Work Related Accidents – Advice On Safety In The Workplace

Many employers try to exonerate all blame for accidents at work away from themselves and their company.  It is true that workers themselves have a great deal of responsibility for their safety at work but ultimately responsibility is down to the employer. We try in the following few paragraphs to debunk some of the excuses and alibis used by employers as to why they are not at fault.

Alibi one – Accidents just happen

When questioned about preventing accidents in their workplace, many employers and managers take a laissez-faire attitude that ‘accidents just happen.’ While on very rare occasions there may be accidents that are completely unavoidable and impossible to see coming, the truth is that the vast majority are not just preventable but EASILY preventable. Work related accidents can be prevented if due diligence is followed, all possible risks are assessed and measures are taken to prevent them from happening. If they are not then employees may be able to make a work accident compensation claim through an accident at work solicitor.

Alibi two – Creating a completely safe workplace is impossible

The same argument that work related accidents are unavoidable is used when justifying an unsafe workplace. If all steps to make your workplace as safe as possible are followed then accidents rates WILL fall dramatically. The steps are set out by the health and safety executive and are more often then not, extremely simple to implement. Let us look at some examples. Making sure all items such as boxes have a storage place which is neat, tidy and away from the main areas people walk through is an effective way of preventing employees from tripping and slipping on items that are left in the wrong place. What is equally important though is making sure staff place the items in the correct areas provided for them.

Making do and putting up with an unsafe situation out of the belief that nothing better can be done is a lazy and short-sighted policy. For example, there have been a few cases in working kitchens where it was felt it was impossible to stop slips on the floor surface due to the impossibility of removing grease spillages effectively. It was later shown to them that a different mopping technique – where first a larger amount of water and detergent is left on the floor for a minute before being taken off with a dry mop – would greatly improve the removal of grease. This coupled with the introduction of anti-slip shoes for staff, drastically cut accident rates and prevented employees from using an accident at work solicitor against the company.

Alibi Three – Preventing work accidents is expensive and time-consuming

Other employers, while admitting that their workplaces can be made safer, argue that the cost and time of doing so makes no business sense for their company. They would rather take the risk of an accident happening and as such are gambling with their employees safety. Financially speaking, the gamble never pays off. The cost of doing nothing can greatly outweigh the cost of making the workplace safe. Just one accident can inflict costs that would have a huge impact on the company and the individual. There is not just the insurance cost rise from having to pay out a work related accidents compensation claim, there is the loss of productivity from the injured employee being off work for a significant period of time.  The injured employee would be entitled to a work accident compensation claim for the loss of wages he will suffer and the costs of dealing with his injuries.

The costs of making the workplace safe, compared to the above, are relatively low. Simple measures such as making sure hazards are highlighted with barriers and warning signs, and making sure staff are trained and properly informed are not expensive to apply.

A safe workplace is a happy workplace.

Article Source : Work Related Accidents – Advice On Safety In The Workplace : ArticleBase

Ashley Ainsworth
Ashley Ainsworth are professional personal injury solicitors with over 10 years experience.

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Insurance Are Companies Pre-Empting Injury Claims

Traffic accidents in the UK  are plentiful. Those injured and looking to file a traffic accident claim can find timely help from personal injury lawyers. These professionals can offer sound legal advice. Many offer free consultation. There is no catch, it just gives everyone time to assess the other to make sure that the lawyer is right for the injured and the case is something that the lawyer can take on.

UK has a large number of personal injury law firms to choose from, many companies boast of a long list of clients they’ve helped fight and process accident claims for.

If you’ve been in a traffic accident lately and you’re frustrated because you are not at fault then you may need to make a call and talk to a lawyer to see if you can get compensation for your injuries. Expect him to professionally give you honest and sound legal advice regarding your particular RTA claim case. After the consultation, you may choose to proceed in hiring the company’s legal services or try to find another company to consider. If you proceed with the claim, you will be assisted with the claims process so you can be sure that you are filing the right paperwork necessary.

You need to make sure that you get all the advice you can before making a decision to go forward with any criminal injury claim. You can decide to proceed with litigation or an out of court settlement after you have fully weighed your options and considered all the pros and cons.

The good thing about searching for claim solutions advice is that they are often free. Many companies offer free services especially free legal advice. Besides free evaluation and advice, many companies offer a no win no fee service. This service offer costs you nothing if you lose your claim. You are to pay only when you’ve been granted your personal injury claims. There are firms that don’t charge at all. They don’t ask for fees even if they’ve won you your case.

Find services from lawyers that specialize in RTAs. Assessment and advice must is very important in determining where you should go next. They must be experienced in handling traffic accidents, able to give clear and trustworthy claim solutions.

You also want to watch out for Insurance companies that insist that you make a quick settlement without enough time to consider all options. Some insurance companies will go as far as to recommend other lawyers who may not always act in the best interest of a client.

You may start your search for a claims company online. Many sites give ample information about service packages, fees, and company info. Online inquiry forms may be submitted electronically and if you get a prompt reply that is a good sign.  Go with a solicitor that will be there with you every step of the way, making the process easier for you. Lawyers may offer services that are available 24 hours a day, with staff that gives assistance whenever you need it.

An insurance company must be able to conduct a trustworthy assessment and evaluation of your injury. Medical tests will be conducted independently to ensure an accurate status of your injury. The company must be able to draw up an equitable settlement plan.  Try to avoid any settlements unless your lawyer strongly advises you to accept them.

Article Source : Insurance Are Companies Pre-Empting Injury Claims : ArticleBase

S Connell
This article has been submitted by Stephen Connell and written by Anita Choudhary on behalf of http://www.howdoiclaim.co.uk

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Thermoflect Recall

Thermoflect blankets and other Thermoflect products have been recalled by Encompass Group for relabeling because they may not be safe for use in the Magnetic Resonance (MR) environment, such as during Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). The Thermoflect recall was prompted by a report to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of an injury to an MRI patient. A Thermoflect blanket may or may not have caused the injury.

Thermoflect Products

Thermoflect blankets and other Thermoflect products are used in treating hypothermia. Hypothermia is dangerous lowering of core body temperature. Hypothermia can lead to many serious, acute health issues and complications when it happens in conjunction with other health events.

Thermoflect products help to maintain a patient’s core body temperature both by acting as a regular blanket in preventing heat loss to passing air, and by reflecting the heat coming off of the person’s body back to them. Thermoflect technology is based on NASA pioneered alternatives to electric means of preventing or treating hypothermia.

Thermoflect products do not conduct electricity and do not obstruct X-rays.

The Reason for the Thermoflect Recall

In the past, Encompass Group said that Thermoflect products were safe for use in the MR environment. It says that the product line may indeed be safe in the MR environment, but since an injury linked to the use of a Thermoflect blanket during MRI has been reported, they are going to re-label the products as inappropriate for use in the MR environment and have sent letters to hospitals, doctors, and others warning of the potential danger.

Encompass Group has conducted its own testing of the products, but the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) has not established a standard for testing the products. Encompass Groups says it will not promote Thermoflect products for use in the MR environment until the ASTM establishes a standard and the products are proven safe.

Encompass Groups says that Thermoflect products are still safe and effective for hypothermia treatment outside of the MR environment.

Article Source : Thermoflect Recall – Schlichter, Bogard & Denton : ArticleBase

Erich Shrefler
If you have been injured by a defective medical device or defective drug, please visit the website of Schlichter, Bogard & Denton, experienced defective drug attorneys serving clients nationwide.

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Automobile Accidents And Icy Roads

It is no secret that the rate of automobile accidents increases by substantial percentages when icy and snow-packed road conditions are present. Some of these accidents can be minor ones, with a small dent in the vehicle and some frazzled nerves of the drivers and passengers. Others, unfortunately, can end in serious injury or even death.

Types of Injuries – Icy Road Accidents

Two of the most serious types of injuries that can result from bad winter car accidents include traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury. Both of these injuries can have permanent, life-changing effects that forever alter a victim’s ability to think, eat, walk and work.

Types of Accidents Due to Icy Conditions

Some of the most common types of serious accidents that occur on icy roads include:

• · Read-end collisions
• · Rollover accidents
• · Accidents involving a tractor-trailer or other large truck
• · Collision with man-made objects, such as telephone poles or traffic medians
• · Pedestrian-automobile accidents

Why Ice and Snow are So Dangerous for Motorists

As most of us know, driving on ice means it will typically take you much longer to come to a stop than on a road clear of ice and snow. It is much easier to lose control of a vehicle on icy roads, and a car on a patch of ice will take several moments longer to move forward, if it can at all. (This is called a spin-out.) Traction is always an issue when driving on snow and ice.

Another hazard is the term “black ice,” which is nearly invisible to drivers. This is when ice forms over a surface without air bubbles and the ice becomes transparent, taking on the color of the surface below it.

Overconfident drivers can also be a problem. The advances in four-wheel and all-wheel drive technology can make drivers less cautious than they should be.

When another Party is Responsible

Automobile accidents in ice and snow are often the direct result of someone else’s negligence. Just a few examples of these types of situations include:

• Lack of warning signs on icy roads and bridges
• Inadequate use of road-safety treatments for ice and snow, such as magnesium chloride and sand
• Other automobile operator driving at unsafe speeds for conditions
• Debris left in the roadway
• Other accidents not cleared in a timely manner

Article Source : Automobile Accidents And Icy Roads : ArticleBase

Erich Shrefler
Virginia accident attorney, Virginia accident lawyer, Virginia attorney, Virginia auto accident attorney

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The FDA Approval Process

American consumers have access to some of the safest and most advanced pharmaceutical systems on the world. However, that system is not flawless.

Process Overview

The process of developing and testing a new drug is extensive. Once a company develops a drug, it undergoes more than three years of lab testing before an application is even made to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It then takes the FDA about eight years to complete its clinical testing. Because some patients who are terminally ill cannot wait that long for a drug, efforts are underway to reduce this lengthy approval time.

Pre-Clinical Research Stage

The first step is pre-clinical research, where the new drug is synthesized and purified. Animal tests are performed, and an institutional review board will assess these research findings and make a recommendation on how to proceed. If the recommendation is to move forward, the drug company will make an application to the FDA and clinical tests on human subjects will begin. Only one in every 1,000 or so compounds that enter laboratory testing will ever make it to the human testing phase.

Clinical Testing Phases

Phase 1 uses between 20 and 80 healthy volunteers or patients to establish a drug’s safety and profile. This step takes about one year and focuses on the drug’s:

• Structure-reactivity relationship
• Metabolism
• Mechanism of action
• Side effects

Phase 2 involves between 100 and 300 patient volunteers to assess the drug’s effectiveness. This step takes about two years, treating patients with a specific disease or condition. The studies in phase 2 are conducted on a larger scale, making it more effective for learning about short-term risks and side effects.

Phase 3 uses between 1,000 and 3,000 patients in clinics and hospitals. Test subjects are carefully monitored to determine the drug’s effectiveness and any other adverse reactions over a three year period.

The FDA Application

Following these clinical trials, the drug’s manufacturing company will submit an application to the FDA for final approval. This application can be up to 100,000 pages long, and take up to two-and-a-half years to be approved. Once the FDA approves the drug, it becomes available for prescription and public sale. The drug company must continue to monitor the drug and report any adverse reactions and other follow-up data to the FDA.

Problems with Clinical Testing

One major problem with clinical testing trials is that the long-term consequences of a drug cannot be evaluated. In an attempt to assess the long-term impact of new pharmaceuticals, drug companies are instructed to conduct post-marketing studies as a condition of FDA approval. However, few of these lucrative pharmaceutical companies take the post-marketing studies seriously because the FDA has little enforcement power once it approves a drug.

You Can Help the FDA Regulate Dangerous Drugs

The possibility of pharmaceutical injury is constantly increasing as hundreds of new pharmaceuticals and medical devices are approved each year.

Once the FDA approves a drug, it cannot force the drug company perform post-approval safety reviews. Because of this, consumers have the responsibility to watch their drugs and devices carefully to identify any adverse side effects or complications. By paying close attention, you can help get dangerous and defective drugs recalled and removed from the marketplace before they injure a significant number of consumers.

Article Source : The Cochran Firm – The Fda Approval Process : ArticleBase

Erich Shrefler
If you have been hurt by a defective drug, please visit the website for The Cochran Firm to learn more. We serve clients nationwide.

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Pharmacy Errors

Every time we as patients are given a medical prescription, we must put our trust in the pharmacy who is filling the prescription and in the healthcare provider who ordered the drug for us. We want to believe they are giving us the right prescription in the right dosage with the right instructions.

Unfortunately, pharmacy mistakes happen every day in the U.S. Some medical watchdog groups estimate that nearly one in every 55 prescriptions contains some type of error.

Some of the mistakes end with no apparent injury. Others can cause catastrophic injury to the patient, including permanent, traumatic brain injury. Some, sadly, even end in wrongful death. Research surveys have shown that more than 7,000 fatalities annually can be contributed to pharmacy errors.

Types of Pharmacy Errors

Pharmacy mistakes can happen at any point in the prescribing, filling and administering process used in the healthcare industry today. A few examples of the errors that can occur include:

• A doctor or other healthcare professional writing a prescription in the wrong dosage amount
• A doctor or other healthcare professional writing a prescription that counteracts with other medicines a patient is taking, with a patient’s known medical conditions or with a known allergy
• A pharmacy incorrectly filling a prescription with a different strength of medicine
• Incorrect labeling placed on a drug package
• Selection by the pharmacist of the wrong drug
• A failure by pharmacy staff to provide instructions on how to take the drug
• Switching prescriptions, giving the wrong drug to the wrong patient

Responsible Parties

Pharmaceutical mistakes are usually associated with pharmacists and pharmacy staff, but other professionals such as doctors, physician assistants, nurses, EMTs and nursing home staff, can be held accountable, as well, in some instances.

Are You At Risk?

National reports show that no one is truly safe from a pharmacy error; patients in both large cities and small rural communities are all at risk.

In fact, several national pharmacy chains, including ones that operate stores in the Washington, D.C. area, have been implicated in pharmacy error investigations, including a four-month study by ABC News’ 20/20 in 2007. (Those national chains included CVS/Pharmacy, Walgreens and Rite Aid, to name a few.)

Nearly 50 percent of fatal pharmacy errors happen to people over the age of 60, but people of all ages, including infants, have died as a result of a medication error, according to the National Coordinating Council for Medication Error Reporting and Prevention.

If you suspect you or someone you love is the victim of a pharmacy error, it is important to speak with an experienced medical malpractice attorney as soon as possible to discuss your case.

Article Source : Pharmacy Errors : ArticleBase

Erich Shrefler
For residents of the D.C. area, please visit the website of the Washington, D.C. medical malpractice lawyers at Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C.

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Settling Personal Injury Cases Versus Going To Trial

Personal injury cases can be a tricky business. Evidence provided by both sides will attempt to prove negligence on the other’s part, and ultimately the offer made will be a direct result of whose evidence is more compelling. Some cases are cut and dry, resulting in a fair settlement being offered right away; others may need to go to trial. In any case, having an experienced Cape Coral and Lee County personal injury attorney on your side will help relieve your burden, and ensure you get the settlement you deserve.

Settling a Personal Injury Suit

Like any lawsuit, there is a process to settling a personal injury case. The process for a personal injury suit is:

• Contacting a lawyer and filing your case. During this period, you will want to obtain experienced legal counsel, and have your claim filed with the courts. After your claim is filed, a period of time will be given to the party your suit is against to obtain their own legal counsel and gather evidence for the second stage.

• The discovery stage. During this part of the process, all medical documentation and witnesses for both parties will be presented to their attorneys. This gives each side’s counsel an opportunity to review the evidence and determine if there is a clear establishment of fault. The establishment of fault will directly impact which direction the third stage goes in.

• Settlement or trial. If fault can be clearly established, an offer will be made to the victim. If the offer is accepted, the case has been settled out of court. The offer can also be countered by the victim for a larger settlement. If the offer is countered and not accepted, or there is not a clear establishment of fault, the case will go to trial.

Settling Out of Court

It is almost always advantageous to settle your personal injury claim out of court. In fact, studies show that 61% of cases settled out of court result in larger monetary compensation for the victim. An experienced personal injury attorney will be able to gather and present the evidence for your case in a compelling enough way to keep your case out of court.

Article Source : Settling Personal Injury Cases Versus Going To Trial : ArticleBase

Erich Shrefler
If you need a personal injury attorney near Cape Coral and Lee County, Florida, please visit the website of Lusk, Drasites, Tolisano & Smith, P.A to see how an experienced personal injury lawyer can assist you in receiving what you are due.

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Love Hurts! – Some Jovial Advice From A Personal Injury And Accident Solicitors

As we approach Valentines Day on the 14th of this month, all our minds and hearts turn to love and romance.  But as the saying goes….love hurts! The following stories from the world of personal injury and accident solicitors go some way to prove that the old proverb is true. First up on our list of amorous accidents is the story of the Spanish actress who won a compensation claim after falling down steps in Jeremy Irons’ hotel suite. She described going to the suite because she “wanted to spend the night with Jeremy Irons,” but sadly only ended up with a broken pelvis and who knows maybe a broken heart too. Married man Jeremy Irons refutes any claim that he has ever cheated on his wife.

When newlywed couple Margaret and Russell Moore agreed to stay by each other “in sickness and in health,” they did not expect the sickness bit to come up – pardon the pun – so soon. The couple spent their honeymoon on a cruise around the Canary Islands, even postponing their reception to catch the liner immediately after the ceremony. Just two days into the voyage though, Russell was one of many people on board struck down by a serious sickness bug. It left him too weak to walk and ruined  all their honeymoon plans. The couples’ package holiday claims were successful on their return.

For one couple in Dundee, it wasn’t so much love that left a bad taste in the mouth as the wedding reception drinks! Bride Sheonagh Taylor wanted to spoil and thank the guests at her wedding reception by treating them to a glass of expensive champagne on arrival. She was left devastated however when they were instead served a glass of Lambrini each. The sparkling and low alcohol ‘wine style’ drink Lambrini can retail for as little as £1.35 per bottle, hardly the best way to give an air of wealth and class on your big day. The father of the bride later took the wedding venue to court for compensation and won.

As these tales of romantic woe show, love can often be a painful experience. Learn from these stories and hopefully you and your soulmate will enjoy the rest of your life together in peace and happiness. And if the course of true love doesn’t run smooth? Well in cases like the above, contact a personal injury and accident solicitors who can help you receive the compensation you are entitled too.

Article Source : Love Hurts! – Some Jovial Advice From A Personal Injury And Accident Solicitors : ArticleBase

Ashley Ainsworth are professional personal injury solicitors with over 10 years experience.

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What Is Personal Injury Law?

We’ve all seen many commercials that talk about “personal injury” lawyers.  You might be wondering what, exactly is personal injury law?  Basically, personal injury, also known as “Tort” law, protects you in case of accident or negligence.  This includes emotional, as well as physical harm, but does not include property damage.  The most common of these cases are traffic accidents, but personal injury also covers things like medical accidents, work accidents, wrongful death, tripping accidents, etc.; any time someone else’s negligence causes injury to you. This can be a person, manufacturer, company, government, or any other entity.

An example of a personal injury case would be if a reckless driver hits you at an intersection.  A doctor administering the wrong dosage of a medicine, or neglecting to provide proper treatment is another. Manufacturers and designers can be held liable if they make a product that is overly dangerous with reasonable use. To make sure you have a solid personal injury case, you should always consult a qualified lawyer.

If you decide to file a personal injury lawsuit, you are the plaintiff, and the other side becomes the defendant.  Lawyers for both sides will then have the “discovery.” They’ll ask everyone involved questions (take depositions) gather pertinent facts, and exchange information on the case.  At the end of this process, there will either be a settlement, or the case will go to court.  The settlement means that the defendant agrees to compensate the plaintiff without going to trial, allowing them to not fully admit any wrongdoing, and avoiding the cost and time of a trial.  Essentially, you would be accepting compensation in return for dropping the case and not holding the defendant liable in the future.

If no settlement agreement can be reached, the case goes to trial. Personal injury cases are tried in civil court, not criminal court, since it is assumed there was no intent to injure. Any court case can take time, so be patient with scheduling, etc. At court, it will be decided who is responsible or “liable” for the accident or injury.

A decision in your favor results in the judge and/or jury “awarding” you money for “damages.”  This is to compensate you for lost wages, medical bills, pain and suffering (both physical and mental) and for any disfigurement or disability the injury caused.  The compensation can come in a lump sum or in a structured settlement that is paid over a set period of time. Jail time for the defendant is not an option; remember this is a civil, not criminal, matter.

Finding a good lawyer is important to your process. While your insurance company may provide you with a lawyer, you should always look for yourself.  Find out from friends, family, or research someone who has a good reputation and reasonable fees.  All lawyers have to pass their state bar exam, and while not required; they can complete a personal injury specialty certificate through the American Bar Association.

There are several ways for lawyers to take payment. Some are paid on a contingency basis, meaning they are paid only upon winning your case.  There are also hourly rates, flat fees, and retainers. Many law firms will talk with you about your case the first visit for no charge.

A physical or mental injury can cause numerous problems for you and your family.  If you are involved in a significant accident or feel you have been a victim of negligence, you should consult a lawyer to find out if you need to file a personal injury lawsuit. Please do not take this lightly, there are lots frivolous suits that only serve to increase fees and take up the precious time of our nation’s courts. But if you need help, there are many honest, reliable lawyers out there that will guide you through the process and get you the compensation you need.

Article Source : What Is Personal Injury Law? : ArticleBase

Jill Manty

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What To Do After A Car Accident

No matter how responsibly you drive, the chance of you being in a car accident sometime in your driving career is very, very high because reports indicate that almost every single driver will be in some type of auto accident at some point in his life. Fortunately, most people are involved in less serious accidents, but there are those that are fatal. In fact, it is estimated that over 40,000 people die in car accidents in the United States every year; hundreds of thousands of drivers and passengers are injured. If you are injured in an auto accident, or if a loved one is killed in a car accident, an experienced personal injury attorney can be of great assistance.

The moments immediately following car accidents are extremely chaotic and traumatic; it is during these moments that critical mistakes can be made. If you are aware of the do’s and don’ts following a car accident, you may be better prepared should this unfortunate occurrence ever happen to you or your family.

The most important thing for you to remember is to never, ever admit fault in a car accident, even if it was your fault, actually. If you admit fault, you may severely affect the outcome of a personal injury case later should you decide to file suit. Of course, when the police arrive, you will be asked to read and then sign an accident report. You can do this, but do not sign anything else at the scene of the accident or at a later date unless advised to do so by an experienced auto accident lawyer.

Here are some more suggestions:

DO NOT:

• Leave the scene of the accident
• Refuse medical help
• Speak on the phone to any insurance company
• Confront other driver
• Give a statement to anyone other than police officer

DO:

• Call 911
• Accept medical treatment even though you may not feel injured
• Sign the police report only if it is accurate
• Take down information about witnesses (names, phone numbers, etc.)
• Take pictures if you have a camera
• Contact an experienced car accident attorney in your area

Article Source : What To Do After A Car Accident : ArticleBase

Erich Shrefler
If you live in the Chattanooga, Tennessee area and have been in a car accident, personal injury attorney, Gary Starnes, can help you as he has helped countless residents of Tennessee; please visit his website today.

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