Norfolk Personal Injury lawyer
by | July 30th, 2012
July 30, 2012
The dangers of driving while under the influence of alcohol are being highlighted as a man charged with manslaughter in connection to an August Norfolk car accident pled guilty in court last Friday. According to The Virginian-Pilot, the man could face up to 10 years in prison for his crimes when sentenced in October.
Court documents show that the 22-year-old man was driving down Blackwater Road in a 2005 Ford F-150 pickup truck at around 2:30 a.m. when he lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a tree. The driver was not properly restrained at the time of the accident and the force of the impact caused him to be ejected from the vehicle. The 19-year-old female passenger in the pickup was killed instantly.
Rescue crews transported the man to a local hospital where tests showed he had a blood alcohol level of .17, more than twice the legal limit. He suffered serious fractures in both legs that left him hospitalized as he underwent numerous corrective surgeries. He remains bound to a wheelchair today and will likely have to go under the knife several more times before he makes a recovery.
The Norfolk personal injury lawyers with Lowell “The Hammer” Stanley say that the implications for drinking and driving can cost the victims physically, emotionally, and financially. That is why the firm asks that motorists never get behind the wheel after consuming alcohol.
by | July 23rd, 2012
July 23, 2012
The Norfolk Police Department staged a mock crash scene this past week to educate the public on the dangers of drunk driving and speeding, according to Anglia News.
The mock Norfolk Car Accident was set up to include two vehicles that had collided, resulting in one being turned on its side. The driver of one vehicle had died as a result of the crash, while the passenger of one of the vehicles was seriously injured. The driver who was responsible for the crash failed a field sobriety test and was placed under arrest. The crash scene was cleared as the public observed.
Sargent Ade Hales, a spokesman for the Norfolk Police Department touted the event not only as a great way for emergency responders to brush up on certain skills, but also as a chance for the public—especially young people—to become more educated on the dangers of the road. Hales claimed that in Norfolk, young people make up a disproportionate number of traffic fatalities. He added, “16 to 24-year-olds make up 25 percent of all our casualties on the road a year. At this moment, we’re running at a figure of 50 percent of all casualties on the road in respect of fatal collisions.”
The Norfolk Personal Injury Lawyers with Lowell “The Hammer” Stanley ask that parents keep younger drivers safe by talking with them about the risks involved with driving.
by | July 10th, 2012
July 9, 2012
Two people were injured, including a state trooper, as the result of a car accident that occurred over the Fourth of July holiday. According to WAVY-TV 10 News, the crash happened just after 3:00 a.m. in the westbound lanes of I-64, near the ramps for North King Street.
Sgt. Michelle Anaya, a spokesperson for the Virginia Highway Patrol, said that a trooper had stopped and arrested a driver on suspicion of DUI charges at the scene of the crash. The trooper had placed the suspect in the rear passenger seat of his vehicle and was completing paperwork when a Ford Mustang, driven by a 19-year-old man, plowed into the rear of the squad car.
The trooper and the DUI suspect weren’t wearing seat belts at the time of the collision, and both suffered injuries and were taken to a local hospital.
The driver of the Mustang was uninjured in the crash and later told officers that a motorcycle in front of him had slammed on its brakes, forcing him to swerve onto the shoulder and hit the trooper’s vehicle. The driver of the Mustang was cited for reckless driving for causing the accident.
The Norfolk Personal Injury Lawyers with Lowell “The Hammer” Stanley would like to remind drivers to move their vehicles to the left lane when approaching a stopped emergency vehicle. Doing so could help prevent a Norfolk car accident from occurring.
by | June 25th, 2012
June 25, 2012
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has scheduled an assembly later this week to examine the safety of metal-on-metal hip replacement implants. According to Bloomberg News, the assembly is being organized in response to the growing concern of safety following several warnings and recalls of the products because of reports of early failure rates and a link to poisoning from metal fragments.
In all, 16,800 adverse event reports have been filed for various metal-on-metal hip implant systems and have resulted in roughly 14,000 revision surgeries and 8,700 reports of patient post-operative pain. These reports have resulted in a growing amount of defective medical device lawsuits from individuals claiming that the manufacturers were negligent in putting these faulty devices on the market. Johnson and Johnson faces 6,000 lawsuits for their faulty hip implants. Recipients of the recalled Biomet Hip Implants are also seeking damages.
Experts say it may be impossible to determine if the devices had an early failure rate. The lifetime of the device is expected to be approximately 15 years; however, the FDA can only order a Post Market Study for three years.
The Norfolk Personal Injury Lawyers with Lowell “The Hammer” Stanley are hopeful that the assembly will be an opportunity for experts and officials to re-examine the overall safety of metal-on-metal hip replacement devices and find a solution to the growing number of patients suffering because of them.
by admin@gotechark.com | June 18th, 2012
June 18, 2012
With one man drowning over Father’s Day weekend while saving his grandson from rip currents and unsafe swimming conditions at local beaches, WVEC 13 News and a local pediatrician are offering summer swimming safety tips in an effort to better protect children from the dangers of water and prevent a Norfolk Wrongful Death.
Dr. Vickey Leff, from the Children’s’ Hospital of the King’s Daughters, says the first thing you should look at is the weather before swimming. If there are high surf advisories or rip currents, consider changing the plans if you have young children. It’s also important to get out of the water immediately if you see lightning. You should not return to the water until 30 minutes has passed without seeing or hearing lightning and thunder.
Dr. Leff also suggests making sure older children are excellent swimmers before letting them venture into deep water. If you do let your child go into deep water, make sure they have a swimming buddy and that there is also plenty of adult supervision.
When kids get out of the water, make sure they wear plenty of sunscreen and watch out for signs of dehydration or heat-related illness.
The Norfolk Personal Injury Lawyers with Lowell “The Hammer” Stanley say that your trip to the pool or beach will have a significantly decreased chance of someone being hurt if you follow these simple safety tips.
by admin@gotechark.com | June 4th, 2012
June 4, 2012
A 43-year-old woman suspected of hitting a family of four with a pickup truck while driving under the influence was in court today to face five different charges stemming from the incident. According to WAVY-TV 10 News, the suspect was charged with three counts of DUI maiming, DUI 2nd Offense, and reckless driving.
The incident occurred on January 19 around 7:40 a.m., in the yard of a residence near the corner of Chester Street and Paladin Drive. It was there that a man was waiting with three children for the school bus to pick them up. As the bus came to the corner and stopped it turned its lights on and put the stop sign out for children; however, the suspect apparently didn’t see the bus and failed to stop. To avoid a collision, she swerved around the bus and into the yard, where she hit the children.
One of those injured, a 7-year-old girl, suffered a broken femur and cracked eye socket that put her in a wheelchair for almost four months. The girl has also had to undergo numerous corrective surgeries.
If convicted, the woman could face up to 17 years in prison.
The Norfolk Personal Injury Lawyers with Lowell “The Hammer” Stanley ask that not only do motorists do their part to reduce Norfolk Auto Accidents by not drinking and driving, but to also hold other drivers accountable by reporting suspected drunk drivers to the proper authorities.
by admin@gotechark.com | March 19th, 2012
March 19, 2012
With the media attention surrounding the Army staff sergeant who recently killed 16 civilians in a shooting rampage in Afghanistan, many medical experts are questioning if a traumatic brain injury the soldier had suffered months prior may have played a role in his behavior.
According to experts questioned by News Channel 3, the answer is yes. Data collected by researchers show that traumatic brain injuries can alter a person’s personality, making him or her more aggressive and impatient. Furthermore, those who suffer injuries to the prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain that controls emotions, show signs of that part of the brain functioning at a lower level following the serious injury.
Other experts argue that brain injuries do not always equal more aggressive behavior. They claim that if that was the case, the more than 5.3 million people who are living with these kinds of injuries would have led to more reports of rash behavior.
In the meantime, groundbreaking research is being conducted on a new drug that may improve the outcome for those who suffer serious traumatic brain injuries. Experiments with lab rats have shown quicker recovery times and better cognitive function in animals that are given the drug after suffering a brain injury.
The Virginia Brain Injury Lawyers with Lowell “The Hammer” Stanley always urge anyone who has suffered a traumatic brain injury to get the medical attention they need as soon as possible.
by admin@gotechark.com | March 12th, 2012
March 12, 2012
The Virginia Department of Labor is investigating an on-the-job accident that left a logger dead in New Kent County Thursday morning. According to reports from WVEC 13 News, the accident happened near the New Kent Highway near Quinton, Virginia, just west of Tunstall Road.
The New Kent County Sheriff’s Department, along with fire and rescue squads, reported receiving a call from a man who was screaming for help in the area. By the time they arrived at the scene, it was too late, as they found the body of the victim pinned beneath a large limb of a tree.
They were able to determine that the body was that of a 61-year-old Brodnax man who owned his own tree service. They believe he was working alone in the area when the large branch fell and crushed him.
The combination of heavy equipment, powerful tools, heavy ropes and cables, and the uncertain nature of the work can cause even the most experienced loggers to become seriously injured. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that the fatality rate for loggers in the U.S. is over 16 times higher than the overall fatality rate for all other workers in the U.S. in 2008. The findings have led to stiffer industry safety regulations in recent years.
The Virginia Wrongful Death Lawyers with Lowell “The Hammer” Stanley would like to send their condolences to the family of the victim of this tragic accident.
by admin@gotechark.com | December 19th, 2011
December 19, 2011 Two house fires in the area have left one person dead and several others injured. According to WVEC 13 News, the first fire broke out at around 4:30 Thursday afternoon in the kitchen of an apartment building on Garden Drive. Newport News firefighters stated that a plume of smoke was rising from the building when they arrived. They added that they were quickly able to rescue two adults and three children who were trapped in the home at the time. One of the adults was transported to a nearby hospital to be treated for minor burns and smoke inhalation. The second fire took place less than 24 hours later in Chesapeake, Virginia.
Reports show that the fire was called in at 2:30 in the afternoon on Friday. Firefighters said that the home on West Bugle Road was fully engulfed with flames upon their arrival. After firefighters got the blaze under control, they found the body of a victim inside the home. A police officer who arrived at the home before fire crews and attempted to break out a window to help also was injured by the fire. He suffered from smoke inhalation and was treated at a nearby hospital.
The Virginia Fire Injury Lawyers with Lowell “The Hammer” Stanley know that the best way to keep you and your family safe from a similar accident is to install smoke detectors throughout your home. One device should be located within 10 feet of every bedroom door. If you can’t afford the detectors, they are often available for discount or for free through your local fire department.
