Attorney Blog

Norfolk Accidents From Defective Products: Suzuki Recalls Kizashi Sedans

lklpilaw@lawrenceland.com (Blog Author)34764 — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recently reported Suzuki's recall of 5,107 Kizashi sedans for a problem with a door in vehicles of the model year 2010, according to the Chicago Tribune. Specifically, the hinged door on the dashboard's center lower box poses a risk of injury because it may swing open in the event of a vehicle accident. The defect exists on models built between Oct. 13, 2009, and May 31, 2010, and it is considered a violation of federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 201, which refers to the protection of the occupant during interior impact. If you own a Suzuki Kizashi sedan and aren't sure when the vehicle was built, look at the label on the driver side doorjamb for the manufacture date. If your Suzuki sedan is one of the recalled vehicles, dealers will inspect your car and replace the defective part for free. To find a dealer near you or receive answers to your questions about the recall, contact Suzuki at 714-996-7040, or call the NHTSA hot line at 888-327-4236.

Although most Norfolk car accident cases and other vehicle accidents in Virginia result in personal injury or auto accident claims due to another driver's negligence, some crashes may lead to claims for accidents caused by defective products. When a defective vehicle part causes a Virginia Beach car accident, for example, the manufacturer may be held liable for the resulting injuries of the accident victims. The problem for many Virginia Beach, Norfolk, and Eastern Shore accident victims, however, is proving liability (fault) in a car accident case, especially when the at-fault party is not another driver. For help proving liability in your Virginia accident case, feel free to contact experienced Norfolk auto accident lawyer Lawrence Land. He will answer your questions for free and help you recover financial compensation for your pain and suffering, time away from work, medical bills, and other expenses. Contact Lawrence Land online or toll-free at 800-800-1911.

Teens Need More Sleep, Later School Start Times to Prevent Virginia Wrecks

lklpilaw@lawrenceland.com (Blog Author)34553 — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST

Later school start times may significantly decrease the risk of teenage car accidents in Virginia, according to a new study (reports the Delaware Online news source). The researchers, who gathered 2008 crash data for Virginia Beach and Chesapeake and accounted for the start times of schools in each city, found that the students with an earlier school start time were more likely to be involved in a car accident than those with later start times. Here are some of the specific details and findings of the study:

Schools in Virginia Beach started classes at 7:20 a.m., while schools in Chesapeake started classes at 8:40 a.m.
When comparing only the car accidents involving teens, researchers found that Virginia Beach teens were involved in 41% more crashes than teenagers in Chesapeake.
Specifically, Virginia Beach experienced 65.4 wrecks per 1,000 teen drivers, while Chesapeake experienced only 46.2 wrecks involving teen drivers.

Medical experts say that teenagers require more than nine hours of sleep per night. Since teens tend to go to bed late no matter how early they get up, starting the school day later would help teens get adequate sleep. One expert explains that teenagers are "biologically programmed" to stay sleepy longer and wake up after adults, and she agrees that later school start times could prevent drowsy driving and decrease Virginia wrecks.

For more information on Virginia car accidents and how to obtain financial compensation for injuries, contact Norfolk accident attorney Lawrence Land online or at 800-800-1911, and he will answer your questions for free.

Newport News Truck Accident Caused by Driver Fatigue

lklpilaw@lawrenceland.com (Blog Author)34549 — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST

A truck crashed into a ditch off I-64 in Newport News when the truck driver fell asleep at the wheel, according to the Daily Press. The Newport News truck accident caused the truck to flip over, and Virginia State Police Sgt. Michelle Cotten said that the trailer would have to be unloaded and cut open in order to remove the large truck from the ditch. After the incident, the truck driver was charged with reckless driving.

Although no injuries occurred and no other vehicles were involved in this Virginia truck wreck, many Newport News, Eastern Shore, Hampton Roads, and Norfolk truck accidents do involve other vehicles, with serious injuries often resulting from them. While the cause of each truck wreck varies, driver fatigue is one of the most common causes of serious truck accidents in Virginia. Truck drivers are required to spend a certain number of hours off duty in order to get adequate sleep and rest before navigating Virginia roadways, and they must keep logs of their time driving and away from the wheel while on the job. In many cases, however, truck drivers submit false logs to their employers so they can meet deadlines or reach destinations more quickly, leading to instances in which the truck drivers fall asleep at the wheel.

If you have been injured in a Newport News truck accident or another Virginia truck wreck, feel free to contact Norfolk truck accident attorney Lawrence Land for free resources, answers to questions, and more information on Virginia trucking law. Contact Land online or call him toll-free at 800-800-1911.

Coup & Contrecoup Injuries in Norfolk & Other Virginia Accidents

lklpilaw@lawrenceland.com (Blog Author)34547 — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 08:00:00 EST

In Norfolk truck accidents, car accidents, other Virginia wrecks, coup and contrecoup injuries can occur, meaning that individuals involved may suffer serious brain injury. Coup injuries to the brain result from direct impact of an object on the brain, such as the head striking the dashboard in an Eastern Shore car accident. In the case of contrecoup injuries, impact causes the brain to move and strike the opposite side of the skull (the opposite side of the point of impact). When motorcycle accidents result in traumatic brain injury (TBI), the damage is most frequently caused from coup and contrecoup injuries. After a coup or contrecoup injury, the accident victim may suffer a cerebral contusion (bruising of the brain), swelling in the brain, and bleeding or loss of blood flow, all side effects which can cause further damage. Whether a brain injury is classified as coup or contrecoup, the damage is typically irreversible.

Another form of brain damage is a coup-contrecoup injury, which is a combination of both types of injury. In the case of coup-contrecoup injuries, the brain suffers damage at the point of impact, but moves within the skull due to acceleration and deceleration, causing it to bounce off one side of the skull and strike the opposite side. In this case, both sides of the skull suffer injury.

If you or a family member has suffered any kind of brain injury in Norfolk, Hampton Roads, Newport News, or another part of Virginia, brain injury attorney Lawrence Land expresses his deepest sympathies to you. Commited to helping brain injury victims recover financial compensation from negligent parties so the injured can focus on getting better rather than worrying about how to pay for high medical bills, Land will provide you with free resources and answers to all your legal questions. Contact Lawrence Land online or toll-free at 800-800-1911.

Risk of Infection High at Outpatient Surgical Centers in Norfolk & Virginia

lklpilaw@lawrenceland.com (Blog Author)34116 — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 08:00:00 EST

When you enter an outpatient surgical center in Norfolk or another part of Virginia, you expect to go home with your condition improved, even if you have to take a little time for recovery. Although concerns regarding infection control have been more commonly associated with hospitals in the past, a recent study conducted by researchers at the CDC revealed that the spread of infection is a frequently occurring risk in outpatient surgical centers (according to the Wall Street Journal). In the surveying of 68 ambulatory surgical centers from three states, CDC researchers found that 68% of the facilities failed to meet guidelines in at least one of five areas (among them were injection safety, hand hygiene, and practices in environmental cleaning). Lapses in at least three areas occurred at 18% of the centers. Twenty-eight percent of the facilities were found administering medications in single-dose vials to more than one patient. As a result, 39 of the 68 outpatient centers received state citations for deficiences in infection control, and 20 of them were cited for lapses in medication administration.

With over 75% of operations performed on an outpatient basis, more and more patients are at-risk of infections at surgical centers in Hampton Roads and other parts of Virginia. If you or a family member sustained an infection during surgery, at a hospital, or in another medical facility, you may be able to file a Virginia medical malpractice claim if your infection caused a permanent illness or condition. For more information on Virginia or Norfolk medical malpractice and free answers to your pressing questions, contact Norfolk and Eastern Shore medical malpractice attorney Lawrence Land online or toll-free at 800-800-1911.

Naval Station Norfolk Hosts Fourth Annual Motorcycle Safety Event

lklpilaw@lawrenceland.com (Blog Author)34103 — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 08:00:00 EST

Sailers at the Norfolk Naval Station received free motorcycle safety training this month since more and more sailers are riding motorcycles, according to the WTKR news source. Naval Station Norfolk knows that a shortage of parking spaces and high gas prices have led to more sailers purchasing motorcycles, and this is the fourth year the station has hosted a free motorcycle safety course in an effort to protect its sailers on the roadway. With safety as a top priority to the Navy, the course not only included tips for bike riding, but also how to look out for others on the roadway while on a motorcycle. According to WTKR, the efforts of the Norfolk Naval Station and other motorcycle safety prevention groups are working: between 2008 and 2009, fatalities from motorcycle accidents were reduced in the Navy by 60 percent. In the state, fatalities from Virginia motorcycle accidents have declined for the past three years.

Although the number of Hampton Roads and Norfolk motorcycle accidents have declined, Virginia auto accident lawyer Lawrence Land believes that one serious motorcycle crash is one too many, and he commits a significant part of his practice to helping motorcycle accident victims recover financial compensation for injuries so they can focus their efforts on getting better. For more information and helpful resources on motorcycle accidents, injuries, and how to receive the best medical care and help paying for medical bills, contact Lawrence Land, and he will answer your questions for free. Call Lawrence Land toll-free at 800-800-1911.

Virginia Speed Limit Increases To Take Effect July 1

lklpilaw@lawrenceland.com (Blog Author)32652 — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 08:00:00 EST

The Virginia speed limit increases that were voted for in February go into effect on July 1, 2010, potentially putting the lives of Norfolk, Nassawadox, Eastern Shore, Newport News, and other Virginia residents even more at risk of vehicle accidents on the roadway (according to the 24-7 Press Release news source). Passed by the Virginia General Assembly in an effort to improve the state's transportation system, the change will increase the speed limit from 65 to 70 miles per hour on some of the rural highways in Virginia. Although no roadways have officially been named as ones that will undergo the change, sections of Highway 66 and Highway 81 are expected to be on the list. Currently, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is reviewing speed data, crash data, and other statistics to determine which roadways will be included in the speed limit increase.

While some commuters are eager for the change as they hope to reach their destinations more quickly, it is important for all drivers and passengers to understand the risks associated with speed increases on the roadway. Remember to consider all conditions when driving, not only following the speed limit, but sometimes realizing that traveling more slowly that the limit may be necessary in times of inclement weather or other dangerous conditions. If you have been hurt in a Norfolk car accident or another Virginia area crash caused by a speeding or negligent driver, feel free to contact our firm for free resources and answers to all your questions. Contact Lawrence Land online or at 757-251-0198.

Determining Liability in Eastern Shore & Other Virginia Truck Accidents

lklpilaw@lawrenceland.com (Blog Author)32649 — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 08:00:00 EST

Although many may think that determining liability in an Eastern Shore truck accident or another Virginia trucking wreck is as simple as reading the police report, some Norfolk trucking accidents and VA truck crashes require further examination. While the police report is a necessary factor in determining who is at fault after a Virginia collision, details such as driver background and behavior at the time of the crash, how the truck was loaded, whether the trucking company followed regulations, and potential errors in manufacturing affect the outcome of a Virginia truck accident case. Below is a list of potential negligent parties in a Newport News or Norfolk truck wreck, along with explanations:

the truck driver (for distracted driving, speeding, DUI, aggressive driving or tailgating, failing to follow regulations, or failing to inspect the truck or trailer, etc.)
the trucking company (for failing to perform a background check on the driver, setting unrealistic schedules, improperly loading the truck or trailer, failing to train or improperly training the driver, etc.)
the manufacturer of the truck (due to defective parts)
the loading company (if there is a loading company involved, they may be held liable for injuries or accidents caused by improper loading, such as overloading the truck or failing to secure the load)
the truck rig owner or truck trailer owner (often the owner is responsible for any wreck caused by the truck, whether from driver negligence or other causes)
government parties (as in the case of some defective roadways).

This is certainly not a comprehensive list, and reading it won't necessarily mean that you can determine who is at fault in your Norfolk or Eastern Shore truck accident case. For free help determining liability and answers to your pressing questions regarding Virginia truck wrecks and related injuries, contact Lawrence Land online or at 757-251-0198.

Norfolk Man Charged With DUI & Hit-and-Run After Serious Crash

lklpilaw@lawrenceland.com (Blog Author)32642 — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 08:00:00 EST

A Norfolk man has been charged with felony hit-and-run personal injury and DUI after striking a utility pole and fleeing the accident scene this month, according to the Hampton Roads news website. The Norfolk car accident occurred on East Ocean View Avenue when 27-year-old driver Dustin Wayne Turner lost control of his vehicle and crashed into the utility pole, injuring all three occupants of the car. While Turner and another passenger suffered only minor injuries in the Norfolk wreck, the third passenger required transportation to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital for life-threatening injuries. Speed and alcohol were factors in the crash, and Turner was arrested near the accident scene, which he fled on foot.

The condition of the seriously injured passenger has improved, and Norfolk car accident lawyer Lawrence Land hopes for his fast and complete recovery. Familiar with the tragedy of serious injury caused by Eastern Shore, Norfolk, and Newport News crashes, Lawrence Land devotes his practice to helping car accident victims obtain financial compensation for medical expenses and pain and suffering so they can focus on getting better. If you or a loved one has been hurt in a Virginia car wreck, contact Lawrence Land online or by phone for free resources and answers to your pressing questions. 757-251-0198.

12-Year-Old Boy Suffers Brain Damage After Hit-and-Run | Norfolk Brain Injury Attorney

lklpilaw@lawrenceland.com (Blog Author)32357 — Thu, 27 May 2010 08:00:00 EST

A 12-year-old boy suffered brain damage and other serious injuries in a tragic hit-and-run accident in Chicago Sunday, May 23, according to the South Town Star news source. According to police, a white Cadillac Eldorado was traveling south on May St. around 5:35 p.m. when it crashed into the young boy and did not stop. The driver of the two-door vehicle was reported to be an African American man who goes by the nickname "KB" and is somewhere between 20 and 26 years old, and police have asked anyone with information to contact their Major Accident Investigation Unit at (312) 745-4521. Following the terrible crash, the 12-year-old required transportation to the hospital for the injuries to his brain and other accident-related injuries.

Although this accident occurred in Chicago, Virginia brain injury attorney Lawrence Land has seen far too many accidents like this occur in Norfolk, Nassawadox, Eastern Shore, Newport News, and other areas of Virginia. Familiar with the potentially devastating effects of traumatic brain injury, Lawrence expresses his deepest sympathies to the family and friends of the child in this accident, and he hopes for his complete and speedy recovery. If you or your child has suffered brain damage in a Norfolk truck accident, Virginia car accident, motorcycle accident, bicycle crash, or pedestrian collision, feel free to contact Norfolk auto accident lawyer Lawrence Land with your most pressing questions and concerns. Land will answer your questions for free regarding Norfolk brain injuries and other incidents of brain damage in Virginia, and he will provide you with the resources you to need to proceed with the best medical treatment and obtain financial compensation for medical expenses. Contact Land online or at 757-251-0198.

Virginia Dental Malpractice: Young Boy Dies After Anesthesia for Standard Dental Procedure

lklpilaw@lawrenceland.com (Blog Author)32312 — Wed, 26 May 2010 08:00:00 EST

A six-year-old boy tragically died after a dental visit to Virginia Commonwealth University’s (VCU) Medical Center in Richmond, according to the eCanadaNow news source. The child, Jacobi Lewis, reportedly suffered cardiac arrest after anesthesia was administered to him in preparatation for a routine dental procedure. Although the VCU Medical Center is considered by many to be "one of the top dental surgery . . . facilities" in the U.S. and even the world, Crystal Lewis, Jacobi’s mother, has demanded that the VCU staff provide her with answers regarding what happened. According to Crystal, no answers have been given. Dr. Jeff Bennet, though not providing answers, commented that the death of a child from anesthesia, while rare, can and does happen. Although he believes that death from anesthesia is just as likely to happen to a healthy child as it is one who is very ill, the reporters at the eCanadaNow news source state that incidents such as these fall under the medical malpractice category.

Dental malpractice, at times, can be just as serious and life-threatening as other incidents of medical malpractice. As a Norfolk attorney who represents Virginia victims and family members affected by medical errors or negligence, Lawrence Land is familiar with the indescribable pain of loss associated with wrongful death from Virginia dental malpractice, and he expresses his deepest condolences to the family and friends of young Jacobi Lewis. Every case of dental malpractice is Virginia is different and must be examined carefully in order to determine negligence and sort through the intricate details of the procedure in question. For help examining your potential case, feel free to contact Lawrence Land online or at 757-251-0198 for free resources, answers to questions, and compassionate assistance during your time of need.

Types of Virginia Nursing Home Abuse | Norfolk Medical Malpractice Lawyer

lklpilaw@lawrenceland.com (Blog Author)30899 — Sat, 01 May 2010 08:00:00 EST

The types of nursing home negligence in Virginia vary, but typically fall into two general categories: nursing home neglect and nursing home abuse. In either case, the effects can be devastating, not only on the nursing home resident (the victim), but on the victim's family. Placing a family member into a nursing home in the first place can be one of life's most difficult decisions. When the nursing home, intended to be a safe place of residence for your loved one, fails to provide adequate care to the patient, the emotional, physical, and financial burden on the victim and family members can be tremendous. Knowing that abuse was involved can add weight to such already heavy burdens. Among the common types of nursing home abuse are the following:

physical abuse (such as hitting, striking, pushing, shaking, slapping, or burning the resident)
emotional abuse (such as inflicting abuse through verbal assaults, humiliation, isolation, or threats)
neglect (often placed in its own category, neglect involves depriving the patient of needs)
abandonment (occurs when the nursing home worker leaves or fails to care for the resident)
material or financial exploitation (illegal use of a patient's possessions or money)
sexual abuse (including touching of private areas without consent).

If you or a loved one has been a victim of any of these acts of nursing home abuse or any other act of nursing home or medical negligence in Virginia, feel free to contact Norfolk medical malpractice lawyer Lawrence Land. Compassionate yet professional toward victims (and their families) of medical malpractice, Land will answer your questions for free and provide you with the resources you need. For more information, contact Lawrence Land via his online form or call him at 800-800-1911.

Prescription Errors & Wrong Medication in Virginia Medical Malpractice

lklpilaw@lawrenceland.com (Blog Author)30898 — Sat, 01 May 2010 08:00:00 EST

One of the most common types of medical negligence in Virginia is administering or prescribing the wrong medication to a patient, a mistake that can result in serious side effects or even death. Although prescription errors can lead to devastating results, they are among the easier medical mistakes to track, whether the error occurs in a hospital, at a pharmacy, at a nursing home or during an at-home care visit. If you or a family member has been a victim of medication errors, your experience may have been related to one of the following issues:

administration or prescription of the wrong medicine
improper dosage of medication
administration or prescription of a the wrong medicine to a patient with allergies to that drug
administration or prescription of a medicine that, when combined with other drugs taken by the patient, can cause adverse reactions
administration or prescription of the wrong medicine or dosage to a child, which often involves even greater risk.

If you believe that a physician, nurse, or another health care professional was negligent regarding the prescribing or administering of medicine to you or a loved one, feel free to contact Norfolk and Eastern Shore medical malpractice attorney Lawrence Land with your most concerning questions. You may be able to file a Virginia medical malpractice claim for compensation for medical expenses, lost time away from work, disabilities, pain, or other conditions related to the medical mistake. If you are unsure whether your case constitutes a medical negligence claim in Virginia, Lawrence Land will help you determine whether negligence and other essential factors were involved. For free resources and answers to questions, contact Lawrence Land online or by phone at 800-800-1911.

Wrongful Death From Virginia Truck Accidents

lklpilaw@lawrenceland.com (Blog Author)30875 — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 08:00:00 EST

Tractor trailers, 18-wheelers, semi trucks, and other types of commercial vehicle trucks are perhaps the most dangerous vehicles on Virginia roadways. When a large truck collides with a smaller vehicle, the consequences of the crash can be catastrophic or tragic, with serious injuries or even death occurring as a result. Although thousands of people are killed in fatal truck accidents every year in the U.S., each case is unique, devastating, tragic, and indescribably difficult for the surviving family members. As a Virginia truck wreck lawyer committed to helping family members after the unexpected, painful loss of a loved one, Lawrence Land believes that one trucking accident fatality is one too many. Familiar with the overwhelming trauma associated with Virginia wrongful death, Land devotes his practice to helping families recover monetary compensation after a tragic accident so their financial burdens can be lifted and they can focus on healthy grieving.

If you have lost a family member in a Virginia tractor trailer accident or trucking collision, Lawrence Land expresses his deepest sympathies to you at this most difficult time. The state of Virginia has specific laws for truck drivers, owners, and companies that hire trucks, and Land will use his thorough knowledge of these laws to advise you in your unique situation if you would like to speak with an attorney. Whether the other party's negligence involved in your truck-car accident is on the part of the driver, owner, company, or manufacturer, you may be able to file a legal claim for compensation so you can place financial worries aside. For more information on Virginia wrongful death from trucking accidents or to obtain free answers to your specific questions, contact Lawrence Land confidentially in his online form or call him at 800-800-1911.

Norfolk & Eastern Shore Truck Accidents Caused by Virginia DUI

lklpilaw@lawrenceland.com (Blog Author)30867 — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 08:00:00 EST

When a truck driver chooses to get behind the wheel while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, negligence is a clear factor in a resulting truck accident. Truck drivers under the influence put everyone around them at risk of serious injury or even death, with the potential danger involved even greater than that of a car accident due to the heavy impact of a large semi, tractor trailer, or 18-wheeler on a smaller vehicle. Whether an impaired Virginia truck driver fails to yield, exceeds the speed limit, or simply causes an accident while drunk driving, injured parties may wish to pursue an Eastern Shore or Norfolk truck accident claim.

In Virginia tractor trailer accident claims, those who suffer injuries caused by an impaired truck driver are entitled to financial compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages, and punitive damages, among other expenses. If it is unclear whether the driver was under the influence in a severe trucking accident, it is important to know that truck drivers are required by federal law to be tested for drugs and alcohol after serious crashes. To learn more about Virginia trucking law, the unique rules that apply to DWI/DUI accidents, or how to receive help after a family member's wrongful death from a truck wreck, contact Norfolk and Eastern Shore personal injury lawyer Lawrence Land. Land will provide you with helpful resources, advice, and answers to all your questions for free at no obligation to you. Contact Lawrence Land via his confidential online form or by phone (toll-free) at 800-800-1911.

Child Brain Injuries in Virginia: Effects of Damage to the Temporal Lobe

lklpilaw@lawrenceland.com (Blog Author)30804 — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 08:00:00 EST

After suffering a head injury, a child may be at-risk of suffering a rare brain disorder, called agnosia, that can make it difficult for the child to recognize objects or even people, according to the Associated Content website. Although agnosia can inflict head or brain injury victims of all ages, children who suffer an injury to the brain's temporal lobe may be more likely to develop the condition. Since the temporal lobe is responsible for a variety of functions performed on a daily basis, such as recognizing objects, it is essential that you seek medical care for your child as soon as you realize he or she has suffered a blow to the head. Although there is no known treatment for agnosia, medical options may be available for the treatment of other brain injuries, and brain rehabilitation programs can be helpful.

As an Eastern Shore and Norfolk brain injury lawyer serving various parts of Virginia, Lawrence Land devotes his practice to helping adults and children with Virginia brain injury. For free resources and answers to questions concerning Virginia brain injury in general or your unique case, feel free to contact Lawrence Land via his confidential contact form or at any of the numbers below:

Nassawadox: 757-442-7272
Norfolk: 757-625-1911
Toll-free: 800-800-1911.

Gloucester Car Accident Tragically Kills Man From Newport News

blog@www.lawrenceland.com (News Author)15915 — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 08:00:00 EST

A Gloucester car accident tragically killed a man from Newport News this month when another vehicle struck his car head-on, according to the Daily Press. The two-vehicle head-on collision occurred on Hickory Fork Rd. when the other vehicle veered into the oncoming lane and collided with the car of 20-year-old Jacob Ethan Tyler Dubose. Dubose was the tenth person killed this year on roads in Gloucester. After the metro Hampton Roads wreck, Virginia State Police charged the other driver wih reckless driving.

As a Norfolk, Hampton Roads, Eastern Shore, Newport News, and Gloucester wrongful death lawyer, Lawrence Land expresses his deepest condolences to the family and friends of this fatal accident victim. There is nothing more tragic than the loss of a loved one, and the unexpected, sudden nature of loss associated with fatal Virginia car accidents can make the pain even more difficult to bear. If you have lost a loved one in a tragic Virginia accident and have questions for an experienced Norfolk accident attorney, feel free to contact Lawrence Land for free resources, help with medical bills and other expenses, and answers to questions. Contact Lawrence Land via his confidential online contact form or call 757-251-0198.

Doctor Caused Brain Injuries of Cerebral Palsy Victim, Justice Rules

blog@www.lawrenceland.com (News Author)15914 — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 08:00:00 EST

A Supreme Court Justice recently ruled that a doctor and nurse from Surrey Memorial Hospital were responsible for the catastrophic brain injuries of now 5-year-old Mirella Rochelle Steinebach, who suffers from a severe case of cerebral palsy (according to the BC Local News site). Little Mirella is unable to swallow, speak, walk, or even turn herself over, and she suffers from frequent chest infections and pneumonia. According to at least one specialist, she may not live past the age of 20. Just how did this devastating injury occur?

Cerebral palsy is a birth injury, and the negligence of the doctors in failing to treat Mirella's mother properly before and during labor resulted in the child's severe brain damage. Specifically, the doctor failed to assess the mother when she arrived at the hospital, and the nurse did not report the electronic monitoring results that showed the baby was in distress in the womb. According to Justice Ian Pittfield, the girl's brain damage was caused by oxygen deprivation that occurred sometime in the twenty minutes prior to the child's birth time of 5:37 a.m. on March 31, 2005.

Although the doctor's written records gave the initial impression that no obvious symptoms appeared during labor, evidence indicates that comments were added to the notes after delivery and the discovery of oxygen deprivation. According to a handwriting expert, not only were two different pens used in writing the notes, but parts of the notes were written at completely different times.

As a result, the Justice ruled that the negligent parties pay $730,000 to the victim's family in compensation, in addition to an amount to cover the cost of caring for the girl on a daily basis (that amount has not been determined yet).

If your child or another family member has suffered Virginia or Norfolk brain injuries as a result of medical malpractice, a car accident, or any other type of incident in which another party was negligent, feel free to contact Virginia brain injury lawyer and Norfolk medical malpractice attorney Lawrence Land. He will answer your questions for free and provide you with the resources and assistance you need to ensure that your family member receives optimum medical care. Contact Land online or toll-free at 800-800-1911.

Norfolk Car Accident On I-64 Sends Four to Hospital With Injuries

blog@www.lawrenceland.com (News Author)15764 — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 08:00:00 EST

A Norfolk car accident sent four people to the hospital with injuries after an SUV overturned on I-64 Wednesday, June 16, according to the WVEC news website. The I-64 accident occurred when a vehicle changed lanes near Robin Hood Rd. and struck the SUV, which flipped over upon impact. Four people from the SUV suffered non-life threatening injuries, and the driver of the other vehicle faces a charge of making an unsafe lane change.

When Norfolk accidents and other Virginia crashes result in injuries, a number of concerns may arise in accident victims, including how to obtain the best medical treatment for getting better, how to pay for medical bills and other expenses, and what to do about lost wages caused by time away from work. For free answers to these questions and other concerns you may have after a Virginia wreck, contact Norfolk accident attorney Lawrence Land online or by phone (toll-free) at 800-800-1911.

Woman Files Medical Negligence Claim After Death of Husband

blog@www.lawrenceland.com (News Author)15722 — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 08:00:00 EST

A woman from West Virginia has filed a legal claim against one of the largest nursing and assisted living organizations, Beverly Enterprises, for the death of her husband in one of the organization's nursing facilities (according to the West Virginia Record news source). After entering the Golden Living Center only four days earlier, Donald B. Hall began to suffer from a rapid accumulation of mucus in his lungs and throat on May 17, 2008. Hall was found dead by facility staff one day later. According to Donald Hall's widow, Pauline Hall, the defendants neglected and mistreated Mr. Hall, failing to meet the standard duty of care to him as a resident. As a result, Mrs. Hall is seeking punitive and compensatory damages for the alleged wrongful death of her husband due to medical negligence.

As a Virginia medical malpractice and nursing home negligence attorney, Lawrence Land expresses his deepest sympathies to Mrs. Pauline Hall. Wrongful death from nursing home abuse or medical negligence in Norfolk, Portsmouth, Newport News, or other areas of Virginia (and West Virginia) is devastating, and it often leaves surviving family members full of questions. For free answers to your questions concerning medical errors in Suffolk, Chesapeake, the Eastern Shore, or other forms of Virginia medical malpractice, contact Lawrence Land online or by phone at 800-800-1911.

Norfolk & Other Virginia Drivers of BMW & Volkswagen Vehicles at Risk

blog@www.lawrenceland.com (News Author)15685 — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 08:00:00 EST

BMW and Volkswagen have both issued recalls on models of vehicles due to defects that could cause fires, according to the Kansas City news website. For BMW, the 1 Series luxury car with model years 2008 to 2011 has been recalled due to a defect in the front-seat safety-belt retractors that could cause them to ignite, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Volkswagen has recalled 15,902 Routan minivans due to the potential of rear-door latches short-circuiting and catching fire.

Although most of the car accident cases handled by our firm involve the negligence of a driver, we also handle Norfolk truck accident and car wreck cases that resulted from vehicle defects, often meaning that negligence is on the part of the manufacturer. If you have been involved in any type of Virginia Beach, Eastern Shore, Newport News, Nassawadox, Portsmouth, or Norfolk accident and have questions regarding negligence, liability, or how to obtain help paying for medical bills, feel free to contact our firm. Norfolk car accident attorney Lawrence Land will provide you with free resources and answers to your pressing questions. Contact Land online or toll-free at 800-800-1911.

Newport News Accident Tragically Kills Pedestrian | VA Wrongful Death

blog@www.lawrenceland.com (News Author)15285 — Mon, 31 May 2010 08:00:00 EST

A Newport News car accident tragically killed a pedestrian from Williamsburg Saturday, May 29, according to the Hampton Roads news source. Thirty-four-year-old Stephen James Shonka was reportedly walking from the north side of J. Clyde Morris Blvd. to its south side Saturday evening when an eastbound siver Acura struck him, say officials. After the tragic Newport News pedestrian accident, Shonka was taken to Riverside Regional Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. Although the driver of the Acura was not hurt, a passenger in the car sustained minor cuts in the fatal crash and was transported to the hospital for treatment.

As a Newport News car accident and wrongful death attorney, Lawrence Land understands the inexpressible pain associated with fatal Virginia accidents, and he extends his deepest condolences to the family and friends of Stephen James Shonka. Committed to helping families after serious injury or the tragic loss of a loved one, Land believes that one fatality from a Norfolk accident or Newport News crash is one too many. Although nothing can truly compensate for loss, Land devotes his practice to helping surviving family members obtain financial compensation for Virginia wrongful death so they can focus their efforts on healthy grieving and recovery rather than monetary concerns. For more information on Newport News vehicle accidents, wrongful death, or other Virginia personal injury concerns, contact Lawrence Land online or at 757-251-0198, and he will answer your questions for free.

$3 Million Awarded to Victim of Botched Hysterectomy in Virginia

blog@www.lawrenceland.com (News Author)15195 — Sun, 30 May 2010 08:00:00 EST

A Winchester, Virginia, woman has been awarded $3 million in damages against the doctor who performed a hysterectomy that caused complications to the woman, according to the NVDaily news source. In the Virginia medical malpractice suit, Dr. Katherine Averill and Winchester Womancare were found liable for the injuries sustained by Shannon E. Taylor during her 2007 hysterectomy, which included lacerations, nausea and vomiting, abdominal bloating, cramping, persistent fevers, and several episodes of hematochezia, among other serious injuries. According to the report, this incident of Virginia medical negligence occurred when Dr. Averill failed to identify some of the patient's anatomical parts while operating, which resulted in the use of the wrong tissue to repair the damaged area after removing the uterus. Due to these and other complications, Taylor required emergency surgery only three days after the initial operation, and doctors found multiple lacerations, the improper placement of sutures, and fluid where it should not have been, according to the plaintiff's attorneys. In response to the prosecution's argument that Dr. Averill negligently "breached her duty of care" to the patient during and after the surgery, causing "injuries, damages, loss, harm," and physical trauma to Ms. Taylor, the jury awarded the plaintiff $3 million in damages, although a statutory cap on malpractice awards may limit how much Ms. Taylor will really receive. As a result, the judge encouraged the parties to attempt to reach a settlement.

Although every case is different, you may have a case of medical malpractice if you have experienced complications during surgery or suffered harm as the result of any medical treatment. For more information on Norfolk medical errors or Virginia medical negligence, feel free to contact Norfolk attorney Lawrence Land. He will provide you with free resources, answers to your most pressing questions, and help with medical expenses so you can focus on recovery. Contact Lawrence Land online or call 757-251-0198.

Target Storage Trunks Recalled After 18-Month Old Suffers Brain Damage

blog@www.lawrenceland.com (News Author)15170 — Wed, 26 May 2010 08:00:00 EST

After an 18-month-old girl suffered brain damage in a tragic accident involving a storage trunk from Target, approximately 350,000 of the woven storage trunks from Target have been recalled, according to the About Lawsuits website. This incident of brain injury, though appearing to be the most serious of the cases, is only one of the many reports of injuries accociated with the trunk's lids, which have been called "dangerous" and "defective" since they can "drop suddenly when released." When the lid dropped on the back of the 18-month old baby's neck, it pinned her throat against the trunk's rim, causing serious damage. Is your child at-risk of a similar injury? According to the the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Target Corp., who both issued the recall on May 20, fourteen different models of woven storage trunks from Target contain heavy lids that pose serious strangulation hazards for children. If you have any of these models of storage trunks in your home and have small children (click here for model numbers), you should stop using the trunk immediately and return it to Target. According to the CPSC, you will be given a full refund or replacement product.

Although this case of brain injury occurred due to a defective product, there are many causes of Virginia brain injury, including truck accidents and other vehicle accidents, medical malpractice, and other causes. If you have suffered a brain injury or traumatic brain injury in Norfolk, Eastern Shore, Newport News, or another part of Virginia, feel free to contact Virginia brain injury attorney Lawrence Land for free resources, help finding the best medical treatment available, and answers to all your questions. Lawrence Land will evaluate your brain injury case for free regarding negligence, how to obtain financial compensation for medical expenses, and other details. To contact Lawrence Land, fill out his confidential online form or call him at 757-252-0198.

Norfolk Car Accident Tragically Kills One on I-264

blog@www.lawrenceland.com (News Author)15169 — Tue, 25 May 2010 08:00:00 EST

A 21-year-old man from Virginia Beach man was killed in a tragic car accident in Norfolk early Thursday morning, May 20, according to the Hampton Roads news source. The I-264 crash occurred shortly before 3:00 a.m. when a speeding 2006 Acura veered off the roadway and struck a retaining wall, then ran off the other side of the road before hitting a guard rail, light pole, and control box. The car then overturned multiple times and ejected all three of its occupants, according to the Virginia State Police. After the tragic Norfolk accident, the driver of the vehicle was killed, and the two passengers required transportation to the hospital for the treatment of crash-related injuries.

As an Eastern Shore, Newport News, and Norfolk wrongful death lawyer, Lawrence Land expresses his deepest condolences to the family and friends of this fatal accident victim, and he hopes for the full and fast recovery of all the injured in this crash. There is nothing more tragic than the loss of a loved one, and the unexpected, sudden nature of loss associated with fatal Virginia car accidents can make the pain even more difficult to bear. If you have lost a loved one in a tragic Virginia accident and have questions for an experienced Norfolk accident attorney, feel free to contact Lawrence Land for free resources, help with medical bills and other expenses, and answers to questions. Contact Lawrence Land via his confidential online contact form or call 757-251-0198.

Norfolk Crash Involving Tractor Trailer & Expedition Kills One on I-64

blog@www.lawrenceland.com (News Author)15000 — Tue, 18 May 2010 08:00:00 EST

A Norfolk truck accident involving a Ford Expedition and a tractor-trailer turned tragic this morning when one driver was killed, according to the WTKR news source. The I-64 crash occurred near Tidewater Dr. when the 1999 Expedition attempted to merge onto the interstate and collided with a tractor-trailer. Suffolk resident Rodney Quintel Drayton, 45, was reportedly traveling at a "high rate of speed" when he entered I-64, and he was ejected from his Expedition when it slammed into the side of the tractor-trailer, causing the truck to run over the front end of his vehicle. Investigators reported that speed and weather conditions were both factors in the tragic Norfolk accident.

As a Norfolk and Virginia truck accident and car accident lawyer, Lawrence Land expresses his deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Rodney Drayton, and his thoughts are with them at this most difficult time. Although it appears as if this incident, though tragic, did not involve wrongful death since the driver of the tractor-trailer was not reported to be at fault, many of our trucking accident cases involve fault or negligence on the part of the truck driver or another party. If you have lost a loved one in a fatal accident in Norfolk, Newport News, Nassawadox (Eastern Shore), or in the surrounding area, Lawrence Land will answer your questions for free with compassion, attention to your specific situation, and no obligation to you. To speak to Lawrence Land personally about Virginia wrongful death or motor vehicle accidents, call him toll-free at 800-800-1911 or fill out his confidential contact form.

Two Seriously Injured in Virginia Crash Between Car & Mail Truck

blog@www.lawrenceland.com (News Author)14403 — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 08:00:00 EST

Two females were injured in a Virginia car accident involving a mail truck in Fishersville on April 22, according to the News Virginian. According to the report, the teenage driver was speeding when she lost control of her Chevrolet Cavalier, over-corrected, and crashed into the mail delivery truck. Upon impact of the Virginia car accident, the teen was ejected from the vehicle, and the 53-year-old driver of the mail truck required transportation by ambulance to a local hospital after the truck overturned. The teenage girl was flown to Charlottesville's University of Virginia Medical Center.

As a personal injury and car accident lawyer serving Norfolk, Newport News, and the Eastern Shore, Lawrence Land understands the indescribable emotional (and physical) trauma experiened after a serious injury from a roadway accident. Land expresses his deepest sympathies to both injured parties and their families at this most difficult time, and he hopes for their fast recovery. To contact Lawrence Land regarding your serious Virginia injury or car accident, call him at any of the numbers below or fill out his confidential online form.

Norfolk: (757) 625-1911
Nassawadox: 757-442-7272
Toll-free: 800-800-1911.

Hope for Preventing Virginia Brain Injury in Newborns Lacking Oxygen

blog@www.lawrenceland.com (News Author)14402 — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 08:00:00 EST

New developments in newborn brain injury treatment are bringing hope for eliminating some birth injuries related to a lack of oxygen, according to the Media-Newswire site. Specifically, the successful administration of xenon gas to a newborn baby in an effort to prevent brain injury encouraged doctors and medical researchers that birth injuries to the brain may be prevented. After the UK baby was found lacking in oxygen at birth, the xenon gas was combined with a cooling technique to reduce brain damage that could result in cerebral palsy or other lifelong conditions or disabilities. Although the new treatment may be expensive, if continually proven successful, it could be priceless for a newborn. According to the medical researcher who developed the procedure, the "brain protecting properties" and "lack of side effects" of xenon treatment (along with the cooling method) could not only be promising, but life-saving or life-altering in a child facing the potential danger of brain injury.

Although this treatment must go through more clinical trials and is currently only being tested in the UK, its success may prove life-saving for U.S. newborns in the future as well. As a Virginia and Norfolk brain injury lawyer, Lawrence Land understands the precious and priceless quality of human life, and he devotes his practice to helping victims of Virginia brain injuries and unexpected accidents as they go through the process of recovery. Experienced working with the medical experts in the field of traumatic brain injury and birth injuries, Lawrence Land will answer your questions for free regarding Virginia brain injuries, personal injury, or medical malpractice (such as certain birth injuries). To contact Lawrence Land regarding your unique case, call him at any of the numbers below or fill out his confidential online form.

Norfolk: (757) 625-1911
Nassawadox: 757-442-7272
Toll-free: 800-800-1911.

Tragic Virginia Accident Results in Fatality & Serious Injury

blog@www.lawrenceland.com (News Author)14400 — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 08:00:00 EST

A tragic Virginia truck accident involving two pickups resulted in fatality for one, life-threatening injuries for another, and injuries to a third party in New Kent County Wednesday, April 21, according to WTVR. Although the devastating crash was still under investigation by Virginia State Police at the time of the report, a news release revealed some details of the fatal truck accident. According to investigators, the crash occurred when the driver of a Chevrolet 1500 pickup crossed the double yellow line of Route 611 and slammed head-on into a Nissan Titan. In the serious Virginia truck wreck, the driver of the Chevrolet was killed, and the driver of the other vehicle required transportation to the hospital for non-life threatening injuries. The passenger from the Chevrolet was taken by helicopter to Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center with life-threatening injuries.

As a Virginia personal injury and truck accident lawyer, Lawrence Land expresses his deepest condolences to the friends and family of the deceased in this accident, and he hopes for the full and speedy recovery of both injured in this tragic crash. At the law office of Lawrence Land, our thoughts are with the families of all three accident victims at this difficult time. Please feel free to contact us if there is any way you would like us to help you.

3 Injured in Virginia Tractor Trailer Accident Caused by Negligence

blog@www.lawrenceland.com (News Author)14395 — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 08:00:00 EST

Three were injured in a Virginia accident between a tractor trailer and a smaller vehicle on Route 288 Friday, April 23, according to the VA Fire News site. The Chesterfield accident reportedly occurred around 8:15 a.m. when the driver of a Pontiac missed his exit and made a U-turn in the median. The Pontiac driver failed to yield to oncoming traffic as he made the illegal U-turn, which caused a collision between his vehicle and a tractor trailer. The driver of the truck and Pontiac, as well as a passenger in the car, suffered minor injuries in the Virginia tractor trailer accident.

Although the majority of our trucking accident cases involve fault or negligence on the part of the truck driver, we also have experience handling Virginia truck wreck cases such as this in which the truck driver was injured as a result of another driver's negligence. No matter how your truck accident injury occurred, feel free to contact Nassawadox (Eastern Shore), Norfolk, and Newport News personal injury attorney Lawrence Land with your questions regarding liability, how to obtain the best medical care, or any other concerns regarding your unique accident. Land handles truck accident cases throughout Virginia, and he will answer your questions for free with compassion, professionalism, and individual attention to the specific details of your case. To speak to Lawrence Land personally about your particular situation, call him toll-free at 800-800-1911 or fill out his confidential contact form.

High School Pitcher in Coma With Brain Injury After Hit by Line Drive

blog@www.lawrenceland.com (News Author)14374 — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 08:00:00 EST

A high school baseball player remains in critical condition after suffering a traumatic brain injury during a practice game, according to the Huffington Post. The Northern California teen, Gunnar Sandberg, was reportedly hit in the head by a line drive while pitching on March 11 and has been in a coma since the accident. Although doctors didn't seemed pleased with what they saw in a recent brain scan, they reported positive activity for at least two days in a row sometime after the scan. According to reports, the hitter was using a metal bat when Sandberg was struck and suffered the life-threatening brain injury, raising concerns about the use of metal bats in high school, since many believe metal bats make the baseball travel faster than wooden bats do, reducing the amount of time pitchers and other players have to react. Sandberg's school has switched to wooden bats for the rest of the season, with other schools in the area being asked to follow suit, but the debate on the use of metal bats continues.

In a similar accident, mother Debbie Patch lost her 18-year-old son, Brandon, when he was hit by a baseball during a game in 2003. Patch believes her son would still be alive today if the same ball had been hit with a wooden bat. After a jury found that the bat's maker failed to warn consumers about the dangers of their product, Patch and her family received over $800,000 in compensation.

As a Newport News, Nassawadox (Eastern Shore), and Norfolk brain injury lawyer, Lawrence Land expresses his deepest condolences to Debbie Patch and her family and the family of Gunnar Sandberg, and he hopes for the full and speedy recovery of Sandberg. For free answers to your questions about Virginia traumatic brain injury, whether from a car or truck accident, a sports injury, medical malpractice, or another incident, feel free to contact Lawrence Land confidentially online or by phone at 800-800-1911.