- Pedestrian seriously injured while crossing Boonsboro Road
Posted November 24, 2009, 4:32 am by Peter Thompson & Associates
A pedestrian was hit by a vehicle while crossing Boonsboro Road near the James River Day School on Monday night. No other information has been released about this incident. Our firm, Peter Thompson & Associates, successfully tried a case similar to this involving a driver who claimed he was unable to avoid the collision. The critical issue in that case was whether the driver was paying sufficient attention immediately before the collision. Our expert constructed a time and distance model...
- Route 26 crash leaves one person dead
Posted November 24, 2009, 4:22 am by Peter Thompson & Associates
A trailer-truck hauling wood chips and a pickup truck crashed and burst into flames on Route 26 early Monday evening. The crash occurred shortly after 5 p.m. near 122 Bethel Road near the Chowder House Restaurant. Police reports indicate that both trucks appeared to be headed north on a straightaway when the accident occurred near J & K Sporting Goods. A third vehicle was also involved. Maine State Police Sgt. Don Shead was heading up the investigation. At this time, there is limited...
- Genetic Information Non-Discrimination Act (GINA) Becomes Effective
Posted November 23, 2009, 10:35 am by Peter Thompson & Associates
On November 21, 2009 the federal Genetic Information Non-Discrimination Act (GINA) became effective. Under this new law, subject to a handful of exceptions, employers may not gather genetic information about their employees. Genetic information includes an employee's family medical history. The law also forbids employers from discriminating against employees on the basis of their genetic information. For instance, under GINA, an employer could not fire someone because he has a family history of...
- Flu Shots Available In Maine
Posted November 20, 2009, 1:32 pm
As the number of people suffering from seasonal and H1N1 flu complications increases, more and more people are contemplating getting vaccinated. The good news is that help is available for Mainers. The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the Maine Department of Health and Human Services have put together a website to educate Mainers on the symptoms and preventative care for both the seasonal and H1N1 flu. The website passes on tips and information on how to prevent from...
- Three killed in Fort Fairfield crash
Posted November 17, 2009, 11:55 am by Peter Thompson & Associates
November 13, 2009: A crash claimed the lives of three people Friday afternoon when a pickup truck collided head-on with a pulp truck and caught fire. Because there is likely to be a dispute over how the accident occurred, it will be critical to conduct a detailed and thorough accident reconstruction and interview any witnesses, including the driver at the truck who also sustained injuries. At Peter Thompson & Associates, we utilize the very best accident reconstructionists to determine how...
- Steven Bowers, 24, of Bangor seriously injured in Bangor crash
Posted November 17, 2009, 11:46 am by Peter Thompson & Associates
Stephen Bowers, 24, of Bangor, suffered life-threatening injuries during an afternoon crash on High Street between Hammond Street and Union Street in downtown Bangor. Bowers was a passenger in a Cadillac driven by James Blakeman, 23, who died at the scene. In this type of serious case, it is critical to conduct an accident reconstruction as soon as possible to preserve necessary evidence. For example, one of the best ways to determine whether speed was a factor in the accident is to examine and...
- Steuben man crushed to death under dump truck
Posted November 17, 2009, 11:39 am by Peter Thompson & Associates
November 14, 2009: Forest Dale, Sr., 46, of Steuben was killed Saturday morning when he was crushed between the cab and the dump body of his delivery truck. Dale was delivering a load of firewood to a home in Cherryfield about 11 a.m. when the accident occurred, according to Sgt. Timothy Tabbutt of the Washington County Sheriff's Department. In the process of attempting to raise the dump body on his 1-ton flatbed, Dale's truck broke through an abandoned underground tank, Tabbutt said. The truck...
- Serious injuries resulting from 4 car crash in York
Posted November 17, 2009, 11:08 am by Peter Thompson & Associates
November 12, 2009: A four-car accident on Route 1 Thursday afternoon resulted in multiple injuries and heavy damage to the vehicles involved. A 2008 Volvo station wagon driven by James W. Stott II, 55, of Cape Neddick, was traveling northbound on Route 1 when he struck a southbound 2008 Dodge Durango driven by 38-year-old Erin Latulippe of Ogunquit, who had two young children. Police said the force of the impact sent the Durango careening into a 2007 Kia Sedona van driven by Kelly M. Moulton,...
- Zimmer Hip Replacement Recall
Posted November 16, 2009, 1:11 pm
Between 2006 - 2008, over 12,000 hip replacement patients were implanted with the Zimmer Durom prosthesis cup. The product was designed for use in young, active patients likely to outlive a conventional hip prosthesis. Unfortunately, many of these patients have suffered following surgery. Intended for patients with noninflammatory degenerative joint disease such as arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and avascular necrosis (bone death caused by poor blood supply), the Zimmer Durom prosthesis cup...
- Amendments to Family and Medical Leave Act Help Military Families
Posted November 16, 2009, 6:11 am by Peter Thompson & Associates
In late October, President Obama signed into law new protections for families of military personnel who need to take leave from work under the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 ("FMLA"). The new protections expand on changes implemented less than a year ago which required certain employers to provide unpaid leave for qualifying family members of military personnel. Under the FMLA, an employee may take leave because of a qualifying exigency that is a consequence of his spouse, son, daughter,...
- New Heating Law Saves Renters Money
Posted November 13, 2009, 12:52 pm
A new energy law can save renters money this winter. The new law states that tenants and landlords can negotiate a rent decrease if heat in a place of residence is kept under 68 degrees. The idea is that by lowering the heat landlords can save on the overall cost, ultimately passing on the savings to the tenants. When negotiating a decrease in rent, a landlord may provide heat lower than 68 degrees only if an agreement is signed by both the tenant and landlord. The agreement must: • Be...
- Texting While Driving: A Dangerous Distraction
Posted November 9, 2009, 12:04 pm
A new poll by CBS News shows that nearly all Americans think texting while driving should be illegal. According to the poll, 97% of those surveyed feel the dangers and risks of texting while driving and the subsequent results are enough to warrant punishment. Currently, in Maine, it is not illegal to text while driving. It is, however, illegal to be distracted while driving. The new distracted driver law which went into effect on September 12, 2009 encompasses all potentially distracting...
- Shane Everett, 14, hit by drunk driver on Hunter Road
Posted November 8, 2009, 7:02 am by Peter Thompson & Associates
November 4, 2009: Shane Everett was walking on Hunter Road when he was hit by John Fortier of Lewiston. Mr. Fortier has been charged with OUI. The boy was taken to Maine Medical Center in Portland, where he remained in critical condition late Thursday night, a nursing supervisor said. At Peter Thompson & Associates, our personal injury law specialists and private investigators have handled similar cases. In this case, it is likely that the driver will claim that, despite his level of...
- Mother and daughter fatally injured in Auburn crash
Posted November 8, 2009, 6:44 am by Peter Thompson & Associates
November 7, 2009: Authorities are conducting an investigation in the cause of a crash that killed a mother and daughter in Auburn on Saturday. Police reported that a truck hauling an trailer was traveling eastbound on Minot Avenue when it crossed the center line and stuck a 2003 Oldsmobile that was traveling westbound. The operator of the Oldsmobile, a 36-year-old woman from Auburn was killed instantly. Her 4-year-old daughter later died at Central Maine Medical Center in Lewsiton. The operator...
- Maine Cancer Survivors Day Preempts Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Posted October 30, 2009, 1:58 pm
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in the United States. Two weeks prior, Maine celebrated cancer survivors. The 11th annual Cancer Survivors Day was held at the Harold Alfond Center for Cancer Care in Augusta on September 12th. The event celebrated Mainers who have beat cancer, with music, food and fun. Inspirational stories from survivors resonated throughout the attendees and standup comedy by Maine humorist Gary Crocker added entertainment to the free event. This year's theme...
- High School Mock Trial Competition
Posted October 29, 2009, 8:16 am by NLS Governing Council
The High School Mock Trial Competition needs additional attorneys, primarily in Augusta and Portland, to serve as evaluators for the mock trials to be held in November. For additional information and to volunteer as an evaluator, please contact the Coordinator, Julie Finn, 874-0326, jfinn1@maine.rr.com.
- Augusta man seriously injured when hit in crosswalk in Augusta
Posted October 28, 2009, 5:29 am by Peter Thompson & Associates
October 19, 2009: Andrew Jones, 19, was crossing to the west side of Bangor Street in a crosswalk, when he was struck by a sedan-style vehicle driven by Wendy Peace, 41, of Fairfield. This accident is being investigated by Peter Thompson & Associates. If you have information about this accident, please contact Attorney Peter Thompson at 1-800-804-2004.
- Thomaston crash leaves 3 Rockland residents injured
Posted October 28, 2009, 5:16 am by Peter Thompson & Associates
Timothy Benner, 42, of Rockland was driving his 1998 Mercedes Benz west on Route 1 when his vehicle collided with a 1995 Chevrolet pickup truck driven by David Cowan, 55, of Rockland. Both drivers and a passenger in Benner's car, Donna Cox, 32, of Rockland, were injured in the collision. The cause of the accident is being investigated. Anyone with additional information about the accident should contact Attorney Peter Thompson at 1-800-804-2004.
- Head-on collision on Route 15 in Brooklin leaves 5 injured
Posted October 28, 2009, 5:09 am by Peter Thompson & Associates
Diana Dowse, 59, of Brooklin was headed south on Route 175 about a mile south of the High Street intersection at about 4:25 p.m. when her vehicle collided head-on with a pickup truck operated by Timothy Sawyer, 42, of Brooklin. Dowse was taken by ambulance to Maine Coast Memorial Hospital in Ellsworth. Sawyer and three passengers in his vehicle, Caleb, Timothy and Ethan Sawyer were taken to Blue Hill Memorial Hospital for treatment. The cause of the accident is under investigation. Anyone with...
- Maine State Bar Association Prepares Students To Be "On Your Own"
Posted October 26, 2009, 1:25 pm
The Maine State Bar Association (MSBA) has prepared a booklet to help "prepare young people for some of the legal complexities of adulthood." The free booklet, On Your Own, is the MSBA's guide to law for young adults and is available for high school seniors statewide. On Your Own is available in booklet form and can be downloaded on the MSBA website or ordered through high schools. The 84-page guide covers the rights and responsibilities of adulthood. Included in the booklet is information on:...