Archive for February, 2012

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29
Feb

Former Virginia Railroad Worker Awarded $4.5 Million For Ankle Injury

February 29, 2012

A former railroad worker in Roanoke, Virginia, received a $4.5 million settlement from his former employer, Norfolk Southern, for an ankle injury that left him permanently disabled. According to reports from The Roanoke Times, the accident occurred three years ago at the railroad’s terminal yard.

Court documents show that the worker was walking through the terminal coupling train cars together with a device he wore strapped to his chest, when he tripped over a railroad tie, which was surrounded by weeds. The man stepped into a depression in the ground, rolling his ankle in the process of the fall. The fall tore a tendon in the man’s ankle, which required two surgeries to repair and lead to a chronic pain disorder.

Attorneys argued that the weeds around the tie made for an unsafe work environment and the device he was required to wear on his chest impaired his vision.

On Monday, a jury in the Roanoke circuit court awarded the $4.5 million decision, in lieu of the original $5 million the victim sought.

Railroad workers are vulnerable when injured on the job, as they are not covered by workers’ compensation. Instead, they are covered by the Federal Employers Liability Act, which puts the burden of proof of negligence on the victim.

The Virginia Workers’ Compensation Lawyers with Geoff McDonald & Associates are here to help you if you have been seriously or permanently injured in an on-the-job accident.

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22
Feb

New Bill Could Change Workers’ Compensation Laws In Virginia

February 22, 2012

New legislation in Virginia could soon change workers’ compensation laws for shipyard employees in the state. According to reports from The Virginian-Pilot, a bill that has already gained House approval and will soon go before the Senate could cut workers’ compensation for shipyard workers who suffer serious injuries, such as severed hands, arms, feet, or legs.

These shipyard employees are the only people in Virginia who receive workers’ compensation coverage from both state and federal programs. Those in favor of the legislation say that the federal program offers ample coverage to injury victims. Opponents of HB 153 feel that the program will drastically cut benefits that are paid to workers who suffer permanent injuries or death.

Currently, injured shipyard workers are covered under both state and federal workers’ compensation programs. While there are laws against “double dipping,” an injury victim can choose which program they would like to receive benefits from.

For instance, if a worker is killed on the job, the state program offers the victim’s family $10,000 for the funeral and a $1,000 transportation benefit. Meanwhile, the federal program only offers the victim’s family $3,000.

The Virginia Workers’ Compensation Lawyers with Geoff McDonald and Associates specifically focus on helping those who have been injured in on-the-job accidents. If you have been hurt at work in an accident, call us at (804) 888-8888 or visit us on the web for a free consultation of your case.

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15
Feb

Two Goodview Men Killed In Tragic Single-Car Crash

February 15, 2012

Two men are dead after their vehicle crashed into a building in Goodview, Virginia, Tuesday night. According to reports from WBDJ 7 News, the crash happened around 8:30 in the evening in front of the Goodview Grocery, in front of an intersection with Goodview Road.

Reports of the incident from the Virginia State Police Department indicate that the driver of a 1986 Chevy pickup truck was traveling downhill toward an intersection in front of the store when the truck hit a set of railroad tracks and went airborne before smashing into the front of the store and catching fire.

Rescue crews quickly arrived and were able to extinguish the flames before the building burned. Two men were pulled from the wreckage. The 44-year-old driver did not survive the crash, while the other was in critical condition. He was taken to Roanoke Memorial Hospital, but died several hours later.

State police say they will investigate whether or not speed was a contributing factor in the tragic accident. They believe excessive speed may have caused the driver to lose control and go airborne when he hit the light incline leading over the railroad tracks.

The Virginia Car Accident Lawyers with Geoff McDonald and Associates would like to send their condolences to the families of the two victims and hope they are able to find peace despite the tragic accident.

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8
Feb

Ignition Interlocks Devices For All Convicted Drunk Drivers?

February 8, 2012

Changes could be coming for the way drunk drivers are punished in the state of Virginia, and many believe one particular change could keep all motorists safer. According to reports from CBS 6 News, a bill that is going before a Senate committee Wednesday would require that all DUI offenders have ignition interlock devices installed on their vehicles.

Ignition interlock systems are devices that require the driver to be tested for alcohol in their system by blowing into a tube that is connected to both a blood alcohol content (BAC) analyzer and the ignition of the car. If the driver has alcohol in their system, the vehicle will not start. The system then requires the driver to be randomly tested as the car is driven.

A driver required to use the device can face separate charges if found to be operating a vehicle without the device.

In the state of Virginia currently, only second time DUI offenders are required to have the devices installed on their vehicles.

Proponents of the new law say that requiring the devices acts as a deterrent to drunk driving and states that similar laws requiring their use have helped declines in drunk driving arrests.

The Virginia auto accident attorneys with Geoff McDonald and Associates support making the punishments stricter against the drunk drivers that put all motorists in harm’s way. If you have been hurt by a drunk driver, contact an experienced attorney.

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1
Feb

Fatal Car Crash Caused by Texting While Driving

February 1, 2012

Two friends were killed in a tragic accident along the Chippenham Parkway in Richmond, Virginia, Saturday afternoon. According to reports from CBS 6 News, the accident happened while the 27-year-old driver of the vehicle was speeding and texting while driving.

The accident happened at 4:35 PM as the driver was traveling north along the highway with a 22-year-old passenger. Right after the Stony Point exit, the driver was texting when she veered the vehicle across and over the center median and into southbound traffic where she collided with another car head-on. Both the driver and her passenger were declared dead at the scene.

The driver of the southbound vehicle was seriously injured, but was taken to VCU Medical Center, where he remains in serious by stable condition. Officers are still investigating the crash.

Legislation is currently before the Virginia General Assembly that would make texting and driving a primary offense–meaning the act would be enough for an officer to pull over and cite a driver. The law only makes texting and driving an offense now if officers catch the driver committing another crime while behind the wheel.

The Virginia car accident lawyers with Geoff McDonald and Associates ask motorists not to wait for legislation to pass to stop the dangerous behavior of texting and driving. Instead, choose not to use your phone while driving. If you have been injured in a car accident caused by a negligent driver, contact an experienced attorney today.

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