Big River

December 2019

Personal Injury

What Can I Do If I Was Injured by a Defective Product?

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What Can I Do If I Was Injured By A Defective Product? Each year, people are injured and killed by defective products that explode, fall apart, or pose other hazards to consumers. The economic and physical damages from these products can place everyone at risk, including children. No one should have to pay for damages caused by someone else, even if the third party is a company. If you or a loved one was injured by a product malfunction, consider hiring a Baton Rouge defective products attorney who can help you earn the compensation you deserve. Consequences Of Defective Products Defective products can cause harm to anyone from a child to an adult and in any place like work or at home. Toys, machines, electronics like smartphones, and bicycles can all contain product defects. It only takes one defect to ruin someone’s life. The damages caused by defective products can range from minor injuries to long-term disabilities. Exploding batteries in certain phones and hoverboard toys can result in serious injuries like third-degree burns, disfigurement, or brain damage depending on how close the person was to the explosion. Bicycles that unexpectedly fall apart can lead to broken bones in unsuspecting bike riders traveling at high speeds. Automatic machines at work or tools can quickly become dangerous if they function improperly. It is estimated that around $2,800 is spent per person because of defective children’s toys and stepladders. Overall, defective products can cost up to $1 trillion a year in damages. This is a substantial hit for those who suffer the costs. Types Of Defective Product Claims When it comes to product liability, there are three main types. Design defects exist in the product itself and can be traced back to all products of the same design. These defects can result in massive lawsuits against the product manufacturer by multiple consumers. For example, the hoverboard company was sued so many times that they retracted the hoverboard version with exploding batteries from store shelves. Manufacturing defects happen during the factory creation of the product. They may only involve one or a few products. This can happen from simple human errors or production errors in factory machines. Marketing defects involve incorrect labels or a lack of warning labels on products like medicines, machines, or power tools. For example, you have probably seen warning stickers on lasers that tell you not to shine the beam in your eyes or allergy listings on medications. These warning labels are designed to protect consumers. A lack of them may warrant a lawsuit. Seeking A Defective Products Attorney In Louisiana Suffering damages from a product you paid for can be frustrating, especially if the product was expensive and your medical bills were high. Talk to a Louisiana personal injury lawyer if this happened to you or a loved one and you are ready to take the next step. You may be eligible to receive compensation for pain and suffering, medical expenses, and lost wages. Call Big River Trial Attorneys today at (225) 963-9638 for a free case consultation.

Personal Injury

Recognizing Signs of a Spinal Cord Injury

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Recognizing Signs Of A Spinal Cord Injury Spinal cord injuries are often devastating for anyone who faces them. They can happen after a serious accident at work, while driving, or during recreational physical activities. Some people with minor spinal cord injuries can recover over time with lengthy rehabilitation and various medical treatments. However, many people with serious spinal cord damage will have to live with their newfound disabilities for life. You may not have to pay for the damages associated with your injury if the accident was caused by someone else. Talk to an experienced Louisiana spinal cord injuries lawyer if this happened to you and you are ready to seek compensation. Common Causes Of Spinal Cord Injuries Any kind of violent force to the spine can inflict damage to the spinal cord. The spinal cord is very fragile. This is why this delicate cord is protected by a bone cage called the spine. Violent impacts on the spine or unnatural bending of the back can crack or fracture the spine. When this happens, fractured vertebrae pieces can pierce and destroy parts of the spinal cord. Even if you do not experience immediate signs of spinal cord injury, this does not mean damage has not occurred. In some cases, inflammation, bleeding, and swelling in the impacted area can cause damage over time. Be sure to see a doctor as soon as possible if you suspect this has happened to you. Various types of accidents can cause this type of injury. Accidents at work like being hit by heavy objects or falling the wrong way can inflict spinal damage. Car accidents, especially rear-end car accidents, can do the same. Any of these types of accidents can involve negligence. Consulting with a lawyer can help you figure out whether you qualify for compensation. Signs Of A Spinal Cord Injury Since the spinal cord is responsible for communication between the brain and body, serious damage to the spinal cord can disrupt or prevent that communication. This damage can be manifested with signs of a spinal cord injury like: Lost bladder or bowel control Tingling sensations or numbness Inability to move certain parts of your body Back pain or unexplained pain after a hit to your back Trouble with breathing Signs that indicate you should seek medical assistance in an emergency room are: Complete loss of sensation in certain areas Problems with walking or coordination Abnormal back position Serious back pain or pressure Depending on the type of damage, some people may struggle with the inability to walk or feel any sensation below the site of the injury. Problems with talking, breathing, and other functions may also be present. Seeking A Spinal Cord Attorney In Louisiana Dealing with the aftermath of a spinal cord injury can be frustrating and draining. Adjusting to major life changes that come with this type of injury is difficult. A Louisiana personal injury attorney can help you if your injury was caused by the negligence of someone else. Depending on the circumstances surrounding your injury, you may be eligible to receive compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and future lost wages. Contact Big River Trial Attorneys at (225) 963-9638 for a free case consultation today.

Personal Injury

Determining Constructive Notice with Slip and Fall Accidents

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  Determining Constructive Notice With Slip And Fall Accidents Part of proving negligence after a slip and fall injury involves establishing whether the owner knew about the hazardous conditions that caused your fall. Determining this involves looking at constructive notice versus actual notice. Either one of these factors can help you prove the owner’s negligence. Proving negligence is the first step in obtaining compensation. Working with the right Baton Rouge personal injury lawyer can help you figure out what steps need to be taken to receive compensation for your personal injuries. What Is Constructive Notice? Understanding the difference between actual notice and constructive notice is important for knowing what type of personal injury claim you have. Actual notice means the owner was aware of the hazardous conditions that caused your slip and fall injuries. This type of situation is more straightforward than constructive notice claims. Constructive notice means the hazardous conditions that caused your injuries were present long enough to imply that the owner was aware of the hazard. Depending on the hazardous conditions, this may be harder to prove in your personal injury case. A lawyer can help you collect the evidence you need to prove that the owner’s negligence is what led to your injuries. Depending on how severe your injuries were, you may be eligible for compensation that covers medical expenses and lost wages. Certain injuries like traumatic brain injuries or spinal cord injuries may also warrant additional compensation for pain and suffering. Defective Conditions And Other Negligence Factors There are other factors that need to be examined when determining negligence. A Defective condition on the owner’s property is one of these factors. Defective conditions are any kind of property factors that contributed to your slip and fall. Common examples of defective property conditions are: Wet floors from puddles or mopping Loose electric cables with no tape Stairway debris Icy conditions commonly found on sidewalks and parking lots Unforeseen objects on the path Unlevel pathways with sudden drops or holes may also be considered hazardous if no warning signs were present. In some cases, this type of hazardous condition can be considered a trivial defect. When it comes to proving these conditions with evidence, pictures and testimony can be powerful tools. Pictures of the hazardous conditions can serve as ample evidence for what caused your injuries. Medical records can be used to prove what injuries you suffered and how much you lost financially. Proving the owner was aware of the hazardous conditions is something a lawyer can help you with. Seeking A Personal Injury Attorney In Louisiana Trying to prove damages from a slip and fall accident can sometimes be challenging, especially if the owner comes up with arguments against your case. Working with a Louisiana personal injury attorney can help you cover all the evidence and details you need to prove what happened. You may be eligible to receive compensation for lost wages, pain and suffering, and medical bills. For traffic accidents, it is best to call a lawyer and get their advice. Do not hesitate to seek the compensation you deserve. Call Big River Trial Attorneys today at (225) 963-9638 for a free case consultation. Our goal is to defend your rights.

Personal Injury

What Can I Do If My Co-Worker Caused My Injuries?

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What Can I Do If My Co-Worker Caused My Injuries? In most workplace accident situations that result in injuries, an employee informs the employer, so the employee can receive worker’s compensation. Since worker’s compensation is a no-fault system, no one in the workplace will be sued when worker’s compensation is accepted. However, you may be wondering if this the same in situations where your injuries were caused by a co-worker. Maybe your co-worker dropped a heavy object on your foot or failed to safely operate a machine. Talking to a Louisiana personal injury lawyer can help you figure out your options in these types of situations. Prevalence And Causes Of Workplace Injuries Around 321,000 workplace deaths happen each year. The causes of workplace accidents vary by the type of job, amount of work experience, and general workplace conditions or safety rules. With physically demanding jobs, there are several ways a workplace injury can occur. Common examples of what can lead to workplace injuries are forceful actions with machinery or tools, awkward positions when working with heavy objects or machines, high temperatures, working high above the ground, and job tasks that involve repetitive movements. Lifting heavy objects is a common precursor to workplace injuries caused by other employees. If one employee helping you carry a heavy object slips up, you may suffer an injury as a result. Other factors associated with workplace injuries are time pressures and low supervisor support. A lack of organization can greatly affect worker safety, productivity, and the workplace environment. Disorganized equipment can increase frustration, which can increase mistakes. Can I File A Lawsuit Against A Third Party? Usually, workplace accidents are only covered by worker’s compensation, a type of program designed to offer money to people injured on the job to cover medical expenses and lost wages. However, there are rare circumstances when you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit against a third-party involved with the accident. The third-party has to be someone who is not your employer or co-worker for the lawsuit to be filed. In other words, you cannot technically sue a co-worker or your boss because worker’s compensation laws are supposed to cover your damages. An example of a situation in which you could sue someone outside the workplace would be if a machine malfunction caused your injuries. This would allow you to file a lawsuit against the manufacturer of that machine. Looking For A Personal Injury Lawyer In Louisiana Struggling with serious injuries and lost wages after a workplace accident can be frustrating, especially if your injuries resulted in disabilities. If this happened to you, try talking to a Baton Rouge personal injury attorney who can help you figure out what your legal options are in your current situation. Depending on what caused the accident, you may be eligible for additional compensation from outside the workplace. To take the first step, contact Big River Trial Attorneys at (225) 963-9638 for a free case consultation today. We will work with you to help you earn the compensation you need to fully recover.

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