Blog
An epidemic of neglect is killing thousands of nursing home residents amid the pandemic
Our West Virginia attorneys discuss a staggering rise in nursing home neglect. Within the last year, nursing home residents across the United States were the hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. According to AARP, nearly 40 percent of deaths linked to COVID-19 occurred in nursing homes. The coronavirus isn’t the only thing killing nursing home...
How is fault determined in a car accident case?
Few things are more frustrating than being involved in a car wreck and having to deal with insurance company red tape. You may be fully aware that the other driver who hit you acted negligently in the moments that led to your crash. Proving it is a different story. Without indisputable evidence, such as video...
Truck crashes linked to blind spots
Most semi-trucks are around 72 feet long, 8.5 feet wide, and 13.5 feet tall. They can also weigh as much as 80,000 lbs. when loaded with cargo. The size and length of a semi-truck and trailer can create blind spots on multi-lane roads. Blind spots are areas where the driver of a semi-truck can't see...
Nursing homes fail to separate COVID-19 patients from other residents
The COVID-19 pandemic is not going anywhere any time soon. Yet, with loosened restrictions, some people have failed to recognize the seriousness of this pandemic. According to an article in Kaiser Health News, this has become evident in many hospitals and nursing homes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have already warned healthcare...
Nursing home residents at risk of death due to unnecessary use of antipsychotic drugs
Every day, thousands of nursing home residents are given antipsychotic drugs even though they don’t need them. The misuse of the drugs increases the risk of death for older people living in the facilities. In addition, the nursing homes rarely face any repercussions. Those are some of the conclusions of a new report prepared by...
Are truck accidents more likely to happen during the COVID-19 pandemic?
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed our way of life dramatically, even months after the pandemic first arrived. Commerce was impacted in two ways. More people are ordering retail products online and there has been a greater demand for essential products. As a result, people have been relying on e-commerce for "non-essential" items, and local grocery...
Charleston Attorney Jonathan Mani Named WVAJ President
CHARLESTON, WV (June 24, 2020) – Jonathan Mani has been named president of the West Virginia Association for Justice. He is a partner with the Charleston firm of Mani Ellis & Layne, PLLC. His primary practice areas are nursing home neglect and abuse, medical malpractice and catastrophic injury. “It is an honor to serve as...
State to soon allow nursing home visits
It's been months since residents of West Virginia have been able to visit their loved ones in nursing homes due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Soon, Governor Jim Justice will phase in nursing home visits across the state, according to WOWK. As of Wednesday, June 17, 2020, residents of West Virginia will be allowed to visit...
Has COVID-19 made West Virginia roads and highways more lethal?
As a result of statewide social distancing guidelines, West Virginia's roads have become noticeably desolate. Only those who still worked in essential jobs or needed to get groceries traveled. In turn, the number of overall crashes may have dropped. The severity of crashes in West Virginia has gone up, however. According to the National Safety...
What can truck drivers and trucking companies do to prevent crashes?
Truck drivers and trucking companies are responsible promoting safety on West Virginia roads. Unfortunately, many of them cut corners to save time and money or engage in outright negligent behavior. Since large commercial trucks can weigh anywhere between 20-30 times the average passenger car, they can cause a devastating amount of damage in a crash....