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Recent Blog Posts
ATV Accidents: Understanding the Causes, Risks, and How to Prevent Them
Since invented, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) have offered hours of rugged, outdoor fun. But that fun also comes with a risk – the possibility of a severe injury or fatality. Those risks can often be reduced through responsible operation, proper gear, and course instructions but many riders forget the importance of these key preventative measures or are not aware of their importance. So, before you ride, make sure you know the causes and risks of ATV accidents and how you can best avoid them.
ATV Accident Statistics
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), more than 100,000 ATV injuries occurred in 2012 (the most recent data). Of those, 27 percent were to the head or neck, 29 percent were of the arms or hands, 22 percent were to the torso area, and 21 percent were to the legs or feet. In addition, approximately 568 adults and 144 children die each year from ATV-related accidents.
Judge Rejects Prosecution's Request for Gag Order in White Collar Crime Case
Typically, gag orders are used to provide protections to the defendant, witnesses, or potential jurors in high profile criminal cases. Examples include cases involving a celebrity, cases where the alleged crimes are particularly gruesome, or when publicity could jeopardize a defendant’s right to a fair trial. They are not intended to protect the government or prosecution when a mistake has been made, such as discrimination or a violation of defendant’s rights. Sadly, that does not always stop the prosecution from trying, as evidenced by a recent gag order request from the Wisconsin Justice Department on a pending white collar crime case.
About the Case
Charged with 10 felony counts of securities fraud, two brothers are being accused of not telling prospective investors that their company was on the brink of financial ruin. Their company went $60 million into debt, according to court documents, and 31 investors allegedly lost millions. But, according to their attorney, the brothers followed the advice of their attorney and made all the necessary disclosures, releasing them from any type of criminal acts.
Study Finds Slips and Falls Surprising Common, Even among Healthy, Young Adults
When people think of slips and falls, they generally imagine slick surfaces, like ice and snow, dangerous terrain, or risky behavior, such as carrying an oversized box down a narrow flight of stairs. Yet, according to the National Safety Council, slips and falls remain the leading cause of injury-related deaths among those aged 65 or older. But slips and trips are not just for the elderly; they also account for about five percent of all workplace injuries and around 15 percent of all accidental deaths. Moreover, a recent study found that, even among healthy, young adults, falls are surprisingly common.
Study on College Students Shows Falls, Trips Happen at Any Age
Conducted by researchers from Purdue University, a recent study on 94 college undergraduates shows that humans – regardless of their age – struggle to stay upright. With an average age of 19, these students were asked to answer a daily email over the course of 16 weeks. In it, they were asked if they had experienced a slip, trip, or fall in the last 24 hours. More than half (52 percent) reported 1,495 trips or slips by the end of the study, and 46 percent reported 82 full-blown falls.
The Risks of Using “Predictive Policing” to Bust Alleged Offenders
Predictive policing (PredPol) sounds a little like looking into a crystal ball to predict the future, but it is really just a numbers game; police officers use data to determine when and where the next crime will hit. But how does it work? Is it really effective? Most importantly, are there any potential implications for the general public, particularly those that may have a previous criminal history?
How Predictive Policing Works
At first glance, PredPol seems like basic common sense – if there are multiple burglaries in a neighborhood, there will probably be more. But it is a bit more complex than just that. Quantitative techniques provide statistical predictions, giving police a chance to deploy the appropriate number and types of officers needed for a particular crime and neighborhood without wasting resources.
But it is not just actual crimes that are predicted; police officers also use their analysis to predict crime victims, perpetrator identities, and even individual offenders. Many jurisdictions have found it to be highly “efficient,” but there are also some major drawbacks.
New Test Helps Identify Children at High Risk for Ongoing Concussion Symptoms
Now that science better understands the long-term consequences of a concussion, doctors are searching for ways to better determine who may be at risk. This is particularly true when it comes to children, who are at especially high risk for secondary complications. Unfortunately, testing has remained fairly inconsistent and extremely difficult. However, a new study revealed a possible test that may be more reliable.
Concussions in Kids
Previous research indicates that, of all children who suffer from a concussion, about 30 percent will have persistent symptoms for a month or longer. Referred to as persistent post-concussion symptoms (PPCS), these ongoing ailments can include headaches, dizziness, thinking problems, and emotional issues, such as anxiety or irritability. All have the potential to affect them at home and at school. And, because these children are at higher risk for secondary, more severe traumatic incidents, they are often kept out of the recreational activities they love.
Two New Bills to Decrease Recidivism Rates and Help Convicted Find Work after Release
Although crime and high prison populations are far from new concepts, the new bills meant to tackle these two major problems in Wisconsin are. Passed by the Assembly in February 2016 and discussed by the Senate in early March, the proposals addressed in these two bills are meant to tackle recidivism (re-offense after release) and job issues experienced by those convicted of a crime. If passed, it could mean a lot of positive changes for everyone.
Reason behind the Change
Recently, the Council of State Governments Justice Center and the National Reentry Resource Center conducted a national study on recidivism rates of each state. Although Wisconsin was one of eight states recognized for improvement, it is still among one of the highest states for recidivism (56.2 percent in 2007 and 51.1 percent in 2010). Lawmakers believe a swift and drastic change must be made.
Could Your Social Media Activity Sabotage Your Personal Injury Case?
Once used only by the technologically savvy or “hip” folks, social media has become a place where almost everyone gathers to share their lives, photos, thoughts, and opinions. For most, it is a fairly innocent experience, one that connects family members, friends, and even potential friends from around the world. Others have unfortunately had exactly the opposite experience – getting fired from their jobs for inappropriate conduct or even being arrested for committing a crime.
Of course, not everyone commits a crime and then documents it on Facebook, and posting private information about a client or patient on Instagram only applies if you happen to work in a field where confidentiality is a requirement. But what about other situations? Take, for example, a personal injury case, such as a car accident or a workplace injury . . . could social media affect you in these areas as well?
White Collar Crime Registry in Utah and Other Registries You May Not Know Existed
Most Americans are aware of the mandated sex offender registry for convicted sex offenders. Used in all 50 states, it is accessible by the public and provides names, descriptions, and photographs of those that have served their time and then been released back into society. However, few are aware that there are many other types of criminal registries that, depending on state and circumstance, may also be viewable by the public. The most recently opened is a white collar crime registry in Utah.
The Rise of Offender Registries
Over the last several years, registries for convicted offenders of various crimes have grown exponentially. Five states monitor those convicted of arson. Seven have registries for methamphetamine producers, and Indiana offers a public website that lets visitors use Google Maps to find the location of homes that have been used as meth labs. In Tennessee, those convicted of animal abuse must register. And in the state of Florida, anyone convicted of a felony of any kind must register for up to five years after completing their sentence. Some of these registries are restricted to law enforcement or fire official use, but others are searchable to the public, just like the sex offender registries.
Motorcycle Accident Prevention Is Every Driver’s Responsibility
With spring's arrival and weather warming throughout many parts of the country, motorcyclists in some areas have already taken to the road. Even Wisconsin, where the temperatures still feel like winter, will start to see an influx of the two-wheeled vehicles quite soon. And that makes now the perfect time to remind all drivers that accident prevention is everyone’s responsibility.
Just How Big is the Problem?
At first glance, the 2,000 annual motorcyclist deaths may seem like a far cry from the 30,000 fatal car accidents each year. If, however, a side by side comparison is made, motorcyclists are 16 times more likely to be killed in a crash and four times more likely to be injured. In fact, while only 20 percent of all car crashes cause an injury or fatality, the figure jumps to a staggering 80 percent for motorcycle crashes; mile for mile, they are at higher risk.
Charging Children as Adults: Understanding Wisconsin’s Laws and Policies
It is difficult to imagine a child being charged with an adult crime and then being imprisoned with adults. Yet it does happen. In fact, last year, the state of Wisconsin decided to charge two 13-year-old girls as adults in an attempted murder case. If convicted, they could spend up to 65 years in a state penitentiary.
Their story, along with countless others before them, forces the public to ask some difficult and uncomfortable questions about how the state of Wisconsin tries and convicts juvenile criminals. The answers are both horrifying and unbelievable, but they are also the harsh reality of a broken justice system.
Violent Crimes Are Not Child’s Play
For the majority of juvenile offenders, crimes are charged and tried in juvenile court. Here, the offender is adjudicated and then pushed through the juvenile justice system. This usually includes up to three years of incarceration, but they are detained in a juvenile center. They also receive rehabilitation services, such as counseling, and educational services. But these services are usually only available until the minor’s 17th birthday, and only if they are not being charged with a violent crime. All others, including children as young as 10 who are facing homicide or attempted homicide, are tried as adults.
