West Virginia Injury Lawyer Blog

Last week, a residential fire broke out in a home occupied by two people in Piney View, West Virginia that resulted in the destruction of the house. The cause of the blaze is currently under investigation by the State Fire Marshal's Office and the Raleigh County Sheriff's Department. The two residents of the home were initially trapped inside the burning house, but were rescued by Sheriff's Deputies and the fire department. According to the Charleston Gazette, they are now in critical condition in a local hospital.

We here at the Wolfe Law Firm are saddened by this news and hope for a speedy recovery of the two victims. This story, while unfortunate, is an important reminder of the hazards that can exist in the home. Now that winter is here and the temperature is dropping, many of us utilize propane or electric space heaters to fight the winter chill. While such devices are helpful in combating the cold, they pose a serious fire hazard if they contain faulty wiring or other defects. Homeowners and renters should also be mindful of potential fire hazards from improperly installed or defective furnaces and hot water heaters.

House fires are an uncommon occurrence, but they are far more likely to happen when the weather turns cold and people turn up the thermostat. The Wolfe Law Firm wishes everyone a safe and prosperous holiday season and reminds you to check your heating systems to ensure that they are working properly. If however, you or a loved one have been burned or worse in a fire-related incident, contact a West Virginia injury lawyer to be advised of your rights and get help today.

Hunting season is upon us and because the use of firearms will increase as a result of the season, it is important to remember to be safe when stalking your next 12 point buck. Each year there are hunting accidents in West Virginia, and many of those accidents could be prevented by following some basic hunting safety tips. Hunters are aware of the law that requires them to wear blaze orange clothing to avoid being mistaken for a deer or other wildlife, but bright clothing is only one precaution among many that allows you to hunt safely. In addition, you should treat every gun as if it were loaded and never point a gun at anything you do not want to shoot. West Virginia's Division of Natural Resources (DNR) requires that every hunter complete a hunter education course before purchasing a hunting license, but it is always a good idea to review the safety tips in the Ten Commandments of Gun Safety before getting out there this season.

Gun-related injuries and deaths are not the only danger to hunters. Whether you are hunting on private or public lands, you should always be aware of your surroundings. The hunting premises itself may pose a significant risk of injury from unsafe trails or other property hazards, particularly for hunters who use ATV's to get around. For those hunters who use tree stands, checking to ensure that your equipment is maintained and in good working order should be a priority, as an equipment failure could result in a serious injury.

If you or anyone you know has been injured in a hunting accident, you should seek legal counsel immediately. A knowledgeable West Virginia personal injury attorney can evaluate the circumstances of your situation to provide sound legal advice and options for recovering for your damages. Hunting accidents don't happen often, but when they do, an attorney can help.

The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review has reported that a man was killed in an industrial accident in Kearneysville West Virginia earlier this week. Unfortunately, the man lost his life when a twenty ton drilling rig fell off of a truck and he was pinned underneath. The man was working for a construction company based in Maryland that is building a facility for the Internal Revenue Service. Company officials are unsure what caused the accident, but the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) was notified of the incident.

According to the United States Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics, over 4,300 people died in workplace accidents last year. While governmental entities like OSHA exist to promote and regulate workplace safety initiatives, their efforts can never be successful one hundred percent of the time. Accidents happen on the job for numerous reasons, including equipment malfunctions and unsafe working conditions, and in many cases the cause of the injury may give rise to a legal case.

If you were injured at work or had a loved one pass away from an accident on the job, contacting a West Virginia personal injury and wrongful death attorney can help. A lawyer can evaluate the circumstances of the incident and explain both the rights of those affected and the best course of action going forward. The emotional damage is great when a loved one dies and the financial damages caused by the loss of the departed's income may become a burden as well. A lawyer can help reduce the adverse economic impact through the legal system, so retaining legal counsel should be a priority for those who survive the victim.

West Virginia MetroNews reports that two fatal car accidents occurred earlier this week in Harrison and Nicholas counties, respectively. The crash in Harrison county involved a single vehicle where the driver apparently lost control of his car while testing its new tires. The automobile veered into a median on Interstate 79, drove through a ditch, and eventually rolled over causing the driver's death. The wreck in Nicholas county occurred when the driver of a pick-up truck crossed the center line of a two-lane road and collided head-on with a car traveling in the opposing direction. The woman driving the pick-up survived, but the man in the car was killed on impact. What caused the woman to swerve into the other lane is unknown, but is currently being investigated by local law enforcement.

With Thanksgiving Day fast approaching, we here at the Wolfe Law Firm want to remind our readers to be safe when driving to see loved ones this holiday season. The increase in traffic brings a higher risk of auto accidents, and ice and snow covered roads increase the risks of travel as well. Falling asleep at the wheel and other distractions are also frequent causes for car wrecks this time of year, so driving defensively is always a good idea. Regardless of the cause of the accident, if you were injured in a car crash, you should contact a West Virginia auto accident lawyer to be advised of your rights. A wreck that is brought about by driver negligence, manufacturing defects in the car itself, or other causes may be compensable under the law. Insurance companies do not always cover your damages, and a trained attorney can can help defray the costs of fixing your car and any medical bills or other damages you may have.

The NFL season is half over and college football season is hitting its stretch run, but while the Mountaineers' and the Thundering Herd's regular seasons are ending soon, the investigation regarding head injuries sustained playing America's game will continue. Our collective consciousness has been raised considerably over the past year due to the severity of injuries sustained by players and the news stories that have come out regarding the long-term effects of repeated concussions. The concern has extended to the youth levels of the sport, where West Virginia University Medical School's own chairman of neurosurgery Dr. Julian Bailes has become the chairman of Pop Warner's national medical board. The board is tasked with ensuring that the league's rules are preserving the safety of the children who play Pop Warner football.

While football gets most of the press in the discussion about the dangers of concussions and brain trauma, there are many people who sustain brain injuries off the gridiron. Car accidents, slip and falls, and workplace mishaps can, and in many instances do result in serious brain injuries. Brain trauma can have a significant negative impact on a victim's life after they have suffered the injury. Chronic headaches, memory loss and changes in the victim's personality are just some of these adverse effects.

Whether you or someone you know has sustained a traumatic brain injury through no fault of your own, you should consult a West Virginia brain injury attorney as soon as possible. While not every brain injury gives rise to legal liability, a trained lawyer can evaluate the circumstances leading to your trauma and explain your rights and options. If the facts of your injury constitute a strong legal case, an attorney serves as an invaluable resource and advocate who can help get you compensated for the damages you have already suffered and will continue to suffer.