February 2012
Trucking Accidents
Large trucks were involved in 195 fatal traffic accidents in Illinois in 2005, and approximately 380,000 traffic accidents in the United States in 2008; according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Many lives have been altered as a result of these accidents, but not all have been compensated.
When involved in a large trucking accident skill is required to receive financial compensation for personal injury, product liability, and/or wrongful death claims. This type of case is time sensitive and requires the expertise of an experienced attorney.
Representing those injured in trucking accidents is slightly different from regular car accidents. It requires an intermingling of both state and federal transportation law. This intricate play of law is needed to place fault on any possible cause of the accident. The most common causes of trucking accidents are automotive defects or a driver's negligence or carelessness. This includes:
- Defective design
- Driver distraction
- Driver fatigue
- Driver inexperience
- DUI / DWI
- Excessive vehicle weight or improperly secured cargo
- Improper backing
- Improper maintenance
- Lack of vehicle safety features, such as under-ride protection guards
- Speeding, unsafe lane changes or other traffic law violations
- Vehicle equipment failure
Harris Law Firm is skilled and prepared to handle this type of case.
Nursing Home Abuse and Negligence
Placing a loved one in the hands of a nursing home requires trust. It requires trust that the facility and staff will properly care for your loved one. Some facilities abuse this trust by intentionally or knowingly causing physical injury to its residents.
Nursing home abuse and negligence can be detected and inflicted in various ways, and its effects are easily recognizable. Some examples include:
- Bed Sores- develop when blood supply is to the skin is cut off for more than two to three hours. Bed sores can easily be prevented, by inspecting the skin for areas of redness before any arise. Left untreated, skin can break open and become infected.
- Bruising and Fractures- Most commonly arise from vitamin deficiency and falls. The leading cause of bruising is a deficiency in one or more vitamins. Falls are dangerous to the elderly due to the brittleness of their aging bones. These falls frequently lead to unnecessary institutionalization.
- Dehydration- dehydration and malnutrition can lead to a wide range of serious health issues. These issues include: kidney disease, depression, chronic lung disease, nausea, diarrhea, tremors and dementia.
- Molestation- elders are less likely to report or identify sexual abuse. Cognitive impairment may also make it difficult for an older victim to explain and/or remember the act(s). Physical and emotional signs can be seen to determine if this has occurred, including: bruising on the inner thighs, sexually transmitted diseases, sudden changes in personality, or fear of certain people or of physical characteristics.
- Issuing Wrong Medication- perhaps the most common and most dangerous type of complacent neglect. This includes wrong dose prescription, inappropriate medication, wrong time of administration, and the omission of administration.
- Unsupervised Wandering- Nursing homes should have policies in place to assess whether a resident is an elopement risk. These facilities should plan to support the safety of elderly individuals who may wander; to avoid losing a resident or preventing environmental harm.
A combination of these neglectful acts of abuse can lead to wrongful death. Here at Harris Law Firm we will aid in the recovery of damages for claims.
If you would like more information about this topic, or to schedule a consultation with Jesse Harris, please contact Jesse Harris at (312) 782-4119 or 877-JVH-4LAW. Also, you can email Mr. Harris at harris@harrislawfirm.biz.
In Celebration of Black History Month
We would like to highlight a little-known Black History fact. Within our great nation there have been several all Black established and settled cities and towns. Few remain. Mound Bayou, Mississippi is one of the survivors.
Mound Bayou was founded on July 12, 1887. It is located within the Mississippi Delta region. Founded by former slaves, Isaiah T. Montgomery and Benjamin Green, this town was developed to serve as a home for newly freed slaves.
Jim Crow laws prevented African Americans from patronizing white-owned businesses. Pursuant to "Jim Crow" laws, white business owners could refuse to serve or engage in any business transaction with blacks. During that time Mound Bayou provided services to black people that they could not obtain anywhere else. African Americans could eat in Mound Bayou's restaurants, watch a movie in its theater and shop at its retail stores. Mound Bayou was a safe haven for those African Americans fleeing physical violence at the hands of racist whites. In fact, the only hospital in the region that would treat African Americans was the Taborian Hospital, located in Mound Bayou. For those reasons we have chosen to honor one of the oldest Black incorporated cities in the United States. -My hometown- Mound Bayou, Mississippi.
