Cleanliness is Next to What Again?

How about cleanliness is next to the long line of people who aren’t being sued? As Logan’s Roadhouse taught us, clean floors are important, unless you want an employee slipping, falling, and suing you. But clean floors aren’t the only way you can prevent injuries to your employees. Here are a few more.

1. Fix any uneven floorboards or tiles, preventing accidental trips.
2. Don’t overwork any employee, as tired employees make more mistakes and accidents are more prone to happen.
3. Put up signs everywhere of possible hazards – don’t expect anyone to use common sense when chances are they can sue you for much more than they make in a year.
4. Give raises often and treat your employees like family – chances are that, if they love their job or at least like you, they won’t sue.

Distracted Driving

There are three main types of distracted driving:

1. Visual – removing your eyes from the roadway
2. Cognitive – letting your mind wander
3. Manual – removing your hands from the steering wheel

Each of these distraction types is dangerous for you and for your fellow drivers on the road. So how do you avoid distracted driving? How about these options:

1. If you know you’re upset about something or emotional, don’t drive.
2. Pretend your hands are glued to 10 and 2, just like in the driver’s manual
3. Avoid cell phones, food items, and playing with the radio
4. Stare your kids down only after pulling over to the side of the road

If you do these things, you are far more likely to avoid an accident.

Dog Bites

If you have been bitten by a dog, then you know that it hurts and can come with some pretty negative consequences. For instance, you could get rabies, an infection, or worse! So what should you do if you have been the victim of a dog bite accident?

1. Go to the doctor immediately. Don’t wait. You want to get treatment as soon as possible to avoid other medical risks.
2. Report it. As soon as possible, report the attack to the police and the local dog-catcher. The sooner that animal can be picked up and tested for rabies, the better.
3. If you know who owns the dog, go to them and discuss your options. A good owner will offer to pay your medical expenses and help you in any way they can. A bad owner, however, will tell you it was your fault, leading to step 4.
4. File a lawsuit. Do this only if you cannot come to a reasonable agreement with the owner, but do this soon after the bite if possible. Waiting will only give the owners time to cover their dog’s tracks.

Construction Zones

Did you hear about the poor teacher who slipped and fell in an unmarked construction zone, hitting her head and suffering head trauma, memory loss, and blurred vision? Well, based upon her story, here are a few tips to avoid ending up in the same situation.

1. If you see construction equipment and a giant metal sheet blocking the sidewalk, cross the road and continue on your way.
2. If you do somehow end up in a construction zone, watch where you step.
3. Drive your car to your job instead of walking.

While I’m sure there are other safety tips for avoiding unmarked construction zones, these should help a bit right away. So be safe and watch for random debris.

Privacy

Did you know that you have a right to privacy? It’s true – at least according to the state of California. And if someone threatens your privacy, you can sue.

If you decide to sue, know that there are four types of privacy torts. They are:

1. False light in the public eye
2. Appropriation of another’s name or likeness
3. Physical intrusion
4. Public disclosure to private facts

If you have been a victim of an intrusion to your privacy, then seek legal help. Privacy is something that should never be messed with.

Defamation

Be careful what you say!

Did you know that defamation lawsuits are more common now than ever? It’s true. Everything you say, email, tweet, or post could be used against you in a defamation lawsuit. Why? Well, defamation is all about communicating information about an individual, business, product, or group that makes a negative, false claim. If this claim is communicated to someone other than the person or group being talked about, then you have a lawsuit on your hands.

So how do you avoid this? I’ll tell you.

1. Don’t lie about anyone.
2. If you have something negative to say, make sure you have evidence to back it up.
3. And, as your mother once told you, if you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.

If you follow these simple steps, you can completely avoid being named in a defamation lawsuit.

To Avoid Falling

Personal injury attorneys often face cases involving slip and fall accidents. However, if you want to avoid falling and therefore avoid the physical and mental pain associated with a fall, there are some preventative measures you can take (at least that’s what North Island MidWeek states).

1. Be careful – Watch where you are going and don’t take unnecessary risks. If you don’t have to rush, take your time. And never assume that the sidewalk will be debris- and bump-free.
2. Wear comfortable shoes – No, I don’t mean flip-flops, though flip-flops are often times more secure than high-heels. Wearing improper footwear for the weather or the situation is a large problem, leading to sprains, breaks, and other accident-related injuries.
3. Be healthy – Being physically active and eating properly can prevent more accidents than you think. Eating properly means a well-balanced diet, and usually good eating habits leads to healthy eyes, more stamina, and even better balance. Also, a good exercise program (like yoga or core training) can keep you on your feet even when you slip. Core strength is essential to balance, coordination, and endurance.

So if you want to keep out of the hospital and away from lawyers, try these things and see if they don’t help.