lowell “the hammer” stanley

Traumatic Brain Injuries Could Contribute To Violent Behavior

by admin@gotechark.com | March 19th, 2012

March 19, 2012

With the media attention surrounding the Army staff sergeant who recently killed 16 civilians in a shooting rampage in Afghanistan, many medical experts are questioning if a traumatic brain injury the soldier had suffered months prior may have played a role in his behavior.

According to experts questioned by News Channel 3, the answer is yes.  Data collected by researchers show that traumatic brain injuries can alter a person’s personality, making him or her more aggressive and impatient. Furthermore, those who suffer injuries to the prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain that controls emotions, show signs of that part of the brain functioning at a lower level following the serious injury.

Other experts argue that brain injuries do not always equal more aggressive behavior. They claim that if that was the case, the more than 5.3 million people who are living with these kinds of injuries would have led to more reports of rash behavior.

In the meantime, groundbreaking research is being conducted on a new drug that may improve the outcome for those who suffer serious traumatic brain injuries. Experiments with lab rats have shown quicker recovery times and better cognitive function in animals that are given the drug after suffering a brain injury.

The Virginia Brain Injury Lawyers with Lowell “The Hammer” Stanley always urge anyone who has suffered a traumatic brain injury to get the medical attention they need as soon as possible.

Virginia Logger Killed In On-The-Job Accident

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

March 12, 2012

The Virginia Department of Labor is investigating an on-the-job accident that left a logger dead in New Kent County Thursday morning. According to reports from WVEC 13 News, the accident happened near the New Kent Highway near Quinton, Virginia, just west of Tunstall Road.

The New Kent County Sheriff’s Department, along with fire and rescue squads, reported receiving a call from a man who was screaming for help in the area. By the time they arrived at the scene, it was too late, as they found the body of the victim pinned beneath a large limb of a tree.

They were able to determine that the body was that of a 61-year-old Brodnax man who owned his own tree service. They believe he was working alone in the area when the large branch fell and crushed him.

The combination of heavy equipment, powerful tools, heavy ropes and cables, and the uncertain nature of the work can cause even the most experienced loggers to become seriously injured. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that the fatality rate for loggers in the U.S. is over 16 times higher than the overall fatality rate for all other workers in the U.S. in 2008. The findings have led to stiffer industry safety regulations in recent years.

The Virginia Wrongful Death Lawyers with Lowell “The Hammer” Stanley would like to send their condolences to the family of the victim of this tragic accident.

Man Loses Leg In South Richmond, Virginia, Motorcycle Crash

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

March 5, 2012

A motorcyclist was severely injured after being involved in a two-vehicle crash in South Richmond, Virginia, Thursday evening. According to reports from The Richmond Times-Dispatch, the accident happened at 10:02 p.m. at the intersection of Patsy Ann Drive and Broad Rock Boulevard.

A spokesman for the Richmond Police Department, Captain Paul Kiniry, stated that the vehicle was pulling out onto Broad Rock Boulevard when the driver failed to give right of way to a passing motorcycle, causing the motorcyclist to fall off the bike and slide across the asphalt.

The driver and a female passenger on the bike were taken to VC Medical Center where the driver underwent immediate surgery. The driver of the motorcycle lost a leg as a result of the crash. The passenger was treated for several minor contusions and lacerations and was later released. The driver of the other vehicle that was involved did not require hospitalization.

Kiniry added that the motorcyclists’ lives may have very well been saved by the fact that they were wearing helmets at the time the accident occurred. Virginia law requires that all riders wear a helmet and other protective gear.

The Virginia Motorcycle Accident Attorneys with Lowell “The Hammer” Stanley cannot reiterate enough how important it is to wear a helmet when riding a motorcycle. Not only could it save your life, but it could also affect the outcome of a personal injury lawsuit if you are injured.

Snowy Weather Causes Thousands Of Accidents Across Virginia

by admin@gotechark.com | February 20th, 2012

February 20, 2012

With snow falling across the state of Virginia, state police say they are overwhelmed with accident calls. According to reports from WTKR Channel 3 News, police have responded to approximately 1,000 calls in the last two days.

A spokesman for Virginia State Police, Sgt. Thomas Molnar, said emergency crews have responded to 881 crashes and 456 disabled vehicles in the past 48 hours, and that 230 of those calls came from the Richmond area. Troopers added that they responded to roughly 40 crashes in Metro Richmond.

The high number of accidents has prompted the Virginia Department of Transportation to offer the following tips to drivers:

  • Make sure your vehicle is ready for winter. Be sure to check your:
    • brakes and tires,
    • battery and ignition system,
    • antifreeze and thermostat,
    • windshield wipers and de-icing washer fluid,
    • headlights, tail and brake lights, blinkers and emergency flashers,
    • exhaust system, heater and defroster,
    • and oil.
  • Leave early and know the conditions for the roads you‘ll be on.
  • Keep windows, mirrors, and lights free from snow.
  • Always wear your seatbelt.
  • Start out in the lowest gear possible.
  • Keep a safe distance behind other vehicles and trucks that are plowing the road.
  • Don’t pass a snowplow or spreader unless necessary. Treat these as you would emergency response vehicles.

The Virginia Car Accident Lawyers with Lowell “The Hammer” Stanley hope that these driving safety tips help keep motorists safe during the winter.

New Regulations Will Hopefully Improve Safety Along Virginia Highways

by admin@gotechark.com | February 13th, 2012

February 13, 2012

Lawmakers are trying to tighten safety regulations for drivers here in the United States. Two separate reports from News Channel 3 say that representatives and senators from around the country are considering several ways of keeping drivers safer on the road, including a nationwide ban on texting and driving and stricter requirements for DUI offenders who are allowed to drive.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will go before a New York State Senate committee this week to testify that distractions stemming from handheld devices, especially texting, have been found to be contributing factors in a growing number of transportation accidents over the last 10 years. The bill would make it illegal to operate handheld devices, except in emergency situations, while behind the wheel of a vehicle.

Virginia lawmakers are also considering passing a new ruling that would require all DUI offenders to have ignition interlock systems installed on their vehicles. The devices require a user to have their blood alcohol content measured before their vehicle will start. Then, the device requires the driver be tested sporadically while the vehicle is in motion.

The Virginia car accident lawyers with Lowell “The Hammer” Stanley hope that the new rules will make the state’s highways for all drivers who choose to utilize them. They agree that refraining from drinking and distracted driving significantly cuts lowers the chances a driver will be involved in an accident.

24-Year-Old Woman Killed in Hampton Pedestrian Accident

by admin@gotechark.com | January 30th, 2012

January 30, 2012

A 24-year-old woman from Hampton, Virginia, was killed early Sunday morning after being struck by a car. According to reports from WAVY-TV 10 News, the crash happened at approximately 4:40 AM, at the intersection of North King Street and Bayberry Court.

Reports from the Hampton Police Department show that the young woman was walking southbound along the roadway when she fell and was hit by a 2008 Chevy Cobalt heading north. The woman suffered massive trauma injuries and was declared dead at the scene.

While the driver of the vehicle has not been charged, police are continuing to investigate the incident.

The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles say that in the state of Virginia during 2008, there were 76 people killed and 1,696 people injured in pedestrian accidents. Injuries that are caused by pedestrian accidents can cost the victim six figures in medical bills alone.

The experienced Virginia pedestrian accident lawyers with Lowell “ The Hammer” Stanley are strong advocates of victims rights. If you have been injures, our legal team may be able to help get you the compensation needed to pay medical bills and other injury-related expenses. Call an experienced attorney today for a free initial consultation.

Drunk Driver Responsible For Hitting Man And Three Kids In Virginia Beach

by admin@gotechark.com | January 23rd, 2012

January 23, 2012

A suspected drunk driver was in court twice today after being involved in a pedestrian accident last Thursday in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Reports from WAVY-TV 10 News indicate that the accident happened at around 7:40 AM at the corner of Chester Street and Paladin Drive.

The Virginia Beach police department indicate that a school bus was stopped at the corner with its lights on and stop sign out as children loaded on. The adult male victim was walking his niece, son, and daughter to the bus when a truck hopped the curb, drove across the driveway, and into the front lawn to avoid hitting the stopped bus. In the process, the driver hit the man and all three children.

All four victims were taken to an area hospital where the young boy remains in critical condition. The father and other children are still listed in stable condition.

The driver, who has a history of drug and alcohol related offenses, was taken into custody after failing a sobriety test and was held without bond over the weekend. The driver remains in jail after a bond hearing earlier this morning.

The Virginia auto accident attorneys with Lowell “The Hammer” Stanley believe that a victim of an accident should not be responsible for medical bills that come from an injury caused by another person’s negligence. That is why they would encourage you to contact an attorney immediately if you have been injured in a drunk driving accident.

First Lady Announces In Battling Brain Injuries In Soldiers

by admin@gotechark.com | January 16th, 2012

January 16, 2012

With the war in Iraq officially coming to an end just weeks ago, many soldiers returning home are suffering undiagnosed brain injuries. In an effort to combat the growing problem, WAVY-TV 10 News reports that First Lady Michelle Obama announced a partnership last Wednesday that will promote and cultivate better prevention and care of traumatic brain injuries for soldiers.

Among the most common mental injuries in soldiers is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), a severe anxiety disorder that develops after experiencing a traumatic event.

Dr. Serina Neumann, a doctor at the Eastern Virginia School of Medicine, hopes that her study into better care for PTSD sufferers may benefit from the partnership. She says that PTSD is caused by off-balance circuits in the brain.  This led her to conduct ground-breaking research and produce a device she hopes will become a standard in treatment of the disorder.

The device stimulates certain sections of the brain, thus balancing the off-balance circuits of a PTSD victim’s brain. If approved, her study will begin with 10 to 18 patients.

The Department of Veterans Affairs reports 10-18 percent of Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans may suffer from PTSD. However, claims from veterans for disability benefits due to the condition are often denied.

The Virginia Veteran’s Disability attorneys with Lowell “The Hammer” Stanley understand that suffering from PTSD can be as debilitating as losing a leg or an arm. If you have been denied veterans disability benefits, contact them today for a free initial consultation.

Packaging Mix-Up Forces Recall Of Over-The-Counter Medications

by admin@gotechark.com | January 9th, 2012

January 9, 2012

A major mix-up at a Novartis pill manufacturing plant in Lincoln, Nebraska, has prompted the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the company to issue a recall for certain over-the-counter medications. According to an article by WAVY-TV 10 News, reports of manufacturing problems have resulted in the discovery of a packaging mix-up between dangerous–and potentially deadly–opioid painkillers and common over-the-counter painkillers.

Numerous complaints were filed against the company in response to broken and chipped pills found in medications being produced at the facility. These discoveries prompted further investigation that uncovered painkillers such as Percocet, Endocet, Opana and Zydone in bottles of Excedrin and Gas-X.

A subsequent shutdown of the plant followed, and regulators are now anticipating a shortage of medications that are produced by the plant.

The plant was cited for similar problems earlier this summer after it was discovered that the company did nothing to follow-up with consumer complaints that had built up for more than two years regarding similar problems. More than 223 complaints were never examined during that two-year time period.

The Virginia drug injury lawyers with Lowell “The Hammer” Stanley urge you to examine any over-the counter medications in your home. Compare the picture on the bottle with the medication inside to ensure they are the same. If there are any discrepancies, consult your doctor and/or pharmacist immediately.

Increased Patrols By Virginia Beach Police Net Several DUI Arrests

by admin@gotechark.com | January 2nd, 2012

January 2, 2012

The Virginia Beach police department increased patrols over the weekend in the hopes of deterring drunk drivers from getting on area roadways. According to a report on WAVY-TV 10 News today, those efforts were successful in netting six arrests on DUI charges in about an hour and a half.

Officers added that the checkpoints also allowed them to cite other dangerous drivers for minor infractions. It was estimated that 17 tickets were written at a single checkpoint Saturday night.

Numbers suggest that the increased patrols, in conjunction with the checkpoints, may be reducing alcohol related fatalities. Virginia Beach police department statistics show that DUI fatalities are down in the city by four percent over last year. In 2010, it was estimated that 17 fatal crashes in the area were alcohol-related. That same year, Virginia Beach police say that they arrested 2,429 people on charges of driving under the influence of alcohol.

The problem of drinking and driving is just as bad across the country. The US Department of Health and Human Services suggests that 37 percent of all fatal traffic accidents in the United States are in some way related to alcohol.

The Virginia auto accident attorneys with Lowell “The Hammer” Stanley ask that we keep each other safe on Virginia highways by not getting behind the wheel of a vehicle after drinking. Instead, contact a friend or a cab company for a safe ride home from your location.