Indiana Injury Lawyer Blog

A Corunna, Indiana man was seriously hurt in a Tanker Truck Crash in DeKalb County, Indiana. The Truck Accident occurred Wednesday night on Indiana State Road 327. The Indiana Semi Truck Crash Lawyers can report the injured man was the driver of the truck and is 52 year old Kevin Grate. It remains to be seen if Indiana Workers Compensation issues will arise.

Indiana State Police say a cow may be to blame for this Vehicle Collision. Indiana investigators say as Grate drove to the top of a hill, he noticed the cow and tried to not strike it. However, he apparently did strike the cow, and the truck left the roadway and collided with a utility pole. Then, Indiana State Police say the truck rolled over and went into a ditch that was filled with water. Grate suffered multiple injuries including a head injury. He was transported to a local Indiana hospital for treatment.

When someone is hurt while on the job, it is often deemed a "Work Comp injury." Work Comp or Workers' Compensation refers to the set of laws pertaining to a workplace injury and the insurance benefits a worker could be entitled to if he or she is hurt while in the course and scope of employment. In other words, if a worker is injured while on the job, that worker could be entitled to receive Work Comp. Each state has varying Worker's Compensation laws and codes. The experienced Indianapolis Work Comp Attorneys at Crossen Kooi are extremely familiar with Indiana's Work Comp laws and can guide an injured worker through the legal process -- from reporting the injury to the proper authorities to making sure that worker receives the medical treatment and financial compensation he or she deserves.

Work Comp injuries are not relegated to injuries that happen in a traditional office, store or factory. Often, a vehicle that an employee is in for work purposes can be the "office" where that work related injury occurs. The Indiana Department of Labor examines work related injuries in an effort to improve workplace safety. Officials with the Indiana Department of Labor found that in 2009, the transportation industry (which the Department of Labor couples with the warehousing industry) had the second most workplace deaths with 17. The Construction industry also had 17 work related deaths. Only the Agriculture industry had more workplace fatalities in 2009 with 23.

While even one Work Related Death is one too many, Indiana's workplaces do appear to be getting safer. The Indiana Department of Labor reported that in 2009, the state had the fewest occupational fatalities on record with 123.

Continue reading " CORUNNA, INDIANA MAN HURT IN TANKER TRUCK CRASH IN NORTHERN INDIANA " »

In Indiana and throughout the country, Nursing Home Abuse is a growing and troubling problem. The Indianapolis Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers know all too well how devastating Nursing Home Abuse can be for the victims and for the victims' families. One tool many families are turning to more and more to protect their loved ones in nursing homes is a hidden camera. These so-called "granny cams" are providing families and even facility managers and law enforcement officials with evidence to catch workers who are abusing the elderly residents.

Experts in the long term care industry say hidden camera use is on the rise and point to several instances where the use of hidden cameras has revealed Nursing Home Abuse. For example, in Minnesota recently, hidden cameras caught workers mistreating residents in several cases at assisted living facilities.

And in Indiana's neighbor to the East, Ohio, people are using hidden cameras in nursing homes. Earlier this year, a man in Ohio put a "granny cam" in a desk to reveal two nursing home employees abusing and causing injury to his 78 year old mother who has Alzheimer's disease.

Of course, the use of hidden cameras raises several privacy concerns. People in the long term care industry have long fought against legalizing the use of hidden cameras, pointing to insurance costs and privacy concerns. Those against the use of these cameras also say the cameras would hinder a nursing home's ability to hire personnel.

The legal issues surrounding hidden camera use vary by state. An honest and experienced Indianapolis Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer can help you determine if the use of such cameras is allowed in a specific nursing home. Even if one does not have access to a hidden camera, there are ways one can spot Nurisng Home Abuse or Neglect. According to experts, one should look for open cuts or wounds, welts or bruises on the patient. One should also become suspicious if the caretaker cannot adequately explain the condition of the patient. These are just some of the signs of possible physical abuse.

Of course, physical abuse is not the only form of abuse one needs to worry about. One should also be concerned with emotional and verbal abuse and neglect. Nursing Home Neglect can often be spotted by dehydration or malnutrition in a resident along with bed sores. Unsanitary and unclean conditions can also be signs of Nursing Home Neglect.

Continue reading " HIDDEN CAMERA USE RISING TO PROTECT AGAINST NURSING HOME ABUSE IN INDIANA AND COUNTRY " »

Franklin Township in Marion County, Indiana was the site of a Vehicle Crash with injuries on Monday. A School Bus was also involved in the accident. Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officers say the Vehicle Collision happened at Southern Springs Boulevard and East Stop 11 Road. The Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers have not yet heard if the school bus driver was hurt in the auto accident and if so, if any Indiana Work Comp issues are involved.

Indiana investigators say a 17 year old driver was hurt in the Auto Accident. Apparently, a 48 year old man was driving his car on Stop 11 Road when another car, driven by the teenager, pulled in front of his car. This allegedly caused a chain-reaction crash with the 17 year old's car colliding with a school bus. Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officers say no school children were hurt in the accident. However, the 17 year old was hurt and taken to a local Indianapolis hospital for treatment.

Despite Monday's Bus Crash, statistics do show school buses are an extremely safe form of transportation. For example, school buses transport about 24 million students each year and drive more than 4 billion miles in total. When these figures are used to determine the rate of deaths on school buses, the data shows school buses have a rate of 0.2 deaths per 100 million miles traveled. While even one death is one too many, compare the school bus death rate to that of cars, and you find the rate of deaths in automobiles is eight times higher.

Taken another way, from 1994-2004, 71 passengers on school buses died in Vehicle Collisions. In the year 2004 alone, 31,693 people in cars and light trucks died in traffic crashes. Interestingly, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found more children died by being struck by a school bus than when riding in school buses.

While there is still no word on the condition of the school bus driver, if a worker is hurt while on the job, that worker could be entitled to Worker's Compensation. The Indiana Work Comp Lawyers can help an injured employee determine if he or she is, indeed, entitled to such benefits. Each state has its own Work Comp laws, codes, and procedures. In Indiana, the quicker you can report your injury to your manager or your supervisor, the better. You should do this even if you do not believe your injury is serious or will require professional medical treatment. Your supervisor should then fill out a formal accident report. You should receive a copy of this from your employer. If you need medical attention, you should follow all the directions your health care provider and employer give you.

Continue reading " MARION COUNTY, INDIANA IS SCENE OF SCHOOL BUS ACCIDENT WITH INJURY " »

A Northern Indiana community is mourning the death of two teenagers in a tragic Car Crash. The Indianapolis Auto Accident Lawyers can, unfortunately, report 17 year old Aubrey Whistler and 18 year old Leanna Martin both died in Sunday's auto collision in Carroll County, Indiana. Both girls were from Logansport, Indiana. The Car Accident happened on Indiana State Road 25.

Carroll County Sheriff's Department officers say Martin was the driver of the vehicle. Apparently, her car veered across the center line and into traffic going the opposite direction. 43 year old Jeffrey Wittig from Granger, Indiana was driving a vehicle in that oncoming traffic. Indiana investigators say he attempted to prevent a crash with Martin's oncoming car by heading to the right side of the road. However, Martin's vehicle went up in flames. She reportedly died at the scene while Whistler later died at a local Indianapolis hospital. Wittig was hurt in the Auto Accident and taken to a hospital for treatment.

Unfortunately, teenagers are involved in many fatal Car Accidents and vehicle crashes with injuries every year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention compiled some chilling statistics. For example, the CDC found auto crashes are the leading cause of death for teenagers in our country. That makes up more than one in three deaths in this age group. While two female teens were involved in Sunday's fatal car crash, male teens are often the ones who find themselves in such accidents. According to the CDC, from 2000-2006, 12,479 males aged 15-19 were killed in motor vehicle accidents. However, their female counterparts were involved in about half as many deadly vehicle crashes. In those years, 6,597 females aged 15-19 died in auto collisions.

So what can be done to protect our nation's teenagers on the road? The CDC suggests the key to teen auto safety lies with parents. Auto Safety experts say the first step is for parents to talk with their teen drivers about driving safely. Parents should also prolong their teenager's supervised driving period and establish the rules of the road. Additionally, auto safety experts recommend parents and their teen drivers sign an agreement about how the teenagers will act behind the wheel. And the CDC urges parents to make sure they enforce the rules in this agreement.

While protecting our young drivers on the road is extremely important, the Indiana Auto Accident Attorneys at Crossen Kooi know auto safety must be stressed no matter what the age of the drivers. Despite the high death rate for teen drivers, they are actually not the age group with the most fatalities in vehicle crashes. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found the 25-34 year old age group had the most vehicle crash fatalities in 2009 with 5,689.

Continue reading " TWO INDIANA TEENAGERS DIE IN FIERY CAR ACCIDENT IN CARROLL COUNTY, INDIANA " »

A Semi Truck Accident in Indianapolis left one man dead and two people injured. The Indiana Tractor Trailer Collision Attorneys at Crossen Kooi learned the injured were taken to local Indianapolis hospitals. Still no word if Worker's Compensation issues will come into play.

This Semi Truck Crash happened on United States Interstate 465 shortly before midnight Wednesday. It all apparently started when a car got a flat tire and pulled onto the shoulder of I-465. 31 year old Kymari Cobel from Paoli, Indiana was driving the car, and 21 year old Zachary Wright from Cicero, Indiana was a passenger. Cobel began to drive again after the tire was changed but felt something was not right with the new tire so she pulled onto the shoulder again. Indiana State Police say that's when a pickup truck pulled near the car, and the driver offered to help. 32 year old Gregory Lacy from Georgia was a passenger in that pickup truck.

Apparently, all four people from the car and the pickup were walking on the shoulder of the Interstate when Indiana State Police say a big rig swerved onto the right shoulder of Interstate 465 and hit the Good Samaritan's pickup truck, then struck the Good Samaritan and two other people on the shoulder. That as-yet-to-named Good Samaritan was killed. The semi did not hit Cobel. Indiana State Police say the two injured people are Lacey and Wright. The Indiana Truck Accident Lawyers learned the driver of the tractor trailer was identified as 58 year old Paul Morris from Cincinnati, Ohio. Indiana investigators are looking into what exactly caused this deadly vehicle accident.

Workers Compensation issues are involved if a worker is hurt while in the course and scope of employment. At this point, it is not yet clear if any of the injured or the deceased were on the job when this Semi Truck Accident occurred. An experienced Indiana Work Comp Lawyer can help injured workers and their families figure out what medical treatment they need and what compensation they are entitled to.

Unfortunately, large trucks like semis are involved in many fatal Vehicle Accidents. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration took a look at such collisions and found in 2009, large trucks were involved in 308 deadly vehicle crashes with a non-motorist. Researchers also found the majority of fatal Semi Truck accidents involved several vehicles. In 2009, large trucks were in more than 2,600 deadly crashes involving multiple vehicles as opposed to 603 deadly crashes involving simply that single vehicle.

Continue reading " TRACTOR TRAILER ACCIDENT IN INDIANAPOLIS LEAVES ONE MAN DEAD AND TWO PEOPLE HURT " »

The Indiana Auto Accident Attorneys learned four people were hurt in a Motorcycle Accident in Franklin, Indiana. The crash happened Tuesday night on United States 31. Several victims suffered serious injuries and were taken to a local Indianapolis hospital for treatment.

Indiana investigators say the Vehicle Accident happened as a mother, her son and that son's girlfriend were walking on United States 31 near Franklin College. That's when a motorcycle apparently collided with the son and his girlfriend who are both teens. The driver of the motorcycle and his passenger were tossed from the motorcycle. The Indianapolis Vehicle Accident Attorneys at Crossen Kooi learned the identities of these two -- the driver was 42 year old Daniel Thompson, and the passenger was 22 year old Kristina Lacefield. Neither was apparently wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.

As for injuries, local Indiana police say Thompson was critically hurt in the Motorcycle Accident. Lacefield suffered injuries to her hip and upper leg. The son who was the pedestrian suffered various injuries including a broken leg. His girlfriend reportedly suffered internal head injuries. The son's mother was not hurt in the motorcycle crash.

Initial reports are Thompson was drinking prior to the Vehicle Crash. Indiana investigators are awaiting results of his blood test. The dangers of drinking and driving are well- documented, but it is worth taking a closer look at the effects of drinking and driving in the Hoosier state. Of course, in Indiana it is illegal to drive with a blood alcohol concentration level (or BAC) of .08 percent or higher. One study examined drunk driving and its connection to vehicle accidents. It found in 2009 in Indiana, there were 187 deadly vehicle crashes where at least one driver had a BAC of 0.08% or more. Also, 42 people in Indiana died in vehicle accidents where at least one driver had a BAC between 0.01% and 0.07%. Additionally, 250 total fatalities happened in Indiana when at least one driver had a BAC of 0.01% or above.

The experienced Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers are well-versed in Indiana's laws that pertain to drunk driving. Indiana does have stricter laws for drivers under the age of 21 and drivers of commercial vehicles who are found to be driving drunk. However, in general, if someone drives with a .08 BAC in Indiana, it is a Class "C" Misdemeanor for your first offense. The legal penalties vary depending on how many times the suspected drunk driver has been convicted of driving drunk. But, the first time a driver is convicted of drunk driving in Indiana, he or she will usually pay court costs and fees of $300 or more, and the driver can also be fined up to $5,000. The driver could face some jail time among other penalties like having his or her drivers license suspended.

Continue reading " FOUR PEOPLE INJURED IN MOTORCYCLE CRASH WITH PEDESTRIANS IN FRANKLIN, INDIANA " »

United States Interstate 70 in Indiana's Marion County was the scene of a Semi Truck Accident Monday morning. The Tractor Trailer Crash happened just west of downtown Indianapolis and included two Semis. The Indiana Truck Accident Lawyers learned a car was also involved in this crash. Fortunately, no one was hurt in the collision. However, Indiana Work Comp issues could have been involved if the semi drivers were hurt while on the job.

Indiana investigators say hydroplaning may be to blame for this Trucking Accident. A driver of one of the semi trucks said it was raining at the time of the accident and his trailer started to hydroplane. The trailer then hit a wall. The driver of a second semi truck was apparently trying to not hit that tractor trailer when it collided with a car.

The Indianapolis Vehicle Collision Attorneys at Crossen Kooi are experienced in handling auto accidents that stem from hydroplaning. Hydroplaning happens when a vehicle's tires are separated from the road due to water or another liquid forming a layer between the tires and the road. Thus, the tires have little or no traction on the road, and the driver has reduced ability to break or steer effectively. Hydroplaning is often referred to as "aquaplaning."

One of the main causes of hydroplaning is poor road construction. When a road is constructed the proper way, it will have a center at a higher angle than its sides. This makes a "cross slope" which enables water to drain off the road. However, over a period of time and in some cases, because of a paving contractor's or road engineer's negligence or error, some roads do not have the proper cross slope or have no cross slope at all. In these situations, water tends to pool on the road, and hydroplaning can occur and lead to Vehicle Collisions.

Vehicle Collisions are often a cause of Workers Compensation issues. The Indiana Department of Labor examined all sorts of workplace injuries and found in 2009, transportation and warehousing had the second highest number of workplace fatalities with 17. The construction industry also had 17 workplace deaths. Only the agriculture industry had more with 23. There are certain steps an injured worker should take if he or she is hurt while in the course and scope of employment. Each state has its own specific Work Comp laws and codes so an injured worker should check with his or her own state's regulations.

Continue reading " TWO TRACTOR TRAILERS CRASH IN INDIANA'S MARION COUNTY " »

In St. Joseph County, Indiana, the Fatal Alcohol Crash Team is looking into a Truck Crash with multiple injuries. The Indiana Workers' Compensation Attorneys at Crossen Kooi can report at least three people were hurt in Wednesday's Vehicle Accident. The injured include a firefighter and a police officer. It is not clear what, if any, Indiana Work Comp issues will be involved since the injured workers were on the job when they were hurt.

As for what caused this Truck Accident, it apparently started when a Clay Fire Territory pumper tanker truck was responding to a call in Harris Township. At the same time, Roseland police were going to a different call. For some reason, as both were going through the same intersection, the truck collided with the patrol car and then rolled onto its side. The truck reportedly also struck a passenger car before it flipped. Another police car was apparently involved in this Vehicle Collision as well. Clay fire officials say it seems like the police car struck their truck. Equipment at the intersection does give fire trucks a green traffic signal.

Three people were hurt in this Vehicle Crash. A firefighter, a police officer, and a civilian were all taken to a local Indiana hospital for treatment for their injuries. None of the injuries were considered extremely serious. At last check, the Indiana Truck Accident Lawyers learned the firefighter was released from the hospital. Indiana's general Worker's Compensation statutes do not usually pertain to emergency responders like firefighters and police officers because these jobs are deemed to carry inherent risks. Instead, Indiana has a separate code that specifically details how police officers and firefighters should be treated medically and compensated if they are, indeed, hurt while in the course and scope of their employment. Experienced Indianapolis Work Comp Lawyers can help injured workers navigate the legal process to ensure they receive the proper benefits.

As mentioned in the previous paragraph, the job of firefighter does entail serious risks for workplace injuries. One risk concerns fire truck traffic accidents. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration examined data from Fire Truck Collisions in the years 1994-1996. Officials found in general, about 2,472 fire trucks are involved in police-reported accidents each year in our country. Each year, these crashes caused 6 fatalities to fire truck occupants, 413 fire truck occupant injuries, and a total of 1,076 people were hurt in these collisions including 21 fatalities.

Researchers also looked at the type of injuries suffered in Fire Truck Accidents. They found usually, the most severe injuries happen in the other vehicle involved in the collision. Deadly injuries happened in less than 1% of accidents involving fire trucks. Some type of injury happened in about 24% of fire truck crashes, and property damage happened in about 75% of fire truck accidents.

Continue reading " EMERGENCY RESPONDERS IN INDIANA HURT IN TRUCK CRASH " »

Indianapolis Auto Accident Lawyers can report more details concerning the death of a toddler from a Vehicle Collision Monday. Indiana investigators say the victim is two year old Alex Ekstedt. This accident happened on Indiana State Road 32 in Eagletown which is west of Westfield, Indiana in Hamilton County.

According to Westfield Police, Alex's mother crossed Indiana State Road 32 and left him with his grandmother. The toddler then attempted to cross the road to follow his mom. He apparently did this without any adults noticing. As he was going across Indiana State Road 32, a vehicle hit Alex and killed the little boy.

Westfield Police officers are not blaming speed for the Car Collision. However, homes are close to the road in that area. In the aftermath of this tragedy, C and S Sandblasting and Welding contributed materials and labor to build a fence to protect front yards in this area from traffic.

With children back in school now and in the aftermath of this tragic accident, the Indiana Car Crash Attorneys at Crossen Kooi took at look at the safety of children on our nation's streets. Research showed half of the kids struck by vehicles close to schools were struck by cars with parents of students behind the wheel. The National Safe Kids Campaign found about 67% of drivers drove faster than the posted speed limit in school zones in the half hour before school starts and after school ends. Thus, simply slowing down and obeying the speed limit can help protect our nation's children.

Further studies examined the safety of children as pedestrians and how often they are struck by vehicles. Data showed in 2000, about 44,000 kids were hurt as pedestrians and treated in emergency rooms. However, there was a promising trend. The death rate for children ages 14 and younger in Vehicle Collisions as pedestrians dropped almost 50% from 1990-2000. Additionally, the injury rate for the same time period dipped 36%.

Researchers also looked at the difference a child's gender plays in their involvement in Vehicle Accidents as pedestrians. They found boys who are 14 years old or younger have a death rate that is more than 50% higher than it is for girls in the same age group. Studies also centered on where these car crashes happen. Data showed more than 80% of traffic related childhood pedestrian deaths occur at non-intersections.

Continue reading " HAMILTON COUNTY, INDIANA TODDLER KILLED IN VEHICLE ACCIDENT " »

Indianapolis Car Accident Lawyers learned Binford Boulevard in Marion County, Indiana was the site of a deadly Vehicle Collision. The accident happened Tuesday morning. Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officers say the victim is 75 year old Chong I. Chong.

Indiana investigators say the fatal Car Crash involved a Toyota and a van. Chong was driving the Toyota. Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officers say Chong's car was going west on Delmar Road before it headed into the lanes going north in front of the van. The van's driver reportedly was unable to prevent hitting the car. Thus, the van collided with the driver's side of the Toyota. The impact of the crash apparently caused both vehicles to travel across some of the lanes of Binford Boulevard and then through a grassy median. Both vehicles eventually stopped moving in the lanes heading south on Binford Boulevard. At last check, the driver of the van was not hurt in the vehicle accident. Chong died at the scene. Indiana investigators are still not sure what caused this fatal accident.

The Indiana Auto Accident Attorneys at Crossen Kooi know a person's age and experience behind the wheel can sometimes be a factor in Auto Accidents. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration took a look at people's ages in fatal vehicle crashes. Data showed the age group with the most fatalities from auto collisions in 2009 is the 25-34 year old group. 5,689 people aged 25-34 were killed in vehicle crashes that year. In Indiana, that age group also was the one with the most people killed in auto accidents in 2009. 122 people in Indiana died from vehicle crashes in 2009.

In addition, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration examined the time of day when fatal vehicle accidents happen. In 2009, data showed the time when most deadly auto accidents happen is in the 6pm-8:59pm time period. During that time in 2009, 4,988 fatal vehicle accidents occurred across the United States. When researchers looked at Indiana only, they found a different time period had the most deadly crashes. In Indiana in 2009, the 3pm-5:59pm time period was the deadliest with 98 fatal vehicle accidents.

Researchers also examined the days of the week to see which day has the most deadly Auto Accidents. Data from 2009 showed the day with the most fatal vehicle accidents was Saturday with 5,786 fatal crashes. Saturday was the deadliest day in both Indiana and throughout the United States.

Continue reading " INDIANAPOLIS CAR ACCIDENT WITH VAN LEAVES ONE WOMAN DEAD " »

A stretch of United States Interstate 65 north of Indianapolis is often the site of Vehicle Accidents. Indiana Semi Truck Accident Lawyers are familiar with last Friday's truck crash. That's when Indiana State Police say on I-65, a UPS Semi Truck was struck in the rear by another vehicle. That Truck Collision caused the UPS tractor trailer to hit a Fedex Semi Truck. Two drivers were hurt in this Vehicle Accident.

Last week's Truck Crash prompted Indiana State Police to take a look at the 40 miles of United States Interstate 65 between Lafayette and Indianapolis. Last week's auto collision was the second crash in the past few months that involved several vehicles and caused the highway to shutdown. The Indiana Car Accident Lawyers at Crossen Kooi learned both were attributed to a driver not paying attention. Indiana State Police looked at data and found more than 100 auto crashes happened on that section of the highway this year. In those collisions, at least 16 people were hurt and one was killed.

However, Indiana State Police say despite the seemingly high number of vehicle crashes, this part of I-65 is not more dangerous than any other section of the highway. When examined in its entirety, 6 people were killed and more than 250 were hurt in more than 1,100 Vehicle Collisions on I-65. In 2010, 15 people were killed and more then 400 suffered injuries on I-65. In the section of the highway between Lafayette and Indianapolis, two people died and more than 30 were hurt last year in vehicle accidents.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration took a closer look at fatal vehicle collisions and where they occur. In its recent report, the NHTSA found in Indiana in 2009, 270 multi vehicle deadly accidents happened on roadways while only six happened off roadways. Conversely, single vehicle fatal accidents occurred more often off roadways. In Indiana in 2009, 263 single vehicle deadly crashes happened off roadways while 80 happened on roadways.

Nationally, the trend was the same in 2009. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found many more fatal multi vehicle accidents happened on roadways than off roadways. As for deadly single vehicle crashes, almost twice as many occurred off roadways than on roadways in 2009.

Continue reading " INTERSTATE 65 NORTH OF INDIANAPOLIS EXAMINED AFTER SEMI TRUCK CRASH WITH INJURIES " »

The Indiana Car Accident Lawyers at Crossen Kooi can report the suspect in Friday's chase with Muncie, Indiana police died over the weekend at a local Indianapolis hospital. The Marion County coroner's office confirmed 30 year old Jeffery Odell Eldridge's death. Eldridge suffered serious injuries in an Auto Accident stemming from the chase. His car crossed the middle of Indiana State Road 28 and struck a Semi Truck head on near Delaware County Road 675-W.

That Semi Truck Collision isn't the only vehicle crash Eldridge found himself in Friday. Before he struck the tractor trailer, Eldridge had been leading Muncie police on a chase. Officers tried to arrest him near Delaware County Road 400-W's intersection with Indiana State Road 28. However, the suspect apparently hit an officer with his car which trapped the officer against a pickup truck. Eldridge then took off in his car while other Muncie police officers opened fire.

Indiana investigators are looking into this incident. Indiana State Police say it is not clear if Eldridge was struck with any bullets when officers opened fire at him during the chase. The police officer who was pinned against the truck was injured, but he has since been released from Ball Memorial Hospital. It is not clear if his injuries are considered Work Comp related or when he will return to work. Indiana Workers Compensation refers to injuries a worker sustains while on the job. However, Indiana treats police officers and firefighters differently when it comes to Worker's Compensation because their jobs carry great risk. Indianapolis Work Comp Lawyers are well-versed in the state's Work Comp laws and codes and can help injured workers receive the medical care and compensation they deserve.

One risky aspect of a police officer's job is when they are in their patrol cars chasing a suspect. Friday's chase started when the suspect apparently stole a few purses from people at a local Target and two Walmart stores. Eldridge, then, reportedly tried to use an ATM card from one of those purses.

The United States Department of Labor looks into Work Comp injuries in an attempt to improve employee safety. Its data shows how dangerous highways and chases can be for police officers. In its recent study, the Department found the number of deadly work injuries among protective service occupations went up 6% last year after two years of declines. The jump was led by police officer deaths which went up 40% in 2010. The number of police officer deaths last year was 134 versus 96 the previous year. Of the 134 deadly work injuries among police officers, 57 involved highway incidents and 48 involved homicides. Most other jobs in the protective service group saw workplace deaths drop last year.

Continue reading " SUSPECT IN CAR ACCIDENT WITH MUNCIE, INDIANA POLICE DIES AT INDIANAPOLIS HOSPITAL " »

A 17-year old boy is dead following a Garbage Truck Accident in Randolph County, Indiana. Indianapolis Workers Compensation Lawyers learned this apparent On the Job accident happened Labor Day near Parker City, Indiana. However, it is not yet clear if Indiana Work Comp issues will be involved. Delaware County's deputy coroner identified the fatal victim as Stephen Tiller from Greenville, Ohio. He apparently has relatives in Randolph County. Another garbage truck worker was hurt in the accident. He broke his leg and was taken to a local Muncie, Indiana hospital for treatment.

Indiana investigators say the Truck Accident involved a garbage truck that is part of a family business owned by Tiller's relatives. The two victims allegedly were riding on the front of the truck and were thrown off it when the truck hit a tough spot in the roadway. After he was thrown from the truck, Tiller was apparently run over by the garbage truck which killed him. The injured worker was thrown into a ditch. Randolph County police say the victims should not have been riding on the front of the truck, but rather, they should have been on the sides or rear of the vehicle. The person behind the wheel of the truck is thought to be the teen's brother.

Additionally, Indiana investigators say the fatal victim was doing job-related tasks when the tragic truck accident happened. When people are hurt or killed while doing job-related duties, Indiana Workers' Compensation might come into play. Work Comp refers to the body of law and insurance that covers injuries workers suffer while in the course and scope of employment. The experienced and honest Indiana Work Comp Lawyers at Crossen Kooi can help you decide if in fact, your injury is work-related and if so, what type of treatment and compensation you and/or your family deserve. It is important to note that work comp injuries do include deadly ones, and the injuries are not limited to ones that happen in an office, factory or other structural place of employment. Instead, Workers Compensation injuries often include those that happen in vehicles if the injured worker in that vehicle sustains that injury while on the job.

In fact, the Indiana Department of Labor found transportation is often tied to Work Comp injuries and deaths. The Department recently released its annual Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries report for last year. The data showed 115 people died from deadly occupational injuries in Indiana in 2010. And of those 115 work-related fatalities, 54 involved transportation incidents.

Continue reading " TEEN DIES IN GARBAGE TRUCK ACCIDENT IN PARKER CITY, INDIANA " »

For many Indiana families, placing a loved one in a nursing home is an extremely difficult and emotional decision. Fears of Nursing Home Abuse only compound this decision. And unfortunately, nursing home abuse is a growing problem. The Indianapolis Nursing Home Injury Lawyers at Crossen Kooi noted a recent study which found about half of all nursing home residents will have injuries or illnesses go unreported, untreated, or undiagnosed during their stay at a nursing home.

Further studies of Nursing Home Abuse found about 30% of long-term care staff saw physical abuse of a patient in the previous year. And, when the definition of abuse is broadened to include verbal abuse, 81% report having seen abuse. Equally as troubling, 40% say they committed abuse at least one time in the last year. Thus, nursing home abuse and neglect is a huge problem in both Indiana and throughout the country.

So what laws and regulations exist to protect residents from Nursing Home Injuries and at the very least, give them and/or their families recourse in the event abuse does occur? The Indiana Nursing Home Negligence Attorneys are extremely knowledgeable about the federal and state laws governing nursing homes. The main federal law is known as the Federal Nursing Home Reform Act. It was enacted in 1987. This Act established a national minimum standard of care and rights for patients in certified nursing facilities. Nursing homes wanting Medicare or Medicaid funding were then required to provide services so that each resident could “attain and maintain her highest practicable physical, mental, and psycho-social well-being.”

As for individual states like Indiana, they were still allowed to enact even stricter nursing home guidelines. And Indiana does have specific steps nursing home residents and/or their families should take if they suspect abuse. First, if you suspect abuse, you should gather evidence and information to write a report on the abuse. The information should include the facility's contact information, people involved in the alleged abuse and the date and time of the suspected incident.

Then, as quickly as possibly, you should contact the Indiana State Department of Health’s Division of Long Term Care. It is important to note that once the complaint is filed, the name of the person reporting the complaint is kept confidential. About a week after the report is filed, you will receive confirmation by mail from the Long Term Care Complaint Department verifying that they received it and letting you know that an investigation was started. You will be notified again when the investigation is done, and you will be told the results.

Continue reading " A CLOSER LOOK AT LAWS TO PROTECT AGAINST INDIANA NURSING HOME ABUSE AND NEGLECT " »