Aug 14, 2019 | Personal Injury, Work Injuries
Product liability cases may come about after injury you receive from a purchased product. Typically, when buying a product, you expect it to work as advertised. However, when things don’t quite go to plan, and you face injury, you might wonder if you have a case. But, for what exactly? You know something went wrong, and are hurt as a result…
Product Liability Cases: What Qualifies?
Defective design
Defect in design is one of the most common types of product liability issues. Maybe your car has a high center of gravity. Therefore, during a minor accident, your car flips and you face an injury. Product liability comes in all forms and fashions. However, these can be fatal if the company does not make you aware, and give you the chance to return the product.
Defective manufacturing
Defective manufacturing is not directly related to the product design in product liability cases. But, instead, it relates to how the product was put together. Maybe the screws for a bike are loose, and you fall into traffic. Or, they missed padding inside of a helmet. The issue with a product can vary. But, in this case, it was not due to the design. Instead it is due to how the bike was put together.
Defective marketing
You might not consider it, but marketing can also play a role in the danger of a product. Maybe the team behind this product failed to apply warning labels, or give you the proper safety measures. Most any product should come with warnings. For example, failing to label a cup of extremely hot coffee, which results in a burn constitutes product liability.
Understanding Benefits
In the event of product liability injuries, it is important to know what your benefits could be. Depending on your injury in the product liability case, you might end up with some pretty hefty medical bills. In that case, your way of life might change as you recover. Every case is different, as is the injury. Therefore, compensation for that injury might be completely necessary to your healing.
May 19, 2019 | Boating Accidents, Personal Injury
Memorial Day is a time of year to celebrate the people in our country who have made the ultimate sacrifice in helping keeping this nation safe. For many, Memorial Day weekend provides an opportunity to host parties, cookouts, boat days, and gatherings for those we hold close. However, one thing to keep in mind during your annual celebration, are Memorial Day injuries. Memorial Day injuries can occur for a number of reasons, and in a number of ways. Of course, injuries can occur at any time— and we should always practice caution in our daily lives. However, there are certain issues we are more susceptible to this holiday season.
Memorial Day Injuries: Avoiding Holiday Misshaps
Car accidents
You might not realize, but car accidents are increasingly common over Memorial Day weekend. There is an influx of drunk drivers, many people not paying attention, and others who are rushing to the party. So, if you plan to head out this coming holiday weekend: assign a DD or get-home plan, don’t let them drive drowsy, and avoid roads late at night. Taking steps to avoid accidents might just keep you out of harm’s way.
Water-related Incidents
It happens every year during Memorial Day weekend: people head out in the masses towards their nearest body of water. For some of us, that might mean a dip in the pool, tubing on the lake, or maybe a little deep sea fishing. Whatever method you use to cool off, it’s important that you take measures for safety.
You’ll likely be drinking and having fun. Therefore, it can be easy to lose sight of proper protocol when it comes to water safety. When in a body of water such as a lake or the ocean, wear a lifejacket. Sure, you know how to swim. But, there are certain factors outside of your control that might make that lifejacket a, well, lifesaver. Furthermore, pool safety is extremely important all Summer long. Not just on Memorial Day.
Alcohol Poisoning
As we’ve mentioned, Memorial Day is a time of celebration and annual parties for many. Therefore, many tend to drink a bit too much. While this can often be innocent enough— sometimes, it can lead to further complications. Drinking heavily, in the sun, and without the right amount of water— you are at risk for alcohol poisoning.
Dehydration
Drinking water, even if you don’t plan to drink alcohol, is key to ensuring that you have a solid Memorial Day. Dehydration can certainly throw a wrench into your plans, and cut your day short; It can lead to dizziness, fainting, a lack of energy, and rapid heartbeat among other symptoms.
Mar 27, 2019 | Personal Injury, Work Injuries
Accidents come out of nowhere. One minute you’re working, or having fun with friends, and the next— you’re in pain. When recovering from an injury, healing is your number one priority. Therefore, a post-accident pain journal can be a consideration for documenting your injury, recovery, and any details surrounding your injury that might benefit your claim in the future.
Post-Accident Pain Journal: You Should Use One
What is it?
A post-accident pain journal is an informal record of your pain levels after an accident. It can be on the notes app on your phone or in a small notebook. Anything that’s easy for you to access when you have an onset of pain. There are also mobile apps and printable templates for you to use to journal.
What should I journal?
Anything regarding your health after an accident should ideally be journaled. Doctors visits, prescriptions and medications, and other symptoms should be logged in your post-accident pain journal. Anytime you have an ache or a strain from an injury you got during the accident, put it in there!
Who’s going to read it?
Keep in mind, a lot of people may be reviewing this. Your insurance company, doctors, and lawyers may all ask to see it. Also, your post-accident pain journal might also appear in court if necessary. Keep a neat, but detailed, log of your pain.
Why is it important?
You might have had a severe accident that you swear you’ll never forget. Or, it might’ve been on the smaller side with “not many details”. Either way, you need a post-accident pain journal. All the small details, even the ones you think might not matter, need to be included. Plus, it’s always better to have too much information than not enough!
Anything else?
Additionally, you should include conversations you have with anyone involved in the accident. After the accident, make a note of the officers you had contact with and the other involved parties, if applicable. Keep this handy, along with any other conversations you have regarding the accident. This could be with potential law representation or insurance companies. Keeping track of names, dates, and times will also be helpful in your post-accident pain journal. While these might not be pain related, they are details that are relevant to your case.
Mar 19, 2019 | Accident prevention, Personal Injury
As of Wednesday, Spring is officially in session. The trees and flowers are starting to bloom, we’re preparing for April showers, and we’re finally able to put on a short sleeve shirt from time to time. While Spring is arguably one of the best seasons— it also comes with it’s own share of springtime injury risks. It’s important to be familiar with them, why they’re common, and ways you can prevent them. No one wants to be laid up in a bed with injury when they should be out enjoying this beautiful weather…
Springtime Injury Risks: Getting Familiar, and Avoiding
Runner’s Knee
You’re getting back out into that 70 degree weather, and maybe getting a little exercise while you’re at it. Now that the weather is improving, you might feel like you can run, bike, or do your high impact exercise for a longer period. While the weather absolutely makes it easier— it also increases your chance of contracting springtime injury risks, such as runner’s knee.
Plantar Fasciitis
Warm weather means warm weather shoes, such as sandals, flip flops, or even no shoes at all. While these shoes give our piggies time to shine, and take a break from humid tennis shoes— they don’t offer solid arch support. Therefore, they can cause an issue known as plantar fasciitis. This ailment can be quite painful, and is common amongst those who don’t have good arch support in their shoes. Springtime injury risks come in all forms and fashions, don’t let plantar fasciitis ruin your springtime walks in the park. Instead, just wear a dependable shoe.
Back Injuries
Springtime, for many, means Spring cleaning. You’re deep cleaning, moving things, clearing out, reorganizing… This is a great way to get your house in shape, and also feel renewed in a new season. However, it’s an easy way to end up with a springtime injury. When it comes to big jobs, such as moving furniture, or pulling heavy things off of high shelves— wait until you aren’t the only one home. Furthermore, ask for help. Don’t end up flat on your back, with an injury. Instead, save those big jobs for you and a friend to tackle together.
Mar 3, 2019 | Personal Injury, Work Injuries
Work burnout is something that can hit everyone at any job. Sometimes, the burnout can get so bad, it leaves employees wondering if they should look for another job. However, there are some methods for preventing burnout that can help make work enjoyable again…
Preventing Burnout: Get Re-Energized
Start the day right
It’s possible to start working on preventing burnout before your workday even begins. Many people will wake up and head straight to work in the mornings. However, it’s a good idea to give yourself some personal time before heading out.
It helps to take 10-15 minutes in the morning for yourself. You can use this time to relax and prepare yourself for the day ahead. You’ll be able to handle whatever it is work throws at you with the right mindset.
Manage your workload
Having an overwhelming workload can also cause feelings of burnout. That’s why a large part of preventing burnout means balancing out your workload. You should figure out what you needto do vs. what you canalso do at the workplace.
Teamwork is an important part of many jobs. However, there’s a difference between teamwork and someone shirking their responsibilities. If someone keeps asking for help and isn’t putting in the effort they should, let them know you have to focus on your own work first. After all, your own work quality shouldn’t suffer because of someone else.
Balance work and personal demands
For some, it’s difficult to find a balance between their work and social lives. Many times, their work will follow them home and so will the stress. That’s why it’s important to find that balance for preventing burnout.
If you can, try to leave your work at the workplace. Instead, spend that time off from work with friends and family. Or, you can pursue new or old hobbies, or just relax. Whatever it may be, taking that time for yourself is useful in avoiding burnout.
Preventing burnout is important for keeping an optimistic outlook on your work, and also keeping potentially careless incidents at bay. Taking steps to avoid those feelings, and injuries, you will improve your work quality, as well as enjoy your time away from the workplace.
Feb 21, 2019 | Personal Injury, Work Injuries
When you work from a desk, neck ad back pain seems pretty inevitable. You’re sitting in one spot, sometimes in an uncomfortable chair, and you’re looking down to stare into a computer. Each of these things, and the combination of them, put you at increased risk for neck and back pain. So, what can you do to reduce office-related back pain and neck pain? There are few no-brainers, as well as a few adjustments that might be a hassle— but will absolutely be worth saving yourself from these pains.
Office-Related Back Pain & Neck Pain: Avoid Unnecessary Pain
Posture
We mentioned that a few of these office-related back pain helpers would be no-brainers like this. However, good posture is at the height of the problem for many office workers. Most all of us are aware of what good posture looks like, and what it feels like. While good posture is something everyone should practice— that’s not to say it’s easy.
Good posture requires being mindful of your body. Furthermore, it requires that you right those wrongs when you notice that you’ve gotten lazy. As we’ve mentioned, having good posture isn’t as easy as wanting to do so. Many of us will notice ourselves slumped during the workday. Consider setting yourself hourly reminders, or even looking into ergonomic office chairs and lumbar support. Posture is one of the most important factors in reducing office-related back pain.
Work standing up from time to time
Many offices nowadays offer standing desks, or some sort of converted work space for those who prefer to work from a standing position. While you obviously won’t want to spend every hour of every day working from a standing position— consider spending an hour or two a day from this position. Office-related back pain, while posture has a lot to do with it, also has a little something to do with staying in one position all day, and also the compression of your vertebrae from sitting in one spot all day. Choose to stand from time to time to promote good posture and a happy spine.
Adjust the height of your computer and keyboard
Adjust the height of the thing you’re staring at all day— and put it at eye level. By making this small step, you’ll take a lot of stress off of your neck. You’ll want to put your screen at nose level, and your keyboard at an angle that allows foe your elbows to bend at 90 degrees. The key to avoiding office-related back pain, and neck pain, is to find ways to reduce stress on your neck and back. This can be done in a number of different ways, but these few have proven to be beneficial to us…
