Norfolk Personal Injury lawyer
by | July 28th, 2014
There is currently a serious concern among local lawmakers about the high number of Norfolk car accidents involving pedestrians and bicycles. Just last month, a cyclist was hit on the pedestrian path of the Berkley Bridge near downtown.
The incident left many citizens calling for safety improvements to be made in the area and the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has responded. According to an article from WAVY 10 News, the VDOT has not only repainted markings on the road and installed new signage, but they have also set up posts that will guide pedestrian and bicycle traffic across the span.
The VDOT didn’t stop there though. They also established regulations that would prevent motor vehicles from regularly traveling along the bridge. Now, golf carts will be used to shuttle employees from nearby businesses to and from their vehicles. Furthermore, walking spotters will be used to help identify any hazards when motor vehicles do have to travel along the bridge.
The VDOT says it will continue to evaluate the safety situation at the bridge and make any necessary changes to improve safety when they are pointed out.
Lowell “The Hammer” Stanley and his team of Norfolk personal injury lawyers understand the importance of protecting cyclists and pedestrians from the dangers car accidents can pose and are hopeful the changes that have been made are a success.
by | July 14th, 2014
Medical professionals have a legal and ethical responsibility to protect the safety of their patients. Failures to do so may result in civil litigation against the parties responsible for the patient’s harm.
In cases of Virginia medical malpractice, determining the amount of money an injured patients can receive is complicated by a cap schedule the state has placed on such awards.
In 1999, state officials designed a schedule that would allow a slight increase in the amount that can be awarded to victims of Virginia medical malpractice. It began with a $1.5 million medical malpractice cap on July 1, 2000, and has progressed to a cap of $2.15 million on July 1, 2014.
The amount that an individual can be awarded depends on when the accident, injury, or medical error occurred. In other words, an individual can only be awarded the amount of the cap during the year their injury occurs.
In 2031, the cap will max out at a total of $3 million.
There are also statutes of limitations that apply to Virginia medical malpractice claims, which is why it’s important to speak with an attorney about your case as soon as possible. The Norfolk personal injury lawyers with Lowell “The Hammer” Stanley are aware of how confusing the legal process can be and are here to help victims of Virginia medical malpractice.
by | June 30th, 2014
Each day, more light is shed on the long-term effects suffering a traumatic brain injury (TBI) in the line of duty may have on soldiers and veterans. This trend is continuing with the discovery that a TBI may lead to an increased risk of veterans suffering from the degenerative brain disease known as Alzheimer’s over time.
An article released by USA Today explains the study was conducted by researchers from University of California-San Francisco and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, and examined the records of more than 188,000 service members. The findings that were published in the journal Neurology showed 16 percent of soldiers and veterans who had suffered a TBI were later diagnosed with Dementia, the precursor to Alzheimer’s. Only ten percent of service members who had not suffered a head injury were diagnosed with Dementia or Alzheimer’s.
Many experts find this 60 percent difference in numbers astonishing. The team has conceded that there are numerous factors that lead to a patient’s diagnosis of Dementia or Alzheimer’s, but say the results show a need to further evaluate the correlation between TBIs and other neurological conditions.
The Norfolk personal injury lawyers with Lowell “The Hammer” Stanley see the devastating results of TBIs all too often and are hopeful this research can be used to better protect soldiers and civilians from these injuries and their dangers.
by | June 23rd, 2014
Drunk driving has reached epidemic proportions in the Commonwealth of Virginia, especially in Virginia Beach and Norfolk. Estimates show the area sees approximately 2,300 drunk driving arrests each year, many of which are made after the impaired motorist has caused a Norfolk car accident. These individuals account for roughly 10 percent of all Driving Under the Influence (DUI) arrests in the commonwealth and give the area the title of having the highest total number of DUI arrests.
These numbers leave many citizens wondering what is being done to address this problem and there seems to be a solution being put into place. According to an article from WAVY 10 News, the District Attorney’s office has vowed to prosecute every DUI case that comes across their desk beginning on June 30.
Typically, first-time offenders can have their case settled out of court in order to allow more focus to be placed on other cases involving repeat offenders or drunk drivers who kill or injure other motorists; however, every offender will now have a day in court before the judge.
In order to accommodate the approximately 1,400 extra drunk driving cases per year the area will see, a courtroom will be dedicated to prosecuting these cases. The District Attorney’s office is also working to raise awareness of their policy change through a public service announcement airing on local television stations and a Public Safety Night that will be held on June 27 at 7 p.m. at Mount Trashmore.
Our team of Norfolk personal injury attorneys with Lowell “The Hammer” Stanley has seen the devastating results of accidents caused by drunk drivers. That’s why we applaud these changes and encourage anyone who has been harmed by an intoxicated motorist to speak with us about the compensation you may be entitled to.
by | June 16th, 2014
There’s an endless list of potential factors that can contribute to motor vehicle accidents, but one of the most common and preventable is a defective tire.
Problems with a tire’s tread or the way the product is manufactured can lead to premature wear that can cause a loss of air pressure. In turn, the driver may not be able to maintain control or brake the vehicle in a manner to prevent an accident from occurring.
Such problems were highlighted when a trailer tire manufacturer, Double Camel Tyre Co., and Lionshead Specialty Tire and Wheel announced a voluntary recall of an estimated 4,000 tires earlier this week. Reports indicate the tires can separate from their rims, causing loss of pressure that can result in accidents. The recall comes on the heels of a larger recall the company issued earlier this year, in which an estimated 40,000 tires were recalled.
To help address these risks, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has created a website offering the latest information in tire safety. The site provides the latest insight into tire maintenance and wear, as well as what to look for when buying new tires.
Lowell “The Hammer” Stanley, a Norfolk personal injury lawyer with decades of experience helping accident victims, has seen the devastating injuries that can result from driving on defective tires first-hand and encourages victims of such accidents to speak with an attorney about their potential legal rights to compensation immediately.
by | June 9th, 2014
Ride sharing services are offering eastern Virginia a new and more affordable transportation solution, but controversy is swirling around the legality and safety of these services. This battle reached a new level earlier this week when the Virginia Department of Transportation ordered two of the ride sharing industry’s top providers to halt services in the area immediately.
Uber and Lyft both operate by having patrons sign up and download the company’s application to a smartphone. Users are then matched with available drivers and vehicles in their area. A suggested payment is then offered and the user can decide how much they would like to pay their driver.
While the service sounds great, many are concerned there is a grey area in liability coverage in the event the ride sharing vehicle is involved in an accident. WAVYTV 10 News explains officials say these companies should have to meet the same authority requirements as cab drivers since money is being exchanged for a ride; however, the companies argue that each driver is required to provide their own liability coverage, which absolves the company of responsibility if a crash happens.
The state is currently conducting research into the use of technology in transportation and its effects on Virginia car accident numbers. Until conclusions are drawn though, companies will have to comply with the current state laws.
The team of Norfolk personal injury lawyers with Lowell “The Hammer” Stanley appreciate the convenience and value ride-sharing services offer, but want to ensure the public is safe and covered in the event of a car accident. If you’ve been injured in a car accident while using a ride sharing service such as Lyft or Uber, contact us to see how we can help.
by | May 19th, 2014
In Virginia, most employers are required by law to carry a workers’ compensation insurance policy that will cover the expenses related to an employee’s injury or death stemming from an on-the-job accident. Unfortunately though, many employers choose not to abide by these rules, leaving many workers struggling for compensation in the event of an accident.
To address this problem, the state has stiffened the penalties against companies that fail to comply with Virginia workers’ compensation laws. The new, stricter standards are set to go into effect later this summer.
According to an article from Tire Business, employers who fail to supply workers and subcontractors with workers’ compensation insurance will now face a fine of $250 per day they are not in compliance beginning July 1. The fines will continue to grow until they accumulate up to $50,000. Under the current laws, employers who do not carry the required insurance policy are only subject to a fine of up to $5,000.
The new laws also clearly define the roles that are classified as employees to prevent companies from using a title to exempt a worker from benefit coverage.
Norfolk personal injury lawyer Lowell “The Hammer” Stanley understands how confusing the state’s workers’ compensation laws and processes can be and encourages anyone with questions about filing such a claim to speak with a qualified attorney immediately.
by | May 5th, 2014
Getting from one place to another can be time consuming and expensive. To help alleviate this problem in Virginia Beach, two companies are considering bringing their ride sharing services to the area, but the move is already being met with hesitation from government officials stemming from incomplete paperwork and concern over liability in the event of a Virginia car accident involving one of the companies’ drivers.
An article from WAVY 10 News explains ride share company, Uber, is facing civil penalties of $26,000 for failure to meet broker’s license requirements. The company argues that they should not have to pay the fees or carry the documentation, as they are not necessarily for hire, like a taxi or limo. Instead, they say their driver is the one who is hired and carries the onus of liability. Lyft is facing a $9,000 fine for a similar infraction.
While the companies are working to iron out the legal framework for this particular business model, several lawsuits have already been filed against the two companies stemming from accidents their drivers were involved in. In each incident, a passenger was injured and is seeking damages from the companies for their losses.
The Norfolk personal injury lawyers with Lowell “the Hammer” Stanley recognize who complex the process of determining liability following an accident can be. That is why the firm urges anyone who is injured in a motor vehicle collision to discuss their legal options with an attorney immediately.
by | April 28th, 2014
Car accidents happen every day in the United States, but many of these accidents are the result of defective parts installed in vehicles during the manufacturing process. To help make the public more aware of these issues, here are three of the latest cases of defective vehicle equipment to be discovered:
- Brake System Failures– The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is currently investigating whether a problem with a forward-collision prevention system in an estimated 60,000 Chevrolet Impalas may be to blame for the vehicle taking corrective action when a crash is not likely. A New York Times article explains the agency’s quick moves to examine the problem are likely the result of the failure to promptly open an investigation into the next problem on our list.
- Ignition Switch Failures– General Motors recently recalled 2.6 million vehicles after the vehicles were found to have turned off while in motion. Documents have shown the company and officials were aware of the problem years ago, but failed to take corrective action.
- Faulty Tires– Ford recalled a number of their Explorer models after it was discovered the tires the vehicles were outfitted with were prone to separation. This would cause immediate deflation, sometimes while the vehicle was in motion.
The Norfolk personal injury lawyers with Lowell “The Hammer” Stanley explain it is important to speak with an attorney if you are harmed as the result of an accident caused by faulty vehicle equipment, so that any rights you may have to compensation can be protected. We are here to help and can be reached by calling 1-800-208-CASH.
by | April 14th, 2014
Dog owners in Virginia have a responsibility to keep their animals restrained at all times in order to protect the public from the risk of an attack that could cause a serious Dog Bite Injury. Failure to meet this requirement by a Portsmouth, Virginia, dog owner has ended with a 12-year-old girl being seriously harmed and requiring extensive medical treatment.
A report from WAVY-TV 10 News explains the victim was sitting on the porch of a Summit Avenue home on Thursday, April 10, when an animal escaped from its home and attacked. The child was taken to the ground by the animal, where she subsequently suffered injuries that would require more than 30 stitches, plastic surgery, and hours of medical care to correct the damage done.
The incident leaves many people wondering what they should do if they find themselves in the presence of an aggressive animal. The Norfolk Personal Injury Lawyers with Lowell “The Hammer” Stanley explain avoiding eye contact and giving the animal space is the best option; however, every animal and their reactions are different. That is why the firm would add that anyone who is hurt in a dog attack that is the result of the owner’s negligence should discuss their legal options with a qualified attorney immediately.
