Missouri Personal Injury Lawyer Blog

Pedestrian accidents are far too common, especially in urban areas in Missouri and other states. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), pedestrian crashes claim over 5,000 lives and cause over 100,000 injuries each year. Approximately 15 percent of all traffic-related deaths in the U.S. each year involve pedestrians.

Children under age 18 are at the greatest risk of death or serious injury in a pedestrian accident, according to an NHTSA study. Although children make up only 29 percent of the population and only 20 percent of those involved in pedestrian accidents, they account for over 42 percent of those who suffer fatal injuries in a pedestrian crash. A child's smaller size makes him or her both more likely not to be seen by a driver and more likely to be severely injured when hit by a vehicle. Pedestrian accidents are the most common accidental cause of death to children in the U.S.

Although children are the most likely to be killed in a pedestrian crash, adults ages 18 to 65 and senior citizens are also very vulnerable to accidents. Working adults are involved in about 57 percent of pedestrian accidents annually, but account for only about 49 percent of those who are killed. Senior citizens, meanwhile, suffer 22 percent of the pedestrian accidents each year but die in only about 9 percent of them. Senior citizens are more likely than healthy adults to suffer serious injuries, however.

Pedestrian accidents can cause severe injuries and even death. If you or someone you love has been injured in a pedestrian accident, please don't hesitate to call the experienced Missouri pedestrian accident attorneys at Page Law. We will help you piece together the facts and fight to hold any negligent parties accountable for their actions. For a free and confidential case evaluation, call us today at (314) 322-8515.

No Halloween costume is complete without the right facial decorations, which often means using makeup, face paint, or facial accessories like fake beards. In order to help avoid allergic reactions or other injuries caused by colorants and other harsh chemicals, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) offers several tips for choosing Halloween makeup that won't leave you itchy or sick.

First, always follow the directions on makeup or other products. This includes following the directions on how to remove products. If the directions explain that the makeup is not for use on your face or near your eyes, avoid using it on these areas.

Next, if you're using a product you haven't tried before, do an allergy check by placing a small amount of the makeup or other product on the inside of your arm. If you develop redness, itching, a rash, hives, or another reaction, do not use the product.

Finally, not all color additives are approved by the FDA for use on human faces or near the eyes. The FDA website has a list of approved color additives online at http://www.fda.gov/ForIndustry/ColorAdditives/ColorAdditiveInventories/ucm115641.htm. Compare the ingredients on your makeup to the items on the list to make sure you're not putting anything on your face that might cause serious injury.

Every year, Halloween partygoers suffer injuries from improperly-made or defective costumes, makeup, treats, and decorations. If you've been injured by a holiday product, the experienced personal injury attorneys at Page Law can help. Call us today at (314) 322-8515 for a free and confidential case evaluation.

Any time that you are involved in an accident, it is important to discuss your situation with a personal injury attorney. The decision of which personal injury attorney to choose can have a substantial impact on the outcome of your case. When choosing a lawyer to represent you in an accident, you want to focus on two qualities: experience in the particular type of law, and trustworthiness.

When choosing an accident lawyer, experience in handling your particular type of accident is imperative to making sure you are in good hands. Every aspect of the law is different, and a lawyer who knows the ins and outs of the law as it relates to car, motorcycle, or truck accidents is better equipped to handle your case than an attorney who focuses on other aspects, such as criminal or domestic law. Having an attorney who knows how to handle big insurance companies and has the wherewithal to take your case to a trial by jury will allow for the best result. To find a lawyer with experience, look at the resume and case histories they have listed on their website and focus on the field of law they practice in.

Picking an attorney who you can trust is important no matter what type of case you have. Some cases can extend for many years depending on the severity of the injuries and throughout that process it is comforting to know that you have an attorney who is fighting hard for you and protecting your interest. One way to judge whether an attorney is trustworthy is to ask around to your friends or other attorneys you may know. Another way is to read online reviews from past clients to get a feel for how they relate with them. The most effective method, however, is to meet your attorney in person. Ask for a free face to face consultation with the attorneys you are interviewing.

Once you feel confident with the lawyer’s experience and are able to gauge his or her trustworthiness, you can proceed comfortably with your case knowing you are in good hands. We encourage you to review our website and see for yourself if the experience of our Missouri personal injury attorneys in handling car, truck, and motorcycle accident cases is what you need.

Unfortunate car accidents can occur at any time and are often the result of someone else’s negligence. If you are the victim of one of these accidents, and have suffered injuries as a result, you are entitled to compensation. More often than not this compensation comes in the form of a settlement with the insurance company of the negligent party. Any time you are considering settling your car accident claim there are certain steps to take to make sure you are always protected.

The first thing that needs to be done after a car accident, besides calling the police, is to make sure you obtain insurance information from the other driver. Sometimes this person does not actually own the vehicle, so if possible try and get the owner’s insurance information as well. As either one can be used for a possible settlement. If the party that hit you did not have insurance, or the owner of the vehicle doesn’t have insurance, then you may have to look to your own insurance policy for settlement. Every policy in Missouri is required to have an uninsured driver policy of at least $25,000. This “uninsured” clause protects you in situations where you are injured by a driver or vehicle that is not properly covered by insurance.

Now that you know where the settlement can come from, you can next focus on when to settle and how much to settle for. The most important thing to remember when dealing with settlements is to never settle your case until your injuries are healed or your treatment has ceased. You never know what the future will hold, so the worst mistake you can make is settling your case too early.

When determining a fair and reasonable amount to settle your case, it is always wise to consult with a Missouri car accident attorney. Experience in the courtroom and a history of great results is what you should look for in a lawyer to talk about the value of your case. Ask for a free consultation with an experienced personal injury attorney before any car accident settlement in order to receive the best opportunity to settle your accident case for full value.

Back injuries often demand some of the highest settlements following a personal injury.

Back injuries are commonly reported after truck accidents, car accidents, motorcycle accidents, and the majority of premises liability cases.

One of the reasons back injuries are so common is because of the length and complex function of the spine. The human back extends from the neck to the pelvis. It is comprised of an intricate structure of bones, cartilage, nerves, muscles, tissues, and tendons.

The back is broken into the upper and lower back. The upper back contains the thoracic levels of the spine, while the lower back contains the lumbar and sacrum levels of the spinal column. These areas combined comprise an extremely long portion of the human body. In addition, the spinal column in the back is an extremely delicate web of nerves and bone.

Back injuries come in many different types. Some common back injuries are:

• Sprains and strains;


• Herniated discs;


• Bulging discs;


• Protruding discs;


• Fractured vertebrae; and


• Spinal dislocation.

Back injuries are among the most problematic long-term injuries. The complexity of the spinal column makes treatment of back injuries a difficult job. Orthopedic doctors that specialize in neck and back injuries will often attempt to begin treatment with conservative measures such as physical therapy, exercise, and medication therapy.

Failure of these conservative measures often requires a more invasive approach to prevent injury victims from suffering debilitating, lifelong back pain. If back pain persists following an injury, medical providers may perform disc replacement surgeries, fusion surgeries, and other invasive techniques.

The important function of the human back for mobility, movement, function, and performance requires treatment from highly trained medical professionals. The expenses associated with back injuries are often the cause of financial devastation for injury victims who are unaware that they are entitled to seek reimbursement from the negligent person who caused the injury.

It is extremely important to discuss your back injury with an experienced back injury attorney prior to speaking to any insurance company. Insurance companies understand the high costs associated with the treatment of back injuries and pressure individuals into accepting a quick settlement to escape future liability. Contact a Missouri back injury lawyer immediately to protect your future financial security following a back injury.

Over 1.7 million people in the United States suffer a traumatic brain injury (TBI) each year, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). About three quarters of those who suffer these injuries recover, but many people suffer long-term mental, emotional, and physical impairments after a TBI. If you or someone you love has suffered a serious head injury in Missouri, the following tips provide ways in which you may be able to promote a more complete recovery.

• Don't rush recovery; an injured brain needs time to heal. Rest as much as possible for as long as your doctor recommends and avoid work (including household chores and child care, if possible) during your rest period.
• Avoid activities that could cause another blow or jolt to the head. Have someone help you when walking to avoid a fall if you feel dizzy or unsteady.
• Ask your doctor whether it's safe for you to operate a car, bicycle, or heavy equipment. Your reaction times may be slower after a brain injury.
• Take the medications your physician has prescribed for your injury.
• Write down information if you have a hard time remembering things. If you have excessive trouble with memory, speech, or any normally routine activity, talk to your doctor. You may need therapy to help you regain certain skills, regardless of how mild or severe your TBI is.

Traumatic brain injuries can have life-long consequences. If you or someone you love has suffered a TBI, please don't hesitate to call the experienced Missouri brain injury attorneys at Page Law. We can help you understand your legal rights and options and take the steps you need to get the compensation you deserve. Call us today at (314) 322-8515 for a free and confidential consultation.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tracks the number and type of crashes that occur on U.S. roads each year. These include car accidents, truck accidents, and pedestrian accidents, as well as collisions between bicyclists and cars. Although the number of bicycle accidents nationwide has decreased in recent years, the NHTSA notes that too many bicyclists still lose their lives each year in bike crashes.

The first recorded automobile accident in the U.S. occurred in 1896, when a car crashed into a bicyclist in New York City. Since then, over 53,000 bicyclists have been killed in bicycle-car crashes nationwide. These statistics paint a larger picture of the toll of bicycle accidents:

• In 2008, 716 bicyclists were killed and 52,000 were injured in accidents with cars. Those who died accounted for 14 percent of the total fatal car accidents in that year. The injured made up two percent of the total car-related injuries in 2008.
• The highest number of bicyclist deaths in any year occurred in 1975, when 1,007 bicyclists were killed in car-related accidents.
• From 1998 to 2008, the number of bicyclist deaths per year has decreased by six percent.
• Fatal bicycle accidents are more likely to occur in urban areas (69% of fatal bike accidents), in areas without intersections (64%), and during the evening hours (28%)
• The average age of those killed in bicycle crashes in 2008 was 41 years. In contrast, the average age of those injured was only 31 years.

When a bicycle and a car collide, the bicyclist may suffer serious injuries due to being unprotected from the force of the impact. If you or someone you love has been injured in a bicycle crash, the skilled St. Louis bicycle accident attorneys at Page Law can help. Call us today at 314-322-8515 for a free and confidential case evaluation.

Complications from bariatric surgeries are more likely to occur after a patient has left the hospital, according to a recent study by the federal Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).

Bariatric surgeries are used to treat patients who are significantly overweight or obese. Several different bariatric procedures are currently in use, but all the surgeries seek to induce weight loss by restricting the amount of food the patient can consume. This process is often accomplished by putting a band around the patient’s stomach, altering the stomach’s size, or changing its connections to the rest of the digestive system.

The AHRQ study found that 40 percent of patients who undergo bariatric surgery have some form of complications that require another hospital visit within the first six months following surgery. Most of these complications don’t appear until after the patient has left the hospital. For instance, the study found that 21 percent of patients suffered complications from surgery while they were still in the hospital, but that that number rose to 40 percent after patients left the hospital. Researchers say that more studies are required to determine why the complication rate for obesity-related surgeries is so high.

At Page Law, we understand the risks involved with bariatric surgery, as well as the promised rewards that lead so many Americans to seek this treatment in the first place. If you or someone you love has been injured or suffered dangerous complications from bariatric surgery, call the St. Louis personal injury attorneys at Page Law today for a free consultation. Our number is 314-322-8515, and all your information is kept confidential.

One of the services the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) provides is investigation of complaints related to abuse and neglect of senior citizens, including reports of the crimes that take place in nursing homes.

The DHSS defines “abuse” as the infliction of harm on another person. This harm may be physical, mental, and emotional. Financial elder abuse is possible as well if someone is taking advantage of an older person’s bank accounts or other assets. “Neglect” includes any failure to take care of someone by a person or business that has a duty to provide care, if failing to provide care will cause injury to the person who is neglected.

Unfortunately, both abuse and neglect may occur in a nursing home, where understaffing and/or lack of resources may result in a lack of proper supervision of staff and care for patients. Whatever a nursing home’s financial or staff situation may be, it still has the duty to provide the proper care for all of its residents and avoid hurting or harming them.

Missouri’s Elder Abuse and Neglect Hotline is available 24 hours a day at 800-392-0210. Hearing-impaired persons may call 800-669-8819 to use the TDD system. If someone you love is showing signs of abuse, neglect, or exploitation in a nursing home, the experienced Missouri nursing home abuse attorneys at Page Law can help protect your loved one’s rights and fight for the compensation he or she deserves. For a free consultation, call us today at 314-322-8515.

No matter how hard parents try to keep their children safe, there are countless factors in everyday life that could put a child in harm’s way. To help teach children and parents how to stay safe, Child Safety Day will be held at The Pageant at 6161 Delmar St. in St. Louis on Saturday, October 8, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission is free and there will be games and activities that are not only fun, but informative as well.

Activities are aimed towards teaching family safety for streets, cars, bicycles, the Internet, and home, as well as what to do in times of emergencies. Free services offered at the event include fingerprinting, fitted bike helmets, booster/safety seat instructions, flu shots, DNA kits, and gun locks. Attendees can also participate in a car rollover simulator and the St. Louis Fire Department smoke house in order to learn how to handle these emergency situations.

The St. Louis personal injury attorneys of Page Law are one of the sponsors of Child Safety Day along with the likes of the St. Louis Cardinals, St. Louis Rams, the Metropolitan Police Department, and other organizations. Our attorneys and staff will personally be on-hand to give out educational materials and safe toys for children.

Our offices successfully handle a wide range of personal injury cases and understand the toll an injury can take on a family, especially when it is a child who has been hurt due to negligence. We are looking forward to Child Safety Day as a time to spread the word about how to stay safe and hopefully prevent future injuries in St. Louis. For more information about our law firm or how we can help in your personal injury case, visit www.injuredclient.com or call 314-322-8515.