Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers Blog
by | July 30th, 2012
July 30, 2012
The dangers of driving while under the influence of alcohol are being highlighted as a man charged with manslaughter in connection to an August Norfolk car accident pled guilty in court last Friday. According to The Virginian-Pilot, the man could face up to 10 years in prison for his crimes when sentenced in October.
Court documents show that the 22-year-old man was driving down Blackwater Road in a 2005 Ford F-150 pickup truck at around 2:30 a.m. when he lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a tree. The driver was not properly restrained at the time of the accident and the force of the impact caused him to be ejected from the vehicle. The 19-year-old female passenger in the pickup was killed instantly.
Rescue crews transported the man to a local hospital where tests showed he had a blood alcohol level of .17, more than twice the legal limit. He suffered serious fractures in both legs that left him hospitalized as he underwent numerous corrective surgeries. He remains bound to a wheelchair today and will likely have to go under the knife several more times before he makes a recovery.
The Norfolk personal injury lawyers with Lowell “The Hammer” Stanley say that the implications for drinking and driving can cost the victims physically, emotionally, and financially. That is why the firm asks that motorists never get behind the wheel after consuming alcohol.
by | July 23rd, 2012
July 23, 2012
The Norfolk Police Department staged a mock crash scene this past week to educate the public on the dangers of drunk driving and speeding, according to Anglia News.
The mock Norfolk Car Accident was set up to include two vehicles that had collided, resulting in one being turned on its side. The driver of one vehicle had died as a result of the crash, while the passenger of one of the vehicles was seriously injured. The driver who was responsible for the crash failed a field sobriety test and was placed under arrest. The crash scene was cleared as the public observed.
Sargent Ade Hales, a spokesman for the Norfolk Police Department touted the event not only as a great way for emergency responders to brush up on certain skills, but also as a chance for the public—especially young people—to become more educated on the dangers of the road. Hales claimed that in Norfolk, young people make up a disproportionate number of traffic fatalities. He added, “16 to 24-year-olds make up 25 percent of all our casualties on the road a year. At this moment, we’re running at a figure of 50 percent of all casualties on the road in respect of fatal collisions.”
The Norfolk Personal Injury Lawyers with Lowell “The Hammer” Stanley ask that parents keep younger drivers safe by talking with them about the risks involved with driving.
by | July 16th, 2012
July 16, 2012
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently ordered the Norfolk, Virginia-based freight train company, Norfolk Southern Railway Co., to pay more than $800,000 in damages to three former employees who were fired after they filed Norfolk Workers’ Compensation claims. According to EHS Today, the company is also being forced to pay more than $500,000 in punitive damages.
The fines are in response to three cases of wrongful termination after an employee was injured. The first accident occurred on August 14 2009 when an employee was injured after being struck by a company vehicle. The employee filed an injury claim and was fired a short time later for improper performance of job duties.
Just seven months later, another worker was fired after filing an injury claim stemming from a fall, on the grounds that the claims were falsified. The company attempted the same tactic with another employee in July 2010, just days after declaring him an excellent worker for never having missed a day of work due to injury.
A closer look at the cases by OSHA investigators uncovered the flaws and resulted in the awarded damages.
The Norfolk Personal Injury Lawyers with Lowell “The Hammer” Stanley would encourage anyone who is injured while working at no fault of their own to report the injury to OSHA. Then, it is vital that you only discuss your case with an experienced attorney from that point on.
by | July 10th, 2012
July 9, 2012
Two people were injured, including a state trooper, as the result of a car accident that occurred over the Fourth of July holiday. According to WAVY-TV 10 News, the crash happened just after 3:00 a.m. in the westbound lanes of I-64, near the ramps for North King Street.
Sgt. Michelle Anaya, a spokesperson for the Virginia Highway Patrol, said that a trooper had stopped and arrested a driver on suspicion of DUI charges at the scene of the crash. The trooper had placed the suspect in the rear passenger seat of his vehicle and was completing paperwork when a Ford Mustang, driven by a 19-year-old man, plowed into the rear of the squad car.
The trooper and the DUI suspect weren’t wearing seat belts at the time of the collision, and both suffered injuries and were taken to a local hospital.
The driver of the Mustang was uninjured in the crash and later told officers that a motorcycle in front of him had slammed on its brakes, forcing him to swerve onto the shoulder and hit the trooper’s vehicle. The driver of the Mustang was cited for reckless driving for causing the accident.
The Norfolk Personal Injury Lawyers with Lowell “The Hammer” Stanley would like to remind drivers to move their vehicles to the left lane when approaching a stopped emergency vehicle. Doing so could help prevent a Norfolk car accident from occurring.
by | July 3rd, 2012
July 2, 2012
Last year in Virginia, 245 lives were lost as a result of DUI accidents, according to the non-profit organization, Mother Against Drunk Driving. The group added that a majority of those accidents were caused by repeat offenders, many of whom were well above the legal blood alcohol limit of .08 percent.
In response to the problem of drunk drivers—repeat offenders in particular—Virginia recently passed a law that will make it a requirement for anyone convicted of DUI to have an ignition interlock system installed in their vehicle.
According to WVEC 13 News, the ignition interlock is a device designed to have a driver blow into a piece of equipment in order to start their vehicle. If the person has any amount of alcohol on their breath, the vehicle will not start.
Beginning this week, anyone convicted of DUI will have to have the device installed on their vehicle for no less than six months at their own expense, which could cost several thousand dollars. Past laws only required an ignition interlock be imposed upon a second-time or subsequent offender, or when the offender’s BAC is 0.15 percent or above.
With the Fourth of July holiday fast approaching, the Norfolk Personal Injury Lawyers with Lowell “The Hammer” Stanley would like to encourage motorists to use a designated driver or call a cab if you’ve been drinking to help avoid causing a preventable Norfolk car accident.
by | June 25th, 2012
June 25, 2012
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has scheduled an assembly later this week to examine the safety of metal-on-metal hip replacement implants. According to Bloomberg News, the assembly is being organized in response to the growing concern of safety following several warnings and recalls of the products because of reports of early failure rates and a link to poisoning from metal fragments.
In all, 16,800 adverse event reports have been filed for various metal-on-metal hip implant systems and have resulted in roughly 14,000 revision surgeries and 8,700 reports of patient post-operative pain. These reports have resulted in a growing amount of defective medical device lawsuits from individuals claiming that the manufacturers were negligent in putting these faulty devices on the market. Johnson and Johnson faces 6,000 lawsuits for their faulty hip implants. Recipients of the recalled Biomet Hip Implants are also seeking damages.
Experts say it may be impossible to determine if the devices had an early failure rate. The lifetime of the device is expected to be approximately 15 years; however, the FDA can only order a Post Market Study for three years.
The Norfolk Personal Injury Lawyers with Lowell “The Hammer” Stanley are hopeful that the assembly will be an opportunity for experts and officials to re-examine the overall safety of metal-on-metal hip replacement devices and find a solution to the growing number of patients suffering because of them.
by actuate | June 18th, 2012
June 18, 2012
With one man drowning over Father’s Day weekend while saving his grandson from rip currents and unsafe swimming conditions at local beaches, WVEC 13 News and a local pediatrician are offering summer swimming safety tips in an effort to better protect children from the dangers of water and prevent a Norfolk Wrongful Death.
Dr. Vickey Leff, from the Children’s’ Hospital of the King’s Daughters, says the first thing you should look at is the weather before swimming. If there are high surf advisories or rip currents, consider changing the plans if you have young children. It’s also important to get out of the water immediately if you see lightning. You should not return to the water until 30 minutes has passed without seeing or hearing lightning and thunder.
Dr. Leff also suggests making sure older children are excellent swimmers before letting them venture into deep water. If you do let your child go into deep water, make sure they have a swimming buddy and that there is also plenty of adult supervision.
When kids get out of the water, make sure they wear plenty of sunscreen and watch out for signs of dehydration or heat-related illness.
The Norfolk Personal Injury Lawyers with Lowell “The Hammer” Stanley say that your trip to the pool or beach will have a significantly decreased chance of someone being hurt if you follow these simple safety tips.
by actuate | June 11th, 2012
June 11, 2012
A 43-year-old woman from James City County, Virginia is recuperating today after being seriously injured in a hit-and-run accident while cycling over the weekend. According to WVEC 13 News, the accident happened yesterday afternoon on a rural road.
Although the woman who was injured has no recollection of the incident, police believe that the driver of the vehicle involved hit the woman from behind and then sped away, leaving her bleeding on the road.
Luckily, another motorist who was passing by rendered aid and emergency help was summoned. The victim was taken to a local hospital to be treated for several broken bones in her legs. Doctors told her that they were shocked that she was not paralyzed by the accident.
While it may seem unthinkable not to help someone after striking them with a vehicle, Virginia sees a surprisingly high number of hit-and-run accidents each year. The law in the Commonwealth of Virginia states that committing such a crime is considered a felony if a death or injury results from the accident.
This is why the Virginia Personal Injury Lawyers with Lowell “The Hammer” Stanley say it is so important to stop immediately if you feel you have been involved in an accident. The firm also strongly suggests that cyclists protect themselves from injury in the event of a Virginia Auto Accident by always wearing a helmet as well as bright or reflective clothing to increase their visibility on the road.
by actuate | June 4th, 2012
June 4, 2012
A 43-year-old woman suspected of hitting a family of four with a pickup truck while driving under the influence was in court today to face five different charges stemming from the incident. According to WAVY-TV 10 News, the suspect was charged with three counts of DUI maiming, DUI 2nd Offense, and reckless driving.
The incident occurred on January 19 around 7:40 a.m., in the yard of a residence near the corner of Chester Street and Paladin Drive. It was there that a man was waiting with three children for the school bus to pick them up. As the bus came to the corner and stopped it turned its lights on and put the stop sign out for children; however, the suspect apparently didn’t see the bus and failed to stop. To avoid a collision, she swerved around the bus and into the yard, where she hit the children.
One of those injured, a 7-year-old girl, suffered a broken femur and cracked eye socket that put her in a wheelchair for almost four months. The girl has also had to undergo numerous corrective surgeries.
If convicted, the woman could face up to 17 years in prison.
The Norfolk Personal Injury Lawyers with Lowell “The Hammer” Stanley ask that not only do motorists do their part to reduce Norfolk Auto Accidents by not drinking and driving, but to also hold other drivers accountable by reporting suspected drunk drivers to the proper authorities.
by actuate | May 21st, 2012
May 21, 2012
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is issuing statements that urge not only teenage girls to receive human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccines, but boys as well. According to statistics from the agency, more than half of all sexually active individuals will be infected with HPV at some point in their lives.
In 2006, doctors began recommending the vaccine to girls between the ages of 11 and 12-years-old receive the vaccine as the virus has been linked to certain types of cancers. After research results were released earlier this year that found that nearly 7 percent of American teens carry HPV and that men are three times more likely than women to be carriers, the CDC began recommending that boys receive the vaccination as well.
With an increase in the number of individuals being vaccinated, the number of patients suffering from adverse effects also increased. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says that one drug in particular, Gardasil®, has been linked to more than 12,000 reports of individuals developing autoimmune diseases, blood clots, and even dying. Other serious problems associated with the drug include:
- blindness,
- paralysis,
- heart attack or stroke,
- rheumatoid arthritis,
- and lupus.
Gardasil lawsuits are being filed to help those who were injured by a drug manufacturer’s negligence. If you have suffered medical complications after taking Gardasil®, the Norfolk Personal Injury Lawyers with Lowell “The Hammer” Stanley may be able to help you.
