Safety Tips Before We Light Up the Sky

Summer has become synonymous with barbecues, days on the water, parades and fireworks displays. Fireworks stands will be opening soon in anticipation of our nation's birthday. Before we celebrate the red, white and blue, here are a few safety tips pertaining to fireworks to consider:

• Always have a bucket of water and/or a fire extinguisher nearby.
• Obey all local laws regarding the use of fireworks.
• Do not wear loose clothing while using fireworks
• Never light fireworks indoors or near dry grass, buildings or vehicles
• Point fireworks away from homes, and keep away from brush, leaves and flammable substances
• Stand several feet away from lit fireworks. If a device does not go off, do not stand over it to investigate. Put it out with water and dispose of it.
• Know your fireworks; read the cautionary labels and performance descriptions before igniting.
• A responsible adult should supervise all firework activities.  Never give fireworks to children.
• Alcohol and fireworks do not mix.  Save your alcohol for after the show.
• Wear safety glasses when shooting fireworks.
• Light one firework at a time and then quickly move away.
• Never relight a “dud” firework.  Wait 20 minutes and then soak it in a bucket of water.
• Do not experiment with homemade fireworks.
• Dispose of spent fireworks by wetting them down and place in a metal trash can away from any building or combustible materials until the next day.
• Report illegal explosives, like M-80s and quarter sticks, to the fire or police department.

Fireworks also are responsible for thousands of home fires each year. The National Fire Protection Association reports that from 2009-2013, U.S. fire departments responded to an average of 18,500 fires caused by fireworks. These fires included 1,300 structure fires, 300 vehicle fires and 16,900 outside and other fires. The National Safety Council advises everyone to stay away from all consumer fireworks and to only enjoy fireworks at a public display conducted by seasoned professionals.

If you or someone you love suffers an injury from fireworks, contact our experienced legal team to fight for the compensation you deserve

Tips to Help You Enjoy the Summer Boating Season

With Summer on the horizon, boating season is heating up. As you prepare for another summer of fun on the water with family and friends, please remember these pointers to ensure that everyone is enjoying themselves safely.

·  Boater Safety Courses - Errors account for nearly 70 percent of boating accidents. Any person born after June 30, 1980 must complete a Boating Safety Course to operate a boat. Locate and register for a course here. 

·  Registration - In Mississippi, recreational boats must be registered or the owner could face fines and penalties. For details on registration and renewal, click here. 

·  Boating Under the Influence (BUI) -Alcohol is even more hazardous on the water than on land. Marine motion, vibration, engine noise, sun, wind and spray accelerate impairment. These elements cause fatigue, making a boat operator's coordination, judgment and reaction time decline faster when using alcohol.  

·  Other points to remember:
 -  Be sure to bring lots of water and snacks! You can never have too much water on a hot day on the boat, and we all know that everyone is happier when they are well-fed.
-  Make sure another person on your vessel knows how to drive or how to call for help in case of an emergency.
-  Make sure your anchor rode and chain are not tangled prior to leaving the dock.
- Leave a float plan with someone on-shore.
- Check the weather early and often, and don't be afraid to change your plans.
- Don't forget the sunscreen! Nothing can ruin a fun weekend like a bad sunburn.

If you or someone you love has been injured in a boating accident, or charged with a BUI and need representation, contact our experienced legal team today! 

Were You Impacted by These Products in 2016?

Most of us can agree that the year 2016 had its highlights, but also its shortcomings. But for those impacted by three major defective products identified by US Recall News as the worst defective products of 2016, there will likely be ongoing consequences into 2017 and beyond.

• Takata Air Bags  - According to the National Highway Traffic Administration (NHTSA), the airbag recall is the largest in U.S. history, affecting one-in-seven cars. When defective Takata air bags deploy, they explode shooting shrapnel into the driver and passenger. So far, 11 people have been killed by the airbags and more than 100 injured.  It could be 2023 before all recalled airbags are fixed.
  
  
• GM Ignition Switches - At least 124 death and 274 injuries have been linked to the faulty switches. GM has already paid about $2 billion in penalties and settlements, and a ruling in July stated that bankruptcy did not shield the automaker from additional lawsuits, opening the company up to more suits with an estimated value of $7-10 billion.
  
  
• Talcum Powder - Johnson & Johnson has more than 2,000 pending cases involving women who have been diagnosed with ovarian cancer linked to talcum powder used for feminine hygiene.

If you or a loved one has been injured by any defective product, please contact the team at Hopkins, Barvie andHopkins, PLLC. Our team has the skills and experience to help you get the compensation you deserve!

Tips to Remember After an Accident

With spring on the horizon, we felt it would be an appropriate time to send a reminder of things to do should you or a loved one be involved in an auto accident. The actions that occur in the moments immediately following the accident could have a tremendous impact in the outcome of your accident claim.

Assess Injuries
First and foremost, the health and safety of yourself and others takes precedence. Take a moment to assess the injuries of those involved. Realize that some injuries may take days or weeks before they are noticeable.

Move Yourself and Others to Safety
Once you have assessed the situation, move everyone to safety out of traffic. If cars are drivable, they should be moved to the side of the road. If they are not mobile, mark them as disable as best as possible using flares or hazard lights and remove all people from the disabled vehicles. If there are serious injuries, do not move the injured persons unless you are trained to do so or if they are in danger. Moving an injured person could cause additional injury.

Contact Authorities
Local authorities should then be contacted about the accident, especially if there are injuries involved. If there are no injuries, depending upon the location of the accident, this step may be skipped due to local laws.

Exchange Information
Obtain the insurance information, driver’s license number, and license plate number for every vehicle involved from the other driver or drivers involved in the accident.

Take Photos of the Scene
 Nearly all cell phones have cameras on them, use it to help document the accident scene. Be sure to take pictures of the vehicles involved as well as things like sight lines, skid marks, wet pavement, debris field and even the drivers themselves. This will help paint the picture of how the accident may have occurred.

Seek Medical Attention
Many brain and spine injury symptom develop in the days and weeks after an accident. You should seek medical attention even if you do not believe you have been injured. 

Do Not Talk to Insurance Companies
It is possible a representative from an insurance company will arrive to help expedite the claims process. If an insurance rep shows up do not talk to them, even if they are form your insurance provider. The police will take statements from those involved and make it official record. Making multiple statements may create conflicting information that could be used against you.

Contact an Attorney
After you or a loved one is involved in an accident, consider hiring an attorney. This is especially if you have been injured or have been offered a settlement by and insurance company.

If you are in need of legal counsel due to an automobile accident, contact the team at Hopkins, Barvie and Hopkins, PLLC. Our team has the skills and experience to help you get the compensation you deserve!