The Cochran Firm Legal Blog

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Spinal cord injuries (SCI) are life-threatening, life-changing and often cause permanent paralysis and death.

Recovery from a spinal cord injury is a complicated and infrequent occurrence, and intensive rehabilitation is needed to maintain any semblance of function at all. Many spinal cord injuries are the result of motor vehicle accidents, sports-related or job-related injuries, criminal assaults and falls.

Though accident related injuries are the most common cause of a spinal cord injury, medical conditions and medical procedures are also known to result in spinal cord injuries and include infections, a herniated disc, tumors, abscesses, blood clots, surgical errors and spinal taps. A spinal cord injury is a medical emergency and immediate treatment is necessary to minimize the damage and try to prevent permanent disability or death.

An experienced spinal cord injury attorney such as those at The Cochran Firm will work diligently to recover the maximum financial compensation possible for damages necessary to support your care and treatment for a very long time and possibly for the rest of your life.

Please contact our spinal cord injury experts at The Cochran Firm today if you live in the Huntsville, Alabama area and have suffered a spinal cord injury so our highly skilled attorneys can evaluate your case and advise you on how to proceed to obtain the financial compensation you deserve.

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Wrongful death is a legal term used to describe the death of an individual brought about by the negligence or willful actions of another individual. A wrongful death entitles the survivors and beneficiaries to financial compensation for their loss.

Some examples of a wrongful death are those caused by a motor vehicle accident, a criminal assault, a work-related injury, medical malpractice, a death in a nursing home, or a death caused by a defective product or drug.

Discovering if the death of a loved one was caused by the negligence or willful actions of another individual requires investigation and the knowledge and experience of an attorney with many years successfully litigating wrongful death claims like those at The Cochran Firm. A wrongful death attorney familiar with the laws and statutes of the state of Alabama will handle your claim efficiently and without delay.

Financial compensation for the survivors and beneficiaries may include damages for medical, funeral and burial costs, payment for the deceased’s pain and suffering prior to death, the loss of financial support for the survivors and loss of future earning potential of the victim.

The experienced wrongful death attorneys at The Cochran Firm in Huntsville, Alabama are dedicated to assisting those suffering the loss of a loved one. Please contact The Cochran Firm today to schedule a confidential consultation to protect your legal rights at this sad time in your life and to ensure those responsible for your loss are held legally and financially responsible.

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A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is unlike any other injury because at first, the symptoms may be subtle or non-existent, and typically avoid detection by advanced hospital imaging equipment.

Victims of traumatic brain injury often go untreated for hours after their injury because there may be no obvious sign of trauma, such as in the tragic case of award-winning actress, Natasha Richardson, who suffered an undetected TBI while on a ski trip in Canada after a fall. She died shortly after returning to her hotel room to rest after the incident.

More than one million new traumatic brain injury cases are treated each year in hospitals across the country, with many more cases going undiagnosed and untreated. At the present time there are almost five million adults and children living with the consequences of having sustained a traumatic brain injury in America. The risk of a TBI is highest among young adults and people over 75 years of age. Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of traumatic brain injuries, and falls are the second leading cause of TBI in the elderly.

The emotional stress, physical challenges and financial hardships victims of traumatic brain injuries and their families endure are almost incomprehensible.

If you believe you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury due to someone else’s negligence or conduct, please contact The Cochran Firm, located in Huntsville, Alabama today so our expert attorneys can provide the knowledge and advice you need at this difficult time in your life.

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According to a heart-stopping statistic, some hospitals are responsible for causing harm to up to 36% of their patients due to medical errors that caused injuries and deaths.

Medical malpractice is the result of a negligent act by a healthcare professional or facility that culminates in damage to a patient. That healthcare professional or facility may include, but not be limited to, doctors, nurses, pharmacists, nursing homes or hospitals and involve misdiagnoses, surgical mistakes, medication and dosage errors, failure to diagnose a life-threatening disease and other countless acts of negligence.

Medical malpractice laws were designed to protect patients and their right to pursue financial compensation if they were injured as a result of medical negligence and malpractice. There are time constraints governing how long someone may wait to bring a medical malpractice claim.

If you are concerned you have been a victim of medical malpractice, do not hesitate in contacting an experienced medical malpractice attorney. A medical malpractice attorney at The Cochran Firm can evaluate your case, determine if you do indeed have a just claim and initiate that claim for financial compensation for you without further delay.

We encourage you to contact The Cochran Firm today if you live in the Huntsville, Alabama area and have been the victim of medical malpractice, to protect your legal rights and take the first step in obtaining justice for yourself and for those you love.

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Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that attacks the linings of the lungs, abdominal cavity and the lining around the heart. Most victims of mesothelioma were exposed to asbestos in the work-place while others who contracted the disease may have been unknowingly exposed at school, home or their place of business.

Mesothelioma has a long latency period so it is not unusual for people exposed to asbestos decades ago to be diagnosed with the disease at this time. Workers who handled asbestos on a daily basis are at the greatest risk for contracting mesothelioma and there have been reported cases of exposure to asbestos for their families when the fibers were brought home on shoes and clothing.

Any exposure to asbestos fiber can be harmful for even the smallest particle of asbestos fiber lodged in the lining of the lung, abdominal cavity or heart can result in a diagnosis of mesothelioma. Two to three thousand people are diagnosed with mesothelioma every year, with mesothelioma of the pleural lining (lung) being the most common form of the disease. The symptoms of mesothelioma include back or chest pain, shortness of breath, persistent cough, difficulty swallowing, fever, weight loss and fatigue.

If you live in the Huntsville, Alabama area and you or someone you love has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, please contact The Cochran Firm today to schedule a no cost to you private consultation to learn about your legal rights and find out if you are entitled to financial compensation for being a victim of exposure to asbestos and mesothelioma.

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Rear end collision automobile accidents are the most common accident with over 2.5 million collisions reported annually. While the risk of a fatality in a rear end collision accident is relatively low, serious injuries can and do occur.

A good quality rear bumper system does a good job of absorbing the force of a low impact collision, but low quality bumper systems allow the occupants of the vehicle to absorb the force of the impact instead.

A common result of the human body absorbing the force of the impact in a rear end collision is a whiplash injury. A whiplash injury, also referred to as cervical acceleration/deceleration trauma, is caused by the sudden, violent, involuntary jerking of the neck that happens in a rear end collision. That snapping back and forth motion is what causes a whiplash injury.

If you have suffered a whiplash injury in a rear end automobile accident, an experienced attorney from The Cochran Firm, can assist you in receiving the financial compensation you are entitled to. In almost every case, the driver who rear ended your automobile is liable for any damages you have suffered.

Please contact the Huntsville, Alabama office of The Cochran Firm today to schedule a consultation with an experienced attorney who can learn the details of your case and advise you on how to proceed.

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Although there are many brands of oral contraceptives available Yaz and Yasmin have dominated the marketplace due to the manufacturer's aggressive marketing campaign. Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals is the subject of multiple lawsuits over alleged life-threatening side effects attributed to these popular oral contraceptives.

The lawsuits allege the pharmaceutical company failed to warn women and their physicians of the increased risk of injury associated with the pills while overstating the benefits of the oral contraceptives. Pharmaceutical manufacturers are obligated to disclose any known side effects to consumers, either directly or by making the information available to physicians.

The life threatening conditions associated with these pills include deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolisms. The irresponsible marketing of these oral contraceptives by Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals has caused innumerable young healthy women to face devastating health conditions caused by a drug they were led to believe was safe.

If you or someone you know has suffered blood clots, pulmonary embolisms, elevated potassium levels, hypertension, seizures, convulsions or kidney problems after taking Yaz or Yasmin, you should contact an experienced defective pharmaceuticals attorney to investigate the reasons surrounding these occurrences and whether you are entitled to financial compensation.

We encourage you to contact the Huntsville, Alabama office of The Cochran Firm today to schedule a confidential consultation with an attorney experienced in defective pharmaceutical claims to protect your legal rights and obtain the compensation you deserve.

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Birth injuries or birth traumas can range from the mild to the severe. There can be minor bruising to brain damage. Not all birth injuries or trauma are due to medical malpractice or negligence, but many are.

Estimates are that there are 10 birth injuries for every 1,000 births in this country annually due to medical malpractice or negligence. When a healthcare professional such as a doctor, nurse, or a healthcare facility, such as a hospital, urgent care center, or birthing center fails to provide a certain standard of care and treatment, it rises to the level of negligence and medical malpractice.

The most common birth injuries that occur are bruising from the use of forceps, facial paralysis, swollen head, brachial palsy, fractured bones and brain trauma. Cerebral palsy is a chronic condition caused by damage to the baby's brain at the time of labor and delivery. These injuries can occur when the medical team fails to respond to fetal distress, there is a delay in performing a cesarean section, there is a misuse of forceps and inadequate management of the labor and delivery in general.

Symptoms of a birth injury are not always evident immediately after the birth, but become so days, weeks, months or even years after. The financial hardship of caring for a birth injured child can be devastating unless assistance is made available to the family.

If you live in Huntsville, Alabama or the surrounding area, and your child suffered an injury at birth, please contact an experienced birth injury lawyer at the Huntsville, Alabama office of The Cochran Firm today to schedule a confidential consultation at no cost to you to protect your legal rights and the future of your child.

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Truck accidents are responsible for many injuries including back, neck, spinal cord and traumatic brain injuries and the deaths of both the driver of the truck and the occupants of the other vehicle involved in the collision.

Some common reasons for truck accidents are speeding to meet delivery deadlines, alcohol and drug use, fatigue and stress from long hours on the road and mechanical failure. A truck carrying a hazardous chemical or toxic substance can have a leak or a spill and endanger the lives of other people on the road without even being involved in a collision.

When driving on the highways it is important to keep a safe distance between you and a truck, always be alert and anticipate the unexpected. Do not engage in aggressive driving behaviors or respond to them and be extra cautious in adverse weather conditions.

When a truck accident occurs the trucking company will often send a representative to the scene immediately following the accident to confront the accident victims whey they are confused and shaken and vulnerable to manipulation. It is in your best interests to speak to no one following an accident until you secure your own legal representation.

If you live in Huntsville, Alabama or the surrounding area and you or someone you care about was involved in an accident with a truck, please contact an experienced truck accident attorney at the Huntsville, Alabama office of The Cochran Firm today if you would like an evaluation of your case, at no cost to you, to make certain you have legal representation to protect your rights and obtain the compensation you deserve.

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Premises liability is a term used to describe the legal responsibility the owner of a property has for accidents and injuries that occur on the owners' property.

There are a variety of reasons a premises liability claim may be filed. Slip and fall claims are common, as are claims of being hit by a falling object or being assaulted in a place of business such as a shopping mall parking garage.

The owner of a property must provide reasonable safeguards for your protection while a visitor or guest on their property. It is expected a property owner will take reasonable measures to minimize any risk should a dangerous or hazardous condition or circumstance arise.

The hazardous condition can be a simple spill that needs wiping up or a broken step that needs to be repaired or replaced. The property owner has an obligation to remedy the situation or notify the public of the risk that is present.

Premises liability may cover the cost of necessary medical treatment, loss of income and compensation for pain and suffering in the event of an injury. Injuries sustained can lead to debilitating conditions that drain you emotionally, physically and financially.

If you are a resident of Huntsville, Alabama or the surrounding area and you have been injured in an accident, please contact the Huntsville, Alabama office of The Cochran Firm today to schedule a confidential consultation at no cost to you to learn all about your legal rights.

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Some of the most vulnerable members of our society are senior citizens residing in nursing homes. These men and women, former independent and self-sufficient contributing members of society are now dependent on others for the simplest daily needs, their safety and emotional well-being.

Unfortunately, when they are at their most needy, these vulnerable and frail people in nursing homes suffer mental, emotional, physical and sometimes sexual abuse at the hands of those entrusted with their care. These older Americans suffer from bedsores, malnutrition, dehydration, injuries from falls and assaults, and emotional injuries to their dignity. They also are financially exploited as well at times by these same caregivers.

Residents of nursing homes are guaranteed certain rights under the law. They have the right to be treated with respect and dignity and they have the right to a safe and clean environment free from any abuse, whether mental, physical, emotional, sexual or financial.

If you reside in Huntsville, Alabama or the surrounding area and you suspect someone you care about is the victim of nursing home neglect and abuse, please contact the Huntsville, Alabama office of The Cochran Firm today to schedule a confidential consultation with an experienced nursing home neglect and abuse attorney, at no cost to you, to protect that person's legal rights.

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All property owners, businesses and municipalities are obligated by law to maintain their property so it does not present a safety hazard to the public. However, studies reveal falls are the major cause of injury-producing accidents. Over 8,000,000 people are injured in slip and fall accidents each year.

Individual property owners, businesses or municipalities, can be held liable for injuries sustained on their properties because of hazardous conditions encountered by the public. These hazardous conditions must have been known to the property owner and ignored or should have been known to the property owner. Hazards such as slippery floors, uneven roadways and sidewalks, icy or crumbling steps, poorly lit pathways and stairs, torn carpet, all represent possible dangers to an unsuspecting public.

The victim of a slip and fall accident can escape with bruising or sustain broken bones or a head or spinal cord injury that causes lifelong disability or even death. With proper legal representation if you have sustained an injury in a slip and fall accident you may be compensated for current and future medical expenses, rehabilitation expenses, income losses, pain and suffering and other losses encountered.

If you live in Huntsville, Alabama or the surrounding area and you or someone you care about has been the victim of a slip and fall accident, please contact an experienced slip and fall attorney at The Cochran Firm Huntsville, Alabama office today to schedule a confidential consultation at no cost to you to learn about your legal rights and what compensation you are entitled to.

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A truck attempted to turn resulting in the collision of the truck and a motorcycle. A Lawrence County Coroner pronounced the motorcycle driver dead at the scene. No one knows the exact reason for the truck turning and hitting the motorcycle. The truck driver was injured and is fine.

Information About Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle accidents account for 11% of the total amount of traffic fatalities. There are numerous reasons for these accidents and most are due to the inattentiveness of the other driver. Many times, the driver of a truck or car does not properly look for other vehicles and then merges or turns into a motorcycle causing a potentially fatal accident. Other reasons for motorcycle accidents due to another driver's negligence are:

• Lack of sleep
• Bad weather conditions
• Driving without corrective lenses
• Impaired judgment due to a high blood-alcohol level

There are several steps you must take if you have been involved in a motorcycle accident. These steps include:

• Getting medical attention at the scene of the accident
• Being seen by your general doctor
• Taking pictures of the damages to your bike
• Contacting an experienced motorcycle accident attorney

Contacting a motorcycle accident attorney is important to make sure you take all the right steps. Insurance companies can be tricky and they don't want to give you the compensation you deserve.

The best step you can take in protecting yourself is contacting a Motorcycle Accident Attorney at the Cochran Firm's Huntsville office for a no-cost, confidential consultation. We will guide you through the process and answer all of your questions.

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