Top 10 Most Dangerous Toys of 2017
The holiday shopping season is in full swing! With Black Friday and Cyber Monday behind us, it’s possible your closets are filling up quick with bargain priced gifts and surprises. As essential as it is to snag a great deal on gifts this time of year, it’s also important to make sure you are buying safe products, especially when purchasing for children. World Against Toys Causing Harm (WATCH), is a non-profit group dedicating their efforts towards awareness of harmful toys and children’s products currently available for purchase on the marketplace. Beginning in 1968, WATCH has been educating the public on safe buying practices for almost 50 years, creating significant change in the recall process on children’s items. Just in time for the gifting season, WATCH released its list of the ’10 Worst Toys’ on the 2017 market. We’ve briefly highlighted the dangers of each toy on the list to help you make safe purchases for your young ones this holiday and quickly return any items of concern before its too late: Hallmark ‘Itty Bittys’ Baby Stacking Toy This toy was officially recalled by CPSC in August of this year. However, this does not stop vendors who have these items in stock from selling them. Fabric hats and bows on this toy have been found to detach, posing a significant choking hazard for young children. Razor Jetts Heel Wheels Wheelies have been around for quite some time, but this product is slightly different. Featuring ‘real sparking’ wheels, this toy screams safety hazard for both the child wearing them and the children standing by to observe. Wonder Woman Battle Sword Made from a rigid plastic, you wouldn’t want your kids fighting each other with this sword. The design of the blade can cause significant damage to face and other areas of the body often struck during play fights. Pull Along Polly The pull string on this toy surpasses the 12-inch long limit on standard crib toys, measuring at a surprising 19-inches long. This length of the cord could cause strangulation, especially in the small children it’s made for. Spider-Man Spider- Drone Official Movie Edition Like most drones, this product requires the use of blades to launch into the air. The design of these blades are extremely dangerous for young consumers and can cause injury if used incorrectly or unsupervised. Hand Fidgetz Spinners Exploding to the height of popularity in April of this year, these products are everywhere this season. Further studies have shown these devices can contain high lead levels, as well as reach dangerous temperatures when charging. Though not meant to be sold as a kids toy, these spinners are often found in the toy sections at stores and even given away as novelty gifts to children of all ages. Nerf Zombie Strike Deadbolt Crossbow This nerf gun is known for having a forceful release of the crossbow arrows when shooting, posing a risk of eye and other facial injuries to young spectators- and parent targets! Oval Xylophone Another toy geared towards young children that does not meet the measurement requirements! This xylophone has a 9.5-inch long drumstick handle which could block the airways of the 12-month babies it is marketed towards. Slackers Slackline Classic Series Kit The label on this product warns consumers that there is potential of causing “severe injury or even death”. This product can cause injury by falling or strangulation, yet is marketed to children of all ages. Brianna Baby Doll This realistic doll includes possible harmful accessories for young children. Ponytail holders and removable outfits on the doll can pose choking hazards for the 18-month and older age group it’s geared towards. For more product safety information and demonstrations on this years dangers toys, WATCH’s website is packed with consumer references to help you shop safer for your children this holiday. If your child was injured or killed due to manufacturers negligence of a toy or children’s product, contact our dedicated team at Siler and Ingber, LLP for help. Give us a call today at 1-877-718-6079 for a free consultation or contact us through the online form for support.
Beware of These Popular Hazards on Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is the ultimate celebration of comfort food, football games, and joyful reunions among families and friends. With so much to look forward to this holiday season, safety and caution can often fall to the waist side, allowing for unnecessary hazards to ruin cheerful traditions. Though the blessed day of Christmas has gained the #1 spot for the deadliest holiday of the year, these popular Thanksgiving hazards should not be taken lightly: Vehicle Accidents Increased travelers on the road and turkey dinner deadlines have drivers more than a little distracted around this time of year. Over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend alone, the National Safety Council predicts about 418 accident fatalities and 44,700 sustained injuries from congested roads. Drivers under the influence when operating their vehicles are also a significant cause of the rise in accidents this time of year. Making sure you have a designated driver and always practice defensive driving is essential to staying safe under these conditions. Burning Disasters Most of us have heard the stories about the exploding deep-fried Thanksgiving turkeys. Unfortunately, these are no joke! Statistics released by the U.S. Fire Administration show over 4,000 fires are reported on Thanksgiving alone, causing well over $15-million in home damages. Deep frying turkey accidents are certainly high up on the list, but other fires from unsupervised ovens and crowded stove tops are certainly culprits as well. Keep an eye on the kitchen this holiday and NEVER fry a turkey frozen. Harmful Pet Scraps What’s the harm in giving your dog a leftover turkey leg- possibly his life. Pet deaths and injuries on Thanksgiving increase due to the availability of extra table scraps that can cause harm to pets. Hazards such as hidden sharp turkey bones and unsafe food items can be extremely harmful to their digestive systems. Dishes that contain ingredients such as garlic, leeks, onions, and grapes are known to cause damage to red blood cells and kidneys in dogs. Sticking to their daily diet is much safer than risking a treat of table food at dinner. Increased Heart Troubles It’s easy to get carried away with celebratory foods and drinks during Thanksgiving. But for older or overweight individuals, getting out of control with comfort foods can result in severe consequences. A sudden increase in overindulgence to the digestive system can cause stress on your heart, leading to regular heart-beats nicknamed ‘Holiday Heart Syndrome’ back in 1978. A study out of University of California also showed a 15% spike in heart attacks in men compared to a 27% increase for women on this holiday. Contaminated Foods Turkeys are not the easiest birds to cook, especially ones of massive size. With limited times to prepare Thanksgiving dinner, it’s not uncommon for few of these main dishes to be served a bit undercooked. Consuming undercooked poultry is extremely dangerous, resulting in the risk of contracting salmonella. Turkey timers included with the supermarket birds are not always trustworthy, so making sure to check the turkey with an internal thermometer will help prevent your dinner guests from leaving with a stomach ache. It’s also advised to store any leftovers within a minimum of two hours before they should be tossed to avoid eating food poisoning bacteria. Like any another holiday, Thanksgiving can be slightly stressful. But it doesn’t have to be dangerous! Keeping these factors in mind when planning for you holiday will help keep you and your family safe this Thanksgiving and ready to enjoy the festivities ahead. If you or a loved one have sustained an injury due to the negligence of others, contact our winning team at Siler & Ingber for your free consultation. Call today at 1-877-718-6079.
New York Hospitals Ranked Among the Worst for Patient Safety
Medical errors are the third leading cause of death in the United States. Naturally, keeping this statistic in mind, New York patients are looking for the highest quality medical care they can find. But how do you know which medical centers focus on patient safety and which ones fall short of the quality standard? As a leader in advocating for the public, Leapfrog Safety Grade is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing complete transparency when it comes to healthcare. Leapfrog’s grading system uses letter ratings from A-F to evaluate facilities on: Doctors, Nurses & Staff Practices to Prevent Errors Infections Safety Problems Problems with Surgery This fall, Leapfrog published the biannual rating list for New York hospitals- the results were shockingly disappointing. Out of 142 New York medical facilities evaluated: Only 7 hospitals received an ‘A’ rating 26 hospitals received a ‘D’ rating 3 NYC hospitals received an ‘F’ rating Three hospitals receiving a failing grade may not seem too terrible. But when learning there were only 15 failed ratings given nationwide, that puts 20% of these facilities in New York! In addition, New York was rated 47th out of 50 states for providing effective patient safety measures. Now, these ratings do not imply there are only seven hospitals in the state that patients should trust with their medical care, and they aren’t meant to devalue NY medical facilities. In 2012, when Leapfrog first began publishing the letter grades, hospitals and medical centers with unsatisfactory ratings were shown to improve significantly in quality care. By holding medical facilities accountable for providing the safest care for their patients, these organizations are changing for the better. For more information on the how New York medical facilities rated near you, take a look at the full Fall 2017 list below: A- Catholic Health – Kenmore Mercy Hospital– Kenmore Catholic Health System – Sisters of Charity Hospital– Buffalo Highland Hospital of Rochester– Rochester John T. Mather Memorial Hospital– Port Jefferson Oneida Healthcare Center– Oneida RGHS – Rochester General Hospital– Rochester Saratoga Hospital– Saratoga Springs B- Aurelia Osborn Fox Memorial Hospital– Oneonta Bon Secours Community Hospital– Port Jervis Catholic Health System – Mercy Hospital of Buffalo– Buffalo Catholic Health System -Sisters Hospital – St. Joseph Campus– Cheektowaga Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital Medical Center– Plattsburgh Clifton Springs Hospital and Clinic– Clifton Springs Eastern Long Island Hospital– Greenport Glens Falls Hospital– Glens Falls Guthrie Corning Hospital– Corning Nathan Littauer Hospital and Nursing Home– Gloversville New York-Presbyterian Queens– Flushing Nicholas H. Noyes Memorial Hospital– Dansville Northern Dutchess Hospital– Rhinebeck Northern Westchester Hospital– Mount Kisco Northwell Health – Huntington Hospital– Huntington NYC Health + Hospitals – Lincoln– Bronx NYC Health + Hospitals – Metropolitan– New York NYC Health + Hospitals – Queens– Jamaica NYU Winthrop Hospital– Mineola Oswego Hospital– Oswego Putnam Hospital Center– Carmel Southampton Hospital– Southampton Catherine of Siena Medical Center– Smithtown Charles Hospital– Port Jefferson Francis Hospital, Roslyn, New York– Roslyn Joseph’s Hospital Health Center– Syracuse Mary’s Hospital of Amsterdam– Amsterdam Strong Memorial Hospital of the University of Rochester– Rochester United Memorial Medical Center– Batavia Unity Hospital– Rochester Vassar Brothers Medical Center– Poughkeepsie C- Albany Medical Center– Albany Alice Hyde Medical Center– Malone Arnot Ogden Medical Center– Elmira Auburn Community Hospital– Auburn Bassett Medical Center– Cooperstown Bronx Lebanon Hospital Center Concourse Campus– Bronx Buffalo General Medical Center– Buffalo Canton-Potsdam Hospital– Potsdam Cayuga Medical Center at Ithaca– Ithaca Columbia Memorial Health– Hudson Crouse Hospital– Syracuse DeGraff Memorial Hospital– North Tonawanda Erie County Medical Center– Buffalo Faxton St Luke’s Healthcare– Utica Flushing Hospital Medical Center– Flushing Geneva General Hospital– Geneva Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center– West Islip Jamaica Hospital Medical Center– Jamaica Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center– Brooklyn Long Island Jewish Forest Hills Hospital– Forest Hills Long Island Jewish Medical Center– New Hyde Park Long Island Jewish Valley Stream– Valley Stream Lutheran Medical Center– Brooklyn Mercy Medical Center– Rockville Centre MidHudson Regional Hospital of Westchester Medical Center– Poughkeepsie Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital– Williamsville Montefiore Einstein Campus– Bronx Montefiore Moses Campus– Bronx Montefiore Wakefield Campus– Bronx Mount Sinai Brooklyn– Brooklyn Mount Sinai Beth Israel– New York Mount Sinai Queens– Long Island City Mount Sinai St. Luke’s–New York Mount Sinai West– New York Mount St. Mary’s Hospital and Health Center– Lewiston Nassau University Medical Center– East Meadow New York-Presbyterian Hospital Columbia University Medical Center– New York New York-Presbyterian Hudson Valley Hospital– Cortlandt Manor New York-Presbyterian Lawrence Hospital– Bronxville New York-Presbyterian The Allen Hospital– New York New York-Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medical Center– New York New York-Presbyterian, Lower Manhattan Hospital– New York Newark-Wayne Community Hospital– Newark North Shore University Hospital– Manhasset Northwell Health System – Glen Cove Hospital– Glen Cove Northwell Health System – Syossett Hospital– Syosset Nyack Hospital– Nyack NYC Health + Hospitals – Harlem– New York NYC Health + Hospitals – Woodhull– Brooklyn NYC Health + Hospitals / Bellevue– New York NYU Langone Medical Center– New York Orange Regional Medical Center– Middletown Our Lady of Lourdes Memorial Hospital– Binghamton Peconic Bay Medical Center– Riverhead Phelps Memorial Hospital Center– Sleepy Hollow Rome Memorial Hospital– Rome Samaritan Medical Center– Watertown South Nassau Communities Hospital– Oceanside St John’s Riverside Hospital – Dobbs Ferry Pavilion– Dobbs Ferry St John’s Riverside Hospital – ParkCare Pavilion– Yonkers Anthony Community Hospital– Warwick Barnabas Hospital– Bronx John’s Riverside Hospital– Yonkers Joseph Hospital– Bethpage Joseph’s Medical Center of Yonkers– Yonkers Luke’s Cornwall Hospital Cornwall Campus– Cornwall Luke’s Cornwall Hospital Newburgh Campus– Newburgh Peter’s Hospital (Albany, NY)– Albany Stony Brook University Hospital– Stony Brook The Mount Sinai Hospital– New York Upstate University Hospital – Community Campus– Syracuse Westchester Medical Center– Valhalla White Plains Hospital– White Plains Wyckoff Heights Medical Center– Brooklyn D- Adirondack Medical Center– Saranac Lake Albany Memorial Hospital– Albany Brookhaven Memorial Hospital Medical Center– Patchogue Catskill Regional Medical Center of Harris– Harris Cortland Regional Medical Center– Cortland Eastern Niagara Hospital Lockport– Lockport Ellis Medicine– Schenectady F. Thompson Hospital– Canandaigua HealthAlliance of the Hudson Valley – Broadway Campus– Kingston Maimonides Medical Center– Brooklyn Montefiore New Rochelle Hospital– New Rochelle New York Community Hospital– Brooklyn New York Methodist Hospital– Brooklyn Northwell
The Most Dangerous Jobs in New York
All jobs include some risk of injury, even if it’s very small. In most years, there are very few occupations in which no one suffers a serious or fatal injury, regardless of how safe that job might seem. You probably won’t raise an eyebrow to hear that, across the United States, more than 900 people in the construction trades and over 200 in public safety jobs died at work in 2015. But it might surprise you to learn, for example, that, in the same year, three meeting and event planners, four real estate agents, and one radio and television announcer also died in workplace accidents. How safe are New York workers, and which workers are injured the most? Let’s take a look. More Than 200,000 Injuries The state of New York had a total of more than 209,000 workplace injuries and serious workplace-related illnesses in 2015. More than half of those illnesses and injuries led to a worker losing at least one day of work. That number might seem like a lot, and it is, but New York workers are safer than the national average. Workers here are injured at the rate of about 2.4 per 100 each year, while that number is 3.0 per 100 nationally. The difference might seem small, but at the higher rate, New York would see more than half a million additional injuries each year. Most Injured, Most Dangerous The professions with the most injuries are not necessarily those that are the most dangerous. In New York, for example, most injuries happen to state and local government workers and those in educational and health services professions. But that’s likely because there are more people doing those jobs than most others. When it comes to which workers have the greatest chance of being injured on the job, the situation is a little different. At least one of the top three job categories with the highest injury risk might surprise you: Healthcare workers lead the way, with 12.7 injuries per 100 per year. Public administration workers (police, firefighters, and other public safety officials) are injured at a rate of 8.5 per 100 per year. Workers in natural resources jobs (mining, agriculture, fishing, and the like), traditionally dangerous occupations, have the third highest rate of injury (six per 100)—more than double the state average. Most Deadly On the other hand, if we look at the worst on-the-job accidents—those that are fatal—the picture is different. Natural resources jobs are at the top of the list in terms of risk to workers, with construction well behind but still far ahead of all other professions. New York saw 236 on-the-job fatalities in 2015, and when you exclude traffic fatalities and violent acts while working, construction was most dangerous (as in most years), leading to nearly 40 percent of all on-the-job deaths in the state. Falls and being struck by heavy objects or equipment at a worksite were the most common reasons. Long Island Workplace Injury Lawyer Almost all on-the-job injuries are preventable. They happen because workplace safety isn’t enforced, workers aren’t trained properly, or for some other reason that allows foreseeable hazards to exist. When you’ve been injured on the job, workers compensation insurance may cover some of the harm, but it’s important to discuss your situation with an attorney immediately to see whether you’re able to pursue additional compensation by filing a personal injury claim. Siler & Ingber, LLP are experienced with Long Island workplace injury law, and we offer every client a free initial consultation. To schedule an appointment, call 1-877-718-6079 or enter your information into the online contact form at the bottom of the page today.
The Consequences of Video and Live Streaming Abuse
Live streaming on social media outlets such as Facebook and Instagram have been all the rage since their release back in 2015. Participants are able to share videos of concerts, events, and funny anecdotes in real time instantly with family and friends, without the hassle of a separate uploading process. What was not the intention of these enhanced features is the broadcasting of harmful pranks, felony crimes, and murders/deaths that are increasingly filling news feeds of social media users. • This past summer, an 18-year-old woman was live streaming on Instagram while driving drunk in her car near Los Bonos, California. Also in the car were two 14-year-olds passengers; her sister and her sister’s friend. Neither one of the younger teens were wearing a seatbelt when the driver lost control, rolled the car, and crashed into a fence, ejecting both passengers from the vehicle. The driver captured the crash and the aftermath of the accident on video, instantly streaming to the online community. Sadly, her sister was killed in the accident, while her friend sustained serious injuries. • In the winter of 2016, two teenage girls were tragically killed while live streaming a video on Facebook and driving on a Pennsylvania highway. With their focus on the phone, a semi-truck barreled into the back of the car, instantly killing both teens upon impact. The truck driver was unharmed. If you think live streaming is only abused by teens, we are sorry to report its an issue among people of many ages. • Last winter, a 20-year-old man was driving at speeds up to 116 miles an hour in Rhode Island, all while live streaming the joy ride for friends on Facebook. The video shows the car dangerously swerving in and out of lanes before it ended abruptly due to the car crashing into a garbage truck. The driver sustained serious injuries and his car was mangled from the accident. Luckily, the truck driver sustained no injuries. • In July 2017, a 27-year-old man was drinking and driving, while live streaming himself being chased by police! In the live video, the driver can be seen drinking whiskey, while driving on Clearwater beach among several beachgoers running to safety. Thankfully, no pedestrians were injured and the driver was taken into police custody after surrendering when driving to a dead-end. These incidents are only a few of the many accidents and deaths that have resulted in people live streaming while driving. Distracted driving is already out of control, yet live streaming is taking drivers to a whole new terrifying level of distraction. It is illegal in most states to use hand-held phones while driving, so some individuals are mounting phones for ‘safer’ live streaming. This method is still not effective, as the phone continues to grab your attention off the road while you’re concentrated on the subject of the video. The safest way to live stream yourself while driving- there is none! Live streaming while driving is reckless and dangerous. It doesn’t matter if you are filming an accident, a crime, or a car karaoke session; live streaming while driving can cause serious injury and death to you, your family members, and others around you. If you MUST live stream in your car, save the videos for when you are safely parked in a lot or your driveway, but never while the car is moving or on the road. If you or a loved one has been seriously injured or killed by a distracted driver, our team is here for support. Contact our winning legal team, Siler & Ingber, at 877.529.4343 for a free, confidential legal consultation to learn more about your options.
Why Are So Many Drivers Failing to Yield?
We’ve all heard the phrase ‘right of way’ in regards to driving and have probably used it on occasion. But do drivers really understand the meaning? Sadly, the steady rate of accidents occurring due to right of way confusion indicates that everyone may need a little reminder. BACK TO THE BASICS: When we refer to the right of way, it’s important to understand what exactly this means. Merriam-Webster defines the ‘right of way’ broadly, but the definition we are most concerned about as drivers is: A precedence one vehicle has over another in passing granted by a custom, statue, or decision; the right to take precedence over others. In simple terms- if you have the right of way on the road, you get to go first! However, understanding the definition is only part of the solution. Without knowing who has the right of way, the chance of an accident occurring remains high. If you need a traffic law refresher, consider enrolling in an online New York Defensive Driving course or taking time to review New York’s Vehicle and Traffic Laws to stay informed. FAILURE TO YIELD: One of the most common vehicle accidents today occurs when drivers fail to yield to the car with the right of way. Reasons for this failure is not always due to misunderstanding the laws, but can also be caused by distracted or reckless driving. Speeding, texting, driving while impaired, and reacting poorly to inclement weather or unsafe road conditions can all increase accident rates by effecting a driver’s ability to yield. COMMON DRIVING ERRORS: Failing to yield can happen anywhere, although there are some areas of the road where accident rates tend to be higher than others. The most common instances where accidents occur due to failure to yield include: Pedestrian walkways and crosswalks Traffic lights with flashing signals Left-hand turn lanes in an intersection Merging lanes (into traffic or on highways) Entrances/exits to driveways and parking lots When you find yourself in any of these situations, drivers must be extra vigilant of other vehicles and pedestrians around them to reduce the chance of causing serious injuries. PEDESTRIAN RIGHT OF WAY: Pedestrians and vehicles are both responsible for knowing the traffic laws designating the right of way. When reviewing New York’s Vehicle and Traffic Laws, specifically the Pedestrians Rights and Duties, the law states that vehicles must yield to pedestrians when crossing a crosswalk. It then states pedestrians must yield to vehicles in the cases where they are crossing the street not at a crosswalk. Despite what some people may believe, pedestrians do not always have the right of way, and ensuring you know the yielding laws can save your life when on the road. BICYCLE RIGHT OF WAYS: Bicyclists who ride on the road must be aware- there are no separate traffic laws for bikes. Bicycles are considered vehicles, therefore, if you’re riding on the road, you must follow the same traffic laws as the car next to you. Bicyclists who do not yield when required can be critically injured by cars or even killed. Defensive riding is essential when riding among vehicle traffic, especially in metropolitan settings. Injuries sustained by failing to yield can be life-altering and devastating. Drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists alike need to pay attention to their surroundings and follow the traffic laws to prevent the occurrence of serious accidents. If you or a loved one has been critically injured in a vehicle accident caused by distracted or reckless driving, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact our winning team at Siler and Ingber today for a free consultation. Give us a call at 1-877-718-6079 or contact us online through the form.
Nassau Man Dies While Using Leaf Blower
According to a News 12 Long Island report and Newsday, a man who was operating a leaf blower on the road near his East Northport home was struck and killed by a Jeep Wrangler, last night the Suffolk Police reported. Richard Oliveri, 35, sadly, was struck by a Jeep Wrangler on Clay Pitts Road, 700 feet west of Cedrus Avenue. Oliveri suffered a severe head injury and was pronounced dead at a hospital. The driver stayed following the accident and no charges were made, police said. Autumn chores can turn dangerous if you’re not following a few basic rules. Here’s what you need to know before touching a tool. Last year, more than 300,000 people were estimated to visit the emergency department for injuries related to yard and garden equipment, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. Here are some safety concerns you may want to consider when cleaning your yard up this Fall: Dress appropriately: If working during the early hours of the morning or in the evening with little sunlight, wear bright clothes. Avoid loose clothing or jewelry that can be caught in equipment. Long pants, long sleeves and sturdy footwear with soles that will not slip (bonus points for steel-toe boots) can help to protect skin and guard against falls or dropped objects. Always wear eye protection, heavy gloves and hearing protection, such as earplugs, when doing chores with loud or motor-driven equipment. Keep Walkways Clear: Yes, it can be strenuous cleaning up those leaves, but it is an important safety precaution. Make sure to keep sidewalks and driveways clear of leaves. If it rains, wet leaves can be very slippery and present a hazard for you and any guests you may have. Working with a Leaf Blower: Leaf blowers can stir up a lot of dust and debris. Make sure to wear eye protection and clothing that covers your arms and legs. Also consider ear protection and a sturdy pair of work boots. Make sure your equipment is in good working order before you start. Always follow manufacturer instructions to prevent serious injury. Respect heights: Many injuries are linked to ladders. Standing on a level higher than safely indicated, or failing to properly ensure the base is stable before climbing causes dangerous conditions. If it feels like you are stretching the limits of safety, you likely are. Stop and find a safe way to complete the task, even if it means hiring a professional. Don’t Overexert Yourself: It’s important to educate yourself about yard work safety, or a day working outside could result in sore aching muscles or a trip to the hospital emergency room. Perhaps the most important tip is don’t try to do everything in one day. Take breaks when you need them, and don’t overexert yourself. It’s alright to leave some of the work for another day. If you, or someone you know has suffered from any type of injury caused by the negligence of another, contact the Siler & Ingber winning legal team for a free case evaluation on 1-877-718-6079
Unattended Vehicle Crash Takes Brookhaven Woman’s Arm
In what’s been described as a freak accident (but is probably anything but), a forty-six-year-old Brookhaven woman was seriously injured when an unattended military Humvee struck her as she worked at the Long Island Bacon Bash in Farmingville late last month. The woman was pinned by the Humvee when it crashed into a food trailer, seriously injuring an arm and a leg. Doctors had to amputate the lower part of her left arm and her condition is still serious. A man working in the food truck hit by the Humvee received second-degree burns and was also hospitalized when he was splashed by cooking oil during the crash. He noted later that the crash could have been a lot worse, because the trailer (which was shoved about ten feet into another food truck by the impact) kept the Humvee from rolling into a crowd of fifty to sixty people. Two other women were also struck by the runaway vehicle and suffered minor injuries, but refused medical treatment. Inaugural Event Tarnished The Bacon Bash is a new themed food festival, held for the first time this year at the Pennysaver Amphitheater. Several dozen local vendors attended, live music was on the schedule, and the event was planned to run until 10:00 p.m. on September 23 but was cut short after the late afternoon accident. According to reports, the Humvee had been placed on display by the local US Army Reserve. Attendees at the festival said it had been a popular attraction throughout the day, with many small children clambering in and on the heavy vehicle—military Humvees weigh from 2.5 to more than 3.5 tons, depending on the specific configuration. But shortly after 5:00 p.m. something went wrong and the vehicle rolled down an incline, creating a gruesome scene. Investigation Continuing Suffolk County Police and the US Army Reserve are both said to be investigating. Most accidents, unfortunately, don’t happen out of the blue. They happen because people are careless or reckless or negligent. We won’t know exactly what happened in this case until the reports are completed and their conclusions announced, but it’s not difficult to speculate about what might have gone wrong. Brakes might not have been set correctly, or perhaps chock blocks were not used. Maybe there was a preventable mechanical failure caused by inadequate or incomplete maintenance of the vehicle. As hard as it might be to accept, it’s possible that someone who visited the Humvee was able to disengage the brakes, deliberately or unknowingly. It’s a good thing when the Army Reserve participates in an event like this, but it might have been a very bad thing for them to allow the general public so much access to the vehicle. Whatever the cause, we hope the answers are soon discovered. Long Island Personal Injury Attorneys When someone is injured by the actions of another, the victim is usually entitled to seek compensation for his or her injuries from the parties who caused them. This can often be a complicated matter, which this case demonstrates. Who is actually at fault? Proper safety precautions were not taken at some point. Does the burden fall on the Army Reserve, which brought and placed the vehicle? On the organizers of the festival, who were in charge? Could the Town of Brookhaven, which operates the facility, be at fault? Could responsibility fall on some or all of these entities to different degrees? Questions like these, and many others, need to be asked and answered in this kind of case. That’s why it’s critically important to have an experienced Long Island personal injury lawyer on your team when you need to pursue a lawsuit after an injury. The attorneys at Siler & Ingber, LLP have that experience and are available to give you a free consultation to discuss your unique situation. Give us a call today at 1-877-718-6079 or contact us online through the form below to schedule an appointment.
The Dangers of Push-Start Vehicles
Since the mid-1990’s, a dangerous automobile feature has continued to roll off the market- the keyless ignition. Hundreds of thousands of vehicles with push-starts are sold every year, offered as a standard option in 245 models and counting. The intention of the keyless car was to provide a convenient alternative to your typical turn-key start. Using a key-fob in place of a key, this device sends a signal to your vehicle that you are ready to drive without having to hold it. But instead of worrying about keys, drivers are now worried about relying on their memory to save their lives and the lives of their loved ones. Since keyless ignitions have increased in popularity, horrifying reports are emerging of fatalities and serious illnesses caused by a known defect in the keyless design- there is no automatic shut-off feature when forgetting to turn off your car. In 2009, a New York professor parked her newly purchased Lexus inside her closed garage. Without realizing, the professor left her car running as she exited the vehicle with her key-fob. Tragically, carbon monoxide from the running car leaked into the professors home throughout the night. The professor suffered permanent brain damage from the poisonous gas and regretfully lost her spouse who died in his sleep. More recently in 2015, a similar occurrence took place in Seattle affecting a family of six. The father reported arriving home and forgetting to turn off his car upon entering the house. The vehicle ran in the closed garage all night, quickly releasing carbon monoxide into the home. Thankfully, the families car ran out of fuel and stopped. All six family members were rushed to the hospital for treatment the next day by emergency services. Had the car not run out of gas, this story could have been detrimental for the members of this family. There have been 19 fatalities officially reported directly connected to push-start vehicle incidents, as well as 25 close-calls since 2009. Why is a device claiming ‘convenience’ causing fatalities? Let’s take a look: It’s not required to have the key-fob in your hand when turning off a keyless car. The act of turning a key when exiting your car is a habit programmed into multiple generations of drivers since 1916. Changing the way you operate a vehicle after decades of practice is not an effortless undertaking. Experienced drivers can easily park their car, exit the vehicle, without thinking twice about pressing a ‘stop’ button. Push start vehicles don’t require you to place them in park before turning off the vehicle. A driver can put their foot on the break, press the ‘stop’ button, and exit the car without ever changing gears to park! This scary feature has caused cars to roll away unattended, causing unnecessary pedestrian injury and damage to property. Keyless cars will continue to run, even when the key-fob is out of range of the vehicle. The only way your keyless car will shut off without physically pushing the ‘stop’ button is to run out of gas. There is no safe range in which a vehicle will shut off itself if the key-fob is undetected. WHAT YOU CAN DO Sadly, no recent changes have been implemented in the push-start design to include an automatic shut-off or effective alarm for skipping shut down procedures. But following these three steps religiously when operating your keyless vehicle will help you to decrease the chance of injuring yourself or others: Always put your car in park before pushing ‘stop.’ Hold your ‘start/stop’ button until you’re positive the engine is off. Apply the parking break before exiting the car to reduce the risk of rolling. We can hope for the best that car manufacturers will start implementing more safety features in their keyless software soon. Until then, drivers of these types of vehicles must be extra careful. Double and triple check you have followed the proper exiting procedure for your car and set reminders for yourself if it helps. If you or a loved one have experienced an incident with a push-start vehicle that resulted in illness, injury, or death, you could be entitled to compensation. Contact Siler & Ingber at 1-877-718-6079 to speak to one of our attorneys from our winning legal team.
Parents: Beware of These Common School-Borne Illnesses
The adventure of kids returning to school can excite both parents and children alike. What can often ruin this excitement in an instant- the first wave of school-borne illnesses your kids bring home to the family, that plague your entire house! After reaching a stage of relaxation over the summer months, your child’s immune system is not entirely prepared to cope with the influx of germs they encounter from school peers and classrooms. This sudden change can lead to an increase in illnesses and injuries your child may experience within only the first couple months of classes. For parents, making sure your children practice proper hygiene at home will increase the occurrence of these habits at school. In addition, knowing the most common children’s illnesses and injuries to look for can be extremely helpful in preventing these nasty problems from festering: • Colds and season flus • Strep throat • Stomach Flu • Conjunctivitis (aka. Pinkeye) • Lice • Impetigo (contagious skin infection) • Aches and pains in back, head, or neck. • Minor injuries (scrapes, cuts, sprains, etc.) When getting back into the school routine, any illness or injury can be frustrating for the family. Unfortunately, you cannot be there every day to monitor your child’s health behaviors, so remember that education is the first step to increasing good health. In cases of uncommon or unexplained injuries, make sure you are in close communication with your child’s teachers to ensure no intentional harm is occurring. If your child or someone you love has suffered an injury or illness due to negligence of another, contact our winning legal team on : 1-877-718-6079
