The coming weekend’s forecast indicates that a substantial snowstorm is heading our way, and with it comes the guarantee that numerous accidents are likely to occur as a result. Each winter, I am reminded of an event that happened a couple of years ago that left me feeling quite shocked.
Slip and fall accidents injure hundreds of thousands of people per year in the United States. Safety advocate Russel Kendzior has devoted his professional career to providing expert testimony, consulting, and developing what he hopes to become federal standards for the flooring industry. He is the founder of the National Floor Safety Institute (NFSI) and the owner of the consulting firm Traction Experts. With Kendzior’s expertise being featured in articles for Bloomberg and Insider, he is an eminent leader in the field of accident prevention. We had the chance to speak with him about the expert witness process and the challenges his non-profit organization is up against.
After being injured in an accident, there is a good chance that you will be contacted by the at-fault party’s insurance company. The adjuster might engage in some initial small talk and tell you how sorry they are that you have been injured and that they want to find out some information about your case before they can start proceeding with processing your claim. So, what exactly should you tell them?
Black ice is a hidden danger common to Connecticut during the winter months. This week, an icy glaze covered the roads around our Ridgefield office, causing one of our staff members to slide into the curb immediately after pulling out of the parking garage. This event demonstrates the two essential qualities of black ice that make it so hazardous:
The biting cold air felt on our morning commute signals the beginning of winter. With the frigid temperatures outside, you might expect people to stay at home and enjoy the warmth of the indoors as much as they possibly can. Yet, despite the low temperatures, millions of people visit ski slopes, ice rinks, and local parks each year to enjoy a few hours of ice skating, skiing, snowboarding, ice hockey, sledding, or other winter sports. Unfortunately, while people partake in these frosty activities competitively or just for fun, winter sports can be quite dangerous if proper safety precautions go ignored.
It is no surprise that whiplash gets its name from the sound made when cracking a whip, considering it is an injury that is acquired by the sudden and forceful jerking of the head and neck. While this type of injury can be the result of a sports-related injury or even a slip/trip and fall accident, they most commonly occur after a motor vehicle accident. A whiplash-type injury is not just likely to happen after the most severe accident. In fact, this injury can transpire after a relatively minor rear-end accident involving a car, truck, bus, motorcycle, or any other motor vehicle. A few major factors that contribute to whiplash-type injuries include but are not limited to:
If asked about the leading cause of death in the United States, many of us would name heart disease the culprit. While this may be the case for older Americans, another concerning offender affects a significantly younger age group. According to the CDC’s Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System, unintentional injury is the leading cause of death for people under the age of 44. To put the numbers into perspective, approximately 345,000 people died due to unintentional injuries in 2019 alone. That number is nearly half of all deaths caused by heart disease.
Our office sees an uptick in the number of people who contact us regarding a slip and fall injury from November to early April. Most of these Connecticut slip and fall accident cases result from the prominence of snow and ice that accumulates throughout the winter season. In these cases, the injury typically occurs in parking lots, sidewalks, stairways, condominium or apartment complexes, private walkways and driveways, and other places where people will go to get products and services or meet with others in cold weather.
Once you have been injured in an accident caused by the fault of another, there are a series of steps or best practices, if you will, that you should be following to avoid diminishing the value of a potential case. These include visiting the emergency room, following up with your doctor, and contacting a personal injury attorney to assist you with your case. In addition, you should expect that you are likely to receive a telephone call from the insurance adjuster representing the at-fault party. Here is what may happen during that call:
Most of us are all too familiar with Black Friday—the day after Thanksgiving when shoppers come out in droves to take advantage of discounted sales prices throughout the country. Whether one chooses to brave the crowds or refresh the Amazon homepage looking for the best cyber deal, a particular danger is often overlooked. This danger becomes present long before the stores unlock their doors for the public. Many parents are unaware of Black Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving when many college students arrive home. After reuniting with family, they are typically eager to visit with the friends from who they have been apart since the school semester began. Many visiting college students congregate somewhere to catch up with their friends, whether by attending house parties or going out to bars. Ultimately, these meetups can lead these teens to consume alcohol or do drugs.
Autumn is a highly anticipated season of the year for many Connecticut residents. The leaves turn warm, vibrant hues, and then slowly make a soft descent to the ground beneath. The temperatures begin to drop too, making it the perfect time to show off our latest trendy sweaters. It is the ideal time to go outside to engage in various athletic activities such as bike riding, running, jogging, or walking. Unfortunately, this is also the time of the year when many hazards that cause people to fall are the most present. Some of these injuries can be quite serious and can result in the hospitalization of the person who fell. In fact, falls account for over 8 million hospital emergency room visits, representing the leading cause of visits, according to the NFSI. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the common hazards you could encounter to avoid becoming the victim of a trip and fall or slip and fall accident in Connecticut.
Rental cars have a higher rate of collision compared to their non-rented counterparts, according to a recent report by the Journal of Advanced Transportation. Whether they are on an extended vacation or a brief business trip, many Americans choose the convenience of car rental as their means of transportation. Unfortunately, what is supposed to be a convenience can become a complete disaster when involved in a rental car accident. A couple of questions naturally come to mind, such as who is responsible for paying the damages and who will be held liable. The answer to both questions is: it depends on the particulars of the accident.
I arrived at my gym early one morning, and as I rounded the hallway corner, I saw a large puddle forming near one of the emergency exits. The ceiling in this location has leaked for years, and during heavy rainfalls, the problem tends to worsen. It has yet to undergo repair. A quick observation of my surroundings showed three areas with standing water, a yellow caution sign, and a mop propped inside a bucket. The sign, along with the cleaning materials, indicated that the condition of the floor was apparent, yet nothing was done to rectify the situation.
Spooky season is upon us, and haunted house attractions will likely be the highlight of the month for thrill-seekers looking for a scare. With more than 1200 haunted house locations across America, over 300 amusement facilities hosting haunted attractions or Halloween-centric events, and over 3000 charity attractions open during the week of Halloween, it is guaranteed that thousands of Americans will be flocking to these popular places. With attendance numbers between 40,000 to 60,000, it is clear that people are willing to pay for the aforementioned scare in a safe environment.
The temperatures are dropping, and the leaves are starting to turn colors. Then, through the course of their final vibrant display, they detach from the branches and descend to the earth below. It’s that beautiful time of the year once again. However, it is vital to consider several risk factors that come with the Autumn season and discover the easiest ways to reduce the risk of acquiring an injury or being involved in an accident. So, what can you do to help protect yourself and your family from fall season accidents and injuries?
As of October 1, 2021, Connecticut drivers may receive a ticket if one of their backseat passengers is not wearing a seatbelt. This new law, signed by Governor Ned Lamont in July, requires all backseat passengers to wear a seatbelt. The pre-existing law only required passengers 16 and under to be restrained by a seatbelt while in the rear seat.
It’s finally Friday, and you’re just getting ready to get out of work. You’ve practically been shouting TGIF from the rooftop all day long! Just thinking about unwinding from a tedious week on a night out with your friends is giving you a surge of excitement. The excitement carries you to your vehicle, even though a few drinks may be in store for you tonight.
The term “pre-existing condition” can be confusing in many ways when used in insurance policies and when submitting claims for personal injury or medical malpractice cases.
Connecticut has expanded the circumstances under which drivers have to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians, effective October 1, 2021. The current pedestrian crosswalk law states that drivers are required to yield to a pedestrian if that individual has stepped off the curb into a crosswalk. The newly enacted law requires drivers to slow down or stop under the following limited circumstances:
We hit the fall season again, which means it’s time for pumpkin spice lattes, sweater weather, and of course the beginning of a new semester. With universities and colleges reopening, flocks of students are packing away their belongings and moving into their campus dormitories. It is bound to be a thrilling time for the students- especially after being stuck at home for quite a while due to the pandemic. After all, this has been one of their most awaited moments! To be able to live with their friends and finally get a taste of independence and self-responsibility, it seems as though all is well and nothing could go wrong.
As the summer wraps up and colder mornings roll in, bus stops are once again occupied by the youth as they set off for school. Naturally, this is a time for both nerves and excitement- especially as many are going back to in-person classes for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic. This could be considered a large factor in the likelihood that there will be an influx of child injuries, especially when considering that the CDC estimates 9.2 emergency room visits for children with an unintentional injury. In all the excitement, it is important to be knowledgeable of the common risks and precautions that should be taken to avoid injury during “back to school” season.
This time of year brings a flood of people to amusement parks across the country. Everyone from thrill seekers to families can be found in attendance, looking to enjoy a fun day in the sun. They can also be home to many freak accidents that leave unsuspecting guests with severe injuries. Sadly, on August 16th, 2021, a woman was injured at Cedar Point Amusement Park in Ohio.
In Connecticut, the warmer weather means that many people go outside and engage in numerous activities with family members and friends. This is the season that has been named one of the most dangerous times of the year. This is due to the fact that there are many more people out on the roads either going to parties, picnics, gatherings, graduations, road trips, vacations, and more. Here is a list of some of the top summer accidents which cause a large number of injuries and fatalities.
If you have been injured in some type of an accident, that has been caused by the fault of another, then there are things you need to be doing right away so that you do not harm or compromise the value of your personal injury case. This partial list of things that you need to be doing should be followed and put into practice as soon as possible. If you follow these instructions you can help to maximize the amount of money that you can get for your injury claim. It is important that you do at least the following:
The summer months provide many of us with the opportunity to participate in a number of out of door activities, like going on vacation, attending picnics or outdoor gatherings, and spending time with family and friends. This is also the time when a great number of accidents occur. This is because of the physical activities we engage in and the longer days which keep us outside for more extended periods of time. There are a number of different types of common summertime injuries that occur on a regular basis and there are things you can do to reduce your risk of being injured in such an activity that creates these risks.
When you choose HCW, LLP - Hastings, Cohan and Walsh you will receive the one-on-one attention and individualized support that you deserve. Our Connecticut personal injury attorneys will not treat you as just another case number nor will we hand your case off to a paralegal.
Unlike other law firms, we will personally handle each legal aspect of your case, walking with you every step of the way.
We aim to provide the highest quality representation possible. We have extensive experience and training in a variety of aspects of personal injury law. We obtain the knowledge and skill-set necessary to maximize your compensation.
