In the News (Original until 9/19/2013)

Train Collides with 18-Wheeler; Nobody Hurt

From Jacksonville.com, September 17, 2013:

“An empty train struck a 18-wheeler that was carrying 38,000 pounds of coleslaw Tuesday afternoon at Faye and Alta roads, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said. No one was injured in the accident.”

While the thought of such a thing may seem a little ridiculous–even funny–it is anything but. Thankfully, neither the two people in the cab of the truck nor anyone on the train was hurt in this incident, as reported by the journalists at Jacksonville.com (a division of the Florida-Times Union).  Safety around train tracks is literally a matter of life and death.

The Jacksonville.com article goes on to say that there were no crossing arms at this particular location on the track, and that a sign was in place warning drivers to avoid parking on any portion of the track.

Operation Lifesaver is dedicated to providing information about railway safety and offers these safety tips and facts for all drivers. Perhaps one which we should remember at all times states that:

“The average locomotive weighs about 400,000 pounds or 200 tons; it can weigh up to 6,000 tons. This makes the weight ratio of a car to a train proportional to that of a soda can to a car. We all know what happens to a soda can hit by a car.”

DRIVE SAFELY! The Law Offices of Paul Healy are here to help those involved in truck accidents and commercial vehicle accidents in Jacksonville and Duval, Baker, Clay, Nassau, and St. Johns counties in North Florida.

Jacksonville Mourns the Loss of Pedestrian Struck and Killed by Car Outside Synagogue

From First Coast News:

Esther Ohayon, 57, and her daughter Orly Ohayan, 16, were struck by a car while they were walking at the intersection of San Jose Boulevard and Haley Road on their way to the Etz Chaim Synagogue in Jacksonville on September 13, 2013. Sadly, Ms. Ohayan was killed in the incident, and her daughter Orly is still at UF-Jacksonville Hospital in critical condition as of this writing.  Neighbors in the surrounding community are outraged at this incident, and are demanding justice for the victims. According to First Coast News, the Florida Times-Union spoke with Rabbi Yaakov Fisch, Rabbi of Etz Chaim Synagogue and Fisch noted the dangers of crossing the street, particularly for the Orthodox Jewish faithful who are prohibited from using any form of technology on the Sabbath.

The driver, Michael Fortunato, 62, of Jacksonville, has a history of traffic incidents, and FHP is investigating whether alcohol may have been involved.

While incidents such as this are thankfully rare, it may serve as a reminder to always be aware and cautious when crossing any streets, and that one simply never knows who might be around the next corner.

All of us at the Law Offices of Paul J. Healy join the Etz Chaim Synagogue and greater Jacksonville communities in offering our deepest sympathies and prayers for the victims and their loved ones.

September is National Preparedness Month

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has designated September 2013 as “National Preparedness Month (NPM).”  his year marks the 10th Anniversary of FEMA NPM and the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS). In a formal proclamation of August 30, 2013 naming September as “National Preparedness Month,” President Barack Obama stated:

“This month, as we reflect on challenges to our communities, regions, and our Nation, we continue to lend our support to recovery efforts, and we honor our first responders by doing our part to build a more resilient America.”

FEMA and the NHS provide a website for citizens who would like to take part in the “National Preparedness Community,” including information on local and national initiatives to help all Americans prepare for natural disasters and other emergencies.

Preparedness may result in a decreased chances of suffering personal injury after a disaster or emergency. Additionally, it is always advisable to prepare all important documents and information such as probate when times are calm, so that if a disaster does befall you or your family, the situation won’t be made even worse.

The Law Offices of Paul J. Healy serve Jacksonville and the surrounding counties of Duval, Baker, Clay, Nassau, and St. Johns.

Notices of Proposed Property Taxes sent to Duval County Residents in August 2013

If you are a resident of Duval County, FL, you probably received a “Notice of Proposed Property Taxes” from the county around mid-August, 2013. This document is also known as a “Truth in Millage (TRIM) Notice.” This notice is NOT a bill, but  simply an estimate of your taxes based on tax rates proposed by the taxing authorities, your property values and exemptions. The notice outlines your property’s market, assessed and taxable values and any exemptions you may have on January 1, 2013.

When setting up probate and an estate plan in Duval County, documents such as this may be very important. Be sure to keep them organized, and feel free to discuss the value of all the property to include in your estate in a confidential meeting with an experienced Duval County probate attorney. If you have any questions about your “Notice of Proposed Property Taxes” in Duval
County, you can contact the office of the Duval County Property Appraiser. Your Duval County estate planning attorney may be able to help you as well.

The Law  Offices of Paul J. Healy have been serving the estate planning and probate needs of the residents of Duval County, Florida since 1989. Call 904-391-0029 today to schedule a free consultation.

How to Check a Law Enforcement Officer’s Identification

Flashing lights and sirens directly behind your car may seem like enough “identification.”  But if you ever feel you have reason to double check the identity of a police officer, you have the legal right to do so. Consider this September 9, 2013 story from First Coast News:

CLAY COUNTY, Fla. — First Coast News got an email from Joyce who said someone disguised as a police officer came to her door, demanding $6,000. She was afraid and eventually gave it to the man.

Captain Joe Bucci, with the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, gave tangible information on how you can confirm whether or not someone that comes to your door is an Official Law Enforcement Officer.

According to Bucci:

1) Ask to see a badge and department identification. It’ll have a photo with it.

2) Call the dispatch center when the person gives you a badge number to confirm who they are.

3) Ask for a supervisor with dispatch to triple check.

4) When in doubt, if you’re not sure, take their information and confirm it inside your home while they wait outside.

Normally, police officers WILL NOT come to your home with unsolicited demands, nor will they ask you to get out of your car during a routine traffic stop. If you have PROOF that a police officer is a FAKE, call 911 immediately, and don’t be afraid to drive away. You may also want to head to the nearest known police station when you feel the time is right and report the imposter. Be safe!

The 25 Most Dangerous Intersections in Jacksonville, FL

From News4Jax:

Intersections with the Most Car Accidents in Jacksonville!

“When major tragedies hit, we’re accustomed to hearing the large numbers involved in those events, like “dozens/hundreds/thousands killed” or “billions of dollars in damages”. It’s easy to overlook the car accidents that cost money, lives, and health one “small” incident at a time. In 2012, Jacksonville’s top 25 High Frequency Crash (HFC) intersections were responsible for 4 accidents per day. That number leaps to approximately 39 accidents per day, or just over 14k car accidents per year according to a Florida Highway Safety 2009 report, if we include all of Duval County. 112 of those accidents resulted in death.

Many of the HFC intersections are located near one another. In one case, two HFC sites are located 500 feet away from each other. The intersections of Blanding and Argyle Forest, and Blanding and Youngerman Circle are the locations of 146 accidents per year. Drive 500 feet north of Youngerman and you’ll reach Collins, the site of 70 more car accidents.

With the forever increasing costs of automobile insurance and maintenance, as well as the potential for a huge bill if one should get into a car accident, it may be a part of one’s due diligence to be less concerned about a potential break-in, and to more concerned about the likelihood of being involved in a car accident. This list shows the number of crashes at HFC sites for all of 2012.”

At the Law Offices of Paul J. Healy, we need to be careful ourselves–one of these intersections is in the vicinity of our building in the San Marco area of Jacksonville! Can you guess which one?

Let’s be careful out there! If you need us, call us at 904-391-0029.

When is the best time to set up Probate? NOW.

For some people, the thought of setting up probate may be a bit daunting. Some may not even be sure what “probate” actually means. But even for those who are aware that probate includes setting up documents such as a will or living will, trust, power of attorney, and/or health care surrogates, the prospect may still seem very difficult. It needn’t be!

It is highly recommended that you set up probate sooner rather than later. It seems almost silly to say that none of us knows when “our time will come,” but it is a guarantee that one day, it will. In the event that this happens and you have not made your probate decisions in advance, it will fall to your loved ones to deal with attorneys, court documents, and judges while they are just beginning to mourn your loss. Is that what you want, or would you rather take care of these matters for them now and spare your loved ones additional trouble and heartache at an already difficult time?

The Law Offices of Paul J. Healy are experienced in helping clients set up probate at all stages of life. Call us today for a free consultation, and we will be glad to assist you.

Paul J. Healy speaks about Probate with Dignity Memorial® Affiliates in St. Augustine, 8/1/2013

Dignity Memorial®, North America’s largest provider of funeral, cremation and cemetery services, is the name families turn to for compassionate and professional final arrangements. Dignity Memorial providers care for more than 300,000 families each year and understand the importance of thoughtful, personalized arrangements.

When Dignity Memorial affiliates in North Florida need information about probate, they turn to Paul J. Healy. Mr. Healy was invited to speak about wills, living wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and health care surrogates at the Dignity Memorial affiliates meeting in St. Augustine, FL on Thursday, August 1.

The Law Offices of Paul J. Healy are very grateful for the opportunity to serve the affiliates of Dignity Memorial in North Florida. For your final planning needs, please find your local Dignity Memorial provider at http://www.dignitymemorial.com.

The Law Offices of Paul J. Healy have served Jacksonville and the North Florida counties of Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau, and St Johns in the areas of probate, accidents, and personal injury since 1989.

How Florida’s New PIP Law Affects You

On January 1, 2013, changes to the Florida PIP (Personal Injury Protection) Law went into effect.  Accident victims now have only 14 days to seek medical care after an accident. In the past, no time limit to seek medical care was imposed.

The Florida Legislature approved these changes with the intent of preventing insurance fraud. But the new law may also make the already difficult process of recovering from an accident even more so. Here is a brief synopsis of some of the changes that victims of auto accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle vehicle accidents, and commercial vehicle accidents now face under Florida’s new PIP Law

• Accident victims must seek out medical care within 14 days of an accident;
• If an accident victim seeks medical treatment more than 14 days after an accident, no reimbursement from an insurance company may be sought;
• Accident victims may be eligible for only $2500 for medical care, rather than the entire $10,000 offered under Florida’s previous PIP law;
• Only “serious injuries” will be eligible for the full $10,000 in PIP coverage, and less severe injuries may be eligible for up to $2500;
• Accident victims must seek authorization from a medical professional (M.D., D.O., dentist, physician’s assistant, or advanced registered nurse practioner) of the seriousness of injuries;
• Massage therapy and acupuncture is no longer covered under PIP;
• Insurers are not required to notify policyholders about the changes to the Florida PIP law.

These changes to the Florida PIP law may very well be unconstitutional, and will likely face opposition in court. But unless and until they are repealed, these changes to Florida PIP law currently stand.

The Law Offices of Paul J. Healy sincerely hope that you and/or your loved ones never experience any type of motor vehicle accident. But if you do, we’re here to help.

Local media outlets trust Paul J. Healy for legal news and information:

Full Article from First Coast News