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Huntsville Personal Injury Lawyer Blog

Alabama workers' compensation applies in construction zone crash?

On behalf of Johnston, Moore & Thompson posted in Workers' Compensation on Thursday, May 16, 2013.

Construction zone accidents in Alabama happen more frequently than many people may believe. When a worker is injured or killed in one of these collisions, workers' compensation insurance benefits typically apply. These important, state-regulated insurance benefits are designed to cover an injured worker's medical bills and related costs while on the mend, plus provide a lost income package so they can focus on getting better and returning to work. Moreover, those crashes that result from the negligence of a passing driver may also result in third party claims for personal injury or wrongful death under our state's personal injury laws.

Recently, a collision occurred in Huntsville on South Memorial Parkway. A man that was in the midst of road work was struck by a passing van. Though he is expected to survive, the driver of the van was arrested on unspecified charges. The nature of the worker's injuries was not disclosed. Beyond the compensation benefits, the worker also has the right to pursue a claim for personal injuries against the accused driver, including any pain and suffering endured as a result of the collision.

Alabama pedestrian killed in fatal accident

On behalf of Johnston, Moore & Thompson posted in Wrongful Death on Monday, May 13, 2013.

A fatal accident is not what usually comes to mind when one hears "wrongful death." The term wrongful death often conjures up the image of someone being killed on purpose and with malice. However, this is usually not the case at all. Unfortunately, a wrongful death is often the result of a fatal accident that stems from someone making a very bad decision. That may have been the case recently when one Alabama man accidentally took the life of another Alabama man.

In the early morning hours of May 4, a 58-year-old Lawrence County resident was walking along Highway 157. At the same time, a resident of nearby Madison County was driving his car along the same stretch of highway. Unfortunately, the driver never saw the pedestrian, or if he did, it was already too late.

Mobile bicyclist in fatal accident with DUI driver

On behalf of Johnston, Moore & Thompson posted in Wrongful Death on Saturday, May 11, 2013.

A fatal accident resulted in the death of a bike rider, and now a young man is facing criminal charges for at least the third time. The Mobile, Alabama area man was arrested on suspected DUI and vehicular manslaughter after he struck a cyclist at an intersection. The bike rider was pronounced dead at the scene of the fatal accident.

This young man faces Alabama alcohol related charges for the third time just since 2005. He has a long history of alcohol possession and public intoxication. The fatal accident is seemingly the first incident that brought harm to another person.

Workplace accidents: 2 Alabama men trapped in a hole, injured

On behalf of Johnston, Moore & Thompson posted in Workers' Compensation on Friday, May 10, 2013.

When working for a company, it is essential to be aware of potential hazards. Workers may receive training to handle workplace accidents, but sometimes the situation may be beyond a worker's control. In Alabama, two men came face to face with this obstacle.

The two Alabama men were trapped in a cave-like structure after a hole being dug by them collapsed beneath their feet. The first man rescued by the local fire department suffered serious injuries and had to be taken to an area hospital by helicopter. The second man was also injured and taken by ambulance to a local hospital. OSHA is currently conducting an investigation into the incident.

Worker safety continues to be a major concern for workers

On behalf of Johnston, Moore & Thompson posted in Workers' Compensation on Thursday, May 9, 2013.

In a recent report released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of deaths at work is not decreasing, raising concerns about worker safety. With improvements in technology and safety standards, it is hoped that this number would decrease over time in the United States, including Alabama. These disappointing numbers have caused concern that many industries and employers are not doing enough to improve and ensure worker safety.

Many of these job-related deaths could have been prevented by simply following safety standards and protocols. Complying with the OSHA would largely improve worker safety, making many of the 4600 deaths preventable. Tragically, with such high numbers of work related deaths, it can be assumed that the number of work related injuries have increased also, even in Alabama.

Fatal accident claims life of Alabama woman

On behalf of Johnston, Moore & Thompson posted in Wrongful Death on Wednesday, May 8, 2013.

Authorities have released the identity of an individual killed in a recent accident on Highway 99 in northern Alabama. According to reports, the fatal accident happened at an intersection complete with a four-way stop. The driver of one of the two vehicles involved, a 48-year-old woman, was killed in the accident.

Authorities noted that the woman who died was wearing her seat belt at the time of the accident. The exact nature and extent of her fatal injuries was not disclosed. According to reports, the woman had just left a family event when the accident took place.

Kendra Wilkinson hospitalized after car accident

On behalf of Johnston, Moore & Thompson posted in Car Accidents on Tuesday, April 23, 2013.

We often think that we are the only ones that have unfortunate luck. However, everyone experiences the varied hardships of life. For example, even celebrities get the short end of a stick at times. Moreover, these incidents affect their lives, too.

For example, Kendra Wilkinson was recently in a collision, which required hospitalization. If you do not remember her, she is the former star of the "Girls Next Door." The reality actor, 27, was purportedly in shock after the car accident. She was taken to a local hospital, as she experienced soreness after the collision.

National population of elderly drivers on the rise

On behalf of Johnston, Moore & Thompson posted in Car Accidents on Monday, April 22, 2013.

A lot of emphasis is placed on instilling safe driving habits in the teens of Alabama. This is not without good intentions because motor vehicle accidents remain the leading cause of death for teens in the state. However, in looking at the data from a different angle, a problem on the opposite end of the age spectrum becomes apparent.

Elderly drivers are actually the largest population of fatal victims in Alabama and elsewhere across the nation to be claimed in serious car accidents. Much this is due to an aging body that is no longer as aptly able to rebound from trauma. Pairing that in conjunction with limited ranges of mobility and vision is often a deadly combination.

Over half of victims killed in Alabama crashes not buckled

On behalf of Johnston, Moore & Thompson posted in Car Accidents on Friday, April 19, 2013.

It can feel like the list of various forms of negligence frequently cited in fatal wrecks in Alabama is endless: drunk drivers, drugged drivers, texting drivers, drowsy drivers, distracted drivers. Sometimes it feels like a car accident is inevitable. Unfortunately, some accidents are inevitable for victims because there is often very little that an innocent driver can do to anticipate an oncoming negligent driver.

However, injuries do not always have to be inevitable. In many instances, a driver or passenger's likelihood of surviving a crash with less-severe injuries is hugely increased if the car traveler chooses to buckle up. A sobering statistic that stands as a reminder of this fact is that about 60 percent of victims killed in fatal car accidents last year did not have a seat belt on at the time of impact, according to the Alabama Department of Transportation.

Riddell found negligent in relation to football player's injuries

On behalf of Johnston, Moore & Thompson posted in Brain Injury & Spinal Cord Injury on Monday, April 15, 2013.

One 17-year-old high school student had a life not that different from many other high school football players in Alabama. However, this football player's end is far more tragic than most, but sadly no longer becoming a rare exception. A serious hit to the head in a game in 2008, and delayed treatment both condemned this young man to not only have to give up football, but work to accommodate a life in which he now suffers with serious brain injuries, and paralysis along his left side.

There has been a huge increase with regards to media attention in the last few years around the consequences of high-impact sports like football. The risk of brain injury from repeated blows to the head and untreated concussions is becoming better understood as more information is uncovered. This ongoing investigation is calling many to question whether helmet makers and coaches are aptly protecting and warning players of all ages.