Mansfield Personal Injury Blog

How to keep your kids busy on a road trip

On behalf of The Heck Law Offices, Ltd. | Friday Jul 3, 2020 | Car Accidents

Heading out to the park, the beach or just to visit relatives? If you’re a parent, it’s hard not to dread a road trip when it takes roughly 2.3 seconds (give or take) for the kids to get bored and restless in the back seat. If you don’t find a way to distract them from the trip, they’re apt to distract you -- and having your attention diverted from the road to break up a back-seat squabble can be dangerous. With that in mind, here are a few ways to keep your progeny occupied while you’re on the road: Bring an activity bag for each kid. Let each of your children fill a bag with their favorite...

Who can file a wrongful death lawsuit in Ohio?

On behalf of The Heck Law Offices, Ltd. | Friday Jun 26, 2020 | Wrongful Death

People make mistakes every day, and most of the time, someone's negligence or bad behavior will have consequences only for that one person. Sadly, some decisions, like the decision to drive drunk, could ripple out and affect other people negatively. If you find yourself in a situation where someone else directly caused the death of a person you love, you may find yourself wondering if you have the right to take action and seek justice for your loss. Wrongful death claims are a way to compensate the surviving loved ones of a person who loses their life to the misbehavior or negligence of...

Common causes of medical malpractice

On behalf of The Heck Law Offices, Ltd. | Friday Jun 12, 2020 | Medical Malpractice

When you seek medical care, it’s your hope that the care you receive will be in line with the appropriate standard of care. But, not all medical professionals have the same level of skills and training, and not every patient will receive the same care. The sad truth is that many people are harmed because of negligence and mistakes that their medical providers make. Medical malpractice lawsuits are sometimes a necessary step for patients who have been harmed as a result of medical errors or negligence. According to the 2018 CRICO Strategies National CBS Report, the majority of medical...

Why you should not settle a car crash claim too soon

On behalf of The Heck Law Offices, Ltd. | Tuesday Jun 9, 2020 | Car Accidents

If you are in a car accident, the following days can be confusing. There are claim forms to fill out and insurance companies to talk to. It is good to do these things while the accident is fresh in your mind. However, do not settle your claim too soon until you are sure that you have fully recovered from any injuries. Ohio has a two-year statute of limitations for personal injuries, meaning you have two years to claim. Some effects of a crash may not be evident for weeks, months or even years. Here are some examples: Traumatic brain injuries: The violence of a crash can mean your soft brain...

Why a meal to go could cause you to have an accident

On behalf of The Heck Law Offices, Ltd. | Monday Jun 8, 2020 | Distracted Driving

“Make mine to go, please.” How many times have you said that to the food server when you’ve been in a hurry? How many times have you crawled out of bed, filled your travel mug with coffee, jumped into your car and drove off to work? We’ve all done it. Driving with our wrists on the wheel, a coffee in one hand and some food in the other. However, it’s a terrible idea. Have you ever considered how dangerous eating and drinking while driving is? Try something: Fill your travel mug with hot coffee and go and sit in your car, with the engine switched off. Now lift your cup to your mouth. What...

How does Ohio premises liability work?

On behalf of The Heck Law Offices, Ltd. | Friday Jun 5, 2020 | Personal Injury

Not everyone is equal in the eyes of Ohio law when it comes to premises liability claims. The success of a claim depends on who you are, why you were there and what you were doing. To bring a premises liability claim, you need to prove there was negligence on the part of the landowner. You need to prove they had a duty of care toward you and failed to carry out that duty of care. Under what terms were you on the property? If you are an adult and you were trespassing on someone’s land, a court may choose to dismiss a claim. A child may get more leeway, as the law accepts that children are...

Can you claim for wrongful death due to prescription drug errors?

On behalf of The Heck Law Offices, Ltd. | Thursday Jun 4, 2020 | Wrongful Death

Your dad always warned you about the dangers of drugs. “Drugs kill,” he said. He didn’t mean those drugs, though, not the ones that were supposed to help him. Unless you went to medical school, you are probably not an expert on what each drug can and cannot do, and what dosage you need. That is why you visit a doctor or a pharmacist when you need medicine. When someone prescribes drugs these are some things they need to consider: Patient history: Just because a drug worked for your Uncle John, does not mean it was correct for your dad. Everyone is different. Dosage varies depending on weight...

Common causes of trucking accidents

On behalf of The Heck Law Offices, Ltd. | Friday May 29, 2020 | Firm News

Crashes with large commercial vehicles cause thousands of injuries and fatalities every year. These collisions have a variety of different causes. Distracted driving Between navigation devices, cell phones and the need to eat or drink, the cab of a semi-truck can be full of distractions that take drivers’ thoughts, hands or eyes away from the task of driving. Distracted truckers can easily drift across center lines, maintain an inappropriate following distance or drive at unsafe speeds. Driver fatigue The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has found that the likelihood of a crash...

Pool injury concerns rise as summer approaches

On behalf of The Heck Law Offices, Ltd. | Thursday May 28, 2020 | Personal Injury

With the opening of public pools and water parks uncertain during the COVID-19 pandemic this summer, backyard swimming pools in your neighborhood may be popular gathering spots – and a greater temptation for children. However, swimming pools are associated with a significant amount of risk for injury. For children aged 1 to 4 years, fatal drowning is the leading cause of unintentional injury-related death and the second-leading cause for children up to age 14. There are four times as many children who receive emergency care for nonfatal submersion injuries as there are children who die from...

3 summertime driving tips

On behalf of The Heck Law Offices, Ltd. | Wednesday May 20, 2020 | Car Accidents

Ohioans are no strangers to having seasonal weather interrupt their commutes — from winter’s falling snow to autumn’s falling leaves. Thankfully, it’s almost summer and those worries can go out the window, right? Not exactly. Rather, warmer summer months often bring on new driving challenges because of both weather and non-weather-related conditions. Below are three ways to help you adjust to the unique driving dangers that kick in during the summer. Plan alternative rides Taking advantage of the beautiful summer nights with friends and loved ones is a privilege everyone should be able to...