2011 January Archive

Truck accidents in Oklahoma can be serious, and oftentimes leave those involved with severe or even fatal injuries. Depending on the circumstances of the crash, a person may sustain injuries that permanently alter the way they live their life. A fully loaded truck weighs approximately 80,000 pounds, and in addition to a truck’s sheer size, even a seemingly “small” accident can have dire consequences. A passenger vehicle can weigh anywhere between 3,000 pounds and 8,000 plus pounds, which is no match for a large commercial truck.

In 2009, large trucks were involved in 4,309 Oklahoma traffic accidents, with 76 of those crashes resulting in a fatality according to the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office. Approximately 1,230 of those accidents resulted in injuries of varying severity.

Truck drivers have strict schedules that they must follow, and oftentimes drivers or trucking companies do not always adhere to regulations and laws regarding driving and rest hours. In some cases, drivers may utilize drugs or other stimulants to help them reach their destination on time, depriving their bodies of sleep and endangering other motorists on the road. When this occurs and someone is injured because of truck driver or trucking company’s negligence, those parties can be held liable for any accidents or injuries that result.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a truck accident that was caused someone else’s negligence, seek medical attention immediately. Then, contact a highly qualified Oklahoma City truck crash attorney like the lawyers at The Maples Law Firm. We have handled a plethora of truck accident injury cases in Oklahoma and know how to successfully defend your rights in a court of law.

Serious injuries or the sudden death of a loved one in a truck accident can place a heavy burden on a family. That burden is often made heavier particularly if the crash could have been prevented. Our attorneys will build a strong case on your behalf in order to hold all negligent parties responsible for their actions and garner you the compensation you deserve. While no amount of money can take back what happened, it can help with accident-related expenses such as medical bills, loss of a help, loss of income, pain and suffering, and more. Call The Maples Law Firm at 1-888-226-6159 for a free consultation.

The Oklahoma State Department of Health has concluded that proper usage of seat belts could save hundreds of lives as well as save the state millions of dollars in medical care expenses, according to a Tulsa World article. Recent data compiled by the Health Department and the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office showed that out of 383 motor vehicle related deaths, 235 could have been prevented with the use of proper safety equipment. The most recent data compiled in the report was from 2008, during which it was established that roughly $5 million could have been saved on medical expenses related to these car accidents.

Seat belt use in Oklahoma is fairly high, although it varies by county. Carter County has the least amount of seat belt users at 72.1 percent, and the highest rate is that of Comanche County at 94.1 percent. The 2010 Seat Belt Observation Study performed y the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office showed that overall, 85.9 percent of Oklahomans buckle up. Nationally, one in seven motorists doesn’t use seat belts when driving. Seat belt use is more likely on highways than on smaller, local roads.

Responsible driving practices save lives and can prevent serious injuries from car crashes in Oklahoma. Additionally, proper use of child safety seats and motorcycle helmets can prevent fatal injuries from occurring in accidents as well.

Ray Maples, knowledgeable Oklahoma City personal injury attorney and founder of The Maples Law Firm, has many years of experience handling personal injury cases ranging from car and truck crashes to on the job injuries and medical malpractice. If you have been involved in an accident and sustained serious injuries, contact Ray Maples at 1-888-226-6159 to learn more about your rights. Mr. Maples offers free consultations.

Family Dollar Stores, Inc., of North Carolina is recalling approximately 67,000 children’s remote control tanks because of a fire hazard, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). The Authentic Heroes Target Practice Tank play set was sold nationwide at Family Dollar Stores between September 2010 and December 2010 for about $5 each.

There have been five reports of the toy’s controller overheating and melting, posing a fire hazard to children. So far, no injuries have been reported. However, parents should immediately take away the toy, remove the batteries and return the tank and controller to the Family Dollar to prevent a fire or injuries from occurring. Full refunds of the toy will be issued upon return.

It is illegal to resell a recalled consumer product in Oklahoma as well as the rest of the United States.

Toy companies and other manufacturers of children’s products have a legal responsibility to consumers to ensure that their products are free of defects and safe, when used properly. When that responsibility is ignored and someone suffers an injury because of a defect or other oversight, the designer, manufacturer, or distributor of the product can be held legally accountable.

If your child has been injured by a dangerous children’s product in Oklahoma, it would be wise to contact a skilled personal injury attorney. The Oklahoma City dangerous product lawyers at The Maples Law Firm understand how difficult a serious injury can be, especially if a child sustains an injury. With a vast network of legal resources, we will meticulously examine the details of your claim in order to build a strong case on your behalf and hold negligent parties accountable for their actions. Our lawyers will work diligently to ensure that you are fairly compensated. To learn more about how The Maples Law Firm can help you, call 1-888-226-6159 for a free consultation.

A 79-year-old man was struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver as he crossed the street at Portland Avenue in Oklahoma City around 5 p.m. on Thursday, January 13 according to KFOR. Police stated that the victim was walking east when a southbound pickup truck struck him and then proceeded to drive away. The man was pronounced dead at the scene of the fatal Oklahoma pedestrian accident. Investigators state that the truck in question is a dark colored GMC or Chevrolet, full-size, extended cab with a chrome bumper and sustained front-end damage in the collision.

Pedestrian accidents in Oklahoma, as well as across the nation, occur more often than people think. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2009, there were a total of 4,092 pedestrian fatalities in the United States, with 31 deaths occurring in Oklahoma. California had the highest number of pedestrian fatalities at 563, while Wyoming had the least amount, with two.

If you are in a situation where someone has sustained fatal injuries in an Oklahoma pedestrian accident, stay at the scene of the accident until police and medical help arrives. Never leave the scene of an injury-causing accident until you have been authorized to do so.

Usually, pedestrian accidents in Oklahoma can be prevented. All motorists have a responsibility to practice safe driving techniques to ensure not only their own safety, but the safety of others on the road as well. If you or a loved one has sustained serious injury in a pedestrian accident, contact the skilled Oklahoma City pedestrian accident injury attorneys at The Maples Law Firm. Our lawyers understand how difficult a serious injury can be, especially if that injury was caused because of someone else’s negligence. You deserve to hold negligent parties accountable for their actions. We will work diligently to ensure that you are fairly compensated for all expenses incurred because of your Oklahoma pedestrian accident. Contact The Maples Law Firm today at 1-888-226-6159 for a free and confidential consultation.

Cerebral palsy is a medical condition that affects muscle control in children and babies. The development of the condition can take place before, during, and after birth. Genetic conditions and problems with getting enough blood supply to the child can take place within the first six months of pregnancy which may cause the brain to develop abnormally. Medical care in Oklahoma providers who fail to properly care for a mother before and during pregnancy and an infant’s birth can also contribute to the onset of cerebral palsy. Other causes occur after the brain has already developed and can be due to bacterial meningitis and other types of infections, severe jaundice, head injury, lack of oxygen, and bleeding in the brain. Additionally, children in Oklahoma who are born prematurely with a birth weight of less than 3 ½ pounds may be more susceptible to developing cerebral palsy.

Many birth injuries like cerebral palsy can be prevented; however, once developed, there is no cure. With the help of physical therapy, occupational therapy, medications, surgeries, and braces, many people who have cerebral palsy can lead relatively normal lives, depending on which part of their brain is affected by the condition.

Medical professionals in Oklahoma have a responsibility to their patients to provide them with the best possible care. When negligence occurs and a child develops cerebral palsy or another disorder that otherwise would not have developed, the medical care provider as well as the hospital or birthing center where the injury happened can be held legally accountable. Cerebral palsy, while treatable, can be quite expensive and demanding for a family, particularly if the injury could have been prevented.

If your child developed cerebral palsy or another condition as a result of negligence, it would be highly beneficial to you to contact an experienced Oklahoma City birth injury attorney. The birth of a child is supposed to be a joyful occasion for parents; however, when a permanent condition such as cerebral palsy develops due to negligence, that joy can be taken away in an instant. You and your child have legal rights, and the skilled personal injury attorneys at The Maples Law Firm can help you understand those rights. With an extensive network of resources, we will meticulously examine the details of your child’s injury and the events that led up to its development in order to build a strong case and hold negligent parties responsible. Contact The Maples Law Firm today at 1-888-429-0609 for a free consultation.

The next four years will be critical in reforming health care in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, adult-day care centers, and residential-care homes in Oklahoma and nationwide, according to an article on NewsOK.com. Approximately $777 million is being used to instigate reforms in nursing homes across the country, which will include immediate reporting of crimes to authorities, steep penalties for crimes that are not reported, criminal background checks by way of fingerprinting, and penalties against long-term care administrators who retaliate against whistleblowers. Facilities with “non-compliance” reports will be evaluated every six months. The article states that most reforms will begin in 2011 and 2012.

In addition, the reform will provide more thorough and accurate disclosure requirements, which will make it easier for law enforcement agencies as well as the general public to identify an owner of a nursing home or other elder care facility. Another requirement that these facilities will have to adapt is a 60-day notice of closure with relocation and transfer plans of all residents. The consequence for not doing so would be a fine upwards of $100,000.

Many citizens are happy about the new reform plans since nursing home neglect in Oklahoma as well as the rest of the country is a serious issue. Currently, there are about 20,000 people in the state who utilize long-term services in 325 nursing homes. Oklahoma has also licensed another 11,500 beds for assisted living centers, residential care facilities, and intermediate centers for the mentally handicapped.

The elderly community holds some of our most vulnerable citizens who deserve to live their lives with dignity. When nursing home abuse in Oklahoma is committed, all responsible parties must be held accountable for their actions. If you or a loved one has suffered nursing home abuse, contact Ray Maples, dedicated Oklahoma City nursing home abuse attorney and founder of The Maples Law Firm. With many years of experience, Mr. Maples has the resources necessary to build a strong case on behalf of you and your loved one. Contact Ray Maples at 1-888-429-0609 to schedule a free consultation.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is investigating an accident involving a crane that collapsed while performing maintenance on a dam in Ponca City, Oklahoma, a news story from KOAM 7 reports. The construction accident occurred on Thursday, January 6 around 10:30 p.m. Thankfully, the crane operator was able to escape before the machine collapsed into the water and was not injured. At the time of the article’s publication, no conclusions had been reached about the cause of the accident.

While no injuries were sustained in this Oklahoma construction accident, it is all too common for serious injuries and even death to occur when workers operate heavy machinery such as cranes, bull dozers, and other construction equipment. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2009, there were 818 construction-related fatalities in the country.

As the investigation into this Oklahoma construction accident continues, officials may want to look into the events that led up to the accident. For example, was the crane properly maintained and were all rules and regulations followed as they should have been? While it is a miracle that nobody was hurt, a proper investigation should be performed to ensure negligence was not involved.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a construction accident in Oklahoma, it would be wise to consult with an experienced personal injury attorney. At The Maples Law Firm, our Oklahoma City construction accident injury lawyers will work hard to ensure that your rights are protected. We will examine every detail of the events leading up to your injury and build a strong case on your behalf in order to garner you the compensation you deserve. Call The Maples Law Firm today at 1-888-429-0609 for a free consultation.

A fatal playground accident that took the life of a 9-year-old girl was ruled accidental after an autopsy was performed according to Fox 23 News. The incident occurred in August of 2010 in Wyandotte, but only recently were the results of the autopsy made available. The child sustained a fatal concussion after falling off of a playground device called the X-wave, which is similar to a teeter-totter and manufactured by Minnesota-based Xccent.

The girl’s family was informed of the results of the autopsy and the family’s attorney is pursuing a settlement with the manufacturer of the playground equipment. So far, no settlement has been reached; however, a lawsuit may be filed if the family and Xccent cannot come to an agreement.

Dangerous products in Oklahoma are products in which there is a flaw in the design or manufacturing process of the product and cause harm to consumers. Companies are legally responsible for ensuring that all products they produce are free of defects and safe for consumers to use; however, often that responsibility is ignored and innocent people suffer, sometimes irreparably.

If you have sustained injury due to using a dangerous product in Oklahoma, it would be highly beneficial to contact an experienced and dedicated personal injury attorney as soon as possible. At The Maples Law Firm, our Oklahoma City product defect lawyers have the skill and resources necessary to examine the details of your injury in order to build a strong case on your behalf. While no amount of money will take back what happened, fair and just compensation can help you begin the healing process and keep the responsible party from acting negligently again. Contact The Maples Law Firm today at 1-888-429-0609. We offer free consultations.