Dec 27, 2025 | Personal Injury, Wrongful Death
A Christmas tree is a symbol of holiday spirit, and style, when the season comes around. People flock to tree farms in the mountains, Lowe’s garden section, and even just to your everyday grocery— and pick their perfect tree. We string up lights, hang ornaments, put presents below, and top it all off with a shiny star. While we take pride in our holiday cheer, and display it for all to see— our trees also have the potential of leading to Christmas tree fires. These are unfortunately quite common, there are also a few steps we can all take to prevent them. That’s where we come in… Below, you’ll find a guide to avoiding Christmas tree fires, and keeping your holiday safe, sound, and jolly…
Christmas Tree Fires: How to Avoid Emergency During the Holiday
Pick your tree methodically
When choosing a tree, assuming you get a real tree, keep an eye out for a few different things… For one, make sure the needles are fresh, bright green, and don’t fall off easily. Needles that aren’t well intact point to a tree that is drying out. You know your tree is going to stand for at least a week, if not a few. Therefore, finding the freshest tree possible will go a long way in preventing potential Christmas tree fires.
Water your tree
Many people don’t consider the upkeep that comes along with having a real tree. But, watering them is absolutely one of those steps. The biggest key to keeping a tree safe, and accident-free, is to keep it moisturized. While accidents inevitably happen, a very dry, brittle tree is much more likely to go up in flames— and fast. So, when putting up your tree, add a few inches of water into the stand. Furthermore, refresh that water around once a week.
Watch the placement
When deciding where to put your tree, consider the heat sources within your house. If you have a fireplace, radiator, wood burning stove, or something of the sort— make sure to place your tree at least three feet away from those hot spots. Preventing Christmas tree fires may come down to where you put your tree. Furthermore, make sure that tree isn’t blocking any essential exit point for your house. That way, if you find yourself plagued with a fire of any kind, your Christmas tree isn’t hindering your safety plan.
Dec 26, 2025 | Personal Injury, Workers' Compensation
There are plenty of different ways to face injury in the workplace. From a quick sprain, to broken legs, and even lost limbs. However, there are plenty of different injuries that occur in the workplace which you might not see right away. Overexertion injuries, for example, are one means of injury that can occur out of your typical work conditions. Maybe you were more tired that day, or handling a two person job on your own. Whatever the reason, you now have an injury that needs treating. But, what could you have done to prevent it?
Overexertion Injuries Prevention: Worker’s Compensation
Ask for help
Overexertion injuries occur for a number of reasons, but one of the most common— is biting off more than you can chew. It can be easy to get caught up in the swing of things and think you can handle something on your own. However, it’s in those instances that you might find yourself with a sprain, strain, or tear. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, and admit when you can’t handle something on your own.
Use correct posture
If you have a physically taxing job, it can sometimes be easy to forget that posture is key to avoiding those overexertion injuries. Furthermore, even if you job isn’t physically taxing— you might find yourself with the occasional heavy lifting. Bend your knees, lift with your legs, and tighten your core. By doing so, you avoid unnecessary stress on your back, and in turn, injury.
Take a break every now and then
One of the biggest mistakes you can make is to not take a break every now and then. We understand that you work hard, and time is of the essence. However, stopping for a sip of water won’t hurt. In fact, it will keep you hydrated and help prevent fatigue. Your muscles and joints are working hard— reward them with a break every hour or two.
Overexertion injuries come in many different forms. However, the pain is always the same. Therefore, it’s important that you claim them through worker’s compensation. In the event that your employer makes doing so difficult, or begins denying your benefits— reach out to an attorney today.
Dec 1, 2025 | Personal Injury, Products
Every single person, thing, and technology, is subject to failure every now and then. While inconvenient, we expect that we will face issues every now and then. However, what about when that failure leads to injury or death? When it comes to defective drugs, such as over-the-counter or prescription medications, the side effects can be serious, and sometimes deadly. But what causes those failures? And what responsibility does the manufacturer have when you’ve been injured at their expense?
Defective Drugs: Cause and Liability
Most commonly, people reserve medications for when they’re not feeling 100% like themselves. Therefore, you’ll usually follow the guidelines provided on the bottle, or from your doctor. We assume that the medicine is reliable, safe, and we’ve been provided the proper instructions for taking it. So, when something unexpected happens, we have a few people in mind to blame. And when that resulting injury is serious, or a cause of death, the costs can be pretty high. From pain and suffering, to medical bills— who is responsible? In short, the manufacturer is responsible.
Manufacturer responsibility for defect
As a consumer of medication, whether prescription or over-the-counter, you assume that the medicine your taking is safe, and as it’s supposed to be. But when that’s not the case, and defective drugs hinder your way of life, it is 100% up to the manufacturer to take responsibility. There is the potential for receiving payment for medical bills, pain and suffering, and so forth. While a settlement of any kind will not fix, or change, what happened to you or your loved one— it can create financial ease while you deal with the aftermath. But, one of your first questions, will likely be: why? Why did this happen? And what was the cause?
Causes for Defectiveness
Defect in the product. One reason for defective drugs may be a defect within the makeup of the product. In some cases, it could be that manufacturers are using harmful chemicals that do not interact well with one another. While plenty of testing should warn against these issues, that is not always full proof. Furthermore, there could be a defect in the making of the drug.
Incomplete labeling. Another common cause of defective drugs is incomplete or insufficient labeling. In short, without proper labels, consumers don’t know what they are taking. Therefore, they have no knowledge of how their body may react to it, or how it may react with other foods and medication.
Insufficient warnings. Like incomplete labels, insufficient warnings can leave a consumer unaware of how to take their medicine. All medications should include a list of instructions informing people how to take the drugs. In addition, that list should also include warnings as to how not to take the medicine.
As we’ve said, no amount of money can make your pain and suffering go away. But, it can ease the financial burden of your healing. If you, or someone you know, has been the subject of defective drugs, urge them to reach out to a personal injury attorney today. After explaining the details of your product liability case, an experienced attorney will be able to help you find the right recourse. Lastly, you might not be the only person who has faced injury or death at the hands of that manufacturer. So, coming forward might just help to save someone else…
Oct 13, 2025 | Personal Injury, Work Injuries
When it comes to worker’s comp cases— there are plenty of cases that come through our offices. From slips and falls, broken bones, construction injuries… It seems that hurt workers emerge from every field— no matter the assumed danger. However, what happens when you’re faced with workplace violence?
Workplace violence can come in different forms. From verbal and physical abuse, sexual violence, robbery… This type of violence comes in many different forms, which means that there are many ways to address it…
Workplace Violence: Addressing Unexpected Trauma
Prevention
Quite obviously, the best way to handle this type of trauma— is to prevent it. While accidents will always happen— there are certain steps you can take to prevent violence…
- Review your hiring and vetting process. Consider more in-depth background checks, reference checks— and even annual or semi-annual reviews of all staff.
- Review security and update. Install cameras, metal detectors, or whatever security settings you see fit to prevent danger in your workplace.
- Encourage staff to report threats, incidents, or fears of workplace violence in a way that makes them comfortable. Anonymous tips, emails to HR, and other means of reporting can prevent many issues.
- Take time every now and then to encourage team building exercises
- Provide workplace counselors for those in need, or those who face tragedy in their work or personal life.
Understand common stressors, causes, and red flags
There are some issues that can be outside of your control— such as sexual abuse, or armed robbery. However, much workplace violence occurs when there are angry employees, faulty protocol, improperly vetted employees, or general stress.
If you find yourself suspicious of potential workplace violence, or the victim of such, it’s important that you seek out assistance…
…Whether that comes in form of calling the police, reporting to your boss, or an attorney after the fact— there are options for prevention and also dealing with the problem.
If you have been the victim of workplace violence, we offer our condolences. The events you have endured can lead to injuries, physical and emotional trauma, as well as resulting medical costs— depending on the event. Therefore, you might need an attorney to defend your right to damages.
Aug 18, 2025 | Personal Injury, Workers' Compensation
If you have been hurt on the job, and the doctor says you could potentially face life-long impairment, you might hope to seek a second opinion. After all, you only get one body and one chance at life. So, why not make sure it’s in the best condition possible? However, the difficult bit about seeking a second opinion in a worker’s injury, is that worker’s comp claims and processes are quite strict in what they cover, and who you see…
Seeking Second Opinion in Worker’s Injury: Am I Allowed?
With normal cases of sickness or injury, you are able to visit your personal doctor. After receiving their diagnoses, you have the option to seek out a second opinion if you wish, especially if the first doctor is suggesting something major. However, when it comes to a worker’s injury, getting that second opinion can be difficult due to the worker’s comp process.
May I seek out a new perspective?
While there are plenty of reasons you may want a second opinion in your worker’s comp case, the question is can you get one? For the most part, you may be able to request another doctor in order to get another opinion. However, while you may request a second opinion from the worker’s comp insurance, there is no guarantee they will approve it. In addition, it will most likely still be within the same network of your employer’s choosing. Therefore, the doctor will likely garner the same opinion. In short, a second opinion may be available, and you can request it but there is no guarantee.
Why seeking a second opinion might be the way to go
In most cases, employers will require that you see a doctor of their choosing. Since they are covering the medical bill through worker’s comp, they hold the right to choose your doctor. However, this means that you will be using a doctor you are unfamiliar with. This can be counterproductive for a number of reasons… For one, you may not feel fully comfortable divulging all information. Therefore, your treatment options and their perception might be different than what you need. For example, you may hesitate to fully describe the events of your accident or the pain you are in. Furthermore, you may feel you cannot fully trust his method of treatment. In some cases, you may feel the doctor is bias since your employer is the one who employed him.
If you choose to seek out a second opinion…
You will likely have to do so on your own, and out of your own pocket, if you wish to see the doctor of your choosing. But, it might be worth doing so for your own safety and healing process. The treatment plan your personal doctor can be supplemental to the worker’s comp assistance, or you can choose to take that route entirely. Ultimately, your healing process is up to you. However, if you choose to see your own doctor, the costs might be a bit higher for you… However, an attorney can typically request a hearing to order that second opinion. Ultimately, the hope of any worker’s comp claim is to reduce disability as much as possible.
Mar 16, 2025 | Personal Injury, Work Injuries
The days, weeks, or even months following a work injury can be particularly difficult on the person facing injury and recovery. They’re dealing with financial stress, loneliness, and a loss of life quality. For these reasons, and many others, having a solid support system post-injury makes a big difference in how your loved one copes and recovers. So, what can you do to help get the people you love through this difficult time?
Support System Post-Injury: Lifting up Loved Ones
Give them your company
Sure, you can cook meals, clean, run errands, or do other chores and it will be greatly appreciated. But, more than anything you set aside time for, keeping them company is at the top of the list. When facing an injury of any kind, you quickly begin to realize that the world is going on around, and without, you. Your friends are going out, playing sports, shopping, your place of work is still moving along… When you consider the fact that time hasn’t stopped, your condition can begin to feel quite lonely.
This is where a support system post-injury comes in. Depression, anxiety, and general loneliness are extremely common amongst injured workers. Therefore, taking some time to sit with them, have a conversation, or watch a movie, can brighten someone’s day.
Check in
You have a busy schedule, and we understand that. You have family, work, and maybe you even live in a different city or state. Therefore, when you can’t be there physically— be there in another way. Checking in with your loved ones can be as simple as sending a text and saying, ‘I’m thinking of you’. A support system post-injury can look plenty of different ways.
Encourage them to ‘let it out’
There are a lot of feelings that come along with a work injury. Not to mention, on top of that, you’re spending more time alone than you’re used to. No to mention, when you have no one to listen, and no way to exert injury? It’s easy for those feelings to bottle up. So, whether you go for a visit or just a phone call, encourage them to speak freely. It doesn’t matter if you’re three hundred miles away. Doing a little, and listening, can go a long, long way.
