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Self-Driving Cars to Eliminate Human Error and Car Accidents?

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Google Self-Driving Car

“Some 90 percent of [car] accidents involve human error. What if we can make this go away?”

These were the words of Chris Urmson, the director of Google’s self-driving car project. The day when humans no longer drive cars may be sooner than we think and the concept of “driving while impaired” will be no longer.

But would our roads be safer if cars could drive themselves? As an article in the NY Times pointed out, “Robots…don’t need to sleep. Nor do they get drunk or distracted by cellphones.” [Read more…]

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First Personal Injury Lawsuit Filed in East Harlem Gas Explosion

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As many news outlets reported last month,As many news outlets reported last month, an explosion caused by a gas leak ripped through East Harlem on March 13 around 9:25am, killing 8 people and injuring dozens.  The devastation was massive, leveling two buildings located at 1644 and 1646 Park Avenue in ruins, and the explosion caused tremors that could be felt for miles away. With the severity of this explosion as well as the suddenness of its arrival, it was only a matter of time until the victims of this horrible tragedy started seeking compensation for their personal injuries.    MyFoxNY has reported that Michelle Nelson, a 46-year-old Harlem woman, has filed a lawsuit against Con Edison as well as the owner of 1646 Park Avenue, stating that she sustained “severe and permanent injuries” from the explosion when it caused her to fall in her apartment that was located more than a block away from the blast area. The suit also states that there was neglect in Con Ed’s “duty to keep… the premises in a safe, proper and secure manner.”  It appears that more lawsuits are on the way as well; Jose Vargas, a 20-year-old high school student, has filed paperwork that he might sue the city for $10 million after being thrown off the seat of his passing bus, resulting in torn ligaments and burst blood vessels.    As more and more time passes from this tragedy and people have time to recover and reflect on their injuries, it is certain that more will come forward who need compensation for their damages from this horrible catastrophe.    From all of us at Harmon, Smith & Vourvoulias, LLC, our hearts go out to those killed or injured in the East Harlem gas explosion.  We know that for some, no amount of money can ever compensate for the damages they’ve experienced.    If you’ve been injured in New Orleans in any size accident that was a result of another’s negligence, contact an experienced personal injury attorney for guidance today. an explosion caused by a gas leak ripped through East Harlem on March 13 around 9:25am, killing 8 people and injuring dozens.  The devastation was massive, leveling two buildings located at 1644 and 1646 Park Avenue in ruins, and the explosion caused tremors that could be felt for miles away. With the severity of this explosion as well as the suddenness of its arrival, it was only a matter of time until the victims of this horrible tragedy started seeking compensation for their personal injuries.

MyFoxNY has reported that Michelle Nelson, a 46-year-old Harlem woman, has filed a lawsuit against Con Edison as well as the owner of 1646 Park Avenue, stating that she sustained “severe and permanent injuries” from the explosion when it caused her to fall in her apartment that was located more than a block away from the blast area. [Read more…]

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What Should I Do To Pursue A Personal Injury Claim?

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Personal Injury Attorney | New Orleans, LA | Harmon, Smith & Vourvoulias, LLCAt Harmon, Smith & Vourvoulias, LLC, we are often asked by our clients, “What should I do to pursue a personal injury claim?”

We use a number of criteria in order to help you determine if you should pursue a personal injury claim.  There is no standard approach to a personal injury case, but here are a few things to keep in mind when deciding to file suit: [Read more…]

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Three Personal Injury Claims Filed against Citi Bike

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Citi bike personal injury claims - Harmon, Smith & Vourvoulias, LLCThe Citi Bike program in New York City seems like a simple, helpful idea: provide rentable bikes with stations throughout the city to anyone who would like to ride.

For three pedestrians, however, the parking stations have caused them great injury.

According to a report from the New York Daily News, three people who claim they sustained injury after tripping on the parking stations earlier this year are suing the Citi Bike program.

Lashonne Shelton, Howard Orlick, and Diana Mathes have filed personal injury claims, charging that the bike racks created “trap-like” conditions. [Read more…]

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Hands-free cell technology may not reduce distracted driving accidents

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Distracted driving - Harmon, Smith & Vourvoulias L.L.C.Distracted driving, particularly driving while texting, talking on a cell phone, or using another electronic handheld device, is a serious problem affecting our nation today, causing thousands of deaths and hundreds of thousands of injuries every year. (According to Distraction.gov, the official government website on distracted driving, 3,331 deaths and 387,000 injuries were caused by distracted driving in 2011.)

Lawmakers and safety advocates have been energetically seeking a solution to this dangerous trend. To keep drivers’ eyes on the road and their hands on the wheel, lawmakers have passed laws outlawing texting and handheld cell phone use. [Read more…]

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Social Media and Personal Injury Cases

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Social media and personal injury cases - Harmon, Smith & Vourvoulias L.L.C.

Photo credit: Rosaura Ochoa (Flikr)

Technology has been a bit like Pandora’s box. It has brought us some really great things, such as making it easier than ever to stay in touch with people via cell phones, email, and social media. However, one of the negative things that has sprung from that box is a general decrease in privacy. If you are currently engaged in a personal injury suit, this decrease in privacy is of particular concern for you. You will want to take certain steps to monitor your actions on social media in order to protect your case. Here are some tips:

1.) Avoid posting photos and videos. Photos and videos are often inaccurate because they tend to put your best foot forward. For example, if someone is about to snap a picture of you, you’re probably going to smile—whether you’re in a lot of pain or not. [Read more…]

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When should I get a personal injury attorney?

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When to get a personal injury attorney - Harmon, Smith & Vourvoulias L.L.C.Basically, personal injury involves suffering harm due to someone else’s negligence; the term covers a lot of different circumstances. Personal injury can include auto accidents, dog bites, falls, and much more. Generally, since the injury is due to someone else’s negligence, the person at fault or his or her insurance company should pay for your medical bills and potentially other damages as well. When you have suffered an injury, it can be difficult to know when it is time to seek the counsel of a personal injury attorney. Here are some tips for navigating the stressful situation surrounding an accident-related injury: [Read more…]

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Transvaginal mesh results in pain, injury and lawsuits

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Thousands of women receiving transvaginal mesh surgical implants to treat stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and pelvic organ prolapse (POP) are now suffering from pain, bleeding, infection and other major complications. Many of the women injured by this product say that the conditions leading to their surgeries were nothing compared to the pain and suffering they experience after being treated with transvaginal mesh.

The implants are manufactured by a number of companies, including:

American Medical Systems: Sold under the names Elevate, Perigee and Apogee

Boston Scientific: Sold under the names Advantage Transvaginal Mid-Urethral Sling System, Pinnacle Posterior Pelvic Floor Repair Kit, Obtryx Transobturator Mid-Urethral Sling System, Polyform Synthetic Mesh, Prefyx Mid U Mesh Sling System, Prefyx PPS System, Uphold Vaginal Support System [Read more…]

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Transvaginal mesh phase-out announced by Johnson & Johnson

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Medical supply company Johnson & Johnson plans to stop selling transvaginal mesh products, which have been linked to injuries. Similar products have triggered hundreds of lawsuits.

Johnson and Johnson sent a letter Monday to judges overseeing patient lawsuits against the company. Johnson and Johnson says in the letter that it plans to phase out four mesh products over the next three to nine months.

The surgical mesh is used to strengthen the pelvic wall in cases of pelvic organ prolapse. This is when the bladder and/or other reproductive organs fall down into the vagina. Tens of thousands of women had prolapse surgery with mesh inserted through the vagina in 2011. [Read more…]

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Citizens’ ability to pursue personal injury cases in LA protected

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Ordinary citizens who file personal injury lawsuits in Louisiana were provided protection this week when a Louisiana state legislative committee voted against lowering the $50,000 threshold in personal injury cases for requesting a jury trial. Louisiana has one of the nation’s highest thresholds for requesting a jury. This means that lawsuits with a dollar amount less than $50,000 are currently decided only by a judge. The vote was a very rare defeat for the Louisiana buisness lobby.

State Representative Tony Ligi (R-Metairie) proposed lowering the cap to only $15,000 in civil tort cases, chiefly personal injury cases. The Civil Law and Procedure Committee, voted against the idea by a 7-5 margin. [Read more…]

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