Archives
I have authored a couple of articles recently regarding drink driving and the devastating effects; something which is all the more evident during the festive season. So, here’s a little more on dangerous driving for you!
Mobile Phones
According to a BBC report (source) the figure for people using mobile phones behind the wheel of a vehicle has, interestingly and rather worryingly, increased since tougher penalties were imposed back in 2006. The figure comes from the Transport Research Laboratory which claims 2.6% of drivers used mobile phones whilst driving when the fine rose to £60 with the possibility of three points on the drivers licence in 2006, compared to the figure now which stands at 2.8%. OK, so nominally it’s a small increase; but it’s still an increase nonetheless…
Read More
Defence Chiefs Squander Payouts to Injured War Heroes
I personally, and I am sure many of you reading this, have the utmost respect for our countries armed forces given the difficulty and danger in the jobs they face on a day to day basis and the conflicts they serve in. Despite the debate behind the wars currently being fought in Iraq and Afghanistan, it is still important to (irrelevant of one’s agreement or disagreement to the wars) get behind our troops and support them as much as we can.
So it’s sad to hear when those in charge of our countries brave servicemen and women are in the news for squandering cash to save payouts!
According to the mirror.co.uk (source) it is reported that the Defence Chiefs spent a staggering £90,000 in trying to slash £56,000 in payouts to two wounded soldiers! According to the report, this sum includes massive £28,000 in barristers fees for two days work.
Read More
Health and Safety for Products
All products must pass be safe for the consumer to use; if they are not, they are breaking health and safety regulations and are negligent for any accidents or suffering that occurs. So, what’s the recent news on this?
Go Go Hamsters; the must have toy for 3-10 year old this Christmas? Well, according to recent news, health and safety concerns have been raised regarding the material used in the manufacturing of these cute robotic critters that has sparked allegations that toy is potentially dangerous (source).
Read More
Late Night Stroll Ends in Tragedy
I have authored several articles in the last couple of months with the subject of violent assaults and the often tragic and devastating consequences they can result in. It’s never nice to hear of a story of a violent and unprovoked assault in any circumstances, and in particular in one’s home city of Hull in an area that I myself have enjoyed the odd walk or two, at the marina near Hull’s famous ‘The Deep’ aquarium.
Hull Crown Court yesterday heard of the drink fuelled assault that ended in tragedy as two teenagers pleaded guilty to murder and robbery, the Daily Mail has reported (source).
In the early hours of 7th April 2009, 35 year old Simon Ash had gone for a late night stroll on the marina to clear his head when he was unfortunate enough to be sighted by two teenage thugs looking for trouble after a night of heavy drinking. The pair stalked Mr Ash who subsequently dialled 999 and informed local police he was being followed and chased by the teens, and told the operator “they are trying to kick my head in.”
Read More
Russia in Mourning as Nightclub Blaze Claims Hundreds of Lives
A national day of mourning is taking place in Russia today after the death toll hits 112 following a blaze at the Lame Horse Nightclub in the city of Perm, Sky News (source) and the BBC have reported (source).
It is reported that around 130 people were admitted to hospital with serious burns and 80 victims were flown to Moscow St Petersburg and Chelyabinsk for medical treatment. Entertainment events and television programs have been cancelled with flags flying at half mast as Russia mourns the tragedy and pays its respects to the victims and the families of those involved.
People have gathered at the central morgue in Perm to lay flowers and light candles outside the venue the tragedy occurred at, and the first funerals have in the central cathedral in Perm with all day memorial services taking place.
Read More
More on Drink-Driving in the Run Up to Christmas
Drink driving – I discussed this yesterday. But it seems there is a lot more out there on road traffic accidents and the effects of drink related driving…
In the run up to Christmas the BBC have reported that the current drink driving limit is to be reviewed by legal experts following a recent move to lower the current limit, and laws are to be tightened on driving under the influence of narcotics (source).
The current drink driving limit is 80 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood or the equivalent of roughly (and by roughly we mean very roughly – this should not be used as a guide and is a very broad comparative spectrum!) two pints of ordinary strength a beer for a man. An independent research report is to be conducted by Sir Peter North and will be presented to the Transport Secretary Lord Adonis before April 2010.
According to the report, there is growing public concern over the driving under the influence of narcotics and there is support for lowering the drink drive limit to 50mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood, coming at the launch of the government’s £1.2m anti-drink-drive campaign for Christmas.
Read More
Drink Driving – The Devastating Effects
There is a clear reason why driving under the influence of alcohol or narcotics is illegal; a person driving under the influence is in no way in full control of their vehicle. It’s no surprise therefore why so many accidents are caused as a result of a driver under the influence of alcohol or narcotics, and it’s the time of year when police step up their game to catch the Christmas and New Year law breakers.
And the results of a road traffic accident involving drink or drugs are often devastating, and sadly fatal.
The BBC have reported of the story of a teenager left paralysed after a crash that killed three other teenagers due to the driver being under the influence of alcohol (source).
Read More
Chemical Cause for Baby Bottle Ban
Any products we purchase must be safe to use and to a sufficient standard, with most products nowadays undergoing rigorous health and safety testing to ensure no one can come to harm from its use.
It’s an important element in the Sale of Goods and Services Act 1982 (source), and is even more important when the product is for infant use.
Sky news has reported of a call for a ban on a particular type of baby bottle that contains a chemical that is believed to be linked with breast cancer among other conditions (source). The National Childbirth Trust claims there is “compelling evidence” that the chemical can lead to serious health conditions with some experts believing children are even more vulnerable to the effects.
Read More
Road Traffic Accidents – What You Need to Know!
Road traffic accidents are the more common cases of personal injury claims. We at The Injury Lawyers don’t half see a lot of them!
Road accidents are common; and no matter how big or small the incident, the injuries a victim of a negligent driver can suffer can be sometimes be quite serious.
Here are some common examples of where you may stand should you be injured in an accident:
Read More
£3.2m Payout for Hospital Blunders
A man who has been left with serious brain damage has been awarded £3.2m in damages after “critical delays” during his hospital treatment at Manor Hospital, Walsall, the mirror.co.uk has reported (source).
Doctors at the hospital failed to spot the telltale signs of meningitis when 20 year old Mark Thomas was admitted to hospital at the age of 12. Medical staff only took action a considerable five days later after his parents rushed him back to hospital in severe agony.
Read More