Jan 24, 2019 | Personal Injury, Work Injuries
There are plenty of different types when it comes to personal injury— most of which cover physical injuries. From worker’s injuries, a slip, something falling on you while walking down the sidewalk… In short, anything can happen at any time, no matter where you’re at. This is where premises liability comes in…
Premises Liability: Understanding Personal Injury Law
Premises liability is a concept that covers personal injury cases which result from unsafe conditions on a person’s property. That person might be a friend, a family member, or even a business. But, when you face serious injury at someone, or something, else’s expense— there are laws in place to protect you.
It may be difficult to bring a premises liability case against someone you’re familiar with. But, sometimes, it is the only way to avoid paying hefty medical bills. Furthermore, having this injury and recovery process paid for will make the healing process go much more smoothly.
Owner responsibility
There is a certain lawful standard for property owners. Furthermore, there is a certain level of maintenance law requires to keep your property in safe and working order. While every state varies a bit in their requirements— there is a standard of ‘reasonable care’.
It starts when you receive an invite to someone’s property, or have permission in some capacity. Then, maybe you go, and trip over a broken walkway. You now have a sprained ankle, bruise on your hip, and a cut on your face. When you receive an invite, you expect that you’ll be safe. Therefore, when the property is unsafe, and you face injury, premises liability can come into play.
What falls into a premises liability category?
- slips and falls
- dog bites
- improper maintenance of the property
- faulty conditions which result in injury
- fire
- snow and ice
- amusement park injury
- improper security systems which result in assault
These few incidents don’t capture the entirety of premises liability. However, they do give you a good idea of what goes where. You might be wondering whether or not you have a case for premises liability. In this instance, it’s best to speak with an attorney and explain what happened. By sharing the details, a professional will be able to give you your options. Furthermore, an attorney will help you find your quickest path to reimbursement and recovery.
Jan 20, 2019 | 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.
Jan 18, 2019 | Personal Injury
When you think of personal injury, there are plenty of different things that might come to mind. From taking a tumble in a wet storage room, getting knocked on the head by falling lumber, or even something as simple as a kitchen burn. When it comes to personal injury, it can look plenty of different ways. But, one form of personal injury that many overlook, is injury to your character or mental state. Defamation cases cover defamation of character, slander, and libel. These three different forms of personal injury don’t show on the surface of your skin or in an x-ray. Instead, they hurt your character, business, mental state, or something of the like.
Defamation of character, slander, and libel all cover similar areas. However, there are some differences between the three that many don’t understand… Instead, they hurt your character, business, mental state, or something of the like.
Defamation, Slander, and Libel: A Different Type of Personal Injury
First off, what are these three types of personal injury?
Defamation of Character
Defamation cases cover a false statement, presented as truth, that results in damage to the reputation or character of the person the statement was made about. Maybe a coworker makes a comment that you’re an alcoholic, a thief, or a pervert. For whatever reason, your coworker has made up a lie about you. Now, their words are hurting your reputation and ability to perform your work duties properly. This is defamation of character.
Your coworkers, employers, and other staff are looking at you differently. Therefore, you might want to consider a defamation lawsuit. Keep in mind that these lawsuits are there for when your character takes a hit, not just if you’re angry. If someone comes to you, and you alone, and accuses you of something— that is not enough for a suit. Rather, it has to be a statement, presented as fact, to more than one person.
Slander and Libel as forms of defamation
Libel and slander are more specific when it comes to defamation cases. Slander, for example, covers statements made orally. Defamation can be in any form— from a speech, an email, a blog, or something of the sort. However, slander comes in one form.
Libel is also one aspect of defamation cases. Defamation cases of libel refer to statements put in writing of some sort.
Understanding Opinion and Intent
Two of the most important things to understand when it comes to defamation cases are opinion, and intent. While the lines are thin, there is a big difference between giving your opinion, and defaming character.
Opinion is something that you cannot prove true or false. Instead, it’s merely the way someone feels about you. If someone doesn’t like you, and tells other people that, it’s pesky, but not enough to warrant defamation cases. However, if someone goes around telling others that you break into cars, or assault your spouse— these are accusations of legal wrongdoing. Furthermore, if the statement is entirely false— it can defame you, and you have a case.
After deciding whether this person has either given their opinion, or defamed you, then you have to determine intent. This means that the person who made the statement must have known it was untrue. Or, maybe they told other people before questioning, or even if they were unsure of the truth.
Statements that are untrue can often affect your ability to uphold respect. Furthermore, they can also affect your ability to maintain your reputation, or even to receive promotions. Therefore, you should treat this issue as you would any other personal injury case. You can divide defamation cases into different categories. But, the issues that arise for the victim are all the same. Don’t let yourself fall victim to false statements without penalty.
Jan 8, 2019 | Personal Injury
There are plenty of different types of personal injury. From injuries in the workplace, at a friends house, on the lake, and even in the dog park. You might find that, in any setting, something can occur which alters your quality of life. Take, for example, if you’re bit by a dog. Dog bite injuries can be serious, painful, and can lead to infection if not handled properly.
Therefore, if you’re bit by a dog— what steps can you take to ensure your safety, treat your injury, and avoid paying for an injury which was out of your control? In the event of a dog bite, there are a few different things you’ll need to do to cover your bases, and treat your wound…
Dog Bite Injuries: Post-Incident Steps
When you’re bitten…
At the time of dog bite injuries, if you’re in the condition to do so, you should take a few actions. If possible, request vaccination records for the dog that has bitten you. Vaccination records will help to establish whether or not the dog that has bit you has also put you at risk of rabies. Furthermore, you’ll want to get information regarding the owner, dog, and their contact information.
After you’re bitten…
Depending on the severity of the injury, you’ll want to consult with a doctor and establish a treatment plan. The bite may cause a puncture wound, a broken bone, or serious bruising. The type of resulting injuries can go on to determine how a doctor will treat the wound.
Now that you’re on the path to healing, it’s time to decide what exactly you want to do in terms of legal and financial actions. Do you plan to take the owner to court? Do you merely want to be reimbursed for your medical costs? And furthermore, do you want to take action in terms of the dog who bit you?
Many people who sustain dog bite injuries will file a report with local animal control agencies. In doing so, there is the possibility that the dog will be taken away, or put down. While your course of action is entirely up to you— you ultimately must decide whether you think the dog is a danger to others.
If you choose to press charges…
Most personal injury lawyers are well-versed in dog bite cases. Therefore, personal injury attorneys will be able to help you navigate a course of action. In short, many dog bite cases can result in settlements that help to cover your medical bills and resulting trauma. Every state has different laws when it comes to dog bite injuries. Your lawyer will help you to understand those laws, as well as the best argument and potential outcomes.
Dec 28, 2018 | Accident prevention, Personal Injury
Figure skating is a beautiful, graceful, and challenging practice. However, when you’re getting started, the practice can be difficult, and even dangerous. If you consider all of the pieces involved in figure skating, such as skates, blades, hard ice, and cold muscles— it is easy to see how you might incur some figure skating injuries along the way…
Figure Skating Injuries: Ice Issues
When you begin a serious, competitive practice…
For anyone who begins figure skating, you know it can be pretty addicting. Many people hit the ice for the first time and never want to leave. For this reason, overuse injuries are quite common— and come in many different forms. From stress fractures, muscle pain, shin splints, lower back pain, and even simple blisters and irritation. While these are only a few common overuse injuries, there are plenty more that even the most seasoned figure skater can fall victim to.
You’ll likely be spending between 2-4 hours on the ice, plus 1-3 hours off the ice, to increase strength, flexibility, aerobics, choreography, and so forth. In short, you’re putting your body under a lot of stress in a new environment.
Your skates
When you start figure skating, you’ll likely get a new pair of skates. As anyone knows, breaking in new shoes can cause blisters, discomfort, and other issues. This problem is not just limited to your every day shoes. In fact, the discomfort you feel when breaking in new skates is practically tenfold. Furthermore, a poor fit can actually be dangerous.
New skates look nice, bright, and shiny. However, breaking them in can cause friction, rubbing, and pressure that makes skating successfully… difficult. Furthermore, an ill fit can affect alignment, your ability to jump and land properly, and to skate comfortably.
Smaller injuries
These types of figure skating injuries are common to all skaters. However, there are plenty of smaller injuries that are going to be more common to beginners. Take, for example, slips and falls on the ice. Ideally, you will be wearing some sort of padding in a training setting. However, even if you are, a nasty fall can be pretty painful. Furthermore, your body is cold, your muscles are likely tight, and taking a tumble could lead to concussion, sprains, soreness, bruises, or even catching another skate to the fingers.
Figure skating is a beautiful, yet dangerous sport…
However, there are plenty of ways to avoid injury. Figure skating can be a ton of fun, especially when you begin to see your hard work pay off. Therefore, follow these tips, find ways to decrease injury, and skate safe. Having a good instructor can make all the difference…
Dec 23, 2018 | Accident prevention, Personal Injury
One of the most common pastimes for every holiday celebration, is to come together for a meal. No matter if you celebrate Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, Christmas, or nothing at all— these later months are a great excuse to bring everyone together. While a family meal is almost always heartwarming, preparing that meal can bring along some unexpected dangers. Holiday kitchen injuries are quite common, but also quite easy to prevent. So, we’re here to help…
Holiday Kitchen Injuries: Keeping Spirits Bright and Unharmed
Burns
No matter what you’re cooking, burns are always a concern. However, during the holidays, we tend to cook more. Furthermore, we tend to cook larger portions, more frequently, and— with less experience. All of these things increase the chances of holiday kitchen injuries. To avoid burns, keep towels near the stove, wear long, tight sleeves, don’t cook under the influence, and never tend to hot pans or boiling water without an oven mit.
Cuts
You’re chopping vegetables for turkey stuffing, carving turkeys, slicing potatoes, dicing onions for gravy… Chances are, your kitchen set is being put to work this holiday season. As we’ve mentioned, you’re cooking (and cutting) more frequently. Therefore, you are running the risk of receiving one of those holiday kitchen injuries in the form of a cut finger, or worse. Our suggestion? Keep a first aid kit on hand, cut carefully— again, without alcohol in your system. Lastly, you might consider investing in a pair of cut-safe gloves to help further avoid injuries.
Gastro-Issues
One of the lesser considered holiday kitchen injuries, is stomach issues. Once again, we’ll mention those inexperienced chefs in the kitchen. Maybe the turkey was not washed, prepped, and cooked up to standards. Furthermore, maybe a knife, or cutting board, handled raw veggies, slicing a pie, and cutting the turkey. With all of these things in mind, you can see how small, careless mistakes in the kitchen can lead to issues such as food poisoning.
Aside from food-borne pathogens, there’s also the issue of plain, old indigestion and overeating. Upset stomach, diarrhea, indigestion, heart burn… There are plenty of ways that holiday feast can come back to haunt you.
Holiday kitchen injuries are less common than you having a good time with friends and family. However, every year someone’s family member inevitably ends up with a nasty cut, burn, stomach ache, or something of the like. So, cook (and eat) safe… You never know what a moment of carelessness can lead to.
