by admin | May 2, 2016 | Legal Matters Discussed, Safety, Worker's Comp
In recent years Indiana’s warehousing sector has been outpacing national and regional growth, according to an analysis by the Indiana Business Review. (http://www.ibrc.indiana.edu/ibr/2014/fall/pdfs/article1.pdf) That means more warehouse workers here in the Hoosier state. Warehouse workers face unique hazards on the job; the Occupational Safety and Health Administration publishes a pocket guide to safety for warehouse workers.
Hazards include dangers associated with docks, forklifts, conveyors, and charging stations as well as manual lifting and poor ergonomics. OSHA offers tips to manage these risks, including being aware of surroundings and the use of personal protective equipment.
Goodin Abernathy employee Fernanda Linares used to work in warehousing and identified several of these risks from her personal experience. “Being suspended about 20 to 25 feet in the air while sometimes lifting heavy parts, there was much room for injury,” she says, “Because there were heavy parts that could crush your toes, it was required of the employees to wear steeled shoes while on the work floor.”.
Although workers could be taking all the safety precautions, warehouse workers still get hurt at the job sometimes. Goodin Abernathy LLP lawyers help clients regularly who have suffered an injury in the workplace. We’re here to help understand the Indiana Worker’s Compensation benefits. Goodin Abernathy LLP lawyers, regularly help workers collect the benefits they are entitled to including payment for medical bills, lost wages from time off work, and compensation for permanent impairments.
If you or someone you know has been injured while working at a warehouse in Indiana, contact the lawyers at Goodin Abernathy LLP to discuss your options.
by Christopher Clark | Nov 24, 2015 | Auto Accidents, Legal Matters Discussed, Personal Injury, Safety
Too often I see clients come in with serious injuries after they have been struck by a vehicle carrying no or very limited liability insurance. The first question I ask is how much Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist coverage (UM/UIM) they have through their own insurance carrier. More often than not, I receive a blank stare in response.
What is Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage?
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage is coverage you purchase to protect yourself from uninsured or under-insured drivers. If you are seriously injured in a car accident or by a motor vehicle, the wrongdoer may not have enough insurance coverage to adequately compensate you for your injuries. The law requires, unless you specifically waive it, that UM/UIM coverage be a part of your car insurance policy. This is excellent protection against those in our society who do not play by the rules or who have little to no assets to protect. The best part though? It’s cheap coverage! For just a few dollars a year you can increase your UM/UIM coverage to help protect yourself on the roadways.
So talk to your insurance agent about UM/UIM coverage and make sure you have enough coverage to protect you if you are injured by a driver without adequate insurance. If you have an umbrella policy, make sure it includes UM/UIM coverage, as well.
If you have been injured by a motor vehicle and have been told the wrongdoer has little or no insurance coverage, call our Indianapolis injury attorneys today to set up a free consultation and discuss making a UM/UIM claim.
*Image courtesy of Naypong at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
by Jim Browne | Aug 19, 2015 | Auto Accidents, Immigration, Legal Matters Discussed, Personal Injury, Safety
The Legalmente Hablando Indy and Goodin Abernathy LLP attorneys successfully represented two Hispanic sisters and their children for injuries caused when a high school student driver hit them. The sisters were walking along a roadway in their apartment complex when a student ran them over. One of the sisters had a child on her shoulders and the other child was in a stroller. The driver was texting a friend and not paying attention to the roadway.
Our clients suffered serious injuries and went to the emergency room. The driver and her insurance company did not want to pay a reasonable amount for damages. The Legalmente Hablando Indy and Goodin Abernathy LLP attorneys filed a lawsuit and aggressively fought for our clients. After the insurance company understood we would not settle the case for an amount less than the damages our Mexican clients suffered, the company agreed to pay the money it owed. Thankfully our clients were patient waiting on the legal process and trusted our work. Eventually it paid off and they received settlement checks.
Many insurance companies defend motor vehicle accident claims, trying to avoid paying reasonable money for damages their clients cause. Our Latino clients depend on our experience to represent them and their immigration status does not prevent us from handling their cases.
If you, a family member or friend was injured in an accident, contact us for a free consultation. The Legalmente Hablando Indy and Goodin Abernathy LLP attorneys speak Spanish and take pride helping our Hispanic clients.
by admin | Jul 29, 2015 | Current Events, Insurance Disputes, Legal Matters Discussed, Real Estate Law, Safety
As reported by the Indianapolis Star, the Indiana State Police have discovered 119 methamphetamine labs in Delaware County in the first 6 months of 2015. The next highest was Noble County with 35. While methamphetamine is an illegal substance that has wrecked many lives in Indiana, methamphetamine is also a large problem for realtors, landlords, and buyers and sellers of real estate due to the contamination that occurs in the houses and buildings where the meth is cooked.
Most Sellers of a 1-4 unit residential property are required to fill out a Seller’s Residential Real Estate Sales Disclosure Form per Indiana Code Section 24-4.6-2, et seq. On page 2 under “Hazardous Conditions” the following question appears: “Have there been or are there any hazardous conditions on the property…such as…toxic materials…?” The Seller has the option to indicate “Yes,” “No,” or “Do Not Know.” Methamphetamine contamination would be considered a toxic material. With methamphetamine production, clean-up generally will involve, at a minimum, the removal of all surfaces that came in contact with the contaminants and removal of drywall down to the studs. If a Seller fails to clean-up the condition or sells the property without disclosing the methamphetamine contamination, they could be liable to a Buyer for the failure to disclose.
If a house has been contaminated, there are also insurance issues that will need to be determined. Does a landlord still have insurance coverage when a property is contaminated by a tenant? Is there coverage for lost rent while the house is being cleaned up? What about coverage if the health department or police order the house to be closed up until their investigations are completed? As with all insurance questions, individual policies must be read entirely to determine whether there may be coverage for the landlord in these situations.
If you have concerns surrounding property you own that may have had an undisclosed methamphetamine lab in it or have questions surrounding your insurance coverage, contact the real estate attorneys at Goodin Abernathy, LLP to discuss your case.
by admin | May 5, 2015 | Legal Matters Discussed, Motorcycle Accidents, Personal Injury, Safety, Wrongful Death
May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month!
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, motorcycles account for 15 percent of traffic accidents resulting in death, despite motorcycles only accounting for 3 percent of all registered vehicles and only traveling less than 1 percent of all miles on the road. These statistics, however, do not report the number of personal injuries motorcycle riders experience each and every year.
The reasons for more fatalities directly correlate to why a motorcycle is fun to ride – not being enclosed in a vehicle while the wind blows across your face or through your hair. Motorcycles also are harder to see because they simply do not take up the same amount of space a traditional car does, so other motorists do not see motorcyclists as well.
Even though not required by Indiana state law, if you do wear a helmet, make sure you consider the fit, whether it has adjustable pads , facial coverage, and good ventilation. In addition, make sure it has the “DOT” (Department of Transportation) label or at least the Snell or American National Standards Institute (ANSI) labels so you know it is certified to meet minimum safety standards. Also consider wearing protective clothing, jackets, and shoes specifically designed for motorcycle use. Not only will you be more protected, you’ll look good also.
If you do have a motorcycle accident or if your loved one suffers a wrongful death while riding, the attorneys at Goodin Abernathy, LLP can sit down with you to discuss your options (contact us by clicking here). Be safe and enjoy motorcycling!
Image courtesy of khunaspix at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
by admin | Apr 24, 2015 | Auto Accidents, Legal Matters Discussed, News & Announcements, Personal Injury, Safety
The U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx kicked off the National Distracted Driving Enforcement Campaign across the United States entitled: “U Drive. U Text. U Pay.”
This catchy phrase is simple and to the point when only a financial loss is considered; however, the “Pay” portion also includes the emotional element people go through when involved in a motor vehicle accident. Per statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 10 percent of traffic accidents resulting in death and 18 percent of personal injury traffic accidents were due to distracted driving. 2013 had 244 teenagers lose their life due to distracted driving. The emotional toll that is taken on people injured and their friends and family is impossible to quantify. The guilt the distracted driver will experience and “pay” is also impossible to quantify.
It is important for all of us to put down our cell phones and concentrate on our driving. For adults, it is also important to set a good example for our children and teenagers that a cell phone should not be used while driving, as pretty soon, they will also be behind the wheel as an inexperienced and novice driver.
Be safe and put down the cell phone while driving.
