Can Schools be Sued for Injuries to Children?
Injuries at school are a common occurrence for young children. Parents of children who were injured at school may face costly medical bills and rehabilitation costs. When a child is injured at school, it is sometimes possible for parents to sue the school for damages related to the child’s injury. Because a public school is a government entity, filing a claim is different from suing a business or a person for negligence. Appropriate steps must be taken before the parents can sue the school directly. School districts are immune from liability under a doctrine known as “sovereign immunity.” This means that school officials and the school itself cannot be held liable for injuries that occur on school grounds. The good news is that all states have waived this immunity in cases where the school or one of its employees was negligent and the negligence caused an injury. Parents who want to sue a school for their child’s injuries must proceed according to state requirements. They usually must file a “Notice of Claim” with the appropriate state agency prior to filing a lawsuit directly against the school. The notice of claim must usually be in writing, describe the nature of the claim and include a demand for compensation including a dollar amount so that the incident can be investigated. The notice must be filed within a time frame specified by state law, usually a much shorter time than that allowed for filing a lawsuit. Failure to do so may result in the claim being time-barred. In California, parents have six months from the time of the alleged injury to file a Notice of Claim. A personal injury lawyer Los Angeles CA may be able to assist parents with this type of case. If the claim is rejected by the state agency, a child injury lawyer may be able to assist parents file a claim in state courts. After the claim is filed, an investigation will typically be conducted. A personal injury lawyer will be granted access to any relevant information about the incident requested, such as witness statements, photographs, camera footage and incident reports. Even if the injury was caused by another child, the parents of an injured child may be able to claim that school officials failed to properly supervise children which contributed to the incident that caused the injury. Other types of cases may involve unsafe or improperly maintained equipment such as cracked sidewalks and playground equipment that has not been properly secured.
Read more
How to Report Police Abuse or Misconduct
If you have been mistreated by the police or you have witnessed someone having their rights violated by the police, then you may not know what to do next. It is important for you report it as soon as possible. There are several steps that you need to take to protect yourself and the community you live in. Write Everything Down This is an extremely important step. You will need to write down everything that happened during the police encounter. You will also need to get the contact information of the police officers and witnesses. Be as descriptive as possible. Contact the Best Personal Injury Lawyer in Los Angeles You will need to contact an attorney if you have been arrested. This is an optional step if you were not arrested, but it is strongly recommended that you do this. It can be difficult to prove that police misconduct occurred. That is why you need the help of police abuse lawyers in Los Angeles. Even if you were not charged with a crime, you may still want to pursue action against the police. An attorney can help you build a strong case against the police officer. One of the many great things about hiring an attorney is that you will not have to pay upfront. You will only pay if the attorney is able to get a settlement for you. File a Police Misconduct Report You will not be able to proceed to this step until all of the civil actions and criminal charges have been resolved. If you file the report too soon, then your chances of winning in court will be smaller. However, you can go ahead and file the report if you have not been charged with a crime. Make sure that you keep copies of all of the documents.
Read more
How Ride-Sharing Accidents Differ From Other Car Accidents
Lyft and Uber have become more popular in recent years. People love these ride-sharing companies because they make it convenient for them to get around. It is also relatively inexpensive to use a ride-sharing company. In the past, people were concerned about sharing a vehicle with a stranger. There have been a few reports of violence. However, ride-sharing companies are still considered safe for drivers and passengers. Yet, people are still concerned about car accidents. – How Ride-Sharing Accidents are Different – Drivers use their own vehicles to transport passengers – A commercial driver’s license is not required. The main purpose of ride-sharing companies is to match drivers and passengers. People who work for a ride-sharing company are not employees. However, they are screened before they are allowed to work for the company. They undergo a background check. They are also required to meet the following criteria. – They have to be at least 21-years-old. – They need to have at least one year of driving experience if you are over the age of 23. You need to have three years of experience if you are under the age of 23. – They need to have a valid driver’s license. – They need to have a four-door vehicle. – They need to have proof of vehicle insurance and registration. What Happens if You get Into an Uber Accident Uber provides its drivers with commercial insurance. The coverage kicks in when the driver takes the call. The coverage limit is $1 million. If you were injured in an accident while in an Uber, the Uber insurance will pay. In addition, you can get compensated from the driver’s insurance company if they were negligent. You should let Uber know about the accident as soon as possible. What Happens if You get into a Lyft Accident Lyft handles accidents the same way that Uber does. It has its own insurance policy. You may also be able to get compensated by the driver’s insurance policy. Contact a Ride Sharing Accident Lawyer Crashes involving a ride sharing service can be complex. That is why you need the help of a personal injury lawyer in Los Angeles. Your attorney will be able to investigate the accident thoroughly.
Read more
I Had A Car Accident. Now What?
You may be a careful driver, but not everybody on the road drives like you. If you’ve been injured in an accident as a result of the negligence of another driver, you’ll want to protect any personal injury claim that you have. Here’s what you need to do. Stop Unless you’re creating a traffic hazard or traffic jam, stay where your car came to rest. Don’t move your car until police arrive to avoid being charged with leaving the scene of an accident that you didn’t cause. In addition you’ll also want the investigating officer to get the best perspective on how the accident happened. Call 911 Don’t get talked out of calling 911. You’ll severely damage any personal injury case that you might have without a police investigation and report. The investigating officer’s report will contain all of the information needed to pursue a claim. You’ve been injured, so ask the 911 operator to send paramedics to the scene too. They’ll evaluate your condition, treat you at the accident scene and transport you to the nearest emergency room. The records of the paramedics and emergency room personnel will begin a long paper trail that you’ll need to document your personal injury case with. Don’t Give a Statement You can tell the investigating police officer what he or she needs to know about how the accident happened. Even though the accident wasn’t your fault, you don’t ever want to give a statement of any kind to the other insurance company. The law doesn’t say that you’re required to give a statement. The other insurer will only try to use your words as a weapon against you in the future for purposes of attacking your credibility. Contact Our Offices It’s critical that you contact our offices by phone or email to arrange a free consultation and case conference with a quality car accident lawyer. A personal injury lawyer in Los Angeles from our offices will listen to you closely, answer your questions and provide you with a full range of legal options. Medical Appointments Attend each and every medical or treatment appointment that you are granted. Gaps in treatment or missed appointments will lead to allegations of faking or malingering by the opposing insurer. Never admit fault or say that you’re sorry. Stop, call 911, get treatment and contact a Los Angeles car accident lawyer from our offices right away.
Read more
Top 5 Construction Hazards
Construction workers have one of the most dangerous jobs in the world. One thousand people died in a construction accident in 2016. Construction workers make up 6 percent of the workforce, but they make up 20 percent of workplace injuries. Fortunately, 60 percent of workplace injuries can be prevented. Most Common Construction Site Injuries: Falls Thirty percent of construction site deaths are caused by falls. Not using fall protection equipment in unstable working surfaces and in the unsafe use of ladders and scaffolding, can cause a work injury. Struck by Objects Ten percent of construction site injuries are caused by people being struck by objects. These accidents are often caused by vehicles. Construction workers have to make sure that their site stays clear of vehicles. Misuse of heavy equipment can also cause a person to get struck by an object. For this reason, it is why it’s important for every employee to receive the proper training. Electrical Hazards Electrical accidents cause 8 percent of construction deaths. Construction workers will need to identify the utilities before they start working. They will also need to use ground-fault circuit interrupters. Caught in Between Seven percent of deaths occur when a person gets caught in between the pipe and excavation These accidents often occur when a construction site trench collapses. The trench should be at least five feet deep. Hazardous Materials Construction sites have a lot of hazardous materials in them. There are chemicals that may spill and create a hazard. There are also toxic materials that can be inhaled. The proper safety equipment will need to be used in order to prevent accidents. Contact a Construction Accident Lawyer Many construction accidents are the result of the accident. That is why you need the help of a work injury lawyer. A work accident lawyer can review your case and determine who is at fault. Your personal injury lawyer in Los Angeles can and will help you get compensated.
Read more
Preventing Nursing Home Abuse
Elder abuse in nursing homes is a growing problem and one that affects more than 2 million families in the United States. For those families who must trust a facility to care for their elderly parents, it’s important to know what actions you can take to protect your loved ones. While most elders are well cared for, the problem of abuse and neglect is common enough that there are special elder abuse lawyers in Los Angeles and across the country. Avoid Isolating Your Elder Loved One In itself, this is a form of neglect, because too much time alone can leave the elder feeling abandoned and depressed. Additionally, too much time segregated from others creates opportunities for others to commit abuse against the elder. Maintain a Regular Presence You should make it a point to visit your elder loved one on a regular basis. This will help the elder stay connected with your family, as well as making it easier to identify signs of nursing home neglect or abuse. Watching for behavioral changes, deteriorating health, injuries, and a lack of hygiene will be easier, when your visits are more frequent. Encourage Socialization and Activities Ensuring your elder loved one stays active and maintains relationships with others in the facility is a good way to help prevent abuse and neglect. You can’t be there 24 hours a day, but, if your elder loved one has friends among the other residents, they’ll spend less time alone. This will protect their cognitive abilities, as well as limiting opportunities for abuse. Be Aware of Financial Abuse This involves others accessing the finances of the elder for their own financial gain, as well as instances of less reputable caregivers overcharging the elder. To prevent the elder from being financially victimized, you and your loved one should be very watchful of their finances and limit access to sensitive information. Prohibit family members, friends, or nursing home staff with substance abuse problems from accessing the elder’s money. Protecting your elder loved one from neglect and abuse involves watching for physical, emotional, and financial changes. If you suspect your elder loved one is being victimized, you should consult a personal injury lawyer in Los Angeles as soon as possible. Delaying could mean endangering the elder’s safety further. Together, you and an experienced attorney can find out if abuse is really occurring and react accordingly.
Read more
Immediate Attention After a Dog Bite
Dog bites are not just painful and embarrassing; they’re detrimental to your health. If you experience a dog bite, you will need to react to it very quickly. The following are the first four things you should do: Tend to the Bite Your first goal should be disease prevention. You will have to take actions that minimize the possibility of contracting tetanus, rabies and other infections that dog bites can pass. First, you’ll want to get someplace where you can squeeze as much blood as possible out of the wound and rinse it off with warm water. Next, you should use soap and water to rinse the wound further. When you’re done with that, you will apply an antibiotic to it, and then apply some pressure to stop the bleeding, and then bandage it. See a Medical Professional You will also need to get to a doctor as quickly as possible to get immediate attention after a dog bite. The doctor will examine your wound and assess the severity of your injuries. He will give you a tetanus booster shot if necessary and perhaps prescribe something to prevent other bacteria from spreading. Additionally, he can write the report that you will need when you contact our dog bite attorney in Los Angeles. Gather Your Documentation The next thing you want to do is gather all of your documentation for our dog bite lawyer in Los Angeles. Write down everything that happened. Take pictures of your wounds and the surrounding areas. Talk to the dog owner, witnesses, your doctor and anyone else who may know what happened. You will need all of this to speed up the process of litigation and receive the assistance that you may deserve for your injury. Contact Our Personal Injury Lawyer in Los Angeles California has certain laws that assign a great deal of responsibility to pet owners for injuries that they cause to other people. Therefore, the next thing you should do is contact our Los Angeles attorney who may be able to represent you in a personal injury case. You could be entitled to monetary reimbursement for your medical bills, missed work wages and any household bills that you couldn’t pay because you were recovering. Cases of extreme neglect may make you eligible for additional compensation. Schedule a risk-free consultation today and find out more.
Read more
Tips For Preventing Swimming Pool Accidents
There is nothing like spending a day at the pool on a hot day. However, a swimming pool injury can ruin a day at the pool. There are many precautions that you can take that will prevent pool injuries. Supervise Children at all Times Drowning happens quickly, which is why children should be supervised at all times. Adults should keep their eyes on the pool and avoid things like reading and talking to other people while supervising children. Use the Buddy System Even if you are experienced, you should still swim with a buddy. It is never safe to go to the pool or the beach alone. You should also make sure that a lifeguard is present. Make Sure That At Least One Person Knows CPR It is important to learn CPR and first aid. It can take a few minutes for the paramedics to arrive on the scene. If CPR is not performed, then a person can die before the paramedics arrive. Do not Leave Toys in the Pool Toys should not be left in the pool. Children may be tempted to enter the pool unsupervised if there are any toys. Do not get in the Pool During a Storm Swimming in the pool during a storm can cause one to get electrocuted. You should wait 30 minutes after the storm has passed before you get in the pool. Do not Drink Alcohol Many people will never get behind the wheel after drinking. However, some people drink before they get in the pool. This can be just as dangerous as drinking and driving. Know Your Limits Dehydration and overheating can lead to a pool accident. Diving into a shallow pool can also lead to an injury. That is why it is important to know your limit before you get in the pool. If you follow the aforementioned tips, then you will be able to have fun while at the pool. However, swimming pool accidents cannot always be avoided. If you were injured at the pool due to someone’s negligence, then you will need to contact a personal injury lawyer in Los Angeles.
Read more