Archives for May 2015

Takata Airbag Recall in Atlanta

Living in the Atlanta metro area means summers of heat and humidity are a fact of life. Atlantans adjust to life with these discomforts, however. After all, modern conveniences including air conditioning in our homes, workplaces and automobiles help make life much more comfortable.

Image via Flickr.com

Image via Flickr.com

Fortunately, in modern day Atlanta most automobile owners bear through the commute and traffic conditions in comfort with air conditioning. However, they may be completely unaware that the humidity and a crucial safety feature in their vehicles – airbags – may be putting them and their passengers in danger.

Recent news stories indicate that the Takata airbag recall has reached historic proportions. In an effort to save lives, since 1998 federal law has required airbags to be installed in all vehicles sold in the United States. Yet, this very safety feature, intended to keep drivers and passengers safe, is putting many people at risk.

Japanese airbag manufacturer Takata is a major supplier of airbags for numerous makes & models of vehicles sold in the United States and around the world. These airbags have been identified as being extremely dangerous because the inflators can explode when the airbag is deployed in a crash, puncturing the bag and preventing it from properly restraining vehicle occupants. In addition, shards of metal from the exploding gas canister may be projected at passengers or drivers, turning the very device that was meant to protect into a potentially lethal threat.

To date, exploding inflators in Takata airbags have been the cause of six deaths and hundreds of injuries. These deaths have all occurred in vehicles manufactured by Honda, and it appears that this extremely dangerous situation is more pronounced in geographic areas with high humidity. Other vehicles affected by the recall including certain models and years manufactured by Ford, GM, Nissan, Toyota, Subaru, Mitsubishi, Mazda, Infiniti, Lexus, Saab, Chrysler, Dodge, Pontiac and BMW.

It is essential that all automobile owners research their specific make and model to determine what type of airbags are in their car. Visit Safecar.gov to input a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and determine if your vehicle is included in the recall.

If your vehicle is affected by the Takata airbag recall, time is of the essence. Take the vehicle to a dealership as soon as possible so the airbags can be replaced with safer alternatives.

If there are questions regarding legal rights and the Takata airbag recall, do not hesitate to contact Atlanta personal injury law firm Brownstein & Nguyen.

Memorial Day Weekend Travel in Atlanta

Memorial Day weekend is upon us. With a 3-day weekend knocking at our door, millions of Americans are planning on hitting the road. According to AAA Travel 37.2 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home over the holiday weekend. While not all travelers will reach their destinations in the same way, approximately 88% of travelers will be driving from Point A to Point B. By the numbers that boils down to 33 million travelers on the roadways.

Holiday TravelThe AAA data points to the heaviest volume of Memorial Day weekend traffic since 2005. With all of these travelers on the road, there are sure to be traffic incidents. In an effort to proactively avoid an automobile accident, it is important to make sure that your vehicle is ready for travel. In preparation for a road trip, here is checklist for your vehicle:

Check the Tires

Make sure tires are properly inflated and that they are showing signs of even wear. If you notice any dry rotting, lumps, or bare tread it is a good idea to have your tires checked professionally in an effort to avoid a catastrophe on the roads with a flat tire or blowout.

Check the Fluid Levels

A quick check under the hood will allow you to make sure that your fluids are topped off. It is bad enough to be leaking oil or antifreeze and have your car break down, but with so many people on the roadways a broken down car is an increased risk for an accident.

Lights

Make sure that all of your lights are working properly. This includes headlights, tail lights, turning signals, and reverse lights. Properly working lights will allow other drivers to see you and to know which direction you are heading.

No matter how proactive you are in making sure that your vehicle is ready for travel, you can never be fully prepared for the actions of other drivers on the road. Should you be the unfortunate victim of a car or truck accident as a result of someone else’s failure to yield, DUI, improper lane change, or other risky driving behavior, remember that it is okay to protect yourself. Make sure that you contact the local law enforcement agency for a police report, exchange insurance information, and document any hospital or doctor visits. If necessary, contact a personal injury attorney for legal assistance. Our personal injury lawyers are ready to help in your time of need. Contact us by calling 770-458-9060 or by filling out the form on the right hand side of this article.

Lack of Proper Care In Assisted Living Facilities

With many families relying on two incomes, it can be almost impossible to manage the health care needs of an elderly parent living in your household. Having to put a loved one in a nursing home or assisted living care facility can be a heart-wrenching, albeit necessary, decision for many families.Nursing Home Care

Once your loved one is under nursing home care, though, how can you be assured they are receiving the appropriate care and not being neglected or abused?

A Growing Problem

Failure to provide proper long term care or rehabilitation care or to catch health issues before they develop into serious conditions has become a growing problem in the elder care system. Another concern is medical errors — for example, wrongly dispensed medications that go unreported. By the time many of these issues become known, it may already be too late to save your loved one. Irreparable harm may have been done, causing an irreversible decline in physical condition.

Often, these issues can be traced back to a lack of medical training among staff members. Because it’s impossible for family members to monitor care around the clock, problems may go undetected for too long. The elderly, whether from fear of retribution or deteriorating health conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, are often unable to act on their own behalf and speak out against poor care and/or abuse.

How You Can Help

You can improve your loved one’s outcome by making sure they are being placed in an assisted living facility or nursing home that adheres to proper standards of patient care and employee training requirements. Be sure to watch for signs of neglect or abuse when you visit. If something doesn’t seem right, be an advocate for your loved one and immediately speak to administration about your concerns. Do not hesitate to demand swift action to correct any issue affecting care.

If you have any questions pertaining to medical malpractice or nursing home abuse in Atlanta, reach out to Brownstein & Nguyen. With over 25 years of experience representing patients and fighting for quality care, our medical malpractice lawyers are ready and able to help. Call us at (770) 458-9060 or fill out the contact form on the right hand side of this page for assistance.

 

Employment Visa Sponsorship

The H1B employment visa system is very important for skilled workers. This immigrant visa classification allows a non-U.S. citizen to work in the United States on a temporary basis. Employers wanting to hire highly skilled workers in engineering, computer programming, and other science fields from outside the United States often apply for an H1B visa on behalf of prospective employees. This visa category also applies to workers with non-scientific specialized knowledge and skills.

Spouse Visa AtlantaRequirements of an H1B Visa

There are several requirements identified by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) agency in order for an H1B employment visa to be obtained. These requirements include a bachelor’s degree (or higher) that is equivalent to the minumum requirements for a specific job, and a Labor Condition Application (LCA) must be provided by the employer.

Application Process for an H1B Visa

The application process for an H1B visa is quite extensive. For quality assurance and assistance through the process, a qualified immigration lawyer is often quite helpful in assisting both the employer and employee. Atlanta immigration attorneys Brownstein & Nguyen have over 25 years of experience representing clients in immigration and visa cases.

Spouses of H1B Visa Holders

Previously, spouses and minor children of an H1B employee were permitted to live in and study in the United States with an H-4 status, but they were not able to work. A recent change will allow some spouses of H1B visas to now seek employment. For further information, clarification, and assistance in obtaining an H1B visa or the changes associated with H-4 work status for spouses of H1B visa holders, contact the law offices of Brownstein & Nguyen in Atlanta by clicking here or by filling out the contact form in the right hand column.