Archive for December, 2011

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29
Dec

Van Crash Kills Virginia Man Who Failed To Buckle Up

December 29, 2011

A 31-year-old man from Thaxton, Virginia, was killed this past Sunday in a single-vehicle car crash. According to The Roanoke Times, the accident occurred at approximately 2:15 in the morning on Virginia 1022, just north of Virginia 24.

Virginia state police reported that the man was driving a 1989 Ford Van when, for unknown reasons, he suddenly veered across the oncoming lane and off the left side of the road. The van then plummeted down an embankment before becoming entangled in a grove of trees. Troopers added that the victim was not wearing his seat belt at the time of the crash and suffered major bodily trauma. He was declared dead at the scene of the crash.

The National Safety Council says that seat belts are the most effective way to prevent crash injuries. Their data shows that seat belts saved more than 75,000 lives between 2004 and 2008. Despite the lives saved, the agency always pushes to completely eliminate the problem.

The council estimates that more than 1,600 lives could be saved and 22,000 injuries prevented if seat belt use was 90 percent in every state.

The Virginia auto accident attorneys with the Skolrood Law Firm encourage motorists to buckle up their safety belts every time you get in the car. Furthermore, make sure everyone in a vehicle you are in does the same.

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15
Dec

Virginia Increases Premiums For Workers’ Compensation Insurance

December 15, 2011

With the Virginia State Corporation Committee announcing earlier this week that it had approved increases in premiums for workers’ compensation insurance, some believe it could lead to an increase in denials and disputes for legitimately hurt employees. WDBJ 7 News reported Sunday that the adjustment would take effect on April 1 of next year.

Virginia state law requires that employers provide employees with safe work environments at all times. That is why most employers in the state are required to carry workers’ compensation coverage. Workers’ compensation insurance covers the medical expenses and lost wages an employee endures from on-the-job injuries.

With payments increasing and profit margins for insurance providers shrinking, experts say that we can expect these companies to begin scrutinizing every penny they pay out to the injured, possibly even denying claims altogether.

The Virginia workers’ compensation attorneys with the Skolrood Law Firm believe the key to filing a successful workers’ compensation claim is filing it in a timely manner. Unless your injury is an emergency, you should report it to your employer first. They will then direct you where to receive treatment. After treatment, you should file your workers’ compensation claim as soon as possible. If there are any complexities involved in your case, you may need to consult a skilled worker’s compensation attorney to help.

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8
Dec

Pulaski Man Fined In Connection With Hitting German Cyclist

December 8, 2011

According to WDBJ 7 News, a 46-year-old Marion, Virginia, driver of a commercial truck has been convicted and fined for reckless driving on a suspended license in Pulaski County General District Court Thursday for his part in the October 8th accident that left a German cyclist in a coma.

The 40-year-old German was on a 10-week cycling tour of the United States when he was hit by the truck at around 3:00 PM on Route 100. Reports stated that the 1998 Freightliner truck was traveling southbound at about 55 mph when he swerved to the right and struck the cyclist’s bicycle. The rider was thrown several feet onto an embankment and was later airlifted to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Troopers who responded to the scene stated that the truck driver failed to maintain control of his vehicle and did not have his eyes on the road at the time of the accident.

In court today, the truck driver was convicted on all charges, given a $500 fine and suspended 90-day jail sentence for the reckless driving charge, and a $100 fine for driving on a suspended license.

The German cyclist remains in a coma and will soon be flown home to Germany to continue treatment.

The Virginia brain injury lawyers with The Skolrood Law Firm urge drivers to be aware of their surroundings and share the road with bikers. If you have been injured in an accident no fault of your own, contact our experienced attorneys with questions regarding your case.

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1
Dec

Government Warns Parents Bumper Pads In Cribs

December 1, 2011

Most parents think they are shielding their child from getting hurt when they put bumper pads in cribs. This protective layer of quilted and padded material lining a crib is believed to keep a baby from injuries caused by trapping limbs between slats on a crib and hitting their heads. According to the Chicago Tribune though, the American Academy of Pediatrics is now saying that the pads should not be used as they may present a hazard of suffocation, strangulation, and entrapment.

Investigations found old reports to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) alleging that bumper pads have been the cause of baby injuries. The group has failed to take a stance against the products use because of inconclusive data as to whether the bumper caused the child’s death or another factor. An investigative report uncovered nearly 30 cases of infant deaths suspected to be caused by bumper pads.

The CPSC has now changed its stance after finding that although the number of sudden infant death syndrome cases had declined in the last several years, the number of sleep-related deaths from asphyxia and entrapment have increased.

The Virginia Wrongful Death Attorneys with the Skolrood Law Firm often handle cases where a family has lost a loved one due to a product malfunction. They believe manufacturers have a responsibility to release safe products onto the market. Contact us today by filling out a free initial consultation form if you have questions about the wrongful death of a loved one.

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