Schmidt Kramer Injury Lawyers

Archive for the ‘ Fire and Burn Injury ’ Category

Feb

Pennsylvania State House Ready To Vote On Unconstitutional Corporate Venue Law

Contact Your Pennsylvania State House Representative Immediately!

Ask He or She to “Vote NO on House Bill 1976– The Corporation Venue Protection Act”

February 9, 2012 — The Pennsylvania state house may soon vote on what will be known as the the Corporation Venue Protection Act, HB 1976, which gives corporations special rights and protections in all civil cases. The bill’s supporters spin there argument and call it a “venue shopping” bill, but the bill is really designed to protect corporations that are responsbile for injuring or killing people through reckless, intentional or reckless conduct because it applies only to venue in “actions against corporations and similar entities.”

If passed, this bill will usurp the Supreme Court’s exclusive rulemaking power on venue and all but abolish the ‘minimum contacts’ jurisdiction test. Emboldened by their win on joint and several liability, the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business & Industry admits it wants to “continue the momentum.” The Chamber is actively pushing HB 1976.

For the sake of the preserving your rights and the rights of a loved one who may be injured or killed by such conduct, it is time to push back now.

Contact your state representative to vote “no” on the HB 1976. HB 1976 is unconstitutional, departs radically from longstanding legal doctrine, and unfairly singles out corporations for protection against accountability for harms they cause to Pennsylvania families.

If this legislation becomes law it will have a dramatic impact on those injured or killed as a result of corporate misconduct in a car wreck or accident, impacted by a defective product, or any other personal injury claim (excluding medical malpractice) in not only Harrisburg, Central Pennsylvania but the entire Commonwealth.

Scott B. Cooper
Schmidt Kramer PC
209 State Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101
(717) 232-6300 – Telephone
(717) 232-6467 – Facsimile
scooper@schmidtkramer.com
Facebook.com/SchmidtKramer
Twitter.com/TalkToALawyer

Dec

Fire Marshals Determine The Cause Of Pennsylvania House Fire

December 29, 2011

Investigators have determined the cause of a house fire that killed a homeowner Sunday morning. WHTM 27 News reported earlier today that a cracked vent pipe in a wood stove is to blame for the deadly blaze.

Pennsylvania State Fire Marshall Jeff Sarver announced the investigation results after spending time examining the case himself. He stated that a crack in the vent pipe allowed smoke and gas from the fire burning inside the stove to spill into the kitchen. When the homeowner opened the back door of the kitchen to clear the smoke out of the room, the rush of oxygen in the room caused a burst of flames from the pipe, which set the house ablaze. Other factors including metal siding and Styrofoam insulation caused the fire to burn hotter and faster.

Firefighters say that you can prevent accidents like these from happening if you have stoves and fireplaces examined and cleaned by a professional every year before building your first fire.

The Pennsylvania fire and burn injury attorneys with Schmidt Kramer Injury Lawyers also advise having smoke detectors installed throughout your house. Experts say that a unit should be placed within ten feet of every bedroom door throughout the home.

Dec

Holiday Safety Tips For Christmas Tree Lights

What ideas and suggestions do you have for making sure that Christmas tree lights are safe? Here are a few which could reduce the risk of injury and make for a more enjoyable holiday:

1. Keep candles away from the tree.

2. Check for broken bulbs and replace the entire string, even if only one is broken.

3. When you leave the house or go to bed, UNPLUG the lights.

4. Make sure the lights used are certified as nationally tested.

5. Make sure the lights are designed to be used indoors.

6. If your tree is artifical make sure the lights are designed to be used on articial trees.

7. Keep your tree at least three to four feet away from any heat sources or fires.

8. Do not put too many lights on the tree.

9. Avoid using extention cords, if possible.

10. If you use an extention cord make sure it has been tested and do not place too make plugs in it.

Scott B. Cooper

Schmidt Kramer PC
209 State Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101
(717) 232-6300 – Telephone
(717) 232-6467 – Facsimile
scooper@schmidtkramer.com
Facebook.com/SchmidtKramer
Twitter.com/TalkToALawyer

Dec

Free Smoke Detectors Offered To Harrisburg Residents

December 1, 2011

We all know that the best way to protect your family from fires is by installing smoke detectors throughout your home. But for many Pennsylvania residents this winter, the tough economy is making it difficult to afford the devices. That is why ABC 27 News and the Kidde Corporation have partnered to create the “Operation Save A Life Campaign.”

The operation aims to save lives throughout the Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, area by distributing free smoke detectors to needy families. The group says that it will add another 3,500 detectors to the some 50,000 that have been distributed over the last four years. Firefighters say the campaign is also helpful in reminding those that already have smoke detectors in the home to regularly check the batteries.

The campaign comes in the wake of a Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, fire that killed a 4-year-old boy in his townhouse. Firefighters said they found the boy in his smoke-clogged room and that no detectors were found in the home.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that the use of smoke detectors in a home can increase survival rates in a fire by as much as 50 percent.

The Pennsylvania Fire and Burn Injury Attorneys with SchmidtKramer Injury Lawyers encourage families with no smoke detectors to have them installed immediately. Speak to your local fire department if you cannot afford them, and they will arrange for a complementary installation. If you do have detectors in your home, be sure to check the batteries every three months. Following the precautions will help keep your family safe throughout the winter.

Sep

Be Cautious Of Contractor Scams When Hiring For Flood Damage Clean-up

Unfortunately, contractors may try to take advantage of people affected by the recent severe weather, flooding and other natural disasters. If you have recent damage, please consider the following BEFORE hiring a contractor.

· A contractor approaches you about storm damage to your property or uses scare tactics.

· You’re told you’ve been chosen as a demonstration project at a special price.

· You’re told a contract “won’t be necessary.”

· You’re asked to pay for the entire job upfront.

· You’re told the price is only good for today.

· The contractor can’t provide references.

· You can’t verify a business address.

· You can’t find the contractor in the Home Improvement Contractor list through the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s office. In Pennsylvania a contractor is required to register.

If you believe you have been approached by an unscrupulous contractor or have been the victim of one you should call the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office to report this contractor and also contact your local attorney if you have damages as a result of this conduct.

Please tell us if you have other warning signs or stories to share.

Scott B. Cooper

Schmidt Kramer PC
209 State Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101
(717) 232-6300 – Telephone
(717) 232-6467 – Facsimile
scooper@schmidtkramer.com
Facebook.com/SchmidtKramer
Twitter.com/TalkToALawyer

Jun

Two injured in Shippensburg auto accident

The Sentinel reports that two trucks collided before hitting a home causing a Shippensburg auto accident. The Shippensburg car accident occurred when a Ford F-250 pulled out in front of a milk truck at the Intersection of Route 11 and Conestoga Drive.

The milk truck driver was headed south on Route 11 when the Ford entered the intersection. The two trucks collided, then hit a utility pole and crashed into a home at 987 Ritner Highway.

The drivers of the two trucks were flown to Hershey Medical Center where they are listed in critical condition following the Pennsylvania auto accident.

The Shippensburg auto accident lawyers at SchmidtKramer can help if you were injured in a Pennsylvania car accident.

Oct

Two people killed in Pennsylvania fire accident

October 23, 2008

Two people were killed in a Pennsylvania fire accident on Saturday, according to the Lebanon Daily News.

The state police fire marshal said cooking left unattended caused the Pennsylvania fire accident. Officials report that an autopsy confirmed that the Pennsylvania fire accident victims were killed by smoke inhalation

The house burned to the ground, and the damages are estimated at $100,000. The Pennsylvania house fire on Newbury Road in Londonderry Township has been ruled accidental.

Read More

Jul

One killed and four injured in Lebanon fire and burn accident

July 22, 2008

According to the Lebanon Daily News, one man was killed and four people were injured in a Lebanon fire and burn accident that occurred in an apartment complex.

The fire that caused the Lebanon fire and burn injuries began on the second floor of the apartment complex, which is also where the man who was killed in the blaze was found.

Of the four people who suffered Lebanon fire and burn injuries, three were city officials fighting the fire, and one was a resident of the complex. The resident of the apartment complex was flown to a burn center to be treated for her Lebanon fire and burn injuries.

Officials are still trying to determine the cause of the Lebanon fire and burn accident.

Feb

Pennsylvania blaze takes pets lives but leaves owners free of fire and burn injuries

February 13, 2008

The Tribune-Review reported that a fire destroyed a house Monday about 5 p.m. and firefighters are trying to determine the cause of the blaze.

Although two pet rabbits were lost in the fire, no one suffered Pennsylvania fire and burn injuries. Firefighters fought for two hours to contain the fire.

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribunereview/news/westmoreland/s_551960.html