Florida Injury Lawyer Blawg

Published on: November 12, 2026

Disney Employees Among those Facing Sexual Abuse-Related Charges in Florida. What to Know.

About 281 individuals, some of whom were employed at various Florida amusement parks geared toward children, are facing charges for allegedly attempting meet minors for sex, national media reported.

The nearly 300 individuals who were arrested are facing charges in a Florida operation that targeted human trafficking and alleged child predators, according to national media. Over a dozen of these individuals worked at Disney World and four others were workers at Universal Studios. Widely known as “the most magical place on earth” Disney World is meant to be a child’s haven, seeing approximately 4.35 million children every year, according to annual data.

The sting, which included investigators from the Polk County Sheriff’s office and other agencies, uncovered numerous alleged plans to sexually abuse minors. One Disney employee is accused of making arrangements to meet a 13-year-old boy, national media reported. Instead of the minors they believed they would meet, the 31 suspects encountered investigators who

Published on: November 12, 2026

‘Horrific Tragedy:’ Audio Recordings Before Palm Beach County Crash Revealed. What to Know.

By Leesfield Shapiro

Audio recordings from before a Learjet 60 crashed in Palm Beach County shows what was said before the collision that killed all nine people on board, according to local media.

The private plane was captained by 55-year-old Jeffrey Gregory and Nathalia Gadelha Filgueiras, who was the co-pilot, on Sunday, Nov. 1. The plane was flying from Austin, Texas, to the Bahamas.

Shocking dashcam footage from vehicles in the area near the crash show the jet plunging from the sky onto a suburban street in Palm Beach County before exploding.

Published on: November 9, 2026

‘Longevity Matters:’ Ira Leesfield Discusses his 50-Year Career, Technology, and Longevity with Personal Injury Mastermind’s Chris Dreyer

By Leesfield Shapiro

Sitting in his office at 2350 South Dixie Highway, Ira Leesfield adjusts his microphone as he prepares to delve into the impactful cases, the lessons he has learned, and the ever-changing landscape of personal injury law with podcast host Chris Dreyer.

From a law enforcement witness appearing in court in casual shorts rather than in his expertly pressed uniform to the demolition of a building that potentially housed crucial evidence for one of his cases, the Founder and Managing Partner of Leesfield Shapiro has no shortage of stories and/or wisdom to share.

“You have to constantly reinvent yourself as a law firm with you lawyers … Reinvent yourself in terms of subject areas, practice areas, and also reinvent yourself seriously on the marketing side of what we do,” Mr. Leesfield said at the opening of the episode.

Published on: November 9, 2026

One Dead After Airboat Crash in the Everglades, officials say. What to Know.

By Leesfield Shapiro

At least on person has died following a two-boat collision in the Everglades in Broward County, The Miami Herald reported.

Alessandro Borgo, 32, of New Jersey, died at a hospital following the collision.

The incident happened Friday, Oct. 2, around 6:20 p.m. and involved two airboats, one carrying an operator and passenger and the other — allegedly being driven by Borgo — carrying two other passengers. The boats were traveling through the wetlands of Francis S. Taylor Wildlife Management Area, the newspaper reported.

Published on: November 9, 2026

Miami-Dade County Dog Owner Surrenders Dog Following Attack. What to Know.

By Leesfield Shapiro

A Miami-Dade County pet owner surrendered her pit bull to Animal Services on Thursday. Oct. 22, while the teenage girl who was attacked by the dog remained in the hospital.

The dog, a 5-year-old pit bull named Diablo, was missing until Thursday morning but was later returned to his owner, CBS News Miami reported. He was turned over to Animal Services before 5 p.m. Thursday.

The owner told reporters that “she was heartbroken but believed surrendering Diablo was the right decision.” Though CBS News Miami reported that the woman told them she did not consider her dog to be aggressive, she said she did not want to “take the risk.”

Published on: November 9, 2026

Islamorada, Florida, Boaters in Need of Rescue this Week. What to Know.

By Leesfield Shapiro

U.S. Coast Guard crews rescued boaters in Islamorada this week after the vessel began taking on water, according to a post on the agency’s social media page.

The incident happened at around 3:40 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22, and involved two people who were aboard a 19-foot center console vessel that began taking on water. They were rescued near Pickles Reef and both passengers were wearing life jackets, according to USCG officials. The crew “dewatered” the vessel before bringing it and its passengers back to Ocean Point.

No injuries were reported.

Published on: November 9, 2026

Swimmer Struck by Boat Propeller in Miami Beach. What to Know.

By Leesfield Shapiro

A swimmer was struck by a boat propeller off the Fisher Island Marina in Miami Beach on Sunday, Oct. 11, according to reporting from local media.

The man, 63, has not yet been named, officials said. He was hit around 11:10 a.m. after jumping from the 17-foot boat he was on with at least two other people. He jumped into the water in Norris Cut when the boat’s propeller struck him, officials with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said in a statement to reporters.

The Miami Herald reported that the man’s leg was cut by the propeller multiple times. He was taken to the Ryder Trauma Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital for treatment.

Published on: October 29, 2026

‘No Better Way to Mark this Milestone:’ Leesfield Shapiro Celebrates 50-Year Anniversary in a Special Way

By Leesfield Shapiro

Leesfield Shapiro, the longest-serving personal injury law firm in Coconut Grove, will commemorate five decades of service to clients by giving back to various community organizations.

“As we celebrate 50 years in the community, there is no better way to mark this milestone than by giving back to the people, organizations, and places that have helped shape our journey,” said Ira Leesfield, the firm’s Founder and Managing Partner.

With a $50,000 donation to Friends of The Underline, a nonprofit aiming to transform the previously unused 11-mile stretch of land underneath Miami’s Metrorail, and the continuation of a legal education series, Leesfield Shapiro is investing in the future of the South Florida community. This amount will be supplementing a previous contribution of $250,000 to the organization.

Published on: October 26, 2026

Leesfield Shapiro Obtains $5.687 Million Verdict for Injured Pedestrian. What to Know.

By Leesfield Shapiro

Leesfield Shapiro obtained a $5,687,000 jury verdict this week for a man who suffered the loss of his right leg after he was hit by a negligent driver.

This case was handled by Trial Attorney Carlos A. Fabano.

“This verdict reflects our commitment to our clients and pursuing the accountability that they deserve,” Mr. Fabano said. “This defendant’s negligence resulted in permanent injury to our client and that must be answered for.”

Published on: October 26, 2026

Brevard County Elementary School Boy Dies After ‘Tragic Accident’ on Campus. What to Know.

By Leesfield Shapiro

A 5-year-old boy died after a digital whiteboard in a Brevard County elementary school classroom fell on him, according to reporting from NBC 6 South Florida.

School officials said in a statement that the “tragic accident” occurred at Riviera Elementary School in Palm Bay. School staff called 911 after the estimated 120-pound board fell on the child. Staff also performed “emergency life-saving measures,” according to NBC 6 reporting. The boy was taken to Holmes Regional Medical Center where he died.

The superintendent confirmed to reporters that the board was mounted on the wall and fell on the student. The superintendent went on to say that the boards are installed throughout the school district by a licensed, third-party vendor “in accordance with manufacturer guidelines.”