Oil Rig Disasters Are One of Many Causes of Offshore Worker Injuries and Fatalities, Per Maritime Lawyer

The May 28 tragic crash of a helicopter used for transporting offshore workers to drilling rigs and oil production platforms is a case in point that not all maritime offshore worker seamen injuries happen on offshore vessels or structures.

Because production platform rig explosions usually get the most media attention, the general public might not know that there are many other causes of offshore worker injuries, and getting from the shore to offshore job site is one of them. And since offshore workers do a lot of traveling between their offshore work location and land, there are many dangers of maritime worker transport injuries. Seamen employees often have to be transported by a crane carrying a personnel transfer basket or via helicopter onto various worksites, and many things can go wrong out at sea, including airborne equipment failure.

Maritime injury lawyers William Gee III, who provides Louisiana and the Gulf Coast with aggressive legal representation in offshore and maritime law cases, has seen countless offshore worker injuries that occurred during travel across the Gulf to offshore structures.

Personnel basket transfers are especially hazardous, as they involve crane operation and present a high risk of offshore worker injury due to potential mechanical problems, operator inexperience, bad weather or poor visibility. An offshore worker may use a personnel basket to be transferred to and from a crew boat onto a submersible, semi-submersible, jack-up, inland barge, drill ship, barge, dredge or other maritime work structure in the Gulf of Mexico.

Offshore employers must therefore do all they can to protect offshore and maritime workers not only from oil drilling rig disasters and production platform accidents but from offshore accident injuries that maritime workers sustain on the way to their job or when going ashore.

The recent offshore helicopter crash caused one death at sea, which was that of the pilot. The Associated Press article, which appeared in the Miami Herald, said a Coast Guard news release reported that divers from the Ocean Inspector vessel had discovered the pilot inside the helicopter cockpit. Though the pilot’s fatal Gulf accident was a tragic loss, thankfully there were no other helicopter passengers or offshore workers on board at the time of the wreck. Only a few years ago in 2009, however, nine people were killed on their way to an offshore oil platform in the Gulf of Mexico. The event was a warning to all offshore and maritime workers that they take great risks the moment they board a boat or helicopter on their way to work.

Offshore workers need to know that they have rights to legal recourse and compensation, even if they are injured on the way to or from their offshore job. If a maritime worker is injured due to negligence of a third party who is not the offshore worker’s employer, federal maritime law usually provides the rules of law and remedies. In offshore transport accidents, such as a case of a defective transfer basket, mechanical crane failure, faulty helicopter, negligent crane operator or reckless helicopter pilot, maritime tort could apply.

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Fatalities from injury gets examined in new report

Massachusetts has the third lowest rate of injury death in the country, according to a new study. A new report titled “The Facts Hurt: A State-By-State Injury Prevention Policy Report” examines key indicators of steps states can take to prevent injuries. See Massachusetts Personal Injury Attorneys Injuries may be linked to Massachusetts car accidents or motorcycle crashes in Massachusetts.

The report, released by the Trust for America’s Health (TFAH) and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), concludes that millions of injuries could be prevented each year if more states took action such as adopting additional research-based injury prevention policies. The report also recommends fully implementing and enforcing programs.

While the average score for states is 5 out of 10, Massachusetts received a 7 out of 10 score (with zero being the lowest and 10 being the highest possible score). Only New York and New Jersey have lower injury death rates in the nation.

Injury prevention strategies include requiring bicycle helmets for all children and helmets for all bicycle riders. Some states require mandatory ignition interlocks for convicted drunk drivers. Seat belt laws also are recommended for injury prevention.

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Accidental death from injury report urges states to take action Moundsville WV

West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Ohio scored five or lower on a set of 10 key indicators of steps states can take to prevent injuries, according to new report examining injury deaths in the United States.

The report released by the Trust for America’s Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation examines what states do in terms of injury prevention. This includes policies on seatbelt use, bike helmets and drunk driving.

At Recht Law Offices, our personal injury lawyers Ohio closely follow injury trends to assist in representing clients. The accident lawyer Pennsylvania aggressively represent people injured due to negligence. We have seen first hand the devastating impact of serious injuries and deaths as a result of the reckless actions of individuals and businesses. Accidental injury is the fifth-leading cause of death in the United States, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

According to the new injury report, West Virginia and Pennsylvania received a 5 out of 10 score on a list of injury prevention policies. Ohio ranked last in the nation with a score of two out of 10.

Researchers found that Ohio has an annual accidental injury-death rate of 55.9 per 100,000 people; West Virginia’s rate is 88.2; Pennsylvania’s rate is 59.4. The national average is 57.9 deaths due to injury per 100,000 people.

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Road deaths on the decline, report shows New Mexico

As an Albuquerque NM Auto accident lawyer, Whitney Buchanan understands the traumatic impact of car accidents. A serious car wreck in Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Rio Rancho or elsewhere in New Mexico can lead to severe injuries and even death. Attorney Buchanan has represented families and individuals who were harmed through no fault of their own.

A recent report about a decline in the number of car accident fatalities is welcome news for us at the Law Offices of Whitney Buchanan, P.C. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2011 experienced the lowest number of deaths on roadways since 1949. The NHTSA reported that 32,310 people died in road accidents in 2011, a drop of 375 deaths from 2010.

According to a news report in The Washington Post, 2011 was the sixth consecutive year of decline since 2005, when there were 43,510 deaths. The reasons for the decline in car accident deaths range from high seat belt use and safer cars to safer roads, according to an official from the Governors Highway Safety Association who was quoted in the Post article.

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Breaking News Hotel Workplace Injuries More Common Than In Many Other Jobs

Working in a hotel can be a challenging job, as staffers scramble to keep guests happy. Hotel work has its rewards for those who like to stay busy on the job and meet individuals from all walks of life.

The hotel industry, however, can pose serious risks for workers. Hotel workers actually have an injury rate 25 percent higher than all service workers, according to studies. And while some hotels may appear glamorous to visitors, the work can be gritty. If you or someone you know was injured at a hotel, talk to a workers’ compensation lawyer. Most on-the-job injury attorneys provide free consultations. See: Workers Compensation Lawyers

Housekeepers experience the most on-the-job hotel injuries, according to a study published recently in The American Journal of Industrial Medicine.

Most housekeepers are women, and research shows they are 50 percent more likely to be injured than men who work at hotels. Researchers even found that Latina women are twice as likely to be injured compared to white women working as housekeepers.

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Legal News Slip And Fall Accident The Store Said It Is My Fault What Should I Do Kansas City

After a slip and fall or trip and fall accident, you may feel you have nowhere to turn. You may be confused, frustrated, in pain and wondering who is going to pay your medical bills. You probably have questions such as, “Is it really my fault?” An experienced Kansas City slip and fall accident attorney can help determine whether the store owner was negligent and whether you have a good case. There are a number of issues that have to be considered when evaluating a potential slip and fall claim, such as was the property maintained properly, was there a dangerous condition, did the property owner owe you a duty, were you injured, and more.

Following a slip and fall at a store, you should be sure to:

  • Get contact information for any and all witnesses;
  • Request an ambulance if needed;
  • Seek immediate medical treatment;
  • Ask the store owner for their insurance information;
  • If your phone has video, take video of the entire area where you fell. This can be very helpful because if no warning sign was out, the video can show that if taken full circle of the entire area. If your phone does not have video capability, take pictures of the location where you fell, especially if there is water or some other substance on the floor;
  • File an incident report with the store and ask for a copy; and
  • Do not give a recorded statement to the insurance company and do not sign any authorizations or releases before talking to an attorney.

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Michigan Medical Malpractice Legislation Concerns Parents of Class Action Misdiagnosis Victims

Legislation recently introduced by several Michigan Senators has outraged parents of children who are alleged to have been injured by Dearborn neurologist, Dr. Yasser Awaad. Mothers, fathers and attorneys alike are worried that the bill will make it easy for doctors to get away with medical malpractice injuries, as it limits physician liability for damages. Any parent with a child injured by medical malpractice-whether birth injuries, failure to diagnose and properly treat medical emergencies, surgical mistakes or errors with medication or treatment-trusts that the law will protect their ability to seek compensation. However, there are many reasons a parent may have to file a Michigan medical malpractice lawsuit.

In the case of Dr. Awaad, hundreds of parents have accused him of misdiagnosing their children with a serious medical condition, epilepsy, and prescribing dangerous medications. A WXYZ Action News story interviewed some of the parents who believe that Dr. Awaad made an incorrect medical diagnosis and mistakenly gave their child dangerous drugs.

For Detroit, Michigan personal injury lawyers, Goodman Acker, medical malpractice cases in Michigan require constant awareness of any new laws pertaining to doctor negligence and injured medical patients. They know that the rights of kids injured by Doctor Awaad could be jeopardized if this medical malpractice legislation passes.

According to the WXYZ report, Marie Woolen is one of many parents who believe the heavy medication their kids were prescribed caused physical and psychological damage. “It’s been devastating,” said Woolen of her son’s situation. “My hopes and dreams have been shattered. He can’t be a doctor, he can’t be a lawyer.his memory is completely distorted.”

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How to reduce your risk of injury or death in an accident? Wear a seat belt!

Seat belts save lives. It’s not just an empty slogan. The Missouri Department of Transportation has startling facts about the link between fatalities and the failure to wear seat belts: Seven out of 10 Missourians killed in traffic crashes in 2011 were unbuckled, and three out of four teens killed in 2011 traffic crashes were not wearing a seat belt. Only 67 percent of Missouri teens (13-19) wear seat belts.

As Missourians killed in traffic crashes in 2011 , we have seen the devastating effects caused by not wearing a seat belt. The proper use of seat belts reduces the risk of serious injuries and even death. In Missouri, 79 percent of the citizens wear seat belts, but the state’s seat belt usage rage is well below the national average of 85 percent.

The Missouri Highway Patrol, Department of Transportation and local law enforcement are cracking down on wearing seatbelts from May 21 – June 3 with their “Click It or Ticket” campaign.

While it’s frustrating to be handed a fine for not being buckled up, the risks of not wearing a seat belt are just too great to ignore the law. In 2011, 784 Missourians were killed in traffic crashes. If everyone were buckled up, the number of deaths likely would be lower.

As of May 6, 2012, there were 255 traffic fatalities in Missouri, an increase of 22 percent when compared to roughly the same time period in 2011 (208 fatalities).

The good news is that Missouri car accident deaths have dropped 37.6 percent since 2005. But Missouri traffic fatality statistics reveal much work is needed to drive the numbers down even further.

In Missouri, 30 percent of traffic deaths involve an impaired driver. The leading causes of car accidents include speeding, driving under the influence and inattention.

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Breaking News Law Offices of James Scott Farrin announces its sponsorship of Running of the Bulls in North Carolina

The Law Offices of James Scott Farrin is pleased to announce its sponsorship of the Fourth Annual Running of the Bulls 8K, Durham’s premiere community road race and USA Track & Field NC Championship, on Saturday, June 2, in Durham, North Carolina.

Running of the Bulls is an 8 kilometer race – equivalent to 4.97 miles – that will wind its way through the historic downtown area of Durham, North Carolina. The race will start at 7:15 a.m. on Foster Street, close to the Durham Farmer’s Market and the YMCA. During the course of the race, runners will be able to get a glimpse of the different neighborhoods and cultural hotspots around Durham, including the American Tobacco campus, home to the Law Offices of James Scott Farrin. The race will conclude with a lap around the track at Old Durham Athletic Park.

The race will conclude with an awards ceremony at 9:15 at the Durham Athletic Park.

Running of the Bulls 8K is currently open for registration. The registration fee is $35.00 per runner and will close on May 31. Runners will be able to register on the day of the race for $40 per person if any spots remain.

The race is directed by Bull City Running Co. and proceeds from this year’s race will benefit Sustain-a-Bull and other local charities.

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About the Firm:
The Law Offices of James Scott Farrin a car accident attorney Rocky Mount Nc is headquartered in the American Tobacco Historic District, adjacent to the Durham Bulls Athletic Park, in Durham, North Carolina, with 12 additional offices statewide in Charlotte, Fayetteville, Greensboro, Greenville, Goldsboro, Henderson, New Bern, Raleigh, Roanoke Rapids, Rocky Mount, Sanford and Wilson. The firm’s 28 attorneys focus on the following practice areas: Personal Injury, Workers’ Compensation, Social Security Disability, Bankruptcy, Intellectual Property, Civil Rights, Mass Torts and Products Liability. Three of the attorneys are North Carolina Board Certified Specialists in Workers’ Compensation Law, one is a North Carolina Board Certified Specialist in Social Security Disability Law and one is a North Carolina Board Certified Specialist in Business and Consumer Bankruptcy Law. The Law Offices of James Scott Farrin is involved in the community, including sponsorship of local philanthropic organizations and an active employee matching donation program.

Drivers Show Disconnect in Attitudes about Distracted Driving New Bern C News

How many times have you been cut off in traffic, or watched another driver run a stop sign, only to notice that the driver was talking on a cell phone?

How many times have you yourself started to veer toward other cars when you stumbled to reach your cell phone or tried to respond to a friend’s text?

Most drivers recognize that cell phones are a distraction that can be dangerous on the road. Yet few drivers want to give up the convenience of ‘talking or texting while theyre driving.

An article in USA Today reports that the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that 94 percent of drivers think that texting while driving is a “serious threat” to safety and that 87 percent of drivers are in favor of texting bans. However, more than a third of drivers also admitted to reading texts or e-mail while driving, and nearly 70 percent said that they talk on their cell phones while driving.

Cell Phones and Safe Driving

Data about the dangers of texting or talking on a cell phone while driving is unclear. While the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that cell phones were a factor in about 13 percent of fatal crashes See: car accident lawyer Fayetteville North Carolina last year, officials note that reporting is unreliable. Drivers are not likely to report that they were engaging in risky behavior while driving, such as talking on a cell phone or texting, especially if those behaviors have been banned in that region.

USA Today reports that the National Transportation Safety Board called on states in December to ban handheld and hands-free cell phone use while driving.

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