Hastings, Cohan & Walsh, LLP - 58 Post Road Danbury, CT 06810

First Settlement In Wrongful Death Lawsuit is For $5 million

A wrongful death lawsuit has been settled for $5 million.

On Christmas day 2011 there was a fire in a home in Stamford which killed three girls and two of their grandparents. The fire began after a contractor, Michael Borcina, had left a bag of ashes from the fireplace in a bin in the house. He was renovating the home and was accused in the lawsuit, along with others, of making the home into a firetrap compounded by not installing a smoke detection system while he was carrying out the renovation.

The fire killed Grace and Sarah Badger who were 7 year old twins, 9 year old Lily Badger, and their maternal grandparents, Lomer and Pauline Johnson. The girl’s mother, Madonna Badger who happened to be dating Michael Borcina at the time, escaped.

The lawsuit was brought by the father, Matthew Badger.

According to Badger’s lawyer, this $5 million is the first settlement as there are more pending against several other defendants.

If you have been injured a serious accident in Danbury, you may be entitled to monetary compensation. Call the accident attorneys at Danbury accident attorneys – Hastings, Cohan & Walsh, LLP  now for an immediate consultation. 58 Post Road Danbury, CT 06810    (888) 244-5480.

Safely Crossing the Street

Teaching children how to properly and safely cross the street is one of the most important lessons that they can learn from a parent or guardian. Children don’t have the awareness that is necessary for crossing the street that adults have because that is the kind of skill that is learned rather than being inherent. Teaching them to safety cross even neighborhood streets that typically have far less traffic than city streets requires as much “showing” as it does “telling”. Parents should make it a priority to take the time to take their children to a nearby street, hold them by the hand and actively demonstrate the steps that should be followed when crossing from one side to the other.

The steps that are involved in safely crossing the street are simple but it is easy for young minds to forget one or two of them which could lead to an accident. That is why it is recommended that parents go over each step individually with their child. The steps are as follows:

  1. Stop – Always stop on the grass or sidewalk, never on the street itself.
  2. Look – Look both ways, making sure all lanes of traffic are visible.
  3. Listen – Listen for vehicles that may be out of the child’s line of sight.
  4. Think – Evaluate what you see and hear and decide if it is safe to cross.

With these steps firmly embedded in a child’s mind, they will be able to safely and confidently cross any street with or without parental supervision.

Distracted Drivers – A Problem In Danbury and Across North America

Distracted driving is one of the most significant threats to motorists on the road today.  Those who drive while talking on their cell phones, sending text messages, putting on makeup, eating, and even reading books, not only put themselves in grave danger, but also pose a threat to those with whom they share the roads.

Take a look at these shocking statistics related to driving while distracted:

  • According to a report issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2009 84% of all driving related deaths came as a result of carelessness or inattentiveness
  • Distracted drivers are at least three times more likely to be involved in a crash than attentive drivers
  • Every year more than four million auto accidents occur in North America as a result of distracted drivers
  • Researchers have found that distracted drivers may be as dangerous as drunken drivers

It is very important when driving that you maintain your focus and attention on the road at all times.  This is the best way to ensure your safety, the safety of your passengers, and the safety of the other motorists on the roads, and ensure that you all arrive alive.

As accident attorneys, we have seen the tragic results of people in Danbury driving while distracted.  We strongly recommend that you always drive with your attention focused solely on the road.  If you or anyone you know has been the victim of a person who was driving while distracted give us a call now at (888) 244-5480, for a free consultation.

 

Are Crashworthiness Regulations Going Out the Window?

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is considering a very dangerous trade-off; one that would allow automakers to save money. The NHTSA wants to encourage automakers to install devices which will force vehicle occupants to buckle up. As an incentive, it is considering relaxing crashworthiness regulations for vehicles equipped with a seat belt interlock device.

Crashworthiness

Crashworthiness is a vehicle’s ability to protect occupants in the event of an accident. The trade-off could allow automakers to reduce the amount of structural steel, now required to protect vehicle occupants, and would allow them to skip certain crash tests. Many of the crashworthiness features that are now required to protect unbelted passengers, could be left out of vehicles.

The Problem

As accident attorneys, we know that seat belts can save lives, and we know all too well that seat belts can malfunction and fail. Seat belt interlock devices may increase seat belt use, and decrease serious injuries and fatalities, but does that justify compromising the structural integrity of vehicles and removing crashworthiness features already in place to protect drivers and passengers?

Would this trade-off actually save lives, or does it just save the automakers money?