Articles Posted in Personal Injury

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Conch fritters, reef-snorkeling excursions, and/or six-toed cats at the Hemingway house are likely the most-searched topics when researching Florida Keys vacations.

As tourists prepare their itineraries, activities for cranky children during drives across the iconic Seven Mile Bridge, and packing lists, the potential for injuries may not come to mind. In fact, it is likely the farthest thing from their minds when they picture sunning by the pool or taking that coveted first bite of Key lime pie. At Leesfield & Partners, a personal injury law firm in Florida with five decades of experience, our attorneys know just how often a vacation can be soured by an unexpected accident.

Whether it’s a seemingly harmless motorcycle ride that turns deadly or a parasailing excursion gone wrong, our attorneys work tirelessly to ensure they secure the best outcome for every client. We know that the legal system can be daunting and revisiting painful memories can seem like an impossible task, however, it is essential in the path toward justice. For many families affected by preventable injuries, accountability helps acknowledge their pain and can lead to meaningful change aimed at preventing others from suffering the same harm.

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While 2025 showed overall Monroe County crashes were down from 2024, roadway deaths almost doubled, according to data from the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles’ Crash Dashboard.

Monroe County crashes were down from 1,732 in 2024 to 1,600 in 2025, the data, published regularly online, showed. Despite this slight decline in overall accidents, deaths in the area from motor vehicle crashes doubled from six fatalities in 2024 to 12 in 2025.

In 2023, at least 18 people died as the result of tragic crashes in the area. There were approximately 1,400 crashes recorded for that year.

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The search for a diver reported missing over the weekend was suspended Sunday, pending further information, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.

Ellen Ruth Domb, 79, of North Palm Beach, was reported missing following a dive Friday morning at the USNS Hoyt S. Vanderberg wreck off of Key West. In an online statement from the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, officials said that Domb was separated from her dive buddy within minutes of entering the water. There were strong currents that day, according to the statement.

The 150-to-200-foot dive is a popular one, attracting thousands of divers annually. It is the second largest shipwreck in the world. The former missile tracking ship was intentionally sunk nearly seven miles south of Key West in 2009 to be used as an artificial reef, according to the Miami Herald.

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Monroe County, a cluster of islands off Florida’s southern coast, is accustomed to an influx of tourists during events like Halloween, but, this year, the sheriff is emphasizing one priority above all — public safety.

In an advisory posted Monday, Oct. 20, to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office official Facebook page, Sheriff Rick Ramsey noted that the increased crowds in the keys in the week leading up to Halloween might cause traffic and other issues.

“So, look for officers giving you directions, but, more so, look for these kids who dart out of nowhere … ” he said. “Put your phones down, no distracted driving.”

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A 17-year-old teenager died over the weekend while diving using a hookah rig in the Florida Keys, according to reporting from The Miami Herald.

The boy, later identified as Cameron Isaiah Ruwe, was diving with several others on Saturday using a hookah rig — a type of diving that uses a surface-based compressor to deliver air through a hose. The group and their vessel were near Grassy Key around 1:30 p.m. when Cameron attempted to swim back to his boat and “went underwater,” according to local media.

The people who were with him attempted to perform CPR before emergency responders arrived. He was taken to Fisherman’s Community Hospital in Marathon where he was pronounced dead.

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The family of an 8-year-old boy from Pinecrest, Florida, who was attacked by a shark while snorkeling near Key Largo said he is getting stronger each day.

The boy, identified as Richard Burrows, was snorkeling with his father, David, and 10-year-old sister, Rose, around 3:24 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 1. when he was bitten by a blacktip shark, according to reporting from national media.

A Good Samaritan helped Burrows apply a tourniquet to Richard’s right leg while they waited for emergency responders. He was airlifted to Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami where he underwent surgery.

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A man faces charges after police say he went on a drug-fueled bender and stole a Conch Tour Train on the Fourth of July.

Jonathan Patrick Winslow, 57, of Big Torch Key, faces a felony burglary charge and a further charge for theft of a vehicle. He was also charged with drug possession, a misdemeanor.

Police were called out to the Conch Tour Train Depot around 11:30 a.m. Friday after it was reported that a train from Conch Tours, a company that operates “train” tours through Key West’s Old Town, was stolen. GPS tracking was used to find the train around downtown.

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With a little more than a month left until the official start of the spiny lobster sport season in Florida, here’s what divers and boaters should know.

Leesfield & Partners has over 48 years of experience in Miami, Orlando, Key West and throughout the Florida Keys. In that time, the firm’s attorneys have represented countless boat crash victims and their families, becoming among the top leaders in the state when it comes to maritime and boating accident law. With that experience, comes tremendous experience as to what can go wrong on the water.

Among the most pressing issues when it comes to boating safety are boating under the influence, negligent speeding on the water, a lack of experience, and a lack of lifejacket usage. The most recent data from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission shows that Florida is again the nation’s leader when it comes to registered vessels with the state tallying in 1,030,053 registered vessels in 2024. With the nation’s most boats, it is no wonder that Florida also leads the nation with the most boating accidents.

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At least 16 people were taken to the hospital after two airboats in the Everglades carrying more than 30 people crashed Friday afternoon.

The crash happened around 3:15 p.m. near Ochopee in Collier County, according to reporting from the Miami Herald. One airboat had 20 people on board while the other carried 13 people.

Additional information, including what caused the boats to crash, was not readily available on Monday.

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Following a $35 million renovation, La Concha in Key West has recently joined Marriott’s “Autograph Collection,” a signifier of upscale properties within the Marriot International portfolio.

The 160-room hotel, formerly known as Crowne Plaza La Concha, was under construction since at least October of last year and now features a refurbished bar, hotel lobby and restaurant. Included in the renovation were upgrades to the outside of the hotel, rooms, the pool area and meeting spaces.

While the addition of an upscale lodging property is a positive development for Key West’s thriving tourist economy, which welcomes millions of visitors annually, guests should remain cautious.

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