Maryland Personal Injury Blog

3 Steps to a Safe Halloween

By admin on October 27, 2011

Halloween opens the fall and winter holiday season with fun, excitement, and, of course, scares, but it’s not without its dangers. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) receives reports of injuries every Halloween for costume, decoration, and lighting-related accidents; however, these injuries are preventable..In order to help everyone have a fun and safe Halloween, the CPSC has put together a three-step safety checklist that, if followed, will help prevent burn injuries and fires, make sure trick-or-treating kids can see and be seen, and make sure kids are costumed safely.

Decorations

• Jack-o’-lanterns and candles should be kept away from doorsteps and landings where costumes may come in contact with the flame;
• Remove obstacles that may pose tripping and/or falling hazards to trick-or-treaters;
• Keep indoor candles and jack-o’-lanterns away from decorations and other flammable items and never leave burning candles unattended;
• Only use properly safety tested decorative light strands; and
• Do not overload extension cords.

Costumes

• Purchase costumes and accessories made from flame-resistant fabrics such as polyester or nylon, or that are labeled “Flame Resistant;”
• Make or purchase costumes that are light-colored, bright, and highly visible to drivers;
• Trim or decorate costumes and bags/sacks with reflective tape;
• Have kids carry flashlights; and
• Make sure costumes must be well-fitted and do not drag in order to prevent falls. Also, all accessories must be secured and made of safe material (soft, flexible).

Treats

• Children should wait to eat treats until after they have been examined by an adult; and
• Parents should examine toys or any other novelty items before allowing young children to play with them. If it is small enough to fit into the child’s mouth, it presents a choking hazard.

Halloween is one of the most looked forward to holidays of the year and everyone has a responsibility to ensure that the night can be celebrated safely. If you or your child suffers an injury in Maryland as the result of another’s negligence this holiday season, contact the experienced Baltimore personal injury attorney Steven H. Heisler, “The Injury Lawyer,” to learn more about getting maximum compensation for your losses. Call (877) 228-4878 today for a consultation.

Posted in Personal Injury |

Arm’s Reach Concepts Recalls Infant Bed-Side Sleepers due to Suffocation Dangers

By admin on April 7, 2011

Infant bed-side sleepers manufactured by Arm’s Reach Concepts have been found to pose a risk of suffocation, falls, and entrapment, according to Reuters. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) discovered that infants can fall from the mattress into the loose fabric at the bottom of the sleeper and become entrapped, posing great risk of suffocation.

The bed-side sleepers are designed to have one side that is lower than the others. The lower side is placed near the caregiver’s bed so that the baby can be more easily reached to be fed and cared for. However, if the product is not installed properly, the bed can be dangerous. So far, there have been 10 reports of infants that have fallen or become trapped. Fortunately, none have been injured.

The sleepers were sold at Burlington Coat Factory, Babies R Us, and other locations between September of 1997 and December of 2001. Any parent or caregiver who owns one of the recalled sleepers should stop using it and should visit the company’s website for assembly instructions in order to ensure the sleeper is properly installed.

Manufacturers have a legal duty to design, create, and sell products that are safe for consumers to use. If a consumer is injured while using an unsafe product, the consumer has a cause of action against the manufacturer. Manufacturers also have a duty to provide proper assembly instructions for any products that require assembly in order to guarantee the product is safely constructed.

Have you been injured by a defective product? If so, you could recover compensation for your injuries from a negligent manufacturer. Contact Maryland personal injury attorney Steven H. Heisler, “The Injury Lawyer,” to learn more about your legal rights and options. Call 877-228-HURT today.

Posted in Defective Products & Drugs |

Tips to Keep the Winter Holidays Safe

By admin on November 24, 2010

The holiday season means more traveling, more time with friends, and more parties. Unfortunately, for revelers in Maryland and across the U.S., it also means snow and ice, driving without daylight during the long nights, and other situations that increase the risk of a car accident ruining your holiday festivities. To keep you and your family safe while you enjoy the holidays, please keep these important safety tips in mind.

• If you are going to be drinking, do not drive. Choose a sober designated driver, take a cab or public transportation to and from a party, or host the party yourself so you can drink without worrying about “one too many” making you unable to drive.
• If you’re hosting a party, provide plenty of non-alcoholic drinks, foods, and safe activities appropriate for the ages of all your prospective guests. Make sure young children are supervised at all times.
• Never leave candles, a fireplace or woodstove, or holiday lights burning unattended. Always unplug your Christmas tree or other holiday lights before leaving the house. Keep a fire extinguisher handy in case holiday lighting gets out of control.
• Choose age-appropriate gifts for small children. Make sure that any small parts, such as batteries, are firmly attached before allowing your children to play with their new presents.

Keeping safety on your mind can help you and your family enjoy the holidays together. If you or a loved one has been injured by a defective product or in a car accident due to someone else’s negligence or carelessness, please contact Maryland personal injury attorney Steven H. Heisler, “The Injury Lawyer.” Mr. Heisler’s experience can help you win the compensation you deserve. Call 877-228-4878 for a free and confidential consultation.

Posted in Law & Information, Personal Injury |

Six Necessary Steps to Take if Involved in a Maryland Work Accident

By injuheis on February 19, 2010

It is every employee’s expectation that their employer creates and maintains a safe working environment in adhering to state and federal laws requiring them to do so. However, employers who fail to properly train employees or disregard dangerous working conditions do a huge disservice to employees, thus putting them at risk of enduring injury, illness, or even death. If you or a loved one has recently endured work related injuries in Maryland, here are six necessary steps to take that you may want to consider.

1. Notify Your Supervisor Right Away– If you don’t alert the company in a timely manner, it’s treated by the company like it didn’t happen.
2. Demand That An Accident Report Be Written– If the company refuses to write a report, write one yourself and submit it to your supervisor. Make a copy for yourself and have a witness observe you giving it to the supervisor.
3. If You’re A Member Of A Union, Notify Your Union Rep As Soon As Possible – You pay union dues so make sure the union goes to bat for you and protects your workplace rights.
4. If Anyone Witnessed Your Accident It Is Important That You Get Their Name And Number Right Away – If a witness confirms your story your case is easier to prove.
5. Seek Medical Attention At Once – If you are hurt and don’t see a doctor or wait a long time before seeing one, the company might deny your claim and argue that if you were really hurt you would have gotten medical attention as soon as it happened.
6. Call A Lawyer So A Claim Can Be Filed – In Maryland, your case has to be filed on a Maryland Worker’s Compensation claim form that can be obtained ONLY from the Worker’s Compensation Commission or a Maryland Work Comp lawyer. DON’T LET THE COMPANY MAKE YOU THINK OTHERWISE!!! Failure to file this claim form with the Worker’s Compensation Commission within two (2) years from your accident could result in you losing all of your Worker’s Compensation rights and benefits.

Being involved in a work-related injury in Maryland can seriously affect a worker’s physical well-being, emotional health, and financial balance. Contact Steven H. Heisler, “The Injury Lawyer,” today for a free consultation of your Maryland work accident. He will examine the details of your work related accident and help determine where negligence action caused your injury.

Posted in Accidents, Injuries, Personal Injury, Work-Related Injury, Workers Compensation |

Python Kills Girl, Mother Charged With Abuse

By injuheis on October 22, 2009

According to Maryland’s ABC news affiliate WMAR-TV, a 19-year-old mother and her 32-year-old boyfriend face criminal charges dealing with the death of the woman’s 2-year old daughter at the hands of an eight-foot, pet python. While this blog is devoted to personal injury and not criminal defense, the story is representative of an often overlooked aspect of premises liability. That is, animals that are kept as pets are considered to be part of the premises and are therefore the responsibility of the owner of that premises (even if that owner is not the owner of the pet in question). All in all, property owners are responsible for the safety and well-being of all people who enter into their premises.

Providing a safe environment for people to be in, whether that environment is a place of business or a private home, is essential in helping to promote the personal safety of all people entering into that environment. If a danger of some kind does exist, it is the duty of the property owner to warn guests of the potential danger, and to take quick and effective measures in curbing said danger so that it is not present for an extensive period of time. In the tragic story about the python, it could and will undoubtedly be argued that the python should have been properly secured away from unsuspecting guests so that the risk of potential injury would have been greatly diminished.

With potential premises liability hazards, it is imperative that all dangers are either taken care of before a person succumbs to injury of some kind, or are properly labeled and quartered off so that the risk of a person being injured because of that danger is decreased. In any event, regardless of the situation, those visiting a space should be promptly notified that the potential for injury is heightened due to some kind of danger.

If you have suffered personal injury as the result of a premises liability accident, you’ll need an experienced Maryland personal injury attorney on your side that will examine the details and circumstances surrounding your injury and hold negligent parties accountable for their actions, or lack thereof in failing to prevent injury from occurring. If you have been injured, please don’t hesitate to call Steven H. Heisler, “The Injury Lawyer,” for a free evaluation of your personal injury case.

Source Article:
http://www.abc2news.com/news/local/story/Woman-Charged-after-Python-Strangles-Daughter/eckH6PuH_UavMEqycp3OrQ.cspx

Posted in Personal Injury, Wrongful Death |

Police Officer Injured by Truck on Baltimore-Washington Parkway

By injuheis on October 7, 2009

According to The Baltimore Sun, a male police officer was injured while conducting a routine traffic stop on the Baltimore-Washington Parkway near Route 197. After having pulled a vehicle over to the side of the road, the officer parked, exited his own vehicle, and began writing up the traffic citation. A pickup truck, having left the roadway, proceeded to plow into the back of the parked police cruiser, which in turn careened into the vehicle the police officer was issuing the traffic citation to. The officer, who had been standing at the driver’s side window of the pulled over car, was forced underneath the police cruiser and was dragged for about 40 feet.

The police officer was taken to Washington Hospital Center for treatment. His injuries were deemed nonlife-threatening, an excellent outcome in any traffic related accident. However, many victims of traffic accidents are not so lucky, and severe injury is often sustained, particularly when a person is dragged any length of distance by an operating vehicle.

At the time of this article, it was not determined whether or not the driver of the pickup was under the influence of any sort of illicit substance, or simply chose to drive recklessly, injuring another person in the process. The driver of the truck was taken to Prince George’s Hospital Center for observation, and it was not made public whether or not the driver sustained any sort of injury. The circumstances surrounding this accident will undoubtedly be revealed after an investigation, one which will attribute fault towards one or more determining factors that caused the crash.

Not all accident victims are as lucky as the police officer was. Often times, injury sustained is so great that recovery time can prevent a person from going about their daily routine, even forcing that person out of work. However, it should be noted that monetary loss associated with traffic accidents does not need to burden the victim. Those responsible for the traffic accident can and should be held liable for their actions, and monetary compensation should be awarded to injured victims.

If you or a loved one has suffered personal injury as the result of a traffic accident, you’ll need an experienced Maryland personal injury lawyer on your side to help sort through the details of the incident. Please call Steven H. Heisler, “The Injury Lawyer”, for a free evaluation of your case. Steven H. Heisler and his attorneys will ensure that your rights as an accident victim are never infringed upon.

Source:http://www.baltimoresun.com/features/commuting/bal-bwparkway0825,0,4126752.story

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