Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers Blog

Who Gets Compensation in Wrongful Death Cases?

Losing a loved one is devastating. Every member of a family, regardless of age or relationship, can be deeply affected by the death of someone they’re close to, and the loss they’re grieving can be even more intense and painful if the death was due to someone else’s negligence.

In addition to the emotional challenges, surviving family members also often face financial challenges, especially if the deceased was the primary income-earner.

When a family files a wrongful death lawsuit against the person or party who may have been responsible for the death, the following people may be entitled to damages:

• Spouses – In addition to receiving compensation for lost income, a surviving spouse can also file a claim and receive damages due to lost companionship and for the pain and suffering they experienced after their loved one’s death.
• Children – Children who are under the age of 18 can receive compensation for the loss of a parent, as they have been deprived of comfort and support that they need during their formative years.
• Parents – Losing a child is one of the hardest things any parent will face in life, and they can file claims for compensation for the emotional trauma they experienced and the loss of their relationship with their child.

These parties also may be eligible to receive additional compensation via punitive damages if the person or party responsible for their loved one’s death acted recklessly.

The Norfolk wrongful death attorneys at Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers know how important your loved one was to you and your family, and we want to help you get the closure you deserve. Contact us for a free consultation.

Dog Bites Can Be Serious Injuries

Dogs are man’s best friend, but they can still bite on occasion. That’s why dog owners are required to keep them on leashes on public property. No matter type of breed, all dogs have the potential to cause bite victims to suffer painful injuries that can lead to serious and even life-threatening complications.

At Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers, we’ve assisted dog bite victims who experienced the following side effects and symptoms:

• Muscle, tendon, and nerve damage – Dogs have long, sharp teeth that can piece deeply into the skin, putting delicate muscle tissue, tendons, and nerves at risk of being damaged or destroyed. These complications can make it difficult or even impossible for some victims to go back to work, putting their careers and livelihoods in jeopardy.

• Systemic infection – Every animal’s mouth contains a huge variety of bacteria—some of which can be dangerous if introduced into the bloodstream. Dog bite victims who are suffering from bite-induced infections may experience symptoms that include swollen lymph nodes, fever or chills, night sweats, fatigue, and even difficulty breathing. Victims who experience these symptoms should seek immediate medical attention.

Were you or a loved one injured by a dog that wasn’t properly restrained by its owner? If so, you may be eligible to file a claim for compensation for your medical bills and lost wages. An experienced Norfolk dog bite lawyer at Lowell Stanley knows the state’s laws on leash and enclosure requirements, and our law firm wants to maximize your chances of getting the money you deserve. Our consultations are free, and we’re here to help. Contact us today.

Look for These Red Flags When Choosing a Nursing Home

Making the decision to move a loved one into a nursing home is never easy. It’s even harder when you know that some nursing homes are understaffed or have unqualified employees who oversee residents’ care and well-being. In some cases, staff members even neglect and abuse residents.

When you’re touring nursing homes and trying to decide the best fit for your loved one, be on the lookout for these red flags:

• Poor housekeeping and low standard of cleanliness – While occasional spills, odors, and clutter happen at every nursing home, facilities that don’t appear clean or well-maintained also may be poorly managed—which can lead to poor resident care and even put their health at risk.

• High staff turnover – A nursing home is only as good as its staff. When doctors, nurses, and other caregivers are happy, residents are more likely to get effective and caring treatment. High staff turnover means that employees may have poor morale and may be less capable of caring for your loved one.

• Bad reviews – Appearances can be deceiving, and even the cleanest nursing home with the friendliest staff can still be a poor residence for your loved one. Online reviews can help you learn more about specific nursing homes and whether there are any issues you might not be aware of.

An experienced Norfolk nursing home abuse lawyer has zero tolerance for facilities that fail to give residents the rights they deserve. If your loved one was abused or neglected at a nursing home, we’ll fight for your rights to the compensation you deserve. Fill out an online contact form to get in touch with us today.

Motorcyclists: Wear All the Gear, All the Time

With summer temperatures soaring into the high 90s in Norfolk recently, wearing thick riding gear may be the last thing on many motorcyclists’ minds. But hot weather is no excuse to avoid wearing protective clothing and equipment that could save your life.

As a motorcyclist, you’re much more vulnerable during accidents than people inside cars, trucks, and SUVs. Unlike drivers and passengers in passenger vehicles, you don’t have the protection of a steel chassis, seat belts, and airbags. The best way you can protect yourself is by following a simple phrase that saves the lives of many motorcyclists every year: “All the gear, all the time.”

What does that phrase entail? It means always wearing these articles of clothing or equipment:

• Helmet
  Make sure your helmet is DOT, ECE 22.05, or Snell-certified. An effective helmet will cover your entire head, including your face.
• Riding jacket with armor
  The most effective riding jackets include armor—which means padding and cushions that can help reduce the risks of abrasion and soften impact with the road if you’re involved in a crash.
• Riding pants with armor
  Any pair of pants you pull out of your closet or dresser aren’t sufficient for protecting you on your bike. Make sure your riding pants provide abrasion and impact protection, just like your jacket.
• Riding boots
  Good riding boots will be made of a quality material like leather and will include additional height to protect your ankles. Many also include additional protection for toes.
• Gloves
  Your hands are extremely vulnerable during accidents. Make sure they’re protected by always wearing heavy-duty riding gloves, as they’re often the first body part to contact the ground during accidents.

Unfortunately, riding gear can only serve to reduce the severity of injuries—not eliminate them. If you were hurt in a motorcycle accident, get in touch with our Norfolk motorcycle accident lawyers today by filling out a free online consultation form.

Auto Accident? Listen to Your Gut.

Have you ever had a gut feeling that someone or something isn’t quite right? Whether it’s a salesman trying to sell you on a product or a loved one telling a story that just doesn’t add up, your gut can often sense another’s true intentions. If you’ve been in a serious car accident, you’ll likely have one of these moments the first time you speak with the insurance company. Their main objective is to pay you as little as possible for your injury claim. If your gut tells you something’s wrong, listen to it.

There’s a reason so many people turn to the car accident attorneys at Lowell Stanley every year. They know that the amount of money they’re offered by the insurance company isn’t going to be enough to help them fully recover from their injuries, so they give us a call, and we take it from there. The reality is that the insurance company’s power comes from you. The more you give them, the less you can expect to get in return.

If you’ve been injured, take the power back. Contact our experienced Norfolk car accident attorneys today for a free consultation. We review all Norfolk car accident cases for free with no obligation to become a client. You have the power to get maximum compensation for your injuries. Contact us today and let us put our experience to work for you.

Cyclists Have the Right to Our Roads

Our roads and highways aren’t for cars alone. Sometimes Norfolk drivers forget that, putting pedestrians and bicyclists in harm’s way. The reality is cyclists have the same rights to our roads as auto drivers do. When those rights are compromised by a negligent driver, the results can be devastating.

At Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers, we’ve seen the damage a careless driver can do to a cyclist. Other than their helmets, they have zero protection from a crash–no seat belt, steel framing, or airbags. If you hit a cyclist, there is a good chance you will take their life. We’ve seen it happen multiple times over the years, which is why we encourage every bicycle accident victim to hold negligent drivers responsible for their actions. That means securing a lawyer as soon as possible following your accident to protect your rights and go after every dollar you deserve.

If you’ve been injured in a bicycle accident, call an experienced personal injury lawyer at our firm today for a free consultation. We’ll go after maximum compensation for your injuries, including medical expenses, lost wages, and more. You should be compensated for what you’ve been through. Call us today for your free consultation.

Making Sure Norfolk Motorcycle Accident Victims Stories Are Heard

If you think being an at-fault driver in an auto accident is stressful, imagine the panic that drivers feel at the scene of a motorcycle accident. The right thing to do would be to own up to it, but not everyone has that level of integrity. Over the years, Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers has seen at-fault drivers tell outright lies to save their own skin, and you can’t assume the other driver won’t do the same.

If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident, proving who is to blame can be difficult on your own. First of all, you probably didn’t get to tell your side of the story at the scene of the accident due to your injuries. The only story the officer heard was that of the other driver. Do you really think they took full responsibility for what they did? Your side of the story should be documented as well. That’s one of the things an experienced motorcycle accident attorney can do for you: make sure your story is heard. Then we’ll go after every dollar in compensation you deserve.

Call an experienced Norfolk motorcycle accident lawyer today for a free consultation. You need to focus on your recovery. Let us focus on getting you justice. We’re ready to review your case at no charge and fight to get you compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and more. There is way too much at stake for you to try and go it alone. Contact us today.

2 Important Tips for Car Accident Victims

Recovering from a serious car accident can take months, even years. It takes time and determination to overcome your injuries, leaving little energy for anything else. However, your injury claim is just as important as your recovery. A low settlement can leave your family in a financial crisis, which is why you need to avoid the biggest pitfalls accident victims fall into.

In our experience, here are two tips every car accident victim should know:

1. Don’t stop medical treatment too soon. The medical treatment you receive for your injuries is the foundation of your injury claim. When you miss a doctor’s appointment or skip a physical therapy session, you’re essentially taking money out of your pocket and putting it in the insurance company’s coffers. Never skimp on medical treatment. It could make a huge difference in the compensation you receive for your injuries.
2. Contact a lawyer as soon as possible. If you don’t think you need a lawyer to help with your injury claim, consider this. Accident victims with an attorney get up to two times more money than those without. Going it alone leaves you vulnerable to the insurance company’s influence. If you sign a settlement agreement for less than you deserve, you could be responsible for thousands of dollars in medical and other expenses later on.

If you’ve been injured in a car accident, give us a call immediately for a free consultation. An experienced Roanoke car accident attorney is ready to help you fight for the compensation you deserve. Contact us today.

Dangers Wrapped in Bright Shiny Packaging

We put a lot of trust in manufacturers. That’s a little scary when you think about it. Given the number of reported injuries in recent years caused by defective products, it’s a wonder that we’re not more leery of purchasing anything at the store. When you consider the volume of production for many of the common products we use or consume every day, it’s easy to imagine the dangers that could be lurking in any unsuspecting package. Unfortunately, it usually takes a tragedy to get our attention, and then it’s often too late for some.

Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers handles product liability cases because we believe manufacturers should be held accountable for the injuries their products cause. Whether caused by faulty components or a failure to properly test the safety of a product, manufacturers have a responsibility to your safety as a consumer. When they betray that trust, they should pay. However, getting fair compensation on your own can be extremely difficult, which is why you need an experienced product liability attorney fighting on your behalf.

If you’ve been injured by a defective product, the help you need is just a phone call away. Call our experienced Norfolk product liability attorneys today for a free, no obligation consultation. You deserve compensation for what you’ve been through, and we’ll do everything within our power to make sure you get it. Don’t deal with the big manufacturers on your own. Contact us today.

Every Nursing Home is Capable of Abuse

No one wants to put their aging loved one in a nursing home. If you were able, you’d take on their continuous care yourself, but that’s just not always possible. He or she needs around-the-clock care that you simply can’t provide. The best we can do for our aging loved ones is to find a nursing home facility that best meets their needs. In Virginia, there are several great facilities, but even the best of facilities can employ less than trustworthy employees.

As a nursing home resident, your loved one has a number of rights. Those rights allow them the same freedoms that every other American is entitled to, such as the freedom to handle their own finances and have a say in their medical treatment plan. On a more fundamental level, they have the right to a safe and trauma-free living environment. However, defending that right on their own isn’t always possible. When their basic dignities are compromised, someone must step in on their behalf. That starts with you, and it ends with us.

If you suspect your loved one has been the victim of nursing home abuse or neglect, give us a call today for a free consultation. We’ll investigate the suspected abuse and fight to hold those responsible accountable. Don’t let your loved one suffer in silence. Contact us today for your free, no obligation consultation, and let us fight for their rights.