Why have a Living Will?

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There’s a lot of confusion about living wills, what they do, and their benefits. To understand their importance, it’s essential to understand what they do. Simply put, a living will sometimes called an Advance Directive, is a statement about an individual’s wishes about healthcare treatment and life sustaining measures if they are in a coma or have an end-stage or terminal condition.

A living will also designate a surrogate to act on an individual’s behalf if they’re incapacitated or otherwise unable to provide the information to healthcare providers for themselves. The surrogate is responsible for informing pertinent healthcare professionals of the individual’s decisions and seeing that they’re carried out. A living will is legally binding.

Individuals don’t have to engage the services of an attorney to create a living will. There are numerous places where a person can obtain a form. They’re available at physician offices, hospitals, senior centers, health departments, and online.

The forms don’t have to be notarized, but they do require two adult witnesses. While a spouse, blood relative or adopted child can act as one of the witnesses, the second witness can’t be related in any way. To avoid any potential complications, it’s best to have two unrelated people witness the signing of the document.

Once an individual has created their living will, it’s important that the surrogate has a copy and it should also be entered into the individual’s digital health record with their physician. For the living will to come into play, the treating physician and at least one other consulting physician have to agree that the potential for recovering from the condition is unlikely.

An advance directive ensures an individual’s final wishes are honored in regard to treatment and resuscitation at the end of their life. It’s not a decision to be made lightly and individuals should give it considerable thought before signing the document.

Law Offices of Theodore H. Enfield, P.A.

Whether you need a Divorce, are dealing with Custody or Child Support issues, or need representation in a Personal Injury matter, the Law Offices of Theodore H. Enfield can confidently assist you.  To learn more about how we can help you or to discuss the facts of your case with our attorneys, call 954-983-1443 to schedule your free consultation.

3107 Stirling Road
Suite 105
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312

Fax: 954-983-1536

Email: [email protected]

Injuries from a Car Accident can Haunt you for Years

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It’s a typical scenario that plays out across the nation every day – you’re in a car accident, you feel shaken but unhurt, you’re examined by medical officials and released with or without further treatment. However, even an injury such as a fractured arm or leg you expect to heal without incident can create problems years down the road.

In other situations, an injury following a car accident will require long-term care, rehabilitation, and can even result in a disability that affects your quality of life, ability to earn a living, and will generate substantial costs for ongoing care. Your concern will be how to meet the immediate expenses, but you may also require a significant amount of recovery time that will affect your finances.

The injuries sustained in a car accident can vary widely. While some people escape with minor scrapes, cuts, contusions, and bruising, you may not be so fortunate. Some types of injuries don’t heal as planned or not at all. You may require hospitalization and your treatment may not end once you’re released. Rehabilitation, services of a specialist, and medical equipment may also be needed.

Your ability to work and earn a living can be affected on a temporary or permanent basis. The physical injuries of a car accident are only part of the potential health issues you may encounter. There is often significant emotional trauma after a car accident that can affect you long after any physical injuries have healed.

There are dozens of potential complications that can arise from an auto accident that may not be readily apparent. For instance, certain types of bone fractures may not be apparent on x-rays immediately following an accident. Signs and symptoms may only appear 7-10 days later. Stress fractures may not show on an x-ray until 4-5 weeks later, while others may never be seen on a traditional x-ray.

Even if you don’t think you’ve sustained a serious injury in a car accident, it’s always best to undergo an immediate exam by a physician. It will be critical for documenting any injuries and pain you’re experiencing in the event that you need to claim benefits or begin litigation.

Law Offices of Theodore H. Enfield, P.A.

Whether you need a Divorce, are dealing with Custody or Child Support issues, or need representation in a Personal Injury matter, the Law Offices of Theodore H. Enfield can confidently assist you.  To learn more about how we can help you or to discuss the facts of your case with our attorneys, call 954-983-1443 to schedule your free consultation.

3107 Stirling Road
Suite 105
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312

Fax: 954-983-1536

Email: [email protected]

Truck Accidents: Why Hire a Lawyer

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There are very specific rules about operating a big rig and other types of large commercial trucks. Anyone involved in an accident that includes one of those vehicles should immediately hire a lawyer that has experience in that type of litigation. The injuries sustained during an accident involving a truck can be catastrophic for the victim and result in permanent disability or even death.

Regulations for commercial trucks are set forth by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the state of Florida. During investigations into truck accidents, it’s often discovered that the trucking company was in violation of regulations and can be held accountable. The following are the most common violations.

Cargo Overload/Misload

Commercial trucks have very specific limits about the weight they can carry, along with how the weight must be distributed and how the cargo is secured.

Drunk/Drugged Driving

Drivers of commercial trucks are held to a higher standard when it comes to drugs and alcohol. A driver with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .04 percent will be considered to be in violation of DUI laws.

Hours of Operation

Truck drivers have limits on the number of hours they can operate the vehicle each day and per week. The limits are in place to prevent the fatigue that can lead to errors in judgment and reduce reaction times. However, time is money for truckers and they are often tempted to exceed those limits.

Poor Maintenance

Commercial carriers have specific federal regulations mandating minimum inspection standards. Unfortunately, many trucking companies skimp on this requirement and don’t take trucks out of service that fail to meet the standards or haven’t undergone adequate repair.

Weight Limits

Each truck driven on an interstate highway has a weight limit that it can carry. The laws are designed to preserve the roads and associated infrastructure from undue damage. The standards also aid in the loss of cargo and work toward making trucks safer while they travel the roadways.

Law Offices of Theodore H. Enfield, P.A.

Whether you need a Divorce, are dealing with Custody or Child Support issues, or need representation in a Personal Injury matter, the Law Offices of Theodore H. Enfield can confidently assist you.  To learn more about how we can help you or to discuss the facts of your case with our attorneys, call 954-983-1443 to schedule your free consultation.

3107 Stirling Road
Suite 105
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312

Fax: 954-983-1536

Email: [email protected]

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