The Cochran Firm Legal Blog

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), thousands of individuals are injured or killed in bus crashes every year in this country. Several types of buses that can be involved in accidents are those used in public transportation, school buses, charter buses and vacation tour buses.

The current economic situation in this country has increased bus ridership and as a result, the number of bus accidents causing serious injuries and deaths. Bus accidents typically result from driver negligence, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, defective vehicles, speeding, dangerous or hazardous roadways or weather conditions, and inadequate maintenance of equipment.

The laws governing bus accidents are very complex because they usually involve multiple victims and corporations. Individuals injured in bus accidents have the legal right to receive financial compensation for medical expenses, lost wages and any other expenses they incur because of the accident.

The bus accident attorneys at The Cochran Firm have a long history of being able to combine our legal and technical knowledge to explain these complex laws to juries and never lose sight of our ultimate goal of getting our clients the financial compensation they need and deserve.

Please contact the experienced bus accident attorneys at The Cochran Firm's Detroit, Michigan location if you or someone you care about was injured or killed in an accident involving a bus to protect your legal rights and obtain the financial compensation you deserve.

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The millions of Toyota Motor Corporation vehicles recently recalled for safety issues involving sticking gas pedals causing unintended acceleration, faulty braking systems and floor mats that become entangled in the gas pedal, has caused worry, fear and anger in Toyota owners nationwide.

The Cochran Firm is at the forefront of an effort to assist those owners in obtaining financial compensation for their losses due to automobile accidents caused by these defective Toyota vehicles. Runaway Toyotas are causing horrific injuries and deaths due to Toyotas' inept handling of this massive problem.

The Toyota vehicles involved in the recalls involve the 2004 to 2010 models of some RAV 4, Corolla, Matrix, Avalon, Camry, Highlander, Tundra, Sequoia, Prius, and Tacoma cars, and the Lexus ES350, Lexus Is 250 and Lexus IS 350 as well.

Our experienced defective vehicle attorneys at The Cochran Firm have all the resources necessary to fight for Toyota owners, and get these complex claims litigated quickly and efficiently so you can feel safe driving the vehicle of your choice once again.

Please contact The Cochran Firm in Detroit, Michigan today to schedule a confidential no cost to you consultation with one of our Toyota recall attorneys to protect your legal rights and proceed with your claim against the Toyota Motor Corporation.

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All prescription drugs have side effects, but defective drugs can have life-threatening and fatal side effects even when taken as directed by your physician. Defective drugs can cause heart attacks, strokes, kidney failure, birth defects, liver damage, pulmonary dysfunction and death.

Defective drugs can be found in all areas of pharmaceuticals, and include prescription medication for arthritis pain, cholesterol lowering drugs, diet drugs, oral contraceptives, anti-depressants, some vaccines and many other types of drugs.

If you or someone you love has been injured or killed due to the use of a defective drug, the drug company has failed to provide a safe product and should be held legally liable for your injuries. Lawsuits involving defective drugs can be complex and require a legal team ready and willing to take on the giant drug conglomerates. The defective drug attorneys at The Cochran Firm have the expertise and knowledge to bring your claim against the drug company to a successful conclusion and get you the financial compensation you deserve.

Residents of Detroit, Michigan and the surrounding area, who have been injured by a defective drug, please contact The Cochran Firm today and allow the defective drug attorneys there to evaluate your case and learn what you can do to get the financial compensation and justice you have a legal right to and in so doing, prevent others from also being injured by these defective drugs.

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Oppressed groups in this country know and understand the dangers of police misconduct and police brutality. The city of Detroit, Michigan has dealt with police misconduct, police brutality and overzealous law enforcement for years. Civil rights violations are a serious problem and encompass not only police misconduct and police brutality, but charges of unlawful search and seizure, false arrest and false imprisonment, malicious prosecution, and excessive fines and bail.

Interactions between the police and citizens are typically anxiety and stress filled and therefore, dangerous. Police officers are trained to make certain they are safe when making arrests, investigating crime scenes, performing traffic stops or pursuing suspected perpetrators of crimes. While the threat of force and the occasional use of force are understandably necessary at times in the performance of police duties, it is well documented that the use of excessive force is responsible for many instances of police misconduct and brutality.

A claim of police misconduct or brutality may involve injuries suffered due to the use of excessive force during an arrest, a case of mistaken identity or false arrest, malicious prosecution, or a motor vehicle accident caused by a police pursuit.

The experienced attorneys at The Cochran Firm have the knowledge and understanding of what is required to investigate and litigate police misconduct or police brutality claims and will do whatever is necessary to protect the legal rights of their clients.

If you live in the Detroit, Michigan area and have been the victim of police brutality or misconduct, please contact The Cochran Firm today to protect your legal rights and hold those responsible for your injuries accountable.

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Whenever you seek medical care in Michigan you expect a healthcare provider will treat you or your loved ones with the high standards demanded of the medical community nationwide. Medical malpractice is a healthcare provider's failure to provide a degree of care and skill expected of any other medical professional under similar circumstances.

Medical malpractice is a serious issue in Michigan and is the leading cause of wrongful death. There are many different instances you or someone you care about can be affected by medical malpractice, some of which include surgical errors such as wrong site surgery or instruments left behind in the surgical site, anesthesia errors, medication errors, birth injuries, misdiagnoses, emergency room failures to diagnose the correct problem, infections contracted in a hospital and nursing home neglect and abuse.

It is important your attorney has extensive expertise in the field of medical malpractice litigation. Medical malpractice law is complicated, technical and a specialized field of law. The highly skilled team of professionals at The Cochran Firm has long worked together to ensure you have the best legal representation available and are focused on your needs. Their experience and perseverance will help you obtain the financial compensation you deserve for the injuries you have suffered.

Please contact the Detroit, Michigan office of The Cochran Firm today if you or someone you love has suffered injuries or died due to medical malpractice.

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Truck accidents are responsible for over 130,000 injuries in this country every year, with 5,000 fatalities. Over 35% of the injuries sustained in an accident with a truck are classified as catastrophic. Trucks that weigh over 10,000 pounds, the tractor-trailers, semis and 18 wheelers, represent only 3% of registered vehicles but are responsible for 25% of vehicle related deaths.

The most frequent causes of truck accidents are driver fatigue, unsafe driving practices, mechanical failure and oversized loads. When these massive trucks crash, the damage to humans and property is devastating. Truck accidents can cause multi-vehicle pile-ups, hazardous chemical spills that endanger surrounding communities, catastrophic injury and death.

If you have had the misfortune to be involved in an accident with a truck, an experienced truck accident attorney at The Cochran Firm has the knowledge and expertise to represent you in your claim against the truck company for the financial compensation you deserve. The medical expenses incurred for the care and treatment of catastrophic injuries sustained in a truck accident can last for months and years. In the event of a wrongful death, the survivors are also entitled to financial compensation for their losses.

We encourage you to contact the Detroit, Michigan office of The Cochran Firm today to schedule a no cost to you consultation to make sure you have proper legal representation in your fight for the financial compensation you deserve.

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Many nursing home care centers and assisted living facilities in the United States offer quality care provided by hard working and dedicated individuals. There is no denying, however, that abuse and neglect have almost become synonymous with nursing homes and assisted living facilities.

Residents of nursing homes and assisted living centers are guaranteed rights under the law. They have the right to be treated with dignity and respect, and the right to be free from physical, emotional, verbal and sexual abuse. Some forms of abuse and neglect in a nursing home or assisted living center are obvious and some are not so obvious to the casual observer or visitor. Residents of nursing homes and assisted living centers often are unable to verbalize instances of abuse and some are able but reluctant to speak up for fear of retaliation from their abusers.

The consequences of abuse and neglect in nursing homes are often life-threatening for these fragile residents. Studies reveal almost one million residents of these facilities are the victims of neglect and abuse every year. The number of cases of neglect and abuse that go unreported may increase that number twofold or more.

The Cochran Firm is experienced in investigating nursing home and assisted living center neglect and abuse where the legal issues are complex and may involve premises liability law, medical malpractice, negligent security and wrongful death.

Please contact the Detroit, Michigan office of The Cochran Firm today if you suspect a loved one has been the victim of abuse and neglect in a nursing home or assisted living facility and protect their legal rights and hold those liable responsible.

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In recent years, serious injuries and even deaths have been attributed to defective consumer products. Everyday products we all use without a second thought to our safety or the safety of the ones we love have been responsible for devastating injuries and fatalities.

Defective automobiles, tires, infant car seats, faulty medical devices like pacemakers and defibrillators, vaccines, toys, appliances, power tools, dog food, dry wall from China, the list is endless and frightening.

If you or someone you care about has been injured or killed by the use of a defective consumer product, you must consult a product liability attorney as soon as possible as there are time limits involved in filing a claim against the manufacturer, designer or the distributor of the defective consumer product.

An experienced product liability attorney will assist you in obtaining the medical records, bills for your medical expenses and documenting your injuries with photographs to record the severity of the harm done to you, as this will determine the level of compensation you are entitled to.

Financial compensation for your injuries may include the cost of present and future medical care and treatment, rehabilitation expenses, loss of present and future income, the loss of enjoyment of life and in the case of a death, funeral and burial expenses, and survivor benefits.

Please contact the Detroit, Michigan office of The Cochran Firm today to schedule a confidential consultation at no cost to you to discuss the possibility of filing a product liability lawsuit so you may obtain justice and receive the financial compensation you deserve.

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Labor Day weekend saw many Michiganians decide to take their boats out on the water for the semi-official end to the summer season. Unfortunately, with many boats comes an increased risk of boating accidents, especially when teens are in control. On Saturday night, 8 teenagers were boating in Stahl's Bayou, an inlet off Spring Lake, attached to Lake Michigan by the Grand River when their vehicles collided. Three of the teens were riding a personal watercraft that was struck by a motorboat carrying the other five teens. The accident led to the immediate death of the watercraft driver. One of the passengers was transported to a nearby hospital, having lost a leg in the crash.

Although alcohol was not a factor and it is not known whether charges will be filed, the accident might have been due to reckless boating. The teens knew each other. The place where the vehicles collided is nicknamed "Hanky Panky," and has a reputation for thrill-seeking boaters performing dangerous maneuvers.

Boating can be as dangerous for teens as driving when they get together in large numbers and become subject to distraction and one-upmanship. This can lead to accidents, wrongful deaths, and traumatic injuries.

If you have lost a loved one or suffered a serious personal injury as a result of a boating accident on any of Michigan's sporting waterways, the Detroit, Michigan accident attorneys of The Cochran Firm can help. Please contact us today to learn more.

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A spinal cord injury is one of the most destructive events that can occur in anyone's life. The person who has suffered the injury and their loved ones and friends will never experience life in the same way again.

The burden a spinal cord injury imposes on the injured person and the community is staggering. In the past 60 years, persons with spinal cord injuries have, however, seen a great improvement in their quality of life when compared with the previous decades. Improvements in the levels of care, equipment available and environmental adaptations along with legislation benefiting the disabled, have helped to enhance and enrich the lives of many victims of spinal cord injuries.

The most common causes of spinal cord injuries vary with the age group affected. Sport-related spinal cord injuries are prevalent in children and teenagers, while work-related spinal cord injuries are most common in adults.

Due to the severity and permanence of a spinal cord injury, it is important to retain the services of an experienced, highly trained attorney to obtain the best financial compensation you may be entitled to. An attorney experienced in handling catastrophic injury claims will be able to investigate and discover the individuals or entities that are legally responsible for your injury.

Residents of Detroit, Michigan or the surrounding area who have suffered a spinal cord injury should contact an experienced spinal cord injury attorney at the Detroit, Michigan office of The Cochran Firm today to schedule a confidential consultation at no cost to you to protect your legal rights and get the representation you need to obtain justice and the compensation you deserve.

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A sports utility rollover accident occurs when the vehicle turns over on its side or roof usually as a result of turning sharply at a high rate of speed. All motor vehicles are capable of turning over, but sports utility vehicles with their high centers of gravity are prone to doing so at a much higher rate than other vehicles. High speeds and slick roadways can increase the probability of a rollover accident.

Rollover crashes are responsible for over 33% of motor vehicle accident fatalities. Over 10,000 Americans suffer fatal injuries annually because of rollover crashes. Many of the injured and dead suffered catastrophic injuries in the rollover crashes when the vehicle roofs collapsed.

Sports utility vehicles are three times more likely to rollover than other vehicles. Statistics show over 60% of fatalities in a sports utility crash involved a rollover. People involved in sports utility rollover accidents usually incur massive medical expenses, suffer lost wages and loss of future earning potential and in the event of a death, their survivors losses are emotional as well as financial.

If you live in Detroit, Michigan or the surrounding area, and you or someone you love has been injured or killed in a sports utility rollover accident, please contact the Detroit, Michigan office of The Cochran Firm today where an experienced sports utility vehicle rollover accident attorney can help you protect your legal rights with a no cost to you confidential consultation.

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Over 8,000,000 people are injured in so-called slip, trip and fall accidents annually. The injuries sustained in these accidents range from scrapes and bruises to broken bones and traumatic brain injuries that mean permanent disability or death. Slip, trip and fall accidents can occur on public property, private property, indoors, outdoors at any time with no warning.

Individual property owners, business owners and municipalities must maintain their properties so as not to cause a hazard to the public. Conditions that may present a hazard are ice and snow covered walkways and stairs, uneven or broken sidewalks, potholes, poorly lit pathways, slippery or wet floors and torn or rippled carpeting.

If you were injured in a slip and fall accident you may be eligible for compensation for your losses involving lost income, present and future medical expenses, rehabilitation costs and pain and suffering. In the event of a death, the survivors may be eligible for compensation for final expenses also.

If you live in Detroit, Michigan or the surrounding area and you or someone you love has been injured or killed in a slip, trip and fall accident, please contact the Detroit, Michigan office of The Cochran Firm today to schedule a confidential consultation at no cost to you with an experienced slip, trip and fall accident lawyer to protect your legal rights.

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A traumatic brain injury can occur as a result of an automobile accident, a fall, a job-related accident or a criminal assault. Traumatic brain injuries occur when there is a sudden violent blow to the head. The blow to the head can cause bruising to the brain, nerve fibers and bleeding. Traumatic brain injury is the most common combat-related injury in war zones today.

Symptoms of a mild injury to the brain may include a brief period of unconsciousness, a headache, some mild confusion, dizziness and blurred vision. Symptoms of a severe injury to the brain may include unconsciousness, seizures or convulsions, inability to awaken and dilation of the pupils. The effects of a traumatic brain injury are physically and psychologically devastating. A severe traumatic brain injury can result in paralysis or death.

A severe traumatic brain injury can involve a long period of hospitalization, extended rehabilitation and occupational therapies. People with severe traumatic brain injuries require months and sometimes years of physical, emotional and financial support.

Detroit, Michigan residents who have suffered a traumatic brain injury should contact The Cochran Firm's Detroit office to schedule a confidential consultation to learn about your legal rights and whether you are entitled to compensation.

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After four years of pain and agony from her father's wrongful death, a Detroit woman's case is now set for a conference on May 13th. Brutal force was used in the arrest of her father after he fled from a tractor he stole in 2004. The police officers involved claim that the man tried to choke one of them while they attempted to arrest him. The officers used pepper spray and a taser gun in an attempt to defend themselves. The man stopped breathing and died during the arrest.

Why Wrongful Deaths Occur

A wrongful death may be the result of many reasons such as an emergency room error, defective product, or medical malpractice. Some of the responsible parties in a wrongful death lawsuit may be:

• Manufacturing Companies
• Hospitals
• Doctors

However, a wrongful death may also occur from a car accident caused by the negligence or inattention of a driver. No matter the reason and no matter who the responsible party was, you have rights to compensation when a loved one is unjustly taken from you. You also have help available during these difficult times.

Please contact the Cochran Firm's Wrongful Death Lawyers in Detroit to help you through this emotional time. These skillful lawyers will fight for your rights and get you the compensation you deserve.

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