Knoxville Personal Injury Blog

You should always report a defective product

On behalf of Pryor Priest & Harber posted in dangerous and defective products on Thursday, December 13, 2018.

Defective protects can become a huge hazard in your home. For example, a device like a pressure cooker with loose latches or no way to release pressure in an emergency could explode and cause harm. A coffee pot that doesn't regulate itself correctly could spray hot water or coffee on those around it.

In any situation where a defective product is present, it's necessary to take steps to eliminate the risk to consumers. Most commonly, this comes in the form of a recall. Recalls may be voluntary or not, but the end result is the same: The products are no longer sold if they are dangerous.

How do you prevent nursing home abuse?

On behalf of Pryor Priest & Harber posted in nursing home abuse and neglect on Thursday, November 29, 2018.

Placing a loved one into a nursing home is hard. It might be the last resort after trying in-home health care options or attempting to care for them yourself. The reality is that many people need to go into nursing homes, especially as they approach the end of their lives.

If you're worried about placing a loved one in a nursing home, you're not alone. There are so many terrible stories about abuse and neglect that it's hard to imagine putting someone in one of these facilities. Fortunately, for every horror story, there are many stories of people who have great experiences. You just have to be aware of the risks and do what you can to mitigate them.

Tennessee sheriff's deputy involved in strange car accident

On behalf of Pryor Priest & Harber posted in motor vehicle accidents on Wednesday, November 28, 2018.

We rely on law enforcement officers and emergency service personnel to help us at some of the worst moments in our lives. It is rare that police or firefighters cause an accident, but we expect their employers to make us whole if they do.

A Tennessee county is reviewing how it handles car accidents involving their employees after a sheriff's deputy allegedly ran a red light and crashed his sport utility vehicle into a car. The man was not disciplined and soon received another vehicle from the sheriff's office.

Spinal cord injuries during birth

On behalf of Pryor Priest & Harber on Monday, November 26, 2018.

Damage to a baby’s spinal cord during delivery can have devastating and life-long consequences. While these cases are rare – 5 percent of spinal cord cases in the United States each year— around 60 to 75 percent of infant spinal cord injuries will occur in the neck area. The higher the injury occurs along the baby’s spine, the more severe the damage will be.

Nursing home in trouble after hiding resident from inspectors

On behalf of Pryor Priest & Harber posted in nursing home abuse and neglect on Friday, November 2, 2018.

There is little more important than the safety and comfort of our relatives. It can be difficult to make the decision to move an elderly relative into an assisted living facility or nursing home. But once that decision is made, we must hope that the facility's medical professionals and staff members have the same concern for our seniors' lives as we do.

Tennessee has dozens of nursing homes run by several large and independent agencies. Most patients and residents in these facilities are safe and happy, but several have suffered due to staff abuse or neglect of their most fundamental needs.

Risk of player injury brings football coaches forward on safety

On behalf of Pryor Priest & Harber posted in catastrophic injuries on Thursday, October 18, 2018.

Sports are a big part of growing up, especially in the southern United States. Football is one of the most widespread pastimes between the Mason-Dixon Line and the Gulf of Mexico, with every type of school offering students a chance to get caught up in some gridiron action.

Recent injuries have highlighted the need to review sports safety guidelines below the professional leagues. A student at a Tennessee university is in critical condition after a head injury during a league game. An earlier injury at a high school matchup in Georgia ended the life of an Atlanta-area athlete.

Lawsuit alleges a company knew it was dumping harmful chemicals

On behalf of Pryor Priest & Harber posted in dangerous and defective products on Friday, October 5, 2018.

We rely on companies to make good products safely for consumers and neighbors alike. Tennessee has seen some dangerous product lawsuits over the years, but one of the state's largest liabilities may be industrial interference in its precious water resources.

A Lawrence County woman is suing a major office and industrial supply company, claiming its leadership knew that it was dumping cancer-causing waste chemicals into the Tennessee River in Decatur, just to the east of her home. The woman was diagnosed with kidney cancer and believes it was caused by the company's irresponsible waste disposal.

Tennessee man killed in van collision

On behalf of Pryor Priest & Harber posted in motor vehicle accidents on Friday, September 21, 2018.

Anyone familiar with the roads of Tennessee knows that most of them include gorgeous vistas, and some can pose serious dangers to drivers and passengers. Drivers across the Volunteer State must stay vigilant to avoid collisions.

A 78-year-old motorist from Loudon was killed in a car accident in Maryville recently. The accident happened on U.S. Route 411 at Calderwood Highway when the victim turned his convertible to make a left turn. A van owned by the University of Tennessee pulled in front of the car and pushing it into a pickup truck stopped at the traffic light.

Staying safe on the road through winter weather

On behalf of Pryor Priest & Harber on Thursday, September 20, 2018.

Tennessee doesn’t often experience the giant storms of Northern states, but when it does snow, it becomes a safety issue for all drivers. Fortunately, there are ways to stay safe on the road when there is ice and snow.

Below are a few safety tips for if you are caught on the road with snow this winter season.

Knoxville rest home investigated after neglect allegations

On behalf of Pryor Priest & Harber posted in nursing home abuse and neglect on Friday, September 7, 2018.

One of the most important decisions we can make for our elder relatives is to commit them to reliable round-the-clock care if the necessity appears. Many facilities across the Volunteer State help fulfill these needs, but families must be vigilant to prevent abuse or neglect among residents in nursing homes.

A nursing home in Tennessee has been forbidden from accepting new patients while authorities investigate a possible case of neglect for a disabled patient. The alleged victim, an elderly woman with dementia, was bedridden when she suffered a fall from bed and fractured both of her knees.