When you think of workplace injuries, it's easy to think of obvious accidents, like slipping and falling on a wet floor, getting hit in the head by a falling box in the storeroom, or being exposed to a hazardous material. However, repetitive stress injuries – injuries caused by making the same movements over and over with some part of your body – actually account for a large number of workers compensation claims.
- Thousands of former NFL players filed a class action lawsuit against the NFL for failing to disclose the dangers of concussions. Concussions are head injuries that could lead to serious health implications with repeated head trauma. A settlement was reached in which the NFL will pay up to $5 million to each retired player with a history of repeated head trauma who took part in the class action lawsuit. Due to the high profile of this case (and others) medical researchers, parents, schools, youth leagues, and coaches are more concerned about sports-related concussions than ever before.
- In late July 2015, a 75-year-old California tree fell over without warning or provocation, injuring at least 8 children in the process. Although authorities are uncertain about what caused this particular tree to collapse, there is some concern that the drought may cause many of the other trees in the state to become diseased, damaged, and possibly break or topple over too. Unfortunately, establishing liability for injuries caused by thirsty trees may not be easy.
- After getting severely injured in a car accident, you will easily be able to get compensated for your physical injuries if you were not at fault. The hard part is determining how much to ask for when it comes to the emotional injuries and lifestyle changes you are facing and will face in the future from this accident. Because it is hard to put a price on emotional damages, your personal injury attorney might suggest keeping a journal to record your feelings and life after the accident.
- If you've recently been injured in an auto accident, you may be wondering about your legal options. For most who were not at fault in an accident, this is limited to suing the at-fault driver (or his or her insurance company) to help compensate you for any medical bills, lost wages, or pain and suffering. However, in some cases, even the at-fault driver may not have been completely responsible for the accident -- it may have been due to poor or defective highway design.