At some point, you may wonder if you're in position to file a claim for workers' compensation benefits.
If you suffered an on-the-job injury, there's a good chance you're in position to receive compensation until you're able to return to your job.
Brain re-growth? Neurolasticity after a traumatic brain injury
Having a loved one suffer a traumatic brain injury (TMI) is painful and tragic to deal with. Perhaps you are weighed down with uncertainty as to how they will recover and how life will be altered moving forward. It is completely understandable to have many questions and emotions that arise out of the unknown. One thing that is known is scientific research on the brain and its ability to heal itself.
Recovering from a serious brain injury will typically involve physical and cognitive rehabilitation. The good news is that the brain has a remarkable ability to form new connections to old behavior that was previously learned. For example, injury victims who are learning how to walk again have the advantage of muscle memory and former connections that help expedite the process.
If a drunk driver hit your child, the bar may be responsible
It’s a sad reality that drunk drivers cause accidents that injure or kill people every day. In 2015 alone, there were 345 fatalities caused by drunk driving, and an average of 29 alcohol-related traffic crashes per day. What makes these numbers so frightening is that there is virtually no telling who the victims may be; it could be you, your friends or even your children.
If your child has been in an accident caused by a drunk driver, it is understandable that you are seeking appropriate justice. It may be counter-intuitive, but it may be worth considering the possibility that the driver may not be the only one at fault; the establishment they were drinking in may be to blame as well.
Do you know how to drive safely in strong rain?
As one of our Pittsburgh readers, you know that the spring season is full of many twists and turns in regards to the weather. For example, rain and strong winds are extremely common throughout the area.
If you find yourself on the road when the rain begins to fall, you'll want to make some changes to your driving technique. Here are a few things to do:
- Slow down. Even if you do nothing else, you need to slow down until the weather improves. Yes, this may mean driving slower than the speed limit, but it can go a long way in keeping you safe.
- Use your headlights. With your headlights on, it's much easier to see the road ahead. It also allows other vehicles to more easily see you.
- Beware of standing water. When your tires hit standing water at a high rate of speed, there's a chance that they could lose contact with the road This is called hydroplaning.
- Leave yourself more space. It can be a challenge to stop quickly in wet weather, so you don't want to follow other vehicles too closely.
Does your loved one need a power of attorney?
Watching someone come to terms with a traumatic brain injury is never easy. They are more vulnerable than they ever thought they would be, and they’re looking to you for support that you never thought you would need to give.
On the one hand, this is still your loved one and that hasn’t changed, but on the other hand, there are a lot of decisions they might not be able to handle making anymore. No one wants to be in the position of needing to make decisions for a loved one. It feels like you’re robbing them of their independence. But what happens when they can no longer be completely independent?
After an accident: What you need to do
Face it — stuff happens. It's a sad fact of life that car accidents can happen at any time. While there may be little to nothing you can do to prevent the inevitable, what you do immediately following an accident with another motorist can and will have a major impact on the outcome of any potential claim you may make.
If you are injured in a car accident, the following tips may be helpful in navigating the insurance claims process:
- Make no statements or admissions at the accident scene. Even if you believe that you were at fault for the crash, keep this information to yourself and let the process unfold.
- Take photos of the scene of the accident. As long as doing so won't expose you to the risk of additional injuries, taking pictures of the scene could substantiate any claims of negligence against another driver.
- Review your insurance policy. Before calling your auto insurance agent to notify them of the accident, read over your policy, including the limits and any exclusions.
- Document all communications with insurance companies. Jot down the names of any agents, along with their titles and telephone numbers.
- Seek medical treatment for any injuries. Make sure that your doctor notes any and all of your injuries, as this will form the basis of any subsequent personal injuries claims that you file in the aftermath of an auto accident.
The lasting effects of a personal injury case
A personal injury case can leave lasting effects on not only the person at the center of it, but also the person's entire family. There are a variety of issues that can stem from a personal injury case that are much more than the actual pain involved with the injury. It's best to learn about these effects now in the event you ever have to deal with such a case in Pennsylvania.
Obviously, one of the biggest effects of a personal injury case is the pain associated with the injury. This pain can last for quite some time after you have recovered, depending on the type of injury and severity of it. This pain can last the rest of your life.
Is it dangerous to drive when you are sick?
Sneezing, coughing and a sore throat may have you reaching for the nearest bottle of cold medicine and box of tissues. However, they may also be a sign that you should rethink reaching for your car keys.
A common cold or flu can negatively impact your driving ability and increase your chances of a serious car accident. How can a cold or flu put you and other Pennsylvania drivers in danger?
Pittsburgh lawmakers are slated to award $125,000 in crash case
On April 10, City of Pittsburgh lawmakers proposed legislation that, if passed, would end up with the municipality paying $125,000 to settle a bus-pedestrian wrongful death case from 2015. That year, a 73-year-old and 68-year-old Wilkinsburg husband and wife pair was struck and killed by one of the city's Port Authority buses. The incident happened near the Petersen Events Center on the University of Pittsburgh's campus.
According to witnesses to the fatal crash, the couple had apparently been disembarking the bus in October of 2015 when they were struck by a fast-approaching sports utility vehicle (SUV). The motorist first struck the wheelchair-bound husband and then his wife. The driver ultimately ran over both spouses at the intersection of Alequippa Street, Centre Avenue and University Drive.
Legal support when a motor vehicle accident causes severe harm
Pittsburgh is not the only place in the country that sees its fair share of motor vehicle accidents, but as metropolitan area, Pittsburgh residents are subjected to far too many fender benders. Some people escape these wrecks without many injuries, or they may not even suffer any at all. But many are not this lucky. They may suffer life-changing or otherwise catastrophic injuries that leave them with immense pain and suffering, and a mountain of medical bills.
In these cases, it is important to find out if the accident was really an "accident." There are many motor vehicles crashes where the one driver, or multiple drivers, act in a negligent or irresponsible manner.
