One of the most common causes of abuse and neglect in nursing homes is understaffing. There is a smaller chance of abuse or neglect at a facility that has a greater number of qualified workers and where staff turnover is not high. When choosing a facility for your loved one, ask about the number of residents they have per certified care provider. It is also advisable to read online reviews about recent incidents and concerns at the facility, which you are considering.

After choosing a facility for your loved one, it is important that you visit the location whenever possible. When visiting, make it a point to talk to the workers. Make it clear that you are an involved family member who could show up at any time for a visit. It is advisable to visit at different times of day so that workers at each shift are aware of who you are. Knowing that you are around and actively involved in the care of your loved one may serve as a deterrent against abuse.

When visiting, it is useful to observe your loved one and to ask about the level of care he or she is receiving. It is also important to look for signs of abuse. If you see any bruises or unexplained injuries, it is important that you ask questions. Ask to see the medical records and speak to administrators about your concerns.

If your family member tells you that he or she has been abused, it is advisable to contact the authorities right away. It may also be in your best interest to speak to an Oklahoma nursing home abuse lawyer about your legal rights and options.

The executive director of the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems has stated that EagleMed’s accreditation will be reviewed following the crash. This fatal Oklahoma helicopter crash occurred less than four months after two people were killed in an Oklahoma City helicopter crash on February 22, 2013. Prior to that accident, a helicopter pilot and nurse were killed in a helicopter crash in Kingfisher on July 22, 2010.

There are many potential causes of helicopter crashes. Investigators of helicopter accidents must determine if the pilot was qualified, if careful considerations were made regarding the weather conditions, and if the transportation company properly maintained the helicopter. The outcome of their investigation may affect who can be held liable for the damages suffered by the victims of the crash.

The family of an individual who has been killed in an Oklahoma helicopter or plane accident can seek financial compensation for their losses from the at-fault party. A skilled Oklahoma personal injury attorney will make sure that the family receives fair compensation for their tragic losses. Negligent pilots and transportation companies can be held liable for funeral expenses, lost future wages, and other related damages.

Here are a few ways in which you can reduce your chances of being involved in an Oklahoma boating accident:

• Be prepared: Before getting out on the water, make sure you have enough life jackets for all of the passengers as well as a fire extinguisher and a bell or horn.
• Stay sober: Boating is often affiliated with drinking. It is important to remember that operating a boat while impaired is illegal and extremely dangerous.
• Require proper seating: It is important that you do not overload your boat past its capabilities. Try to have the weight evenly distributed in the boat and only allow people to sit in areas designed for seating.
• Be mindful of the weather: High winds, lightning, and rough waters are conditions that make boating very dangerous. As residents of Oklahoma know, the winds can pick up quickly. It is important to stay abreast of the changing conditions to avoid hazardous situations.
• Learn about boating rules: Maintain a safe speed, stay to the right, and never let an inexperienced boater take the wheel when the lake is congested.
• Use a spotter: Have a passenger with you at all times who is able to help you look out for boats, swimmers, skiers, and jet skis.
• Make sure the boat is properly maintained: Regularly inspect the cables and hoses for signs of wear.

If you or a loved one have been injured in an Oklahoma boating accident, please ensure that you learn about your legal rights. Financial compensation may be available for your significant loses. An experienced Oklahoma personal injury lawyer will be able to advise you regarding your legal rights and options.

A mandatory arbitration agreement is an easily overlooked legal document that is sometimes included in a package of admissions documents. Failing to read whatever you are signing can prove costly if your loved one becomes the victim of nursing home abuse or neglect. A nursing home arbitration agreement takes away your right to sue the nursing home. Instead, your disputes will go directly to a professional arbitrator. If you sign an arbitration agreement, you will not be able to take the nursing home to court even if your loved one dies as a result of neglect or abuse in the care facility.

Why are nursing homes forcing families to sign arbitration agreements? The amount awarded to victims of nursing home neglect is typically less when determined outside of a courtroom. Therefore, negligent facilities are penalized less when the case goes to arbitration.

It is important to remember that you have the right to not sign the arbitration agreement. Such an agreement is not necessarily a condition of admission to the facility. Practices may vary at each facility, but it is not common for a facility to deny someone’s admission based solely on the family’s choice to not sign an arbitration agreement. Therefore, you should be able to get your loved one into the facility of your choice even if you do not agree to sign the arbitration agreement.

There are many complicated legal issues that families in Oklahoma have to deal with when enrolling a loved one into a nursing home. The experienced nursing home lawyers at Maples Law Firm offer guidance and support to all Oklahoma families at (888) 226-6159. Please contact us today to find out how we can help.

Speed is a common factor in Oklahoma motorcycle accidents. Under Oklahoma statute 47-11-801: “Any person driving a vehicle on a highway shall drive the same at a careful and prudent speed not greater than nor less than is reasonable and proper, having due regard to the traffic, surface and width of the highway and any other conditions then existing.” Motorcyclists who lose control of their vehicle because they are traveling too fast may be held accountable for their actions.

The family of someone killed in an Oklahoma motorcycle accident may file a wrongful death claim to receive compensation for their losses. In order to have a successful claim, they will have to show that the at-fault driver was negligent in some way. Was the driver speeding, intoxicated, distracted, or otherwise careless? In such cases, he or she can be held accountable for the loss suffered by the victim’s family.

A successful claim can provide much needed financial support to a grieving family. At-fault drivers can be held accountable for funeral expenses, lost future wages, medical bills, and other related damages. The family of the victim, however, may not want to file a claim if the at-fault driver is a friend. It is important to remember that the insurance provider of the driver responsible for the crash will bear the bulk of the damages in cases where passengers are injured or killed.

At the Maples Law Firm, we help Oklahoma families receive fair compensation following a fatal crash. We offer no-cost consultations to anyone who has lost a loved one in a fatal Oklahoma traffic accident. Please contact us at (888) 226-6159 to find out how we can help.

There are a number of laws and regulations regarding distracted driving in Oklahoma. Throughout the state, there is a handheld ban for drivers with a learner’s permit or intermediate license. There is also a ban on cell phone use and text messaging for all bus drivers.

While there is no current cell phone law in Oklahoma for drivers 18 years or older, officers have been able to write tickets for texting while driving since November of 2010 as this is a form of distracted driving. Common distracted driving behavior also includes putting on makeup, reading, eating or reaching for a dropped item.

Distracted driving is negligent driving. Anyone who has suffered an injury due to the negligence of another would be well advised to discuss their legal rights and options with an experienced Oklahoma distracted driving victim attorney. Distracted and otherwise careless drivers can be held liable for damages including medical expenses, lost wages, hospitalization, pain and suffering and emotional distress.

It is against the law to leave the scene of an Oklahoma car accident when someone has been injured or killed. Under Oklahoma Statute 47-10-102: “The driver of any vehicle involved in an accident resulting in a nonfatal injury to any person shall immediately stop such vehicle at the scene of such accident or as close thereto as possible but shall then forthwith return to and in every event shall remain at the scene of the accident.”

Victims of Oklahoma hit-and-run accidents do not always have the ability to hold the at-fault driver accountable for the crash. When a hit-and-run driver is not found, the victim or victims will have to pursue other legal options to receive compensation for their medical bills, lost wages and other related damages.

One possible way to pursue compensation following a hit-and-run crash is for the victim to use his or her own uninsured motorist coverage (UIM). Individuals who purchase UIM coverage can pursue support through their own insurance provider if they are injured by an uninsured, underinsured or hit-and-run driver. All motorists are encouraged to purchase as much UIM coverage as they can afford because many Oklahoma motorists do not have adequate coverage and hit-and-run crashes can happen at anytime.

The skilled personal injury lawyers at Maples Law Firm stay abreast of ongoing investigations to ensure that negligent drivers are held accountable for their wrongdoing. If you or a loved one has been injured in an Oklahoma car accident, please call our offices today at (888) 226-6159 to discuss your legal rights and options.

This recall is one of many that Nissan has had to issue recently. The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that more than 123,000 Nissan Altima vehicles from model year 2013 were recalled to adjust the amount of inflation of the spare tires. Earlier in May, Nissan also recalled approximately 500,000 vehicles globally for a passenger airbag fault.

If you have purchased a vehicle that has been recently recall, you may be entitled to a number of different legal remedies, including:

• Financial compensation for your damages: There may be monetary support available for the car’s lost resale value if it is defective.
• Personal injury support: If you were injured in a car accident that resulted from a vehicle defect, you may be able to recover the costs associated with an injury suffered as a result of that defect, from the auto manufacturer.
• Class action claim: If the recall affected numerous people in a similar fashion, you may be able to join a class action lawsuit.
• Manufacturer reimbursement: It may be possible to pursue compensation for repairs or for a vehicle replacement.

If you or a loved one has been injured as the result of a defective auto product, please contact an experienced Oklahoma City auto product defect lawyer at the Maples Law Firm who will fight for your rights and ensure that you are fairly and fully compensation for your injuries, damages, and losses. A free consultation can be found by contacting us online or calling (888) 226-6159.

Here are five tips to help you handle insurance companies and protect your best interests:

• Provide accurate and consistent information: If you are stressed out or nervous, you could end up contradicting yourself during the conversation. This could cause the adjuster to question the credibility or validity of your claim.
• Refuse a recording: There is nothing to gain by allowing the insurance company to record your conversation.
• Understand your losses: An important part of the process is calculating the potential value of your claim. Consider your current and future medical expenses and lost wages before calling insurance companies.
• Never admit fault: If you accept blame for causing the crash or for behaving negligently, you could end up hurting your case. Limit or put on hold your use of social media. Remember, your Facebook comments and posts can be used against you.
• Contact an attorney: It is not advisable to call an insurance company without first discussing your case with a skilled Oklahoma personal injury attorney. In some cases, it is even possible to have an attorney speak with the insurance provider on your behalf.

At the Maples Law Firm, we help victims of Oklahoma car accidents get fair compensation for their injuries, damages, and losses. To obtain more information about pursuing your legal rights, please contact us at (888) 226-6159.

Subaru uncovered the potentially dangerous auto defect at a factory in Indiana. The auto manufacturer then received a complaint about a loss of steering control from a driver. They submitted a document to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on May 13, 2013 stating that they plan on notifying dealers about the recall within 30 days.

This is not the only auto recall that Subaru has had to issue in recent months. In April, Subaru recalled about 200,000 Legacy and Outback vehicles from model years 2005 to 2009 for issues with the brake lines. According to that recall notice, the brake lines could corrode if splashed by salt water, making it difficult for the driver to stop the vehicle. In March, about 50,000 Legacy, Outback, and Impreza models produced from 2010 to 2013 and Crosstrek vehicles produced in 2013 were recalled because they run the risk of starting themselves.

Auto manufacturers have a legal obligation to manufacture reasonably safe vehicles. If you have suffered an injury because of a mechanical malfunction, it is important that you:

• Take photos of the crash site and damaged vehicle.
• Notify the authorities before leaving the scene of the crash.
• Preserve the vehicle for a thorough inspection.
• Seek out immediate medical attention and document your injuries.
• Contact an experienced Oklahoma defective product injury lawyer to discuss your legal rights and options.

While you may not be able to prevent an accident from a vehicle defect, being prepared will help you properly cope in both the immediate and distant future.