Boiler explosions, though rare, have the potential to cause a serious amount of damage to both individuals and property.  Because these machines are so large, operate at such high temperatures, and harness a tremendous amount of energy, any mechanical malfunction that results in boiler failure and its inability to successfully contain its contents can be catastrophic.  The dangers presented by a failed boiler are severe and costly.  It is the responsibility of the manufacturer to provide its customers with a safe and properly functioning product, and it is the customer’s responsibility to properly maintain and operate the boiler.

Causes of Boiler Explosions

Boilers are found in a large number of buildings requiring hot water.  While electric water heaters are becoming more common, many older residences still use gas boilers to heat water for washing and bathing.  Large boilers are commonly used for industrial purposes.  If the manufacturer makes a construction error or the user fails to properly maintain the boiler, the following, risky conditions may arise:

Operation without an adequate water supply
Buildup of excessive pressure within the boiler
Leaking fuel

The above phenomena have the potential to result in very dangerous explosions.  Even small boilers, when under extreme pressure, can exert enough power to bring down an entire building.

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If you would like to learn more about the dangers of boiler explosions, or if you or someone you know has been injured by a boiler explosion, call the Jacksonville personal injury lawyers of The Law Offices of Donald Guthrie today at 904-493-6455.

Those who are engaged in activities that pose the risk of head impacts, such as construction work or contact sports, may at one time or another suffer a concussion.  These are minor head injuries that generally do not cause serious or permanent damage to the brain unless multiple concussions are sustained.  Because of this, it is important that victims are extra cautious about protecting their heads after suffering their first concussion.

What is a Concussion?

A concussion is a form of traumatic brain injury resulting from a blow to the head.  These blows cause the brain to violently rattle around inside the skull. No bleeding or permanent damage is sustained.  Victims will typically experience the following symptoms:

Loss of consciousness
Headache
Confusion
Nausea and vomiting
Loss of or blurred vision
Extreme exhaustion
Inability to coordinate movement or balance

If someone you know has suffered a head injury and exhibits the above signs, then it is likely that he or she suffered a concussion.

What are the Risk Factors?

Those who are predisposed to dangerous environments, either through work or recreational activities, are more likely to suffer a concussion.   For example, football players are common victims of these injuries.  However, just about anyone can be a victim of minor head injuries.  Car accidents, falling objects, trips and slips may all cause concussions.

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If you have suffered a concussion injury because of someone else’s negligence, then you may have the right to claim compensation from the responsible party.  Call Jacksonville personal injury attorney Donald Guthrie today at 904-493-6455 to get the experienced legal representation your case deserves.

These days, bicycling is growing immensely in popularity.  With mounting concerns about the well-being of the environment and the recent economic downturn, many people are opting to avoid burning costly fuel by commuting via bicycle.  Because more and more cyclists are taking to the road, automobile drivers must move with caution near these slower-moving vehicles.  Likewise, the bicyclist also has a responsibility to move with caution and adhere to all traffic laws.

The Responsibilities of Drivers and Cyclists

Both drivers and cyclists have a responsibility to respect all moving vehicles present on the roads.  Each type of commuter should be aware of the dangers posed by the other, and each should, in turn, take the precautions necessary to avoid collisions.  Cyclists have the following responsibilities:

Adhere to all traffic laws, including traffic signals
Take caution when passing a line of stopped vehicles
Move at a safe speed
Keep bikes well-maintained to avoid unexpected accidents
Automobile drivers, in turn, have the following responsibilities when moving alongside bicycle riders:
Watch for cyclists when turning and passing
Give cyclists an adequate cushion when passing them
Check for cyclists before opening a parked car door to get out
Keep in mind cyclists’ stopping capability and physical ability to maintain a certain speed, and drive accordingly
Do not disregard bike lanes or paths

Both parties have the responsibility of respecting one another on the road.  Both drivers and cyclists may suffer physical or property damage from a collision.  

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If you would like to learn more about accidents that occur between motorized vehicles and bicycles, contact Jacksonville car-bicycle accident lawyer Donald Guthrie at 904-493-6455.

Staircases are a common fixture in many residences and buildings across the United States. Both indoor and outdoor stairways require maintenance, and certain fixtures such as handrails and grip pads are a necessity to ensure the safety of all of those who may use the stairway. Property owners have a responsibility to take these actions, and failing to do so may cause injury to others.

If you or a loved one has been victimized by an improperly or inadequately maintained staircase, contact Jacksonville stair injury attorney Donald Guthrie at 904-493-6455.

Possible Sources of Staircase Injuries

Property owners have a duty to ensure the safety of those who are on their property, especially if they are there for the purposes of doing business. Unfortunately, there are numerous areas where a property owner may fail to live up to this responsibility and expose their staircase users to unnecessary risks, some of which may include:

Having loose carpeting, rugs, or grip pads on a stairway
Allowing spilled liquid or other substances to remain on stairs, creating a slippery and hazardous surface
Failing to have handrails or grip pads installed on a staircase
Neglecting to use salt or other similar materials in icy weather

If a property owner fails to take these steps, serious injuries can occur, even if a stairway is only a few steps tall. Hip fractures, broken arms and legs, and head trauma are all common injuries that occur as a result of stairway injuries, all of which can carry with them major medical expenses.

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Property ownership carries with it serious responsibilities, and failing to live up to these responsibilities is unacceptable. If you or a loved one has been the victim of an inadequately maintained staircase, contact Jacksonville stairway injury attorney Donald Guthrie at 904-493-6455.

Alcohol has a proven reputation for decreasing individuals’ abilities to reason and judge situations effectively. It creates an unfortunate snowball effect, where a person believes that he or she is able to consume more alcohol, which in turn further affects his or her judgment. In many cases, the person responsible for stopping this cycle is the person serving the alcohol.

If that person fails to live up to his / her responsibility, severe injury can result, both to the drinker and those around him or her. If you or a loved one has been injured in such a situation, contact Jacksonville over-serving of alcohol attorney Donald Guthrie at 904-493-6455.

Alcohol-Related Injuries

Every person has a responsibility to monitor his or her own alcohol intake and prevent themselves from becoming intoxicated and harming others. However, those who are profiting from other’s consumption of alcoholic beverages have a responsibility to prevent the types of injuries that may result from the overconsumption of alcohol, including:

Alcohol poisoning, which may result in brain damage or death
Property damage resulting from disorderly behavior
Car accidents caused by persons driving while intoxicated
Personal injury suffered from aggressive behavior caused by alcohol

Depending on the jurisdiction, those responsible for serving alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person may be considered liable for the behavior of those they have served. An experienced Jacksonville personal injury lawyer can help determine the extent of liability.

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If you or a loved one has been injured by the actions of an intoxicated person, contact Jacksonville over-serving of alcohol attorney Donald Guthrie at 904-493-6455.

One of the key aspects to succeeding with a personal injury lawsuit is to show that the defendant was engaged in negligent actions. For an action to be considered negligent, the defendant must have failed to minimize the risks associated with that action, resulting in injury. However, for this to occur, the action must have what is called “foreseeable consequences”.

If you or a loved one has been injured as a result of someone else’s negligence, contact Jacksonville personal injury attorney Donald Guthrie at 904-493-6455.

What is considered a Foreseeable Consequence?

Any time an action carries with it a risk that should be reasonably obvious, that risk is considered a foreseeable consequence. Some examples, along with their consequences, include:
 
Running a red light may cause a traffic accident
Operating a power tool may injure people in the general vicinity
Spilling a liquid on the floor may make it slippery and hazardous
Manufacturing a defective product may cause injury or illness

However, if the consequences of an action are not readily and reasonably obvious, they may not be considered foreseeable and thus are not eligible for a claim of negligence. Only an experienced Jacksonville personal injury lawyer can assist you with determining these factors.

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If you have been injured as a result of someone else’s negligent behavior, you deserve to be compensated for your injuries. To have your case quickly and aggressively represented, contact Jacksonville personal injury attorney Donald Guthrie today at 904-493-6455.