Missouri Personal Injury Lawyer Blog

With the beginning of the holiday season, stories of people sickened by church turkey dinners or family gatherings are beginning to spread. About 80 percent of foodborne illnesses come from meat or poultry, so follow these helpful tips from SDentertainer.com to avoid endangering your Thanksgiving guests when cooking your turkey.

Do not allow an uncooked turkey to be at room temperature. This includes attempting to thaw it quickly overnight by taking it out of the fridge. To let it thaw, let the turkey sit several days in the fridge, or completely submerge it in a stream of cold water.

Anything that touches raw turkey needs to be cleaned and sanitized immediately, including your hands, the counter, and utensils. Try to avoid placing the turkey directly on the counter – place it on a pan or plate.

Always use a thermometer to see if the turkey is done. The turkey needs to reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees in multiple locations. If the bird is stuffed, the stuffing also needs to reach 165 degrees. Only about 20 percent of households report they use a thermometer when cooking meat or poultry.

After the turkey has been properly cooked and enjoyed, refrigerate leftovers immediately. If you have very large pieces, you should put them into smaller containers and cover them only loosely so they will cool down more quickly.

Have you contracted a foodborne illness due to a contaminated product or another person’s negligence? If so, contact the Missouri personal injury attorneys at Page Law for a free consultation. Call us today at 314-488-2433. We will help you evaluate your legal rights.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol is participating in a national program aimed at making holiday weekends safer, according to HeartlandConnection.com. The program is called Operation CARE, which stands for Combined Accident Reduction Effort. Operation CARE will be in place across Missouri this Thanksgiving holiday weekend, which is the busiest travel weekend in the country.

During the operation, all available troopers will be patrolling Missouri’s highways. As a personal injury attorney in Missouri who has seen the devastating consequences of motor vehicle accidents, John Page understands the important role that state troopers play in keeping our roads safe. Troopers will be aggressively enforcing traffic laws and assisting motorists who are in an emergency. Last year, there were six fatalities in Missouri over the Thanksgiving weekend. This cannot happen again. Operation CARE is hoping to lower that number this year.

If you are driving on Missouri’s highways this Thanksgiving, be aware that Missouri law enforcement officials will have an increased presence on the roads over the holiday. If possible, you may consider travelling before and after the Thanksgiving rush when fewer cars are on the roads. AAA expects 42 million drivers to hit the road over the holiday weekend.

In order to avoid a breakdown while you are on the road, AAA recommends five basic maintenance tips before beginning your trip. First, check tire pressure and depth, as well as on the spare tire. Make sure your wiper blades are in good working order and that you have sufficient wiper fluid. Check your battery and make sure there’s no corrosion. Prepare an emergency road kit. Finally, consider having the car serviced before any long trip.

Be safe this Thanksgiving!

A recent study found that young children may be the most vulnerable to dog bites when they are left alone, even with the family dog, according to The Los Angeles Times.

Researchers at the University of Colorado studied 537 children (up to age 18) who were treated for dog bites at a Denver children’s hospital. The dog bites occurred between 2003 and 2008. In about 68 percent of the cases, children under age 5 were the ones bitten by dogs. Surprisingly, almost all of the children knew the dogs that bit them – half were the family pets, and almost all of the rest belonged to neighbors, friends, or relatives.

When we think of dogs attacking children, we usually think of dangerous breeds of dogs. However, the most common breeds in the study that bit were mixed breeds, followed by labs, Rottweilers and German shepherds. Pitt bulls aren’t allowed in Denver and weren’t a part of the study. The dog bite attacks were provoked in about half of the cases, usually by playing too rough or surprising the animal. The dog bites also frequently occurred when the child was left alone with the dog. Researchers concluded that although most dog owners think of their dogs as harmless, that’s not always true. Almost any type of dog can bite under the right set of circumstances.

Have you or a loved one been the victim of a dog bite in Missouri? If so, you may have a cause of action against the dog’s owner. Contact the experienced St. Louis dog bite attorneys at Page Law, LLC today at 314-488-2433 for a free consultation on your case.

Millions of Americans will be travelling the highways this holiday season. The Missouri State Highway Patrol has published some valuable tips to staying safe and accident-free on Missouri’s roads.

Before you head out, winterize your car if you haven’t done so already. This includes checking your battery, defrost, heater, tires, wipers, fluid levels, and brakes. Put together an emergency kit that includes jumper cables, blankets, flashlights, an ice scraper, chains for your tires, and a bag of salt or sand.

Also, before leaving it’s a good idea to check to see if you will encounter any construction zones on your trip. You can check online at www.modot.mo.gov, and this information will allow you to give yourself extra time if needed.

Under Missouri law, if you are using your windshield wipers, your headlights must be on. They also must be on in the fog, even if the wipers aren’t needed. It’s also a good idea to use your headlights during ice or rain – the use of your headlights greatly increases your visibility to other drivers, which reduces the chances of a Missouri car crash.

If the roads are icy or snowy, don’t drive unless absolutely necessary. Increase your following distance, since it takes much longer to slow down on slippery roads. Experts recommend at least five seconds between your vehicle and the one in front of you. If you need a report of road conditions, call 800-222-6400, which has an automated list of road conditions in Missouri.

Have you been involved in a Missouri car crash due to the fault of another driver? If so, contact the Missouri car accident attorneys at Page Law, LLC at 314-488-2433 for a free consultation of your Missouri car collision case. You may be entitled to compensation for hospital bills, medical expenses, damage to your vehicle, and more.

A Missouri man was hospitalized and may be arrested after an ATV accident in Camdenton, according to LakeNewsOnline.com.

The man, who is from Sunrise Beach, was riding his 2005 Yamaha ATV when he was forced to swerve to avoid crashing into another ATV. His ATV rolled and he spilled onto the road, suffering moderate injuries. The man wasn’t wearing a helmet at the time of the ATV accident. He and the female driver of the ATV into which he almost crashed were both cited for operating an ATV on a highway, which is illegal in Missouri, and for driving while intoxicated. The female driver was taken to jail. The other driver was taken to the hospital.

In 2009, there were 472 crashes involving either ATVs or bicycles in Missouri. There were 244 injuries and eight fatalities resulting from those accidents. The rate of injuries per crash was much higher for those injured in an ATV wreck, as opposed to those riding in a car or truck.

In order to prevent serious injuries while riding an ATV, there are some rules that should be followed. First, don’t drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Do not drive ATVs on paved roads. Besides being illegal, ATVs are difficult to control on pavement. Don’t drive ATVs with a passenger. Wear protective gear, especially a helmet. Consider taking an ATV safety course.

If you have been injured due to the fault of someone else in a Missouri motorcycle, bicycle, or ATV accident, financial help may be available. Contact the skilled Missouri personal injury lawyers at Page Law. You may be entitled to compensation for lost wages, property damages, medical expenses, and more. Call us for a free consultation at 314-488-2433.

Last week, we gave you some general driving tips from The Weather Channel about driving in snowy or icy weather, including the most important tip – don’t drive in bad weather if you don’t have to! This week, we would like to give you some more specific driving tips for what you should do when driving in winter weather if specific situations occur.

One of the biggest problems when driving on snow and ice is losing traction. If your rear wheels begin to start skidding, you should remove your foot from the gas pedal and steer the way you want the vehicle to go – if your wheels are sliding right, steer right. Your rear wheels could start sliding the other way as you are coming out of the skid. If that happens, you may need to steer right and left in order to bring the vehicle under your control again. Finally, use your brakes. In cars with anti-lock brakes, apply pressure consistently. If your car does not have anti-lock brakes, pump them lightly.

If your front wheels start skidding, shift into neutral and don’t push the accelerator. As the wheels skid, steer the car the way you want the vehicle to go, shift to drive and accelerate. If your car gets stuck in snow or ice, don’t spin the wheels. Turn your wheels several times to get snow away from the wheels. Using a shovel, clear snow away from the vehicle’s wheels. Use sand, salt, or kitty litter in the path of the wheels to gain traction. Gently press the accelerator.

Use good judgment about whether it’s safe to travel on snowy or icy roads. If you have been injured in a St. Louis automobile accident due to another driver’s negligence, contact the Missouri accident attorneys at Page Law. Call us today at 314-488-2433 for a free consultation on your case.

The Jones Act, which is also known as the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, is a federal law that regulates maritime commerce. Although most of the Act deals with rules about transporting cargo on U.S. ships that are built in the U.S and employ U.S. citizens, the Act also allows injured sailors to receive damages from their employers in the event of negligence by crew members, the ship’s owner or the captain.

Specifically, the Jones Act says that the laws that were in place that allowed railroad workers to recover for injuries would also allow sailors to recover. The United States Supreme Court clarified the Act by finding that in order to be considered eligible for recovery as a sailor under the Act, a worker has to spend 30 percent or more of his time working on a vessel in navigable waters. The sailor can sue in state or federal court, and is allowed to have a jury trial.

In order to recover under the Jones Act, a sailor must also be a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident alien. The sailor also cannot be an employee of an oil company. However, the oil company employee can recover if injured while transporting some resources or while on a vessel that is designed for carrying oil in bulk.

If you have been injured while serving as a sailor and you think you may be eligible for recovery under the Jones Act, contact the Jones Act attorneys at Page Law. In addition, the families of those sailors who are killed while working on a ship may be able to recover damages under the Jones Act. Call us today for a free consultation at 314-322-8515.

With wintry weather rapidly approaching, The Weather Channel has compiled a list of driving tips for safely navigating roads this winter. Their top advice is to not drive at all if it can be avoided. If you must drive, give yourself plenty of time, and wait until the snow plows and sanding trucks have had plenty of time to do their work. If you do expect to drive in winter weather, it’s a good idea to practice in advance in an icy or snowy parking lot of other open space. In addition, consult your car’s owner’s manual for additional tips.

When you have to venture out on icy or snowy roads, slow down. Allow yourself plenty of time to stop – experts recommend a minimum of three times more space than usual between your car and the car in front of you.

Make your car visible to other drivers, and make other drivers visible to you. Turn on your headlights. Keep your windshield and lights clean. Don’t pass snowplows or sanding trucks, which typically have very limited visibility.

While driving, if you need to brake, do so gently. Let off the brakes if your wheels lock up. Make sure that you use lower gears, especially on hills, as this can increase your traction on the road. On icy roads, cruise control and overdrive can be hazardous – do not use them.

Always keep in mind while you are driving in winter weather that bridges and overpasses, and less traveled roads will freeze first. Don’t assume that because the road on which you are travelling is clear, that all roads are.

All too often, motorists don’t take the above tips into consideration when driving during the winter, and still drive recklessly or distracted. If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a car accident due to someone else’s negligence, contact the experienced Missouri car crash injury attorneys at Page Law. Call us today at (314) 322-8515.

For additional safety tips on how to handle driving in winter weather conditions, please check back with our blog next week.

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a recall of Hyland’s Teething Tablets, according to FDA.gov.

Hyland’s Teething Tablets are intended to provide a temporary relief of infant’s teething symptoms. They are homeopathic and are sold over the counter. The tablets contain a small amount of belladonna, which is a plant with toxic leaves and berries, and contact with it can be very harmful in large doses. The FDA requires the belladonna amounts to be carefully controlled, and in an analysis they found that the tablets do not contain consistent amounts of belladonna. A further inspection at the manufacturing facility showed that the manufacturing operations were not carefully controlled.

The FDA has received reports of medical issues in children taking the tablets, whose symptoms mimic the symptoms of an overdose of belladonna. In addition, because the bottles do not have child restraint caps, some children have eaten more of the tablets than recommended. Some symptoms parents should be on alert for if their child has taken Hyland’s Teething Tablets are seizures, lethargy, muscle weakness, difficulty breathing, constipation or difficulty urinating.

Drug companies have a duty to its customers to manufacture drugs that are safe. Hyland’s Teething Tablets have been shown to contain inconsistent amounts of a plant which can be toxic in large doses, which is a breach of the manufacturer’s duty to its customers. If your child has been made ill by an over-the-counter or prescription drug, contact the St. Louis product liability attorneys at Page Law at 314-322-8515 for a free consultation on your case.

A produce company from Texas is recalling contaminated celery, according to ConsumerReports.org.

The SanGar Produce & Processing Company from San Antonio, Texas, recently issued a celery recall due to a potential listeria contamination. It’s unknown how much contaminated celery was processed, or how widely it has been distributed across the United States. The celery is in sealed packages sold to schools, hospitals, restaurants, and other businesses, but not to grocery stores. The celery was grown in California, but no problems were detected until it arrived in Texas.

Six cases of listeriosis have been tracked to the SanGar Produce factory. Four of those individuals died. About 500 Americans die of listeriosis each year, and approximately 2,500 become very ill. Some of the symptoms of listeriosis include fevers, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and muscle aches. Those with weak immune systems, and the elderly, children, and pregnant women are more at risk than those in the general population.

SanGar initially claimed there was no problem with the celery and refused to close its factory. The health department in Texas then closed the plant and ordered a recall of all celery. SanGar claims that the celery has only been distributed in Texas, but some reports claim the celery could be more widely distributed.

In recent years, foodborne illness in the U.S. has become much more widespread. Producers of tainted food are liable for all medical problems that result from that food. If you or a loved one has experienced a foodborne illness due to contaminated food, contact the Missouri food poisoning attorneys at Page Law today. Call us at 314-488-2433 for a free consultation.

An 84-year-old minister who owned 17 pit bulls may have been killed by the dogs, according to RGJ.com.

The man’s son found his father in the dogs’ pen with serious injuries from animal bites. The minister died from the injuries. Sixteen of the dogs were loose, with the exception of one dog that was wounded. The man’s son said his father insisted the dogs had a calm nature and was not at all concerned about safety with the dogs. The son does not believe the dogs killed his father; instead, he believes that stray dogs or even a mountain lion attacked his father and the pit bulls. He also admits it could be possible that his father could have been playing with the dogs and things got out of control.

There will not be any charges involving the attack since the property owner has died. In addition, the dogs will not be seized because the county cannot handle 17 dogs.

Each year in the U.S., dogs bite over 500,000 people and kill around 12, mostly young children. The dog’s owner may face liability for those injuries, depending on several factors such as knowledge of the dog’s behavior, whether or not the dog was provoked, and the city or county where the bite occurred.

If you have been injured by a dog, contact a skilled Missouri dog bite attorney who can help you protect your rights. Time limits on filing a claim exist, so contact an attorney as soon as possible to determine if you have a solid case against the dog’s owner. If you have been bitten, contact the St. Louis dog bite attorneys at Page Law at 314-488-2433 today for a free consultation.

A new study recently reported in the American Journal of Medicine shows that patients who have bariatric surgery in order to lose weight are more at risk for suicide than the general population, according to FoxNews.com.

Bariatric surgery alters the digestive tract to limit food intake, as well as nutrient absorption, in order to help obese people lose weight. Bariatric surgery can help reverse high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes as well. However, there are some major physical risks from the surgery, such as infection, bowel obstruction, gallstones, kidney problems and more.

This new study shows that besides the physical dangers of the surgery, there may be also be emotional complications that can result from the surgery as well. The study followed over 16,000 people who had bariatric surgery between 1995 and 2004. Of those people, 31 had committed suicide by the end of 2006, which is a substantially higher percentage than the general population in the same period of time.

The reasons for the increased risk are unclear. The study did not conclude that the surgery itself leads to suicides. One theory for the study’s results is that some bariatric surgery patients already have mental health problems before the surgery. Bariatric surgery patients have a mental health evaluation, but can still receive the surgery even if they have a history of mental problems. Another theory is that patients may be depressed if they haven’t lost as much weight as desired, but more study of these theories is needed.

Over 200,000 Americans have bariatric surgery each year. Many of them are not aware of the possible physical or emotional complications that can result from the surgery. If you have had severe complications from a bariatric surgery, help is available. Contact the Missouri injury attorneys at Page Law today at 314-322-8515.