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August 18th, 2011
Just as a young adult takes great care in choosing a first home, so should those in their twilight years, as they consider a move into a nursing home, or a skilled nursing facilities. It is not a decision to take lightly; unlike a bad roommate or neighbor who lets the yard go to weeds, it can be much more challenging for the elderly to find a safe home.
How to Choose a Home
First impressions are important. Upon arrival, is the building and surrounding landscape well maintained or are plants overgrown and the parking lot cracked and worn? Inside, what is the condition of the lobby? Is it clean and inviting or shabby and in need of repair? If a business neglects its property, one can imagine how they may treat their residents.
You’ll likely be given a tour of the facilities and hopefully be allowed to speak with other residents and the workers who will be entrusted to care for you or your family member. If the person giving the tour does not permit you to speak with other residents or staff that should be a big red flag.
How Common is Nursing Home Abuse?
While most nursing homes are healthy, safe places that provide quality care, a recent Congressional study uncovered some alarming statistics. Nearly 1/3 of all nursing homes across the U.S. have had formal complaints filed against them for verbal, physical or sexual abuse. Neglect is also a form of physical abuse, especially when residents are dependent on staff for everything from vital medications to basic hygiene.
Signs of Abuse
Unfortunately, residents can’t always speak out against their abuser, or are afraid of retribution if they do. Abusive workers know they may be subject to civil and criminal penalties and will often scare their victims into silence. The only way to stop them is to speak up for yourself or a family member if they are unable or unwilling to do so themselves. If you have a loved one in a nursing home, some signs of abuse may include: Read the rest of this entry »
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August 16th, 2011
On July 21, 2011, 64 year old James Curry was hit by a truck as he crossed the street with a shopping cart to recycle cans.
According to Channel 12 News, WRDW, Richmond County Sheriff’s deputies are looking for 29 year old Ricky Lavon Oliphant Jr. in connection with the fatal hit and run accident. The crash occurred on Olive Road and Cooney Circle.
Witnesses have said that the truck that struck Curry was an older model black Chevy S-10 with a faded blue door. There were two white males in their 30s inside the truck and one did not have a shirt on.
Several days after the crash, Curry died at Georgia Health Sciences Medical Center as a result of the traumatic injuries he sustained in the accident.
Oliphant is now wanted for this hit and run accident.
Ricky Lavon Oliphant Jr. was released on parole from prison on May 13, 2011. Oliphant was at Jefferson County Correctional Institute since July 2008 for receiving stolen property. The sentence he received was five years.
Please contact Richmond County Sheriff’s Office if you have any information on Oliphant.
In the United States, around 5,000 pedestrian fatalities occur every year. Every year, there are about 64,000 injuries to pedestrians that are related to motorist collisions. Because thousands of pedestrians are injured or killed each year alone, pedestrians should exercise caution when walking places, like to work or to a friend’s house. Always follow traffic control devices and look both ways before crossing any street or roadway.
And while auto collisions are a scary possibility that all drivers, and pedestrians, must be aware of, in some situations punitive damages can be imposed on the responsible driver. Punitive damages are types of damages that are awarded to deter the defendant and other similar positioned people from acting the same way as the defendant did against the injured party. These damages are not generally awarded to compensate the plaintiff but the injured party does take a portion of these damages as compensation. Usually, punitive damages are sought where there is wanton and willful disregard for the safety of other drivers and/or pedestrians. The most notable cases in Georgia relate to hit and run collisions and DUI accidents.
If you have been injured by a drunk driver, or a hit and run vehicle, you may want to contact our Georgia Accident Lawyers to see how we can help protect your legal interests. We work tirelessly for our clients to not only maximize their claim, but to also help them put their lives back together.
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August 15th, 2011
A truck hit a bicyclist near 1779 Tobacco Road this past Monday, August 8th leaving the bicyclist in critical condition.
According to the Augusta Chronicle, around 8:52, the bicyclist was rear-ended by a utility type truck when he was traveling west on Tobacco Road. Richmond County Sheriff’s Deputy, Terry Skinner, said that charges are pending against the truck driver, Willie Ferrell.
The name of the biker has not been released. The biker was taken to the Medical College of Georgia hospital. According to Sheriff’s Deputy Skinner, the biker suffered head trauma and is in critical condition.
There were witnesses at the scene of the truck and bicycle accident who said that the truck did attempt to swerve in order to avoid hitting the bicyclist.
Trucking accidents can be very serious. They have a higher chance of causing serious injuries or a fatality in comparison to car collisions. There are several reasons why truck accidents are more likely to cause serious injury or death: trucks are much heavier than cars (80,000 lbs. or more when fully loaded) which causes a greater impact in a collision; a truck is higher up than a car; materials, like metal, used to build a truck are stronger than most other materials like plastic used to build modern cars today; and because trucks carry chemicals or flammable liquids, they may cause burns or explosions.
Georgia Statute of Limitations
A statute of limitations is the given time period during which a legal action can be made. If the time period ends, it is a complete bar to any recovery if your case is not completely settled or the lawsuit is not served on the appropriate parties prior to this date or properly filed. Georgia has a statute of limitations of two years with truck accidents.
If you or a loved one has been injured by a truck accident, you may want to contact our Georgia Truck Accident Lawyers to see how they can help protect your legal rights. In addition to providing a free review of your claim, our Truck Accident Lawyers can also provide valuable insight into dealing with your injuries and precautions you should consider.
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August 15th, 2011
A tragic vehicle crash left a Fort Gordon solider dead after he was ejected from a truck on Friday, July 29th. The vehicle crash occurred on Gordon Highway near Fort Gordon Gate 2 leaving the eastbound lane of Gordon Highway east of Gate 2 closed for several hours.
A special crash investigation team was sent immediately to the scene of the crash. According to WJBF News Channel 6, ABC, Charles Shinn, a 29 year old male from Topeka, Kansas, was riding as a passenger in a 1984 Chevrolet K5 Blazer, when he was ejected from the Blazer. The truck rolled over on top of him and burst into flames. Shinn tragically died.
Scott Gay, Special Operations with the Richmond County Sheriff’s Offices, told News Channel 6 the truck was headed East on Gordon Highway when it had a mechanical problem—the front passenger side tire fell of the truck. Andrew Naranjo, 24 years old, was the driver and was taken to Georgia Health Science’s University Medical Center.
Naranjo is now being charged with vehicular homicide in the second degree, operating an unsafe motor vehicle, and failure to maintain a lane.
Car Crash Facts
Car crashes and tragic deaths resulting from those crashes happen every day.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration approximately 5,811,000 traffic crashes were reported to the police in 2008. In those crashes, 37,261 people were killed and 2,346,000 people were injured. A primary cause of car accidents is driver distraction. The statute of limitations within which you can file a suit is 2 years.
Legal Help
If you have been injured in a car accident, you may be entitled to compensation. There are several types of damages that are recoverable from car collisions including, but not limited to, the reimbursement for medical bills, pain and suffering, and lost wages. Contact our Georgia Accident Lawyers to see how we can help.
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August 12th, 2011
Reports about tire malfunctions causing serious and sometimes fatal accidents pepper Internet news sites and nightly news channels. It wasn’t that long ago when hundreds of people were killed or injured due to a defect in Firestone tires used on Ford Explorers. Although a massive recall effort attempted to mitigate that problem, accidents caused by defective tires continue to plague our highways.
Earlier this year, in our home state of Georgia, a 15-passenger van overturned injuring 13 and killing two people on their way to work. A tour bus operating in New York on its way to Niagara Falls crashed, killing two people and injuring 15. In both cases, tire failures are the suspected cause.
Tire Safety And Warning Signs
While it is too early in the investigation to know if these accidents were the result of manufacturing defects, as drivers it is important to check the overall condition of your tires regularly. A manufacturing defect may be undetectable to the average driver, however steps can be taken to reduce the chances of a blowout and subsequent accidents. Proper inflation will ensure even wear on the tires and good traction on wet roads. The vehicle’s user manual or the side of the tire itself will specify proper inflation levels. Cracks in the rubber or chunks missing from the tread should be cause for alarm, and the tire should be replaced. Also, remember that tires are affected by the weight of the vehicle; a full 15-passenger van could be carrying an extra several thousand pounds of passenger weight, changing vehicle handling and tire inflation requirements.
Manufacturing Defects – More Than Meets The Eye
Proper tire maintenance is important because tire defects are not always obvious until it is too late. Read the rest of this entry »
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August 10th, 2011
The Occupational Safety and Healthy Administration (OSHA) is a federal agency responsible for enforcing laws related to workplace safety and health. In Georgia, OSHA representatives recently met with construction workers on job sites to discuss the dangers of heat stroke.
As summer drags on and temperatures linger near all-time highs, the danger of heat related workplace injuries grow exponentially. The risk is especially high for workers in the trades or those whose jobs are primarily located outdoors or near intense sources of heat and require intense physical effort.
What Is Heat Stroke?
Early stages of heat stroke are identified as heat exhaustion, heat cramps and heat rashes. When these have progressed to heat stroke, the victim’s body is unable to maintain a healthy internal temperature. Body temperatures can rise to 104 degrees Fahrenheit or higher within minutes. As the body can no longer keep cool, vital organs begin to sustain permanent damage. If treatment is not given immediately, death can result.
Signs of Heat Stroke Read the rest of this entry »
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August 3rd, 2011
Last year Roche Holding AG, the manufacturer of the acne drug Accutane (generic: isotretinoin), was ordered to pay $25.16 million in damages to a patient who developed inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) because of the dangerous drug.
Drug Maker Found Liable
Andrew McCarrell began taking Accutane in 1995. After taking the drug, he developed IBD and required five surgeries, including one to remove his colon. The jury deliberated for a brief 3.5 hours before delivering its unanimous verdict: Andrew deserves $159,000 for his previous medical expenses and another $25 million in compensatory damages.
What is IBD?
Inflammatory bowel disease is a not the same as a similarly named condition called Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), which causes discomfort and relatively mild digestive problems. IBD is much more damaging and includes Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, among other conditions. Generally, the various diseases under the IBD umbrella present with the same symptoms: Read the rest of this entry »
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July 19th, 2011
Despite an increase in regulations on the trucking industry designed to make our highways safer, accidents involving semi-trucks occur regularly and can be extremely devastating. Simply by virtue of their size and weight, collisions with semi-trucks are more catastrophic than other motor vehicle accidents.
Disaster in the Desert
Two semi-trucks were involved in related but separate fatal wrecks along a heavily traveled stretch of Interstate 10 between Los Angeles, California and Phoenix, Arizona. The first accident occurred when a westbound semi-truck crossed the median and flipped over in the eastbound lane. A car driven by 44-year-old Hussian Ziagulmirza crashed into the overturned semi. Ziagulmirza died when his car burst into flames. Four family members were able to escape the car, sustaining minor injuries, which were treated at a nearby hospital.
As traffic slowed to a crawl while emergency workers put out the fire and cleared the highway, a van towing a car slammed into another semi-truck that had been stopped by the traffic jam. The van’s driver and an 11-year-old were killed, while a third passenger was rushed to the hospital with serious injuries.
Alcohol was not believed to be related in either accident, although police suggested the driver of the overturned truck that caused the first accident may have been too tired to be behind the wheel.
Drowsy Drivers
Driver fatigue is one of the least studied and most insidious causes of highway accidents. Read the rest of this entry »
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July 8th, 2011
On July 1, 2011, Georgia’s law on requiring children 8 and under to be in booster seats went into effect. Children who are shorter than 4 feet, 9 inches and under 40 pounds are not safely restrained in regular seat belts, according to Channel 12, WRDW News.
Exemptions to this new law include children that are 8 years old but are taller than 4 feet, 9 inches are not required to be in a booster seat.
Lt. Randy Prickett from the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office says putting seat belts on younger children can put them at risk. He also said, “It can cut their oxygen or actually they can escape from the seat belt and be a projectile in the car”
Rene Hopkins, Safe Kids coordinator at GHSU, explains that regular seat belts hit in all the wrong places on a child below the height requirement. This can be very dangerous during a vehicle crash.
According to Channel 12 News, these changes to the law are very important. Motor vehicle crashes are the number one form of unintentional injury-related deaths for children. With utilizing a booster seat for children, children are 59% less likely to be injured in a crash.
If You Have Questions
Our experienced personal injury attorneys at Childers, Schleuter & Smith, LLC are well-versed and familiar with Georgia’s automobile and roadway laws. We handle motor vehicle accidents on a regular basis. If you have questions on this, or other laws, and how they may affect you, feel free to contact our Georgia Attorneys 
at (800) 641-0098.
Tags: atlanta trucking attorney, booster seat, car attorney, car safety, personal injury lawyer, safety
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May 16th, 2011
A tragic accident occurred several days ago on the Pleasantdale Road access ramp to I-85 south, according to CBSAtlanta. The ramp was closed because of this fatal accident.
DeKalb County police said that a man driving a Honda left a roadway and crashed into the rear of a tractor trailer. This occurred around 8:30 a.m.
Apparently, this tractor trailer was parked unattended along the shoulder of I-85. The man driving the Honda was pronounced dead on the scene. 
Why Trucking Accidents Are More Dangerous
Trucking accidents are very serious and can cause major damage to vehicles and serious injuries to the humans inside. As seen in the image here to the right taken from another trucking accident, the collision can be extremely powerful. Truck accidents may have a higher chance of causing serious injuries or a fatality in comparison to car accidents. There are several reasons why truck accidents are more likely to cause serious injury or death. The reasons include:
1. Trucks are much heavier than cars (80,000 lbs. or more when fully loaded) which causes a greater impact in a collision;
2. Trucks are higher up aboce the ground than cars and therefore hit above the car versus head-on like a car crash;
3. Materials, like metal, used to build a truck are stronger than most other materials like plastic used to build modern cars today; and
4. Some trucks carry chemicals or flammable liquids, thus they may cause burns or explosions.
Be Aware of Your Surroundings While on the Road
While truck drivers are required to pass state and federal driving tests which prepare them for operating their trucks, truck drivers are expected to drive long hours oftentimes fatiguing them. Mix in “bad” drivers who are out on the roadways every day as they commute to work, or drivers who use their cell phones to text or email while driving (activities that are illegal), and even if you are paying attention, if the other driver is not, it could lead to a terrible result. Be aware and alert of your fellow vehicles and drivers.
What To Do If You Are Hit or Involved in a Truck Accident
Our experienced attorneys have handled many trucking accidents. If you or a loved one have been involved in a trucking accident and have questions on how to proceed, please feel free to call our attorneys at 1 800-641-0098 and we can help.
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