June 23, 2022
Traveling is not a concept that is new to us and can be traced back to wealthy Greeks and Romans leaving for leisure to their summer homes and villas in cities like Baiae and Pompeii. Merriam-webster defines travel as “a journey, especially to a distant or unfamiliar place.” Traveling used to be something we could do without worry. Unfortunately, today, we need to be more conscious of what problems might arise as we are traveling to new places. These issues could cause lasting damages which may result in legal proceedings. Some things that we will discuss in this article are auto accidents, cruise ship accidents, rideshare accidents, premises liability, and bed bugs.
Per Travel Pulse, nearly 80 percent (206 million) of Americans plan to take a road trip this year, and nearly 20 percent (47 million) will travel more than 500 miles by car. Having such a large number of travelers on the road at any given time will make you more susceptible to car accidents and the probability of you being in an accident rises when you travel greater distances. With that being said, there may be a time when you will be involved in a car accident and will need to know what to do. So to better help you, we have listed some of the key steps to follow after an auto accident.
At The Cochran Firm, we have a dedicated team of attorneys here for you. Our auto accident attorneys handle all types of accidents involving motor vehicles, including but not limited to:
No matter what type of vehicle you were in when your accident occurred, the auto accident lawyers at The Cochran Firm can help you get the compensation you need and deserve to make the best recovery possible. Our lawyers work with a network of accident reconstruction experts to thoroughly investigate auto accidents and identify all contributing factors.
To schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our attorneys, please contact us today. We maintain offices throughout the United States, better enabling us to fight tirelessly for the rights of injury victims in all areas of the country.
Typically, when we step into a helicopter or airplane, we imagine our destination and the fun events to come. Being able to use helicopters and airplanes is a great tool to have available to add to your vacation experience. The ability to fly grants you access to speed of travel, affordability, comfort, and, in most cases, safety.
However, aviation accidents are inevitable and are largely caused by safety issues, pilot shortages, and aged aircraft. There are two distinct styles of aviation you might come in contact with while traveling on your vacation: helicopter tours and commercial flights.
While helicopter tours are one of the most wonderful things you can do while you are visiting new tourist attractions or popular landmarks such as The Grand Canyon, Mt. Rushmore, or a scenic tour over Manhattan, New York. There are some safety issues to bear in mind, such as pilot error, maintenance team error or miscommunication, mechanical defects, and bad weather.
Depending on the cause, it could be more than one person who is liable. For example, in some accidents, it could be both the ground control and the pilot who are responsible. In other cases, it could be the tour company or the manufacturer who failed to maintain the plane or designed it poorly.
To help ensure that the right party is being held liable for your injuries, please contact the attorneys at The Cochran Firm for your free, no-obligation initial consultation with a Cochran Firm aviation accident lawyer, please Contact Us today.
Per the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), a total of 45,000 flights carrying 2.9 million travelers fly in and out of U.S. airports daily. Airport hubs alone account for a large number of injuries, including broken bones and neck injuries resulting from slips and falls. Injuries, however, are not limited to the airport itself, as there are circumstances that happen in flight that can also contribute to a personal injury, such as turbulence, falling in the jetway, or baggage falling from overhead. Even though airlines have guidelines to follow that were set in place by The Federal Aviation Act, accidents like these still occur every day due to the sheer volume of traffic.
The Federal Aviation Act was created in 1958 to regulate civil aviation and U.S. commercial space transportation while also maintaining and operating air traffic control and navigation systems for both civil and military aircraft and developing and administering programs relating to aviation safety and the National Airspace System. This act alone helped pave the way for the Federal Aviation Administration we know today.
In the event that you have been injured during a flight, you may be able to file a claim against the airline for compensation. In order to do this, here are a few things to keep in mind:
If you or a loved one has been a victim of an aviation accident, seeking a compassionate, determined attorney to have on your side can support you in navigating the tedious and challenging work in the aftermath. Our team understands when a pilot, airline, tour company, or manufacturer is responsible for deaths and life-altering injuries. Contact The Cochran Firm today for your free, no-obligation initial consultation, and we will help to secure justice for you.
In 2019 alone, the cruise industry welcomed 29.7 million passengers worldwide. Unfortunately, there is no single governmental organization that investigates and documents accidents on cruise ships in the way that the FAA does with aviation accidents. But that does not mean personal injury accidents do not occur while on cruise ships. Many passengers are unaware that the cruise line may be held accountable for injuries caused while on board. By suing a cruise line, you may be able to get a settlement or verdict that may assist in paying for medical bills, lost work time, and other compensatory and punitive damages.
Occurrences that cause injuries on a cruise ship:
These acts of negligence can lead to serious injuries such as broken bones, brain injuries, and internal organ damage.
If you believe the cruise line is guilty of negligence or intent to harm and have suffered injury or illness while on a cruise ship and would like to pursue a claim, please contact the experienced maritime attorneys at The Cochran Firm today for a free, no-obligation consultation.
Rideshare is an arrangement where passengers connect with drivers through mobile apps or websites, such as Uber, Lyft, Juno, etc. After which, you are picked up and taken to your desired destination alongside other commuters.
Ride-sharing has grown at a rapid rate in recent years. About 25% of the entire U.S. population uses ridesharing at least once a month, and Uber alone accounts for over 3.8 million drivers worldwide. The rise in ridesharing in the United States and around the world is due in part to increased population and industrialization, particularly in larger cities, which implies more road traffic and a greater need for efficient transportation.
If you've been injured in a rideshare accident, you're probably wondering if you can file a personal injury lawsuit against Uber or Lyft. Rideshare companies, after all, almost certainly have deeper pockets than a typical rideshare driver.
However, suing Uber or Lyft directly can be complicated. Uber and Lyft classify rideshare drivers as independent contractors instead of employees. So companies are more likely to be found legally liable for an employee versus an independent contractor.
Nonetheless, you might want to file a lawsuit against Uber or Lyft if, for example:
If you have questions or if you've been seriously injured, contact a Cochran Firm attorney today so we can investigate and get you the compensation for your injuries that you deserve. We will fight to cover your medical costs, lost work, lasting injuries, and so much more. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation.
Traveling will bring you in contact with all sorts of amazing people and beautiful wildlife. Unfortunately, we do find ourselves susceptible to bed bugs. Bed bugs are small, flat, wingless insects that are reddish-brown in color and hide during the day on beds and used furniture. The place that you find these insects the most are in hotel rooms, as they can travel between multi-unit buildings by attaching themselves to luggage, purses, and backpacks.
In many states, if you've been exposed to bed bugs while staying in a resort or rental property, you can file a lawsuit against the property owner. But first, you will need to make sure you have, in fact, been bitten by a bed bug. In doing so, you will likely need to seek a medical professional, such as a dermatologist, to confirm you were bitten by a bed bug.
If it is proven that you were bitten by bed bugs in a resort or rental property and that your injuries were caused by the negligent activities of the property's owner, you may be entitled to file one, or all of the following causes of action:
Bed bug lawsuits could, however, go another way. If the host has a reason to believe that you are responsible for bringing bed bugs to their property or not notifying them of the problem, they may be able to bring a claim against you. Depending on who’s to blame, damages for bed bug bites typically include some of the following:
Many people are unaware that victims of bed bug bites and infestations might be eligible for compensation due to physical and property damage. Additionally, bed bugs are notoriously difficult to eliminate, and it can be very costly to do so. To better understand who is at fault, please contact The Cochran Firm for your free no-obligation consultation. The Cochran Firm has partnered with the premier bed bug attorney Brian Virag at My Bed Bug Lawyer to make his resources and expertise available to more people across the country.
Premises liability is where property owners have certain obligations under local, state, and federal laws to maintain reasonably safe premises under certain conditions and to warn others of any unsafe conditions under certain situations. Many different types of personal injury cases can be classified as premises liability cases, such as:
Slips and falls are the most straightforward premises liability cases. Slips and falls can result in incredible damage, whether the victim is young or old. Fractures are among the most common consequences of falls and arise in 5% of victims of a fall. Falls account for more than eight million visits to hospital emergency rooms. Slips and falls can also lead to more serious accidents, such as wrongful death for individuals aged 85 years or over.
There is no doubt that experiencing an injury as a result of slips and falls can be stressful not only for your body but also for your emotional state and day-to-day life. If you have been hurt on vacation or seek legal assistance from an experienced attorney, The Cochran Firm can help. Contact Us today for your free, no-obligation initial consultation.
Broken bones and fractures are some of the most common injuries associated with slips and falls. According to The Ohio State University, about 6.8 million broken bones/fractures come to medical attention each year in the United States.
Broken bones are the result of a bone meeting a stronger force and forcing the shape of a bone to change. These breaks can happen straight across a bone or up and down the bone.
Some common breaks include:
Drowning accident claims fall beneath premises liability because, more frequently than not, these injuries transpire due to an inadequately maintained or secured premise. This can include things such as:
Drowning lawsuits involve victims or families suing the at-fault parties. These may include inattentive property owners and supervisors. Common legal claims are negligence and wrongful death.
Depending on the case, plaintiffs in drowning lawsuits may be reimbursed for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. And if the victim dies, his/her family may also recover funeral expenses and loss of support.
We are as compassionate to your needs as we are determined to pursue justice for victims of drowning accidents. The Cochran Firm will do everything possible to determine if negligence was involved and get your family the full compensation you are due.
Q: Can I sue my cruise ship company?
A: Yes, If you were the victim of a cruise ship accident, excursion accident, or even medical negligence, you may be able to sue the cruise line that was responsible.
Q: Do I need a lawyer for my hotel liability problem?
A: Yes, having a knowledgeable lawyer will allow you to gain the most compensation for injury or lost goods.
Q: Do I sue the rideshare company or the driver?
A: In most cases, your claim will be with the rideshare itself, not with the driver. Rideshare companies such as Uber and Lyft have a one million dollar policy that protects all passengers.
Q: When is a hotel liable for my injuries?
A: Because hotels are a company that provides services to customers, every hotel is legally subject to premises liability.
The attorneys with The Cochran Firm handle the most challenging civil cases involving personal injury, product and drug liability, wrongful death, fraud, truck and automobile accidents, medical malpractice, environmental pollution, complex and commercial litigation, class action, mass torts and nursing home abuse. We are devoted to handling cases for all people with civil claims due to the negligence or wrongful conduct of others. Additionally, our criminal defense attorneys aggressively defend those clients charged with criminal offenses by developing strategies that will most effectively shape their cases.
All of our civil cases are handled on a contingent fee basis. This means our fee is solely based on a percentage of the money we recover for you. The initial consultation is free. If there is no financial recovery, then we charge no fee.
Works Cited
Agencies - Federal Aviation Administration. (n.d.). Federal Register. https://www.federalregister.gov/agencies/federal-aviation-administration
Air Traffic By The Numbers. (2022, June 15). FAA. https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/by_the_numbers/
Arm Injury Statistics | Aids for One Armed Tasks. (n.d.). The Ohio State University. https://u.osu.edu/productdesigngroup3/sample-page/
Christoff, J. (2022, March 25). Road Trips Will Be the Most Popular Type of Travel This Summer. TravelPulse. https://www.travelpulse.com/news/features/road-trips-will-be-the-most-popular-type-of-travel-this-summer.html
Travel Definition & Meaning. (n.d.). Merriam-Webster. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/travelWhat is a Common Carrier? (2018, December 3). FindLaw. https://www.findlaw.com/injury/torts-and-personal-injuries/what-is-a-common-carrier.html
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