Though mortality rates in Connecticut are not terribly high, many argue that they could be lower.  Safety groups believe that increased safety measures, with an emphasis on rural roads and divided highways, could bring our states numbers even lower.   Effective safety measures include an emphasis on reducing distracted driving along with laws that deter drivers from distracting behaviors such as texting and driving.

Because of this, and because of the danger of aggressive dogs and the number of dog attacks in the state, Gonzales and Rep. Brenda Kupchick hope to get the message of animal safety out to all of the states children. 

 Proponents believe that learning about the proper treatment of animals, along with the best ways to prevent a dog attack, will help keep the children and animals of Connecticut safe.  For example, Gonzales says that nearly every child he speaks in to the schools believes that the best thing to do when confronted by an aggressive dog is to run.  However, running is the worst thing a child can do.  Instead, dog safety experts recommend standing as still as possible with hands placed on the chest and chin tucked in, avoiding all eye contact with the dog. 

What do you think?  Should the bill pass?  Should children learn animal safety along with reading, writing and arithmetic? 

At the personal injury law firm of Glass, Lebovitz, Kasheta & Bren we have seen the devastating effects that a dog bite or attack can have on a child.  If you or your child have been attacked or bitten please seek medical attention and then do not hesitate to contact an experienced Conn. dog bite lawyer for your free consultation.

One Conn. mother saw the potential for distraction in a common item kept in the car-  A tissue box.  Looking for ways to keep her eyes on the road, and not searching the floor for that elusive box, she invented a refillable tissue container that fits into the cars cup holder.  Will this product save millions of lives?  Perhaps not, but what it does show is that there are practical ways to help drivers keep their eyes and minds on the road.

What can you do to prevent a distracted driving accident?  We urge you to not only put down the cell phone but also plan ahead.  If you might need a drink of water, a napkin a snack for the kids, place these things in easy reach, where you will not need to take your mind and eyes from the road.

The personal injury attorneys at Glass, Lebovitz, Kasheta & Bren know that one moment of distraction can lead to a serious, even deadly car accident.  Please help us spread the word- Distracted driving starts with you.  Focus on the road and arrive alive. 

While ConnDOT maintains that they are only responsible for the driving lanes of the state highway, the city says that they do not have the money in their snow removal budget to remove the rest of the snow and ice.  This remaining snow and ice impact those who park along the street.  Residents and visitors can be seen carefully picking their way around their vehicles to reach the relative safety of the sidewalk. 

What would happen in someone were to slip and fall?  Unfortunately, filing a successful personal injury/slip and fall lawsuit against either party would be difficult.  In Connecticut, the state agency cannot be sued and the city can only be sued under very specific conditions. 

It would seem that the city or the state would want to quickly remedy the slippery situation, as the cost of a possible lawsuit would far outweigh the cost of removing snow between the driving lanes and curb.  Perhaps they are hoping that nobody will get hurt during a slip and fall, or that the injured party will not take the time to find a good attorney and sue. 

Whatever the reason for the delay the Connecticut personal injury attorneys at Glass, Lebovitz, Kasheta & Bren hope that the issue is resolved before an injury occurs. 

For example, broken bones, deep cuts and neck and back injuries are commonly referred to as minor injuries.  Really, a minor injury is one that does not immediately threaten the accident victims life.  However, this does not mean that the injury will not require a hospital stay, rehabilitation and ongoing medical care.

The problem with minor injuries is that insurance companies will use this distinction to minimize your claim, your pain and suffering.  They will assume that the report of "minor injuries" means you deserve less compensation.  However, there are other factors to consider.  What if your job involves heavy and frequent use of your arms and back?  Then a shoulder injury can leave you out of work for some time, maybe even permanently.  But the insurance company will want to ignore this, and possibly your need for ongoing physical therapy.  They will offer you a sum that may not cover your current bills, nonetheless the cost of ongoing medical care. 

If you have been injured in a car accident, even if you only sustained minor injuries, ensure that the insurance company is offering you proper compensation for your injuries.  Contact an experienced accident lawyer at Glass, Lebovitz, Kasheta & Bren today for your free consultation.  Make sure your rights, and your future are protected.  Call today. 1.860.257.1000       

OSHA agreed that the second suspension was unwarranted and awarded the injured employee $75,000 plus legal fees. 

The other case against Metro-North was settled in 2009 when it was found that four employees were retaliated against after being hurt at work.  Two of the employees were injured while working in Connecticut.

As experienced workers compensation attorneys we have seen too many injured employees suffer in silence instead of defending their rights.  They do so because of the fear of retaliation, as seen in the above cases.  If you have been hurt at work you have the right to file for workers compensation without the fear of being reprimanded or fired.  Contact a workers' comp lawyer today for your free consultation.  You have rights.  Let's fight for them.

These reasons, and many like them, are why so many Connecticut workers rights advocates believe that the states workers compensation system is in need of a serious overhaul.

The newest workers compensation news is not good.  On January, 1 2011, many employers will see their workers compensation insurance rates increase dramatically.  Average increases will be 5.8 percent.  However, some will see their rates increase by 31 percent. 

As workers compensation attorneys and advocates of injured workers we have to wonder what this means for workers in Connecticut.  For some, it may mean the loss of hours, certain benefits, or their job.  For others it may mean strong pressure not to report on the job injuries.  Employers have been known to bribe or intimidate injured workers into not reporting a workplace accident and injury.  This is dangerous to employee rights and can have serious financial and physical consequences for the employee.   

Though advocates have vowed to fix the Conn. workers compensation system, injured workers cannot wait.  If you have been injured at work do not let your employer take advantage of your situation.  Contact your experienced, aggressive workers comp attorneys at Glass, Lebovitz, Kasheta & Bren for your free consultation.        

Though we may be in a rush to get to work, the extra five minutes it takes to clear your windshield, side windows and back window could mean the difference between a safe drive to work and a serious accident.  If you do not clear the snow off your vehicle you may be in for more trouble than a fender bender; Connecticut state law mandates that your windshield be free from obstruction. 

In addition, if large pieces of snow or ice fall from your vehicle and strike another, you may be liable for damages to the other car and any injuries caused by an accident.  So when you think about it, that five minutes of window scraping may just save you thousands of dollars.

Connecticut law is on the side of the owners as by law a dog's owner may put down a dog if it bites or attacks.  However, many believe that in this instance the owners did make the right choice and should have waited for the dog to be removed.

What do you think?  Should the owners be charged in the death of their dog or were they justified in their actions? 

As dog bite attorneys we have seen the full range of dog bites and attacks.  From a dog who bit when repeatedly provoked to a dog who attacked a child at random as they walked down the street.  If you have been bitten or attacked by a dog do not hesitate to contact your experienced Conn. personal injury attorneys at Glass, Lebovitz, Kasheta & Bren for your free consultation.

The goal of the bill is to increase awareness of safe driving among high school students.  As we have discussed before, driver distraction, due primarily to passengers and electronic devices, are common among teens and young adults and a major cause of serious accidents. 

The bill's supporters hope to boost support for student-led groups that work to promote teen safety programs.  National and state teen safety driver conferences would also be held, along with outreach programs that target parents of teen drivers.

The question is:  Will the bill work to prevent teen driver distraction?  Though we are hopeful, the only thing we can be sure of is that good driving starts at home.  You, as the parent of a teen, are the best deterrent of distracted driving.  Leading by example, put down the phone and drive.  Also, establish basic safe driving guidelines and talk often about the importance of safe driving.

Whether or not the bill passes, we can work, at a local level, to keep our teens safe.  Join our law firm today in our effort to spread the word about the dangers of texting and driving, talking and driving and other dangerous distracted driving behaviors.      

The beam that fell at the construction site at Yale University in New Haven pinned one employee after striking a mechanical lift that held two workers.  The other beam fell into a large trench during a collapse, striking one worker in the head.  Both accidents are being investigated by OSHA.

These serious accidents bring attention, however tragic, to the dangers of construction work and the importance that construction companies follow proper safety procedures.  Though we cannot speak to the safety guidelines at these specific sites, we do know that too often owners, managers and supervisors put the lives of their employees at risk.  Safety guidelines are meant to keep workers safe and prevent on the job injury and death.  Though true accidents do happen, we often find that an "accident" at work was actually caused by a lax adherence to proper safety measures.

After being hurt at work there are many things that go through your mind.  Though your recovery should your only concern, your time off of work and potential of diminished earning capacity can weigh heavily on you and your family.  When you are ready to fight for your rights as a worker, to get the compensation you deserve, contact your experienced workers comp attorneys at Glass, Lebovitz, Kasheta & Bren for your free consultation.

For example, driving on leaf covered roads, especially when it has been raining, can cause your car to lose traction, possibly causing an accident.  In addition, leaves can cover road defects such as pot holes, making it nearly impossible for you to avoid them.  This can be particularly dangerous for motorcyclists.

In addition, the fall light can make windshield glare more apparent.  Many people choose to take a scenic drive at sunset, so be sure to pull over in a safe location if you are having a hard time seeing.  Morning frost on both windshields and roadways are a real possibility this time of year.  Clear all leaves and frost from your windows and windshield before hitting the road. 

At Glass, Lebovitz, Kasheta & Bren our staff and attorneys would like you help you stay safe.  This fall, and every day, please remain aware of your surroundings and focus on the road, taking into account any and all seasonal hazards. 

• Trip and Fall Accidents- When an unexpected object protrudes into a walking path or is left in the way of foot traffic a trip and fall may occur.
• Stump and Fall Accidents- These occur when the foot encounters a stopping point such as a sticky point on the ground or a defect in the flooring.
• Step and Fall Accidents- A step and fall happens when the foot falls into a hole or other unexpected flooring failure.
• Slip and Falls Accidents- These are the most common types of fall accidents. They occur when the foot or feet encounter a slippery surface and the body is unable to remain upright.

It is important that you understand the many ways that fall accidents occur.  Some may assume that if they didn't slip on a slick surface they cannot file a slip and fall lawsuit.  This is simply not true.  Many factors go into determining fault after a fall.

In Connecticut (CT) the owner is strictly liable for a bite or attack.  The owner has a responsibility to keep their dog under control at all times and to ensure that the animal is not a threat.  Usually, the owners homeowners insurance will cover any compensation awarded to the victim and their family.  However, in cases where the owner is renting or does not have homeowners insurance, who pays for the damages? 

In some cases, a landlord can be held responsible.   If the landlord knew or should have known that their tenant had a dog, they can be held liable. 

After a dog bite you should certainly seek medical attention.  When you are sure that you or your child is stable and well, please do contact an experienced lawyer who specializes in dog bite cases.  More than likely you deserve compensation for your injuries to help pay for medical bills, time off work and ongoing mental and physical treatments.

For your free consultation please contact an experienced, aggressive attorney at Glass, Lebovitz, Kasheta & Bren.  

A recent shooting at a beer distributorship in Manchester, Ct. has the employer's insurance company and teamsters working to ensure that the family members of those who lost their loved ones understand their rights.  The family members of nearly any worker who loses their life while at work have one year to file a workers' compensation claim. 

Your Connecticut workers compensation attorneys are here for you, especially at such a difficult time in your life.  Though the thought of filing a claim on behalf of your husband or wife can be difficult it is important that you do so in a timely manner.  If you need help please contact an experienced, compassionate attorney at Glass, Lebovitz, Kasheta & Bren for your free consultation.

Both the jobs of firefighter and construction worker come with some inherent risks.  We know that both jobs often require strenuous labor and the possibility of dangers working conditions.  As workers compensation attorneys our job is to look closely at the inherent risks and determine what steps could have been taken to avoid injury.  We want to protect the rights of injured workers and prevent further safety violations. 

If you have been injured at work you have to ask yourself: Is there something my employer could have done to help prevent this injury or illness?  If you believe that the answer is yes then please contact an experienced workman's comp attorney at Glass, Lebovitz, Kasheta & Bren today for your free consultation.  With offices in Rocky Hill, Brooklyn, Storrs and Mansfield, Conn. we are here for you where you need us, when you need us.  Let us fight for you.  Please call today.  1.800.999.2020.      

To help prevent such trauma we have been focusing on ways to prevent dog bites and attacks.  Though we strongly believe that the dog owner is responsible for their animals behavior there are ways children and adults can protect themselves from dog attacks.  Listed below are a few tips for dog owners and non-owners alike.  We hope that the information provided here will help you avoid a dog bite or attack.  Please click on the underlined links below to read the full articles. 

Preventing Dog Bites- A Dog Owners Guide:  Tips in this article include socializing your pet from a young age, waiting to get a dog until children are older and teaching your dog basic obedience commands.

Dog Bite Prevention- These tips are aimed at helping children and adults avoid a dog bite or attack.  They include: never approaching a strange dog, not teasing or running from a dog and not leaving children alone with a dog.   

We hope that the brief tips above and the full library articles listed here will help you better understand the ways that you can prevent dog bites. 

If you have been bitten by a dog the owner may be liable for  missed work, medical bills and mental trauma.  Please contact your Conn. personal injury attorney at Glass, Lebovitz, Kasheta & Bren today for your free consultation.     

The study, performed by the Pew Center for Research, found that of texting adults 47 percent had sent or read text messages while driving.  Here in Ct., we know all too well that many drivers continue to both talk and text, despite increasingly strict laws against it. 

Recently, police sighted hundreds of people for texting or talking on their cell phone while driving.  In fact, the police did not have enough officers to pull over the number of drivers they saw violating the law.

The problem with distracted driving is that it not only causes bad driving; it costs lives.  Please join our attorneys in pledging to put down the phone and drive. That one missed call, that one answered text may just save a life.