Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers Blog
by | October 26th, 2015
There are countless factors that can lead to car crashes, but some causes are reported more often than others. That’s why the legal staff at Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers would like to point out some common causes of car accidents in our area:
- Driver Distraction- The chances of being involved in an accident are 23 times higher when engaging in behaviors such as texting or talking on the phone while driving. Other behaviors that can cause a driver to become distracted include eating or drinking, adjusting the radio, and talking with passengers in a vehicle.
- Drinking and Driving- In 2014, the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles reports that 251 people were killed and another 5,003 motorists were seriously injured as the result of a crash caused by a drive under the influence of alcohol.
- Speeding- Driving faster than the posted speed limit is listed as a contributing factor in roughly one-third of all fatal collisions.
If you were injured in a Williamsburg, Virginia Beach, or Hampton Roads car accident that wasn’t your fault, you have legal rights. Learn more about your potential rights to compensation by exploring our website.
by | October 19th, 2015
The diabetes drug, Actos®, has been linked to the development of bladder cancer in some patients. Many victims are seeking compensation for their losses with lawsuits against the maker of the drug. Now, many of those cases are beginning to come to a close.
In April, Takeda Pharmaceutical, Inc. offered more than $2 billion to settle a majority of the Actos bladder cancer lawsuits. It didn’t seem as though the deal would be closed in August, considering only 75 percent of the victims had agreed to the terms of the settlement. However, the company announced last month that they had reached settlements with 96 percent of the drug’s victims for an estimated $2.4 billion. This laid to rest seven of the nine remaining lawsuits the company is facing in connection with Actos bladder cancer cases.
Now, it seems as though another of those cases has been settled as well. Fierce Pharma reports a case involving to Nevada patients who developed bladder cancer after using Actos® has been settled. The terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
At Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers, we are aware of the struggles many Actos bladder cancer victims face along their road to recovery. That’s why our drug injury lawyers are hopeful the settlements reached in these cases brings a sense of closure to those whose lives were affected by the dangers of the drug.
by | October 12th, 2015
Millions of children use a high chair each day. The Norfolk defective product lawyers at Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers point out that if your child is using a high chair designed by Safety 1st, he or she may be at risk of injury.
According to WAVY 10 News, child product manufacturer, Safety 1st, has recalled three different models of high chairs due to a fall and injury risk the units pose. Reports indicate children can remove the trays that attach to the 35,000 affected high chairs, which allows the child to fall from the seat. Injuries that have been associated with these falls include cuts, bruises, and chipped teeth.
So far, the company says it has received 68 reports of children removing the trays, with 11 of those cases resulting in a child being injured.
The affected units include model numbers:
- HC144BZF
- HC229CZF
- HC229CYG
If you are own one of the affected units, the Consumer Product Safety Commission has stated you should stop using the high chair immediately and contact Safety 1st for a free repair kit.
At Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers, we know the dangers using a defective product can pose. That’s why our Norfolk personal injury lawyers applaud the efforts being made to correct the problems with these high chairs and are hopeful more injuries can be avoided in the future.
by | October 5th, 2015
Heavy rains have fallen in recent days around Norfolk, Virginia, and much of the city is covered in water. Such flooding can make traveling along the region’s roadways extremely dangerous. The Norfolk car accident lawyers at Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers have several tips to help keep you and your loved ones safe until floodwaters subside.
- Stay Home– If you don’t have to be on the road, refrain from driving.
- Know Your Route– If you must drive, know the road conditions along your route. WAVYTV 10 News created a list of the roads that are closed due to flooding in our area. If these roads are along your route, find an alternative way to get to your destination.
- Turn Around– If you are approaching standing water in a road, never attempt to drive through it. Your vehicle could become flooded, putting you and your passengers’ lives in danger. Instead, turn around and find another route.
- Communicate– Let others know of your intention to drive and when you should be expected to reach your destination. Once you’ve arrived, call and let those individuals know you’re safe.
Keeping Virginians safe and protected is one of our top priorities at Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers, and our Norfolk personal injury attorneys hope these tips help to keep you and your loved ones safe on the road until the flooding dissipates.
by | September 28th, 2015
The automobile industry in the United States is heavily regulated in order to ensure the safety of the vehicles on the American market; however, our Norfolk defective product lawyers with Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers explain allegations have arisen that car manufacturing giant Volkswagen (VW) may have attempted to hide problems with the emissions systems of 11 million vehicles worldwide.
In December 2014, VW sent letters to owners of certain diesel-powered Audis and VW’s saying an update was needed to the vehicles’ emission systems in order to function properly. The letters prompted an investigation that has uncovered some disturbing evidence.
VW may have attempted to hide the fact they had knowledge of the emissions problems and failed to properly fix it. Reports from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) indicate officials found VW had installed a “defeat switch” in hundreds of thousands of American vehicles that allowed software to manipulate the data collected during emissions tests.
An article from WAVY 10 News explains that an investigation has been launched into the VW emissions scandal by several states and now Virginia has joined the fight. Attorney General Mark Herring told reporters on September 24 that he is working to make sure Virginians who are affected by the VW emissions problems get the compensation they deserve.
Defective car parts and systems can be extremely dangerous to everyone who is on the road, which is why our Norfolk personal injury attorneys at Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers are hopeful the investigation that is currently under way can bring the public some answers on how this issue will be resolved.
by | September 22nd, 2015
Tens of thousands of women undergo surgery each year to treat conditions like urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse. One of the many devices used in these procedures is transvaginal mesh—a sling that can support a woman’s internal organs; however, reports of these devices failing have surfaced over the years and have led to thousands of lawsuits being filed in response. Now, many of these transvaginal mesh failure lawsuits could soon be resolved.
One of the largest transvaginal mesh manufacturers in the U.S.—C.R. Bard, Inc.—has offered to pay $200 million to settle roughly 3,000 transvaginal mesh failure lawsuits that have been filed against the company. According to an article from Bloomberg Business, this would bring an end to roughly 20 percent of all current litigation stemming from a transvaginal mesh failure.
If the terms of the settlement receive final approval, it means that each plaintiff could receive as much as $67,000 in damages. This amount would fall in between a $43,000 settlement that was reached with one victim and the $2 million the courts ordered the company to pay to another.
Our legal staff at Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers have seen first hand the struggles that many transvaginal mesh failure victims face along the road to recovery, which is why our Norfolk defective product lawyers are hopeful the terms of this settlement will bring peace and closure to the matter for each of those who were affected.
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.
