PA Law Blogs » Reading, PA

Are you prepared for the expected & unexpected

Nathaniel Ehrlich — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 13:26:26 +0000

Yesterday, Philadelphia Eagles, defensive tackle Mike Patterson ended up on the ground on his back, convulsing and biting his tongue. This is certainly not something that happens everyday at a football practice. From all accounts it appears that the Philadelphia Eagles athletic training staff had an emergency plan in place.

In an earlier article I addressed the need to have an emergency management plan in place. I further suggested that it was necessary to have a full-time, NATA Certified Athletic Trainer as part of the plan to implement that emergency management plan. The involvement and implementation an emergency plan by two certified athletic trainers underscores how, what could have been an unfortunate occurrence, turned out well.

Ironically, this incident happened almost exactly ten years to the day from when Corey Stringer died at an NFL training camp. There were allegations made at that time that the Vikings did not have an appropriate emergency management plan in place to deal with heat related issues, and multiple legal actions resulted from that unfortunate incident. Does your emergency management plan include dealing with heat-related issues? The NCAA’ Injury Surveillance reveals that a student-athletes faces a significantly higher risk of suffering heat-related illness during a practice than in a game. According to the NCAA, an athlete has a 3.9 percent chance of suffering heat illness during football practice, 1.7 percent during men’s soccer practice and 1.6 percent during women’s soccer practice as opposed to a less than 1 percent chance of such an occurrence during a game for the same sports. This underscores the importance of including heat illness prevention as part of your plan.

There is no question that heat-related tragedies are preventable, and clearly are to be expected. Make certain that your team is prepared for the expected and unexpected.

Berks County School Bus Accident Injures 4 Students

Michael Monheit — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 20:58:30 +0000

Federal and state rules and regulations are created to help monitor bus driver operation and training as well as bus maintenance and repair. Even though buses are generally a safe and convenient mode of transportation, especially for students, bus accidents in Pennsylvania continue to take place due to various forms of negligence.

WFMZ recently reported that a school bus transporting middle and high school students from the Twin Valley School District was rear-ended by a car in a Robeson Township accident. As a result of the Berks County bus collision, four students were injured, two of whom needed to be taken to the hospital for treatment of minor injuries.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) notes that bus accidents represented only one-half of one percent of all wrongful death accidents in 2006. Although bus crashes do not occur as often as other kinds of motor vehicle collisions, when bus accidents do happen, the consequences can be devastating for bus drivers, passengers, and pedestrians. The NHTSA also reports that on average, 19 school-age children are killed each year in crashes involving school buses or motor vehicles transporting children for a school-related function.

Students who are injured in school bus accidents often face significant financial strain due to physical injuries and emotional trauma that may require lengthy medical treatment and care. A Reading school bus accident lawyer can help injury victims hold negligent parties liable and obtain the compensation that they need.

Berks County Vehicle Accident Caused by Tire Blowout

Michael Monheit — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 22:19:52 +0000

Commercial truck drivers are expected to uphold several important duties in order to safely operate their large and heavy vehicles. One of the many responsibilities of a trucker relates to vehicle maintenance, which includes ensuring that tires are properly inflated. If a tire on a big rig is deflated and lacks accurate tire pressure, tire blowouts can occur and led to Berks County truck accidents.

The Reading Eagle recently reported that one individual sustained injury after the vehicle in which they were traveling was run over by a tractor-trailer in Muhlenberg Township. The police report of the Berks County tractor-trailer accident mentions that the driver lost control when a tire on a recycling truck blew out. As a consequence, the truck ran over the car, which became stuck under the trailer. The person injured in the accident was transported to Reading Hospital after rescue teams were able to free him from the wreckage. Underride truck accidents are especially dangerous due to the base of a tractor-trailer being at approximately the same level as a car occupant’s head.

A Berks County truck accident lawyer assists those who have been injured in various types of large commercial truck collisions. Those involved in a truck crash should not have to worry about accident reconstruction and the gathering of evidence to develop a strong and effective case. This is the job of an attorney with years of experience in truck accident and personal injury litigation.

Americans with Disabilities Act Anniversary Recognized by Reading’s Abilities in Motion

Michael Monheit — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 11:06:40 +0000

July 26, 2010 marked the 20th Anniversary of The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which was created to protect the rights of individuals with special needs as well as provide them with more opportunity. The ADA bans discrimination in employment, public accommodations, State and local government, commercial facilities, transportation, and telecommunications. The United States Department of Justice Civil Rights Division is responsible for managing the ADA to ensure that proper regulations are in place, enforced, and revised accordingly.

WFMZ reports that Reading’s resource center for people with disabilities, Abilities in Motion, recently recognized the 20th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. As an organization in Reading, Pennsylvania that helps those who are disabled learn ways to be more independent and maintain their well-being, Abilities in Motion members consider an advancement in technology, community efforts, and home based services as key factors in giving people with disabilities more freedom and capability. One woman at the gathering in Reading mentioned that she has developed ways to cope with Cerebral Palsy throughout her entire life. She attributes her ability to access places she never would have been able to go before, such as office buildings, homes, and restaurants, due to her wheelchair, to the signing of the ADA.

Abilities in Motion’s message is that the equality and the prospects for individuals with or without disabilities should not be different or separate. The Department of Justice is proposing technology-based alterations to the ADA to make the Internet and movie theatres available for use by those who are hearing and/or visually impaired.

Acknowledging the anniversary of the ADA not only serves as a reminder that more needs to be done in order to provide those with disabilities the opportunity, protection, and services they need, but also sends a message to the public not to take anything in life for granted. Those with disabilities often have significant difficulty with simple everyday tasks that a person without a disability may disregard or even consider as a burden.

Berks County Rollover Car Accident Injures One

Michael Monheit — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 11:00:41 +0000

There are a number of things that could cause a vehicle to rollover. Rain can make roadways slippery, a defective tire could blow out causing the driver to lose control or there may be obstructions in the road that the driver may have tried to avoid. A woman driving her SUV was recently in a car accident in Berks County that threw her from the vehicle after it rolled over on Midway Road near Old Route 22 in Bethel Township.

The woman was trapped under the car and it took firefighters, police and paramedics, about half an hour to free her. She was transported to nearby Reading Hospital. The cause of the Berks County auto accident is not known, however, Bethel Township police are continuing to investigate, reports the Reading Eagle. Hopefully, the cause can be determined soon. If the accident resulted from a defective car part or damaged road, negligent parties could be held responsible in a Pennsylvania court of law.

Motorists who have been involved in rollover accidents in Pennsylvania can sustain potentially life-changing injuries including spinal cord injury, broken or crushed limbs, head trauma and other serious injuries. Berks County personal injury lawyers can help victims understand their legal rights and will work hard to recover all damages that the victim is entitled to.

Watch Out! Scammers Strike during the Summer

Michael Monheit — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 11:00:19 +0000

A recent article in the Reading Eagle talks about how summer is a prime time not only for the beach and traveling, but also for scammers. Pennsylvania State Police have issued a crime alert about scams in the Reading area and other parts of Pennsylvania, which target innocent victims, particularly the elderly. Two hot summer favorites when it comes to scams are home repair scams and thefts that involve diversion or impostor frauds.

Typically, residents are approached by people posing to do home repairs for low cost, such as sealing a driveway or fixing a roof, if paid cash upfront. In other cases, someone approaches the homeowner and distracts him or her when someone else gets in the house and steals property. By the time the victim realizes the crime, the criminals are gone. A good approach to dealing with such situations, really, is to quickly decline the services and report their activities to the authorities.

If planning to go on vacation this summer, please note that many local police departments offer vacation check services. It would be a good idea for residents to take advantage of this free service to protect their homes when they are away on vacation. Please do not become a victim this summer. The key to protecting yourself is to become aware and vigilant.

Workers’ Compensation in Reading, PA for for Common On-the-Job Injuries

Michael Monheit — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 19:42:43 +0000

Despite safety rules and regulations for working environments, workplace accidents continue to take place in Reading, PA and across our nation. There are numerous types of work accidents in Reading that may cause an employee to endure serious or catastrophic injury. While the road to recovery for these types of injuries may be challenging, workers’ compensation benefits in Pennsylvania may be available to help an injured worker get back on his or her feet.

Some of the most common Reading on-the-job injuries that a worker may receive workers’ compensation benefits for include:

Construction Accidents
Company Vehicle Collisions
Machinery Accidents
Slip and Fall/Trip and Fall Accidents
Repetitive Activity/Positional Injuries
Fatal Accidents

Since these severe injury accidents often require extensive medical care and treatment, possible surgery, physical therapy, and usually time off work, employees may utilize workers’ compensation benefits to help them cover the expenses associated with their injuries. Similarly, when an employee is killed on-the-job, members of his or her family may seek workers’ compensation to cover funeral costs and loss of wages.

While workers’ compensation benefits in Reading provide injured workers with financial assistance, this coverage may not be sufficient enough to cover permanent disability care and other damages. An experienced Reading PA workers’ comp lawyer will ensure that you and your family fully understand your rights and legal options under Pennsylvania’s workers’ compensation laws.

Understanding Berks County Workers’ Compensation

Michael Monheit — Sat, 22 May 2010 01:40:14 +0000

Workplace accidents in Berks County, Pennsylvania happen far too often despite safety rules and regulations being implemented by the Occupational Health & Safety Administration. In order to ensure that the rights of workers are protected when a work injury accident takes place, the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry examines and oversees specific regulations as well.

In relation to the set of laws surrounding how working environments should be monitored, when these laws are not followed and subsequent accidents, injuries, and even fatalities occur, workers’ compensation benefits in Berks County allow injured workers, or family members of deceased workers, the opportunity to receive certain monetary assistance.

Any worker who has experienced an on-the-job injury in Berks County may want to look into services provided by the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC), which is in charge of laws that provide workers with insurance against job-related injury, illness, and even death. The various and important health and safety regulations under the Workers’ Compensation Act are enforced by the BWC Health and Safety Division.

While some workers may find that Berks County workers’ compensation benefits are sufficient enough to cover their medical bills, lost earnings, and other damages, others may be able to seek additional compensation from third parties (contractor, subcontractor, manufacturer of a defective product, etc.) who hold full or partial responsibility for a workplace injury or wrongful death accident. An experienced Berks County workers’ comp lawyer can help an injured worker and his or her family explore their legal options to ensure that full and just compensation is obtained.

Reading, PA Personal Injury Lawyers Address Swimming Pool Safety

Deborah Forrister — Sat, 15 May 2010 01:36:10 +0000

With the summer months approaching and more children out of school, residents of Reading, PA who own pools must take extreme precaution in regards to pool safety. If you don’t have a pool on your property, find out if your neighbors do or if there is a pool or spa at any home in which your child will be spending time. Ensuring that adequate safety measures are being taken to help prevent drowning incidents or other Reading personal injury accidents can save your child’s life. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, approximately 260 children under the age of 5 drown in swimming pool accidents. One child’s life lost is one too many – play your part in water and swimming pool safety this summer by reviewing a few tips.

Even if your child knows how to swim, never allow him or her to be in the pool alone.
If your child uses floating devices, do not think that this type of aid is a substitute for your much-needed supervision.
Keep rescue materials, such as a life-preserver, and a phone by the pool.
If you have a swimming pool, you should know CPR – it may not only save your child’s life or the life of your child’s playmate, but it could also save the life of an adult as well.
Maintain appropriate and effective physical barriers around the pool to restrict easy accessibility. This should include either walls or fences that a child cannot fit through. Barriers should be at least 4-feet tall and surround the entire pool’s circumference.
Gates must be self-closing, self-latching, and out of a child’s reach. Items that a child could use as a step to reach these handles or latches should not be present or easily accessible.
Consider using alarms for doors leading outside that do or could lead to the pool-area.
For above-ground pools, steps or ladders must be removed when the pool is not in-use or otherwise secured.

Remember that it only takes a matter of seconds for a Reading personal injury accident in a swimming pool to occur. Every moment counts, and your full attention around the pool is extremely important.

Pool owners in Reading may be held legally responsible if an accident or drowning occurs on their premises and if some form of negligence is determined to have contributed to the injury or death. A Reading PA injury lawyer with experience handling swimming pool accident cases can help a family to fully understand their legal rights and options when it comes to a serious child or adult pool injury or fatal drowning accident.

Reading Hosts Walk to Raise Crime Victim Awareness

Deborah Forrister — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 23:20:25 +0000

Preventing crime begins with awareness and finding ways to deal with violence through nonviolent actions. Reading, PA recently hosted a walk involving hundreds of participants on April 24, 2010 to advocate violent crime prevention and provide a space for victims of violent crimes to join together and also remember those who lost their lives due to violence.

According to a news report covering the event, several different families of victims and victim advocate groups took part in the Crime Victims Walk in West Redding. In taking to the streets peacefully yet passionately, the group of participants hoped to make it known that victims are not alone and that a substantial amount of support does in fact exist and is available.

The Crime Victims Walk served as a reminder of how important it is for friends and families of victims to receive assistance not just immediately after a crime takes place, but on a consistent basis that correlates with the often long-lasting duration of healing and coping with the consequences of violence, assault and abuse.

In sharing their message of crime prevention and awareness to the community of Reading, participants emphasized how essential it is for people out and about in the city to pay attention to their surroundings. Becoming a victim of a crime is something that no one ever expects will happen to them, and hopefully it never does. However, being naïve about potential risks and dangers does no one any justice. The Crime Victims Walk took place also as a way for crime victims not to be forgotten. While acts of violence are unpleasant to relive for anyone, others can benefit from the details of a crime when it is presented in such a way that provides potential actions for a person to avoid certain predicaments or get out of one.

The coordinator of the Crime Victims Walk mentioned the importance of teaching children at a young age the value of solving conflicts through peaceful behavior to help them “become adults who live in a nonviolent way.”

Although Reading, PA is a safe community, it is still prone to the same crimes that bigger cities like Philadelphian and New York City experience. Crime statistics for Reading in 2003 revealed that 946 violent crimes were known to have taken place to law enforcement. This representative number of offenses does not include unreported crimes.

Victims of violent crimes in Reading and throughout the state of Pennsylvania have valid and important legal rights that may entitle a person to compensation, restitution, or access to various resources that provide information about their assailant and their own personal safety. Some of the most sought after means for crime victims based on Pennsylvania crime victim rights have to do with two funds distributed based on statute 11.1101 – Victim Witness Services Fund and the Crime Victim Compensation Fund.