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3 Steps for Dealing With Emotional Trauma After a Car Accident

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No one is ever prepared for an accident. But, long after the car is fixed and your physical injuries have healed, you can still have fear and emotion strain. This can prevent you from traveling, getting to work, or even getting in a vehicle again.

The fear and emotional trauma after a car accident can be long-lasting, and in some cases it can be worse than the broken bones. Psychological effects for severe mental and emotional trauma include PTSD, acute stress disorder, and major depressive disorder.

If you feel like you are suffering from trauma after a crash, here are the most important things to do.

Adult upset driver man in front of automobile crash car collision accident in city road

Dealing with Emotional Trauma After a Car Accident

Remember: The emotional reaction may take some time to settle in. You can be in shock after an accident, and you may suffer physical injuries. The aftershock can take some time to surface. So, just because you feel fine immediately following a car crash doesn’t mean that you actually are.

1. Seek Help Right Away

You want to talk to a professional in the mental health care field as soon as you suspect you are suffering from trauma. This will not only get you the help you need, but it will also get you the important documentation you need.

If you need extended care, you will want to have proof of diagnoses for insurance purposes. The most important thing is getting help. You won’t be in any condition to worry about documents, so let the professionals take care of it for you.

2. Talk to a Lawyer

Find out what your rights are. Getting a lawyer to handle the insurance claims and any other business takes the pressure off you. They know how to negotiate with your insurance company and prepare, in case you go to court.

This allows you to focus on your recovery and not have to worry about legal business or insurance. Find a lawyer who is experienced and specializes in car accident trauma.

3. Get Support

Talking to a professional will allow you to face the trauma. You can also join a group session and talk with people who are dealing with the same types of trauma. This can really open up doors for communication and healing.

Talking to your friends and loved ones will also help. You can find help in all kinds of places when you look. If you are still suffering from physical trauma, not having adequate emotional support can make the emotional trauma that much worse.

Avoid drugs and alcohol. Try to be social and don’t avoid situations that make you uncomfortable. It can be a slow recovery, but you will get back to normal.

Don’t Let Post-Accident Trauma Stop You

Get back on the horse that bucked you off. True, it’s easier said than done, but it’s not impossible. Surviving a car crash is already traumatic, so you want to get ahead of the trauma that comes later.

We are often too focused on the physical healing to realize we are suffering mentally. But you need to address the emotional trauma after a car accident as well. Talking to a professional will help you get back in the car again.

Hiring a lawyer is also a smart idea. You have insurance for a reason, but if you are too traumatized to deal with the insurance companies, having a lawyer can help there too.

If you are suffering emotional trauma following an accident, you may be able to recover damages for your suffering and losses. Contact Milwaukee car accident attorney Karl Gebhard for more information or a consultation.

What Are the Long Term Effects of Black Mold Exposure?

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No matter how clean you keep your home, there’s always the potential for mold growth. What’s worse is that it isn’t always easy to detect when a type of mold is present. But make no mistake, it’s important to remain vigilant about mold prevention—particularly when it comes to black mold, which only takes a day or two to start growing.

What is it and what are some of the long-term effects black mold exposure can have on your health? Keep reading to find out.

Black mold in the corner of room wall

What Is Black Mold?

Black mold is an umbrella term for a dangerous species of mold often found in homes.

Typically, homeowners can expect to find black mold in damp, warm areas such as sinks, tubs, faucets, grout, pools, toilets, and vents. Furthermore, black mold thrives in areas where dust and dirt accumulate.

In some areas, such as a tub or sink, homeowners can clearly spot mold growth and clean it accordingly. However, when it comes to smaller areas (such as vents), the threat becomes far more difficult and the presence of black mold is often unknown until it’s too late.

What Are the Long-Term Effects Black Mold May Have on My Health?

Make no mistake, black mold can be quite dangerous. In fact, each year, thousands of people make trips to the emergency room due to the annoying fungi. Here are a few symptoms of exposure to be on the lookout for:

Common Symptoms

Knowing what to look for can be difficult, particularly as a lot of the health effects are commonly associated with other illnesses, particularly allergies and the common cold. Among these symptoms are sneezing, itchy eyes, runny noses, and sneezing.

As you can see, these are pretty common symptoms of your basic allergies, something 50 million people struggle with. However, if these symptoms remain persistent, it’s time to see a doctor. Especially when paired with more dangerous symptoms like the ones mentioned below.

Respiratory Issues

One of the biggest signs mold may be present is sudden difficulty breathing. These issues are only exacerbated in those who already struggle with asthma.

Pay attention to your breathing. If it becomes shallow, if you notice wheezing, or if you feel a frequent need to cough, you may want to be concerned.

Cognitive Struggles

Astoundingly, black mold exposure has been linked to long-term effects on cognitive health. For instance, feelings of confusion are frequently reported among those often exposed to mold, as is a sense of “brain fog,” which makes it hard to concentrate or follow a basic train of thought.

Black mold exposure has been linked to anxiety disorders, as well.

What Should I Do If I Have Mold Poisoning?

If you or someone you know may be suffering from mold poisoning, seek medical assistance immediately. While certain medicines can roll back some effects of exposure, black mold can cause long-term illness, as well.

Next, schedule a mold inspection and removal for your home.

Finally, if you believe that you may have been exposed to black mold due to negligence or a poor home inspection, get in touch with a personal injury lawyer.

Get Your Health and Home Back

Everyone deserves a safe living space. But when mold invades, your happy home can become a dangerous breeding ground for harmful molds.

If you’re the victim of long-term black mold exposure, get in touch today. Gebhard Law Office in Milwaukee can help you determine if hiring a toxic mold lawyer for your case is justified.

What to Look for In a Personal Injury Lawyer in Milwaukee

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When you need a personal injury lawyer, you want to be sure that you hire the right one for the job.

Having the right attorney by your side could make the difference in whether you win or lose your case. Often, the stakes in these cases are high, and the wrong decision could end up costing you a considerable amount of time and money.

No one wants to take chances in the courtroom. But, it can be difficult to know how to choose an attorney, especially if you haven’t ever needed one before now.

Are you looking for representation in a personal injury case? Read on to learn how to spot the qualities of a good lawyer.

Young couple in lawyer office

Qualities of a Good Lawyer You Should Look For

If you’re wondering what you should look for when hiring an attorney, here are some qualities of a good lawyer that you’ll want to see.

Personal Injury Courtroom Experience

Yes, you should look for a lawyer with courtroom experience, but that’s not all. You’ll want to find an attorney who has specifically dealt with personal injury cases.

It’s best if you can find one who has a proven track record of success in cases that are similar to yours. This will not only give you an advantage in your case, it will help you to feel more confident in the courtroom as well.

Referrals

Do you know anyone who has needed the services of a personal injury lawyer in the past? If so, it can be helpful to ask friends and relatives about their experiences. They may be able to offer a referral for the type of attorney you need.

Even if they were unhappy with their experience, it may help you to not make the same mistake.

Knowledgeable

Once you narrow your search, you should schedule a consultation with your top choices. During this initial appointment, you should bring a list of questions to ask potential candidates. Look for clues to gauge knowledge and interest prior to making a decision to hire an attorney.

For instance:

  • Does the attorney appear to possess extensive legal knowledge in areas related to your case?
  • If they don’t have an immediate answer to a question you ask, do they offer to find out and get back with you?

Trust

One of the most important qualities of a good lawyer is that they can be trusted by their clients. After all, you are depending on this person to have your back and fight for your best interest.

If your intuition doesn’t sit well with someone, there could be a good reason why. Don’t be afraid to turn down an attorney who makes you feel uneasy or comes across as dishonest. In the long run, you need to feel good about the person that you choose to represent you. Trust your gut.

Do You Need a Good Personal Injury Lawyer?

If you want a personal injury lawyer who exhibits all of the qualities of a good lawyer, contact Gebhard Law Office today. We specialize in Milwaukee personal injury cases.

Don’t need a lawyer right now but curious to learn more? Check out this post to find out when you should hire a personal injury attorney in Milwaukee!

What Are the Symptoms of Inhaling Toxic Mold?

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Did you know that a staggering 50 million people in the United States suffer from allergies? Or that allergies rank sixth when it comes to chronic illnesses in the country?

The most concerning fact here is that many people can experience allergic reactions to allergens (substances that trigger the allergy) that they don’t even see. For example, mold spores tinier than the eye can see can trigger severe allergic reactions. And that’s not all. Certain types of molds can also cause poisoning.

Of these microorganisms, toxic black mold is one of the most dangerous. But what exactly happens to those exposed to these fungi? What are the symptoms if you’ve inhaled its spores?

Keep reading for some basic but important information about dealing with mold toxicity.

woman finding black toxic mold in the house

Toxic Black Mold: The Basics

First things first: Black mold (or Stachybotrys chartarum, as they’re known in the scientific world) aren’t toxic on their own. Their spores are what make them dangerous.

These molds release toxic spores (known as mycotoxins) when they feed. What makes that so concerning is that these fungi will keep feeding on anything that nourishes them. That includes moisture-containing organic materials like carpeting, drywall, insulation, cotton, food, and more.

How Your Body Reacts to Inhaled or Ingested Black Mold

If exposed to black mold through ingestion or inhalation, your body can start developing unpleasant symptoms. For those who already have mold allergies, these reactions can be potentially life-threatening.

The most common sign of black mold exposure is non-stop coughing and sneezing. Eye irritation, runny nose, as well as skin inflammation and rashes also indicate possible exposure. If you (or anyone in your household) suffers from persistent headaches and chronic fatigue, mold toxicity may also be the culprit.

Disorientation, dizziness, and confusion can also result from prolonged exposure to this fungi’s toxic spores.

The Potential Life-Threatening Effects of Black Mold Exposure

The longer the exposure to Stachybotrys chartarum and the more spores inhaled or ingested, the worse the health effects. In such cases, nausea, bleeding nose, and vomiting can already accompany the above-mentioned symptoms.

In the worst scenarios, the lungs may become swollen (which is called pulmonary edema). From here, they can start bleeding from the inside (also called a pulmonary hemorrhage).

What to Do When These Symptoms Develop

They may start off as minor, but th symptoms of black mold exposure will only worsen over time. As such, if anyone exhibits any of these symptoms, it is extremely important to contact a doctor right away.

From there, make sure that you have your home inspected and tested for molds. It’s possible that regular molds caused these symptoms, but you still shouldn’t discount the possibility of toxic mold spores.

Stopping Molds from Costing You Your Home and Health

If the tests reveal that molds have taken over your home, make sure you have them removed ASAP. That applies to both toxic black mold and regular molds. Keep in mind that these microorganisms only need about 24 to 48 hours to start spreading. So, the longer you wait, the more time they have to spread throughout your house.

Need more help when it comes to mold effects and what to do about them? Learn more about toxic black mold here and this helpful FAQ from the Milwaukee Health Department.

And, if you think you’ve been adversely affected by mold due to no fault of your own, be sure to contact a qualified toxic mold lawyer for help. A personal injury lawsuit to recoup for losses may be in order.

Here’s What to Do if a Dog Bites You

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It can happen in the blink of an eye. You or your family are at a friend’s house or walking in the neighborhood when you encounter an aggressive dog. Suddenly, the dog attacks.

Getting bit by a dog in Milwaukee is more common than you would think. In fact, nearly five million people are hurt by dogs every year.

snarling dog

Do you know what to do if a dog bites you? We do. Keep reading to find out what to do if this ever happens to you.

What to Do if a Dog Bites You

If you can move, get away from the situation as quickly as possible. Finding a safe place is a priority. From there, you’re going to assess your injuries and find the owner of the responsible animal.

Treating Dog Bites

Dogs’ mouths are full of different kinds of bacteria. As such, you’ll need to clean out the wounds quickly to prevent infection. In general:

  • If the wound is superficial, flush it with running water, then isopropyl alcohol. Next, apply a topical antibiotic and bandage the wound.
  • Puncture wounds are more complicated. Unless the wound is on your head or neck or is gushing blood, letting it bleed for five minutes can help clean out the site of the bite. After those five minutes, reassess the damage. If you can stop the bleeding, simply treat the bite like a superficial injury.
  • If a wound won’t stop bleeding, it’s time to contact emergency services.

Contacting the Owner

What should you do next if a dog bites you? Contact the owner.

If the owner is nearby at the time of the incident, swap information immediately. Even if you don’t bring charges against them, it’s good to have that information on you just in case. Plus, you might need to prove to your doctor that the dog has had all of its shots.

If the owner won’t cooperate or is in denial about the seriousness of the injury, it might be time to take it to the next level.

Getting Justice

If you got bit by a dog and the owner is being difficult, you might have to call a lawyer who specializes in dog bites. Do so quickly after the incident if it’s obvious the situation is getting out of your control.

Depending on the dog breed, the bite might even be covered by their insurance. Some dogs, like German Shepherds and pit bull types, are on insurance blacklists, which means insurance companies will not cover them.

Also make sure that police and animal control are aware of the incident. They can help prevent the same thing from happening to someone else.

Now What?

Now that you know what to do if a dog bites you, you’ll be prepared in case it happens to you.

If you’ve been bitten by an aggressive dog, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We understand Wisconsin law regarding dog attacks and are standing by to help.

Get to safety, take care of your injuries, and contact us today.

Gebhard Law Office