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.

Tips On Pursuing a Defective Product Lawsuit

November 8, 2018 by Big Leap

Defective products are an unfortunate fact of life. There are few things more frustrating than getting a new purchase in your home and finding out that it does not work as expected because of a flaw in the development or manufacturing. The inconvenience of having to return the item is an annoying detour on your day in the Las Vegas and Spring Valley area. But when a defective product causes personal injury or property damage, then it is time to consider taking the next step: consulting a defective product lawyer.

Do You Need a Defective Product Lawyer in Spring Valley, Las Vegas?

The simple fact of a product not working does not constitute a defective product lawsuit. To be considered an actionable defective product lawsuit, the product must:

Be unreasonably dangerous
Have insufficient warnings
Have inadequate and/or incomplete instructions
Have deficient safety measures
Result in personal injury or property damage

If your experience with your product aligns with this list, you could have grounds for a defective product lawsuit. Your defective product attorney will review your case and determine if it meets the necessary criteria for further action.

Defective Product Lawsuits By The Numbers

According to the Insurance Information Institute, in 2015, product liability jury awards were by far the highest of all personal injury awards with a median award of $2,500,000, followed by medical malpractice with a median of $1,000,000 and business negligence at $222,000.

If you have been injured or have had personal property damage and are thinking about contacting a defective product attorney in the Las Vegas and Spring Valley area, make sure that you maintain all documentation, including:

Receipts of purchase
Contact information for seller and location
Contact information for witnesses to the incident
Document of the injury or damage with photos and video and medical records, if available

Claims Included In Defective Product Lawsuits

If you have been injured, you know that the damage goes beyond the physical pain and can linger for years. Your defective product lawsuit may include:

Medical expenses
Lost wages
Pain and suffering
Mental anguish
Property damage

Most personal injury lawsuits involving a defective product lawyer are settled out of court, thanks to the diligent processing of your case by the committed attorneys, which means less time and stress for you. If you are in need of a defective product attorney in the Las Vegas and Spring Vallery area, contact Ahlander Injury Law today.