Maryland Personal Injury Blog

Maryland Police Warn Drag Racers after Recent Fatal Auto Accident

By injuheis on July 30, 2009

Police in Maryland are trying to take several steps including installing rumble strips, cameras and other devices to slow down street racers after two people were killed in what officials say was a fatal car accident in Maryland caused by illegal drag racing, according to this Associated Press news report. Two people were killed earlier in June and two injured when a car crashed into another vehicle on the Interstate 70 after an illegal drag race took place. Two other individuals, who were bystanders, were seriously injured.

Street racing has caused significant personal injuries and deaths not only in Maryland, but all over the nation. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were reports of 135 fatal car accidents that involved street racing in 2001, a number that had almost doubled since 2000. Nationwide, statistics also show that 49 people are injured for every 1,000 people who participate in illegal street racing.

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured as a result of a negligent driver who has been speed racing, you may be entitled to compensation to cover your medical expenses, loss of wages and other related damages. If you have been injured in an auto accident, please call experienced Maryland personal injury attorney Steven H. Heisler to find out how he can help you secure fair compensation for your injuries and loss. We treat our clients with sensitivity and honesty – just as we would treat members of our own family. Please call us today for a free consultation.

Posted in Accidents, Auto Accidents, Injuries, Personal Injury, Wrongful Death |

Zicam Defective Drug Recall Begins

By injuheis on July 23, 2009

Matrixx Initiatives is issuing a product recall of several Zicam intranasal cold remedies a week after federal regulators told the company to stop selling its products that were apparently causing consumers to lose their sense of smell. According to a Reuters news report, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently issued a warning to consumers that several Matrixx Zicam cold remedies, such as sprays and gels, were not safe to use because they contained zinc, which has the potential to damage a nerve that affects the sense of smell.

On June 16, 2009, the FDA warned Matrixx to stop selling these defective drugs after more than 130 reports of people losing their sense of smell after using the products. The FDA also urged consumers to stop taking the over-the-counter products.

There are a variety of state and federal laws, which govern the manufacture, production, labeling and distribution of pharmaceutical products. Drug makers are expected to exercise a certain standard of care that includes safe labeling, appropriate manufacturing conditions, and informing doctors about the risks of their drugs. However, brief testing periods and unsafe manufacturing conditions can lead to massive drug recalls, which can affect a drug company’s reputation and endanger the lives of innocent victims who can experience lasting and even deadly side effects. State statutes of limitations for filing pharmaceutical claims can be limited, so it’s a good idea to consider your legal options as soon as possible after sustaining injury due to an unsafe drug product.

If you have sustained injury due to a drug, it is best to contact an experienced Maryland pharmaceutical litigation attorney who can help you pursue your legal rights. The law offices of Steven H. Heisler specifically serve personal injury victims and can help you if you or a loved one has been injured by unsafe drugs including Zicam. If you’re interested in finding out more about how your pharmaceutical litigation can result in compensation, settlements and damages for your injuries, you need to speak with Steven H. Heisler. Each case consultation is free, confidential, and carries absolutely no obligation. Contact us today for more information on pharmaceutical litigation and your pharmaceutical injury.

Posted in Defective Products & Drugs, Injuries, Personal Injury, Pharmaceutical Litigation |

Ocean City Hit-and-Run Auto Accident Kills One, Injures One

By injuheis on July 16, 2009

Maryland State Police arrested a hit-and-run driver who they say struck and killed a bicyclist and injured another in an Ocean City auto accident in Maryland. According an Associated Press news report, the two bicyclists were riding their bikes on the Route 50 bridge west of Ocean City where they were struck down by a pickup truck. The driver of the truck did not stop at the scene. A witness followed the truck and called police. Authorities were able to pull over the truck and arrest its driver, charging him with negligent homicide by motor vehicle while under the influence, driving under the influence of alcohol and failing to remain at the scene of an accident involving the death of another.

Vehicular homicide, driving under the influence of alcohol, and leaving the scene of an accident are extremely serious offenses in the state of Maryland, punishable by significant jail time and hefty fines. There is no question that a person who is convicted of these offenses must be held both criminally and civilly liable for causing an accident and the resulting injuries or death. In cases where such negligence is involved, families of deceased victims are also able to file wrongful death claims, which may help compensate them for medical or funeral expenses, loss of wages, past and future pain and suffering, loss of companionship and other damages.

If you have been injured in a Maryland auto accident or have lost a loved one as a result of wrongdoing or negligence, please call experienced Maryland auto accident attorney and wrongful death claim lawyer Steven H. Heisler for a free and comprehensive evaluation of your case.

Posted in Auto Accidents, Injuries, Wrongful Death |

Maryland Swimming Pool Accident Attorneys

By injuheis on July 9, 2009

Summer is now in full swing and hope it turns out to be a great one for everyone out there. However, we all know that sometimes, summer fun can turn dangerous or even deadly. Swimming pool accidents and poolside injuries are the number two cause of death in children 14 and younger. Swimming pool accidents in Maryland can result in death. But they can also cause submersion injuries, traumatic brain injuries, concussions and spinal cord injuries. In Maryland, if you are a homeowner and a visiting child drowns in your pool as a result of your negligence or inattention, you could be liable for that accident and resulting injuries.

Backyard swimming pool accidents occur most commonly in Maryland. Recently, WBALTV reported that a 3-year-old girl died in backyard swimming pool accident in Annapolis, Maryland. The girl was apparently found to be in cardiac arrest when paramedics arrived at the home.

Each state’s swimming pool laws vary; however, pool owners are generally expected to exercise a reasonable standard of care when it comes to visitors using their pool facilities. This includes an obligation to accurately post pool depth and other warning signs, to cover an unused pool, and to properly secure pool facilities not in use with fences, locks, and other barriers.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a swimming pool accident, seek appropriate medical care immediately and try to document the circumstances of the accident as accurately as possible. You would also be well-advised to contact skilled Maryland swimming pool accident attorney Steven H. Heisler who can advise you on which legal course to pursue and tell you whether you qualify to collect compensation for your injuries.

Posted in Accidents, Personal Injury, Swimming Pool Accident, Wrongful Death |

Maryland Car Accident Claims the Life of Elderly Woman

By injuheis on July 2, 2009

An 80-year-old woman was killed in a Pasadena car accident in Maryland. According to a news report in the Baltimore Sun, Anne Arundel County fire officials said the fatal car crash occurred at Fort Smallwood Road near Carroll Road and involved one car turning in front of another. The woman was pronounced dead at the scene. A 64-year-old man was transported by ambulance to a Baltimore hospital with serious injuries. His injuries were, however, not life-threatening. The auto accident is under investigation, police said.

If you have been involved in a Maryland car accident, the first thing you need to do is to get prompt medical attention. The next thing you need to do is to gather as much information as possible. If you are in a condition to do so, immediately after the auto accident, you would be well-advised to get the other driver’s license tag number and many details as possible such as there name, address, contacts, driver’s license and insurance information. If you are carrying a camera, or if you have a camera feature on your cell phone, take as many detailed photographs as you can.

If you have been seriously injured in a Baltimore auto accident, you need the services of an experienced and knowledgeable Maryland auto accident lawyer who can analyze the facts of the case, identify the parties at fault and hold them accountable. If you are looking for a skilled Maryland personal injury attorney with a successful track record, please call Steven H. Heisler today for a free consultation and case evaluation.

Posted in Auto Accidents, Personal Injury, Wrongful Death |