Big Leap, Author at Ahlander Injury Law

Common Garage Door Injuries and How to Prevent Them

July 8, 2019 by Big Leap

Preventing Garage Door Injury

When you look at your garage door, it’s unlikely that your first thought would be about safety, but the reality is, garage door injuries do occur.

Let’s consider the facts: garage doors are responsible for around 30,000 injuries each year. They’re a common addition or part of nearly every home, making them more likely to cause injuries just by simply being there. Garage doors can also weigh a great deal; anywhere from several dozen pounds to over a hundred pounds.

We’ll go through several of the most common garage door injuries below that you should be aware of when it comes to your safety and the safety of your family.

Pinching

Pinching happens when fingers get stuck between the panels of the garage door as it is either opening or closing. The term “pinching” might imply a slight pain that shouldn’t be a bother, yet some of those “pinches” turn into amputations.

Crushing

Crushing occurs for one of two reasons: either the person injured was running underneath the garage door as it was closing or the garage door’s mechanical features malfunctioned randomly. Either way, crushing is a serious garage door injury that can lead to extensive and expensive time in a hospital.

Being Locked In

If your garage is not attached to your house and the bolts and springs on your garage are old and outdated, you could potentially be locked in your garage. Depending on the amount of time you are stuck, you could experience dehydration or worse.

Get a Garage Door Injury Attorney with Ahlander Injury Law

Preventing garage door injuries by regular inspections of your door and by being careful and cautious are the best thing you can do to avoid experiencing any of the above situations. However, accidents do happen, and you should know who you can turn to when you need a garage door injury attorney.

When you or a friend or loved one falls victim to a garage door injury or other areas dealing with personal injury, contact us to learn how Ahlander Injury Law can help you.

Drowning Prevention & What to Do After a Pool Drowning

June 10, 2019 by Big Leap

As sad as it is, children drowning in pools is an all too common occurrence.

According to the CDC:

There are about 10 pool drowning deaths per day.
Children ages 1-4 have the highest drowning rates.
For every child who dies from drowning, another 5 receive emergency care.

Even when not fatal, “drowning injuries can cause severe brain damage that may result in long-term disabilities such as memory problems, learning disabilities, and permanent loss of basic functioning.”

What Every Public Pool Owner Should Know

Drowning prevention should be a top priority of every public pool owner.

Follow these prevention guidelines to help keep kids safe in and around your pool:

Get all required pool inspections done yearly.
Have a proper barrier (perimeter fencing, keyed-access doors, etc.).
Provide properly trained lifeguards, if possible.
Enforce safety rules.

Remember, if a pool drowning takes place on your property, the law may hold you responsible.

What Every Parent Should Know

The main factors that contribute to a child’s pool drowning (as far as what a parent can control), is a lack of swimming ability, a failure to wear a life jacket, and a lack of supervision. However, even with the most diligent, watchful eye, accidents can happen.

Medical care and funeral costs can place an enormous financial burden on your family, and no amount of money can truly pay for the emotional trauma of a drowning. That’s why it’s important to know your rights when it comes to holding a negligent party responsible for a severe injury or death.

Call for a Free Consultation about a Pool Drowning

If your child has suffered a serious injury or has died from a pool drowning, speaking with an experienced injury attorney can help ease your burden, both financially and emotionally.

Contact Ahlander Injury Law to find out if a negligent public pool owner should be held responsible for your child’s pool drowning.

How to Prevent Slips, Trips, and Falls

April 8, 2019 by Big Leap

Falls account for more than 8 million hospital emergency room visits, making them the leading cause anyone visits the emergency room. Slips, trips, and falls can happen to people of any age and demographic, but the elderly population is especially susceptible to this type of injury. In fact, falls are the leading cause of injury and death in older Americans.

We’ve gathered a list of advice on preventing slips, trips, and falls. Read on for three helpful tips.

1. Keep Hallways Clear

Hallways often become the landing place for clutter and boxes, but these can become obstacles for those walking through the area. Keep hallways safe by getting rid of any obstacles and keeping pathways clear.

2. Clean Up Spills Right Away

Slippery floors can be extremely hazardous, even to those who know the spill is there. Minimize the risk of slips, trips, and falls by cleaning up spills as soon as they happen. Invest in a quality mop and have designated towels to take care of the issue. Even after cleaning the spill, it’s best to put up a “wet floor” sign to ensure safety until the area completely dries.

3. Make Sure Your Space is Well-Lit

Dimly lit spaces can be the cause of trips and other injuries, so it’s important to keep hallways and rooms well lit, even if you aren’t in the room very often. Regularly check light bulbs to make sure they’re working, and consider adding more lighting if an overhead light doesn’t fully illuminate a room.

Contact Erik Ahlander Today

Whether you’re a business owner wanting to keep your workplace safe or just looking to minimize injury at home, you’ll benefit from incorporating these tips. And if you’ve recently suffered from a slip, trip, or fall in Las Vegas, Nevada, Erik Ahlander can help. Contact our injury law practice today to discuss your case.

Motorcycle Accident? How a Motorcycle Accident Attorney Can Help

March 8, 2019 by Big Leap

Accidents happen, more often than we’d like them to. If you experience a motorcycle accident, it’s important to know what to do and how a motorcycle accident attorney can be helpful to you.

Step 1: Check for Injuries

Whether you were alone or not, the first thing you should do immediately after a motorcycle accident is to check yourself and others for injuries. If injuries are noticed, designate yourself or another individual to call 911 for emergency services.

Step 2: Take Photos

If the scene is safe, there are no injuries, and you have the technology available, take pictures with a cell phone or camera. Documentation of the motorcycle, other involved structures, environment, and vehicles can be useful with insurance and court case purposes.

Step 3: Relocate Your Bike from the Road

Getting your motorcycle off of the road can prevent anything from happening to other vehicles in oncoming traffic. Only get your bike off of the road if you are able to and if it is safe to do so.

Note: Many bystanders will be willing to help you move your motorcycle off of the road if you need help.

Step 4: Seek Assistance from Local Police

Contacting your local police department is necessary after a motorcycle accident, emergency or not. Public officers will be able to arrive at the scene and help you draw up a police report. This document will prove to be essential in your case.

As the officer collects information for the police report, ensure the following information is included:

The contact information of other drivers and witnesses
Vehicle information, VIN included, of all involved vehicles
Police report number
Name and badge number of the police officer on your case
Insurance information of other involved parties

Step 5: Call Your Insurance and Motorcycle Accident Attorney

As you speak with your insurance provider after the accident, you can streamline the claim process by providing all of the information you gathered from the incident. Always remember that you are not admitting fault to anyone, including your insurance company.

Never give out information you don’t have, such as injury or motorcycle damages. Your doctor and a mechanic will be able to provide better information regarding injury or damages. With the right information, you can expect a fair compensation from the insurance company.

A motorcycle accident attorney in Las Vegas, NV can help in a variety of ways after your accident. Contact our team at Ahlander Injury Law to find out how we can help you gain rightful compensation for your accident.

Treating a Dog Bite and Preventing Infection

February 8, 2019 by Big Leap

Dog bites aren’t as uncommon as one would think. Nearly 4.7 million Americans will be bitten by a dog every year. If you ever find yourself as one of these unlucky few, it is essential to know how to treat a dog bite to prevent an infection.

How Do I Prevent a Dog Bite?

When it comes to a dog bite, it’s likely a random, unfortunate event. There are measures to be taken by either a dog owner or an individual that can help prevent a potential dog bite from happening. Here are some tips to consider:

Looking for a new pet? Consider a dog with a sweet, mild temperament
Remain calm and allow an unknown dog to come to you during interactions
If a dog becomes aggressive, avoid eye contact and walk away slowly
Try and stay away from any dogs that are not familiar to you or your family
Keep dogs at a distance when it comes to younger children

Did you know that most dog bites reported come from dogs that are familiar to the owner? If you ever experience an unknown dog, it’s best to call your local animal control to handle the situation.

How Do I Treat a Dog Bite?

If you ever experience a dog bite, it’s essential to treat and care for the wound as soon as possible to prevent infection. Whether the dog is known or not, always consult with your doctor. Your doctor may suggest the following self-care at home:

Let the wound bleed a little to flush out any infection before applying a bandage.
Wash the bite carefully with warm water and soap.
Apply an antibiotic ointment and sterile dressings to the wound and change them several times a day.
If the injury was severe, it might require sutures or stitches.

As you speak with your doctor, they may ask whether or not you knew the dog and if you did, if you were aware of current vaccinations. If the dog was unknown, the doctor might give you a rabies vaccination, tetanus shot, or prescribe an antibiotic if an infection is present. Signs of infection may include:

Redness
Swelling
Fever
Increased pain

Finding Help with a Dog Bite Lawyer

A dog bite injury can leave you with physical and emotional trauma, especially for children. With the help of a dog bite lawyer like Ahlander Injury Law, you can find compensation for your dog bite injury.

If an unknown dog or other animal has bitten you or someone you know, please call our office today for a consultation.