Brookfield Square. Photo: Connecticut Law Tribune

The Flood Law Firm recently secured an $890,000 settlement for a 42-year-old delivery man who severely injured his neck after he slipped on a sheet of ice.

The incident happened in February 2015 when German Perez was delivering furniture to Bassett Furniture at a strip mall in Brookfield, Connecticut.

Attorney and managing firm partner Brian Flood represented Perez. He said the area where Perez fell had a dangerous three-day accumulation of ice that should have been cornered off.

“There was ice on the roof of the building and there were ice dams forming,” said Flood. “The ice dams were also forming on the ground and were not going down the drain.” Continue reading →

For many of us, it’s easy to dismiss the seriousness of sending a text while driving or fiddling with the radio more than watching the road. But this is distracted driving and it takes on many forms.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that more than eight people are killed each day in the United States due to distracted driving. The most alarming truth about this statistic is the fact that these types of car accidents are increasing. According to the most recent study the number traffic crashes due to distracted driving in Connecticut continue to rise.

April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month

While safe driving techniques are important all year long, there is no better time than now to make smart choices behind the wheel and set good examples for your teen driver.  Continue reading →

Flu Season in 2018

It’s no news that the U.S. is currently dealing with one of the worst flu seasons in years. Connecticut’s Health Department is calling this year’s flu epidemic “alarming,” with the Department of Public Health now reporting Connecticut’s flu death toll at 105 for the 2018 season alone.

Far more than simply alarming, the flu season has proven to be deadly for New England residents.

While the vast majority of deaths have occurred among patients over 65, the flu poses surprising dangers for all ages when people decide to drive while suffering from a serious cold. Continue reading →

Driving an electric or hybrid car is an honorable action undertaken by millions of commuters each day. It reduces noise and stress, and most importantly, helps preserve the environment.

When it comes to safety, however, taking to the road in one of these quiet runners comes with a heightened risk; not necessarily for the drivers, but for those in close proximity of the cars.

Can a Car Be Too Quiet?

An electric car has a noiseless battery that charges the vehicle, while a hybrid uses both electricity and a back-up gas engine. Both vehicles are exceptionally quiet, inside and out, and exert a faint hum if one really listens. This makes it very difficult for nearby pedestrians and cyclists to hear the approaching vehicle. Continue reading →

Wintertime means deer season in Connecticut, and for drivers, this means a new hazard could be lurking around the corner. If you aren’t prepared to handle the wild fauna that refuse to obey the rules of the road, you could wind up in a dangerous situation. While many instinctively panic and swerve away from animals like deer in the road, a recent news report advised against this. There is a safer way for Connecticut drivers to handle deer on the road.

When Animals Cross the Road

December marks the end of mating season for deer. Not even the blinding headlights and whirring sounds of a busy road will stop these animals from fulfilling nature’s intentions. Deer season also coincides with Daylight Savings Time, when days become darker much earlier and road visibility is reduced to a minimum. These factors combined can make for dangerous road conditions, but proper preparation could help you avoid a devastating vehicle collision. Continue reading →

Getting Your Police Report in Connecticut

Getting into a car accident is stressful enough, but not knowing what to do after it happens can make the situation seem overwhelming. What you do directly following an accident significantly impacts your ability to seek compensation for damages.

If you’re a Connecticut driver and you’ve recently been involved in a collision, an accident report is counted as factual evidence to support your account of the wreck in a court of law. It is easy to do and critical for your legal protection. The following page offers a quick guide for how to get an accident report in the state of Connecticut.

Steps To Requesting Your Accident Report

When a collision happens, there are negligent drivers who may go to extreme lengths to avoid paying for the harm they’ve caused. Without valid evidence to prove otherwise, it’s possible for the other party to make false claims about what happened. Continue reading →

There’s no doubt that Connecticut offers some of the most scenic country roads, thriving metropolitan areas, and historic markers in the nation. But along with the state’s vibrant attractions comes an aging infrastructure, increased traffic, and distracted drivers. All of these elements are substantial contributors to the small state’s high rate of traffic and pedestrian accidents.

In fact, several organizations have reportedly ranked Connecticut’s roads – both in and out of the city – as being some of the worst in the nation. Sadly, the Connecticut Crash Data Repository run by the University of Connecticut reported that 311 people lost their lives on Connecticut highways in 2016. This is the highest number in four years.

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The holidays are here, and for many, winter festivities begin by retrieving heavy boxes marked “Christmas” from the attic.

Between holiday shopping for your loved ones and competing with your neighbors for the brightest outdoor light display, you might feel rushed while getting your house up to par for Good Ol’ Saint Nick. But the time-honored trimming of the Christmas tree, the lighting of a menorah or the lining of rooftops with strings of brightly colored bulbs doesn’t come without its dangers.

Our goal in today’s blog is to simply bring out a few tips, and for a more in-depth list of DO’s and DONT’s, take a look at this page from the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

According to a chairman of the Consumer Product Safety Commission, last year there were about 240 visits to the emergency room every day during the holiday season for holiday-related injuries. The CPSP estimates that this year, 1,300 fires from Christmas trees and candles will occur, leading to 150 emergency room visits and up to 20 fatalities. The agency is encouraging holiday enthusiasts to remain attentive when decorating their homes.

Smart Tips for Safely Enjoying the Holidays

Prevention is the best plan of attack when it comes to staying safe during the holidays. The tips below will help ensure your holidays are filled with joy—not trips to the ER.
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No one likes to fall, but as we all know, it happens. In fact, according to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, this common type of accident sends approximately 7.9 million individuals of all ages to U.S. emergency rooms each year.

Could many of these falls have been prevented? Maybe not. The injuries, however, are a different story.

As strange as it may sound, falling correctly (yep, it’s a skill) can help avoid a broken wrist or other debilitating injuries, lost work days, lengthy recoveries, and mounting medical bills.

Should We Follow Our Instincts During a Fall?

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Winter Holiday Driving Tips

The winter season is an exciting time of year. A lot of us travel to see friends and family. Maybe we’re lucky enough to break-up the winter blues with a vacation at a ski lodge, or a get-away to a balmy beach locale. This is a heavily traveled time of year, but road conditions are not always great.

Wintertime can be especially harsh on vehicles, roads, and the drivers who use them. Pavement erosion, inclement weather, poor visibility and unprepared vehicles and drivers can make winter commuting dangerous and unpredictable.

Are you ready for being out on the road during winter? Taking a few moments to prepare and protect your family against winter driving dangers is essential and could spare you from potential disaster. You can help ensure you and your family members are safe in the snow this season by taking a few simple precautions now.

Continue reading →