Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers Blog

Norfolk Woman Files Wrongful Death Lawsuit Against VA Hospital

by admin@gotechark.com | November 12th, 2012

November 12, 2012

A 39-year-old Norfolk, Virginia, woman filed a Norfolk wrongful death lawsuit against the Department of Veteran Affairs on behalf of her sister who died while under the care of the agency’s medical staff. The Virginian-Pilot reports the medical staff was negligent in prescribing medications to the victim that were ultimately used in her suicide.

The article told the story about how on the last night of the victim’s tour of duty in Naples, Italy, in 1995, she was the victim of a burglary that left her severely traumatized. A year later, the woman was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and was found to have an 80 percent service-related disability. Over the next 13 years, the woman was seen by at least one dozen doctors and received prescriptions for as many as 25 different medications.

In the eight months prior to the woman’s death, she had attempted to commit suicide by taking the antipsychotic medication, Seroquel, but had failed. When a doctor purposefully supplied her more of the drug, she took it all in one night and was found dead the next day by her sister.

The sister is seeking $5 million in damages from a trial scheduled to begin next April.

The Norfolk Personal Injury Lawyers with Lowell “The Hammer” Stanley are hopeful that the Norfolk wrongful death lawsuit will help bring closure to the tragedy for the family and friends of the victim.

 

Newport News Business Owner Seriously Burned In Accident

by admin@gotechark.com | November 5th, 2012

November 5, 2012

The 49-year-old owner of a Newport News, Virginia, auto repair shop was seriously injured following an accident at the business several weeks ago. The Hampton Roads Daily Press reports the incident occurred on October 15 just after 1:30 p.m. at T&B Auto Repair Center, located at 4015 Jefferson Avenue.

Acting chief for the Newport News Fire Department, Scott Liebold, stated the victim was replacing a broken fuel pump in a vehicle when a small amount of fuel was spilled and the fumes ignited, causing a flash fire to break out. The victim’s clothes caught the flame and began to burn, leaving the man with serious fire and burn injuries over a majority of his body.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that every 31 minutes, someone suffers a serious injury as the result of a fire. These accidents resulted in roughly $2.6 billion in lost productivity in 200 alone. To help prevent accidents like this from occurring at the workplace, employers are encouraged to educate employees on the dangers of fire hazards.

The Norfolk Personal Injury Lawyers with Lowell “The Hammer” Stanley would also remind employers to supply workers with adequate protective gear when working under hazardous conditions. If you or someone you know was injured on the job and needs to talk to a law firm about workers’ compensation benefits, we may be able to help you.

Fall Sports Season Prompts Concerns Over Traumatic Brain Injuries

by admin@gotechark.com | October 29th, 2012

October 29, 2012

The fall sports season is often the most dangerous time of year for athletes to receive a traumatic brain injury, as both cheerleading and football are in full swing. But with parents and coaches becoming more educated on the risks these injuries present to young athletes, many are working to do what they can to keep athletes safe.

According to Greenville Online, the Brain Injury Association of South Carolina reports that each year, there are approximately 3.8 million head injuries associated with sports; however, the number may be conservative, as many of these injuries go undiagnosed. Other studies show as many as 40 percent of high school athletes return to play before they are completely healed.

Research says doing so could put an athlete at risk of another brain injury that could be compounded by the first. These repeat injuries have been linked to permanent brain disorders that led to the deaths of numerous professional and former pro athletes and have prompted dozens of lawsuits.

The Norfolk Personal Injury Lawyers with Lowell “The Hammer” Stanley say the best way to ensure the safety of your young athlete is to become educated on the signs and symptoms of traumatic brain injuries. If you suspect your child has suffered a brain injury, seek medical attention and don’t let your child return to play until he or she has been cleared by a doctor.

Virginia Sees Decline In Serious Accidents, But Experts Look For Continued Improvement

by | October 22nd, 2012

October 22, 2012

While Virginia has seen a steady decline in the number of serious motor vehicle accidents in recent years, experts say the trend seems to be slowing down.

The Virginia-Pilot says the number of serious motor vehicle accidents in the state dropped from 5,803 crashes in 2010 to 5,662 in 2011. This was accredited to stricter licensing policies for new drivers and DUI laws, seatbelt use, and law enforcement’s educational campaigns. A spokeswoman for the Virginia Highway Safety Office, Mary Ann Rayment, lauded DUI checkpoints, along with the Click-It-Or-Ticket campaign for reducing drunk drivers on the road, which can be a major catalyst for serious accidents. Others say the increase in seatbelt usage, from 70 percent in the late 90’s to 82 percent last year, could be credited with the reduction in motor vehicle crashes.

Despite the decrease, more than 700 people die in motor vehicle accidents each year in Virginia and many cities have had a consistent number of serious accidents for decades. In fact, Norfolk Car Accident numbers have remained around 80 annually since the beginning of the decade. Officials plan to combat the problem by working to clear accident scenes faster. They believe this will help to prevent secondary crashes from occurring.

The Norfolk Personal Injury Lawyers with Lowell “The Hammer” Stanley are hopeful the new strategy will be successful in reducing the number of Virginia Car Accidents that occur each year.

Two Workers Suffer Burns In Norfolk Plant Flash Fire

by admin@gotechark.com | October 15th, 2012

October 15, 2012

Two food processing plant workers were seriously injured when they were burned in a work-related accident last week. According to the Journal-Star, the accident happened at around 1:20 p.m. Wednesday at the Henningsen Foods facility in Norfolk, Virginia.

Reports indicate a propane tank fire broke out at the facility but was quickly extinguished before firefighters could arrive. The workers were in the process of inspecting the plant’s propane system when gas spilled from a pressure release valve and was ignited by the pilot light of another machine, quickly spreading to other areas of the plant. A flash fire broke out, leaving the two workers with serious second-degree burns to their faces and arms. They were treated by local medics and released, but will likely have to file a Norfolk workers’ compensation claim to be reimbursed for their medical expenses.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics calls the manufacturing industry one of the most dangerous fields of work in the United States, accounting for 322 fatalities and 2.2 workers per 100,000 being injured last year alone.

The Norfolk Personal Injury Lawyers with Lowell “The Hammer” Stanley understand the hardships that can come with being out of work at no fault of your own due to an injury. We would like to wish the two men who were hurt a speedy recovery from the burns they suffered in this accident.

Virginia State Trooper Killed In Accident While Directing Traffic

by | October 8th, 2012

October 8, 2012

The importance of motorists slowing down and paying attention when they see emergency lights flashing was highlighted last week when a  27-year-old trooper with the Virginia State Police was killed after being hit by a car while directing traffic. According to the Richmond Times-Dispatch, the accident happened around 10:00 p.m. Saturday at the intersection of Route 30 and Theme Park Way.

Reports say the trooper was directing traffic outside the state fair when a 1992 Jeep Cherokee SUV struck him. The vehicle came to rest on top of the victim, requiring witnesses and other Troopers to lift the SUV off the man and pull him to safety. They soon began CPR on the victim until rescue crews could arrive to rush him to the hospital, but they were unable to save him.

Investigators have just began to look into the incident and say charges may be filed against the driver at the conclusion of their examination into the events that led to the Virginia Car Accident.

Accidents like this sparked the creation of Virginia’s “Move Over” law, which requires motorists to move over a lane when approaching a stopped emergency vehicle to allow more room for crews to work.

The Norfolk Personal Injury Lawyers with Lowell “The Hammer” Stanley understand the feelings that come with suddenly losing a loved one in an accident and would like to send their deepest sympathies to the family of the victim.

 

Virginia Car Accident Victim Released From Hospital

by | October 1st, 2012

October 1, 2012

Almost two months after a tragic Norfolk car accident left a 45-year-old woman permanently injured, she was discharged from the hospital. According to the Tidewater News, the crash that left her and two others hurt occurred on August 11 on the Route 58 Bypass exit off of Armory Drive, near Courtland.

The woman was driving a PT Cruiser, with her husband, child, and cousin as passengers, when a 26-year-old alleged drunk driver from Gates, North Carolina, was traveling in the wrong direction in a 2006 GMC Envoy and collided head-on with the Cruiser. The woman’s 52-year-old cousin was killed in the accident. She and her husband, along with their child, were all rushed to a local hospital. The driver of the Envoy was arrested and charged with involuntary manslaughter.

The injured driver suffered a crushed left arm and leg, along with five broken ribs. Her husband was diagnosed with a broken neck and back, while their child developed internal bleeding. The female victim underwent two corrective surgeries and had rods inserted in her left arm, hip, and leg. Doctors believe the woman will never fully recover, but she may reach 75 percent of her previous mobility.

The Norfolk Personal Injury Lawyers with Lowell “The Hammer” Stanley understand the struggles that come with being injured in an accident and are here to help you get back on your feet if you have been hurt due to another person’s negligence.

Controversy Swirls Around New Virginia Wrongful Death Law

by | September 24th, 2012

September 24, 2012

A new law recently passed in Virginia now allows a woman to sue for the wrongful death of an unborn child if the baby dies as the result of the “wrongful act, neglect, or default of any person, ship, vessel, or corporation.” While most agree that the law better protects the rights of a mother and child, some experts believe that the new law will just create a plethora of litigation.

According to the Daily Press, the law was passed by the General Assembly in March and was officially signed into law by the governor in July. Since then, the law has resulted in dozens of lawsuits. Some believe that this is due to the vague wording of the law that allows for causation of death to be brought against someone in almost any situation.

Richmond General District Court Judge, Robert A. Pustilnik, argued that a lawsuit could be filed against a doctor is a child dies while in their care and even presented the scenario of a case being brought by a mother whose trip and fall in a friend’s home resulted in a wrongful death lawsuit.

The Norfolk Personal Injury Lawyers with Lowell “The Hammer” Stanley believe that the new law protects children and mothers from senseless and neglectful accidents that result in tragic outcomes, and we are here to help you if you have lost a loved one.

VDOT Worker Seriously Injured in Norfolk Car Accident

by | September 17th, 2012

Sept. 17, 2012

A 19-year-old Virginia Department of Transportation construction worker was seriously injured in a motor vehicle accident late last week. WAVY-TV 10 News reports that the collision occurred Friday at around 3 a.m. near the Broad Creek Bridge.

A spokesperson for the Virginia State Police, Sgt. Michelle Anaya, stated the worker was retrieving cones from a construction zone along the highway and placing them into the rear of a pickup truck, when the 32-year-old driver of a 2006 Dodge Charger suddenly drifted into the lane where work was taking place and struck the young man, pinning him beneath the truck.

Rescue crews were forced to amputate the worker’s leg at the scene in order to free him from the wreckage. The victim was then rushed to a local hospital where he remains in serious but stable condition. Two other workers suffered less severe injuries as a result of the Norfolk car accident as well.

Investigators charged the driver of the Charger with reckless driving and driving on a suspended license. They say that alcohol may have also been a factor in the crash and additional charges against the man are pending toxicology results.

The Norfolk Personal Injury Lawyers with Lowell “The Hammer” Stanley say motorists have a responsibility when driving through construction zones to protect the safety of workers in the area by being vigilant about speed limits and staying sober behind the wheel at all times.

Virginia Beach Woman Files $300,000 Lawsuit Over Dog Bite Injuries

by | September 10th, 2012

September 10, 2012

A 22-year-old Virginia Beach woman has filed a lawsuit against the owners of a dog that attacked and seriously injured her while she was employed at a veterinary hospital. According to The Virginian-Pilot, the woman is seeking $300,000 in damages for her injuries.

The Norfolk dog bite injury happened on March 25, 2011, at the Hickory Veterinary Hospital. The dog was undergoing an examination when he became agitated. Despite the owner holding the animal’s mouth and head, the dog broke loose and bit the young woman several times, leaving her with severe laceration and puncture wounds to her face.

The victim has since had to undergo several surgeries and numerous laser treatments to correct the scarring to her face and has lost some feeling in her lips.

The lawsuit was filed after it was discovered that the dog had bitten a person on two occasions prior to the attack and claims that the dog’s owners did not do enough to protect her from injury during the examination since they knew the dog had a history of biting.

The Norfolk Personal Injury Lawyers with Lowell “The Hammer” Stanley say that roughly 4.5 million Americans suffer dog bites each year and receiving compensation for those injuries can be difficult. That is why the firm suggests speaking with a knowledgeable attorney about your legal rights if you or a loved one has been hurt by a dog attack.