Boston Personal Injury Attorney Blog

May 9, 2012

Boston Sports Injuries: NFL Players File Suit

Boston sports injuries can have serious implications for pro athletes and even children who are just beginning to learn the game.

It’s worse than just stitches and casts, which athletes sometimes wear as a badge of honor.

It’s an issue our Boston sports injuries attorneys take very seriously.

Boston Personal Injury Attorney Jeffrey Glassman’s sister suffered a debilitating back injury several years ago that shattered hopes of a promising tennis career.

So our sports injury lawyers are closely watching the developments of a lawsuit that has been filed by some 1,500 National Football League players, who say that the organization deliberately hid from them the serious health risks associated with concussions, which many suffered on an almost daily basis. Another 100 recently added their names to that list, which continues to grow.

In other sports injury news, a study recently found teenage girls involved in soccer may be particularly prone to head injuries.

The lawsuit, which has been filed in a federal court in Atlanta, alleges that time and time again, the league did not do enough to protect its players – i.e., its employees – from serious and life-altering head injuries. In fact, they even went so far as to misrepresent how head injuries would affect players, leading them to believe there would be no long-term consequences.

The NFL of course denies these claims, but this suit is the second consolidated suit to be filed against the league. The other, in Pennsylvania, has not yet been given a trial date.

At the core of the lawsuits are recent scientific studies that show that concussions can be directly linked to chronic traumatic encephalopathy, which is a degenerative brain disease that is symptomatically similar to Alzheimer’s disease. Those who suffer from it often have severe mood swings, extensive memory loss and deep depression.

The only thing that causes this disease is repeated blows to the brain. Like Alzheimer’s, it can only be definitively diagnosed after someone has died.

The players contend that at least 12 cases have been identified in the brains of players who have since deceased. The actual number is likely much higher.

Players say they were never told of the dangers of the game.

It’s interesting to note also the recently sad news regarding the suicide of NFL player Junior Seau. Doctors say he appeared to have been suffering from chronic traumatic encephalopathy for at least a year prior to his death. What’s more, he is the second football player in recent years to commit suicide by shooting himself in the chest. Both men reportedly did so in order that their brains could be preserved to confirm the existence of the disease, as well as so that their brains could be used to study. Many have speculated that both wanted their brains used for research, likely so that future generations of footballers might benefit from the intense pain and confusion they felt in the years prior to his death.

While of course this affects a relatively small number of the population, there are countless youth sports leagues in which parents and coaches need to take note of this very serious issue.
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May 5, 2012

Bicycle Accidents in Boston, Focus of 2012 Bike/Walk Summit

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

MassBike and WalkBoston are joining together to launch a free event, the 2012 Bike/Walk Summit.

Now, the two organizations are reaching out to pedestrian and bike advocates as well as the State House to help to raise awareness about these important forms of transportation in the City of Boston. Every year, there are far too many pedestrian and bicycle accidents in Boston and elsewhere. As the warmer months roll in, it’s time to start campaigning for these vulnerable travelers once again. This year is an especially important year to send a strong message to our state senators and representatives that walking and biking should be top priorities in the city, since it looks like federal support is on the decline.

Both WalkBoston and MassBike are asking you to RSVP today! It’s time to get Beacon Hill Moving. The event will be on the 17th of May from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Massachusetts State House, Nurses’ Hall. You’re asked to schedule a meeting with your senator or representative ahead of time. When you get there, safe biking and walking advocates will provide you with an information packet for both you and your government officials. You will also be given some key talking points regarding the current issues that are currently being discussed in the big house. When your meeting is adjourned, you’re asked to return to Nurses’ Hall to let your peers know how it went over some free lunch.

Our Boston injury attorneys understand that this event is being organized in the heart of the Bay State Bike Week! This week-long campaign is used to push awareness regarding bicycle travel. As a matter of fact, the state of Massachusetts is the only state in the country that has its own statewide bike week. That only makes sense considering the long history of biking in the area. In 2011, there were nearly 200 events during the campaign week. This year, safety advocates are hoping for more!

Earlier this month, Bike Night: Beyond the Spandex, was held to raise awareness about bicyclists in the area. This event included a fashion show for cyclists, hors d’eouvres, cocktails and a lot of bike talk. The fashion show was to help to display some popular biking gear and to bring safe biking advocates together. Bikers were also entered into a raffle to win some great prizes, including bicycles from Giant and Specialized and a number of items from Mavic, Grey Goose Vodka, Hubway, Road ID, Sam Adams, Baily Works and more.

It wasn’t only a chance for residents to get the hookup from local vendors and to win some great prizes, but it was also a chance for everyone to show their support for MassBike. As we head into Bay State Bike Week, biking advocates are urged to create and submit events to the community calendar. The more events we create the more awareness we can raise. Help to bring safe biking to the forefront and show your support today!
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May 3, 2012

Bicycle Accidents in Somerville Targeted with Ticketing Officers

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

Cyclists in Somerville are being held accountable for their behavior and officers are tracking them down for not following the rules of the road. Now, cyclists are being ticketed for violating traffic rules. Enforcement efforts have been ramped up to help to reduce the risks of bicycle accidents in Somerville and elsewhere in the area.

Those who are ticketed will be required to fork over info, including their name and address, to police officers. Some aren’t surprised by the news though, saying bicyclists should and have been following the rules of the road all along.

“This isn’t really news,” said the executive director of MassBike, David Watson. “This is not the first community in Massachusetts to enforce traffic laws for bicyclists.”

Our Boston bicycle accident lawyers understand that bicyclists are required to follow the same rules of the road as motorists. According to surveys, most bicyclists know and follow the rules of the road, but there’s always an exception and those exceptions are making our roadways dangerous for everyone.

Watson says that targeted enforcement isn’t really fair and that everyone should be targeted and held accountable for travel along our roadways. He adds though, that it’s worth a shot if it can help to make our roadways safer for all. The truth of the matter is that motorists are responsible for the vast majority of accidents involving cyclists.

Watson argues that most cyclists are in fact following the rules of the road, but he says that it’s those select few that are running wild that are ruining it for everyone and giving cyclists a bad name.

To help to spread the word about the importance of safe biking habits, officials with MassBike continue to push their “Same Roads, Same Rules” program. This is a program that’s aimed at both cyclists and motorists and reminds them that the road is there for everyone and we need to share it accordingly to preserve roadway safety. Watson says that targeting the behavior of cyclists without targeting motorists as well is virtually pointless. Everyone needs to be the target and treated equally.

According to a recent study, conducted by MassBike, nearly 90 percent of bicyclists know the rules of the road regarding bicycling in Massachusetts. On the other hand, only about 50 percent of motorists knew them. For this reason, MassBike and Watson are hoping that the safety campaign will reach more motorists, and bicyclists, than ever before and will be able to help to keep everyone safe on our roadways. These two forms of transportation should be able to ride in unison along our roadways. It just takes a little effort and awareness.

According to Boston Bikes, nearly 40 percent of bicycle accidents involve a vehicle and about 5 percent of accidents involve a pedestrian. In the city of Boston, most bicycle accidents happen along Massachusetts Avenue and Commonwealth Avenue.
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May 1, 2012

Risks for Injury in Boston Minimized by Rental Hubway Helmets

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

The Hubway is now nine-months old and offers roughly 600 bikes at more than 60 stations to residents and visitors across the city of Boston.

Bicycling advocates say there’s one thing it’s missing though – helmets. This is probably the main reason why only about 20 percent of bikers in the city wear a helmet while biking. A recent study, conducted by experts at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, looked at more than 3,000 cyclists in both the Boston and the DC area and concluded that bike-share customers were about twice as likely to bike without a helmet as those with a personal bike. Experts say that these statistics are putting bikers at a higher risk for a serious head injury in the event of a bicycling accident in Boston and elsewhere, according to the Boston Globe.

“It’s often more of a spur of the moment decision to use a bike share, and riders often find themselves without helmets,” said study author Dr. Christopher Fischer, Beth Israel Deaconess emergency room physician.

Our Boston bicycling accident lawyers understand that the number of Hubway users with helmets may even be lower, according to previous Boston studies. Previous studies determined that less than a third of Hubway users wore a helmet. In 2009, there were more than 50,000 bike accident-related head injuries and nearly 650 fatal bicycling accidents that happened across the United States. Researchers believe that helmet use can actually decrease the risks for serious brain injury in the event of an accident by as much as 88 percent.

Fischer says that there are a large number of accidents that happen because bikers fall off of their bike because of various traffic and bike-related accidents and victims suffer anything from a little bump to a severe and traumatic head injury, and in some cases even death. He adds that helmets may not be able to protect riders in every situation, like being hit by a bus, but he says that the pros outweigh the cons and that this protection is better than none.

According to state law, bikers under the age of 12-years-old have to wear a helmet while riding a bike. Like other states, there are no laws in the books that require older bikers to wear a helmet.

According to a recent study from undergraduate students from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, helmets would be beneficial if they were available to Hubway riders. The students even developed a prototype, called HelmetHub, that would offer helmets to Hubway Riders. The helmets were adjustable and would fit most heads. The helmets would be distributed by a touch screen vending machine-like device that would work much like the bike-sharing devices. The helmets could be rented and returned to any other kiosk within the city. Officials with the City of Boston expressed a little interest in the prototype, but ultimately say that issues regarding sanitation would be a top concern to overcome before making these helmets available to all Hubway users.
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April 30, 2012

Framingham Accident Kills Man Taking Out the Garbage

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

A local man was recently killed in a pedestrian accident while merely finishing up some household chores. The man was killed in Framingham pedestrian accident just a few steps from home. The 61-year-old man was taking out the garbage when he was hit by a passing vehicle. According to the Boston Herald, the man was walking down his sloping driveway located on Edmands Road. That roadway is a two-lane, shoulderless road where many locals complain about speedy traffic.

The man’s wife was home with their young son when a stranger knocked on the door with the news of the accident. It happened around 4:00 p.m. Officers have not released the name of the driver, but do say that he remained at the scene of the accident and an investigation is pending. A neighbor of the victim says that it was just a matter of time before an accident like this happened. She says their roadway is a very scary place for pedestrians. She says that she and her neighbors would love to see some speed bumps installed in the area to help to slow down traffic.

Our Framingham pedestrian accident lawyers understand that on-foot traffic faces some serious risks near motor vehicles. It’s critical for drivers to be cautious and alert when driving through residential neighborhoods. It’s in these areas where children and families enjoy the outdoors near the comfort of their own home. An alarming number of pedestrian accidents happen in residential driveways. It’s a team effort and both walkers and drivers need to work together to help make our roadways safer for everyone.

Experts report that about 40 percent of pedestrian accidents occur in residential neighborhoods while only about 35 percent happen in business areas. More than 40 percent of accidents happen at non-intersection areas, including parking lots, driveways, mid-block locations and off roadway locations. Roughly 38 percent of accidents happen at crosswalks and the other 62 percent happen at non-crosswalk location.

According to the National Safety Council (NSC), there are nearly 6,000 pedestrians killed every year. Another 90,000 are injured annually. Police throughout the state are urging pedestrians to be cautions when walking along our streets, even in the comfort of their own neighborhoods.

Tips for Pedestrians:

-Always use sidewalks when they’re available.

-Use crosswalks when you can.

-Dress in bright or light-colored clothing to help motorists to see you.

-Consider wearing reflective materials if walking during evening or early morning hours.

-Walk facing oncoming traffic if you have to walk along a roadway.

-Carry a flashlight if you have to walk during the evening.

-Don’t drink and walk. Just as alcohol hinders your ability to drive, it also hinders your ability to walk safely.

-Teach children to look left, right and left again before crossing the road.

-Make eye contact with drivers before attempting to cross.

-Curb distractions. Keep your eyes off your phone while walking along roadways.
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April 28, 2012

Pedestrian and Bicycle Accidents in Commonwealth Targeted by Walk and Bicycle to School Day

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

There’s going to be thousands of elementary and middle school students who will be celebrating this year’s Walk and Bicycle to School Day. This year’s program will include a number of events coordinated though the Commonwealth’s Safe Routes to School Program. Students are encouraged to join in on the 2nd of May!

In 2011, there were more than 160 schools from across the area that took part in the event, making it the largest one on the books. Since then, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation‘s (MassDOT) Safe Routes to School program has added more than 100 new schools to its list. In the program, MassDOT officials work with school staff, students, parents and local law enforcement officials throughout the Commonwealth to help to promote biking and walking to school. With help from the community, this program pushes to make biking and walking safer and reducing the risks of pedestrian and bicycle accidents in Boston and elsewhere.

Our Boston pedestrian accident lawyers understand that only about 15 percent of students walk or bike to school. During the morning rush hour commutes, more than 10 percent of the traffic is school-related traffic. This causes some congested roadways and a significant increase in air pollution. MassDOT has been organizing the statewide Walk to School Day since 2007. This campaign was designed to help to encourage our young ones to get out, get healthy and to encourage healthy choices.

“The Massachusetts Department of Transportation is committed to building infrastructure improvements near and around our community schools so that children can safely walk or bicycle to school,” said MassDOT Secretary and CEO, Richard A. Davey.

There were nearly 250 pedestrians who experienced severe or incapacitating injuries in traffic-related accidents in the state of Massachusetts in 2008, according to the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security.

There were 10 cyclists killed in the state of Massachusetts in traffic-related bicycle accidents in 2008. According to federal statistics, about a third of all bicycle accidents are the result of a motorist hitting a bike from behind or failing to yield. About 90 percent of these accidents occur at intersections of in driveways.

While we’re promoting riding, biking and walking to school for our young children, it’s important for parents and guardians to talk with their school-aged children about the importance of safe traveling habits. Traveling near motor vehicles needs to be taken seriously. Children should know to look both ways before crossing any street, to always cross at a crosswalk or at a street corner, to wear bright colored clothing to be seen by motorists, to make eye contact with drivers before crossing the roadway and to never walk alone at night. By reviewing just a few simple safety rules, we can help to keep our kids on a safe and healthy track to school.
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April 26, 2012

Risks of Bicycle Accidents Reduced with New Wayfinding Signs, Says Mayor

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

Keep an eye out for the new signs in Boston. Recently, the Boston Transportation Department started installing 90 Bicycle Wayfinding at intersections in the Downtown area to help bicyclists navigate their way to popular Boston sites.

These signs are to help bicyclists stay on the safe route to their destinations and to help prevent bicycling accidents in Boston, according to the City of Boston.

“The installation of these new signs is yet one more step in our ongoing effort to ensure that Boston is easily accessible for cyclists, said Thomas M. Menino, the city’s Mayor.

Our Boston bicycle accident lawyers understand that officials in the city urge residents and visitors to take advantage of the convenient, healthy and efficient form of transportation to get to and from their citywide destinations. For that reason, officials within Boston are working to make roadways safer for these travelers.

With the new white and green signs, smaller than your average street signs, bicyclists will be easily pointed in the right direction to some of the most popular sites in the city. The signs will be easy to recognize, too. They will have a small bicycle logo on them as well as the names of popular Boston destinations and the miles needed to go to get to that specific location. The tips of these small signs are shaped as arrows to help lead bicyclists in the right direction and to reduce confusion.

Some of the signs offer specific directional information to get to a number of hot-spot destinations. All of the signs were fabricated in-house and are being installed by officials with the Boston Transportation Department. By keeping the entire project local, the Transportation Department only had to shell out about $400 for the entire thing. It’s expected to be completed within the next couple of weeks.

Some of the destinations navigated by the new signs:

-Cambridge
-Government Center
-Park Street
-Faneuil Hall
-The New England Aquarium
-North Station
-South Station
Kristopher Carter with the Boston Bikes Program says that cycling throughout the city of Boston has come a long way. He says bikers and transportation officials have been able to gain roughly 50 miles of bike lanes in addition to hundreds of bike racks. He says bikers can now enjoy the Hubway system and more bikers than ever are hitting our city’s roadways because of it. He says that the signs will help to advance the cycling community into the area and help bikers to get to and from their destinations safely.

Thomas J. Tinlin, the Boston Transportation Commissioner, says that all of these Wayfinding signs are a big step for cyclists in the city of Boston. He says it’s an excellent way to get more people out of their vehicles and onto a bicycle, reducing traffic, saving our environment, saving money and getting excellent exercise.
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April 24, 2012

Defective Products in Brockton: CPSC Highlights Concerns

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

It’s important for parents, homeowners and families to check the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission‘s (CPSC) recall list frequently to help to eliminate dangerous and defective products from your home.

Our Brockton injury attorneys are here to help keep you up to date on the latest recalls. Staying in the know can help to prevent a potentially fatal accident from one of these products. Here are some of the latest recalls from the CPSC.

Bike Brake Levers Recalled by Specialized Bicycle Components Inc.:

Nearly 1,000 bicycle brake levers have been recalled because the adjuster cap and brake cable can slide out and stop the brakes from working. This malfunction can cause the rider to lose control of the bike and potentially crash. The company has only heard one report of this happening. The brakes levers that have been recalled are the Tektro TL-83 brake levers. They were sold only for bikes with aerodynamic handlebars that were sold from 2010 to 2011 on the S-Works Shiv and the S-Works Shiv TT. If you have one of these levers, please stop using it and contact the company at (877) 808-8154.

Gas Grills Recalled by One Work Technologies:

Nearly 90,000 of these STOK gas grills have been recalled because it has been discovered that the grill can leak propane gas. The leaking of this gas causes an extreme risk for fire and burn hazards. There have already been nearly 600 reports of leaking gas. No injuries have been reported so far. STOK Island and STOK Quattro gas grills fall under this recall. The word “STOK” can be located on the cover of the grill as well as on the bottom of the grill stand. The recalled grills have regulators on them with the model number “AZF” on the front and a date code between 1046 and 1143 on the back. These grills were sold at Home Depot stores and Direct Tools Factory Outlets across the country from March of 2011 through February of 2012. If you have one of these items, contact the company by calling (800) 867-9624.

Battery Chargers Recalled by Sakar International:

Nearly 50,000 battery chargers have been recalled by Sakar International Inc. because the plastic screw on the back of the packs can come loose and can cause the device to separate. This separation can expose users to risks of electric shock and electrocution. This recall involves item numbers CH-1600S and CH-1600-RS which are identified with the date code MID#: 0801110. The items were sold at RadioShack, Ocean State Jobbers, Lot-Less and Cobra Digital from January of 2011 through February of 2012. If you have one of these items, please contact the company by calling (877) 397-8200.

Parents and families are urged to review the recall list from the CPSC to make sure that there are no dangerous items or defective products in your household. Staying in the know can help to drastically rescue your risks of injury. Stay safe and stay informed.
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April 20, 2012

MBTA Accidents in Quincy and Elsewhere and the New Front Door Only Policy

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

The MBTA recently launched theFront Door Only Policy, to try to get more riders to hand over their fares. The policy started on April 17th 2012.

Recently, too many riders have been skipping out on their dues and taking the rides for free. Under the new policy, riders using the above-ground stations on the D-branch of the Green Line are only allowed to board at the front door. This policy is applies to off-peak hours, holidays and weekends. Currently, the front door only fare collection policy is being pushed on other parts of the Green Line.

From 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. as well as from 3:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., which are considered peak hours, riders will be allowed to board at the rear and side doors as long as they have a pre-loaded CharlieTicket, a CharlieCard or another valid pass, according to the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA).

During our last winter season, the MBTA started conducting monthly “fare blitzes” to try to enforce fare collection for all riders and to help to remind customers that they need to be paying these fares to use the system. With the front door policy and the fare blitzes, the MBTA will be continuing on in its effort to enforce collections on all transit fares.

As the MBTA says, “It’s only fair…pay your fare!” Fares are used to keep the MBTA up-to-date with the latest advancements and safety measures. These fare funds help to keep you safe while using its services to help to avoid an MBTA accident in Quincy and elsewhere throughout the state.

Our Quincy personal injury lawyers understand that the MBTA offers prime transportation for many residents and visitors to get around the area. The MBTA offers riders with quick, easy, convenient and inexpensive ways to get to where they need to be. It’s important for riders to pay the fare to help keep the MBTA’s safety advancements up to date. Your fare helps to fund a safer ride.

Info on the Front Door Only Policy:

-Where: All above-ground stations throughout the D-branch of the Green Line.

-When: Off-peak hours, holidays and weekends.

-Why: To help enforce the collection of all riders’ fares.

-Extra: Riders with disabilities and those with strollers will still be allowed to exit through the rear and side doors.

MBTA Train Riding Tips:

-While you’re waiting for a train, be sure to stay in a central location where other riders can be found. Safety can be found in numbers. Never ride alone.

-When riding during off hours, stay as close to the train operator as you can.

-If someone is bothering you during your commute, move to another car and notify the train operator.

-Remember that you can contact the operator of the train by using the intercom located on each train car. Train operators are also in constant contact with the MBTA Transit Police.
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April 16, 2012

Prevent Injury in Boston during the 116th Edition of the Boston Marathon!

by Jeffrey S. Glassman

Today is the 116th edition of the Boston Marathon!!!

Runners are heading to Coplet Square, more than 26 miles from the starting point at Hopkinton. If you’ve been outside you already know it’s a hot one out there and both runners and spectators are urged to be cautious in the heat and to stay hydrated.

Boston temps should reach into the mid-80s according to The Wall Street Journal. That’s about 30 degrees warmer than normal. It may not be the hottest Marathon we’ve witnessed, as the temps for the 1909 Marathon reached the mid 90s, but it’s still a hot one.

According to the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), more than a million spectators are expected to be out at this year’s marathon rooting on their favorite runners, enjoying the Boston family and grabbing a drink or two from local pubs. During this time, spectators may not have to worry about pulling a muscle or winning the race, but they have to worry about a number of other injuries in Boston during this citywide event.

Our Boston personal injury attorneys understand that the streets are going to be crowded. We’re asking residents and visitors to make travel arrangements before heading out. Some of your best options involve taking a trolley or the subway to some of the prime viewing locations along the route. To help to accommodate the increase in ridership, the MBTA is offering increased service and T officials will be on site to assist travelers.

If you’re aiming to watch the runners cross the finish line, make sure you get off the Green Line at either the Hynes Convention or Arlington Street. The finish line is just a few blocks away.

Residents are urged to take the T instead of getting behind the wheel of a motor vehicle. Not only will traffic be congested and risks for accidents on the increase, but many spectators will be grabbing a cold brew to cheer on the runners and to cool of from the Boston heat. Riding public transportation is a good way to avoid a costly and potentially fatal drunk driving car accident in Boston. Whatever you do, avoid driving if you’ve been drinking during this year’s celebration.

Both drinkers and nondrinkers are advised to stay hydrated. Not all of us are used to this summer-like heat and may not be able to gauge the affects of the warmth. Everyone is urged to stay hydrated and to drink plenty of water. Even if you’re not thirsty, drink some water.

Tips to Prevent a Heat-Related Illness from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

-Drink plenty of nonalcoholic fluids. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty.

-Don’t drink sugary fluids.

-Avoid super cold fluids. They can give you stomach cramps.

-Stay indoors if possible. Consider stopping to grab lunch inside a cool restaurant or visiting some of the local shops to cool off.

-Be sure to wear lightweight, light-colored and loose-fitting clothing to help keep your body cool.

-Keep a close eye on young kids, elderly residents and those who are mentally or physically ill.

-Keep an eye on your friends and family members. Lookout for signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
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