Boston Personal Injury Attorney Blog

January 25, 2014

Quincy Discusses 23 New Miles of Bicycle Lanes

More than 20 miles of bike lanes should be added in Quincy, suggests the Metropolitan Area Planning Council. Before last year, the city had absolutely no bicycle lanes, according to Enterprise News.

The council recently proposed a set of recommendations to the city’s planning board, and the main goal was to make the area more bike-friendly. Included in these recommendations is a plan to paint bike likes on a number of major roadways in the area by the end of this year.

Our Quincy bicycle accident attorneys understand that bike lanes are critical to encouraging sustainable commuting in our area. With these bike lanes, we will be able to encourage more bicycle traffic while creating very little impact on the city’s public works budget. Although the county already identified the 23 miles targeted to get these bicycle lanes, there are some streets that are “high priority” and should get these lanes as soon as possible. Included in these “high priority” areas are Washington Street, Hancock Street and Adams Street.
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January 23, 2014

Massachusetts Schools Have The Upper Hand in Liability Cases?

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

It’s no secret that school liability and litigation has increased over the last few years. Bullying, sexual harassment, serious injury and wrongful death all present opportunities for large settlements or jury verdicts. At the same time, the number of negligence cases brought against schools in the U.S. has indicated that the frequency of these kinds of lawsuits has not changed much in the last 20 years. It seems also that the number of cases that were decided in the favor of the schools has taken majority.

Typically, our government protects schools from most cases of liability, but there are some exceptions that vary from state to state.

Our Boston personal injury attorneys understand that there are close to 55 million children in the U.S. who spend about a fourth of their waking hours on school property or in class. Most of the injuries that occur are in fact accidents, despite the wide range of media coverage which tends to show more of the school violence and other relevant issues. As a matter of fact, children who are in school are about 9 times more likely to be affected by an unintentional injury than to be the victim of an intentional injury while on campus. With that being said, close to 15 million unintentional injuries happen each year to children under the age of 15. Close to a fourth of those happen in and around schools. About 1 out of every 14 of these students will visit the hospital with a disabling injury.
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January 21, 2014

Gaines v. K-Five Constr. Corp. – Truck Safety Must Be Priority for Companies

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

As federal authorities continue their efforts to bolster the safety of big trucks through the MAP-21 initiative, it’s imperative that owners of these vehicles also incorporate leadership on this issue.

Reducing incidents of Boston truck accidents will mean an investment of time, money and commitment on the part of these companies. It’s going to mean ensuring that the updated hours of service rules are honored. It’s going to take the careful implementation of policies that will guarantee drivers are properly-trained and trucks aren’t overloaded. And finally, it means making sure the trucks are in good working order.

Unfortunately, as the case of Gaines v. K-Five Constr. Corp. would suggest, we can’t expect that kind of commitment from all truck companies.
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January 20, 2014

High-End Bicycle Recalls Highlight Risks of Defective Products in Cycling

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

When looking for a new bicycle, most of us want one that fits our needs. Whether that’s our color preference, the size or the way it rides, we all want a bike that will work for us. But how many of us think about safety when purchasing a new bike? We kind of just assume that it’s made properly and default free upon purchase.

But often we’re wrong.

Officials with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) have recalled a number of bikes in recent weeks. These recalls have been because of faulty brakes, fall hazards and serious injury risks.

Our Boston defective products attorneys understand that consumers were deluged with 2,363 recalls last year, or about 6.5 recalls each day, covering consumer products, pharmaceuticals, medical devices and food, according to data from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Department of Agriculture and the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Many of these recalls involve expense bikes aimed at serious riders.
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January 18, 2014

CPSC Strengthens Bedside Sleepers Standards

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

To help protect our youngest family members, officials with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) approved a new federal standard to make bedside sleepers a whole lot safer.

The standard was passed unanimously, with a 3-0 vote earlier this month.

When we talk about bedside sleepers, we’re talking about bassinet-like products that connect to adult beds. They’re the ones that can have a lower side that’s adjacent to the full-sized adult mattress. These sleepers are meant to provide infants under the age of 5 months with a safe and comfortable sleeping environment. Typically, parents stop using these devices when the child is able to push up on hands and knees.

Our Boston child injury lawyers understand the new standard is incorporating the Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Bedside Sleepers, which requires these kinds of sleepers to comply with modifications make under the 16 C.F.R. part 1218 federal standard. Also, the new standard includes new modifications to eliminate entrapment hazards from the fabric-sided enclosed opening and to help to stop consumers from improperly assembling these sleepers when materials are missing.
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January 15, 2014

Staying Safe After a Winter Car Break Down

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

Whether your vehicle has mechanical difficulties, you blow a tire, or get stuck in the snow, it is important to stay safe when your car breaks down on the side of the road. Throughout the year, but especially during the winter months, drivers in Boston and nationwide face the potential dangers of a winter break down. In addition to inclement weather, the dangers of hypothermia and frostbite, drivers and their passengers have to stay clear of oncoming traffic and other road hazards. One of the most terrifying events can be a car break down on the interstate–do you know what to do?

While you have seen driver stranded on the side of the road, have you considered your own action plan in the event of a roadside emergency? Our Boston personal injury attorneys are dedicated to protecting the rights of our clients and to preventing future injuries. We will investigate accidents or injuries on behalf of our clients and work to recover maximum compensation for victims and their families. In addition to our advocacy, we are committed to raising awareness to prevent future collisions, injury and wrongful death.
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January 13, 2014

High Chair Head Injuries a Serious Risk to Infants

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

High chairs are supposed to be safe products that help to keep infants from getting hurt when they are eating. Unfortunately, evidence indicates that there are as many as 9,400 infants who are injured every single year in the United States as a result of an accident in a high chair. According to Fox News, many of the injuries suffered by children in high chairs are brain injuries, which can be very serious and have lifelong affects on a child’s cognitive functioning. Studies have also indicated a significant increase in the number of high chair injuries in recent years.

Boston personal injury lawyers know that high chair injuries can happen because of defects that make it easy for kids to fall when chair restraint systems do not work. Parents need to be aware of the risk of high chair injuries and should supervise kids at all times while in high chairs and check the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s list of recalled products to ensure they are using a chair that is safe.
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January 12, 2014

Pedestrian Killed in Freak Meridian Street Drawbridge Accident

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

The bridge operator of the Meridian Street drawbridge was reportedly a good employee. At the time of the fatal accident, he had an excellent performance record and was known for following the rules and regulations.

“I think he did all he thought he could do to make sure it was a safe opening,” said Joanne Massaro, commissioner of the city’s Public Works Department, which runs the bridge.

Our Boston pedestrian accident attorneys understand that there is a 20-step procedure to make sure that everyone gets through the drawbridge safely. This procedure helps to protect not only passing boats, but also the vehicles and pedestrians passing overhead. When the recent incident happened, the 34-year-old operator allowed a boat to pass on the Chelsea River. A woman from East Boston, who was on the bridge, fell and was crushed to death when the operator lowered it again after hearing her screams. According to witnesses, there were flashing lights and a loud foghorn set off before the bridge began to rise.
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January 8, 2014

Boston Winter Storm Safety Tips

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

As temperatures hit record lows nationwide, it is important to remember that winter storms create a host of safety issues. When out on the road, sending your children to the bus stop, or bundling up at home, there are ways that you can prepare for the worst when a winter storm hits. Remember that a winter storm can last for several days and you could face extreme weather conditions, including winds, freezing rain and sleet, an accumulation of snowfall, and dangerously cold temperatures. In addition to listening to the radio and television for winter storm warnings, you can also be prepared in advance to prevent winter storm accidents, injuries, and fatalities.

Our personal injury attorneys in Boston are aware of the severe risks and injuries related to winter storms. We are committed to raising public awareness to prevent such injuries and to help victims seek necessary medical attention and treatment. In addition to advocating for injured persons and their families, we are abreast of safety issues to help members of our community be prepared in the face of a winter storm.
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January 7, 2014

Protecting Loved Ones in Boston’s Winter Blowout

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

This week’s winter weather has bought inconvenience to many of our lives, to say nothing of the significant risks for weather-related mishaps. According to The Boston Globe, at 10,000 to 18,000 feet high in the atmosphere, strong winds carry weather systems, generally west to east in this part of the world. These belts of wind circle the globe. The highest level winds are known as the jet stream, but the winds at 10,000 feet are very important in moving cold and warm air. Arctic air pushing down from the north is responsible for this week’s terrible cold.

Throughout this weather, many residents throughout the country have lost power, and are feeling the dangerous cold. Many families have turned to generator power to warm up. According to the