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Personal Injury

Overexertion Injuries Happen Over Time in Industrial Environments

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Industrial accidents often happen in an instant. Electrocutions, toxic chemical exposure, and falling objects are just some of the most common causes of industrial accidents that happen very quickly. However, not all injuries from industrial accidents appear right away. Sometimes, injuries in industrial spaces are not caused by an accident at all. They are simply the result of the duties industrial workers perform. Overexertion is one such injury. While injuries such as overexertion happen over time, workers can still often file a claim for compensation. Below, our Baton Rouge industrial accident lawyer explains more about this type of injury. Understanding Overexertion Injuries Overexertion occurs when a person pushes themselves too hard. Overexertion can happen when a person works too hard physically, or when they mentally push past their capabilities. Everyone has their own physical and mental limits, but there are some people who are more at risk of suffering from overexertion. Older individuals, people suffering from certain health conditions, and those who work in certain environments are more prone to overexertion injuries. In industrial workplaces, overexertion injuries are very common. This is due to the fact that industrial workers often have to lift, push, pull, and hold or carry heavy objects as part of their job. Common Causes of Overexertion Injuries Overexertion injuries can happen gradually over time, or they may happen right away. Some of the most common causes of overexertion injuries are as follows: Repetitive movements: Repetitive movements happen when a muscle or joint is active for a long period of time. The repetition puts strain on the body, which can result in discomfort or pain. Working on an assembly line, typing or writing, and using a computer mouse are some of the most common types of overexertion injuries caused by repetitive movements. Improper technique: Improper technique refers to when a task or activity is done incorrectly. This places stress on the bones, muscles, joints, and connective tissues, causing an overexertion injury. A few common examples of improper technique include sitting with poor posture, lifting items improperly, and standing in awkward positions. Sudden body movements: Forceful, sudden movements can also result in an overexertion injury. Industrial workers often have to twist, bend, push, pull, reach, and throw. Any of these sudden movements can result in an overexertion injury. Prolonged activity: Regularly engaging in an activity without sufficient breaks causes the body to become fatigued. Working on an assembly line or doing other strenuous work for a long period of time can cause an overexertion injury. Working many days in a row without a day off can also cause an overexertion injury. Prolonged activity can cause physical injury, but it can also result in mental injuries. Preventing an Overexertion Injury While overexertion injuries may seem unavoidable, that is not true. There are many steps workers and employees can take to prevent overexertion injuries. These are as follows: Follow safety regulations: Employers in industrial settings must make sure they follow the safety regulations outlined by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Employers should also train workers to follow these safety regulations and ensure everyone complies with them at all times. Understand risks and limitations: All workers should understand the risks they face on the job and how to avoid them. Employees should also be aware of their own limitations so they do not suffer an overexertion injury. Take frequent breaks: All workers should take regular breaks to prevent overuse of muscles and joints. Employers should always make sure employees take adequate breaks and that they have regular days off so they can rest. Know the signs of injury: Early detection is always important any time someone suffers an injury. Spotting the signs of an overexertion injury early is important so the body can get some rest and mitigate the severity of the injury. Steps to Take After an Overexertion Injury Whether you can file a personal injury claim or a workers’ compensation claim after an overexertion injury, it is critical that you take the right steps afterward. The steps you take now can either help or hurt any future claim you may file. The most important steps to take include: Tell your employer immediately: Most workplaces will have a form you should fill out after any type of injury. When an overexertion injury is due to repetitive use, such as carpal tunnel, incident reports may not be necessary. Still, it is important to report the injury so it is documented in the workplace. Seek medical treatment: If your injury is an emergency, you should call 911 or have someone else onsite call. If it is not an emergency, you should still leave work and visit an emergency room immediately. Getting immediate medical treatment will ensure your injuries do not become worse and it will also document them to prove your case. Document how the accident occurred: Regardless of what type of claim you file, it is critical that you are able to provide as much detailed information as possible about how the accident occurred. It is important to document how the accident occurred as soon as possible. Over time, your memories may fade and you may forget important details. Document how your injury has impacted your life: An overexertion injury may prevent you from enjoying the things you once did, performing basic daily tasks, and going to work to earn a living. It is important to document these losses so you can obtain the full amount of compensation you need. Our Industrial Accident Lawyers in Baton Rouge Can Help With Your Injury Claim If you believe you have suffered an overexertion injury, our Baton Rouge industrial accident lawyers at Big River Trial Attorneys can help. Our experienced attorneys can advise on which type of claim to file, protect your health, and uphold your rights so you obtain the full and fair compensation you are entitled to. Call us now at (225) 963-9638 or fill out our online form to schedule a free consultation and to learn more about

Personal Injury

Most Common Types of Commercial Truck Accidents

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According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), heavy commercial trucks account for over 13% of fatal accidents on the roads. This is an alarming statistic, considering that these vehicles make up fewer than five percent of all registered vehicles throughout the country. In over 70% of cases, the victims of these crashes are occupants of smaller vehicles and not those in large trucks. While we do need large commercial trucks on the roads and highways, as they play an important role in the economy, there is no denying that they do in fact, pose a danger to others. Below, our Baton Rouge personal injury lawyer outlines the most common types of accidents and why they occur. Truck Rollovers Truck rollover accidents are some of the most terrifying and catastrophic types of crashes. Transport trucks have a much higher center of gravity than standard passenger vehicles. Truckers must exercise extra caution when they make sudden swerves or make a tight turn. When truck drivers do not drive safely, the trailer may flip, causing the entire truck to roll over onto its side. This creates a deadly and dangerous hazard for anyone in the near vicinity of the truck. Truck drivers may cause a rollover accident when they drive while they are distracted, speed, or are impaired by alcohol or drugs. However, truck drivers are not always responsible for these types of crashes. For example, if a third party improperly loaded cargo onto the truck, that could throw the entire vehicle out of balance and cause the truck to roll over. Rear-End Accidents When two passenger vehicles are involved in a rear-end accident, the resulting damage is usually quite minor. However, when a large and heavy commercial truck rear-ends a smaller vehicle, the damage is much more catastrophic. In these cases, passengers in smaller cars can become crushed upon impact. Truck drivers can cause a rear-end accident when they are distracted, following too closely, speeding, or exhibiting other dangerous driving behaviors. Truck drivers must ensure they observe the recommended following distances by the FMCSA to keep everyone safe. Head-On Collisions Head-on collisions are typically fatal even when they involve two small passenger vehicles. Fatalities are much more likely when a head-on collision involves a large commercial truck. Truck drivers can cause a head-on collision in a number of ways including driving while impaired or fatigued. Tire blowouts can also cause a head-on collision if the trucker loses control of their vehicle and these are not always the fault of the driver. Manufacturers who create defective tires can also be held liable in these cases. A head-on collision can occur anywhere on the roads, but there are some places that are more common than others. These include stop signs, red lights, and intersections. In these areas, head-on collisions often occur because a truck driver has failed to yield the right-of-way. Jackknife Accidents A jackknife accident can happen when a commercial truck with joints between the trailer and the tractor makes improper braking maneuvers or turns and the force causes the trailer to swing wide and create a folding jackknife shape. This type of accident is especially hazardous due to the fact that a skidding trailer is highly unpredictable and can strike vehicles in the nearby vicinity. Those vehicles can be further carried along as the trailer forces its way through traffic. Improper braking is the most common cause of jackknife accidents. In these instances, the trailer does not slow down as quickly as the tractor. The trailer then fishtails and can slide to one side, causing a jackknife accident. Improper turns can also cause these types of accidents. Even if a trailer jackknifes and the driver avoids crashing into other vehicles before coming to a complete stop, oncoming traffic may crash into the trailer, which can result in a multi-vehicle accident. T-Bone Accidents A T-bone accident occurs when a heavy commercial truck crashes into the side of another vehicle. These crashes typically occur when truck drivers run red lights, do not yield the right-of-way, or ignore stop signs. T-bone accidents most commonly occur at intersections. A T-bone accident will be most devastating for occupants of smaller vehicles, particularly those that are in the direct path of the truck. Smaller vehicles are not as able to absorb the impact as other vehicles and so, occupants will typically suffer catastrophic injuries. Sideswipe Accidents Sideswipe accidents are very similar to T-bone accidents, but there are some differences. Typically, vehicles involved in a sideswipe accident were traveling side by side at the time, and it is the sides of the vehicles that crash together. Sideswipe commercial truck accidents are usually caused by negligent truck drivers who do not check their blind spots before merging or changing lanes. The blind spots on trucks are extremely large. Still, truckers are expected to know how to check them and make sure other vehicles are not in these areas before changing lanes. Intense wind, tire blowouts, road obstacles, and inclement weather can all also cause a truck driver to lose control of their vehicle, causing a sideswipe accident. Regardless of what causes a sideswipe accident, occupants of slower vehicles are often severely injured because they are thrown into other lanes of traffic. Wide Turn Accidents Truck drivers must maneuver right turns far more carefully than left turns, as right turns are very difficult for large trucks. In some instances, truck drivers may swing out to the left before making a right turn, to avoid the squeezing action right turns create. However, this can be a problem for vehicles in the neighboring lanes. The FMCSA states that truckers should travel straight through to the further lane of the road onto which they are turning. They should then maneuver right into the closest lane available. Still, this instruction requires truckers to travel very carefully and cautiously to avoid a crash. Our Personal Injury Lawyer in Baton Rouge Can Help After Any Crash Regardless of the type of truck accident you

Personal Injury

How To Document Your Injuries After An Accident

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Hey guys! Injury attorney Rusty Messer with Big River Trial Attorneys explains everything you need to know about how to document your injuries after an accident so you can MAXIMIZE your insurance claim! If you’ve been injured in an accident and you have questions about what documents or what evidence to send to the insurance company or if you have questions about how an attorney can help you get the most money for your accident (and statistics show that you’re likely to get more money with an attorney than without) if you have questions about any of these things, give us a call for a confidential, no-cost consultation.

Personal Injury

Being a Victim in a Bicycle Accident

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Being A Victim In A Bicycle Accident Are you an avid bicycle rider in Baton Rouge? If so, read on to familiarize yourself with what you should do to protect your best interest in the unfortunate event you get into a bicycle accident. It is good to note that bikes are considered vehicles in Louisiana, so riders are subject to the same rights and duties as drivers of actual vehicles, such as cars and trucks. This means that a bicycle rider is subject to the same claims if they are deemed responsible for the accident. Regarding liability, it is important to understand that Louisiana is a pure comparative fault state, which means that if the victim contributed to their own injury or accident, then their recovery will be reduced by their own percentage of fault. Basically, a victim’s claim would be limited to the amount they did not contribute to the accident or injury, so if a victim is found to be 40% at-fault for the accident or their injury, then their recovery would be reduced by 40%. Call 911, And Wait For The Police To Arrive Bicycle accidents are just as serious as other vehicular accidents, so you should call 911 as soon as the accident has occurred. Since bicycles are considered vehicles under Louisiana laws, the biker and the motorist are legally obligated to remain at the scene after the accident, especially if there have been damages to either party. However, it is important to note that you do not leave the scene even if you feel or think that you are not injured since many traumas from a bicycle or vehicular accidents are not obvious at the outset. Obtain The Other Party’s Information Another critical action to do is to exchange information with the other motorist with the help of attorneys for those who faced DUI charges. Both parties must provide the following information: name, address, phone number, driver’s license number, license plate number, make of car, and insurance policy number. It is also important to note that you should not contact Augusta injury lawyers for hire for your case but also must make sure that you don’t negotiate with the other motorist even if they express responsibility for the accident since you may not be fully aware of the damage and injuries caused by the accident. More so, it is prudent to let a sound legal professional handle the negotiations. Obtain Witness Information Another essential party to your bicycle accident is the witness. If they are available at the scene, you must obtain their information, including their name and contact information. It is also a good idea to ask them to stay at the scene until the police arrive to provide their witness account on the police report. Document The Accident And The Damages In order to preserve the documentation’s integrity, information about the accident must be written down as soon as possible. Facilitate And Obtain A Copy Of The Police Report A police report is a required document for all insurance or court claims. Therefore, you must make sure that the police report contains only an accurate depiction of the accident. It is also vital that you report any injury and damage, no matter how minor or insignificant it may be, as it may develop into something major later on. Make sure to triple-check and confirm all the information on the police report before you sign it. Please do not sign the report unless you have confirmed its content. It is critical that you also take the police officer’s information in the event that you need to clarify or modify the report. It is important that you also keep a copy of the report for your records. Seek Medical Attention As mentioned above, not all injuries are obvious right after the accident. Thus, it is important to consult a doctor and get a written evaluation immediately after the accident, even if the injuries are minor. It is also good to have your injuries photographed and record any symptoms you may have for several days or weeks. Preserve All Evidence From The Accident To assist your legal claim and rights, it is essential to you preserve all evidence from the accident. This might include keeping the clothes at the same condition as when it was worn at the time of the accident even if they were not damaged. It is also critical that the bicycle, accessories, and parts are preserved in the same condition as they were right after the accident. If possible, keep the damaged bike, parts, and accessories as is. If it is necessary to have them repaired, take photographs of the damaged items, and get a written document of the damages before repair. Seek Guidance From An Experienced Bicycle Accident Lawyer The next big and important step to take after a bicycle accident is to retain a competent legal representative. As with any motor accidents, the process is full of negotiations, paperwork, and claims. An experienced personal injury attorney (lawyers for car accident victims should be checked out here) could not only guide you on this complicated process, but they can also advocate on your behalf to get the claim you rightfully deserve. If you or a loved one have been in a bicycle accident in Louisiana, you should speak with an experienced personal injury attorney. Please feel free to give us a call (225) 963-9638, or click here to contact us about scheduling a free consultation.

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