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The summer of 2013 has, so far, seen very severe weather.  In the last week, alone, a large portion of the United States has been "weathering" unusually high temperatures and humidity.  Not only making being outdoors feel uncomfortable, but also unhealthy or even deadly. People with breathing problems, and the elderly are advised to remain inside. 

The sudden thunderstorms in Florida, the "lightning capital of the world", have presented many dangers to residents and visitors, some of which are flooding, lightning strikes, and vehicle crashes caused by bad weather.

As of now, there have been 10 lightning fatalities in 2013 - 3 in Florida, 2 in Illinois, 1 each in California, Louisiana, Missouri, New York and Texas according to the National Weather Service.

• The Tampa Bay Times reported May 28, 2013 that a woman on the beach in Brandon, Florida, was apparently killed by lightning.

•  July 1, 2013 the Gainesville Sun reported that a Bradenton woman and her two children were hospitalized after being struck by lightning. The Sun further reported that a Lee County Sheriff's Office patrol car was struck by lightning causing the deputy to pull off the road.

Should weather conditions suddenly change, what are employers and operators of recreational facilities, including golf courses, responsibility to warn and protect? Are simple signs such as "Lightning can kill you; Play at your own risk." sufficient? 

"Courts do not require employers or recreational facility operators to provide notices or warning devices of potential lightning strikes. However, Florida does require schools, health care facilities and correctional facilities to have lightning protection systems," say Naples Personal Injury Attorney, Randall Spivey of Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.  

An 11 year old boy died from a lightning strike in Fort Myers in October 2012 when he was going on the high school field for football practice.  According to reports, the field did not have a lightning detection device required by Florida law.

There are mobile apps available from several sources which can put people "On the Alert" to sudden weather changes.  The Weather Channel  has Smartphone, mobile web and tablet apps. These apps give weather information where and when it may be needed. AccuWeather  provides not only daily forecasts but severe weather alerts which can be emailed directly to email inboxes.

"Since Florida law only requires schools, health care facilities and correctional facilities to have lightning protection systems and sudden weather changes may affect driving, I recommend that everyone who has a Smartphone, be sure to have a weather alert app," says Attorney Spivey.

Personal Injury Attorney, Randall L. Spivey is a Board Certified Civil Trial Attorney – the highest recognition for competence bestowed by the Florida Bar and a distinction earned by less than 2 percent of Florida attorneys. He has handled over 1,600 personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout Florida. For a free and confidential consultation to discuss your legal rights, contact the Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A., in Lee County at  239. 337.7483 or toll free at 1.888.477.4839, or by email to Randall@SpiveyLaw.com.  Visit SpiveyLaw.com  for more information. You can contact Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. in Charlotte County at 941.764.7748 and in Collier County 239.793.7748.