Are You Thinking About Buying Your Kids a Hoverboard?

Product Liability Attorneys 317-881-2700

Product Liability Attorneys 317-881-2700

Last holiday season, the shining star among gift-buying selections for both kids and adults was the two-wheeled hoverboard. Since then, there have been numerous reports of these devices suddenly erupting and catching fire in peoples’ homes. As a result, many lower-end models have been mass-recalled. And even with the fire safety concerns surrounding these toys, they are still somehow among the “must-have” toys of 2016.

So if you are a parent who’s thinking about getting a hoverboard for your kids, it is important to consider these safety concerns first. Continue reading to learn what is making certain hoverboards spontaneously catch fire, and what you need to know before making a final purchase for your loved ones.

Hover Boards Catching Fire

The culprit behind why some hoverboard models have caught fire is their batteries. The lithium-ion batteries are generally safe, and used most often for laptops and cellphones. However, lithium-ion batteries are highly-flammable. So in larger gadgets that get bumped around or prone to overheating, like hoverboards, they become a big fire hazard. In fact, they are not even allowed on airplanes for this very reason. If you haven’t yet purchased a hoverboard, you are able to educate yourself further on whether or not you want to take the risk. But if you already own a hoverboard, it is important to look for signs that might suggest trouble. If you notice any of these signs, you should take the hoverboard away from your kids, and suspend use immediately.

Signs of Trouble

If your kid’s hoverboard has been dropped or dinged up a few times, it may have jeopardized the stability of the lithium-ion batteries. This could mean they are more prone to exploding. Do not let children jump on hoverboards, or use them in an aggressive manner. This includes bumping into things while riding it, doing tricks, falling down repeatedly, getting it wet, and letting it drop on the floor. If the pedals have visible damage or scuffing, it should be discarded immediately.

Product Liability Lawyers 317-881-2700

Product Liability Lawyers 317-881-2700

If you have been charging the hoverboard for a long time, be sure to let it cool down for at least one hour before letting anyone use it. This prevents the possibility of overheating the batteries. And you should also discard a hoverboard if you have charged the battery overnight before.

Some hoverboards come with safer battery packs certified by Underwriters Laboratories (UL). If you have purchased a hoverboard that does not have a UL certification emblem for safety, you should discard it immediately. The UL emblem ensures the device has been tested and inspected for safety by an independent factory.

If you have purchased a hoverboard from any of the below manufacturers, the Consumers Product Safety Commission (CPSC) says you should get a full refund.

• Keenford Ltd.
• Swagway LLC
• Boscov’s
• Overstock.com
• Digital Gadgets LLC
• Hoverboard LLC
• Hype Wireless

If you or someone you love has been injured by a hoverboard, contact an experienced personal injury law firm to learn about filing a product liability claim.

Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C.

Personal Injury Law Firm Indiana

Personal Injury Law Firm 317-881-2700

Call Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to file a product liability claim in Indianapolis, Indiana. Seasoned personal injury attorneys, Daniel Craven, Ralph Hoover, and Keith Blazek are dedicated to recovering the full and fair compensation their clients deserve after being injured by a defective product. We offer free initial consultations and never collect lawyer fees unless we prevail for you. Call 317-881-2700 to schedule an appointment with an Indianapolis personal injury attorney, today.

Things to Consider Before Suing a Relative for a Personal Injury

Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Accidents can happen anywhere, and when they happen as a result of another’s negligence, someone should be held accountable for a victim’s damages and losses. But what if you or someone you love ends up seriously injured at a relative’s house? The lines between right and wrong can seem blurred when it comes to suing a family member for injuries sustained by you or your children, however, many families feel like they are left with no other choice. So before jumping right into a lawsuit, you need to think about a few things first.

Turning Family Matters into Legal Matters

From swimming pool accidents to fireworks injuries and more, several types of personal injuries can take place at a private residence. And the likelihood of injuries only increases as families grow and get together more often. For this reason, many people have chosen to sue family members in order to cover compensation for medical expenses, hospital bills, lost wages, and more. So if you are in the same predicament, and you are leaning toward filing a claim against a relative, you are not alone. But before you do, it is strongly encouraged to go over the practical and emotional considerations involved in suing family.

Practical Considerations

The first question you want to ask yourself is whether or not you can actually recover anything if you do decide to sue your uncle, sister, cousin, father-in-law, etcetera. You want to think about whether or not they have the financial means for remuneration, including cash, insurance, or liquid assets. If they have very little of these, or none at all, there is little-to-no chance of collecting any money. Under circumstances like these, pursuing a lawsuit would only cause friction within the family. And if they do have some financial means, the second question you need to ask yourself is whether or not they have enough that would make the settlement worth it?

Emotional Considerations

Aside from the practical aspects of suing a relative, there are some important emotional considerations that can influence your decision to move forward with a lawsuit. For instance, if you were to collect compensation from your family member, will there be a consequential domino-affect for the family as a whole? Will their children or other “innocent bystanders” of the family be negatively affected by the lawsuit and eventual settlement? This could not only cause you to have guilt and remorse, it could lead to several uncomfortable and difficult conversations for the entire family, and for many years to come. It could also turn out to be a conflict that changes the dynamic of the family, and never forgotten for the rest of their lives.

The Reality of Injuries

Regardless of practical and emotional issues, sometimes it is necessary to go forward with a personal injury claim, especially when injuries are very serious. For this reason, it is important for family members to understand the realities of injuries, and that a claim for compensation is nothing personal. You can even have a discussion with family to strategize ways to avoid a claim, lawsuit, and legal fees. For example, your relative can pay medical expenses and hospital bills, and everyone can move forward happy and conflict-free. Talk to your personal injury lawyer for professional advice and guidance after being seriously injured in an accident at a family member’s house.

Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C.

Craven Hoover Blazek Personal Injury Law

Craven Hoover Blazek Personal Injury Law 317-881-2700

Call the law office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer in Indianapolis, Indiana. Attorneys, Daniel Craven, Ralph Hoover, and Keith Blazek, are here to help. They have extensive trial and litigation experience, and can guide you in the right direction for your personal injury claim. They offer free initial consultations and never collect attorney fees unless they recover for you. Call 317-881-2700 to schedule an appointment with an
Indianapolis accident attorney today.

Were You Injured By Fireworks?

Indianapolis Burn Injury Lawyer 317-881-2700

Indianapolis Burn Injury Lawyer 317-881-2700

Last week, millions of friends and family gathered together to commemorate our country’s independence by celebrating the Fourth of July. And of course, fireworks were the main attraction. From sparklers and bottle rockets, to firecrackers, motor shells, and more, fireworks come in a massive assortment that are available to the public for purchase every year. But depending on how they are manufactured and how they are used, fireworks can be a potentially dangerous hazard.

If you were injured by fireworks, you need to know your rights. Continue reading to learn about the laws surrounding firework injuries and accidents, and whether or not you could be entitled to compensation for your losses.

Firework Injuries and Accidents

Ranging from minor to major, and even fatal, firework injuries and accidents are unfortunately a common occurrence on this annual holiday. According to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), in 2012 more than 8,700 firework-related injuries (2 of which were fatal) were reported by U.S. hospital emergency rooms. This included both firework handlers and spectators. Even more interesting, over 5,200 of the reported injuries took place between June 22 and July 22. A scarier discovery revealed that 30% of the reported injuries were minors under the age of 15, meaning children made up a considerable portion of the 2012 July 4th firework injuries. From those same reports, it was found that the most common body parts injured were the hands, fingers, legs, and head. And that the most common fireworks that caused the injuries were firecrackers, sparklers, bottle rockets, then motors.

Firework Laws

In all states, the CPSC regulates fireworks. This includes firework devices, the composition of fireworks, and their performance requirements. Some states do not allow consumer fireworks at all. These used to be known as “C-class” fireworks, and include roman candles, sparklers, bottle rockets, motors, shells, and more. Firework laws have changed in Indiana since 2006. To learn about these changes and to read the laws surrounding firework sales and usage, view the Indiana fireworks fact-sheet.

Firework Injury Claims and Lawsuits

Firework lawsuits are not so uncommon. People have sued firework manufacturers, companies, organizations that host firework shows, and even homeowners and tenants who host private firework celebrations. Winning a settlement for a firework injury depends on several factors, making each case different. And a victim must be able to prove that the opposing party: 1) had a duty of care, 2) breached that duty of care, and 3) their injuries were a result of that breach. For this reason, personal injury claims and lawsuits are highly-sensitive and complex. So it is critical to hire a personal injury lawyer after being injured by fireworks. They can examine the circumstances surrounding your accident, and then use their knowledge and experience to determine if you are entitled to compensation.

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers

Personal Injury Law Firm Indiana

Personal Injury Law Firm 317-881-2700

Call Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 if you or someone you love suffered a fireworks injury in Indianapolis, Indiana. Attorneys Daniel Craven, Ralph Hoover, and Keith Blazek are here to help you recover compensation for your losses and damages. Our Indianapolis personal injury lawyers have the knowledge and experience to represent victims of any firework-related injury or accident. Call 317-881-2700 to schedule a free initial consultation, today.

What Will Personal Injury Compensation Cover?

Accidents happen. But sometimes they happen because of human error or negligence. Common examples of personal injury cases include slip and falls, workplace accidents, car accidents, dog bites, medical malpractice, product defects, and assault. When a person is seriously injured in an accident because another person or entity was careless in some way, they can seek out monetary compensation for their damages and losses. Damages and losses differ from case to case, depending on the circumstances of the case, the extent of injuries, the extent of negligence, and more. Personal injury claims generally recognize and consider three types of “losses, called compensatory damages.

Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Types of Losses

1. Economic Losses
2. Future Economic Losses
3. Non-Economic Losses (Pain & Suffering)

Compensatory damages are meant to cover a wide variety of expenses and associated costs. Although most of these costs and expenses are pretty obvious, there are many others that victims often unaware of. This is why it is important to hire an experienced personal injury lawyer if you or someone you love was recently injured as a result of another’s negligence. They have the knowledge and resources to navigate every aspect of your case, and recover the fair compensation you deserve.

Types of Economic Losses:

• Medical Expenses
• Hospital Bills
• OTC Medication Costs
• Prescription Costs
• Lost Wages
• Time Off Work
• Child Care Expenses
• Home Maintenance Expenses
• Fuel Costs (to and from doctors’ visits)

Types of Future Economic Losses:

• Prolonged Medical Treatment
• Physical Therapy
• Long-Term Care
• Future Medical Expenses
• Future Prescription Costs
• Future Hospital Costs

Types of Non-Economic Losses:

• Pain and Suffering
• Permanent Disability
• Permanent Disfigurement
• Mental Anguish
• PSTD
• Loss of Social Life
• Loss of Work Abilities
• Loss of Companionship
• Loss of Education Experience

Contributory and Comparative Negligence

Depending on where and how your injuries occurred, some states use contributory negligence laws in personal injury cases. These laws prohibit personal injury victims from recovering compensation (or full compensation) for their losses if the accident was in any way their fault. Other states have laws that will grant victims partial compensation if the accident was only partially their fault.

However in Indiana, we are a comparative fault state. This means that if a victim is 50% or less “at-fault” compared to the other party (or parties), they collect compensation. But if a victim is more than fifty percent at-fault, they cannot collect compensation. It is strongly suggested to discuss your recent injury claim with an Indianapolis accident attorney that can determine the best strategy for your case.

Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C.

Craven Hoover Blazek Personal Injury Law

Craven Hoover Blazek Personal Injury Law 317-881-2700

Call Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 if you were recently injured in an accident in Indianapolis, Indiana and its surrounding counties. Seasoned personal injury attorneys, Daniel Craven, Ralph Hoover, and Keith Blazek are happy to discuss your case and determine what kinds of compensation are due to you. We offer free initial consultations and never collect lawyer fees unless we win your settlement. Call 317-881-2700 and speak with a friendly office attendant to schedule an appointment, today.