Common Construction Site Injuries

Do you or someone you love work in the construction industry? While working in construction can be extremely rewarding and profitable, it can also be dangerous. Construction workers have one of the most dangerous jobs in the United States and are at risk of serious injury while working. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) estimates that one in five worker deaths in 2017 occurred due to construction site accidents. In a single year, construction-related accidents accounted for the highest number of work fatalities. If you or a loved one suffered injuries at a construction site, you should talk to a Maryland personal injury attorney as soon as possible. Below is some helpful information about common construction site injuries and workers’ compensation.

Four Most Common (and Dangerous) Construction Injuries

Construction site injuries are so common that OSHA keeps a list of the Fatal Fourconstruction accidents that are the most dangerous to workers. Below are the four types of construction-related accidents that are most likely to kill or seriously injure construction workers. The Fatal Four include:

Falls – Construction workers risk being seriously injured in falls from great heights. Construction work often requires employees to work high off the ground on cranes and ladders, and this puts them at risk of falling and suffering injuries.

Falling objects striking workers – Workers are at risk of being hit by equipmentand other objects that fall from above workspaces. Equipment or tools that are dropped by other people, or that are not properly secured, can fall and strike construction workers. This can cause serious injuries including concussions, broken bones, and other bodily harm.

Electrocutions – Construction sites often have exposed electrical wiring and workers are at risk of electrical injuries or electrocution if the electrical equipment if the crew does not properly handle or protect the equipment. Electrocution can cause serious injury or death to construction workers.

Injuries sustained when a worker gets caught in or in between construction equipment – Construction workers often operate or work near heavy machinery in the course of their job. This includes all incidents where a worker is caught inside, crushed, or hit by equipment or a falling structure. Even the most experienced workers still run the risk of suffering injuries due to construction equipment.

Workers’ Compensation Benefits

Maryland law often entitles construction workers injured on the job to worker’s compensation benefits. Construction site injuries can be serious and life-changing, and injured workers may be able to receive important financial benefits. To qualify for worker’s compensation in Maryland, you must have suffered an accidental injury during the “course of employment.” If you sustained injuries while working on a construction site, it is important that you contact a Maryland personal injury attorney immediately to determine if you are eligible for benefits.

Speak to a Personal Injury Attorney Today

After an injury while working on a construction site, do not wait to contact a personal injury attorney. Call Alpert Schreyer, LLC, today at (301) 368-8174 to schedule a free case evaluation or contact us online.

Did Someone in Your Family Suffer a Holiday Decorating Injury?

One of the most festive parts of the holidays is the decorations families put up to celebrate the season. For many people, putting up decorations is their favorite part of the holidays. Many families have unique decorating traditions that bring loved ones together to celebrate and connect. Unfortunately, holiday decorating can sometimes be dangerous as well as fun. The Consumer Product Safety Commission(CPSC) estimates that there are approximately 200 decorating-related injuries each day during the holiday season.

Accidents happen, but if you suffered injuries during the holiday season because of a defective product, you may have the right to seek financial damages. If you believe your holiday decorating accident happened because of a defective product, call a Maryland personal injury attorney today.

How to Avoid Common Decorating Injuries

Below is a list of the most common types of holiday decorating injuries and information on how to avoid them.

• Ladder falls – Many people hang holiday lights or wreaths on the exterior of their house or in other high places using a ladder. According to the CPSC, 38 percent of all holiday decorating accidents involved a person falling while decorating. In 2016, two people died from falling off a ladder while decorating. You should take extra care when climbing a ladder to hang decorations, make sure to take your time, and avoid climbing to great heights if possible. Also, make sure that your ladder is sturdy and that you have another person nearby to steady the ladder if need be.
• Tree fires – Christmas trees are a beloved holiday symbol, but they may also be a fire hazard. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports that there are about 200 house fires each year that are caused by Christmas trees. If you are buying a live Christmas tree, make sure that the tree is fresh as older trees are more likely to catch fire. A good way to test this is to make sure the needles are green and do not break when you bend them. Make sure to water a live tree frequently to preserve freshness. If you have an artificial tree, make sure it has a label that says “Fire Resistant” because this means that it is more difficult for the tree to catch fire. Do not put your tree near heat sources like fireplaces or radiators.
• Holiday lights – Make sure that each set of lights you use have been safety tested and do not have frayed or loose wires. It is important that the lights you hang outdoors are certified for outdoor use and undamaged. You should carefully read instructions for all light decorations to prevent electrical injuries or fires.

What to Do If You Suffer Injuries in a Holiday Decorating Accident?

If injuries occurred while decorating for the holidays and you believe it was because of a defective or unsafe product, you may have grounds for a product liability case. It is important that you contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible. Contact Alpert Schreyer today at (301) 368-8174 or online to schedule a free case evaluation.

Were You Injured in a New Year’s Eve Drunk Driving Accident?

New Year’s Eve is an exciting time for parties with loved ones and resolutions for the upcoming year. Many people let loose on New Year’s Eve and enjoy the evening’s excitement and make plans for the next year. Unfortunately, some people drink too much alcohol on New Year’s Eve and make the poor decision to drive drunk. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, over 10,000 people die annually in car accidents caused by drunk drivers, and thousands more people suffer serious injuries every year because of drunk drivers. If you were in a drunk driving accident this New Year’s Eve, you should talk to a Maryland personal injury attorney as soon as possible to discuss compensation you may deserve under the law.

The Dangers of Drunk Drivers

New Year’s Eve is one of the most dangerous times to be on the roads because of drunk drivers. A drunk driver is dangerous because alcohol slows down reflexes and makes it harder for the driver to control their car or react to other drivers on the road. Accidents due to a drunk driver can cause serious injuries, vehicle damage, and even death. Injuries that result from drunk driving accidents can cause massive medical bills and lost income because of missed work. Injuries sustained in a drunk driving accident are often life-altering and painful, and the effects can stay with you long after the accident. Medical and property damage bills caused by an accident can add up and derail your life financially. The long-term consequences of being hit by a drunk driver can be hard to live with, especially when they were preventable and occurred because of another person’s reckless decision to drive drunk.

Liability in Drunk Driving Accidents

Under Maryland law, it is illegal for anyone to drive while under the influence of alcohol. The law considers drunk drivers to be negligent because they endanger other drivers on the road by not acting safely and by violating safety laws. Not only are drunk drivers breaking the law, they are also usually liable for any accidents and injuries caused by their decision to drive while intoxicated. If you suffered injuries due to a drunk driver on New Year’s Eve (or any day this year), you could be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost income, property damage, and even physical and emotional pain and suffering that you endured because of the drunk driving accident. It is not fair that you should suffer physical and financial pain because of someone else’s dangerous decision to drive while under the influence.

Call Us Today to Speak to a Maryland Car Accident Attorney About Your Accident

One of the most important things you can do after a drunk driving accident injury is to speak to a personal injury attorney as soon as possible. It is important that you contact an attorney to determine what compensation you may be able to seek and that you do not accept a settlement offer that is less than you deserve. Schedule a free case evaluation with Alpert Schreyer, LLC today by calling us at (301) 368-8174 or by contacting us online.

Who Is Liable in a Rear-End Accident?

Rear-end accidents, or “fender benders,” are some of the most common types of car accidents, and these crashes can result in expensive car repair and medical bills. No matter how careful you are on the road, you still run the risk of another driver being careless and hitting your car from behind. If you have been in a rear-end collision, the following may be some helpful information about who is liable under Maryland law and how you could seek compensation for your losses. For more detailed information about your specific situation and accident, call a Maryland car accident lawyer at Alpert Schreyer, LLC, today.

The Basics of Liability in Maryland

In Maryland, a driver is liable for causing a rear-end collision if that driver did not follow traffic safety laws and the other driver was not negligent. Negligence happens when a person has a duty to be careful and does not follow through with that duty. All drivers on the road have a duty to drive safely and to follow traffic laws, and a failure to do this equals negligence on the part of a driver.

Maryland law also follows the contributory negligence standard. Contributory negligence means that if someone contributed to an accident, even slightly, they cannot recover any damages from the other party. If both drivers were negligent when an accident occurred, they are both at fault under Maryland law, and they must recover from their own respective insurance companies. However, in many cases, one driver is solely responsible for a rear-end accident.

In Maryland, drivers must always keep a reasonable distance from the car in front of them. There is no exact distance named in the law, but drivers have to pay attention to the road and traffic conditions to determine a safe following distance behind the car in front of them. A driver that follows another car too closely, otherwise known as “tailgating,” and rear-ends that car is liable for the accident if the other driver was following traffic laws and not driving negligently.

On the other hand, Maryland law also requires all drivers to signal 200 feet before stopping a car.

If a driver stops suddenly without signaling in time and is rear-ended by a second car, the first driver is liable for the accident if the second driver was keeping a reasonable distance. If the lead car did not signal in time and the second car was following too closely behind, then both drivers are negligent and liable for the accident.

Call Alpert Schreyer Today to Schedule a Free Consultation With a Maryland Personal Injury Attorney

If you suffered injuries in a rear-end collision, you could be entitled to financial compensation for vehicle damages, medical bills, lost income, or pain and suffering. It can be difficult to determine who is at fault for a rear-end accident and an experienced personal injury attorney can make a big difference in the outcome of your case. If you have any questions about your accident, call Alpert Schreyer, LLC, and schedule a free case evaluation with a Maryland personal injury attorney at (301) 368-8174. You can also contact us online.

Did You Develop a Repetitive Strain Injury Because of Your Job?

Repetitive strain injuries, or RSIs, are injuries that are the result of repetitive movement and overuse. They often occur after years of performing a repetitive physical task, as many people do each day at work. RSIs can affect workers in any industry, including those that you may not associate with physical strain, such as office or clerical work. Fortunately, when people sustain work-related injuries, they are typically entitled to benefits through Maryland’s workers’ compensation program.

Examples of Repetitive Strain Injuries

Repetitive strain injuries encompass a wide range of overuse injuries. Some of the specific injuries that are typically considered RSIs include the following:

• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Tendonitis
• Tenosynovitis
• Bursitis
• Trigger finger
• Ulnar tunnel entrapment
• Other nerve entrapment disorders
• Ganglion cysts
• Rotator cuff syndrome

These are just some examples of potential diagnoses that healthcare professionals often categorize as repetitive strain injuries, and it’s important to understand that long-term overuse of any part of the body could lead to problems. As a result, you may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits for work-related physical problems even without a specific diagnosis. In many cases, physicians term these kinds of general RSIs “diffuse repetitive strain injuries.”

Repetitive Strain Injuries Can Cause Debilitating Symptoms

Repetitive strain injuries cause extremely serious problems for sufferers that affect them on a daily basis—and not just only at work. For example, individuals with back problems related to their work may be unable to do things a simple as tying their shoes or doing the dishes. Similarly, a person who developed carpal tunnel syndrome from years and years of typing may be unable to pick up a cup of coffee or even open a car door. Some common examples of symptoms experienced by patients with repetitive strain injuries include:

• Pain
• Tingling
• Weakness
• Discomfort
• Numbness

Retain Legal Counsel From the Start

If you believe that you have a work-related repetitive strain injury, it’s important that you speak to a lawyer as soon as you can. While Maryland employees are entitled to workers’ compensation benefits for work-related injuries, it’s critical to keep in mind that workers’ compensation insurers are for-profit companies and will do everything they can to minimize your benefits. While it’s easy to prove that a slip and fall accident that occurred at work is work-related, it’s less easy to prove that an injury that occurred over months or years is related to your job. For this reason, workers’ compensation insurers often try and deny or minimize the benefits they pay out to RSI claimants. Fortunately, the assistance of an attorney can help ensure that you get the benefits to which you are entitled as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Injured at Work? Call Alpert Schreyer Today to Speak with a Maryland Workers’ Compensation Lawyer

At Alpert Schreyer, we are dedicated to helping injured workers get the benefits to which the law entitles them. To schedule a free consultation with a workers’ compensation attorney in Maryland, call our office today at (301) 368-8174 or contact us online.

What to do if You’re Hit by an Uninsured Driver

Maryland law requires that all drivers have car insurance, but not everyone follows the law. According to the Insurance Information Institute, approximately 1 in 8 drivers in Maryland is uninsured. That’s why Maryland also requires drivers to have uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM) coverage as part of their car insurance. UM coverage steps in when you’re hit by an uninsured driver and covers your damages up to the policy limit. There are steps you can take to make sure your UM claim goes smoothly.

Before the Accident: Get as Much UM Insurance as You Can Afford

Maryland requires drivers to have a minimum of $30,000 in UM insurance. You are not limited by this amount, however. With the skyrocketing costs of medical bills, $30,000 may not take care of you if you’ve been seriously injured by an uninsured driver. That’s why it’s important to get extra UM insurance.

Call the Police

Even in a minor accident, a police accident report can be helpful when dealing with insurance companies. Let the police determine who they believe to be at fault.

Gather Information

Get the name and license plate number of the other driver involved in the accident. Take a picture of the other driver’s license. Since they don’t have insurance in our scenario, there’s no insurance information to gather.

Document the Scene

Use your phone to take pictures of the vehicles involved in the accident and the scene where the accident occurred. Take photos of any street signs or landmarks in the area.

Get Medical Treatment for Your Injuries

Even if you feel like your injuries aren’t serious, you should still be examined by a doctor. Often injuries caused by car accidents aren’t immediately apparent. Even in crashes involving minor impact, you can still sustain a serious injury. Go to the emergency room or see your primary care provider as soon as you can.

File a Claim With Your Insurance Company

Most insurance policies require that you file a claim within 30 days of the accident. It’s best to file your claim as soon as possible. If the uninsured driver is at fault, your UM coverage will kick in and cover your damages up to the policy limits.

Report the Uninsured Driver

In the interests of reducing the number of uninsured drivers on the road, you can report the uninsured driver involved in your accident to the Insurance Compliance Divisionof the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration. The driver will have to show proof of insurance within 30 days or face the loss of their vehicle registration.

Contact an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney

Issues involving insurance and uninsured drivers can be complicated. That’s why if you’ve been injured by an uninsured motorist, you should contact an experienced personal injury attorney to help you with your claim. At Alpert Schreyer, LP we have over 30 years of experience helping injured people receive the compensation they deserve. Contact us online or call us at 1-844-MDCRASH to schedule your free consultation.

Maryland Car Seat Laws and Recommendations

One of the most important jobs parents have is to keep their children safe in the car. Thousands of children are killed in car accidents annually. Proper use of car safety seats can save lives.

Car seat safety laws vary by jurisdiction and Maryland has some specific laws that must be followed in an effort to keep your child safe. But the laws don’t always go far enough, so we’ve included some recommendations as well.

Maryland Car Seat Law

Maryland’s child safety seat law requires that all children under age eight be secured in a federally approved child safety seat unless the child is 4 feet 9 inches or taller. The seat must be appropriate for the child’s age and size. A child safety seat includes a car seat or a booster seat. Children between the ages of 8 and 16 who do not use a child safety seat must use the seat belt in the vehicle, regardless of where in the vehicle they are seated.

Car Seat Recommendations

Both the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the Center for Disease Control (CDC) advise parents to keep their children in rear-facing car seats until age 2, or until they reach the maximum height and weight for the seat as specified by the manufacturer. Children age 2 to at least age five should be kept in a forward-facing car seat or until they reach the upper height and weight limit of the seat. The AAP also advises parents to keep their children in booster seats until they are at least eight years old or over 4 feet 9 inches tall. Booster seats help ensure that the seat belt fits properly over the child’s shoulder and lap to provide better protection. Car seats and booster seats should be installed in vehicles according to the seat’s owner’s manual

Children in the Front Seat

Maryland law does not prohibit children from riding in the front seat of a vehicle with the exception of placing a rear-facing child in the front seat with an active airbag. However, the CDC recommends that all children ages 12 and under be buckled in the back seat of the vehicle noting that airbags can be dangerous for young children. Buckling children in the middle of the back seat ensures that they are in the safest spot in the vehicle.

Contact us for help.

We hope you are never involved in an accident, but if you or your child has been injured, work with the experienced attorneys at Alpert Schreyer, LLC. Contact us online or call us at 844-MDCRASH