What You Need to Know About Your Medical Malpractice Claim

Facing a medical malpractice lawsuit is a complex time in a person’s life. If you are one of these people, it is wise to absorb as much knowledge as you can in order to strengthen your chances of recovering full and fair compensation. Continue reading to learn 5 critical points about your medical malpractice claim, as well as, who to turn to for compassionate and comprehensive personal injury representation.

Medical Malpractice Lawyers 317-881-2700

Medical Malpractice Lawyers 317-881-2700


Medical malpractice claims are a way for victims and their families to move forward on a path toward justice and recovery. However, not everyone will have success filing a malpractice claim. It is important to learn whether or not your medical malpractice claim is valid. A personal injury lawyer who specializes in such cases can help you determine your eligibility for lawfully recovering compensation for your damages and losses resulting from negligent medical care.

5 Key Points Regarding Malpractice Case:

There is a strict statute of limitations. Most states only allot a limited amount of time to file a medical malpractice claim. If too much time has passed since the date of the incident, you could lose your opportunity to pursue a case against a negligent medical provider. To avoid this, be sure to consult a personal injury lawyer directly after your injuries.

Signs of malpractice are not always apparent right away. After receiving negligent medical care, a patient may not experience any health implications for quite some time. It may take days, weeks, or even months before problems ensue. This often occurs in the case of a misdiagnosis.

The elements of true medical malpractice are strict and complex. Simply being dissatisfied with a doctor’s care is not grounds for such a claim. You must have endured harm as a result of a medical professional’s actions or inactions that fell below the accepted standard of care in that medical community.

Quick settlements are not common in such cases. Medical malpractice cases are extremely serious and complex; they involve expert panels, witness testimonies, industry boards, and more. This means they take a long time to investigate and adjudicate. Do not expect a speedy settlement for your malpractice claim.

A medical malpractice lawyer works on contingency. When you are using a personal injury lawyer to represent your claim, you will not have to pay any lawyer fees upfront because they operate on a contingency-fee basis. This means their fee is “contingent” upon a successful settlement of your case.

Indianapolis Medical Malpractice Lawyers

Personal Injury Law Firm 317-881-2700

Personal Injury Law Firm
317-881-2700

Call Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 if you believe you or a loved one is a victim of negligent medical care in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our seasoned personal injury lawyers are well-versed in medical malpractice cases, and have the resources and skills to recover the full and fair compensation you and your family deserves. We offer free initial consultations and never charge lawyer fees unless we prevail for you! Schedule your free consultation, today.

Eye-Opening Drunk Driving Facts and Statistics

Drunk driving is a dangerous behavior. When a person drives under the influence of drugs or alcohol, they are essentially operating a 5,000 pound missile. Vehicles can quickly turn into weapons when operated by someone who is intoxicated.

So the next time you consider driving after having a few drinks, you need to remember the drunk driving and motor vehicle accident facts listed below. If you were hurt by a drunk or negligent driver, contact our Indianapolis personal injury lawyers for help recovering the full and fair compensation you deserve.

Car Accident Lawyers 317-881-2700

Car Accident Lawyers 317-881-2700

Don’t Wait to Learn From Your Mistake. Never Drive Drunk AGAIN.

According the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), these are the most recent statistics and facts regarding intoxicated driving accidents and fatalities:

In the United States, 28 people die in an alcohol/impaired driving accident, EVERYDAY. That equates to 1 death every hour.

In 2015, 29% of all motor vehicle crashes that resulted in fatalities were caused by drunk driving. That means that than 10,000 people died that year in an alcohol-impaired car crash.

In 2015, there were 1,100,132 traffic deaths among minors. From these traffic fatalities, 209 were alcohol-related.

More than 1 million drivers were arrested in 2015 for impaired driving.

Separate from alcohol, 16% of all motor vehicle accidents are caused by legal and illegal drugs.

Individuals More at Risk of Impaired Driving Accidents

It is suggested that younger individuals (under 24 years old) are more likely to be involved in a serious motor vehicle accident as a result of intoxicated driving.

In 2015, 8% of the drunk drivers involved in a fatal crash were between the ages of 21 and 24 years old. 27% were between the ages of 25 and 34, and 23% were between the ages of 35 and 44.

Drug users are 25% more likely to be involved in a motor vehicle accident compared to non-drug users.

In 2015, 27% of all motorcycle accident fatalities were alcohol impaired related.

The highest percentage of deaths (37%) among motorcyclist accidents are between the ages of 35 and 39.

Drunk drivers involved in fatal car crashes are more than 4 times as likely to have a prior conviction for DUI compared to drivers involved in fatal car crashes with no alcohol in their system.

Source

Indianapolis Car Accident Lawyers

Personal Injury Law Firm 317-881-2700

Personal Injury Law Firm
317-881-2700

Call Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to speak with a licensed car accident lawyer in Indianapolis, Indiana. We never collect attorney fees unless we obtain compensation for you, and we also offer free initial consultations. Get started on your physical, emotional, and financial recovery today!

Safety Tips for Railroad Tracks and Crossings

Personal Injury Attorneys 317-881-2700

Advance Warning Sign for Railways

Although the Departments of Transportation provide us with several kinds of railroad signs and warnings, highway-rail incidents at public and private crossings still occur all too often. According to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), there were 265 fatalities at these locations in 2016 alone. Furthermore, the FRA estimates that more than 75% of all railway accidents in 2016 primarily came from 15 states, and Indiana was 6th on the list.

Railroad safety is not only important at public and private crossings, it is also critical to use proper precaution around train tracks. Continue reading to learn more about highway-rail grade crossings, as well as critical safety tips that will keep you protected from serious accidents and injuries. Be sure to share these tips with your loved ones!

The Most Common Railway Warning Signs

There are several types of devices, signs, and signals the U.S. DOT uses to keep drivers and pedestrians safe around train tracks and crossings. The five most common include bright yellow advanced warning signs, crossbuck signs, crossbuck signs with signals, gates with flashing red lights, and pavement markings. As a driver, it is highly likely you have seen these signs before.

Advanced Warning Signs – These signs are yellow and have the double “R’s” and a big black “x” on them. They are generally the first sign that appears when you are approaching a highway-rail grade crossing. You must slow down and pay close attention so that you are prepared to stop.

Crossbuck Signs – These are the white signs in the shape of a big “X”, with the words “Railroad” on one side and “Crossing” on the other. For crossings with multiple tracks, they are generally accompanied with a smaller sign below indicating the number of tracks to anticipate. When you see this sign, you must yield if a train is on the way, on all tracks.

Crossbuck Signs With Signals – These signs look just like crossbuck signs, but are also accompanied with mechanical signals and lights to indicate an approaching train. When these signs are flashing, you must come to a stop and wait for the train to pass.

Gates With Flashing Red Lights – You often see these red and white mechanical gates that raise and lower for crossing traffic. If you approach railways gates that are lowering and flashing, you must stop and wait for the train to pass. Afterwards, you cannot proceed until the gates have finished lifting.

Pavement Markings – Pavement markings like “RXR’s” and “stop lines” are common to see when you are approaching a railway crossing. You must stay behind the stop line and pause to look for an oncoming train. If the tracks are clear, you can proceed. If there is not a stop line present, you must stop at least 15 feet from the closest rail.

Critical Railroad Safety Tips

Always look both ways before crossing a railroad track, whether on foot, on a bike, or in a car.

When crossing a track in a manual transmission vehicle, do not change gears mid-track.

If you must cross a track on foot, you must be sure there is enough clearance on the other side before crossing. In many cases, trains overlap tracks by 3 or 4 feet, and sometimes more.

Never park or linger on train tracks. If an engineer sees you, they cannot stop in time at 55 miles an hour. It would take at least a mile for the train to come to a complete stop.

If your car stops on tracks, immediately exit your vehicle and wait at least 15 feet from the train tracks for roadside assistance or the police. You may also call the emergency notification number posted near the crossing. Do not call a non-professional (friend, family, etc.) for help; this is not safe.

If you see a train approaching, do not try to outrun it with your car or bike. Although trains look like they are faraway, they are much closer and faster than they appear.

If you are seriously hurt as a result of someone else’s train track negligence, contact an Indianapolis personal injury lawyer to recover compensation for your losses and damages.

Indianapolis Personal Injury Attorneys You Can Trust

Personal Injury Law Firm 317-881-2700

Personal Injury Law Firm
317-881-2700

Call The Law office of Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to file a personal injury claim in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our seasoned personal injury lawyers are eager to recover the complete and just compensation you deserve. We offer free initial consultations and never collect attorney fees unless we recover for you. Call 317-881-2700 to get started on your financial recovery, today.

3 Common Examples of Negligent Supervision

Negligent supervision lawsuits generally surround injuries to children and elderly, but also employees and patients, depending on the circumstances. Continue reading to learn some common examples of how negligent supervision accidents might occur, who’s liable for such accidents, and what you can do as a victim or a loved one of a victim.

Negligent Supervision Claims 317-881-2700

Negligent Supervision Claims 317-881-2700


People in certain roles have a legal duty to supervise and protect others in the most responsible manner. These roles usually includes parents and legal guardians of children, child care professionals, educational facilities, nurses, assisted living professionals, and more. If anyone with a legal obligation to look after individuals in these scenarios neglects their duty in a way that causes a victim harm, they can be held legally responsible for the damages and losses suffered at the hands of the victim and perhaps their extended families as well. The most common examples of negligent supervision cases include children, elderly, and employees. Below is a brief description of each.

➀ Kids and Minors

The most common type of negligent supervision case is one that involves injuries to children and minors, which includes kids between the ages of 0 months and 18 years. The types of roles that would assign a duty of care over children include parents and/or legal guardians, babysitters, nannies, daycare workers, youth group leaders, after school program directors, teachers, coaches, tutors, camp counselors, and more. While children are under the supervision of someone in a role listed above or one very similar, it is the person’s responsibility to ensure they are safe. If someone fails to properly look after your child, and as a result your child is seriously injured, you could file a negligent supervision claim and sue the care-taker in civil court.

Example Scenarios:

A nanny leaves an open bottle of cleaning solution on the table, and as a result, a child in their care ingests the toxic chemicals and suffers serious internal injuries.

Parents allow teenage kids and friends to consume alcohol, and as a result, someone gets alcohol poisoning or gets in a car collision.

A daycare attendant fails to pay attention to children while they are on the playground, and as a result, a child falls and suffers several orthopedic fractures.

A teacher fail to monitor students and a fight occurs that seriously harms another student.

Coaches turn their nose to locker room hazing, and as a result, a teammate gets seriously injured.

➁Assisted Living

Assisted living negligent supervision claims can involve a wide group of individuals, primarily elderly persons and chronically-ill or disabled patients. Those who might be held liable for any injuries or accidents to these types of individuals commonly include nurses, doctors, assisted living professionals, and more. Just like injuries to children, failing to properly look after guests in assisted living programs can result in a serious lawsuit.

Example Scenarios:

An assisted living nurse neglects to give patient their medicines, and as a result, serious injuries occur to the patient.

An assisted living nurse fails to supervise a patient while taking a walk outdoors, and as a result, the patient wanders off and is hit by a car.

An assisted living nurse fails to provide fundamental hygiene for a patient, and as a result, bed sores and other injuries occur to the patient.

➂Employees

When an employee is injured on the job, it typically falls under the workers’ compensation category; however, when an employer fails to maintain a safe work environment for their staff members, they can be held legally responsible for any damages and losses suffered as a result of an accident. Part of this duty is ensuring their employees adhere to all company rules and policies, meaning they can be equally responsible for their employee’s bad behavior.

Example Scenarios:

A supervisor turns their nose to sexual harassment, bullying, or threats of violence in the office.

A manager fails to prevent employees from carrying weapons, and as a result, a staff member is stabbed during a confrontation.

A company fails to properly train employees to use dangerous equipment and machinery, and as a result, an employee loses an arm or leg.

A manager fails to perform background checks on daycare employees, and as a result, hires a registered child molester and allows them to be unsupervised with children.

Key Elements of a Case

There are 4 key elements that must be present for a valid negligent supervision case. First, the individual must have had a duty of care to supervise the victim. Second, the individual must have failed to properly supervise the victim. Third, the individual’s failure to supervise directly led to the victim’s harm. And fourth, the incident that caused harm to the victim must have been a foreseeable event that any reasonable person could anticipate and prevent with proper supervision.

Cases vary in detail and jurisdiction, so it is important to discuss your state’s particular laws and procedures for negligent supervision with a seasoned Indianapolis personal injury lawyer you can trust.

Negligent Supervision Personal Injury Claims

Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Call Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 to file a negligent supervision personal injury claim in Indianapolis, Indiana. If you or a loved one was recently injured as a result of negligent supervision, call our seasoned personal injury lawyers for professional counsel and guidance right away. We offer free initial consultations to and never collect lawyer fees unless we prevail for you! Call 317-881-2700 to schedule your consultation, today.

Important Liability Laws for Hosting a Party With Alcohol

Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

When it comes to your liability as a party host who serves alcohol to guests, the laws vary from state to state. Some states claim no liability, some claim liability, and some others do not even have laws that regard the subject at all. Indiana happens to be a state that does assign liability to social hosts.

If you let guests drink and drive after leaving your New Year’s Eve party, you could be liable for any damages or losses they caused to others on the road. If this is something you are concerned about, continue reading to learn how to be a responsible party host and how to protect yourself from being liable for drunk driving accidents.

Social Host Liability

The phrase, “social host liability” is a term that describes a person being held legally accountable for the actions of an intoxicated guest who became intoxicated by indulging in the alcoholic beverages served at their party. It is your duty as a party host to serve alcohol responsibly to guests. Not only is this for everyone’s safety, but it is also to avoid legal accountability. The most common scenarios are drunk driving and wrongful death accidents, but property damage, assault, and other incidents are known to occur as well.

If a guest at your party drinks too much alcohol, and then they leave and cause harm to another person or property, the victims of the accident can pursue a lawsuit against you since you provided the alcohol to the guest. This is actually very common. In fact, it is possible for party hosts to face criminal charges depending on the severity of the accident and subsequent losses experienced by the victims.

Laws Vary From State to State

As mentioned, some states have laws governing social host liability, while others do not. States that have laws regarding the subject either assign or absolve part hosts of liability, and some states do not even have laws pertaining to social host liability. For example, California and New York are “No Liability” states. This means party hosts are not responsible for the actions of their intoxicated guests, so long as they are adults, because these states do not put the blame on the furnishing of alcohol, but rather, the consumption.

States like New Jersey have specific social party host laws regarding intoxicated driving. They put liability on party hosts under certain circumstances, such as serving an already “visibly intoxicated” guest and more. Furthermore, states like North Carolina do not have any laws or ordinances that address social party host liability. However, victims of drunk driving accidents have been successful at pursing negligence lawsuits against hosts that over-serve guests and then allow them to drive.

Minors

In all 50 states, serving alcohol to a minor, whether knowingly or not, imposes all sorts of serious liability on a party host. Not only can a host be financially responsible for any damages, losses, or injuries caused by an intoxicated minor, they can also be criminally charged.

Dram Shop Laws

Even if a person hosts a party at a public location, most states have Dram Shop laws in order. These laws hold establishments that serve alcohol liable for the actions of their intoxicated patrons. However, the circumstances to which these liabilities apply are very specific and vary among states. If a patron is overserved and injures someone, the victim can pursue a lawsuit against the drunk driver and the establishment.

Indianapolis Personal Injury Law Firm

Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Call Craven, Hoover, and Blazek P.C. at 317-881-2700 for personal injury claims in Indianapolis, Indiana. We offer free initial consultations and never collect lawyer fees unless they win your claim. Call our office today to determine your eligibility for personal injury compensation.