Published on: March 17, 2025

Miami ‘BusPatrol’ Citations Cause Controversy Following Thousands of Citations. What to Know.

A program meant to enforce school bus laws was met with outrage from thousands of drivers who were issued citations and prompted a response from the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office.

As of Friday, March 7, the program was suspended for citations given to those who passed school buses on roads with a median, according to a statement from Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz, who took office in January 2025.

“When I became Sheriff, I ordered a review of the program,” Cordero Stutz said in the post Tuesday, March 11 via X. “The review led to me announcing last Friday the suspension of median enforcement citations.”

Published on: March 4, 2025

Man Injured in Officer-Involved Shooting in Miami-Dade County. What to Know.

By Leesfield & Partners

A Miami detective shot a man at an apartment complex in West Miami-Dade County Wednesday night while conducting a “proactive detail” with a multi-agency task force, according to reporting from the Miami Herald.

The incident happened around 10 p.m. at 9599 Fontainebleau Blvd. Neither the man nor the detective, who investigates robberies, have been named as of Thursday.

The man is expected to be OK, a Miami Police Department spokesperson told the newspaper. The detective was not injured in the shooting.

Published on: February 26, 2025

If You’re a Fan of Supplement Shakes and Got Sick, This Might Be Why. See Which of These Products Were Pulled from Shelves.

By Leesfield & Partners

A deadly listeria outbreak has been linked to frozen supplement shakes present at long-term care facilities.

The outbreak of Listeria, a bacterial infection that can cause nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting, has been connected to frozen supplement shakes sold in 4-ounce cartons under the brands Lyons ReadyCare and Sysco Imperial. As of Monday morning, the shakes have been linked to the deaths of at least 11 people. These products were made by Prairie Farms Dairy at its Fort Wayne, Indiana, facility.

The best-by dates on the allegedly affected products range from 02/21/2025 to 02/21/2026. If a business owner or corporation believes they are in possession of the recalled shakes, they can return them to the seller for a refund or throw them out, according to reporting from the Miami Herald.

Published on: February 21, 2025

Father Faces Felony Charges After Letting Teen Drive Before Fatal Florida Crash, officials say

By Leesfield & Partners

The father of a 15-year-old boy who is accused of killing three children and a woman in a high-speed crash now faces felony charges for allowing the unlicensed teen take his car, according to reporting from the Miami Herald.

Richard Ferguson, 68, was charged Thursday with four counts of vehicular manslaughter in connection with the 2023 fatal crash. This is a second-degree felony that, if convicted, could carry up to 15 years in prison and/or up to $10,000 in fines.

The State Attorney’s Office also issued an arrest warrant for the teen, though it was not immediately clear whether or not he had been arrested as of Friday morning. He has yet to be named by authorities.

Published on: February 19, 2025

Florida Doctor Faces Complaints After Man Dies Following Cosmetic Procedure. What to Know.

By Leesfield & Partners

A doctor is facing complaints after a man was left with holes in his chest muscle and later died due to cosmetic procedure, according to the Florida Department of Health.

The administrative complaint against the Fort Lauderdale doctor claims that “the patient ultimately died as a result” of the liposuction, which allegedly left perforations throughout the 58-year-old’s chest. The procedure involved VASER, a type of ultrasound with vibration amplification of sound at resonance in January 2021. The patient then returned in 2022 “for a repeat,” according to reporting from the Miami Herald this week.

Repetitive VASER-assisted liposuction comes with risks such as infection, bleeding, never damage and scarring, which can cause perforation. The complaint alleges that the doctor “failed to document any discussion” with the patient about the additional risks associated with a repeated procedure.

Published on: February 12, 2025

Leesfield & Partners Welcomes the American Association for Justice for its 2025 Convention

By Leesfield & Partners

Welcome Back, AAJ!

US-1-Building-by-Steve-Hall-300x122

Dear AAJ Colleague:

Welcome to South Florida! All of us here at Leesfield & Partners wish you a successful and enjoyable visit to South Florida. If there is anything you need while you are here, including restaurant recommendations and activities for your families and nightlife, please feel free to call us or visit our website at:

Published on: February 10, 2025

Nurses Union Lifts the Veil on ‘Death Trap Elevators’ at Miami Hospital. What to Know.

By Leesfield & Partners

Elevators plunging several floors due to a malfunction have injured at least 12 people at The Miami VA Medical Center, an issue that has gone on for more than two years, the Miami Herald reported this week.

The elevators vacillate through the 12-story building, carrying nurses, patients and visitors alike.

In a phone interview with the newspaper, Bill Frogameni, who is a registered nurse at the veteran’s hospital and is the director of National Nurses United Miami VA chapter, said the hospital is meant o be a “place of healing.”

Published on: January 30, 2025

Elementary School Principal and Teacher in Brevard County Face Charges After 100 Kids Found Drinking at Party, Florida cops say

By Leesfield & Partners

An elementary school principal and teacher face multiple charges after police broke up a house party where over 100 minors were drinking, according to reporting from the Miami Herald.

Elizabeth Hill-Brodigan, 47, of Cocoa Beach, was charged with an open house party, a liquor law violation, and contributing to a child’s delinquency. Both of these charges are misdemeanors in Florida. Hill-Brodigan also faces a felony charge of child neglect without great bodily harm, according to the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office. She was granted a $3,500 bond and released Saturday.

Hill-Brodigan is a principal at Roosevelt Elementary School, which is a part of the Brevard County School District.

Published on: January 24, 2025

Florida Police Name Man They Say Killed Woman with “Celebratory Gunfire” on New Years Day

By Leesfield & Partners

Man faces felony charges after police say he is responsible for firing bullets in “celebratory gunfire” incident that killed a woman in Kissimmee Florida on New Year’s Day.

Carlos Manuel Tejada, 44, was charged over the weekend with manslaughter by culpable negligence in the incident that killed 56-year-old Carmen Rosa Neira Ochoa.

Tejada is accused of firing shots into the air around 12 a.m. on Jan. 1 while he was lakeside, directly across from Ochoa’s home where she was sitting on her screened-in back porch with her two daughters. Ochoa was taken to the hospital where she later died from her injuries.

Published on: January 16, 2025

One Person Hospitalized Following Townhouse Fire in Homestead, officials say

By Leesfield & Partners

A fire that broke out Monday night left at least one person hospitalized and several neighbors running from their beds and clamoring for their pets to get to safety.

Firefighters and emergency personnel were called out to the 4200 block of Northeast Ninth Street around 11 p.m. for the flames.

The person who was hospitalized has not been named, but officials told reporters with Channel 7 News that they were airlifted to the hospital in critical condition. The two-story home where the flames began had smoke damage and shattered windows following the fire.