The Woodlands Personal Injury Law Blog

Is drinking while boating dangerous?

On behalf of The Leigh Law Firm posted in Wrongful Death on Sunday, June 16, 2019.

With summer finally here, boaters are excited to get out on the water and spend ample time in the sun. Some boaters will also indulge in alcohol aboard their vessels, which can lead to serious injuries with sometimes life-threatening consequences. The Boat U.S. Foundation explains how drinking alcohol while boating can endanger your life and the lives of other boaters.

The conditions while boating can actually increase your level of fatigue over the course of a day. For instance, being exposed to the hot sun can diminish your response time, which decreases even further when you add in alcohol. You must be able to interpret conditions in a reasonable manner to be able to make split-second decisions in some cases. A slow reaction time means you might miss important cues, which can easily lead you into a dangerous situation.

The long-term consequences of a bike accident

On behalf of The Leigh Law Firm posted in motor vehicle accidents on Friday, June 14, 2019.

When someone is involved in a bicycle accident on the road, their life may be turned upside down and they may struggle with a number of immediate consequences that affect them, such as medical expenses, injuries that take months to recover from and emotional challenges. Sometimes, people are able to make a full recovery after a bicycle accident, but some victims are not as fortunate. Sadly, many people who are involved in bicycle accidents face a plethora of long-term consequences, whether they are financial, physical or emotional in nature.

When someone is struck by a vehicle while riding their bicycle, they may sustain a debilitating injury that results in permanent immobility. For example, a bike accident victim may not ever be able to walk again, or they may lose the ability to perform certain job duties or take part in various physical activities for the rest of their lives. This, along with medical costs and expenses related to physical therapy, can create lasting financial difficulties that make life even harder. Moreover, the mental toll of a bicycle accident can be significant, whether someone is never able to ride their bicycle again due to trauma or they struggle with depression or other negative emotions.

Are there different types of autonomous vehicles?

On behalf of The Leigh Law Firm posted in motor vehicle accidents on Sunday, June 9, 2019.

Automated vehicles are touted as the solution to driver error, which was responsible for the 37,461 driving fatalities occurring in 2016. There are actually different levels of automation, some of which are already standard in many of the newer vehicles on the road today. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration explains the different types of automation so drivers in Texas can stay well-informed.

A driver responsible for performing all tasks related to operating a vehicle would be at automation level 0. Some level of assistance would be automation level 1, which entails things like stability control or anti-lock brakes. Partial automation occurs at level 2. While some functions are automated, the driver must remain in control and aware of the driving environment at all times. Conditional automation is level 3. In this case, the driver does not need to monitor the environment. However, the driver must remain available to take over when needed.

Are drug expiration dates important?

On behalf of The Leigh Law Firm posted in defective drugs on Thursday, May 30, 2019.

When faced with an expired drug, many people wonder whether it's necessary to discard the medication. After all, medicine can be expensive and you might not use all of it before it reaches its date of expiration. In this case, Harvard Health Publishing offers the following information on drug expirations and what they mean to consumers.

Expiration dates on medication is a relatively new phenomenon. A law was implemented in 1979 that obligated drug manufacturers to place expiration dates on medication for the benefit of consumers. However, a study conducted on behalf of the military looked at how relevant these expiration dates actually are. This was a particular concern for the military, as they hold large stockpiles of medication that often expires before it can be used.

Are trampolines dangerous?

On behalf of The Leigh Law Firm posted in products liability on Sunday, May 26, 2019.

Backyard trampolines are a great source of fun for kids in Texas. However, trampolines are well known amongst ER doctors, as they often lead to broken bones, lacerations, and many other injuries. Statistics show that a variety of trampoline injuries are quite common when kids take part.

According to the Mayo Clinic, 1 million people experienced trampoline injuries over a 9 year period, spanning from 2002 to 2011. While it's true that life-threatening injuries are thankfully rare, moderate to severe injuries are exceedingly common. Additionally, these injuries don't merely impact the children jumping. In some cases, children on the sidelines were injured when a child jumped from the trampoline to the yard. Kids hiding underneath trampolines also experience a risk of injury.

All types of skull fractures are serious

On behalf of The Leigh Law Firm on Thursday, May 23, 2019.

Most people hope to get through their lives without suffering any major injuries. For many individuals, they are lucky enough to go through life without such trauma, but unfortunately, for you, that was not the case. You may have found yourself involved in a serious car accident that changed your life forever.

The outcomes of the accident may have left you with a serious injury to your head. While some bumps and bruises to the head may not necessarily mean that serious trauma has occurred, in some cases they can. Sadly, you were not fortunate enough to escape the accident with just a minor bump on the head. Instead, you suffered a skull fracture.

What should you do with a recalled drug?

On behalf of The Leigh Law Firm posted in defective drugs on Monday, May 13, 2019.

If you are taking any medication in Texas, it is important to be aware of any safety concerns surrounding the meds. If you find out there is a recall on some drug you have, you may wonder what exactly you should do.

The FDA or the drug manufacturer itself can recall a medication for a number of reasons. According to Drugs.com, a recent recall of Losartan Potassium was due to trace amounts of a cancer-causing compound. Doctors prescribe this drug for patients with hypertension and nephropathy in diabetic patients. While it is a voluntary recall, it can be dangerous for patients to abruptly stop taking a medication, so one of the first steps these patients should take is to contact their physician and inquire about an alternative treatment. They should also contact their doctor and even an attorney if they notice any issues from taking the drug.

What must you prove in a wrongful death case?

On behalf of The Leigh Law Firm posted in Wrongful Death on Saturday, May 11, 2019.

If one of your close loved ones dies as the result of someone’s negligence in Texas, you can sue that person for wrongful death. Generally you must be the deceased’s surviving spouse, child, parent or sibling in order to bring such a suit.

FindLaw explans that you can also file a wrongful death suit if your loved one died as the result of someone’s wrongdoing. Furthermore, you can file it even if the person receives an acquittal in his or her criminal trial.

What should you do if you think your car is defective?

On behalf of The Leigh Law Firm posted in products liability on Tuesday, April 30, 2019.

If you are driving around Texas and notice a problem with your vehicle, you may assume that age or driving conditions caused the issue. While some car problems come from improper maintenance or typical wear and tear, others happen because of a mistake in the design or manufacturing process. Issues with the engine, brakes, safety components and steering system may all contribute to accidents. You may also increase your own risk of injury if you continue to drive a car that has a design defect.

It is not uncommon to discover design flaws in vehicles even after they make it through testing and enter the market. In many cases, automobile manufacturers issue recall notices for defective parts and/or vehicles. Before a recall may occur, car manufacturers and regulatory agencies must know about the issue. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, you may help initiate a recall by reporting any issues you find.

Car accidents and traumatic brain injuries

On behalf of The Leigh Law Firm posted in motor vehicle accidents on Tuesday, April 30, 2019.

Whether you have been involved in a minor fender bender or a major collision, you run the risk of being seriously injured. While broken bones and lacerations are obvious injuries that must be attended to, there may be other injuries that are harder to spot. Traumatic brain injuries can go unnoticed, but can cause serious, long-term damage if left untreated. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists traumatic brain injuries as the second-leading cause of hospitalizations in the United States. The problem lies in the fact that symptoms may not appear for days or weeks after the accident occurred.

Traumatic brain injures occur when the soft tissue of the brain receives a sudden jolt, causing it to smack into the hard skull bone. This quick impact can cause tissue damage, bleeding, bruising and swelling of the brain. If the injury is not attended to, the swelling and bleeding cause pressure to build in the skull cavity, which can cause further tissue damage. It is crucial to seek medical attention right away to prevent this.