Missouri Personal Injury Lawyer Blog

A personal flotation device (PFD) is key to protecting your safety during water activities of all kinds. Missouri law requires boaters under age 7 to wear a PFD at all times. All passengers on boats over 16 feet long or being towed by boats over 16 feet long must also wear PFDs. There are five basic classes of PFD, each suited for a particular purpose:

• Type I. Type I PFDs are designed for rough waters or situations where rescue may be hours or even days in coming. These are the classic “Mae West”-type life preservers used on oceangoing and other deep-water vessels.
• Type II. Type II PFDs are designed for calm waters or situations where rescue will probably be quick, like on recreational lake and stream areas. Unlike Type I PFDs, not all Type II PFDs will turn an unconscious person face-up in water.
• Type III. Type III PFDs are the preferred model for boating and fishing. Type III PFDs will not turn an unconscious person face-up unless they are fitted with a collar designed for this purpose.
• Type IV. Type IV PFDs are the only type not worn on the body. These include seat cushions and ring buoys designed to be thrown to someone in the water.
• Type V. Type V PFDs include windsurfing vests, deck suits, and all other PFDs designed for a specific water sport.

A properly-fitting PFD may save your life or reduce injuries. If you’re involved in a boating accident, don’t hesitate to call a dedicated St. Louis County boating accident attorney at Page Law. For a free, confidential case evaluation, call us at (314) 322-8515 today.

A 16-year-old boy lost his life recently when a pickup truck crashed into the back of the horse-drawn buggy the boy was driving along a county road outside Kingston, Missouri, according to a recent article in the Northwestern.

Investigators say that the buggy was heading west on the right shoulder of the road when the pickup truck, driven by a 41-year-old Kingston resident, came up from behind the buggy at a high rate of speed. The full-size pickup slammed into the back of the buggy near Winding Lane Road, which is south of Kingston. The accident occurred near 6 p.m. in clear weather, while visibility was still good.

The teenager was thrown from the buggy when the MO traffic accident occurred. Rescue workers rushed to the scene in response to an emergency phone call, but they were unable to save the life of the boy. The driver of the pickup truck was not injured in the accident.

Roads are not merely built for the convenience of motor vehicles. Pedestrians, bicyclists, horse-drawn buggies, and other modes of transportation all have the legal right to share the road, and drivers of motor vehicles have a legal responsibility to watch out for non-vehicle traffic and drive carefully to avoid collisions.

If you have lost someone you love in a Missouri traffic accident, the well-versed wrongful death attorneys in Franklin County at Page Law can help you during this difficult time. Call us today at (314) 322-8515 for a free, confidential case evaluation.

The birth control pill containing drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol is commonly known under its brand names, Yaz or Yasmin. Recently, some patients who have taken Yaz or Yasmin have experienced serious side effects, including blood clots and other disorders.

As early as 2008, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning letter noting that Yaz commercials were misleading in that they overstated the conditions Yaz could effectively treat, while understating the risks associated with taking the medication. The warning letter noted, for instance, that the FDA approved Yaz only to prevent conception and to treat premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), not more serious cases of premenstrual syndrome (PMS).

The warning letter also detailed the serious side effects that Yaz could cause, which were glossed over or omitted from the commercials. Side effects like blood clots, hypertension (increased blood pressure), and hyperkalemia (increased potassium levels) are all associated with the use of Yaz or Yasmin in some patients. These conditions can cause serious injury or even death. Heart attacks, clotting disorders like deep vein thrombosis, strokes, and gallbladder disease have also been seen in some Yaz patients, and the risk of these is increased when the patient smokes.

Yaz and other medications may cause serious side effects, either alone or when combined with other medications or substances. If you’ve been injured by Yaz or another medication, the skilled Missouri injury lawyers at Page Law can help. Call us today at (314) 322-8515 for a free, confidential case evaluation.

A motorcyclist has lost his life and a driver involved in the accident faces criminal charges after a head-on collision on Missouri 39 near Shell Knob, according to a recent news report from KY3.

According to investigators, the Missouri motorcycle crash occurred when the driver of the car turned onto Missouri 39 directly in front of the motorcyclist, causing the two vehicles to collide head to head. The motorcyclist, a 49-year-old Shell Knob resident, suffered fatal injuries and passed away before rescue workers could save him.

The driver of the car, a 27-year-old man also from Shell Knob, is believed to have left the scene after the crash. He is currently facing charges related to the motorcyclist’s death and to leaving the scene of the accident.

About 4 percent of Missouri motorcyclists on the road suffer fatal injuries in accidents every year, according to the Missouri Department of Transportation. In total, about 60 motorcyclists die in motorcycle accidents every year in Missouri, while more than 1,000 suffer serious injuries. Life-threatening conditions, such as traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord injuries, are not unusual in serious motorcycle crashes.

Motorcyclists and motor vehicle drivers have the same rights to use the road, but when motorists don’t watch carefully for motorcycles, an accident can occur and serious injuries can result. If you or someone you love has been hurt in a motorcycle accident, please don’t hesitate to call a skilled Missouri motorcycle collision lawyer at Page Law. Our number is (314) 322-8515. Call us today for a free consultation.

Few people die from dog bite injuries in Missouri, but even a mild bite may become infected, requiring additional treatment and increasing the risk of serious illness or death. Choosing the proper medication to treat the risk of infection from a dog bite injury is key, as studies have revealed that not all antibiotics are equally helpful when it comes to treating dog bite injuries.

For example, a study published in the Canadian Family Physician found that treating dog bite injury patients with cephadrine, a type of cephalosporin antibiotic, was not as helpful as treating patients with other types of oral antibiotics. The study followed two groups of dog bite patients. Both groups had their wounds properly cleaned and bandaged, but one group was given cephadrine in the hospital while the other was given other types of oral antibiotics to take at home.

The study found that patients in the oral-antibiotics group had fewer post-dog bite infections and their infections were less severe; they were treated effectively with an additional course of antibiotic pills they could take at home. In the cephadrine-receiving group, three times as many patients suffered infections, and three of them had to be hospitalized. This study is one of many that reveal the importance of proper medical care for a dog bite injury.

Dog bites can cause serious injuries, including pain, suffering, and long-term fear of dogs. If you or someone you love has been injured by a dog bite, the skilled St. Louis dog bite injury attorneys at Page Law can help you understand your legal options so you can make the best choices for yourself and your family. Call us today at (314) 322-8515 for a free, confidential case evaluation.

The Fourth of July falls on a Wednesday this year, so Missourians will be celebrating all week. Workers may have time off either before or after the holiday, and families and other groups can schedule parties for either the weekend before or the weekend after the Fourth.

Fourth of July parties are often the highlight of summer, but they can also pose a wide range of safety risks. Here are a few of the biggest risk areas and tips to help you avoid harm.

• Fireworks. Fireworks can cause serious burns. To reduce this risk, always use fireworks according to the directions on their packaging. Keep a hose or fire extinguisher handy while using fireworks, and never let children hold or play with fireworks. Dunk used fireworks in a bucket of water before throwing them away.
• Car accidents. Increased celebrations mean increased car travel, and many drivers may have gotten behind the wheel despite drinking alcohol. Choosing a sober ride home and always wearing your seat belt are two simple ways to help prevent a drunk driving auto accident from ruining your holiday.
• Drowning. Unintentional drowning claims as many as 3,600 lives each year, according to the National Safety Council (NSC). Children should wear personal floatation devices (PFDs) when on or near the water. Avoid alcohol use while swimming or boating, as 70 percent of adult drownings involve alcohol use, according to the NSC.

If you or someone you care for suffers injury over the Fourth of July or any other holiday, the dedicated Franklin County personal injury attorneys at Page Law can help. To learn more, call us today at (314) 322-8515 for a free telephone consultation.