Partner Andrea Smith Named Leader in the Law
The Florida Association for Women Lawyers named Partner Andrea Pleimling Smith “Lee County Leader in the Law” for 2018-2019 at its Annual Conference June 26.
Mrs. Smith is president for the Lee County Association for Women Lawyers, who nominated her for the recognition intended to promote women who have made meaningful contributions in their communities through their legal service or volunteer activities and have provided a positive role model for Florida Association for Women Lawyers.
Lee County Association for Women Lawyers is a local branch of the Florida association that was founded in 1951 with the goal of propelling women lawyers into economic, social and leadership spheres of power. The Lee County chapter is dedicated to actively promoting and supporting the advancement of women within the Lee County legal community. It has been a great honor to have partner Andrea Smith named Leader in the Law.
Both Andrea and her husband Chris, who is also a partner at the firm, volunteer and donate to the Gulf Coast Humane Society, where they adopted their deaf Catahoula shepherd mix, Boo, who comes to the office with their other dog, Bruiser, a rat terrier/chihuahua mix that Andrea adopted when she was in law school. They also donate and are involved with Habitat for Humanity, the American Heart Association, and the Dominican Joe Foundation, which builds schools in the Dominica Republic. Additionally, Chris and Andrea are passionate supporters of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), and the firm is a presenting sponsor for MADD’s 5K at Jet Blue Park Sept. 28.
Gulfshore Business Best of Business
Gulfshore Business Best of Business Awards Best Small Law Firm
Gulfshore Business magazine’s Best of Business readers’ poll is in its seventh year of honoring Southwest Florida’s top firms. More than 6,000 unique votes were cast through a polling service that required a name and email address to allow only one vote per person.
Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice & Purtz was named Best Small Law Firm, with this description: Since 1962, Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice & Purtz attorneys have provided representation to a wide variety of both commercial and private clients. Offices are located in Lee, Collier and Charlotte counties.
Public Bus Accidents
Florida Public Bus Accidents
Millions of Americans rely on public buses every day to get to work, go to school, or just get from one place to the next. In general, riding a public bus is very safe. In fact, while passenger vehicles yield 6.53 deaths per billion passenger-miles, public buses only yield 2 deaths. However the omnipresence of buses for city dwellers is not without risk.
If you are someone who drives in an urban area and frequently shares the road with buses, your assumptions about when to be at high alert for bus accidents may be incorrect. In reality, of the 2,405 bus collisions in 2002 and 2003, 80 percent occurred in clear weather conditions, and 90 percent occurred with substantial lighting (either daylight or adequate street lighting). Drivers should be the most vigilant, according to a study by the National Transit Database, when at intersections, as this is when most bus accidents occur. Driving alongside public buses also can result in property damage. Those same 2,405 collisions resulted in over 15 million dollars in damages.
Any public safety concerns caused by public buses are not limited to drivers. Pedestrians in the city should be cautious and watch for buses as they cross the street. In 2013, 64 pedestrians were killed by buses. Due to their size and visibility limitations, buses have a higher percentage of fatalities resulting from a rear or right side collision to a pedestrian. It is imperative, therefore, to be aware of your surroundings while walking, in order to notice a bus from which you may not be visible.
Bus accidents are rare, but can have real and lasting consequences when they occur. Attentive driving and walking can greatly reduce the risks of these accidents.
Who to call if injured in bus accidents in Florida
If you or someone you love has been injured in an accident with a public bus, it is important to seek legal counsel to get the justice you deserve. SWFL attorneys at Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice, and Purtz have over 50 years of legal experience in dealing with personal injuries. We have six offices located in Southwest Florida. Our offices are conveniently located in Fort Myers (2 offices to serve you), Cape Coral, Lehigh Acres, Naples and Port Charlotte. Contact us today.
Stephen W. Buckley celebrates 50 years with the firm
Stephen W. Buckley celebrates 50 years with the firm this year!
He says he never intended to stay in Florida after his grandparents offered to pay for his college at the “new” Edison College (now Florida SouthWestern State College). His planned to get his education in Florida and move back to Connecticut where he grew up.
His grandparents had been vacationing on the other coast and moved to Fort Myers in the 1950s.
“None of the kids or grandkids were close by, so they asked me if I would come down and start my college and they would help with expenses.”
He transferred to the University of Florida for his undergraduate degree in journalism and then Florida State University for his law degree. “One of the kids in the class asked the assistant dean where he would go to practice law, and he said Fort Myers,” Buckley said. “I had ties in Fort Myers.”
He said he always knew he wanted to be a lawyer. His father and grandparents were in real estate. “I grew up with real estate law,” he said.
Now he assists clients with wills, trusts, estate planning, probate, real estate and real property law cases. Buckley is a top-rated lawyer under the Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review rating system.
After graduating from law school in 1969, he moved to Florida and joined the firm, then seven years old and located in downtown Fort Myers in its present location at the corner of Main Street and Broadway.
Fort Myers was a different place when he started. Area Bar meetings were held in a corner of the former Snack House restaurant. Edison Mall had just opened, pulling Sears and J.C. Penney’s from downtown. When he started, he said there were five men’s stores downtown. “Attorneys wore suits more then than they do now,” he said, “Everyone dressed to the hilt.”
Stephen W. Buckley celebrates 50 years with the firm
Buckley has seen tremendous change in the law through the years. “I think today there are more judges than attorneys,” he said. “When I started there were two circuit judges and one county judge.”
He remembers one of his first cases was to get a woman in real estate the right to sell property she owned without consent of her husband, which was the rule at the time. Shortly after he was able to make her a “free dealer,” the rule was abolished.
He also remembers a case where he worked with the Coast Guard to have a man declared dead who disappeared in the Bermuda Triangle on a flight to Bimini. Without a body, it would have taken five years for his spouse to get a death certificate. He said the investigation determined how much fuel the plane had and every place the plane could have landed. The plane, the man and his passenger were never found.
He enjoys spending time vacationing at his home in Maine, but Buckley says he has no intention of retiring. “I enjoy what I’m doing,” he said. “I don’t play golf. I don’t play tennis. I don’t fish. I’ll just keep doing it while I can, and the clients want to work with me. My wife would have a long honey-do list if I did retire.”
He and his wife, Bonnie, who he met in Fort Myers at a roller-skating rink, celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary in August.
Multi Vehicle Accidents
Multi Vehicle Accidents in Florida
Many Floridians take to the road every day expecting to make it safely to their destination. These drivers use caution and drive safely. Then, unexpectedly they become involved in a multi-vehicle accident. multi vehicle accidents often involve serious injuries and even death. If you are involved in a multi-vehicle accident, it is important you know your rights.
Cause of Multi Vehicle Accidents in Florida
Multi-vehicle accidents can happen in the blink of an eye. Sometimes a driver is impatient and attempts to make a turn and is hit by oncoming traffic. This happened recently in Lehigh Acres and a little girl lost her life. Many times, an accident happens so quickly that other vehicles don’t have enough time to avoid it. In New Orleans, a firefighter was killed when a bus failed to stop for a previous accident.
Who Is To Blame in These Accidents?
Responsibility in a multi-vehicle accident can often be complicated and time-consuming. In the case of the bus accident in New Orleans, the driver of the bus claimed his brakes did not work. It took over 6 months for investigators to determine the bus driver was not telling the truth. In the Lehigh Acres accident, the impatient driver did not have his lights on when the accident took place. Every multi-vehicle accident has many factors that need to be taken into consideration. An expert attorney can help you navigate this difficult process.
Insurance Claims for Multi Vehicle Accidents
Insurance claims can be challenging in any type of accident. Multi-vehicle accidents tend to have more parties filing claims as the result of the accident. These additional claims can create complications when you make your claim. Having an experienced attorney can help you get the compensation you deserve.
Who To Call If You’re In Southwest Florida Vehicle Accident
If you are the victim of a multi-vehicle automobile accident it is important to seek legal counsel. The Fort Myers personal injury attorneys at Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice & Purtz have over 5 decades of experience with automobile accidents. We have six offices located in Southwest Florida. Our offices are conveniently located in Fort Myers (two offices to serve you), Cape Coral, Naples, Lehigh Acres and Port Charlotte. Call us today to set up your appointment for a free consultation.
2019 Belviq Diet Drug Recall: What You Should Know
Today’s news is concerning the Belviq diet drug recall. It’s very disconcerting to find out that a drug you were taking to improve your health may be seriously harming it.
In February, The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requested that the manufacturer of Belviq and Belviq XR (lorcaserin) voluntarily withdraw the weight-loss drug from the U.S. market because a safety clinical trial identified an increased occurrence of several types of cancer, including pancreatic, colorectal and lung in people taking the drugs.
Belviq Diet Drug Recall: What You Should Know
Studies conducted since Belviq was approved for use in 2012 found that of 12,000 patients taking it, about 7.7 percent were diagnosed with cancers, compared to 7.1 percent in a placebo group.
Belviq was approved as a prescription weight loss drug for adults who are obese or who have weight related medical problems that prohibit them from losing weight through traditional diet and exercise. The active ingredients of the pill are intended to trigger chemical signals that make people want to eat less.
Despite pre-market testing that suggested Belviq exposure in rats could cause cancerous tumors, the FDA approved Eisai to start promoting the drug. However, the manufacturer was required to conduct a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial in order to determine if there were any cancer or cardiovascular side effects in humans from Belviq.
After reviewing the results of the clinical trial, the FDA decided to ask for the Belviq diet drug recall, believing the risks of lorcaserin outweigh the benefits. The trial was conducted in 12,000 patients over 5 years. A range of cancer types was reported, with several different types of cancers occurring more frequently in the lorcaserin group, including pancreatic, colorectal and lung.
Belviq and Belviq XR are manufactured by Japanese drug maker Eisai Co. who began selling the medication in the U.S. in 2013. The medication quickly became a popular choice among prescribing doctors, with more than 600,000 prescriptions filled in 2015 alone, with sales reaching an estimated $50 million.
In light of the recall, patients should stop taking lorcaserin and talk to healthcare professionals about alternative weight-loss medicines and weight management programs.
Belviq and Belviq XR are manufactured by Japanese drug maker Eisai Co. who began selling the medication in the U.S. in 2013. The medication quickly became a popular choice among prescribing doctors, with more than 600,000 prescriptions filled in 2015 alone, with sales reaching an estimated $50 million.
It appears that manufacturers knew or should have know about the link between the Belviq diet drug recall and cancer for years. As a result, users who were harmed by the drug may be entitled to financial compensation and settlements from the manufacturers. Further, if a member of your family died because of cancers potentially caused by Belviq, you may be able to pursue compensation for wrongful death.
If you are someone you love used Belviq or Belviq XR for weight loss for at least three months since 2012 and was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, colorectal cancer, lunch cancer or another cancer along the digestive tract, we welcome the opportunity to assist you. For a free consultation and more information about the Belviq diet drug recall, please call one of our Southwest Florida legal firm offices at (239) 326-0558. If you prefer, you may complete our form and a client relations representative will contact you.
National Patient Safety Awareness Week 2019
National Patient Safety Awareness Week will take place this year from March 10-16. Nearly everyone will need healthcare at some point. Being a patient means putting your trust in someone else. While most Americans have had positive experiences with healthcare providers, 21 percent of adults report having personally experienced medical error, according to a national survey released in 2017 by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) and the National Patient Safety Foundation (NPSF). Medical mistakes can often have lasting impacts on a patient’s physical health, financial well-being or family relationships. Some studies suggest that medical error may cause as many as 400,000 deaths in the U.S. each year.
Medical errors and safety lapses can happen in many forms:
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- Diagnosis: National Academy of Medicine estimates suggest that 5 percent of U.S. adults who seek outpatient care experience a diagnostic error.
- Infection: The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality estimates that 1 in 31 hospitalized patients will contract an infection there.
- Medication errors and adverse events: These are the most common errors in both inpatient and outpatient settings.
National Patient Safety Awareness Week
In recognition of patient safety issues, IHI and NPSF created National Patient Safety Awareness Week from March 10-16 to focus on a culture of safety and patient engagement.
While most will receive medical treatment without errors, mistakes can be made. Patients have a responsibility to take part in their care. The following are ways to be proactive and help reduce the possibility of healthcare errors.
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- Share your health history with your caregiver. This includes medication, operations or allergies. The more your caregiver knows, the more successful your care plan and recovery will be.
- Be your own advocate or ask someone you trust to be one for you. Know all the who, what, when, where and why about your care and treatment. Expect everyone involved in your care to introduce themselves by name, and to wear an identification badge.
- Make sure to tell your healthcare professional if you think he or she has you confused with another patient, if you think you are about to receive the wrong medication or if something doesn’t seem right. Don’t assume anything.
- Ask your doctor about the specialized training and experience that qualify him or her to treat your illness. Medical terminology can be confusing; make sure you understand the words used by your caregivers.
- Be sure to ask any questions you may have before signing any forms. Write down important facts your doctor tells you.
- Help reduce the risk of infection. Remind caregivers and everyone around you to wash their hands before they care for you. Wash your own hands and keep any wounds clean and dry.
If you or a loved one has suffered injuries or wrongful death due to healthcare safety errors, contact an attorney to discuss your legal options. The attorneys at Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice & Purtz are board certified by the Florida Bar. Areas of practice include personal injury and accidents, fall and premises liability, wrongful death, medical malpractice. National Patient Safety Awareness Week is the perfect time to consider a call.
Southwest Florida Business Observer 40 Under 40
Southwest Florida Business Observer 40 Under 40
In October, the Southwest Florida Business Observer 40 Under 40 issue recognized area entrepreneurs, executives and community leaders selected from Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Tampa Bay, Lakeland, Sarasota and Manatee.
The area business magazine has selected 40 up-and-coming stars from nominations since 2014. In her profile in the magazine, partner Andrea Pleimling Smith said the best business lesson she’s ever learned was “the importance of client satisfaction — even with all the advertising we do, most of our clients come to us through referrals.”
Strong Community Support
Community Support in 2019
For over 50 years, the attorneys at Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice & Purtz has been actively involved in the communities where we live and work. We have proudly donated our time and resources for the benefit of many worthy organizations.
In September, we sponsored The Shape of Things Exhibit at the Alliance for the Arts, an abstract world of shapes in a thought-provoking exhibit of contemporary arts from intricate, color rich collages and acrylic paintings to graceful carved marble sculpture and silhouettes by artists Carve Stone and Pat Zalisko.
This month, Christopher Smith participated in career day at Bayshore Elementary School in North Fort Myers, with the firm donating 300 gift bags to students.
The firm also decided in late June to collect school supplies for students and teachers at Diplomat Elementary School in Cape Coral, and within a couple of weeks, the staff had collected a few hundred dollars of school supplies for teachers and students that were presented in August.
Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice & Purtz is a community leader in advocating for reducing drunk driving accidents.
Accordingly, for the third year, the firm is a presenting sponsor for Mothers Against Drunk Driving’s (MADD) Walk Like MADD 5/10k walk and run. Importantly, the event raises money to ensure no one in our community suffers from drunk driving accidents. The Southwest Florida virtual event is planned Sept. 26 or Sept. 27 and hopes to raise $65,850. Although virtual, the Walk Like MADD still includes food coupons, finisher medals and custom neck gaiters.
“Having committed community and event partners like Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice and Purtz, brings us closer to a community of No More Victims of drunk, drugged and impaired driving,” said Lori Burke, executive director of the MADD Southwest Florida Office.
Why We Support MADD
Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice & Purtz staff and attorneys see the impact of drunk driving accidents through their clients, reinforcing their support for MADD.
Firm partners Christopher and Andrea Smith personally support MADD. Chris leads fundraising for the the firm’s walk team. In addition, both Chris and Andrea have lost family members to drunk driving accidents. In fact, Chris was named after a family member who was killed by a drunken driver.
Other Support for Reducing Drunk Driving Accidents
Also, attorneys from the firm have been active in reducing drunk driving accidents, supporting area multi-jurisdiction DUI checkpoints. For the briefing dinner before these events, our firm often provides food for the officers.
“Supporting the checkpoints demonstrates to the officers that the law firm and the community supports them in their dedication to make our community safer,” Burke said. Reducing drunk driving accidents is high on the list.
On average, drunk driving harms two out of thee people in the U.S. during their lifetime. Every two minutes, a drunk driving crash injures someone. Every day, imparied driving kills 28 people.
For information, to donate or to sign up for the Walk Like MADD click here.