Mansfield Personal Injury Blog

Traumatic brain injuries can stem from car crashes

On Behalf of The Heck Law Offices, Ltd. | Tuesday Jun 15, 2021 | Catastrophic Injuries

Brain injuries can produce life-altering changes that make it difficult for a person to perform their activities of daily life (ADL). These injuries can require lifelong medical care, which can be costly. There are two common types of brain injuries that can occur when the victim is involved in a car crash – penetrating and non-penetrating. How do penetrating and non-penetrating injuries differ? A penetrating injury occurs when something pierces the skin and skull and infiltrates the brain. In a car wreck, there are many things that can penetrate the skull, e.g., metal components of the...

Teenage drivers: Thousands on the roads put others at risk

On Behalf of The Heck Law Offices, Ltd. | Thursday Jun 3, 2021 | Car Accidents

If you’ve ever been on the road when school lets out in the afternoon or during the summer break, you may have noticed that there are more teen drivers. Younger drivers may make simple traffic mistakes that cause near-misses and crashes, which may make it frustrating to be on the roads with them. Teens are learning, so it does make sense that they make mistakes. Unfortunately, those mistakes can sometimes be deadly. If you’re hit by one, then it is your right to pursue a claim against them for causing injuries or fatalities. Did you know that 7% of all drivers in Ohio are under the age of...

What your family situation means for wrongful death claims

On Behalf of The Heck Law Offices, Ltd. | Friday May 28, 2021 | Wrongful Death

Accidental death is a common cause of fatalities in Ohio. People die in household accidents, incidents on the job and also car crashes. All are examples of accidental death. However, just because a death is accidental doesn't mean it was unavoidable or that no one is responsible. When someone causes the death of another person through their actions or by default or neglect, the situation may be a case of wrongful death. In a wrongful death scenario, the representative of the decedent's estate brings a claim against the person or entity responsible for their loss of life. The family...

Wearing high-visibility clothing while riding your motorcycle may save your life

On Behalf of The Heck Law Offices, Ltd. | Monday May 17, 2021 | Motor Vehicle Accidents

If you tell someone that you’re a motorcyclist, their next question might be about whether you’ve been in any accidents. People tend to associate riding a motorcycle with an enhanced injury risk. One of the reasons why motorcyclists face such a high risk of injury is due to visibility issues. It’s not uncommon for motorcyclists to say that they didn’t see riders approaching them. Motorcycle riders can take measures to make themselves more visible to potentially minimize their crash risks. How likely is it for a driver to see a motorcyclist? The U.S. Department of Transportation previously...

Why are rural roads more dangerous than other ones?

On Behalf of The Heck Law Offices, Ltd. | Friday Apr 30, 2021 | Car Accidents

People often think of city traffic as chaotic and dangerous. Conversely, they think of a drive down a rural country road as something fun and even relaxing. However, studies have found that rural roads are more dangerous when you look at the fatality rates. Why are they so dangerous, even though people tend to think of them as safer areas to drive? The role of speed Speed plays a tremendous role as far as rural accidents are concerned. A city street has such vastly lower speed limits that accidents are easier to survive. Even if there are more cars and more collisions in the city, those...

What you should know about the dangers playgrounds pose

On Behalf of The Heck Law Offices, Ltd. | Monday Apr 19, 2021 | Premises Liability

Playgrounds are a place where children can laugh and play together -- but they're also fraught with danger. Data published by the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors captures how emergency room doctors see at least 200,000 children who suffer playground injuries each year. There are some trends as to who and how children end up getting hurt on playgrounds. As a parent, you may want to study those so that you'll know to pay extra close attention to your child while on a playground. Which kids are most vulnerable to suffering playground injuries? There's almost a 50-50...

How car crashes are particularly dangerous for your kids

On Behalf of The Heck Law Offices, Ltd. | Monday Apr 5, 2021 | Car Accidents

Car crashes are a major contributor to injuries and fatalities for people of all ages. However, there is no ignoring how dangerous collisions can be for those who are not yet adults. Children ride in vehicles designed for the safety of adults and restraints similarly designed for those taller and heavier than they are. Even with specialized car seats and boosters, children can suffer severe and fatal injuries in crashes. How much focus should you put on your children's safety when you head out for a drive? Certain mistakes drastically increase the risk to your children Harm reduction or risk...

3 situations that could lead to wrongful death lawsuits

On Behalf of The Heck Law Offices, Ltd. | Thursday Apr 1, 2021 | Wrongful Death

Losing a loved one is never easy, but when someone caused your loss, it can be even harder. Knowing that someone's actions or inaction directly resulted in the death of a loved one can hurt, especially if they don't face criminal charges for what they did. Wrongful death lawsuits are a way for family members to seek justice for their loved ones and also compensation for the impact of their loss on their lives. Under Ohio law, wrongful acts or criminal behavior can lead to a wrongful death claim, as can negligence or default (failure to act). The following three scenarios below are all...

3 things doctors do (or don’t do) that can cause birth injuries

On Behalf of The Heck Law Offices, Ltd. | Wednesday Mar 17, 2021 | Medical Malpractice

When you are in labor, your life is in danger, as is the life of your unborn child. Although modern medicine has made the process of bringing new life into the world safer, childbirth can still result in permanent injury or death to a woman. Additionally, complications during birth might claim a life of an unborn child. Most of the time, doctors will take immediate action to protect both mother and child. Unfortunately, sometimes it is the behavior of a doctor that results in a tragic outcome or birth injury. How do doctors sometimes contribute to their patients' birth injuries? They don't...

Did you know that you can sue your Ohio landlord for an apartment complex injury?

On Behalf of The Heck Law Offices, Ltd. | Friday Mar 5, 2021 | Premises Liability

Prospective tenants often visit and assess the potential apartment units and the surrounding communities before committing to any option. They often commit to a property only if it seems well-maintained and safe -- yet looks can easily deceive. Rental companies and landlords often put their best foot forward, not wanting to show the flaws that lurk underneath. You may find some solace in knowing that you may be able to hold a landlord who fails to protect your safety accountable for their actions if you get hurt. Your landlord's obligation to protect your safety Many savvy renters know that...