Posted on August 15, 2017 in Defective Products

By now, you have seen them everywhere. You can buy them at toy stores, dollar stores, and even many gas stations and flea markets. They are called fidget spinners, and they are among the most popular toys to hit the market in recent years. Unfortunately, however, there have been reports throughout the United States and Great Britain of fidget spinners causing injuries. It seems that the trendy toy could be more dangerous than many people realize.

What Are Fidget Spinners?

In recent years, several products have become available that are designed to help individuals channel nervous energy and to soothe anxiety. Among the first such products were fidget cubes—cubes of about an inch and a half on each side with various dexterous and tactile activities on each face. A person with anxious tendencies could hold the cube in his or her hand while manipulating a switch, dial, or rollerball to ease tension and reduce fidgeting—hence the name “fidget cube.”

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 Posted on August 09, 2017 in Premises Liability

Officials in California have given the approval for three Fire Ball rides to reopen following a deadly accident at the Ohio State Fair last month. The accident occurred on opening night of the fair, killing one and sending seven others to the hospital with injuries.

A Tragic Situation

On July 26, fairgoers in Columbus, Ohio, watched in stunned horror as the ride known as the Fire Ball came apart while it was in motion. The Fire Ball is a pendulum-type ride which rotates riders as it swings back and forth in a large arc. Videos taken of the incident show pieces of the ride being thrown—along with several riders—as it reached the furthest point of its swing. Witnesses said that they saw at least two riders ejected from the ride and flying up to 20 feet before landing on their backs on concrete.

Quick Response

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 Posted on August 03, 2017 in Car Accidents

Over the last week, national headlines have been abuzz with the story of an 18-year-old California woman who was broadcasting a video live to social media while behind the wheel. During the course of filming the video, she lost control of her car, resulting in an accident that killed the woman’s sister—and the whole thing was immediately posted to Instagram.

Despite warning after warning and countless advertisements and public safety messages, some drivers cannot seem to resist the temptation to use their cell phones while driving. Many convince themselves that it is fine to send a quick text message or read an email. In reality, however, using a hand-held cell phone while driving is simply unsafe.

Fatal Accident in Los Banos

Late last week, a single-car crash claimed the life of a 14-year-old girl when she was thrown from the vehicle being driven by her 18-year-old sister. Such a situation would be tragic under any circumstances but is even more so due to the fact that the driver was live-streaming on social media when the accident occurred. According to numerous new outlets and the video itself—which was posted but has since been removed by Instagram—the driver can be seen laughing, carrying on, and drinking. The video also shows the driver’s sister and their 14-year-old friend in the backseat.

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 Posted on July 05, 2017 in Car Accidents

Anyone who has ever been in a car accident can probably remember the feelings of confusion and uncertainty in the moments immediately following the crash. If you were the one driving, such feelings may be amplified as you replay the incident in your head, wondering what you may have done wrong and what you should do next. Your initial impulse may be to get out of your car, check on the occupants of the other car and apologize for causing the accident—even if you are not certain that the wreck was your fault. Doing so, however, may not be the best idea.

You Do Not Know What You Do Not Know

When a car accident occurs, treating any physical injuries should be the top priority. The next most important concern is to determine who was at fault for the accident. The at-fault party is likely to be liable for any and all damages—including property damage and injuries—caused by the crash. Determining fault can be very complicated, as there may be a large number of factors involved.

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 Posted on April 12, 2017 in Catastrophic Injuries

Brain injuries are often unclear at first, especially to those without experience in diagnosis. Many times, these traumatic and life-altering injuries are left undiagnosed at first as many minor symptoms mask those injuries. The medical treatment required in determining the damage is just the start of the financial burden, which may accumulate for an entire lifetime. If someone else is at fault for the damage caused by a brain injury, the economic struggle should not be on the victim, but on those responsible.

Identifying a Brain Injury

Brain injuries can happen anywhere—on a battlefield, at work, on the playground, or in a car. The brain is vital to everyday life functions like breathing, speaking, and walking. Something as simple as a slip and fall is enough to cause a traumatic brain injury.

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 Posted on April 05, 2017 in Workplace Accidents

Food service orientated positions can historically be described as jobs with grueling schedules, low wages, and overall stress producers. As of July 1, 2017, the minimum wage for service oriented jobs will increase from $10.50 to $12.00 per hour. Yet while this wage increase may be a welcome advancement, the one factor that change will elude is the dangerous threat of on-the-job or workplace injuries.

Brian Garry, senior director of foodservice for the Cintas Corporation, recently stated that many operators simply do not anticipate an accident or personal injury and are often left unprepared.

In an effort to better educate owners, managers, and employees, Cintas recently identified the top four personal injuries often suffered by restaurant workers.

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 Posted on March 28, 2017 in Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle accidents are often debilitating, or even fatal, to those involved. Additionally, the devastation is often preventable, which perhaps makes the emotional impact harder to swallow. Although victims and families may be left in the figurative paralysis of what to do, a quick legal reaction time boosts the chances of a successful outcome.

A successful claim enables victims to gain compensation for much of their loss. No two cases are identical. However, there are behaviors frequently identified as the causes of a motorcycle accident.

Top Causes of Motorcycle Crashes

In a majority of cases involving motorcycle collisions, the defense of the person at-fault is simply, “I did not see them.” This is far from an adequate response and by no means excuses the behavior.

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 Posted on March 21, 2017 in Dog Bites

When an individual is bitten by a dog, it can be a traumatic experience. Estimates suggest that approximately 4.5 million people in the United States will sustain a dog bite related injury this year. In fact, statistics involving the act by man’s proclaimed best friend account for the following:

• More than one-third of all homeowner liability claims;
• Over 6,500 attacks on U.S. Postal Service carriers;
• Nearly a one-in-five chance of infection; and
• Increased probability of undergoing reconstructive surgery.

Every 75 seconds someone experiences an encounter with an aggressive or protective canine in the United States—an encounter in which the handler or owner may be at fault.

Although dog bite laws vary state by state, California has seen an increase in dangerous dogs, and bites can occur as a result of improper handling or ignorance of dog bite laws.

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 Posted on March 14, 2017 in Car Accidents

Estimates show that 10,000 lives are lost on an annual basis due to rollover vehicle accidents. This type of vehicle accident is so dangerous that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports how those involved in a rollover accident have a 33 percent chance of not surviving.

Although a rollover can occur in any model of vehicle, these accidents are regularly linked to sports utility vehicles or SUVs, pickup trucks, or the modern day mini van—all vehicles which are considered “top heavy” because they have a higher center of gravity.

A rollover accident can occur when sideway forces, such as navigating a curve, shift the center of gravity to one side and therefore affect the vehicle’s ability to balance evenly. This reaction is extremely dangerous if a driver is speeding or driving while under the influence. The result can be the loss of control of one's vehicle.

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 Posted on March 07, 2017 in Car Accidents

As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continually surveys the quantity and quality of our sleep habits and the devastating events associated with the lack thereof, sleep is now recognized as a public health issue. 

Moreover, the exploration of behaviors and disorders are also being closely monitored as our sleeping habits are now linked to motor vehicle accidents, personal injuries, industrial disasters, and even medical and other occupational errors. 

Another leading authority, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), reports that driving while drowsy can be dangerously compared to driving while under the influence of alcohol, but without the benefit of a breathalyzer.

The NHTSA estimates that over 100,000 vehicle accidents per year can be contributed to driver fatigue. This is an estimate as it is difficult to attribute “drowsy driving” as the initial cause of the accident on an accurate basis. Other contributing factors include:

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