Blog

The state of West Virginia is in a budget crunch. The Public Employee Insurance Agency (PEIA) and our school system are underfunded. Medicaid is being cut. In the midst of all this, Gov. Jim Justice has called to expand state government by adding an intermediate appeals court between the lower courts and the Supreme Court...

Anytime you take to the roadways in West Virginia, you could be in the proximity of a distracted driver – or several distracted drivers. It is a growing epidemic on US roads. The riskiest form of distracted driving, according to research conducted by the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI), is using a smartphone while driving. Some drivers are adept at hiding...

It’s every family’s worst nightmare – a loved one being cared for by a nursing home becomes a victim of abuse or neglect. Unfortunately, nursing home abuse happens far more often than many people probably realize. That’s why it’s important to be prepared if you suspect something’s wrong. Residents of West Virginia were recently reminded...

After a trucking accident, it is no surprise that many people are confused about what to do next. These accidents can be severe and it’s often difficult to determine who or what is at fault. That’s why crash reconstruction and forensics can be crucial for building a solid case.   Using evidence collected from the site of the crash and the...

Caring for our elders in West Virginia not only takes compassion, but also experience and the ability to perform tasks without error. According to NBC News, the Trump administration is currently rolling back child labor regulations initiated by the Labor Department and implemented by the Obama administration. This rule prohibits teenagers ages 16 and 17...

The social security system is not only complex, but highly unstable. It is crucial for retirees to understand the upcoming changes and how they will be affected. A boost in benefits could mean higher medical costs In response to rising inflation, Social Security recipients across the United States will receive a boost of 2.8 percent...

Over the past decade, car safety features have become more advanced and more common. Many features are now standard or more affordable, such as forward-collision warning (FCW) and automatic emergency braking (AEB). More importantly, research has shown that these features are reducing crashes. However, the vast majority of tractor-trailers and other commercial vehicles lack these...

When placing a loved one in a nursing home, it's important that you trust that he or she will receive the best possible care. However, when nursing homes in West Virginia are understaffed, residents' needs are less likely to be met. At Mani Ellis & Layne, PLLC, we've seen the pain and suffering nursing home neglect...

Truck drivers are vital to our nation’s economy and their job is tough. Driving long hours and thousands of miles can put a strain on their mental and physical well-being, making the prevalence of fatigue an important issue to be addressed. Being tired affects both reaction time and judgment, but it’s a part of the...

Anyone operating a vehicle in West Virginia is expected to secure any cargo or objects being hauled. Failure to do so can result in other vehicles being struck by debris, resulting in serious or life-threatening injuries to their drivers and passengers. If an unsecured load resulted in your injury, or the injury of a loved...