8435 W Burleigh St    Milwaukee, WI 53222
414-873-6550    

Personal Injury Due To Faulty Road Construction

by

Car accidents are often the cause of negligence. Faulty road construction can cause car accidents and result in injury for a number of reasons. As Milwaukee spends a considerable amount to fix and maintain it’s highways and roadways, it’s important to keep an eye out for changing road conditions. Here’s what you need to know about personal injury due to negligent road construction.

The Facts on Faulty Road Construction

Car accidents in work zones are more common than you think. The Federal Highway Administration estimates that over 96,000 crashes occurred in work zones in 2015. Just over 26 percent of these crashes resulted in an injured motorist. Statistics also show that the number of crashes in work zones rose 42 percent since 2013. Faulty road construction refers to a number of conditions that hinder a person’s driving ability.

What Constitutes as Faulty Road Construction

There are a number of conditions that constitute as faulty road construction:

  • Improper signage, such as not explaining lane usage. This can confuse drivers and may cause an accident
  • Neglecting to fill in potholes or other construction-related road defects. Potholes can cause significant damage to automobiles and cause accidents. Road work that makes driving conditions undriveable can also attribute to car accidents.
  • Faulty lane configurations. Vague directions for changing lanes can attribute to accidents in work areas.
  • Poor maintenance. An example of this would be an improper clean up of work zones, which can cause accidents.

These examples are just a few ways that faulty road construction can cause accidents. Here’s what you need to know about seeking compensation for personal injuries due to faulty road construction.

What Should I Do After An Accident Involving Faulty Road Construction?

It’s important to seek compensation for any injuries or loss of income due to negligent road construction. Presenting your case to a personal injury lawyer can help you go in the right direction towards seeking compensation.

The key to winning a case for injury due to negligent road construction is to prove negligence. However, it can be difficult to prove negligence and who is responsible for an injury. Construction companies must comply with safety regulations, as do government entities. According to Nolo Law, if you want to make a claim against a government entity for not maintaining safe road conditions, you would have to prove that the government had neglected to fix road conditions that caused the accident.

Proving negligence against a construction company or worker can be difficult because you must prove that their negligence was the cause of injury. According to Section 2a of Wisconsin State Statute 895.07, plaintiffs must notify a contractor about a road defect within 90 days. After that, a contractor must fix the defect and settle the claim with the plaintiff. Due to the complicated nature of personal injuries and faulty road construction, you should consult a personal injury lawyer as the first step towards compensation.

When to Call a Personal Injury Lawyer

Personal injury results in more than physical harm. It can mean medical bills, loss of income and other hardships. Gebhard Law is one of Milwaukee’s leading personal injury lawyers. Contact us today if you need help you getting back on your feet after an incident.

 

Workplace Injuries: Knowing When to Seek Legal Action

by

From slipping on the wet bathroom floor to getting hurt from faulty equipment, workplace injuries are common. Statistics from a report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics showed a total of 2.9 million work related injuries were reported in 2016. And nearly one-third of those injured were temporarily out of work as a result.

Work injuries may leave you with a financial and physical burden. that’s why it’s important to know what type of workers compensation you


Tumeur de la prostate : pronostic en fonction du stade, du grade et du risque

Tumeur de la prostate : pronostic en fonction du stade, du grade et du risque

are entitled to, and the grounds for taking legal action in the event of a work-related injury.

Common Questions About Work Injuries

I’ve Suffered an Injury at Work. What’s Next?

In the event of an injury, it’s important to report the injury to your supervisor or employer immediately and seek medical attention. The injured worker must file a claim with their employer to determine compensation for their injury. And reporting claims pertaining to workplace injuries should be done within thirty days but the statute of limitations can expand to as long as 12 years in some cases.

Making an injury claim and seeking medical attention are the first steps towards receiving compensation for injuries.

What Type of Compensation Can I Get for My Injury?

Worker’s compensation eases the physical and financial burden that comes with medical expenses, lost income, and injury rehabilitation. According to the State of Wisconsin’s Department of Workforce Development, workers that sustain physical and mental harm, accidental injury and occupational disease are covered under Wisconsin law.

Learn more about Workers Compensation in Wisconsin.

Who Is Entitled to Worker’s Compensation?

All workers are entitled to worker’s compensation for injuries that occur on the job, when going to and from work using company property, from traffic accidents, and for injuries that occur on company property. However, not everyone has the right to workman’s compensation.

Employers with less than three employees, sole proprietors/contracted workers, and farm workers who are employed for less than 20 days out of the month are often not covered by workman’s compensation. It’s vital to understand the type of compensation you are entitled to and whether or not you need to seek legal action.

Prepare yourself for action by learning the three times to hire a personal injury lawyer.

What Are the Grounds for Legal Action in the Event of an Injury?

Wisconsin Law prohibits workers from suing their employer for work injuries. Injured employees can seek legal action against the responsible party when the injury stems from either equipment malfunction or the carelessness of a third party, however. That entails product liability or negligence.

Product (Strict) Liability

According to the Wisconsin State Statute 895.047, an injured employee can sue if the injured party can prove the following :

  • The product was defective.
  • The defect existed at the time of the incident.
  • The product was considered dangerous.
  • There was no substantial change in the condition since it was sold.
  • The defect was the cause of the incident.

Negligence

Negligence cases hold a third-party responsible for injury or death as a result of carelessness. Examples of carelessness include improper instruction or use of equipment, poor working conditions, and disobeying safety procedures. If an employee is injured and can prove that someone else’s negligence was the cause, the employee can sue.

Protect Your Rights

Can you sue a third-party for damages? for those injured at work, the answer isn’t always clear. If you are unsure if you need to seek legal action for a personal injury (like a work injury), contact Gebhard Law for consultation.

What Are the Long Term Effects of Black Mold Exposure?

by

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 Are the Symptoms of Inhaling Toxic Mold?

by

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.

How (and When) to Check for Mold in Your Home

by

Has your home started smelling a little musty lately? If so, it’s probably in your best interest to learn how to check for mold.

The truth is, mold growth is a more common problem in Milwaukee than you may imagine. Mold spores grow anywhere where there is moisture, and it doesn’t take them long to form colonies.

There are almost 1,000 types of household mold, and many of them pose a significant health risk to you and your family. If it’s not dealt with in time, a mold outbreak can also be very costly to address.

the word mold on white background

Not sure whether you have something to worry about? Here is what you need to know about testing for mold in your home.

Mold Indicators

First, let’s go over the more obvious signs you’re dealing with mold issues.

The biggest indicator of mold is actual, visible mold growth. In this situation, the only question is “How much?” Remember: The visible mold is usually just a fraction of what you’re actually up against.

Musty and damp smells are also surefire signs of mold growth. Now, in-house mold has a very distinctive odor. If you’ve dealt with mold in the past, you’d probably be able to recognize the smell immediately.

Finally, there are the actual health problems. If you’re living in a mold-laden environment, you may develop symptoms, such as stuffy nose, rashes, sore throat, and eye irritation.

How to Check for Mold

If you suspect mold growth, it’s time to run some tests.

The first thing you should do is turn off your HVAC system and any house fans. In doing so, you’re reducing the chance of spores spreading to other locations in your house.

Then, start checking the popular hiding places for mold growth. These include carpets (and carpet pads), ceiling tiles, pipes, and ductwork. Bathrooms and basements can also be perfect mold incubators.

Keep in mind that checking for mold can be somewhat of a hide-and-seek game. Even if you can’t find any mold, keep trusting your nose.

If you’re forced to resort to looking behind walls, it may be time to consult a professional. This is particularly true if you suspect the problem is caused by a recent roof leak or flooding.

Prevention Methods

If none of these tests yield results, you can be sure you don’t have any mold in your home. Congratulations! However, you’re not out of the woods yet.

You see, keeping mold out is much harder than you may think. Instead, you should aim for making it less welcome. The solution is simple: control your sources of moisture.

Now, this doesn’t just mean keeping an eye on your plumbing. For example, steam from bathing and cooking can also encourage mold growth. Condensation is a fairly common problem as well.

Mold-Related Injuries

Can mold kill you? Though these situations are fairly rare, they do happen.

Some types of mold—such as black mold—are capable of causing serious health issues. That’s the main reason why it’s important to know how to check for mold.

In some situations, the presence of mold in your home or workplace can be caused by a third party. For instance, mold growth could be a byproduct of an underlying construction defect.

Have you suffered a mold-related injury in Milwaukee due to a third party’s negligence? If so, you’re entitled to monetary compensation. Contact our office to see if you should hire a toxic mold lawyer to represent your case.

Gebhard Law Office