Wayne County Personal Injury Law Blog

What are the leading causes of preventable death?

On behalf of Baddour, Parker, Hine & Hale, P.C. posted in personal injury on Friday, September 20, 2019.

The National Safety Council (NSC) argues that many fatal injuries including public transportation and recreation ones are completely preventable. Their data shows that these types of incidents are more common among individuals of certain age groups than others.

NSC data shows that in 2017, the leading causes of deaths in public places were chokings, mechanical suffocation, drownings, poisonings and falls. Air, water and rail incidents also played a role in causing the estimated 37,100 preventable deaths that happened that year.

Individuals who are most vulnerable to undue influence

On behalf of Baddour, Parker, Hine & Hale, P.C. posted in estate litigation on Friday, September 6, 2019.

Drafting a will isn't the only step that you take when planning your estate. It's an important one though. It allows you to document what your final wishes are for your financial assets, business and property toward your heirs. Countless testators voluntarily draft their wills every year. Some are forced to do so under duress, however. You may be able to contest a will if you can prove that the deceased drafted it under the undue influence of someone else.

The more means a person has, the more likely it is that someone will try to take advantage of them. Individuals who are most vulnerable to being preyed upon include disabled persons with memory or health problems, those who are isolated from their families and those who are advanced in age.

North Carolina�s dog bite laws are a little unusual

On behalf of Baddour, Parker, Hine & Hale, P.C. on Sunday, August 25, 2019.

North Carolinians love dogs so much, we even have a breed named for us, the Carolina dog. So, it’s tough to think much about, when somebody raises a dog to be aggressive or simply fails to control a dog that might become momentarily frightened, injuries can happen.

And injuries from a severe dog bite or attack can be life-changing, extremely harmful or even fatal. Everybody (including dogs) are safer when people are held accountable for their decisions as dog owners.

What should I do after I'm hurt on the job in North Carolina?

On behalf of Baddour, Parker, Hine & Hale, P.C. posted in Workers' Compensation on Tuesday, August 6, 2019.

The North Carolina Industrial Commission (IC) is responsible for managing both the Workers' Compensation Act and the Torts Claims Act. They process claims for these programs and make sure that injured workers receive efficient medical and rehabilitative care. They also facilitate safety training programs. They recommend that individuals hurt on the job follow certain steps to ensure that their case is adequately handled.

One of the first steps that the IC recommends for all workers to take after becoming hurt on the job is to report their injuries to their employer. They note that your employer should refer you to a medical provider of their choosing once you do.

5 tips for remaining safe while driving in the summer

On behalf of Baddour, Parker, Hine & Hale, P.C. posted in motor vehicle accidents on Friday, July 26, 2019.

Although the summer officially started just a little under a month ago, it feels like it started longer ago here than that in North Carolina. Heat doesn't just impact our bodies, but also how your vehicle performs. There are also more construction workers, vacationers and teens out driving around during this time of the year. This only adds to the congestion on the road. All of this can make for dangerous conditions as you navigate Goldsboro city streets.

When you spend time outside on the hottest days during the summer, you likely start to feel lightheaded and dehydrated. Having a bottle of water on hand that you can take sips from and the air conditioning on can help keep you feeling hydrated and clear-headed.

It's important that you know where warehouse injuries happen most

On behalf of Baddour, Parker, Hine & Hale, P.C. posted in Workers' Compensation on Thursday, July 18, 2019.

U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) statistics show there were as many as 145,000 warehouse workers here in North Carolina and around the country as of 2011. Worker injuries are sadly commonplace in these facilities. They often result in employees missing time from work and pay in the process. There are some trends as to when these injuries occur.

Some common types of injury that occurs in a warehouse are pushing, reaching, lifting and pulling ones. Slips and falls, forklift and material handling ones also occur more frequently than others.

Some can receive Social Security Disability and still work

On behalf of Baddour, Parker, Hine & Hale, P.C. posted in Social Security Disability on Friday, June 28, 2019.

If you receive Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits, then your doctor has likely determined that you have impairments that prevent you from becoming gainfully employed. If you're unable to support yourself with what you receive, then you may wonder if you're allowed to get a job. You may be able to under the Social Security Administration's (SSA) "work incentives" program.

In the event you start working again, the SSA will likely reassess your eligibility according to its "trial work period" rules and regulations. If the job that you take pays less than $880, then it's unlikely that the amount that you receive will decrease. If you earn between $880 and $1,220, then that amount may do down.

Just how distracting are kids in the car?

On behalf of Baddour, Parker, Hine & Hale, P.C. posted in motor vehicle accidents on Thursday, June 20, 2019.

You don't have any kids yourself, but you go on a ride with a friend who has children. The whole time, you're shocked and slightly scared. They seem like they're barely looking at the road.

Instead, your friend spends their time scolding the children, solving arguments, handing out snacks, picking up items that the kids drop and turning around to talk to them. (And that doesn't even count the time when they tried to set up an iPad at a red light so that the kids could watch a movie!)

Can I contest my deceased relative's will?

On behalf of Baddour, Parker, Hine & Hale, P.C. posted in estate litigation on Wednesday, June 19, 2019.

It happens all the time. A disgruntled relative was left out of a deceased individual's will or receives far less than they expected to get from the decedent's estate. They decide to try to right the perceived wrong and contest the will.

What are their chances of prevailing? As with most legal issues, it depends on the situation. But, under certain circumstances, it is indeed possible to legally challenge a will.

North Carolina man in wheelchair killed by car

On behalf of Baddour, Parker, Hine & Hale, P.C. posted in motor vehicle accidents on Monday, June 17, 2019.

Throughout history, many people have taken special care to protect those with disabilities from harm. For that reason, it is a particular shock when a disabled person is injured or killed in an accident. That happened recently in North Carolina when a man in a wheelchair was hit and killed by a car.

A Toyota was northbound when he struck the man in the wheelchair, a pedestrian who was simply going about his day. After the man was hit and was lying unresponsive in the road, the driver of the Toyota moved his car to the left lane, stopping it there. It was then hit from behind by a Dodge Magnum.