tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23389775Thu, 07 Jan 2010 12:54:43 +0000The Avera Law Firm Blog is designed to update clients, vendors, and other interested persons regarding law firm news, personnel, legal issues, and legislative issues. The firm management welcomes posts and questions to the blog as an interactive means to provide information to the public.http://www.avera.com/blog.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mark Avera)Blogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23389775.post-4626486479947530173Sat, 02 Jan 2010 23:59:00 +00002010-01-02T19:27:55.183-05:00This past week, three wonderful girls from Levy County were in a terrible car crash when an oppusum crossed the road in front of their vehicle. Two girls were killed and one remains in serious condition in a Tampa Hospital.As parents, our hearts go out to these families as we try to understand how such a horrible tragedy can happen. What can we do do prevent such a thing? Perhaps nothing. Perhapshttp://www.avera.com/2010/01/alachua-county-sheriffs-teen-driver.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mark Avera)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23389775.post-353685896995423172Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:44:00 +00002009-11-06T11:47:06.694-05:00Remember Stella Liebeck? The lady that had the audacity to sue McDonalds for serving coffee that was so hot she had to have skin grafting? Watch the trailer of this movie currently in production....www.hotcoffeethemovie.com/trailerhttp://www.avera.com/2009/11/mcdonaldshot-coffeeand-lies-that.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mark Avera)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23389775.post-552115252816773856Tue, 13 Oct 2009 14:55:00 +00002009-10-13T10:57:26.633-04:00On September 25, 2009, a sixty-three (63) year old happily married man, father of four and grandfather to thirteen grandchildren, and senior pastor at a church, was referred to Avera & Smith because he was suffering from stage IIB malignant melanoma of the left cheek which subsequently developed into metastatic disease to the left upper lobe of his lung and he needed help. When our client http://www.avera.com/2009/10/changing-mind-of-health-insurance.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mark Avera)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23389775.post-967727518062765749Tue, 06 Oct 2009 15:26:00 +00002009-10-06T11:31:16.591-04:00ARLINGTON, VA (October 5, 2009) – Families of truck crash victims and a coalition of safety advocacy groups today sent a letter to the Senate Commerce Committee asking them to reject the nomination of Anne Ferro, currently the president of the Maryland Motor Truck Association. The letter comes on the heels of a New York Times editorial on September 23rd stating, “Ms. Ferro’s record, we believe, http://www.avera.com/2009/10/wrong-choice-to-regulate-truck-safety.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mark Avera)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23389775.post-9097467147529422139Tue, 01 Sep 2009 09:27:00 +00002009-09-01T05:29:42.129-04:00Trial Lawyers: 28,000 Truckers Violate Safety Rules; Raise Insurance LimitsAugust 31, 2009A new analysis of government data reveals that more than 28,000 motor carrier companies that operate 200,000 trucks have violated federal safety regulations.The trial bar association, the American Association for Justice (AAJ), said it found commuters are sharing roads with trucks that have incurred http://www.avera.com/2009/09/truck-drivers-who-break-rules.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mark Avera)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23389775.post-681596435658937976Tue, 27 Jan 2009 21:40:00 +00002009-01-27T16:42:58.638-05:00Our friends in law enforcement want everyone to be aware of this scam which is relatively new. Please, never give your social security number or date of birth to anyone over the phone. If this happens to you, please write the number of caller ID and call law enforcement immediately to report the incident.Jury Duty Scam DO NOT DELETE WITHOUT READING !This has been verified by the FBI (their linkhttp://www.avera.com/2009/01/new-scam-involving-jury-duty.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mark Avera)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23389775.post-257452689621526288Sun, 07 Dec 2008 15:04:00 +00002009-03-16T12:04:05.944-04:00Support the Troops This Holiday SeasonAs families gather for the holidays, some will face a conspicuous absence - their mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, sons, daughters, uncles, aunts or cousins can't make it home because they are serving abroad.Military service requires sacrifice, but service members feel the distance between themselves and their loved ones most keenly on holidays. While http://www.avera.com/2008/12/support-troops-this-holiday-season-as.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mark Avera)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23389775.post-8306708999860804294Wed, 19 Nov 2008 22:27:00 +00002009-03-16T11:49:30.127-04:00Many of you are aware that Avera & Smith is substantially involved in litigation involving truck crashes. Following is an announcement from Public Citizen regarding the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's decision on rules regulating the number of hours a truck driver can drive before a break or be "on-duty".The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Tuesday announced its final http://www.avera.com/2008/11/federal-trucking-hours-of-service-rules.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mark Avera)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23389775.post-5305066833352664280Mon, 13 Oct 2008 13:00:00 +00002008-10-13T09:20:21.326-04:00Particularly in light of the economic situation and the "lending crisis", we all need to be alert to scams intended to steal your money or to trick you into giving your money to someone who acts as though they have your best interests at heart. Here are some things you can do to avoid being the victim of a scam.1. Never, ever, ever give your personal information (social security number, http://www.avera.com/2008/10/watch-for-new-scams-and-more-old-scams.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mark Avera)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23389775.post-309746352613400336Wed, 02 Jul 2008 09:17:00 +00002008-07-02T05:55:15.617-04:00Every year, hundreds of chidlren across the country are seriously injured in accidents involving fireworks. Fireworks are dangerous and if your kids use them, they are at risk of suffering a life changing injury.Take my friend, Max. Max was 13 when he attended a July 4th picnic at a friend's house with his parents' knowledge. What they didnt know was that the adults at this gathering would be http://www.avera.com/2008/07/dont-mix-kids-fireworks-this-july-4th.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mark Avera)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23389775.post-6072888148589843341Sat, 01 Mar 2008 13:23:00 +00002008-03-01T08:27:33.278-05:00In our February 23, 2007 article, we explained how UM (uninsured motorists) coverage works. We revist this issue to illustrate how important this coverage is based on a horrible experience an elderly couple recently experienced.A new client called Avera & Smith early this year regarding a horrible auto crash in which she was involved. Let's call her Mrs. Jones. Mrs. Jones is elderly. Both she andhttp://www.avera.com/2008/03/nightmare-without-um.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mark Avera)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23389775.post-7874468864469915758Thu, 07 Feb 2008 15:48:00 +00002008-02-07T11:03:51.421-05:00Yesterday, families across the south were devastated by a series of tornadoes that, at the time of this writing, were reported to have killed 54 people and left untold families homeless.In times such as this, we cannot think of better charities to donate to than those who respond immediately to the needs of these familes. Organizations such as the American Red Cross respond to such disasters andhttp://www.avera.com/2008/02/please-consider-helping-yesterdays.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mark Avera)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23389775.post-4799058679068480987Sat, 26 Jan 2008 13:20:00 +00002008-01-26T08:40:40.356-05:00Every year, the lawyers at Avera & Smith are called regarding accidents, injuries, or fights that stem from minors consuming alcohol. Often, that alcohol is consumed at the home of one of the minors with the knowledge and consent of his or her parents. Good idea to supervise the consumption of alcohol by kids? For a variety of reasons, probably not. But let's look at one reason and explain howhttp://www.avera.com/2008/01/adult-liability-for-serving-minors-what.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mark Avera)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23389775.post-6867554522964535458Mon, 18 Jun 2007 13:45:00 +00002007-06-18T09:55:24.400-04:00DivorceAt Avera & Smith, we receive phone calls almost daily from persons who have divorced, are the primary residential parent of their child or children, and desire to move to another city for any variety of reasons. Randi Dincher, Esq, of Avera & Smtih took a few moments to write the following piece to answer some of these questions.Relocation of Residential Parent Primary residential http://www.avera.com/2007/06/moving-your-family-after-divorce.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mark Avera)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23389775.post-6535407831738604465Tue, 06 Mar 2007 16:17:00 +00002007-03-06T11:28:04.953-05:00We often receive calls from people who are contemplating a divorce but are really unsure of what the financial obligations are and how they come into play. Many of you are aware that Florida has child support guidelines to assist parents, attorneys, and the court system in determining the amount of child support owed by an obligating party. In our years of handling family law matters, we are http://www.avera.com/2007/03/did-you-know.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mark Avera)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23389775.post-8281683028910684168Fri, 23 Feb 2007 17:22:00 +00002007-02-23T12:23:19.199-05:00For people who contact us regarding auto insurance issues, one of the least understood coverages is uninsured motorist coverage (UM). Why don't you pull out your auto policy and we'll go over this coverage so you understand exactly what kind of coverage you have and how much. Go to the declarations page that lists your car(s), your coverages (bodily injury, collision comprehensive, UM, etc) andhttp://www.avera.com/2007/02/uninsured-motorist-coverage-what-is-it_23.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mark Avera)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23389775.post-116514988068786565Sun, 03 Dec 2006 12:42:00 +00002006-12-19T14:08:53.923-05:00From the Florience, SC Times DailyAs Trucking Rules Are Eased, a Debate on Safety GrowsIn the last six years, the White House has embarked on a bold strategy of deregulation, provoking fierce debate about its benefits and risks.WASHINGTON, Dec. 2 — As Dorris Edwards slowed for traffic near Kingdom City, Mo., on her way home from a Thanksgiving trip in 2004, an 18-wheeler slammed into her Jeep http://www.avera.com/2006/12/trucking-safetythe-fox-guarding.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mark Avera)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23389775.post-116152272391841427Sun, 22 Oct 2006 12:58:00 +00002006-10-22T09:12:49.166-04:00Many of you will remember our comment in late September that dealt with the time periods in which health insurers had to pay medical bills incurred by you or your family.In the past, health insurance entities took the position that these statutes, requiring payment within a certain time period, did not create a cause of action. In other words, even though the statutes set forth the time periods http://www.avera.com/2006/10/florida-supreme-court-speaks-on-prompt.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mark Avera)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23389775.post-115930507568564504Tue, 26 Sep 2006 21:03:00 +00002006-09-26T17:11:15.703-04:00Ever wonder when your health insurance company was going to pay for the bills you incurred for medical care or treatment? Here at Avera & Avera, we frequently assist people with health insurance bills that the insurer is either denying payment on or is not paying timely; much to the concern of the patient and their health care provider. Florida Statutes do provide time limitations within which a http://www.avera.com/2006/09/did-you-know-health-insurance-and.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mark Avera)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23389775.post-115930327743086510Tue, 26 Sep 2006 20:35:00 +00002006-09-26T16:41:17.450-04:00Avera & Avera, LLP is pleased to announce that state senator Rod Smith has rejoined the firm after his 18 month campaign to become Florida's next governor. Although Rod's campaign ended in the democratic primary, he was successful in coming from a virtual unknown in Florida with a 4% name recognition to coming within a hair of winning the democratic primary.Senator Smith will now focus on his http://www.avera.com/2006/09/rod-smith-rejoins-avera-avera-llp.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mark Avera)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23389775.post-115599754241263899Sat, 19 Aug 2006 14:14:00 +00002006-08-19T10:27:38.010-04:00Dear Friends:We are pleased to announce that family law attorney Randi Dincher joined Avera & Avera this past August 7th and will handle all of the firm's family law related matters.Randi is a member of the Florida and Pennsylvania Bar and comes with a strong reputation for thorough and zealous advocacy for clients in divorce and family law matters.Randi obtained her Juris Doctor Degree in law http://www.avera.com/2006/08/family-law-attorney-randi-dincher.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mark Avera)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23389775.post-115543217223546823Sun, 13 Aug 2006 01:20:00 +00002006-08-12T21:22:52.236-04:00Today, the St. Pete Times, the largest newspaper in Florida, endorsed Senator Rod Smith for Governor in the democratic primary. This is exciting news for all of us in North Florida who have been working so hard on the campaign. This is particularly true because the Times is in the backyard of Tampa Congressman Jim Davis, Senator Smith's opponent. You can read the endorsement at the link below http://www.avera.com/2006/08/rod-smith-endorsed-by-st-pete-times_12.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mark Avera)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23389775.post-115503334607309360Tue, 08 Aug 2006 10:32:00 +00002006-08-08T06:35:46.073-04:00Please join us at our new offices at 2814 SW 13th St. in Gainesville. Avera & Avera is hosting an event for Rod Smith in his campaign for Governor on Tuesday, August 15th from 5pm to 630pm. Please join us and bring your friends!! Click on this web link for all the details.http://tools.rodsmith2006.com/page/event/detail/specialevents/jt9We will see you there!!Mark AveraAvera & Avera, LLPhttp://www.avera.com/2006/08/rod-smith-for-governor-fundraiser_08.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mark Avera)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23389775.post-114734222564521993Thu, 11 May 2006 10:06:00 +00002006-05-11T06:10:25.656-04:00What follows is an excellent op-ed piece written by a friend in Tampa after former U.S. Secretary of State James Baker appeared on Larry King Live on CNN recently...OP-ED:Larry King is nothing if not cordial to his guests. Last night his guests were two very sympathetic figures – a grandfather and his daughter, discussing the drowning death of a seven year old girl. The grandfather explained thathttp://www.avera.com/2006/05/excellent-op-ed-piece.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mark Avera)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23389775.post-114535780810470937Tue, 18 Apr 2006 10:51:00 +00002006-04-18T06:56:48.116-04:00Avera & Avera is pleased to announce the hiring of Firm Administrator Richard Turnbow. Mr. Turnbow joins Avera & Avera from a prominent Montgomery, AL firm. Richard is a certified public accountant by trade and has almost 30 years of experience administrating law firms both large and small. He is a member of the Association of Legal Adminstrators and is a freqeunt speaker at seminars across http://www.avera.com/2006/04/avera-avera-welcomes-new-firm.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Mark Avera)0