Car Accidents

by | May 25, 2023 | practice-areas

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It is estimated that over 37,000 people are killed in car accidents every year, and another 2.35 million are injured. Unfortunately, many of these accidents are caused by another driver’s negligence and could have easily been prevented. Victims of car accidents should speak with a personal injury attorney as soon as possible following the accident to determine if they are entitled to compensation for their medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Causes of Car Accidents

HOW TO HELP SOMEONE FACING EMOTIONAL TRAUMA AFTER A CAR ACCIDENTCar accidents occur on a daily basis, and many of them are caused by:

Distracted Driving

A driver becomes distracted when he takes his focus off of the road to pay attention to another passenger in the car, the radio, a smartphone, or any other form of distraction. Even if the driver’s eyes are only off of the road for a few seconds, this negligent behavior can lead to serious accidents. In fact, distracted driving is currently the number one cause of traffic accidents in the United States.

Speeding

Speed limits are put in place for a reason—to keep everyone on the road safe. When a driver decides to ignore the speed limit, he puts everyone else on the road at risk. The faster someone is driving, the less time he will have to react to a car suddenly braking or changing lanes in front of him.

Drunk Driving

Every sip of alcohol a person takes will impair his judgment more and more. If he decides to get behind the wheel after drinking alcohol, he may not be able to focus on the cars and road in front of him. Drunk drivers often swerve into other lanes or drive in the wrong direction. Because their judgment is so impaired, they may not be able to brake in time to avoid hitting your car at a stop sign or a red light. All of these behaviors can cause car accidents and severe injuries to all drivers and passengers involved.

Common Car Accident Injuries

Every car accident is unique, so injuries can vary greatly from one case to the next. However, there are a number of injuries that are very common in car accidents, including:

CAR ACCIDENTS WHIPLASHWhiplash

Whiplash occurs when the impact of the collision forces your head to suddenly jerk forward and then backward again. This sudden movement damages the soft tissues in your neck and can lead to serious lingering pain following a car accident.

Head Injuries

During an accident, it’s possible the impact of the collision could cause you to jerk forward and hit your head against the steering wheel, dashboard, or car window. The result could be anything from a minor concussion to a traumatic brain injury or skull fracture.

Back Injuries

Many people involved in car accidents suffer back injuries, which can range in severity from aches and pains in the lower back to a herniated disc or spinal cord injury.

Emotional Pain

Some victims will suffer emotionally as well as physically. Victims may experience anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of a car accident. This is especially true if a loved one who was also a passenger in the car was seriously injured or killed as a result of the accident.

After A Car Accident

If you have been injured in a car accident, it’s important to document as much evidence as possible. Keep all of your medical records, including bills, lab reports, X-rays, and any other relevant documents, so you have proof of the injuries you sustained and the expenses you had to pay. If your injuries are visible, take pictures of them immediately following the accident and again as they begin to heal. The more proof you have to support your personal injury claim, the better.

Seek Legal Advice Now

You shouldn’t have to suffer because of someone else’s negligent behavior behind the wheel. If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, contact us now for a free consultation at 866-854-5529. The team of attorneys at Trial Lawyers for Justice can help you fight for the compensation you deserve.

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Mass Torts

Mass Torts

by | Sep 27, 2022 | practice-areas

Trial Lawyers for Justice has secured over $2 billion in judgments for its clients.

Featured Work

Fighting for Families and Students Harmed by PCBs.

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Jury Hits Monsanto With $275M Verdict In Latest Trial Over PCB Exposure in Washington State School

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What Are PCBs?

PCBs

Polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs, are referred to as “forever chemicals” due to their durability. Though PCBs were used widely for industrial purposes, they were banned in the 1970s.

 

PCBs are classified as “carcinogenic to humans” (Group 1).

Research compiled by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry shows that PCBs can lead to the following health issues:

Neurobehavioral and Developmental Deficits in Newborns

  • Disrupted Reproductive System
  • Fibrosis
  • Necrosis
  • Neurological Deficiencies
  • Cardiovascular Risks
  • Adverse Dermal Effects

SEEKING JUSTICE

In recent years, PCBs have been found in the Sky Valley Educational Center, a Monroe School District building located in Washington. Trial Lawyers for Justice represents injured faculty and parents that have actions pending against Monsanto, the only domestic manufacturer of PCB chemical. The lawsuits allege that PCBs in outdated light fixtures and building caulk caused serious neurological injuries.

Monsanto has an extensive record of producing dangerous products including Agent Orange, Roundup, Nutrasweet, Synthetic Bovine Growth Hormone (rBGh), and more.

Although Monsanto knew PCBs posed a severe health risk, they shielded this information from public view for decades.

As parents ourselves, we care deeply about the children and families whose lives have been irreparably harmed by PCBs in schools across America.  This is a national health crisis and we are proud to support victims who are entitled to billions of dollars in damages.

If you believe you have been a victim of PCBs, please contact us here.

Health Effects of PCBs

The EPA has classified all PCBs as probable human carcinogens (cancer-causing substances). Evidence suggests a possible association between PCB exposure and liver cancer. PCBs also have significant ecological and human health effects other than cancer. 

The most likely way that staff may become exposed to PCBs from light ballasts is through breathing contaminated air or touching PCB oil or PCB-contaminated materials after a ballast leak or fire. Long-term effects can occur at any time after exposure and may last for months or years. They include:

  • Affects to the nervous and reproductive system, immune system suppression. This can cause numbness, weakness, and tingling in arms and legs. 
  • Muscle and joint pain.
  • Hormone disruption.
  • Respiratory tract symptoms.
  • Gastrointestinal effects, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain.
  • Liver damage
  • Effects on the skin and eyes such as chloracne, skin rashes, and eye irritation.

Infants of mothers exposed to PCBs can experience developmental effects impairing movement, visual recognition memory, and short-term memory. PCBs may also be passed onto infants through their pregnant or nursing mothers.  This may include still births, and underweight births.

Short-term effects, which may be noticed immediately or shortly after exposure to PCBs include irritation of eyes, nose, and throat. Short-term exposure to high levels of PCBs can damage the liver.

PCBs are very stable chemical compounds that do not readily break down. Because of this, they may remain in the body, causing long-lasting toxic effects over many years. For this reason, it is critical to minimize any potential exposure to them. The EPA banned the manufacture and import in 1979.

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Probate & Estate Planning

Probate & Estate Planning

by | Nov 4, 2021 | practice-areas

Probate lawyers, also referred to as estate or trust lawyers, help executors of the estate, or, administrators if there is no will, manage the probate process.

Estate Planning Lawyers 

Our team of Estate Planning Lawyers are here to help you with your estate planning needs. We can prepare your will, living trusts and other relevant documents.

Probate Lawyers 

Our team of probate lawyers are here to assist you with the estate administration process after a person dies. We are here to help you navigate the probate process after a loved one dies and to provide you with advice on powers of attorneys, or serve as an executor or administrator.

If a Will Exists

Our team of attorneys is here to help you when a loved one dies and has an existing will. Most wills go through probate with no problem. However, there are many reasons a will may be challenged. A probate attorney may also assist you in reviewing the will to ensure that it was not signed or written under duress/in the best interest of the individual who owns the will. An example of a will written under duress would be an individual who has dementia who is more vulnerable to writing a will to the benefit of a person who wants a cut of the estate.

If No Will Exists 

When one dies without a signed will, they are said to have died “intestate.” When this happens, the individual’s estate is distributed according to the intestacy laws of the state in which the property is located. Intestate laws vary state to state; however, in most states, the surviving spouse receives all of the intestate property.

In this type of situation, a probate lawyer can help the administrator of the estate to distribute assets according to state intestacy laws.

Renunciations

If there is no will, the relative who wishes to become the estate’s administrator must first obtain renunciations from the decedent’s surviving relatives. Renunciations is a legal statement renouncing an individual’s right to administer the estate. A probate attorney can assist in securing the renunciation statements and file them with the probate court. Once filed, the probate attorney can continue to help with the probate process. They can do so by helping to determine estate taxes, secure assets, manage the estate checkbook, etc.

The Role of an Estate Planning Lawyer 

An Estate Planning Lawyer assist clients with developing an estate plan to determine the specific distribution of their estate once they die.

  • Help navigate state and federal tax laws
  • Drafting wills, trusts, and other estate planning documents
  • Collaborate with financial advisors and insurance professionals
  • Advise on life insurance policies, retirement plans, and charitable donations
  • Stay up-to-date on the ever changing tax laws that could ultimately affect estate value

The Role of a Probate Lawyer 

A Probate Lawyer is tasked to advise an estate executor/administrator. Some of these responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Locating all of the decedent’s assets
  • Securing all of the decedent’s assets
  • Appraising the decedent’s property
  • Collecting life insurance proceeds
  • Determining the estates taxes due
  • Advising how to pay the decedent’s debts and bills
  • Managing the estate’s checkbook

Seek Legal Advice Now

If you need assistance with estate planning or you recently lost a loved one and need assistance navigating the probate process, contact us now for a free consultation at 866-854-5529. The team of attorneys at Trial Lawyers for Justice can help bring peace of mind by helping you plan ahead or navigate the probate process after losing a loved one.

Probate & Estate Planning

Construction Accidents

by | Oct 30, 2020 | practice-areas

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), about one in five on-the-job fatalities were in the construction industry. This statistic shows just how dangerous it can be to work on a construction site. Even though construction workers are aware of the risks, that doesn’t mean they are out of luck if they are injured while on the job.

Construction workers who are injured as a result of negligence could be entitled to compensation for their medical expenses, lost wages, future lost wages, and pain and suffering. To learn about your legal options, contact the Trial Lawyers for Justice today.

Causes of Construction Accidents

iowa construction accident lawyerConstruction sites can be dangerous, so there are a lot of ways a construction worker could injure himself while on the job. Here are some of the most common causes of construction accidents:

Falls

Construction workers frequently have to climb up ladders or work on the top of buildings. If you make one wrong move, you could easily fall and injure yourself. The severity of the injury will depend on the height of the fall.

Falling Objects

As a construction worker, you usually have people above and below you who are also hard at work on the project. If a worker above you drops a tool or other object, it could fall and hit you.

Defective Equipment

There are dozens of different tools and machinery present on a construction site. If any of these are defective or begin to malfunction, whoever is operating the tool or equipment at the time could be seriously injured. For example, if a nail gun begins to misfire, the operator could accidentally send a nail shooting through his skin.

Collapses

Construction workers often have to work out of trenches or in buildings that are being torn down or renovated. If a trench or building collapses with workers inside, serious injuries or even fatalities can occur.

Fires

Many construction workers will have to deal with electrical equipment or hazardous chemicals that are very flammable. If someone who is inexperienced with this type of work handles this equipment, a fire or explosion could occur as a result. These injuries are not as common as others, but still pose a great risk to construction workers.

Other Types of Accidents

On a construction site, a worker could be accidentally run over by heavy equipment, or even pinned between equipment and a wall. If you are forced to work in extreme weather conditions, you could suffer heat stroke, frost bite, or even hypothermia while on a construction site.

Who is Held Liable For Construction Accidents?

To determine liability, you will first need to figure out the cause of your accident. General and sub-contractors may be held liable if they did not warn workers of the potential hazards on the construction site. Contractors are also responsible for checking the work that is being done to ensure it meets quality standards. If these checks are not performed and someone is injured as a result, contractors and sub-contractors could be liable.

A construction company could be held liable if they fail to provide employees with the proper safety equipment or don’t properly train all workers who will be on the site.

Property owners could be held responsible if they were aware of a hazardous condition on the property but did not inform the other parties involved in construction. Engineers and architects who have designed the site could be held liable if it can be proven the plan was not safe. Manufacturers could also be held liable in cases where it can be proven the accident was caused by faulty or defective equipment.

Seeking Justice For Victims of Construction Accidents

A construction site accident can happen in a blink of an eye, but the injuries could drastically change a victim’s life forever. If you or a loved one has been injured in a construction accident, don’t hesitate to seek legal assistance from an attorney at the Trial Lawyers for Justice. Call 866-854-5529 to schedule a free consultation today.

Probate & Estate Planning

Serious Injury

by | Oct 30, 2020 | practice-areas

Whether you are involved in a traffic crash, slip and fall, or animal attack, if you have been injured, you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit against the negligent parties that have caused you harm.

The Element of Negligence

personal injury lawyer best in iowaMost serious personal injury cases involve the element of negligence. This means plaintiffs will typically have to prove the defendants acted negligently and the plaintiff was injured as a result. But, what exactly is negligence? To put it simply, people are required to act in a way that does not put others in danger. If someone does not fulfill this obligation and his or her reckless behavior causes you harm, you may be able to take legal action against him or her.

For example, drivers on the road are supposed to follow all traffic laws and act in a way that does not put other drivers at risk. If someone drives drunk, he is putting other people in danger and is therefore acting negligently, which means he can be held liable in the event he collides with another vehicle and injures someone. If a dog’s owner lets the dog roam free in the neighborhood without supervision and the dog attacks someone, the owner can be held liable for negligently letting the dog loose.

It can sometimes be difficult to prove negligence, but a personal injury attorney will be able to help. Our attorneys can closely analyze your case to identify who should be held liable, and then fight tirelessly on your behalf to recover compensation for your injuries.

Serious Injury Cases

Before you hire an attorney, you should ensure he or she has experience representing victims in cases similar to yours. Our attorneys have handled a variety of personal injury cases.

Types of Compensation

The goal of filing a personal injury lawsuit is to recover compensation for your injuries. Compensation is never a guarantee, but some of the types you may be eligible to receive include:

  • Economic damages is the term used to describe compensation awarded to victims who have incurred expenses as a result of their injuries. Examples of economic damages include compensation for current and future medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage. In wrongful death cases, survivors may also be awarded economic damages to cover funeral expenses, loss of benefits, and loss of the deceased’s expected earnings.
  • Non-economic damages refer to money that is awarded to victims as compensation for non-monetary losses. Examples of non-economic damages include pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium.
  • Punitive damages are only awarded in cases where the court believes the defendant acted with extreme negligence or malice. These damages are not awarded to compensate any loss that the victim has suffered, but rather to punish the defendant and deter others from acting in a similar manner.

Legal Help For Victims

If you or a loved one has been injured because of someone else’s negligence, speak to the experienced personal injury attorneys at the Trial Lawyers for Justice. Call 866-854-5529 to schedule a free consultation to learn more about your legal options.

Probate & Estate Planning

Cerebral Palsy

by | Oct 30, 2020 | practice-areas

It is estimated that almost 765,000 people in the United States currently live with cerebral palsy. This disorder affects a person’s muscle control, movement, coordination, and motor skills. In fact, something as simple as standing still can be very difficult for a person with cerebral palsy.

There are four different types of cerebral palsy, including:

  • Spastic: This is the most common type of cerebral palsy. It is caused by damage to the motor cortex area of the brain, and affects the child’s movement. If your child has spastic cerebral palsy, his movements may be very stiff and rigid.
  • Athetoid: Damage to the basal ganglia results in athetoid cerebral palsy, which affects a child’s coordination skills.
  • Ataxic: Ataxic cerebral palsy is caused by damage to the cerebellum, and will also result in impaired balance and coordination skills.
  • Mixed: If a child has suffered damage to multiple parts of the brain, or if his movements, balance, and coordination are all affected, he may be diagnosed with mixed cerebral palsy.

Although cerebral palsy can be caused by a number of factors, it is often the result of a mistake during labor and delivery.

Cerebral Palsy Caused by Birth Injuries

Cerebral palsy can be caused before or after a child’s birth, but unfortunately, this disorder is often a result of a medical professional’s careless mistake during the delivery. This disorder can occur if a baby is deprived of oxygen for a long period of time during delivery, or if the doctor forcefully removes the baby. It is also common for cerebral palsy to occur when the labor lasts more than 18 hours, which is more likely to occur in multiple births.

If you believe your baby has cerebral palsy because of a doctor’s negligence, you will need an attorney to help you gather evidence and present a strong case against the at-fault medical professional. Birth injury cases can be complex and very difficult to prove—that is, if you don’t have the help of an experienced lawyer.

Treatment for Cerebral Palsy

Unfortunately for birth injury victims, there is no treatment to cure cerebral palsy. This is a lifelong disorder that the victim will always have to live with, however, there are ways to help the victim improve his quality of life.

A team of speech therapists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, and pediatricians may be needed to help manage your child’s symptoms. These therapists can help your child’s speech, coordination, and emotional development. The goal of treatment is to improve your child’s motor skills and coordination and ensure he is as self-sufficient as possible.

Medication and surgery may also be needed to correct issues with your child’s muscles. For example, kids with extreme muscle pain may be give medication to treat this issue. Other children who develop scoliosis as a result of cerebral palsy may need to have this surgically repaired. Doctors may recommend that your child wear a brace to help him get around if his movements are affected by the disorder.

Because treatment involves the work of so many specialists, medical bills can quickly pile up. If the cerebral palsy was caused by a medical professional’s mistake during labor and delivery, you may be able to recover damages to help you pay these expenses and more.

Help for Birth Injury Victims

A cerebral palsy diagnosis will drastically change the rest of your child’s life. If your child was diagnosed with cerebral palsy as a result of a birth injury, you could be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and more. Speak to the team of attorneys at Trial Lawyers for Justice to learn more about your legal options.