Knoxville Personal Injury Lawyer » knoxville personal injury

Kingston Cleanup Continues One Year Later

Knoxville Personal Injury Lawyer — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 15:04:29 +0000

Most of us remember the TVA coal ash spill that occurred in Kingston nearly one year ago. The accident released 5.4 million cubic yards of coal ash into the Emory River and contaminated 300 acres of nearby land. Homes were destroyed as well. Recently TVA invited reporters to monitor the massive clean up effort now underway. Nearly 500 workers and over 150 pieces of large equipment busily work to undo the damage caused by the spill. Each day the operation removes between 85 and 100 train car loads of recovered waste. The on-site EPA coordinator is so far pleased with the progress:

“I would give them a rating of good,” Francendese told reporters. “I’m kind of a taskmaster, so I wouldn’t give them an excellent, but I am pleased that the rate has gone from 2,500 cubic yards (of coal ash) a day to 15,000 cubic yards.”

Francendese said the goal is to finish the cleanup of coal ash from the Emory River by spring 2010. Then, operations would shift to cleaning up coal ash from land, which will probably take three to four years, he said.

Steve McCracken, TVA general manager for the Kingston cleanup, said TVA is on track to meet those goals.

“By spring 2010 we should be finished with the Emory River, and then we will start with the Swan Pond area,” he said. “We intend to clean up the Swan Pond embayment to the way it was before.”

Source: Knoxville News-Sentinel

This incident is a perfect example of how sometimes accidents just find us. Thankfully the clean up effort is going successfully and we can only hope that the people affected can be compensated in a fair manner.

Do you have a Knoxville personal injury case you would like to discuss with an attorney? Call us today to set up a free consultation.

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Wrongful Death Suit Filed Over 2 Workers Killed on I-75

Knoxville Personal Injury Lawyer — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 15:24:47 +0000

Early last month two teenage workers were tightening a barrier cable along Interstate 75 when they were struck and killed by a pickup truck. Last week a wrongful death lawsuit was filed against T and T Trucking. The lawsuit alleges that T and T driver James Hatfield was either texting, asleep, or under the influence of something when he veered off the road and struck the two workers. The News-Sentinel has more:

Hatfield’s truck went off the roadway, struck the two workers and knocked down numerous metal fence posts before coming to rest about 100 yards from the initial impact point, investigators said.

Hatfield, 50, sustained a minor head wound. Criminal charges are pending against him, according to the Tennessee Highway Patrol.

The lawsuit states it will rely on “all of the evidence, as it comes in, to make a full, fair and accurate determination as to the exact form of negligence.”

The complaint alleges Hatfield was speeding and failed to have the truck under control.

Our condolences go out to the families of the victims of this horrible accident.

If you or someone you know has been hurt in an accident, get help. It’s the only way to make sure you get a fair and reasonable settlement for your suffering. Call us today to schedule a free consultation with an attorney. We’re here to help.

Deer Season is Here; What to Do if You Get Hit

Knoxville Personal Injury Lawyer — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 03:41:10 +0000

Deer season opened at the end of November. Tennessee has a lot of beautiful countryside where outdoorsmen can take some time to get out and hunt deer. It’s a blessing to this state. However, the increased deer activity of this season also brings them closer to roads and people. Inevitably there are accidents involving deer even on major interstates. It seems everyone has a story of their own or from someone they know involving a wreck with a deer. But the question is what to do if you’re hit by a deer? Channel Five News of Nashville ran a report recently that outlined this dilemma and offered some tips.

In 2007, there were 5,104 deer-related crashes, including 257 that involved injuries and one that was fatal; in 2006, it was 5,839. Since 2003, deer-related crashes in Tennessee have risen almost 17 percent.

There were 578 deer versus car crashes in October 2007 and 870 in November. Deer-hunting season begins in November, which is the worst month for deer-related crashes.

The Tennessee Highway Patrol also warns motorists not to overcorrect to avoid a deer because that could lead to serious accidents.

“It’s amazing even at 40, 50 miles per hour what a 200-pound deer can do to a car,” said Lt. Tony Barham, adding that striking the animal can total one’s vehicle.

Ohio Man Charged in Fatal Smokies Crash

Knoxville Personal Injury Lawyer — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 21:23:05 +0000

Last summer two people were killed when Clyde Grubbs crossed over the center line and hit a motorcycle head on. The impact killed the two riders, Charles Bolt and Diane Bolt of Belton, South Carolina. Grubbs has been charged with misdemeanor death by vehicle and driving left of center. He could serve up to six months in jail if convicted of the two charges. The Knoxville News-Sentinel says:

A man faces two federal misdemeanor charges in a summer crash that killed two people inside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, authorities said today.
Clyde L. Grubbs, 74, of Cincinnati was driving south on Newfound Gap Road on Aug. 19 when his Oldsmobile Bravado sport utility vehicle crossed the center line, sideswiped a Mercury sedan and hit a Harley-Davidson motorcycle head-on, park officials said. The Mercury’s driver wasn’t hurt, but the motorcycle’s riders, Charles and Diane Bolt, both 55 and from Belton, S.C., died.

Have you or a loved one been injured in an accident? Call us today to discuss your Knoxville personal injury case at no charge. We can help!

Fireworks Display Malfunctions, 9 Injured

Knoxville Personal Injury Lawyer — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 20:25:04 +0000

An early December fireworks show turned bloody when a display fired on a crowd of nearly 200 people. Nine were injured when the display flipped over and shot into the crowd of on-lookers. Some of the victims were children and had suffered first and second-degree burns as well as injuries sustained from the ensuing panic. Luckily there were no serious injuries reported. All were treated at the scene by EMS personnel. Local police are investigating what caused the display to flip over.

The fireworks were a product of Zambelli Fireworks Internationale based out of New Castle. A supervisor of the company was cooperating with Etna police officials to determine what caused the display to tip over. Emergency transportation arrived at the scene. Paramedics treated the nine injured victims at the scene. Many people stood around in shock and horror of what had just taken place.

Police and Fire Department officials tried to keep the crowd from stampeding away from the scene while the injured were treated inside a local store by EMS. The misdirected fireworks also damaged the exterior of three local buildings. The victims remained unidentified.

Source: Injury News

Have you been injured in some way? You need to speak to a Knoxville personal injury attorney to make sure your rights are protected. Call us today to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case.

Three School Children Struck by Swerving Car

Knoxville Personal Injury Lawyer — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 18:52:14 +0000

In impatient driver caused a potentially fatal accident for three children last week. Heavy traffic prompted a driver to swerve in an attempt to get around other vehicles. In doing so she crashed into two small children and then sped up and crashed into another child. The driver apparently tried to continue as she hit a Subaru station wagon and finally came to a halt 20 yards later. Emergency crews arrived to a gruesome scene. One child was conscious but in considerable pain lying in the road. Another was bleeding from a head wound under a nearby vehicle. The third lay lifeless after being slammed into a wall.

The accident has not proved fatal to any of the three, but they are listed in critical condition, with one in a coma. (Source: New York Injury News)

It’s hard to imagine what was so pressing on the driver’s mind that would cause her to be so reckless. Regardless of her reasons she should be held accountable civilly and criminally.

If you’ve been injured in some way, call us today to discuss your case at no charge. We can help!

Alabama 3-year-old Drowns in Sevierville

Knoxville Personal Injury Lawyer — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 18:41:11 +0000

Drake L. Speegle of Hartselle Alabama died on Friday. The 3-year-old was visiting a rental cabin in Sevierville with his family. The boy slipped away from his parents at about 12:30 pm and either fell or jumped into a 4-foot-deep pool. It was his birthday. His family contacted emergency personnel immediately and tried unsuccessfully to revive him. He was transported to the hospital and pronounced dead. The Knoxville News-Sentinel reports:

A 3-year-old Alabama boy drowned on his birthday today at a rental cabin’s swimming pool, authorities said.
The boy, Drake L. Speegle of Hartselle, Ala., apparently slipped away from his family and either fell or jumped into the 4-foot-deep pool at the cabin on Bird Nest Way just after 12:30 p.m., according to the Sevier County Sheriff’s Department. Emergency workers tried to revive him with no success.

What a sad story. We wish his family the best as they grieve his loss. It’s impossible to know without an investigation whether this tragic event was preventable or not. If it was preventable, steps should be taken to hold the responsible party accountable and prevent this from happening in the future.

Have you or a loved one been injured in an accident? Get Knoxville personal injury help from the lawyers who care. Call us today to discuss your case free of charge.

TVA Facing More Lawsuits Over Ash Spill

Knoxville Personal Injury Lawyer — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 15:36:10 +0000

It’s hard to believe that less than a year ago the coal ash retention facility in Kingston failed, dumping 5.4 million cubic yards of ash sludge into the Emory River and the surrounding area. Some residents lost entire homes while others faced significant damage that had to be cleaned up. In recent days, 11 plaintiffs have filed six new lawsuits against TVA alleging negligence that led up to the destruction of their properties. They are seeking compensation as well as punitive damages for the trauma and suffering they have endured. The Knoxville News-Sentinel reports:

The two plaintiffs in Armes v. TVA are seeking compensatory damages up to $10 million and punitive damages up to $20 million. The two plaintiffs in Wallace v. TVA are seeking up to $600,000 in compensatory damages and up to $1 million in punitive damages.

Plaintiffs in the other four cases are seeking unspecified damages.

Most of the lawsuits allege that TVA’s negligence led to the spill. TVA is countering that its status as an entity of the federal government shields it from the claims. TVA has hired the firm Shook, Hardy and Bacon of Kansas City, Mo., to work with its in-house counsel on the lawsuits.

The spill has no doubt affected these and other families greatly, not to mention the health risks posed by the coal ash that has now been introduced into area drinking and agricultural water sources.

Have you been affected by the TVA coal ash spill? If so, call us today to discuss your case free of charge. We’ll go over your options and offer you advice on how to pursue your case. Call us today!

$300 Million Awarded to Smoker

Knoxville Personal Injury Lawyer — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 15:24:56 +0000

In the largest ever award to a single person, a jury awarded a woman $300 million in a settlement against Philip Morris. The plaintiff was 20 years old when she began smoking. She quit when she was 45 years old. That was nearly 20 years ago. Now she has emphysema and requires a lung transplant. The money from the settlement is expected to pay for that transplant, although Philip Morris is appealing the ruling. Read more about the case here.

Have you been injured in some way due to someone else’s negligence? If so, call us about your Knoxville personal injury case for a free consultation. We’re the attorneys who care.

New Jersey Builds New Inspection Site for Buses

Knoxville Personal Injury Lawyer — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:42:08 +0000

After reading the title of this post you may have said “So what?”. But here’s why it’s a relevant topic. A large vehicle such as a bus, SUV, truck, tractor trailer, etc. is driven constantly. And in the case of a bus, it’s stop and go traffic. All of this use leads to wear and tear on parts and will expose defective auto parts that can lead to accidents, injuries, and even death. The construction of the facility in New Jersey shows a serious step towards curbing those accidents. Let’s hope it works.

If you’ve been injured in a bus, auto, or tractor trailer accident, get help from the Knoxville personal injury lawyers who care. We’ll help you get the compensation you deserve.