Norfolk Personal Injury lawyer
by | December 1st, 2014
The holiday season is upon us, and for many, it’s a time for showering family and loved ones with gifts. What we may not realize though, is that many of the products on store shelves may not be safe.
A study published by the U.S. Public Interest Research Group found a disturbing number of dangerous and potentially defective products are available for purchase in stores. The “Trouble in Toyland” report showed numerous safety infractions, from toxic chemicals to strangulation and choking hazards.
According to an article from WAVY 10 News, one toy tambourine contained nine times the legal limit of chromium a product is allowed to contain. Researchers also identified several products that could be considered deadly if swallowed or ingested. Sound levels on some toys were also identified as a safety problem that needs to be further addressed.
So what can you do to keep your loved ones safe during the holiday season? The Norfolk personal injury lawyers with Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers suggest:
- Check Labels- Make sure the item you’re purchasing is age-appropriate for the recipient.
- Check for Recalls- The Consumer Product Safety Commission maintains a list of all items that have been identified as defective products. Make sure the gift you’re purchasing isn’t included on that list.
- Follow Instructions and Warnings- Read through any manuals that come with the product to ensure it will be used correctly.
We hope these tips help you and your family have a happy and safe holiday season!
by | November 22nd, 2014
All jobs come with certain inherent risks, but jobs in shipyards are some of the most dangerous jobs a person can hold. Those who work in shipyards face an on-the-job injury rate twice that of the construction industry. Although many shipyard and dock workers follow safety procedures and do their best to avoid workplace accidents, the Norfolk personal injury attorneys with Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers say fall hazards are one of the most regularly reported risks at this particular type of job site.
In fact, a Norfolk shipyard is facing tens of thousands of dollars in fines for exposing workers to such risks. An article from WAVY 10 News explains that during an Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) inspection conducted in May 2014, investigators found dozens of safety violations. Those infractions included exposing workers to fall risks of greater than 30 feet and failing to have fall prevention equipment in place. Reports show electrical risks were found as well.
The violations have resulted in fines of more than $100,000.
So what should you do if you work in a shipyard and are injured on the job? Filing a Virginia workers’ compensation claim should be your first step, but the steps to complete the process of receiving compensation can be complex. That’s why the team of lawyers with Lowell Stanley are available to help you with your claim. We will not only answer any questions you have regarding your legal situation, but we’ll also advocate on your behalf in court. We’re available to speak with you anytime about your Virginia workers’ compensation claim by calling (757) 549-CASH.
by | November 3rd, 2014
The risks associated with repeat traumatic brain injuries among athletes have come under heavy public scrutiny in recent years. Despite an increase in awareness of the problem, fatalities due to brain injuries continue to occur.
Take the case of a Mecklenburg County, Virginia, teenager who died as the result of blunt force trauma to the head sustained during a recent football game. Reports indicate the teen suffered a brain injury during a head-to-head hit that occurred just before half time.
According to CBS 6 News, the athlete was treated on the sidelines, but collapsed and began to suffer seizures before being rushed by ambulance to a local hospital. Unfortunately, the young man died before medical assistance could be administered.
Athletic committees and school boards from across the commonwealth have adopted policies aimed at reducing the risks of accidents like this, but one of the best ways that has been found to prevent serious head trauma is educating athletes about what they can do to stay safe on the field, including:
- Wear Recommended Safety Gear– While football players are required to wear helmets, studies have shown some types of helmets offer better protection than others. For sports like soccer and field hockey, headgears have been developed in recent years to offer athletes better protection from brain injury.
- Get Proper Training– Many football programs are now teaching a “heads up” hitting technique that’s aimed at reducing brain injury numbers among players.
- Report Your Injury– While many athletes are compelled to return to the field as soon as possible—with many not telling coaches or trainers about injuries they’ve suffered—this may not be wise. If you’re hurt during an athletic event, report your injury to team management as soon as possible.
At Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers, we recognize the risks athletes face on the field and our team of Norfolk personal injury lawyers hope these tips help to keep you or your athlete safe.
by | October 20th, 2014
The colorful leaves and cooler climates that accompany fall in Virginia make the commonwealth a great place to get out on a bicycle this time of year. Unfortunately, cyclists in Virginia are especially prone to involvement in accidents, especially in Norfolk.
Reports from the Department of Motor Vehicles show that in 2013, there were a total of 739 collisions between vehicles and bicycles. Of those crashes, 45 were a Norfolk bicycle accident.
Numbers like these leave many citizens wondering what is being done to improve bicycle safety in Virginia. It seems as though two bicycle advocacy groups have combined efforts to create a new video that’s focused on educating the public about bicycle safety.
According to an article from WDBJ 7 News, RIDE Solutions and the Blue Ridge Transportation Safety Board created the video. It not only discusses the laws of the road and how they pertain to cyclists, but also what’s needed to prevent bicycle crashes. Roanoke County Police Chief, Howard Hall, explained the message is that motorists need to be more vigilant of their surroundings when driving while cyclists need to recognize their responsibility to obey all traffic laws.
The video is set to debut as part of the Go Outdoors Festival.
The team of Norfolk personal injury attorneys with Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers recognizes the importance of bicycle safety in our community and we are hopeful the video is successful in spreading the message of accident prevention.
by | October 13th, 2014
Each state in the U.S. has its own set of rules to govern what actions should be taken in the event a domesticated pet attacks a person. In Virginia, we have what’s known as the “One Bite Rule.”
One Bite Rule
This particular law states that an animal must have a history of violent or aggressive behavior before the owner can be held responsible for damages the animal inflicts in an attack. There is a loophole in the law that allows for an owner to be held accountable for a first incident of the animal inflicting a dog bite injury if negligence can be established.
What Happens to Dangerous Dogs and Their Owners?
If a dog is shown to have a history of violence, local animal control officials can take it into custody where it can be monitored for signs of disease. Owners of dangerous dogs may also face criminal or civil charges.
A Virginia Beach man has been charged with crimes in relationship to an attack committed by his dog. Reports from WAVY 10 News say the man faces two counts of failure to control a dangerous dog.
Getting Help After a Dog Bite Injury
Knowing the subtleties of the laws surrounding dog bite injuries is an area the Norfolk personal injury lawyers with Lowell “The Hammer” Stanley are familiar with and we can certainly help you if you’ve been hurt in an attack by canines. Not only can we answer the questions you have regarding your case, we can also help you collect and submit the necessary paperwork for filing a claim.
Call us today at (757) 459-CASH to learn more about what we can do for you.
by | October 6th, 2014
Each year, thousands of Virginians are harmed by mistakes while receiving treatment from medical professionals. While these individuals may have a right to file a Virginia medical malpractice lawsuit, they may be fighting more than just the doctors and hospitals involved in their injuries.
Medical lobbyists spend millions of dollars per year in their efforts to influence state and federal lawmakers, and too often their influence isn’t in favor of the patient. These lobbyists are one of the reasons patients in our state have few rights to protection other than filing a complaint or lawsuit against the doctor responsible for their injuries.
The problem is highlighted by the failure of two recent bills that were aimed at preventing the falsification of medical records in our state. An article from Watch Dog Wire explains both laws went before committees and were defeated. There is still no law in Virginia against falsifying medical records.
So what does this mean to the patient? Some believe it shows the need to have legal representation from a Virginia personal injury lawyer if you’re harmed as the result of a medical professional’s error.
Lowell “The Hammer” Stanley and the legal team at Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers have assisted numerous injury victims with their cases and can do the same for you. To learn more about how we can help, call us today at (757) 459-CASH.
by admin@gotechark.com | September 29th, 2014
Eastern Virginia sees some of the highest motorcycle collision rates in the commonwealth. In fact, the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles reports that last year alone there were 105 Norfolk motorcycle accidents and another 153 collisions involving bikes in Virginia Beach.
Numbers like this leave many riders wondering what they can do to stay safe on the road, and there seem to be several options.
- Wear Safety Equipment– All bikers are required by law to wear a helmet and eye protection in Virginia. It is also wise to wear heavy boots, gloves, and a sturdy leather jacket when riding.
- Obey the Law– This means yielding to all traffic signals and lights, as well as refraining from drinking and driving or speeding.
- Be Visible– Using a headlight at all times is one of the best ways to help ensure other motorists are able to see you when you’re on a bike.
- Drive Defensively– A majority of motorcycle accidents occur because a motorist fails to see a biker or fails to yield to a motorcyclist. That’s why Consumer Reports suggests keeping a safe distance from other vehicles.
- Get Trained– Taking a motorcycle safety course could provide you with knowledge and skills that could save your life one day.
At Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers, our team of Norfolk personal injury attorneys has seen the devastation a motorcycle accident can cause. That’s why we’re hopeful these tips help to keep you safe next time you ride.
by | September 8th, 2014
Most companies in Virginia are required to carry an insurance policy that covers expenses related to on-the-job accidents that injure or kill a worker; however, the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) has proposed raising the premiums that are associated with Virginia workers’ compensation coverage for certain industries.
An article from Insurance & Financial Advisor explains the proposal calls for a decrease in premiums for businesses that fall under the industrial classification. The same goes for those that fall under the voluntary market.
On the other hand, coal mining operations could see an increase in workers’ compensation coverage.
This has many workers concerned, considering the mining and extraction industry has one of the highest worker injury rates in the nation, and an increase in workers’ compensation coverage could prompt some companies to find ways to skirt the requirement to carry insurance.
This behavior is prevalent in the construction industry, where companies classify workers as independent contractors to avoid paying for insurance coverage.
A hearing on the subject of the increase is scheduled to take place October 21 at 10 A.M. at the Tyler Building in downtown Richmond, Virginia.
The Norfolk personal injury attorneys with Lowell “The Hammer” Stanley are aware of the impact workers’ compensation benefits can have on accident victims who are injured and unable to work. That’s why we urge anyone who has been hurt while working to speak with our legal team to help ensure your potential rights to compensation are protected under the law.
by | August 25th, 2014
Product liability issues can come in all shapes and sizes, but one of the most common causes for an item to be listed as a defective product is that it contains unsafe chemicals or ingredients. The problem is notorious in the drug manufacturing industry, and each year hundreds of prescription medications are recalled after previously unknown side effects emerge. But over-the-counter medications and other consumer products are also susceptible to product recalls.
Colgate Total toothpaste is the latest consumer product facing scrutiny after officials announced several weeks ago that the product contains a chemical linked to the development of cancer in animals.
Bloomberg BusinessWeek reports the antibacterial chemical triclosan is used in Colgate Total toothpaste as one of many ingredients included to combat gingivitis and tooth decay. However, some studies have linked triclosan to cancer cell growth and malformations in the bones of fetal rats and mice. Researchers believe the chemical may have an effect on the endocrine system, causing problems with hormonal balances.
Colgate maintains that the product is safe, citing its Federal Drug Administration (FDA) approval. Many scientists say triclosan’s impact on the human body is difficult to isolate and the link to cancer in humans is untested. Though the product was approved by the FDA in 1997, three scientists who reviewed Colgate’s toxicology studies on triclosan at Bloomberg’s request are questioning the approval, saying the FDA may have relied too heavily on company-backed science to establish product safety.
Investigations into the link between triclosan and cancer remain ongoing and there are no plans to recall Colgate Total toothpaste.
At Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers, our Norfolk personal injury attorneys have helped numerous clients get back on their feet after suffering injuries or illnesses due to product liability and safety issues. If you have questions about your rights, call us at (800) 208-CASH to learn more about how we can help.
by | August 18th, 2014
Our knowledge about the dangers of repeat traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)—especially among athletes—has grown by leaps and bounds in recent years. This has led some of the leading bodies of today’s largest sports organizations to take action to better protect athletes from TBIs.
One of those major changes came when the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) announced a settlement with a group of athletes who had brought suit against the organization. The athletes claimed the NCAA had failed to protect athletes from repeat TBIs.
An article from WOWKTV 13 News stated 10 athletes claimed they had suffered long-term health effects brought on by repeat TBIs suffered on the field. They claimed trainers didn’t take enough precautions before sending them back onto the field. In fact, data indicates more than half of all NCAA trainers were found to engage in the illegal practice, putting players’ health at risk.
As part of the settlement:
- $75 million will be allocated to monitoring injured players’ health and researching TBIs.
- The NCAA will create a blanket policy for returning to the field players who have suffered a suspected TBI.
- Athletes can sue individually for damages related to their injuries.
At Lowell Stanley Injury Lawyers, our Norfolk personal injury attorneys are aware of how a TBI can affect a victim for their rest of their life and are hopeful the new policy will be effective in better protecting college athletes from TBIs.
