Injuries

Eight firefighters and a gas company worker suffered personal injury due to a gas explosion at a Forestville, Maryland, strip mall, according to a report. Firefighters were called to the shopping center in Prince George’s County after a gas company worker was hurt while working on a gas line. Two firefighters suffered burn injuries. All others were treated and released at local hospitals. Officials suspect that the gas leak may have been caused by recent renovations in the empty storefront.

Maryland workers who suffer injuries on-the-job are entitled to workers compensation benefits. There are a wide variety of work-related injuries from construction and industrial accidents or even auto accidents on the job. When you suffer a serious injury at work, you may end up having to stay away from work for weeks or even months until you recover completely and are able to physically return to work. Such work-related accidents in Maryland that are covered by workers compensation benefits include industrial accidents such as fires, industrial explosions, gas or chemical leaks, chemical explosions and fires, gas explosions and cancer-related chemical exposure.

Maryland workers who are injured on the job are usually entitled to compensation to cover medical expenses including diagnostics; lost wage benefits; payments for permanent impairment of body parts (also known as permanent partial disability benefits); and vocational rehabilitation benefits to help injured workers reenter the job market. If you have suffered an on-the-job injury and need skilled legal representation, please call Maryland’s skilled workers compensation attorney Steven H. Heisler for a free and comprehensive consultation.

Slick roads across Maryland resulted in several minor traffic accidents on Thursday, January 8, 2009, and kept Maryland’s law enforcement officials very busy investigating accident scenes and assisting the injured. According to this account in the Washington Post, a chain-reaction accident on Interstate 270 in Montgomery County resulted in a 10-car pileup which temporarily closed the thoroughfare while emergency personnel responded. A dozen people were injured in the I-270 Maryland car accident and sent to nearby hospitals, but only two of them had what hospital officials described as serious but not life-threatening injuries. The other 10 were treated for minor injuries and released.

The chain-reaction accident on I-270 was one of many different accidents caused by occasional patches of “black ice” that developed overnight on area roads. A supervisor in the Prince George’s County police communications office said, “We’re working quite a few . . . they’re just everywhere.” She also reported that a vehicle lost control in icy conditions and struck a utility pole at the intersection of North Keyes and Brandywine Roads—which temporarily closed the road until the scene was cleared. A spokesman for the Fire and Rescue Service said that the I-270 series of collisions began when a vehicle lost control in a HOV lane.

If you or someone you care for has been injured in an auto accident, Maryland auto accident attorney Steven H. Heisler may be able to help you receive compensation to help with medical costs. He offers free initial consultations, will begin an immediate investigation into the auto accident, and will defend your rights at all times. For a free consultation with a Maryland auto accident lawyer with over twenty years of experience helping clients who have suffered injuries in auto accidents, call the law office of Steven H. Heisler at 877-228-4878 today!

After a year of investigation, county prosecutors have decided not to indict a Prince George County police officer who faced several serious charges in a 2007 car accident that claimed the life of a University of Maryland student. According to a recent report in the Washington Post, Officer Mario Chavez had been drinking the evening of December 10, 2007, and traveling at a rate twice the posted speed limit when his cruiser struck a car that was turning left across his lane. The Maryland car accident resulted in the death of 20-year old Brian Gray, who was being followed home in another car driven by his mother, Mary Gray.

After a year-long investigation by county prosecutors, Officer Chavez was issued a speeding ticket but will not face any additional criminal charges. The decision shocked friends and family members who claim that Officer Chavez was given lenience due to his employment as a law enforcement officer. They claim that evidence gathered in a civil case against Officer Chavez suggests he should be held responsible for far more serious charges than a traffic violation.

“A speeding ticket is an insult to the value of my son’s life,” Mary Gray said. “If they were looking for things for an indictment, they weren’t looking very hard. This feels like it’s being swept under the rug—a cover up.”

Mrs. Gray also expressed outrage that her son’s blood alcohol level was checked, with no alcohol found in his bloodstream, but Officer Chavez’ was not. In a deposition from the civil case against Chavez, he admitted drinking ‘three or four beers’ that evening, but had slept on a friend’s couch to sober up before driving. But phone records indicated that Chavez had made a half-hour phone call to his wife during the time he claimed to be sleeping.

If you or someone you care for has been injured or killed in a Maryland auto accident, Maryland auto accident attorney Steven H. Heisler may be able to help you recover medical and additional expenses as a result of the accident. Mr. Heisler specializes in injury cases involving auto accidents and his knowledge and expertise has helped countless clients over the years. Don’t get pushed around by rich insurance companies! Call Maryland personal injury lawyer Steven H. Heisler today at 877-228-4878 for a free consultation!

A 57-year-old truck driver was killed on August 10, 2008, when a woman fell asleep at the wheel, crossed into oncoming traffic, and caused him to lose control of his truck which plunged off the bridge. According to this Washington Post report, 19-year-old Candy Lynn Baldwin admitted to reporters and Maryland police officials that she had fallen asleep at the wheel around 4 a.m. that morning. She told reporters at The Post she was exhausted that morning after getting little sleep over her mother’s wedding weekend.

Queen Anne’s County State Attorney, Frank M. Kratovil Jr., said his office’s investigation found that no criminal charges against Baldwin would be brought as she was not found to be grossly negligent in this Maryland car accident. But according to the National Transportation Safety Board, significant sleep loss degrades hand-eye reflexes in a way that is equivalent to blood alcohol content of 0.10 percent which constitutes being legally drunk in most states.

Drivers operating a vehicle while suffering from sleep deprivation have been found to be grossly negligent and convicted of vehicular manslaughter in many states and countries around the world. In 2005, a Maryland appeals court affirmed a drowsy driver’s gross negligence manslaughter conviction—concluding that “the deliberate failure of a driver to heed clear warning signs of drowsiness is evidence of a reckless disregard for human life.”

Despite the decision in this case, thousands of people throughout the country are needlessly killed and injured each year as a result of people operating vehicles while impaired by sleep deprivation or alcohol consumption. Maryland personal injury attorney Steven H. Heisler has represented many clients hurt in such accidents and has helped them recover millions of dollars in damages to offset medical and other expenses.

This Baltimore auto accident injury lawyer offers free consultations to clients and will launch an immediate investigation into the accident which caused death or injuries. His Maryland car accident injury law firm represents a wide range of people who have suffered personal injuries, and Mr. Heisler and his staff have earned the reputation of being very tough with rich insurance companies. Don’t get pushed around by rich insurance companies—call Steven H. Heisler today at 877-228-4878.

Two people lost their lives and approximately 12 were severely injured as a result of a massive auto and tractor-trailer pileup on Interstate 70 in rural Washington County, Maryland on January 19,2008.

The Maryland auto accident involved 42 vehicles and authorities are in part blaming the incident on the snowy weather conditions.

There is no dispute that driving in snowy and icy conditions is a serious hazard. Here are ten safety tips for driving in snow and ice, courtesy of Mac Demere of Edmunds.com (www.edmunds.com).:

1. If driving on snow, use snow tires! To have sufficient snow traction your tires should have at least 6/32-inch deep tread.
2. Be sure to keep your windows clean. Replace your windshield wipers and make sure the windshield wiper system works and the anti-icing fluid is topped out.
3. Use the air conditioner to remove frost and ice from the windows. The air conditioner can be set to “hot”.
4. Make sure your headlights are functioning properly and free of snow.
5. Be sure to learn how to properly use anti-lock brakes. Think stomp, stay and steer Stomp on the brake “as if you were trying to snap it off”. “Stay hard on the pedal. Steer around the obstacle”, says Demere.
6. Keep an eye out for black ice. Black ice may appear to be a harmless puddle but it can be deadly. Demere says to “…test the traction with a smooth brake application or slight turn of the wheel”.
7. Don’t forget that bridges and intersections tend to ice up. Look for water that runs across the road.
8. If your front tire loses traction due to an icy patch on the road DO NOT continue to turn the steering wheel. The car will turn whichever way the wheels are pointed and you could end up striking a vehicle coming in the opposite direction.
9. Make sure your back tires have as much tread as your front. Select a car with ESC (Electronic Stability Control). ESC will be mandatory on all 2012 vehicles.
10. Don’t be tricked that technology will always save you from an accident. All Wheel Drive and Electronic Stability Control are important but do not guarantee your safety. Drive cautiously in snow and ice.

Should you find yourself involved in a Maryland Tractor-Trailer Accident, feel free to contact me by e-mail (sheisler@injurylawyermd.com) or by phone at 877-228-4878.

Lafayette, Colorado teenager Jaideep Mangat was seriously injured in September of 2008 when he was struck by a pickup truck while riding his bicycle through a crosswalk.

According to Michael Bluejay of Bicyclesafe.com, collisions involving cars turning right at an intersection and striking bicycle riders in crosswalks are very common.

“Cars aren’t expecting bikes in the crosswalk, so you have to be careful to avoid this one,” says Bluejay.

Bluejay adds that one study revealed that sidewalk-riding is twice as hazardous as road riding.

How to avoid this kind of collision? Bluejay recommends getting a headlight (in most states this is the law), riding slow enough so that you’re able to come to a complete stop if required, and don’t ride on the sidewalk to begin with.

“Crossing between sidewalks can be a fairly dangerous maneuver. If you do it on the left hand side of the street, you risk getting slammed. If you do it on the right hand side of the street, you risk getting slammed by a car behind you that’s turning right. You also risk getting hit by cars pulling out of parking lots and driveways. These kind of accidents are hard to avoid, which is a compelling reason to not ride on the sidewalk in the first place,” states Bluejay.

If you’ve been injured in a Maryland Bicycle Crosswalk Accident or have any questions, e-mail me at sheisler@injurylawyermd.com.

For the second time in the last 22 months, evidence of the deadly legionella bacteria has been reported at Maryland General Hospital.

Officials at Maryland General report that the virus was discovered on January 5th, 2009 in the shower area during routine testing of the Baltimore hospital’s water supply. While patients and staff members are being advised to drink bottled water and access to the showers are restricted, there are no reports of anyone becoming infected.

Legionnaire’s disease affects between 10,000 to 50,000 Americans every year. The disease kills between five and 30 percent of those who contract it.

Patients contact Legionnaire’s disease when they inhale vapor or mist that has bacterial contamination. It cannot be transmitted from person to person. The disease often occurs in hospitals, cruise ships and air conditioned hotels where bathtubs, whirlpool spas and hot tubs, humidifiers and plumbing systems become contaminated. Contact a Maryland Legionnaire’s Disease Lawyer if you believe you’ve been infected.

Symptoms of Legionnaire’s disease include cough, chills and high fever. Victims are usually diagnosed with pneumonia. If you suspect you may have contacted Legionnaire’s disease insist that you be given a urine test and tested specifically for the disease. Once diagnosed, patients are treated with heavy doses of antibiotics. Call a Baltimore Legionnaire’s Disease Attorney to get more information.

What should Baltimore Bicycle riders do to avoid this from happening to them? Bluejay recommends that Baltimore cyclists ride far enough to the left of the curb so they will see any doors that are opened suddenly.

You may be worried about riding so far into the lane that cars can’t pass you easily, but you’re more likely to get doored by a parked car if you ride to close to it than you are to get hit from behind by a car which can clearly see you, says Bluejay.

Be safe when you bike and stay tuned to my next post about The Crosswalk Slam. In the meantime, feel free to e-mail me at sheisler@injurylawyermd.com with any comments or bike safety tips.

Fourteen year old Blaine Susnowitz of Middle River, Maryland was killed several weeks ago when he was struck by a pickup truck while riding his bicycle.

The Maryland bicycle accident occurred at the intersection of Martin Boulevard and Middle River Road and is still being investigated. As a Baltimore Bicycle Accident Lawyer, I’ve represented riders who have sustained serious injuries as a result of the negligence of themselves and other motorists. While riding on a bicycle will always be a risky venture, there are plenty of safeguards that cyclists can take to minimize the hazards.

Here are “Ten Ways To Not Get Hit” while riding a bicycle, according to Michael Bluejay of bicyclesafe.com. According to Bluejay, motor vehicles pulling out of a side road, parking lot,or driveway on the right is the most common way to get hit. He calls this “The Right Cross”. Bluejay recommends the following safety tips to avoid this type of collision:

1) USE A HEADLIGHT. A front headlight is a necessity at night AND the daytime. This allows other motorists to see you better. Bluejay proclaims that helmet-mounted lights are the best, “because then you can look directly at the driver to make sure they see your light”.

2) HONK. It sounds corny, but Bluejay suggest that cyclists use a loud horn when approaching a vehicle, especially on the right. “If you don’t have a horn, then yell ‘Hey!’ You may feel awkward honking or yelling, but it’s better to be embarrassed than to get hit”, he says.

3)SLOW DOWN. Bluejay says to slow down when approaching other drivers when eye contact cannot be made. “Doing this has saved my life on too many occasions to count”, he remarks.

4) RIDE FURTHER LEFT. Bluejay contends that drivers pulling out from the right are not focusing on the bike lane or the region closest to the curb, but instead are looking for cars in the middle of the lane. The farther left you are the better chance a car will notice you. “Using this method has saved me on three occasions in which a motorist ran into me and I wasn’t hurt, and in which I definitely would have slammed into the driver’s side door had I not moved left”, he quips.

Bluejay cautions to stay farther to the right on fast roads with few cross streets and farther left on slow roads with numerous cross streets.

My next blog post will cover more ways not to get hit while driving operating your bicycle.

If you’re involved in a Baltimore Automobile Accident, do everything in your power to prevent your vehicle from being towed to the Baltimore City Yard. The Baltimore City Yard, on Pulaski Highway, has a reputation of not exactly safeguarding the vehicles towed to its premises.I have personally watched several local Baltimore TV News investigative reports in the past detailing how vehicles brought to the City Yard have been vandalized.

Is this still a problem in 2008? I don’t know but do you really want to take the chance?

My advice applies to not only Baltimore City car accidents but to all Maryland auto accidents. Don’t trust bureaucrats to protect your vehicle.

I understand that there are plenty of times when a Maryland Car Accident victim has no choice as to where their automobile is towed.

All I’m saying is that you need to do everything in your power to have your vehicle towed to your own body shop. If that’s not an option, be sure to empty all of your valuables (money, CDs, garage remote control) from your car before it’s towed away.

Better safe than sorry!