Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers Blog
by actuate | January 4th, 2016
One of the questions we get most often in Norfolk is “Can I afford a lawyer?” That’s a fair question and a valid concern. When most people think about hiring a lawyer, they see dollar signs. They assume a lawyer will charge them large amounts of money upfront just to consider their case. That may be true of other law firms, but that’s not how we do it at Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers. We make it easy to get the help you need by offering a contingency fee arrangement to all of our clients.
A contingency fee means our payment is contingent on whether or not we win your case, so you don’t owe us anything upfront. In fact, we’ll only take payment if we get money for you. That means you have nothing to lose from giving us a call.
Our goal is to eliminate all the obstacles keeping you from getting the help you need. That’s why, in addition to our contingency fee arrangement, we offer free consultations. We’ll evaluate your case and let you know if we believe we can help. Either way, the consultation is always free of charge.
Have more questions? Check out our FAQ page for answers. When you’re ready, give us a call for your free consultation.
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.
by | December 21st, 2015
Guardrails that line the highway may be one of your first defenses in a car accident. But what if these supposedly lifesaving devices weren’t as safe as we previously believed? Unfortunately, the risks of defective guardrails seem to be a reality here in Virginia. Luckily, a solution is on the way.
The Hampton Roads car accident lawyers at Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers explain that concerns began to arise when a link between the length of guardrail end caps and the devastating results of impacts with the devices was discovered. Research shows the guardrail caps were shortened after undergoing federal testing and approval, which undermined their ability to function properly.
With these discoveries coming to light, the state began removing each of the defective guardrails. According to an article from the Press Telegraph, officials say the faulty units are to be replaced with newer and safer units.
Virginia also filed a lawsuit against the manufacturer of the faulty rails, claiming negligence in failing to disclose the changes in the product’s design.
At Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers, we are aware of the important role safety equipment plays in keeping our highways safe. That’s why our Norfolk personal injury lawyers would like to applaud Virginia for taking steps to help ensure motorists are protected in the event of a crash.
by | December 14th, 2015
The force of a dog’s bite is immense. Estimates show that when a canine’s jaws lock, more than 300 pounds of pressure per square inch can be applied.
With numbers like these, it comes as no surprise that a dog’s bite can inflict serious injuries. An incident in which a 5-year-old girl sustained life-threatening dog bite injuries over the weekend brings this likelihood into perspective.
Reports from WAVY 10 News say the attack happened on Sunday, Dec. 13, at a home on the 500 block of Margaret Drive in Chesapeake, Virginia. Witnesses say the victim was visiting family friends and playing with the two dogs outside. For unknown reasons, one of the animals turned on the young girl and bit her neck, causing lacerations and puncture wounds. The bite required the victim to be transported from the scene via helicopter for treatment at a local hospital.
The two dogs involved are being quarantined to ensure they are not carrying any infectious diseases.
Recovering from a dog bite wound can be a long and difficult process, which is why the Norfolk personal injury lawyers at Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers would like to wish the young girl who was injured a full and speedy recovery.
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.
by | November 30th, 2015
Numerous factors can lead to a motor vehicle collision. While you can’t eliminate all risks, some common causes of car accidents are completely preventable.
Speeding, for instance, is one cause of crashes that drivers have total control over. Despite the ability to prevent speed-related accidents, driving too fast is still a factor in as many as one-third of all fatal crashes. Data from the Department of Motor Vehicles shows that speeding claimed a total of 300 lives and led to almost 13,500 injuries last year in Virginia. Men accounted for roughly 58 percent of all speed-related accident victims.
Alcohol is involved in a similar number of crashes each year. Driving under the influence was a factor in roughly 33 percent of all fatal crashes in 2014. Drunk drivers were responsible for causing an estimated 6,500 Virginia car accidents last year.
One of the newest and most difficult to track risk factors is distracted driving. Some studies show as many as 40 percent of motorists engage in the behavior even though they acknowledge the risks that it poses.
If you were in a crash that was the result of someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. At Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers, our Virginia Beach car accident lawyers can provide you with information and resources to help protect your rights. Learn more about the options that are available to you by visiting our website.
by actuate | November 23rd, 2015
For years, statistics have shown the benefits of wearing your seat belt. Despite these numbers, data from Virginia’s Smart, Safe & Sober program shows a little less than 25 percent of Virginians chose not to buckle up last year.
With Thanksgiving and the influx of traffic the holiday can bring just around the corner, knowing the causes of car accidents and the importance of wearing your seat belt can help you stay safe on the road. One of the methods to raise awareness is the “Click It or Ticket Mobilization” campaign.
The program launched on Nov. 20 and will continue through Nov. 26. During that time, officers, deputies, and troopers will not only focus their efforts on enforcing Virginia’s seat belt laws, while also making an effort to provide the public with information about how seat belts can save lives.
Officials say they hope the campaign can help contribute to boosting Virginia’s seat belt compliance from around 77 percent this year to 82 percent in 2016.
The National Safety Council has announced that if everyone wore seat belts, it could an estimated 164 lives this Thanksgiving holiday. Programs like this could have a significant impact on achieving these numbers. That’s why the Virginia Beach car accident lawyers at Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers are happy that efforts are being made to protect motorists from accidents by providing them with information to help make safe choices.
by | November 16th, 2015
Hockey players are at high risk of suffering brain injuries because of the hard hits and slick playing surfaces associated with the game. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say hockey produces the second highest number of head and brain injuries in the United States each year, coming in just behind football.
Wearing a helmet is the best way to prevent brain injuries, but a new study shows they may not offer as much protection as once believed.
A report from WAVY 10 News examines research conducted at Virginia Tech’s School of Bio Engineering and Mechanics. A team of researchers placed each helmet through a series of 48 separate impacts to test performance. The study took 32 different helmet models into consideration and found very few offered a noteworthy level of protection.
Data indicates nine of the helmets failed to receive a single star, suggesting the models offered players little to no protection from a potential brain injury. Furthermore, no helmet received four or five stars—the highest ratings available.
As a Norfolk personal injury lawyer, Lowell “The Hammer” Stanley at Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers is committed to helping athletes protect themselves from injury. That’s why we ask young hockey players to consider these precautions:
- Check helmet safety ratings- Take a look at the reviews and testing on a helmet’s functionality. This can provide you with the information you need to choose a safe helmet.
- Ensure a proper fit- Once you have a helmet that can help prevent a brain injury, it’s important to make sure it’s the right size. A helmet should sit just above the brow line and the strap should fasten securely under the chin.
- Learn proper technique- Experts say that learning safe methods to make contact on the ice is the best way to prevent players from suffering brain injuries.
We hope these tips help keep you and your loved ones safe on the ice this season!
by | November 9th, 2015
Making ends meet after being injured on the job can be difficult due medical bills and lack of incom. Luckily, employees injured in the commonwealth are often entitled to Virginia workers’ compensation benefits. And now, at least one new study shows these payments are among the highest in the nation.
The Workers’ Compensation Research Institute examined payments, prices, and utilization of benefits in 17 states. Researchers were able to conclude that while Virginia had higher medical costs for non-hospital providers—roughly 13 percent more than average—the commonwealth also received above-average medical payments. According to the Insurance Journal, when a worker in Virginia was out of work for seven or more days, they receive one-third more in medical payments than the median payment in the other 16 states involved in the study.
At Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers, we recognize the vital role Virginia workers’ compensation benefits can play in an injured workers’ recovery—both physically and financially. Our Norfolk personal injury lawyers are glad to see Virginia’s injured workers getting the help they need. We also encourage anyone hurt on the job to consider applying for the benefits that they need.
by | November 2nd, 2015
As Americans, we’re lucky to have access to medications that can treat many of our ailments. Still, it’s pertinent to keep in mind that certain medications can cause serious side effects, including harm to internal organs like the liver. That’s why our Norfolk drug injury lawyers at Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers would like to point out several medications that have recently been tied to serious liver damage in some patients.
Acetaminophen
Acetaminophen is a drug that is found in more than 100 medications, and it’s used to treat pain. Experts have shown that taking too much of the drug can cause serious harm to the liver.
Data indicates that as many as 50,000 patients are treated in the emergency room for Acetaminophen liver damage each year. Another 500 die as a result of the drug injury.
Viekira Pak and Technivie
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued warnings regarding two Hepatitis C medications that pose a risk of liver damage in some users. The Wall Street Journal reports that since the beginning of the year, the FDA has received 26 reports of patients suffering serious liver damage after using the medications.
Getting Help
If you’ve suffered liver damage as the result of taking a medication, you have rights that need to be protected. We’re here to assist you. You can learn more about the options and resources an attorney can provide by visiting our website.
