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Thanksgiving safety tipsThanksgiving is one of the busiest travel times of the year. In fact, the American Automobile Association anticipates nearly 55 million people will be traveling for this year’s holiday. With the increase in traffic on the roads, there is also an increase in the likelihood of an auto accident occurring. To ensure that you and your family stay safe this Thanksgiving, we have included some tips for safe travels.

Before you get on the road this year, be sure to:

Tailer Hitch“There is barely any damage to your vehicle!” This is a common phrase that the at-fault driver’s insurance company may try to dismiss or diminish the extent of your injuries because of minor damage to your vehicle after an accident. While it may be true that your vehicle has minimal damage, the adjuster may be disregarding the fact that your vehicle had a trailer hitch attached to the rear of it.

We have all seen vehicles, especially larger trucks, with a trailer hitch attached to them. They may be used to transport boats, trailers, campers, etc. Even if the hitch is not in use, individuals often leave them attached year-round. While they may seem harmless, trailer hitches actually pose great danger.

cruise shipTaking a cruise is popular vacation for many people. Each year, approximately 28 million people set sail for some relaxation and fun. You may find yourself dining in, swimming, shopping, rock climbing, ziplining, surfing, etc. However, your dream vacation can quickly become a nightmare if you find yourself becoming injured while on a cruise ship.

Although a cruise ship can contain many fun activities conveniences for its passengers, it also presents many dangers. The most common types of cruise ship accidents include:

man with whiplash after accidentIf you were involved in an accident and were already dealing with a pre-existing injury, you may be wondering how that previous injury will impact your new claim. While having a pre-existing condition does not bar a car accident victim from recovery, it could present challenges when it comes to proving your injuries and value of your claim. Insurance companies will often use this as a tactic to deny fair compensation or claim the motor vehicle accident did not cause the injury. So, it is crucial to contact an attorney immediately to guide you through the process.

Simply put, a pre-existing condition is a health condition that an injured person already had before a new accident occurred. The likelihood of someone suffering from a pre-existing condition is high, especially as you age. However, this should not keep personal injury victims from being properly compensated. Although the insurance company may want an injured party to believe otherwise, a squeaky-clean bill of health is not necessary to prove your injuries. If you suffer from a pre-existing injury, it is important to prove that the accident worsened that injury rather than caused it.

dog with head out of windowMany pet owners treat their furry companions as a treasured part of the family. As of 2022, seventy percent of U.S. households, or about 90.5 million families, own a pet. Whether you are taking a trip to the vet, the beach, or the dog park, pets are along for the ride nearly every day. They are often unrestrained. Unfortunately, the more time pets spend in the car with us, the greater the chances of them being injured in an automobile accident. So, what happens if your pet is injured in a car accident with you? Will the insurance company pay for its medical bills too?

The simple answer is yes! This is because your pet is considered your personal property.  While we think of our pets as much more than just a piece of property, this is how they are defined in insurance policies. As long as you are not at fault for the accident, the negligent driver’s insurance company is required to pay for your pet’s vet bills, so long as there is no exclusion written in the policy which would exclude your pet from being covered.

caution elevatorWho isn’t afraid of elevators? Who has ever gotten stuck in an elevator and thought of being trapped or worse yet an elevator going into a free fall? Although elevator accidents may seem like a rare occurrence, they are fairly common. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reports an average of 10,200 elevator accidents involving injuries each year, with approximately 30 cases being fatal accidents.

Elevators, while a great convenience, can be lethal. These machines can lose power, get stuck between floors, lose traction, and even go into a free fall or abruptly stop for no reason at all. Each of these hazards can produce significant injuries such as disc injury, broken bones, traumatic brain injury, amputated limbs, and death. After an accident, not only may you be traumatized to ever step into an elevator again, but it can also change the entire course of the rest of your life depending on the severity of the injury sustained.

Now that Governor Edwards rescinded the Proclamation Order preventing injured patients from suing healthcare providers for Ordinary negligence, we are presently taking Medical Malpractice cases. During the course of the Pandemic injured patients could only make claims against healthcare providers for so called gross negligence, only. The purpose of the Proclamation was to lessen the burden placed on the healthcare profession by the thousands of people in need of medical care. So, in essence, the profession got a free pass for careless medical acts. I don’t agree with the Proclamation especially where it gave non-frontline healthcare providers, such as orthopedists who never had to treat a patient for Covid symptoms, relief from their breach of the standard of care.

That being said we, as malpractice attorneys, are now in the position to take new medical malpractice cases. So, if you or a loved one is the victim of medical malpractice PHONE CARDONE at 504-522-3333 or you can reach us on our toll free number 888-89CARDONE. You can also visit my website for more information about medical breaches by healthcare providers.

emotional distressAn individual’s quality of life can be greatly affected in an instant. After an accident, most people are primarily concerned with apparent physical injuries and property damage. But once the dust settles, emotional suffering can begin to greatly impact the victim’s life.

Not only may the victim experience physical pain, but he or she may also suffer mentally. A victim’s mental pain and suffering after an accident is less about the physical pain from the injuries, and more about the mental and emotional anguish that is caused by the injuries and the accident.  In fact, emotional distress is very common following an accident. It can negatively impact the victim’s daily activities and routine. If the trauma is severe enough, it may require treatment from a psychologist or therapist.

mediationIt has been nearly two months since Hurricane Ida swept through southeast Louisiana leaving homeowners and business owners devastated. By now, many individuals have filed a claim with their insurance company to begin to recover for any losses.

As previously mentioned, homeowners typically have 180 days to file an insurance claim after a hurricane, unless the deadline is extended. Once submitted, the insurance company will review your claim and either deny or approve your claim. However, you may want to contact an attorney to protect your rights in the event that a disagreement arises between you and the insurance company.  Disputes often arise between policy holders and the insurance company when a claim is denied, payments are being delayed, or the damages were undervalued and underpaid.

hurricane ida damageOnce a storm passes and the sky begins to settle, reality kicks in. Many people are left with destruction and just want to get their lives back on track again. This usually means that individuals must start reaching out to their insurance company and file a claim for damages. So, what are the time limits to be mindful of when dealing with hurricane damage claims?

Generally, if an individual is unable to come to an agreement with their insurance company to cover their losses after a catastrophic event like Hurricane Ida, he or she has the right to file a lawsuit. According to La. R.S. 22:868(B), the lawsuit must be initiated within 24 months after the date of loss . Even if the matter is still in dispute with the insurance company, the lawsuit must be filed within two years from the date of damage.

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