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Published on Wednesday, 04 January 2012 17:40

Written by Antonela Debiasi

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Attorney Halström's experience covers a wide variety of issues in the legal arena. Clients who have been injured in a construction accident, been denied workers compensation, been injured by a faulty product, or who have fallen victim to other cases of negligence or unlawful behavior may be eligible for compensation. Remember, many cases can be time-sensitive, so it is always important to contact a qualified attorney as soon as possible.

Auto Lemon Law

In the state of Massachusetts, the law protects consumers who have purchased defective vehicles. A “lemon” is defined as a new or leased automobile that has a serious defect that impairs a vehicle's performance or safety or decreases its market value. It is the responsibility of the car dealer or auto owner to disclose all information about any defects the car may have, and to place the repair and maintenance of those defects under warranty. Additionally, consumers have the right under Massachusetts law to void any transaction wherein the consumer was sold a flawed vehicle. Under law, the dealer or car owner must refund the consumer's money if it is proven that the car has defects that were not disclosed and agreed upon at the time of purchase.

Aviation

Airline crashes, though uncommon, can be catastrophic when they occur. Civilian death and injury resulting from such tragedies are usually on a much higher level than that of other accidents. Aviation lawsuits are usually filed as wrongful death cases on behalf of passenger victims.

Construction Accident Law

A construction accident is any accident that occurs on a building site. Construction sites are inherently dangerous because they require employees to work from high positions and with hazardous materials. Since there is already an assumed risk, it is the responsibility of the construction company or property owner to take necessary precautions to prevent a construction accident. Boston attorney Frederic Halström represents clients who have been involved in construction accidents.

Common construction accidents include: exposure to hazardous materials, falls from high places, injuries involving construction tools or leftover debris, and injuries sustained from collapsing scaffolding.

Product Liability

Consumers who properly use products for their intended use have the right to expect that those products are safe and will work properly. When the product fails to work properly, resulting in the harm of the user, the manufacturer or retailer may be liable. In such cases, the consumer may be eligible to file a claim of product liability. Boston attorney, Frederic Halström, can help victims of product liability to receive compensation for damages sustained from a faulty or unsafe product.

Sex Abuse and Workers Rights

Victims of sexual abuse often suffer from physical problems and enduring mental and emotional trauma, which can prevent the victim from working or participating in activities he or she once found enjoyable. In some cases, the abuser or another negligent individual or institution can be held liable. If you or someone you love has been a victim of sexual abuse, do not suffer alone. Although nothing can remove the trauma of sexual abuse, Attorney Frederic Halström can help you to receive financial compensation.

Workers Compensation Law

Federal aid is available to injured workers in Massachusetts. Workers Compensation laws are designed to provide financial assistance to employees who are hurt or disabled while working. These laws are also designed to assist the families of employees who are killed while performing work-related duties. Usually, Workers Compensation will provide adequate assistance to employees or their families, but in some cases the employee may not be fully compensated for medical bills or lost wages resulting from the injury. In such cases, it may be necessary to contract the services of an experienced Workers Compensation Attorney.

Money received from Workers Compensation must be used for specific purposes. The employee is entitled to receive 2/3 of his or her normal salary for the work he or she misses while recovering from the injury; this will be paid by the employer's Workers Compensation insurance. This Workers Compensation must be used to pay for medical expenses incurred as a result of the injury, or to provide compensation to the family members of an employee who is killed while performing job duties.

Traumatic Brain Injury

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Published on Wednesday, 04 January 2012 17:35

Written by Antonela Debiasi

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Attorney Halström represents victims of brain injuries in Massachusetts. A brain injury occurs when a victim suffers head trauma that results in damage to the tissue and blood vessels of the brain. Often this damage results in physical and cognitive impairment that can leave the victim with lifelong complications. Recent research estimates that over 1.5 million Americans suffer brain damage each year, and often the damage is caused by the negligence or action of others. In such cases, it may be necessary to call on an experienced head injury lawyer. Frederic Halström is dedicated to helping you receive the compensation you need to move forward.

What is Brain Injury?

The impairments associated with brain damage vary in type and severity, depending on the nature of the injury. Brain trauma can usually fall into one of two categories: traumatic brain injury and acquired brain injury.

Traumatic Brain Injury

Attorney Halström represents brain injury victims who have suffered from Traumatic Brain Injury. This category of brain injury usually occurs as a result of a serious head trauma or a head injury. Most commonly, traumatic brain injury is the result of injuries sustained from automobile accidents, sports accidents, Shaken Baby Syndrome, or violence.

Auto Accidents - Because of the high speeds at which cars and other vehicles travel, it is no surprise that auto accidents result in the highest number of traumatic brain injury cases in Boston and nationally. The likelihood that a victim will sustain serious and lasting brain injury complications increases if he or she was not properly protected by a seat belt, helmet, or other protective gear. Sometimes, though, others act in negligent ways, making it impossible to avoid head trauma.

Sports Accidents - With increasing participation in competitive, contact sports, brain injuries for athletes have become somewhat common. Athletes who compete in physical sports such as football, rugby, hockey, and horseback riding are at risk. It is important for athletes who participate in these sports to wear the proper protective gear in order to avoid sustaining a head injury. Even with the proper gear, however, sometimes the injury is unavoidable because another party was negligent. In such cases, it may become necessary to hire a head injury lawyer.

Shaken Baby Syndrome - Sadly, Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS) is the number one cause of death among infants. SBS occurs when a baby or infant is violently shaken, causing the brain to hit the skull. When this occurs, serious brain and head injury can occur, even sometimes resulting in death.

Violence - Elder abuse, child abuse, and domestic violence are all examples of violence that can lead to head and brain injury. For the elderly individual, brain damage can occur if the victim is hit repeatedly in the head or if the victim is pushed or falls down. In adults and children, abuse often results in battery of the head, which causes brain damage. Unfortunately, violence is a leading cause of brain injury among adults, and it often goes unreported.

Acquired Brain Injury

Acquired Brain Injury occurs when the brain is deprived of oxygen. Often, this occurs because the victim suffers from a heart attack, stroke, or other health condition that restricts the oxygen flow to the brain. In some cases, however, Acquired Brain Injury is the result of negligence on the part of a medical provider or caretaker.

What Should I Do if I Am a Brain Injury Victim?

Confusion and anger may be your first response if you or a loved one is a victim of head trauma. Boston attorney, Frederic Halström, knows that you will probably have many questions and maybe even be unclear about your rights. In such cases, Attorney Halström recommends that you take the following steps:

1. Review the Facts: How did the brain injury occur? If it was in an automobile accident, was the other driver following the traffic laws? Was he or she driving in an aggressive or distracted way? If the injury was sustained during a medical procedure, can the physician give a strong explanation for the injury? If you are still unsure or suspicious about the circumstances surrounding your brain injury, our Boston law firm can help.

2. Document Everything: Try to keep records, receipts, and statements from the incident in which you or a loved one received head trauma. It is important to document your account of the incident as soon as possible so that it is fresh and clear in your mind.

3. Act Quickly: If you believe that you or a loved one have been the victim of negligence, resulting in a brain injury in the Boston area, Attorney Frederic Halström recommends that you contact our law firm as quickly as possible. The sooner you contact us, the easier it will be for our attorneys to collect valuable information and data that can determine the success of your case.

Burn Injury

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Published on Wednesday, 04 January 2012 17:38

Written by Antonela Debiasi

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Each year over 2.4 million Americans seek treatment for burn-related injuries. These injuries can range from minor to fatal, depending on the severity and location of the burn. Often, negligence on the part of an employer, organization, or individual can result in a burn injury. Attorney Halström represents burn injury victims who have been hurt as a result of another's actions or negligent inactions.

What is a Burn Injury?

To fully understand the damage a burn injury can cause, it is important to understand the ways in which a victim can sustain such an injury. Boston burn injury lawyer, Frederic Halström, represents clients who have been victims of the following types of burn injuries:

Scalds - The most common form of burn injury, scalds occur when the skin makes contact with hot water or other liquids. Often, these injuries occur within the house or in a work environment, especially in kitchens where hot oil is commonly used.

Flame - After the scald, the flame is next most-common form of burn injury. When skin makes direct contact with a flame (often caused by a careless cigarette or unattended candle), a burn injury can occur. In some cases, negligence can be determined if a defendant failed to properly monitor an open flame.

Electrical - When an electrical outlet or wire that is charged with energy makes contact with the skin, an electrical burn injury can occur. In addition to burning the skin, an electrical burn injury can cause internal damage to the victim because the electrical current goes through the body. Often, a burn injury lawyer can help prove negligence if property owners or business owners failed to take proper precautions to cover electrical wires or warn consumers about the presence of dangerous electrical materials. 

Chemical - Most commonly, chemical burns occur during industrial accidents. These burns can be extremely serious and even fatal because the chemical can continue to cause damage until it is completely removed from the body. Depending on the length of exposure and the area exposed, chemical burn injuries can cause a great deal of damage.

Contact - Contact burns occur when skin makes direct contact with hot metal or other objects. It is the responsibility of a business or property owner to warn consumers about hot products that have the potential to cause a burn injury. An attorney can help consumers to determine the liability of the property or business owner.

Ultraviolet - These burns are the result of prolonged exposure to the sun or to ultraviolet light bulbs. Men and women who use ultraviolet tanning beds can put themselves at risk for ultraviolet burns. It is the responsibility of the business owner to ensure the safety of the bulbs within his or her tanning beds and to limit the exposure time consumers have to their products.

Can a Burn Injury Really Hurt Me?

It is also important for our potential clients in Boston to understand the varying degrees of a burn injury. Attorney Halström generally represents victims of serious or highly damaging burns, but our office is always willing to speak with you regarding your injury.

First Degree Burn Injury- These burns are often associated with sunburns and minor flame or scald burns. First degree burns only affect the epidermis (outermost layer of the skin) and rarely cause long term damage. In most cases, first degree burns do not result in injuries that require a burn injury lawyer.

Second Degree Burn Injury- Second degree burns typically destroy the epidermis and cause some damage to the dermis, hair follicles, and glands. These burns are typically extremely painful and can cause swelling and scarring. In some cases, it might be necessary to file a personal injury lawsuit against the individual whose actions or negligent inactions cause the burn.

Third Degree Burn Injury- Third degree burns are the most dangerous and cause the most short-term and long-term damage. Third degree burns are most commonly associated with chemical burns and serious flame burns. There is usually very little pain, because the burn has extended into the fat layer, moving beyond the epidermis and damaging the nerve endings. Sometimes, in cases of negligence, third degree burns require the assistance of an experienced burn injury attorney to assist the victim in being compensated for losses associated with the injury. 

Motor Vehicle Accidents

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Published on Wednesday, 04 January 2012 17:31

Written by Antonela Debiasi

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With populations steadily climbing in metropolitan areas, the number of drivers on the road continues to increase. Overcrowded roads, frustrated drivers, alcohol, and distractions like cell phones and loud music all lead to increased dangers for motorists. It is no surprise that automobile accidents occur daily. According to the Federal Highway Administration, in 2002 there were over 42,000 fatal car accidents in the United States, and the number of collisions resulting in lesser damages was significantly higher.

What Is My Auto Accident Worth

Each year, many victims are involved in car accidents in Massachusetts that can cause long-term damage. Despite the common misconception that only multiple vehicle accidents can cause damage, every auto accident presents its own risks. Often, insurance companies will try to convince victims to accept a settlement that is far less than what is needed to cover auto repairs and medical bills. That is why victims who feel they have been injured by another's negligence should contact an auto accident attorney as soon as possible. No matter how many cars were involved in a car accident, Attorney Frederic Halström knows that the financial and physical effects on the victims can be long-term and damaging.

By hiring an auto accident attorney, you are more likely to receive proper compensation for injuries sustained in an accident. Though it is impossible to predict the exact compensation a jury or court may award a plaintiff, there are several factors that Attorney Halström will consider when reviewing your case. First, liability must be established. In a personal injury case, it is the responsibility of the plaintiff and his or her auto accident lawyer to prove that the other driver was negligent or acted in a way so as to cause damage. If it is clear or it can be proven that the other driver was at fault, Attorney Halström must then consider all damages the victim sustained during the collision. Damages can include physical damage, property damage, and emotional trauma. Finally, Attorney Halström will review any additional expenses incurred by the victim, such as medical bills or lost wages. After considering all of these factors, Attorney Halström can give you a preliminary estimate of your case's value.

What Are Examples of Auto Accidents?

Collisions usually fall into one of the following three categories: Single Vehicle Accident, Multiple Vehicle Accident, or Commercial Vehicle Accident.

Single Vehicle Accident - An incident that involves only one vehicle is known as a Single Vehicle Car Accident. Attorney Frederic Halström has extensive experience litigating these cases. Single vehicle accidents include vehicle rollovers, SUV rollovers, and collisions between a car and a stationary object like a tree or post. Single vehicle car accident victims, especially victims of SUV rollovers, are often successful in receiving compensation for their injuries if it can be proved that the accident was caused by another's negligence.

Multiple Vehicle Accident - Any collision involving more than one vehicle is categorized as a Multiple Vehicle Accident. Since these collisions involve more than one vehicle, it can sometimes be difficult to establish liability. In cases where liability is disputed, it may be advantageous for victims to contact an auto accident lawyer. Common accidents involving multiple vehicles include the following: rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, and side-impact collisions.

Commercial Vehicle Accident - It is not uncommon for motorists to be involved in a collision with commercial vehicles, especially tractor-trailers. Commercial vehicles are often much larger and more difficult to maneuver than regular vehicles. This, coupled with distracted or exhausted drivers, can lead to increased risk for other motorists. Commercial vehicles can include emergency vehicles, buses, and tractor-trailers. Since corporations and government agencies will try to settle commercial vehicle accident cases quickly, it is important to contact an auto accident attorney as soon as possible to protect your rights.