Buckfire Law Blog

Michigan Personal Injury Lawyer: Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Case

As a Michigan personal injury attorney, I often meet and speak with people with very good personal injury cases that have been ruined because of mistakes made by the injured person.  These are almost always innocent mistakes, but they can sometimes be fatal to a lawsuit. 

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Chipotle Food Poisoning in Kent Ohio

I have been taking a lot of calls from customers who became very ill from the Chipotle Mexican Grill food poisoning outbreak last month.  I expect to be filing claims for many of them against the restaurant chain shortly.  Thoe Portage County Health Department has confirmed that the food borne illness associated with the Chipotle outbreak was Norovirus Genotype G2.  The health department is concerned over secondary cases of the illness, which arises when a sick customer comes in contact with another person and transmits the virus.

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Construction Worker Accidents

Construction site activity is busy again now that the weather is warming up and construction workers are back to work.  Unfortunately, this often means reports of serious construction accident injuries and even deaths.  A news web site today reported that a Hart Plaza construction worker died after being trapped in a fifty foot hole.Under Michigan law, the family of the construction worker can pursue a claim for the construction site accident.  This would amount to a Michigan Wrongful Death case that can be filed by his family members in the Wayne County Circuit Court.

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Michigan Boating Accidents

I just added an excellent article to our web site on negligence and boating accidents.  With summer just around the corner, Michigan boaters will be taking to the lakes and rivers shortly.  With tragic boating accidents reported every summer, it is important to understand the key safety issues to avoid serious and deadly Michigan boating accidents this year.

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Swimming Pool Injuries and Safety Measures

It is spring in Michigan and time for homeowners to start opening their swimming pools for the upcoming summer months.  An excellent article on swimming pool safety was recently added to our site and contains great tips for swimming pool injury prevention.

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Chipotle Kent Food Poisoning Claims

I have blogged for the last few days on the huge food poisoning outbreak at the Chipotle Mexican Grill in Kent, Ohio.  Over 400 customers, including over two hundred Kent State University students, are reported to have suffered from food poisoning illness.  While the restaurant is making efforts to pay medical bills and assist the customers, the sick customers should be cautious when accepting checks for medical bills and even speaking with claims adjusters.  In many cases, sick customers are asked to sign away their rights on a Release before getting full and proper compensation for their injuries.  It is important to hire an attorney before you sign anything, because once you sign off on your rights you cannot get them back.

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No-Fault Insurance Forms: Michigan Car Accidents

As most of you know, our law firm is considered to be one of the top Michigan Car Accident Law firms in the state.  We specialize in these claims and Michigan No-Fault Insurance Claims. 

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Brain Injury Research Study

Detroit, MI-Great news was recently reported for brain injury patients, their families, and the medical providers who treat them.  The Department of Defense has awarded a group of Houston institutions $33 milllion to study mild traumatic brain injuries and concussions.  The effects of these brain injuries can lead to serious long term and serious problems, much greater than previously thought. 

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Amusement Park Accident Lawsuit Filed

Amusement parks, carnivals, and theme parks provide great thrills, fun, and entertainment for people of all ages.  When you look at the rides and roller coasters, you cannot help but wonder how the rides are designed, built, and constructed to avoid accidents and injuries.   Just the sheer speed and dynamics of the rides baffles the mind.   Most amusement parks put a great emphasis on rider safety, but there are always some serious injuries and accidents that still occur.  The question is whether the amusement park or carnival operator can be held legally accountable for those injuries?  The answer is YES.

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Michigan Brain Injury Movie

A young Michigan woman who survived a serious brain injury is featured in a movie that will be shown to teens all over the country.  It debuted the other night in Grand Rapids.  The movie was made to alert the public, and especially teenagers, about the seriousness of brain injuries and how a careless moment behind the wheel can alter a life forever.

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Detroit Michigan Hit and Run Accident

A Detroit Michigan man was critically injured in a Michigan hit and run car accident in Livingston County.  The 41 year old man was found lying in the street.  Police are trying to figure out what happened who and who may be involved.  Even if the driver of the hit and run vehicle is never identified, the injured man is entitled to receive Michigan No-Fault insurance benefits.  There are several possible sources for this insurance and they will pay for medical expenses, lost wages, assistance with household chores, and attendant care services to assist the man when he is discharged from the hospital.

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Beef Recall Food Poisoning Scare

Food poisoning concerns caused the nations largerst beef recall ever.  143 million pounds from a California slaughterhouse are feared to have food poisoning and may be possibly unsafe due to the fact the cattle did not receive complete and proper inspections.  No illnesses have been reported. 

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Grand Rapids Car Accident Lawyer

Four people wiere injuried in a Grand Rapids car accident the other day.  Due to slippery road conditions, a car spun out of control and struck an oncoming van.  Two of the injured are hospitalized and in critical condition.   It seems like no matter how often you drive on Michigan's icy winter roads, there are still times when you lose control despite driving with caution.  In some cases, the accidents result because due care and caution is not used.  In those situations, persons injured in a Winter accident may have liability claims against the careless drivers.

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Ski Accident Deaths

The thrilling sport of snow skiing has resulted in several recent tragedies.  Retired ABC John McWethy lost his life after he crashed into a tree and suffered fatal injuries to his chest. In Michigan, a Michigan Tech engineering student died after suffering fatal head injuries on the ski slopes.  Another teenager died the week before from head injuries while skiing.  Unfortunately, neither teen skiier was wearing a protective helmet at the time of the their injuries.These tragedies are a chilling reminder of the dangers posed by the sport, not only by obstacles in the course but also by other skiiers.  Skiiers often travel at much higher speeds and have less control than bicyclists, and the importance of protective helmets should not be overlooked.  Parents and ski coaches should require that all participants wear protective helmets to avoid future tragedies.

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Disney Cruise Ship Lawsuit Filed

Cruises provide a great vacation getaway for millions of Americans every year.  You read about the great entertainment, tremendous buffets, and fun island excursions.  What you don't read about are the serious injuries and deaths that occur on cruise ships every year.  Many injuries and deaths are due to the negligence of the cruise ship operators and dangerous conditions on the boat.  A wrongful death lawsuit was recently filed against the Disney Cruise line by a New York widow, whose husband died last year during a Mediterranean cruise.  The suit alleges that the ship doctor misdiagnosed his condition and that EMT's were slow to respond to a life threatening situation.  The man died 17 days later.  The suit seeks compensation for the loss of her husband.

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Michigan Knee and Hip Surgery Costs

The Detroit News today has an interesting article on the cost of knee and hip surgeries  and knee and hip replacements at various hospitals in the Metro-Detroit area.  For example, the charge for a hip or knee replacement costs approximately $28,500 at Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, Michigan to $42,653 at Harper Hospital in Detroit, Michigan.

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MIchigan Injury Lawyer Blog Started

Firm attorney Lawrence J. Buckfire has started a new legal blog aimed at providing important updates and information on Michigan personal injury cases.  The blog, called Michigan Injury Lawyer Blog, will contain frequent posts on topics including Michigan car accidents, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, slip and fall cases, dog bite cases, and medical malpractice cases.  Internet users can subscribe to the site's RSS feed to automatically receive these updates.

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Michigan Car Accident Injuries

Michigan car accident victims have been the target of numerous bad court decisions over the last few years.  People with serious injuries, including broken bones with surgeries, have had their cases dismissed by the courts because many judges have been misinterpreting the case law.

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Baby and Infant Death Probes

The number of babies killed each year by Americans is grossly underestimated according to a recent study.  This under reporting is also true for baby and infant deaths in Michigan.  In Michigan, the homicide rate for these dates is only 7.1%, most likely very low for the number of reported deaths.

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Motorcycle Accidents: Injury Prevention and Safety Tips

Motorcycle accidents can cause devastating and catastrophic injuries.  In many accident cases, it is a negligent motorist that causes the accident with a biker.  The Motorcycle Safety Foundation is a great source of information, statistics, and safety recommendations for both bikers and other drivers.  They publish numerous downloadable safety guides, including "Ten Things All Car & Truck Drivers Should Know About Motorcyclists."

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Michigan Car Accident Lawyers

Michigan car accident lawyers always talk about the No-Fault insurace laws, but does the phrase “No-Fault” mean anyways?Most of you have heard the phrase “No-Fault” but do not know exactly what it means or how it affects you if you were involved in a car accident. You are not alone. Basically, it means that you can get insurance benefits regardless of whether you or someone else was at fault in the accident. That’s right, you are entitled to insurance benefits even if you were at fault in the accident.Generally, when you are involved in a car accident in Michigan, there are three types of insurance claims. These claims are explained in more detail in this book, but they are classified as:1. CAR REPAIRS AND DAMAGES(Payment for repairs to your vehicle)2. BODILY INJURY CLAIMS(Payment for your personal injuries)3. NO-FAULT INSURANCE BENEFITS(Payment for wage loss, medical expenses, etc.)Because Michigan is a no-fault state, you are required to make claims against your own insurance company for car repairs and no-fault benefits. Michigan law also allows you to make a claim against the driver and owner of the car who was at fault in the accident if you suffered personal injuries, such as pain and suffering and for any visible scars or disfigurements. These are called bodily injury claims. In my book, "The Ultimate Michigan Car Accident Handbook," I teach you how to make these claims and will answer many of your common questions. Of course, thre may be some questions that were not answered in this book. You can always just pick up the telephone and give me a toll-free call at 1-800-606-1717.

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National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week

The Department of Health and Human Services in conjunction with the Center for Disease Control has identified October 21 – October 27, 2007, as the National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week. This week is used to hi-light the problems associated with pediatric lead poisoning.

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Michigan Car Accident Handbook Published

Attorney Daniel Buckfire has published "The Ultimate Michigan Car Accident Handbook."  It covers important issues and answers common questions for people injured in Michigan car accidents.  This includes claims for property damage, insurance claims, personal injuries, and uninsured motorists coverage.  Anyone injured in a Michigan car accident, Michigan motorcycle accident, or as a bicyclist and pedestrian will want to read this book.

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Michigan Brain Injury Conference

Our law firm was proud to participate in this year's Michigan Brain Injury Conference in Lansing, Michigan this week.  The 27th Annual Conference was held by the Michigan Brain Injury Association, a tremendous organization devoted to the treatment and advocacy of brain injured patients and their families.  There were over 900 attendees at the conference and the featured speaker was Bob Woodruff, the ABC correspondent who suffered a brain injury while reporting from the war in Iraq.

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Dole has E-Coli Scare

The FDA issued recall a Dole salad products recall due to an association with possible e-coli outbreaks.  Eleven illness related to these products have been reported with two hospitalizations, all in Minnesota.  E-coli can cause significant illness, including severe bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramps; sometimes the infection causes non-bloody diarrhea.  It has also been known to cause permanent kidney damage.  Persons infected with the bacteria from the Dole product have a legal right to be compensated for their injuries.

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Fall 2007 Legal Newsletter

Our Fall 2007 legal newsletter is now available online as a downloadable PDF format.  The newsletter profiles the Michigan car accident book recently authored by Daniel Buckfire and has articles on important personal injury law news.

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Firm Participates in Sen. Martha Scott Health Fair

My firm is frequently asked to participate in public health fairs to provide information and literature to atendees on issues of child lead poisoning.  Based upon our experience in litigating these poisonings case and our advocacy for injured children in these cases, we are well received by public health departments throughout Michigan and Ohio.Yesterday, my firm had a sponsor table at the "Knowledge for Healthy Living: Issues Critical to Women's Health" in Harper Woods, Michigan.  The event was sponsored by the M.G. Scott Foundation, which was formed by State Senator Martha Scott.  Senator Scott has worked hard to promote health and safety issues for women and children throughout her life in public office.  Her efforts have and will continue to benefit the public for many years to come.  We are proud to be a part of her mission.

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False Tort Reform Promises

The Michigan Chamber of Commerce is at it again on the tort "reform" issue.  Big business and insurance companies are behind this whole "reform" scam, which is essentially just a conspiracy to deprive the average American his or her day in court.  Big business companies, who file more suit and tie up the court dockets more than individuals, of course have no intent of restricting their rights to sue their business "partners."A great editorial by Michigan Association for Justice President Bob Raitt appeared recently in the Detroit Free Press and succintly dispelled the false promises about this reform.  The Chamber issued their own rebuttal to the article, again filled with its usual mean spirited and falsified facts.

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Another Suit Filed Against City of Detroit

Just on the heels of the recent huge whistleblower verdict against the City of Detroit and Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, the former Chief Financial Officer of the Detroit Public Schools is now in court against the city.  Dori Freelain, who served as the CFO for  three years until she was terminated in June, 2007, filed her claim in the Wayne County Circuit Court.  She is seeking damages in excess of $25,000.00.

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Detroit, Mayor Hit with Whistleblower Suit Verdict

A Wayne County, Michigan jury returned a verdict in favor of two fired City of Detroit police officers earlier this week for a total of $6.5 million against the City of Detroit and Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick.  The suit alleged that Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick and the city unfairly punished two ex-cops probing reports of bad behavior.  This is referred to as a "whistelblower suit."

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