Philadelphia Injury Attorney Blog

Almost all of us have a story about how we were scammed at one time or another by a home repair contractor or by a product we purchased from someone else. When you purchase insurance or seek to recover insurance benefits that are rightfully yours, the last thing that you want to think of is non-payment of a claim when you need it most.

Since 1979, my personal injury law firm in Philadelphia has been battling insurance companies on behalf of injured victims. Although insurance policies are meant to protect you from the many mishaps of life, unfortunately, many insurance companies and their agents, employees, and skilled attorneys fail to promptly and fairly pay claims.

Recently, a 90-year old Montana woman suffering from Alzheimer’s disease won a $34 million bad faith insurance lawsuit against an insurance company that unfairly cut her benefits. Although the plaintiff had taken out a long-term care insurance policy in 1997 after she was diagnosed with dementia and moved into St. John‘s Lutheran Home to receive long term care that the insurance company was supposed to cover, the policy was sold to another company. After reviewing the policy, the new company cut off assisted living benefits to the nursing home, stating that the plaintiff no longer qualified for her policy. The insurance company cited medical staff who claimed that the plaintiff did not need “continual supervision” due to her severe cognitive impairment and was not “severely impaired”.

Thankfully, the jury sided with the plaintiff and awarded her $250,000 for breach of contract, $2 million for violation of unfair trade practices, and $32 million in punitive damages, making it one of the largest jury awards in Montana history.

Simply stated, the name of the game today for many insurance companies is delay, deny, and defend in an effort to improve their profits and bottom line in a tightened economy. It seems that the non-payment of insurance claims is becoming more and more widespread with more dirty tricks being played by insurance companies and their adjusters from low balling claims and instigating arbitrary fraud investigations. Many insurance companies use the court system as a weapon understanding that it will take time for a case to come to trial and delay paying benefits whether they are medical, economic, or cost of living after a tragedy strikes. While many TV commercials point to insurance providers as good friends, good neighbors, and being there when you need them, many of their practices and behavior patterns keep lawyers like those employed by my law firm in business.

If you have been injured or wronged by another and medical bills and lost wages continue to accumulate, don’t be sucked into the trap set by many insurance companies. If they refuse to settle your case in good faith after they have received the information requested, chances are they are preparing to battle and it is time to arm yourself with an experienced and proven trial lawyer who understands the game plan better than many of the young adjusters.

The lawyers of Reiff & Bily are honored to have been named as one of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers by The National Trial Lawyers Association as well as been named Pennsylvania Super Lawyers, and the Top 100 Lawyers in Philadelphia and Pennsylvania. Don’t just take our word for it; see what our clients and peers have said about us on Avvo at www.avvo.com. We always offer a free no obligation consultation to those in need of our services. Contact us toll free 1-800-421-9595 or online www.reiffandbily.com.

As an experienced Philadelphia trial lawyer for over three decades who admits to being “greedy for justice”, I am accustomed to having naysayers tell me that car accident cases or other personal injury cases are “lottery tickets” for many.

I have often come to recognize that many of the same lawyer and client bashers turn into some of the greediest clients when they themselves or a loved one are involved in a catastrophic and life-changing accident. Sure, admittedly there are some people who willingly commit insurance fraud, which shades the truth for those with legitimate claims, but the real truth exists that when a catastrophic car accident or premises liability accident occurs, a victim’s life can be changed forever in an instant and the victim and his or her loved ones are entitled to the best representation they can get to achieve proper justice.

Several years ago, I was called upon to represent a supervisor from a major insurance company who was an admitted lawyer basher and lawyer hater. We battled over the years and he was always quick to tell me why one of my clients was a fraud or a fake and why their claim wasn’t worth the money we were seeking. Interestingly enough, after this particular person sustained his own accident, he presented to my office and told me that I was one of three lawyers he was going to interview for potential representation of his claim. When he told me the facts of his case, I could only wonder what he was doing at my office since I really never thought he cared too much about me or my colleagues.

To make a long story short, he presented a realistic demand of what he thought his case was worth and we proceeded to represent this gentleman on a hotly contested lawsuit that resulted in us securing well in excess of one million dollars. During the various stages of the claim, defense counsel and lawyers for the insurance company had claimed that our client, a claims supervisor and adjuster with a long history of negotiating claims, had staged a perfect case and again tried to paint him as a knowledgeable person trying to hit the lottery. They claimed his case was exaggerated and the regimens of expert physicians who examined him and operated on him were frauds. My client confided to me about the various injustices of his job and to what great lengths the principles of the insurance company he worked for would go to deny and defend claims which became clearly obvious in his own case.

The moral of the story I guess, is that, yes, there are good lawyers out there who will represent seriously injured people and that not all victims view their cases as lottery tickets as many would suggest. There are good lawyers who believe that many lose the value of their lost hopes and dreams as a result of an accident and will fight for the rights of their clients. Lawsuits consume time, money, rest, and unfortunately, sometimes friends.

I have been a scuba diver since I was 13-years old, egged on by one of my favorite early TV heroes Mike Nelson in the TV show “Sea Hunt”. I could not wait to get my first double hosed regulator which today seems primitive if you are a scuba diver.

Recently, I learned of the potential for diving hose rupture which poses a serious drowning hazard as it reduces the air supply to divers beneath the surface. Approximately 17, 000 Miflex High Pressure scuba diving hoses distributed and imported by XS Scuba, Inc. of Santa Ana, California and manufactured by Miflex 2, Villasanta, Italy have been voluntarily recalled by the U. S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) in cooperation with the Miflex firm. Any consumers or divers should stop using the Miflex High Pressure diving hoses due to a potential drowning hazard.

According to news sources, XS Scuba has received reports of approximately 189 hose failures and a high pressure hose is used to monitor cylinder pressure for the air supply tanks in scuba diving tanks. The hoses have a retail price of $44 to $60 dollars and were sold between May 2009 and April 2012 as replacement gage hoses and cascade hoses for the following models. The Deluxe Cylinder Equalizer with Miflex HP hose, P/N AC366, Miflex Two-Gage Console, HL300/HL300M, Miflex Rebreather kits MRB-EVO-LG, MRB-EVO-MD, and MRB-ISP-POST-LG.

The Pennsylvania product liability, swimming accident, and drowning accident law firm of Reiff & Bily is committed to protecting the public and consumers from injury or death associated with the use of consumer products.

As an experienced scuba diver with an advanced open water certification, I advise anyone using this scuba high pressure hose to immediately cease using the same. If you or a loved one has suffered an injury due to defectively designed or manufactured diving or scuba gear, contact our Philadelphia defective product attorneys for a free no obligation consultation toll free at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.

Water parks are inherently dangerous to swimmers and non-swimmers alike. Normally, the first thought that comes to mind when we think of a water park or amusement park is screams of laughter and joy with the shrieks of terrified amusement goers.

Unfortunately, as an experienced water park accident attorney, I have had to deal with my share of unthinkable catastrophic injuries and deaths that repeatedly occur at American amusement parks and water parks.

When many individuals board a water park attraction, they are not fully aware of the risks involved as new amusement park attractions often push the safety envelope by demanding more physical strength and control than many patrons possess. Many passengers have no idea what to expect or how to react in a surprising situation, particularly if water flow speeds, deck level, and rider time is not properly controlled.

Accidents are bound to happen when water park, and unfortunately, some amusement park, operators take shortcuts whether it is in relation to a maintenance repair or hiring qualified individuals to inspect, maintain, and supervise the rides.

Generally, the amusement park and water park accidents occur from a combination of circumstances including, but not limited to, incorrect inspections, damaged parts, corrosion, defective design, defective maintenance, and improper supervision. In some cases, operators may be distracted or under the influence of alcohol or drugs, giving rise to potential criminal and civil prosecution.

Many times, an experienced water park accident lawyer will hear from the defense that the accident was a “random chance encounter” and a terrible tragedy. Most times accidents are the result of simple human error. Many times after an accident happens, an amusement park or water park has limited first aid facilities and an independent investigation may reveal that an improper risk assessment was carried out. Safety checks are often not performed and distracted employees are neglectful in their failure to operate the attractions safely. Many times on water slides and in wading pools, young children or adults without proper water safety instruction or experience are allowed to travel alone without an appropriate buddy or older person. In some instances, the lifeguards may not be properly qualified for the circumstances.

The issues in amusement park and water park accidents in Philadelphia are rarely black and white and require independent and unbiased investigation by experienced amusement park and water park accident experts and attorneys if an accident occurs. Our skilled Pennsylvania amusement accident and water park accident attorneys have authored many articles on amusement park safety and always offer a free, no obligation consultation to victims and their families injured in amusement park and water park accidents. Contact us toll free at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to a brewery worker who died when a beer keg exploded at the Red Hook Brewery in Portsmouth, New Hampshire on April 24, 2012. According to news sources, this tragic accident occurred when the worker had been filling kegs with air as part of the cleaning process to remove residual beer from the kegs when one exploded. Another worker sustained chest and head injuries.

As an experienced explosion accident lawyer for over three decades, I am aware that due to design defects, manufacturing defects, or improper handling, a relatively innocent looking beer keg or other tank can become an instrument of death.

Not so long ago, a 20 gallon beer keg overheated and exploded, killing the host of a fraternity party. Investigators determined that the keg which had been kept outside prior to the party had heated up in the sun causing the pressure to build inside the keg. When the host attempted to use the keg, it exploded projecting metallic shrapnel into nearby victims.

Over the years, I have worked with experts to investigate propane tank explosions, oxygen tank explosions, and gas tank explosions, which have all resulted in catastrophic injuries and in the worst cases, wrongful death. Most of these accidents have occurred from a combination of circumstances including damaged parts, corrosion, rust, incorrect inspection, improper storage, defective design, or deficient maintenance.

As a fan of the old beach party movies and other teen flicks, my memory goes back to beer parties on the beach where people were tossing things into the bonfire. Another beer keg explosion case involved the tossing of the keg into a bonfire, causing a deadly explosion that sent shards of metal into the crowd.

Unfortunately, not everyone has common sense and when you go to rent or use a keg of beer, the last thing you will probably ever think about is the keg exploding and injuring, or worse, killing, someone. Just as important as the contents inside the beer keg, or any tank for that matter, is the safety of users. Proper care, storage, and maintenance are necessary to protect those who come in contact with the beer keg or tank from any injury. Make sure that any tank or beer keg is stored in a clean, dry environment, and always check for corrosion and rust as well as connections to pressure sources. If transporting a beer keg or tank, make sure it is properly secured and always store them in an upright position where the pressure relief valves or safety valves are located. Never store tanks near a water heater, furnace, or potential source of ignition.

If you or a loved one has sustained an injury due to defective beer keg or other type of storage tank, you should have an unbiased independent investigation commenced immediately and make sure you do not dispose of or destroy any of the evidence.

According to a report published in The Press of Atlantic City on Thursday, April 19, 2012, Morey’s Pier will hire a “small city” of 1,500 seasonal workers to serve lemonade, run games, and guard water parks. According to the news story, this year Morey’s will employ about 700 foreign students on J1 Visas down from a peak of 1,000 in 2008. At Mariner’s Landing in Wildwood recently, 5 teenagers applied to be lifeguards at Morey’s Pier water parks, which pay a minimum wage of $7.25 an hour plus a bonus for working until after Labor Day.

The operation of amusement facilities and water parks is a serious business with serious responsibility and the owners and operators of the same have an obligation to protect the patrons of the park with the proper control and maintenance of a ride and proper installation of safety equipment. Just as important is the ability to control other patrons visiting the park in order to avoid amusement and water park accidents. Many of the Jersey seashore parks provide an escape for families and their young children and the owner and operators of the rides have a higher duty of care to protect innocent and unknowing children who may not be aware of a ride’s potential dangers due to their limited knowledge and experience.

As an experienced amusement park attorney, I understand that the most important thing for an amusement employer to consider in the hiring quotient is that the person is responsible with a clean history involving drugs, alcohol, or potential criminal disciplinary issues. Hiring a person with strong social skills is not enough.

Over the past 33 years as a catastrophic injury and wrongful death attorney, I have represented countless families who lost loved ones as a result of a catastrophic product failure, product defect, medical malpractice, amusement park accident, or motor vehicle accident.

What all of these cases have in common is that the victim has left behind a surviving family, family member, or friend who wants to make sure that this event never happens to anyone else and that the victim’s death was not in vain.

While many portray trial lawyers and their clients as greedy and concerned only about the money, the truth of the matter is trial lawyers are the unsung heroes and policeman of society. Unfortunately, many industries are improperly regulated or governed by a patchwork of regulations and the pursuit of a trial lawyer to seek justice is truth in action.

Although death may be irrevocable, if it is caused by the wrong of another or corporate entities, we act as the protector. Wisdom establishes the rule of right and honesty and the pursuit of justice in the name of one who died wrongfully shall always be held in the highest expediency. The revelation of truth behind the actions of wrongdoers serves to strengthen and improve the safety of dangerous products in the marketplace and regulate the dangerous actions of others.

Our goal as trial lawyers is to ensure that safety never is trumped by profitability and that even during difficult times of recession, powerful interests with the wrong agenda do not shortchange the lives and safety of others. We remain committed to improving the lives and safety of others through the pursuit of truth and justice and remain committed and fortunate to use our skills as trial lawyers to help those less fortunate and protect them from the actions of others that lead to the loss of their loved ones.

According to news sources, U.S. safety regulators have indicated that 16 crashes and 5 injuries were related to transmission control problems with BMW series 7 cars. The vehicles have not yet been recalled. However, 122,000 BMW’s from 2002 through 2008 model years are being investigated. According to the investigation, many drivers or owners of these vehicles think they are in park when they are actually in neutral and can roll away unexpectedly, crash, and injure others.

As experienced Pennsylvania auto product liability lawyers, we have written before about safety concerns on electronic transmissions and push button start.

If you have had any issues with an electronic transmission or electronic start button, you should immediately take your car back to the dealer, notify them of the problem, and make a written record. If you feel that the vehicle is not safe to drive, do not be afraid to contact the manufacturer’s national office directly.

We are aware of several cases where electronic controls and ignitions gave false readings and as the owner of a vehicle that contains the same, I have had my own series of concerns and safety issues.

The Pennsylvania motor vehicle accident and product liability lawyers of Reiff and Bily always offer a free, no obligation consultation to those involved in a catastrophic car accident. We believe that safety should never trump the profitability of manufacturers. Contact us toll free at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.

Recently, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) released a statement recalling 17,000 bicycles. Three leading bicycle brands affected by the recall: GT, Giant, and Trek Bicycles are being recalled because of a defect involving the SR Suntour Suspension Forks. It has been reported that the SR Suntour suspension fork's internal support tubes can break causing serious injuries to those riding on bikes equipped with these suspension forks.

GT, Giant, and Trek Bicycles equipped with the faulty SR Suntour suspension forks were sold at specialty bicycle stores nationwide from April 2011 through March 2012. The CPSC has said that consumers should stop using bicycles with SR Suntour Suspension Forks and immediately take these bicycles to any authorized GT, Giant, or Trek dealer for a free repair.

While SR Suntour has not explicitly mentioned the reason for the recall, it should be noted that SR Suntour has received 12 reports of incidents involving the suspension forks.

As we approach summer, it’s important to make sure your bicycle is functioning correctly before hitting the streets. In Philadelphia, it is reported that 300,000 people ride a bicycle at least once a month during the summer. This is on top of the nearly 36,000 people that ride a bicycle to work at least once a month, year-round in Philadelphia.

However, with the increase of riders comes the increase in accidents. Bicycle accidents in Philadelphia can cause bruises, lacerations, road rash, burns, concussions, broken bones, head injuries, and traumatic brain injuries. Regardless of how and why a bicycle accident occurs, it’s important to seek medical attention immediately following a bicycle accident.

The Pennsylvania bicycle accident law firm of Reiff and Bily remains committed to bicycle safety and always offers a free, no obligation consultation to those injured in bicycle accidents caused by the fault of another or due to a defectively designed bicycle, a defectively manufactured bicycle, or defectively designed bicycle parts. If you or a loved one has been injured in a bicycle crash or while riding on a bike equipped with the recently recalled SR Suntour Suspension Forks, please contact one of our experienced bicycle accident attorneys for a free consultation at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.

Be careful what you write in text messages and understand that any voice message you leave may be discoverable and come back to haunt you one day when you least expect it.

I recently received a call from a friend of mine who was engaged in heated litigation and when defense lawyers received copies of his client’s text messages he placed and received over a period of months, not only were they detrimental to his case, but also caused the client much more grief with his spouse after she discovered romantic messages sent to him from another lady.

I am fond of using the quote that “chance favors the prepared mind” and am quite concerned today as an experienced Philadelphia personal injury lawyer that social networking via cell phones, Facebook, LinkedIn, and other sites reveal too much of our lives to the world. What happened to privacy and keeping our personal business confined to ourselves?

Case law allows the discovery of such information in litigation and therefore I always urge my clients to shut down any and all social networking sites during the pendency of litigation and always remind my clients and the readers of this blog that when you post something into cyber space, there is almost always a permanent record of it that may come back to bite you one day.

Although each of the telephone companies has their own policies, I was recently informed that Verizon keeps records for 12 months, but only keeps text message records for 3 months. While this is what they claim, I believe it may very well be possible that many carriers retain these messages for a longer period of time and one should approach these issues most cautiously.

Every year, Americans take 1.8 billion amusement rides for their own amusement, which is approximately 5.7 rides per person per year. Between 1997 and 2004, injuries on fixed amusement park rides increased 24.81 percent and unthinkable catastrophic injuries and deaths are repeatedly occurring in many American amusement parks, theme parks, water parks, and carnivals due to inefficient regulations.

Unfortunately, the amusement industry is highly unregulated and although many new operating systems require skilled and mature workers, minors can operate attractions in 34 states. Unfortunately, after an amusement park accident occurs, records are often modified and operators or witnesses are intimidated by park owners or operators. Amusement rides require proper staffing or supervision particularly at loading and unloading positions, yet many parks seem to hire seasonal high school and college graduates, and in many cases, foreign exchange students with rudimentary English to work at minimum wages. Many of the young workers operating these rides have little experience or training and often succumb to distractions such as chatting or texting on cell phones and flirting with patrons or co-workers to the detriment of safety checks and warnings.

In July 2010, a young teenager plummeted 100 feet to the ground after the operator admitted that he failed to check his safety net and was not paying attention before releasing the rider. There was no fail-safe prevention to avoid a premature release of the victim. Unfortunately, there is no comprehensive federal regulation to improve amusement safety and the parks claim they can self-police.

As an experienced amusement park accident attorney who has litigated amusement park accident cases and is familiar with the loopholes of amusement park and water park law, I am aware that many amusement parks, water parks, and carnivals seem to be focused on profitability while short changing safety. We understand that safety should never be an option and that a distracted amusement operator is inexcusable.

If you or a loved one has been a victim of an amusement park accident, it is necessary to conduct an independent and biased analysis of the facts. The Philadelphia amusement park accident attorneys of Reiff and Bily understand the landscape and know what must be done to bring wrongdoers to justice. We always offer a free, no obligation consultation toll free at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.

Light truck tires from Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. and PT. Multistrada Arah Sarana are being recalled according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Light trucks are vehicles such as pickups, SUVs, and multi-passenger vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight of less than 10,000 pounds. Tires for light trucks are generally designed for cargo duty making them durable and long lasting.

Cooper Tire is recalling 1,084 Discoverer H/T tires, size LT245/75R16, manufactured from Feb. 12, 2012, through March 10, 2012. NHTSA reports that some of the discoverer H/T tires may have been produced with an incorrect load range, maximum permissible inflation pressure, and maximum load molded onto the intended inner sidewall. Thus, the discoverer H/T tires fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 139. This standard specifies tire dimensions, test requirements, labeling requirements, and defines tire load ratings.

PT. Multistrada Arah Sarana is recalling two lines comprising 36,592 tires. The recall covers the Achilles Desert Hawk A/P light truck tires, sizes LT215/85R16 115/112L 10PR, LT235/85R16 120/116L 10PR and LT225/75R16 115/112L 10PR, produced between January 2010 and November 2011; and Radar Radial RLT-9 light truck radial tires produced from Dec. 30, 2009, through Jan. 31, 2011.

The Achilles tires were produced with a narrow bead design, which can cause blistering on the lower sidewall. The Radar tires have a defective sidewall design, which may lead to tire tread separation. Because of these problems, the Achilles and Radar tires also do not conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 139.

Defective tires can cause tread separation, tire blowout, rim or sidewall explosion, and bead failures often lead to loss of control over a vehicle, and vehicle rollovers, resulting in catastrophic injury and wrongful death. Tread separation occurs when the steel belt in a radial tire fails to properly adhere to the rubber tread or other tire components. Poor adhesion may be caused by manufacturers using old and expired adhesives, unclean facilities, and improper or incorrect temperatures to cure the adhesive.

Tires are critically important in handling and controlling vehicles. Defective tires affect steering, braking, traction, and control. When a tire fails, explodes, or quickly deflates, driver safety is immediately compromised and catastrophic injury and wrongful death are likely consequences.

If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident caused by a defective tire, it is important to preserve the tire and contact an attorney experienced in tire defect cases. The experienced tire defect lawyers of Reiff and Bily have over three decades of experience representing those catastrophically injured or wrongfully killed due to tire manufacturer defects. We always offer a free confidential, no obligation consultation. For more information, contact us toll free at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.

As spring comes upon us, thoughts of jumping in the swimming pool and visiting water parks flow through our minds.

Since I was a young boy, I have been unable to keep myself out of the water and my parents use to tell me that I was the closest thing to a fish. Quite naturally, although normally a safe environment for those properly trained in water safety skills, swimming pools, water slides, and water park attractions can be the source of catastrophic injuries, paraplegia, quadriplegia, and unfortunately drowning, if operators fail to take appropriate safety steps in accordance with national and local safety codes and standards.

From the time I was a young boy, I worked as a lifeguard assistant and then a lifeguard at the Jersey shore and taught swimming and water safety. Over the years, I developed an extensive background in drowning prevention, swimming pool and water park safety, and understand more than ever that children and adults must be aware of the hazards in and around areas of water.

Water and swimming pool accidents are on the rise and may be caused by a variety of circumstances and breach of legal responsibilities. Owners and operators of swimming pools, water parks, and swimming areas are responsible for keeping the area secured, properly maintained, and safe. This includes, but is not limited to, proper placement and installation of decks, diving boards, slides, covers, and proper maintenance of chemicals. Unfortunately, in a tightened economy, many pool and water park owners and operators take short cuts, therefore emphasizing profitability over safety.

The experienced swimming pool accident lawyers in Philadelphia at Reiff and Bily have worked with local and national experts and consumer groups in an attempt to increase aquatic safety and are committed to the prevention of drowning and water-related injuries. We understand that if a water accident or drowning occurs, an independent investigation is necessary to assist the victim and victim’s family to gather evidence and move forward to make sure that future medical bills and needs are provided. We always offer a free, no obligation consultation toll free at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.

In a tightened economy, many of us take it upon ourselves to make repairs or hire inexperienced contractors for home improvements whether it be a roof repair, installation of a deck, planting trees, or even installation of a swimming pool. What many people fail to realize until it’s too late is that when excavating, you often run the risk of hitting underground utility lines which are full of electrical current and can cause an electrocution. Before commencing any underground excavation, you must be aware of the approximate location of power lines and gas lines.

If you are venturing up on a roof or to the second or third story of your home to repair or change a window, understand that the ladder should be in safe operating order and properly secured. Unfortunately, as Pennsylvania premises liability attorneys, each year we receive a number of phone calls from victims who have fallen from defective ladders or victims who attempt to sue on the basis that the homeowner failed to make them aware of a dangerous or defective condition which resulted in their injuries. Construction injuries, whether they occur at your own home or on the premises of another, often lead to catastrophic life-changing injuries and chance favors the prepared mind.

The Philadelphia premises liability lawyers of Reiff and Bily are committed to damage prevention and saving lives. If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident that occurred on the premises of another or on a construction site, please contact one of our experienced attorneys for a free, no obligation consultation toll free at (800) 421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.

Truck accidents occur across the United States every day and the results can be devastating. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which is an agency that informs the public about traffic safety, has reported that nearly 130,000 individuals are injured each year in truck collisions. The NHTSA has further reported that about 30 percent of commercial truck accidents are the result of driver fatigue.

Recently, a truck crash in Pittsburg occurred in the middle of the day and is being investigated because it is believed that the driver fell asleep at the wheel. The truck driver was killed instantly and 21 children were injured when a truck crossed over the median, hitting a school bus.

The National Sleep Foundation has just released the 2012 Sleep in America poll which echoes my concerns. The study focused on transportation workers and the duration and quality of their sleep, specifically on work nights, and how it affects their work performance. The report indicates that 18% of truck drivers have been fatigued on the job and of those surveyed, 27% state that they do not get a good night’s sleep because of work. These statistics are quite scary when there is now a 1/5 chance the truck driver next to you is fatigued on the job.

The two leading causes of truck accidents remain truck driver fatigue and improperly maintained trucks. Each year, fatigued operators of large trucks seriously injure or kill thousands of motorists. As a Pennsylvania big rig accident attorney, I believe it is extremely important that trucking companies take note of these findings and start working towards ensuring the safety of truck drivers and those who share the roads with them.

For over three decades, the experienced Philadelphia trucking accident lawyers of Reiff and Bily have represented catastrophically injured victims and their families and recovered millions of dollars in awards, settlements, and verdicts. If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a truck accident, contact one of our skilled attorneys for a free, no obligation consultation toll free at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.

Funerals and burials are often some of the most heartfelt and devastatingly emotional moments one will encounter in their lifetime. The purpose of a funeral is to celebrate, sanctify, and remember the life of the person who died. Each religion maintains its own ritual for dealing with the death and burial of an individual. Typically, a funeral may be one of the most expensive purchases a consumer will ever make and one expects that the experience will be conducted in a holy and healing manner. Unfortunately, however, this is not always the case as funeral homes often make appalling mistakes.

Today, many funeral homes, crematoriums, and cemeteries are acquired by large corporations and questionable practices and allegations of misconduct, deception, and corruption have led to atrocities. Unfortunately, as Pennsylvania funeral and burial abuse lawyers for over thirty years, we have investigated and litigated some of the most horrendous situations involving the dishonoring of the dead, family, and friends imaginable.

In a case we are currently litigating, although the deceased’s religion had strong beliefs against cremation, the funeral home erroneously cremated the body. In another recent Pennsylvania case, a Pennsylvania family sued the hospital and funeral home after it was discovered that the wrong body was prepared for a viewing.

The experienced Pennsylvania lawyers of Reiff and Bily understand the grief and emotional turmoil surrounding the loss of a family member and understand that when a funeral home and cemetery makes a mistake, it leaves even more emotional damage to the family.

We are the Pennsylvania lawyers to turn to if you or a loved one have been a victim of funeral home neglect. Our skilled funeral home neglect attorneys act as referral counsel for many law firms throughout the United States and understand the difficulties in addressing issues of grief after loss. We always offer a free, no obligation consultation toll free at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.