"Leesfield & Partners"

Published on: January 16, 2025

Ira Leesfield Appointed to the Florida Bar’s 11th Judicial District of Florida’s Unlicensed Practice of Law Committee

The Supreme Court of Florida approved Ira H. Leesfield’s appointment to the 11^th Judicial District Circuit Unlicensed Practice of Law Committee. The UPL committee is a program within the Florida Bar’s Disciplinary branch and was developed to protect the public from harm caused by individuals attempting to practice law without a license. As part of the Standing Committee on UPL, Mr. Leesfield and other members will give their formal advisory opinions regarding individuals who have been accused of practicing law without a license.

Of the distinguishment, which was bestowed upon him following decades of service to South Florida’s legal community, Mr. Leesfield said he was grateful for the honor.

“I look forward to working alongside my fellow committee members to ensure that the practice of law remains in the hands of qualified, ethical professionals who are committed to serving the best interest of Floridians,” he said.

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.

Published on: December 31, 2024

Women Rescued After Falling into Florida Golf Course Quarry. What to Know.

By Leesfield & Partners

Two women have a harrowing tale of how they spent their 2024 Christmas holiday after falling 50 feet into a Citrus County, Florida, golf course quarry.

The women, who have not been named, fell into the cavernous quarry on Christmas Day and were found Thursday morning. Both were in stable condition, according to reporting from the Miami Herald and were taken to a local trauma hospital.

Temperatures dropped to around 50 degrees that night. Additional details, including how many hours the women spent awaiting rescue, were not immediately available Friday morning.

Published on: December 27, 2024

One dead, five others injured in Broward boat explosion, officials say.

By Leesfield & Partners

Footage of a boat explosion that killed one man and injured five others has gone viral online, with witnesses telling reporters the vessel exploded while it was refueled.

The incident happened Monday, just days before the holidays, around 6 p.m. at the Lauderdale marina, according to reporting from the Miami Herald. At least one other boat caught fire in the incident. The explosion took place near the 15^th Street Fisheries, a nearby restaurant that frequently attracts tourists and boaters alike.

At least three of the five people who were hurt had traumatic injuries. The body of Sebastien Gauthier, 41, of Quebec, Canada, was found in the water by officials with the Broward Sheriff’s Office Monday night.

Published on: December 27, 2024

Over 600,000 Nuna Baby Essentials Child Car Seats Recalled Over Harness Worries.

By Leesfield & Partners

Nuna Baby Essentials is recalling over 600,000 child car seats after fears that the harness adjuster may loosen, possibly preventing the seats from restraining children, the company’s Product Development Vice President announced last week.

The announcement comes after An October probe from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration after a petition from the public. The recall impacts certain Rava seats – made between July 16, 2016, and October 25, 2023, – with plastic harness adjuster buttons. The issue with the car seats is the possibility of debris entering

Car seat owners may contact Nuna’s customer service at 1-855-686-2891 or via email at info.usa@nunababy.com.

Published on: December 19, 2024

Fort Lauderdale Man Accused in Amazon Delivery Driver Stabbing from Earlier this Month

By Leesfield & Partners

Police have found the man they say is responsible for the stabbing of an Amazon driver earlier this month in Fort Lauderdale.

Curtis Gardner, 33, was charged Monday with attempted murder, armed carjacking and burglary with battery.

The incident happened on Dec. 7 around 7:30 p.m. while the delivery driver’s vehicle was disabled with a flat tire. Police alleged Curtis pulled out a knife and stabbed the driver before leaving.

Published on: December 19, 2024

Police charge 54-year-old with felony for allegedly wielding knife at a Hialeah gas station.

By Leesfield & Partners

Police charge man Monday who they say threatened multiple people with a knife at a Hialeah gas station.

Joel Medina, 54, was charged Monday with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

The incident happened around 10:30 a.m. at a Wawa gas station, 2901 W 16^th Ave in Hialeah. Witnesses reported a shirtless man threatening people with a knife and allegedly threatening to stab a man who was pumping gas. Police told reporters with the Miami Herald that Medina crossed the street and threatened several bystanders with the weapon, causing them to scatter. When Medina returned to the gas station, the man he had threatened displayed a gun, causing Medina to run away.

Published on: December 18, 2024

Carbon Monoxide Leak at Ski Resort Kills At Least a Dozen. How Leesfield & Partners Has Been a Part of CO Protections for Decades.

By Leesfield & Partners

At least 12 people were found dead in an Indian restaurant at s Georgian ski resort Saturday, according to Georgia officials.

The bodies of 11 foreigners and one Georgian national were found on the second floor of a restaurant at the Gudauri ski resort, a retreat located on the south-facing plateau of The Greater Caucasus Mountain Range. It is believed that all 12, who have not been named as of Tuesday morning, died from carbon monoxide poisoning, according to reporting from the BBC.

Police say all 12 were restaurant employees. The suspected source of the carbon monoxide is a power generator that had been placed in an indoor, closed space near the bedrooms after a power outage.

Published on: December 13, 2024

Florida Classroom Vacated Following Beloved Teacher’s Legionnaires’ Disease Death.

By Leesfield & Partners

Seven elementary school classrooms in Pinellas County, Florida, were vacated this month after a beloved teacher died from Legionnaires’ Disease.

Katherine Pennington, a kindergarten teacher employed by the Pinellas County School District, died on Nov. 24 after testing positive for Legionella bacteria. As of Wednesday morning, it is unclear where Pennington may have been exposed to the bacteria.

This month, as a precaution, the students were moved from the building where Pennington taught to other classrooms on the campus while the school’s air systems and water systems were checked. In a statement to the public, the Pinellas County School District announced that an environmental company was cleaning the building.

Published on: December 13, 2024

No Kids on Social Media in Florida Starting Jan. 1. What to Know.

By Leesfield & Partners

Soon, kids under 14 years old will be barred from having social media accounts in Florida, according to reporting from the Miami Herald.

Starting Jan. 1, all platforms with adult content, or “material that is harmful to minors,” on their sites will be compelled to verify whether users are 18 years old or older. The platforms are expected to do this via third-party age verification on new accounts. The bill does not consider sites used exclusively for email or direct messaging limited to sender and recipients as social media.

Children under 14 with accounts will see their profiles shut down and those between 14 and 15 years old will be able to have accounts only if they have permission from a parent or guardian. If an account is suspected of belonging to someone who is under 14 years of age but doesn’t, there will be a 90-day appeal window.