Pennsylvania Injury Lawyer Blog

The dailyamerican.com website reported in a story on March 22, 2009 that in Wind Gap Pennsylvania a big rig transporting hazardous chemicals overturned causing the authorities to order an evacuation of the potentially affected area. Raymond LeBlanc, 54 of Ontario told investigators that he swerved in an attempt to not hit a deer, which he avoided, but the end result was the overturned truck.

The truck accident in Pennsylvania happened while the truck was going downhill and going through a modest curve on Route 33. LeBlanc and his co-driver were treated for minor injuries.

State police stated the chemical truck was on its way to Philadelphia from Ontario and that its load consisted of 33,000 pounds of corrosive hydrofluoric acid used for home detergents.

Robert Mahady, Captain stated that no material had spilled from the self-contained tank, although a little did manage to drip from a vent, evaporating into the air.

Mahady said, “There was no actual spill; it was a leak within the valve, and it never made it to the ground.”

Investigators samples from the drip showed that no measurements of more than 2 parts per million were recorded. Mahady said, “And a person can actually work unprotected in 3 ppm.”

To be safe, authorities ordered the evacuation of 944 homes, approximately 5,000 for nine hours. The local high school served as an evacuation center and about 200 people went there.

Lack of proper road signals or un-kept roads can contribute to accidents like this one. While there is no evidence of that in this particular instance, it is an overlooked possibility for many serious auto accidents in Pennsylvania. State and government officials have to maintain all roads in safe and working conditions.

If you or a loved one has suffered serious injury in an auto accident in Pennsylvania please contact the skilled Pennsylvania auto accident lawyers at Anapol Schwartz. They have over 30 years of experience, and can help you protect your rights. Please call 1-866-735-2792 for a free consultation.

It was reported in March 2009, that Pennsylvania state police announced that two men died after their cars collided on Route 6 in McKean County. According to the authorities, one car was traveling westbound and was driven by Leslie Badanes, 67 from Olean, NY. Ronald K. Gehman, 61 of Port Allegany was behind the wheel of his pickup truck traveling west when he was struck by Badenas vehicle that had crossed over the center lines. Both drivers were killed as a result of the Pennsylvania car crash.

Tragically car accidents are part of today’s society that relies so much on the automobile. Auto accidents change the lives of both the victim and their families. In fact, in the year 2001, over 3 million people were seriously hurt in motor vehicle accidents, and approximately 42 thousand people were killed.

Repairs to your vehicle are important and can be assessed by a body shop. Physical and emotional problems related to your auto accident, however, are a little more complicated to attend to. Some results of an auto accident are pain and suffering, loss of current and future income, impaired physical ability, and loss of enjoyment, just to name a few. After an auto accident, contact a Pennsylvania Auto Accident Attorney at Anapol Schwartz immediately to begin the process of exploring your options under the law. Do not consider accepting a settlement from an insurance company without first contacting and obtaining a lawyer.

The auto accident lawyers in Pennsylvania at Anapol Schwartz handle a multitude of cases involving automobile and truck accidents, as well as insurance issues. They have experience in cases ranging from automobile accidents involving modest injuries to those in which death and catastrophic injuries are the result. They also represent clients in actions against their own insurance companies, uninsured and underinsured motorist cases, when the responsible party either has no insurance or not enough insurance to pay for the damages caused. Please call 1-866-735-2792 for a free consultation.

The website boston.com reported on February 21, 2009 that a scary scenario in Massachusetts may be an early indicator of what is yet to come, as a third home in many months exploded causing the death of a woman and her dog. Adding to this unusually tragic wrongful death accident; the New England Gas Co. had told firefighters who were in the area checking for high levels of gas that there was no need for them and that the gas company had everything under control.

Fire Chief Scott Jepson said, “Basically, they said there's nothing much further for you right now . . . as far as fire services."

Apparently the gas crew did not turn off the gas to the area, and within 20 minutes of them getting there, a home exploded. Rose Marie Rebello, 62 was found dead after the huge explosion along with her dog. Debris went flying and injured a worker from the gas company and a firefighter. Authorities also ordered 200 neighbors to evacuate. Last month a man was severely hurt in a house explosion and in December another man died.

Questions about the safety of the states 20,000 miles of pipelines are now on everyone’s mind. A large amount of those pipes are many decades old, and could pose a threat to public safety.

Stephon Connors, Director of Analysis at the MIT Energy Initiative, said, “I would say these explosions are early warning flags, if nothing else. There's a body of evidence that our infrastructure is reaching old age and it needs the equivalent of a knee and hip replacement. This is not a new issue. We want to keep water, gas, and electricity rates down, but we don't want to keep them down so much that it endangers public safety."

Spokeswoman for the American Gas Association Laura Sheehan, a spokeswoman for the American Gas Association, said "I don't think you can say these explosions are indicative of the degradation of the pipelines throughout the country. There's no reason for panic."

Accidents that result in serious personal injuries or even death due to someone’s negligence are an inexcusable but sad reality. Wrongful death is a heartbreaking event. There is never a chance to say goodbye to the one’s you’ve lost. The personal injury attorneys in Philadelphia at Anapol Schwartz they know it’s hard to come to grips and file a wrongful death lawsuit. Statutes of limitations apply and you don’t want to lose whatever rights you have in filing a wrongful death lawsuit. You have two years to file a wrongful death lawsuit in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Don’t wait until the last minute, let them help. Please call 1-866-735-2792 for a free consultation.

Genentech, Inc. made known on April 8, 2009 the phased voluntary removal of the psoriasis drug Raptiva (efalizumab) from the United States market. Raptiva is used by adults eighteen years or older with chronic moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. The company’s decision was determined by the connection of Raptiva with an increased risk of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). This neurological disease is caused by a virus that affects the central nervous system and can be fatal.

Although Raptiva’s prescribing information was updated in October 2008 to include boxed warning on the risk of serious infections, including PML, in patients receiving Raptiva, other serious bacterial and viral infections have been known to occur. Some of the kinds of infections that can be caused by the use of Raptiva are:

• Pneumonia
• Sepsis
• Meningitis
• Encephalitis
• invasive fungal disease

Unfortunately, as we see in Raptiva, sometimes a prescription or over-the-counter drug intended to help alleviate pain and infection, or reduce pain and suffering, can sometimes cause serious injury or even death. One of the many serious aspects of the Raptiva unsafe drug recall is the fact that a patient risks increased chances of worsening his or her psoriasis condition if Raptiva use is stopped suddenly. This is why it is critical for Raptiva users to consult with their physician as soon as possible to determine an adequate alternative for treatment.

Continue reading " Raptiva Unsafe Drug Recalled " »

The online Daily Journal reported in a story that former Missouri Rep. Brad Robinson, 42 has been charged with hit and run, being sentenced to five years of probation. According to the St. Louis Post Dispatch, Robinson was also ordered to pay out of pocket expenses for the victim Donald Marler of Desloge. The car accident happened in Bonne Terre approximately 60 miles south of St. Louis.

Capturing the whole thing was a high school surveillance camera. The video shows Robinson and his wife switching positions and returning to the scene of the crime.

Each day in the United States innocent pedestrians are injured by negligent motor vehicle drivers. The effects on injured pedestrians can be quite serious, including broken bones, comas, paralysis, brain injury, and death.

The experienced Pennsylvania auto accident lawyers at Anapol Schwartz handle a multitude of cases involving automobile and truck accidents. These cases range from automobile accidents involving modest injuries to those in which death and catastrophic injuries are the result. They also represent clients in actions against their own insurance companies, uninsured and underinsured motorist cases, when the responsible party either has no insurance or not enough insurance to pay for the damages caused. Often, the most devastating injuries occur when trucks are involved in the accident. Their attorneys are knowledgeable with respect to state and federal regulations governing the conduct of truck drivers, as well as the condition of their vehicles.

If you have been seriously hurt in auto accident in Pennsylvania contact Philadelphia’s skilled personal injury lawyers at the law firm of Anapol Schwartz. They will help you fight against those who have wronged you or caused you harm because of negligence. Please call 1-866-735-2792 for a free consultation.

The post-gazette.com website reported in an article on March 10, 2009 that Richard Reed Custer, 41 a journeyman electrician died while at work as a result of what appears to be an accident. The forklift construction accident in Pennsylvania happened at a site in the Poland Mines in Dunkard Township, Greene County. According to police reports, Custer was an employee for TP Electric and working for Lincoln Contracting at the water pumping and filtration plant construction site. Custer was working on a scissor lift that was raised so that he could install brackets. Somehow a forklift that was picking up wooden pieces bumped into the scissor lift, knocking it over on its side, flinging Custer from the protected metal basket.

Custer was immediately rushed to Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown. Upon arrival there he was pronounced dead. State investigators are continuing their investigation and will conduct an autopsy.

Many construction sites are not as safe as they could be. The reality is that many Philadelphia construction site accidents can be prevented if the employer implements smart and enforceable safety practices. Workers should be properly trained in the operation of machinery, and the site properly managed according to legal standards. In the United States construction is a very large industry. It is also a high risk industry. It ranks third in the rate of injury caused deaths, following mining and agriculture. For every 100,000 workers, 15 die due to injury.

If you or someone you know has suffered a serious injury while working on a construction site in Pennsylvania, you need the skilled and experienced Pennsylvania construction accident attorneys at Anapol Schwartz. They have over 30 years of experience and can help you. Please call 1-866-735-2792 for a free consultation.

The centredaily.com website reported in an account on March 23, 2009 that Scott Hilliard was struck and killed by a vehicle while walking alongside Airport Road in the Pennsylvania auto accident in Bellefonte. There is a bike path running along this road but it is a couple hundred feet before it reaches State Route 550. Markings along the road indicate that Hilliard must have been struck while he was walking on the side of the road where the bike path runs short.

Maureen Farber said, “When we found his Bible he had pictures of the kids in there.”

Hilliard’s relatives believe that he was struck while walking home to his apartment on Governors Park Road, and was attempting to reach the bike path that runs alongside that road. The tragic auto accident in Pennsylvania happened around 7pm.

Farber said, “I just feel like Scott, he didn’t really get a chance. His life was brief and he spent most of his time in pain. It really frustrated me that he died with his feet at the bottom of the bike path. There was no where for him to walk.”

According to Farber, many elderly people without cars live in the area were the Pennsylvania wrongful death accident happened.

“They need a way to get back and forth. My own kids had to walk to the high school. It’s not safe. I don’t understand why there’s a bike path with no way to get to it. I don’t ever want to see that happen again,” said Farber.

Ralph Stewart, Borough Manager, said talks have been raised about constructing a sidewalk that would connect into the bike path; but two problems have hindered this from happening. Stewart stated that Zion and Airport Roads are state roads and that “our grant funds did not allow us to do that.” Secondly, the Department of Transportation has plans to widen the roads in that area, possibly changing the alignment of the Airport Road intersection. Stanley Goldman, Mayor, stated they are open to options.

If you or a loved have been involved in serious traffic accident in Pennsylvania you should contact a skilled attorney to protect your rights during this difficult time. The experienced Pennsylvania auto accident lawyers at Anapol Schwartz handle a multitude of cases involving automobile and truck accidents. These cases range from automobile accidents involving modest injuries to those in which death and catastrophic injuries are the result. Please call 1-866-735-2792 for a free consultation.

The website post-gazette.com reported in a story on March 20, 2009 about the untimely death in a Manhattan hospital of actress Natasha Richardson, 45 who suffered head injuries while skiing in Quebec. Richardson’s death has put the helmet debate back in the spotlight. Richardson was skiing without a helmet at the Mont Ttreblant resort when she fell while riding on the beginner slope. According to Ellen Borakove, spokeswoman for the New York City Medical Examiners Office, Richardson’s fall caused epidural hematoma, producing bleeding between the brain covering and the skull.

An ambulance was called but the paramedics never saw Richardson. Director of operations at the emergency services company, Yvess Coderre, stated to reporters that when the paramedics arrived at the resort they were told they were no longer needed and sent back before ever seeing Richardson. Some time later another ambulance was summoned to the resort when her condition had gotten significantly worse and she was rushed to the hospital.

Chairman of the Department of Neurosurgery at Allegheny General Hospital, Dr. Jack Wilberger said, “It sounds like she had a relatively prolonged period of being relatively OK. Usually with this type of problem people get into trouble in a short period of time. Such injuries involve a laceration of an artery just under the skull bone, which can lead to significant bleeding to build up to a level that causes unconsciousness. Usually unconsciousness occurs in 15 to 20 minutes. It sounds to me that what happened to her is one-in-a-million kind of chance of occurrence."

According to reports, slightly more than half of advanced skiers wear helmets, with a small but significant upward trend occurring within the last few years. Records show that ski helmets are only helpful up to speeds of 14 mph, and do not offer much protection from falling at higher speeds.

Have you or a loved one fallen? Are you injured or debilitated from a fall that was not your fault? Consider consulting a Pennsylvania slip and fall lawyer. You have questions and they have answers. For more than 30 years, the skilled Philadelphia personal injury attorneys at the law firm of Anapol Schwartz have advocated zealously to ensure that those who are negligent are held accountable. Let them help you determine what your legal options are. Please call 1-866-735-2792 for a free consultation.