Wrongful Death

March 29, 2018

How to Help Your Teen Be a Safe Driver

As the parent of a teenager, you likely have concerns about their ability to operate a vehicle safely when you are not in the car. Teenagers often feel that they are ready for the freedom that having a drivers’ license can give them, but parents often worry that their kids do not have the maturity, skill, or experience to protect themselves and others from harm on the roads.

Fortunately, there are steps you can take as a parent to help your teen be a safer driver. Here are some suggestions:

Step #1: Set a good example.

For your teen to be a safe driver, you should make sure to set a good example of safe driving habits. A parent who drives aggressively or impatiently, tailgates, or speeds will have a harder time convincing their teen to practice patience behind the wheel. Be a good role model for your teen!

March 22, 2018

3 Essential Tips for Picking the Right Car Seat for Your Child

by Grimes Teich Anderson LLP

As a parent, selecting the right car seat is one of the most important purchases you will make for your child. Choosing the right seat for your vehicle and your child’s age and size is critical to protecting them from harm in the event of a collision.

According to statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), child restraint systems saved the lives of 6,567 children from 1975-2002. A secure and properly installed car seat can make all the difference when it comes to protecting your child from harm when you are in a collision while they are in the vehicle.

The following are some helpful tips for selecting the right car seat for your child.

Read Your Owner’s Manual

There are many different types of car seats on the market made by different manufacturers. Be sure to read your vehicle’s owner’s manual to find out how car seats may be installed. Some vehicles have lower anchors and tethers, while others require installation using the seat belt. Continue Reading

March 15, 2018

New Data Show Fewer OSHA Inspectors Available to Help Ensure Workplace Safety

by Grimes Teich Anderson LLP

Consistent with the Trump administration’s overall effort to curb the growth of the federal government, the number of federal workplace safety inspectors from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has decreased over the past year. According to an NBC News report, OSHA has lost 40 inspectors through attrition since President Donald Trump took office – 4 percent of the total inspection force, with no new hires as of Oct. 2, 2017.

The decline in total inspectors to below 1,000 raises questions of how effectively the agency can inspect workplaces, enforce federal safety requirements, and reduce workplace accidents. While this decrease in federal bureaucracy extends across a number of federal agencies, the lack of OSHA inspectors could have a real impact on workplace safety, especially in more dangerous work environments like construction, manufacturing, and meatpacking.

March 9, 2018

Testosterone Replacement Therapy Could Pose Serious Risks to Men’s Health

by Grimes Teich Anderson LLP

Many products are advertised and promoted to men to boost their testosterone levels. While testosterone therapy may sound appealing for its promised increase of testosterone in older men, there are numerous downsides to the treatment that can have moderate to severe and potentially long-term lasting effects.

An article titled “The Risk of Testosterone Replacement in Men” published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information reported that testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) “has been linked with prostate cancer” and advised that such therapy should be taken with caution. The occurrence of polycythemia, or elevated red blood cell count, is also increased for those who undergo TRT. Finally, the article reported that men who seek the treatment are found to suffer more frequently from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

January 31, 2018

Super Bowl Sunday Means More Impaired Drivers on the Road

by Grimes Teich Anderson LLP

Drunk driving-related incidents spike on Super Bowl Sunday according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and an analysis by another group reports that “states and regions with a team in the game can see drinking violations that are double or even triple the norm.”

Ultimately, it is the responsibility of every individual to make smart choices during Super Bowl parties. This means paying attention to how much alcohol you consume at parties and making safe decisions when it comes to transportation. With popular ridesharing services like Uber and Lyft operating in many areas of North Carolina and South Carolina, there is no excuse for drinking and driving. If you live in a location that doesn’t have Uber or Lyft, a taxi or a designated driver are still dependable and safe choices that should be relied upon if you plan to drink during the holidays. The NHTSA also has a SafeRide app which identifies your location so you can get a taxi or friend to pick you up and give you a ride home.

If you are hosting a party, it is important to consider the safety of your guests and the safety of others on the road. Make sure to watch how much alcohol your guests are consuming at your event, and take the keys away from anyone who has had too much and tries to drive themselves home. By letting people stay at your home or finding them a safe ride home through an Uber, Lyft, taxi, or sober ride, you can ensure the safety of your friend and countless others who are on the road.

December 21, 2017

While One New Trucking Safety Regulation Has Just Taken Effect, Others Are On Hold

by Grimes Teich Anderson LLP

On December 18, a federal mandate requiring the installation of electronic logging devices (ELDs) on all commercial trucks went into effect. Still, other proposed regulations designed to improve highway safety have been rolled back or are on hold.

According to a recent story on NPR, the Obama-era mandate was one of several proposed regulations that were designed to make the roads safer by preventing drivers from operating their vehicles while fatigued. The ELD mandate, specifically, requires all trucks to have ELDs, which would replace the easily altered paper logbooks that many drivers still use to track the hours they spend on the road and the hours that they spend at rest.

Some truck drivers complain that the new devices are prohibitively expensive (the devices cost about $500) and that they do not take into account the actual conditions and delays that drivers experience while on the road.

December 12, 2017

Don’t Put Danger Under the Tree: Toys to Avoid This Christmas

by Grimes Teich Anderson LLP

If you are shopping for a Christmas gift for a child this holiday season, remember that safety should be a top priority. While toys may appear to be safe, some are not properly labeled or tested and may pose serious health risks.

Fortunately, watchdog groups like the U.S. Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) have taken the time to research the most popular toys this year. They recently released their “Trouble in Toyland” report, warning consumers about potentially dangerous toys and other gifts for kids.

Over the past three decades, U.S. PIRG reports have led to more than 150 recalls of potentially dangerous toys, and its public awareness campaigns have helped lawmakers and consumers alike realize the dangers of these defective products. For 2017, the group’s attention focused on the newest and biggest threats that these products pose to children today, including: Continue Reading

November 15, 2017

New Report Shows Women Face Unique Injury Risks at Work

by Grimes Teich Anderson LLP

Workplace injuries can be devastating for anyone, regardless of gender. But a recent report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that while women have historically received fewer workplace injuries than men, the types of on-the-job injuries can be quite different for females.

According to the recently released data, men accounted for 4,836 workplace fatalities in 2015. By contrast, 344 women died on the job during the same period. The leading cause of job-related deaths for both genders is the same – transportation accidents that occur by road, air, water or railway.

Then the numbers begin to diverge, where the second most common cause of workplace deaths death for women is by violence and other injuries by persons or animals. By contrast, the second leading cause for men are caused by slip, trip, and fall mishaps.

October 20, 2017

Should You Let Your Kids Play School Sports?

by Grimes Teich Anderson LLP

In recent years, the discussion surrounding organized sports and their inherent risks has reached new levels of intensity, especially when it comes to the topic of concussions and brain injuries.

Some would argue that concussions are no more prevalent today than they were 10 or 20 years ago, and our understanding and education has simply brought the issue to the forefront. Indeed, awareness campaigns, major feature films like Concussion, starring Will Smith, and the number of high-profile athletes retiring due to concussion concerns have made parents of school-aged children pause when considering allowing their children to play organized sports for club leagues or schools.

Ultimately, the decision is up to the parents, and they may find it encouraging that some doctors believe that the dangers of a sedentary lifestyle are greater than those of playing sports, and encouraging your children to participate in activities like sports are generally beneficial.

Schools’ Duty to Protect the Health of Student-Athletes

September 27, 2017

Do You Know School The Bus Laws In Your Area?

by Grimes Teich Anderson LLP

While different states have different laws regarding school bus safety, nearly every state has laws in place to penalize drivers who fail to exercise caution when driving behind or passing school buses.

In North Carolina, for example, drivers are required to stop when a school bus turns on its flashing red lights or displays its mechanical stop sign. The driver must not attempt to pass the bus until the sign has been withdrawn, the lights have been turned off and the bus has proceeded along its route.

If you are on a “divided highway with four lanes or more with a median separation or a center turning lane: When school bus stops for passengers, only traffic following the bus must stop” according to the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services (NASDPTS).

Violations of these laws are serious. Drivers can expect fines and repeated offenses can lead to a suspension of a driver’s license.

North Carolina’s New School Bus Camera Law