Portable stoves are convenient and are often used for outdoor gatherings, such as cookouts, tailgates, and even on camping trips. These offer a very convenient way to cook meals when there is no immediate or direct access to a standing stove.

These appliances tend to be relatively affordable, with some brands costing less than $20. Some of them, however, have reportedly been responsible for causing severe burns and even explosions. What is the correlation? Could it be the low price point—are you paying for an inferior product or even a defective one, with shoddy design and poor production quality?

PORTABLE STOVE SAFETY TIPS

In examining the various types of portable stove explosions, several brands of both portable and countertop models have been linked to causing fires and the subsequent explosions. The reason for this is due to the usage of butane canisters that can release gas and ignite when it comes into contact with a fire source. This can result in the creation of a fireball and explosion.

If you are considering taking legal action, keep these important safety tips in mind:

• Only light the stove using the unit’s igniter
• Observe the hose and other connections
• Keep the unit away from other flammable materials
• Do not leave the canister attached when you are not using the system
• Using units inside that are specified for outdoor use only can lead to dangerous carbon monoxide levels
• Keep all flammable materials away from the units
• Always cook on flat, level surfaces
• Make sure that the burner holes are not blocked before turning on the stove
• Never leave the burner unattended while you are using it
• Cool the stove before removing the canisters

When used correctly, a well-maintained portable burner poses few problems. They are so widely used in a variety of ways. The largest source of issues with these stoves may be due to a product defect. You can discuss your case with our Birmingham product liability attorney to determine whether or not you have a viable legal option to assist you.

CONTACT US – (888) 906-3955!

Glenda Cochran Associates Attorneys At Law is known for tenacious legal advocacy. We are committed to your complete satisfaction, which is why we take the time to develop a solid relationship with you as our client. As part of our commitment to your satisfaction, we will not charge any fees unless we win your case. We are known for our record of success, especially involving major, catastrophic accidents and injuries.

Discuss your case during your free case review.

Women who have taken Zofran within the first eight weeks of pregnancy received Zofran prophylactically, or intravenously, may be placed at an unnecessary risk. Zofran, also known by its generic form, ondansetron, has been given to women suffering from nausea due to morning sickness. The most affected may be those who have experienced very strong morning sickness symptoms with their previous children. Because the FDA has not approved Zofran to alleviate morning sickness, it has been causing a stir ever since the link between the drug and birth defects was discovered.

ZOFRAN LINKED TO BIRTH DEFECTS

Doctors, pharmacists, and drug makers all have the responsibility of ensuring patient safety. Unfortunately, drug makers have a particular interest in creating the drugs quickly and maximizing their profits, and this comes at a cost to the patients. Zofran, in particular, was not intended to be used as a morning sickness treatment but has been prescribed “off-label” in the past.

Some of the most common birth defects that have resulted from taking Zofran include:

• Cleft lip/cleft palate
• Musculoskeletal anomalies
• Heart murmurs
• Atrial septal defect (ASD)
• Ventricular septal defect (VDS)

Because of the complications associated with Zofran, you may be considering what the next steps should be. Some families are considering lawsuits to obtain restitution for any injuries, harm, or birth defects that their child has suffered. Feel free to discuss your options and find counsel with our Birmingham injury lawyer with regards to this matter.

WE HAVE ACCESS TO TOP EXPERT WITNESSES

We turn to many of the top expert witnesses, technology experts, and medical staff to assist in building your case. This information will be useful in creating a compelling argument in your favor. We have been able to recover millions of dollars in compensation for our clients. To discuss the specifics of your case, please be sure to schedule a free case review.

Call (888) 906-3955 or schedule your free review through our online form.

After an accident, do you know what the next steps to take are? Most people understand the importance of hiring an attorney who can assist with the claims process, filing lawsuits, and negotiate for a winning result on their behalf. More likely than not, however, after an accident, you are on your own and have yet to seek out an attorney’s assistance.

You can help the outcome of your case, however, by avoiding many of the common pitfalls that occur after someone gets into an accident. Glenda Cochran Associates Attorneys at Law can offer some suggestions that may be useful should you happen to get into an accident.

WHAT TO AVOID AFTER AN ACCIDENT

Keep your insurance company informed.

Insurance companies state in their policy that you must notify them immediately if you are in an accident. Focus first on treating your injuries and protecting your legal rights as well. Insurance companies are often at odds with your needs. Once you have a clear head, you can then focus on notifying the insurance company and the negotiation process.

Do not admit to anything.

After an accident, most of us have the initial reaction of saying “I’m sorry.” As you are relaying the details of the incident, state only the facts and be objective as possible about the situation. It will be up to the insurance companies to review the evidence and work out who was at fault for the accident.

Don’t ignore your injuries.

Do not try to cover up your injuries or pretend that you are not in pain. Remember that some injuries and the symptoms do not surface until much later on. Everything from internal organ damage, internal bleeding, to concussions and other head injuries. Do not sign any medical release forms. Get medical treatment right away and then consult with a Birmingham injury attorney for advice about your legal rights. Also, you are not obligated to provide your insurance company with a recorded “official statement,” as they can take that information and skew it for their own agenda.

The bottom line? After an accident, every element and every person involved can be an adversary. Your personal injury lawyer, however, is the one who will listen to your side of the story and is your advocate at this time. If you have been injured in an accident or because of another’s mistake, you should seek legal representation as soon as possible to protect yourself.

Call Glenda Cochran Associates Attorneys at Law to set up a free appointment.

The American Trucking Association reported that at least one out of every 15 individuals is working in the trucking industry. Each year, these truck drivers travel across miles and miles of road, carrying tens of billions of pounds of cargo. With these figures presented before us, and knowing that at any given moment, a truck is driving right alongside you—we never think about whether or not something will go wrong.

This is why truck accidents cause countless numbers of accidents each and every year, with thousands of people suffering severe injuries, some of which become fatal. The largest reason for this? Truck drivers are drifting by without adequate sleep.

HAS DRIVER FATIGUED BECOME AN INCREASING PROBLEM?

The federal government has stepped in to put a stop to drowsy driving and truck driver fatigue in particular. The agency that governs the trucking industry is the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), and they implemented regulations to encourage truck drivers to get more sleep.

The laws regulate the following:

• Drivers must not exceed the mileage limits
• Drivers must not exceed the hourly driving limits
• Drivers must stop to get rest if they have been driving for longer than 8 hours without a break
• Break times must last at least 30 minutes

A drowsy truck driver poses risks to other drivers in a similar way as driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Lack of sleep over time affects judgment, focus, concentration, and the ability to retain information. So, for example, there was an obstacle on the road and the truck driver was unable to react quickly enough to avoid it. The driver may brake suddenly, causing the truck to skid, jackknife, or worse.

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS—CALL US!

If you have been injured in a truck accident, and you believe that it was due to a drowsy driver, give us a call as soon as possible. Our Birmingham truck accident lawyers at Glenda Cochran Associates Attorneys at Law possess over 25 years of experience representing those who were unjustly hurt due to a negligent truck driver.

Call (888) 906-3955 and request a free case consultation.

An explosion can begin with a spark—the ashes from a cigarette or the light of a candle. Did you know that mobile home fires can cause injury to at least 1, 000 people annually, and at least 500 deaths?

Mobile homes are very compact units, making it much easier for one tiny spark to wreak havoc.

WHAT PRECAUTIONS SHOULD I TAKE?

Many mobile homes run propane tanks to produce fuel for stoves. Accidents can happen when these tanks rupture or leak, because propane is highly flammable.

If a flame comes into contact with propane vapors that can cause a flash of fire or worse yet, an explosion. Explosions from propane tank explosions can cause severe injuries—burns, in particular.

These are the degrees of burn injuries:

• First degree: the outer layer of skin is damaged
• Second-degree: the outer layer and layer under sustains damage
• Third-degree: burns penetrate all of the skin layers and even damages tissue

Glenda Cochran Associates Attorneys at Law has helped hundreds of victims of burn and explosion injuries. If you are a mobile home owner, we understand your need to do everything you can to keep your home safe.

INJURED? CALL OUR BIRMINGHAM PERSONAL INJURY LAWYERS!

Burn injuries can be some of the most catastrophic and life-altering types of injuries. If you, your loved ones, or your family members were injured, put our team to work to investigate your case. Attorney Glenda Cochran is an award-winning attorney who provides personalized legal support. She has a network of investigators who are trained to uncover every aspect of the case and pinpoint the exact cause of the accident.

Think you have a case? Call us now and set up a free consultation.

The federal government established a set of laws to regulate the transportation of hazardous materials on commercial trucks. As you drive on the highway alongside a commercial truck, you may not think twice about what kind of cargo the truck carries. Thousands of these trucks travel miles across state lines, and many of them carry highly toxic materials.

Some of these regulations include:

• A sign must be posted on all trucks to indicate that the truck is carrying hazardous materials
• All truck drivers carrying hazardous materials must be trained on the cargo’s proper transportation
• The cargo must be secured tightly to the truck, and handled with extreme caution
• Trucks carrying hazardous materials may not drive on certain roads.

Truck accidents are already dangerous, but when highly toxic, poisonous, or explosive materials are involved, the results can be disastrous. At Glenda Cochran Associates Attorneys at Law, we advocate vigorously for our clients, no matter how complex the circumstances of the case may be. Led by our experienced and distinguished attorney, Glenda Cochran, who believes in passionate and zealous legal advocacy, she helps our entire legal team advocate and make justice a priority.

WHAT TYPES OF CARGO ARE CONSIDERED “HAZARDOUS?”

“Hazardous” materials are substances or material that may be flammable, radioactive, explosive, poisonous, or corrosive. These can be deadly not only to humans but also to the environment, particularly if a truck overturns or the substances or materials spill all over the road.

Here are some examples:

• Gasoline
• Dynamite
• Propane
• Ammunition
• Explosives
• Some forms of medication
• Radioactive waste
• Poisonous gases
• Infectious substances

HOW CAN I PROVE MY CASE?

Negligence is often the common denominator in most truck accident cases, whether the driver caused it, the driver’s employer, or even due to defects on the road. For example, there was debris on the road or a deep pothole that caused the truck to veer out of control.

Our AV Preeminent® rated attorney, Glenda Cochran, has access to some of the top-notch investigators experts in Birmingham and the country to pinpoint where, how and why the accident occurred. Attorney Glenda Cochran works with these investigators to uncover every detail, and re-create the accident which can later help with developing a strong claim.

If you were harmed by a truck accident carrying hazardous cargo, you might have a case! We urge you to call our office to speak with us during a risk-free, no-cost appointment.

We may not hear about explosions in the workplace occurring every day, but when it does happen, it leaves a lasting impact on the entire community, and even onlookers far removed from the incident. An explosion in the workplace is an all-too-common fear for many employees, especially industrial workers who take on the risk of injury and possibly even death.

These occupations are considered to be the highest-risk for injuries from explosions:

• Construction
• Mining
• Chemical plants
• Manufacturing
• Oil and gas industry

One study from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), indicates an approximate 5, 000 workers are injured on the job every year. Of those injured, at least 120 were killed by an explosion, according to a study from the National Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries.

TYPES OF INJURIES FROM WORKPLACE EXPLOSIONS

All it takes is one spark to come into contact with flammable liquid or gas to begin a fire. Fire travels quickly, it is important that areas containing products or equipment that could explode, be clearly marked and labeled. Furthermore, employees must be given proper training to handle the products properly or defer to a supervisor or more experienced coworker for assistance.

Explosions can cause any number of life-threatening and devastating injuries. One of the most common of these are burn injuries. Burn injuries are one of the most painful types of injuries, and can leave victims scarred and disfigured. Explosion blasts can also cause head injuries, blunt force trauma, internal bleeding, and hurl workers onto walls or equipment.

As we have determined, explosion accidents, while rare, can cause a whole host of catastrophic injuries and even death for many employees in the industrial sector. We urge you to seek legal representation if you, a family member, or a loved one has had their lives disrupted by a work explosion. You deserve justice for the devastation caused and our experienced attorneys are prepared to provide you with the attentive legal support you need to get through this difficult time.

We are committed to finding maximum recovery and justice for your case. If your family has been affected by an explosion accident, contact Glenda Cochran Associates Attorneys At Law today for a consult!

Birth injuries stemming from medical malpractice may be one of the most devastating and emotionally distressing types of cases that we have ever encountered. Not only does it take a thorough understanding of the patient’s legal rights with respect to applicable laws, but also have some knowledge or connection to the medical procedures involved.

Medical malpractice is often linked to the doctor or nurse’s inaction to prevent an accident or another issue that caused the baby’s injuries or death. One of the most common types of birth injuries cases involve brain injuries to an infant. This can happen when the baby is deprived of oxygen, such as in cases where the umbilical cord wraps around the baby, cutting off oxygen delivery. It can also occur due to severe blood loss.

Brain injuries can result in the following:

• Brain damage
• Lifelong seizure disorder
• Cerebral palsy
• Mental impairment or disability

HOW CAN INJURIES BE PREVENTED?

In a case such as the one we noted above, you might be wondering how can one avoid such an incident, when it does seem to have occurred purely by accident? First, doctors must anticipate complications at any given moment, and also be prepared to respond to them. If the umbilical cord was constricting or entrapping the infant, they might be committing malpractice by failing to recognize this error.

Injuries can also occur during delivery and even afterward. If the doctor is using forceps to assist with delivery and applies too much pressure to the head, then the baby’s nerves can be damaged and result in paralysis of the facial muscles. In some severe cases, paralysis may require surgery to repair the damaged nerves or worse, long-term paralysis.

HAVE A CASE? CONTACT US!

To prove that malpractice occurred, we must prove that the actions of the doctor, nurse, or other healthcare provider failed to meet the applicable standard duty of care as expected in their position, which then resulted in the injury. Many birth injury cases can be complex cases to litigate, but you may have a solid case due to the fact that the majority of the injuries could have been prevented at the onset.

Glenda Cochran Associates Attorneys at Law are experienced attorneys with more than 25 years of experience advocating for the legal rights of injury victims. If you have a case ready to review, do not hesitate to contact us for a free case review! (888) 906-3955

Serious injuries are a common result of accidents—car crashes, explosions, medical malpractice, slip and fall accidents, among others. Broken bones or head trauma may mean considerable time needed to recuperate before resuming your life.

Catastrophic injuries result in some sort of permanent injury or disability. The need for continuing medical attention or treatment over many years can mean a significant financial burden for the family of the injured.

Common types of catastrophic injuries include:

• 3^rd degree burns
• Head injuries
• Multiple bone fractures
• Brain injuries
• Loss of hearing
• Chronic illness
• Spinal cord injuries
• Loss of hearing or sight
• Multiple bone fractures
• Loss of limb

The costs stemming from a catastrophic injury for rehabilitation, prescription medication, and other expenditures can be extremely high, particularly when the victim is unable to work due to their injuries.

Catastrophic personal injury cases exist to recover compensation for the escalated costs incurred when you or a loved one suffers a permanent or especially debilitating personal injury. While a full recovery may not be possible, a personal injury claim is a legal recourse for those who were injured by another’s negligence to obtain the financial compensation to keep the victim from experiencing and undue financial hardship for their medical treatment.

Glenda Cochran Associates, Attorneys at Law have been helping the victims of personal injuries for nearly 30 years and has been able to recover millions of dollars in damages in this time. Look to us to obtain what you need after suffering a catastrophic injury.

Wrongful death suits are personal injury claims which are filed by the close family or personal representatives of the victim, the decedent, to recover punitive damages for their loss. Each state has regulations regarding who may recover damages and other factors, and Alabama is no different. Here are some commonly asked questions concerning wrongful death suits.

For other questions regarding wrongful death cases in Alabama, reach out to Glenda Cochran Associates, Attorneys at Law for the legal advice you need.

What is “wrongful death”?
Wrongful death is a death caused by the “wrongful act, omission or negligence” of another where the injuries extend to those dependent upon the deceased for support. Wrongful death claims can be filed for any type of accident, such as car accidents or nursing home abuse, or criminal homicide, separate from a criminal case.

How do wrongful death cases work in Alabama?
In Alabama, families who lose a loved one due to another person’s negligence must pursue punitive damages to provide funds they need to help them move on. These damages are intended to punish the offender in cases where wrongdoing was involved. A Birmingham personal injury attorney will need to convince the jury that the defendant should be punished for their actions. In cases of accidental homicide, the jury may feel that living with the guilt is punishment enough, which is why you need an aggressive attorney representing you.

Who can recover punitive damages in a wrongful death claim?
Alabama is unique in that the only person who can initiate a wrongful death claim is the personal representative of the deceased’s estate. No family members of the deceased may bring a wrongful death claim.

How long do I have to file a wrongful death suit?
The statute of limitations in Alabama for personal injury claims, which includes wrongful death lawsuits, is two years from the date of the death. After this time, no jury will hear your case and no punitive damages can be recovered.