Many people have reached a point of great frustration with the pandemic that has affected us in ways that we could never have imagined. By now, many, if not all of us know a family that has lost a loved one to the coronavirus. We also have heard stories about people who have gotten the virus and have suffered for weeks and weeks with the horrible medical challenges that have resulted. We have all learned as a collective society to reduce our interaction with others and to restrict our conduct in ways that are very difficult. Fortunately, these restrictions have resulted in a flattening of this curve which will allow all of us to return to some level of normalcy in the not-too-distant future.

Hastings, Cohan & Walsh, LLP is taking a very proactive approach to the representation of its clients during the coronavirus pandemic. Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont extended his executive order to May 20, 2020, that states that all nonessential workers are to work from home. Law firms in Connecticut are deemed to be essential workers so we are here working for you. We understand the need to protect our team members and to look out for the best interest of our clients. We are in the office working. We are not seeing clients in our office but rather are arranging for alternative methods of communication and virtual meetings. We are actively involved in social distancing and are very diligent in making sure our offices are constantly disinfected. We know how vital it is that we continue to provide you with the high level of legal services that you have come to expect and rely upon.

I recently had to go in for a “ surgical” procedure. It was a standard diagnostic test that once again open my eyes to some of the problems with our medical care. I should first say that the majority of doctors and healthcare providers are excellent at what they do. Are there things that can be done to make this care better? Absolutely!

If you have been injured in a slip and fall or trip and fall or some other type of an accident that has occurred in any of the following stores: Walmart, Target, Home Depot, Lowe’s, Stop & Shop, Starbucks, Dunkin’ Donuts, 7-Eleven, Aldi’s, Trader Joe’s, or any other retail establishment then you need to be aware that there are specialized aspects of your case that relate to these types of accident-related injuries.

Connecticut enjoyed some unseasonably warm weather this past weekend and many motorcycle riders returned to the roadways. Although motorcycle accidents do not tend to occur more frequently than other types of motor vehicle accidents, according to government statistics, the risk of a resulting fatality was 35 times more likely for a motorcyclist than for passengers of other motor vehicles.

I have been practicing law for over 36 years, and this has been the most unusual, and that is a gross and complete understatement, week I’ve ever experienced over a period of time that has covered five different decades. As a result of the order of the Governor of the State of Connecticut, law offices are one of the listed essential service providers.

We are sometimes contacted by individuals who are waiting to enter traffic, and another motorist signals that it is safe for the driver to enter the roadway and waives them on. The individual then enters the roadway, based upon the gesture of the other driver that it is safe to enter the roadway, and is then struck by another vehicle and is injured. Can this individual collect money damages as a result of the actions of the other driver?

Connecticut truck accidents present unique fact patterns and issues that require specialized attention when someone is injured as a result of a negligent truck driver. Our Connecticut personal injury lawyers have decades of experience in representing injured parties and their families in a variety of different types of truck accidents and the development of these types of cases.

As a parent, one of our most significant causes of anxiety is the good health, safety, and welfare of our children. So when our teenagers are put in the position where they begin to drive, then our level of anxiety sometimes goes through the roof. So as parents, what rules, regulations, behavior, tips, and suggestions can we share with our new drivers to help keep them safe?

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can refer to many different types of injuries relating to the brain. Generally speaking, a TBI occurs when there is some type of trauma to the head, which causes the brain to swell and press against the skull, resulting in some type of complication.

I was out enjoying the unseasonably warm weather in Connecticut this past weekend and noticed several people that were riding bicycles. I was also surprised to see some children who were riding bicycles on the side of the road and were not wearing any type of head protection. As adults, we must engage in a number of safety precautions before heading out on a bicycle, but as parents, it is imperative that we strictly monitor our children as this can be a hazardous activity.

If you have been injured in any type of accident at a mall in Connecticut- whether it is a trip and fall or slip and fall, or due to a defect or if you been struck by a car in the mall parking lot- then there are a number of specialized issues that may need to be investigated and developed to help maximize the value of your case.

One of the most frequent questions our Connecticut personal injury attorneys are asked is; how long might your case take until you receive a settlement or award of damages? The answer is the same in almost every situation, and that is that it depends. There is no such thing as a typical personal injury case because the fact pattern will differ from case to case.

We are regularly contacted by people who have been injured through the fault of another and the first question they want to be answered is “what should I be doing?” Accident victims have a significant number of questions and concerns. They are in pain, they have mounting medical bills, they are experiencing a loss of income, they need to get their vehicle repaired, they do not know who pays their medical bills or what doctors they should be seeing, they are scared, they are angry, they are upset, and they need to get immediate answers.

People often wonder if they should call the police after they have been involved in an accident- even if they don’t think they have been hurt. If you are involved in an accident that was caused by the fault of another, you should always call the police to the accident site even if you feel it was only a minor collision and you don’t think you have an injury. Many times, the person that caused your accident will insist that you not contact the police and may even offer to compensate you for the damage caused to your motor vehicle. You should never agree to this offer. Instead, you should contact the police and explain to them why the other party was at fault once they arrive at the accident scene.

The Connecticut Department of Public Health just released a report that indicates the number of “adverse events” occurring at Connecticut hospitals rose 7% in 2018, as compared to 2017, resulting in patients suffering serious physical injury or death. “Adverse” describes a consequence of care that results in an undesired outcome. “Associated with” means that it is reasonable to initially assume that the adverse event was due to the referenced course of treatment.

There are many different ways that we can celebrate New Year’s Eve. Many people choose to spend a quiet evening at home with family, others will host a party with family and friends and yet others will go out and have dinner, go to a party or enjoy drinks at a local pub or bar. Because this can be one of the most dangerous nights of the year, with many people drinking and operating motor vehicles, safety should be your top priority. So what are some of the things that you can do to help ensure your safety?

Most of us will travel to visit with family and friends over the next several weeks to enjoy each other’s company during this holiday season. At any point during this time we could either act as a guest at someone else’s home or as a host in providing for a gathering place for all to meet. Because this is an especially busy time during which many accidents occur, it would be helpful to review some safety tips for both guests and hosts.

You have been involved in an accident, which has been caused by the fault of another. The other driver, who may have had a number of accidents in the past or is driving with a suspended license or has some other challenge that he does not wish to make known to his insurance company, insists that you not involve his motor vehicle insurance company. You are told that he will pay for the damage to your vehicle and will make sure that your medical bills are paid for so you will not have any type of out-of-pocket expense. What should you do?

As we approach the holiday season, it is important to remember that most house fires take place during this time of the year. There are many factors that contribute to this rise in home fires which could include:

I have a driving tip for you that will guarantee that you will never be involved in an accident during a snowstorm, an ice storm, or during conditions when the roads are not properly sanded and salted.

Hastings, Cohan & Walsh, LLP knows what you need to do to get more money for your Connecticut car accident case, but you need this information at the earliest possible moment so you do not make a mistake before you speak with a personal injury lawyer.

More than 800,000 people are hospitalized each year because of some type of a fall injury. Most of these injuries involve the head or hip. This year, approximately one third of elderly people will be involved in some type of fall.