Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers Blog
by | November 17th, 2014
Thanksgiving is right around the corner and for many Virginians, that means it’s time to hit the road to visit family. Unfortunately, this travel rush can lead to an increase in traffic volume, which can in turn cause a rise in the number of Virginia car accidents.
This year is expected to be no different, considering experts believe the number of motorists on the road for the holiday this year will be even greater than previous year’s totals. According to an article from WAVY 10 News, TripAdvisor polls showed 43 percent of Americans were planning to travel for the Thanksgiving holiday, which was a seven point jump from 2013. The trips aren’t short either, with 60 percent of travelers saying they plan to be in the car for more than 200 miles.
So what can you do to stay safe when traveling for Thanksgiving this year? The Norfolk personal injury attorneys with Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers suggest:
- Leave Early- One of the best ways to avoid holiday traffic is to get out of town before everyone else.
- Plan Ahead- Know the route and traffic conditions along the roads you plan to travel. Also, look for alternate routes in areas where traffic may become congested.
- Inspect Your Vehicle- It may be wise to have your vehicle serviced and inspected prior to traveling. This can include changing your oil, rotating the tires, replacing wiper blades, and filling up with gas.
- Obey the Law- Stay safe by buckling up, slowing down, eliminating distractions, and adhering to traffic signals.
- Be Patient- Road rage is one of the leading causes of accidents today, so remember to breathe deeply and take your time if caught in traffic.
by | November 10th, 2014
Doctors not only have a legal and ethical responsibility to protect the well-being of their patients, but in some cases, they may also be responsible for offering the same protection to family members. This was highlighted by a recent Virginia wrongful death case that resulted in the victim being awarded $550,000 in damages.
After separating from the mother of his child, a man was required to undergo a psychiatric evaluation to determine if the boy would be safe with the father during unsupervised visits. Against the wishes of the child’s mother, those visits were granted.
When the child died of “unknown” causes while under the care of the father, the mother filed a lawsuit. She claimed the psychiatrist who approved the unsupervised visits was negligent in protecting the safety of her son.
The Washington Post says the latest award comes on top of more than $650,000 the mother has received for the wrongful death of her son.
At Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers, we recognize the difficulties that can come with the unexpected loss of a loved one. That’s why our team of Norfolk personal injury lawyers hopes the latest settlement will bring a sense of closure to this tragic incident for the mother and family of the victim.
by | November 3rd, 2014
The risks associated with repeat traumatic brain injuries among athletes have come under heavy public scrutiny in recent years. Despite an increase in awareness of the problem, fatalities due to brain injuries continue to occur.
Take the case of a Mecklenburg County, Virginia, teenager who died as the result of blunt force trauma to the head sustained during a recent football game. Reports indicate the teen suffered a brain injury during a head-to-head hit that occurred just before half time.
According to CBS 6 News, the athlete was treated on the sidelines, but collapsed and began to suffer seizures before being rushed by ambulance to a local hospital. Unfortunately, the young man died before medical assistance could be administered.
Athletic committees and school boards from across the commonwealth have adopted policies aimed at reducing the risks of accidents like this, but one of the best ways that has been found to prevent serious head trauma is educating athletes about what they can do to stay safe on the field, including:
- Wear Recommended Safety Gear– While football players are required to wear helmets, studies have shown some types of helmets offer better protection than others. For sports like soccer and field hockey, headgears have been developed in recent years to offer athletes better protection from brain injury.
- Get Proper Training– Many football programs are now teaching a “heads up” hitting technique that’s aimed at reducing brain injury numbers among players.
- Report Your Injury– While many athletes are compelled to return to the field as soon as possible—with many not telling coaches or trainers about injuries they’ve suffered—this may not be wise. If you’re hurt during an athletic event, report your injury to team management as soon as possible.
At Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers, we recognize the risks athletes face on the field and our team of Norfolk personal injury lawyers hope these tips help to keep you or your athlete safe.
by | October 27th, 2014
The day your child is born can be the most exhilarating day of your life. It can also be one of the most devastating if things don’t go according to plan during delivery.
Estimates show that in 7 of every 1,000 deliveries, the child or mother will sustain some sort of birth injury. This leaves many parents-to-be wondering what some of the most common birth injuries are. We have compiled a list of some of the most regularly occurring injuries, including:
- Cerebral Palsy– The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke says this condition affects 1 in every 278 infants and is often the result of head trauma, a lack of oxygen, or infection. Cerebral Palsy is recognized by its impairment of the victim’s motor function and movement.
- Brachial Plexus Injury– Such an injury occurs when delivery causes the bundle of nerves in the child’s spinal cords, arms, wrists, and hands to be severed or damaged. This can cause the child’s ability to move to be inhibited.
- Asphyxia– A lack of oxygen can cause the child to suffer brain damage and even death.
- Brain Damage– An infant’s head is one of the most sensitive areas of the body during delivery because of the compression of the skull’s plates during birth. Any force exerted on the head can cause serious damage to the brain, which can result in impaired cognitive and physical function.
If your child has been harmed during birth and is afflicted with one of these or another condition, the most important thing to remember is that help is available. The Norfolk personal injury attorneys with Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers have helped numerous birth injury victims and can do the same for you. To learn more about how we can assist you with your case, call us at (757) 459-CASH.
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.
by | October 13th, 2014
Each state in the U.S. has its own set of rules to govern what actions should be taken in the event a domesticated pet attacks a person. In Virginia, we have what’s known as the “One Bite Rule.”
One Bite Rule
This particular law states that an animal must have a history of violent or aggressive behavior before the owner can be held responsible for damages the animal inflicts in an attack. There is a loophole in the law that allows for an owner to be held accountable for a first incident of the animal inflicting a dog bite injury if negligence can be established.
What Happens to Dangerous Dogs and Their Owners?
If a dog is shown to have a history of violence, local animal control officials can take it into custody where it can be monitored for signs of disease. Owners of dangerous dogs may also face criminal or civil charges.
A Virginia Beach man has been charged with crimes in relationship to an attack committed by his dog. Reports from WAVY 10 News say the man faces two counts of failure to control a dangerous dog.
Getting Help After a Dog Bite Injury
Knowing the subtleties of the laws surrounding dog bite injuries is an area the Norfolk personal injury lawyers with Lowell “The Hammer” Stanley are familiar with and we can certainly help you if you’ve been hurt in an attack by canines. Not only can we answer the questions you have regarding your case, we can also help you collect and submit the necessary paperwork for filing a claim.
Call us today at (757) 459-CASH to learn more about what we can do for you.
by | October 6th, 2014
Each year, thousands of Virginians are harmed by mistakes while receiving treatment from medical professionals. While these individuals may have a right to file a Virginia medical malpractice lawsuit, they may be fighting more than just the doctors and hospitals involved in their injuries.
Medical lobbyists spend millions of dollars per year in their efforts to influence state and federal lawmakers, and too often their influence isn’t in favor of the patient. These lobbyists are one of the reasons patients in our state have few rights to protection other than filing a complaint or lawsuit against the doctor responsible for their injuries.
The problem is highlighted by the failure of two recent bills that were aimed at preventing the falsification of medical records in our state. An article from Watch Dog Wire explains both laws went before committees and were defeated. There is still no law in Virginia against falsifying medical records.
So what does this mean to the patient? Some believe it shows the need to have legal representation from a Virginia personal injury lawyer if you’re harmed as the result of a medical professional’s error.
Lowell “The Hammer” Stanley and the legal team at Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers have assisted numerous injury victims with their cases and can do the same for you. To learn more about how we can help, call us today at (757) 459-CASH.
by admin@gotechark.com | September 29th, 2014
Eastern Virginia sees some of the highest motorcycle collision rates in the commonwealth. In fact, the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles reports that last year alone there were 105 Norfolk motorcycle accidents and another 153 collisions involving bikes in Virginia Beach.
Numbers like this leave many riders wondering what they can do to stay safe on the road, and there seem to be several options.
- Wear Safety Equipment– All bikers are required by law to wear a helmet and eye protection in Virginia. It is also wise to wear heavy boots, gloves, and a sturdy leather jacket when riding.
- Obey the Law– This means yielding to all traffic signals and lights, as well as refraining from drinking and driving or speeding.
- Be Visible– Using a headlight at all times is one of the best ways to help ensure other motorists are able to see you when you’re on a bike.
- Drive Defensively– A majority of motorcycle accidents occur because a motorist fails to see a biker or fails to yield to a motorcyclist. That’s why Consumer Reports suggests keeping a safe distance from other vehicles.
- Get Trained– Taking a motorcycle safety course could provide you with knowledge and skills that could save your life one day.
At Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers, our team of Norfolk personal injury attorneys has seen the devastation a motorcycle accident can cause. That’s why we’re hopeful these tips help to keep you safe next time you ride.
by | September 22nd, 2014
The National Football League and several of its players have come under heavy public scrutiny in recent weeks over allegations of abuse and domestic violence occurring in players’ personal lives. The league has also settled a string of lawsuits several months ago, stemming from players claiming to have developed degenerative brain disease after suffering repeated blows to the head while playing football for the NFL. This has led some to question whether these players’ behavior off the field is directly related to a traumatic brain injury they suffered on the field.
Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy—or CTE—is a condition of the brain that can cause loss of brain mass. This can result in the victim developing changes in behavior, such as increased anger and aggression, as well as loss of patience with certain tasks.
NBC News reports the chairman of the department of neurosurgery at the NorthShore University HealthSystem and co-director of the NorthShore Neurological Institute, Dr. Julian Bailes, stated he recalled two particular cases where an athlete suffering from CTE became violent then harmed themselves and others.
While violent behavior and traumatic brain injury seem to be associated somehow, there are experts who maintain there is no direct link between the two. They suggest that blows to the head don’t cause a person to become violent. Instead, they believe repeated blows to the head cause the victim to become less inhibited, and therefore more likely to display aggressive behavior.
One of the most important things for victims of traumatic brain injury to remember is that there is help available. At Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers, we have a team of Norfolk personal injury attorneys who can help you determine the best course of action for compensation if you’ve been seriously harmed by a head injury. To find out more about what we can do for you, call (757) 459-CASH today.
by | September 15th, 2014
When an employee is injured while working in our state, they’re often entitled to Virginia workers’ compensation benefits to cover expenses related to the accident—such as medical bills and lost wages. In order for a claim to be approved though, the accident must have been directly related to the employee’s duties.
Take the Norfolk workers’ compensation benefits claim that was filed on behalf of a police department trainee who was killed during training on December 9, 2010. According to Courthouse News Service, the widow of the victim contends repeat traumatic blows to the head were what caused her husband’s bilateral subdural hematomas.
Documents show that, while in training, the victim was involved in a head-to-head collision with another trainee and suffered repeated blows to the face from another officer’s fists prior to collapsing into a coma.
A court found the victims injuries occurred in the proximity of his job duties and were therefore covered under the Virginia Workers’ Compensation Act.
The case highlights the intricacies that can come into play when determining if a worker is eligible for workers’ compensation benefits after an accident and leaves many citizens wondering what they can do to protect their rights to benefits in the event of an accident.
According to the Norfolk personal injury attorneys with Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers, hiring a lawyer can significantly benefit an injured worker. Doing so can help answer any questions that may arise, as well as determine what documentation will be necessary for your claim.
