Oklahoma City Personal Injury Law Blog

Trucking accident? What caused it, and who could be held liable?

On behalf of Litton Law Firm on Monday, June 4, 2018.

As a motorist in Oklahoma, you have probably noticed that more and more commercial vehicles share the highways with you. Tractor-trailers, 18-wheelers and tanker trucks travel through our state to reach delivery points across the country. With the increased number of big rigs comes the higher risk of truck vs. passenger vehicle accidents, and the significant difference in size and weight often allows truck operators to walk away unscathed while occupants of cars usually suffer catastrophic injuries -- if they survive.

Although most truck drivers are aware of their increased responsibility to drive with care, some may be a little more lax behind the wheel, which can lead to serious crashes involving other motorists. If you or a loved one are suffering the consequences of a truck accident that was not your fault, the cause of the crash will determine who might be liable for your damages.

Do you have a claim to vocational rehabilitation benefits?

On behalf of Litton Law Firm posted in blog on Thursday, April 19, 2018.

When you are hurt at work, it can have a significant impact on your life, especially your finances. Fortunately, there are workers' compensation benefits available for individuals who suffered injuries in the workplace or became ill due to occupational exposure. These benefits cover your medical bills, a portion of your lost wages and more.

Depending on the nature of your situation, these benefits can also cover certain needs if you are unable to return to the same job you had before your accident. These are vocational rehabilitation benefits, and certain Oklahoma employees may qualify for them if their injuries prevent them from working in the same capacity they did before the accident.

Even experienced motorcyclists face multiple deadly hazards

On behalf of Litton Law Firm posted in blog on Monday, April 16, 2018.

If you enjoy taking to the Oklahoma roads on your motorcycle, you might be aware of the many hazards that could threaten your life. While biking can be so much fun, it can also be dangerous, regardless of how experienced you are. Although many people immediately assume a biker's negligence when they hear about a motorcycle accident, most such incidents involve negligent motorists.

Riding on two wheels requires a whole lot more skill than driving a vehicle with four wheels. You may face motorcycling hazards that you cannot avoid, some that involve other motorists, and those over which you have control.

Can your job cause Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome?

On behalf of Litton Law Firm posted in blog on Saturday, March 10, 2018.

While some safety hazards threaten Oklahoma workers in general, others are limited to specific occupations. If you work in the logging industry or as a road construction worker, you might be at risk of developing HAVS -- Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome. This condition threatens the health of any worker who handles vibrating equipment or tools.

If you are a frequent user of power tools such as a grinder, jackhammer, impact wrench, chainsaw or another hand-held tool that vibrates, you might be one of the estimated two million workers nationwide who could develop HAVS -- according to the US National Safety Council.

Did you suffer injuries due to a common work-related accident?

On behalf of Litton Law Firm posted in blog on Tuesday, January 23, 2018.

Injuries on the job can happen to anyone. You may have thought that your duties did not pose much risk to you or that the safety measures in place would prevent you from getting hurt. Unfortunately, this notion does not always prove true, and you -- like other Oklahoma workers -- could easily end up suffering a serious injury. Even if you take precautions to avoid putting yourself at unnecessary risk, those actions may not be enough.

In most cases, on-the-job accidents are preventable. Often, oversights in safety measures or failure to follow proper procedures can result in an incident that leads to injury. Even if you follow correct protocol, you could find yourself hurt if a co-worker acts negligently or an employer does not provide necessary safety equipment.

Internal bleeding is nothing to ignore

On behalf of Litton Law Firm posted in blog on Monday, January 15, 2018.

A car accident can be traumatic, even if you and your vehicle suffer seemingly minimal damage. You may reject the fuss and wave away medical assistance, but this may be a mistake for many reasons. For example, having a report of receiving medical attention after an accident may assist you in any future insurance claims or lawsuits that result from the crash. More importantly, however, is the possibility of unseen damage to your body.

While cuts, bruises and broken bones are usually visible after a motor vehicle accident, some injuries require the trained and discerning eye of a medical professional. One of these is internal bleeding. Failing to properly treat this condition can rapidly lead to more serious complications.

What types of benefits can I get if I am hurt at work?

On behalf of Litton Law Firm posted in blog on Thursday, December 14, 2017.

If you experienced an injury in the workplace, you know how overwhelming it is when you are not able to work and earn enough to support your family and pay for your medical bills. This is the reason why workers' compensation exists, yet actually obtaining the benefits you deserve can be complex and frustrating.

One of the most beneficial things you can do is to fully understand the benefits to which you are entitled. When you know your rights, you can fight for the support needed with intention and clarity. Many injured Oklahoma workers find it useful to seek legal guidance as they work to complete a claim and pursue workers' compensation benefits.

A scaffold fall? You might be entitled to more than workers' comp

On behalf of Litton Law Firm posted in blog on Saturday, November 4, 2017.

If you are a construction worker in Oklahoma, you will naturally spend much time on scaffolding structures. One thing completely out of your control is that you have to rely on those who manufactured them to follow the necessary safety guidelines. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration prescribes strict regulations that cover the terrain requirements along with the standard of materials used for the scaffold, the distance from power lines and more.

Although scaffold-related injuries and fatalities are alarmingly prevalent, they do not always result from collapsed structures. Slippery or inclined scaffolds can cause you to slip and fall, you might be without the necessary personal protective equipment, or you can suffer an electric shock if the scaffold was not the required distance from power lines. You might even have been at ground level and struck by an object dropped by a co-worker on the scaffold.

Even minor crashes can cause life-changing injuries

On behalf of Litton Law Firm posted in blog on Saturday, October 14, 2017.

Victims of car accidents in Oklahoma might have learned that even minor auto accidents can be traumatic. If you went through such an ordeal, you would know that physical trauma exacerbates the mental distress of all those who are involved. Another aspect that you might have to face at this difficult time is the financial impact and your ability to meet obligations such as mortgage payments and providing for your family while being incapacitated by your injuries.

The types of injuries and their severity will depend on matters such as the intensity and level of impact of the collision. The point of impact with relation to where you and other occupants of the car sat and the use of seat belts will also affect the car accident injuries.

What should your employer do after a work accident?

On behalf of Litton Law Firm posted in workers' compensation on Monday, October 9, 2017.

You know that if you suffer an injury in a work-related accident you have the right to benefits through your Oklahoma employer's workers' compensation insurance coverage. However, actually obtaining rightful benefits can be complex and frustrating, even with a valid claim. It can be helpful to fully understand both your rights and your employer's obligations in the event that you get hurt at work.

In most cases, if you were hurt at work, you have a right to claim benefits to cover your medical care and other needs. Other benefits that might be available to you through workers' compensation include recovery of lost wages and various types of rehabilitation.