Maine Injury Lawyer Blog

May 5, 2021

Recovering Through a Maine Premises Liability Claim

Everyone has seen a yellow wet floor sign warning you that the area you’re walking into may be slippery. When you slip and fall or are injured in Maine on another party’s property, however, you may have a premises liability claim if the individual failed to provide take the necessary steps to ensure the area was reasonably safe.

As an example, in a recent state Supreme Court decision, the court addressed what duty, if any, is owed by a hospital to an individual who is on its premises solely to visit one of its patients. The plaintiff was visiting his hospitalized wife when he slipped and fell on ice in the hospital’s parking lot. The plaintiff sued the hospital, alleging inadequate snow and ice removal in the parking lot caused him to fall and that the hospital breached the duty of care it owed to him. The hospital was granted summary judgment, and the plaintiff appealed.

On appeal, the court sided with the plaintiff and reversed the lower court’s summary judgment decision. The court concluded that the plaintiff was an invitee, so the hospital owed him a duty to keep the premises and grounds in reasonably safe condition. Invitees, who are owed the highest duty of care in premises liability claims, can be established in two ways: either by showing that they were on the premises “for a purpose connected with the business conducted on the land,” or that “it can be reasonably be said that the visit may confer a business, commercial, monetary, or other tangible benefit to the landowner.” Because the plaintiff was on hospital grounds to visit his wife, which was closely connected to the hospital’s business, he satisfied the first element and established himself as an invitee.

April 27, 2021

How Maine Drivers Can Recover Financially After a Chain Reaction Accident

by Peter Thompson & Associates

When car accidents occur, people frequently assume that they only involve two vehicles and parties: the party who was hit, and the at-fault party. Sometimes, however, collisions can escalate quickly—resulting in chain-reaction accidents with devastating results. When these accidents take place, it can be overwhelming to know where to start when it comes to recovering compensation. Figuring out who to file a claim against, who was at fault, or even the facts and context associated with the accident can be challenging when so many parties are involved. However, recovering from a Maine chain-reaction accident does not need to be complicated as long as you have the proper representation to guide you through the process.

According to a news report, a 22-car chain reaction accident left at least one person dead and several others injured. In the course of the accident, a semi-truck hit a snowplow, which caused it to roll over into a ditch. Based on witness accounts at the scene, whiteout conditions appeared suddenly, and the change in the weather and visibility on the road was a probable factor in causing the crash. Following this quick burst of snow, there were at least three chain reaction crashes within a 20-mile stretch of the interstate, according to local authorities. The crashes still remain under investigation, and it is unclear how many people were injured or how serious their injuries were.

Although drivers in Maine are no stranger to similar, sudden changes to weather conditions and visibility while driving, no one expects it to result in a chain reaction accident. In chain reaction accidents, there is usually at least one party who is considered at fault. Establishing who that is, however, can often be a complicated process. In larger accidents, sometimes all of the injured parties following the initial crash that set off the chain reaction will proceed collectively against the initially negligent driver.

April 20, 2021

Maine Government Liability for Road-Related Injuries

by Peter Thompson & Associates

When an individual suffers injuries because of poorly maintained property or land, they may be able to recover against the negligent land or property owner. However, Maine injury victims often face challenges when the incident occurs on public or government land or because of the negligence of a governmental entity or employee. The Maine Tort Claims Act (MTCA) provides municipalities and governmental entities with immunity for negligent acts. While the MTCA provides barriers to recovery, the government may still be liable for bodily injury and property damage in situations involving negligent ownership, maintenance or use of government vehicles, machinery, and equipment or roadways. Further, they may be responsible for injuries occurring at public buildings, such as public schools, parks, and courthouses.

While the MTCA provides broad immunity to governmental entities, the statute also includes exceptions to governmental immunity. Two critical road-related exceptions include:

Negligence during road construction, cleaning, and repair; and

April 13, 2021

IUD Related Risks Could Affect Maine Consumers

by Peter Thompson & Associates

When it comes to our health, we all deserve to trust the products that we use to maintain or improve our well-being. Because some of these products often touch on the most intimate parts of our lives, it is crucial that consumers can safely rely on manufacturers to produce and market safe products for our use. When health-related products such as medical devices end up hurting us rather than helping us, however, the manufacturers of those products must be held accountable.

According to a report from a consumer advocacy organization, IUD-related product liability lawsuits have been taking place with greater frequency in recent years. The Paragard IUD, which has been circulating the market since its initial approval in 1984, is a copper birth control device that prevents pregnancy. The device has been marketed as convenient for patients on the go, easy to insert, and easy to remove.

In recent years, however, dozens of lawsuits have emerged as a result of the device. Products liability suits alleging issues with the IUD’s manufacturing, labeling, marketing, and development have arisen, especially as manufacturers have continued to sell the device despite knowing that it could break during removal. Many patients who have had the IUD break during removal have filed claims alleging that pieces are missing or lodged in their organs or that breakage has resulted in allergic reactions, infection, loss of fertility, pain, and even surgery to remove broken pieces.

April 6, 2021

U.S. Supreme Court Case Could Affect Maine Products Liability Cases

by Peter Thompson & Associates

In the United States, the 14th Amendment of the Constitution’s Due Process Clause limits a state court’s ability to exercise jurisdiction over a defendant. Whether a particular state, such as Maine, has the authority to have jurisdiction over a defendant to hear a case involving them depends on whether the defendant has established sufficient “contacts” with the state where the suit takes place.

Whether the state is equipped to hear the case frequently also turns on whether hearing the claim would be “reasonable” and whether it would interfere with “fair play and substantial justice.” Thus, jurisdiction is a frequently debated issue in courts when defendants claim that plaintiffs have no grounds to bring claims against them in particular states because the defendants do not have enough of a presence in the state in question and thus cannot be subject to the court’s power.

In a recent U.S. Supreme Court opinion, the court considered a product liability suit that focused on jurisdiction issues. Two separate cases, one filed in Montana, and the other in Minnesota, alleged that defective Ford vehicles resulted in the death and injury of these two plaintiffs. Ford moved to dismiss the suit for lack of personal jurisdiction.

March 25, 2021

Understanding Maine Trucking Accidents

by Peter Thompson & Associates

When driving on a busy road, it is always wise to leave enough space between yourself and the vehicle in front of you—especially if the vehicle in front of you is a large semi-truck or tractor-trailer. Leaving space can often help you prevent accidents from taking place with the vehicle in front of you but can also give you enough time and space to swerve out of the way if the vehicle stops suddenly or breaks down. Because truck accidents can often result in devastating accidents, remaining aware of the dangers that come with their size and operation on the road is crucial for any driver’s safety.

According to a recent news report, a tractor-trailer crashed into a Maine Turnpike truck that was parked in the breakdown lane with its amber blinker lights flashing. The driver and passenger of the Turnpike truck had exited the vehicle to retrieve construction signs that were on the road. The tractor-trailer drifted into the breakdown lane and hit a rumble strip, and then side-swiped the Turnpike truck. The driver and passenger of the Turnpike truck were able to safely move out of the way into a nearby ditch, safely out of the way. The driver of the tractor-trailer was treated for minor injuries at a nearby hospital. Debris that flew up from the accident injured a nearby worker, who was transported to a local hospital to also be treated for minor injuries.

In Maine, although trucks only make up 4.7 percent of all vehicles, accidents involving trucks and similar vehicles can often be devastating. Truck accidents can often lead to fatalities or severe injuries or property damage following a collision, so it is crucial that drivers understand the risks.

March 18, 2021

Third-Party Claims After Maine Workplace and Construction Accidents

by Peter Thompson & Associates

Those who suffer injuries at a construction site or shipyard, may recover damages for their injuries and losses. Maine workplace accident cases are often complex because they entail a complicated interplay of various statutes and regulations. Maine shipyards and construction sites are some of the most dangerous workplaces. These premises often have heavy-duty machinery and dangerous features that present hazards to anyone in the vicinity. Further, because of the various parties working at these locations, the sites often lead to chaos, and the inattention to detail can have disastrous consequences. These accidents can lead to broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and death. For example, news reports recently described a Maine shipyard’s worker crane accident. The victim suffered severe injuries requiring several surgeries while working with a crane at the shipyard.

The most common types of Maine shipyard and construction site accidents involve automotive and crane accidents, scaffolding accidents, trench collapses, burns, equipment failures, and toxin exposure. In some cases, non-exempt employees may pursue claims against their employer through the state’s workers’ compensation program. However, employers and co-workers are typically immune from liability. As such, the law permits injury victims and their loved ones to pursue third-party lawsuits against any other negligent party involved in the accident.

Some common examples of third-party negligence involve accidents that occur because of the negligent design or manufacturer of safety equipment, the use of toxic materials in construction projects, faulty engineering plans, the failure to want of dangerous conditions, motor vehicle accidents caused by third-parties, and defective machinery. Although workers may recover a portion of their damages through the workers’ compensation program, the amount is rarely enough to cover the extent of the victim’s damages. Further, workers’ compensation does not allow for the award of pain and suffering damages. Pain and suffering is a real, traumatic consequence of many accidents. Damages for pain and suffering are appropriate to compensate the victim for the injury’s emotional and physical stress.

March 11, 2021

Liability After Maine Multi-Vehicle Car Accident

by Peter Thompson & Associates

Many Maine car accidents cause reverberating effects that can result in traffic jams, road closings, and delays. However, some collisions can have a more serious impact, causing chain-reaction accidents and multiple injuries and fatalities. After a multi-vehicle accident, establishing liability poses many challenges to injury victims wishing to recover against negligent motorists. Almost every car accident results from someone’s negligence, and multi-vehicle accidents often arise after a series of negligent acts.

A chain-reaction accident occurs when more than two vehicles are involved in an accident. These accidents may be a series of rear-end collisions or a multi-vehicle pileup. The initial victim often faces the most severe injuries because of the inertia involved in the first collision. However, depending on the vehicles’ speed, each party can suffer property damage and physical injuries. These accidents often cause significant damage, and recovery for losses is necessary to mitigate medical expenses and potential financial ruin.

Recently, a Maine news source reported on a harrowing multi-vehicle accident near Presque Isle and Caribou. Police responded to the scene after receiving calls of several weather-related accidents on the highway. They explained that poor visibility and weather conditions might have contributed to the accidents. The accident involved 15 cars, and some individuals suffered injuries.

March 4, 2021

Liability After a Maine Car Accident Caused by Black Ice

by Peter Thompson & Associates

During the winter months, Maine roadways often experience freezing temperatures that bring snow, ice storms, and black ice. Many motorists adjust their habits when the weather is visibly dangerous; however, some dangerous conditions are not apparent. One of the most threatening conditions is black ice. Drivers are more likely to experience serious injuries in a Maine car accident caused by black ice. Although some of these accidents are unavoidable, many involve some degree of negligence.

Black ice forms when snow or moisture in the air rapidly freezes and attaches to the frozen pavement. Freezing rain usually traps air and becomes visible on the roadways; in contrast, black ice is usually clear and unnoticeable. In some cases, black ice forms naturally; however, in other situations, black ice forms because of some defect in roadway maintenance. Poorly maintained or designed roadways can make black ice more likely to occur. Black ice usually occurs after mild rainfall on roads that are at a higher elevation or do not get direct light. This is especially concerning because areas that do not get direct light are often around a curve or near large trees. Drivers often approach these areas suddenly and do not have time to control their car from spinning.

For example, a recent Maine news report described a black ice accident involving several collisions. According to police, a truck slid on black ice and crossed a center line, hitting a Jeep. Shortly afterward, three other black ice crashes occurred within minutes of each other. The most serious accident occurred when a sedan rolled over after the driver lost control after skidding on black ice. The icy road conditions resulted in four injuries.

February 24, 2021

The Important Role of an Investigation in Maine Personal Injury Cases

by Peter Thompson & Associates

Following a major Maine car accident, local authorities or police may work with professional reconstruction teams to establish a timeline of events and to figure out how the accident took place. Figuring out what caused an accident, whether it be negligence, illegal activity such as driving under the influence, or distracted driving, can be valuable for both parties to have on hand when filing insurance claims, considering lawsuits, and potentially securing criminal charges against the at-fault party if applicable.

According to a recent news article, a major car accident left a woman dead in its wake. The two vehicles crashed head-on, but local authorities are still investigating and claim the true cause of the accident may not be determined for a while. Police and firefighters worked with a professional accident reconstruction team to identify the timeline and events leading up to the accident. Following the collision, three people were transported to a local hospital with varying degrees of injuries, and one driver had to be extracted from their vehicle by firefighters. The accident remains under investigation.

In car accidents, however, investigations may often take a long time because of a lack of evidence. If there were no witnesses, nearby traffic cameras or cameras from businesses, or the individuals involved have a choppy recollection of how the accident occurred, it can take a while before investigators can definitively identify the cause or timeline of an accident.