Grilling Safety Tips

Living along the Gulf Coast we can enjoy grilling with family and friends year round. To help keep your family and friends safe while grilling, the Mississippi State Fire Marshal’s Office, recommends these Grilling Safety Tips:

·         The grill should be placed well away from the home, deck railings and out from under eaves and overhanging branches.

·         Propane and charcoal BBQ grills should only be used outdoors.

·         Keep children and pets away from the grill area.

·         Keep your grill clean by removing grease or fat buildup from the grills and in trays below the grill.

·         Never leave your grill unattended.

When using Charcoal remember to:

·         There are several ways to get the charcoal ready to use. Charcoal chimney starters allow you to start the charcoal using newspaper as a fuel.

·         If you use a starter fluid, use only charcoal starter fluid. Never add charcoal fluid or any other flammable liquids to the fire.

·         Keep charcoal fluid out of the reach of children and away from heat sources.

·         There are also electric charcoal starters, which do not use fire. Be sure to use an extension cord for outdoor use.

·         When you are finished grilling, let the coals completely cool before disposing in a metal container.

 Check the gas tank hose for leaks before using it for the first time each year.

·  Apply a light soap and water solution to the hose. A propane leak will release bubbles. If your grill has a gas leak, and there is no flame, turn off the gas tank and grill.

·  If the leak stops, get the grill serviced by a professional before using it again. If the leak does not stop, call the fire department.

·   If you smell gas while cooking, immediately get away from the grill and call the fire department. Do not move the grill.

To learn more about the representation we offer Mississippi clients who have been injured in an auto accident, by a dangerous product or through a slip and fall,  contact us online or call 228-864-2200 to schedule your free initial consultation with an experienced lawyer.

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BOATING SAFETY TIPS

We hope you are all enjoying your summer and the many amenities the Gulf Coast has to offer. It is a great time to enjoy fishing and boating activities. Remember to follow your boating safety and wear your life jackets. Sadly, each year many people are injured and lives are lost because of preventable boating accidents.

This month’s blog we thought we would share with you a few safety tips regarding boating. For additional information you can go on line to the Boating Safety Resource Center at www.uscgboating.org/resources or other boating safety internet sites.

The following are a few safety tips:

·         Wear your life jacket.

·         Always check the weather before you go boating. Pay attention to the weather reports as unexpected weather can and does happen.

·         If you are an inexperienced boat operator take along someone with experience until you feel more comfortable handling a variety of boating situations.

·         Do not operate a boat and drink alcohol. It will slow down your reflexes and more importantly a BUI (Boating Under the Influence) is against the law.

·         Make sure you protect yourself and your passengers.

·         We recommend that you take a course in boating safety, which is also offered online.

If an accident would occur it is the responsibility of the boat operator to file a report to the state agency that covers boating, the US Coast Guard or both, depending on the situation. Remember not filing a report is a crime. In Mississippi if the accident occurs north of Interstate Highway 10 (I-10) you would file with MS Department of Wildlife, Fisheries & Parks. If the accident occurs south of Interstate Highway 10 (I-10) you would file with MS Department of Marine Resources.

As personal injury attorneys, Hopkins, Barvié & Hopkins, P.L.L.C.  can advise you on how to determine compensation for damages or losses. We strongly urge you to avoid making statements or signing anything related to an accident until after consulting with us. This helps to protect your legal rights.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a boating accident, call Hopkins, Barvié & Hopkins, P.L.L.C. today for your free case evaluation with a top personal injury attorney in your area.  Contact us online or call 228-864-2200 or, email us, like us on Facebook or follow us on LinkedIn. Just click below.

   

ACCIDENTS CAN AND DO HAPPEN

One wrong move can have major consequences at a construction site or other hazardous work site. Injured workers and the families of those who have been injured or killed may get some benefits from workers' compensation, but workers' compensation benefits may not be the only remedy available.

A few common causes of construction accidents include falls from heights, motor vehicle accidents, carbon monoxide poisoning due to faulty gas mechanisms, forklift accidents, electrocution, machinery accidents and injury due to falling objects. Others may be from negligence of other site workers, mistakes and negligence caused by those under the influence of alcohol or drugs, defective machinery, or inappropriate behavior of other site workers. Sadly in Mississippi we have the third-highest accidental death rate in the nation.

Accidents can and do happen no matter what the safety procedures in place are at a jobsite. Although you can file a workers' compensation claim on your own, there are cases which may benefit from the professional assistance of an attorney. Moreover, there are some instances in which you may have the right to file a personal injury suit instead of a workers' compensation claim.

If you or a loved one is in a construction accident a construction accident report must be filed immediately following the injury and then you should retain a lawyer. As both federal and state law may apply, Hopkins Barvie and Hopkins can assist you with this.

Many people do not realize that is Mississippi and many other states, an injured worker is barred from suing the employer for negligence. That means that if the worker or the employer is 100% at fault, remedies will be limited to workers' compensation benefits. However, if a third-party such as the employee of another supplier or contractor contributed to the accident, the injured party can file suit on a third-party claim.
The type of system in place at a construction site where an injury occurs is an important consideration in assessing the potential liability of those involved in the project. To determine who may be liable for injuries resulting from a construction accident, Hopkins Barvie and Hopkins will take a close look at the duties and legal responsibilities of individuals involved in the construction project.

Hopkins Barvie and Hopkins have the knowledge and expertise to help you. They will help you receive the compensation befitting your injuries. As soon as you've had an accident on a construction site, make sure to file the appropriate paperwork with your employer. Then contact Hopkins Barvie and Hopkins and you can rest assured that your case is being handled in the best way possible.

If you have been injured in a construction related accident, call Hopkins, Barvié & Hopkins, P.L.L.C. today for your free case evaluation with a top personal injury attorney in your area.  Contact us online or call 228-864-2200 or, email us, like us on Facebook or follow us on LinkedIn. Just click below.

 

TIPS FOR MANAGING SOME OF THE MOST COMMON DRIVER DISTRACTIONS

Mississippi is one of 11 states without a ban on text messaging for all drivers. However, the following laws are in effect:

•  Ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands free) for bus drivers. (Primary law)
•  Ban on texting for bus drivers (Primary law)
•  Ban on texting for novice drivers (Primary law)
•  Preemption Law prohibits localities from enacting distracted driving bans

With this in mind we thought we would give you some tips for managing some of the most common driver distractions. They were taken from the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA).

1.   Turn it off. Turn your phone off or switch to silent mode before you get in the car.
2.  Spread the word. Set up a special message to tell callers that you are driving and you’ll get back to them as soon as possible, or sign up for a service that offers this.
3. Pull over. If you need to make a call, pull over to a safe area first.
4. Use your passengers. Ask a passenger to make the call for you.
5.  X the Text. Don’t ever text and drive, surf the web or read your email while driving. It is dangerous and against the law in most states.
6.  Know the law. Familiarize yourself with state and local laws before you get in the car. Some states and localities prohibit the use of hand held cell phones. GHSA offers a handy chart of state laws on its website: www.ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/laws/cellphone_laws.html.
7.  Prepare. Review maps and directions before you start to drive. If you need help when you are on the road, ask a passenger to help or pull over to a safe location to review the map/directions again.
8.  Secure your pets. Pets can be a big distraction in the car. Always secure your pets properly before you start to drive.
9.  Keep the kids safe. Pull over to a safe location to address situations with your children in the car.
10.  Focus on the task at hand. Refrain from smoking, eating, drinking, reading and any other activity that takes your mind and eyes off the road

It is important to seek immediate legal advice from an experienced personal injury attorney if you are involved in a car accident. At Hopkins, Barvié & Hopkins, P.L.L.C. our personal injury lawyers have more than 65 year of combined legal experience representing people injured in car accidents, including accidents caused by driver distraction. Our goal is to gather the evidence needed for a strong case on your behalf as soon as we can.  Persuasive evidence helps us pursue compensation for your injuries, pain and suffering and lost wages. In the event of a fatal accident we work with the surviving family members to develop a wrongful death claim.

Call Hopkins, Barvié & Hopkins, P.L.L.C. today for your free case evaluation with a top personal injury attorney in your area.
  

Contact us online or call 228-864-2200 to schedule your free initial consultation with an experienced lawyer. Or, email us, like us on facebook or follow us on Linkedin. Just click below.

What To Do After a Vehicle Accident

Vehicle accidents are unexpected and stressful and few people know what to do in the aftermath of a collision. This knowledge is important as it can help prevent further injuries, minimize costs and facilitate further actions relevant to insurance matters and repairs.

You should be aware that if you do not follow the proper procedures you may end up having problems with the law, difficulties in having your insurance claims paid and have consequences and fines to pay. If you are in a vehicle accident, Hopkins Barvie Hopkins is committed to helping restore your peace of mind as soon as possible.

The first important thing if you are involved in car accident is to try to stay calm and concentrated.

Be prepared

• A disposable camera.
• Pen and paper to write down any information.
• A card with any relevant medical information for you and your family.
• Carry a set of cones, warning triangles, emergency flares and bright orange or yellow vest in your trunk to help alert traffic.
• Having first aid supplies and an emergency kit in your car is a good precautionary measure.

Immediately after an accident

• Check for injuries; call an ambulance when in doubt.
• If accident is minor, move cars to a safe place, out of traffic.
• Turn on your vehicle's hazard lights and use cones, warning triangles or flares for safety.
• Call the police, even if the accident is minor.

• Collect the names, phone numbers and addresses of all drivers, passengers and witnesses involved in the accident.
• Collect the names of the insurance companies of all drivers involved.
• Collect the year, model, make and other relevant information of all vehicles involved.

Other important tips

• Do not sign any document unless it's for the police or your insurance agent.
• Make immediate notes about the accident, including specific damages to all vehicles involved, witness information, etc.
• State only the facts, and limit your discussion of the accident to the police and your insurance agent.
• Collect the names and badge numbers of police officers and other emergency personnel.
• Stay at the scene of the accident until the police tell you to leave.
• Photograph the scene of the accident for documentation about the damage to all vehicles

Even if you think that you are at fault do not admit liability. It is possible that there are unknown factors to you that played a role. This could make the situation different than what you initially perceive. Comments that you may make could be counterproductive or even used against you later.

If you have or suspect that you have an injury, visit a hospital or a doctor immediately. This will allow you to get proper medical care and may have legal implications later. If you cannot prove that you suffered an injury at the accident with a medical report from a doctor that examined you immediately after the accident, you may face difficulties for your claims as well as in litigious cases with the other drivers.

Knowing in advance how to proceed when involved in any type of vehicle accident, helps you stay calm, take the appropriate measures and make the best of a difficult, dangerous or even tragic situation.

If you suffered a vehicle injury and need to hire an experienced auto accident attorney who can help make sure you receive the benefits you need call Hopkins, Barvié & Hopkins, P.L.L.C. With more than 65 years of combined legal experience, ourattorneys offer clients throughout Mississippi the representation they need.

Contact us online or call 228-864-2200 to schedule your free initial consultation with an experienced lawyer.

Or, email us, like us on facebook or follow us on Linkedin. Just click below.

FDA requiring lower recommended dose for certain sleep drugs containing zolpidem to reduce risk of drowsiness.

On January 10, 2013 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) notified the public of new information about zolpidem, a widely prescribed insomnia drug. FDA recommends that the bedtime dose be lowered because new data show that blood levels in some patients may be high enough the morning after use to impair activities that require alertness, including driving. This announcement focused on zolpidem products approved for bedtime use, which are marketed as generics and under the brand names Ambien, Ambien CR, Edluar, and Zolpimist.

FDA reminded the public that all drugs taken for insomnia can impair driving and activities that require alertness the morning after use. Drowsiness is already listed as a common side effect in the drug labels of all insomnia drugs, along with warnings that patients may still feel drowsy the day after taking these products. Patients who take insomnia drugs can experience impairment of mental alertness the morning after use, even if they feel fully awake.

The FDA urges health care professionals to caution all patients (men and women) who use these zolpidem products about the risks of next-morning impairment for activities that require complete mental alertness, including driving. For zolpidem products, data show the risk for next-morning impairment is highest for patients taking the extended-release forms of these drugs (Ambien CR and generics). Women appear to be more susceptible to this risk because they eliminate zolpidem from their bodies more slowly than men.

The FDA is continuing to evaluate the risk of impaired mental alertness with other insomnia drugs, including over-the-counter (OTC) drugs available without a prescription.

Personnel Injury Attorneys have been very concerned about the spike in drowsy driving-related accidents.  The FDA, is now acting to ensure that people who take these meds do not retain such high quantities of the ingredient in their bloodstream.  The company will require manufacturers of popular medications that contain zolpidem like Ambien and Ambien CR to reduce the recommended dose.

According to the FDA, these companies will have to cut down the recommended dose for women, by about 50%.  The current dose for immediate release products is 10 mg, and that will be cut to 5 mg.  In the case of extended release drugs, the dose will be reduced from 12.5 mg to 6.25 mg.

The FDA has not made any specifications in the case of men, but has said that manufacturers need to make similar cuts to the dose while establishing recommended doses for males also.  The Food and Drug Administration is also requiring that these manufacturers make very clear the numerous side effects of using these medications in their product warning labels.

If you suffered in an auto accident, you need to hire an experienced personal injury attorney who can help make sure you receive the benefits you need. At Hopkins, Barvié & Hopkins, P.L.L.C., we help you find the answers. With more than 65 years of combined legal experience, our attorneys offer clients throughout Mississippi the representation they need.

Contact us online or call 228-864-2200 to schedule your free initial consultation with an experienced lawyer. And, let us know how you found a way to celebrate the holidays without incurring more debt.

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Do I Need a Lawyer?

Were you seriously hurt in an accident that wasn’t your fault?  Is the insurance company pressuring you to accept a settlement? Are you injured and worried about not being able to work and pay your bills? Is your employer threatening to stop your workers’ compensation benefits? Are you disabled and can’t work but were denied Social Security disability benefits?

If you answered yes to any of the above statements, you may wonder if you have a case. Another common question is: Do I need a lawyer?

Dealing with paperwork, insurance claims, the government and the legal system is best left to the experts. You could try to handle everything on your own but you’re likely to make mistakes and cheat yourself out of the money you deserve.

Hopkins Barvie Hopkins has helped many people with the following types of cases:

·          Injuries and Accidents

·          Workers’ Compensation

·          Social Security Disability

Insurance companies urge you to trust them and claim they will protect you. When you’re injured in an accident, they won’t be your friends. That’s yet another reason why you may need a lawyer.

In fact, a report from the blog of CNN’s Anderson Cooper uncovered a practice used by insurance companies called The Three Ds.

Insurance companies will:

·          Delay handling your injury claim

·          Deny you were hurt in the accident

·          Defend their decision in lengthy court battles

Put simply, that’s one of the ways that insurance companies save money - by offering you less than you deserve.

In order to protect yourself and your claim, follow these tips:

1. No matter what type of case you might have, don’t sign any papers until you talk to a law firm and learn your rights.
2. Never allow an insurance company to record you “for accuracy purposes.” They’ll use it against you later.
3. Contact us online or call 228-864-2200 for a free initial consultation with an experienced lawyer. Every person deserves to know his or her rights and there’s no obligation to use our services.

At Hopkins, Barvié & Hopkins, P.L.L.C., we help you find the answers. With more than 65 years of combined legal experience, our attorneys offer clients throughout Mississippi the representation they need. 

Or, email us, like us on Facebook or follow us on LinkedIn. Just click below.