Important Liability Laws for Hosting a Party With Alcohol

Posted on January 2, 2018 by admin

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When it comes to your liability as a party host who serves alcohol to guests, the laws vary from state to state. Some states claim no liability, some claim liability, and some others do not even have laws that regard the subject at all. Indiana happens to be a state that does assign liability to social hosts.

If you let guests drink and drive after leaving your New Year’s Eve party, you could be liable for any damages or losses they caused to others on the road. If this is something you are concerned about, continue reading to learn how to be a responsible party host and how to protect yourself from being liable for drunk driving accidents.

Social Host Liability

The phrase, “social host liability” is a term that describes a person being held legally accountable for the actions of an intoxicated guest who became intoxicated by indulging in the alcoholic beverages served at their party. It is your duty as a party host to serve alcohol responsibly to guests. Not only is this for everyone’s safety, but it is also to avoid legal accountability. The most common scenarios are drunk driving and wrongful death accidents, but property damage, assault, and other incidents are known to occur as well.

If a guest at your party drinks too much alcohol, and then they leave and cause harm to another person or property, the victims of the accident can pursue a lawsuit against you since you provided the alcohol to the guest. This is actually very common. In fact, it is possible for party hosts to face criminal charges depending on the severity of the accident and subsequent losses experienced by the victims.

Laws Vary From State to State

As mentioned, some states have laws governing social host liability, while others do not. States that have laws regarding the subject either assign or absolve part hosts of liability, and some states do not even have laws pertaining to social host liability. For example, California and New York are “No Liability” states. This means party hosts are not responsible for the actions of their intoxicated guests, so long as they are adults, because these states do not put the blame on the furnishing of alcohol, but rather, the consumption.

States like New Jersey have specific social party host laws regarding intoxicated driving. They put liability on party hosts under certain circumstances, such as serving an already “visibly intoxicated” guest and more. Furthermore, states like North Carolina do not have any laws or ordinances that address social party host liability. However, victims of drunk driving accidents have been successful at pursing negligence lawsuits against hosts that over-serve guests and then allow them to drive.

Minors

In all 50 states, serving alcohol to a minor, whether knowingly or not, imposes all sorts of serious liability on a party host. Not only can a host be financially responsible for any damages, losses, or injuries caused by an intoxicated minor, they can also be criminally charged.

Dram Shop Laws

Even if a person hosts a party at a public location, most states have Dram Shop laws in order. These laws hold establishments that serve alcohol liable for the actions of their intoxicated patrons. However, the circumstances to which these liabilities apply are very specific and vary among states. If a patron is overserved and injures someone, the victim can pursue a lawsuit against the drunk driver and the establishment.

Indianapolis Personal Injury Law Firm

Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Call Craven Blazek Law at 317-881-2700 for personal injury claims in Indianapolis, Indiana. We offer free initial consultations and never collect lawyer fees unless they win your claim. Call our office today to determine your eligibility for personal injury compensation.

Advice on Winter Floor Protection for Commercial Businesses

Posted on December 26, 2017 by admin

With winter comes snow, ice, excess precipitation, and needless-to-say, a lot of extra mess to clean up. It seems there is no feat to stopping pets, people, and shoes from dragging dirty wet snow and freezing ice into our homes and offices. Not only does this add a few extra hours of clean-up time each week, it can also greatly damage flooring. Wood floors, laminate flooring, tile floors, and carpeting can be destroyed in as little time as one winter season. These elements also cause hazardous conditions for people and employees.

Slip, trip, and fall accidents happen the most in the wintertime, and mostly due to the fact that floors are not cared for properly. Many worker’s compensation and liability lawsuits can be avoided with simple routine floor care, especially in the cold season. Fortunately, there are ways to combat the winter mess and protect our flooring from salt, snow, ice, and more. Continue reading to learn how to protect your business’s flooring and who to trust for worker’s compensation and slip, trip, and fall accidents lawsuits in Indianapolis.

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Responsible Floor Care and Maintenance

One of the easiest and instant improvements a business owner can make to their office is floor mats. You would be surprised just how much moisture and water these mats can collect with a few steps or stomps. Entrance mats, door mats, kitchen and break room mats, and more can be placed all over the office areas in order to prevent excess moisture on the floor. Not only do these mats collect water and snow, they also reduce the amount of salt that is drawn in by foot traffic. Salt is very damaging to certain floor types, and can cause fading, peeling, deterioration, discoloration, and more. The most important advantage of entrance mats is they reduce conditions for slipping and falling. Floor mats are inexpensive and come in various different sizes, colors, and shapes, so it is easy to find the right mat for the surface you intend to protect.

Wet floor signs are another tool that is widely beneficial to a commercial property. Although people understand that a floor might be wet from winter precipitation, it is a safety precaution to advise customers, employees, and guests that certain areas are wet and slippery. This can also greatly reduce slip, trip, and fall accidents. On extra snowy days, place these signs in areas where traffic is at its highest, mostly by front doors and restrooms. This is where excess water tends to collect from foot traffic. By advising people of a wet floor, a business owner can evade a liability lawsuit for injuries and accidents too. These floor signs can be purchased at any home goods store or hardware store for a reasonable price. It is recommended to have at least two wet floor signs per 500 square feet of property.

The last, but equally if not most important, strategy for winter floor safety and protection is routine maintenance and cleaning. This includes daily, weekly, and monthly cleaning duties, as well as, increased vacuuming. Daily duties include dry mopping, sweeping, and vacuuming all flooring. Weekly duties include wet floor mopping with hot water and soap, dry mopping afterwards, and a thorough sweep. Monthly duties might include floor waxing and sealcoating for added protection and security.

Consult a seasoned personal injury lawyer for accurate information, advice, and instruction for filing a slip and fall injury claim in the case that you are injured at a commercial business for any of these above-mentioned reasons or more. A personal injury law firm retains the proper experience, knowledge, and resources to guide you through the legal process of filing a claim for all kinds of accident types. They can fight for your right to full and fair compensation for your damages and losses.

Indianapolis Slip and Fall Lawyers

Personal Injury Law Firm
317-881-2700

Call the legal office of Craven Blazek Law at 317-881-2700 to file a slip and fall claim in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our seasoned personal injury lawyers are eager to help you recover the full and fair compensation you deserve after a serious slip and fall accident on public or private property. We offer free initial consultations and never collect attorney fees unless we prevail for you. Call 317-881-2700 to schedule your consultation, today.

Advice on Driving Safe in Winter Weather

Posted on December 19, 2017 by admin

Harsh winter weather can be both intimidating and dangerous at the same time. Now that we are sure snow and ice will be on the roads soon, it is important to review some safe winter driving tips. This is especially important for new drivers and adolescents. A little knowledge can save lives and prevent accidents on the road. As a seasoned driver, you should know how to drive safely in hazardous weather, and what to do in the case of winter roadside emergencies. Continue reading for helpful and imperative winter driving safety tips and more.

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Tips for Winter Driving

As for daily driving, it is important to make sure you do not drive when tired or sleepy. If you are not capable of being one hundred percent alert behind the wheel of a car, especially one with passengers in tow, then you are not in a position to drive responsibly. Before starting your vehicle, be sure your gas tank is at least halfway full in order to avoid your gas lines from freezing up. Also be sure to check your tires and see if they are fully inflated. Low-inflation tires are a big concern on the road, as are over-inflated tires. When tires are too low, traction is lost and can lead to car accidents and collisions; while over-inflated tires can pop on the road, causing vehicles to potentially spin out of control and collide into objects or oncoming traffic.

Other areas to think about before driving in poor weather is the vehicle’s brake lights, headlights, and fluids. All of these parts and components need to be serviced and up-to-date in order for a vehicle to operate safely in any condition. Check your brake lights and be sure they are functional before pulling out of the driveway. Hazard lights should also be checked in the case of a roadside emergency. If snow is falling hard, other cars might have trouble seeing a vehicle on the side of the road unless their flashers are on and bright. In these same cases, it is actually not recommended to use parking brakes or cruise control for reasons regarding driver and passenger safety.

The most important part of safe driving, whether in snow or sunshine, is to always wear a seat-belt. Seat belts are designed to prevent driver or passenger ejection in the case of a collision. Not only is it important to wear a seat-belt for this reason, it is also important because they are designed to work in conjunction with a vehicle’s airbag system. When a car is involved in a collision, the crash sensors within the vehicle relay a message to the airbags to deploy; but these airbags can only service their purpose properly is the driver or passenger is wearing their safety restraints.

Indianapolis Car Accident Lawyers

If you do experience a car accident or collision, be sure to seek medical attention right away. If you were seriously injured, contact a local persona injury law firm to learn your rights to full and fair compensation for your losses.

Personal Injury Law Firm
317-881-2700

Call The legal office of Craven Blazek Law at 317-881-2700 to file a personal injury claim in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our seasoned car accident lawyers are eager to recover the full and fair compensation you deserve. We offer free initial consultations and never collect attorney fees unless we recover for you.

Which Mistakes Cause the Most Car Accidents?

Posted on December 11, 2017 by admin

Driving a car is a big responsibility. And once you turn the ignition, you are taking on a risk. This is because you cannot trust the other drivers around, so accidents can happen at any given moment in time. Most car accidents are caused by some form of distracted driving, and since you cannot control what others around you do, it is critical to stay alert and focused when operating a motor vehicle. This even includes motorcycles, mopeds, scooters, and bikes. For this reason, it is important to always pay attention and drive defensively on the road. Accidents can happen for a number of reasons, but the most common causes of car accidents all have to do with irresponsible driving. Continue reading to see what they are!

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Distracted Driving

The “umbrella” cause for car accidents is general distracted driving. This includes any behaviors or stimuli that can cause a person to lose focus of the road and their surroundings. Behaviors like texting, talking on the phone, smoking, searching for items, digging in purses, changing the radio station, and even sight-seeing are all examples of distracted driving. Stimuli that commonly distracts drivers include passengers, ride-along pets, emergency vehicle lights, loud music, and children. Some of these behaviors and stimuli should be avoided at all costs, like texting and driving. Most of the others mentioned can always be put off until you come to a stop. You may not be able to control other drivers, but you have the power to control your own driving!

Drunk Driving

Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol is illegal for a reason. It is one of the most dangerous behaviors a driver can partake in, and one of the most common reasons for car accident fatalities in the United States. According to a recent MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) poll, an average of 28 people die EVERYDAY from drunk driving accidents. Not only can you get in a heap of legal trouble, you can potentially harm or kill another innocent person. And what if that person is a child? Drinking and driving is never worth it, for this reason and more. Call a cab or designate a sober driver. It is also important to never get into a car with a drunk driver. Your life is not worth the risk!

Speeding and Reckless Driving

Speeding can fall into the category of irresponsible driving. A vast number of car accidents involve speeding. According to the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration), nearly 14,000 fatalities a year are caused by speeding. No matter how “good” of a driver you claim to be, driving at high speeds makes it impossible to be entirely alert and safely react to obstacles in the road. So next time you are in a hurry, remember that driving faster will never get you there in time. It will only risk your life and the lives of others on the road.

Aggressive or Angry Driving

Colloquially referred to as “road rage”, aggressive or angry driving is a common cause of traffic accidents in the United States. Drivers who experience intense anger towards traffic, road workers, or other drivers, and choose to release that anger with aggressive driving, can risk causing a serious accident involving other vehicles. It is recommended to avoid intense anger behind the wheel by listening to music or audiobooks. It can help a person to remain calm and reduce their anxiety until they reach their destination.

Fatigued Driving

Whether coming home late from work, or nearing the end of an all-day road trip, fatigued driving is a common occurrence among drivers, and a common cause for car accidents. The NHTSA reports that an average of 100,000 collisions are caused by sleepy driving, over 1,500 of which are fatal. It is critical to be fully-energized and alert when operating a motor vehicle. Feeling the slightest bit drowsy can be a dangerous condition to drive in. Not only can you hurt yourself, you can hurt innocent strangers around you.

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured by a distracted driver, it is vital to contact an experienced Indianapolis car accident lawyer to protect your future and your rights. Hurry to file your car accident injury claim before the statutes of limitations runs out in your state!

Indianapolis Car Accident Injury Lawyers

Personal Injury Law Firm
317-881-2700

Call The Law Office of Craven Blazek Law at 317-881-2700 for seasoned car accident injury lawyers in Indianapolis, Indiana. Attorneys Daniel Craven, Ralph Hoover, and Keith Blazek are eager to help you recover the full and fair compensation you deserve after being injured in a car accident. We offer free initial consultations and never collect lawyer fees unless we prevail for you. Call 317-881-2700 to learn your rights after a car accident, today.

How is Pain and Suffering Determined in a Personal Injury Settlement?

Posted on December 6, 2017 by admin

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There may not be any concrete or stringent guidelines for placing a dollar amount on a victim’s pain and suffering damages in a personal injury lawsuit; however, opposing insurance companies do make an effort to deliberate at great lengths in regards to the accident and injury that took place. There are many aspects of a case they consider, so continue reading to learn what these are and more about determining compensation for pain and suffering in a personal injury settlement.

Compensation for Pain and Suffering

If a person is injured as a result of another person’s negligence, that person may be entitled to certain compensation for their damages. Exemplary damages typically include hospital bills, medical expenses, lost wages, and of course, pain and suffering. More extreme cases can include many more types of damages, like prolonged rehabilitation, loss of companionship, mental anguish, PTSD, paralysis, wrongful death, and more.

When a victim sues for damages sustained from a personal injury, they generally seek compensation from the negligent party’s insurance company. The victim’s accident attorney will usually handle all communication directly with the opposing insurance company representatives to agree on a full and fair settlement. If a settlement cannot be reached, then the case will go to trial. In such a case, the victim’s side will need to prove that the opposing party is liable and guilty for their damages; and then provide proof and evidence of those damages. When it comes times to discuss pain and suffering, there are a few considerations that help courtrooms and insurance companies come to an accurate number.

Determining “Pain and Suffering”

Pain and suffering is a legal term used to describe all the accumulative mental and emotional traumas and inconveniences that a victim’s accident caused them. It will be considered whether or not the accident and damages caused the victim to experience worry, fear, depression, or lose happiness and enjoyment from life; but it is still a complicated process in determining and agreeing upon proper compensation for this. In most cases, the total number of monetary damages (medical expenses, hospital bills, lost wages, etc.) are calculated and multiplied by a number between one and five. The number used to multiply the amount depends on the severity of the damages.

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers Who Can Help

Personal Injury Law Firm
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Call Craven Blazek Law at 317-881-2700 to schedule a free consultation with a licensed Indianapolis personal injury attorney who can determine the best strategies for your case. Not only does our law firm offer free consultations, we never collect lawyer fees unless we prevail for you! Call 317-881-2700 to get started on your financial recovery, today.

How to Set Your Personal Injury Claim into Motion

Posted on November 27, 2017 by admin

The seasoned personal injury lawyers at Craven Blazek Law makes it easier to get your life back on track after a serious accident. We will do everything in our power to ensure your quality of life is not jeopardized.

Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

At our personal injury law firm, our top priority is to ensure you have a comfortable recovery, both physically and financially. For this reason we use a concentrated and methodical approach to get your claim under way. We start by offering a free initial consultation to discuss the circumstances of your accident and injuries. If you decide that we are a good fit as your personal injury law firm, we will immediately begin collecting data concerning your case.

Clear and Consistent Client Communication

Although this alliteration is amusing, it truly speaks to the character of our firm as a whole. We are strongly dedicated to maintaining clear and consistent communication with our clients during the progress of their claim. When you have questions, we are always here to answer them in a language you can understand. We avoid using confusing legal jargon so that you are full informed of your claim proceedings. This level of communication is an important aspect to the overall success of navigating your case, which is why we remain so devoted to doing it well.

Comprehensive Data Collection

Our lawyers use a systematic approach to ensure we get all the information we need to build a strong and impactful claim against the opposing party. This list of information varies depending on the unique details of a person’s case. To begin, we will collect a detailed account of your accident, hospital records, past medical records, insurance company information, employer information (if a workers’ compensation claim), responding officer and EMT reports (if applicable), police reports (if applicable), eye witness information, and more.

When we are through collecting data, our seasoned personal injury lawyers can quickly set your claim into motion and begin working toward obtaining a full and fair settlement for your losses and damages. Our law firm works on a contingency fee basis, meaning we never collect attorney fees unless we prevail for you. We also offer free initial consultations so there is never any out-of-pocket obligation to simply discuss your legal options after being seriously injured in an accident.

Get Started on Your Claim Today!

Personal Injury Law Firm
317-881-2700

Call The Law office of Craven Blazek Law at 317-881-2700 to file a personal injury claim in Indianapolis, Indiana. We are well-versed and experienced in several practice areas, from slip and fall accident claims, to car accidents, dog bites, workers’ compensation, orthopedic injuries, and much more. When you walk into our office for your free consultation, you will instantly feel confident that you are in good hands. Call 317-881-2700 to get started, today.

Can I File a Third Party Claim On Top of a Workers’ Compensation Claim?

Posted on November 20, 2017 by admin

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Workers’ compensation law is important because it provides injured victims with financial relief while recovering from a workplace accident. However, it also protects companies and their employees from being sued by injured workers for unintentional accidents and injuries. It does not, however, protect other individuals and entities outside of the company. If the workplace accident was caused by something or someone outside of the company’s control, an injured victim can sometimes file a lawsuit for damages against the external at-fault party. Third parties can be another person, another company’s employee, a manufacturer, and much more.

These claims are called third party claims, and can vary drastically from case to case. Continue reading to learn more about filing a third party claim in addition to a workplace injury claim, and how to ensure you are receiving the full and fair amount of compensation you deserve.

One Accident – Multiple Claims

There are several scenarios that would allow an accident victim to seek third party benefits in addition to their workers’ compensation claim. For example:

🚑 If an employee is traveling from one job site to another, and is involved in a car accident because an intoxicated driver ran a stop sign, the employee could potentially receive workers’ compensation benefits, as well as, file another claim for damages against the intoxicated driver.

🐕 If an employee is attending a mandatory company picnic at a local park, and is bitten by a dog who was not on a leash, they could possibly file a 3rd party claim against the owner of the dog who bit them, as well as, receive workers’ compensation benefits since they were injured during a mandatory company event.

🏭 If an employee is injured at work by a piece of machinery because of defective or poorly designed parts, and the machine is less than ten years old, they may be able to file a third party claim against the manufacturer of the defective machine, as well as, still receive their workers’ compensation benefits.

What You Need to Know

There are numerous limitations to filing third party claims in addition to workers’ compensation benefits, and these limitations vary greatly among jurisdictions. The Workers’ Compensation Board of Indiana handles all the workers’ compensation claims in the state, but it is important to know that third party claims are dealt with separately, in civil court. The company of an injured worker does not handle any proceedings for filing a 3rd party claim. For these claims, injured employees would need to hire an experienced personal injury lawyer in order to file a lawsuit for damages against a 3rd party.

Workers’ Compensation Legal Assistance

For injured employees who feel like they are not receiving the full or fair amount of benefits they should for their accident, it is effective to hire an Indianapolis workers’ compensation attorney for legal assistance. They use their skills, knowledge, and resources to fight for injured employees’ rights to appropriate benefits and compensation following a serious workplace injury.

Indianapolis Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Call Craven Blazek Law at 317-881-2700 for help with workers’ compensation claims in Indianapolis, Indiana. Here at our law firm, we are eager to help injured victims recover the full and fair compensation they deserve. We offer free initial consultations and never collect lawyer fees unless we win your settlement. Call 317-881-2700 to schedule a free consultation with a licensed Indianapolis workers’ compensation attorney, today.

Am I Liable for a Car Accident if Someone Else was Driving My Vehicle

Posted on November 13, 2017 by admin

It’s important to know whether or not you are covered under your automotive insurance policy if another person wrecks your car while driving. However; what about liability? Can you be sued if someone else was driving your vehicle and caused and accident that resulted in another person’s injury or death? Knowing the difference between liability and accountability in a driver-vehicle owner accident case can protect you from making a mistake down the road. Let’s take a closer look at this subject and discuss the various aspects of driver-car owner liability and the law.

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Motor Vehicle Accident Liability

Sadly, there are thousands of motor vehicle accidents on the road every day. At the scenes of these car collisions, the principle intention of law enforcement and insurers is to determine who is at fault. In order to configure liability and compensation, everyone is eager to know who caused the accident and which party is ultimately responsible for the damages. In most cases, the person who acted negligently, and whose reckless driving caused them to wreck, veer, or collide with other vehicles, is the accountable and liable party. This is standard procedure and general knowledge in regards to car accidents and collisions, including pedestrian and motor vehicle accidents. If you are driving and cause an accident, it is lawful for you to be held accountable for the damages to all involved vehicles and parties.

But What If YOU Weren’t Driving Your Car?

What if you lent your vehicle to a friend or relative and THEY caused a serious accident on the road? Who is liable for the accident? You as the car owner? Or your friend that was driving?

These are a lot of questions, but that’s the reality when it comes to driver-vehicle owner liability. There are many laws and obligations drivers and car owners are unaware of, which can cost them down the road if they never ask these important questions. It is a fact that you CAN be held liable under certain circumstances in the case that someone else is driving your vehicle and wrecks it, even if you are not in the car at all and they are legally licensed to drive.

Vicarious Liability

This idea is supported under the Vicarious Liability law; a secondary liability doctrine explaining that an owner of a vehicle that has chosen to loan their vehicle to another person, who then commits negligence, is vicariously liable for the damages. This can also be referred to as principle’s liability or imputed negligence. The owner of a vehicle is the chief principle, while anyone who drives it for them is their “agent”, making them the “principle” party and responsible for all damages caused by any person driving their vehicle. Learn more about this topic in our article, “What is Vicarious Liability?”

If a parent entrusts their minor to driver their vehicle, and an accident occurs, the parent or person who signed the minor’s driving application, is held responsible for the damages. The term “negligent entrustment” refers to a situation in which a parent or guardian allows their minor to drive their vehicle, even though they have full knowledge that the minor is reckless, inexperienced, or unlicensed to drive.

The Family Purpose Doctrine holds the owner of the vehicle, usually the parent or guardian, accountable for any damages caused by another driving their vehicle, with or without permission. This doctrine varies state to state, but uses the underlying principle of vicarious liability. The same principles applies to employer-employee relationships and scenarios. It is important to know where you are protected when it comes to liability and the law. When a person is held liable, an opposing party can sue them for compensation, for an accident they didn’t even cause.

Indianapolis Car Accident Lawyers

It can certainly be difficult comprehending the law and all areas of law can be confusing. This is why it is highly recommended to contact an Indianapolis Car Accident Lawyer for answers to your legal questions. A licensed personal injury lawyer is the professional that can clearly define and explain vicarious liability, motor vehicle accidents and liability, compensation for damages, and more.

Personal Injury Law Firm
317-881-2700

Call Craven Blazek Law at 317-881-2700 to speak with a licensed car accident lawyer in Indianapolis, Indiana. We never collect attorney fees unless we obtain compensation for you, and we also offer free initial consultations. Get started on your physical, emotional, and financial recovery today!

Tips for Preventing Carbon Monoxide Poisoning in Your Home

Posted on November 6, 2017 by admin

Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Carbon monoxide is a colorless, tasteless, odorless gas that is deadly to both humans and animals. Carbon monoxide poisoning occurs after inhaling the gas. Following inhalation, it enters the bloodstream and displaces oxygen from hemoglobin, which causes oxygen deficiency. This results in hypoxia, which could lead to serious health complications, brain damage, and even death. Essentially, carbon monoxide poisoning causes your body to suffocate from the inside out. Although the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are nonspecific, the most common symptoms reported include nausea, headache, dizziness, vomiting, migraine, weakness, chest pain, mental confusion, and fatigue. Fortunately, modern science and innovations in technology have allowed us to effectively prevent carbon monoxide poisoning our homes.

One particular device used to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning is called a carbon monoxide detector, which is found in virtually every home in the country. Using this device, along with additional preventive methods, have proven to be highly-effective at preventing dangerous levels of carbon monoxide in our homes. Continue reading to learn how to evaluate your indoor air quality and prevent carbon monoxide poisoning your home.

Testing Indoor Air Quality

It is important to know the quality of your indoor air environment. This is especially important for homes with occupants that have upper respiratory complications and illnesses such as asthma or allergies. Airborne contaminants like dust, pollen, hair, dirt, dead insects, dust mites, mold, bacteria, and more, our common offenders that can negatively affect the quality of your indoor air.

By determining the quality of your air, you can make the necessary changes to improve it. You should consider air purification services, including air filter replacements, air duct cleaning, vent and register cleaning, air testing, decontamination, sanitizing, and much more. You can also visit a local home improvement store and purchase a DIY air quality testing kit for reasonable price.

Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Not only should every home be equipped with a quality carbon monoxide detector, it is recommended to have one on every level of your home. Carbon monoxide detectors are your first defense against carbon monoxide poisoning. The slightest detection of carbon monoxide will sound off the alarm, which is loud enough to wake you in your sleep. Be sure to regularly check the batteries inside your carbon monoxide detector, and replaced them at least once per year.

Here are some additional ways you can prevent carbon monoxide poisoning:

➨ Never use portable gas stoves inside the home.

➨ Hire a professional to inspect gas appliances for safety. This is water heaters, stoves, and furnaces.

➨ Never ignore unfamiliar odors in the refrigerator. Gases in refrigerators can create a funny smell when mixed with carbon monoxide.

➨ Keep your chimney clean. Hire a professional to inspect and clean your chimney once a year.

➨ Never burned charcoal indoors.

➨ Never use generators inside your home or basement.

➨ Never patch a vent pipe with an improper adhesive or sealant.

If you believe you or someone you love has been exposed to carbon monoxide poisoning, seek emergency medical treatment. Call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you are someone you love suffered carbon monoxide poisoning as a result of a defective detector or another person’s negligence, contact a personal injury law firm to learn your rights to financial recovery.

Indianapolis Accident Lawyers

Personal Injury Lawyers 317-881-2700

Call The Law office of Craven Blazek Law at 317-881-2700 to file an accident injury claim in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our seasoned personal injury lawyers are eager to recover the full and fair compensation you deserve after you or your loved ones suffered injuries as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning. We offer free initial consultations and never collect attorney fees unless we recover for you. Call 317-881-2700 to schedule a time with a licensed Indianapolis accident attorney, today.

Are Space Heaters Dangerous?

Posted on November 1, 2017 by admin

There are several reasons why people use space heaters. Not only do they effectively heat small spaces using minimal amounts of energy, they can be used all year round on demand and they allow property owners to save money on energy bills, especially in the winter. Portable heaters also work as fantastic outdoor heating devices for autumn fun and patio entertainment. Although they are popular electronics for both residential and commercial use, are space heaters safe to use in our homes and office? Continue reading to learn more about space heaters and a few safety tips to consider when using them.

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Space Heater Safety Tips

There are some statistics you should be aware of before choosing to regularly heat your home with a space heater. For example, in 2010, similar heating devices and equipment were the cause of over 57,000 reported house fires. From these fires, more than 300 deaths occurred, more than one thousand people and children were injured, and more than one billion dollars’ worth of damages occurred. When it comes to using space heaters, be sure to fully understand the risks and potential dangers that they can cause.

To avoid the risk of fires, injury, and damages, review these important safety tips regarding space heaters:

⚠ Use a heater that has a protective casing blocking the flame or heat source. This can help avoid contact with children, pets, and clothing.

⚠ Purchase a heater that has been certified and approved by a national recognized testing laboratory or corporation (i.e. Underwriter’s Laboratories Inc.). These products generally meet the safety standards and requirements for indoor heating devices such as this.

⚠ Use an appropriately-sized space heater for the square footage you need to heat. Do not use a heater too large for a room.

⚠ Place space heaters at least 3 feet away from curtains, drapes, blankets, furniture, and other flammable materials.

⚠ Keep space heaters away from water.

⚠ Be sure that everyone in the home or office thoroughly understands how to use and operate the space heater. This includes children, babysitters, co-workers, and any other person within the property.

⚠ If using a natural gas or kerosene space heater, keep all other doors open in the house to prevent pollutant build-up. It also promotes proper combustion. Vented heating devices also require ventilation for apposite combustion.

⚠ Gas space heaters should always come with a pilot safety valve.

⚠ Never attempt to light the pilot if you smell even a trace of gasoline.

⚠ Never leave a space heater on overnight or when you are not home.

⚠ Place the space heater on a leveled area where it cannot be knocked over or bumped.

⚠ Try not to use extension cords. If you do, make sure it is a heavy-duty brand with an equal or higher power rating as your space heater.

⚠ Always remember that space heaters are intended for temporary use only.

⚠ Unvented or kerosene space heaters are illegal in some states. Be sure to do your research. Be aware that trailers and mobile homes require specialized indoor space heating equipment. Only vented or fuel-fired heaters should be used in these types of properties.

Indianapolis Burn Injury Attorneys

Personal Injury Law Firm
317-881-2700

Call Craven Blazek Law at 317-881-2700 for burn accident injury claims in Indianapolis, Indiana. If you or a loved one was recently injured as a result of a negligent fire or space heater product malfunction, call our licensed personal injury attorneys right away. We offer free initial consultations to and NEVER collect attorney fees unless we prevail for you! Call 317-881-2700 to schedule a consultation, today.