Carter Mario Injury Lawyers | Injury Law Blog

If a car accident is partly my fault, can I still make a claim?

Posted on March 26, 2013 by Ryan Veilleux

A client asked this question in a meeting recently, and it’s a question that gets asked somewhat frequently…

I think the accident might have been partly my fault. Can I still make a claim?

Yes. The accident does not have to be 100% the fault of one driver. Connecticut Auto Accident law says that you are entitled to recover from the other driver even if you are partially at fault, as long as you are less responsible than the other driver. Even drivers who are issued a ticket or warning can recover if the other driver was more at fault.

The Connecticut Personal Injury Lawyers with Carter Mario Injury Lawyers recognize that every case has unique circumstances, and we will evaluate and advise you on all of these factors in resolving your case.

Smoke Detectors May Not Be Enough To Protect Children From House Fires

Posted on March 22, 2013 by Keith Adkins

March 22, 2013

While many families feel installing smoke detectors may be enough to protect their loved ones in the event of a fire, a recent test shockingly proved otherwise.

NBC News told of how a crew of researchers set up both smoke detectors and cameras throughout a Connecticut home to determine if the sound of the devices would be enough to wake the family if a fire were to break out. The team told the three children in the home, boys ranging in age from 9- to 4-years old, what they were doing and instructed them on how to react when the smoke detectors went off; however, when the alarm sounded in the middle of the night, the children failed to awaken.

Every minute sounds of the device continued to echo through the home, experts said the chances of the children sustaining a Connecticut Burn Injury in the event of a real fire dramatically rose.

Dr. Gary Smith, a researcher at Ohio’s Nationwide Children’s Hospital, explained children are biologically different than adults, and therefore, have different sleep patterns that allow such loud noises to not interfere with rest. That’s why experts say it is so important for families to plan escape routes and designate who will check on children in case a fire occurs.

The Connecticut Personal Injury Attorneys with Carter Mario Injury Lawyers hope these tips will help you better protect your family from the dangers a house fire can present.

Posted in Fire and Burn Injury | Tagged connecticut burn injury, connecticut fire injury lawyer, Connecticut Personal Injury Attorneys, Smoke Detector Safety | Leave a comment

What damages can you sue for in a Wrongful Death claim?

Posted on March 21, 2013 by Daniel Baker

Damages compensate for a loss with money. Nothing can take the place of your loved one, but the monetary damages include:

Medical bills related to the treatment of your loved one
Funeral expenses
Loss of earning capacity
Pain and suffering related to the injury and death
Loss of companionship (also called “loss of consortium”) for the surviving spouse.

In Connecticut Wrongful Death claims, you have 2 years from the date of death to bring a claim. There are few exceptions, and generally there are no exceptions for the death of a child.

The cause of death in this type of claim may be a motor vehicle accident, medical malpractice, a fall, or any other situation in which someone else caused the death. The Connecticut Personal Injury Lawyers with Carter Mario Injury Lawyers understand just how devastating the loss of a loved one can be. If you ever have a question about what you believe might be a wrongful death, please give us a call anytime at 800-900-6700.

Posted in Wrongful Death | Tagged connecticut personal injury lawyer, Connecticut wrongful death, connecticut wrongful death attorney, connecticut wrongful death lawyer, wrongful death lawsuit | Leave a comment

Five Workers Injured In Connecticut Construction Accident

Posted on March 20, 2013 by Keith Adkins

March 20, 2013

Five workers were left injured as the result of a Connecticut construction accident that occurred this past week. An article from WTNH 8 News explained the incident occurred last Thursday at the University of Connecticut Health Center’s Research and Development Center in Farmington.

Reports indicate the workers were preforming renovation duties on the fourth floor of the laboratories when the roof above them suddenly began to collapse. The workers did not have time to move to safety and tiles from the ceiling fell on top of them.

All five employees were taken to the University’s hospital emergency room, where they were treated for injuries sustained in the accident.

Such an accident leaves many wondering what responsibilities both employers and employees have to one another in the event of a work-related accident. The Connecticut Personal Injury Lawyers with Carter Mario Injury Lawyers explain that a worker who sustains an on-the-job injury is required to report and claim the accident with the Connecticut Workers’ Compensation Commission (WCC). They should then accept any medical treatment that is offered. The firm suggests then discussing your legal options with a qualified attorney.

The firm goes on to explain that most employers are required to carry Connecticut Workers’ Compensation insurance to cover the expenses associated with an accident. Failure to do so can result in hefty penalties. If an accident does occur, the employer should report the incident to the WCC and provide the employee with medical assistance.

Posted in Workers' Compensation | Tagged Connecticut personal injury lawyers, Connecticut Workers' Compensation Benefits, Hartford Workers' Compensation Lawyer | Leave a comment

What is a "soft tissue" case?

Posted on March 19, 2013 by Adam LaRue

One of the most common questions we’re asked as Connecticut Auto Accident lawyers is what “soft tissue” means, and what causes soft tissue injuries.

“Soft tissue” refers to injuries such as…

Whiplash
Lumbar strain
Cervical sprain
Neck pain
Low back pain

In these cases, the soft tissues of the body are injured, but there are no broken bones. Sometimes the result of “rear-enders,” “fender-benders,” and low impact collisions, insurance companies often view these as minor accidents. But the injuries can be painful, and we fight for you with all of our expertise and resources in this type of case, just as we do for our more severely injured clients.

The Connecticut personal injury lawyers with Carter Mario Injury Lawyers understand just how difficult getting back on your feet following a car accident that leaves you injured can be. That is why the firm would suggest that a person who has been hurt at no fault of their own explore their legal options by discussing their case with a qualified attorney immediately.

Posted in Auto Accident | Tagged connecticut car accident lawyer, Connecticut Car Crash Injury, connecticut personal injury lawyer, Hartford Auto Accident Attorney, Soft Tissue | Leave a comment

Defective Equipment To Blame For Hundreds of Fatal Truck Accidents

Posted on March 18, 2013 by Keith Adkins

March 18, 2013

A fatality resulting from a Connecticut Truck Accident is always tragic, especially when the death should have been prevented by safety equipment. New research from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) concluded under-ride guards, the metal bar that descends from the rear of a big rig’s trailer, might be ineffective in preventing deadly crashes.

According to USA Today, the under-ride guards are used to prevent vehicles from driving underneath the trailer in the event of a rear-end accident. Such a collision is capable of shearing the top half of a vehicle off and often results in fatalities and serious injuries. In fact, numbers indicate a total of 260 motorists were killed in 2011 as a result of such collisions.

IIHS researchers tested eight trailers from different manufacturers to determine how effective the trailers’ under-ride guards were in preventing a dangerous impact. They found when a vehicle struck the trailer directly on its rear-end, a majority of the equipment was effective; however, when only one-third of a vehicle collided with the guard, all the trailers but one were ineffective in preventing an under-ride event from occurring.

Despite the findings and calls for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to make policy changes to improve equipment standards, little action has been taken.

The Hartford Injury Attorneys with Carter Mario Injury Lawyers encourage motorists to be aware of these dangers and help prevent under-ride accidents by not following tractor-trailers too closely.

Posted in Truck Accident | Tagged Connecticut Tractor Trailer Accident Injury, Connecticut Truck Accident Attorney, CT tractor trailer crash injury, Hartford Injury Attorney | Leave a comment

Connecticut Lawmakers Trying To Find Ways To Improve Highway Safety

Posted on March 15, 2013 by Keith Adkins

March 14, 2013

Connecticut is seeking solutions to problems with its transportation infrastructure; however, funding these improvement projects has proven to be a difficult task.

A statement from the state director for the Regional Plan Association, Amanda Kennedy, explained one of the major changes currently considered by legislators is the Vulnerable User Bill. This new policy calls for stiffer penalties against motorists who cause a Connecticut Car Accident that results in a serious injury to a pedestrian, highway worker, or cyclist. The law originally called for offenders to face having to attend an educational driving safety course along with participating in community service projects. Now, the law may only force violators to pay a fine.

One of the major problems with implementing the original bill is dedication of funding. One plan that was introduced to provide the monetary support needed to get the program off the ground proposed raising sales, hotel and restaurant taxes. Another idea was to mirror an investment plan proposed in Massachusetts, which commits all sales taxes revenue brought in by the state to transportation and infrastructure needs. Experts say the Massachusetts program is capable of bringing in roughly $1 billion per year.

The Connecticut Personal Injury Lawyers with Carter Mario Injury Lawyers recognize the need for the state to make transportation improvements. The firm is hopeful lawmakers will be able to find a resolution to these problems soon so work to reduce accident numbers can begin.

Posted in Auto Accident | Tagged connecticut car accident lawyer, Connecticut Car Crash Injury, connecticut personal injury lawyer, Hartford Auto Accident Attorney | Leave a comment

What kinds of claims fall under Workers' Compensation?

Posted on March 14, 2013 by Andrew Wallace

If you have been injured at work, you might not know that you can be compensated for your injuries under the Connecticut Workers’ Compensation Act. This law provides for medical treatment, wage replacement benefits, and other benefits for employees who have been injured at work or who have become ill from their jobs.

Connecticut Workers’ Compensation is a no-fault system. It does not matter if the accident was the employee’s fault or the employee was born with a medical condition which predisposed him or her to the injury or increased its severity. We have filed compensation claims for hundreds of injured workers over the years for injuries and accidents such as:

Failed back syndrome
Back and neck injuries
Injuries to the lumbar spine, thoracic spine and cervical spine
Neck injuries
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Torn rotator cuff
Serious burns
Repetitive Stress injuries
Fractures and crush injuries
Auto accidents on the job
Trip and fall while making deliveries
Slip and fall at work
Falling equipment
Malfunctioning and broken equipment

We often find that workers who are injured on the job also have an additional claim, especially in cases of car accidents, truck accidents, wrongful death and dog bites, if the injuries are work related.

Unlike personal injury claims, the state of Connecticut allows you only one year from the time of your injury to file for benefits. For an occupational disease, the time to file is longer. Do not wait to call us if you think you have a claim.

At Carter Mario Injury Lawyers, we make it our priority to get you the money you need to get back on your feet in the shortest amount of time. Our Connecticut workers’ compensation lawyers know how hard you work, and we’ll do everything we can to make sure your rights to compensation are protected. You can reach us anytime at 800-900-6700.

Posted in Workers' Compensation | Tagged connecticut personal injury lawyer, Connecticut Work Accident, Connecticut Workers' Compensation Attorney, Connecticut Workers' Compensation Lawyer, Occupational Disease | Leave a comment

FDA Issues Safety Warning To Patients Taking Zithromax

Posted on March 13, 2013 by Keith Adkins

March 13, 2013

While taking antibiotics may give a person’s body an edge in beating a pesky illness, taking certain versions of these drugs may present a whole other set of health risks. For instance, an article from NBC-Connecticut stated the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning regarding the dangers of taking the Pfizer-made antibiotic, Zithromax.

The warning states that taking the medication can cause an interference with the normal electrical activity that occurs in the heart. This can result in a patient suffering from irregular heart rhythms, which could potentially lead to death. Those who are at most risk of suffering from a Drug Injury associated with taking Zithromax are those who already have a prolonged QT interval.

The announcement was made after a study was released in the New England Journal of Medicine that concluded people taking Zithromax were at a greater risk of fatality than other patients taking similar antibiotics. Another study conducted at Vanderbilt University reported similar findings.

The FDA has called for revisions to be made to the drug’s warning label and have also suggested physicians consider alternative courses of treatment before prescribing the drug to patients. The agency also says to seek immediate medical attention if you experience shortness of breath, dizziness, fainting, or abnormal heart rhythms while taking Zithromax.

The Connecticut Personal Injury Lawyers with Carter Mario Injury Lawyers are hopeful the warnings will be able to prevent any further injuries associated with the medication from occurring.

Posted in Drug Injury | Tagged connecticut drug injury lawyer, connecticut personal injury lawyer, Drug Injury Z Pak, Zithromax Safety Warnings | Leave a comment

Motorcycle Accidents: Being Forced Off the Road

Posted on March 12, 2013 by Dana Beyer

One of our clients asked this question in our initial meeting recently. It’s a situation that unfortunately causes more Connecticut Motorcycle Accidents than you’d think.

A car forced me and my motorcycle off the road, but there wasn’t any contact between the car and my bike. Can I still file a claim?

Yes. Many motorcyclists are under the mistaken impression that they can only recover for injuries caused when another vehicle hits them. If another driver is negligent and causes the motorcyclist to crash, the law still allows recovery for the injuries even if there is no actual vehicle to motorcycle contact.

The Connecticut Personal Injury Lawyers with Carter Mario Injury Lawyers understand the frustrations motorcycle accident victims are feeling. Our attorneys will prepare your case to make sure that jurors get an accurate presentation of the facts.

Posted in Motorcycle Accident | Tagged Connecticut Motorcyle Accident, Connecticut Motorcyle Accident attorney, Connecticut Motorcyle Accident Lawyer, connecticut personal injury lawyer, Motorcyle Accident lawsuit | Leave a comment