Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers Blog
by | April 13th, 2015
Estimates from the American Veterinary Medical Association show that each year, as many as 4.5 million Americans will suffer a dog bite injury. More than one-third of those victims are children, considering approximately 360,000 people between the ages of 5 and 9 years old are treated each year for injuries sustained in a canine attack.
To bring into perspective the serious damage that can be done when a dog bites, lets look at an incident that occurred just a few weeks ago here in Norfolk that left several children and adults each suffering a dog bite injury. According to ABC 13 News, the attack happened on Monday, March 30, at approximately 7:35 P.M. on Johnstons Road.
Reports indicate one of the victims said he heard children screaming and ran to the scene. When he arrived, he found five children on the ground with each having suffered a dog bite injury from one of three canines that were in the area. The dogs then turned on the man as well, biting his abdomen and lunging for his neck. He was able to fight the animals off until emergency crews could respond.
Two children and two adults required medical treatment at a local hospital. Meanwhile, the owner of the dogs apologized and stated the animals had escaped from the backyard of the home.
If you or a loved one have suffered a dog bite injury, it’s crucial that you not hesitate to seek legal counsel to discuss your rights. At Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers, our team of Norfolk personal injury attorneys are standing by to answer the questions you have regarding your injuries. Give us a call at (757) 459-CASH to discuss your case.
by | April 7th, 2015
Spring has arrived in Eastern Virginia and with the passing of the Easter weekend, motorcycle season has officially opened in our area. The Norfolk motorcycle accident lawyers with Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers explain the great volume of motorcyclists on the road means all travelers need to keep safety in mind and be more aware of their surroundings. Here are a few things you can do to help prevent motorcycle accidents during the coming months:
- Get Training– Consider taking the Virginia Rider Training Program course. Doing so will provide you with classroom and hands-on training about how to safely ride a motorcycle.
- Wear a Helmet– Wearing a helmet can reduce your chances of death in the event of a motorcycle collision by as much as 60 percent. So, be sure that you wear a helmet every time you ride and require any passengers you carry on your bike to do the same.
- Don’t Drink and Drive– In 2013, there were a total of 2,158 Virginia motorcycle accidents that involved the consumption of alcohol. While the motorcycle driver was intoxicated in only 3.5 percent of those accidents, other motorists were driving drunk in around 93 percent of the accidents. So regardless of whether you’re driving a car or a motorcycle, don’t drink and drive.
Our team of Norfolk personal injury lawyers at Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers hope these safety tips help keep you and your loved ones safe over the next several months of the motorcycle season in Virginia.
by | March 30th, 2015
Employers have a legal responsibility to provide workers with a safe and healthy environment in which to do their jobs; however, the Norfolk workers’ compensation attorneys with Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers say many companies fail to meet this requirement, which often leads to serious accidents and legal action being taken against the responsible parties.
An accident that occurred earlier today at Colonna’s Shipyard in Norfolk underscores just how easily an on-the-job accident can occur if safety isn’t on the mind of every worker all the time. According to a story from WAVY 10 News, the incident occurred at around 1:25 p.m. near the facility’s South Main Street entrance.
This wasn’t the shipyard’s first safety incident though. Just last year, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) fined the shipyard more than $100,000 after inspections uncovered as many as one dozen health and safety code violations at the facility. Some of the violations included uncovered manholes, which presented a fall risk, as well as using damaged tools and equipment or utilizing unguarded machinery.
If you or a loved one have been injured or killed as the result of workplace negligence, it’s vital to know that help is available. At Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers, our Norfolk personal injury lawyers can not only answer your questions regarding workplace safety, but we can also help to assist you in filing the necessary paperwork to get back on your feet financially. Call us at (757) 459-CASH anytime to discuss your case.
by | March 23rd, 2015
Highway traffic collisions are dangerous for anyone who is involved, but especially for road crews who may be working in the area where an accident occurs. In Virginia alone, there were more than 3,000 work zone accidents in 2012. Those crashes resulted in 1,500 injuries and 13 fatalities.
To help educate the public about the dangers of work zone accidents, the Norfolk car accident attorneys with Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers explain that this week has been named “National Work Zone Awareness Week”.
As part of the event, the Virginia Department of Transportation has announced it will be doing its part to raise awareness about the issue of work zone safety by holding a vigil at the state’s VDOT Worker’s Memorial. According to WAVY 10 News, the memorial is located along I-64, near the town of Afton Mountain. The vigil will feature several speakers discussing the importance of work zone safety as a way to remember fallen workers.
For those who are unable to attend, it’s important to remember that the best way to promote work zone safety is to practice work zone safety. This means slowing down in all posted construction and work zones. It’s also important to allow yourself plenty of time to stop in work zone traffic by not following other vehicles too closely and avoiding distractions at all costs.
At Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers, we’ve seen the devastating results motor vehicle crashes in work zones can have. That’s why our Norfolk personal injury lawyers are hopeful National Work Zone Safety Week will effectively raise awareness about this very serious highway danger.
by | March 9th, 2015
Using talcum powder on your body can be an effective way to feel fresh and clean, but it may also present some serious health risks. Studies have shown that using talcum powder on certain parts of the body can significantly increase the user’s chances of developing either Ovarian cancer or Mesothelioma.
The American Cancer Society highlights several studies that have concluded the use of talcum powder on the genitals can result in an increase of an individual’s chances of developing cancer later in life. The reason for the increase in cancer risks is because talc- the naturally occurring substance that’s used to make talcum powder—contains a chemical substance known as asbestos.
Asbestos has also been linked to talcum powder users who developed mesothelioma after inhaling the powder on a consistent basis while applying the product to the body. In fact, one particular study tracked the asbestos-laced talc from the area where it was mined until the product was placed on the shelf and purchased. Researchers then examined the individuals who purchased the powder and found at least one patient who developed mesothelioma.
If you’ve been harmed as the result of using a defective product, the Norfolk personal injury attorneys with Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers would like to let you know that help is available. We have our legal staff standing by to answer any questions you may have regarding your illness and how you can get compensation. Contact us today at (757) 459-CASH and let us help you get on the road to recovery.
by | March 2nd, 2015
Laboratory developed tests (LDTs) are diagnostic procedures that are often used to determine if a child suffers from a genetic disorder. Currently, these tests are overseen by the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services. Now though, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has proposed a set of new regulations for these procedures, claiming they have the authority to control these tests as if they were a medical product.
While many believe the new set of regulations can improve patient safety in the medical industry, others believe the new laws could implicate LDTs as a defective product.
An article released by The National Law Review highlights several recent cases in which parents of children suffering from genetic disorders successfully sued laboratories for failing to supply them with accurate test results. This has forced many labs to seek refuge under the Virginia Medical Malpractice Act, which places caps on the amount of damages that can be awarded in cases where a medical professional or facility’s mistake led to a patient suffering harm.
A decision on the new regulations is expected to be released in the near future. In the meantime, the Norfolk personal injury attorneys with Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers are here to help if you’ve been harmed by a medical error that occurred through no fault of your own. Just give us a call at (757) 459-CASH to get started on your case today.
by | February 23rd, 2015
Whether you’ve suffered a brain injury or been hurt in a car accident, it’s likely that you will depend on calling 911 in order to receive emergency services. It’s important to remember though: 911 systems have flaws that could result in you not getting the care you need in a timely manner.
Typically, when a 911 call comes in, it is immediately traced in order to determine the location where the call was made. With cellphones and today’s technology though, this can be a difficult task because of cellphone towers. Sometimes, all of a caller’s information isn’t transferred to the dispatcher from the cell phone tower. In many more cases though, a call is sent to the nearest cellphone tower and then the nearest dispatch location. Unfortunately, sometimes the cellphone tower can pass along bad information about a caller’s location.
According to an article from 13 News Now, only around one-quarter of 911 calls in eastern Virginia come in with data about where a person is calling from. So what can you do to stay safe? The Norfolk personal injury attorneys with Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers suggest:
- Stay vigilant– Being aware of your surroundings at all times and not engaging in risky behavior goes a long way in helping to keep you safe.
- Call 911 from a land line– Most location errors occur because of interruption in the transmitting of data to cellphone towers. You can eliminate these issues by calling from a wired phone.
- Be precise– If you call 911, explain your location in detail to the dispatcher. This can include zip codes, addresses, landmarks, etc.
We hope these tips help to keep you and your loved ones safe in the future.
by | February 17th, 2015
Winter weather has descended on Norfolk and coastal Virginia. That’s why the Norfolk personal injury lawyers with Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers would like to let you know about several resources that will be available, as well as offer several tips to help keep you and your loved ones safe.
The Virginia Department of Transportation has prepared the roads for ice and snow, but this often isn’t enough to prevent a Norfolk car accident from occurring. Most experts advise drivers to stay off the roads during winter weather, but for those who must travel, consider following the safety tips that are being provided by WAVY 10 News.
Even if you don’t leave your home, you may still be at risk of dangers from the storm—like losing power and heat. If you lose your heat and power source, it may be important to know where your local shelters are located. In Norfolk, Maury High School will be open from 7A.M. until 7:30 P.M. as a safe place to stop in and get warm. Virginia Beach’s winter shelter program will be in full swing as well.
Lowell Stanley and his team of Norfolk personal injury lawyers are aware of the risks and dangers winter weather can pose and we are hopeful this information helps to keep you and your loved one’s safe and warm during winter storm Octavia.
by | February 9th, 2015
Riding motorcycles in Virginia can be dangerous—especially in Norfolk. In 2013 alone, there were a total of 105 Norfolk motorcycle accident reports. Those crashes resulted in 93 injuries and two deaths.
A study is currently being conducted at the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute to determine what the most common causes of motorcycle accidents are. The hope is that identifying these contributing factors will make riders more aware of these particular dangers. In turn, this heightened awareness will lead to safer motorcycle riding and a reduction in Virginia motorcycle accident totals.
According to an article from Motorcycle USA, the study will examine the behaviors and riding environments of hundreds of bikers of all ages. Their travels of more than 363,000 miles over a period of time will be documented and then analyzed to determine what factors played a role in any accidents that occur.
This information can then be used to put measures into place that will combat some of the most common motorcycle accident causes. The results can also be used during training and other educational courses.
At Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers, we believe in constantly working to improve motorcycle safety in Virginia. That’s why our Norfolk personal injury lawyers are anxious to see the results of this upcoming study.
by | February 2nd, 2015
Police dogs can be crucial to the completion of an officer’s investigation or apprehending a suspect, but they must be used under tight control in order to prevent a dog bite injury from being inflicted on a helpless victim. In fact, a complaint has been filed against an officer with the Norfolk Police Department after his canine inflicted a serious dog bite injury to a young woman’s leg. The incident has been ruled an “unreasonable” use of force.
According to an article from The Virginian-Pilot, the victim was leaving a party on Godfrey Avenue at around 2 A.M. after a fight had broken out on the front lawn of the home. As the victim was leaving with her father and two friends, officers approached and attempted to stop the party to discuss the incident. The victim told officers she didn’t know what happened and attempted to walk away. Officers then released a canine unit onto the victim and the animal bit her leg until she was arrested.
The victim required more than 40 stitches to close the wound and will require plastic surgery to repair the damage that was done.
Since the incident occurred, the Chief of Police stated the officer’s use of force was “unreasonable.” Furthermore, the officer has been placed on administrative duty.
At Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers, we’ve seen just how devastating a dog bite injury can be. That’s why our Norfolk personal injury lawyers would like to wish the woman who was recently injured a full and speedy recovery from her wounds.
