Bernard Law Group's blog

Kirk Bernard's Tips for Dog Owners to Prevent Dog Bites

Washington dog bites and dog attacks are preventable incidents. According to experts, early obedience training is one way dog owners can make their dogs less likely to bite. If you are a dog owner, it would be worth your while to consider these top 6 tips provided by Kirk Bernard to help prevent dog bites. In Washington State, if your dog bites someone, you can be held liable for the injury, trauma, and associated expenses your dog causes through an attack or bite. If you don't have insurance, even your personal assets could be in peril. It doesn't have to be that way. Here are some ways by which you can prevent your dog from becoming aggressive.

1. It's a good idea to expose your dogs and familiarize them with different types of people – children and adults. Find ways to help the dog make positive associations between them and people.


2. Follow your city's animal control laws. Keep your dog leashed.


3. Do not leave a dog alone or unsupervised when children are present.


4. Train your child not to harass dogs or provoke them.


5. Make sure your dog gets a lot of exercise and mental stimulation. Do not keep your dog restrained or confined in a small place for lengthy periods of time.


6. If you believe your dog is getting aggressive or challenges you (the owner), find out about a dog obedience class.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a dog attack, please contact the Seattle dog bite lawyers at The Bernard Law Group. We always offer FREE, comprehensive and confidential consultations for Seattle dog bite victims. Call us at 1-800-418-8282 or e-mail us at info@bernardlawgroup.com. We can also send you our FREE informational brochure about Washington dog bite cases with useful educational information to help you understand your legal rights and options. Please contact Kirk Bernard and his skilled legal team today.

Washington Construction Accident Attorney Kirk Bernard’s Four Tips to Prevent Ladder Injuries

Every year, there are more than 164,000 emergency room treated injuries in the United States relating to ladders, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. That's exactly why it is extremely important to pick the right ladder when you need to use one. Here are the top 4 tips to help you prevent these potentially serious ladder injuries:

1. Choose the right ladder for the job. First of all, you need to make sure that a ladder is the right or best equipment to accomplish your task. In some cases, you may require a mechanical lift or a scaffold.


2. Make sure the ladder is in good working condition.


3. Tie the top and bottom of the ladder to a fixed point. Securing the ladder should prevent it from sliding side to side or falling backwards.


4. Do not carry tools or other materials in your hand while climbing the ladder. Take precautions when you are going up or down the ladder.

While these tips are informative, they only scratch the surface of the numerous ways in which a worker can help protect themselves while using a ladder or working at great heights. It is always important to go over safety with your employer and fellow workers who will be assisting you during specific projects.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a Washington construction accident, please contact the skilled personal injury lawyers with The Bernard Law Group. Please call us at 1-800-418-8282 or e-mail us at info@bernardlawgroup.com. We can also send you our FREE informational brochure about Washington construction accident cases, which has useful educational information to help you understand your legal rights and options. Get in touch with Kirk Bernard and his skilled legal team today.

CYBEX Strollers Recalled for Fingertip Amputation Hazard

Regal Lager Inc. has issued a product defect recall for about 1,200 CYBEX brand strollers because of fingertip amputation and laceration hazards. According to a news report in Consumeraffairs.com, the stroller's hinge mechanism could cause children's fingertips to get cut when the stroller is being opened or closed. This defective product recall involves Ruby, Onyx and Topaz models of umbrella strollers. The recalled strollers were made in China and sold at stores nationwide between August 2009 and November 2009 for between $140 and $260. Those who have these strollers at home would be well-advised to stop using them and contact the company to receive a free hinge cover.

This is the third identical recall of such strollers issued over the last few months by different stroller manufacturers. In January, children's products manufacturer, Graco, recalled nearly 1.5 million strollers after the company got several reports of fingertip amputations caused by the defective hinges. Similarly, in November, Maclaren recalled about 1 million strollers for a similar problem. There is no question that these are dangerous product defects that can result in serious injuries and possibly, permanent disfigurement.

If you have been injured as a result of any of these recalled strollers with defective hinges, please contact an experienced products liability attorney with The Bernard Law Group for a FREE, comprehensive and completely confidential consultation. Please call us at 1-800-418-8282 or e-mail us at info@bernardlawgroup.com. We can also send you our FREE informational brochure about Washington product defect cases, which has useful, educational information to help you understand your rights. Get in touch with Kirk Bernard and his skilled legal team today.

Source: http://www.consumeraffairs.com/recalls04/2010/cybex.html

Study Shows Cell Phone Bans Have Not Reduced Accidents

A recent study examining cell phone ban laws in four U.S. states conducted by the Highway Loss Data Institute has revealed that such as ban has not reduced accident rates in those states. According to an NPR news report, the study conducted by the insurance industry group found that the month-to-month fluctuations in collision accident claims did not change before and after cell phone bans took effect in New York, the District of Columbia, Connecticut and California. The study also noted that accident patterns did not change in nearby states that did not enforce bans on handheld cell phones.

In Washington, law makers are talking about making driving while texting and talking on handheld cell phones a primary offense. Despite this new study, there have been many studies in the past that have clearly established that using a handheld phone while driving greatly increases the risk of a car accident. Distracted driving is not only a huge problem in Washington State, but on a national level. Even the federal government has recognized the problem. Federal officials last month banned commercial truck and bus drivers from texting while driving.

Please remember that in Washington State, if you cause an accident while talking on the cell phone or texting, you could be held liable for that accident and injuries caused as a result. If you or a loved one has been injured in a Washington auto accident caused by a distracted or negligent driver, we can help.

Please contact the experienced Washington personal injury attorneys with The Bernard Law Group at 1-800-418-8282 or info@bernardlawgroup.com for a FREE, comprehensive and confidential consultation. We can also send you our FREE informational brochure, which has useful, educational information about Washington pedestrian accident cases to help you understand your legal rights and options. Get in touch with Kirk Bernard and his skilled legal team today.

Source: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=123084040

Patient's Foot Gets Caught in MRI Machine

Hospital negligence can occur in many ways. In some cases, patients are seriously injured and other times, these incidents can even result in fatalities. Recently a woman was injured in a hospital after her foot was trapped in an MRI machine after the metal gurney she was placed in got pulled into the imaging machine. According to a news report, the woman was taken to an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) room on a metal gurney. The powerful magnet in the machine pulled the gurney into the machine and the woman's leg was trapped for three minutes. The patient sustained fractures in her lower leg and foot. In this particular case, the hospital failed to follow its own policy of not allowing gurneys that are not MRI safe in the hallways outside the testing room. The hospital was fined $50,000 for its error.

In such cases, injured victims could seek compensation to cover medical expenses, loss of wages, and cost of additional treatment, therapy and emotional distress which often occurs during these incidents. Hospitals take various steps to prevent exactly these types of incidents from happening by installing cameras in surgical and diagnostics areas. Cameras in operating rooms have also proven to be effective in preventing errors during surgery.

If your loved one has been seriously injured by hospital negligence, please contact the reputed Seattle medical malpractice attorneys at The Bernard Law Firm to find out about your legal rights and options. Please call us at 1-800-418-8282 or e-mail us at info@bernardlawgroup.com to schedule your FREE, comprehensive and confidential consultation. We can also send you our FREE informational brochure about Washington medical malpractice cases, which has useful, educational information to help you understand your rights. Get in touch with Kirk Bernard and his skilled legal team today.

Source: http://www.ocregister.com/articles/mri-230615-hospital-hoag.html

Wrong-Way Driver in Washington Car Accident Causes Serious Injuries

A wrong-way driver on State Route 14 in Vancouver, Washington, injured several people and died after crashing into and sideswiping a vehicle, KATU News reports. The 29-year-old woman, who was going eastbound on the westbound lanes, ended up crashing into a vehicle head-on, and then crashing into several other vehicles as well. The wrong-way driver died at the scene while others were injured. The most seriously injured was a female passenger, whose spine was broken in two places. She sustained internal injuries as well. Investigators are looking into why the woman was going the wrong way.

Thousands of auto accident victims nationwide sustain serious injuries because of someone else's negligence or wrongdoing. Negligence involves those instances where a driver is drunk, driving recklessly, carelessly or with disregard for public safety. In such cases, injured victims could seek compensation to cover medical expenses, cost of hospitalization, continued treatment, surgery and long-term care, if the injuries are catastrophic. Where the negligence causes death, family members of deceased victims can file wrongful death claims and should speak with an experienced attorney in order to do so.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a Washington auto accident as the result of someone else's negligence, please contact the experienced Washington personal injury attorneys with The Bernard Law Group at 1-800-418-8282 or info@bernardlawgroup.com for a FREE, comprehensive and confidential consultation. We can also send you our FREE informational brochure, which has useful, educational information about Washington auto accident cases to help you understand your legal rights and options. Get in touch with Kirk Bernard and his skilled legal team today.

Source: http://www.kval.com/news/local/81189917.html

Company Recalls Over-the-Counter Medications For Adults and Children

McNeil Consumer Healthcare has expanded its drug recall to include several over-the-counter medications because of a moldy odor in these cases that have been associated with symptoms of gastrointestinal distress among consumers. According to a news report, the drug maker has received several complaints of nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhea in connection with these products. The recalled products include certain lots of Tylenol, Motrin, Rolaids, Benadryl, St. Joseph and Simply Sleep medications. The recall includes children's medications as well.

The company says that the moldy, musty smell that is making people sick is caused by trace amounts of a certain chemical that is applied to wood used to build pallets that transport and store packing materials. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has released a statement saying that the problem was serious enough to warrant a recall sooner. Apparently, the company received these complaints in 2008. However, no steps were taken to detect the source of the odor or solve the problem, FDA officials say.

If you have purchased any of these recalled drugs, please contact the company for a refund. Please do not consume the medication. If you have suffered any serious side effects as a result of taking these or other medications, contact an experienced Seattle pharmaceutical liability lawyer to find out about your rights.

Please contact an experienced products liability attorney with The Bernard Law Group for a FREE, comprehensive and completely confidential consultation. Please call us at 1-800-418-8282 or e-mail us at info@bernardlawgroup.com. We can also send you our FREE informational brochure about Washington product defect cases, which has useful, educational information to help you understand your rights. Get in touch with Kirk Bernard and his skilled legal team today.

Source: http://blogs.consumerreports.org/safety/2010/01/recall-tylenol-motrin-rolaids-st-joseph-benadryl-246tribromoanisole.html

Walking While Distracted Proves Dangerous for Pedestrians

New studies show that pedestrians who talk on the phone or text while walking may be more prone to harm or danger from auto accidents as a result of their distractions. The same rings true for drivers who talk on the phone or text while operating a vehicle. According to results of a research conducted at Ohio State University, a little over 1,000 pedestrians visited emergency rooms in 2008 because they were distracted and got into an accident while talking on the cell phone or texting. That was twice the number from 2007, which had nearly doubled from 2006.

Lately, texting while driving or driving while talking on the cell phone has received a lot of attention. In fact, in both Oregon and Washington States, legislators are seeking to make driving while talking on the cell phone or texting a primary offense. However, this new study points to a new and growing problem – walking while distracted can be dangerous for pedestrians. If you are walking on the street, please pay attention to the traffic. Obey traffic laws. Connecting with someone when you are walking on a busy street is not as important as your own safety.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a Washington pedestrian accident caused by a negligent driver, we can help. Please contact the experienced Washington personal injury attorneys with The Bernard Law Group at 1-800-418-8282 or info@bernardlawgroup.com for a FREE, comprehensive and confidential consultation. We can also send you our FREE informational brochure, which has useful, educational information about Washington pedestrian accident cases to help you understand your legal rights and options. Get in touch with Kirk Bernard and his skilled legal team today.

Source: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2010814918_walkers17.html?syndication=rss

Construction Site Workers Injured in Hospital Scaffolding Accident

Two construction workers are recovering after they fell off a scaffolding while working at a hospital construction site. According to a news report, the workers – ages 48 and 32 – suffered serious injuries after scaffolding gave way at a renovation project. Both fell from the second story of the building to the sidewalk.

The federal Occupation Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is investigating this construction site accident. The workers were installing fascia board trim at the site when the scaffolding collapsed.

Many construction site workers in Washington State and elsewhere in the country are killed or catastrophically injured while working on improperly maintained scaffoldings. This occurs in spite of numerous state and federal regulations as well as industry standards that require owners, contractors and subcontractors to implement safety measures relating to scaffolding.

Injured workers or their families would be entitled to Washington workers compensation benefits, but these benefits are extremely inadequate to cover medical expenses, lost earnings and other related costs.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a Washington construction accident, please contact the skilled personal injury Seattle lawyers with The Bernard Law Group. Please call us at 1-800-418-8282 or e-mail us at info@bernardlawgroup.com. We can also send you our FREE informational brochure about Washington construction accident cases, which has useful educational information to help you understand your legal rights and options. Get in touch with Kirk Bernard and his experienced legal team today.

Source: http://www.newburyportnews.com/punews/local_story_005233706.html

Defective Bicycles Recalled for Fall and Injury Hazards

Seattle Bike Supply, a company in Kent, Washington, has recalled about 350 bicycles because they pose a serious fall hazard to bicyclists. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the company has issued a voluntary recall for 2010 Redline Conquest Pro Bicycles and Framesets. Allegedly, the bicycle's fork legs can separate from the dork crown and cause the rider to lose control, posing a risk of serious injury if the rider falls. So far, the company has received three reports of forks separating with minor injuries reported in one of the incidents.

These recalled products, made in Taiwan, were sold at bicycle specialty stores throughout the US from August 2009 to November 2009 for about $1,900 for the bicycle and about $550 for the frameset. If you own one of these bicycles, please stop using them and get in touch with your local Redline bicycle dealer to receive a free inspection and fork replacement. For more information, please visit the company's Web site at www.Redlinebicycles.com .

Washington has been rated by the League of American Bicyclists as the nation’s number one “Bicycle Friendly State” for the second year in a row. Bicyclists face public safety challenges as a result of traffic issues. Defective bicycles can add to that safety challenge. If you have been injured in a bicycle accident as a result of a defective product, please contact an experienced Seattle personal injury attorney with The Bernard Law Group for a FREE, comprehensive and completely confidential consultation. Please call us at 1-800-418-8282 or e-mail us at info@bernardlawgroup.com. We can also send you our FREE informational brochure about Washington product defect cases, which has useful, educational information to help you understand your rights. Get in touch with Kirk Bernard and his skilled legal team today.

Source: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10107.html