Except for New Hampshire, every U.S. state has laws that require most drivers and other front-seat occupants to wear a seat belt. Louisiana, like many other states, also has laws that require seat belt use in the back seat. These laws apply to those over the age of 9, with few exceptions. Children under age …
Pharmacists must complete years of training before they can enter their profession. Unfortunately, prescription errors still happen – and they kill 7,000 people each year. Patients who are lucky enough to survive often suffer physical or cognitive problems due to adverse side effects and drug interactions. Although there are several factors that can lead to …
Toy manufacturers are constantly experimenting with new products to increase their sales and profits. Unfortunately, a minor defect can transform a child’s toy into a deadly hazard. If a toy defect caused an injury to your child, then you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills and other damages from the toy’s designer, manufacturer …
Letting your children walk to school is a great way to teach them responsibility. Before you let them commute alone, though, make sure they understand pedestrian safety etiquette. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4,735 pedestrians died in traffic accidents in the United States in 2013, and thousands more received treatment for …
Riding a motorcycle certainly has its benefits. Lower gas prices, easier parking, a thrilling way to skirt traffic – it’s no wonder why there are more than 115,000 registered motorcycles in Alabama alone. Unfortunately, a motorcycle accident is likely to end with injuries. According to the Insurance Information Institute, 9 in 100,000 passenger vehicles were …
Neck and back injuries can have severe, life-altering consequences. Although there are several causes of spinal cord trauma, most of these injuries happen in car accidents. According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center, an estimated 282,000 people in the United States are currently living with spinal cord trauma. Many of them require ongoing …
We all need the help of a qualified, experienced doctor at some point – and when we do, we expect only the best in modern medical care. Unfortunately, many doctors have demanding schedules and constantly changing patient lists. These and other factors can lead to medical errors, which often have devastating or even fatal consequences. …
According to a 2012 study cited by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2.5 percent of motorists in Louisiana admitted to driving after consuming too much alcohol in the last 30 days – the eighth highest rate in the nation. Encountering an intoxicated driver could have terrible consequences. Mothers Against Drunk Driving reports that …
A three-vehicle crash on U.S. 61 that left one man dead has resulted in the arrest of the dump truck driver who allegedly caused the wreck. According to WBRZ2, 26-year-old Deante Dixon now faces charges related to failure to stop at a stop sign and negligent homicide. The crash happened at the intersection of U.S. …
You may have heard horror stories about botched surgeries, prescription errors and birth injuries, and many people assume that these mistakes are exceedingly rare. However, a recent study from Johns Hopkins University shows that medical errors are the third leading cause of death in the United States. JHU researchers discovered that more than 700 people …
Most people feel perfectly safe when they use household products, but a small defect can transform a seemingly benign item into an injury hazard. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, an alarming number of injuries happen every year due to defective furniture and décor, kitchen appliances, children’s equipment, and other goods we interact with …
Car accident injuries can be exorbitantly expensive to treat – especially after high-speed wrecks. Unfortunately, recovering fair compensation after a collision is a legally complicated process. Even if liability and negligence seem obvious, the at-fault party might deny liability, or the insurance company may undervalue or deny your claim. For this reason, all drivers should …
Three adults and one child were hospitalized with injuries after an obstacle collapsed during the 5K Warrior Dash race near Baton Rouge. According to CBS News, investigators believe the cause of the accident was inadequate bracing of the 50-foot framed structure. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning said that the “Diesel Dome” obstacle, which was holding …
Three pedestrians died when a tow truck left the road and crashed into them, reports WWLTV. The accident happened at the intersection of South Carrollton and Tulane Avenues just before 5 p.m. Another pedestrian and the tow truck driver sustained injuries and were transported to the hospital. The accident also caused damage to multiple parked vehicles …
If you’re like most adults, then you spend plenty of time behind the wheel of a car. That familiarity can easily lead to complacency, but accidents are far more common than many people realize. In 2014, an estimated 2.34 million people in the United States sustained injuries in motor-vehicle wrecks, according to the National Highway …
Most drivers feel drowsy behind the wheel from time to time. Unfortunately, making a habit out of driving while fatigued can have severe and even deadly consequences. In 2013, drowsiness contributed to an estimated 72,000 crashes and 44,000 injuries, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Up to 800 people died in those wrecks. …
It’s no secret that car accidents can cause debilitating injuries that range from broken bones to paralysis. Although physical wounds are often easy to identify, many victims also endure psychological trauma that affects their careers, relationships, and enjoyment in life. According to a report from the American Psychological Association (APA), car accidents are the leading …
Nursing home residents and their loved ones expect long-term care facilities to provide reliable care in a safe environment. Sadly, many nursing homes provide substandard care, which often causes medical complications, social isolation and even death. Every year, elder abuse affects up to 2 million Americans aged 65 years and older, according to a study …
Although the average American spends more time behind the wheel during the day than at night, nearly half of all accidents happen after sunset, according to Forbes. With lower visibility and more drunk motorists on the road, the risk of crashing is much higher at night. On Halloween, these dangers will be compounded by the …
Recent headlines in Louisiana are putting slip and fall accidents in the spotlight. On October 18, the Louisiana Record reported that a man has filed a lawsuit against Petsmart Inc. after he allegedly slipped and fell on water that had spilled from a fish tank. According to the suit, the victim injured his head, neck …
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, workers’ compensation protects employees in the United States from financial hardship in the event of a job-related injury by providing them with benefits such as: Wage replacement while they are out of work Medical treatment for their injuries Vocational training if they need to find another job Unfortunately, …
Most drivers are fastidious about safety. They never drive under the influence, engage in distracted behavior or break traffic laws. Unfortunately, there are some hazards that are out of your control. It’s no secret that snow and sleet increase the risk of crashing. What you may not know, however, is that rain is the deadliest …
A crash on U.S. 80 between a Mack tractor-trailer and a 2013 Ford pickup caused the death of 60-year-old Dallas Hamilton. Hamilton was driving the Ford. The tractor-trailer driver did not sustain injuries. According to WRBL, the semi-truck caught fire after the collision. Emergency responders blocked U.S. 80 while they attended the scene. How Common …
Auto part defects, poor weather, distractions—there are countless factors that can cause an accident. However, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the vast majority of collisions involve human errors. The NHTSA groups all driver errors into four categories: Recognition errors, such as taking your eyes off the road; Decision errors, such as speeding; …
A crash involving an Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office inmate transport van and an 18 wheeler left five people injured, including one deputy and four inmates. According to Myarklamiss.com, the accident happened in Monroe near Millhaven Road and I-20. Law enforcement officials reported that the semi-truck rear-ended the transport van. All five victims were transported to …
The tires are the only points of contact that a truck has with the road, so a tire defect could have serious repercussions. According to The Large Truck Crash Causation Study, vehicle defects contribute to 10 percent of all truck crashes. Unfortunately, the occupants of passenger vehicles tend to suffer the worst of the impact …
Riding a motorcycle is an invigorating way to reduce fuel costs and have fun, but it can also be dangerous — especially in wet weather. According to a study conducted by Monash University, nearly 1 in 10 motorcycle accidents occur in wet weather, so it’s best if you do not ride at all in the …
It is an unfortunate fact that holidays tend to be the most dangerous times for drivers and pedestrians. According to USA Today, Halloween is the deadliest day of the year for young pedestrians. More than 110 pedestrians aged 18 and younger died on October 31 between 1990 and 2010. If your child plans to trick-or-treat, …
If you were in a serious accident and suffered obvious injuries, then the decision to visit a doctor is a no-brainer. But what if the crash was minor? Should you visit a doctor? The fact is that slow-speed accidents can cause severe injuries – and some wounds are difficult to detect. Also, the shock and …
Halloween is one of the most exciting nights of the year for young children. For many parents, though, this holiday is a source of immense stress as they worry about their children’s safety. That concern is certainly justified. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 in 5 children aged 14 and younger …
