Rogersville Tennessee Personal Injury Law Blog

What do you need to know about workers compensation?

On behalf of Stapleton Law Office posted in Workers' Compensation on Thursday, March 28, 2019.

When workers in Tennessee are injured on the job, they may feel like their world is turned upside down. Instead of being able to complete their daily routine, show up to work and get paid, they may be left with the aftermath of a serious injury that could need significant medical treatment and a period of recovery. So, what do these individuals need to know about workers' compensation in Tennessee?

Well, for starters, our readers should know that workers should not be afraid that they will be fired from their employment if they are injured on the job. Tennessee workers' compensation laws prohibit employers for firing employees in such instances. If, however, an employee is terminated from employment and believes that the termination was due to the on-the-job injury, such a situation may allow the employee to pursue legal options.

Taking a persuasive stance in a personal injury case

On behalf of Stapleton Law Office posted in personal injury on Thursday, March 14, 2019.

When many of our readers in Tennessee think of personal injury law, they likely think of lawsuits that are initiated after a car accident. But, while these types of lawsuits are indeed quite common, personal injury lawsuits can be based on a wide variety of incidents, including workplace accidents, accidents that occurred due to defective products and even accidents that occur based on dangerous property conditions. In fact, most so-called "accidents" are likely caused due to another party's negligent or reckless conduct.

In a personal injury lawsuit, a persuasive stance by the injured victim can help push the case toward a resolution. In most cases, that resolution is likely to be a settlement agreement. However, there will be some cases in which the facts are so hotly contested that the case will proceed all the way to a jury trial. In such cases, a persuasive stance is essential to putting the best case before the decision-makers.

When a truck accident case involves settlement negotiations

On behalf of Stapleton Law Office posted in Truck Accidents on Thursday, February 28, 2019.

Our readers in Tennessee may not know that the vast majority of civil lawsuits, including personal injury lawsuits, do not proceed all the way to a trial in front of a judge or jury. In fact, most cases are resolved through out-of-court settlement negotiations and mediation.

If your case is solid enough, then the defendants -- which, in a truck accident case, might include the truck driver and his or her employer -- may start to consider from a business perspective whether or not it makes more sense to settle the case out of court. However, truck accident victims can expect truck companies to drive a hard bargain if they do want to negotiate.

Avoid these mistakes on an ATV

On behalf of Stapleton Law Office on Tuesday, February 26, 2019.

Riding an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) can be an exhilarating experience and a great way to pass a Tennessee afternoon. Now that spring is near, you may be eyeing the one parked in your garage and counting down the days until it’s time to ride.

Too many riders do not have a grasp on the power of their machines, which can lead to collisions and serious injuries. Here are some common mistakes new riders need to avoid:

What dangerous driving behaviors could Tennessee motorists face?

On behalf of Stapleton Law Office posted in motor vehicle accidents on Friday, February 15, 2019.

Our readers in Tennessee have likely seen previous posts here that have discussed some of the dangerous behaviors that any given person could engage in while behind the wheel of a vehicle, such as distracted driving or driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. These dangerous behaviors are oftentimes the focus of private and public awareness campaigns, as influential groups of people attempt to call attention to what drivers should really be focused on: operating their vehicle carefully.

Recently, the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board published a list of changes in driving behaviors and vehicle safety measures that could make a substantial impact on the number of fatalities that occur each year throughout the country. Distracted and impaired driving were on the list, as was speeding and drowsy driving.

Pursuing compensation after a motor vehicle accident

On behalf of Stapleton Law Office posted in motor vehicle accidents on Wednesday, January 30, 2019.

It isn't a pleasant thought to realize that any time you get behind the wheel of your car you may be placing yourself and others in the car in danger. However, the unfortunate reality is that each year thousands of Americans are injured in car accidents, and Tennessee is not immune to this important public safety concern.

There are many different reasons for why a car accident may occur. These days, distracted driving is a big focus of public safety awareness campaigns, although it remains to be seen how distracted driving, in particular the use of cellphones while driving, will either increase or decrease in the coming years. But, one thing is certain: distracted driving is causing thousands of car accidents in America each year, resulting in many people suffering injuries or worse.

What are the basics of a personal injury lawsuit?

On behalf of Stapleton Law Office posted in personal injury on Thursday, January 17, 2019.

Many of our readers in Tennessee know that the classic "slip and fall" case could lead to a lawsuit. But, there are many more situations that could lead to litigation in civil court. Sadly enough, people are injured in our state every day, and not just in slip and fall incidents. Some people are injured in car accidents, while others might be injured due to medical malpractice or even a dog bite. So, what are the basics of a personal injury lawsuit that our readers in Tennessee need to know?

Well, for starters, there is the basic premise of any personal injury lawsuit: a person was injured in some way, and the injury was due to the conduct of another party, be it negligent, reckless or willful. So, for example, in the typical car accident case, if a person is rear-ended by another driver in traffic, establishing fault for the accident may be fairly easy. The driver who caused the car accident may have been distracted by a cellphone, under the influence of alcohol or simply failing to give the task of driving a car the appropriate level of attention. Such a driver could face a personal injury lawsuit for injuries suffered by the driver who was rear-ended.

One dead in fatal motor vehicle accident in Tennessee

On behalf of Stapleton Law Office posted in motor vehicle accidents on Thursday, January 3, 2019.

The recent holiday season was a time to be extra cautious on the roads in Tennessee. Why? Well, it is a time of the year when there are likely to be more drivers on the road who have perhaps had one too may alcoholic beverages before driving. A recent collision in nearby Knox County is a tragic example of how horrible the results of a drunk driving accident can be.

According to reports, the collision in question involving two pickup trucks occurred at around 9pm on December 22. There weren't many details in the initial reports about how the collision between these vehicles occurred, but the reports do indicate that one driver, a 27-year-old male, was arrested after the law enforcement officials who were investigating the collision apparently believed that he was under the influence of alcohol at the time. Tragically, one of the passengers in the other truck that the drunk driver collided with died in the wreck. The victim was a 15-year-old girl.

Know your rights under workers' compensation law

On behalf of Stapleton Law Office posted in Workers' Compensation on Thursday, December 20, 2018.

No one goes to work thinking that they might be injured that day, but the reality is that many Tennessee residents do suffer on-the-job injuries each year. In those instances, the injured workers face difficult financial circumstances, as they may be unable to work for an extended period of time and, thus, are unable to earn an income. That is when workers' compensation may come into play.

Injured workers in Tennessee need to know their rights under workers' compensation law. For example, perhaps the most fundamental right of workers under workers' compensation law is the right to report the injury to the employer and not fear that, in doing so, the worker might face retaliation, such as termination of employment. The law prohibits employers from taking such action.

Dangers of drowsy driving

On behalf of Stapleton Law Office on Wednesday, December 12, 2018.

While it doesn’t get as much publicity as distracted driving, driving while you’re tired is a dangerous road hazard that causes multiple crashes and fatalities each year. It’s far too common and many ignore the warning signs, not realizing the severity of their actions.

Drowsy driving has serious consequences. According to the Tennessee Highway Safety Office, drowsy driving contributes to roughly 1.2 million crashes each year causing 5,000 to 8,000 fatalities - that’s twice as many as are caused by distracted driving.

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