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Congratulations to Lucas County Dog Warden Tom Skeldon, Named Dog Warden of the Year

Chuck Boyk — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 19:58:05 GMT

Tom Skeldon has worked hard to keep children and adults safe from vicious dogs and dog bites.

Our Toledo, Ohio attorneys would like to extend our congratulations to the Lucas County Dog Warden, as he was just named Dog Warden of the year by the nation's only dog bite advocacy group, DogsBite.org. DogsBite.org was founded by a person who was a victim of a pit-bull attack in Seattle.

DogsBite.org agrees with Mr. Skeldon's hard work. They write, "Tom Skeldon has vigorously worked to prevent horrendous pit bull maulings resulting in serious injuries or death of human beings, their domesticated pets and livestock."

If you or someone you love has been injured by an dog bite in Ohio, contact our office using the form at right to order your FREE copy of The Ohio Dog Bite Book. Our attorneys are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chuck Boyk

Compensation for dog bites has increased since last year

Chuck Boyk — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 16:51:03 GMT

The number of dog bite injuries in the United States decreased by 0.9 percent in the year 2007, according to a recent report by the Associated Press. However, the amount of money awarded to dog bite injury victims for their injuries rose by 11.5 percent, bringing the national average to $24,511 per dog bite injury claim. According to CNN Money, one in every three homeowner insurance claims involves a dog bite injury.

A flight attendant on a private jet is seeking $5 million in compensation after a dog belonging to Jennifer Lopez bit the attendant’s pant leg, causing her to fall and injure her back. J.Lo had the German shepherd on the plane as a guard dog.

Dog bites can cause serious physical and emotional damage, especially if the dog bite injury victim is a child. In the United States, more than 60 percent of those suffering dog bite injuries are kids, according to Consumer Affairs.

Our Toledo, Ohio dog bite attorneys have seen the devastating effects that dog bite injuries can have on a person, including open wounds, permanent scarring, the need for plastic surgery, and emotional distress. We have handled hundreds of dog bite injury cases, and know how to avoid the traps insurance companies set to ensure they provide as little compensation as possible. If you or someone you love has suffered a dog bite injury, we urge you to learn your rights by ordering our FREE Ohio Dog Bite Book by calling our office. You can also speak to an attorney free of charge, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chuck Boyk

Which cities have the most fatal teen car accidents? | Ohio car accident lawyers

Chuck Boyk — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 13:38:07 GMT

Many factors can contribute to teen car accidents, including cell phone use and text messaging behind the wheel, drinking and driving, or other distractions in the car like friends or music. Mix those distractions with ADD, or Attention Deficit Disorder, which the CDC reports over 2 million teens nationwide suffer from, and it turns into a recipe for disaster.

Our Toledo, Ohio fatal car accident lawyers see the devastation that deadly car accidents can have. While fatal car accidents can happen to anyone, car accidents are the leading cause of death among teenagers, according to the US Centers for Disease Control.

According to a recent study by Allstate Insurance Company, Tampa, Florida is considered the top city for fatal teen car accidents between Thanksgiving and New Years Day out of the 50 largest metro areas in the country. Here are the other top nine cities in the US where fatal teen car accidents are the most prevalent:

Jacksonville, FL

Orlando-Kissimmee, FL

Kansas City, MO

Birmingham-Hoover, AL

Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ

Las Vegas-Paradise, NV

Oklahoma City, OK

Louisville, KY

Richmond, VA

If you or someone you know has been injured in an Ohio car accident, contact our office for your free copy of The Ohio Accident Book.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chuck Boyk

Have you suffered a dog bite injury in Ohio? Read "The Ohio Dog Bite Book"

Chuck Boyk — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 17:18:30 GMT

Personal injuries from dog bites can have devastating affects on a person, especially when the dog bite victim is a small child. Open wounds, permanent scarring, emotional distress, and a lasting fear of animals are just a few of the problems that can arise from dog bites.

The Toledo City Paper recognized the publication of Toledo, Ohio dog bite attorneys Chuck Boyk, Michael Bruno, and Dale Emch’s new Ohio Dog Bite Book released earlier this summer. The article ran in the free weekly paper in the August 27-September 2, 2008 issue.

The article describes how the Ohio Dog Bite Book offers advice and tips to those suffering personal injury from a dog bite. Describing how our Toledo, Ohio dog bite attorneys are “teaming up to take a bite out of dog bites,” the article went on to explain that the “Toledo trio created the book to help people through the unfamiliar and uncomfortable experience of seeking fair compensation after an attack.”

If you or someone you love has suffered a dog bite, contact our office to order your free copy of The Ohio Dog Bite Book. Learn the steps to take after a dog bite to ensure maximum recovery.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chuck Boyk

More than 41,000 Americans suffer wrongful death from car accidents each year

Chuck Boyk — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 17:48:00 GMT

More than 41,000 people suffered wrongful death as a result of car accidents in 2007, according to a recent report released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The report found that for every 100 million miles traveled on the roads, there were 1.37 wrongful deaths in 2007. Wrongful death caused by motorcycle accidents is also prevalent in the United States, with the number of wrongful deaths increasing to 5,154 from 4,837 in 2006.

Our Toledo, Ohio car accident attorneys see the devastation that wrongful deaths from car accidents can have on a family. We urge motor vehicle and motorcycle drivers to always be careful on the roads, in order to prevent car accidents. Obey all posted traffic signs, mind the speed limit, and always wear a seatbelt.

If you or someone you love has been injured in a car accident, order The Ohio Accident Book by contacting our office. This book will teach you the proper steps to take after a car accident, and inform you of your rights under Ohio law, to protect you and your family.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chuck Boyk

ATV accident causes wrongful death in Findlay

Chuck Boyk — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 15:50:00 GMT

Many times ATV accident injuries are caused because the rider is not wearing a helmet, or because they are too small to control the all-terrain vehicle. Kids should not drive ATVs, nor should they ride as a passenger on one. ATVs are not built to be driven on pavement, which is why it is important to stay off of roads, and away from cars.

There were 555 ATV-related deaths reported nationally in 2006, but the estimated number could be higher, according to statistics gathered by the United States government. Over 146,600 people suffered personal injuries from ATV accidents that same year, according to the same report.

A Findlay man passed away after an ATV accident on Sunday, according to the Toledo Blade. Wood County Sheriff’s Department reported that the 26-year-old man was riding his Polaris Predator when he lost control of the ATV and struck a tree.

Polaris recalled 18,500 Predator 500s made in 2003 and 2004 because the front brake lines can crack and leak brake fluid, possibly resulting in loss of braking capability, according to U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Other models, such as the Yamaha Rhino, are more apt to rollover due to their narrow wheelbase and high center of gravity. ATV rollover accidents have been responsible for crushed legs, broken arms, and even wrongful death.

.Our Toledo, Ohio ATV accident attorneys see the devastating effects that ATV accidents can cause. We encourage all ATV riders to follow the proper safety precautions in order to prevent personal injury. If you or someone you love has been injured in an ATV accident, contact our office to order the Ohio Accident Book to learn what you can do to protect your rights.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chuck Boyk

Toledo area ATV riders suffer personal injury after ATV accident

Chuck Boyk — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 14:22:30 GMT

While some ATV accidents are due to negligent operation, often times ATV accidents occur when the all-terrain vehicle rolls over, especially when the driver is too young to be riding. Some ATV models, including the Yamaha Rhino, are prone to rolling over, due to their narrow wheelbase and high center of gravity. The Arctic Cat ATV was also recently recalled after the speed controller was found to be defective, causing the rider to lose control of the ATV.

Two Henry County teens suffered personal injury after an ATV accident Saturday when two ATVs collided, according to the Toledo Blade. One ATV driver and his passenger had to be life-flighted to Henry County Hospital.

An Upper Sandusky man was also hospitalized after an ATV accident on the same day, the Toledo Blade reported.

Our Toledo, Ohio ATV accident attorneys have handled numerous ATV accident cases, and we have seen the devastation that personal injury from ATV accidents can cause. ATV accidents can cause severe head injuries, broken bones, and in some cases the need for limb amputation.

If you or someone you love has been injured in an ATV accident, we urge you to contact our ATV accident attorneys 24 hours a day, seven days a week to set up a free consultation today.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chuck Boyk

Toledo, Ohio suburb passes on tougher pit bull ordinance

Anneke Kurt — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 09:38:41 GMT

Some of the most devastating personal injuries our Toledo, Ohio personal injury attorneys handle are those that involve dog bites. Dog bite victims can be left with severe lacerations, bruising, permanent scarring, or even emotional suffering. Pit bulls are often to blame for these vicious dog bites.

According to the Toledo Blade, the city of Sylvania recently declined to vote on two pieces of legislation that would put additional restrictions on "vicious" breeds, which include pit bulls. The restrictions would call for the use of muzzles and leashes on pit bulls and similar breeds anytime the dogs are outside of the home. Other rules under the proposed legislation require that vicious breed puppies be spayed or neutered after 6 months of age, and would also forbid anyone convicted of a felony from owning a vicious breed dog.

Regardless of the vicious dog rules in your city or town, our Toledo, Ohio dog bite attorneys urge everyone to be careful around all dogs. Never attempt to pet a dog that is eating or sleeping, and make sure the dog sees you before you approach. Also be sure never to tease or taunt a dog, or any animal, in order to prevent personal injury from a dog bite.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Anneke Kurt

Authorization forms let insurance companies peek into your personal life

Chuck Boyk — Mon, 06 Aug 2007 00:01:56 GMT

I often am hired to represent a client several months after the accident. The client has already signed a medical authorization for the insurance company to obtain medical records. Medical and personal issues that an individual would not disclose to anyone but their doctor are now open for scrutiny.

I then send the insurance company a letter canceling the medical authorization and requesting them to send me all records obtained from the authorization. Over the years, here is what I have found:

1. The insurance company has obtained highly personal records unrelated to the accident. Subject matter such as long ago miscarriages, abortions, suicide attempts, marital problems, etc. is now in the hands of the insurance company.

2. The client has no control over what happens to this information. Is this information left in the auto accident file or put in a national database of accident claimants? You simply do not know.

3. This highly personal information is used to discredit you as an injured claimant. Our policy is to obtain all of the relevant, current and prior, medical records. If some of the information is deemed not relevant and highly personal, we discuss these issues confidentially with our client.
We will only sign authorizations to the other side if we have first reviewed the records ourselves and discussed the matter with our client. We will attempt to obtain a court order to exclude disclosure of medical records that are not relevant to the accident and are highly personal.

The lesson is to not blindly sign a blank medical authorization that will both harm your case and your right to privacy.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chuck Boyk

Car Crashes Into Parked Truck And House In Groton Township

Chrissie Cole — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 21:20:00 GMT

A vehicle smashed into a parked truck and a house before bursting into flames Monday night. Three people suffered injury, one critically in the crash.

Mason L. McGough of Green Springs was driving a 2005 Dodge Stratus when he lost control shortly after crossing the train tracks on Portland Road.

The car skid through the yard of a home and struck the back of a Chevy pickup that sat nearby, causing it to roll 10 feet into the flower bed.

It appears the driver but not his passengers were wearing a seatbelt, Ohio State Highway Patrol said.

The investigation is ongoing and it is unclear at this time if alcohol or drugs are a factor in the crash.

A nearby neighbor, Brad Gilbert, witnessed the crash and helped to pull the driver and his passengers from the fiery vehicle.

No one was injured inside the home, but a portion of the siding was melted and a corner of the house was damaged. Debris was strewn about the yard.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chrissie Cole