For parents, there is nothing more important than protecting our children. Unfortunately, some accidents can be caused by the negligent actions of another party. This is especially true as it pertains to motor vehicle collisions. Tragically, car accident injuries to children can be increasingly severe due to their smaller stature. Injuries to a child can result in chronic pain and even impact their physical and mental development. If your child has been injured in a motor vehicle collision, it is time to speak with a knowledgeable attorney.

Alarming Information on Child Injuries

Despite numerous safety measures in place to keep our children safe, the amount of children injured in car accidents each year is alarmingly high. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 116,000 American children were injured in motor vehicle collisions throughout 2017 alone. Of those injured children, approximately 675 ultimately died due to their injuries. For parents, the biggest step one can take is properly restraining your child. Studies conducted by the CDC found that 35% of all children that were fatally injured in car accidents throughout 2017, were not properly restrained.

The sad reality though is many children suffer injuries even when they are properly restrained in a booster seat, car seat, or standard seat belt system. The most common injuries to children in car accidents are head, chest, organ, and back injuries. In other words, many of these injuries can have a life-long impact on a child. If a child suffers severe brain trauma in a car accident, their brain development can be stunted or permanently altered. Similar issues can occur in spinal and back injuries, impacting mobility for an extended period of time.

Every single year, upwards of 6 million motor vehicle collisions occur throughout the United States. Approximately 50% of those car accidents result in injuries of some kind. Statistics compiled by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) state that 90 people die every day in car accidents throughout the United States. While some car accidents occur when all drivers involved are operating their vehicles safely, many of these collisions are the direct result of driver negligence. Below we will examine some of the most common forms of driver negligence, and how you should react if you or a loved one are injured in a motor vehicle collision.

Negligence Leading to Collisions

Some experts claim that car accidents are simply an unavoidable aspect of our lives, but studies suggest otherwise. A massive percentage of car accidents throughout the United States are the direct result of reckless actions or negligence.

The most common and easily proven form of negligence in the United States remains drinking and driving. Despite the positive work of initiatives to discourage inebriation behind the wheel, drunk driving kills more than 10,000 Americans each and every year. Fortunately for families impacted by the negligence of a drunk driver, the legal process can be fairly straightforward. After law enforcement officials respond to the collision, the negligent party will likely be breathalyzed if they are displaying signs of inebriation. Through police testimony, securing significant injury or wrongful death compensation should not be overly challenging.

In a national job market, some occupations will come with more inherent risks than others. Today, the construction industry is known as one of the most dangerous industries throughout the United States. Despite stringent regulations established by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), designed to keep employees safe, workplace injuries and fatalities are more common in the construction industry than many would like to assume. According to statistics compiled by OSHA, construction industry fatalities account for upwards of 20% of annual private sector fatalities. If you or a loved one have been injured while working construction, you may be entitled to significant compensation.

Common Forms of Construction Injuries

According to OSHA, the leading cause of injury in the construction industry is falling. Construction workers are asked to work on multiple story buildings, roof builds, and other tasks that put them at risk of falls. Throughout 2018 alone, over 300 construction workers were fatally injured after falling on a job site. Other common causes of injuries and fatalities include being struck by objects and electrocutions. In many injury instances, employers fail to apply proper protective measures throughout the site or equip their employees with necessary protective equipment.

Filing a Claim in Illinois

When you or a family member suffer an injury while at work, filing a claim can come with some complications. According to Illinois state law, an employee that suffers an injury at work can only file a workers’ compensation claim against their employer. While an employee cannot file a personal injury claim against an employer, they can file a claim against other contractors or parties responsible for injuries suffered. If a contractor used the employee to complete a task that resulted in injury, you may be able to pursue a personal injury claim. If a driver crashes into a construction site resulting in injury, you can file a claim against the driver. For more information on the steps you should take after a construction site injury, speak with a knowledgeable attorney.

Every single day thousands of Americans suffer serious injuries in motor vehicle collisions. While many people involved in car accidents will willingly share insurance information and handle the situation with professionalism, others will attempt to flee the scene. Unfortunately, hit-and-run accidents occur daily throughout the United States. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), approximately 737,100 hit-and-run accidents occurred throughout 2015 alone. If you or a loved one have been injured in a hit-and-run collision, it is important to know how to react.

What You Should Do After a Hit-and-Run

After ensuring that all passengers are safe after the initial collision, it is important to react quickly in a hit-and-run situation. First and foremost, contact law enforcement officials. The quicker that police can arrive on the scene, the more likely they are to apprehend the other party. If you believe the other vehicle is attempting to flee, you should attempt to document the license plate number, color, or make of the fleeing vehicle. While pictures of the vehicle can be incredibly beneficial to a police investigation, a written description and potential license plate number can also lead to an arrest. Regardless of whether you are able to document the aforementioned information, it is crucial that you speak with any witnesses of the accident.

Witnesses can not only help you gather information regarding the driver’s appearance and details of the vehicle, but also any forms of negligence that may have played a role in the collision.

When a worker is injured on the job, the impact of their injury can have a serious impact on the financial well-being of their family. Not only can a work injury result in significant medical expenses, but also potentially long-term income loss. Recognizing this, securing workers’ compensation can be incredibly important to the injured party and their family. Commercial trucking is an inherently dangerous profession and employee injuries are more common than most would assume. If you have been injured while working as a commercial trucker, you may be entitled to significant workers’ compensation payments.

Commercial Trucking Injuries

Due to the dangerous nature of commercial truck driving, workers’ compensation claims are common throughout the industry. Long driving hours and inconsistent exercise patterns can lead to an increased likelihood of injuries. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 60,000 commercial truck drivers suffer non-fatal injuries each year. The most common causes of injuries within the industry include motor vehicle collisions, accidents while loading or unloading cargo, and long-term overexertion.

Securing Compensation

It is important to understand that employer negligence does not have to play a role in a workplace injury, in order for a worker to be entitled to workers’ compensation payments. After suffering an injury, the first step you can take is speaking to an attorney that you can trust. Ensure that your attorney is knowledgeable regarding the extent of medical expenses, and loss of income that resulted due to the injury. Do not settle for an injury settlement that does not cover all of your expenses. In many instances, companies will attempt to have an employee agree to a minimal compensation package, as a means of saving money.

When a person gets behind the wheel of a vehicle, they are making a statement that they are in good health and capable of safely operating a vehicle. Unfortunately, many people fail to recognize the tangible impact that lack of sleep can have on a person’s ability to safely drive. The reality of the situation is that drowsy driving is a massive traffic safety issue, throughout the United States. If you or a loved one have been injured in a motor vehicle collision, it is time to speak with an attorney regarding your options.

How Dangerous is Drowsy Driving?

While we all can understand the inherent dangers of falling asleep at the wheel, driving while still conscious but sleep deprived is also incredibly dangerous. According to studies conducted by the National Safety Council, driving while drowsy impacts a person’s reaction time, attention span, and general awareness. The study also found that driving after twenty consecutive hours without sleep is the cognitive equivalent of driving with 0.08 blood alcohol content.

Considering the information mentioned above, it should come as no surprise that the number of collisions caused by drowsy driving is alarmingly high in the United States. According to the National Safety Council, approximately 100,000 drowsy driving accidents occur nationwide, each year. Over 70,000 Americans suffer injuries that require medical attention, due to the negligence of drowsy drivers, on an annual basis. Tragically, approximately 1,550 of those annual injuries result in fatalities.

According to the Illinois General Assembly, state law defines reckless driving as operating a vehicle with a willful disregard for the safety of others. The most common forms of reckless driving include driving at excessive speeds, following other vehicles too closely, disregarding traffic signs, and weaving through traffic. Unfortunately, many motor vehicle collisions are caused by the reckless actions of a driver. If you or a loved have been injured in a motor vehicle collision caused by a reckless driver, you are entitled to significant injury compensation.

Reckless Driving and Injuries

Whenever a driver chooses to operate their vehicle in a reckless or negligent manner, they are compromising the safety of other travelers. The following are some of the most common types of reckless driving:

• Speeding: In the United States, speeding is the deadliest form of reckless driving. Throughout 2018 alone, speeding drivers were responsible for the deaths of 9,378 people. In all, driving at excessive speeds is the primary cause of 26% of all annual traffic fatalities. Speeding can impact vehicular control and a driver’s ability to react, making it a seriously dangerous form of negligence.
• Tailgating: Following other vehicles too closely, or tailgating, is one of the leading causes of rear-end collisions. In many cases, rear-end collisions can result in life-changing injuries to the spine, as well as significant brain trauma. Both spinal cord and traumatic brain injuries can impact a person’s motor skills and compromise their ability to work. While symptoms can be delayed, one should seek medical attention immediately after being injured in a rear-end collision.
• Weaving Through Traffic: Illegally passing other vehicles or recklessly weaving through traffic, is also a leading cause of injuries in the United States. Drivers that choose to pass other vehicles in an unsafe manner increase the likelihood of head-on collisions, which are the most dangerous form of motor vehicle collisions. If the other driver was weaving through traffic, witness testimony or surveillance footage can be critically important in your personal injury case.

Contact an Aurora Car Accident Attorney

Suffering an injury in a car accident can come with emotional trauma and significant expenses. At Kinnally Flaherty Krentz Loran Hodge & Mazur P.C., our team is dedicated to helping your family receive personal injury compensation after a car accident. When another driver chooses to operate their vehicle recklessly, they are actively putting others in danger. Through investigative work and strong legal representation, we will do everything in our power to prove that the other driver’s negligence was the primary cause of the accident. To schedule a complimentary initial consultation with a skilled DuPage County personal injury attorney, call us today at 630-907-0909.

When a person gets behind the wheel of a vehicle, they are making a statement that they are in good health and capable of safely operating a vehicle. Unfortunately, many people fail to recognize the tangible impact that lack of sleep can have on a person’s ability to safely drive. The reality of the situation is that drowsy driving is a massive traffic safety issue, throughout the United States. If you or a loved one have been injured in a motor vehicle collision, it is time to speak with an attorney regarding your options.

How Dangerous Is Drowsy Driving?

While we all can understand the inherent dangers of falling asleep at the wheel, driving while still conscious but sleep deprived is also incredibly dangerous. According to studies conducted by the National Safety Council, driving while drowsy impacts a person’s reaction time, attention span, and general awareness. The study also found that driving after twenty consecutive hours without sleep is the cognitive equivalent of driving with 0.08 blood alcohol content.

Considering the information mentioned above, it should come as no surprise that the number of collisions caused by drowsy driving is alarmingly high in the United States. According to the National Safety Council, approximately 100,000 drowsy driving accidents occur nationwide, each year. Over 70,000 Americans suffer injuries that require medical attention, due to the negligence of drowsy drivers, on an annual basis. Tragically, approximately 1,550 of those annual injuries result in fatalities.

When a person suffers an injury in the workplace, it is the employer’s responsibility to pay for medical expenses and compensate the injured party for lost work time. After suffering an injury in the workplace, a person will be financially reliant on the workers’ compensation benefits, failure to secure those payments can result in serious financial instability. If you have been injured while at work, it is time to speak with a knowledgeable legal professional.

Understanding Temporary Disability Payments in Illinois

In the state of Illinois, a worker can pursue two types of temporary disability payments, based on the extent of their injuries. If a person has suffered injuries that are significant enough to keep them out of work entirely for a certain amount of time, the employer is obligated to make Temporary Total Disability (TTD) payments. The employer will be asked to pay two-thirds of the employee’s average weekly wages. If the employee is able to work a job that requires less physical stress to the injured area, the employer will be asked to make Temporary Partial Disability (TPD) payments. The amount of the payments will be calculated through subtracting the wage of the new temporary job from the wage of the employee’s old job, and compensating the employee with two-thirds of the difference between the two salaries. It should be noted that in both payment programs, the employer will be forced to pay for all medical expenses.

Reacting to a Workplace Injury

As soon as you suffer an injury in the workplace, you have an obligation to seek medical attention immediately. If you experience delayed symptoms after the incident, seek medical attention as soon as pain or injuries suffered begin compromising your ability to work. It should be noted that if an employer has agreed to make temporary disability payments you are obligated to work with doctors to achieve a complete recovery in a timely fashion. Failure to work towards recovery can result in loss of disability benefits. It is also important to provide your employer with detailed medical information. If your employer does not receive requisite medical information, they are not obligated to make payments. If your employer or their insurance company is hesitant to agree to make disability payments, it is time to speak with an experienced attorney.

According to statistics compiled by the U.S. Department of Transportation, approximately 33,654 fatal car crashes occurred throughout the United States in 2018. While any and all car accidents can come with inherent dangers, some collisions are simply more dangerous than others. Head-on collisions are the most dangerous form of motor vehicle collision, due in large part to the proximity of the collision on the vehicle and the merging speeds of both vehicles. While head-on collisions only account for 2% of all annual motor vehicle collisions, they make up more than 10% of all traffic fatalities. Below we will explore some of the most common injuries that occur in head-on collisions, as well as some of the most common causes of these dangerous motor vehicle collisions.

Injuries in Head-On Collisions

As mentioned above, head-on collisions are notoriously dangerous. This is in large part due to the fact that both drivers and front-seat passengers collide instantly with the other vehicle. Unsurprisingly the injuries suffered in head-on collisions can be incredibly severe. The most common forms of injury range from brain trauma, spinal injuries, broken or fractured ribs, and various injuries to the limbs. If you or a loved one are injured in a head-on collision, it is critically important to document the full extent of all injuries suffered.

Why Do Head-on Collisions Occur?

Because head-on collisions generally only occur when one driver swerves into the other lane of traffic or is traveling the wrong direction down a one-way street, the vast majority of these collisions are caused by driver negligence. Distracted driving such as eating or texting while driving can cause a person to take their attention off of the road and veer into the other lane of traffic. Drinking and driving is also a common cause of head-on collisions due to the deterioration of the guilty party’s motor skills and vision. Additionally, if a driver is recklessly passing other vehicles, their reckless actions can lead to a head-on collision. In short, if you suffer injuries in a head-on collision, proving negligence can be fairly straightforward.

Throughout the United States, an average of 16 pedestrians are killed after being struck by a car, each and every day. According to statistics compiled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), just under 6,000 pedestrians were fatally injured in car crashes, throughout 2017 alone. Due to the sheer size difference between a standard automobile and a pedestrian, pedestrians often suffer severe if not fatal injuries in these accidents. Perhaps it should come as no surprise, that pedestrian fatalities accounted for 16% of all traffic deaths throughout 2017. If you or a loved one have been injured in a car accident, it is time to speak with a qualified legal professional.

Reacting to the Accident

After you or a family member has been struck by a motor vehicle, it is imperative to act in a timely fashion. First and foremost, ensure that all injured parties are safe and sound. If any person is significantly injured, seek out emergency medical attention immediately. It is also worth noting that brain and spinal injuries often display delayed symptoms, and you should seek medical attention if you are experiencing any head, neck, or spinal discomfort. Once all medical aspects of the collision have been taken care of, it is time to contact the police. Police presence can be an incentive for the driver to remain on scene and answer any questions regarding their insurance or the incidents that lead to the accident honestly. When proving negligence in a personal injury case, a police report can also be critical throughout the legal process.

Once medical personnel (if needed) and law enforcement officials have been contacted, it is time for you to document everything you can from the crash. Taking photos of skid marks, debris from the collision and damage to the vehicle involved can be key to the case. If the driver is still present, take pictures of the make and model of the vehicle, as well as the license plate number. If the driver ultimately does flee from the scene this information will be invaluable to law enforcement. If any witnesses are present, speak to them about the events that lead up to the accident, and take document their contact information. Witness testimony can be imperative in proving a driver was acting in a negligent manner such as speeding, disregarding traffic signs, or texting while driving. Lastly, speak with the driver and get their insurance information. Making the assumption that the driver will contact their insurance company on their own, can be a mistake.

Here in the state of Illinois, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is seen as one of the top safety concerns in the state. Recognizing this, law enforcement officials arrested approximately 28,386 people for driving while intoxicated, throughout 2018 alone. Tragically, despite diligent work of local law enforcement, just under 300 Illinoisans lost their lives in accidents involving drunk drivers in 2018. Alcohol-related crashes accounted for 28% of all fatal car accidents throughout Illinois, in 2018. If you or a loved one have been injured in a motor vehicle collision, it is time to speak with a knowledgeable legal professional.

Filing Your Personal Injury or Wrongful Death Suit

If the accident you or a family member were injured in involved an inebriated driver, it is more than likely that the collision will involve a criminal investigation. That being said, a personal injury or wrongful death suit must be filed by an individual. In both instances, the lawsuit will be filed if the plaintiff (the person filing) believes that another party acted recklessly or negligently leading to the injuries of themselves or a loved one. If the injuries suffered proved fatal, a wrongful death lawsuit can be filed by family members of the victim.

In personal injury and wrongful death cases, proving negligence can be one of the most difficult parts of an attorney’s job. A skilled attorney will work diligently to compile surveillance footage and witness testimony. In some crashes, proving liability may be difficult, such as proving that a driver was texting while driving. Fortunately, in personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits involving drunk drivers, a criminal investigation can provide ample evidence for your attorney to prove that the other driver was acting in a reckless manner. Evidence such as the reading on a breathalyzer test or other forms of chemical testing can be critical to the success of your case.

Losing a loved one can be one of the most emotionally difficult times in a person’s life. Unfortunately, the financial future of a family can also be put at risk when a provider loses their life in a workplace accident. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), approximately 5,250 American workers died on the job throughout 2018. In other words, an average of 100 workers dies per week, throughout the United States. If your loved one has been fatally injured while working, it is time to seek out legal guidance.

Fatal Injuries in the Workplace

Today, the most dangerous private sector industry in terms of worker fatalities is the construction industry. According to statistics compiled by OSHA, more than 20% of all private sector fatalities occur in construction. The vast majority of construction fatalities are caused by falls, electrocutions, or an employee being struck by an object (such as a piece of equipment). While accidents are sometimes unavoidable, the truth is that employer negligence is routinely the cause of construction site fatalities. In many cases of burns or electrocutions, the injured employee was not equipped with proper safety equipment. In other instances, a fall in the workplace could have been avoided if the employer had set up proper fall protection.

While the construction industry is the most fatal private sector industry in the United States, other industries such as commercial trucking rely heavily on compliance with safety procedures. If your loved one was fatally injured in a commercial trucking accident, it may be due to faulty brakes, an overloaded truck, or their company pressuring them into driving over the legally mandated hours limit. Regardless of the industry, a workplace fatality should never go uninvestigated. If your loved one has lost their life while working, speak with an experienced lawyer to discuss your options.

Here in the United States, thousands of Americans are fatally injured in motor vehicle collisions, each and every year. While some car accidents are simply unavoidable, many are caused by the negligence of a driver. According to the National Safety Council (NSC), approximately 90% of all car accidents throughout the United States are caused by driver error. One of the most common forms of negligent driving is distracted driving. Below we will discuss the impact of distracted driving on our nation’s roadways, and how you can seek compensation if you have been injured in a motor vehicle collision caused by distracted driving.

Why is Distracted Driving so Dangerous?

Distracted driving is simply defined as an act that serves as a visual, manual, or cognitive distraction while driving. In other words, any action that takes your eyes off the road, or hands off the wheel. While cell-phone use has sparked an increased discussion on distracted driving, other forms of distracted driving such as eating while driving, adjusting the radio dial, or conversing with other passengers have been causing accidents for decades. Today though, the most notorious form of distracted driving is cell-phone use. According to a study conducted by the National Safety Council (NSC), cell phone use while driving has increased by 1,500% since 2005. The main concern for safety officials with cell phone usage is texting while driving. It should come as no surprise that over 275,000 Americans suffered injuries in collisions caused by distracted driving, throughout 2018 alone. Of those injured, approximately 2,628 ultimately died due to their injuries.

Seeking Compensation After a Distracted Driving Accident

In the aftermath of a car accident, it is entirely common to feel flustered and overwhelmed, but after every injured passenger has received the necessary medical attention, it is time to speak with a legal professional. An experienced lawyer will help you navigate conversations with the other party’s insurance provider, and ensure that you do not accept an unfair settlement offer from the insurance company. In a distracted driving accident, an attorney will work diligently to compile witness testimony and surveillance video to confirm that the other driver was distracted while driving, thus operating their vehicle in a negligent manner.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), rear-end collisions make up approximately 28% of all annual car accidents throughout the United States. Rear-end collisions often result in serious injuries due to the fact that the passengers in the vehicle that is rear-ended rarely have time to brace for the collision. In many cases, rear-end collisions are strictly the result of negligent driving. If you or a family member are injured in a car accident caused by negligence, you are entitled to significant injury compensation.

Rear-End Collision Injuries

In the United States, roughly 2.5 million rear-end collisions occur each year, making rear-end collisions the most common car accident nationwide. Approximately 950,000 Americans suffer injuries in rear-end collisions, each and every year. Many of the injuries suffered in rear-end collisions, such as broken wrists, ribs, and knee injuries are common in all car accidents, but other injuries are more likely to occur in rear-end collisions. Injuries to the spine and back are increasingly common in rear-end collisions.

Serious injuries to the spine can cause significant nerve damage, loss of motor function, and even paralysis. Some spinal injuries such as whiplash can come with life-changing ramifications, but are notorious for delayed symptoms. Even if you have minor back or neck pain after a rear-end collision, it is wise to seek out medical attention and speak with a legal professional. Traumatic brain injuries are also increasingly common in rear-end collisions due to a passenger’s inability to brace for the collision.

According to statistics compiled by the National Safety Council, approximately 2.2 million Americans suffered serious injuries in motor vehicle collisions throughout 2019. Despite the fact that motor vehicle collisions dropped in comparison to 2018, over 38,000 Americans lost their lives in collisions, throughout last year. While the vast majority of car accident injuries are non-fatal, many of them come with life-changing ramifications, including changes in quality of life as well as the financial security of your family. If you or a member of your family have been injured in a motor vehicle collision, it is time to speak with a knowledgeable legal professional.

Life-Changing Injuries

Car accident injuries can range from minor bumps and bruises to serious life-changing injuries, some of the most common severe injuries include broken bones, spinal injuries, and traumatic brain injuries. Broken bones can occur in any type of motor vehicle collision, but are especially common in head-on collisions due to the impact of the crash. The most common bone fractures and breaks are arm or wrist injuries, broken ribs, and leg fractures. Arm and wrist breaks commonly occur due to the injured party attempting to brace themself for the collision, and the impact of the airbag deployment.

Rib breaks and fractures are common in motor vehicle collisions, even when all safety procedures are utilized and executed properly. In fact, injuries to the rib are oftentimes caused by the impact of an airbag deploying or the pressure of the passenger’s body pressing against the seat belt restraint system. Injuries to the head and spine can occur in even the most minor of rear-end collisions, and lead to long term implications for motor skills and cognition.

Hundreds of car accidents occur every single day, throughout the state of Illinois. Unfortunately, many of these collisions result in serious injury. According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, upwards of 20% of all motor vehicle collisions result in some injuries to one or more parties involved. Throughout 2017 alone, approximately 66,889 motor vehicle collisions resulted in injury. If you or a loved one have been injured in an automobile accident, it is time to seek out the assistance of a seasoned legal professional.

Negligence Leading to an Accident

In many instances, automobile accidents are caused by driver negligence. The most common forms of driver negligence include driving over the speed limit, disregarding traffic signs, texting while driving, and driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. In some cases, one negligent act can lead to a collision, this can occur when a driver recklessly passes a vehicle, follows another vehicle too closely, or fails to use their turn signal. If another party’s negligence leads to injuries to yourself or a family member, you may be entitled to injury compensation.

After revisiting the events of the accident with your attorney, and establishing that the other party operated their vehicle in a negligent manner, you and your attorney can begin seeking compensation. This process can begin with your attorney discussing a settlement with the other party’s insurance company. Insurance companies consistently attempt to provide victims of car accidents with low settlements and minimal compensation. With the help of an attorney, you can seek the compensation you deserve, through the threat of a trial. If the case goes to trial, it is important to hire an attorney that will work diligently to prove the other driver was acting negligently, while also providing thorough documentation of the damages you and your family have suffered (injury expenses and motor vehicle damage).

After suffering an injury in the workplace, there can be a lot going through a person’s mind. Questions surrounding medical bill payments and potential loss of work hours can leave a person and their family in a time of financial anxiety. In many cases though, your family may be entitled to workers’ compensation payments in the aftermath of a workplace injury. If you or a loved one have suffered an injury at work, it is time to seek out the guidance of a knowledgeable legal professional.

Life-Changing Construction Site Injuries

It is no mystery that construction sites present a number of dangers that are not present in the vast majority of workplaces, because of this worker injuries are incredibly common in the field. The most common construction injuries include slip and fall injuries, electrocutions, burns, and injuries to the eyes. Unfortunately, many of these injuries can be incredibly severe and even fatal. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), over 1,000 construction workers suffered fatal injuries throughout 2018. In all, construction site deaths accounted for approximately 21% of all private industry worker fatalities in 2018. If your loved one has been severely hurt or fatally injured in a construction accident, it is time to speak with an attorney.

Seeking Workers’ Compensation

Workers’ compensation is a form of insurance designed to ensure compensation for workers who suffer injuries on the job. For construction workers, this could include a worker that suffered a fall while installing a window on a building. Workers’ compensation payments can cover medical bills, compensation for loss of work hours while on medical leave, and payments to families that lost an income source due to a fatal injury. The first step you and your family should take after a workplace injury is hiring a competent attorney and examining the case with your legal team. In many construction accidents, the injuries suffered are a direct result of employer negligence meaning that the case could prompt a personal injury or wrongful death claim.

Placing a loved one into the custody of a nursing home facility can be one of the most difficult decisions a family can make. In most instances, the family can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that their family member’s needs are being met by trained professionals. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. According to statistics compiled by the National Council on Aging (NCOA), approximately 10% of all Americans over the age of 60 have experienced elder abuse. If you believe that your loved one may be facing nursing home abuse, it is time to seek out legal guidance.

Types of Nursing Home Abuse

Nursing home abuse can come in various forms including emotional, physical, and sexual abuse. Emotional abuse occurs when a nursing home staff member verbally berates, threatens, or harasses a resident. Physical abuse is the act of physically harming a resident, and sexual abuse occurs when an employee engages in any sexual behavior with a resident that cannot or does not consent to the act. It should be noted that patients with cognitive impairments such as dementia or Alzheimer's disease are common victims of nursing home abuse and negligence.

How You Can Help

When you place your loved one into the care of a nursing home facility, it is critically important to be on the lookout for signs of abuse. Recognizing physical abuse can be somewhat straightforward due to the fact that the symptoms often come in the form of bruises or abrasions to the skin. Signs of emotional or sexual abuse can be more difficult to recognize, especially if visits to your loved one are infrequent or irregular. The first step you can take to recognize signs of abuse is spending as much time as possible with your loved one, giving you an opportunity to recognize their behavior patterns within the facility. If you notice that they are beginning to withdraw from social activities, experience changes in mood, or acting tense around their caregiver, they may be facing some form of abuse.

When a large commercial vehicle is involved in an accident with a standard automobile, the results can be catastrophic. In the vast majority of these instances, the injuries suffered to the passengers of the standard motor vehicle can be long-term life-changing injuries or fatal ones. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), over 4,700 large trucks and busses were involved in fatal crashes throughout 2017. In many cases an accident involving a commercial truck only occurs due to the negligence of the operator or the trucking company itself.

Types of Negligence Leading to Commercial Trucking Accidents

With thousands of fatal commercial trucking accidents occurring throughout the United States each year, it is important to understand the leading factors of these collisions. First off, many of these collisions could be avoided if not for driver error. Driver error is one of the leading causes of commercial trucking accidents and can range from driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, driving at reckless speeds, or texting while driving. In other cases, a driver may be looking to make some extra money and will drive over their legal hour limit causing them to be dangerously tired or attempt to drive up hazardous terrain without chains in order to save time on their load.

While driver error is common in commercial trucking accidents, employer oversight or negligence can oftentimes be the leading cause of a collision. Commercial trucking companies will oftentimes pressure their drivers into falsifying their logs to drive over the legal hours mark and overload a vehicle’s cargo weight making it more difficult to operate and stop. These types of employer pressures are dangerous to employees and other drivers on the road. If you have been involved in a collision with a commercial truck, it is time to seek out the help of a qualified legal professional.