Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers Blog
by | September 15th, 2015
Each day, thousands of women in Virginia give birth to children. Unfortunately, a small percentage of those children are injured during birth. Such injuries can result in a lifetime of costly medical expenses, which is why our Norfolk birth injury lawyers at Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers would like to let you know about a few resources and options that are available to parents of children who were harmed during delivery.
One of the best resources available to victims of birth injury in the commonwealth is the Virginia Birth-Related Neurological Injury Compensation Program. The program can provide funding to victims of birth-related injuries throughout their lives for medical expenses they cannot afford or that aren’t covered under insurance policies. This can include hospital stays, rehabilitation, and even in-home care.
The Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission determines eligibility for the program and issues awards based on criteria outlined in state law.
Another option for compensation that may be available to families with children who suffered a birth injury is to file civil litigation against the parties who were responsible for causing your loved one harm; however, the process of filing such a claim can be quite complicated and it may be wise to seek the advice of legal counsel before entering into such proceedings.
At Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers, we understand the financial struggles that can come with a birth injury. That’s why our Norfolk personal injury attorneys are hopeful this information helps you and your family get on the road to recovery if your child was injured during the delivery process.
by | September 1st, 2015
Asbestos is a naturally occurring substance that is used in many of today’s products for its insulating and fire-retardant qualities; however, exposure to asbestos can result in the victim developing a deadly form of cancer known as mesothelioma.
The threat of the disease may be more common that you think. The discovery of asbestos in a Newport News shipyard highlights just how prevalent asbestos is in our everyday lives at home and at work.
According to an article from the Daily Press, more than 1,000 employees at the Newport News Shipyard were moved to different facilities to perform their duties after the discovery of asbestos at the original site. The substance was discovered in the ventilation system of Building 600 located on Marshall Avenue, meaning most workers were likely exposed to asbestos.
Officials stated they would work to clear the building of the toxin, but gave no details as to how long the task would take to complete.
Asbestos is commonly found in the ships that are built at the site, as its used to insulate pipes on boats that carry water and steam.
At Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers, our legal team has seen the devastating effects exposure to asbestos can have on the victim and their family. That’s why our Norfolk defective product lawyers would encourage the workers exposed to asbestos to receive regular checkups from their doctors and to speak with an attorney immediately if they’re ever diagnosed with mesothelioma.
by | August 25th, 2015
From bite wounds to the chances of disease, there are many risks involved with being the victim of a dog attack. Our Norfolk personal injury attorneys at Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers explain one young Virginia girl has come face to face with both of these dangers after being bitten by a dog.
Reports from WAVY-TV 10 News indicate the incident occurred on Wednesday, August 19, at around 5 p.m. on Algonquin Trail in James City County. Records show the dog was running loose when the animal and victim came in contact. The 11-year-old girl was bitten on both arms and was also potentially exposed to the rabies virus, due to the fact the animal had not received the required vaccinations.
The victim was taken to a local hospital for treatment while the dog was taken into James City County Animal Control custody for a quarantine period.
An attack like this can cause the victim to suffer numerous damages. That’s why Virginia dog bite laws allow the victim of a canine attack to collect compensation from the animal’s owner if the animal has a history of viciousness or negligence on the part of the owner can be established.
Providing evidence to support either type of case can be complicated though. It can be a huge benefit to have legal representation by your side through each step of the legal process. An experienced lawyer can provide you with guidance on how to file a dog bite injury claim and navigate the required legal proceedings.
by | August 18th, 2015
As the fall sports season begins, many local athletes are preparing to return to the field; however, some parents are concerned about the risks their children face while playing popular sports like football and soccer.
Accidents that result in a player suffering a traumatic brain injury (TBI) are one of the greatest dangers to player safety today. So, our Norfolk brain injury lawyers will examine the safety concerns regarding these injuries, as well as what players and parents can do to avoid them.
It’s estimated that sports and recreational activities account for more than 1 in 5 traumatic brain injuries that American children and adolescents suffer. This statistic is one of the main reasons WAVY 10 News reports roughly half of all parents don’t want their children to play football.
While the risks of a child suffering a head injury on the field are legitimate, there are steps both parents and athletes can take to prevent such accidents from occurring.
One of the best ways for athletes to prevent head injuries is to use specialized safety equipment, like helmets. Learning proper technique on the field can also reduce the chances of suffering a head injury.
Athletes, parents, and coaches should also educate themselves on how to recognize the symptoms of a potential traumatic brain injury.
At Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers, we are aware of the serious impact a traumatic brain injury can have on an individual’s health. That’s why our Norfolk personal injury attorneys are hopeful this information can help to keep you and your loved ones safe during the coming sports season.
by admin@gotechark.com | August 10th, 2015
Motorcycles are a popular mode of transportation in the Norfolk area. Our area also accounts for a majority of the commonwealth’s motorcycle accidents as well. The Department of Motor Vehicles reports Norfolk had the third highest motorcycle accident fatality total in Virginia in 2014, accounting for 80 deaths. The city had the fourth highest motorcycle crash total and third highest motorcycle accident injury total.
Our Norfolk motorcycle accident lawyers at Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers explains that one of the most commonly reported causes of motorcycle accidents in our area is a motorist’s failure to recognize and yield the right of way to an oncoming motorcycle. In fact, this was the cause of a recent collision that left two riders with injuries.
According to the Norfolk Daily News, the crash happened on Friday, July 31, at approximately 9:45 p.m. along Highway 275. Reports indicate that the 17-year-old driver of a Chrysler Sebring sedan was pulling out of an access road when she failed to see an oncoming westbound motorcycle.
The 20-year-old operator of the Harley-Davidson motorcycle didn’t have time to stop and collided with the Sebring.
The impact of the collision left the young motorcyclist and his 18-year-old passenger seriously injured.
Accidents like this are why it’s so important for motorists to be aware of motorcycles on the road. Our team of Norfolk personal injury attorneys at Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers says this means looking twice in both directions for motorcycles and other obstacles before pulling into or maneuvering in traffic.
by | August 4th, 2015
A large number of east Virginia residents use a bicycle as a means of transportation; however, the more bikes on the road, the more possibility of collisions with vehicles.
Our Norfolk bicycle accident lawyers at Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers say local law enforcement is working to raise awareness about the importance of protecting cyclists by naming bicycle safety as the theme for an upcoming National Night Out in Williamsburg, Virginia.
The event will take place on the evening of Tuesday, August 4, from 5 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. at Community Building located on North Boundary Street. Officials say there will be several organizations in attendance who will focus on bike safety as part of the event.
According to an article published by The Virginia Gazette, Bikes Unlimited will be providing bicycle safety inspections for attendees at no charge. Also, the organization known as Williamsburg Area Bicyclists will be offering free bicycle helmets and bicycle helmet fittings to children who are in need.
The event will also feature live entertainment as well as a bounce house for the kids.
At Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers, we recognize the impact events like this can have on promoting bicycle safety in our communities. That’s why our Norfolk personal injury attorneys would like to encourage you to support a great cause by attending Williamsburg’s 2015 National Night Out tomorrow.
by | July 27th, 2015
Automobile manufacturers in the United States are required to ensure the safety of the vehicles they release to consumers. Unfortunately, numerous safety issues have been discovered in a number of different makes and models in recent years, which has prompted safety regulators to take stern action against automobile companies that produce a defective product.
Take the cases against Fiat Chrysler as a prime example. A report indicates the company will have to buy back or repair as many as 500,000 vehicles that were involved in dozens of recent recalls.
A settlement reached with safety regulators will force Fiat Chrysler to purchase back as many as half a million Dodge Ram pickup trucks that have been the subject of recalls involving faulty steering parts. Furthermore, the company will be required to repair or allow trade-ins on more than 1 million older model Jeeps that are equipped with rear-mounted gas tanks that can be a fire hazard in the event of a crash. The company also faces as much as $105 million in fines as part of the settlement.
An article from WAVY 10 News outlines a list of the makes and models of vehicles that are being affected by the buy backs.
Our team at Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers believes in protecting the safety of consumers and motorists in Virginia. That’s why our Norfolk personal injury attorneys are hopeful this settlement will provide consumers with more reliable vehicles that perform as they were intended to.
by | July 21st, 2015
Dozens of traffic accidents occur in Virginia each day and the latest reports from officials say the trend shows no sign of slowing down.
Our Norfolk car accident lawyers at Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers explain that data from the Department of Transportation show that a motor vehicle collision occurs in Virginia every four minutes. These crashes result in approximately 66,000 injuries per year and an average of two fatalities per day—a rate that has increased since 2014.
An article from WTOP News shows rear-end collisions were the most common type of crash reported in Virginia this year; however, striking a fixed object has been the leading cause of fatal accidents in Virginia during 2015.
The Virginia Department of Transportation is vigorously working to reduce the accident rate in the commonwealth by implementing several roadway construction and improvement projects. These projects include installing brighter traffic lights and more rumble strips, along with adding bike lanes on certain roads and replacing signage in curves on the highway. Areas where improvements like these were made in the past saw a decrease in accidents of as much as 92 percent.
At Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers, we recognize the important role an area’s infrastructure can play in highway safety. That’s why our Norfolk personal injury lawyers are anxious to see these highway improvements made sooner, rather than later.
by | July 13th, 2015
Motor vehicle collisions can happen anywhere on the road, but one of the most likely places for a crash to occur is at an intersection. In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that roughly 40 percent of all car and truck accidents that occur in the United States happen at road crossings.
Our Norfolk car accident lawyers at Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers say we should look at a multiple vehicle collision that occurred in Hampton, Virginia, in order to bring into perspective just how common and dangerous crashes at intersections can be. Reports indicate the incident took place at around 1 p.m. on Monday, July 13, at the crossing of North Armistead and West Pembroke avenues.
According to an article from WAVY 10 News, the driver of a gold Ford Explorer was heading north on Armistead when a van heading east on Pembroke collided with the SUV. The impact caused the Explorer to roll into the path of a black sedan, striking that vehicle as well.
Emergency crews responded to the scene and transported four people to local hospitals for treatment, including both drivers of the vehicles involved in the initial collision.
If you’ve been injured as the result of a crash that occurred in an intersection, you may have legal rights that need to be protected. Give our Norfolk personal injury attorneys at Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers a call if you have questions regarding what you are entitled to after an accident occurs. We can be reached at (757) 459-CASH.
by | July 6th, 2015
Highway safety is a major concern in the state of Virginia. That’s why lawmakers have passed several new laws aimed at preventing traffic accidents in the commonwealth. Our Norfolk personal injury lawyers at Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers would like to fill you in on the changes that took effect July 1.
Move Over Law
Motorists are now required to give at least one lane of space to any emergency vehicle that is stopped and has its lights or sirens activated. If a driver is on a two-lane road and is approaching a stopped emergency vehicle, the driver should slow down to at least 10 MPH below the posted speed limit and give at least two feet of space when passing the stopped vehicle.
Tailgating Laws
In an effort to reduce Virginia bicycle accident numbers, lawmakers have passed new regulations that prohibit motorists from following bicycles too closely. Violations of the law will result in a citation.
Crossing Double Yellow Lines
In another effort to keep cyclists safe, legislators passed an ordinance that will now allow motorists to cross double yellow lines when passing a bicycle on the road, as long as the maneuver can be made safely. An article from NBC 29 News explains this will allow cyclists and pedestrians more space on roads that do not have specified bike or pedestrian lanes.
Stay Safe
Our legal staff at Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers understand the dangers motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians each face on the road. That’s why we’re hopeful these changes will offer vulnerable travelers more protection when on the road.
