Mansfield Personal Injury Blog

Keeping motorcyclists safe on the roadways

On behalf of The Heck Law Offices, Ltd. posted in personal injury on Friday, November 8, 2019.

Motorcycle riders can be in a vulnerable position on the roadways and can be particularly susceptible to the negligence of careless or inattentive drivers. With that in mind, Ohio requires motorcyclists to learn about ways to drive defensively as part of the training they must go through to get a motorcycle license. Unfortunately, car drivers don't always pay the same kind of attention to the issue.

There are ways drivers can increase the chances of keeping motorcyclists safe on the roadways and also legal resources available to motorcycle accident victims who have been harmed by a negligent driver.

Distracted driving is a danger on the roadways

On behalf of The Heck Law Offices, Ltd. posted in motor vehicle accidents on Friday, November 1, 2019.

Distracted driving is dangerous driving that can cause serious car accidents and injuries. In addition, distracted drivers may be considered negligent when they cause a car accident and may be liable to car accident victims for their damages. Car accident victims and victims of distracted drivers should know about the legal protections available to them.

Distracted driving claimed greater than 3,166 lives during 2017. Distracted driving includes any behavior that diverts the driver's attention from driving including manual, visual and cognitive distraction. Examples of driver distraction can include cell phone use, texting while driving, operating the radio or a navigation device, eating and drinking, grooming or having extensive conversations with passengers while driving.

Who may be liable for medical malpractice?

On behalf of The Heck Law Offices, Ltd. posted in medical malpractice on Friday, October 25, 2019.

Liability for medical malpractice extends beyond doctors to include other types of medical care professionals, hospitals and possibly pharmaceutical companies as well. Nurses, anesthesiologists and health care facilities may also be liable for medical malpractice. Insurance companies, of course, are also commonly involved in the process of compensating victims of medical malpractice for their damages.

Medical malpractice liability is important to understand because it can help injured victims recover compensation for the damages they have suffered because of a medical error, such as a surgical error, medication error or failure to diagnose as recently discussed on this blog. In general, the liability of a doctor or other medical care provider or hospital for medical malpractice is based on negligence. The negligence standard for medical care professionals is determined by what the standard of care for a reasonably competent medical care professional in similar circumstances would have done.

Stay safe while driving this winter

On behalf of The Heck Law Offices, Ltd. on Wednesday, October 23, 2019.

With the winter months quickly approaching in Mansfield, now is the time for all drivers to prepare for the snow and ice on its way. By starting the preparations now, you won't have to try to rush through them.

Getting ready for winter travel starts with making sure you have the proper supplies and that your vehicle is in good shape. Now is the time to check the tire pressure and tread, brakes, wipers, and fluids. Add in windshield washer fluid that won't freeze in cold temperatures so that you can use it throughout the season.

Legal protections for victims of surgical errors

On behalf of The Heck Law Offices, Ltd. posted in medical malpractice on Thursday, October 17, 2019.

Medical malpractice can have a tremendous impact on victims and their families. Having surgery can cause anxiety and be one of the most important experiences patients face which is why being the victim of a surgical error can be so significant.

Because of the significance of surgical errors, and the harm surgical errors can cause victims, it is imperative for victims of medical malpractice and their families to be familiar with medical malpractice legal resources to help protect them. A medical malpractice claim for damages can help victims recover compensation for their physical, financial and emotional damages including medical expenses, lost wages and pain and suffering damages that may occur because of a negligent medical care provider.

How victims of dangerous and defective products are protected

On behalf of The Heck Law Offices, Ltd. posted in products liability on Friday, October 11, 2019.

Products liability law refers to the area of the law that helps victims who have been injured by a dangerous or defective everyday product. It is alarming to be injured by an everyday product that victims should be able to confidently rely on the safety of which is why they are protected by products liability personal injury legal protections.

Products that may injure victims can include, but are not limited to, construction tools and equipment, power tools for home use, home appliances, furniture, personal care products, children's toys and industrial equipment and chemicals. Unfortunately, the list of products that may injure an everyday user is long and the injuries that can result can be serious.

How the legal process can help victims of whiplash injuries

On behalf of The Heck Law Offices, Ltd. posted in personal injury on Thursday, October 3, 2019.

Whiplash is the most common type of soft tissue injury that victims can suffer in a car accident. Whiplash injuries are suffered when the victim's head is thrust violently back and forth during a car accident. The motion needed to produce a whiplash injury is common in car accidents.

Victims of whiplash injuries will likely need medical attention, care and treatment for the injury they have suffered. They may also have suffered other types of injuries in the car accident. In addition to the medical care they will require, victims should also be aware that there are legal resources that are available to help them with their physical, financial and emotional injuries suffered in a car accident.

Car accident liability explained

On behalf of The Heck Law Offices, Ltd. posted in motor vehicle accidents on Friday, September 27, 2019.

People who have been injured in a car accident may wonder how they can pursue compensation for their medical bills, lost wages and other damages. When their injuries stem from an accident caused by another driver's negligence, they may be able to recover compensation through a personal injury claim.

In the context of a car accident case, negligence works like this: A driver has a duty of reasonable care to avoid causing harm to others on the road. A driver who breaches that duty by doing something unreasonably careless, like looking at a smartphone instead of at the road, has committed negligence. If that negligence causes an accident, and the accident causes injury to another person, the negligent drier can be held liable for the injured person's damages.

What can I do if I am injured by a defective airbag?

On behalf of The Heck Law Offices, Ltd. posted in products liability on Thursday, September 19, 2019.

When an Ohio victim has been injured by their airbag, which they understood was there to keep them safe, they may wonder what they can do about it. Products liability law provides protections to help victims of defective airbags with the damages they suffer.

Unfortunately, airbags can injure victims in a variety of different ways, including if the sensors malfunction which cause the airbag to prematurely inflate or to inflate late, if the airbag fails to deflate or if the airbag exposes the victim to chemicals. Other types of defects and damages have also been reported with airbags. These types of problems can lead to serious injuries, such as facial abrasions and burns, for victims and even death in some instances.

What do when mean when we say a driver was negligent?

On behalf of The Heck Law Offices, Ltd. posted in medical malpractice on Thursday, September 12, 2019.

Personal injury legal resources help protect victims of negligence such as victims of a negligent driver, negligent medical care provider or negligent manufacturer. Car accident victims or other seeking compensation for their damages through a personal injury claim for damages may wonder what negligent means exactly and what it refers to.

In general terms, negligence refers to careless or reckless actions and behavior that can result in accidents and harm to victims. A personal injury claim for damages is based on a claim of negligence. There are many examples of negligent behavior and citations or criminal charges may be used as evidence of negligence. In general, a party may be liable for negligence if they owed a duty to the victim that was harmed and then breached that duty which resulted in harm and damages to the victim.