New York Personal Injury Blog

Weather is a threat to worker safety: Be cautious

On behalf of The Law Offices of Mark E. Weinberger P.C. on Tuesday, October 8, 2019.

If you work in construction, then you are already aware that the weather has an impact on construction site safety. Yes, there are many hazards that you may face on the job, but weather is one that is hard to control.

Being aware of the potential weather conditions on any day is your employer's responsibility. They should not allow you to work in conditions that are unsafe for the work you're performing. For example, if you're working in water, it's highly unlikely that it would be safe to continue working during a lightning storm.

Kensington home explodes, at least 3 people injured

On behalf of The Law Offices of Mark E. Weinberger P.C. posted in Workers' Compensation on Friday, October 4, 2019.

When you go to work, you know to expect some risks. You can take steps to minimize the chance of accidents happening. Workers who go into people's homes might face additional risks that they can't control. A recent story out of Kensington emphasizes how important safety for these workers is.

Three people suffered injuries when a home they were in exploded. One of those individuals was a painter working in the house. From the sound of the news reports, they were lucky to get out alive. The painter was in the basement at the time of the explosion. That's also where officials note the explosion was.

Watch for signs of nursing home negligence

On behalf of The Law Offices of Mark E. Weinberger P.C. on Friday, September 27, 2019.

Nursing homes should be a place of rest for everyone who lives there. Sadly, not all employees in these facilities do what is best for the residents. Negligence is a big problem in some, and putting an end to it is a priority.

You can watch for signs that something is amiss when you go to visit your loved one. These clues are sometimes subtle, but they may also be blatant. If you notice even one of these signs, swift action is appropriate.

Try to avoid a head-on crash if possible

On behalf of The Law Offices of Mark E. Weinberger P.C. posted in motor vehicle accidents on Friday, September 20, 2019.

All drivers should have an idea of how to avoid having a crash. One type of accident that is particularly dangerous is the head-on collision because it puts two vehicles that are traveling at high speeds against each other. These crashes can easily be fatal, so you should do your best to avoid it.

The first clue that you might have that there is someone driving the wrong way is that you see a car coming right for you. If you see this, you have to make a split-second decision. The option you choose might depend on how far the vehicle is from you and how fast it is traveling.

Lung illnesses from vaping can be fatal

On behalf of The Law Offices of Mark E. Weinberger P.C. posted in products liability on Friday, September 6, 2019.

Vaping has long been touted as being safer than smoking cigarettes; however, an outbreak of lung illnesses linked to vaping shows that this might not be the case. These illnesses have occurred all over the country, and it is now thought that the culprit of these is a vitamin E derived oil in some marijuana products made for vaping. The troubling thing about this is that the contaminant was found in different brands of this type of product.

Officials were quick to note that there isn't definitive evidence that this chemical is the sole reason for the sometimes fatal lung illnesses. Experts note that even though vitamin E acetate is safe for use on the skin and as an oral supplement, the molecular structure may have a damaging effect on the lungs when it is inhaled.

Steps to take when making a car insurance claim

On behalf of The Law Offices of Mark E. Weinberger P.C. on Monday, August 26, 2019.

Making a car insurance claim is more difficult than it sounds, as it's critical to take all the right steps at the right time. For example, if you pass the entire process off to your agent, assuming they'll do what's best for you, it's possible that you will miss out on compensation that you deserve.

Here are five of the most important things to do when making a car insurance claim:

Call your agent as soon as possible: Your health and safety take top priority, but don't hesitate to contact your agent the second you find the time to do so. This gives you the opportunity to not only file a claim, but also provide basic information as to what went wrong.
Review your policy: It's easy to be taken advantage of when you don't understand the coverage provided by your policy. You pay for insurance coverage every month, so you should receive benefits accordingly.
Don't answer questions you don't understand: If you say the wrong thing to your agent when filing a claim, it's possible they'll use the information against you. If you don't understand a question or don't feel comfortable answering, explain this to your agent. It's best to consult with a personal injury attorney before doing anything, as they can help protect your legal rights.
Collect evidence: This can include but is not limited to photos of the accident scene and your injuries, police report and medical bills.
Take notes of every conversation you have: Any time you speak with an insurance representative, write down the name of the person, what was said, the time and date.

Semitruck crashes lead to devastation; compensation is possible

On behalf of The Law Offices of Mark E. Weinberger P.C. posted in truck accidents on Friday, August 23, 2019.

Being hit by a semitruck will change your current situation. When you think about the size and weight of these vehicles, you can certainly understand why many accidents involving them are very serious. For the victims of these crashes, financial challenges will likely follow. These can come from the cost of treating injuries, as well as you having to take off work if the injury was serious.

We never want to have a victim remain responsible for their expenses related to a crash. We want the liable parties to be held accountable for their actions. One thing that will do this is if they have to pay compensation to you because of the crash.

These tips can help you avoid a ladder fall

On behalf of The Law Offices of Mark E. Weinberger P.C. on Monday, August 12, 2019.

Falls are among the most dangerous incidents that can take place. In 2017, 36,338 people died from falls at home or work on and off ladders. They're also a leading cause of nonfatal injuries.

To prevent falls, it's important to know the tools you're working with. When you choose a ladder, it's essential that it's the right ladder for the job. You need to know a few things such as:

How high you need to reach
The total weight the ladder has to hold
If you need to use a wooden, plastic or metal ladder due to the environment it's to be placed in

2 avenues of compensation for work-related injuries

On behalf of The Law Offices of Mark E. Weinberger P.C. posted in Workers' Compensation on Friday, August 9, 2019.

Workers who are injured don't miraculously have their bills paid. Instead, they have to figure out how to have an income so they can continue to pay for their needs. Workers' compensation benefits are often the only way that injured employees can manage while they're off work. This program provides medical care benefits and partial wage replacement to individuals who suffer a work-related injury or illness.

It is important to note that the wage replacement doesn't cover your entire paycheck and it isn't available right away. You have to miss a specific amount of work due to the injury or illness and with your doctor's instruction in order to qualify for this. We know that this might be a lot to handle right now, but we are here to work with our clients as they learn about how to handle their case.

Signs of substandard care in a skilled nursing facility

On behalf of The Law Offices of Mark E. Weinberger P.C. on Thursday, July 25, 2019.

The care that a person receives in a nursing home should meet that person's needs. Individualized care plans can be beneficial, but only if the staff follows those plans accordingly. When any vital need is bypassed, there is a chance that the resident might suffer. This neglect is fully preventable, but is often overlooked by the staff.

For anyone who has a loved one in a nursing home, watching for signs of substandard care should become a part of normal life. The earlier you spot these issues, the more likely you will be able to address them before they get too out of hand. It might help for you to make a note of these common signs of neglect so you can refer to it quickly if you think something is amiss.