Most Americans are aware of how effective smoke detectors are at protecting families from the dangers of house fires, considering statistics show that 94 percent of American homes are equipped with the devices. What’s disturbing though is that many of those alarms do not function properly.

Data indicates that as many as 30 percent of installed smoke detectors in homes are not working. In an effort to better protect the citizens of Maryland from the risks of a Fire and Burn Injury that could result from a house fire, state officials have implemented a new law requiring all homes and apartments to have 10-year smoke detectors installed within the next several years.

According to an article from NBC 4-Washington, the new law will go into effect on July 1 of this year. Then, every home should have the new detectors installed by 2018.

What makes a 10-year smoke detector different from other units is its longer-lasting battery. Typically, a unit running on ordinary batteries will run out of power after around a year of use and unless the unit is tested, a family may be unaware the unit is not functioning. The new units run on a lithium powered batteries that can go up to 10 years without being changed.

The Maryland Personal Injury Lawyers with ChasenBoscolo Injury Lawyers applaud the new law and are hopeful the new units will be effective in reducing the number of citizens who are harmed in house fires.

A 46-year-old man from Mount Airy was left seriously injured as the result of a Maryland Motorcycle Accident that occurred earlier this week. Reports indicate the crash happened at around 2:30 p.m. this past Sunday on Fredrick Road in Howard County.

According to an article released by the Carroll County Times, the victim was riding a 2007 Harley-Davidson motorcycle along the road when the 73-year-old driver of a 2002 Toyota Camry exited a parking lot and pulled out in front of the bike. The motorcyclist did not have time to stop his machine and the two vehicles collided.

The impact of the crash left the motorcyclist in critical condition. He was rushed to a local trauma center where he remains hospitalized.

Several other motorcycle accidents across the state recently have prompted officials to attempt to raise awareness in the area about the importance of motorcyclists and motorists alike doing their part to share the road responsibly. This goal can be achieved by always looking twice in both directions before entering traffic. Motorcyclists should also protect themselves by always wearing a DOT-approved helmet every time they go for a ride.

The Maryland Personal Injury Lawyers with ChasenBoscolo Injury Lawyers recognize the dangers posed by a motorcycle crash. The firm is hopeful these tips will be successful in helping to prevent these types of collisions from occurring in the future.

A Maryland Pedestrian Accident that occurred recently claimed the life of a 60-year-old man. Reports indicate that the accident happened on April 26, along Lost Knife Road, near Odendhal Avenue at the Lake Forest Bus Station in Montgomery County.

According to NBC 4-Washington News, the pedestrian was standing on the median of Lost Knife Road. When the victim attempted to step off the curb to cross the street though, a southbound 2005 Lexus sedan that was being driven by a 71-year-old motorist from Gaithersburg, Maryland, struck the individual.

The impact of the collision left the pedestrian with serious injuries. The victim was rushed to a local hospital for treatment, but died three days later.

Police have stated the crash remains under investigation.

The incident is a stark reminder of the importance of both motorists and pedestrians being conscious of their surroundings at all times. Both motorists and pedestrians should always look twice in both directions before attempting to cross an intersection or enter traffic. Pedestrians should also wear light-colored or reflective clothing when walking along a road in the evening or at night. Carrying a flashlight is another great way a pedestrian can make themselves more visible to others.

The Maryland Personal Injury Attorneys with ChasenBoscolo Injury Lawyers recognize how dangerous roadways can be and are hopeful these safety tips will help to keep travelers safe.

A 5-year-old child was left in critical condition following an attack by two canines that left her with serious Maryland Dog Bite Injuries. Reports indicate the incident occurred on the afternoon of Thursday, April 4, at the child’s home located on Billingsley Road in White Plains, Maryland.

According to an article published in The Washington Post, the child was able to enter the back yard of the residence without adult supervision. Three dogs lived in the backyard in closed kennels and investigators are working to determine how the dogs got out of their enclosures. What they do know though, is that the child was found at around 6:00 p.m. with her clothes torn from her body and suffering from multiple traumatic injuries.

Paramedics rushed the child to a local hospital, where she received treatment and her condition was stabilized. Meanwhile the two dogs believed to be responsible for the attack were taken into the custody of Animal Control Officers and later euthanized.

Investigators are continuing to look into the incident and have stated they are looking into whether there had ever been another incident involving the animals.

The incident has left many local parents concerned about how they can help to keep their children safe around animals. The Maryland Personal Injury Attorneys with ChasenBoscolo Injury Lawyers say one of the best ways to prevent such an incident is to teach children to never approach an animal without permission from the owner and adult supervision.

The high number of lives that are lost each year to accidents between motor vehicles and pedestrians is a major problem across the United States, but especially in the state of Maryland. Numbers show that over the last three years, more than 30 people have been killed as the result of Montgomery County Pedestrian Accidents alone.

In an effort to curb this problem, Montgomery County fire and law enforcement agencies have partnered with a group of volunteers to educate the local community about the importance of pedestrian safety and awareness.

A report from NBC-Washington News 4 explained how the group was passing out informational pamphlets and reflective tags to students at Seneca Valley High School yesterday. The students also received a warning about how dangerous the crossings near schools can be, along with several safety tips to help avoid a collision.

Law enforcement was posted outside the school as well, watching for any safety violations at crossings. Pedestrians who are caught walking outside of designated crosswalks can receive a $50 citation, while motorists who fail to yield to crossing pedestrians may face penalties of up to $80.

The Maryland Personal Injury Attorneys with ChasenBoscolo Injury Lawyers would like to applaud the efforts towards improving safety along the region’s highways and roads. The firm is hopeful the information and stories that were provided to both the students and motorists will be successful in preventing an accident in the future.

Slips, trips, and falls accounted for 14 percent of all workplace fatalities in the United States last year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Too often, these accidents are the result of employers failing to provide adequate safety measures for employees.

Just last week, a Maryland Slip and Fall Accident on an Upper Marlboro construction site was responsible for leaving a 19-year-old worker seriously injured. Reports indicate the incident happened last Friday, just before 4:00 p.m., at an area where the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission was building a 30-foot deep well.

According to NBC 4-Washington, Price George’s County Bureau Chief, Tracee Wilkins, explained the victim was working inside the well when he slipped from his position and fell back several feet. He sustained a serious back injury when he hit the bottom of the hole.

Paramedics pulled the injured worker to safety and rushed him to a local hospital for treatment. He is expected to make a full recovery.

An accident like this can be quite costly between medical bills and lost time from work. To cover these expenses, the individual who is hurt will often need to file a claim for damages; however, this process can sometimes prove to be quite complex.

That’s why the Maryland Personal Injury Attorneys with ChasenBoscolo Injury Lawyers encourage anyone who has been injured in an accident that wasn’t their fault to discuss their legal options with a qualified attorney immediately.

Two people sustained serious Fire and Burn Injuries in a house fire that erupted yesterday in Hagerstown, Maryland. Reports indicate the blaze began at around 7:30 a.m. at a three-story home located on East North Avenue.

According to an article from The Herald-Mail, firefighters were at the scene of the fire within minutes of receiving a call for assistance. By the time they arrived though, thehome was already engulfed in flames. Firefighters sprung to action and rescued one victim from a second-story roof, while three other occupants of the home were able to escape on their own.

The fire was extinguished within 15 minutes and the two occupants of the home who sustained injuries were taken to a local hospital to receive further treatment. One of the victim’s burn injuries were so severe though; they were transferred to another facility in Washington, D.C. for further care.

A spokesman for the Hagerstown Fire Department, Marshal Doug DeHaven, explained that while investigators are still examining what may have ignited the blaze, he was confident in calling the fire an accident.

The Maryland Personal Injury Lawyers with ChasenBoscolo Injury Lawyers are aware of just how dangerous house fires can be. That is why the firm urges citizens to have smoke detectors within 10-feet of every room in your home. Once smoke detectors are installed, it is vital that the batteries for the devices be checked and changed routinely.

Lawmakers in Maryland have advanced a bill that would put more liability on owners of certain canine breeds in the event of a Maryland Dog Bite Injury. However, there is currently a debate between the state House and Senate as to how the law should be phrased.

NBC-Washington explains the law deems Pit Bull Terriers as an “inherently dangerous” animal. It also establishes a stringent burden of proof on the owner of such a dog if it’s involved in a biting incident by requiring they provide evidence they had no prior information to believe the dog would attack.

While the Senate would like to require a greater criterion of proof by wording the bill to require “clear and convincing evidence”, the House is asking the law only call for owners to establish a “preponderance” of the evidence.

Those in favor of the new law believe it will better protect citizens from dog attacks by holding owners more accountable for the actions of their animals. Opponents believe the bill is discriminatory and breed-biased.

Officials with both branches of government are working to create a solution to the dispute before the end of the legislative session in several days.

The team of Maryland Personal Injury Attorneys with ChasenBoscolo Injury Lawyers recognizes how complex the laws regulating responsibility for a dog attack can be. The firm is here to answer any questions you have if you have been injured by a dog bite.

An estimated 8 out of 10 Virginia Car Accidents are the result of distracted driving. The high number of accidents associated with this behavior is because the act of texting or talking on the phone reduces brain activity focused on driving by as much as 40 percent. Experts say this means texting or talking on a cellphone while behind the wheel can be considered as dangerous as driving drunk.

To help solve this issue, the state of Virginia has introduced several changes to a bill that bans the act of texting and driving. An article from NBC 4 Washington stated Governor Bob McDonnell’s amendments to the bill would make a violation a primary offense, or grounds for a motorist to be stopped. The Governor also announced he would be reducing fines for when an infraction is committed.

McDonnell justified lowering the fines by explaining it would simply bring the amounts that could be issued as fines into line with current rates established for violations such as DUI or reckless driving.

The amendments also call for the Department of Criminal Justice Services to provide training on the bill’s updates to local and state law enforcement agencies.

ChasenBoscolo Injury Lawyers have a team of Virginia Personal Injury Attorneys who understand the devastation a single distracted driving accident can have on numerous lives. That is why the firm asks that motorists remember to always put their phones down and focus on the road while driving.

One of the leading causes of death in the construction industry today is the Slip and Fall Accident. This ranking was established when the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported slips, trips, and falls accounted for roughly 15 percent of all workplace fatalities last year. Trends for workers suffering fatal falls tend to be significantly higher for those in the construction industry as well.

In an effort to combat the growing problem of this type of Maryland Construction Accident, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) partnered in an educational campaign with the Montgomery County Worker Health and Safety Commission.

An OSHA press release explained that as part of the program, hundreds of posters will be distributed and hung throughout the region. These posters will contain information on how to safely work in high areas, as well as what to do and who to call in the event an accident does occur. So far, the posters have been hung at approximately 200 bus stops across the county.

The Maryland Personal Injury Attorneys with ChasenBoscolo are glad to see the severity of the risks involved with slip and fall accidents in the construction industry being recognized. The firm is hopeful the campaign will find success in its mission of reducing these risks and making the industry safer for those working in it!