He was in fair condition Tuesday at Tampa General Hospital, but will be kept for tests and observation.
By DAVID KARP
Published October 15, 2003
TAMPA - Three days after falling at his home, City Attorney Fred Karl remained in the intensive care unit at Tampa General Hospital in fair condition.
The 79-year-old fell and injured his head Sunday at his residence on Harbour Island, his son said.
He was taken to TGH, the hospital where he served as chief executive officer from 1994 to 1996.
Tuesday, Karl was alert and joking in his hospital bed, his son, Frederick "Rick" Karl Jr. said.
"He still has a sense of humor," said Rick Karl.
Karl will remain at the hospital for observation and tests, his son said.
"We are cautiously optimistic," he said. "Hopefully, we are out of the woods."
Karl may have suffered some internal bleeding after the fall, but doctors believe any bleeding that occurred has now stopped, his son said.
Karl, who was taking blood thinning medication, suffers from Parkinson's disease, a progressive neurological disorder that gradually impairs muscle control.
He came out of retirement in April to help Mayor Pam Iorio assemble a new team after her election.
Although he agreed to serve indefinitely as city attorney, Karl has also been quietly talking to lawyers who might replace him. He has said he wants a smooth transition.
Karl prepared the same transition when he agreed to take over Tampa General in 1994 on an interim basis. Before leaving, he asked the board to begin searching for his successor.
He also groomed a successor when he served as Hillsborough county attorney.
Karl's health has caused him to leave public office before. After learning in November 1989 that he had Parkinson's disease, Karl submitted his resignation as county attorney. But he remained in the post part-time. And after his health improved, he returned to the job full-time.
Karl has also served as a justice of the Florida Supreme Court, state legislator, and as city attorney for the cities of Ormond Beach and Daytona Beach.
