Accidents and Injuries

Motor vehicle accidents, construction, nursing home and birth injuries are a few ways that individuals are hurt by others' negligence. We help people with complex injuries.

Auto • Truck • Motorcycle • Construction • Explosions/Burns • Brain/Head Injuries • Premises Liability • Nursing Home Neglect • Medical Malpractice • Birth Injuries • Wrongful Death

Serious auto accidents cause more than a temporary inconvenience. They are life-changing. After an accident, there may be life-long physical suffering, mental anguish, lost income, expenses, and they can bring ongoing hardship to family members who must care for the injured person. If you or someone you love has been injured in an accident or suffered wrongful death, then you need to know our commitment to you: no case is settled until it's settled right.

Motor vehicle accidents may be common, but they are not simple to resolve. Unraveling just how a serious accident occurred demands the integration of not just traffic rules and regulations, but also complex scientific and engineering principles. Our attorneys have a great deal of experience sorting out the "rules of the road" and the special duties imposed on commercial and public carriers, from the actions of drivers and the responsibilities of vehicle manufacturers. Pinpointing who, if anyone, was at fault may take some study, but our attorneys are used to tracking every detail to its impact on the event. We handle issues related to:

• Alcohol related crashes
• Hit and run
• Passenger injuries
• Driver injuries
• Vehicle defects and recalls
• Road conditions and construction problems
• Truck accidents
• Motorcycle accidents
• Pedestrian accidents
• Bicycle accidents

The attorneys at Bubalo Goode Sales & Bliss, are highly experienced in fairly evaluating cases so our clients can anticipate and appreciate realistic outcomes. When cases can be resolved fairly for all, through mediation, arbitration, or other Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) methods, our attorneys can aid in achieving that result. When cases must be tried, our attorneys are comfortable in the courtroom. Whatever the practical or legal issues that arise out of a serious motor vehicle accident, our firm is prepared to address them.

Call Bubalo Goode Sales & Bliss for a Free Evaluation of your Auto Accident case at Toll Free 1-866-870-2489.

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Devastating injuries occur when a tractor trailer collides with a smaller vehicle, and it happens swiftly, changing lives forever. Our lawyers have many years of experience helping victims of catastrophic truck accidents. We have found that it is essential to understand commercial insurance, truck mechanics, and federal regulations such as drug and alcohol testing and hours of service requirements. Our straight-forward and vigorous pursuit in such cases has led to successful resolution of many truck tragedies.

Our firm accepts cases throughout the United States.

Protect Yourself

Following truck collisions, certain essential evidence must be maintained for only a limited amount of time according to federal regulations. For instance, the truck driver's log may be destroyed after six months if an attorney does not obtain a court order or take other immediate action.

Federal regulations are also specific about the level of insurance coverage that must be carried for over the road trucks, depending on the nature of materials hauled. Trucking, hauling, and leasing companies often argue over which insurance company is responsible for compensating the victim in a truck collision. The coverage required by current federal regulations is intended to protect the innocent party.

Medical Process

The trucking company may not pay your medical bills immediately. However your own insurance policy will often contain medical payment provisions to pay for bills ranging from x-rays to funeral costs. Though you may be reluctant to involve your own insurance company in any medical claims process, it is still required in most policies that you notify your insurance company of any collision in which you have been involved.

It is usually in your best interest not to sign a medical release or authorization and not to give a statement to the trucking company or any insurance company before contacting an attorney.

Claims Process

After a serious collision, the trucking company's claims adjuster begins to protect the trucking company's interests immediately. An investigator will begin to collect evidence in order to defend or minimize the claim. The trucking company may also attempt to steer you away from legal counsel, because they know that if you have an attorney, you are statistically likely to receive a greater settlement. The trucking company takes immediate measures to actively insure that they are protected against your claim as much as possible. What have you done to protect yourself and your family as the result of permanent disability, a fatal collision, or other tragedy?

Bubalo Goode Sales & Bliss:

• WILL INVESTIGATE THOROUGHLY.
  Our researchers provide our firm with the law, facts, and evidence necessary to honestly, aggressively, and successfully represent victims of truck collisions.
• CAN RECOMMEND THE HIGHEST CALIBER DOCTORS.
  We recommend doctors and health care providers to help you recover and give you an honest assessment of your ability to return to work.
• WILL MEET WITH YOU REGULARLY.
  We will meet with you immediately after your injury and will be available to meet personally with you throughout the entire claims process. We will answer your questions, and keep you updated and informed.

Call Bubalo Goode Sales & Bliss for a Free Evaluation of your Trucking Accident case at Toll Free 1-866-870-2489.

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Motorcycles are increasing in number all across the country. As gas prices soared, motorcycle use grew.

Unfortunately, motorcyclists are in constant danger from automobiles, buses and trucks. In 2001 over 7% of American traffic fatalities involved motorcycle crashes, while motorcycles made up only 2% of the vehicles on the road. Motorcycle fatalities have increased over 50% in a recent five year period.

Motorcycle accident injuries can be severe, and the rider may sufferer any of the following:

• Paralysis
• Bone fractures
• Head injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Ruptured disks
• Internal organ injuries

An estimated 80 percent of motorcycle accidents result in death or serious physical injury to the rider, compared to only 20% of car crash victims.

If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident you need to get help immediately. If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident due to the negligence of another driver, product defect or unsafe roadways or hazards, you need to hire an experienced motorcycle law firm who understands your unique situation. Bubalo Goode Sales & Bliss has the knowledge, experience and resources to obtain for you the best results possible.

After An Accident

If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident there are a few things you need to know. The moments following an accident are crucial. You must immediately start to gather relevant information helpful to you and your case.

• Obtain the contact information from the other driver involved in the accident, including name, driver's license number, address, insurance information, and any other important information.
• Get names, phone numbers and all contact information of all witnesses.
• If you suffered any injuries you should seek medical attention immediately.
• If possible, take notes about the accident, including the location, weather conditions, time, and anything else that is significant.
• Take photos of the location where the accident occurred, your motorcycle, and, if possible, the other vehicle(s) involved.
• Immediately contact the police and your insurance company.
• Refer all questions from the other party's insurance to your motorcycle accident attorney. Never give any statement to the insurance company without first retaining an experienced motorcycle lawyer such as Bubalo Goode Sales & Bliss.

It is vital that an injured motorcyclist hire a law firm with skilled personal injury attorneys who will represent them with the best legal advice and successful representation. We know that many bikers are unfairly discriminated against. At Bubalo Goode Sales & Bliss we champion the rights of motorcyclists. We are very aggressive in fighting insurance companies for our motorcycle accident victims.

Insurance companies make their profits by paying out as little as they possibly can on each claim. They typically employ hundreds of in house lawyers whose sole function is to make sure they pay out as little as possible. Getting you the highest settlement from an insurance company can be difficult without a law firm such as Bubalo Goode Sales & Bliss on your side. Without our legal counsel, dealing with the insurance company can be your worst nightmare.

Call Bubalo Goode Sales & Bliss for a Free Evaluation of your Motorcycle Accident case at Toll Free 1-866-870-2489.

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Construction sites pose many dangers to workers and others in the area, Workers often must lift heavy objects, operate heavy equipment, and perform difficult job duties at elevated heights. Still, proper protocol and safety practices can decrease a worker's or passerby's risk of being injured. It is also the duty of contractors to ensure that warnings are issued in hazardous areas.

When someone causes a preventable construction accident through negligence, he or she may be liable for the victim's injuries. For example, a supervisor at a construction site is responsible for enforcing safety measures. Employers of construction workers must properly train their employees.

Companies that manufacture construction equipment are liable if their products prove to be defective. A construction accident can include scaffold/ladder accidents, falling objects/ceiling accidents, crane accidents, defective machines and heavy equipment, highway work zone accidents and much more. If you have been injured in a construction accident, you may be eligible for a settlement.

The construction accident law firm, Bubalo Goode Sales & Bliss can help those that have suffered injuries caused by negligence.

Call Bubalo Goode Sales & Bliss for a Free Evaluation of your Construction Accident case at Toll Free 1-866-870-2489.

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Burn and explosion accidents are usually caused by someone's carelessness, the violation of fire safety laws or the failure to act. Burn injuries can result from a variety of different activities and sources. Whether at home or on the job, you can be seriously injured from many sources, including:

• Building Fires
• Hot Liquids
• Fume Ignition
• Water Heater Fires
• Chemical Burns
• Defective Products
• Flammable Liquids
• Motor Vehicle Fires
• Smoke/Heat
• Gas Explosions
• Work-Related Accidents
• Flammable Clothing

Burn injury victims can suffer excruciating pain as their wounds heal. They undergo painful skin grafting surgeries to repair the damage done by fire, steam or chemicals. Burn survivors may endure physical trauma, pain, organ and body chemistry damage, and temperature change sensitivity. After the physical scars begin to heal, the emotional scars begin to surface. Disfigurement brings unwanted stares and breaks down self-confidence and self-worth.

As a burn victim, you may be entitled to compensation for: medical expenses (current and future); lost wages (current and future); disfigurement; emotional pain and suffering; mental impairment; and physical disability.

Burn injury victims require specialized medical care and warrant experienced legal representation as well.

If you or a family member has sustained a serious burn injury or explosion injury, call Bubalo Goode Sales & Bliss for a Free Evaluation of your Explosion/Burn case at Toll Free 1-866-870-2489.

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A traumatic brain injury caused by an accident can devastate the life of the injured person and also the lives of that person's family. Whatever the cause, every connected life is completely altered in an instant.

If the injury came as a result of someone else's negligence, you have a legal right to be compensated for the damage to your life. Bubalo Goode Sales & Bliss has extensive experience helping families obtain justice in such circumstances.

In adults, brain injuries can suddenly interrupt a productive life and can result in very costly health care.

In children, a brain injury can be personally even more devastating. Children are much more susceptible to brain injury because their skulls are only one-eighth as strong as adults (according to the Center for Disease Control). In fact, one-third of all pediatric injury cases are related to brain injury (according to the National Pediatric Trauma Registry).

Brain injuries occur more often in men than women and can result from car accidents, motorcycle accidents without a helmet, slip & fall accidents and other types of accidents.

• There are approximately 1.4 million traumatic brain injuries every year in the United States.
• Of the 1.4 million injured, there will be 50,000 who die, 235,000 who are hospitalized and 1.1 million who are treated and released from an emergency treatment center.
• Even a "mild" concussion can have life-long repercussions.
• The leading causes of traumatic brain injuries are falls (28%), motor vehicle traffic accidents (20%), being struck by or against objects (19%), and assaults (11%).

• The Centers for Disease Control estimates that at least 5.3 million Americans are living with traumatic brain injury and may have a need for long-term assistance to perform daily activities.

Our brain injury lawyers have handled cases at all levels where brain injury has interrupted a productive life. Our commitment goes beyond helping our clients. We have also made substantial contributions to organizations that serve damaged individuals, such as the Brain Injury Alliance of Kentucky.

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Slip & Fall defined

A Slip & Fall is an injury which occurs when someone slips, trips or falls as a result of a dangerous or hazardous condition through the negligence of a property owner.

• When an individual slips & falls on someone else's property and is injured as a result of a dangerous condition on the property, the land owner or business proprietor may find him or herself legally responsible and may be liable for the injuries.
• Property owners are responsible for injuries that occur as a result of a dangerous or hazardous condition on their property, which the owner knew about, or should have known about.

Dangerous or Hazardous Conditions defined

Dangerous & hazardous conditions may cause slips and falls due to accumulation of water, ice or snow, liquids, as well as abrupt changes in flooring, raised or cracked sidewalks, poor lighting, or a hidden hazard, such as a hidden ground hole.

• A dangerous or hazardous condition may be apparent such as a broken step or railing in a staircase, or it may be hidden such as ground hole that is overgrown with grass.
• A dangerous and hazardous condition may be permanent such as a 2 inch raised area of a sidewalk creating a change in elevation, or it may be a temporary spill of liquid in the aisle of a grocery store.
• A dangerous and hazardous condition may even appear to be something normal but be in reality a slippery situation.

Slip & Fall Example

The owner or manager of property can be liable to somebody injured on his or her property, but not under all circumstances. The owner or the manager of the property has to be negligent in the conduct of caring for or management of the property.

• For example: Someone could fall down because a light burned out in a staircase; however, if the light had burned out just before the person got to that staircase and the person fell down, in this situation the property owner or manager probably would not be liable because the owner or manager of the property did not cause the defect in the property, and the defect did not last long enough for the owner or manager of the property to know about the defect and fix it.

Damages for Slip & Fall cases

This depends on the jurisdiction and the facts of your particular case (an attorney can help you with this). Depending on the jurisdiction and the facts of your particular case, generally, the following damages may be recoverable:

• medical bills and expenses incurred as a result of the incident
• lost income for time from work
• recovery of the fair value of any clothing damaged in the incident
• compensation for pain and suffering as a result of the incident
• general damages

Call Bubalo Goode Sales & Bliss for a Free Evaluation of your Slip & Fall case at Toll Free 1-866-870-2489.

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The statistics on nursing home and elderly abuse are grim. Conservative estimates state that one of three homes in America will be affected in some way by abuse of an elder relative while in a nursing home. With the elderly population growing rapidly, nursing home residents nationwide number over 1.6 million, and there are over 17,000 registered nursing home and elder care facilities. The number of individuals residing in a nursing facility is expected to rise to 5 million in the next three decades. Sadly, as the number of nursing home residents increases, so does the frequency of abuse.

Because of the projected numbers and the problems associated with those numbers, nursing home care has become an area of public and governmental concern. As with every medical and care giving facility there are state and federal regulations that govern the "duty of care" for nursing homes. Many nursing homes attempt to squeeze out more profit and therefore are using under-trained and unqualified help, which puts the facilities and their members at a higher risk of cultivating abuse and neglect.

Not all types of abuse are physical, and not all abuse results in visible injuries. Common types of elderly abuse in nursing homes are:

• sexual abuse
• neglect
• abandonment
• extortion
• psychological and emotional abuse
• physical abuse

Families and friends of nursing home residents should be aware of the signs and indications of abuse. These include:

• any injuries that cannot be promptly explained
• bedsores
• unusual bruises
• sexually transmitted disease
• out of the ordinary financial requests
• sudden changes in attitude or appetite

While these signs do not always mean there is nursing home abuse present, it is a good idea to investigate any unusual injuries or behavior in elderly people because nursing home abuse is growing at an alarming rate. If you suspect abuse, contact the Department of Social Services and then contact Bubalo Goode Sales & Bliss for nursing home abuse advice.

Call Bubalo Goode Sales & Bliss for a Free Evaluation of your Nursing Home Abuse case at Toll Free 1-866-870-2489.

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Medical malpractice occurs when a physician fails to properly treat a medical condition, resulting in a new or aggravating injury to the patient. Medical malpractice claims may arise when a physician acts in a manner that would be considered unacceptable when compared to how another physician with similar training might act.

Many people don't realize that doctors aren't the only medical professionals whom patients can sue for malpractice. In fact, most health care providers including chiropractors, therapists, nurses, psychologists and dentists are subject to such legal action.

By the same token, an unanticipated or unsuccessful result from medical treatment or surgery does not in itself mean that you can bring a malpractice case.

Common examples of medical malpractice claims include:

• Failure to properly diagnose a disease or illness.
• Failure to properly monitor patients.
• Failure to properly treat the diagnosed disease.
• Surgical errors including wrong-site surgery or anesthesia errors.
• Failure to fully inform the patient of the risks of certain procedures and surgeries.
• Misuse of prescription drugs.
• Improper use of medical equipment or implants.

Of course, this is just a sampling of some of the more common examples of medical malpractice claims. The array of complications and problems that can arise as a result of medical malpractice are far too complex and detailed to address each instance in detail.

If you think you or a loved one has been the victim of medical malpractice, it's in your best interest to contact an attorney with experience in medical malpractice cases as quickly as possible. In Kentucky and many other states, victims have up to two years following discovery of an injury to file a claim. If you wait too long before speaking to an attorney, the statute of limitations may keep you from pursuing legal action.

On your initial visit, your attorney will review your claims, along with your medical records, and consult with a medical expert to determine if yours is a case of medical malpractice.

Victims of medical malpractice can sue for the injuries incurred and all direct consequences of those injuries including mental and physical pain and suffering, lost wages, medical expenses, or other economic damages. If you or a loved one has suffered due to Medical Malpractice or Medical Mistakes, please contact Bubalo Goode Sales & Bliss to learn about your rights and legal options regarding your Medical Malpractice Claim.

Call Bubalo Goode Sales & Bliss for a Free Evaluation of your Medical Malpractice case at Toll Free 1-866-870-2489.

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Birth injuries arise from complications in the process of labor and delivery. A wide variety of problems for a newborn baby can occur during this vulnerable time. These problems, known collectively as birth injuries, can be mild or severe.

One major cause is oxygen deprivation, which commonly occurs when the umbilical cord is compressed or twisted in the birth process. The other main cause is mechanical trauma, which may occur when the baby assumes an unusual position at the time of birth (buttocks rather than head first, for example) or when the baby is too large to pass through the birth canal easily.

Numerous birth injuries are caused by mistakes made by doctors or hospitals during delivery. Birth injuries can occur if excessive force is applied in the delivery of a child or there is a delay in performing a necessary C-section delivery. Birth injuries can also occur if the delivery team fails to properly anticipate the size of a child, causing a turbulent delivery.

Birth injuries have been reported to occur in 27 of 1,000 live births.

Common Birth Injuries are:

• Cerebral Palsy
• Temporary Paralysis
• Brain Damage
• Erb's Palsy
• Fractured Collar Bone
• Klumpke's Palsy
• Brachial Plexus Palsy

The most serious birth injuries are those that affect the brain. They are caused by oxygen deprivation or bleeding within the skull or brain. These injuries vary greatly in severity. They may lead to long-term seizure disorders or cause cerebral palsy or mental retardation.

Call Bubalo Goode Sales & Bliss at Toll Free 1-866-870-2489 for a Free Evaluation of your Birth injury case.

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The term "wrongful death," by its very nature, invokes a very emotional response. These are difficult cases for all involved.

"Wrongful death" means that a person's death was due to another party's negligence, and a claim for wrongful death can be filed against another individual, group or company. Filing a wrongful death claim is extremely difficult for families because, not only must they deal with their grief over the death, they must also deal with a very complicated legal situation. It is important to keep in mind that the death was caused through another's negligence and the family does have a right to be compensated for their loss.

Bubalo Goode Sales & Bliss is highly regarded as a premier wrongful death and personal injury law firm. The firm has a track record of obtaining superior results by skillfully and aggressively representing our clients through mediation, arbitration, and jury trials. The lawyers of our firm have successfully handled a broad range of wrongful death cases arising from medical mistakes, prescription drug side effects, vehicle accidents, construction accidents, premises liability, product liability, nursing home liability, toxic and mass torts, and other forms of negligence. Our firm has the demonstrated knowledge, dedication and resources to battle insurance companies and large corporations to achieve justice for our Kentucky and national wrongful death clients.

A claim for wrongful death may include compensation for the following:

• Reimbursement for all medical expenses incurred as a result of the negligence.
• Reimbursement for the loss of any future income.
• Reimbursement for property damage, if applicable.
• Reimbursement for any future services normally provided to you by the person who has died.
• Reimbursement for loss of consortium, meaning a spouse's right to the companionship, help and affection from the person who has died.
• Reimbursement for any punitive damages if the negligence was found to be criminal.

Every state has a "statute of limitations" (the amount of time allotted to file a claim for negligence). You must protect your family's rights by making sure that the negligent party is held accountable for your loss and, although extremely hard, it is crucial that you preserve any supporting evidence and file your claim within the legal time limits.

At Bubalo Goode Sales & Bliss, we carefully select our wrongful death cases so that the caseload remains small and each case gets the focused attention necessary for a successful outcome. We understand that the key to effective representation is developing a close personal relationship with our client.

If you have lost a loved one and you feel you may have a claim for Wrongful Death, call Bubalo Goode Sales & Bliss for a free wrongful death legal case review.

Call Bubalo Goode Sales & Bliss for a Free Evaluation of your Wrongful Death case at Toll Free 1-866-870-2489.

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