Published on: February 21, 2025

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

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

Broward County High School Teacher Faces Felony Charge After Student Reports ‘Disturbing Messages.’

By Leesfield & Partners

A teacher with the Broward County School District is facing felony charges after allegedly soliciting an 11^th grader, police say.

Lem McKinney, 40, of Broward County, was charged with a second-degree felony Tuesday after police said he solicited a student to engage in sexual conduct via social media. If convicted of the charge, penalties could include a fine of up to $10,000 and/or up to 15 years in prison.

McKinney was a social science teacher at J.P. Taravella High School, a public school located in Coral Springs.

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 13, 2025

Animal Caretaker Mauled by Dogs in Alabama While Owner was Out of Town

By Leesfield & Partners

A woman died from her injuries after a pack of dogs she was caring for attacked her while the owner was out of town, Alabama officials said.

The incident happened on Feb. 6 in Tuscaloosa County when a 46-year-old caretaker went into the property to feed the dogs.

Florida Law

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: February 7, 2025

Crews Set Out to Clean Plane Crash Wreckage from the Potomac River, officials say.

By Leesfield & Partners

Last week, the U.S. watched in horror as news spread of a collision in Washington, D.C., between an American Airlines plane and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter, marking the deadliest air disaster in over 40 years.

On Monday, a little less than a week later, crews were set to begin removing parts of the passenger jet and helicopter from the Potomac River. Officials told reporters with USA Today that the debris from the passenger jet will be the initial focus of removal efforts, an estimated three-day-long task. After that, the team will focus on debris from the Black Hawk helicopter.

As of Monday, at least 55 people killed in the crash were identified. About 28 of the 67 people killed in the crash were members of the figure skating community who were returning from a development camp for skaters in Wichita following the 2025 U.S. Figure Skating national championships. Those on the plane included parents, coaches and athletes, some of whom were as young as 11 years old.

Published on: February 5, 2025

Pickup Truck Driver Faces Charges After Driving Through Liquor Store, police say

By Leesfield & Partners

An elderly pickup truck driver faces charges after police accused him of driving drunk through a liquor store, causing an estimated $20,000 in damage over the weekend in Alachua County, Florida.

The driver was charged with driving under the influence, a first-degree misdemeanor, according to court records. The Florida Injury Lawyer Blawg will not be naming the man as he was not charged with a felony.

Police say they were called out following reports of the crash around sunset on Thursday, Jan. 30, to the liquor store, which is about a 70-mile drive southwest from Jacksonville. When they arrived, they found that the pickup truck had driven through the storefront. Officers conducted a field sobriety test which they say he performed “poorly” on before he was taken to jail.

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.

Published on: January 14, 2025

You Were the Victim of Medical Malpractice in Florida. What Are Your Options?

By Leesfield & Partners

With 48 years of experience in personal injury law, Leesfield & Partners has successfully represented victims in medical malpractice cases that could easily fuel anyone’s iatrophobia.

From negligent cruise ship doctors who searched the internet for what to do after they ignored a black box warning label medicine administered to a patient to an obstetrician who used controversial techniques on a laboring mother, Leesfield & Partners has witnessed some of the most egregious medical negligence cases imaginable.

If you ever find yourself in this situation, it’s important to know what your options are and where to turn to for help.