Washington DC Injury Lawyer

When I go home for the holidays I love to visit my old friends. During the Christmas holiday most of my friends have a Christmas tree up in their living room. Some have plastic trees, some have metal trees, and some have real trees. Each one is beautiful for different reasons. Some of the trees are surrounded by gorgeous, elaborate and meaningful décor. Others have minimal décor, and are still beautiful. I actually spend time talking to my friends about the history of their decorations. I learn the traditions and superstitions. I also hear the childhood memories that are attached to the decorations.

However, I also can't help but to think about the horror stories that I have heard surrounding the same types of decorations. I remember hearing a story once about candles falling near a huge real tree. The tree went up in flames, all the gifts were destroyed, and there was significant damage to the home and the electrical systems. When I heard this story, I wondered if everyone got out safely. I also wondered if the family learned any lessons about fire safety with a real tree. I have also heard a story about someone with a plastic tree where the string of lights short circuited and caused a fire near the tree. As the family slept, the fire spread to the tree. The family was fortunately able to safely escape and call for emergency assistance. The fire fighters were able to extinguish the flames, but not before there was significant damage to the electrical system, the tree, and the furniture.

In most stories it seems like there is no real and direct cause to this unfortunate accident. In other cases people simply forget the lessons they learned in school. In the most tragic cases, a company has cut corners and caused damage to the consumers that create its profit. The sad part about it is that families save up to celebrate the holidays. They save up to buy the tree and the decorations. It is hard to think that the thing you saved up for and looked forward to could also ultimately cause so much damage and destruction.

If your holiday was impacted by the negligence of a large corporation, please contact an attorney to discuss your legal rights.

This blog post was written by personal injury lawyer Rabihah Scott. In addition to Ms. Scott, the personal injury practice group at Price Benowitz LLP offers the services of Maryland personal injury attorney Chamille Kittles and Virginia personal injury attorney Thomas Soldan.

Continue reading "Negligent Companies, Defective Products, and the Holidays" »

As the New Year is hitting full swing regular gym member are utterly frustrated by the return of the fair-weather members. Each year people indulge in the gluttonous decadence that spans from Thanksgiving through the time the ball drops and everyone sets a resolution to get in shape for the New Year. People vow to work off the seconds at Thanksgiving with a personal trainer. People vow to lose the 50 pounds they gained through months of hibernation and watching television. People also begin to look for the quick fix.

When people begin their workout regimen, they often get two things: 1. a personal trainer; and 2. a bunch of dietary supplements. Most people end their intense work outs by Valentine's Day and go back to their normal routine insisting they are happy with their weight and able to love themselves. I know this routine because my friends are on this roller coaster, and I actually used to be on it with them. This year I stepped off.

This past summer, I saw a doctor for a physical, spoke with a licensed nutritionist, and found a reputable trainer. I worked slow and steady and I made it through the holidays without gaining an ounce. The odd thing is I still get the urge to do what my friends are doing. The ups and downs of crash dieting and exercise can definitely be fun. The thing that stops me is realizing how much of a risk this can be to my health.

Lack of regular exercise can impact the body in multiple ways. The most obvious sign is weight gain and an increase in stored fat. A less visible way is the decrease in muscle mass. The combination of increased fat and decreased muscle mass leaves the joints working harder to support your body. In addition to the obvious impacts, your internal organs also suffer in their efforts to properly function. The organ that offers most concern, because it is so vital, is the heart. The heart usually struggles to keep up with the increase demands for blood and oxygen from a larger body.

The problem with not seeking a doctor's advice and then taking medication (herbal or otherwise) is that you put your life in jeopardy. Taking a simple pill that promises to increase your metabolism may in fact increase your heart rate and put you at serious risk. Another pill designed to help burn fat may cause liver or kidney failure. It is scary to think a supplement purchased without a prescription can cause this much damage when taken according to the label.

Everyone wants to look their best, but I urge everyone to be safe about it. If you are starting to take medication or dietary supplements, please check with your doctor. If you feel odd about the supplement you are taking, go to your doctor. Finally if you are injured because of the medication that was designed to help you, contact a lawyer.

This blog post was written by Maryland personal injury attorney Rabihah Scott. At Price Benowitz LLP our personal injury attorneys assist people in Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia. For more information, please visit the Virginia Accident Attorney website.

Continue reading "Check With Your Doctor Before Starting Your New Year's Resolution" »

I love taking long drives on highways that stretch forever. When I was younger I used to love family road trips in the summer. As a young adult I came to appreciate even more the freedom that comes with the open road. I love feeling at one with the road and seeing all the things this country has to offer. I love turning up the music and letting the windows down as I ride up the highway. I love singing along with my favorite songs and pretending that I am in my own world and nobody can bother me. I love to be in control of my fate and destiny as I choose where I go. I do all this while buckled in my seatbelt with my GPS attached to my dashboard. I also make sure that if I have my phone nearby, my Bluetooth is in my ear and both are completely charged. I also keep spare car chargers and an emergency kit in the trunk. It's a great time for me, but I go the extra mile to make it a safe time for everyone. Although my road trips are fun, I can't say that they are worth my life. It is important that I make sure that I do my best to keep everyone safe by obeying the rules of the road.

It always scares me when I see cars dipping around trucks and riding in the truck's blind spot. I often wonder if they missed the "if you can't see my mirrors I can't see you" bumper stickers in big bold writing on the back of the trucks. I wonder if they missed a lesson about safety precautions in driver's education class that makes them think that what they are doing is safe. It also scares me when huge trucks stop short or move very quickly into another lane of travel with little or no notice. I fear that the drivers in the next lane will not react properly to this huge fast moving vehicle. My fear is heightened in seeing the top of the truck tilt just a bit more than usual. I fear that the truck may tip or roll over and leave devastation in its wake. I fear that one day the drivers who act without regard will cause or be part of a major accident. Selfishly, I hate this because it ruins my travel time as I along with every other prudent driver are forced to sit in hours of bumper to bumper traffic as we wait for the mess created by someone else to be cleaned up.
Altruistically, I hate seeing preventable pain. I would just as soon let someone have my water on a hot day if I knew it would prevent dehydration. I am also the type of driver that graciously allows people to merge before the road ends. I also hate seeing innocent people suffer. The sad reality is that when inconsiderate people get into accidents, they usually get into accidents with good drivers, who had no way of reacting in time.

I encourage all drivers to use the road wisely. We could all benefit from obeying the speed limit and using turn signals religiously. Sometimes no matter how safe you are, you suffer from the negligence of other people. In those cases, it is important to have a good attorney. It is important to have someone looking out for your best interest.

This blog post was written by attorney Rabihah Scott. The Personal Injury Practice Group at Price Benowitz LLP has offices in Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia. For more information, you can visit the Maryland Personal Injury Lawyers and Virginia Accident Lawyers websites.

Continue reading "Follow The Rules Of The Road" »