In an era when our nursing homes and long-term care facilities are already packed to the brim, one risk we must unfortunately consider when we have a loved one in such a facility is the risk of nursing home abuse or neglect. When facilities are understaffed and employees are overworked, abuse and neglect are very real risks—and do happen in West Virginia facilities as well as nationwide.

One of the ways the U.S. government has helped combat instances of abuse and neglect in nursing homes is by putting heavy violations and fines in place that facilities are forced to pay if they fail to pass regular, randomized health and safety inspections. These measures help ensure our loved ones are safe even when we can’t be there for them. Serious consequences like heavy fines make sure facilities do what needs to be done to prioritize resident safety.

In 2014, there were 3,978 crashes that involved trucks and buses. While this is a decrease from 2013, the crash number is still high.

Truck drivers struggle with driving for long periods and unable to find adequate places to stop and rest when they get tired. As a result, many drivers keep going even though they’re exhausted because they need to find a place to pull over. This makes them unsafe drivers and a danger to themselves and others on the road.

Sending a loved one to a nursing home can be a difficult decision. But at the end of the day, you’re doing it because you want your loved one to have the best care and the highest quality of life.

But sometimes, nursing homes aren’t what you expect them to be. They might not have the best people in charge, or their facility might not meet the standards that they should be meeting. When this happens, there’s a higher chance of your loved one potentially getting abused or neglected in the facility.

After being in a car accident, you’re going to deal with insurance companies that want to settle your claim quickly—regardless of any injuries you have or vehicle damages you need to get repaired. It may be in your best interest to wait before settling to ensure you get the full amount of compensation you need to recover. While insurance companies might sound pleasant or reassuring, their goal is oftentimes to get you to settle for less than what you’re owed.

The lawyers at DiPiero Simmons McGinley & Bastress, PLLC in Charleston, West Virginia don’t think you should be held responsible for a crash that wasn’t your fault. Our car accident lawyers will help you get the compensation you need to recover from the crash.

Car crashes can cause a lot of injuries. Some of the scariest ones affect your mobility. If you get whiplash, you might not know it at first. After a car accident, your body is in shock. This can mask symptoms of any injuries, including whiplash.

While it’s still possible to recognize whiplash, it could take a few hours or weeks for you to feel whiplash symptoms. Without proper care, you could have chronic pain.

When you’re trying to recover from injuries from a car accident, it’s stressful to think about how you’re going to pay the medical bills. It’s even more frustrating when the accident wasn’t your fault. That’s where you need a car accident attorney. DiPiero Simmons McGinley & Bastress, PLLC in Charleston, West Virginia is ready to help you fight for your rights.

Nearly everyone has a smartphone now. We use our cell phones to communicate via text and social media. We’re trained to look at notifications the second we hear our phone vibrate or see the light blinking.

Unfortunately, we still have this impulse when we’re driving. The urge to check the notification and respond as soon as possible often leads people to make reckless driving decisions. Taking your attention and focus off the road for less than second can lead to a car accident where someone gets injured or killed.

Car accidents take a long time to recover from in every aspect. You have to heal mentally, physically, and still take care of yourself financially. Car accident injuries might leave you with hospital and prescription medication bills. Your injuries could prevent you from working. If you’re dealing with these stresses in West Virginia, the lawyers at DiPiero Simmons McGinley & Bastress, PLLC are ready to help you get the compensation you need so you can focus on your recovery.

Tim DiPiero, a personal injury, medical malpractice, and criminal law lawyer at DiPiero Simmons McGinley & Bastress, PLLC, was honored last May with the FCA Impact Award for his involvement and support with the organization for the past 25 years.

The FCA, or Fellowship of Christian Athletes, is an organization with the goal of helping students grow and strengthen their faith.

For years now, the personal injury attorneys at DiPiero Simmons McGinley & Bastress, PLLC have ranked high among their peers. Since 2003, they have appeared on multiple “Best Lawyers” lists for the state of West Virginia. Best Lawyers is the oldest and most respected attorney ranking service in the legal industry. The organization aims to help those in need of legal services find the best attorneys in the business. We’re honored to be included in the organization’s prestigious lists year after year.

This year, we’re proud to announce that DiPiero Simmons McGinley & Bastress, PLLC has been ranked on the organization’s “Best Law Firms” list for 2018. The “Best Law Firms” list, published by U.S. News & World Report, recognizes law firms with attorneys who appear on The Best Lawyers of America list which names the top 4% of practicing attorneys in the United States. Over 1,000,000 law firm assessments were provided by attorneys to create this year’s peer-reviewed list.

On Sunday, October 29th, Pete Cuffaro, a prior client of DiPiero Simmons McGinley & Bastress, PLLC, was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame’s West Virginia Chapter and presented with the Medal of Courage for his dedication to the sport and overcoming adversity.

Cuffaro of Wheeling, West Virginia had wrestled since he was in middle school, and continued to wrestle throughout his life. But this changed soon after he graduated from West Virginia University.

On June 25, 1983, Cuffaro dove into a pool that didn’t have the depth clearly marked. The hospital misdiagnosed his injuries and sent him home. By the next day, the 24-year-old Cuffaro was paralyzed.

When you send your loved one to a nursing home, you want them to have a life where they’ll receive good care that promotes a better well-being. Good homes have attentive and skilled staff, a clean environment, and plenty of activities to keep your loved one engaged mentally, physically, and emotionally.

Sometimes, a nursing home isn’t the place it’s supposed to be. When nursing homes are understaffed, there might not be enough people to care for your loved one. This can lead to abuse because your loved one might try to do something without assistance.