Carlos Fabano

Published on: November 14, 2025

Leesfield & Partners Files Lawsuit After Boating Accident That Nearly Cost 11-Year-Old Her Leg

Leesfield & Partners recently filed a lawsuit following the gruesome and permanent injury of 11-year-old Catherine Viteri, a camper at the Coconut Grove Sailing Club’s summer camp.

The case is being handled by Partner Justin B. Shapiro and Trial Attorney Eric Shane.

On July 10, 2025, Catherine and children were separated into two groups for swimming and sailing activities that were monitored by three camp counselors. At around 2 p.m., Catherine was taking part in the swimming activity when a 21-year-old counselor was transporting a group of campers to the area, unaware of how many children were on board or already in the water. As a result of the inattentiveness of these counselors, Catherine was run over by the 13-foot Ribocraft motorboat and hit with the propeller. The propeller sliced through her right leg, causing a laceration so severe that it cut to the bone and nearly caused an amputation.

Published on: October 22, 2025

Those Who Scream for Ice Cream Might Say Differently Following this Florida Recall.

By Leesfield & Partners

A “serious or life-threatening” mistake resulted in Publix voluntarily recalling ice cream in Florida and five other states this week.

One lot of Publix Rich & Creamy Vanilla Ice Cream half-gallon containers with a June 19, 2026, sell-by date — UPC 41415 03043 — was recalled this week after it was revealed that there was an issue with the labeling of the product. Instead of the Rich and Creamy version, the cartons may contain the company’s Rich & Creamy French Vanilla Ice Cream, which lists eggs as a main ingredient.

“People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to eggs may run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reactions if they consume this product,” officials warned in the news release.

Published on: August 26, 2025

Second South Florida Child Hospitalized After Dog Attack in as Many Weeks. What to Know.

By Leesfield & Partners

Another child was hospitalized Sunday after she was the victim of a dog attack in Fort Lauderdale, according to local media.

The girl, 2, was mauled by a rottweiler before 8:15 p.m. at a home near the 1700 block of Southwest 24th Street. Emergency responders were called out to the property after receiving 911 calls for the girl’s “numerous injuries,” according to reporting from The Miami Herald.

She was taken to Broward Health Medical Center’s trauma department by emergency personnel.

Published on: August 26, 2025

Boy Airlifted to Hospital After Margate Dog Attack. What to Know.

By Leesfield & Partners

An 8-year-old boy was airlifted to the hospital after he was attacked by a Pitbull on Wednesday.

The boy’s injuries are severe but do not appear to be life-threatening, according to reporting from Local 10 News.

First responders were called out to a home along the 5500 block of Lakewood Circle South around 11:30 a.m. The boy was locked inside a bathroom, and first responders had to force their way into the home through a window where they found at least two Pitbulls.

Published on: July 28, 2025

Florida Mom Accused of Leaving Toddler in Car Outside Theater. What to Know.

By Leesfield & Partners

Police have accused a mother of locking her toddler, 2, in a car outside a Florida movie theater when the girl became too “disruptive,” according to reporting from local media Monday, July 21.

The 18-year-old woman, of Lake City, has since been charged with neglect of a child without great bodily harm. The woman’s name is not being released to protect the identity of her children.

The incident happened on Saturday, July 19, when the mother took the toddler and her siblings to the movies. However, once inside, the 2-year-old girl allegedly caused “multiple disruptions.”

Published on: July 28, 2025

Four Injured in Broward Plane Crash. What to Know.

By Leesfield & Partners

A pilot and at least three passengers were injured when a small plane crashed in a Broward neighborhood, local media says.

The incident happened around 8:30 p.m. Sunday, July 13, as the plane prepared to land at North Perry Airport. Instead, it came down in Pembroke Pines near Southwest 14^th Street and 68^th Boulevard.

All four who were inside the aircraft were able to disembark from the plane safely and were taken to a local hospital, according to reporting from the Miami Herald.

Published on: July 10, 2025

Two Dead in Head-On Collision in Pompano Beach Monday. How many crashes has Florida had in 2025?

By Leesfield & Partners

At least two people have died after a head-on crash on Florida’s Turnpike in Pompano Beach Monday morning, according to reporting from The Miami Herald.

The crash happened around 12:50 a.m. near Atlantic Boulevard and involved a 2004 Acura TL sedan and a 2019 Mercedes A220 sedan, officials with Florida Highway Patrol told the newspaper. The Acura was traveling southbound in the northbound lanes of the turnpike when it collided with the Mercedes

After the collision, the Acura hit a concrete barrier and burst into flames.

Published on: April 18, 2025

Bus Driver Involved in Fatal Miami Gardens Shooting. What to Know About Violence on Public Transit.

By Leesfield & Partners

A bus driver accused in the shooting deaths of two passengers following an argument should never have had a gun on board the day of the incident, officials say.

“Transit operators are not allowed to be armed,” Juan Mendieta, a spokesperson for Miami-Dade’s Department of Transportation and Public Works, told reporters with The Miami Herald.

This rule prohibits drivers from taking firearms with them to work even if they are legally allowed to carry them, reporters said in the article.

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.