Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers Blog

Who Should You Talk to If You Suspect Nursing Home Abuse?

Nursing homes are supposed to be places of healing, acceptance, and accommodation for our loved ones. But conditions such as understaffing, budget cuts, or insufficient employee training can cause residents to suffer mistreatment, neglect, and even abuse at the hands of the people who are supposed to take care of them.

If you notice any warning signs that could indicate abuse or neglect, including poor hygiene, unexplained weight loss, or cuts and bruises, it’s important to act immediately and speak with these three parties:

• Your loved one – If your loved one is communicative, ask them about any warning signs you’ve noticed. Write down any information you get and make a list of follow-up questions.
• A doctor, supervisor, or manager – After you’ve spoken with your loved one, take your list of questions and concerns to a supervisory figure at the nursing home. Get as many answers as you can during this time, and don’t be afraid to continue asking questions.
• An experienced lawyer – Nursing homes are often well-protected from allegations of abuse or neglect. Your concerns may fall on deaf ears without a legal team on your side.

Don’t hesitate to call 911 if you fear that your loved one’s safety or life is in immediate danger.

At Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers, we’ve helped many families whose loved ones were victims of nursing home abuse or neglect. Call today for a free consultation with our Norfolk nursing home abuse lawyers.

Defective Products Can Cause Injuries and Illnesses

We live in a highly consumeristic society. That means our homes, schools, and workplaces are filled with consumer and industrial products that are designed to make life easier. For some people, those products are even implanted inside their bodies to help manage the symptoms of diseases or chronic health conditions.

But not all products are designed with high-quality components or to meet strict safety standards. From birth control medications to joint replacements, the materials used to make medical devices all have the potential to cause serious and even life-threatening health complications.

At Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers, we know the dangers of defective products and how helpless victims can feel. It’s our goal to help by:

• Gathering evidence that proves the product caused an injury or illness. It’s not easy to conclusively link a defective product with an injury or illness, but our Norfolk defective product lawyers have the knowledge and experience to get it done.
• Fighting to get you the compensation you deserve. A defective product injury or illness can be a financial burden. You may require expensive medical treatment and be out of work for weeks, months, or years. We want to fight to help you get maximum compensation.

Don’t wait to get the help you or your loved ones deserve after a defective product injury. Fill out a free consultation form today, and see how we can put our experience to work for you.

Daylight Saving Time Can Increase Your Risk of an Auto Accident

The time to set your clocks back one hour is rapidly approaching. At 2 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 5, daylight saving time will end. That means you’ll need to roll back your clock one hour. And while the extra hour of sleep may leave you feeling more rested on Monday morning, your chances of being involved in an auto accident can increase.

Experts believe this phenomenon occurs for a few reasons:

• Loss of light – While the end of daylight saving time means more light in the morning, it also means less light during the evening commute home—and low visibility is a major risk factor for car accidents.
• Drunk driving – People’s behavior is noted to change when they’re anticipating a time change due to the beginning or ending of daylight saving time. That can result in increased alcohol consumption and intoxicated driving.
• Less attentive driving – Gaining an hour can make drivers less cautious behind the wheel. Their biological clocks are still operating as though it’s daylight, but visibility on the road is much lower.

Before daylight saving time ends this year, make sure that your loved ones understand the risks associated with the shift in daylight and the earlier sunset.

If you or someone you love was hurt in an auto accident that was caused by a negligent driver, the Norfolk auto accident lawyers at Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers are here to help. Get in touch with us today for a free consultation.

Antidepressants Can Have Devastating Effects on Unborn Children

A class of antidepressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) is designed to treat a wide range of mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and social phobia. SSRIs are prescribed to a wide range of patients from all age groups and medical backgrounds.

However, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration reported on Dec. 14, 2011, that when taken by pregnant women, SSRIs may put unborn babies at risk of developing a rare heart and lung condition called persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN).

PPHN is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition that causes complications and symptoms, including:

• Breathing problems, including rapid or slow breathing
• Skin that’s blue in color and cold to the touch
• Low blood pressure
• Low blood oxygen levels

Babies who are affected by PPHN can take weeks or even months to recover, and in severe cases, the condition can even be fatal. The Norfolk drug injury lawyers at Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers know how devastating it is for mothers and families when babies are born with serious health problems, and we want to help them get compensation.

Get in touch with our legal team today for a free consultation.

Bicyclists: Protect Yourself with These Hand Signals.

Bicycling has many perks—exercise, fresh air, and never having to worry about filling up your gas tank—but it also has some drawbacks. In addition to being more exposed on the road and lacking protective features like seat belts and airbags, you also may find it difficult to communicate your intentions to drivers. That can sometimes lead to serious accidents.

At Lowell Stanley, our Norfolk bicycle accident attorneys have helped many victims who were severely injured because drivers misinterpreted their next moves. The League of American Bicyclists recommends the following hand signals to make your next ride safer:

• Left turn – Extend your left arm pointing directly away from your body. Your arm should be perpendicular with the road.
• Right turn – Extend your right arm pointing directly away from your body. You can also bend your left arm up at a right angle with your hand flat.
• Slowing down or stopping – Extend your left arm at a right angle with your hand open.

In addition to always wearing an approved helmet, hand signals that convey your intentions to other motorists is one of the best ways to stay safe on Virginia’s roadways. Whether you’re riding in a bike lane in a residential area or near high-speed traffic on a major thoroughfare, hand signals could save your life.

Were you or someone you love injured in a bicycle accident that wasn’t your fault? You may be eligible for compensation. Let us collect evidence and work hard on your behalf. Contact our law firm today for a free consultation.

Avoid Motorcycle Accidents by Increasing Your Visibility.

Riding a motorcycle puts you at a disadvantage in accidents involving cars, trucks, and SUVs. Unlike drivers and passengers, you don’t have seat belts to hold you in place during accidents or air bags to soften the blow of impact.

Riding gear can help protect you from head injuries and road rash, but motorcyclists still face the risk of suffering severe injuries if they’re thrown from their bikes. That’s why it’s important to do everything you can to prevent accidents from happening in the first place—and increasing your visibility is step number one.

At Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers, our Norfolk motorcycle accident lawyers know that riders can make themselves more visible to drivers when they:

• Wear bright and reflective safety gear. Avoid solid black safety gear when possible. Choose helmets, jackets, and pants that are brightly colored and covered in reflective materials.

• Know where blind spots are and avoid them. All vehicles have blind spots. Larger vehicles, including SUVs, semi-trucks, and buses may have big blind spots that extend several car lengths in adjacent lanes. Avoid those spots to maintain maximum visibility.

• Keep headlights on, even during the day. Headlights are motorcyclists’ best friends when it comes to being seen. Keep them on even when you don’t need the light they emit, as they’ll make you more easily visible to drivers.

Were you or someone you love hurt in a motorcycle accident that was caused by a careless driver? If so, you may be eligible to pursue a claim for compensation for your accident-related expenses. Contact us today for a free consultation.

Take These Steps Immediately after Your Workplace Accident.

Workers’ compensation benefits are essential for people who are hurt on the job and can’t return to work for extended periods of time. However, the workers’ compensation system that grants this form of replacement income can be extremely strict and full of red tape. That means some workers fall through the cracks and don’t get the money they need.

Most workers don’t know how to navigate the workers’ compensation system because they’ve never had to deal with it before. And while most of the headaches involved with filing a claim can be resolved by getting an experienced Norfolk workers’ compensation attorney on your side, there are two things you can do right after your accident to protect your claim:

1. Tell your supervisor about the accident. You’re only eligible for benefits after your employer is aware that you were injured on the job and the company files an official workplace injury report. The sooner you tell your supervisor, the better. If you wait too long, your injury may appear suspicious and you may lose your opportunity to file a claim.
2. Get immediate medical attention. Even if you typically avoid doctors and hospitals and don’t think your injury is serious, getting immediate medical treatment after a workplace injury is vital. The healthcare providers who diagnose your injury and begin treating it will create a medical record that can serve as valuable evidence for your claim.

At Lowell Stanley, we know the ins and outs of Virginia’s workers’ compensation program, and we can put our experience to work for you. You shouldn’t have to worry about handling the complexities of your claim while you’re sidelined with a serious injury. Call today for a free consultation.

Avoid These 2 Common Post-Auto Accident Mistakes

An unfortunate reality for auto accident victims is that the things they say and do in the minutes, hours, and days after their crashes can impact their opportunities to get compensation for their medical bills and lost wages.

Insurance companies look for ways to reduce or deny claims whenever possible. In some cases, they can achieve this simply by waiting for crash victims to make mistakes that insurance companies can later use against them. To make matters worse, many victims have no idea that these actions can jeopardize their chances to get the money their families need, especially if their accidents put them out of work.

Lowell Stanley’s team of Norfolk car accident lawyers has represented many injured victims throughout Virginia, and 2 of the most common mistakes we see victims make are:

1. Admitting fault for the accident before investigation is conducted – Never admit fault for a crash. This will be determined by experienced investigators after all evidence has been collected and considered. Auto accidents are traumatic and disorienting, and it’s common for victims to misremember what happened even moments earlier. Admitting fault to the police, the other driver, witnesses, or the insurance company can nullify your chances of pursuing compensation.
2. Talking about the accident or your case with friends or on social media – Insurance adjusters are always looking for evidence they can use against you. They might speak with your friends, coworkers, or even look at your social media pages to find information about the accident. Keep all information between yourself and your attorney, and never post about the crash online.

The most important thing you can do after the accident is get an experienced and qualified legal team on your side soon as possible. When you contact us, we may be able to take over your case and handle all communication with the insurance company.

Call today to find out how we can help you—our consultations are always free.

Common Causes of Birth Injuries

During the birth of your child, you trust doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to provide the highest-quality care.

But just like all employees in the medical profession, delivery and neonatal healthcare workers can make mistakes—some of which can have devastating consequences for your child. To make matters worse, some of those mistakes can be caused by negligence or carelessness.

At Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers, we’ve helped parents whose children were injured because of factors such as:

• Dangerous movements of the child’s body during delivery – Children are extremely vulnerable during delivery. When doctors or nurses fail to exercise extreme caution, children can suffer severe bruising, broken bones, and head injuries.

• Medications that interfere with delivery or pose threats to the baby – It’s common for women going into labor to receive certain medications. But doctors must be vigilant and prescribe only medications that won’t put mother or child at risk.

• Failure to monitor – Both pregnancy and childbirth require close monitoring to protect mother and child. Healthcare workers who fail to chart and keep track of important vital signs can put babies at risk.

Birth injuries can lead to serious health problems such as cerebral palsy, shoulder dystocia, and Erb’s palsy (also known as brachial plexus birth palsy).

If your child was injured because of a healthcare professional’s mistakes or negligence, you may be facing expensive medical bills and years of emotional pain. Don’t go it alone. Contact our Norfolk birth injury lawyers today. Our consultations are always free, and we’re available to take your call 24/7.

Watch Out for Bicyclists

Bicyclists are a common sight on many of Norfolk’s busiest streets, but they face serious risks when they ride near traffic. As a driver, it’s important to remember that bicyclists can be anywhere on the road, and because they are required to follow the same laws as motorists, they also deserve the same respect.

Bike lanes and wide roads can help reduce bicyclists’ chances of being involved in accidents, but those safety advantages can be ineffective when drivers don’t pay attention or don’t give the space they need.

The next time you drive, follow these tips to help keep the city’s bicyclists safe:

• Check your mirror before turning. Because bicyclists don’t always ride directly behind vehicles—especially on roads with bike lanes—drivers may not be aware of them when they turn, causing T-bone accidents. Always check your mirror before you turn to see if a bicyclist is riding alongside or adjacent to you.

• Be patient. A common complaint drivers have about bicyclists is their tendency to slow traffic. In most cases, the slowdown is brief. Always wait until it’s safe to pass a bicyclist. Unless you can clearly see there’s no oncoming traffic and you won’t crowd the bicyclist, don’t pass.

At Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers, our legal team is here to help anyone who is injured on Norfolk’s roadways due to another person’s negligence.

Were you or someone you love hurt in a bicycle accident because of a careless driver? If so, we want to speak with you. Contact our Norfolk bicycle accident attorneys today for a free consultation.