Anchorage Personal Injury Lawyer

High Fire Danger And Personal Responsibility

Mike Schneider — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 00:51:00 GMT

Alaskans are being encouraged to enjoy the Nation's favorite holiday, but to do it without fireworks. Fireworks are illegal in the Municipality of Anchorage, but even where they can be legally possessed, purchased and used, fire danger is high. Officials are warning that any careless use of fireworks could start hard to control fires that can cause property damage, serious injury, and death. Anyone starting such a fire may be held liable for all resulting harm of any kind. If they live in a home covered by homeowner's or renter's insurance, that insurance company should pay for any losses caused by the negligent fire starter, up to the limits of the policy.but even where they can be legally possessed

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Mike Schneider

Mother Runs Over Daughter Inflicting Serious Injury

Mike Schneider — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 18:43:15 GMT

Minutes after she turned 49, Maidie Maillelle climbed into her pickup truck. She was too drunk to drive. Her daughter, Tammy Maillelle, tried to stop her, but Maidie ran her down. The incident happened in Grayling, Alaska this morning. Maidie is now under arrest and facing serious criminal charges. Her daughter was medivaced to Bethel for surgery with life threatening injuries. These facts raise interesting issues under Alaska law.

If Maidie is convicted of DUI, or assault, she will be conclusively presumed to be "negligent" in any civil case brought by Tammy against her. She will be conclusively presumed to be liable for 100% of Tammy's attorney fees incurred in the civil case. The civil jury will get to decide how much in punitive damages can be awarded against her.

If Madie or the truck was insured, Tammy should receive the liability limits. If the insurance company doesn't pay, and the case goes before a jury, the jury will be told of that the insurance company is the real party in interest. If Tammy is a resident and related to the named insured, and "exhausts" the liability limits, she will also have a claim for the Underinsured motorist coverage limits.

Because of likely difficulty in finding coverage and recovering from any exposed insurance carrier, Tammy will need the help of an attorney experienced in handling such problems.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Mike Schneider

Leonard Guinn is Fifth Motorcyle Death in June

Mike Schneider — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 23:05:52 GMT

The investigation isn't complete, but early indications are that the driver of a Ford Explorer pulled out in front of Guinn at the intersection of the Seward and Sterling Highways. The crash happened late Saturday afternoon. If Guinn didn't cause the crash, his survivors have claims for his wrongful death. They will need the help of an experienced attorney to pursue those claims effectively.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Mike Schneider

Gas Leak Causes Death at Sea

Mike Schneider — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 00:57:00 GMT

April 24, 2008 a seaman aboard the Zenith, then 72 miles southeast of False Pass, died while trying to repair a gas leak. His name was not released. His family has claims for his wrongfull death, and should contact a capable attorney as soon as possible.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Mike Schneider

Jeffrey Morgan Dies of Crash Injuries

Mike Schneider — Sat, 31 May 2008 23:42:48 GMT

At 17, Jeffrey Morgan likely thought he would live forever. But his life and dreams were stolen from him last Tuesday night. At mile 95 of the Seward Highway, the 15 year old driver of the vehicle he was riding in lost control. The vehicle rolled. Jeffrey Morgan sustained serious injuries and died in the presence of his family last Friday. It won't bring Jeffrey back, but his parents have claims for his pre-death pain and suffering, and his wrongful death, against the driver, and against their own underinsured motorist coverage. They should discuss this sad set of facts with a good attorney.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Mike Schneider

Plane Crashes in Alaska: Serious Injury and Death Above U.S. Averages

Internal Administrator — Sat, 17 May 2008 13:11:43 GMT

Fast changing weather, bush landing sites, animals on the runways, and pilot inexperience help make Alaska a very dangerous place to be an aircraft passenger. Pilots die at a rate 100 times the average mortality of U.S. workers. In just the first three months of of 2008 the NTSB investigated 11 crashes that resulted in 7 deaths. Frequently pilots for air taxi operations are overworked and under loved. Informed passengers can check www.asias.faa.gov for information on pilot experience, while www.ntsb.gov provides accident details and information about operator experience. Things are getting better with technological advances. 82 weathercams are in place and another 139 planned. Go to http://akweathercams.faa.gov to get current visuals on potentially dangerous routes. The families of those hurt, and people seriously injured in air accidents should hire a good attorney familiar with Alaska aviation law and the ability to develop and, if necessary, try an aviation crash case.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Internal Administrator

Plane Crashes in Alaska: Serious Injury and Death Above U.S. Averages

Mike Schneider — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 22:55:50 GMT

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Mike Schneider

Helicopter Crash Kills Four

Mike Schneider — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 21:25:10 GMT

An ERA helicopter carrying state workers and a 14 year old boy crashed Tuesday in bad weather. The crash took place about one mile Southeast of mile 119 of the Glenn Highway. The state workers were on their way to maintain communications equipment on Lion's Head. The only survivor, 14 year old Quinn Ellington, is hospitalized after his rescue the following day after weather lifted. Dead in the crash are the ERA pilot, Benoit Pin, 39, of Anchorage, Thomas E. Middleton, 46, of Anchorage, Joseph C. O'Donnell, 47, of Girdwood, and Michael D. Sewardhttp://www.adn.com/news/alaska/aviation/story/378511.html, 37, of Palmer. While the crash is being investigated, there is little doubt that the passengers have civil claims for their wrongful death and injury. Cases like these require careful investigation and experience in aviation claims practice. A two year statute of limitations applies, but the families should retain competent counsel as soon as possible.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Mike Schneider

Fire Deaths May Result In Lawsuits

Jane Schneider — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 00:08:24 GMT

There have been many deaths and serious injuries this winter from fires where smoke alarms were apparently not in use. Where these events happen in private homes and the dead and injured are the owners or the family members of the owner, there is often little that can be done. But in rental property, and under certain circumstances, the victims may have claims against those that own or maintain the units. It take a good attorney and good investigation to put such claims together and get a good outcome for the client.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jane Schneider

Assault Conviction Could Make Civil Suit Easy

Jane Schneider — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 00:48:35 GMT

Cassalin Blawat, 18, has been charged with assault for stabbing her boyfriend in Anchorage a couple of weeks ago. If she is convicted, or pleads either guilty or no contest to the charges, her civil liability to pay for her boyfriend's harms and losses will be "collaterally established" by the criminal proceedings. The Alaska Supreme Court has so held on many occasions. If she had homeowner's coverage or renter's insurance at the time of the assault, the boyfriend may be able to recover his damages.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jane Schneider