Articles Posted in Personal Injury

Slipped-Disc-Blog-scaledThe human spine comprises 33 vertebrae, each separated by a spongy member referred to as a disc. Each spinal disc contains a jellylike nucleus encased in a rubbery exterior called an annulus. These discs act as shock absorbers and cushions for the spine. Back injuries are often excruciating and can make it difficult for victims to move. One of the most common back injuries is a slipped disc, also called a bulging or herniated disc. As many as 2 percent of adults throughout the United States suffer from slipped discs each year. This type of injury occurs when a portion of the nucleus pushes out through a tear in the exterior. While any spine segment can suffer a slipped disc, most occur in the lower back. When left untreated, herniated discs can potentially cause permanent and life-altering complications. 

Common Causes Of Slipped Disc Injuries

Our discs gradually become more rigid and susceptible to ripping open and rupturing as we age. Consequently, many victims suffer herniated discs from excessive spinal rotation or improper lifting of heavy objects. During an accident, a victim’s body can also be subjected to violent forces that cause the delicate spinal discs to be badly damaged, strained, or thrown out of place. Spinal injuries also commonly result from devastating accidents. Personal injury accidents that frequently cause slipped discs include:

Cement-Truck-scaledCement trucks transport wet cement to construct foundations, buildings, and driveways. When transporting cement, these massive trucks can weigh over 60,000 pounds. Since the weight of a concrete truck is disproportionately located in the mixing drum, these vehicles tend to be highly top-heavy. As a result, cement trucks have a rollover rate ten times higher than cars. When concrete truck drivers cause accidents, occupants of other vehicles risk suffering devastating injuries or worse. Every time a trucker slams on the brakes or makes a sharp turn, they place others in significant danger. Although collisions are bound to happen, many cement truck crashes occur because trucking companies, inattentive construction companies, or negligent truckers lack oversight.

Common Causes Of Cement Truck Collisions 

Most mixing trucks use pre-mixed wet concrete and other filling products. To prevent the concrete from hardening, it must be delivered quickly. This can place cement truck drivers under tremendous pressure to meet tight deadlines. Like other large truck accidents, concrete truck collisions frequently result from driver errors and insufficient maintenance. Some specific factors that regularly lead to cement truck accidents include:

Concussion-Blog-2
A mild form of traumatic brain injury (TBI) that affects the regular functioning of your brain is called a concussion. Although doctors may describe concussions as “mild” because they are not typically life-threatening, victims can still suffer severe effects from this brain injury. Adverse impacts are generally temporary but often include problems concentrating, trouble remembering, and difficulties with balance or coordination. Concussions can also create acute chemical changes in the brain and sometimes elongate or damage vital brain cells. While anyone can suffer a concussion, data suggests that young children and the elderly have the highest risk. 

The Most Common Causes Of Concussions

Concussions are often caused by a jolt, blow, or knock to the head or strike to the body that causes the victim’s brain to slam rapidly back and forth against the inner walls of the skull. Violent shaking of the head or upper body can also lead to a concussion. Any abrupt movement can cause a victim’s brain to twist or bounce around inside their head. Falls are by far the most prevalent cause of concussions. The unexpected acceleration or deceleration of the head resulting from personal injury accidents, such as car crashes, are likely to cause this type of head injury too. Concussions are widespread in contact sports, such as football, hockey, or soccer. According to estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), up to 3.8 million sports and recreation-related concussions happen throughout the United States each year.  

Comparative-Negligence-Blog-scaledLiability in personal injury cases is often unclear and ambiguous. This is because a defendant may not be entirely responsible for the accident. It is not uncommon for plaintiffs to be partially at-fault too. Fortunately, victims may still be eligible to recover compensation for their damages even if they were partly to blame. When applying the legal doctrine of comparative negligence, also known as comparative fault, a plaintiff that contributed to their accident would still be awarded compensation for their damages. However, the total amount would be reduced based on their share of fault. Whether you have been hurt in a car crash, construction accident, slip and fall, or any other mishap, comparative negligence can significantly impact the compensation you obtain. 

Common Comparative Fault Claims

When a defendant can successfully demonstrate that the plaintiff shared some responsibility for an accident, they will not have to pay the full jury award. Consequently, comparative negligence is one of the most prevalent affirmative defenses raised in personal injury litigation. Some situations where plaintiffs might be considered comparatively negligent include:

Food-Safety-Blog-scaledA foodborne illness, also known as food poisoning, is any sickness caused by eating contaminated food. Over 200 diseases, from diarrhea to pancreatic cancer, are spread through tainted food. Everyone involved in the food cycle, including producers, processors, wholesalers, distributors, grocery stores, and restaurants, must take every necessary precaution to keep food safe. 

Common Causes Of Food Poisoning 

Food contamination refers to anything that does not belong in food. These are the most prevalent causes of foodborne illnesses:

Young-Woman-Testifies-In-Court-scaledSuppose you or a loved one have suffered devastating injuries in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence. In that case, you must understand all of the legal options available to recover damages. Although accident victims have the right to take their injury claims to court under New York law, most lawsuits get settled without going to trial. Contrary to what most people think, only about 3 percent of all cases go to court. 

When hospital bills and other expenses are piling up, and a victim is not getting paid because they cannot work, it can be highly tempting to take the insurance company’s first settlement offer. However, insurance adjusters often try to exploit victims by offering lowball settlements. Before accepting any offer, discussing your case with a knowledgeable personal injury lawyer is imperative to ensure that you maximize your compensation.

Negotiations And Settlement Offers

Fence-around-swimming-pool-scaledWestern New Yorkers finally get a chance to enjoy some nice weather during the summer months. Many locales flock to swimming pools to cool off as the weather heats up. Pools provide an excellent way for parents to keep their kids entertained while swimming or relaxing in the sun. Unfortunately, a lovely pool day can become a tragic nightmare when pool owners fail to provide basic safety precautions or children are left unsupervised. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), around ten victims lose their lives daily in unintentional drownings. When a loved one suffers injury or drowns in a pool, the property owner can be held responsible for the damages.

Factors That Increase The Risk Of Drowning 

Drowning is the 2nd leading cause of all unintentional injury fatalities, behind only car accidents. Children ages 1-14 suffer approximately 20 percent of drowning deaths. The following elements significantly heighten the risk of drowning:

Automobile-Defect-Blog-scaledAccording to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), in a recent year alone, there were over 1,040 motor vehicle crash-related deaths throughout New York State. Although defective vehicles and components commonly contribute to or significantly worsen many car accidents, most victims never even realize it. Collisions involving automobile defects are typically caused by dangerous vehicle designs, substandard components, and other manufacturing errors. All car designers and manufacturers have a legal duty to ensure their vehicles’ safety before marketing them to the public. This duty requires car makers to carefully inspect their vehicles for defects that could unnecessarily harm consumers. Unfortunately, some of the most prominent car companies fail to examine their vehicles adequately. Many manufacturers have even known about critical deficiencies but tried to conceal them from the public. 

Most Common Types Of Car Defects

For an automobile to function correctly, thousands of electrical, hydraulic, and mechanical components must operate together. When even the most minor part malfunctions, the outcome can be catastrophic. For example, if faulty brake pads fail as a truck nears a red light, the truck could T-Bone another vehicle. Some frequently occurring instances of automobile defects include: 

Fall-Down-Stairs-scaledFalls are one of the leading causes of personal injury accidents throughout the United States. While falls can happen anywhere, these accidents are especially common on stairs. Each year, more than 1 million victims injure themselves on stairways. All property owners and managers are legally obligated to keep their properties safe for tenants, visitors, and workers alike. This obligation includes inspecting and maintaining stairways and making timely repairs to potentially dangerous conditions. When a staircase accident occurs because of hazardous or improperly maintained stairs, the responsible property owner, landlord, or management company can be held liable for the victim’s damages. 

 Common Causes Of Falling Down Stairs

Walking up and down stairs can be extremely treacherous when staircases are improperly constructed, insufficiently inspected, or inadequately repaired. While stairway accidents can take place for almost any reason, some frequent causes include:

spinal-cord-injury-blog-post-scaledThe spinal cord is a long, cylindrical pathway that connects your brain to your lower back. It is a delicate structure composed of vertebrae, discs, nerves, and other tissues. A spinal cord injury consists of any damage to a segment of the spinal cord or nerves at the end of the cauda equina. When part of the spine gets damaged, areas of the body below the site might not receive nerve messages and suffer changes in sensation, strength, and other critical body functions. According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (NSCISC), a recent estimate revealed that more than 17,800 victims suffer spinal cord injuries yearly. Approximately 294,000 individuals throughout the country are currently struggling with spinal cord injuries. 

Common Causes Of Spinal Cord Injuries 

Although almost any personal injury accident can result in spinal cord damage, car accidents are the leading cause. Recent figures from the NSCISC showed that more than 38 percent of all spinal injuries were due to crashes. Some other frequent causes of spinal cord damage include:

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