In your home, there is a boiler. It does exactly as its name describes, boiling water to supply hot water around your home.

With boilers, there is normally a safety in place to prevent water from getting too hot. There are also pressure valves to release steam and energy, so there is a lower chance of an explosion.

What are the risks of defective boilers?

A defective boiler could result in scalding, which is a kind of burn injury. The water may come out of the tap so hot that it causes serious burns, permanent physical scars and emotional trauma.

In the event that the boiler can’t release pressure, there is a risk that it could explode in the home. This could spray individuals around it with hot water and debris, causing severe injuries.

Water temperatures: How hot is too hot?

With any home boiler system, you have the ability to adjust the temperature. Some people prefer it hotter, to the point that it has the potential to burn. Others prefer it to be set low enough that burns are impossible.

Burns are possible at a temperature of over 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Temperatures over this are considered extremely dangerous and can lead to extreme burns. Usually, a thermostatic mixer valve is installed to control the outlet temperature. In cases where a thermostatic mixer valve was not installed, people often reported burns to themselves, the elderly and children.

Remember that there is also a margin of error in any hot water cycle. The margin of error is between 12 and 18 degrees Fahrenheit, which is partially a result of the hotter water rising to the top of the water heater while the lower temperatures gather at the bottom.

Burns can happen in as few as two seconds once the water temperature exceeds 140 degrees Fahrenheit. For example, at 120 degrees Fahrenheit, a person would suffer a 3rd degree burn in only five minutes of bathing. At 124 degrees Fahrenheit, it takes only three minutes. At 148 degrees Fahrenheit, it takes two seconds to suffer this serious burn.

Why do water heaters need to reach higher temperatures?

Water heaters have to reach hot temperatures to eliminate the Legionella bacteria, which can cause Legionnaires’ disease. A mixer helps by allowing the boiler to reach extremely high temperatures but then delivering safe temperatures to faucets by mixing in cooler water as the hot water leaves the system.

Burn injuries can be prevented with the right tools. Always check that a mixer is in place, so your family stays safe.

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Many doctors and nurses in New York are required to work long hours in operating rooms across the state. Some people feel that the hours should be capped similar to the way that hours are limited in other professions. Many doctors feel that this is inappropriate because patients do not expect their physician to leave during the middle of an operation.

A poll by Medscape found some differences between the way that doctors and nurses feel about limiting working hours in operating rooms. When asked whether hours should be limited to reduce mistakes, 57 percent of doctors and 87 percent of nurses said yes.

Another question on the poll asked whether doctors should be routinely monitored for substance abuse and other negative behaviors that could result in harm to patients. Of those surveyed, 82 percent of doctors and 62 percent of nurses answered affirmatively. A similar percentage answered yes when asked if others in the operating room should be monitored for substance abuse and other negative behaviors.

Some of those surveyed felt that money would be a limiting factor for limiting work hours since most people do not want to pay for more than one surgeon to be present during an operation. Some felt that substance abuse should be monitored but that work hours should not be limited.

An attorney experienced in personal injury may be able to help patients who have been harmed by operating room mistakes. Fatigue and substance abuse may contribute to more surgical errors than most people want to believe due to lack of monitoring for these issues at hospitals. A personal injury lawsuit might help individuals who have been harmed by medical malpractice recover damages for medical bills, rehabilitation costs, lost wages, pain and suffering and loss of future enjoyment of life.

Posted in Personal Injury | No Comments »

There are many risky behaviors associated with higher incidents of traffic collisions. Drinking and drugged driving clearly create dangers on New York highways. Also problematic are driving at excessive speeds and what has been identified as distracted driving, primarily from cell phone use and texting. However, there is another “silent killer” that many motorists don’t think twice about.

A Department of Transportation study looked closely incidents of vehicle crashes, which included interviews with the drivers. The DOT report verified what had long been suspected — driving with insufficient sleep carries risks similar to drinking and driving. The scope of the problem is underlined by the numbers, which show 7 percent of all vehicle crashes and 16 percent of all fatal crashes are related to driver drowsiness.

Although falling asleep behind the wheel poses the greatest danger, the fatigue issue is broader. Driving while fatigued can cause a measurable decrease in the ability to concentrate, analyze distances and react normally to a changing situation. Furthermore, the cause is not only total sleep deprivation, but higher risk potential has been noted for drivers who are behind the wheel for periods longer than three hours, those whose sleep pattern has been disrupted in the past three weeks and those who suffer from sleep apnea.

People are busier than ever and driving is an integral part of the day’s activities. However, every time a driver gets on the road, there is a duty to drive in a safe and reasonable manner so as not to cause harm to others. A personal injury lawyer can explain the issues of vehicle crashes and liability.

Posted in Motor Vehicle Accidents | No Comments »

Car accidents both big and small happen often on the busy New York roads, keeping insurance companies just as busy. However, in recent years studies have found that nearly 6 percent of motorists drive without insurance in New York.

This is illegal, but it does not stop some people without insurance from continuing to drive. Fortunately, uninsured motorist coverage can protect you and your family in the event of an accident.

New York law requires coverage

New York law mandates citizens to have uninsured motorist (UIM) coverage. This coverage specifically protects you in the event of an accident with a driver who does not have liability insurance. It also covers you in the event of a hit and run accident. UIM coverage pays for:

• Medical bills
• Lost wages
• Pain suffered

You can also obtain extended UIM coverage for any damage caused to your vehicle or property.

UIM insurance can significantly reduce your worries about any potential accident. It ensures you and your family do not have to depend on the other driver’s circumstances to get compensation for your pain and suffering.

File your claim as soon as possible

Filing an insurance claim is often the last thing you want to think about after an accident. However, it is crucial to file a claim as soon as possible after an accident, so you can get the most aid from your insurance company and a head start on your recovery.

Filing a lawsuit

New York is a no-fault state. This means that no matter who was at fault for the accident, usually your own insurance companies pays for any medical expenses or damages to your property.

Most New York insurance policies look out only for the individual who owns the policy, not other drivers. However, it is understandable that you may want to hold an uninsured driver accountable for their negligence. Although it is difficult to file a lawsuit in a no-fault state, if you or a family member suffered serious injuries from an uninsured driver, you may have the ability to pursue legal action.

Some of these injuries include:

• Fractures
• Impairments
• Disfigurements
• Wrongful death

All motorists have a duty to drive safely. Having proper insurance coverage is a part of that duty, and you have options to take action and hold uninsured drivers responsible for breaching that duty.

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

School drop-off and pick-up can frazzle the steadiest of nerves, whether you walk your child to school, or drive them. Children appear from every direction and everyone is in a hurry. Throw in buses, and it’s no wonder that pedestrian accidents in school zones continue to happen at a disturbing rate. Luckily, there are things you can do to help.

Your child walks or bikes to school:

Depending on your child’s age, you may walk with them to school, or they may walk or bike on their own. Either way, consider walking with them a few times to make sure they are following these safety tips:

• Stay on the sidewalk. If your community does not have sidewalks and you cannot walk on the boulevard, walk facing traffic.
• Wear a helmet anytime you bike.
• Stop at crosswalks to look for cars. Check left, then right, then left again. Don’t walk between parked cars. If you ride a bike, walk it across the crosswalk.
• Teach your cyclist to follow the rules of the road: staying to the right, using hand signals, and following traffic signals. You should also teach them to look out for danger, such as road debris and people opening car doors.
• No distracted walking. This goes for parents, especially. Do not contribute to this growing problem by looking at your phone while. Even if your child is too young to have a phone now, remember that you are modeling safe behavior for them for the future.

You drive your child to school:

You probably already drive carefully in a school zone, but a surprising number of parents fail to do these few simple things to improve safety:

• Slow down and stop completely at stop signs and crossing guards. Follow the crossing guard’s signals.
• Check all directions before pulling out or backing up– remember that children might be behind or beside you.
• Do not double-park. It limits the view of other drivers, not to mention annoying the driver you block in.
• Look for bicycles. Many children bike to school, and they lack experience with bicycle handling, safety, and traffic rules.
• Put down the phone. This one should be obvious, but too many parents still talk on their phones while navigating drop-off. Distracted driving is especially dangerous in a school zone.

School zones will probably always be hectic, but you can do your part to improve safety, as well as sanity, during the school year.

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

In New York and throughout the rest of the U.S., distractions are posing a threat on the road. Billboards may tell drivers to keep their eyes on the road, not to text and not to fall asleep so as to avoid a car crash, but many drivers have the mentality of thinking, “It won’t happen to me.” Commercial truck drivers are no different, and fleet owners will want to do something about this.

Science backs up the claim that distracted driving leads to accidents. Texting and driving is one of the most alarming forms because it constitutes a visual, manual and cognitive distraction all at once. Sending a text takes about five seconds: With a vehicle going 55 mph, that’s like traveling the length of a football field with one’s eyes closed.

The pressures of a “productivity culture” encourage truckers to stay awake longer and thus become fatigued behind the wheel. Those who sleep 5.5 to 6.4 hours are twice as likely to drive drowsy than those who sleep one or two hours more. Fatigue also strikes those who take the federally required number of breaks but experience only poor-quality sleep.

Fleet owners should take steps to create a safety-oriented workplace culture, using exposure rather than injuries as a measurement for improvement. They should meaningfully engage employees as they identify risk factors.

If distracted driving or another form of negligence is to blame for an auto accident, those who were injured through little or no fault of their own may be eligible for compensation. Negotiating a settlement with a trucking company might go more smoothly with a lawyer. The lawyer, in turn, might hire accident investigators to gather proof against the trucker, which may include the police report and the trucker’s phone records.

Posted in Motor Vehicle Accidents | No Comments »

Many drivers in New York already know the benefits of crash avoidance systems. Though these systems have been incorporated into only a small percentage of commercial truck fleets, the companies that incorporated them say that they can prevent more than seven out of 10 rear-end collisions. The technology is also known to mitigate the severity of injuries and vehicle damage.

Since the 1990s, the National Transportation Safety Board has been recommending the mandatory use of forward crash avoidance and mitigation systems on all commercial trucks. However, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has reportedly not responded with any regulations along those lines. This has led to criticism from the NTSB and other groups.

According to federal data, there were more than 4,300 large truck crash fatalities in 2016. This was a 28 percent increase from 2009. In light of this trend, safety advocates are pushing for the NHTSA to act. Several members of Congress who have read the article are also considering decisive action.

The NHTSA has issued a written statement saying that it wrapped up research on early automatic emergency braking systems and that it will now study next-generation editions of the technology. It expects the study to be completed in 18 to 24 months, after which it could make an informed decision whether to mandate or not.

In some cases, a trucker with a crash avoidance system can choose to turn it off. If they do so and cause an auto accident through their own negligence, their trucking company could be held liable. However, a victim may want legal assistance as a lawyer could negotiate for a settlement while sidestepping the aggressive tactics that trucking companies use to deny payment.

Posted in Motor Vehicle Accidents | No Comments »

Are you someone who has decided to turn to riding a bike instead of continuing to drive a car? Maybe you just want to ride a bike more for its health benefits. Regardless if it is to get you more fit or ease up on the cost of driving a car, riding a bike can be extremely dangerous.

New York City was recently listed as the second most dangerous city for bicyclists, only trailing Los Angeles, California. Even the safest city for riding a bicycle in the state of New York was Syracuse, and that city was ranked #537 nationally.

If you are a well-seasoned rider or a casual one, it is important to brush up on things you should remember when riding a bike. Simple precautions can help prevent a serious injury or even death.

Avoid car doors – It is wise to never assume that a parked car is empty or that the driver of a parked car will look before opening a door. Allow yourself a few feet when going past car doors.

Watch for pedestrians – Being on a bike means you are considered the same as a vehicle. As so, you must follow all traffic laws and you must give pedestrians the right of way. If you do not yield to a pedestrian, you could face a fine.

Watch for blind spots – Blind spots have been the cause for many serious accidents for bicyclists. Pay particular attention to large trucks and buses who usually have larger areas of blind spots. One way to combat a blind spot is to stay in an area where drivers can always see you. Vehicle right turns can also be dangerous for bicyclists when riding alongside on the shoulder of the road.

Be easily seen and wear a helmet – You should always ride wearing bright clothing and even reflectors, especially at night. Consider having a light on your bike and have it on regardless if it is day or night. If you ride a bicycle and do not wear a helmet, you may want to reconsider since head and brain injuries are common in bike accidents.

Plan your trip ahead of time – Knowing the roads, traffic and terrain of where you will be riding will greatly increase your ability to stay safe.

Do a bike pre-check before riding – Looking over your bike prior to riding not only ensures there are no problems that could cause danger, it helps to keep your bike in good condition.

Riding a bike next to cars and trucks can be very dangerous. By taking precautions before heading out on the road, it may mean the difference between a successful trip or one that ends with a catastrophic injury.

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

In an audit report, the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety addressed a dangerous trend that many drivers in New York may be familiar with — too much reliance on car safety features. While such features can reduce the number of auto accidents and accident-related deaths, they may backfire on drivers who do not understand the limitations of safety technology.

For example, the report showed that 80 percent of drivers with a blind-spot monitoring overestimated this system’s ability to detect quickly approaching cars, bicyclists and pedestrians. Furthermore, 20 percent of respondents were so confident in the feature that they never check for oncoming vehicles when changing lanes.

Among motorists with adaptive cruise control, 29 percent say they feel comfortable engaging in other activities when this safety feature is on. Unfortunately, this constitutes distracted driving. Other drivers are unable to tell apart the various functions of their features. For instance, over 40 percent of the respondents confuse forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking.

AAA believes that automakers, dealers and rental-car companies should be educating customers on the limitations of modern safety features. The results of the study raise questions about how drivers will adapt to a future with semi-autonomous vehicles. After all, these vehicles will still require the driver to take hold of the wheel if they cannot handle certain conditions.

Over-reliance on safety tech leads to negligent behavior. When a negligent driver gets into a crash, a victim may be eligible for compensation. Filing a third-party insurance claim will most likely require a lawyer, especially since auto insurance companies work hard to deny settlements. A lawyer could hire third parties to investigate the crash and gather the necessary evidence.

Posted in Motor Vehicle Accidents | Comments Off on AAA says many drivers are over-relying on car safety features

Commercial vehicle inspectors ordered almost 12,000 semi-tractor trailers out of service between June 5 and June 7 during the annual International Roadcheck safety initiative organized by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance and taking place in New York and across North America. Inspectors also removed 2,664 drivers from duty during the 72-hour safety blitz according to figures released by the CVSA. The road safety advocacy group says that almost three out of four of the trucks issued out-of-service orders were pulled off the roads following grueling Level I inspections.

Commercial vehicle inspectors were asked to pay particular attention to hours-of-service logs, as fatigue was the major focus of this year’s International Roadcheck event. These violations emerged as the most common reason for drivers being ordered off duty, but they were only discovered by inspectors about 2 percent of the time according to the CVSA.

Commercial vehicles were most often placed out of service due to poorly maintained or damaged braking systems, problems with the way their brakes were adjusted and issues with their wheels and tires. However, the results of the safety blitz suggest that trucks and truck drivers may be taking safety issues more seriously. The number of drivers and vehicles ordered out of service during International Roadcheck was down slightly in 2018 despite an increase in the number of inspections.

There are situations where experienced personal injury attorneys may also seek to have commercial vehicles inspected. Inspections could uncover defective parts, substandard repairs or neglected safety systems, and the information stored on tractor-trailer black boxes could reveal how fast trucks were traveling when they crashed. Attorneys could use this type of evidence to convince juries that the defendants in truck accident lawsuits failed to do all that they reasonably could to protect other road users from harm.

Posted in Motor Vehicle Accidents | No Comments »