People grow old. And when they do, they face a lot of health issues. Unfortunately some of these health issues are best addressed by professionals who are trained in taking care of the elderly. As much as we would love to take care of them ourselves, we are often left with no option but to place our loved ones in a nursing or retirement home.

Sometimes signing them up in an assisted living facility may be the best option. As we lead busy lives, we may not have the time, experience, or even patience to help them with their unique needs. For others, assisted living may be the only choice left, given their health or injury problems.

If you are confronted with the need to decide on a elderly care facility or nursing home, here are a couple of tips to help you make an informed choice. Whether or not the need arose due to a life-changing injury or a serious medical condition, you want only the best for your elderly loved ones. By choosing the best, you get the peace of mind knowing they are well taken cared of, receiving the attentive, gentle, and respectful care that they deserve.

Decide as a Family

You want to discuss this important decision with all family members present. It is important to involve them too rather than deciding by yourself. This is a major life event.

Determine the Level of Care Needed

Adult care facilities offer a wide range of services, depending on the different needs of the elderly. This ranges from highly skilled nursing care to assisted living. Understanding these things can help you and your family decide what type of placement suits best for your elderly loved ones.

Visit the Facility

To know the living conditions of the place, you need to visit and see it for yourself. Take the time to inspect the facility and ask questions from the staff. Talk to families of the other residents (including the residents too) for their feedback.

Read Reviews

You will learn a lot about the adult care facility when you read reviews about it online. People may have something to share about the place, which can help you reach a decision. If you have visited the place already, you can make a follow-up visit just to confirm the reviews and testimonials you read online.

Word of Mouth

You probably have other families or friends who have loved ones in similar adult care facilities. Or they may have worked in one of these care institutions. It’s best to get their feedback or recommendations as they are in a good position to share what they know.

Proximity

The quality of care is the most essential determining factor when choosing an adult care facility for your elderly loved ones. Perhaps the second most important consideration would be proximity. The closer the nursing or retirement home is, the more frequent the visits will be.

Trust Your Gut

While it’s important to consider all the facts and options, sometimes you have to trust your gut. If you have a bad feeling about the place, chances are you’re probably right. Listen to your intuition and take it into account when coming up with the decision.

If your loved ones have been abused or unfairly treated in a nursing home or adult care facility, get in touch with our Las Vegas nursing home abuse attorney. Contact Dan Lovell of Empire Law Group.

The post Are You Looking for Tips on Choosing an Adult Care Facility or Retirement Home? appeared first on Empire Law Group, Las Vegas car accident attorney Dan J. Lovell.

Prom is an exciting time for the younger folks. It’s a rite of passage where teenagers get the chance to dress up and shine like a star. It’s not just a glamorous party; prom marks an end of an age as well as a new beginning of another chapter in a young person’s life.

Unfortunately car accidents are quite common on prom night. While it’s an exciting time to be in, drinking and driving usually accompany this special occasion. As a result, many get seriously injured or, worse, die.

Understandably the youngsters tend to be adventurous, willing to explore anything new, even the dangerous stuff. But to make prom night a pleasant and positive experience for them to cherish for the rest of their lives, it is crucial to eliminate drinking then driving.

It’s not just the teenagers that need to understand this. Parents too need to play a critical role in elucidating the very serious risks of underage alcohol drinking and driving on this momentous night.

Facts about Underage Drinking and Driving

By law, teens are prohibited from purchasing and/or consuming alcoholic or intoxicating beverages. In the State of Nevada, there is strict enforcement of this rule.

Perhaps it’s pop culture or what-not, but unfortunately many teens associate prom nights with alcohol consumption. According to statistics, around 6 percent of U.S. students surveyed by concerned citizens’ group and an insurance company have operated a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol on their prom.

The same group of surveyed students revealed that nine out of ten of them believe their classmates have a strong predilection to drink and drive on that special night.

While 6 percent may seem like a little figure, that number is dangerous high, considering the likely consequences of underage driving while drunk. In many cases, there are serious injuries and deaths that occur on the occasion of teen DUI (driving under the influence) cases.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, around 85 percent of teens who figured in a car accident resulting from drunk driving admitted to binge drinking. Having at least five drinks in a short period may be considered binge drinking.

Also, about 80 percent of teenagers registered a BAC (blood alcohol concentration) level of more than 0.08 percent, which is the limit set by law. Male teenagers are more likely to drive while drunk.

Preventing Teenage DUI

Whether it’s prom night or just an ordinary weekend, preventing teenage DUI is imperative. There have been countless lives lost or irreparably changed as a result of drunk-driving car collisions.

To address the widespread occurrence, intense clampdown was initiated by various law enforcement agencies of each state. Zero-tolerance policies were enforced against teenagers caught drinking alcoholic substances then driving.

Alcohol drinking by persons under the age of 21, in itself, is already prohibited. Thus, a higher penalty is imposed against persons committing underage drinking and driving. In addition, subsequent convictions for the same offense will result in steeper punishment.

Recognizing the Serious Safety Risks of Underage DUI

For parents and guardians, it is important to impose strict discipline against underage drinking and driving. If ever these minors drink, encourage them to open up and call for a ride home instead of risking life or limb.

Remember the life you save may not just be that of your child but also of other drivers who share the road.

If you have been injured as a result of DUI driver, contact our Las Vegas car accident attorney. Look to Dan Lovell of Empire Law Group.

The post Drinking and Driving on Prom Night, Intoxicated Underage Teens appeared first on Empire Law Group, Las Vegas car accident attorney Dan J. Lovell.

Are you a proud member of America’s work force? Then you’ve probably been to a couple of job safety training conferences where you learn the basic dos and don’ts. These discussions may include instructions and guidance on occupational safety hazards and the accidents and injuries that could happen.

Unfortunately there is no exact formula to completely eliminate safety hazards. If not for carelessness, negligence, or the human error element, accidents may come off as unforeseen; or if not, it may be inevitable. That’s because there are many several factors that contribute to occupational accidents and injuries.

In an article, Forbes disclosed the top 10 most dangerous jobs in America at the close of 2017 based on the data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

According to BLS, logging workers are the leading labor force in America having the highest number of fatal injuries with a rate of 135.9 fatal injuries for every 100,000 workers.

At second place are fishers and workers in the related field. The occupation’s fatal injury rate was at 86 per 100,000 workers. Ranking in third place were aircraft pilots and flight engineers, having a fatal injury rate of 55.5 per 100,000 workers.

They were closely followed by roofers or roofing professionals at a fatal injury rate of 48.6 per 100,000 workers. Closing the top 5 of America’s most dangerous occupations are refuse and recyclable material collectors at 34.1 per 100,000 workers.

Wrapping up Forbes’ report on the top 10 deadliest jobs in America, in descending order, are structural iron and steel workers, truck drivers and sales workers, agricultural professionals like farmers and ranchers, construction supervisors, and ground maintenance workers.

USA Today also released its list of the 25 most dangerous jobs in America. In addition to the above-mentioned occupations, the list revealed police and patrol officers, electrical power line installers, taxi drivers, and workers that operate industrial machinery.

Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970

The U.S. Congress, under the administration of President Richard Nixon, passed the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA), setting the safety standards in America’s workplace.

Since the law was in effect, a significant portion of the U.S. work force have enjoyed the improvements in work safety, with such decline in workplace fatalities from 14,000 in 1970 down to about 5,000 in 2016. Today there has been a massive reduction in deaths among workers in both private and public sectors.

Admittedly there may have been a couple of fatal errors and accidents, but this has been down to a minimum since the strict safety legislation has been put into place. Majority of the remaining workplace accidents and deaths involve frequent use of heavy equipment or constant exposure to hazardous environments or potentially dangerous substances. Carelessness and disregard for workplace safety are often the reasons for these accidents and the consequential injuries or deaths.

Injuries or Deaths in a Workplace Facility

Regrettably there are occupations that are prone to accidents, resulting in serious injuries or, worse, deaths. Whether it’s a slip-up, an altercation, or simply a case of bad luck, the injured or the survivors of the deceased may be entitled to compensation benefits.

If you have lost a loved one or has been injured in a workplace facility, you may pursue legal action for damages. When you need a Las Vegas workplace accident attorney, contact Dan Lovell of Empire Law Group.

The post Do You Work in Any of These Deadliest Jobs in America? appeared first on Empire Law Group, Las Vegas car accident attorney Dan J. Lovell.

When a person dies as a result of the intentional or negligent action of another, the offender may be brought to court for a criminal charge. Unfortunately sending the person who caused the death of the decedent will not cover the costs related to the loss of support and care to the surviving family members.

So in addition to the criminal charge, a civil action may also be filed against the offender. Its purpose is to permit recovery of compensation for damages on account of the decedent’s death.

Normally, in lawsuits involving bodily injuries, it is the injured party who can file the civil and criminal actions. So who can file these court actions in wrongful death cases? Obviously it’s not the deceased.

The surviving family members may institute these actions in wrongful death cases.

In civil lawsuits connected with cases of wrongful death, the surviving family members may recover compensation for damages for the loss of support of their loved one. The amount of damages may also include medical and funeral expenses, among others.

So who are these surviving family members?

Most states define family members to include parents, spouses, and children. But some jurisdictions expand the definition to include domestic partners, siblings, and grandparents.

However, recognizing the proximity in terms of degrees of consanguinity or affinity with the decedent, not all surviving family members are entitled to receive the same or equal amounts or damages. In fact, the distant relatives may even be excluded from receiving damages should there be a family member closer in proximity.

As a such, a grandparent or sibling may even be excluded from receiving any court-awarded damages if the decedent has a spouse or child.

In addition, the amount of damages that a family member may receive greatly depends on the pecuniary or other losses that the latter suffered on account of the decedent’s death. As such, a minor child who is dependent on the decedent for support stands to suffer financially than a sibling who has the capacity to earn his/her own money. To alleviate this distress, the law permits an award of damages to the decedent’s minor child, which may be to the exclusion of the sibling.

The amount of damages to be awarded will also be computed based on the decedent’s earning capacity, in relation to the resulting loss of financial support that the dependents stand to suffer.

Las Vegas Wrongful Death Attorney

Figuring out who can file an action for wrongful death against the offender is easy. But here’s the tricky part: proving the fault or negligence of the offender to warrant a criminal conviction as well as an award of damages. Without the appropriate legal training, experience, and expertise, it can be a daunting task.

If you lost a loved one under wrongful death circumstances, would you risk losing a legal battle? Without any legal knowledge or training, you will stand to lose the fight in court if you take it upon yourself to handle the helm. As a result, you will suffer the loss of a loved one as well as a judgment of conviction and award of damages

Let a seasoned Las Vegas wrongful death attorney handle the legal battle. Contact Dan Lovell of Empire Law Group.

The post Who can Sue in Wrongful Death Case? appeared first on Empire Law Group, Las Vegas car accident attorney Dan J. Lovell.

Las Vegas Wrongful Death Attorney

When someone dies, the most unfortunate thing isn’t just limited to the death. Sometimes the living has to carry the burden of the loss of a loved one. And that’s what’s regrettable. But what’s even worse is when it’s a wrongful death.

Wrongful death brings a whole lot of distress and pain. On top of the fact of death, the loss of a loved one may mean lost support and companionship. There may also be huge amounts in unpaid medical bills and funeral costs.

But you don’t have to face this battle and suffering alone. With the help of a Las Vegas wrongful death attorney, you can reduce the anxiety and worries that resulted from the loss of a loved one.

Causes of Wrongful Death

There are wide spectrum of causes that lead to wrongful death. Among them are motor vehicle accidents. In Las Vegas, this is not uncommon. As a city with a lively nightlife, intoxicated drivers may frequent the roadways.

Big rigs and trailer trucks also frequent the State of Nevada. And it’s not uncommon to have truck drivers who may be overworked, sleep deprived, or otherwise fatigued. These factors tend to diminish their ability to operate their huge machine safely on the road. Reckless behavior from other people who we share the road with also increase the mortality risk associated with driving.

Medical malpractice is an unacceptable cause of wrongful death. We rely on doctors to make us feel better. Yet by their fault or negligence, should they cause harm or death, these doctors should be held liable.

Using a defective product may also lead to wrongful death. This is particularly common in treatment devices or medications, which are supposedly designed to help patients get better. For patients that got injured or died as a result of the defective product, the company that designed it may be held liable. Liability also attaches to persons or companies that manufactured, distributed, or sold the said product.

Lastly, workplace accidents aren’t foreign in this day and age. People get injured while performing their tasks. This is especially true in fields like construction or those involving heavy machinery or sharp tools. In these instances, the employer may be held liable if he/she failed to install measures that ensure a safe work environment.

Getting in Touch with a Las Vegas Wrongful Death Attorney

Losing someone you love is stressful enough already. Death carries much pain. But for a loved one to die under wrongful death circumstances can be distressing even more. In addition to the pain of loss, financial strain and other economic disadvantages may come into play.

Wrongful death is wrong. If you have lost a loved one under wrongful death circumstances, you have the right to institute a legal action to obtain compensation for damages. For this purpose, it is highly recommended that you speak with a Las Vegas wrongful death attorney.

Seek Legal Representation from Dan Lovell of the Empire Law Group

Need a Las Vegas wrongful death attorney? If you are looking to pursue a claim for wrongful death, contact Dan Lovell of the Empire Law Group.

The post Do You Know Someone That is a Victim of a Wrongful Death? appeared first on Empire Law Group, Las Vegas car accident attorney Dan J. Lovell.

Every year, thousands of people in the U.S. fall victim to vehicular accidents caused by drunk drivers. What’s even more unfortunate is that most of these accidents are fatal. In Las Vegas alone, there are a considerable number of accidents related to drunk driving. Perhaps this is part of being a party and entertainment city.

Be that as it may, injured parties in drunk driver accidents deserve to obtain compensation for damages sustained. Which is why the state endeavors to dispense justice for the wrongs committed to these unfortunate individuals. On the other hand, drunk drivers shall face the full extent of the law on account of their recklessness, negligence, or failure to observe the rules.

Driving by itself presents many challenges and risks. These challenges and risk are compounded when the driver is intoxicated. With impaired senses, there is a higher risk of accidents under an inebriated state. For this reason, driving while buzzed is already punishable, considering the danger it poses to other drivers on the roadways.

Life may be lost, or properties may be damaged in an instant in drunk driving accidents. Other lives too may be entirely overturned because someone broke the law on drinking and driving.

If you or a loved one suffered injuries or incurred losses on account of damaged properties, you deserve to be adequately compensated. You should never stand down for this injustice.

Drunk Driving Accident Injuries

It is not uncommon for drunk driving accidents to have severe injuries on the victims as outcomes, if not fatalities. The extensive bodily harm usually has a long-lasting impact on the lives of the surviving victims. These injuries involve permanent disability, disfigurement, or complete loss of use of the affected limb. What’s more, these injuries are a daily reminder of the gruesome experience.

Here are some of the common injuries that victims to drunk driving accidents suffer:

• Traumatic head injuries or severe concussions that lead to brain damage;
• Fractures, sprains, and strains;
• Crushed limbs, which increase the likelihood of amputations;
• Serious internal injuries, such as internal bleeding or lacerations and injured organs;
• Soft-tissue injuries like twists and torn tendons;
• Serious injuries to the neck, back, and spine;
• Chemical burns and other injuries to the face, resulting from the deployment of the airbag; and
• Psychological trauma on account of the accident, which includes PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder).

Injuries incurred during drunk driving accidents may not heal quickly. This means days of missed work and loss of potential income on the part of the injured victims. There’s also the matter of medical and other hospitalization costs.

As recovery may take months, the injured victims will also fail to do the activities they enjoy doing. This includes doing sports, traveling, going out with friends, etc. The sustained injuries will affect the lives of the injured victims.

What’s more, motor vehicles damaged on account of the drunk driving accident may require repairs. Serious impairment will render these properties out of commission unless they are put back together. To this end, these victims deserve adequate compensation for the injuries and damages sustained.

If a drunk driver caused serious havoc to you or your loved one’s life, limb, or property, you have the right to obtain compensation. To do this, speak with a drunk driving accident attorney who can help pursue your claims against the erring party. Don’t risk losing your right to seek compensation; proceed with your legal action promptly.

The post Victim of a drunk driving accident? appeared first on Empire Law Group, Las Vegas car accident attorney Dan J. Lovell.