Law Firm Collects Toys for Toys for Tots
For the 13th year, the Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice & Purtz office collects toys for Toys for Tots to be distributed by the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots Foundation. Toys will be collected until Dec. 15 when they will be picked up and distributed by Toys for Tots to approved local social welfare agencies, church groups and other organizations.
“Supporting organizations within our community is within the core of Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice & Purtz and Toys for Tots is an exemplary example of an organization,” said Managing Partner Chris Smith. “It’s our privilege to be a part of the community, so we feel it’s important to give back.”
During 2018, 10,960 children were supported with 38,090 toys distributed by Toys for Tots in Lee County. In Naples, 28,425 toys were distributed, supporting 5,338 children.
The public is invited to bring new, unwrapped toys for newborn children to age 12 to any of the six Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice & Purtz offices. In addition, members of the firm also donate toys for the drive.
The locations where Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice & Purtz collects toys for Toys for Tots:
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- Fort Myers – Downtown: 1515 Broadway St., 239-334-1146
- Fort Myers – McGregor: 2300 McGregor Blvd., 239-332-9437
- Cape Coral – 461 Del Prado Blvd., 239-574-5575
- Naples – 2590 Northbrooke Plaza Drive, Suite 105, 239-514-0924
- Lehigh Acres – 4802 Lee Blvd., 239-368-6101
- Port Charlotte – 2852 Tamiami Trail, Ste. 1, 941-624-2393
If it’s not convenient to shop for toys, monetary donations are accepted at www.toysfortots.org.
About Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice & Purtz
Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice & Purtz, P.A., has offered a full complement of professional legal services to Southwest Florida clients since 1962. The firm’s experienced attorneys are board certified by the Florida Bar, and their areas of practice include personal injury and accidents, fall and premises liability, wrongful death, motorcycle and truck accidents, medical malpractice, real estate, commercial litigation, construction law, wills, and estate planning and administration. With offices in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Naples, Lehigh Acres and Port Charlotte, attorneys can be reached by calling 239-500-HURT.
Supporting Toys for Tots and Much More
‘Tis the season for charitable giving, supporting Toys for Tots and much more. Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice & Purtz‘s collection of toys for the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots Foundation wrapped up this month. The drive, supporting Toys for Tots and much more, yielded more than 150 toys collected to be distributed to approved local, social welfare agencies, church groups and other organizations for the holidays.
It’s the 13th year the firm has been an official public collection point, but supporting Toys for Tots and much more has been happening at the firm for more than 35 years.
“I’ve been at the firm since 1984, and I do not remember a time we weren’t supporting Toys for Tots,” said Carleen Menist, a legal assistant for partner attorney Richard Purtz. “I was always involved getting folks what they needed. People would bring me items, and I would find a home. We’ve always been involved. There is always a need. Always.”
Janeé Broadway, marketing and events coordinator for the firm, said many of the toys donated this year came from members of the firm. “Our staff is incredibly generous,” she said. “The Toys for Tots boxes were overflowing before we announced the collection to the public!”
Supporting Toys for Tots and Much More
In addition to Toys for Tots, Menist says the firm has supported local sports teams with their fundraisers, the Community Cooperative Soup Kitchen, area schools with school supplies, area churches, the Shelter for Abused women, area Veterans and many more. “I don’t remember a time we weren’t giving,” she said.
Giving extends to supporting employees. Menist said she started at the firm as a temporary secretary, and the firm helped her to advance in her career, paying for her education along the way. “They are very giving,” she said. “Books and all! No doubt, giving is the best feeling in the world.”
Burn Injuries: Getting Help
Burn injuries are expensive and traumatic to treat. Even a first-degree burn, the lowest level of injury, can become infected. Burns can be extremely painful and can lead to permanent, severe scarring.
Burn Awareness Week, Feb. 2-13, is sponsored by the American Burn Association to share burn awareness information and prevention. The National Fire Protection Association notes that every 60 seconds, someone in the U.S. gets a burn that requires treatment.
The University of Rochester Medical Center notes most burn accidents happen at home. More than 300 children under 19 are treated for burns daily, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Also, two children die each day because of burns. Some causes of burns at home include defective products, faulty electrical wiring or burns from household chemicals. Three-quarters of burn injuries in children can be avoided.
Burn Injuries
Heat, chemicals, electricity or radiation cause burns. Burn injuries are classified as first-, second-, third- and fourth degree, depending on how deeply they damage the skin. The severity of the burn is not based on its cause.
For examples, scalding, a burn caused by a hot liquid or steam can cause all level of burns, depending on the length of time and how hot the liquid is that contacts the skin.
Water heaters that are set too hot can create scalding injuries. The Saint Barnabas Medical Center recommends setting water heaters at 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
Chemical and electrical burns can do internal damage, even if the external damage appears minor. Electrical burns can be from electrical sources or lightning. Chemical burns are from contact with household or industrial chemicals that can be in liquid, solid or gas. Dry ice can even cause burns!
In addition to the burn itself, complications are often likely for burns, particularly third-degree burns and higher. Blood loss and shock, in addition to infections such as tetanus, are possible. Despite their association with heat, burns can also cause hypothermia because loss of body heat from the injury.
When Burn Injuries Happen
Burns can cause swelling, blistering, scarring, shock, and even death in severe cases. Treatment for burns depends on the cause of the burn, how deep it is, and how much of the body it covers. Antibiotic creams can prevent or treat infections. For more serious burns, treatment can require skin grafting, I.V. fluids, antibiotics and pain management.
In addition to treatment of the physical impact of burns, it is important to consider emotional needs. Resource such as Burn Survivor Assistance offer support for burn victims.
First- and second-degree burns rarely scar if properly and quickly treated. Extensive damage from severe second-degree and third-degree burns can lead to problems in deep skin tissues, bones and organs. People with these burns may require surgery, physical therapy, rehabilitation or lifelong assisted care.
Burn Injuries That Are the Fault of Others
Burns injuries can have several causes and may be the fault of others, including:
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- Scalding from contact with boiling water, oil or grease. Food service workers, road crews and construction workers can be injured in this way.
- A burn associated with an open flame or an explosion that sparks a fire can happen with a car accident.
- An explosion of a gas or other chemical often produces a severe burn.
- Electric burns are often caused by faulty wiring.
Defective products can result in burn injuries because an error in the process of making the project, such as wiring that is not connected properly. Also, can be designed to dangerous, such as a part that gets too hot next to a chord, causing a fire. Additionally, products that have risks must warn consumers of dangers.
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- Defective consumer products that may lead to burn injuries include:
- Batteries and battery-powered products
- Kitchen appliances
- Heaters
- Electric blankets
- Cleaning chemicals
- Vaping devices and e-cigarettes
- Flammable clothing, camping equipment and household items
The Federal Hazardous Substances Act (FHSA) requires precautionary labeling on hazardous household product containers. The labels must identify the potential hazards and how users can protect their families.
Personal Injury Suits from Burn Injuries
People who have been burned by the fault of another are entitled to compensation for their expenses. Burns caused by workplace injuries, faulty consumer products, arson or any accident caused by negligence can result in a personal injury case. Major burns often have expensive medical bills and post-treatment.
Because of the possibility of disfigurement in severe cases, compensation can be for emotional as well as physical pain. Medical expenses, loss of income/wages, potential future loss of earnings, and compensation for future pain, disability and emotional trauma are damages burn victims can receive.
Here are examples of personal injury burn suits that resulted in judgements:
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- A hospital bed caught fire due to a product design defect.
- A highly flammable skirt caused third-degree burns and permanent scarring.
- A hotel with its hot water heater set too high caused second-degree burns in the bathtub.
- A woman suffered third-degree burns from scalding hot coffee at McDonald’s restaurant.
- An overfilled propane tank for a barbeque grill ignited.
If you or someone you know has suffered a burn injury, be sure to meet with our burn injury attorney who can review your injury and surrounding circumstances and advise you.
Unsafe Products & Online Shopping: Buyer Beware
Unsafe products are still sold online, even as internet shopping has become a way of life. The beauty of online shopping is you can shop the world. That is also the danger of online shopping.
The question of product safety is still an issue, despite efforts to find and remove harmful products.
How Products Online Can Harm
Customers are harmed by products sold online in several ways including:
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- Purchasing banned and recalled products
- Inadequate product labeling and safety warnings (including instructions provided in a foreign language).
- Buying products that do not meet safety standards
Internet Product Safety
Online shopping allows buyers to visit e-commerce platforms, websites, auction websites and social media. As a result, shoppers do not always to know who is making and shipping items, or for authorities to find unsafe products.
Since 2001, Amazon.com expanded its network of third-party sellers from 6% to 50%. At least 40% of Amazon’s third-party suppliers are based in China, where counterfeit and dangerous products are common.
Some examples of unsafe products sold online include smoke alarms that did not detect smoke and toys having lead and other harmful chemicals. Counterfeit batteries used in electronics have exploded. Shoppers have been able to buy small high-powered magnets online that are banned in Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United States.
Banned or Recalled Products Online
According to Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), 68% of items that were banned or recalled were still offered online. In addition, 55% of 60 products did not meet product safety standards.
In 2014, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) found that 10 products sold online had been recalled in 2012 and 2013. The items included cameras, televisions, dishwashers, electric ranges and office chairs with risks for fire, burns, loose parts or skin irritation.
Despite rules of the Food and Drug Administration and the CPSC, thousands of banned, unsafe and counterfeit items are still listed for sale through Amazon.com, eBay and other platforms.
When buying products online from other countries, the United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) considers buyers importers who are responsible for ensuring that products meet U.S., state and federal import rules, including product safety. That means buyer beware!
How to Protect Yourself
Tips to protect yourself from buying harmful products online include:
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- Know who you are buying from. The more you know about the maker, the importer or the seller, the better.
- Learn what you should not buy. Visit local and international recall databases for unsafe products, such as the OECD’s GlobalRecalls portal, CPSC recalls and recalls.gov.
- Read safety warnings and instructions. Check how to use the product safely and if there are any age warnings. Any questions? Ask the seller for more information.
- Check ratings and reviews. Online customer ratings and reviews can show safety issues.
- Consider registering your product so you can be informed about recalls, software updates and safety information.
- Report product safety issues to the seller and contact any authorities. Consider writing a product review to alert others.
What to do if Hurt by Unsafe Products
Certainly, online shopping has been helpful and, in many ways, safer than in-person shopping during the pandemic. But if you or someone you know has been harmed by something bought online, you may have a defective product case and/or a case against the site where you purchased it. Our product liability and personal injury attorneys can help you.
Fort Myers attorney J. Jeffrey Rice retires as NFL referee this year. He has been moonlighting as an NFL referee for 25 years, but hung up his whistle for the final time after Sunday’s Pro Bowl. Rice, a former managing partner of Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice & Purtz retired as a game umpire after calling Sunday’s Pro Bowl at Camping World Stadium in Orlando.
Rice began officiating high school football games in 1973, just a year after graduating from Northwestern University. After earning a juris doctorate from Case Western Reserve University in 1975, Rice was admitted to the Florida Bar and continued officiating on the weekends in Southwest Florida through the South Gulf Football Officials Association. He steadily built a reputation as a premier official and worked his way up to college games, then NFL Europe games, before being hired by the NFL in 1995.
J. Jeffrey Rice retires as NFL referee after a fulfilling role on the field as an umpire. His duties include monitoring the line of scrimmage for illegal blocking or holding calls and false starts, as well as marking off penalty yardage and counting the number of offensive players on the field.
Over the past 25 years, Rice has officiated more than 400 NFL games and been granted 24 postseason assignments, including four Super Bowls and four Pro Bowls. Postseason officiating crews are considered the league’s top game officials. Rice is one of only 105 officials to work a Super Bowl game, and one of just 16 who have worked three or more Super Bowls, including two of the closest championship games in NFL history:
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- Super Bowl XXXV (2001 – alternate official): Baltimore Ravens 34, New York Giants 7
- Super Bowl XXXVI (2002 – umpire): New England Patriots 20, St. Louis Rams 17
- Super Bowl XXXVIII (2004 – umpire): New England Patriots 32, Carolina Panthers 29
- Super Bowl 50 (2016 – umpire): Denver Broncos 24, Carolina Panthers 10
With 25 years of experience, J. Jeffrey Rice retires as NFL referee with many accolades. Rice is recognized on a plaque displayed in a special exhibit at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. Rice’s father, Bob Rice, worked for 19 years as an NFL official, including two Super Bowls.
Fort Myers attorney J. Jeffrey Rice retires as NFL referee
At his day job, Rice also is at the top of his game, having been named to Florida’s prestigious Super Lawyers list for 14 consecutive years. To earn the annual honor, candidates are measured against 12 indicators of peer recognition and professional achievement, a rigorous and methodical process to determine Super Lawyers that represent the top 5 percent of legal professionals in each state.
Rice, who often makes himself available as a guest speaker for local organizations, emphasizes his practice on commercial law, construction law, construction lien cases and real estate closings for clients. He is a member of the Lee County Bar Association and Florida Bar, and licensed to practice in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida and 11th Circuit Court of Appeals. Rice has been honored by Martindale-Hubbell as a top-rated lawyer in business and corporate law, and has been included in the peer-reviewed legal publication Best Lawyers.
Further Reading
Avoiding Common Workplace Accidents
Workplace Accidents, Fatigue and Injuries
Fatigue is generally defined as the feeling of extreme tiredness, sleepiness or exhaustion resulting from prolonged physical or mental work, illness or lack of sleep. To some people, fatigue may not seem like a big concern, but when fatigue is experienced in the workplace, on the job fatigue can compromise worker safety. During National Safety Month, the National Safety Council’s theme for week 2 is Recharge to Be in Charge – Focusing on Fatigue.
Southwest Florida Workplace Accidents
According to the National Safety Council or NSC, every day approximately 13,000 American workers are injured in the workplace. While there may be a multitude of reasons or causes for these injuries, fatigue is a factor which can contribute to workplace accidents resulting in injuries.
Since levels of fatigue vary from person to person, it is hard to pinpoint the actual effect fatigue has on workplace accidents and injuries. However, studies have shown that when workers have had an insufficient amount of sleep and become fatigued, there is a greater chance of making mistakes which could lead to accidents and injuries.
Lack of sleep is not the only component which influences on the job fatigue. Workplace conditions can amplify fatigue during the work day.
These conditions include things such as:
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- Repetitive, monotonous or boring tasks
- Difficult or challenging tasks
- Hot or cold room temperatures, sitting near air or heating vent
- Insufficient lighting, dim lighting or light glare
- Constant noise or loud noise
- Reactions to particles in the air such as dust, chemicals or printer toner
- No breaks, performing a task for a long period of time
- Work shifts or over time hours
If your job has duties which make you feel fatigued or your working environment leads to extreme tiredness or exhaustion, there are a few things you can do to try and fight fatigue such as:
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- Ergonomic equipment to help reduce physical strains
- Anti-glare computer screens
- Drinking water or eating a healthy snack to boost energy levels
- Taking frequent breaks or taking a nap when working long shifts if possible
Southwest Florida Workplace Accident Attorneys
Workplace accidents can be complex. If you or someone you know has suffered from a fatigue-related workplace injury, it is important to contact an attorney experienced with personal injury. The attorneys at Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman Rice and Purtz have over 5 decades of experience with personal injury cases. We have six offices in Southwest Florida. Our offices are located in Fort Myers (two offices to serve you), Cape Coral, Naples, Lehigh Acres, and Port Charlotte for your convenience. Contact us today to set up your appointment for a free case evaluation.
Driving in Scary Southwest Florida Storms
Driving in Southwest Florida Storms
Southwest Florida has a tropical climate with short, warm winters, and lengthy hot, humid summers. Because of the heat and humidity, Southwest Florida is known to produce frequent storms, waterspouts and even hurricanes. Driving in storms is sometimes unavoidable, therefore it is imperative drivers know and understand the additional risks and safety measures of driving in heavy winds or rain.
Storm Winds
While winds may not seem like a major concern on the roads, a strong gust of wind should not be taken lightly. The following tips will help drivers manage the additional risks strong winds bring.
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- Anticipate gusts. Be informed on the weather forecast if high winds are possible. Also, be aware of areas prone to high wind such as open areas, overpasses, tunnels and mountainous areas.
- Be alert to large vehicles. Larger vehicles such as tractor trailers and RVs can swerve or veer off course due to strong wind gusts.
- Keep a firm grip on the steering wheel. Larger vehicles will be blown off course more easily however in high winds all drivers should have a firm grip on the steering wheel.
Rain Storms
Rain storms are an additional danger of the road because visibility is reduced and hydroplaning can occur. To help increase your safety in the rain, drivers should follow the following tips.
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- Take your time. Driving slowly reduces the risks of hydroplaning. Drivers should also be aware that when rain first begins it is extra slippery from the oils on the road.
- Turn your lights on. Florida’s laws require drivers to have their headlights on when it’s raining.
- Give other vehicles more space. This will allow you more time to stop and more time for those behind you to stop.
While driving in high winds and rain present additional challenges on the roads, the safety tips above will help ensure your trip is as safe possible. Accidents do happen, however. If you or someone you know has been involved in a car accident due to another driver’s negligence, it is important to know who to call.
Who to Call
The attorneys at Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice & Purtz have decades of experience in personal injury law. Our offices in Southwest Florida are conveniently located in Fort Myers (2 offices), Cape Coral, Naples, Lehigh Acres and Port Charlotte. Call us today to schedule a free consultation.
Embrace #SaturationSaturday
#SaturationSaturday
As part of ongoing support of Mothers Against Drunk Driving and DUI prevention, Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice & Purtz was honored to provide the briefing dinner for #SaturationSaturday Aug. 24, an event organized by MADD Southwest Florida that included the Cape Coral Police Department, Lee County Sheriff’s Office, Florida Highway Patrol, Fort Myers Police Department and the Sanibel Police Department.
The operation was a saturation patrol, focusing on identifying and taking impaired drivers off the road as well as targeting areas with traffic issues that cause crashes.
#SaturationSaturday on Aug. 24 resulted in statewide DUI prevention activities by more than 60 law enforcement agencies. Launched by MADD, the first Saturation Saturday was held in Missouri in 2016 as a night of increased law enforcement patrols and sobriety checkpoints designed to reduce incidents of drunk or drugged driving. It coincides with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign, which runs from Aug. 14 through Sept. 2.
One of the cornerstones of MADD’s Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving is increased, high-visibility law enforcement to both catch drunk drivers and to deter others by sending a strong message that if you drive drunk, you will get caught.
In addition to supporting sobriety checkpoints throughout the year, the firm is presenting sponsor for Mothers Against Drunk Driving’s Walk Like MADD 5K walk and run that raises money to ensure no one in our community suffers from the impacts of impaired drivers.
Walk like MADD will be at JetBlue Park at Fenway South Sept. 28. CLICK HERE for information or to sign up to participate.
Driving with Children
Driving with Children
Driving with children can be a difficult task. In addition to regular parenting duties, drivers must also worry about the roadways, distractions and car safety. Consumer Reports has identified 6 tips for driving with children in the car.
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- Buckle Up – Half of teenagers who died in car accidents weren’t wearing a seat belt. Seat belts have shown to have saved over 300,000 lives over the last 50 years.
- Know their place – Children under 12 years of age should always ride in the backseat. Additionally, small children should be secured in an approved child seat.
- Secure Gear – Any objects in the car can become projectiles in the event of an accident or harsh breaking. All object should be secure, heavy objects should be on the floor, and children should be buckled up.
- Use the Proper Car Seat – More often than not car seats are improperly installed. A local car seat technician can take a look if you are unsure if it is safe for driving with children.
- Don’t Text and Drive – Not only is texting and driving unsafe for everyone on the roads, it will teach your children bad habits.
- Never Leave Children Unattended – Children can suffer a heatstroke in a hot car. Additionally, children should not play around cars because drivers can suddenly back up and strike a child.
- Driving or traveling with children presents additional risks, however the above tips will help increase your odds of driving safely with children. Accidents happen every day however and it is important to know who to call in the event that you and your family are involved in a car accident due to another driver’s negligence.
Who to Call When Driving with Children
The attorneys at Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice, and Purtz have over 50 years experience in personal injury law. Our 6 offices located in Southwest Florida are conveniently located in Fort Myers (2 offices), Cape Coral, Naples, Lehigh Acres, and Port Charlotte. Call us today to schedule a free consultation.
Pedestrian Accidents
Pedestrian Accidents Involving Cars in Southwest Florida
With each new year, millions of Americans will be taking to the road, not by means of a vehicle, but as pedestrians. Every year, Americans make New Year’s Resolutions. One of the most popular resolutions for many is to be more active and to get in shape. With the beautiful weather and mild winters in Southwest Florida, many Floridians and “Snow-Birds” will take to the road on their venture to better health. While walking, jogging or running may seem like a great, safe way to get active, there are some safety precautions to take when strolling along the roads in your community to avoid pedestrian accidents.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2015, 5,376 pedestrians were killed in traffic crashes in the United States and nearly 129,000 pedestrians were treated in emergency room departments for non-fatal crash related injuries.
While drivers carry a responsibility to pay attention to all of their surroundings while on the road, pedestrians equally share this responsibility while crossing the roads or walking on sidewalks.
Laws for Pedestrians Sharing the Road with Vehicles
Drivers of vehicles are not the only ones who have laws to follow, there are laws for pedestrians as well. Some of these laws include:
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- Pedestrians must walk on the sidewalk, not the road when one is provided.
- Pedestrians must obey all traffic signals just like vehicle operators and only cross when the pedestrian light is green, provided they still look to make sure traffic has stopped.
- Pedestrians have the right of way on marked crosswalks but must still look to ensure that the road is safe to cross.
- Pedestrians may not stand on roadways paved for vehicle traffic to solicit employment, business or ride. These are just a few of the laws for pedestrians. Learn more about Pedestrian Laws
Preventing Pedestrian Accidents Injuries
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- Always walk on the sidewalk or a path. If a sidewalk is not available, then walk on the shoulder of the road facing the traffic.
- Always cross the street at designated crosswalks.
- If walking early in the morning or late in the evening, wear bright reflective clothing and carry a flashlight to increase your visibility when it gets dark.
- If your local park or recreation area has walking paths, take advantage of those areas for your daily walks and avoid venturing out near the roads and traffic altogether.
If You Are Hit by a Car While Walking or on Your Bicycle
If you or someone you know has been hit by a car as a pedestrian, it is important to seek advice from an attorney experienced in pedestrian accidents. Selecting an experienced attorney can help you receive the compensation you deserve. The attorneys at Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice & Purtz have been helping clients for over 50 years. We provide a free consultation to discuss your case and determine what can be done to protect your rights. Call today to schedule your appointment.