Florida Insurance Claims Lawyer Blog

A lovers' spat quickly turned into a serious altercation, involving criminal charges and serious injuries. According to an article in The Palm Beach Post, Joseph David Knowles is facing charges of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and simple battery. Knowles was arrested on Monday for allegedly attacking his girlfriend with a pair of scissors. What provoked Knowles' outrageous conduct was an argument that he and his girlfriend had earlier in the day.

Our Palm Beach County personal injury lawyer recognizes that aside from the criminal charges, Knowles also potentially faces a civil claim again him for injuries his girlfriend sustained from the attack. Local community members should remember that intentional harm--like that which allegedly occurred here--often gives rise to two kinds of legal cases: criminal and civil.

According to the arrest report, Knowles and his girlfriend were separated for the majority of the day. Knowles left their apartment after he and his girlfriend got into an argument. His refusal to return her phone calls after he left was indication that he was upset about events that transpired earlier in the day. Investigations reveal that Knowles had consumed six beers while he was out cooling down from the argument. Police officers noted in their report the strong smell of alcohol when they spoke to Knowles at the scene of the attack. Clearly emotions were at a high intensity level from the argument earlier in the day. .

As our Palm Beach County personal injury attorney understands, the consumption of alcohol often causes aggressive, risky, and reckless behavior, ultimately resulting in dangerous altercations that have the potential to cause serious injuries. The law has unique rules regarding how intoxication affects legal cases where the defendant's state of mind is at issue. In virtually all cases the intoxication is in no way an excuse.

According to the arrest report, Knowles returned to the apartment later that evening. He had allegedly barged into the bedroom where the girlfriend was sitting on the bed. Knowles then approached her and punched the lower part of her leg. Fearing for her safety, the girlfriend threatened to call the police, which prompted Knowles to grab a pair of scissors and poke her several times on the right shoulder.

Domestic violence and similar physical altercations are never acceptable in our area. Criminal charges are usually filed following these incidents. But, in certain circumstances, other legal options may be available to those hurt. No matter what, local residents should remember that when another causes them intentional harm--or harms them recklessly--the civil law can help provide redress and accountability.

Our experienced Boynton Beach injury lawyer has helped protect the legal rights of victims who have suffered injuries in any kind of accident. Please contact The Law Office of Eric H. Luckman for a free consultation if you have been hurt by the misconduct of another.

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Fight Erupts at a Jacksonville Beach Golf Course

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A brawl took place at the Jacksonville Beach Municipal Golf Course on Saturday afternoon. According to an article in the Palm Beach Post, the battle erupted between two groups of golfers. Surprisingly, the group that initiated the attack consisted of two elderly men and two elderly women. The main culprit in the group was 61-year-old James Alonzo Hines. According to an arrest report, Hines was charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. He was jailed and later released. Our Palm Beach County personal injury lawyer understands that violent attacks can occur in the unlikeliest of places - even in safe and friendly venues.

The group that was attacked was comprised of six young men who were out celebrating the pending nuptials of their friend Donald Salsbery. The individuals who suffered injuries from the incident were Murdock Hampe, Michael Hankin, and Justin Ravel. The elderly group was golfing behind the young men and had become impatient with the slow-paced game of the young men, claiming that they were holding up their game. The young golfers were neither drunk nor driving their golf cart recklessly. They were simply enjoying the day and playing a leisurely game of golf.
The altercation between the two groups started when shouting ensued between the two groups from a distance. Hines' arrest report states that the argument was due to the younger golfers driving, drinking and "malingering" on the greens. Incensed, Hines then began hitting balls at the young men from about 200 yards away. In retaliation, one of the balls was thrown back at Hines. At that point, Hines got into his golf cart and drove into the group of young men. Hines ran over Hampe's leg and slammed into Hankin, pinning him against another cart. Hines then struck Hampe with a golf club. Hampe was treated at a hospital, while Hankin was treated at the scene.

Although Hines may have had a valid reason to become irritated under the circumstances, our Palm Beach personal injury lawyer knows that this does not give rise to the right to instigate a violent attack. Furthermore, the golf course was a public course and the young men were paying customers, and therefore had a right to use the property in an appropriate manner, even if the pace of their game was slow. The law does allow defense of property if an individual has trespassed and is wrongfully on the premises. In this particular case, however, the young men had paid for use of the public course and were not trespassing. Therefore, it is unlikely those sorts of defenses would apply in a situation like this. Moreover, Hines was not the owner of the golf course.

As depicted by this particular case, dangerous situations can unexpectedly arise even in safe environments. Our experienced Boynton Beach injury lawyer has helped injured individuals in all types of accidents and has advised such individuals of their legal rights in order to be compensated for their suffering. Please contact The Law Office of Eric H. Luckman for a free consultation if you have suffered injuries in any kind of accident.

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