Recent Blog Posts in February 2010

Michigan has been known as one of the most difficult states to pursue a medical malpractice case because of their “notice of intent” rule. This states that the injured party must notify the defendant before any request for discovery has been filed, which leads to minor errors and inconsistencies and then leads to case dismissals. However, the Michigan Supreme Court is beginning to look past these technicalities by providing time for the injured party to correct errors within the time period.

Medical malpractice is serious and should be handled as such. It’s important that the injured parties have a chance to pursue their cases fairly because no one deserves to suffer from these injuries caused by another. If someone is dealing with medical malpractice, you may be suffering from constant health problems such as head injuries and more. A medical malpractice lawyer will be able to help you pursue a case in order to recover expenses for your pain and suffering. A medical malpractice attorney will always have your best interest in min while the attorney works to handle your legal matter as you take time to recover. Please take some time today to contact a lawyer today and begin discussing your case.

A Chinese scholar who was completing a program with Stanford was hit by a car while on his bicycle in an intersection. He was in the hospital for two weeks and then passed away due to the injuries he sustained. His family is now dealing with over $1 million in medical bills and care as the health insurance he purchased only covered $300,000 in bills. The California Highway Patrol has not released any findings about the investigation of the bicycle accident.

Many bicycle accidents can have fatal results due to the lack of protection that riding a bicycle offers. When someone is injured of killed in a bicycle accident, they will then have to deal with medical bills, lost work wages and funeral costs in fatal situations. These unexpected costs can weigh heavy on a person or family who are affected by a bicycle accident and should be paid by the person who caused the accident and injuries. You should not be held responsible when another person acted negligently and injured you. With the help of a personal injury lawyer, you will be able to proceed forward with a case and recover the expenses you need during this difficult time. If you or someone you know has been injured in a bicycle accident then it is in your best interest to hire a personal injury attorney to handle your case.    

In Florida, two teen girls were killed by a train when they failed to cross a bridge safely and in enough time. The girls, who were with a boy who survived, were crossing a bridge to get to the beach, but were hit and killed by a train that was passing through. The bridge is marked with “no trespassing” signs and investigators are currently unsure as to why the teens did not hear or see the train earlier.

While the above case is not the fault of the train, many train accidents do occur because of negligence on the train maintenance or driver’s fault. When people are injured in train accidents, they often suffer from broken bones, internal bleeding, head trauma, spinal cord injuries and concussions, all of which can greatly affect a person’s life. A personal injury attorney will be able to help you hold the guilty party responsible for their negligent actions that have left you in pain. You do not deserve to suffer any further, and an injury lawyer will make sure that your rights are protected. If you or someone you know has been injured in a train accident caused by another’s negligence then contact a personal injury lawyer today to begin discussing the details of your case.

On February 22, 2010, a young boy was attacked by at least one dog and found in the middle of a baseball field in Philadelphia. The 10-year-old was bitten and scratched repeatedly and bleeding profusely when he was found by police. Currently, the police are still attempting to find the dog or dogs that attacked the boy, as well as the owner of the dog involved.

Dog attacks are easily preventable, but when they occur they can leave those involved seriously injured. It’s important to know that dog owners are responsible for how their animals behave so long as they are not provoked by others. Dog owners have a responsibility to keep dogs restrained on leashes and fences. When a dog attack occurs, the person injured can pursue a personal injury case against the owner. A personal injury attorney will help you protect your rights by holding the guilty party responsible. You should not have to suffer any further. By working with an injury lawyer, you will be able to recover expenses and be financially compensated for your emotional trauma. If you or someone you know has been injured in a dog attack, please take some time today to contact a personal injury lawyer and begin discussing the details of your case.

Following an accident or injury, you may be wondering whether or not it’s worth it to hire a personal injury attorney. If you have any intent to file a personal injury lawsuit, it’s absolutely beneficial to work with an attorney as opposed to representing yourself.

There are many benefits to working with a trained and experienced personal injury attorney. Some of those benefits include:

• An attorney can determine how much your claim is worth or valued at
• An attorney can communicate with your insurance company, your doctors, the other parties involved, or the courts on your behalf
• An attorney can help you deal with the insurance company, who may try to get you to settle for less than your claim is actually worth
• An attorney can negotiate with the insurance company and the other parties involved for the largest possible settlement
• An attorney can protect your best interests if the opposing party tries to undermine your rights to compensation
• An attorney can determine which party or parties you should pursue a lawsuit against
• An attorney can answer any questions or concerns you may have throughout the claims process
• An attorney can offer you advice and guidance throughout the claims process
• An experienced attorney will understand what evidence needs to be reviewed and presented in order to make your claim as strong as possible
• An attorney will have access to experts that can testify on your behalf
• An attorney can take your case to trial if a settlement cannot be reached outside of court
• An attorney can make sure all legal paperwork is filled out correctly, filed with the appropriate authority, and turned in on time
• An attorney can act as your representative so you don’t always have to go to court

Let an attorney help you exercise your rights to recovery. If you are suffering from an injury or have recently been involved in an accident, a personal injury attorney can help!

In Lake Placid, Florida on February 22, 2010, a tour bus was involved in an accident with another vehicle that left two dead. While the Florida Highway Patrol is still investigation the tour bus accident, the bus was carrying around 30 passengers who were all removed from the bus by rescuers. Medical helicopters were on the scene treating injured people.

Those injured in bus accidents may suffer from internal bleeding, fractured ribs, head trauma, whiplash, broken bones, spinal cord injuries, concussions and more. When these accidents and injuries are caused by another person’s negligent actions then you should not have to suffer as a result. You can hold the guilty party responsible for their actions and recover expenses you may face as a result of the bus accident.

By working with a personal injury lawyer you will be able to pursue a case properly and be financially compensated for medical costs, vehicle repair and other expenses. An injury attorney will know what to expect in court and how to deal with insurance companies to reach a fair settlement. Take some time today to contact a personal injury lawyer and begin discussing the details of your case and moving forward with your life and health.

A man is facing a felony DUI charge after the passenger in his car was killed when he rear-ended a tractor trailer. The drunk driving accident did not injure the driver of the tractor trailer. The state police of Ohio have reported that the driver who caused the accident and death was impaired at the time of the wreck, but what impaired him is undetermined.

Drunk driving accidents can often result in death due to the level of negligence in these cases. When you or someone you know is injured in a drunk driving accident, it is important that you pursue a case against the guilty party. You may suffer injuries such as broken bones, concussions, internal bleeding, head trauma and more, all of which can result in expensive medical bills, lost work wages, vehicle damage and other costs. You should not have to deal with these strains and should recover these expenses. 

A  personal injury lawyer will work to protect your rights so that the negligent party is held responsible for their actions. Your injury attorney will always have your best interest in mind and will make sure that you are able to care for yourself during this difficult time. Contact a personal injury attorney today to begin discussing the details of your case.

In Boston, there was a train accident that occurred when a man drove his van through the fence separating the trolley tracks and the vehicle roadway. After the accident, the train was evacuated, but the passengers were unharmed. There was damage done to the track and two of the train cars. The driver of the van was charged with failure to drive in marked lanes, reckless operation, failure to yield and a DUI after being arrested by police.

Drunk driving accidents are one of the most negligent cases and should not occur, but do occur all too often. You need to know that if you suffer injuries such as broken bones, internal bleeding, head trauma, spinal cord injuries, whiplash and fractured ribs that you can pursue a case against the negligent party who caused the accident. By working with a personal injury attorney you can recover expenses that you have had force upon you as a result of the drunk driving accident. An accident lawyer will always have your best interest in mind while protecting your rights. Please take some time today to contact an attorney to begin discussing your case and resolving this matter in the best way possible.

When a box truck was driving toward a school bus, it swerved, but did not avoid hitting the bus. The school bus was stopped with its stop sign out and lights flashing, but it was still rear-ended on the left side. One student did suffer from minor injuries and was taken to the hospital to be treated. The truck driver is facing citations for careless driving and driving a commercial motor vehicle without endorsement, but claims the brakes were not working which caused the accident. The Florida Department of Transportation is investigating this claim.

Bus and truck accidents can leave many people seriously injured because of the size and power of these vehicles. Those injured in these accidents may suffer from whiplash, broken bones, internal bleeding, fractured ribs, head trauma and spinal cord injuries. A personal injury attorney does not want you to suffer from this pain or the financial difficulties these injuries include. With the help of an injury lawyer you can pursue financial compensation so that you can care for your health and move forward with your life. Please do not hesitate to contact an injury attorney today to begin discussing your case and the steps you should take.

On February 21, 2010, a woman driving while on prescription drugs pulled out in front of a man who was driving a motorcycle. The Phoenix Police Department states that the woman in the SUV was turning let and failed to yield. The motorcycle then slammed into the passenger side of the SUV, and the motorcyclist was not wearing a helmet at the time. As a result of the motorcycle accident, the motorcyclist suffered life-threatening head injuries. The driver of the SUV reportedly had slurred speech and clumsy body mechanics and could likely face aggravated assault charges.

When you are riding a motorcycle and are involved in an accident, you can be seriously injured due to the lack of protection. Someone who is injured in a motorcycle accident because of another person’s negligent actions should not have to suffer the emotional, physical, mental and financial consequences.

An accident attorney can help you to recover expenses so that you can afford the health care you now need. By working with a personal injury lawyer, you will have your rights protected while your best interest is always your lawyer’s priority. With the help of an injury attorney, you can hold the guilty party responsible for their actions and begin to get your life back. Please take some time to contact a lawyer today to begin discussing your case.  

A woman was driving her car in Henderson, California when she rear-ended an SUV at an intersection on February 16, 2010. The collision caused the SUV to spin out and overturn, killing both the driver and passenger in the SUV. The driver who caused the accident was treated for minor injuries and was later arrested for drunk driving. The driver was booked on two counts of DUI with death.

Drinking and driving is a very serious crime, especially when an accident results from this carelessness. Many people can be injured in drunk driving accidents, resulting in broken bones, fractured ribs, head trauma, internal bleeding and more. No one should have to deal with these consequences when another person’s negligent actions are the cause.

If you or someone you know has been injured in a drunk driving accident caused by another, then you will want to contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. An injury attorney will be able to help you pursue a case against the person who caused the accident so that you do not have to suffer further. Furthermore, an attorney will always keep your best interest in mind and work to protect your rights during this difficult time. Contact a drunk driving accident lawyer today to begin discussing your case and moving forward with this matter.

A man’s car sideswiped another vehicle on February 20, 2010 in Missouri. The man’s car then went on to cross the center line and broadsided a third vehicle, a pickup truck. The truck was overturned and came to a rest on the driver’s side, leaving the passengers in the truck suffering from minor injuries. The woman in the first car that was hit also suffered minor injuries, while the driver who caused the car accident was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident.

Multi-vehicle accidents can leave those involved seriously injured due to the force and amount of impact. Those who are left injured often suffer from broken bones, whiplash, concussions, head trauma, spinal cord injuries, fractured ribs and internal bleeding. These multi-vehicle accident injuries can lead to expensive medical bills, lost work wages and vehicle damage repair which can greatly affect your life. If you or someone you know has been injured in a multi-vehicle accident, you should contact an accident attorney to pursue a case against the negligent party who caused the accident. A personal injury lawyer will protect your rights through this process while working to recover expenses on your behalf. Please take some time today to contact an injury attorney to begin discussing your case and moving forward with your life.

On the morning of February 14, 2010, a school bus was struck by a mini van in Pennsylvania. According to emergency dispatchers, 10 children were on the bus at the time of the accident. However, the person injured was in the mini van that struck the school bus. The condition of the person who was injured is not known at this time.

While the above accident and injuries were caused by the smaller vehicle, when a bus accident is caused by the bus, the injured parties need to know that they can pursue a case against the negligent party. Bus accidents can leave anyone seriously injured, especially when children are involved. With injuries such as broken bones, whiplash, concussions, internal bleeding, head trauma and spinal cord injuries, those injured will deal with medical bills, vehicle damage, emotional trauma and more. You should be able to recover expenses for these costs with the help of an accident attorney.

By working with a  personal injury lawyer you will have someone fighting to protect your rights while always keeping your best interest in mind. It's to your advantage to contact an injury lawyer today to begin discussing your case and resolving this matter in the best way possible.

When a plow truck was crossing the railroad tracks in Iowa, the truck was struck by an Iowa Interstate Railroad train, pushing the truck onto its side. Both men in the truck were taken to the hospital for unspecified injuries. One has been treated and released, while there is no further information on the other man’s condition. According to the Iowa State Patrol, it is unknown why the truck was in the railroad crossing at the time when the train was passing through, but the train accident is still under investigation.

When a train accident occurs because of another person’s negligent actions they should be held responsible. Trains can cause many serious injuries due to the size and speed they travel at. It is very difficult for them to stop quickly, but if they are the cause, you should not have to continue to suffer. By contacting a personal injury attorney, you can resolve your case and recover compensation for the expenses you may be facing. Accidents leave you dealing with medical bills, vehicle damages and more expenses that someone else’s carelessness has caused. It's in your best interest to discuss your accident case with an attorney so you can move forward with your life as quickly as possible.

Elder abuse is incredibly sad because elders often cannot defend themselves or reach out for help. With deteriorating health, elders deserve to have their rights protected and those guilty of abuse should be held responsible for their actions.

A woman in Pennsylvania is being charged with elder abuse of her mother. The local police department has stated that she is being cited for neglect of a care-dependent person. The abused mother was found by a case worker who discovered her unconscious, emaciated and covered in bedsores. The mother is now in a nursing home after being treated at a hospital.

When an elder you know is being abused by anyone, you should help them to get help. Elder abuse can often end in deadly circumstances, but can be prevented if you act as soon as you notice it. By contacting a personal injury lawyer, you can help protect the elder’s health and get them the justice they deserve. An elder abuse attorney will know what to expect in court and can handle difficulties such as investigations and dealing with insurance companies. Contact an attorney today to begin discussing your case and getting your loved one back to good health.

Former Olympians Peggy Flemning, Vonetta Flowers and Mike Eruzione are all unharmed after a car accident on February 14, 2010. All three were traveling in Vice President Joe Biden’s motorcade; he was in a different car at the time of the accident. While all three are doing fine, they were thrown in the van where Flowers hit her head on the seat cushion in front of her. Currently, it is suspected that road conditions are to blame for the car accident.

Car accidents can leave anyone injured, from cuts, wounds and broken bones to internal bleeding, head trauma and spinal cord injuries. It’s important to not only care for your health after a car accident, but to also care for your emotional and financial health as well. Those who are injured may suffer medical bills, lost work wages and other costs as a result, but should not have to pay these expenses when another person’s negligent behaviors are to blame. With the help of a personal injury attorney, you can pursue a case against the negligent party and move forward with your life. Take a moment contact a car accident lawyer near you to discuss your accident and your eligibility to recover compensation.

A wrongful death lawsuit involving a fatal truck accident has been filed in Daviess County, Missouri.

The lawsuit was filed by Joseph Hostetler against David Leeper and Kenneth Fletcher. Hostetler’s wife Maria was killed in the accident after her van crashed into the back of the truck.  

The accident occurred on November 10, 2009 on Highway 6. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, a Chevrolet grain truck lost the left rear tandem as it was slowing to turn onto Route V. Leeper was driving the truck and was able to steer his vehicle onto the shoulder of the road. However, during the time the left rear tandem was still on the road, Hostetler hit one of the truck’s tire/wheel combinations with her van. This caused the van to swerve onto the opposite side of the road, skid in a clockwise motion, and travel back into her original lane. But as the van approached the edge of the road it tipped over onto its side and crashed into the back of the truck. Hostetler and two of her passengers, Chester Gingerich and Perry Gingerich, were killed in the accident. Three other passengers in Hostetler’s vehicle were injured.

The case has been assigned to a judge but a hearing has not yet been scheduled.

If you have lost a loved one in a fatal truck accident and are considering filing a  wrongful death lawsuit, you should consult an experienced Missouri truck accident lawyer about your rights to compensation. If you can prove another party was at fault for the accident, you could be awarded wrongful death benefits and punitive damages.

A Tennessee congressman is proposing a new bill that would include defective motorcycles under the state’s lemon law.

The bill, sponsored by Rep. Vince Dean (R- East Ridge), gives owners of new motorcycles that are defective the same rights that are awarded to consumers who purchased defective cars and trucks.

Dean argued that mechanical and structural problems can be especially dangerous for motorcycle riders, particularly because motorcycles aren’t as sturdy as a car or truck.

"On a car, a bent frame may just make it wobble or something. But on a motorcycle a bent frame can cause an accident very easily," said Dean.

The bill was passed by the House Consumer and Employee Affairs Committee and is now being considered by the Senate Transportation Committee.

A Florida paramedic was recently released from the hospital after sustaining an injury in an ambulance accident.

The EVAC ambulance had recently picked up two car accident victims and was in route to a local hospital when it was hit by another vehicle. While the exact details of the accident are not immediately available, it is understood that the ambulance was traveling on Interstate 95 around 4 a.m. when, in the process of turning around, it was struck in the rear by another vehicle. It is believed the ambulance did have its siren and lights on when the accident took place.  

Five people were inside of the ambulance, but only the one paramedic was injured. The paramedic was taken to Daytona Beach hospital where he received treatment for his injuries and was later released.

The two individuals who were picked up in the ambulance after being injured in a car wreck were transported to Halifax Medical Center where they are listed in stable and serious condition.

If you or someone you love has suffered an injury in an ambulance accident, a Florida personal injury attorney can help you file a claim against the responsible party in pursuit of recovering maximum compensation for any injuries you may have sustained.

Three employees of the Kitsap Health & Rehabilitation Center in Washington State are feeling the heat after being accused of using their cell phones to take nude pictures of residents.

Nursing home administrators fired the employees and contacted the Bremerton Police Department after several staff members said the suspects showed the nude pictures to other staff members as a joke. Administrators said none of the residents in the photos even knew their picture had been taken. All but one resident have severe dementia.

One of the fired nurses told police he and the two other suspects did send pictures to each other, but denied taking inappropriate pictures of the residents. He also told police that someone had sent him a picture of a resident bending over with his buttocks showing, but said he immediately deleted the photo and told the other suspects not to share the photos with anyone.

The Department of Social and Health Services is currently investigating the allegations.

The following are some interesting facts regarding elevator injuries in older adults:

• 44,870 elevator-related injuries severe enough to warrant a hospital or emergency room visit affected individuals age 65 or older between 1990 and 2006
• Hip fractures were the most common diagnosis for this age group
• Three-fourths of elevator injuries affect older women
• More than half of the elevator-injuries affecting older adults were caused by a slip and fall
• One third of elevator injuries were caused by a door closing on the individual
• Injuries caused by wedging a walker into the elevator door was the third most frequent cause of injury
• People 85 years or older were seven times more likely to suffer an injury than people between the ages of 65 and 69.
• Of all types of injuries sustained by older adults, more than half were soft tissue injuries, such as a sprain or a bruise. The next most common types of injuries were fractures and lacerations, as well as finger and toe amputations.

If you or a loved one is suffering from an elevator injury, and you think the owner of the property failed to maintain the elevator or the area surrounding the elevator, you may have grounds to file a premises liability claim. However, before taking any sort of legal action it’s best to learn about your rights and discuss your options with a knowledgeable attorney. If you are searching for a qualified and experienced attorney in your area, click here to find a personal injury lawyer near you!