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Mississippi Personal Injury Attorneys Share The Benefits of Hiring a Personal Injury Attorney

Personal injuries come in many forms, from slip-and-fall accidents to car accidents and all kinds of other catastrophes. Whatever type of personal injury you have experienced, you might feel confused about what to do next. You may also be concerned about what your future will be like, both in the short term and in the long run.

Family and friends may be offering you help with everyday tasks if your injury prevents you from doing things like grocery shopping and taking care of your home and children. Those helpful acts of kindness are fantastic and can go a long way towards helping you recover from your injury. Your doctors are also likely working closely with you to create a treatment plan that will help you recover from your injuries. Their assistance is also critical for you during this challenging time in your life. In addition to friends, family, and doctors, there is someone else who can provide you with critical assistance after a personal injury – a Mississippi personal injury attorney. It is to your advantage to connect with a personal injury attorney as soon as possible after you experience a personal injury so that you can begin to receive all of the benefits that come from working with them.

Personal injury attorneys understand the rights of injured individuals like you. They have extensive training and experience that has prepared them to stand up for your rights. Each day, personal injury attorneys help clients like you stand up for their rights and pursue claims for compensation for their personal injuries.

Right now, your job consists of healing from your injury and managing the details of your life as best you can. Your attorney knows how to take on all of the tasks associated with filing and pursuing a personal injury claim from start to finish. It’s a lot of work, but they have done it many times before for other injured clients, and they have helped those clients receive the compensation that helps them recover financially from the effects of their injuries.

One of the essential components of a personal injury claim is evidence. Personal injury attorneys know what evidence they need to present in support of your claim. What’s more, they know how to go about obtaining that evidence, even if other parties are not willing to give them the information that they ask for. With the proper evidence in hand, your personal injury attorney may be able to obtain compensation for your claim promptly.

However, insurance companies are not always quick to settle personal injury claims, even when they are presented with clear and convincing evidence in support of those claims. Insurance companies are notorious for denying claims, dragging out the claims process, and extending settlement offers that are far short of the amount needed to compensate injured individuals adequately. One of the best benefits of working with a personal injury attorney is that they have experience with negotiating with insurance companies, and they can push for a settlement offer that is as close to the value of your claim as possible. If a settlement cannot be reached, your personal injury attorney can take your case to court and continue to press for the compensation you need.

Working with a personal injury attorney has many benefits. If you would like to know whether you have a personal injury claim, ask a personal injury attorney. Call the seasoned Mississippi Personal Injury Attorney at our office at 1 (800) 707-9577 to schedule a free initial consultation.

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Mississippi Personal Injury Attorneys Explain Personal Injury Law

Last month, we shared information about several basic types of personal injury claims. You may have experienced an injury that is not one of the injuries discussed in that article. Your injury could also possibly give rise to a personal injury claim if you were hurt by no fault of your own.

The first thing you must do after an injury is to seek medical attention. Not only may the injury be more severe than it appears, but you also need to know what treatment is recommended for your injury so that you can begin the process of healing and recovery. When you receive medical care at a doctor’s office or a hospital, you create a record of your injury as well as the care that you have received for it. If your injury later gives rise to a personal injury claim, your medical records will provide valuable information to your attorney that they can use to support your claim.

After you have received medical care and you are on your way to recovering from your injury, it is a good idea to explore whether you might have a personal injury claim. It is wise to get started on working with a personal injury attorney as soon as possible after your accident, as personal injury claims take some time, and it won’t be long before your medical bills begin to arrive. If another person’s negligence caused your injury and you have information available to you that demonstrates that your injury was the result of their negligence, you may be able to work with a personal injury attorney to pursue a personal injury claim. The medical records mentioned in an earlier paragraph are a vital part of the proof you’ll need to support your personal injury claim. Other types of information your attorney can use to build your injury claim are witness statements, photographs, security camera footage, police reports, and your testimony about what happened to you before, during, and after your injury.

If you do have a personal injury claim, your attorney will work with you to file the claim and develop a settlement proposal. A settlement proposal is a document that your attorney sends to the defendant, the person or business entity that you believe is responsible for your injury, that outlines the reasons why they are liable for your injury as well as the compensation you expect to receive from them. What happens next depends upon the defendant’s response to your personal injury claim. Some defendants may acknowledge that your injury resulted from their negligence. They may agree to pay the amount your attorney requested, or they may attempt to negotiate with you and your attorney to reach an agreement to pay a lower amount. The defendant could also deny responsibility for your injury. If that happens, your attorney can file a lawsuit against them. You, your attorney, the defendant, and their attorney could settle your case before it gets to court. If not, you’ll appear in court with your attorney and present your personal injury case there in hopes of receiving a verdict in your favor.

If you would like to know whether you have a personal injury claim, ask the Mississippi Personal Injury Attorneys at Barrett Law today. Call our office at 1 (800) 707-9577 to schedule a free initial consultation.

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Mississippi Personal Injury Attorneys Present Your Guide to Three Common Types of Personal Injuries

The phrase “personal injury” can be confusing. If you’re wondering what, exactly, a personal injury is, it is helpful to consider the types of cases that personal injury attorneys handle on behalf of their clients. Soe people who have experienced a personal injury are unaware that the harm they have suffered is a type of personal injury. If you recognize any of the following three situations as something that has happened to you, consult a personal injury attorney to determine whether you can file a claim in connection with the injury you suffered.

When a person has an accident at work, they may be able to file a workplace injury claim in connection with that injury. If you are at work when you get hurt, get help right away. After you receive any needed treatment, speak with your supervisor, and ask them how to report the injury. Each workplace has a slightly different procedure for reporting injuries, and all workplace injuries must be reported as soon as possible. After you have reported your injury, make some notes for yourself about people who may have witnessed your injury and what happened. Also, take some pictures of the area where your injury occurred if you can. After you have done those things, speak with a personal injury attorney to determine whether you have an injury for which you may be able to receive compensation.

When a defective or dangerous product harms a person, they may be able to pursue a product liability claim. There are many products available to American consumers. Despite the research, development, and testing that goes into developing and manufacturing products, some unsafe products make it onto the market and into the hands of consumers. Some of the types of injuries that have been caused by defective products include suffocation, poisoning, drowning, loss of limbs, and broken bones. If you get hurt while you are using a product, seek medical attention immediately. After a doctor has treated your injuries, locate a personal injury attorney and speak with them a possible product liability claim.

Medical malpractice claims are a third type of personal injury claim. Sometimes, the doctors who treat our injuries and illnesses do not do their work correctly. The types of harm that patients can  experience as the result of medical malpractice are numerous. One example of harm that may have been caused by medical malpractice is a misdiagnosis or a missed diagnosis. Surgical errors, medication errors, and errors involving anesthesia are other types of medical malpractice. All of these forms of medical malpractice result in patients being harmed by not receiving necessary medical care or receiving medical care that injures them in some way. If you have questions about whether the medical care you received resulted in medical malpractice, a personal injury attorney can help you find the answers you need.

Workplace injuries, defective products, and medical malpractice are not the only types of injuries that give rise to personal injury claims. If you have been injured and you would like to know whether your injury could give rise to a personal injury claim, ask a personal injury attorney. A Mississippi personal injury attorney can help you determine whether you have a viable claim. To learn more, call our office now at 1 (800) 707-9577 to schedule a free initial consultation with our seasoned Mississippi Personal Injury Attorneys.

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Mississippi Personal Injury Attorneys Say Slip and Fall Accidents Can Be Dangerous and Even Deadly

It’s winter again, and the risk for slip and fall accidents is higher than it is at other times of the year. Slip and fall accidents are dangerous. They can lead to severe injury and even death. Last February, a college student died after slipping on ice on the campus at the University of Washington in Seattle. The young woman suffered a head injury from the fall and passed away at the hospital.

Winter weather in Mississippi is as unpredictable as it is elsewhere in America. There are dry days, wet days, cold days, warmer days, and all kinds of storms and patterns that make it hard for people to know what to expect when they go outdoors. The highly variable nature of winter weather can make it hard for building owners to keep track of the condition of sidewalks, parking lots, and even the flooring inside of their establishments. Try as they may, they might be unable to remedy every safety hazard promptly. This makes the winter season a time where people are more likely than usual to be injured in a slip and fall accident.

Slip and fall accidents can cause anything from minor scrapes and bruises to serious, painful injuries that require lengthy recovery time, physical therapy, and sometimes even surgery. Every part of your body can be hurt during a slip and fall accident, and some slip and fall accident victims also end up suffering from a concussion in addition to other injuries. Cold weather can make muscles tight, and more likely to be pulled or strained during an unpredictable or unanticipated movement like a slip and fall.

Fortunately, some slip and fall accidents are preventable. There are several things you can do to help yourself and others in your family to avoid slip and fall accidents. First, select appropriate footwear for the weather. While winter boots don’t look amazing with every outfit, neither do casts, bandages, and neck braces. Put on properly-fitting winter footwear before you go out the door. If you’re heading to work or your kids are heading out to school, make sure that you and they take along indoor shoes to wear while they’re inside. Stashing winter boots near the door or in another designated storage area at work or school can help keep water, snow, and ice off the floors and reduce the chance of a slip and fall. When you are walking outdoors, take it slow and maintain an awareness of what you’re walking on. That means put away the cell phone – people can and do slip and fall when they’re texting or talking as they walk.

If you do have a slip and fall accident, seek medical attention right away. After you have received any necessary medical care and you are moving forward to recovering from your slip and fall, you may wonder whether you can pursue financial recovery for your injuries. The Mississippi Personal Injury Attorneys at Barrett Law can help you determine whether you have a viable claim related to a slip and fall accident. To learn, please call our office today at 1 (800) 707-9577 to schedule a free initial consultation.

 

 

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Mississippi Personal Injury Attorneys Say Vaping Linked to At Least One Mississippi Death

Numerous illnesses and deaths related to vaping have been reported across America over the past few months. Unfortunately, Mississippi has not been spared the impact of this growing public health crisis. The state health department says that earlier this year, a vaping-related death claimed the life of a young Mississippi resident.

Many of the people who are being injured and killed in vaping-related incidents across America are young. The person who died from vaping in Mississippi was under thirty years of age, and there are at least four people in Mississippi who are between the ages of eighteen and thirty-four who have suffered severe lung injuries because of vaping. Vaping has been marketed as a smoking cessation method. Still, its safety and effectiveness are being called into question as more and more people who use e-cigarettes are getting sick. E-Cigarette companies are facing lawsuits related to their advertising, which is alleged to promote e-cigarette use by teens.

As of September 19, seven people in six different states were reported to have died as the result of vaping, and another five hundred and thirty reported vaping-related lung injuries. There is a nationwide investigation underway to assess the risk of severe pulmonary disease and lung injury associated with vaping. The risks related to using vaping products that contain THC may be more severe than the risks associated with products that contain only nicotine. It is important to note that all vaping products are likely to produce some degree of risk.

The investigation into vaping-related illnesses and injuries is proving difficult and complicated, as there are so many vaping products available from a wide variety of manufacturers. Adding to the complexity of the situation is the black market for e-cigarette cartridges, which makes it hard for investigators to determine what ingredients are in cartridges that were purchased on the black market. One particular ingredient, diacetyl, has been identified as a possible cause of vaping-related illnesses and deaths. Exposure to diacetyl can cause a potentially fatal disease called bronchiolitis obliterans. The chemical is widely used in the flavoring industry, and some food industry workers who manufacture popcorn and coffee, two foods that are often chemically flavored, have been found to have the disease. Diacetyl is a common ingredient in e-cigarettes, which is why it is being examined as a possible culprit in vaping-related injuries and deaths.

Public health officials are suggesting that people discontinue their use of all kinds of vaping products and get immediate medical attention if they experience any sighs of vaping-related illness or injury. Chest pain, shortness of breath, coughing, fever, vomiting, nausea, fatigue, and diarrhea are some of the symptoms that have been reported by people who have suffered vaping-related illnesses. E-cigarette sales have already been banned in at least twenty-eight other countries. Several cities and states are working on legislation that would limit access to e-cigarette products and pull flavored vaping products, which make the products very appealing to teens, off the market.

E-cigarette injury law is an emerging area of personal injury law. Some individuals who have been hurt or killed by e-cigarettes are pursuing litigation against e-cigarette manufacturers. To learn more about how our Mississippi Personal Injury Attorneys can support you in pursuing your personal injury claim, please call our office today at 1 (800) 707-9577 to schedule a free initial consultation.

 

 

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Mississippi Personal Injury Attorneys Explain The Benefits of Hiring a Personal Injury Attorney

The public often misperceives personal injury attorneys. Unfortunately, television dramas, social media, and other societal influences are doing little to dispel personal injury law myths or do away with the ambulance-chaser caricature. The worst thing about the widespread misunderstanding of who personal injury attorneys are and what they do is that it can prevent people who have a legitimate cause of action from filing a lawsuit.

Consider what would happen if personal injury attorneys really were the way they appear on tv. They would be unable to find any clients, and they would be unable to sustain their business. With many lawyers handling personal injury cases and many clients receiving compensation for their injuries, there must be something more going on. The practice of personal injury law is alive and well because attorneys have worked diligently to earn the trust of their personal injury clients by helping them pursue claims for damages in a way that supports their clients’ healing and recovery. Personal injury attorneys have the privilege of coming alongside their clients during a difficult time in their lives and helping them move forward after their injuries. Compassion, perseverance, knowledge, and experience are required to complete that task well. If you are injured, take time to meet with several personal injury attorneys and get to know them. There’s a good chance that you’ll encounter someone that you can trust to help you.

The public also scorns personal injury plaintiffs. If you were injured by someone’s actions, you might be able to file a claim for damages. That claim could hold the party who hurt you responsible for their actions while also providing you with compensation for the damages that you have experienced as the result of your injury. That’s a far nobler and much more accurate portrayal of a personal injury plaintiff than the bitter, resentful complainer that society so often portrays them to be.

All too often, injured people blame themselves for their injuries instead of acknowledging that another party may be partially or fully responsible for their injury. There is often societal pressure to “own your mistakes,” and while personal responsibility and accountability are essential, it’s also important to hold others accountable when they have not acted responsibly. For example, if a business has a legal responsibility to keep its parking lot and entrance safe and accessible. If a customer slips in the icy, unsanded parking lot or on the unsalted sidewalk, it is entirely appropriate to file a claim for damages against the business for failing to maintain their parking lot and entryway in a safe condition.

The Mississippi Personal Injury Attorneys of Barrett Law PLLC have helped a diverse group of plaintiffs and their families pursue claims for damages or losses in connection with many different types of injuries. To learn more about how our Mississippi attorneys can support you in pursuing your personal injury claim, please call our office today at 1 (800) 707-9577 to schedule a free initial consultation.

 

 

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Mississippi Personal Injury Attorneys Talk About Lung Illnesses Caused by Vaping

Over eight hundred cases of lung illnesses related to vaping and e-cigarettes are reported from across forty-six states. Twelve deaths across ten states have been attributed to e-cigarette or vaping-related lung illnesses. At least one of those deaths is said to have occurred in Mississippi.

Officials from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently testified before panels in the House of Representatives regarding the illnesses, which they say are not yet connected with any particular e-cigarette brand or vaping product. Investigating the causes of lung illness in these patients is proving to be hard for doctors because there are many products available, and a variety of ingredients are used in those products. Also, some substances like marijuana, which are legal in some states and illegal in others, are sometimes included as ingredients in vaping products and e-cigarettes.

Individuals who are suffering from lung illnesses caused by vaping and e-cigarettes want answers about why they are sick. In addition to the difficulties mentioned above, clear answers may be tough to find because many people who use e-cigarettes or vaping products have tried numerous brands and varieties of them. Vaping products and e-cigarettes come in a dizzying array of flavors, formulations, and brands, and many people who use those products enjoy sampling different products.

Some of the people who got sick after using vaping products or e-cigarettes are not willing to disclose to their doctors that they use those products or use particular varieties of those products. Some of the products that have been used by both young users and users of legal age were purchased on the black market, where ingredient lists and product descriptions may not be wholly accurate or reliable.

Despite myriad difficulties in pinpointing the cause or causes of vaping-related illnesses and deaths, the CDC says it has been able to determine that the diseases appear to be caused by some chemical exposure. Multiple chemicals may be causing the illnesses, but one likely culprit that is causing at least some of them is Vitamin E acetate. Vitamin E acetate is an oil that is often used by manufacturers of cannabis-containing products to dilute the THC oil that the companies use to fill their cartridges. Vitamin E acetate is safe to use in topical products like skin creams, and it is safe to ingest in multivitamins or nutritional supplements. Health care professionals say the substance is not safe to inhale, and it may cause shortness of breath, chest pain, and other symptoms that correspond with the symptoms described by many of the patients reporting lung ailments in connection with e-cigarette or vape use. Samples of products taken from some of the individuals who have gotten sick from vaping or using e-cigarettes were tested by the United States Food and Drug Administration, which found Vitamin E acetate in approximately half of the product samples that contained THC.

The Mississippi Personal Injury Attorneys of Barrett Law PLLC have helped many plaintiffs and their families pursue claims for damages or losses in connection with all kinds of injuries. Call our office today, at 1 (800) 707-9577 to schedule a free, initial consultation.

 

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Mississippi Personal Injury Attorneys Discuss Bicycling Accidents

A Tennessee cyclist got struck by a hit-and-run driver in an SUV while he was riding on Natchez Trace Parkway. Fortunately, the man did not get any life-threatening injuries although he did get hurt in the crash. The driver of the SUV got charged with failing to immediately notify of an accident, failure to render aid, leaving the scene of an accident, and reckless endangerment. Additional federal charges might also get brought against the driver if authorities decide to do so.

Many cyclists enjoy riding on the Natchez Trace Parkway because it is a designated bike route. The man who got hit was riding with a friend near the north end of the Parkway when the collision occurred. The man who did not get hit was wearing a camera and caught the entire, scary incident on video, which he provided to authorities so they could use it in their investigation.

Traffic laws for bicycle riders vary from state to state. Both drivers and cyclists should know the rules of the road in the states where they will be riding or driving so they know what it means in that state to “share the road.” The aforementioned collision happened in Mississippi, where bicyclists are allowed to use the full lane of traffic to ride in when that is necessary. Federal regulations require bicyclists to ride single file. People who ride bicycles should, whenever possible, move to the right to let motor vehicles pass.

The man who got hit by an SUV in the crash above is fortunate that he did not receive more serious injuries. Accidents involving motor vehicles that hit cyclists often leave the cyclist dead or with life-threatening injuries. Cyclists and motorists are allowed to use the same roads, so it is imperative that they learn how to share the roads with each other safely.

The single most important thing that drivers can do to avoid hitting a cyclist with their vehicle is to be aware of their surroundings. There are several ways that drivers can increase their awareness of what is going on around them. For example, obeying the posted speed limit gives a driver time to see what is around them, which can help them to avoid collisions with cyclists, animals, other vehicles, and objects. Also, avoiding cell phone use and other distractions helps a driver to keep their focus on what is happening around their vehicle instead of inside it. Passing safely also helps reduce the risk of a collision. If you are driving and you come upon a cyclist that you want to pass, make your pass slowly while allowing at least three feet of space between them and your vehicle as you pass.

Cyclists can share the road safely by making themselves visible and following the rules of the road.  Wearing brightly colored clothing is a good idea during both daytime and evening hours, as is mounting lights on both the front and rear of your bike. Rear view mirrors designed for cyclists can help you see vehicles that are approaching you from behind. If you are riding with a group, ride single file. Always wear a properly fitted bicycle helmet to reduce the risk of injury from a fall and increase your chance of survival in a collision.

Barrett Law PLLC:  Caring Assistance for Mississippi Cycling Accident Victims

The Mississippi Personal Injury Attorneys of Barrett Law PLLC have helped many plaintiffs and their families pursue claims for damages or losses in connection with accidents of all kinds. Call our office today, at 1 (800) 707-9577 to schedule a free, initial consultation.

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Mississippi Personal Injury Attorneys Discuss Tragic Yachting Accident

The family of a young man wants to hold Mississippi Power and the Gulfport Yacht Club responsible for the devastating injuries that the man sustained in a horrific yachting accident that occurred when his sailboat came into contact with live power lines.  The young man is lucky to be alive after the accident, and he is still working on recovering from his injuries. Doctors have had to amputate both of his legs as well as one of his arms, and his entire body got severely burned. He is currently recovering from his burns and injuries, and the recovery process is expected to be slow, as is customary for burn victims.

The complaint that has been filed by the man’s family against Mississippi Power accuses the company of failing to maintain the power lines properly. In the aftermath of an accident that nearly cost them the young man that they love, his family and friends are wondering why the company allowed power lines to be present in an area where sailboats with tall masts go frequently. The power lines that the boat struck reach across the southwestern corner of the yacht club parking lot in an area where boats, including boats with tall masts like the one involved in the accident, are often present.

This terrible accident has got a lot of people in the yachting community on the Gulf Coast and elsewhere thinking about what they can do to prevent similar accidents from happening. For example, in the nearby community of Pass Christian, officials at the Pass Christian Yacht Club are asking the city and the harbor master to install barricades in the one location in its harbor where they believe that a similar accident could occur. All of the other electrical wirings in the harbor is underground, but there is one place where four power poles are located in proximity to a boat parking area. Yacht club officials feel the location of those power poles poses a danger to people who are on boats with tall masts, like the one that was involved in the aforementioned accident. Hopefully, the barricades will get put in soon, and other yacht clubs in other communities on the Gulf Coast and elsewhere will examine their harbors to see whether they are as safe as they can be.

Barrett Law PLLC:  Knowledgeable and Experienced Help for Mississippi Boating Accident Victims

If you got hurt in a boating accident or someone you love got hurt or killed while boating in Mississippi, a Mississippi personal injury attorney could help you and your family pursue claims for damages or losses related to a boating accident. The circumstances of each boating accident are unique, but it is possible that you could file a boating accident claim based on some or all of the following: medical bills, property damage, lost wages, and pain and suffering. The Mississippi Personal Injury Attorneys at Barrett Law PLLC represent plaintiffs and their families in various types of personal injury cases. To learn more about how our attorneys might be able to help you, call our office today, at 1 (800) 707-9577 to arrange a free, initial consultation.

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Mississippi Personal Injury Attorneys Discuss Tubing Accidents

Recently, an Indiana man was injured in a tubing accident after he collided with a dock. As such, he was airlifted to the hospital from the accident scene and underwent emergency surgery to amputate his lower leg.

Tubing can be a lot of fun, and it is an activity that the whole family can enjoy if you do it safely. Keep yourself, your friends, and your family as safe as possible during your tubing outings by following these safety tips:

  • Everyone must wear a life jacket while they are tubing. Children should wear them at all times both on the tube and on the boat, and while it is ideal that adults wear them all of the time, wearing the life jacket on the tube and keeping the life jacket within easy reach while on the boat is safer than not having or wearing one at all.
  • Know how to use your tubing equipment before you take it out. Explain safe tubing to all users, and follow all of the manufacturer’s specifications for height, weight, age limits, speed, and the number of riders that can use each tube. Inspect your equipment regularly for signs of wear and replace as needed.
  • Know the capabilities of your riders and tow them in a manner consistent with their abilities. Use spotters for everyone’s safety. Someone besides the driver should always be watching the tube, leaving the driver free to concentrate on watching where they are going.
  • Know the rules for the body of water that you are using, especially towing speeds. Never mix alcohol with tubing, and respect all applicable regulations. A citation for violating the rules can ruin even the most fun tubing excursion.
  • Check your tow line before you take off to ensure that it is securely fastened. Use a rope designed for towing tubes, and check it regularly to ensure that it is in proper working condition and that it is not damaged.
  • Wait for your rider to be ready before you start the boat. Check to see that they are properly positioned on the tube and that they have a firm grip on the line.
  • Use caution and go slow when you cross a wake.
  • Use extreme care when towing multiple tubes or, even better, avoid towing more than one tube at once. Many boaters are not aware that a lot of tubing accidents occur when multiple tubes are being towed.

Barrett Law PLLC:  Help for Mississippi Boating Accident Victims

A personal injury attorney can help boating accident victims and their families pursue claims for damages or losses in connection with a boating accident. You might be able to file a claim based on property damage, medical bills and lost wages, pain, and suffering, and more. The Mississippi Personal Injury Attorneys at Barrett Law PLLC have represented many plaintiffs and their families. To learn more, please call our office today, at 1 (800) 707-9577 to schedule a free, initial consultation.

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