On Behalf of Adler Law Group, LLC

Of all the injuries you can potentially sustain in a car crash, one that causes vision impairment likely is the injury you most fear. Unfortunately, however, car crashes are notorious for causing head injuries. And a head injury often causes visual impairment.

The American Foundation for the Blind explains that the three categories of vision impairment consist of the following:

1. Low vision: blurred vision, tunnel vision, blind spots in your field of vision, etc.
2. Legal blindness: 20/200 vision or less as measured by the Suellen Eye Chart
3. Total blindness: no light perception whatsoever

Fortunately, the chances of your car crash leaving you totally blind is only about 15%. Legal blindness, however, represents a distinct possibility.

Legal blindness

To understand legal blindness, think of the eye chart that your optometrist or ophthalmologist asks you to read when you go for your annual checkup. When you have perfect, i.e., 20/20 vision, you can read down through the eighth line of letters. When your vision becomes impaired to the point of legal blindness, you can only read the third line and above. In other words, you can only see at 20 feet what someone with perfect vision can see at 200 feet.

If your car crash injuries leave you legally blind, you likely will still retain sufficient peripheral vision to be able to tell the difference between daytime and nighttime hours, as well as between brightly lit and dimly lit rooms. You may also be able to make out shadows and some colors. In terms of what you actually see, however, this deteriorates to the point where you likely will need to use a white cane in order to navigate your surroundings without tripping and falling over obstacles in your path.

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On Behalf of Adler Law Group, LLC

All brain injuries have the potential to completely change a person’s life, regardless of type. Whether they result in paralysis, chronic headaches or serious psychological harm, the effects of such injuries are wide-ranging and they can be devastating to the victims on the short and long-term. To understand the difference between a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and a non-traumatic brain injury, it may help you to first understand what the medical world means when they refer to each.

When we think of the word “trauma,” we often think of disturbing or otherwise intense experiences. But when it comes to injuries, trauma takes on a different connotation. Trauma, in this case, is a physical injury or damage caused by an external force.

The primary difference, then, between a traumatic brain injury and a non-traumatic brain injury is that a TBI occurs when something outside the brain damages the brain. But a nontraumatic brain injury occurs when internal factors damage the brain.

Common causes of traumatic and non-traumatic brain injuries

Often, traumatic brain injuries are caused by serious events such as:

• Car or truck accidents
• Slip-and-fall accidents
• Violence
• Combat injuries
• Explosions

Common causes for non-traumatic brain injuries include:

• Brain affecting infectious diseases
• Strokes
• Aneurysms
• Tumors
• Oxygen deprivation

If you or a loved one have experienced a brain injury, you likely have also experienced heavy losses. Extensive treatments and therapy can mean lost wages and stacked medical bills, even with the help of insurance. How you respond to your injury could drastically influence the course of your future.

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On Behalf of Adler Law Group, LLC

Motorcyclists in Connecticut face more dangers than covered vehicle drivers. They are more exposed to the elements. They always go up against larger vehicles. In a crash scenario, motorcycles are almost always at the disadvantage. They also face unique injury risk. Today we will look at one of them: road rash injuries. 

VeryWell Health looks at road rash injuries. In their mildest form, road rash is not worrisome. Many victims go to a doctor for an initial check-up. After that, they treat the injury at home. In most cases, they do not need to do anything else. 

Moderate and severe road rash injuries are different. These injuries are detrimental to a person’s well-being. They cause massive physical trauma. Emotional scarring is also common. Victims do not only have the upper layer of skin scraped off in these incidents. Moderate road rash sometimes gets down to the muscle layer. Severe road rash goes even further. Some victims experience lacerations down to the bone. 

These categories of road rash also have complex recovery periods. Some victims need skin graft surgery. This is because large areas of exposed flesh attract bacteria, viruses and microbes. Within hours, a person with severe road rash can contract illnesses. They become infected as well. Infections also set in within hours. Serious infection like sepsis and gangrene are not uncommon. 

Finally, even with surgery, victims of severe road rash may scar. This disfigurement is sometimes painful. The victim is often affected on an emotional and mental level. These are the scars that are more difficult to heal from. 

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On Behalf of Adler Law Group, LLC

During the flu season, daily life becomes difficult for many people who fall ill. Getting sick prevents people in Connecticut from working, and Adler Law Group, LLC realizes that it also leads to other serious challenges in life. For example, it increases the chances of an accident in multiple ways, and many drivers, as well as motorcyclists, cause accidents because of the symptoms they are experiencing. If you are very sick, it is important to avoid riding your motorcycle if your symptoms have the potential to interfere with your ability to focus on the road.

Unfortunately, other motorcyclists and drivers do not always heed this advice. If you regularly ride with a group of motorcyclists, the chances of an accident likely go up when another member of your group is under the weather. For example, if a motorcyclist riding in front of other motorcyclists causes an accident that involves several people, this is especially problematic.

When someone is very sick, their ability to stay safe on the road is negatively impacted in various ways. Those who have a bad headache or are tired due to missing sleep often struggle to operate their motorcycle properly at all times. Moreover, many people take medication to help with their symptoms, which often causes drowsiness. If you are sick, it is smart to avoid riding a motorcycle or operating any type of vehicle until you feel better. Furthermore, if you are involved in an accident caused by someone who was sick at the time of the crash, this issue requires attention and our website covers more.

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On Behalf of Adler Law Group, LLC

People in Connecticut are no strangers to dog attacks. Almost five million people suffer from a dog bite every year according to the CDC, and out of those, nearly one million require medical care.

When a dog that is usually tame lashes out and attacks someone, you may struggle with the motivation behind the sudden change in behavior. We here at the Adler Law Group, LLC strive to keep you in the know about things that may cause you danger. Discover a few of the reasons that may prompt a dog to attack without warning.

Recognizing aggressive behavior

Some canines are aggressive from the start, and others seem to get there without warning. Aggressive behavior in dogs is something that can come as the result of the environment, the way an owner raises the dog or something else entirely. Some of the signs of aggressive behavior in dogs include:

• Lunging
• Vicious barking
• Snarling
• Snapping
• Biting

When the last incident occurs, the dog’s owner may wind up at fault.

Reasons for aggression

Some dog owners treat their pets like children, and as such, it may stand to reason that sudden aggressive behavior is alarming. A sudden change in mannerisms may signal a change in a dog’s biological makeup. Perhaps it is part of the aging process or something serious like a tumor or infection. Dogs may exhibit aggressive behavior temporarily if they believe their territory is in danger. They become frightened or frustrated and lash out at the threat.

Encountering a dog’s aggression may result in an injury. Check out the resources on our website for further information dog bites.

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On Behalf of Adler Law Group, LLC

When a visitor to a property suffers an accident and is injured, it may qualify as a personal injury case. The area of the law that this injury falls under is premises liability laws. In Connecticut, these types of civil claims for damages are also subject to the comparative liability stipulations.

Premises liability laws refer to the responsibility on the part of a property owner or party in possession of a premises to maintain it safely in order to prevent the possibility of a guest or visitor suffering a serious injury. Informing customers, guests and other invitees of existing  hazards falls under the responsibility of an owner and/or the party in possession of the property at the time. In some instances, landlords may not be held liable for some accidents if the unsafe conditions were the result of the negligence or actions of the current occupants.

Premises liability laws can be further broken down into different categories based on the nature and purpose of the individual who was hurt while on the property. Invited guests, such as a customer or personal friend, are entitled to a safe environment free from hazards and conditions that could result in a physical injury. Likewise, those who enter a property based on professional duties are also entitled to a safe entry or appropriate warnings of possible dangers. However, those who are trespassing without a legitimate reason for entering a property are not entitled to the same reasonable expectation of safety. Nevertheless, if there is reasonable expectation that the property will be subject to regular entry of trespassers, then sufficient notice of an existing hazard may be required, and this stipulation also applies when it can be expected that minors will have access to the property –either with or without official permission.

Along with the above guidelines, the issue of comparative liability adds another layer of complexity to some premises liability cases. In Connecticut, as long as the injured party is not more than 51 percent responsible for his or her own injuries, it is possible to recover monetary damages when someone else’s negligence caused or contributed to the injuries suffered. If this occurs while visiting the property of another, a personal injury attorney can help sort through the legalities and identify the party or parties who may bear financial responsibility.

Source: FindLaw, “Premises Liability: Who Is Responsible?“, Accessed on Sept. 17, 2017

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On Behalf of Adler Law Group, LLC

One of the main reasons that retail stores and businesses put out signage warning about wet floors and other potential hazards is not so much to protect their customers but to protect themselves. While there could still be an accident, not warning others about a wet surface could open a door to a lawsuit over premises liability. Like every state, Connecticut has laws that govern how negligence cases can be pursued.

There are laws that deal with negligence on the part of another party or a business that results in someone suffering physical harm. While the majority of the states have done away with contributory negligence, most states — including Connecticut — do have a comparative scale when it comes to filing a negligent personal injury lawsuit. Contributory negligence laws made it difficult for an injured party to collect in a personal injury case because the laws stated that even if the injured party was one percent at fault, then the judge could not allow the party to collect any damages.

Connecticut is one of the many states that have comparative negligence laws. As long as an injured party was not more than 50 percent at fault, then he or she can file a personal injury suit against the parties responsible. This is considered a modified comparative law. In the pure form of the law, a person can collect if he or she is even 99 percent to blame for the accident. Furthermore, if there is more than one party at fault in a negligence suit, then the responsibility can be separated by degrees.

An injured party can decide to leave an at-fault party out of a lawsuit if there are others who are deemed more at fault. There are stipulations in place that protect some entities from being sued if one suffers an injury on site, such as a school (in most, but not all circumstances). If a Connecticut resident suffers an injury that he or she believes is a premises liability case, then that person can consult with a personal injury attorney who can provide more information about the merits of the case.

Source: FindLaw, “Connecticut Negligence Laws“, Accessed on April 1, 2017

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On Behalf of Adler Law Group, LLC

It is not uncommon to hear of bed bug infestations at hotels in Connecticut and elsewhere. These little pests may pack a small bite, but they can do a lot of damage — physically, psychologically and even financially. Anyone who has suffered as a result of coming in contact with these bugs during a hotel stay may be able to file a premises liability claim against the property owners and any others believed responsible.

Currently, Connecticut does not really have any laws regarding bed bug infestations. Like most other states, property owners are just responsible for maintaining clean environments. If bed bugs are found, appropriate actions to remedy the situation are to be taken.

Quite a few people think that bed bugs are harmless, though disgusting. However, for some who come in contact with these bugs, allergic reactions, rashes and scarring can occur. In some cases, the scarring may be permanent. Not only will this be physically damaging, but it can have long-term psychological consequences as well. Bed bugs are also great hitchhikers and will attach to clothing or suitcases, so some victims of hotel infestations may bring the problem home with them, which can be expensive to resolve.

When staying at a hotel, whether in Connecticut or elsewhere, it is reasonable to expect a room that is clean and free of pests. Those who find otherwise and who have suffered as a result may have legal recourse. With the assistance of an experienced attorney, a premises liability claim may be filed in civil court. If litigation proves successful, damages may be awarded.

Source: USA Today, “Hotel Obligations for Bed Bugs“, Christopher Michael, Accessed on Jan. 8, 2017

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On Behalf of Adler Law Group, LLC

Parents who allow their children to attend occasions such as music festivals in Connecticut or elsewhere would naturally want to have comfort in knowing that there will be sufficient control and medical care in the events of emergencies. Visitors to such venues will want to feel that they are entering a safe environment. Raves are sometimes known to have elements present that may endanger the lives of others due to the availability of illegal substances, and organizers may be held responsible via premises liability lawsuits if guests suffer injuries or worse.

One such lawsuit was recently filed by the parents of a 19-year-old girl who died of a drug overdose at a music festival in another state last summer. The organizers of the rave, along with other entities, were named as defendants in the lawsuit. It is alleged that the girl’s death was preventable. According to the complaint, the defendants should have been aware of the fact that such festivals are commonly associated with the availability of drugs such as Ecstasy. It is claimed that the dangers were largely ignored in favor of the revenue potential.

Court documents indicate that the attendance figure at the rave was recorded as 65,000 while only four stations were established to provide medical services. Furthermore, it is alleged that the medical personnel who treated the unresponsive girl were not adequately trained to handle the emergency. The suit also noted that another 18-year-old girl died from an overdose of Ecstasy earlier that day and that the emergency stations were overwhelmed by approximately 50 other festival attendees who suffered comas and seizures caused by drugs.

Connecticut families who have lost loved ones due to the actions — or -non-actions — of others retain the right to pursue claims for financial relief. Individuals or organizers of events could be held accountable through the judicial system. A premises liability lawsuit can be filed in a civil court, and upon proof of negligence, the court may award a monetary judgment to cover documented losses.

Source: NBC Los Angeles, “Family Sues Music Festival After Daughter’s OD“, July 27, 2016

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On Behalf of Adler Law Group, LLC

Time and again, we’ve heard about this type of scenario playing out somewhere in our state: An individual goes to a party and starts drinking. He is having a great time and throwing back drink after drink. At the end of the night, he stumbled out to his vehicle and heads home. On the way home, he hits and kills a pedestrian crossing the road. It’s a horrible situation but one that unfortunately happens every year in our state.

In this type of situation, one might wonder who is to blame. There is pretty obvious blame that can be put on the driver, but what about the host of the party? This is where premises liability law comes into play and it can differ widely state to state.

Some states have dram shop laws. This type of law can hold businesses liable for continuing to serve alcohol to a clearly intoxicated person who then ends up injuring another person. That business could then be found liable for any injuries suffered by the victim. In some states, this type of law also covers social hosts.

Other states have specific social host laws. In fact, have social host liability laws that are considered general and nine states have such laws that pertain specifically to minors. As you can imagine, if someone serves a minor alcohol and that minor ended up dying in a drunk driving accident, the person who provided the alcohol could and should be held liable.

These types of situations are definitely not cut and dry so it makes sense to work with an attorney to understand what your options are. Many people may feel uncomfortable trying to place blame on someone else if their loved one died in this type of scenario, but it’s important to remember that there are often state laws that govern liability in such cases.

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