North Carolina Personal Injury Lawyers Blog

Officers are trying to figure out what exactly caused a recent fatal car accident in Conover on Reese Drive. What they know already is that the vehicle involved swerved off the road, hit a bunch of trees and ended up in flames after the gas tank erupted, according to WSOC9.

Our Conover personal injury attorneys understand that a number of injuries can result from a car accident, but we often fail to neglect to think of burns in the incidents. Burns can result from car accidents and a number of other types of accidents as well. Someone dies from a burn accident in the U.S. in 2010 every 169 minutes. Someone is injured from these accidents every 30 minutes. Although the top cause of fire-related deaths isn't motor-vehicle accidents, it is still something for which to be on the lookout.

In 2009, nearly 90 percent of all fire-related fatalities in the county happen in homes. In 2010, fire fighters responded to nearly 385,000 household fires in the U.S. These fires took the lives of nearly 3,000 people and injured another 13,350 throughout that year.

According to The Burn Resource Center, there are a number of factors that can be used to determine just how severe a burn is. Burns are classified by depth and they may be first, second, third or fourth degrees.

First-Degree Burns: These types of burns are red and very sensitive to touch. In a first-degree burn, the skin will appear blanched when you apply pressure to it. These types of burns involve only a little bit of tissue damage, which only affects the epidermis. A sunburn is a good example of a first-degree burn.

Second-Degree Burns: These types of burns affect both the epidermis and the layer underneath that, the dermis, or top layer of skin. These types of burns cause blisters, swelling, pain and redness. They also often affect hair follicles and sweat glands. If these types of burns aren't treated, decreased blood blow and swelling can occur, which can cause the turn to turn into a third-degree burn.

Third-Degree Burns: These types of burns affect the epidermis, the dermis and the hypodermis. These burns cause the skin to char or to turn a translucent white color. With these burns, the area affected can be numb although the victim will feel pain. Healing of these types of burns takes a much longer time to heal because the skin tissue and the structures are already destroyed. Third-degree burns typically result in extensive scarring.

Fourth-Degree Burns: These types of burns are often called full-thickness burns as they affect all lawyers of the skin in addition to the structures below. The structures include muscles, ligaments, bones and tendons. These kinds of burns aren't painful because of the destruction of nerve endings. Treatment for these burns can include skin grating and surgery and they can cause life-threatening injuries, amputation or a lifetime of rehabilitation.

Continue reading "Car Accident in Conover Ends in Fiery Explosion" »

General Motors is offering to buy back your Chevrolet Volt. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the Volts are under a thorough investigation after the vehicles were discovered to pose a fire hazard after side-collision safety testing. A car accident in Asheville and elsewhere involving a Chevy Volt could potentially lead to safety issues in the future.

In recent crash studies, the NHTSA determined that, during a side collision, the vehicle's coolant line could rupture and the vehicle's lithium-ion battery could catch fire. The Department of Defense (DOD) and the Department of Energy (DOE) are working alongside the NHTSA to collect information regarding the potential for fire in electric vehicles.

Our Asheville car accident lawyers understand how important it is to research vehicles for purchase and to stay up-to-date with the latest vehicle recalls. Drivers are urged to check out the Safecar.gov website frequently to ensure that their vehicles aren't putting them at risk for an accident. Long after a vehicle is manufactured, officials can determine there are problems that could cause injury to motorists. Please review this information frequently to help reduce your risks of an accident.

The Chevy Volt has not been recalled yet, but will be if the NHTSA determines that there's an unreasonable risk to safety. If a recall is issued, officials from General Motors will take the appropriate measures to notify drivers.

While these investigations are taking place, GM Chief Executive Dan Akerson says that the company is willing to buy back any Volt from concerned consumers. The automaker is also offering to loan out a temporary vehicle to owners until the safety concerns are resolved as well.

"While the investigation is going on, we will do whatever it takes to allay concerns and keep our customers happy and if that includes repurchase, we will work individually with any customer," says GM spokesman Greg Martin.

Currently, there have been nearly 10,000 Chevy Volts sold in the U.S. Only about 30 of these vehicle owners have asked the company for a loaner vehicle. The company has yet to determine exactly how the repurchase plan would work.

Jessica Caldwell, an auto analyst with Edmunds.com, says that the company is lucky that the problem involves such a small number of vehicles. If the Volt would have been more popular, then a recall or a buyback plan would be more difficult and costly.
General Motors would like to reiterate that there have been no reports from consumers of any fires. These allegations are only based on incidents that had taken place during testing.

John O'Dell, with Edmunds.com, says that he doubts that many owners will come forward with a buyback request considering the vehicles get about 40 miles per full electric charge and hundreds of miles when the gasoline power kicks in.

We understand that consumers nationwide have been waiting for electric cars for quite some time now. Still, these vehicles can pose fatal complications just as gas-powered vehicles can. Owners of all motor vehicles should check out the Safecar.gov website to make sure their vehicle is safe and isn't reporting any problems.

Continue reading "Chevy Volt Safety Tests Reveal Possibility of Fire Hazard After Car Accidents in Asheville and Elsewhere" »

Hunting season can be dangerous for many reasons, so our Gastonia accident attorneys want to reiterate the importance of taking necessary safety precautions to reduce the risk of an accident from occurring. Hunters are at risk of falling from a tree stand, stumbling on tree roots, shooting themselves or someone else, all of which can lead to serious or even fatal injuries.

In many cases, the urgency and quality of medical attention can be critical to survival when a hunter is injured or shot. Contacting an injury lawyer for consultation can help assure your rights are protected.

At a North Carolina Paramedic Competition recently, EMS first responders were practicing their skills on a hunter shot in a mock hunting accident in Greensboro. The News & Record reports the simulated hunting camp helps prepare paramedics and EMS personnel on what to do in an emergency situation when a hunter falls off a tree stand from an allergic reaction, has a heart attack in the middle of the woods, or gets shot while hunting. Though the competition is meant as a learning tool for first responders, it directs our attention to how dangerous of a sport that hunting can be.

Between 2007 and 2008, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission reported 36 hunting accidents, 8 of which were fatal. There had only been one other year since 1990 that as many as 8 fatalities had been reported in a single hunting season.

Injuries and deaths were spread out in several different counties but Harnett and Moore counties were the only two which reported more than 2 hunting accidents in that time period. Several of the accidents were caused by a hunter falling out of a tree stand and for failing to use a safety belt. Other accidents were caused by careless handling of firearms, stumble or fall, faulty equipment or a victim being mistaken for game or moving into the line of fire.

The most fatal and non-fatal accidents occurred while deer hunting. The two most dangerous times of the day for hunting accidents in those years were 6 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., with 12 reported accidents occurring during each time period. The age groups injured the most in accidents were 20-29 year-olds followed by 40-49 year-olds.

In those two years, 22 percent of hunting accidents were caused by a shooter in violation of the law at the time of the accident. This could be in large part because only 32 percent of hunters had taken a hunter education course. It is vital for hunters to be trained and educated in order to reduce the number of accidents that occur each year. For the most updated hunting regulations effective August 1, 2011 to July 31, 2012, visit NC Wildlife Resources Commission online.
Hunting Safety Tips:

• Always hunt with a friend and let someone know where you will be hunting.


• Inspect hunting equipment before and after each hunting expedition.


• Wear a blaze orange hat or coat to ensure visibility for other hunters. Also dress appropriately to prevent hypothermia.


• Before shooting, identify your target.


• Always use haul lines and safety belts in tree stands.


• Never run with your finger on the trigger. Keep gun unloaded and safety lock on when gun is not being used.


• Never set up for target practice in a residential area.

Continue reading "Hunting Accidents in Hickory, Statesville an Autumn Danger for All North Carolina Residents" »

At last check, Hurricane Irene was less than 400 miles away from the coast of North Carolina. This information is from CNNand was recorded at 8:00 a.m. ET. on Friday.

Although the storm is still a ways away from our state, tropical storm-force winds are only about 100 miles from our coast. We can expect to start feeling the effects of this storm by late tomorrow morning or early afternoon. Residents are urged to bunker down now and prepare themselves and their family properly to help avoid property damage or personal injury in North Carolina.

"The timing is such that tonight into Saturday will be the worst for North Carolina and the Virginia Tidewater, Saturday into Sunday for the Delmarva (peninsula) and the eastern part of New Jersey, and then all day Sunday for New England," said Bill Read, the Director of the National Hurricane Center.

Our North Carolina personal injury attorney encourage all resident prepare for the storm. Gather emergency supplies and prepare your homes before the storm hits our coast. Don't wait until the last minute. Keep safety as a top priority for you and your family.

Resident should gather a hurricane safety kit, including:

-Bottled water.

-Flashlights.

-Insurance documents.

-Toilet paper.

-Blankets and sleeping bags.

-Batteries.

-Weather radio or a portable radio.

-Extra money.

-Identification.

-Antiseptic spray.

-Medications.

-Non-perishable food items.

-Pet food, if needed.

-Baby formula, if needed.

-Bandages and other first aid kit items.

-Eye glasses, contacts and other eyecare products.

Once you've gathered all of the necessary items, you're urged to pack them in a waterproof duffle bag or even a covered trash can. Keep all medications and important first-aid items in a plastic baggie.

Irene is currently a Category 2 hurricane and is heading northward from the Bahamas. It's expected to run along Florida's coast, right by Georgia and then through South Carolina. Tens of millions of people could be affected.

A number of cities along the East Coast of the country have already been ordered to evacuate and a number of airlines have already started to cancel flights that would put them in danger. More flights are expected to be canceled.

"Everybody should take this very seriously," said North Carolina Gov. Beverly Perdue,

A number of counties in South Carolina that are east of I-95 have already declared a state of emergency.

The Hurricane Center reports that the state could face rising water levels as much as 5 - 10 feet because of a storm surge.

We ask that all residents please be safe and prepared for Hurricane Irene. With the proper safety precautions we can all help to prevent serious injury. Please be safe through the next couple of days.

Continue reading "Residents in North Carolina Asked to Prepare for Hurricane Irene" »

Slated to start in October, a reformed medical malpractice bill could discourage North Carolina lawyers from taking on those kinds of cases, says an article in the Star News.

Some think a drastic increase in malpractice filings could occur prior to the October start date. The reformed law puts a $500,000 limit on certain types of compensation that a person can be awarded.

Our personal injury lawyers in Gastonia think this law is completely unfair considering many long-term injuries exceed well over the capped amount when all is said and done. Though big business interests failed in passing caps on workers compensation, they succeeded in passing them on medical malpractice claims. Studies have shown less than 10 percent of the cost of medical care has anything to do with malpractice claims - or less than 1 year of increased premiums. Meanwhile, an estimated 100,000 people a year died due to medical error - three times more than die in car accidents.

Supporters of the bill say the changes will decrease the cost of medical insurance and boost the economy. There will be no limit on the amount paid for suffering and pain if two of the following conditions happen: disfigurement occurs, functioning of any part of the body is lost or is permanently damaged or if a person dies and actions of the defendant were negligent or reckless.

A representative for the North Carolina Advocates for Justice, an organization of lawyers that help defend individual rights, said it is likely that lawyers will take on less medical malpractice cases. The malpractice bill was vetoed by Governor Beverly Perdue but policymakers later overrode the veto.

It is likely the bill will have legal confrontations on its constitutionality. Supreme Courts in Illinois and Georgia have already dismissed laws that put a cap on compensations. The same could happen in North Carolina, though it is not expected any time soon.

First, the case would have to be filed after October 1. A malpractice case can take as long as 2 years to go to trial. Then, a person would have to be awarded damages over the cap. Following that, the appeals process would start. Recently, a past Supreme Court Chief told policymakers he felt a law putting a cap on damages awarded by juries would be unconstitutional.

Several local attorneys are watching to see if there is a change in the amount of malpractice cases after the new law. North Carolina Advocates for Justice looked at statistics from 1998 to present day on the quantity of malpractice cases that have been filed.

Their research concluded that the amount of cases has decreased in recent years. Medical malpractice declined over 19 percent from 2008 to 2010. There were only 7 cases in New Hanover County since 1998 that had jury trials and only 2 of the cases were successful with damages awarded of $25,000 and $10,000.

Continue reading "Legislation Would Limit Compensation on North Carolina Malpractice Claims, Leaving Victims to Pay Out-Of-Pocket" »

A fatal fall from the Ferris wheel at the Greensboro Youth Council Carnival marked the first North Carolina carnival injury in nearly 10 years, according to News & Record.

Investigators have so far revealed that the accident injured one other worker. A malfunctioning cable is suspected to have caused the accident, according to Greensboro police Cpl. Mike Matthews.

Our North Carolina personal injury attorneys understand that these entertaining attractions can be dangerous for both workers and visitors. Injuries often result from carnival visits as there are dangers lurking around every corner. Rides are put together and taken apart in a matter of hours, while wires and cords line the ground to power the music and lights.

The fall reportedly happened a short time before 2 a.m. in the Greensboro Coliseum's parking lot. The two men were at different ends of the ride they were dismantling.

Both workers involved in the accident were taken to Moses Cone Hospital. One worker was pronounced dead at the hospital, and the other remains in critical condition.

After the accident, workers were required to answer questions from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and police investigators.

The Greensboro Youth Council Carnival attracts roughly 50,000 visitors each year and offers about 25 different rides. Last weekend markedthe carnival's sixth annual event.

The Ferris wheel was built in 1965. It is the only reproduction made of the Seattle Wheel, which was built when the city hosted the 1962 World Fair. The Ferris wheel is 90 feet tall and has 16 separate buckets. It was reported to have been renovated in the late 1990s. It has been in operation and on the road since June 2000.

In North Carolina, the rides of traveling amusement parks are required to be inspected by the state Department of Labor's Elevator and Amusement Device Bureau every time they are put together and set up for use.

OSHA hasn't had to issue any citations to the company since 1972, which was the first year citations were tracked, according Neal O'Briant, spokesman for the Department of Labor's OSHA division.

The carnival is now headed to Roanoke, Va., for a fair that starts Wednesday evening.

We recognize the summer months are popular for these entertaining attractions, but all fair-goers are urged to practice caution.

Continue reading "One person killed, another injured, after fall from Greensboro carnival ride" »

Cruising is a popular choice for vacationers looking to slip away to a tropical destination while enjoying some fun in the sun. Charlotte personal injury lawyers understand the attraction of cruise ships but want to remind tourists that there can also be some danger involved in these kinds of trips. If you suffer from a cruise ship accident exercise your rights by contacting an experienced personal injury law firm immediately to determine the right course of action.

The cruise industry is booming and cities are finding it an opportunity to grow economically. CBS News reports that historic Charleston is looking to cash in on economic growth and multiple job opportunities by proposing a $25 million cruise terminal on the coast of South Carolina. Opposition suggests that the plan to build a new terminal will bring a tremendous amount of unwanted traffic, noise, and congestion to the area. Supporters see dollar signs as the major benefit, suggesting an $18 billion growth in the community from the tourism industry.

Cruise ship terminals may be good for the economy but cruise ships themselves need to be researched thoroughly before you plan your next tropical trip. Most of us probably think our only danger on a cruise ship is keeping the boat afloat or colliding with another ship; both are highly unlikely considering today's technology.

However, there are other dangers to consider in which the tour boat has a responsibility to keep patrons safe and free from harm. Slip and fall accidents are a common cause of injury on cruise ships. Wet floors and spilled food or beverages can lead to serious injury. Cruise ships offer a variety of water slides, wave pools, and swimming pools.

The ship should always have a life guard on duty to avoid head injuries or drowning accidents. Food illnesses are a common concern for vacationers because they can often lead to gastrointestinal infections, or salmonella poisoning which all require medical attention. Cruise ships should have security posted throughout the boat and emergency plans for an overboard emergency.

If you have a concern about contracting an illness on a cruise ship, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention conducts surprise inspections through a vessel sanitation program in assisting the cruise ship industry to provide a healthy environment to all of its patrons. Click to view the CDC Green Sheet Report before you make arrangements for your next cruise.

Continue reading "Tourists' injuries and illnesses a risk on cruise ships departing from North or South Carolina" »

As we enter the final shopping days before Christmas, shoppers are at increased risk of mall accidents in North Carolina as retailers continue to advertise heavy discounts and customers flock to crowded stores in cold, wet and snowy weather.

As we reported recently on our North Carolina Personal Injury Lawyers Blog, shoppers are at high risk of parking lot accidents through the holiday season. And our North Carolina Workers Compensation Lawyers Blog even reported a warning that was issued by the government, reminding retailers of their responsibility for the safety of employees and guests.

Business owners must work to reduce the risk of premise liability accidents in North Carolina through the remainder of the holiday shopping season.

North Carolina premise liability cases include:

-Slip and fall accidents

-Elevator and escalator accidents

-Wet floors

-Uneven sidewalks or parking lots

-Faulty railings or stairs

-Merchandise falling from high shelves

-Evacuation injuries

-Negligent security

-Assault on business property.

Business and property owners must work to clear ice and snow from their properties and make sure stairwells, parking lots and other areas are well maintained. When someone is injured because of a negligent condition on business property, the victim should be compensated for the injuries that result.

Continue reading "North Carolina mall accidents a holiday danger" »

The New York Times is reporting that a study of hospital errors in North Carolina found that 1 in 6 patients are harmed by the medical staff charged with their care.

Our North Carolina personal injury lawyers and wrongful death attorneys urge patients and families to consult with a law firm experienced in handling medical malpractice claims in instances where a patient is harmed or suffers a fatal injury or illness while under hospital care.

The study, conducted at 10 hospitals in North Carolina, found that injuries did not decrease over time, despite safety programs put in place after a landmark study in 1999 found that medical error caused an estimated 98,000 deaths and more than 1 million injuries each year in the United States. Ironically, North Carolina was chosen because the state has done a better job than most of incorporating such safety training.

The most common North Carolina hospital injuries included:

-Complications of prescribed medication or drug therapy.

-Hospital-acquired infections.

-Severe bleeding during operations.

-Breathing problems due to procedural error.

-Falls.

-Vaginal cuts during child birth.

In 63.1 percent of the cases, the accidents were judged to be preventable. A report issued by the government in 2008 came to a similar conclusion: 15,000 Medicaid patients died in one month due to preventable medical error. In all, 13.5 percent of patients were harmed.

Continue reading "1 in 6 patients injured by hospital error in North Carolina " »