Florida Injury Victim Lawyer Blog

Robert and Paulette Kirkpatrick, both 63, of Phoenix, were killed in a Florida car accident in West Miami, Fla. on Feb. 18.

The accident occurred shortly after they attended the opening of an art show in Naples where Robert Kirkpatrick’s work was displayed, said their son, Steve Kirkpatrick, also of Phoenix.

The Kirkpatricks’ Chevrolet Cobalt was hit by a Toyota Tacoma truck driven by Thomas Cypress, 54, according to a Florida Highway Patrol. Cypress was charged with two counts of DUI manslaughter Feb. 19, according to reports in the Miami Herald. His blood alcohol level was .249, three times the legal limit. He had three previous drunken driving arrests and a suspended license, the Miami Herald reported.

Robert Kirkpatrick retired about 10 years ago as chairman of the art department at Perry Hall High School, Steve Kirkpatrick said. Paulette Kirkpatrick retired from Perry Hall High School seven years ago as English department chair. She had also taught at Dulaney and Owings Mills high schools, he said.

The Kirkpatricks moved from Towson to the Summer Hill neighborhood of Phoenix in 1994. After retirement, Robert painted fulltime and Paulette was a Master Gardener with the state’s Cooperative Extension Service and a member of the Maryland Horticulture Society, her son said.

His parents were on their way to the Florida Keys following the art show, he said.

“They loved the outdoors and wanted to snorkel on the Keys,” Steve Kirkpatrick said. “They looked forward to hiking and seeing the birds and alligators.”

He said funeral arrangements are not completed, but will be with Ruck Funeral Home in Towson.

The Kirkpatricks are also survived by a daughter, Jennifer Kirkpatrick, of Halethorpe.

We can not help but ask why Thomas Cypress was still allowed to drive after having 3 prior DUI arrests as well as a suspended license? While an answer to this question will not bring back this couple nor negate the loss felt by their children and other family members it could prevent this type of needless accident from happening to someone else in the future.

News Source: Towson Times

Posted by James Payer | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Auto Accident

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Selecting your own treating physician in a workers’ compensation claim may soon become permitted nationally. A movement in Iowa has now sparked national interest to permit employees the right to choose their medical provider.

Coupled with the effort for employees to seek freedom of choice “to form unions and bargain for a better life” is the effort to seek freedom to choice a medical provider in a work-related accident or occupational illness.

The effort has been supported by an interest group formed on Facebook, “Iowians for Workers Choice of Doctor.” “Because life is about more than just work...In Iowa, if you are injured on the job, employers can decide which doctor treats you. You choose what foods you eat and which exercises you do, but they can choose who is best to care for you.”

Iowa Senate Bill 1119 would allow injured workers to designate their choice of physician. “Too much has been made of how much this is going to cost a company and not enough on how this affects an individual and their personal lives,” said Democratic Sen. Bill Dotzler of Waterloo.

The vast majority of states allow workers the freedom to choose their own treating physicians. Studies have shown that employees who have the right to select their own physician have more confidence in their medical care and have a more successful recovery.

The delivery of medical services continues to be a major problem in the national network of workers’ compensation systems now in place since 1911. Federal initiatives for a national healthcare system are under consideration that would incorporate the entire workers’ compensation system’s medical delivery system.

Posted by James Payer | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Workers' Compensation

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