Personal Injury

When Your Case is a Win

by admin@gotechark.com | March 14th, 2016

We are all creatures of habit. We each have our routines that help us start our days on the right foot. Whether drinking your coffee on your porch or taking a walk every morning with your dog, these routines provide familiarity and comfort. When they’re taken away, they can throw your life out of balance.

We talk a lot on this blog about the big things we do for accident victims, such as ensuring they get the best medical treatment available and helping get them maximum compensation for their injuries. However, often it’s the smaller contributions we make that can mean even more.

Our main goal is to help accident victims get their lives back on track. That means doing our best to restore the life that they loved before this accident robbed them of it. When we get a large settlement or verdict for a client, it’s a huge win for the client and their family, but that’s not when the case is won in our book. When we check in a couple months later and they’ve reclaimed those life routines we all take for granted, that’s when we consider the case a win.

At Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers, it’s more than getting you maximum compensation for your injuries, it’s about helping rebuild your life. If you’ve been in a serious accident, give us a call for a free evaluation of your claim. We’ve helped hundreds of accident victims in Norfolk, and we’re ready to help you too.

The Battle Against Mesothelioma and Asbestos in Virginia

by | December 28th, 2015

Asbestos is a naturally-occurring mineral that’s used for it’s insulating and fire-retardant properties in many of the products we’re exposed to daily. While the use of asbestos has certain benefits, the risks the substance poses are substantial.

Contact with asbestos has been linked to the development of a deadly form of cancer known as Mesothelioma. This particular type of cancer can cause growths to develop on the lungs and inside the body cavity.

These dangers are why asbestos is often removed from structures and products that could cause exposure. However, removing asbestos is an extremely delicate process that requires numerous precautions and safety measures in order to protect the safety of workers and prevent asbestos contamination.

The Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation has created the Board for Asbestos, Lead, and Home Inspectors as a means to control the way asbestos is handled in Virginia. The organization monitors all projects containing asbestos and enforces all regulations of the substance.

The processes and laws that are in place are successful in reducing much of the public’s exposure to this harmful substance. However, many citizens were exposed to asbestos before these rules were implemented and some people still come in contact with asbestos today.

If you developed Mesothelioma as a result of being exposed to asbestos, Lowell “The Hammer” Stanley and our legal staff at Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers is here to help. You can contact us by calling (757) 459-CASH anytime—day or night.

Online Shoppers Should Be Wary of Arbitration Agreements

by | December 7th, 2015

As we scurry to wrap up holiday gift shopping, the idea of ordering items online can be alluring. But the Norfolk defective product lawyers at Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers warn shoppers that ordering online can affect your rights to file a product liability claim.

Many online retailers have begun forcing shoppers to agree to arbitration clauses prior to a purchase. These agreements protect retailers from lawsuits in the event they sell a malfunctioning product and strip consumers of their rights to protection under the law.

An article from The Fiscal Times points out that some of the largest retailers who have adopted the practice include Amazon, Ticketmaster, Starbucks, and Overstock.com.

So what can you do to protect your legal rights while shopping this holiday season? Experts encourage consumers to do shopping at a company’s physical location rather than online, due to the fact arbitration agreements aren’t signed when items are purchased at a store. You can also choose to do any required online shopping with companies that do not force arbitration agreements onto their customers.

At Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers, we believe in protecting the rights of consumers, and our Norfolk personal injury lawyers hope these tips are useful to you during the holiday shopping season.

Recent Changes to Virginia Traffic Laws

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.

DMV Launches Campaign to Reduce Virginia Bicycle Accident Numbers

by | June 29th, 2015

The number of collisions between bicycles and motor vehicles has steadily increased over the years. Data shows that last year, a total of 12 cyclists lost their lives as the result of a Virginia bicycle accident, which was a 50 percent increase from the previous year’s total.

To help reduce Virginia bicycle accident numbers, the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is sponsoring several campaigns to help spread the message of bicycle safety across the commonwealth. One of those projects involves citizens sharing photos of themselves wearing bicycle helmets.

Wearing a helmet can reduce a cyclist’s chances of being seriously injured or killed in an accident by as much as 65 percent. So the DMV is asking area residents to post “selfies” to social media platforms using the tag #safetylooksgoodonyou as a heading. The DMV will then use the photos to promote helmet use and bicycle safety.

An article from NBC 29 News says children can get involved with spreading the message as well by printing off one of the DMV’s coloring pages. Kids should then ask their parents to mail in the finished coloring job, where it will then be displayed at the DMV’s Richmond Central Customer Service Center.

At Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers, we recognize the importance of staying safe while riding a bicycle. That’s why our Norfolk personal injury lawyers are encouraging you to do your part to help promote bicycle safety in our communities.

Norfolk Car Accident Attorneys Discuss Upcoming National Work Zone Awareness Week

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.

Studies Reveal Talcum Powder Ovarian Cancer and Mesothelioma Risks

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.

911 Location Errors Put Citizens at Risk of Serious Harm

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.

New Research Method Could Help Reduce Drug Injury Numbers in the U.S.

by | January 5th, 2015

The drug industry in the United States provides Americans with some of the safest drugs in the world due to stringent testing requirements; however, sometimes medications can have side effects that go undiscovered during the testing process that can cause patients to suffer a serious drug injury.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates thousands of drug injuries occur each year because patient take products that slipped through the cracks of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s safety standards. So what’s being done to better protect Americans from such harm? Researchers say a new test could uncover hidden toxins in medications much earlier in the testing and screening processes.

According to an article from Science 2.0, scientists at the University of Utah used both laboratory mice and untamed mice to test the toxicity of the antidepressant Paxil. The mice were placed into a pen where they had to fend for themselves for food, water, and territory. After several generations of mice were bred, those that had consumed food laced with Paxil struggled to keep up with their counterparts in the control group, showing signs the drug may need further testing to determine its side effects.

At Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers, we understand the need for determining the safety of a medication earlier in the testing stages and our Norfolk personal injury lawyers are hopeful this new research method will be used to better protect Americans from harmful side effects of medications.

 

Video Aims to Reduce Virginia and Norfolk Bicycle Accident Numbers

by | October 20th, 2014

The colorful leaves and cooler climates that accompany fall in Virginia make the commonwealth a great place to get out on a bicycle this time of year. Unfortunately, cyclists in Virginia are especially prone to involvement in accidents, especially in Norfolk.

Reports from the Department of Motor Vehicles show that in 2013, there were a total of 739 collisions between vehicles and bicycles. Of those crashes, 45 were a Norfolk bicycle accident.

Numbers like these leave many citizens wondering what is being done to improve bicycle safety in Virginia. It seems as though two bicycle advocacy groups have combined efforts to create a new video that’s focused on educating the public about bicycle safety.

According to an article from WDBJ 7 News, RIDE Solutions and the Blue Ridge Transportation Safety Board created the video. It not only discusses the laws of the road and how they pertain to cyclists, but also what’s needed to prevent bicycle crashes. Roanoke County Police Chief, Howard Hall, explained the message is that motorists need to be more vigilant of their surroundings when driving while cyclists need to recognize their responsibility to obey all traffic laws.

The video is set to debut as part of the Go Outdoors Festival.

The team of Norfolk personal injury attorneys with Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers recognizes the importance of bicycle safety in our community and we are hopeful the video is successful in spreading the message of accident prevention.