According to the Missouri Department of Transportation, Missouri has 4.3 million registered drivers and 5.5 million registered vehicles. The high levels of traffic often results in motorcyclists “lane splitting” to avoid traffic, leaving many wondering if it’s legal.

What is Lane-Splitting?

Lane-splitting is when a motorcycle drives on the white line between traffic lanes. Although lane-splitting generally isn’t illegal in Missouri, it’s very dangerous and should be avoided.  

Lane-splitting is dangerous because:

• The motorcycle might not be visible to other vehicles who are maneuvering traffic because they’re blocked by another vehicle.
• The splitting rider may not stop in time if they change lanes.
• The motorcyclist may not see an obstacle within the lane, which can cause accidents.
• A driver might throw an item from their car and hit the rider (either intentionally or unintentionally)
• A frustrated driver might hit or grab the motorcyclist in stopped traffic 

Lane-Splitting Is Illegal in Some Parts of Missouri

Although it’s not prohibited in most of Missouri, some cities, including Kansas City and St. Louis, have enacted city ordinances which prohibit lane-splitting.

Lane-splitting in either of these cities can result in severe penalties and can change the proportion of liability if it was the cause of a car accident.

The experienced Missouri auto accident lawyers at Langdon & Emison have extensive experience helping both motorcyclists and those who were injured in an accident caused by a lane-splitting motorcyclist, they know the successful arguments on both sides of the case.

Your Claim Can’t Be Denied Simply Because You Were Lane-Splitting

You cannot be denied financial compensation for injuries sustained in an accident simply because you were lane-splitting if you were doing it safely and weren’t entirely or primarily at-fault for the accident. However, if you were driving recklessly, your claim might be denied.  

Proving that you weren’t at-fault in an accident when sharing or splitting lanes can sometimes be difficult. In addition to avoiding that potential issue of liability, not splitting lanes might better ensure your safety.

If You Must Split Lanes, Do It Safely

Lane-splitting can be convenient, especially in traffic. Here are a few suggestions to help keep you safe:

• Keep your head and eyes up. Don’t fixate on your mirrors–it could leave you surprised by a car’s sudden lane change, and it could decrease your stability. 

• Don’t split between large vehicles. Large vehicles have larger blindspots and might not see you. They might also prevent other drivers from seeing you.

• Watch your speed. The faster you drive, the less time you have to react to changing conditions around you. Drive at a safe speed to increase your ability to timely and safely react to sudden changes.

• Split between parallel-moving cars. Splitting between parallel cars is safer than staggered cars because they can’t suddenly change lanes.

• Don’t ride in blindspots. Riding beside or behind cars is risky for motorcyclists because they’re usually in a car’s blindspot. If you’re splitting lanes in traffic, drivers are more likely to try to suddenly cut over to what seems like a faster-moving lane. Reducing the time spent in blindspots can help avoid accidents.

• Stop splitting lanes when traffic starts moving. This applies to all lanes and one lane that starts moving. If a lane starts moving, move to that lane and stay with the regular flow of traffic. If traffic stalls again, you can again split lanes.

In a Lane-Splitting Accident? You Have Options.

It’s common for motorcyclists to think they’re automatically at fault when they get into an accident when lane-splitting, but that’s not always the case.

The personal injury lawyers at Langdon & Emison has offices in Chicago, St. Louis, Lexington, and Kansas City. Our team can help you if you were in an accident involving a lane-splitting motorcyclist or if you were lane-splitting and were in an accident.

Call (866) 931-2115 or contact us online to schedule your free consultation.

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Since 2014, September has been officially designated by the U.S. Government as Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month. The main purpose, of course, is to build awareness of spinal cord injury (SCI) victims. However, it’s also designed to increase support for organizations that are looking for a cure for SCI, as well as other groups that offer assistance to people who have suffered this devastating type of injury.

A spinal cord and brain injury lawyer with Langdon & Emison may be able to help if you’ve suffered an SCI due to someone else’s negligence. We can work to obtain compensation on your behalf, helping to relieve the financial burdens you’ve experienced. Please give us a call at (866) 931-2115 or contact us online for a free consultation.

A Few Sobering Statistics

According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (NSCISC), nearly 18,000 people suffer an SCI every year. The NSCISC estimates that there are about 288,000 people with an SCI living in the U.S., but the number could be as high as 358,000. Accidents involving a vehicle are the leading cause of SCIs, with falls a close second.  

Most People Don’t Know These Things About Spinal Cord Injury

Research into SCIs is constantly evolving, and continues to make advances. This research has uncovered some interesting facts about SCIs that you might not be aware of. Here are just a few. 

1. People with Spinal Cord Injuries May Be Unable to Sweat

You might not know that the spinal cord plays a significant role in a person being able to sweat. But when an SCI occurs, that cuts off the brain’s ability to communicate with the sweat glands located below the area where the SCI took place. People with this injury can’t cool themselves, and will be at a greater risk for overheating – or even suffering a heat stroke – as a result. 

2. Shock Looks A Lot Like Paralysis

Most people probably think that an SCI will immediately result in permanent paralysis. But there is a type of injury known as spinal shock. It can cause either a significant reduction in reflexes, or even a complete loss. However, this is a temporary issue. Many people will regain movement in a few days as the shock subsides. In some cases, though, recovery can take weeks, months or even years. 

3. It’s Possible to Have Children After an SCI

Another thing people assume is that an SCI victim with permanent paralysis will no longer be able to have children. Actually, though, SCIs will typically not have an effect on fertility. Many women can not only become pregnant, they can also carry a child to term. Men have several methods available to inseminate their partners, including in vitro fertilization and others. 

Ways to Recognize Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month

If you would like to show your support during SCI Awareness Month, there are many ways you can do just that, including the following. 

1. Wear a Ribbon in Support of Patients

Whether you wear an SCI awareness ribbon (which is lime green in color) on your clothing, or you simply display it in your office or your home, it will likely make people seeing it curious. This will be your chance to tell them about SCIs, and possibly spur them to tell others.  

2. Raise Funds for Research and Educational Efforts

There are several worthwhile organizations that help support SCI research, and also help victims live full, productive and happy lives. These are just a few you may want to contribute to.

• Wings for Life (Spinal Cord Research Foundation, Inc.) (National)

One of the co-founders of Wings for Life is Dietrich Mateschitz, the founder of Red Bull. The other is Heinz Kinigadner, a two-time world champion in motocross whose son suffered a devastating SCI in 2003. The two are working to increase funding for spinal cord research in order to find a cure. 

• American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) (National)

The mission of this organization is to educate the public, healthcare professionals and others on all facets of SCI, and to help improve care. ASIA is also committed to helping foster research to not only find a cure for SCI, but to help prevent these injuries as well. 

• Greater Kansas City Spinal Cord Injury Association (Kansas City, Missouri)

This organization is devoted to helping boost local resources to provide added support to SCI patients in the Kansas City area. The GKCSCIA helps those suffering from SCIs get access to information as well as assistance.

• Delta Center Independent Living (St. Peters, Missouri)

Delta Center helps connect SCI victims with critical resources, such as assistance with utilities, rent, food, transportation, assistive devices and more. 

• Paraquad Independent Living (St. Louis, Missouri)

Paraquad is a nonprofit organization with a mission similar to Delta Center, yet focused on those living in the St. Louis area. It offers several different services and programs that help SCI victims obtain the skills they need to be able to live as independently as possible.

3. Host a Community Awareness Event

There are also several different things you can do to raise awareness within your community. These include holding fundraisers to help make life easier for SCI victims, as well as their families. You could start a golf tournament, for example, or you could host an event at a popular local restaurant.

If you own a company, you could host a lunch for your employees and bring in experts to talk not only about the challenges of living with an SCI, but also ways to help reduce the financial burdens injury victims often face.

Langdon & Emison is Proud to Support Victims of Spinal Cord Injury

The personal injury attorneys with Langdon & Emison have represented several SCI victims over the last 30-plus years. We continue to be amazed at the resilience these incredible people show as they learn how to adjust to their new reality.

With offices in Chicago, St. Louis, Lexington, and Kansas City, our firm has also recovered several million dollars on behalf of clients who suffered SCIs due to no fault of their own. To learn more about how we may be of assistance to you, please give us a call at (866) 931-2115 or use our online contact form for a free case evaluation.

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Between 64 million and 74 million people each year suffer from a traumatic brain injury (TBI), a quarter of which are caused by motor vehicle accidents (Lyons). These injuries change the lives of victims and their families forever. TBIs not only require significant treatment at the time of injury but a lifetime of care and rehabilitation. The occurrence of these devastating injuries can be reduced with proper motor vehicle safety features.

For those who survive one, it can be a struggle to walk, read, feel emotion, or to communicate. A traumatic brain injury forever changes the lives of millions of families around the world. Their experience speaks to the importance of improving motor vehicle safety.

Front occupant seats and head restraints are critical to motor vehicle safety in rear impacts. They are designed to contain the occupant in the front seat to prevent injury during a collision. Defective front seats can fail to contain the passenger and catapult them into the rear of the vehicle, creating danger for all passengers.

Unfortunately, rear impact safety ratings only focus on low-speed performance and whiplash. They do not test rear safety at higher speeds, meaning a vehicle can receive a 5-star rating despite having defective seats.

There are two primary types of front seat failures. The first is a failure of the seat itself. In most cases, the seat stays intact but fails to successfully contain the passenger in the seat. Often a weak seat propels backward, endangering the front and back seat passengers. Recliner seats are susceptible to unlatching, causing the seat to collapse. The seat can no longer absorb energy from the impact to protect the passenger.

The second, and more common, type of seat failure is a headrest failure. Some rear impacts result in a broken or pulled-out headrest. The rear impact propels the seat forward, the passenger’s head adds pressure to the headrest, and defective headrests may fail. Without headrest support, passengers face a higher risk of spinal injuries and TBIs.

Federal standards regarding seat back safety have lagged behind other areas of automotive safety, with standards remaining unchanged since the 1960s. A lawn chair is able to pass the current pull test seatbacks undergo. Since 1974, multiple efforts have aimed to improve the standards but failed due to lobbying auto manufacturers.

The long fight to improve safety standards is worthwhile for the millions of victims of TBI injuries like the Lyons family. Unsafe front seats harm millions each year and impact their loved ones. Failure to update standards proves we cannot rely on the government to protect us. We must investigate TBI, and spinal injuries caused by rear crashes to ensure victims and their families receive justice.  Our firm has been fortunate to speak on TBI matters at bar association and medical professional conferences across the country, and we are happy to provide no-obligation consultations on these or any cases at any time.

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The condition referred to as “Paraquat tongue” is a lesser-known side-effect that can occur as a result of exposure to the chemical Paraquat dichloride, often used as a weedkiller. Research over time has revealed that Paraquat can cause significant and highly negative side effects to the human body. 

The most common symptoms of Paraquat exposure are illnesses and birth defects. These symptoms are often linked to inhalation-based Paraquat exposure and develop as a result of long-term and potentially accidental exposure. In many instances the symptoms experienced from this exposure are not discovered for many years, usually not until after permanent damage has occurred.

These symptoms frequently develop within populations of agricultural workers as well as residents of rural areas who are not aware of the dangerous, long-term consequences of repeated inhalation and exposure to Paraquat.

To speak with an experienced personal injury attorney to discuss options on how you can be fully compensated for all cost and damages linked to your Paraquat exposure, connect with Langdon & Emison Attorneys At Law at (866) 931-2115. Read on to learn more. 

A Little-Known Symptom

Paraquat tongue is a symptom associated with oral ingestion of Paraquat, as opposed to the more common inhalation method of exposure. While this method of exposure is less common, it is no less dangerous, and can lead to permanent damage to your internal organs.

One of the first signs or symptoms that Paraquat has been ingested orally is the symptom known simply as Paraquat tongue. If Paraquat tongue is identified, a person is in need of immediate emergency medical attention to increase their chances of survival. 

Paraquat tongue is a condition that occurs when the chemical has come into contact with a person’s tongue. This leads to the following symptoms:

• Swelling and redness 
• Sores, lesions, and open wounds on the the tongue 
• Necrosis, or tissue death 
• Severe pain and burning sensations 
• Excessive production of mucous from open wounds 
• Difficulty swallowing 
• Excessive production of saliva 

While one of the lesser-known symptoms of Paraquat exposure, watching out for the signs of Paraquat tongue is essential to reduce the potentially fatal side effects.

The National Institute of Health found that some 85% of patients who were treated for Paraquat poisoning exhibited signs of lesions and rotting tissue in the oral cavity or areas of the mouth. 

It’s even possible for Paraquat tongue to be transmitted by kissing a person who has orally ingested the chemical. Even limited exposure through a kiss can lead to severe damage due to the toxicity of the chemical, especially in the area of the mouth like the tongue, which is especially vulnerable to the effects of the chemical. 

Signs of Paraquat Tongue

If you suspect someone may have swallowed Paraquat, immediately call 911.

Do not use the following list to diagnose yourself or someone else. Always consult a physician if you’re worried you or a loved one may have complications from exposure to Paraquat. For your general knowledge, the following are some signs of Paraquat tongue:

• Abdominal pain
• Blood in stool
• Burning sensation on the tongue
• Diarrhea
• Dehydration and low blood pressure
• Difficulty swallowing
• Excessive mucus production from open wounds on the tongue
• Excessive saliva production
• Lesions, sores, and/or open wounds on the tongue
• Necrosis (tissue death)
• Swelling in the mouth and throat

Should you or a loved one have encountered Paraquat and have questions about exposure, connect with Langdon & Emison to learn more.

How does Paraquat tongue happen?

Paraquat tongue is the result of a deliberate or accidental oral ingestion of a product that contains Paraquat. The chemical is included in a number of different products and brand names that are produced by hundreds of different agrochemical manufacturing companies.

Paraquat is banned in the European Union and other nations. In fact, Paraquat is banned from use in China, where much of the chemical is manufactured to be sold for agricultural use in the United States. 

In order to be sold in the United States, it is required that any product containing Paraquat contain:

• Blue dye 
• An agent that induces vomiting 
• A noxious odorant to prevent accidental swallowing 

Despite these warnings and precautions, Paraquat poisoning is still responsible for substantial poisoning and deaths each year. 

Oral Ingestion, Not Inhalation

While Paraquat poisoning generally happens through inhalation, the prevalence of the chemical in farming can lead to unintentional swallowing. However, much of the related research has revealed that cases of Paraquat ingestion are often deliberate, and as we’ll explore below, often involved with attempts at suicide. 

Deliberate or Unintentional

In some circumstances, the oral ingestion of chemicals can be used to commit suicide through poisoning. The fact that such chemicals when ingested cause death, and that this is a widely known fact, highlights the true dangers associated with chemicals such as Paraquat dichloride. The National Center for Biotechnology Information noted that Paraquat self-poisoning is a common means of suicide, accounting for nearly 20% of all global deaths by suicide. 

The banning of Paraquat could lead to a decrease in the rate of suicide, according to research. For example, when the South Korean government banned Paraquat, the nation experienced a 46% decrease in the rate of death by herbicide ingestion. Additionaly, there was an overall 10% decrease in death by suicide. 

Think you or a loved one may be suffering from Paraquat tongue? Call our firm immediately.

If you or a loved one has experienced poisoning due to exposure from Paraquat, you could be entitled to compensation to cover the costs and damages associated with the injuries. Damages could include any medical bills and expenses related to your symptoms, as well as any lost earnings.

Collecting what you deserve can be difficult, and often requires that you file a claim with the insurance company. Working with an attorney will ensure that you collect the full amount you deserve, and give you the support of an experienced attorney along the way.

To learn more, schedule a consultation with Langdon & Emison today.

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After witnessing a car accident, your observations could prove vital in helping the injured person obtain compensation. Accidents happen every day, and you never know how your testimony may help someone who needs it. Continue reading to learn the proper steps to take if you witness a car accident, as well as what you should avoid doing at the scene.

If you or a loved one were injured in a car accident, an experienced auto accident lawyers at Langdon & Emison is standing by to review your case and to discuss how to help you. 

1. Ensure Your Safety First

You are under no obligation to help following a car accident, but you could save someone’s life if you do. It’s essential that you are in a safe location and position to be an effective witness. To help ensure your safety and the safety of others, you should follow these tips:

• Leave space for emergency vehicles to access the accident
• Turn on your hazard lights
• Pull over to the shoulder or safe side street
• Park a safe distance away from the accident and traffic
• Don’t stand in the roadway
• If possible, use existing infrastructure to protect you from other vehicles (for example, standing behind a guardrail or on a pedestrian bridge)
• Only enter the scene of the accident if the scene itself is safe. NEVER approach a vehicle that has smoke or sparks coming from the engine. If you do notice smoke, sparks, or other signs of impending vehicle fire, call 911 immediately.

2. Call 911 Even if You Think Someone Already Might Have

After you’ve reached a position of safety, call 911. Although you might assume that an involved party or another witness might have already called the police, it’s not always the case. The only way to ensure that the police have been notified of the accident if they’re not already on scene is to call yourself–your call could be the life-saving call a victim needs. 

The dispatcher will need the most important information first so that they can dispatch emergency personnel right away. The dispatcher will need and might ask for the following information:

• The location of the accident. This might include the road and the direction of travel, an exact address, or a description of nearby identifiers such as nearby exits, businesses, a mileage marker, etc.
• How many vehicles are involved.
• Any immediate life-threatening information such as any vehicle or vegetation fires, if a car has gone off the road, etc.
• If the roadway is blocked by the accident
• If it’s safe to access the vehicles, the dispatcher might ask you to check the status of the vehicle passengers to report the status of their injuries

3. Help Stabilize the Scene

For everyone’s safety, the scene needs to be stabilized and made as safe as possible. If possible, safely move the vehicles to the shoulder to limit the possibility of additional accidents and injury. If the cars can’t be moved, have the vehicles put in “park” and turn off the engines to prevent them from rolling away.

4. Offer Help if The Victims Need it

If you are a trained medical professional such as a physician, registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, or trained EMT, you may render emergency care or assistance to the accident victims without liability for civil damages. Under Missouri Law RSMO Section 537.037, an individual certified in first aid may also provide emergency care or assistance to accident victims to the extent or level of their training without fear of legal liability. 

If you are not a trained medical professional or if you don’t have certified first aid training, it’s suggested that you don’t provide any medical aid or care to victims of a car accident as it could lead to further harm to the victims and you could be liable for their additional harm and damages. 

5. Give a Statement to the Police

When police and emergency responders arrive on the scene, allow them time to assess and secure the scene and all victims. Upon their arrival, they might ask you for updated information on the status of the victims, but if they don’t ask for your input or involvement, stand by and allow them to do their jobs.

Emergency personnel will likely go to you when they’re ready to receive the complete information about what you witnessed.

It’s important to be honest and only relay the facts without assigning blame to any party. Provide the officers an objective description of what you witnessed and respond to any questions they ask.

Generally they’ll inquire about the directions of the vehicles, their speeds, whether you saw any violations of traffic laws or prohibited activities, or if there were any environmental factors such as a deer or other animal crossing into the road.

The statement you give the police could be an imperative part of their investigation and any future court or insurance actions to recover damages. 

Remember, you could be deposed or called as a witness in court to testify to what you witnessed, so it’s important to be as honest and objective as possible in providing your account of what happened.  

What NOT to do as a Witness to a Car Accident

You are under no obligation to do anything if you’ve witnessed an accident. If you make the decision to help, it’s important to ensure that you don’t put yourself at risk. 

1. Don’t Move an Injured Person 

Moving an injured person as an untrained medical professional absent an immediate risk or danger could lead to greater injury and could expose you to legal liability for any resulting injuries. The only circumstance under which you should try to move an injured person if you are not a trained medical professional is if there’s an immediate threat to the victim’s life.

For example, if the vehicle is on fire, the risk of further injury is preferred over the sure risk of death. You may move a victim under such a scenario without incurring legal liability.  

2. Don’t Get Involved in Arguments Between Drivers or Passengers

The drivers and passengers involved in the accident will likely be upset, and they might become aggressive or violent toward one another or any witnesses who involve themselves. Do not get involved in any arguments they might be having. Instead, simply take down vehicle information for all involved cars, take any photos that you can (safely), and report the rest to the police.  

Our experienced auto accident attorneys can help if you’ve been involved in or witnessed a car accident.

We hope that any witness to a car accident follows the steps we’ve outlined above, especially in one involving you or a loved one. If you’ve been in a car accident, it’s important that you contact Langdon & Emison right away–our team of experienced auto accident lawyers are ready and waiting to see how we can help you. 

Hiring an attorney doesn’t have to be a scary and mysterious process, which is why we offer a free initial consultation to answer any questions you might have. During your consultation we’ll review the basic facts about your car accident and injuries, and if we decide we can help on your case, explain how the process works and answer any questions you might have. Call us today at (866) 931-2115, or contact us through our website to schedule your free consultation.

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The most dangerous food in your home might not be the raw chicken sitting in your fridge, instead it might be your baby’s formula. If your infant was diagnosed with necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) after consuming Similac or Enfamil formula, you may be entitled to compensation through a lawsuit against the makers of these toxic products.

At Langdon & Emison, our product defect attorneys work hard to hold negligent companies accountable for the damages and injuries they’ve caused, especially the injuries and death caused to babies who were diagnosed with NEC.

Please call us today at (866) 931-2115 or contact us through our website to schedule your free consultation.

Similac, Enfamil, and Premature Infants

Babies born prematurely have very strict nutritional needs because their organs are unable to handle the same substances that other babies might. Although breast milk is generally viewed as the safest and most nutritionally-dense food to support a baby’s healthy development, especially that of a baby who was born prematurely, the reality is that feeding a baby breast milk isn’t an option for every child.

Infant formula is often used when breast milk isn’t an option or isn’t possible, when supplementation to breast milk is needed, and in some instances doctors might suggest exclusively using formula for underweight babies.

In most cases, parents who use formula for their infants use those made by Similac or Enfamil, two of the most popular brands of baby formula in the country, and they usually choose formulas that are made with cow’s milk. The most popular formulas from these brands include:

• Similac Special Care and Special Care 30
• Similac Human Milk Fortifier
• Similac NeoSure
• Enfamil Human Milk Fortifier Powder
• Enfamil NeuroPro Enfacare
• Enfamil Premature 20 Cal, 24 Cal, and 30 Cal

Each of the above products (and dozens more) have been named in lawsuits against manufacturers Similac and Enfamil for potentially causing necrotizing enterocolitis in premature infants.

If you fed your baby Similac or Enfamil formula and your baby was diagnosed with NEC, even after death, contact Langdon & Emison immediately. 

What is necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC)?

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a serious gastrointestinal disease that most commonly affects premature babies, as 9 out of 10 babies who develop NEC are born premature (before the 37th week of pregnancy).

NEC also mostly affects babies who are fed through a tube in their stomach, and those weighing less than 5.5 pounds at birth. NEC usually develops within two to six weeks after birth, coming on suddenly and usually without warning.

NEC causes bacteria to attack the baby’s intestinal wall, leading to tissue inflammation, tissue death, and perforations (holes) in the intestinal wall, which allows bacteria to pass into the abdomen and bloodstream. 

Premature babies generally have weaker immune systems and are already prone to developing gastrointestinal issues, so NEC can be fatal.

Babies who survive might experience health complications like abdominal failures, developmental delays, and feeding problems. Those children who survive NEC as an infant need several surgeries to resolve and maintain issues caused by NEC.

Infant Formula Found to Be a Main Cause of NEC

Although doctors don’t know the exact cause of NEC, significant evidence points to the consumption of formula derived from cow’s milk as a main cause. 

Cow milk-based baby formula made and marketed by Mead Johnson Nutrition Company (Enfamil) and Abbott Laboratories (Similac) has been linked to an increased chance of NEC.

Although extensive research has been published on the correlation between cow milk-based baby formula and NEC since the 1990s, these companies failed to provide any warning or publication about increased risks of your baby developing NEC.

Both Enfamil and Similac have cow’s milk-based formulas that are designed specifically for preterm babies, marketed as safe options for your baby. Unfortunately, many parents have experienced the devastating reality of the falsity of these claims when their babies suffered painful and often life-threatening complications, and even death, from these formulas, including complications and infant death from NEC.

Baby Formula-Related NEC Lawsuits

Families who have experienced or are still experiencing the devastating effects of NEC have come forward with their stories to hold negligent companies accountable for the suffering and loss they’ve caused with their harmful products.

In April 2022, 16 lawsuits in 7 districts across the country against Mead Johnson Nutrition Company and Abbott Laboratories were consolidated into a multidistrict litigation (MDL)  centralized in Illinois, where both companies have headquarters. 

A multidistrict litigation will help promote an efficient legal process which will allow the affected families to seek and obtain justice much more quickly than on a traditional lawsuit timeline, and it will allow each family to present their evidence to the same judge who will try the cases.

Was Your Baby Diagnosed with NEC? Langdon & Emison Can Help

If your baby developed NEC after being fed milk-based formula, you may be eligible to join the lawsuit and receive compensation and costs for medical care. The statute of limitations (deadline) to bring a lawsuit is different in every state, don’t wait to speak with an experienced Langdon & Emison product defect attorney.

To learn more about joining the lawsuit and for an evaluation of your case, call Langdon & Emison at (866) 931-2115 or schedule your free consultation through our website.

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People go on vacation to relax and have fun, but unfortunately, accidents can happen and sometimes vacationers wind up injured while away on a trip. We’ll take a look at a few common accidents that happen on vacation, and what to do if one of them happens to you.

If you find yourself in this situation, call Langdon & Emison at (866) 931-2115. We can help obtain compensation for your injuries and other expenses related to the incident.

Common Injuries on Vacation

There are many ways you can get hurt while on vacation. Here are a few of the most common injury-causing scenarios that occur on trips:

Car Accidents

If you’re taking a road trip during your vacation, what started as a fun car ride with friends or family can suddenly turn into a dangerous situation if you are in a car accident. Some cities or towns have roads that are not well maintained, putting you at a higher risk of an accident. Plus, if you’re vacationing around a major holiday, there are likely more cars on the road traveling than usual. That means there is a higher incidence of drunk drivers on the roads as well. 

We all wish highways and surface roads were safer to drive, but experience tells us that is simply not the case.  Sometimes car wrecks are unavoidable, but you can help reduce the chances of an accident or injury by regularly checking your mirrors and surroundings, driving the speed limit, and not driving after drinking alcoholic beverages.

Wearing a seatbelt will not lower your chances of getting into a crash, but it can help protect you from more serious injuries if you do.

Public Transport/Train Accidents

Tourists on vacation often use public transportation methods like buses, trains, boats, trolleys, or other kinds of vehicles driven by professional drivers. Yet even the most experienced drivers can make careless decisions and neglect important safety measures.

Public transportation accidents can also result in injuries just like car accidents do. If this has happened to you, the person responsible should be held liable and you should be compensated for your injuries.

Food Poisoning

Vacations usually mean less cooking and more eating out. Unfortunately, dining at restaurants and hotels you visit while on vacation could cause you to get food poisoning. If you become severely ill from the food you eat, it could be because a restaurant was not following health codes or was negligent in preparing the food. 

Contaminated ingredients, undercooking, and unhygienic staff practices are some of the most common causes of food poisoning. If your foodborne illness was serious or even life-threatening, you may be able to sue for damages related to the sickness you suffered as a result of the restaurant’s improper food handling. 

Slips and Falls

Slips, trips, and falls are three of the most common types of injuries that occur while on vacation. Restaurants, hotels, and tourist attractions can have uneven flooring, dangerous infrastructure, or slick foundations without any warning signs. If you slip and fall while on vacation, you could be injured. When caused by someone else’s failure to maintain their facilities or post caution signs, negligence may be at fault. 

Many people who slip and fall end up with back injuries, head injuries, or broken bones. If this happens, you should not be responsible for paying for the costs associated with your medical care. Filing for compensation and damages helps prepare for future expenses related to your injury as well.

Sports Accidents

While some vacationers opt for lounging on the beach or by the pool, others might prefer more active excursions. Parasailing, skiing, watersports, skydiving, bungee jumping, biking, and amusement park rides are just a few of the many activities that can result in injuries if the equipment is unsafe or improperly maintained. 

If your equipment malfunctions or you are injured during an activity, the company or operator’s negligence, such as carelessness or lack of posted warnings, may be to blame. When an accident occurs that was not your fault, you should not have to pay for your injuries out of your own pocket, but could sue for damages instead.

5 Steps to Take After Being Injured on Vacation

If you end up injured after an accident while on vacation, stay calm and take action one step at a time. Here are the most important things you should do after sustaining an injury on vacation:

1. Seek prompt medical attention

Your first move after being hurt should be to seek medical attention right away. Even if you think your injury is not that bad, you should go to a doctor as quickly as possible. Not only could this save your life or improve your chances of healing properly from your injury, but it could also help your case if you choose to sue the negligent party responsible.

Proving you were injured right after the accident will be important to your lawsuit. Depending on the severity of your injuries, you may choose to go to the emergency room or to urgent care, but whichever option you select, you should go promptly to get the best possible medical attention. If you are too badly injured to get yourself to a doctor, call 911 and request an ambulance.

2. Report the accident to the appropriate party

If you were injured on someone else’s property, you need to let them know. Whether the incident occurs at a hotel, a cruise ship, or an amusement park, it is critical that you report the accident to an employee. They will likely have you fill out a report with details regarding the event.

If you are in a car crash or another type of accident where you believe a law was broken, you should call the police as well.

3. Gather evidence before heading home

Another important step is to gather as much evidence as possible before you go home from your trip. If you go on vacation out of state and then try to file a lawsuit when you get home, you will need to have evidence of your accident and injury. It is extremely hard to get information about the incident later on, and even harder once you are already back home from vacation.

Take plenty of photos and videos of the scene of the accident and of your injuries, keep records of your medical care, get copies of any police or incident reports, and gather contact information from everyone associated with the accident, including any witnesses.

4. Notify your insurance company of the accident

If you were in a car crash, notify your insurance company that an accident occurred. Your agent needs to know so they can initiate a claim, but also to ensure the responsible party cannot claim later on that they didn’t know an incident occurred. Beyond notifying your insurance company that there was an accident, you don’t have to tell them anything else at first. It can be helpful for your case to wait until you have a lawyer to speak to the insurance company in depth about the wreck. 

5. Speak with an experienced personal injury attorney

Your most strategic step, which should be next, is to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney. If you were injured on vacation, you are going to need good legal representation, especially in order to fight a big company with lots of resources. The team of lawyers at Langdon & Emison are experienced and ready to discuss your case. 

Hurt on vacation? Langdon & Emison can help.

Langdon & Emison can help hold the negligent party responsible for their actions. We work hard to obtain maximum compensation for clients, and we’ll work hard to do the same for you. Call (866) 931-2115 today for a free consultation with a personal injury attorney from Langdon & Emison.

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