Have you ever been driving across Wilmington and seen another driver behaving oddly? Maybe he is driving at night without his lights on or perhaps he is drifting a little too close to the edge of the lane.

If you are like many other drivers in the area, you have probably seen such a driver and taken evasive action to avoid a potential collision. In some cases, the driver might simply be distracted, which can be extremely dangerous.

However, you can also see the same behaviors in a driver who is drunk. For instance, weaving, erratic braking and rapid acceleration are all things that drunk drivers and distracted drivers have in common. If a driver is drunk, you might also see things like driving on the wrong side of the road, near misses or even collisions with objects, tailgating and driving at a very low speed.

If you identify a drunk driver on the road, there are a few things you can do to limit your chances of becoming a victim of a drunk driving accident. Follow these steps if you spot a drunk driver.

Make safety the priority

If you see another vehicle that you think is being operated by a drunk driver, then you need to put your safety first. The best thing you can do is to keep your distance. After you have memorized the make and model of the car as well as its license plate, slow down and let the vehicle get far enough in front of you to no longer be a risk.

Choose an alternate route

If possible, take yourself out of the equation by exiting the highway, turning off the road or simply by pulling over in a safe area. If you are no longer on the road with a drunk driver, your risk of becoming involved in an accident decreases substantially.

Call 911

As soon as you are in a safe place, call 911 to report the drunk driver. You will need to provide the make and model of the vehicle and the license plate number that you memorized when you first identified the danger. Also, be prepared to give a description of the driver’s behavior, the location where you last saw the drunk driver and the direction he or she was traveling.

Unfortunately, a drunk driver might take you by surprise and you could end up in a car wreck. If this happens, you may be able to file a claim for your injuries and other damages as a result of the actions of the drunk driver.

Posted in Car Accidents, Drunk Driving Accidents | No Comments »

Semitrucks provide a valuable service to businesses and consumers, but this doesn’t come without a serious risk. The size of these trucks and the weight mean that they are potentially deadly weapons that are moving about freely on the interstates. If you are struck by a semitruck on the interstate, you should determine whether you need to seek compensation or not. By seeking compensation, you are trying to shift the financial difficult to the liable party.

Accidents with semitrucks are a bit different from some other vehicles. One of the primary tasks you will have in these cases is trying to determine what happened that led to the wreck. Depending on the answer to this can clue you into who you can hold liable for the wreck.

Truckers are sometimes at fault for crashes because they might be driving drunk, intoxicated or distracted. In all three of these cases, the driver is being negligent, which can be the basis of a personal injury claim.

There are cases in which the trucker might not be the liable party. This is sometimes the case when the trucking company promised very tight deadlines. It is also possible that a defective component, such as bad brakes might cause a problem. These cases could mean that you hold the trucking company or mechanics accountable. It might also mean that the manufacturer is responsible for your damages.

It is imperative that we look into all possible causes of the crash so that we know what options you have. We will review those with you so that you can move forward in the manner you feel is best for your life.

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Daycare workers have an important job of trying to help young children to remain safe and learn while they are away from their parents. Unfortunately, there are many hazards that come along with this very rewarding job. It is imperative that all daycares have adequate safety protocol to help ensure that workers don’t suffer unnecessary injuries or illnesses as a result of caring for the tykes.

The age of the children employees are working with has a part in what type of safety procedures a daycare’s workers need to follow. For example, wearing gloves when they are changing diapers and then washing their hands afterward can help to prevent illnesses from being transmitted from toddlers to workers. People who have older children might not have to worry about that factor.

Almost all daycare workers need to pay close attention to how they handle things like runny noses and ill children. Some parents might send their kids to the center when they are under the weather. Workers need proper vaccinations and must know what steps to take when a child does show up with something contagious.

Toys and spills on the floors are also a hazard. Teaching the children to pick up their own messes is a work in progress, but it is something that can help to keep everyone safe. Workers should always double check where they are walking to prevent slips, trips and falls.

Workers who suffer an injury at a daycare are able to receive workers’ compensation benefits to help with things like medical bills and missed wages. Find out if you are eligible and work to get the benefits that are due to you.

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Keeping a workplace clean and tidy is important for worker health and safety. Employers must ensure that they have set standards for cleanliness, especially if there are hazardous substances or conditions. The rules and guidelines that are set have to be clear, but the employer also has to provide the tools necessary to get the job done.

Not everything that helps to keep the workplace clean is the responsibility of the employees. Employers have some duties that only they can do. This includes replacing damaged flooring and adding non-slip options to areas that are likely to be slippery.

Regular housekeeping

Basic cleaning like dusting surfaces, sweeping floors and keeping everything tidy can make it easier to find things at work, but it can also boost safety. When the floors are clean, there is a decreased risk of anyone slipping. Cleaning can also help to reduce the transmission of germs and bacteria. Clutter and unclean surfaces can also lead to a pest infestation.

Safety checks

When a workplace includes hazardous substances, dangerous tools or heavy equipment, safety checks are important. There should be a set schedule for reviewing all of these items on a regular basis so that any worn components or broken items can be found before they cause a serious problem. Chemicals and other substances should be checked to ensure they are being stored and used properly and that they are still within the acceptable dates for usage.

Item securement

Most companies have stock rooms or shelving to hold items. Anything here must be properly placed and secured to reduce the risk of falling. The shelving units shouldn’t be top-heavy because having too much weight at the top and not enough at the bottom can cause it to tip over.

Client interactions

Workplace violence is a problem that some businesses fail to plan for. Keeping workers safe when they deal with the public is a huge undertaking, especially in the retail, service and food service industries. Anyone who is acting in a violent manner should be removed from the premises. This will probably require police assistance.

When a worker is injured or becomes ill due to factors in the workplace, they will likely need medical care. From there, they will have to determine whether workers’ compensation benefits are due. However, some incidents like injuries from defective power tools might result in a third-party lawsuit.

Posted in Workers' Compensation | No Comments »

Keeping a workplace clean and tidy is important for worker health and safety. Employers must ensure that they have set standards for cleanliness, especially if there are hazardous substances or conditions. The rules and guidelines that are set have to be clear, but the employer also has to provide the tools necessary to get the job done.

Not everything that helps to keep the workplace clean is the responsibility of the employees. Employers have some duties that only they can do. This includes replacing damaged flooring and adding non-slip options to areas that are likely to be slippery.

Regular housekeeping

Basic cleaning like dusting surfaces, sweeping floors and keeping everything tidy can make it easier to find things at work, but it can also boost safety. When the floors are clean, there is a decreased risk of anyone slipping. Cleaning can also help to reduce the transmission of germs and bacteria. Clutter and unclean surfaces can also lead to a pest infestation.

Safety checks

When a workplace includes hazardous substances, dangerous tools or heavy equipment, safety checks are important. There should be a set schedule for reviewing all of these items on a regular basis so that any worn components or broken items can be found before they cause a serious problem. Chemicals and other substances should be checked to ensure they are being stored and used properly and that they are still within the acceptable dates for usage.

Item securement

Most companies have stock rooms or shelving to hold items. Anything here must be properly placed and secured to reduce the risk of falling. The shelving units shouldn’t be top-heavy because having too much weight at the top and not enough at the bottom can cause it to tip over.

Client interactions

Workplace violence is a problem that some businesses fail to plan for. Keeping workers safe when they deal with the public is a huge undertaking, especially in the retail, service and food service industries. Anyone who is acting in a violent manner should be removed from the premises. This will probably require police assistance.

When a worker is injured or becomes ill due to factors in the workplace, they will likely need medical care. From there, they will have to determine whether workers’ compensation benefits are due. However, some incidents like injuries from defective power tools might result in a third-party lawsuit.

Posted in Workers' Compensation | No Comments »

Spinal cord injuries can impact the victim in a variety of ways. It is imperative that anyone who has this type of injury understands the specifics of their injury so that they can prepare for what is to come. Many things can impact the way that the injury impacts your life after the accident. Some of these include the initial injury, the loss of oxygen and the spinal shock that occurs.

One classification of spinal cord injuries can be a good indicator of what might be possible as far as healing goes. There are two classifications that are possible – incomplete and complete. In most cases, an incomplete injury is going to fare better than complete injury.

Those two classifications have to do with how much movement and feeling the victim has after the injury. If there is any feeling or movement below the level of the injury, the injury is incomplete. If there isn’t any feeling or movement, it is known as a complete injury.

The area of the body that is affected by the spinal cord injury is always below the area of the injury. This means that the injuries with the most significant impacts are the ones that occur higher on the spine, such as in the cervical area.

For the people who are suffering from spinal cord injuries, the cost is usually considerable. If you were injured in a motorcycle crash, you can seek compensation from the motorist who struck you so that you might be able to minimize your out-of-pocket expenses. Make sure that you are thinking about past and future expenses that you might have.

Posted in Catastrophic Injuries, Spine Injuries | No Comments »

Nurses have very specific risks that must be controlled so that they don’t suffer injuries that can keep them away from work. Unfortunately, the injuries that a nurse can face may have significant impacts on their life. It is necessary for these professionals to try to minimize dangers inherent to their occupations, but the full burden doesn’t fall on them. The employer has to be the one who ensures that the nursing staff has what they need to stay safe.

There are many ways that this can happen. Having a comprehensive plan in place can help to protect the nurses who have pledged to care for others. The exact methods depend on factors present in the workplace, including the type of facility. Doctors’ offices would require different precautions than hospitals.

Keep vaccinations up to date

All nurses must ensure that their vaccinations are up to date. When they have to treat patients with certain diseases, being vaccinated helps to prevent them from coming down with the illnesses. Some medical professionals might not think they are in danger, but it is better to have the vaccinations and never need the protection than it is to avoid having them and coming into contact with a preventable illness.

Wash your hands and wear protective gear

Always wash your hands to prevent the spread of germs. At a minimum, you should wash them before and after any patient contact. It is also a good idea to wear disposable gloves and other barrier gear when you are treating patients. Some conditions, such as C. diff, require you to wear full personal protective gear, including gloves, gowns, masks, eye protection and shoe covers.

Use proper lifting techniques

Nurses sometimes have to lift patients. This can be challenging because adults aren’t light. Get help from another person if you must lift a heavy patient or use lift devices if they are available. When you are lifting, use your knees and try not to twist. Your goal is to move the patient safely without putting yourself in danger of injury.

Be careful around needles

Sharps present a significant hazard for nurses. There are around 1,000 injuries per day from sharps in hospitals in the United States. Make sure that the patient is secured, you are wearing gloves and the safety mechanisms on the sharps are working. Nurses who are stuck by a needle should seek medical care immediately, especially if it was already in contact with a patient.

Nurses will often try to continue caring for patients even when they are ill or injured. They should make sure to get the care they need so that their condition doesn’t worsen unnecessarily. Workers’ compensation can help with the related expenses.

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Many hazards come with driving a semitruck. One major hazard that many people might not think about, however, is having a semi’s load suddenly shift.

The fact of the matter is that cargo shifting is one of the leading causes of big rig accidents. Some of these might not involve other vehicles, but it can be fatal when they do.

The only way that a cargo shift accident can be prevented is to properly secure the contents of the trailer from the start. No matter who puts the cargo on the truck and secures it, the trucker should double check everything before heading out. They should also take a look at it when they stop for any reason. There is no such thing as being too safe when it comes to this aspect of their job.

One thing that people must remember when they are securing cargo is that the truck is eventually going to be in motion. The cargo is usually the heaviest component of the rig, so it is imperative that it isn’t going to fling around when the truck is in motion.

It is unrealistic to think that semitrucks are only going to drive in a straight line, without bouncing or other sudden motions. Instead, anyone who is securing freight should assume that the trucker is going to hit rough patches of road and have to turn often. This can help them to ensure that they are strapping things down in a way that isn’t going to shift when the truck is in motion.

When another vehicle is struck because of a shifting load, the occupants might suffer serious injuries. They may choose to seek compensation from the liable entities.

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A Clayton High School student was crossing the road in that town last Thursday when he was fatally struck by a car. The 18-year-old young man was on his way to school at the time of the accident.

The student will be dearly missed by the community, as indicated by heartfelt statements left by his coworkers at Venero’s Pizzeria, where he worked six days a week. The restaurant issued a statement in his memory that said, “He always came in ready to work and willing to help anyone who needed it … His big heart and presence will be missed. Our hearts go out to his family and friends.”

The accent happened early last Thursday, at 7 a.m., not far from West Clayton Elementary School. The local police chief in Clayton said that it was a tragic accident. He also said that the young man wasn’t wearing headphones or using his cellphone while crossing the road.

As a result of the accident, the police chief said that the road needs to be changed to make it safer. He said it needed crosswalks installed. He also felt that the town needs an active school zone sign with a flashing indicator light. “They don’t have anything active right now,” the officer said.

Venero’s Pizzeria is planning a night to collect donations for the deceased student’s family.

Family members who lose their loved ones in tragic pedestrian versus car accidents may want to investigate the circumstances of the events to determine who was at fault. If another party, such as a negligent driver or negligent city that failed to maintain the roads, is at fault for the accident and death, family members may be able to pursue wrongful death damages in court.

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One of the most difficult things to do after a car wreck is come to the realization that you aren’t going right back to work. This is a hard position for anyone, but it is one that might be necessary so that you can heal properly after the injuries you suffered. Not only do you feel like you are letting down your employer, but you might also be wondering how you are going to be able to pay your bills.

One option that you have in these cases is to seek compensation for the financial damages that you suffered. The medical care costs you have might be one of the largest amounts that you have to get covered, but don’t discount other options like the missed wages and similar expenses.

We can work with you to evaluate the situation and to help you determine what you need to include. It is important that we don’t miss anything. Once your case is resolved, either through a trial or a settlement, you can’t come back to ask for more money.

Determining what expenses you might face in the future can be taxing. We can look at cases similar to yours to get an idea of what others have gotten. This isn’t always going to be the same, but it does help us determine where to start with your case.

We know that you are probably concerned about another thing added to your plate. We will handle the legal matters so that you can focus on your health and healing after the crash.

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