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In Ken’s analysis, the likelihood of obtaining a meaningful financial recovery from the shooter or his family is small and the obstacles to recovering from the mental health clinics that treated the shooter are enormous. In Ken’s opinion, the lawsuit will be amended as soon as the 6 month notice period expires as to the Broward County Sheriff and School Board.

Once a verdict or settlement is reached, any amount over $300,000.00 must be approved by the Florida Legislature and Governor in a claims bill process. Ken is one of very few attorneys who has successfully had a claims bill passed for his client and recovered over $2.5 million in a  case against the South Florida Water Management District.

In Ken’s opinion, there will be a claims bill for the MSD victims and possibly a Federal Tort Claims Act lawsuit filed for the negligent conduct of the FBI.

If you would like to speak with Ken about the legal viability of a lawsuit for personal injury, he may be reached at 954-526-7007 or Ken@sobellegal.com  At Sobel Legal we are here to help.

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I had my fair share of school yard fights. My opponents were the usual cast of characters – big guys who wanted to be “bigger· and smaller guys who wanted to be … “bigger:   With guys, it was fairly simple – a few thrown punches. Mostly misses, a little blood, some bad feelings and then, at the end, some degree of mutual respect. Once the fight was over, it was typically over for good. Fighting was a sort of social climbing. My opponents and I didn’t always find our way to friendship. But what had started with some bad feelings and ended with a few bruises took nowhere near the toll of what occurs when teasing and threats become incessant and without end.

Excluding fights involving weapons, comparing the damage of physical fights, psychological bullying exacts a much greater emotional toll on children. When last studied, it was estimated that 160,000 children a day miss school for the sole reason of avoiding their bullies. Fortunately, I find myself in the strange position of praising something our state and county have done right. Florida passed the Jeffrey Johnston Stand up for all Students Act which strongly discourages and prohibits bullying in our public schools, grades K through 12. When combined with Florida Statute §784.04B which prohibits harassment and cyber-stalking, Florida has the tools to severely discourage bullying. Even better, on July 22, 2008. Broward County became the first county in the state to adopt an anti-bullying policy.

As our children get settled back in school this year, it may be good for us, their parents, to understand the law, both criminal and civil; and the criminal and civil penalties our children, our schools and we face if our kids violate the law and start bullying another student. Think this is silly and the law is paying too much attention to something we all had to deal with when we were kids?  Think again. Think of the power a clique of girls can have when they engage in an instant messaging campaign designed to harass one of their classmates. Think misdemeanor. Add to that campaign a credible threat intended to scare a student into thinking they may have physical harm brought to them and then, think felony. These laws are real, and parents had better educate themselves. If the criminal law does not deter children, then perhaps this will deter their parents. If a minor injuries someone with aggressive physical or emotional conduct and their parents or their school know the aggressor has a history of having injured others in a substantially similar way, then those with knowledge who allow their “kids to be kids” – the parents, the school or both, can be held directly answerable for compensatory damages.

Years of abuse, suffered by tens of thousands of school children at the hands of their classmate tormentors has been met with years of indifference and ineffective approaches. Substantial school resources have been directed to addressing these situations on a case by case basis, without any standardized policies and deterrents. However, the tide has turned; and Broward County’s adoption of a County-wide plan to deal with bullying is to be applauded.

Responding to a state-wide law requiring every county to adopt a comprehensive anti-bullying policy, Broward’s embrace of this mandate may strongly combat bullying, which has been defined as “systemically and chronically inflicting physical hurt or psychological distress: including “Teasing, Social exclusion, Threats, Intimidation, Stalking, Physical violence, Theft, Sexual, religious or racial harassment, Public humiliation or Destruction of property.

Further, the policy prevents harassment, which is defined “any threatening, insulting, or dehumanizing gesture, use of data or computer software, or written, verbal, or physical conduct directed against a student or school employee that places a student or school employee in reasonable fear of harm or damage to his property, substantially interferes with a student’s educational performance, opportunities or benefits or substantially disrupts the orderly operation of school.”

The policy has an anti-retaliation provision and is tempered with punishment for students who falsely report bullying. Procedures have been enacted on how to promptly investigate complaints and when necessary, requires reporting to local law enforcement agencies, such as the school resource officer for criminal investigation. Reporting requirements will enable schools to be evaluated on how effectively they are responding to bullying and harassment.

While these laws are not going to totally end bullying and harassment, they will go a long way, especially if parents understand the law and teach their kids what is and is not acceptable. While it is often true that the bullies have themselves been bullied, it is also true that a large number of bullies only feel confident enough to perpetuate their ill deeds when they have an eager fan club egging them on and lending support. These silent co-conspirators who would ordinarily never knowingly try to hurt someone can easily get caught up in a bully gang bang, especially when they are young, insecure and looking for a place to fit in. These kids can be directed away from participating in bullying with some strong parental guidance. The school board has done its job. It is time for parents to do theirs.

For twelve years, Ken had been listed in The South Florida Legal Guide’s• “Top Lawyers.”  He is also rated AV® Preeminent ™ by Martindale-Hubbell and his peers. This is the highest rating an attorney can attain. Ken is also a Florida “Super Lawyer, ” as elected by his peers for ten years in a row.

Ken has over 30 years experience, concentrating his practice in the area of personal injury, medical malpractice and other types of injuries caused by neglect. Sobel Legal, serving all of South Florida. You Pay No Fee Until We Win For You. Free Consultation email Ken@SobelLegal.com  or Call 954-526-7007

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Following the tragic events at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, I am hopeful that coming together to take action will lead to serious change. These bright youth are standing up strong to have their voices heard. Their power and bravery are incredible. They’ve started a movement to help overcome death and destruction, and to make sure this terrible tragedy never happens again.

You may want to join them, or already participate in a nonprofit or cause.

Here are six tips for getting involved to MAKE A DIFFERENCE:

• What’s it all about?

Information on any cause or organization is usually available to anyone who wants to get involved. Did you know that the Stoneman Douglas March for Our Lives will be held March 24 in Washington D.C.?  You can join them, or some of the other marches happening here in South Florida, and across the nation. Participate by planning to go and spreading the word about event schedules, pivotal updates and recaps of related events going on before and after it. Movements need to do just that—MOVE. Don’t sit still, stand up and fight.

• Snail mail.

Putting pen to paper helps create change. The weight of loads of letters to local lawmakers can help your cause get on their radar. Their contact information is public record. With a little bit of research, you can take that extra step to getting in front of those who are in charge of changing laws and bill making. Let them know you and your supporters are serious about making a change. You can even plan a visit to the State Legislature or Washington, D.C., to meet with lawmakers face to face.

• Letters to the editor.

National press coverage is great, but don’t forget your local leaders. Pen a letter to newspaper editorial board editors voicing your opinion. Letters should be no more than 200 words, if at all possible. They should also contain statistics to prove your point of view and help sway theirs.

• Show support.

Even the smallest bit of encouragement can go a long way. Volunteer at events. Contribute to official fundraisers. Wear a hat or T-shirt to stand in solidarity.

• Dial in.

Don’t be afraid to pick up the phone. Call reporters, television and radio stations. Let them know why what you’re advocating for is important, and why they should care. Invite them to attend events to learn more. Even if they don’t come, provide them with a recap, photos, video or a quote. Make their jobs easier by packaging it all together for them to share with their audiences.

• Use your social media platforms.

Social media is your friend. You can reach a tremendous number of people with a simple click. Start an online community group where people can go to discuss the next move, brainstorm ideas and connect with each other. With the way social media platforms are set up these days, consider investing a few dollars to boost your posts. This allows you to hand select your audience based off of age, gender, location, interests, occupation, education, income and more. By engaging in pay-for-play, you can be sure that your information is not only reaching an audience, but strategically reaching the right audience.

PRO TIP: Use a hashtag in all of your marketing and social media content. It is similar to using a slogan or logo in that it will make it easier to recognize your organization’s movement. People will be able to search for related news and posts, and join in on the conversation. #NeverAgain is one of the hashtags used to advocate for change in memory of the Parkland victims. It is both their message and mission, to never again have what happened on Valentine’s Day 2018. Their push for change started with victims and has since become an internationally known movement.

• Rally.

People around the country are impacted by similar issues every day. Use social media to bring people together. Partner with related associations, lobbyists and appointed officials. Take a step out of the office and join a march. Attend town hall meetings. Remind people to vote in elections. The more people behind your cause, the better. Evoke emotion. Get people fired up about change.

• Fight for the right.

The path to change will not be easy. You will face setbacks and opposition. Through it all, always remember that there will be someone on your side, supporting your efforts and all that you do. Don’t give up. Nothing worth having comes easy.

• Don’t stop believing.

We must continue to fight for what we believe in. You can help make a difference. If you don’t see a change, be the change!

We at Sobel Legal continue to be the change for South Florida, helping to protect the rights of injured for over 30 years. Call 954-526-7007 for a free case review.

Source: https://www.law.com/dailybusinessreview/2018/03/09/be-the-change-how-to-promote-a-cause-and-advocate-for-change/?kw=Be%20the%20Change.%20How%20to%20Promote%20a%20Cause%20and%20Advocate%20for%20Change&et=editorial&bu=Daily%20Business%20Review&cn=20180309&src=EMC-Email&pt=Afternoon%20Update

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