Titsworth Law Offices, P.A.Titsworth Law Offices, P.A.2025-03-31T12:56:33Zhttps://www.mynclawyer.com/feed/atom/WordPress/wp-content/uploads/sites/1303059/2019/09/cropped-site-identity-32x32.jpgOn Behalf of Titsworth Law Offices, P.A.<![CDATA[Does a bad mood cause bad driving?]]>https://www.mynclawyer.com/?p=481402022-07-28T23:11:59Z2022-07-28T23:11:59ZYour emotional state, or mood, can vastly affect your ability to concentrate when you’re behind the wheel.
Bad moods can lead to risky behavior
Studies have long connected bad moods with bad driving. When you’re preoccupied with anxiety, frustration or anger, it’s hard to pay attention to the road as well as you should.
In addition, negative moods can even escalate when you’re behind the wheel. A bad mood can cause you to take chances, make mistakes or react with hostility to other drivers around you. A minor transgression by another driver can become amplified in your mind, and you can’t have your whole focus on the road if you’re yelling at the cars around you.
Bad moods don’t catch all the blame
It should be noted that negative moods aren’t the only ones that cause distracted driving. You can become distracted just as badly due to strong positive feelings.
If you’re “walking on clouds” because you just got that job you wanted, got engaged or had something else spectacular happen that leads to intense feelings of joy, your mind may be somewhat disengaged from your driving until you calm down.
Unfortunately, you can take all the steps you want to reduce your chances of being in an accident, but other drivers may not do the same. If you’re injured in a wreck caused by another driver for any reason, find out more about what it takes to get fair compensation for your losses.]]>On Behalf of Titsworth Law Offices, P.A.<![CDATA[There are 3 types of distracted driving]]>https://www.mynclawyer.com/?p=481382022-07-18T23:02:41Z2022-07-18T23:02:41ZCenters for Disease Control and Prevention. They are as follows:
Visual distractions
In some ways, visual distractions may be the most common. Any time that a person looks at something that takes their attention away from driving or the road in general, they can cause an accident. Examples could include looking down at the cellphone or even looking over to read a billboard. Another common example is when there has already been an accident and drivers are gawking at the scene, causing chain-reaction accidents.
Manual distractions
Drivers are supposed to have two hands on the wheel at all times, with one foot positioned to use the pedals. Anything that prevents this, such as reaching to pick something up or changing the radio station, is a manual distraction. Even things that you have to do, like adjusting your rear-view mirror or your side mirrors, are technically still distractions if you do them while you're driving.
Cognitive distractions
The only thing that could be more common than visual distractions are cognitive distractions, or mental distractions, but they’re harder to track. Drivers should always be thinking about what they’re doing at the moment, even when it feels routine and boring. Any type of daydreaming or mind wandering can lead to car accidents. Drivers will sometimes become distracted on their commute, when it's a road that they take every day, or when stressful events are taking place in their life and they can't stop thinking of them in the car.
What if you get hit by another driver?
If you get injured in an accident caused by a distracted driver, you may be able to seek financial compensation for medical bills and other costs.]]>On Behalf of Titsworth Law Offices, P.A.<![CDATA[5 questions to ask before you ascend a ladder at work]]>https://www.mynclawyer.com/?p=481362022-07-15T19:06:42Z2022-07-15T19:06:42ZMany workplaces have ladders that an employer may ask you to climb. It might be an occasional request or something they require you to do various times per day.
Regardless, you need to ask some questions before you go up, as ladders can be dangerous. Here are some things to consider:
Is it necessary, or is there a safer alternative
Not every employer can afford to bring in a mobile elevated work platform or set up scaffolding to carry out work at height. The costs, time, or access sometimes make it impractical, especially for something as quick as changing a lightbulb. Yet many employers rely on ladders for longer complex tasks, where a safer option is warranted.
Do I know how to use it?
Not all ladders are as simple as they seem. People have fallen because they failed to understand how to lock the sections correctly, among other things.
Is this particular ladder safe?
Maybe you have been climbing up ladders for your employer for years. Yet today they ask you to go up an old wooden one because the others are all in use. If a rung breaks while you are on it, your experience will count for nothing.
Is it a safe place to use it?
Examine the ground where you need to set up the ladder. Feel free to refuse if you cannot set it up there safely.
Does my employer have workers’ compensation covering me if I fall?
Hopefully, they do, but it is better to be sure. Claiming can be challenging even when they do, so either way, get legal help to fight for the compensation you need if injured in a ladder fall at work.]]>On Behalf of Titsworth Law Offices, P.A.<![CDATA[Teenagers cause car accidents because they lack experience]]>https://www.mynclawyer.com/?p=481342022-07-01T06:27:59Z2022-07-01T06:27:59ZTeenagers are often criticized heavily when you about car accident statistics. It is well known that they cause a disproportionate number of serious or even fatal accidents each year. This gives them a reputation as some of the most dangerous drivers on the road.
It’s not just accidents that play into this. You can see their reputation reflected in high car insurance rates. But is that reputation warranted? And what can you do about it?
It is a valid stereotype
First and foremost, even though there are safe teenage drivers out there, this is a valid reputation that they have earned as a group. The statistics do make it very clear that they cause more accidents than any other age group. This is a real risk that other drivers face each day. Anyone could be hit by a teen who is still learning to be a safe driver.
What can be done about the issue?
There are many things that teenagers can do to be safer, such as becoming defensive drivers, following the speed limit, staying off of the phone in the car, avoiding reckless driving, turning down the music, and refraining from driving with friends.But the biggest thing that teenagers need is just experience as drivers. They can only get that by putting in more time on the road. They should attempt to do this as carefully as possible, but it’s inevitable that they’re going to cause some accidents while they learn how to be safe.As such, if you are injured by a teen driver in an accident, you may need to learn how to seek financial compensation for those injuries. It can help to cover medical bills, lost wages and much more. ]]>On Behalf of Titsworth Law Offices, P.A.<![CDATA[The danger of internal bleeding after a car wreck]]>https://www.mynclawyer.com/?p=481322022-06-16T22:22:52Z2022-06-16T22:22:52ZWhat are the warning signs of internal bleeding?
Internal bleeding can happen in almost any body part, but it’s particularly common in the chest, belly and head after a car wreck. Symptoms to watch for include:
Light-headedness, dizziness or vertigo, especially upon standing
Sudden bouts of low blood pressure
Blurred vision or other unexplained visual disturbances
Unexplained fatigue, weakness or sleepiness
Abdominal pain or swelling, particularly if it worsens over time
Dark purple bruising on your skin, particularly if it feels puffy or taut
Swelling, pain, and tightness in a leg
Headaches, nausea or seizures
Many car accident victims dismiss a slight bump on the head against their steering wheel as nothing more than a minor inconvenience when it can be a serious brain injury. Similarly, people often dismiss bruising from their seat belts as something to be expected after a wreck – when that can hide a life-threatening tear around their heart or damage to their spleen.
If you’ve been in a serious car accident, don’t try to “tough it out.” Let a medical professional look you over for any hidden signs of trouble. You can claim fair compensation for your losses and ask the at-fault party to cover the bills.
]]>On Behalf of Titsworth Law Offices, P.A.<![CDATA[Do landlord-tenant laws address the presence of toxic mold?]]>https://www.mynclawyer.com/?p=481302022-06-03T15:46:35Z2022-06-03T15:46:35ZToxic mold located inside a dwelling can destroy property and wreak havoc on the overall health of mold-sensitive people. Exposure to abundant mold spores can also cause health concerns in those not ordinarily sensitive to the substance.Many of those exposed to toxic mold develop respiratory and other conditions, including:
Mold poisoning (usually from ingesting spores)
Worsened asthma
Sinusitis
Skin rashes
Nosebleeds
Memory loss
Headaches
When young children and babies suffer exposure to toxic mold, it can increase their risk of developing asthma.
The fit and habitable standard
Under North Carolina landlord-tenant law, toxic mold goes entirely unmentioned. However, landlords have a legal responsibility to keep their rental units in “fit and habitable” condition. Part of this responsibility involves addressing structural or other problems.Since mold grows in damp and dark environments, leaky plumbing or other methods of water intrusion can increase the mold. If your landlord fails to repair leaky conditions, they may be in violation of North Carolina fit and habitable standards.If you or a loved one suffers from mold-related health conditions, it may be possible to hold your landlord legally liable. However, before you can seek a remedy, you must inform your landlord of the problem and give them a chance to resolve the matter. It is wise to report the presence of mold or any other health and safety issue in writing to establish a supportive documentation trail.If your landlord refuses or fails to remedy the problem, it might be time to consider a legal solution. We urge you to learn more about property owner liability if negligence on the part of your landlord contributed to or caused your health problems.]]>On Behalf of Titsworth Law Offices, P.A.<![CDATA[Older workers have as much right to workers’ comp as younger ones]]>https://www.mynclawyer.com/?p=481272022-05-20T13:39:42Z2022-05-20T13:39:42ZWith people living longer than ever, more people are continuing to work into their senior years. Nearly a quarter of the U.S. workforce was at least 55 years old in 2020, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Some people continue to work out of financial necessity. Others simply enjoy what they do or found retirement unbearably boring.
These older workers aren’t all in desk jobs. Some are in strenuous and potentially dangerous jobs like construction. Others do work that involves being on their feet all day and/or repetitive motions, like being a store clerk.
Being older may put you at greater risk of injury, but employers can help
None of this means that older people shouldn’t be allowed to continue doing work they’re qualified and able to do. Employers have the same obligations to provide a safe workplace and make their jobs as risk-free as possible as they have for any employee. That might require a few adjustments -- but ones that are worth making. For example, they may assign a new employee to an older one to learn from them while also taking on some of the more strenuous tasks.As an official with the NIOSH National Center for Productive Aging and Work says, “Identifying and reducing the risks that many older workers face – especially those who perform hands-on labor – can help employers retain their experience and keep them injury-free.”The head of the Center for Construction Research and Training (CPWR) acknowledges that “the risks on the job do sometimes disproportionately affect aging workers.” However, he notes, “We don’t want to suggest that older workers create the safety hazards because it’s the job conditions that create the safety hazards.” The BLS found that more fatal workplace injuries occurred among people 55 and above in 2019 than in any prior year.
Older employees need to report work-related injuries
Too often, older workers are hesitant to report injuries that may not be readily apparent, like soft tissue injuries, or minimize more serious injuries out of fear of losing their jobs. It’s crucial to understand that if you suffer a workplace-related injury or illness, you have as much right to workers’ compensation benefits as younger employees without fear of retaliation. If you’re having difficulty getting the benefits you deserve, you may want to seek legal guidance.]]>On Behalf of Titsworth Law Offices, P.A.<![CDATA[Potential signs that you may have a TBI]]>https://www.mynclawyer.com/?p=481252022-05-18T21:55:53Z2022-05-18T21:55:53Zwhat symptoms to watch out for.
Losing consciousness
The first thing to remember is that losing consciousness for any amount of time could signify a TBI. People haven’t always taken this as seriously as they should, especially if they just blacked out for a second or two. And while it is more detrimental to your health to be unconscious for a longer amount of time, even a short loss of consciousness shows that you’ve suffered a brain injury.
Feeling physically ill
Often, a traumatic brain injury can make the person feel like they are physically ill, as if they are becoming sick. People often talk about feeling nauseous or vomiting. You may have trouble standing up or feel like you can't keep your balance. You may be highly fatigued and need much more sleep than usual. But the sickness isn't due to any sort of disease or bacterial infection. It's just that the damage to your brain has thrown off your equilibrium or led to other neural pathway issues that are causing you to feel sick.
Changes to cognitive abilities
After that, you just want to look at it for any changes to your cognitive abilities that may mean your brain is not functioning perfectly after the injury. For instance, many people struggle with memory issues. Others have trouble finding the right words or putting sentences together. Still others have sensory issues, such as an extreme sensitivity to light. If the symptoms are not getting better or are even getting worse, it’s definitely time to seek medical attention.
Seeking compensation for your medical bills
As you know, this type of medical care is often incredibly expensive. If someone else’s negligence led to your traumatic brain injury, then it’s time to determine if you can seek financial compensation.
]]>On Behalf of Titsworth Law Offices, P.A.<![CDATA[Do car seats have to be replaced after every crash?]]>https://www.mynclawyer.com/?p=481222022-05-10T23:42:51Z2022-05-10T23:42:51ZWhat constitutes a minor crash?
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration set specific standards for what it means for a crash to be classified as “minor.” It’s only considered a minor crash if all of these points are true:
No damage is visible on the car seat.
You could drive the car away from the crash.
Nobody in your vehicle was injured.
There was no damage to the door nearest to the car seat.
No air bags deployed in the crash.
Of course, your greatest concern is any injuries suffered in the crash. More serious injuries can result in the need for considerable medical care. Victims of crashes that are the result of other driver’s negligence may choose to file a claim for compensation. This can help them to recover medical care costs, lost wages and other financial damages directly related to the collision.]]>On Behalf of Titsworth Law Offices, P.A.<![CDATA[How dangerous is roofing as an occupation?]]>https://www.mynclawyer.com/?p=481202022-04-25T17:40:20Z2022-04-25T17:40:20ZMost of us don’t stop and think about it, but there are many treacherous elements involved in roofing. One of the most obvious is the danger of toppling from a roof and plunging many feet to the ground. Other issues of this job include electrocution, dealing with asphalt, inhaling fumes, laboring in intense heat and sustaining burns. If the worst does happen, workers’ compensation can be valuable to you and your family.
Roofers have to hoist things that weigh a lot, utilize power tools and contend with dust. The roof itself might be in poor condition, with places where someone could easily trip or lose their balance. As roofers know, the slightest misstep can be disastrous. Add occasional slippery conditions to the mix and you can imagine how tricky this work really is, even for experienced roofers.
Data highlight the dangers of roofing
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, deaths among roofers rose by 15% in just one year, from 2018 to 2019. In the same article from the technical journal of the International Institute of Building Enclosure Consultants, roofing is referred to as “one of the most dangerous professions.”
What can roofers do to protect themselves?
Precautions such as these can be taken that decrease the possibility of injuries:
The storage and work spaces at a construction site should be neat, with items set up so nothing gets blown around on brisk days.
Plans should be made in advance of the start of a job about precisely how the work will be accomplished.
Employees and managers must familiarize themselves with safety practices.
Given the nature of roofing and how dangerous it is, you’ll want to regularly take advantage of every protective technique and piece of gear available. A workers’ compensation claim might be a route for you to contemplate if you do have a work-related injury.]]>