Naples Legal Blog

What happens if you suffer an injury on a cruise ship?

On behalf of The Caldarone Law Group, P.A. on Thursday, August 22, 2019.

Taking a cruise should be a relaxing time for your whole Florida family. When you board, you are probably thinking about lying by the pool or eating a nice meal later that evening. You are not thinking about what will happen if you get hurt. Most cruises are incident-free, and most ships are perfectly safe, but sometimes accidents do happen.

Whether you already suffered an injury on a cruise or you are planning to cruise in the future, it can help to understand what you should do next in case of an accident. It is possible that your injury is not your fault but rather the result of factors beyond your control. If this is the case, you may have grounds to pursue compensation for your pain and suffering.

What are the signs and symptoms of whiplash?

On behalf of The Caldarone Law Group, P.A. posted in Car Accidents on Tuesday, August 20, 2019.

Pursuing compensation following a car accident in Naples may seem to be a complicated and involved process. This perception may prompt you to want to avoid seeking any action after having been in an accident, especially if the collision occurred at a low speed and resulted in no apparent damages to your vehicle. You may feel little more than simple stiffness (or perhaps have no initial ill effects at all), which might serve to convince your further to simply let the incident go and not even file an insurance claim. This is a decision that, if made, you may come to regret when it is discovered that you are suffering from a whiplash injury.

Whiplash is an injury to the bones, tendons, muscles or nerves to the neck, spine or back that occurs when your head is thrown forward and the suddenly snapped back (which often occurs in rear-end collisions). According to the website HealthDay.com, common symptoms of whiplash include:

Neck, back, shoulder, arm or jaw stiffness or pain
Headaches, dizziness or vertigo
Blurred vision
Ringing in the ears
Cognitive issues
Numbness in the hands, arms or shoulders

How should college students interact with campus police?

On behalf of The Caldarone Law Group, P.A. on Monday, August 19, 2019.

Going off to college is an exciting time of personal growth, and for many, it is the first taste of real freedom. The freedom to act and think as an adult is an immense responsibility, and sometimes, students can step over the line when enjoying their new lives. It is in the interests of each Florida college student to know how he or she should interact with campus police.

If you are heading off to college or you find yourself in trouble at school, you may be wondering if there is a distinction between campus police and other police. Knowing how you should interact with these law enforcement figures can be useful, especially if you are ever in a place where they are trying to question you. You may be a young college student, but you have rights, and it's smart to know how to protect those rights.

How many drinks does it take to get drunk?

On behalf of The Caldarone Law Group, P.A. posted in Drunk Driving on Sunday, August 11, 2019.

There is a science to the way alcohol affects your body. The more drinks you consume, the higher your blood alcohol content (BAC) becomes. As BAC rises, you'll experience more debilitating effects, which can be deadly when operating a motor vehicle. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention break down how your BAC rises the more drinks you have.

While .08% is the legal driving limit, the effects of alcohol occur well before that point. In fact, most people experience impaired judgment at .05% BAC, which occurs after just two drinks. Standard drink size typically depends on the type of alcohol being consumed. For something highly potent, such as distilled liquors, 1.5-ounces would be considered a single drink. With something like beer, which typically has an alcohol content of about 5%, a single drink would be 12-ounces.

Hurt by a cart while shopping? You may have a case

On behalf of The Caldarone Law Group, P.A. on Thursday, August 8, 2019.

When you head to a Florida grocery store or to browse the mall for some new shoes, you probably do not consider these dangerous activities. While it's generally not risky to go shopping, people still find themselves injured by carts while at stores and other public places. In reality, if you experienced an injury while you are out at a store or at any type of retail place, you have legal options available to you.

Shopping cart injuries are more common than you think. If you are a victim, it's possible you feel overwhelmed and confused, unsure of where to go from here. You may not be sure exactly what played a role in what happened to you or who is to blame, but it's possible the store is to blame. You do not have to walk through the aftermath of your accident in silence – you have the right to seek recovery of your losses and financial compensation.

How alcohol escapes the body through breath

On behalf of The Caldarone Law Group, P.A. posted in Drunk Driving on Thursday, August 1, 2019.

The breathalyzer device has become the de-facto symbol for drunk driving enforcement in the U.S. Yet many in Naples may wonder how alcohol (which people consume as a liquid) can be measured through one's breath. The answer to this question lies in understanding the unique nature of alcohol and the pathway it travels through the human body.

The alcohol component of alcoholic drinks is ethanol. This is a water-soluble compound (meaning that it dissolves completely in water). Once dissolved in the stomach's fluids, ethanol molecules permeate the linings of the organs of the gastrointestinal tract (the stomach, the intestines) and enter into the bloodstream. Veins then carry them throughout the body (including to the brain, which triggers many of the effects of intoxication) before finally arriving at the heart, which then sends the deoxygenated blood to the lungs.

How can I avoid aggressive drivers?

On behalf of The Caldarone Law Group, P.A. posted in Car Accidents on Monday, July 29, 2019.

Aggressive drivers greatly increase the risk of an accident when on the road. In this case, it's up to you to avoid people driving erratically or those overtaken by frustration or anger due to ever-increasing traffic. To ensure you and other motorists remain as safe as possible, Esurance offers the following advice.

Leave room between vehicles

Why driving with certain types of medical conditions is dangerous

On behalf of The Caldarone Law Group, P.A. on Tuesday, July 23, 2019.

Each Florida driver is responsible for the choices he or she makes behind the wheel. When you think about reckless or negligent choices a person can make that can cause harm to others, you may think about things such as drunk driving, distracted driving and speeding. In reality, it can be just as dangerous for people with certain medical conditions to get behind the wheel.

There are certain types of medical conditions and illnesses that can significantly impact what a person can do safely. This includes driving. One specific medical condition that can be dangerous is glaucoma, which is an issue that impacts a person's vision. It is especially prevalent in older people, affecting their side and peripheral vision.

Can automated vehicles stop drunk driving?

On behalf of The Caldarone Law Group, P.A. posted in Drunk Driving on Sunday, July 21, 2019.

Truly autonomous vehicles, meaning those that don't require participation from a human operator, are still a long way off. These days, many vehicles have certain capabilities that allow them to assist drivers but fall short of what most people think of when they imagine a self-driving car. That hasn't stopped researchers in Sweden from looking into technology that could sense when a driver is drunk or otherwise unfit to operate a vehicle, according to Horizon Magazine.

While many vehicles already have exterior sensors that provide alerts when a lane is breached or there is an object in close proximity to a vehicle, driver monitoring would require sensors within the vehicle to determine the operator's state. These sensors could monitor things like heart rate and vision, while also looking for changes in a person's facial expression and voice. If these sensors pick up a possible issue, which could include things like drunkenness or even fatigue, control of the vehicle would be resumed by the internal system and taken away from the driver.

What is Xanax abuse?

On behalf of The Caldarone Law Group, P.A. posted in Drug Charges on Sunday, July 14, 2019.

Xanax is often prescribed for problems with anxiety. Despite its medicinal benefits, Xanax can be dangerous when it's misused, as the medication is highly addictive even when taken correctly. DrugAbuse.com explains what Xanax abuse looks like and how it affects both the body and mind.

Xanax calms the excitement associated with increased anxiety and panic. It also has sedative properties, which induce feelings of fatigue and drowsiness. It's associated with many other physical symptoms. Many people experience memory issues when taking Xanax and may even have trouble focusing. The drug can also cause headaches, nausea, dizziness, and elated, euphoric feelings. This medication is also linked to a wide range of mental and social effects.