Archive for January, 2012

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25
Jan

Snow And Ice Cause an Increase In Slip And Fall Accidents

January 25, 2012

The winter weather that has settled here in Washington has led to an increase in the number of slip and fall accidents. According to a report by KNDU 25 News, the accidents are stemming from ice and snow that has collected in walkways.

One area doctor said that he had treated eight accidents that were ice-related Monday morning, with several of those injuries being concussions. Another confirmed treating numerous bumps and bruises on other patients. While these injuries may seem minor, the doctors added that it is not uncommon for them to treat bone breaks and joint dislocations from slip and fall accidents.

It was noted that the elderly might be especially prone to these accidents. According to the National Safety Council, slip and fall injuries are the most common cause of injury-related death for people ages 73 and older.

This is why it is suggested that sand, salt, or cat litter be sprinkled on icy walkways prior to use. People are also advised to keep their hands out of their pockets and bend slightly at the knee when walking in icy conditions. Of course, the best way to prevent these types of injuries is to keep walkways clear of snow and ice with a shovel or snow blower.

The Washington slip and fall injury lawyers with the Defoe Pickett Law Firm hope that these tips will help keep citizens safe and injury-free in the coming winter months.

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18
Jan

Union Gap Worker Severely Injured On The Job By Fire

January 18, 2012

A Union Gap, Washington, electrician was injured on-the-job last week from an electrical fire. Reports from KNDU 25 News stated that the accident occurred at around 9:30 in the morning last Wednesday at a warehouse near the 3200 block of Bay Street.

Union Gap Fire Chief Chris Jensen said that the man was a contractor who was working on the building’s electrical system when the accident occurred. Jensen added that the flames erupted when a spark on the electrical panel set the man’s clothes on fire. Several other workers who were nearby were able to extinguish the blaze and care for the man until paramedics could arrive.

The victim was then taken to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, Washington, to be treated for second and third degree burns on his arms and chest.

Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) shows that electricians experience a work-related injury and illness rate that is well above the national average. The most common forms of injuries they suffer are electrical shock, falls, and cuts.

Because of the dangers these workers can face on a daily basis, it is even more important for employers to ensure that workers are doing their job in a safe manner and in a safe work environment.

Sometimes businesses fail to provide this safe environment, and that is when the Washington workers’ compensation attorneys with the Defoe Pickett Law Firm will be there to step in and help victims get the compensation they need from insurance companies.

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11
Jan

Dangerous Conditions And Speed The Cause Of Single-Vehicle Crash

January 11, 2012

About ten accident calls within 45 minutes Tuesday morning kept Washington state patrol and the Pasco Police Department busy for a good portion of the day. According to reports from the Tri-City Herald, the worst of those crashes occurred on Taylor Flats Road in Franklin County, six-miles north of Pasco, Washington.

Authorities say that a 16-year-old driver of a white 1992 Ford Bronco was driving too fast for the weather conditions, hit an icy patch and lost control of the truck. The vehicle spun out of control before flipping several times and coming to rest in a field. Luckily, the teen was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash and escaped with only minor injuries.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say that motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of death for teens in the United States, accounting for one in three deaths within the age group. In 2009, 3,000 teens between the ages of 15 and 19 were killed in the United States as a result of car crashes. An estimated 350,000 were treated in emergency rooms for injuries related to car crashes.

This is why the Washington auto accident attorneys with the Defoe Pickett Law Firm would like to encourage teens to be mindful of speed limits, put on your seat belts, and eliminate distractions. Following these three simple tips will help keep you and others around you safe on the highway.

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4
Jan

DUI Arrests Down This Holiday Season In The State Of Washington

January 4, 2012

Drunk driving related offenses seem to be on the decline across the state of Washington with police reporting fewer DUI arrests this year than in years past. KNDU 25 News reported earlier this week that Franklin County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Tony Haworth attributes the decline to DUI-emphasis patrols taking place statewide over holidays.

A Washington state police news release stated that 253 people were arrested over the New Year’s holiday weekend on suspicion of being impaired by drugs or alcohol while behind the wheel of a motor vehicle; a decline from the 286 individuals who were arrested last year.

Only one fatal accident was reported over the holiday when three people were killed in a collision New Year’s Day along Highway 2 in Lincoln county.

Similar DUI numbers were reported in the month of December as well. Franklin county sheriff deputies reported record low numbers for DUI arrests in the month of December with only nine individuals charged.

The Washington auto accident attorneys with the Defoe Pickett Law Firm are glad to see many motorists chose safer alternative ways home this holiday season instead of getting behind the wheel after having too much to drink. The firm would like to encourage citizens to keep up the safe practices throughout the rest of the year.

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