Firework Safety

The Fourth of July is quickly approaching. Like most holidays, the Fourth of July is primarily celebrated with family and friends. Undoubtedly, many people will also attend a firework show or light off fireworks of their own. Though fireworks are a fun and entertaining way to celebrate the Fourth of July, fireworks can also be very dangerous if you do not take the proper precautions. Over 9,000 people are injured each year from fireworks. Moreover, approximately 400 people each year lose sight in one or both of their eyes as a result of firework related injuries. Other serious injuries that result from the use of fireworks include: burns, hearing loss, and sometimes death.

If you plan on setting off your own fireworks this Fourth of July, or plan on attending a celebration where people will be setting off fireworks; take the following precautions to ensure a safe and enjoyable environment.

=> Read and follow all warnings and instructions.

=> Only light fireworks in outdoor areas that are away from houses, buildings, and flammable materials.

=> Only adults should light fireworks; children should never be allowed to play with or ignite fireworks.

=> Wear eye protection and light only one firework at a time.

=> Never re-ignite a malfunctioning or “dud” firework. If a firework does malfunction, wait fifteen to twenty minutes before handling it again and then soak the firework in a bucket of water.

The safest way to prevent firework related injuries is to leave the firework displays to trained professionals. However, if you do plan on having your own fireworks display, please follow the aforementioned tips to help ensure the safety of you and those around you.

Though fireworks are a fun and entertaining way to celebrate the Fourth of July, fireworks can also be very dangerous for Personal Injuries Milwaukee if you do not take the proper precautions. Moreover, approximately 400 people each year lose sight in one or both of their eyes as a result of firework related Personal Injury Attorney Milwaukee.

Preventing Distracted Driving In The Workplace

Many of us find ourselves text messaging, browsing the Web, or taking calls on our cell phones while driving, despite knowing the potential dangers of doing so. This ever-increasing use of technology in automobiles has created what the Department of Transportation has tabbed a distracted driving “epidemic”. Distracted driving accounts for roughly 3,000 deaths each year, and according to the United State Department of Transportation, that amounts to 1 out of every 10 traffic related deaths in the U.S. An increasing number of companies have realized the possible consequences of distracted driving and subsequently have begun implementing rules and restrictions to ensure their employees keep their cell phones off.

According to an article in the New York Times, oil companies were among the first in the world to begin restricting their employees' use of cell phones after noticing an uptick in fatalities among its employees and contractors during the late 1990s. The result of these companies prohibiting cell phone and hand-free devices led to a 57% reduction in crashes. Other companies have begun to take notice of these staggering results, and continue striving to exceed them with tough rules and regulations. For example:

=> They use software like PhoneGuard and DriveSafely to help employees minimize cell phone use on the road. The software usually takes the form of a smartphone app that kicks in when a vehicle is in motion, routing calls to voicemail and auto responding to text messages.

=> They institute policies for people at company headquarters, minimizing their contact within the field. For example, they avoid scheduling teleconferences during parts of the day that are key for travel, and in board rooms, they post notices asking teleconference organizers to ask those on the road if they're parked in a safe location.

=> They institute penalties for disobeying the rules, including dismissal.
More companies will soon take notice of the results from the implementation of these new rules and regulations, which will continue to pay huge dividends in the fight against the distracted driving “epidemic”.

If you or a loved one has suffered an injury due to the negligence or fault of another person, call Gruber Law Offices, LLC today for your free consultation. There is no fee unless we win and we can meet you at a place that is convenient for you such as your place of work, hospital, home, or our conveniently located downtown Milwaukee office.

Speak with one of our lawyers right now by calling 414-276-6666 for a free initial consultation. “ONE CALL… THAT’S ALL!”
According to the United State Department of Transportation, that amounts to 1 out of every 10 traffic related deaths in the U.S and rest of them suffering Personal Injury Attorney Milwaukee. They use software like PhoneGuard and DriveSafely to help employees minimize cell phone use on the road due to this Vehicle Accident Attorney Milwaukee can be inenvitable.

County Immune from Liability Due to Construction “Flagger’s” Alleged Negligence

Occasionally, county employees are responsible for controlling the flow of traffic on a county highway or roadway that is under construction. However, a Wisconsin court of appeals recently ruled that a county is not liable for the injuries a driver sustains due to a county employee’s negligence while directing traffic on a county highway that is under construction. 

In 2009, Outagamie County employees were directed by the county to serve as “flaggers” at a county highway under construction. Beverly Socha and Jennifer Greiner were both driving towards the intersection being controlled by the “flaggers” from different directions. At the direction of the “flagger,” Ms. Socha proceeded into the intersection and was struck by Ms. Greiner’s vehicle. Ms. Socha did not see Ms. Greiner’s vehicle approaching as she proceeded through the intersection because her view was completely blocked by construction equipment. As such, both Ms. Socha and Ms. Greiner alleged the “flagger’s” negligence caused the accident and that the county was therefore liable for the Personal Injuries Milwaukee and property damages they received. 

The court of appeals disagreed with the plaintiffs’ contentions that the county was liable for the personal injury and damages the plaintiffs incurred. The court of appeals stated that Wis. Stat. § 893.80 (4) prohibited the plaintiffs from recovering against the county because Wis. Stat. § 893.80 (4) provides immunity to acts involving the exercise of discretion and the control of traffic in a construction zone is an inherently discretionary decision. As such, the court ruled the county was not liable for the injuries the plaintiffs suffered. 

The ruling that a county is not liable for the Personal Injury Attorney Milwaukee a driver sustains due to a county employee’s negligence while directing traffic on a county highway that is under construction makes it all the more imperative that you proceed cautiously at intersections to ensure the safety of you and those around you.

If you or a loved one has suffered an injury due to the negligence or fault of another person, call Gruber Law Offices, LLC today for your free consultation. There is no fee unless we win and we can meet you at a place that is convenient for you such as your place of work, hospital, home, or our conveniently located downtown Milwaukee office.

Speak with one of our lawyers right now by calling 414-276-6666 for a free initial consultation. “ONE CALL… THAT’S ALL!”