Edwards & Ragatz
News
Volume 1, Issue 3 July 2010 |
 Greetings!
In this issue:
--Tom Edwards Jr. has been named a member of the Florida Bar Trial Lawyers Section
Contact Us: send us your comments and suggestions.
Sincerely,
Tom Edwards Eric Ragatz
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Tom Edwards Jr. named member of FBA Trial Lawyers Section
 Thomas S. Edwards Jr., a partner at Edwards & Ragatz P.A. and former Jacksonville Bar Association president, was named a member of the Florida Bar Association Trial Lawyers Section Executive Council during the Bar's annual convention June 23-26 in Boca Raton, Fla.
Edwards previously served as president of the Florida Justice Association/Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers (2008-2009), president of the Jacksonville Bar Association (1998-1999), president of American Board of Trial Advocates - Jacksonville Chapter (2006), and president of the Jacksonville Justice Association/Jacksonville Trial Lawyers Association (2000). Edwards also is currently a member of the Florida Supreme Court Committee on Standard Jury Instructions - Civil.
The Trial Lawyers Section of the Florida Bar provides a forum for discussion and exchange of ideas leading to the improvement of individual trail abilities.
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| State hotline monitors Gulf oil spill, seafood, fishing
A hotline and website have been set up by the state and are updated daily with information related to the Gulf oil spill, Florida seafood safety, and fishing bans. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services opened the hotline and website for consumers and those whose livelihoods depend on the Gulf.
"Because of the extensive news media coverage of the Gulf situation, many consumers are confused about whether Florida seafood is being harvested and if it is available in stores and restaurants," Florida Agriculture Commissioner Charles H. Bronson said. "... Florida seafood is safe and plentiful."
If seafood quality is impacted by the spill, the department will immediately close waters to commercial seafood harvesting, Bronson said.
Call the hotline at 800.357.4273 or visit the website. |
Don't be a victim of identity theft
 Follow these steps to protect yourself:
-- Order and review copies of your financial report from Equifax, Experian and TransUnion every year
-- Empty your wallet of extra credit cards and identity
-- Shred all financial documents you plan to throw away
-- Release personal information only to agencies that require it to initiate certain actions
-- Ask the department of motor vehicles to issue a drivers license without your social security number on it
-- Ensure others cannot see you enter your pin numbers when using an ATM
--Shred all financial receipts and never leave them at a retail location
-- Do not keep passwords or your Social Security number in your wallet
-- Remove mail promptly from your mailbox
-- Put outgoing mail in locked post collection boxes, not in your mailbox
-- Use caution when supplying your financial information over the Internet
If you become a victim:
-- Contact the credit reporting agencies: TransUnion at 800.680.7289, www.transunion.com; Equifax at 800.525.6285, www.equifax.com; Experian at 888.397.3742, www.experian.com.
-- Close accounts and alert the fraud departments of each company where the account was opened or changed without your permission
-- File a police report with your local authorities, state attorney general and the Federal Trade Commission
For more information call the FTC Identify Theft Hotline at 877.438.4338
Source: The Florida Bar
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| Be Prepared to Weather the Storm
 Just in case a hurricane heads our way the Florida Division of Emergency Management recommends stocking up on the following supplies:
Water - at least 1 gallon per person for 3 to 7 days
Food - enough for 3 to 7 days
--non-perishable packaged or canned food/juice
--foods for infants and those on special diets
--snack foods
--non-electric can opener
--cooking tools, fuel
--paper plates, plastic utensils
Blankets/Pillows
Clothing - seasonal, rain gear, sturdy shoes First-aid Kit, Medicines, Prescription DrugsSpecialty Items - for babies and those with special needs Toiletries - hygiene items Moisture wipesFlashlight, Batteries
Radio - battery operated and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) weather radio Cash - banks and ATMs may not be open or operating KeysToys, Books, Games
Important Documents - in a waterproof container
--Insurance, medical records, bank account numbers, Social Security card, etc. --document all valuables with videotape if possible
Tools - keep a set with you during the storm Vehicle Fuel Tanks Filled
Pet Care Items
--proper identification, immunization records
--ample supply of food and water
--a carrier or cage
--medications
--muzzle and leash |
| How to Choose a Safe Nursing Home for a
Loved One
 1. Before choosing to place a loved one in a nursing home, determine the level of care your loved one needs and if there is an available support system in place.
Evaluate if the care will be short-term, such as rehabilitation from an injury, or long term, which may be required for someone with a debilitating illness.
2. Have a plan -- consider the level of care, the available support system, financial benefits available and how long the care will be needed.
3. If your loved one needs nursing home care, begin your search nearby, so you and others may visit on a regular basis. Use resources and experts to determine whether a nursing home has the skilled personnel to provide the quality of care needed. Visit the home and take a checklist.
4. Consult: --your loved one (if they are competent) --your loved one's physician
--the hospital social services department if your loved one is hospitalized
--state or local ombudsman regarding nursing home quality
5. Look and compare service charges of different nursing homes
6. Check the State of Florida nursing home inspection report (required to be posted in a public area at the nursing home). Compare the number of deficiencies to the state average.
7. Question the staff, interview residents and family members of residents. 9. Conduct an unscheduled visit, preferably on a weekend.
10. Visit during a meal to see staff interaction.
11. Stay involved and provide support and love.
12. If a problem occurs, intervene reasonably and constructively.
13. Do not ignore problems. |
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"Justice consists not in being neutral between right and wrong, but in finding out the right and upholding it, wherever found, against the wrong."
-- Theodore Roosevelt
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Recent
RECALLS
Kellogg Co. Apple Jacks,
Corn Pops, Froot Loops, Honey Smacks
Units recalled: 28 million boxes
The cereals have an unusual smell and flavor from the packages' liners and could make people ill. Kellogg is trying to identify the substance on the liner that's causing the problem and offering consumers refunds.
Only products with the letters "KN" following the use-by date are included in the recall. Contact the Kellogg Consumer Response Center at 888.801.4163.
Cribs
Units recalled: 2,184,000
Seven crib manufacturers are voluntarily recalling more than 2 million cribs to address drop-side hazards and other hazards that affect the safety of children. The firms are providing free repair kits to immobilize the drop sides. Consumers should contact these firms:
Child Craft (45,000 units) 866.614.0557
Delta Enterprise Corp. (747,000)
877.342.3418
Evenflo (750,000) 800.356.2229
Jardine Enterprises (130,000)
800.295.1980
LaJobi (306,000) 888.738.5676
Million Dollar Baby (156,000)
888.673.6488
Simmons (50,000) 877.342.3439
Target Children's Belts
Units recalled: 105,150
Girls' and boys' belts have been recalled because the buckles contain excessive levels of lead. Target is voluntarily recalling the Cherokee boys' belts and the Circo girls' belts. The Cherokee belts are black and brown reversible belts with heavy stitching in sizes M-XL. The girls' belts are pink and white with heart buckles in sizes XS-L. Return them to any Target store for a full refund. For more information call Target at 800.440.0680 or visit www.target.com.
Dritz Quick Cut Electric Scissors
Units recalled:
12,000
The electric scissors can overheat, posing fire and burn hazards. The scissors were sold at Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores and other craft stores nationwide between Sept. 2009 and Feb. 2010 for about $50.
Vicks VapoSpray has been voluntarily recalled by Procter & Gamble. The formulation may not meet the expiration dates on the package. The product name is VapoSpray 4 Hour Nasal Spray by Sinex with a UPC code 3 23900 00082 7. Prior to June 2009, the product was sold as Sinex Nasal Spray in both a spray, UPC code 3 23900 00082 7, and Ultra Fine Mist, UPC 3 23900 00085 8. Consumers who have products with these UPC codes and an expiration date prior to June 2013 should discard the affected product. For more information or for a replacement or refund, call P&G at 877.340.8853.
Pure Base Garlic Spread - Concentrate and Pure Base Garlic Spread - Ready to Spread has been recalled by Pure Base Distribution because it may contain undeclared milk and wheat. Affected lot numbers:
92221, 92391, 92661, 92921, 93291, 100341. 100971, 101181, 92641, 93021, 93291, 100391, 101181.
Questions? Call Pure Base at 888.980.7474, ext. 105.
Visit the Food and Drug Administration at FDA.gov or the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission at CPSC.gov for more information. Back to Top |
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Do you know the Rules of the Road?
Or are you one of the 38 million American drivers who would fail a written drivers test?
Take the 2010 GMAC Insurance National Drivers Test and compare your score to the national average.
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