Massachusetts Personal Injury Lawyer Blog

Massachusetts High State Court Changes Rules on Slip And Fall Lawsuits

The Massachusetts high court recently changed the rules on Slip-And-Fall lawsuits linked to winter to benefit people who slip and fall from “natural accumulations” of snow and ice.

Elderly woman hit by SUV on Fourth in “good” condition

An elderly woman hit by an SUV after a Fourth of July parade in Chatham is now in "good" condition according to a spokeswoman at the Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston. Virginia Machie, age 81, was struck by an SUV driving by Troy Eldredge, 27, of Harwich.

Eldredge hit the woman and then ran over her on Post Office Road after the July 4^th parade this past weekend. According to an article in the Cape Cod Times, the Cape Cod Accident Reconstruction Team went to the scene of the accident yesterday to further investigate the accident. A final report should be completed within the next day, and police will consider whether charges should be filed against Eldredge.

If you or your loved one has been injured by a negligent driver you should contact a personal injury attorney immediately to learn about your rights and determine liability. When you are interviewing personal injury attorneys ask critical questions, like: how long have you been practicing; what is the largest settlement or verdict you've obtained, and do you have experience with pedestrian accident cases? The Law Office of Thomas M. Kiley, a law firm in Andover, Massachusetts, takes time when speaking with you about your case and works with you on a contingent fee basis so there are NO FEES unless our trained personal injury lawyers wins your case. Call now for a FREE evaluation of your case - 1-800-410-2769.

Construction Accidents, How Serious Are They?

The majority of all construction accidents don't even get reported. They are the minor bumps, bruises, and cuts that are handled with the on-site first aid kit. Unfortunately, there are many more injuries that do go reported, and they tend to be the construction injuries that end in serious disability or death.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, "Construction workers experienced 135,350 injuries and illnesses in 2007 and had an incident rate of 190 per 100,000 workers."

The numbers provided prove that construction accidents are an all too common occurrence and that the safety of construction workers is still not at a level where it should be.

If you are a construction worker and believe your company is not taking the necessary steps to ensure worker safety, there are steps you can take.

For more information about construction accidents and types of construction injuries, read Types of Construction Injuries.

When looking for a personal injury attorney ask critical questions, like: how long have you been practicing law; what is the largest settlement or verdict you have obtained; and do you have experience with construction accidents in Boston? The Law Office of Thomas M. Kiley, located in Andover, Massachusetts takes time when speaking with you about your case. Mr. Kiley's firm works with you on a contingent basis so there are NO FEES unless our trained personal injury lawyers win your case. Call now for a FREE evaluation.

Construction Zones are Dangerous

Every American is legally entitled to a workplace that is safe, free of hazards, and inspected to prevent foreseeable accidents. Unfortunately, more accidents occur in the construction industry than the national average.

In the last year, construction injury statistics show that construction industry had the second highest number of fatalities in the workplace and an above average number of days that were lost due to illness or injury.

It is up to every worker, foreman, and construction boss to make the construction site a safer place to work.

To read more about construction safety, read our article on Construction Safety.

When looking for a personal injury attorney ask critical questions, like: how long have you been practicing law; what is the largest settlement or verdict you have obtained; and do you have experience with construction site accidents in Boston? The Law Office of Thomas M. Kiley, located in Andover, Massachusetts takes time when speaking with you about your case. Mr. Kiley's firm works with you on a contingent basis so there are NO FEES unless our trained personal injury lawyers win your case. Call now for a FREE evaluation.

Most Common Construction Injury

The most common construction injury is also the most common injury reported for Worker's Compensation claims -- Falls.

Falls are sited as the most dangerous and most prevalent accident occurring in all industries.

Falls in the construction industry can be a little more severe as an article in the New York Times reported. The news story discussed how two men were charged with compromising security when they cut off the guard rail of a platform where later another construction worker fell to his death. The worker was also not wearing his safety harness.

For more information about the types of construction injuries, read Types of Construction Injuries.

When looking for a personal injury attorney ask critical questions, like: how long have you been practicing law; what is the largest settlement or verdict you have obtained; and do you have experience with construction site accidents in Boston? The Law Office of Thomas M. Kiley, located in Andover, Massachusetts takes time when speaking with you about your case. Mr. Kiley's firm works with you on a contingent basis so there are NO FEES unless our trained personal injury lawyers win your case. Call now for a FREE evaluation.

Preventable Construction Accidents

A construction site on the roadway is extremely dangerous to construction workers. Many construction deaths occur annually when a worker is hit by a passing vehicle.

Each driver needs to take responsibility for driving safely though construction zones in an effort to reduce, and eliminate the deaths that occur by vehicles in a construction roadway zone.

Some states have even enacted bills that increase fines and/or jail time if a driver speeds or has an accident in a construction zone.

By slowing down and being aware of the construction workers around you, you can help prevent construction worker deaths and debilitating accidents.

Learn more about on common construction injuries and construction accident statistics!

When looking for a personal injury attorney ask critical questions, like: how long have you been practicing law; what is the largest settlement or verdict you have obtained; and do you have experience with construction site accidents in Boston? The Law Office of Thomas M. Kiley, located in Andover, Massachusetts takes time when speaking with you about your case. Mr. Kiley's firm works with you on a contingent basis so there are NO FEES unless our trained personal injury lawyers win your case. Call now for a FREE evaluation.

Preventing Construction Accidents

The Centers for Disease Control state, "Construction accounted for 1,178 fatal work injuries, the most of any industry sector in 2007." This number does not include the numerous construction injuries that prevent the injured worker from ever returning to work in the construction industry.

Construction workers and their families should be asking their employers what they will be doing to reduce that figure. Construction workers can get increase the safety of their jobsite by reporting accidents, demanding safety inspections, and working with construction companies to help make the jobsite as safe as possible.

Many construction accidents can be prevented by following construction safety protocols and reporting work hazards before an injury occurs.

To learn about what to do after a construction accident, read What to do After a Construction Accident: Tips for Victims.

When looking for a personal injury attorney ask critical questions, like: how long have you been practicing law; what is the largest settlement or verdict you have obtained; and do you have experience with construction accidents? The Law Office of Thomas M. Kiley, located in Andover, Massachusetts takes time when speaking with you about your case. Mr. Kiley's firm works with you on a contingent basis so there are NO FEES unless our trained personal injury lawyers win your case. Call now for a FREE evaluation.

Attorney Advice: Protect Your Rights in a Construction Accident

If you have been injured in a construction accident but you're not sure what you should do other than seek medical attention, there are steps you should take to protect yourself.

After the accident, make sure you

• Report the injury to your employer and/or foreman of the worksite
  
• Note who instructed you to carry out the activity that led to the accident
  
• Get the names and contact information for any witnesses of the accident
  
• If possible, preserve evidence of the accident
  

For more information about your rights after a construction accident, visit the United States Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Workplace safety is especially important in a hazardous environment like a construction site. If your injury was due to negligence you may be entitled to further compensation.

To learn about what to do after a construction accident, read What to do After a Construction Accident: Tips for Victims.

A construction accident can completely change you or your child's life. Always check for building code violations in Boston when suffering from a construction accident. If you or someone you know has been injured at a work site, while working on scaffolding in a construction site in Boston or Andover you should contact an attorney to learn about your rights and determine liability. Massachusetts has a statute of limitations that may prohibit you from filing a law suit. Contact The Law Office of Thomas M. Kiley for guidance on your personal injury case.

Attorney Advice: Report All Construction Site Accidents

Often in the construction industry, accidents that are minor in nature or scope are not reported to the proper authorities. This is unfortunate because the lack of reporting can cause construction accident statistics to be skewed and keep known hazards from being addressed on the jobsite. Often there is fear amongst the workers to report an accident since they may end up fired or black-listed for doing so.

Unfortunately, if a small injury isn't reported and leads to a larger disability down the road, the amount of compensation you may be eligible for can be severely impacted.

When construction workers (and their employers) take the time to fully report all construction site accidents and injuries, it provides the company with a chance to make small corrections to improve the overall safety of the workplace. These small fixes can lead to preventing a major accident, injury, or death.

For more information about construction safety, read Construction Safety.

A construction accident can completely change you or your child's life. Always check for building code violations in Boston after suffering a construction accident. If you or someone you know has been injured at a work site, while working on scaffolding in a construction site in Boston or Andover you should contact an attorney to learn about your rights and determine liability. Massachusetts has a statute of limitations that may prohibit you from filing a law suit. Contact The Law Office of Thomas M. Kiley for guidance on your personal injury case.

Construction Injuries and Social Security Disability

Many people are not aware that they can start the process of filing for Social Security Disability online after a construction accident. This process of applying can be done at the Social Security Administration's online site for disability.

If you have been injured permanently in a construction accident, one of the things that you will want to look into is the filing for Social Security Disability.

Pertinent Information to File Your Claim

• Documentation proving citizenship
  
• Social security number
  
• Medical diagnosis
  
• Doctor's information
  
• Previous work history information
  
• Hire an attorney, Social Security is a difficult process

For more information about resources for victims of construction accidents, read Resources for Construction Accident Victims.

When looking for a personal injury attorney ask critical questions, like: how long have you been practicing law; what is the largest settlement or verdict you have obtained; and do you have experience with construction accident cases in Boston? The Law Office of Thomas M. Kiley, located in Andover, Massachusetts takes time when speaking with you about your case. Mr. Kiley's firm works with you on a contingent basis so there are NO FEES unless our trained personal injury lawyers win your case. Call now for a FREE evaluation.

Seven Common Construction Site Injuries

Construction workers often find themselves in dangerous working conditions where accidents can and do occur daily. According to the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries, the following are the most common construction site injuries requiring worker's compensation:

• Caught in/under/between objects or machinery
  
• Falls from elevation
  
• Falls from same elevation
  
• Struck by/against
  
• Motor vehicle accidents
  
• Work-related musculoskeletal disorders of the lower extremities (knees, ankles, feet, toes)
  
• Musculoskeletal disorders of the upper body (neck, back, arms, fingers)
  

The report continues to share that the building construction profession was close to the top of the list of industries that frequented these types of injuries.

For more information about construction injury statistics, read Construction Injury Statistics.

When looking for a personal injury attorney ask critical questions, like: how long have you been practicing law; what is the largest settlement or verdict you have obtained; and do you have experience with construction accident cases in Boston? The Law Office of Thomas M. Kiley, located in Andover, Massachusetts takes time when speaking with you about your case. Mr. Kiley's firm works with you on a contingent basis so there are NO FEES unless our trained personal injury lawyers win your case. Call now for a FREE evaluation.

Burn Statistics

According to the Burn Survivor Resource Center, "In the United States, approximately 2.4 million burn injuries are reported per year." They continue to state that 650,000 people are treated by medical professionals with 75,000 patients hospitalized each year.

If you only count the hospitalized burn victims, the following statistics apply:

• 6250 burn victims a month
  
• 1442 Burn victims a week
  
• 205 burn victims a day
  
• 8.5 burn victims are hospitalized an hour
  
  

All of these burn statistics pertain only to those victims that were hospitalized. Astounding!

Any burn survivor should immediately contact an experienced burn injury attorney to protect their rights.

Learn more about the types of burns and their treatments.

Burn Victim Resources

Severe burn victims can have a hard time adjusting during their treatment and the subsequent aftermath. Many burn patients end up with lengthy treatments and residual psychological issues. Resources are available online and in local communities.

Web Resources for Patients

• Wikipedia
  
• WebMD
  
• Burn Survivors Online
  
• BurnSurvivor.org
  
  

BurnSurvivor.org provides a wealth of information on how to get a burn victim's life back to normal, or as close to normal as possible.

Local Resources

• Hospital
  
• Doctor
  
• Burn Clinic
  
• Psychologist
  
• Mental Health Counselor
  
• Support Groups
  
  

Family members of burn victims need to be aware that although the burn may heal, the after effects of the burn accident may take more time to recover from. Their most important role is to be there for the burn survivor.

Any burn victim should immediately contact an experienced personal injury attorney to protect their rights.

Learn more about the pain of burns.

Slip and Fall Accidents: Tips on how to avoid them

A "slip and fall" accident can cause debilitating pain, injury and even death.  Every year, more than 540,000 people in North America slip and fall and require hospitalization. Countless others suffer less serious injuries and treat them with home remedies or seek medical attention directly from their doctor or health care practitioner. Nearly 20,000 people die annually from a slip and fall accident - many suffering serious head injuries. 

Costs associated with injuries include medical expenses, wage and productivity loss, and administrative fees.

How To Avoid a Slip and Fall Accident  

There are steps you can take to minimize your risk of suffering an injury caused by a slip and fall accident in the home and in public: 

• Wear footwear with good traction and non-slip soles
• Do not stand on furniture - use step stools and ladders
• De-ice steps and walkways in the winter
• Promptly clean up spills and wet floor surfaces and don't wax floors.
• Differentiate the color of the floor at the doorway to your home
• Arrange furniture to provide open pathways
• Keep electrical and telephone cords out of walkways
• Remove hazards than can easily cause falls (toys, sports equipment, etc.)
• Keep a night-light in your bathroom
• Use child safety gates at the top and bottom of stairs to protect young children
• Put non-slip bath mats in showers and tubs
• Talk to your health care provider about gait, balance and strength training

 

If you have been involved in a slip and fall event outside of your home, you may be entitled to compensation from the property owner of the accident location if they were negligent in maintaining the area.

FREE Legal Consultation 

Our team of experienced personal injury attorneys can help you secure the compensation you deserve!

Call the Law Office of Kiley Law Group today for a FREE evaluation of your case - 1-800-410-2769.