Norfolk Personal Injury Attorney

Common Norfolk Motorcycle Accident Causes

by admin@gotechark.com | August 10th, 2015

Motorcycles are a popular mode of transportation in the Norfolk area. Our area also accounts for a majority of the commonwealth’s motorcycle accidents as well. The Department of Motor Vehicles reports Norfolk had the third highest motorcycle accident fatality total in Virginia in 2014, accounting for 80 deaths. The city had the fourth highest motorcycle crash total and third highest motorcycle accident injury total.

Our Norfolk motorcycle accident lawyers at Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers explains that one of the most commonly reported causes of motorcycle accidents in our area is a motorist’s failure to recognize and yield the right of way to an oncoming motorcycle. In fact, this was the cause of a recent collision that left two riders with injuries.

According to the Norfolk Daily News, the crash happened on Friday, July 31, at approximately 9:45 p.m. along Highway 275. Reports indicate that the 17-year-old driver of a Chrysler Sebring sedan was pulling out of an access road when she failed to see an oncoming westbound motorcycle.

The 20-year-old operator of the Harley-Davidson motorcycle didn’t have time to stop and collided with the Sebring.

The impact of the collision left the young motorcyclist and his 18-year-old passenger seriously injured.

Accidents like this are why it’s so important for motorists to be aware of motorcycles on the road. Our team of Norfolk personal injury attorneys at Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers says this means looking twice in both directions for motorcycles and other obstacles before pulling into or maneuvering in traffic.

New Study Looks at Factors Involved in Cases of Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect

by | December 8th, 2014

When we send our loved ones to live in a nursing home or long-term care facility, we expect them to be safe from harm; however, one new study is showing this could be far from reality.

Researchers have shown as many as 1 in 5 nursing home patients are the victims of abuse and an unlikely culprit caused a majority of the harm. They examined the reports filed in more than 2,000 cases of nursing home abuse at 10 different facilities and found that instead of staff members being the ones accused of causing a patient harm, it was most often another patient responsible for the abuse.

Facilities with poor staff-to-patient ratios were found to have higher rates of abuse. Other factors that raised a patient’s chances of being abused or neglected included feuds with roommates and crowded conditions.

New America Media reports the profile of the abuser was also not quite what researchers had in mind. They concluded those who are most likely to harm another patient were younger individuals who were less cognitively impaired and suffered from a mood disorder.

So what can you do to protect yourself or a loved one from nursing home abuse? Norfolk personal injury attorney, Lowell Stanley, points out that taking the following actions can significantly reduce the chances of being harmed by a caregiver or fellow patient:

  • Visit Often– Make a habit of routinely visiting your loved one where they’re staying.
  • Ask Questions– Be sure to have all questions and concerns addressed by your loved one’s caregiver and the facility’s management.
  • Know Your Rights– Speaking with an attorney can help you clarify any issues you may have surrounding a case of nursing home abuse or neglect.

 

Some of the Most Common Types of Birth Injuries Today

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.

Is There a Connection Between Traumatic Brain Injury and Domestic Violence Among Athletes?

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.

Determining Who Qualifies for Virginia Workers’ Compensation Benefits

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.

FDA Announces Recall of Ventilators Due to Software Problem

by | February 3rd, 2014

February 3, 2014

Manufacturers of the medical devices Americans use on a daily basis are required by law to ensure the safety and integrity of the products they release to the market. Failure to do so can result in patients being harmed, which can lead to costly recalls being implemented. The Norfolk Product Liability Attorneys with Lowell “The Hammer” Stanley explain such a recall was launched due to a malfunction with the software that runs the Covidien Puritan Bennett 840 Series Ventilator.

According to an article from QMed, the recall affects the units that were manufactured April 30, 1998 and March 12, 2010. Reports indicate the affected units have a glitch in the software that can lead to the unit forcing users to breathe on their own. In the event of an emergency, such a failure could result in a patient being seriously harmed, and possibly dying.

Those who are in possession of the affected units have been instructed to contact the manufacturer in order to have their unit serviced with a software upgrade at no cost. Anyone who has been harmed by an affected product should report the incident to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The Norfolk Personal Injury Lawyers with Lowell Stanley would also urge anyone who has been harmed by a defective medical device to hammer the manufacturer with a lawsuit in order to hold them accountable for their negligence. Call us today for a free consultation of your case!

Virginia Lawmakers’ Actions to Prevent Drunk Driving Paying Off

by | December 9th, 2013

December 9, 2013

Alcohol is one of the leading causes of motor vehicle accidents today. In fact, the Norfolk Car Accident Lawyers with Lowell “The Hammer” Stanley explain that data shows the intoxicant plays a part in roughly one-third of all fatal car accidents that occur annually.

In an effort to reduce the number of alcohol-related accidents, the state has recently stiffened penalties for motorists who drink and drive. The recent reforms not only include longer incarceration times and higher fines, but also the implementation of laws requiring offenders to use ignition interlock systems.

The new efforts seem to be paying off, considering a number of charges have stemmed from the new regulations, including those a 25-year-old Suffolk, Virginia, man is facing. According to an article from WAVY 10 News, the charges stem from a fatal crash that occurred September 18, along Route 460.

Reports indicate the collision, involving six vehicles and two tractor-trailers, claimed the life of a 48-year-old Virginia Beach man. Now, the 25-year-old is facing charges of homicide, involuntary manslaughter, reckless driving, driving on a suspended license related to a DUI and operating a motor vehicle without an ignition interlock device.

Lowell “The Hammer” Stanley’s team of Norfolk Personal Injury Lawyers are glad to see the new laws holding offenders accountable for their actions and urge motorists to stay safe by refraining from drinking and driving.

Norfolk Worker Hurt By Falling Bucket of Concrete

by | March 11th, 2013

March 11, 2013

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, contact with objects or equipment on a job site was responsible for roughly 15 percent of all workplace fatalities last year. This type of accident was more recently responsible for leaving a Norfolk, Virginia, construction workers seriously injured.

A story from The Virginian-Pilot stated the incident occurred on Monday, February 11, at around 5:30 p.m., at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard. Reports indicate the man was performing normal work duties when part of a crane failed. The failure allowed a bucket full of concrete to coming crashing down on the worker’s head, leaving him seriously injured.

The man was rushed to a local trauma center to receive treatment to his injuries and was released the following day. He is expected to make a full recovery with time.

The accident leaves many workers wondering what to do if they are involved in a workplace accident that leaves them injured.

The Norfolk Personal Injury Attorneys at the law office of Lowell “The Hammer” Stanley explain that by law, employers have a responsibility to ensure their workers have a safe and healthy environment in which to do their jobs. Any failure to do so could result in the accident being considered the fault of negligence on the employer’s behalf. Such a finding could be used in an injury victim’s favor when they go to file a Virginia Workers’ Compensation claim in connection to the incident.