The Liability of Property Owners in Elevator-related Accidents

Accidents occurring on escalators are far more frequent than elevator-related accidents. In the 1990s, the yearly average of escalator-related accidents was 4,900. Since then, the number has increased to about 10% every year so that in 2013, the number has climbed to 12,260. Children, 14 and under, and senior citizens, at least 65 years old, are the most common victims in these accidents.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) says that falls is first in the list of escalator-related injuries and deaths (the CPSC is the branch of the U.S. Federal government that is charged with protecting American consumers and families from products that pose fire, chemical, electrical, or mechanical hazards). From 1985 to 1999, 21 out of the 27 escalator-related deaths were due to falls.

Falls are classified either as “falls on” or “falls from” escalators. “Falls from,” or “falls over-the-side,” refers to a person falling outside of an escalator into adjacent open spaces; “falls on” or “falls down,” on the other hand, refers to a person who remains inside the elevator wellway as he or she falls.

Despite the many incidences of injuries and deaths due accidents in escalators, escalator hazards which the escalator industry has known for decades and which they can easily correct through safer designs, have often been obscured even in litigations. This is due to the overwhelming success of the escalator industry in convincing both the media and accident investigators that accidents, especially falls, are due to intoxication, horseplay, and gross misuse of riders.

It is important for the public to know that premises owners and manufacturers of elevators and escalators have contracts which require the latter to provide ongoing support and maintenance services, including annual inspection after initial installation. It is also important to note that, rather than horseplay, intoxication or grave misuse, the dangerous conditions which often lead to escalator accidents are maintenance related or failure by the manufacturer to retrofit readily available safety devices – a failure premises owners choose to overlook. These are actually nothing short of acts of negligence, the basis of many premises liability litigations and claims.

As emphasized explained by the law firm Schuler, Halvorson, Weisser, Zoeller & Overbeck, P.A., elevators should be maintained correctly or they can cause people to trip and fall or even be trapped. Injuries that may arise as a result of property owners’ neglect to keep elevators in good working condition will render them totally accountable.

Two Types of Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle riders who never received formal riding education are the ones who often get involved in accidents. One very wrong thought of many of those who want to ride a motorbike is that learning from friends or kin is as good as enrolling and learning in a riding school. Riding a motorcycle , however, is not just learning how to balance or zigzag your way through traffic; learning how to ride safely is always the top priority.

In 2012, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received reports of 4,957 fatal motorcycle accidents and 93,000 non-fatal ones; the total number of motorcycle accidents that year was 112,000.

Every year, the number of motorcycles on the road keeps increasing, giving rise too to the number of motorcycle accidents. These accidents can either be single vehicle motorcycle accidents or multiple motorcycle accidents.

Single vehicle motorcycle accidents are the more common type of motorcycle crashes. Their causes include riding with a high blood alcohol level, riding too fast even during poor weather conditions, and failure to brake and maneuver properly, especially when rounding a corner. Thus, motorcyclists losing their balance and crashing into road fixtures or being thrown off from their bikes are not uncommon sights.

Multiple motorcycle accidents, on the other hand, result to more serious injuries and fatalities. This type of accident involves another vehicle, such as a car, besides the motorcycle. Of this type of accident, the worst is head-on collision, which often occurs in undivided rural highways and wherein one vehicle (either the motorbike or the other vehicle) is traveling on the wrong side of the road.

Most multiple-vehicle crashes are due to drivers either failing to notice approaching motorcycles or drivers denying motorcycles the right of way – situations that put drivers at fault during accidents. Despite actual accident cases that verify these situations, most drivers rather put the blame on motorcycle riders, saying that riders often careen in and out of traffic, putting their own and other motorists’ lives at risk.

According to an article in the Schuler, Halvorson, Weisser, Zoeller & Overbeck, P.A. website, motorcyclists commonly go unseen by drivers that do not know how, or forget, to check for motorcycles on the road. Due to this, accidents often result to life-threatening injuries due to the lack of protection of motorcycle riders and the impact created by the other (larger) vehicle involved in the accident. Drivers who put motorcycle riders in life-threatening situations should face the consequences of their action. While they may be sure to face criminal liability, civil liability is another thing they will have to answer.

Who’s At Fault for Amusement Park Accidents?

No place is completely safe. Accidents that result into unfortunate injuries can occur from private homes to even public hospitals—there is no bias against the two as the most common factor between situations like these is negligence. And people bring negligence with them wherever they are, so why would amusement parks be any different?

There is a certain level of ease and comfort with amusement parks, given that they’re meant to inspire an air of peace and fun—a level of detachment from all the horrors of the “real world”. You go there because it’s fun to experience and you don’t tend to factor in the idea that something as terribly tragic such as an accident could occur to you in such a place. And so, amusement parks then have that responsibility to deliver on the atmosphere of fun and happiness that is expected of them but to also deliver it in such a way that nobody should get hurt.

Unfortunately, this is not always the case and injuries are all about inevitable.

Accidents that occur in amusement parks, according to the website of the lawyers with Williams Kherkher, can often constitute as personal injury cases for they are most likely due to negligence. Injuries in these circumstances It could have been the negligence of a single employee or the entire park could be held accountable for the damages done to the survivor or victim of the accident.

More often than not, injuries that occur in amusement parks are more than a few scratches and bruises. Sometimes, the machinery that is used to operate the attractions malfunction so disastrously that they could cause debilitating injuries such as burn scars, disfigurement, broken bones, paralysis, et cetera, to the person in question.

How to Deal with Burn Injuries?

There are very few chemical compounds that can interact with fire and not be changed. Human skin, unfortunately, is not one of those chemically blessed. Upon contact with fire or anything strong enough to burn, nerve endings can be irreversibly burnt away. Burn scars are not like ordinary patches of darkened skin – they are rough and can disfigure the injured person in question.

Some might say that a quick death might be more merciful than to live with the scars.

So how do you deal with the injuries? A Tennessee personal injury lawyer will likely tell you that burn injuries often fall under the responsibility of personal injury due to the frequency of when and how the injuries are acquired. More often than not, accidents or incidents in general that result into burn injuries are due to the negligent actions or another party. For example, it could be due to the faulty wiring in unsafe, public premises; or perhaps it was due to a malfunctioning piece of technology that then resulted into an explosion.

If you suffered a burn injury due to actions that were someone else’s fault, allowing for an experienced professional to guide you through the legal process may work in your favor. It allows for you to concentrate on your recovery instead of the monetary expenses that medical procedures and physical therapy, as well as lost wages, that may result from the injury. A lawyer that specializes in burn injuries also has the necessary networks in order for you to receive the best possible care in order to recover more fully and efficiently without having to worry about all the nitty-gritty that is often involved in cases such as these.

If you or someone you know has suffered a burn injury due to the negligent actions of someone else or another party, it is then then recommended that the first order of business is to consult with an experienced professional who can walk you through what happens next.

Precautions for Taking Xarelto

Xarelto is an anticoagulant drug that was first approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or FDA in the year 2011. Also known by its generic name, rivaroxaban, the drug was originally intended to prevent blood clots in patients that underwent hip or knee replacement surgeries. However, in the years following its initial FDA approval, Xarelto has also been approved for a variety of other uses. Today, the drug is prescribed by millions of physicians as a way to prevent the risk of blood clots common for several cardiovascular conditions.

In particular, Xarelto is often prescribed to patients suffering from atrial fibrillation and pulmonary embolism. It works by blocking certain proteins that cause blood clots to form. In a healthy individual, the formation of a clot is an important mechanism to stop bleeding. However, the abnormal formation of blood clots can also occur and cause serious and often fatal medical problems like strokes and heart attacks. Taking Xarelto significantly reduces these risks in people struggling with conditions that interferes normal blood clot formation.

While the drug has proven extremely effective for preventing blood clotting conditions, Xarelto still has some notable side effects that patients should be aware of. Some of these side effects are minor and can easily be resolved with the help of a physician. Xarelto often causes minor nosebleeds and bleeding from cuts. There are also times when these side effects become a lot more severe and alarming. As pointed out by the website of Williams Kherkher, there have been several cases reporting adverse side effects suffered by patients. These side effects have been so notable that the FDA recently rejected the use of Xarelto for the treatment of acute coronary syndrome.

Without proper precautions, taking Xarelto could lead to brain hemorrhaging and gastrointestinal bleeding. These symptoms can be observed through signs like vomiting blood and having blood in the stool and urine. If you have been prescribed to take the drug, it’s extremely important that you raise your concerns and consult your physician. Take the time to ask questions about your treatment plan and inquire about possible alternatives.

The Consequences of Drunk Driving Charges for Military Personnel

Considering that thousands of Americans die in alcohol impaired traffic accidents every year, there’s no surprise to the fact that a driving under the influence (DUI) and driving while intoxicated (DWI) are both met with serious punishment. According to te website of criminal attorney James Powderly, an individual convicted with a DUI or DWI can end up facing up to 5 years in prison and paying over $25,000 in fines. Still, compared to civilians, military personnel who find themselves charged with these offenses can suffer even greater consequences that might put their careers at risk.

If a member of the military is found to have been in violation of DUI or DWI laws, he or she can expect to meet the same penalties that civilians must meet when in a similar situation. According to the website of the Flaherty Defense Firm, military personnel charged with a drunk driving offense will face a significant amount of fines and prison time to serve his or her sentence as required by laws. On top of that, the military may also impose their own punishment and sanctions against the convicted personnel.

A military member facing a DUI or DWI conviction can end up facing a host of different penalties that could put their careers at risk. Among the most common sanctions imposed by the military against offending members include the following:

• Imposition of extra duty
• Reduction of rank
• Confinement at a given post
• Submission of Letter of Reprimand (LOR)
• Article 15
• Suspend deployment or PCS orders
• Court martial or suspension board

For military personnel, a drunk driving charge can cause a chain of events that will significantly hurt their careers and future prospects. If you are in a similar situation, it’s extremely important to seek out an experienced military arrest lawyer to learn more about your legal options.

Vacations Gone Wrong: Common Accidents in Cruise Ship Excursions

For a good number of people, going on a cruise is a dream come true. There’s absolutely no doubt that a cruise vacation is one of the most enjoyable traveling options that one can experience. Cruise lines have a number of amenities and attractions that are perfect for travelers of all ages.

Aside from being able to enjoy the open sea, passengers can take part in a host of onboard activities. They also have an opportunity to take part in exciting excursions and in-land activities that will help them explore exotic landscapes and locales. Unfortunately, the experience of cruise ship excursions isn’t always pleasant and memorable. There are moments when accidents can put a damper on what had started as an incredible vacation.

According to the website of cruise ship lawyers at The Vucci Law Group, P.A., there have been several notable cases when cruise ship excursions have been interrupted by the occurrence of catastrophic accidents. These accidents often lead to injuries that vary in their seriousness and severity. They point to the following scenarios as some of the most common accidents that occur in these excursions.

• Dock Accidents – The cruise ship becomes unstable when it fails to properly dock at the port and increases the risk of slip and fall accidents to occur.
• Tender Accidents – Small boats called tenders are used to transport passengers from the cruise ship to the shore. Tender accidents can happen while passengers are boarding or disembarking from the boat, or if the boat is driven recklessly by the operator.
• Motor Vehicle Accidents – During excursions, passengers are transported from one destination to the next through vehicles that could end up crashing due to reckless and negligent driving.
• Defective Equipment Accidents – Excursions can also quickly turn dangerous due to equipment that has not received proper upkeep and maintenance.

A vacation is supposed to be a time for enjoyment and relaxation. Unfortunately, cruise ship passengers have to contend with the thought that accidents might put an end to their pleasurable travel experience. There’s only so much they can do to protect themselves from the risks involved in cruise ship excursions. At the end of the day, cruise lines have to remain responsible for creating a safe and gratifying environment for their customers.

Workers’ Compensation: Receiving Benefits after a Workplace Injury

It’s in the very nature of accidents to be unpredictable. While there are several ways to mitigate risks and prevent certain accidents from occurring, there is no foolproof way to ensure that these incidents will be completely and absolutely avoided. This is especially true for people working in industries that involve significant risks of injuries. Individuals employed in construction work, manufacturing, transportation, and other manual labor industries have to be prepared for the possibility that an accident can happen at any time. In the same way, employers should be able to provide their workers with appropriate safety nets should the worst happen in a given workplace.

According to the website of Detroit personal injury lawyers at Ravid & Associates, injuries that occur in workplaces can have devastating consequences. Aside from dealing with medical costs, an injured worker will also have to take time off for their treatment and recovery. This leads to significant financial strain, as they will be without their primary source of income. The effects can be even more devastating for workers with dependents relying on their financial support. Considering that the U.S. Department of Labor noted around 2.9 million cases of private industry injuries in the year 2013, these concerns are obviously an issue that employers can’t ignore. That’s why workers’ compensation benefits are an important part of the responsibility that employers have to their employees. Through workers’ compensation, employees will no longer have to worry about the financial troubles caused by their injury. In an ideal scenario, these benefits will help alleviate any burdens dealt by an accident that occurred in the workplace.

However, as pointed out on the website of Ravid and Assoc, the process of filing for workers’ compensation can often become very complex and frustrating. There are times when employees discern that filing a claim is more trouble than it’s worth. To avoid getting stuck in a similar situation, it would be best to consult with qualified legal professionals working in your area.

Drunk Driving Accidents: Legal Options for Victims and Their Next of Kin

Drunk driving is a serious problem across America. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration or NHTSA, alcohol-impaired driving had caused accidents that led to over 10,000 fatalities in the year 2012.

This data translates to one death every 51 minutes, and does not even account for all the other accidents that end in serious injuries. While there are strict laws against driving under the influence (DUI) and driving while intoxicated (DWI), it seems that there are still plenty of drivers that continue to operate their vehicles while knowing that they might put their lives and the lives of others at risk. Victims that have been gravely hurt in such scenarios have several legal options to consider. As pointed out on the website of the Seegmiller Law Firm, car accident victims can pursue compensation for medical costs and other financial concerns caused by the incident through a personal injury lawsuit.

Filing a personal injury lawsuit against a drunk driver is considered a civil case. It is different and separate from any criminal charges that the driver will face for breaking DUI and DWI laws. These criminal charges are intended to punish reckless and negligent behavior regardless of whether another person had been injured in an accident. On the other hand, a civil case is initiated by the victim or the victim’s next of kin through a lawsuit. In this scenario, the parties directly affected by the drunk driving accident can claim just compensation and hold the driver at fault accountable for his or her actions. This is particularly crucial for accidents that resulted in grave injuries and fatalities.

There are still some complicated legalities involved in filing personal injury lawsuits against drunk drivers. If you or your loved one had been seriously injured in an accident involving alcohol impairment, your best recourse is to consult with a qualified legal professional for more information.

Whiplash: A Common Problem for Car Accident Victims

A significant number of car accidents occur in roads and highways across America every year. More than that, millions of lives become profoundly affected by these accidents. The number of fatalities and injuries that come from these traffic crashes are staggeringly high. These deaths can cause a lot of suffering and anguish to the families that victims have left behind. Meanwhile, these injuries can equate to costly medical treatments and lost earning opportunities. While some injuries can be more severe than others, even some of the most minor damages can still cause significant strain to an individual.

Whiplash is one of the most common injuries suffered by people involved in car accidents. It is an injury that greatly affects the movement of the head and back, caused by the sudden and forceful back and forth movement of the neck typical to rear-end collisions. According to the website of The Law Offices of Yvonne Fraser, this type of injury typifies itself through constant headaches, as well as a sharp pain or a dull ache in the back and neck. Other symptoms include feeling a tingling sensation in the arms and legs and intense pain in the shoulders.

People who develop whiplash from a car accident might not be aware of the symptoms at first. With this type of injury, the symptoms gradually become more severe as time passes. In most cases, whiplash might start with just a feeling of tension or strain in the neck that will become more and more painful without proper medical attention. At its worst, whiplash can cause fatigue, dizziness, blurred vision, and ringing in the ears. It can also affect a person’s concentration and cause lapses in memory, difficulty sleeping, irritability, and depression.

Treating whiplash can be a lengthy process. The only way to truly recover from this type of injury is through physical therapy and exercise. As such, recovering from whiplash can quickly become very expensive and tedious. According to the website of lawyers Habush Habush & Rottier S.C., car accident victims shouldn’t have to stress themselves about the financial burden caused by their injury and recovery. If you are suffering from whiplash because of a car accident caused by someone else, you have the option to fight for the compensation you need to cover medical costs. Contact an experienced personal injury lawyer in your area to learn more about your legal options.