special session before Oct. 1."

That's the date Florida's decades-old personal-injury protection law, known as PIP, is scheduled to expire. The system, created in the early 1970s, requires drivers to carry $10,000 to pay the cost of injuries sustained in an auto accident regardless of who was at fault while restricting a person's right to sue the other driver.

Without PIP, victims would have to get payment from at-fault drivers, often by suing them and their insurance companies, if they have insurance.

The at-fault driver would have to pay his own medical bills.

Read more about this issue by clicking the link below.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/state/orl-pip2807jun28,0,5324594.story

2007-06-29T08:28:00.001-07:00

Dos o tres cosas sobre las certificaciones laborales

2007-06-21T10:38:00.001-07:00

Cuando una petición tiene sus repercusiones

2007-06-12T07:33:00.001-07:00

Los costos para los trámites de inmmigración

2007-06-07T08:15:00.001-07:00

Una petición de residencia tras su salida voluntaria

TOP TEN VISA WAIT TIMES AT US CONSULAR POSTS

2007-06-06T15:29:00.000-07:00

Top Ten Visa Wait Times at US Consular Posts*
Country US Consular Post Visa WaitTime

1. Cuba US Interests Section 780 days
Havana

2. Venezuela Caracas 130 days

3. Haiti Port au Prince 125 days

4. Brazil Rio de Janeiro 93 days

5. Dominican Santo Domingo 73 days
Republic

6. Israel Tel Aviv 72 days

7. Brazil Brasilia 67 days

8. Saudi Arabia Riyadh 65 days

9. Kenya Nairobi 62 days

10. (Tie) Brazil Sao Paulo
and Mexico Monterrey 59 days

*Updated to June 1, 2007 and based on published Department of State data. The "visa wait time" is the
estimated time in which individuals need to wait to obtain a nonimmigrant visa interview appointment
at a given consular post.

South Florida Law Firm Embraces Old-Fashioned Values and New Ideas

2007-05-24T11:14:00.000-07:00

Ellis, Ged & Bodden, P.A. launches redesigned website this week

In many ways, Ellis, Ged & Bodden is an old fashioned law firm. They sponsor a softball team at the YMCA, support the local Boy Scout troop and have staff picnics. In time honored tradition, they also get a majority of their clients as a result of personal referrals.

The attorneys at Ellis, Ged & Bodden, P.A., are proud of their role in the community, but don’t confuse traditional values with a lack of modern business savvy. The steady growth that the Boca Raton-based firm has experienced over the past ten years is the result of sound planning and creative marketing. In an effort to both expand its client base and expand the services offered to that base, the firm has, among other things, opened satellite offices on the west coast of Florida, launched a title company (1st Florida Title) and mortgage brokerage (1st Florida Mortgage) and sponsored an annual Latin Festival.

More recently, Ellis, Ged & Bodden has been engaged in the process of revamping its Internet presence. “Some law firms now get as much as 75 percent of their new business through online marketing,” Glen Ged, a founding partner in the firm says, “We wanted to make sure that people could find our website easily and could easily find the information they were looking for once they got there.” The newly redesigned website (www.ellisandged.com) is scheduled to make its debut on May 24.

In addition to providing information regarding the firm’s areas of practice, location, 60-plus member staff and the six languages they speak, the new site is strategically built for search engine performance. Regular reports on web traffic and activity will help to ensure the site performs effectively. Future plans to capitalize on the potential of the Internet include the addition of an e-newsletter and/or attorney blog.

For more information, visit http://www.ellisandged.com/ or call (561) 995-1966.