Slip and fall accidents are too common. They often leave the victim forced to seek medical care. In fact, there are an estimated one million slip and fall injuries every year in the United States. These injuries are most often the result of slip, trip, or fall incidents:

1. Broken bones. Falling on hard surfaces such as ice or tile can cause severe trauma to the body. Often times this leads to broken bones.
    
2. Head injuries. Slip and fall injuries in Wisconsin are the cause for many head traumas. Falling on the head can cause injuries such as a concussion, a coma, or amnesia.
    
3. Contusions. Also known as a bruise, a contusion is very common with slip and fall injuries. The impact of landing on a hard surface can cause the capillaries to break, causing a contusion.
    
4. Cuts. Landing on sharp or pointed objects happens quite a bit during a slip and fall accident. This leads to the body sustaining cuts and scrapes. Bleeding can pose great danger if not properly treated.
    
5. Death. Unfortunately death can be associated with a slip and fall accident. There are 20,000 deaths each year in the United States caused by slip and falls incidents.

It is important for you to know that you can seek compensation for your injuries after a slip and fall. To get the compensation you deserve, contact a Milwaukee slip and fall attorney at Hupy and Abraham, S.C. Call 800-800-5678 to discuss your legal options and to set up a free case evaluation.

Owners Can Take Certain Steps to Prevent Dog Bite Injuries

The American Humane Association recommends five steps that dog owners can take to reduce the likelihood of dog bite accident injuries. Specifically, dog owners can:

1. Spay or neuter their dogs. This may make dogs less aggressive.
2. Supervise their dogs. Owners may be able to control their dog’s behavior and a dog may feel more comfortable and less aggressive with an owner around.
3. Train and socialize their dogs. This could decrease the risk of a dog bite accident.
4. Restrain their dogs. Leashes and fences may prevent dog bite accidents.
5. Avoid chaining their dogs. While restraint is good, chaining or tethering a dog can be stressful for the animal and result in aggression.

These steps may significantly reduce the likelihood of a dog bite accident. However, dog bite accidents may still occur and it is important to know what to do if you, or your child, have been hurt.

Call an Iowa Dog Bite Lawyer For Help If You’re Hurt

If a dog in Iowa has injured you or your child, then we encourage you to contact an experienced Cedar Rapids dog bite lawyer today for more information about your rights and possible recovery. We can be reached via this website or by calling 800-800-5678. We also invite you to download a FREE copy of our Dog Bite Brochure to learn more.

Every year, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AMVA), the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and the U.S. Postal Service sponsor National Dog Bite Prevention Week. National Dog Bite Prevention Week is meant as a public service to educate the public about dog bite prevention.

This year’s theme is “Be a tree.” If a strange dog approaches, children should stand still like a tree. According to the AMVA, the dog will eventually get bored and leave.

Here are four more tips to help protect you and your children from Iowa dog bites:

• Let a dog see you and sniff you before you pet it.
• Never run past a dog. A dog’s natural instinct is to chase and attack its prey.
• If you feel threatened by a dog, stay still and quiet. Avoid eye contact, as a dog will see that as threatening. When the dog moves away, begin slowly backing up until the dog is out of sight. Never scream.
• If you think a dog is going to attack you, try to put something between you and the dog. If possible move behind a car or another large object, but even a bike, purse ,or backpack can help.

The Cedar Rapids dog bite attorneys at Hupy and Abraham, S.C., P.C. are committed to preventing dog bites and helping Iowa dog bite victims get the justice they deserve. If you or someone you love was injured by a dog in Iowa, please contact us at 800-800-5678 to schedule a free case review.

Electricity is formed when electrons move through a substance. The electrons have one goal: to reach the ground. They will take the shortest path available. Certain substances called “insulators” can stop or slow the flow of electricity. Other substances, known as conductors, allow electricity to flow freely through them. Common conductors include metal wires, water and human skin.

When electricity flows through the body, it causes a condition known as electric shock. Electric shock usually occurs when a person comes in contact with poorly insulated or damaged wiring. The severity of the electric shock injury depends on the amount of current and on how long the person is exposed to the current.

You’ve probably touched an outlet a received a small shock. It felt like a buzz or vibration through your hand. A severe shock can cause muscle contractions, muscle spasms, paralysis, unconsciousness, and even death. There may be burns in the place where the current entered and left the body.

When an electric shock is caused by contact with electrical wires or electrical appliances, the source of the electricity must be shut off. Touching the wires or appliance with bare hands is dangerous. One must either cut the electricity of at the source or use dry, insulated gloves. One should call 911 immediately. The victim should be kept warm and in a horizontal position until help arrives.

Causes of Illinois electrical accidents:

• Faulty wiring
• Defective appliances
• Workplace accidents

Most electric shock injuries are avoidable. If your loved one suffered severe electric shock due to someone else’s negligence, you have a right to take legal action. Contact our Rockford personal injury lawyers to learn about Illinois wrongful death claims and electrical injury lawsuits. To schedule a free consultation, contact Hupy and Abraham at 800-390-6350.

When dealing with a death, it is important that you take care of your body. If you are currently going through the grieving process, you understand the toll that the death of someone close to you can take on your overall health. Three ways you can take care of your health after a death of a close friend, relative, or spouse are:

• Exercise. A little bit of exercise each day is great for the body. You don’t have to do anything strenuous, but a light walk or bike ride will be great. This will keep your body healthy, and—perhaps more important at this point—exercise has also been shown to help relieve depression, anxiety, and other emotional states associated with loss.
   
• Nutrition. Loss of appetite or excessive eating has also been associated with grieving. As hard as it may seem to do so, it is important to eat a nutritious, well-balanced diet. It may be helpful to plan your meals in advance.
   
• Sleep. If you are dealing with a death, it may be difficult for you to sleep. Sleep is an essential part of staying healthy. If you are finding it hard to sleep at night, try catching a nap during the day.

As we all know, death is a part of life. But death should happen when it is supposed to, not because of the negligence of another. If you lost a loved one due to the negligence of another, you may be entitled to compensation through a Wisconsin wrongful death claim. To discuss your legal options contact an experienced Milwaukee wrongful death attorney at Hupy and Abraham, S.C. at 800-800-5678 today.

Your Emotional Recovery May Be Complicated, But Your Legal Recovery Shouldn’t Be

In some cases, you may be able to recover for the death of your unborn baby in a wrongful death lawsuit. Currently, Wisconsin law allows a parent to file a wrongful death lawsuit for the loss of an unborn child if a doctor finds that the fetus would’ve been mature enough or old enough to be viable outside of the womb. In other words, if the mother is far enough along in her pregnancy that the child would have lived if it had been born, then the parents may be able to recover damages for the death of their child.

Of course, the damages that you might recover for the wrongful death of your child are independent of any recovery for your own personal injuries that you suffered in the same crash.

Call an Experienced Milwaukee Wrongful Death Lawyer To Learn More

If you have suffered the death of a unborn child who may have been able to survive had he or she been born then it is important to contact an experienced Wisconsin wrongful death lawyer today at 800-800-5678 to find out more about your rights and possible recovery.

Six Symptoms That Should Send You Back to the Doctor

Even if you got medical treatment immediately after the crash, it is important to let your doctor know if any of the following symptoms develop after your accident:

• Dizziness.
• Headaches.
• Difficulty moving an arm, leg, hand, or foot.
• Wounds that are slow to heal or appear infected.
• Back pain.
• Unexplained pain.

Of course, this list is not all-inclusive. If you suffer any symptoms that you did not have prior to your bike wreck then you should promptly tell your doctor so that you can get the help that you need.

Call an Illinois Motorcycle Accident Lawyer If You’ve Been Hurt

After you’ve consulted with your doctor for diagnosis and treatment of your accident injuries, it is important to talk to an experienced Illinois motorcycle accident attorney for more information about your legal rights and possible financial recovery.

We encourage you to call a Bloomington motorcycle crash lawyer today at 309-862-4800 or 866-532-4800 for a free consultation. You can also learn more about your rights in our FREE book, The Ultimate Guide for Motorcycle Accident Victims, which is available on our website.

Although summer temperatures in Milwaukee are not too extreme, it can still be hot enough to cause discomfort and danger on your ride. In order to stay safe on your summer ride, it is important to take steps to deal with the heat. Three ways to stay safe and avoid a Milwaukee motorcycle accident during summer months are:

• Stay hydrated. Riding in the heat can cause you to sweat quite a bit. It is important to replenish your body as you sweat by drinking plenty of water. Failing to stay hydrated can cause serious health problems. It can also make it difficult to focus, causing you to crash.
   
• Stay cool. There is a large variety of riding gear on the market today. Choose gear that is breathable. Breathable riding gear will help the air circulate, keeping you cooler.
   
• Maintain your bike. Keeping your bike well maintained and running properly will help to prevent breakdowns. Breaking down in the summer heat with all your hot riding gear on and minimal supplies can be dangerous.

Although you take all the proper steps to stay safe on the road, there are still going to be dangers on the road. Most motorcycles accidents are caused by other drivers. If you have been injured by one of these negligent drivers contact one of our experienced Wisconsin motorcycle accident attorneys at Hupy and Abraham S.C. Call 800-800-5678 today for a free consultation.

Where You Spend Most of Your Driving Time Is Where You May Be Most Likely to Crash

Despite the familiarity of the roads and the hundreds of times you have driven in the area without incident, you may still be more likely to get hurt in a local car accident than in an accident on the highway. There may be a few reasons why driving locally can be dangerous. Consider, for example, that:

• People who identify themselves as occasional seatbelt users may be less likely to buckle up on short trips around town.
• You spend more hours on local roads and are thus more likely to get hurt there in a crash.
• You may be more distracted on local roads.
• Intersections, pedestrians, debris, and other things can make driving on local streets more challenging.

Of course, if you are injured in a local accident, then your rights to recovery may be the same as they would have been if you were hurt on the highway or interstate.

Call a Rockford Car Accident Lawyer to Learn More About Your Rights

If you have been injured in a local Illinois traffic wreck then we encourage you to contact an experienced Illinois car accident lawyer today by calling 815-877-3900 or 800-390-6350 for a free consultation. We also invite you to read a FREE copy of our book, The Ultimate Guide for Automobile Accident Victims, available by download or by postal mail on request.

You if you get rear-ended, it is usually the fault of the other driver. Because this is so, it is important that as a driver you take all the precautionary measures to not become at fault of a Milwaukee rear-end car crash.

Three things you can do as a driver to ensure not being at fault of a rear-end collision are:

• Don’t tailgate. Tailgating is a dangerous—and illegal—practice. Following too closely to another vehicle will prevent you from having enough room and time to react to any changes the driver in front makes. If you are impatient because the vehicle ahead of you is traveling too slowly, pass that car with care.
   
• Stay focused. Driver distraction is one of the common causes for a rear-end collision, and many other Wisconsin traffic accidents. If your attention is pulled away from the road, you will not immediately notice when another driver is braking or slowing in front of you.
   
• Brake wisely. Do not wait until the last minute to put on the brakes. Allow plenty of time when coming to an intersection or stop sign to gradually brake and come to a stop, with plenty of room between your vehicles and others.

Although you can take steps to prevent yourself from being at fault, you cannot always prevent others from hitting you. If you have become the victim of a rear-end collision, it is important to contact a Milwaukee car crash attorney at Hupy and Abraham, S.C. Call 800-800-5678 today for a free case evaluation.

Dog Bite Statistics

The third week of May 2013 is National Dog Bite Prevention Week. During that week and the other 51 weeks of the year, it is important to know the statistics about dog bites.

Approximately 4.7 million people in the United States are bitten by dogs every year. Of these 4.7 million people:

• 800,000 people seek medical treatment.
• Approximately 400,000—just about half—of the people seeking medical treatment are children. Injuries are most common in 5-9 year olds.
• About 386,000 of the people who seek medical treatment go to emergency rooms.
• About 16 of the 800,000 people who seek medical treatment die.

Statistics are important because they tell us how widespread dog bite injuries are and how likely we may be to suffer from such an injury. However, if you have been hurt by a dog bite injury then the overall statistics don’t matter. Instead, what matters most is your recovery.

Call a Cedar Rapids Dog Bite Attorney Today If a Dog Has Bitten You or Your Child

If you or your child has suffered a dog bite injury in Cedar Rapids or elsewhere in Iowa, then we encourage you to contact an experienced Iowa dog bite lawyer at Hupy and Abraham, S.C., P.C. today by calling 800-800-5678. We also invite you to read our FREE Dog Bites Brochure, available on our website or by mail on request.

A recent Australian study compared caffeine use in 530 long-distance truck drivers who had crashed their vehicles with caffeine use in 517 truck drivers who had not crashed. They found that caffeinated beverages, such as coffee, can reduce the risk of drowsy driving accidents by as much as 63 percent.

The research was published in the March 19 issue of the British Medical Journal.

Will that cup of coffee work for you? It depends. First of all, you need a lot of caffeine to make a difference. The researchers found that two cups of coffee will keep you awake for about 45 minutes. So, while caffeine can reduce accident risk in the short-term, it’s not a good substitute for sleep. If you’ve got a long way to drive, it is better to pull over and take a nap. A fifteen-minute snooze can keep you alert for about two hours.

Falling asleep isn’t the only risk of driving drowsy. Sleepy drivers have delayed reactions and impaired judgment. Driving when severely drowsy (no sleep for 20 hours or longer) is just as dangerous as driving while under the influence of alcohol.

Our Green Bay car accident attorneys have compiled this list of tips to help you avoid driving drowsy.

• Never drive while under the influence of alcohol or a medication that causes drowsiness.
• Avoid driving when you have had fewer than six hours of sleep. If you must go somewhere when you are very tired, take public transportation or ask a friend for a ride.
• If you are going on a long trip, get a full night’s sleep before driving.
• Bring a friend to share the driving.
• Take regular breaks.
• Avoid driving very early in the morning or very late at night.
• Avoid driving alone at night, especially if you are tired.
• Drink coffee, but remember you need to drink a lot of coffee and the caffeine can only help for a short time.
• If you are too exhausted to drive, find a safe place to take a nap. Fifteen minutes of sleep can leave you refreshed for a few more hours.

The Green Bay auto accident lawyers at Hupy and Abraham, S.C., help those injured in drowsy driving accidents and other car crashes in Wisconsin. To learn how we can help you, contact us at 800-800-5678. The initial consultation is always free.

One of the common reasons a driver may become distracted is the passengers in their vehicle. If you have had much time driving with others in your vehicle, you may know this first hand. There are steps you can take as a driver to ensure you keep from being distracted by their passengers, including:

1. Prepare young ones. Driving with children in the car can be stressful. They can easily become rowdy and rambunctious. You can keep them under control by having snacks ready for them, DVD set and playing, toys at hand, and juice or water ready. This will help to keep them calm and relaxed—and ultimately, help keep you focused on the road.
    
2. Keep passengers from being rowdy. Sitting cooped up in a vehicle can result in rowdy passengers. This is especially true with teenagers. If you are driving and your passengers become restless, pull over, stretch, play, and discharget some of that pent-up energy before continuing.
    
3. Focus on the road, not the passengers. It may be easy to become engaged in a deep conversation with others in your vehicle. This may pull your attention away from the road. Try to keep conversation from distracting you.

If you have been involved in an auto accident it is important to know your rights as a victim. Contact a Milwaukee car accident lawyer at Hupy and Abraham, S.C. to discuss your legal options. Call 800-800-5678 today for a free case evaluation.

Although your life will never be the same, you will go on living—and living in the United States requires money. While you won’t profit from your loved one’s death, and you wouldn’t want to do so, you shouldn’t have to suffer a financial burden while you are already suffering a tragic loss.

Possible Damages You Could Recover in an Iowa Wrongful Death Case

Some of the damages that may be possible in a wrongful death settlement or lawsuit include compensation for:

• Medical bills incurred by your loved one from the time of the accident until the time of death.
• Funeral expenses.
• Past and future lost income.
• Out-of-pocket costs.
• Pain and suffering incurred by your loved one prior to death.
• Emotional suffering that you incur as a result of the death.
• Other losses.

This recovery will not alleviate your suffering, but it may help you avoid financial suffering. It may prevent you from losing your home, suffering financial hardship, or making sacrifices. It may help you maintain your current standard of living and allow you to provide for your children in the manner in which you and your spouse had wanted to provide for them.

Contact a Quad Cities Wrongful Death Lawyer For Help

You do not have to manage your own recovery. Instead, we encourage you to contact an experienced and empathetic Quad Cities wrongful death attorney for help with your legal and financial recovery.

Now a new study has thrown out these assumptions. Researchers at the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute conducted a 100-car “naturalistic” driving study. Unlike a survey, naturalist research observes real-time driver behavior as it takes place in its natural setting. There is limited or no interference with the subjects.

The Virginia Tech researchers installed cameras, radar units, accelerometers, lane-tracking software, and in-vehicle network sensor in the vehicles of 100 commuters in the Northern Virginia/Washington, D.C. area. Data was collected on these drivers and 132 additional drivers who occasionally used the vehicles.

Overall, the drivers experienced 82 crashes; 761 near crashes; 8,295 incidents, such as braking hard to slow down or stop; and 1,423 non-conflict events, such as running a stop light at an empty intersection.

The study allowed researchers to observe driver behavior right before each event or crash. In 20 percent of all crashes and 16 percent of all near crashes, the driver showed signs of fatigue. These signs included:

• Closed eyelids
• Head bobbing
• Severe relaxation of facial muscles
• Microsleep

The researchers compared drivers under age 25, and drivers who drove long distances with the general population. Young drivers, age 18 to 20, were more likely to experience fatigue-related crashes than any other age group. Drowsy driving accidents were most likely to happen during the day.

The Washington area has heavy traffic and long commutes, but the researchers believe the study applies to the population at large. Their calculations suggest that drowsy drivers have a four times greater risk of a crash or near-crash and that 12 percent of all crashes and near-crashes can be attributed to fatigue.

The researchers plan to expand the study to include 2,000 cars. A separate study focusing on 16- to 18-year-old drivers is in progress. The studies are funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Injured by a drowsy driver? Drivers who sleep at the wheel are responsible for the damages they cause. For information about your rights after a Green Bay drowsy driving accident, contact Hupy and Abraham, S.C. at 800-800-5678.

Our Green Bay traffic accident lawyers have written a book to help you after a car crash. Request your free copy of The Ultimate Guide For Automobile Accident Victims.

Wisconsin car accidents? Yes, indeed. A recent study by University Hospital in Leeds tested the driving ability of the driving skills of 133 people with untreated sleep apnea and 89 people without the condition. Each participant completed a 56 mile (90 km) driving simulation. The researchers compared the time it took to complete the simulation, the time spent driving in the middle lane, and the number of unprovoked car crashes.

People with untreated sleep apnea were twice as likely to fail the test. They had more crashes and more difficulty following the directions they were given at the beginning of the study. They also had more accidents.

A second study involved 118 people with untreated sleep apnea and 69 without the condition. These participants completed a questionnaire about driving behavior before taking a 56-mile simulated driving test. Thirty-eight percent of those with sleep apnea failed the test. Thirty-five percent fell asleep while being tested. All the participants without sleep apnea passed test; 11 percent fell asleep.

The research was presented on April 11 at the Sleep And Breathing Conference in Berlin.

More than 18 million Americans have sleep apnea, including more than one-quarter of truck drivers. These drivers are a risk to themselves and others on the road. If your family complains about your snoring, talk to your doctor about your apnea risk.

Drivers who fall asleep at the wheel can be held liable for injuries and other damages in a Green Bay car crash. To learn more about your rights after a Wisconsin drowsy driving accident, please call Hupy and Abraham, S.C. at 800-800-5678 and ask to schedule a free consultation with an accident lawyer in Green Bay.

Iowa Motorcycle Accident Injuries Can Change Your Life

The injuries that you have suffered because of another driver’s negligent or deliberate actions can steal your:

• Independence.
• Livelihood.
• Happiness.
• Relationships.

Thus, it is important to fight back and to protect yourself so that your ability to live independently, to earn a living, to be happy, and to maintain relationships with your family and friends are not jeopardized.

Help Change it Back with the Help of an Iowa Motorcycle Lawyer

Even an experienced biker and Iowa motorcycle accident attorney can’t change what has happened. We can’t undo the pain or the disruption to your life. However, we can fight hard for your just recovery. We can zealously advocate for your fair recovery of past and future medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, out-of-pocket costs, lost income, pain, suffering, and other damages. We can help protect your future.

For more information, we encourage you to call us today at 515-984-0091 and to read our FREE book, The Ultimate Guide for Motorcycle Accident Victims.

If you have been involved in a slip and fall, you most likely had to seek medical treatment for your injuries. As you are well aware of, medical bills can add up quickly. As you are seeking compensation for your medical care, it is important to keep all records organized and neat. Your medical records will come in handy during a slip and call claim in Wisconsin. Three ways your medical records will help your case are:

1. Proving your injury. When going up against an insurance company, your claims of injury will surely be questioned. Having proof of all your medical treatments and tests will be a solid piece of evidence to back your claim.
    
2. Helping your lawyer. Your slip and fall lawyer they will need every bit of information possible to build your case. When working with an attorney, be sure to turn your medical records over to him, along with all other supporting documents for the case.
    
3. Setting the financial bar. There may be a number of factors that play a role in the amount you will receive in your claim. Medical costs are one of the major factors. Having documentation of what was spent on health care—hospital charges, doctor visits, prescription drugs, and other expenses—will help to set the amount your lawyer will go for.

To get the compensation you deserve, contact a Milwaukee wrongful death attorney at Hupy and Abraham, S.C. Call 800-800-5678 today for a free case evaluation.

Our Rockford personal injury lawyers offer these tips to help prevent Illinois anaphylactic allergic reaction deaths:

• Let others know about your allergies. Most injuries and deaths associated with food allergies occur because others were not aware of the allergy. Let schools, restaurant staff, food service workers, and grocery providers know about the allergy. When buying groceries, don’t hesitate to manager if you have concerns about the source or preparation of the food you are buying. The managers can put you in touch with food distributors so that you can get more information. If you have doubts, don’t eat the food.
   
• Wear a medical alert bracelet. Medical alert bracelets can be engraved with your allergy information and emergency contact numbers.
   
• Ask your doctor for an epinephrine injector. An epinephrine injector or Epi-pen can stop a fatal allergic reaction. Know how to use your Epi-pen. Keep your Epi-Pen with you at all times and replace it each year. Children with food allergies should have an Epi-pen in their classroom.

If you experience symptoms of a food allergy reaction, call 911 immediately. Symptoms include:

• Trouble breathing
• Swelling of the throat
• Itching and swelling of the face or mouth
• Lightheadedness
• Fainting
• Vomiting
• Confusion

If you or a loved one suffers a severe allergic reaction because of the negligence of a food company, restaurant or other food service provider, you have the right to take legal action. To learn more, consult with the Rockford food allergy lawyers at Hupy and Abraham. Call us at 800-800-5678 and ask to schedule a free consultation.

As the body ages, the ability to metabolize drugs slows down. This means that a drug stays in the system for a longer period of time and has a more intense effect. This increases the risk of harmful drug side effects.

The non-profit National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) has compiled a list of 110 prescription drugs that should not be prescribed to elderly patients. Many of these are common medications—such as the anti-anxiety drug Valium—that are perfectly safe when taken by younger patients, but can have dangerous or even fatal effects when used in patients over the age of 65. Valium can cause extreme sedation in the elderly. This can lead to falls and potentially fatal injuries. Xanax is a safer alternative.

Researchers from the Alpert Medical School at Brown University looked at prescription data for more than six million men and women over the age of 65 who were enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans. They found that 21 percent (1.3 million) of the participants had been prescribed a medication from the NCQA list. Five percent of the participants had been prescribed two or more high-risk medications.

Participants who lived in the South were most likely to be prescribed a dangerous drug; 38 percent of Medicare Advantage enrollees from Albany, Georgia received at least one dangerous drug. But there’s good news for Iowa residents: the city with the lowest rate of risky drug prescriptions was Mason City, Iowa. Only 10 percent of Mason City senior study participants received prescriptions from the NCQA list.

You can check the NCQA list of medications to be avoided by the elderly here.

If you have suffered a dangerous reaction from a prescription medication, of if a loved one has died from an inappropriate medicine, you may be able to receive monetary compensation for medical bills and other damages through an Iowa drug injury lawsuit. To learn more, contact the Des Moines personal injury lawyers at Hupy and Abraham, S.C., P.C. at 515-984-0091, or call our toll-free number 1-800-800-5678.