Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers Blog
by | January 29th, 2013
January 28, 2013
The Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) is considering enacting rules that would make it easier for service members who have certain conditions, such as Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) or Parkinson’s disease, to receive benefits. An article from The Manistee News discussed the new regulation and the effects it could have on veterans and military personnel.
The new rule means that a veteran who can establish that he or she sustained a traumatic brain injury in the line of duty would no longer be responsible for proving the injury was the cause of a secondary illness such as Parkinson’s, depression, dementia, or certain hormone deficiencies. Even those with injuries that fall outside of certain guidelines could still see a significant bump in benefits from the new regulation.
As many as 179,000 veterans who have sustained TBIs during their time in the military since the year 2000 may be affected by the new regulation if it is adopted.
The public has until February 8 to comment on the legislation, at which point, it will either be removed from the agenda or advanced to be heard during a legislative session.
The Norfolk Personal Injury Lawyers with Lowell “The Hammer” Stanley recognize how complex veterans assistance programs can be and are hopeful the law will be beneficial to getting veterans the care that they need and deserve.
by | January 21st, 2013
January 21, 2013
Last Tuesday, baby product importer, Bugaboo Americas, of El Segundo, California, and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced that they would both be working to voluntarily recall roughly 50,000 baby strollers across the United States and Canada due to health and safety risks.
A press release from the agency stated Bugaboo Chameleon and Bugaboo Donkey Model Strollers with a detachable carrycot/seat that were sold at nationwide retailers and online between January 2011 and December 2012, at a cost of between $1,200 and $1,600. The strollers have a Product Liability issue though stemming from a push-button carry handle that can become disengaged. When this happens, it presents a fall and choking hazard to children who may be riding in defective product.
So far, the company has received a total of 58 reports of the handle detaching. Anyone who is in possession of an affected stroller have been instructed to contact the product’s manufacturer for a free replacement handle, but that continuing use of the stroller until the new handle arrives is acceptable.
The Norfolk Personal Injury Lawyers with Lowell “The Hammer” Stanley acknowledge using a defective product can be and suggest discussing your legal options with a qualified attorney if you, or a loved one, have been harmed by using a product that did not work properly.
by admin@gotechark.com | January 14th, 2013
January 14, 2013
It was announced Tuesday by the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) that employers may notice a change in the premium rates they pay for insurance covering Virginia Workers’ Compensation benefits. The Insurance Journal looked at how some rates would see dramatic increases, while others dropped.
The National Council on Compensation Insurance suggested the changes be made after examining injury trends among different industries in the state in recent years, which the SCC approved a short time later. The changes will cause the premiums in the surface coal mining industry to increase, while underground coal mining will see a decrease in premium levels.
Experts say the surface coal mining industry will see a 4.9 percent rise in voluntary market loss costs and assigned risk rates will skyrocket by as much as 19 percent. Meanwhile, underground coal mining will receive a drop in voluntary market loss costs of around 14.5 percent and will also get a 3.9 percent decrease in assigned risk rates.
The industrial and federal class will also see dramatic changes in rates. The changes are said to go into effect on April 1 of this year.
The Norfolk Personal Injury Lawyers with Lowell “The Hammer” Stanley acknowledge how complex the process of filing for workers’ compensation benefits can be an may be able to help if you have a claim you are preparing to file or have a claim that was denied in the past.
by admin@gotechark.com | January 7th, 2013
Jan. 7, 2013
The Consumer Product Safety Commission recently announced a recall on approximately 6,300 units of the Game Winner® crossbow cocking ropes. According to a press release from the agency, the ropes put users at serious risk of an injury.
The Game Winner® crossbow cocking ropes are used with a crossbow to help a shooter get a more firm grip on the crossbow string. They also help archers pull the string back to cock the bow for firing. The Norfolk Defective Product consists of a 50-inch long piece of black cord with two black plastic hooks and two handles attached to it. The units were sold at Academy Sports stores for a price of around $10 between June and Oct. 2012.
The string has been known to snap when pulled on, which has led to several individuals sustaining injuries. The CPSC has received four reports of the hooks on the rope breaking with three of those incidents resulting in a user sustaining some sort of laceration.
Anyone in possession of the affected ropes has been instructed to stop using them immediately and return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.
The Norfolk Personal Injury Lawyers with Lowell “The Hammer” Stanley know the dangers posed by defective products, and they would encourage anyone who has been injured by a defective product to speak with an attorney about their legal options.
by admin@gotechark.com | December 31st, 2012
December 31, 2012
A new study shows a high number of drunk drivers have been arrested in recent years across the Norfolk and Suffolk, Virginia, areas. The Eastern Daily Press reports 2,562 people have been arrested in the region on charges of drunk driving since December 2010.
The study went on to point out that a majority of the arrests occurred around midnight and far more men were arrested than women. Two of the most serious infractions involved drivers with blood-alcohol levels between three and five times above the legal limit.
To combat the problem, law enforcement across the regions has banded together in an effort to crackdown hard on motorists who participate in the behavior. They are doing so by conducting sobriety checkpoints and saturation patrols throughout the holiday season. The chief inspector of roads, Chris Spinks, says law enforcement in the area will be pulling over vehicles for both faulty equipment and erratic behavior and most, including those involved in a Norfolk Car Accident, will be subjected to a breath test.
The Norfolk Personal Injury Lawyers with Lowell “The Hammer” Stanley recognize the dangers drunken drivers can pose not only to themselves but to everyone else who is on the road with them. That is why they firm asks that we each do our part to keep Virginia’s highways safe by not getting behind the wheel after consuming alcohol.
by admin@gotechark.com | December 17th, 2012
December 17, 2012
A 2-year-old Virginia girl was seriously injured after a recent dog bite. According to WSLS 2 News, the incident prompted some citizens to begin a push toward reform of Virginia’s “One Bite Rule”.
The child was taken to the home of a family friend. As a dog in the home was sleeping in the bedroom though, the child entered and attempted to pet it. This startled the animal and it bit the child on the nose.
The young girl was rushed to a local hospital where she received stitches and doctors determined she would need reconstructive surgery.
Since this was the first time the animal had bitten someone, Virginia’s “One Bite Rule” states the dog cannot be labeled as “vicious” until another incident occurs, meaning owners are not held responsible until another incident occurs.
However, if a Norfolk dog bite victim can prove that negligence of the dog owner led to the attack, such as not keeping the dog properly restrained or not warning guests of the risks of the animal’s behavior, the victim may be eligible to receive compensation for his or her injuries.
The Norfolk Personal Injury Lawyers with Lowell “The Hammer” Stanley understand the complexities of dog bite laws and are here to answer any questions you may have if you, or a loved one, have been injured in a dog attack.
by admin@gotechark.com | December 10th, 2012
December 10, 2012
Impaired driving is the leading cause of fatal motor vehicle accidents in the United States, yet is completely preventable. George Burch relayed that message to roughly 3,000 sailors at a program that was part of Naval Station Norfolk’s Safety Standown campaign.
According to the Suffolk News Herald, Burch is a retired sailor and police officer that currently works as a prosecutor in Suffolk County. Mothers Against Drunk Driving, who sponsored the event, thought Burch’s past experience could make him a voice of reason in the importance of staying off the road if impaired. He also explained how impairment isn’t necessarily just from alcohol either, as illicit drugs and some over-the-counter medications can also affect one’s ability to make good judgments behind the wheel.
Mr. Burch’s speech included anecdotes about the roughly 20 fatalities and more than 300 arrests he has been involved in that were the result of drunk driving and was quick to point out that such arrests potentially save thousands of lives each year.
Burch added that if one sailor remembers and abides to what he said, he has made a significant impact.
The Norfolk Personal Injury Lawyers with Lowell “The Hammer” Stanley understand the dangers of drinking and driving. That is why the firm’s team of Norfolk Car Accident Lawyers encourage citizens to establish a designated driver before attending an event where any alcohol is consumed.
by admin@gotechark.com | December 3rd, 2012
December 3, 2012
Two Virginia Wrongful Death lawsuits have been filed on behalf of two victims of a head-on collision caused by a driver going the wrong way down the interstate. The Daily Press said each family is seeking $5 million in damages for their loss.
Reports show the accident happened a year ago today at around 2:50 a.m. on I-64, near the exit for Harpersville Road in Hampton, Virginia. The 34-year-old driver of a Chevrolet Tahoe SUV was driving down the highway in the wrong direction when his vehicle collided with a Ford Taurus carrying the 17 and 19-year-old victims along with three of their friends, who were seriously injured in the crash.
Police determined the driver of the SUV was under the influence of alcohol. He was then placed under arrest for two counts of involuntary manslaughter, three counts of maiming by DUI, and having two DUIs within five years.
Two others in the Taurus who were injured have also filed personal injury lawsuits against the drunk driver, claiming their injuries were caused by his negligence. Those lawsuits are seeking a combined total of around $1.7 million.
The Norfolk Personal Injury Lawyers with Lowell “The Hammer” Stanley believe too many people are killed and injured at the hands of drunk drivers each year and hope a decision in these cases will help bring closure to the victims of this tragedy, as well as their friends and families.
by admin@gotechark.com | November 29th, 2012
November 26, 2012
Drugged driving is a growing problem across the United States—including Virginia. Each year, roughly one-fifth of all motorists killed in accidents have drugs in their systems at the time of the crash.
One such Virginia car accident killed a 46-year-old father and husband, while leaving his 14-year-old daughter seriously injured. According to WAVY 10 News, the accident happened on October 27 at around 5:00 p.m. along Route 17 in Gloucester, Virginia. The accident happened when the truck collided with a vehicle driven by a 40-year-old man.
He was placed under arrest on suspicion of driving under the influence and was charged with manslaughter, but was released on bond the following day despite tests showing he had marijuana, cocaine, and heroin in his system at the time of the accident. Further investigation showed a history of the man committing drug-related crimes, including four separate charges in the last four years.
Loopholes in Virginia law sometimes allow drunk and drugged drivers back onto the road. In this case, because the charges were dismissed at a later time, the crash was considered a first time offense.
The Norfolk Personal Injury Lawyers with Lowell “The Hammer” Stanley believe drugged drivers should be held responsible when they cause accidents that injure other people. That is why the firm is here to answer any questions you may have if you have been hurt in a crash with a drugged driver.
by admin@gotechark.com | November 19th, 2012
November 19, 2012
A truck accident sent three people to the hospital with injuries last week. WAVY 10 News stated the crash occurred around 10:30 a.m. Saturday along the eastbound lanes of Interstate-64, in Newport News, Virginia.
Reports from Virginia State Police indicate the cab of a tractor-trailer rig was traveling along the highway when it suddenly blew a tire. The loss of air pressure caused the driver of the truck to lose control, at which time he swerved and collided with a Chevy Cobalt. The truck then veered off the road, where it ran into a patch of trees in the median of the highway and came to a halt.
The driver of the truck sustained serious injuries as a result of the Virginia Car Accident and was rushed to a local hospital for treatment. A passenger in the vehicle also sustained critical injuries and was also taken to the facility for treatment. The driver of the Colbalt was also injured and taken to a Virginia hospital in order to receive treatment.
Regulations for truck drivers state their equipment, including tires, must be inspected on a regular basis. Failure to do so could be considered negligence in the event of an accident.
That is why the Norfolk Personal Injury Lawyers with Lowell “The Hammer” Stanley would urge you to talk to an attorney about your rights immediately if you have been hurt in an accident involving a commercial truck.
