Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers Blog
by actuate | August 10th, 2020
If you or someone you know was recently bitten by a dog, it’s important to not only seek immediate medical attention, but it’s also vital to get immediate legal representation. That’s because dog bites aren’t just initially painful and disabling, but they can also be permanently disabling.
Dog bites are particularly dangerous for two reasons: first, they can cause serious infections. Dogs’ mouths are breeding grounds for bacteria, and when they bite, their sharp teeth can cause huge amounts of that bacteria to be pushed directly into victims’ bloodstreams. That can result in body-wise infections that cause serious complications and even a risk of death.
Second, dog bites are capable of seriously damaging muscle, tendons, nerves, and even bone, depending on the breed and bite force they generate. In addition to serious blood loss, those types of injuries don’t just cause significant pain, but they can also make it difficult to use the affected body part.
For example, people who are bitten on their hands by dogs may have limited or completely lost functionality in their fingers or their entire hands. They may lose grip strength, dexterity, and coordination. That can be disastrous for people who work with their hands or whose jobs require many precise movements throughout the day.
At Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers, our Virginia dog bite lawyers want to ensure that no dog bite victim goes without the legal representation they deserve after an attack. Get in touch with us today if you or a family member was bitten by a dog for a free consultation. It’s our goal to get you maximum compensation for your injuries and expenses.
by actuate | August 3rd, 2020
Virginia uses a contributory negligence rule when determining fault and liability in crashes. It means that drivers who are involved in crashes are only eligible for compensation if they’re determined to be 100% innocent of causing them.
Because of Virginia’s strict law when it comes to auto accident claims, it’s even more important to get an experienced Virginia car accident lawyer than it is in other states. That’s because insurance companies know they can get away with denying your claim if there’s any doubt concerning who was at fault and whether all the blame falls on the other driver or just a percentage of it—even if it’s 99%!
In addition to calling a lawyer right away, it’s also important to do two things after a crash to protect yourself:
- Never admit fault to the police or the other driver—If the responding police officer notes that you admitted fault, it may be game over for your claim. In addition, evidence may later reveal that you had nothing to do with the crash. It’s best way to let the facts show what happened.
- Avoid discussing your crash—When you report the crash to your insurance company, stick to the facts. In addition to not admitting fault, don’t volunteer information. Also, don’t talk about the crash on social media. Your statements may be twisted and used against you.
Even if fault is established at the scene by a police officer, that doesn’t mean that it can’t be revised or changed as more information is gathered and analyzed. Get Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers on your side today after a crash. Contact us now for a free consultation.
by actuate | July 27th, 2020
When it comes to feeling the effects of an injury long after it occurred, few are as disruptive to daily life as a traumatic brain injury (TBI). That’s because the brain controls so many aspects of the body, and damage to it can also result in significant behavioral, psychological, and cognitive changes.
People who suffer TBIs may struggle with the following burdens for years, or even the rest of their lives:
- Thinking—TBIs can make it difficult for victims to think clearly. They may become deficient in areas of cognition where they were once strong, such as abstract concepts, pattern recognition, mathematics, and more.
- Sensation—TBIs can affect victims’ ability to see clearly or walk in a straight line. They also may experience synesthesia, or the blending and confusion of their senses. That means they may “hear” colors or “see” sounds.
- Language—TBI victims may struggle to find the right words in conversations. Damage to language processing centers in their brains can also make it difficult for them to express themselves effectively to others.
- Emotion—TBI victims may be emotionally unstable and have volatile mood swings, and they may suffer from prolonged depression and anxiety. They also may display inappropriate reactions and emotions to certain events and in social situations.
At Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers, we know that TBIs often change lives forever—both victims’ lives and the lives of their loved ones. They can make it impossible to work, and victims often need expensive medical care and rehabilitation.
That’s why our Virginia brain injury lawyers work hard to help victims get maximum compensation. If you or someone you love suffered a TBI due to someone else’s negligence, we want to help. Call today for a free consultation.
by actuate | July 20th, 2020
While some occupations put workers at greater risk of on-the-job injuries than others, all workers can be hurt while performing their job duties. From construction workers falling off scaffolding to office workers developing repetitive stress injuries, many types of jobs can cause painful, debilitating, and even disabling injuries. When that happens, they should be free to pursue workers’ compensation benefits—but getting approved for them isn’t easy.
When you file a workers’ compensation claim, you need two things to go your way. First, you need your employer to cooperate. Some workplaces try to hide or downplay injuries, and that can make difficult to move forward with a claim. Second, you need the Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission (VWCC) to take your claim seriously. This governmental body acts as the gatekeeper for compensation claims, but its strict criteria means many valid claims fall through the cracks.
When you get the Virginia workers’ compensation attorneys at Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers on your side, you get a legal team that knows how to deal with both potential roadblocks. We’ll collect evidence that leaves no doubt about what caused your injury, and we’ll build your application or appeal in a manner that leaves little uncertainty or wiggle room for the VWCC.
Best of all, we know how to expedite the process, so that you’ll spend less time waiting for your checks to arrive and more time focusing on getting better and spending time with your loved ones. Contact us today for a free consultation. We have more than three decades of experience that you can use to your advantage.
by actuate | July 13th, 2020
Whether you’re trying to avoid COVID-19 or reduce your risks of getting sick in general, using hand sanitizer is a great way to kill bacteria and germs when washing your hands in a sink isn’t possible or practical. But recently, the FDA released a serious warning about the safety of certain hand sanitizers that contain methanol.
Typically, hand sanitizers work by using ethanol, or ethyl alcohol. This substance kills germs without putting users at risk. However, some hand sanitizer manufacturers are using methanol, or wood alcohol, in their products without labeling it. Methanol is highly toxic and should be avoided at all costs, whether its via skin exposure or accidental and intentional consumption.
Side effects of methanol exposure can include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Headache
- Blurred vision
- Permanent blindness
- Seizure
- Coma
- Nerve damage
- Death
People who use hand sanitizers that contain methanol are at risk even if they are only exposed topically. However, people who ingest these products, including small children and people who drink them as alcohol substitutes, are at extreme risk of serious complications.
Many of the affected hand sanitizers were manufactured in Mexico under various names and by various companies. A full list can be found on the FDA’s website. New hand sanitizers are being added to the list frequently. When purchasing hand sanitizer, only buy products from trusted brands and trusted stores.
If you or someone you love was harmed by a defective and dangerous product, the Virginia defective product lawyers at Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers want to help. Contact us today for a free consultation.
by actuate | July 6th, 2020
If you regularly ride your bicycle on Virginia’s roads, you know that drivers aren’t always courteous or even concerned about your safety. In fact, you may feel like you’re being bullied or pushed out of your lane and even off the road at times. Unfortunately, that treatment can continue even if you get struck by a vehicle driven by a negligent driver.
At Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers, our Virginia bicycle accident attorneys have seen many cases where bicyclists get seriously hurt through no fault of their own, only to be blamed for their own accidents! Drivers and their insurance companies frequently place blame back on innocent bicyclists, and it can be difficult for cyclists to be taken seriously when they pursue compensation, even when they suffered serious injuries.
Don’t let this happen to you after a bicycle accident. It’s important to approach your pursuit of compensation with the expectation of not being taken seriously and even having your claim denied by the other driver’s insurer. That’s where we come in. Our legal team has decades of experience assisting innocent victims, and we know what it takes to build claims that get attention, respect, and results.
You shouldn’t be “punished” for riding a bike, especially when the accident wasn’t your fault. But that’s reality for far too many bicyclists in Virginia. We want to ensure it doesn’t happen to you. When you contact us, we’ll work hard to ensure your claim is heard and your needs are met after the crash. Call today for a free consultation.
by actuate | June 29th, 2020
As a motorcyclist, you face increased risks compared to people in passenger vehicles. They’re protected by airbags and seatbelts during crashes—you’re not. It’s up to you to take your safety into your own hands, and that means wearing all the right gear when you ride your motorcycle.
What does it mean to wear the right gear? It involves always wearing the following equipment:
- Full-face helmet—Wearing a helmet is the single most important thing you can do to protect yourself as a rider. But just any helmet isn’t enough. Make sure your helmet is full-faced, fits you properly, and is certified by DOT, ECE 22.05, and Snell.
- Riding jacket and pants—Asphalt and bare skin aren’t a good combination, especially at high speeds. If you want to avoid road rash, infection, and possible skin grafts, always wear a thick riding jacket and pants.
- Gloves and boots—Your fingers, hands, feet, and toes aren’t just susceptible to road rash—they’re also susceptible to amputation during crashes. Wearing high-quality, protective gloves and boots not only protect your skin, but they also reduce the risk of catastrophic injuries.
You can further improve your safety by ensuring that your gear is brightly colored and reflective. One of the biggest causes of motorcycle crashes is drivers not seeing riders, regardless of time of day or weather.
At Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers, our Virginia motorcycle accident attorneys strongly believe in the importance of safety equipment, but we also know that even the most well-protected and safety-conscious riders still get hurt in accidents. If you were injured by a negligent driver while riding, we want to help you get compensation. Contact us today for a free consultation.
by actuate | June 22nd, 2020
According to a report by the Virginia Department of Transportation, there have been fewer vehicles on the state’s roadways during the COVID-19 pandemic than at other times. However, the percentage of crashes involving speeding vehicles and drivers and passengers not wearing their seat belts has increased. In addition, the number of deaths related to those factors has also gone up.
What does this mean? It can be inferred that many drivers are becoming too relaxed and even careless behind the wheel, especially when they look around and see fewer cars on the road during their daily commutes. Driving is a task that requires undivided attention, focus, and concentration. All it takes is one momentary lapse for a crash to occur.
In addition, driving on a less busy street should never be an invitation or a green light to suddenly disregard traffic laws or push the envelope. Speed limits are posted for a reason, and they’re enforced whether it’s just you on the road or you’re driving in heavy traffic. In addition, dangerous behaviors such as texting while driving and driving under the influence put you at risk regardless of how many cars, trucks, and SUVs are nearby.
Unfortunately, our Virginia auto accident lawyers know that too many drivers have let safety slip from their minds while driving in recent months. If you or someone you love gets injured in a crash caused by a careless driver, we want to help. Get in touch with the legal team at Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers today for a free consultation.
by actuate | June 15th, 2020
All personal injury claims have a large burden of proof on injured victims. In most cases, claims go against insurance companies—which are well-known for reporting huge annual profits. If they were paying out all the compensation claims they receive, they would quickly go bankrupt. Instead, they’ve found ways to reduce or deny claims by forcing victims to come up with mountains of evidence, and even that’s not always enough!
Medical malpractice claims are similar in that the burden of proof is extremely high. To make matters worse, hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities are often well protected against medical malpractice claims. They fight back viciously when sick or injured patients accuse them of negligence and carelessness, even when those patients clearly suffered at the hands of healthcare professionals.
Many law firms help victims only to make a quick buck. They want to turn over cases as quickly as possible, and medical malpractice claims typically require patience, experience, and tenacity. Those are the qualities we bring to every claim we handle, which is why we don’t back down from medical malpractice claims. It’s our goal to help injured victims throughout Virginia, including those who were injured by doctors, surgeons, and other providers.
We believe that victims shouldn’t have to pay out of pocket simply because their claims will be tough to win. Our Virginia medical malpractice lawyers don’t back down from a challenge, and we’re always in it to win. Contact us today for a free consultation and to find out how we can help.
by actuate | June 8th, 2020
Doctors, midwives, and other healthcare providers who assist during pregnancy and delivery are supposed to do everything in their power to protect mothers and their babies. But that doesn’t always happen. And sometimes, those letdowns are caused by negligence rather than human error.
When medical professionals are negligent due to carelessness, rushing through procedures, and failing to double-check patient charts and other important information, serious injuries can occur. In the case of birth injuries, both mothers and their children may be affected, and both can suffer potentially fatal complications.
At Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers, our Virginia birth injury attorneys not only fight for the rights of women and children injured by negligent medical providers, but we also know how to prepare claims that get results.
Medical malpractice can be difficult to prove, especially after something like child birth, which can have negative outcomes even with preventative care. Our years of experience building these types of claims means that we can review all the evidence and build a case that leaves no doubt that negligence occurred.
If you, your partner, or your child were harmed at any point during pregnancy or delivery, you may have a claim to compensation for things like medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. When you call us, our legal team will review the facts of what happened and work hard to determine if you have a claim. If so, we’ll immediately do everything we can to get you maximum damages for what you’ve been through.
Contact us today for a free consultation. We’re here to help you get the money you deserve.