Upon entering secondary education, every child fears the worst; getting picked on. Images of being chosen last for dodge ball or being stuffed in a locker used to correspond with the word “bully.” Today however, bullying leaves a much more lasting effect on teenagers, causing serious emotional and physical issues. Bullying destroys lives long after the bullying stops.

                The modern bully is a lion, pouncing on its prey at the mere scent of weakness and attacking any flaw of character or lifestyle. The trouble with this lion is that it hunted its way out from the confines of the classroom jungle and into the open world of the internet.  While we’re all familiar with the tragic tale of Jamey Rodemeyer—a 14-year-old boy from Williamsville who cut his life short in the bloom of his youth due to years of psychological abuse both in person and online throughout middle and high school—his story is one fish in a sea of recent teen suicides at the hands (and words) of bullies. Even more disturbing is the account of Ashley Billasano. Huffington Post reported last week that Ashley, a victim of molestation and forced prostitution by her own family, tweeted 144 cries for help before killing herself, receiving not a single response from any of her 500 Twitter followers. And if you think it can’t get much worse than that, Huffington reported just days ago that 10-year-old Ashlynn Connor hung herself with a scarf in her closet after being called a “slut” by her elementary school classmates. Amidst these tragedies however, peeks a ray of sunlight.

                Parents are beginning to turn to the justice system to combat this incessant wave of bullying.  After their son suffered a traumatic brain injury, the parents of David Osama Hadaad pressed charges against Lake Central School in Indiana for not intervening while David was brutally attacked in the hallway due to his Middle Eastern descent.  According to the Huffington article that ran last week, the family has accused the school of not only failing to intervene, but of violating David’s civil rights as well.  None of the attackers faced punishment and David was suspended 10 days for the single defensive punch he threw.

                Don’t let your children be victims any longer. It’s time to stand up against bullying. Call the Law Offices of James Morris now, 716-855-1118.

You’re driving down a busy street. There’s a stop light ahead. The light turns red, you slow down. Next thing you know, the car behind you slams straight into your vehicle. You’ve just been involved in a rear-end collision. And you’re not alone.

Each year, more than 2.5 million rear-end collisions take place nationwide, according to the National Safety Council. That’s a rear-end accident every 12 seconds! Just recently, police in Western New York responded to numerous rear-end collisions due to icy road conditions throughout the region.

Snow and ice-covered roads often result in rear-end collisions. Other common causes of rear-end collisions include:

• Distracted drivers. Motorists talking or texting on cell phones often don’t realize they’re about to drive into another car.
• Excessive speed. Drivers traveling too fast often times don’t have enough time to stop or avoid a rear-end collision.
• Defective equipment. A car might have defective parts, have not been repaired correctly or may even be subject to a recall.

Rear-end collisions sometimes happen at low speeds in parking lots or near crosswalks. But even when vehicles are not traveling fast, rear-end collisions often result in injuries. Many accidents result in cervical or lumbar strain injuries. Other times, people sustain more serious injuries such as herniated cervical or lumbar discs. Rear-end collisions can even result in death.

What would you do if you were injured in a rear-end collision? What if you couldn’t work for weeks or months? How would you pay your bills? You need someone experienced with handling such complicated cases. You need someone who understands New York State’s complex legal system. You need someone determined to get results for you. You need the Law Offices of James Morris.

James Morris was selected by SuperLawyers in the personal injury field in 2009 and 2010 as one of New York State’s best lawyers. When you choose James Morris, you get an attorney dedicated to working tirelessly to win your rear-end collision case.

Don’t let a rear-end collision derail your life. Demand justice. Contact James Morris today.  We mean business.

The information contained in this communication is provided for informational purposes only and should not be constituted as legal advice on any subject matter.

Children drown fast. In an instant, without warning, a child can be fighting for their lives in a stream or lake or swimming pool. Just recently, a 14-year-old boy died when he drowned in Lake Erie near Westfield, N.Y.

Sadly, children drown more often than you may realize. Among children 1 to 14 years old, drowning is the second leading cause of accidental deaths nationwide.  And among the 3,443 people who died nationwide from drowning in 2007, one out of five victims was under 14 years old.

Swimming pools are magnets for children on a hot, summer day. But children can drown just as easily in several inches of water in a bathtub. And for every child who dies from drowning, another four must be rushed to an emergency room for nonfatal injuries caused by being submerged under water.

Injuries sustained by children who survive a drowning can be severe and change their lives forever. Being submerged under water for just four to six minutes can often result in permanent brain damage.

Sometimes, children drown accidently. Other times, other people’s reckless behavior results in your child’s death or injury. That’s why laws exist requiring swimming pools to be fenced in. That’s why responsible adults put life preservers on children every time they ride in a boat. Accidents happen. Be prepared.

Every parent dreads experiencing such a horrific accident. We all believe we will share our entire lives with our children. Losing them in such a traumatic way can be shattering. Knowing what to do next can be baffling. We can help. We’re the Law Offices of James Morris.

Serving Buffalo and other communities throughout New York State, James Morris has years of experience representing children and their families. Don’t delay. Take action. Contact James Morris today. We’re on your side.

Motorcycles are more popular than ever. The number of motorcycles on the roads nationwide has nearly doubled in the last decade. In 1998, there were 3.8 million registered motorcycles, according to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. In 2007, the number of registered motorcycles soared to 7.1 million nationwide.

Unfortunately, more motorcycles means more accidents. In 1998, there were 2,294 fatal motorcycle accidents and more than 49,000 motorcycle injury accidents nationwide, according to the NHTSA. In 2007, there were 5,174 fatal crashes and more than 103,000 injuries nationwide. That’s more than double the number of fatalities and injuries in less than 10 years. And just recently, a 20-year-old Buffalo resident was killed when his motorcycle collided into the side of a bus.

Are you street smart? Are you conscious of motorcyclists when you’re on the road? Many people mistakenly blame motorcyclists for many of these accidents. Instead, many motorists are often to blame for these tragic events. Sometimes they don’t see a motorcycle. Or drivers mistakenly believe a motorcyclist is farther away than they actually are on the road.

Many New York State motorcyclists take safety courses to improve their skills on the road. New York also requires motorcyclists to wear a helmet at all times.

Share the road. Be aware. Be safe. And if you are involved in a motorcycle accident, take action. Contact the law offices of James Morris. When you chose us, you get experienced motorcycle accident attorneys who understand the law and will work tirelessly to secure you the compensation you’re legally entitled to after a motorcycle accident.

Don’t let a motorcycle accident ruin your life. Contact James Morris. We’re on your side.

The information contained in this communication is provided for informational purposes only and should not be constituted as legal advice on any subject matter.

You rent your apartment or home. One day, without warning, you slip and fall down the stairs because of a lose railing. Or maybe you hurt yourself on your snow-covered front doorstep. Or you literally break your neck falling from a ladder trying to fix something outside the landlord promised to do weeks ago. Who’s responsible? Who’s liable? Your landlord? Who will pay your medical bills? What about lost wages? What are your rights?

And what if you need accident at work compensation? Or you’re a guest at your friend’s rented apartment and you get injured? What should you do? Questions often lead to more questions in tenant injury cases.

Common household injuries cover a wide range, including head injuries and broken bones. In some cases, certain tenant injuries can be extremely severe, sometimes even resulting in someone’s accidental death.

Each state has unique liability laws. In New York, the landlord is required by law to safely maintain common areas for tenants. Landlords can often be held liable if authorities determine the landlord was negligent in maintaining the property.

Your lease could also play a big role in what happens. Some leases include liability exemption clauses. Often, an exemption clause only applies to the tenant. That is the law in New York State. That means a landlord can be held liable for injuries to a third party on the property, even if there is an exemption clause. But such laws vary in other states.

Tenant injury cases are complicated. We can help. Contact the Law Offices of James Morris today. When you chose us, you get experienced tenant injury lawyers who thoroughly understand the law and know how to aggressively fight to get you the justice you deserve.

Don’t let insurance companies or landlords push you around. Take action. Contact James Morris Law today. You have rights. We’ll fight for them.

The information contained in this communication is provided for informational purposes only and should not be constituted as legal advice on any subject matter.