Pennsylvania Winter Driving-Be Safe!

We have had an unusually high amount of snowstorms here in Pennsylvania this winter.  Consequently, the number of potential road-related accidents will also increase.  Are you prepared to effectively and safely drive in the winter?  Pennsylvania's driving safety website, JustDrivePA.org, has posted some tips to keep you and other travelers safe on the road this winter.

Some important things to consider, as listed on their website, may be second nature to most native Pennsylvanians, but all the tips are worth checking out to see if there is anything you're missing!  Things you may wish to double-check in your car are: making sure your car's radio works properly, making sure your wiper blades don't streak, and having an emergency kit in your car.  Some things you should put in that emergency kit include a flashlight, jumper cables, blankets, and a first aid kit.

Winter car accidents are frightening, expensive, and time-consuming.  These accidents may also result in injuries that are extensive, painful, and long-lasting.  If you suffered an injury due to a car accident caused by another, it might be time to consult with an attorney.  Attorney Doug Stoehr is a personal injury lawyer serving western and central Pennsylvania. For more information on his Altoona, PA law firm, please visit his website athttp://www.stoehrlaw.com or call his office at814-946-4100.



To read more about JustDrivePA.org's website and to take their winter driving safety quiz, please click here.

Do you know Pennsylvania's snowmobiling laws?

If you are interested in using a snowmobile in Pennsylvania this summer, there are some rules and regulations that you need to know before you begin! 

For example, did you know that it is illegal to operate or be a passenger a snowmobile without wearing a properly fitted helmet? Also, no children aged 10-16 can operate a snowmobile except on family land.  This case is only changed if the child has taken a state-approved safety course and has received a certificate.

Also, many people may not realize that all snowmobiles that require general registration all need liability insurance coverage.  Proof of this coverage needs to be carried by the snowmobile operator.  If you fail to register your snowmobile and/or fail to obtain liability coverage, you may be fined up to $300.  There are also very specific regulations in Pennsylvania regarding brake systems, mufflers, sound levels, and visibility equipment.  So, the bottom line is: enjoy your snowmobile, but make sure to follow the state laws!

As fun and enjoyable as snowmobiling can be, all-terrain and off-road vehicles such as ATVs, dirt bikes, and snowmobiles are a leading cause of serious injury among Pennsylvanians, especially among our state’s youth.   Attorney Doug Stoehr of Altoona, PA handles cases involving injury as a result of accidents involving off-road vehicles.  For more information about Attorney Doug Stoehr and his Blair county area practice, please visit his website at http://www.stoehrlaw.com or call his law firm at 814-946-4100.

For more information about Pennsylvania's snowmobiling laws, please visit the original PDF handout here: http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/cs/groups/public/documents/document/dcnr_015958.pdf.

ATVS and Dirt Bikes: Pittsburgh Fights Back

Do you or anyone you know enjoy riding all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) or dirt bikes? Did you know, that in Pennsylvania, you can not ride ATVs or dirt bikes on city streets?

Pittsburgh is having difficulty with these issues, as many teenagers have been found riding these vehicles on city streets.  Local residents have grown tired of these incidents, and have petitioned for mandatory insurance and registration for dirt bikes, ATVS, and other off-road vehicles.  They are also requesting that the drivers of these vehicles have a valid drivers license.  At this time, the petitioners feel that there is not enough protection against potential injury and property damage that may result from this kind of vehicular accident. 

It should be noted that, within the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code, all-terrain vehicles need to be registered with the Department of Transportation.  A license is not required for drivers of these vehicles. There are no clear laws pertaining to the registration of dirt bikes. 

ATVs, dirt bikes, and other off-road vehicles (such as snowmobiles) are also a leading cause of serious injury among Pennsylvanians, especially among our state’s youth.   Attorney Doug Stoehr of Altoona, PA handles cases involving injury as a result of accidents involving off-road vehicles.  For more information about Attorney Doug Stoehr and his Blair county area practice, please visit his website at http://www.stoehrlaw.com or call his law firm at 814-946-4100.

For more information about Pittsburgh residents’ battle against all-terrain vehicles on its city streets, please visit the original article here: http://wesa.fm/post/city-council-hold-meeting-illegal-dirt-bike-and-atv-riding.

Winter Sports Injuries

Being from Western Pennsylvania it’s hard not to enjoy the fall, but with the changing of the seasons we know that winter is right around the corner.  For many of us this winter will include a trip to one of the three ski resorts that serve our area.  Ski resorts can be a great place to cut loose with family and friends, but unfortunately sometimes those fun times end prematurely when you or a family member is injured.  At the law firm of Attorney Douglas V.Stoehr, we have experience in handling injuries related to skiing, snowboarding and snow tubing accidents.  Sometimes these injuries can be very serious and life altering.  If you have been injured in a winter sport activity please contact us to discuss the possibility of a personal injury claim. 

The most common causes of skiing and snowboarding injuries include:

·         Collisions with other skiers or snowboarders

·         Falls or collision with objects such as trees, fences, barriers or signs

·         Chair lift or tow line accidents

·         Accidents due to inadequate instruction from a skiing or snowboarding instructor, and

·         Accidents due to skiing or snowboarding equipment failure. 

Your personal injury lawsuit will be based on the legal theory of negligence, and can be quite complex.  Furthermore, there is a Pennsylvania Statute that generally affords a defense to these types of claims.  Therefore, if you get hurt a ski resort, contact us.  We will investigate the facts and analyze the law, and will give you an opinion as to whether you have a claim.

See our website, or contact Attorney Stoehr or Attorney Ling at (814) 946-4100.  

Different Ways to Handle Chronic Pain

According to CNN, persistent pain-related conditions affect more than 100 million citizens.  This number is more than many other common afflictions combined, such as diabetes and cancer.  According to the CNN article, many chronic pain sufferers rely on prescription medication in isolation to manage their pain.  This is often not effective and can lead to addiction.

There is a fairly unknown speciality of medicine called interventional pain medicine that focuses on diagnosing, treating, and managing pain disorders. These physicians use techniques such as injections and minor, non-invasive surgeries to manage chronic, persistent pain.  These doctors treat pain associated with disorders such as back/neck/spine pain, headaches, fibromyalgia, and cancer pain.

Some other tips that the CNN article gave for those people who are suffering from chronic pain include:

1. Finding a good, reputable pain specialist.
2. Use any prescribed pain medication responsibly and as directed by your physician.
3.  Be informed about your condition and treatment options. Educate yourself.

4. Consider the options of nerve blocks or spinal cord stimulators.

5.  Manage your expectations, specifically about what you expect to gain from treatments or medications.

For more information and to read the CNN article in its entirety, please click here.

Attorney Doug Stoehr is a personal injury lawyer serving Blair and the seven surrounding counties in central Pennsylvania.  He takes cases for clients who are experiencing chronic pain as the result of an injury due to the fault of another.   For more information on his Altoona, PA area firm, please call his office at 814-946-4100 or visit his website at http://www.stoehrlaw.com. 

Chronic Pain Co-Occurs With Mental Health Issues

Those interested in chronic pain will likely find this news article by NewsWise.com very interesting!  Reporting on information originally published by the Health Behavior News Service, the article talks about the relationship between anxiety and chronic pain.

Some key points from the article include:

• A recent study evaluated 250 patients with severe pain, and it was found that 45% of them have some form of an anxiety disorder
• Common anxiety disorders include generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and OCD
• In those patients who reported anxiety, they also reported significantly worse pain and lower quality of life
• Depression also manifested in many cases where patients had anxiety co-occurring with chronic pain

To read more from the article, please click here.

Attorney Doug Stoehr is a personal injury lawyer serving Blair and the seven surrounding counties in central Pennsylvania.  He takes cases for clients who are experiencing chronic pain as the result of an injury due to the fault of another.   For more information on his Altoona, PA area firm, please call his office at 814-946-4100 or visit his website at http://www.stoehrlaw.com.

Slipping On The Winter Ice?

Slip and fall injuries tend to increase during the winter months, due to an increase in bad weather, such as sleet, ice, and snow.  These falls may lead to long-lasting and/or painful injuries, such as broken bones, concussions, and loss of consciousness.  Extended damage from such an injury may include chronic pain and nerve damage.

Slip and fall injuries may result from improper care or maintenance of outdoor facilities, like sidewalks, driveways, or steps.  Owners may not promptly shovel their sidewalks, pour rock salt on their steps, or fail to perform other types of common and expected winter maintenance measures.  If an injury occurs due to the improper maintenance of such areas, the owners of the property may be liable for the injury.

If you or a loved one has sustained an injury from a slip and fall accident, it might be time to consult with an attorney.  Attorney Doug Stoehr is a personal injury lawyer located in Altoona, PA who serves the western and central Pennsylvania area.  For more information on his legal practice, please visit his website at http://www.stoehrlaw.com or call his office at 814-946-4100.

Gravel Increasing Accidents In The Fall

According to a recent article from the Emmaus Patch, written by Tad Miller on 9/20/2012, loose gravel may be responsible for many car and motorcycle accidents this fall.  To learn more, please read the original article below or click here for the original link.

Loose gravel from recent road maintenance was a contributing factor in two motor vehicle accidents that occurred a day apart on Willow Lane in Lower Macungie Township, according to police.

Neither accident resulted in serious injury, according to state police at Fogelsville.
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation recently had applied oil and gravel, known as chips, to portions of Willow Lane and several other roadways throughout the East Penn area. PennDOT also had erected several orange signs warning of loose grave that remained in place at the time of the accident and days later in the affected areas.
The first accident occurred at 7:33 a.m. Sept. 13 and involved a motorcycle driven by David W. Stout, 50, of Bethlehem, police said. Stout was driving north on Willow Lane near John Fries Drive when his motorcycle slid on loose gravel in the street.
The bike's side peg and crash bar struck the roadway. The motorcycle continued to slide and spun before striking a culvert and landing in grass, police said. In all, it traveled about 150 feet from the initial point of the accident.
Stout had minor injuries, but refused treatment, police said.
The trooper noted "roadway conditions" and did not cite Stout.
The second accident occurred at 4:28 p.m. Sept. 14. Joseph A. Nicolini, 16, of Macungie was northbound on Willow, again near John Fries Drive, when his car slid on gravel on the berm, police said.
He over-corrected his steering and slid sideways before striking several large rocks with his right front bumper, police said. The impact spun the car. This time the left front bumper struck rocks. The car continued on until it hit a utility pole, again damaging the right front bumper.
Nicolini was not injured, police said.
However, he was cited for failing to maintain his lane, police said.
Oil and chip is an effective process of sealing roadways to extend their use an average of three to five years, according to PennDOT spokesman Sean Brown. A sweeper vehicle is used to remove the majority of loose gravel, but the safety process includes posting the orange signs as an indicator that motorists "need to slow down and drive at appropriate speeds."

The reports did not indicate estimated speeds for either accident.

Attorney Doug Stoehr represents may people who have been injured in car or motorcycle accidents. For more information on his central Pennsylvania law practice, pleaseclick here or call at 814-946-4100.

Watertown Daily Times | “Inattention” caused multi-fatal crash, state police say

Watertown Daily Times | “Inattention” caused multi-fatal crash, state police say

This is definitely an article worth reading addressing the aftermath of distracted driving as it relates to tractor-trailer drivers. Even though this story came from New York, this is not a far cry from similar accidents in Pennsylvania.

Dangers of Shift Work

Article taken from ABC.com, By STACEY SCHOTT, M.D., ABC News Medical Unit  on July 26, 2012:

"More bad news for late-shift workers: Their odd hours may be raising their risk of heart attack and stroke.

So says a new, large-scale study in the British Medical Journal that adds these two problems -- which fit into a broader category known as vascular disease -- to the previously known risks of shift work. Previous research had suggested that working the graveyard shift, the swing shift or any irregular shift other than the traditional 9-to-5 is linked to high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity.

British and Canadian researchers analyzed the findings of 34 studies that included more than 2 million people who had work schedules including anything other than regular daytime hours. They found that shift work was linked to a 23 percent increased risk of heart attack and a 5 percent increased risk of stroke. Those working night shifts seemed to be at the highest risk.

The study authors said it pays for workers to know that their jobs may put them at increased risk.

"The increased risk of vascular disease apparent in shift workers, regardless of its explanation, suggests that people who do shift work should be vigilant about risk factor modification," they wrote in the report.

A variety of factors -- not just the shift work itself -- could be culprit in increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke for people in those occupations. A lack of sleep, poor eating habits and lower levels of physical activity could plague those who work irregular hours and drive up the risk of vascular disease.

Dr. Robert Bonow, professor of medicine at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and past president of the American Heart Association, said it's possible that people working jobs requiring shift work may be economically disadvantaged and have less access to health care -- two factors generally associated with unfavorable health outcomes.

However, the study authors noted that the increased risk of vascular events was still present even when they accounted for things like unhealthy eating, smoking and socioeconomic status -- evidence that something about the nature of shift work other than poor health behaviors might be at play.

But what could it be? One possibility is disruption in circadian rhythm, a feature inherent in shift work. These disruptions can certainly have an effect on heart rate and blood pressure -- two measures intimately tied to vascular health, said Dr. Carl Lavie, a cardiologist at Ochsner Medical Center in New Orleans.

Since shift work is a necessary evil for more than a third of the working population, it is unreasonable to think that everyone can simply change their schedules.

"My advice would be to exercise and make sure their fitness is at a high level, and then I'd treat their risk factors vigorously," Lavie said. He added that if you are a shift worker it is important to recognize that treatments you might be getting for blood pressure control, weight control and cholesterol may be more important for you than someone at a lower risk.

Bonow agreed. "There's somewhat of a signal here, and people who do shift work should be aware that their risk factors should be identified and managed." "

Not only does shift work increase the risk of heart attack and stroke, it can also lead to severe fatigue.  Consequently, shift workers may be more likely to cause or be involved in motor vehicle accidents. If you were involved in a motor vehicle accident due to the fault of another, it may be time to consider consulting an attorney.  Attorney Doug Stoehr specializes in motor vehicle accidents in western and central Pennsylvania. Learn more about his firm here.

Exercise May Help With Chronic Pain

A recent news report by HealthDay News covered new research that suggests that exercise may relieve some aspects of chronic pain stemming from nerve damage. Using laboratory rats as subjects, scientists found that exercise seems to relieve some pain associated with neuropathy.  Neuropathic pain is a type of chronic pain that may stem from injury, diabetes, and other conditions causing nerve damage.  Exercise seems to relieve some of this pain by reducing levels of inflammation-causing body chemicals known as cytokines. The particular kinds of exercise used in this study were swimming and treadmill running, which showed a 30-50% reduction in neuropathic pain. It should be noted that the article also explicitly stated the following: "Scientists note, however, that research with animals often fails to provide similar results in humans. Exercise is commonly recommended for patients with different types of chronic pain, but there are conflicting findings about whether it can help patients with neuropathic pain."

Neuropathic pain is notoriously difficult to control and manage with medication.
Traditional medication routes often result in significant and potentially dangerous side effects, which is why scientists continue to research alternative treatment options.  If you feel that you have neuropathic pain as a result of an accident due to the fault of another, it may be time to consult with an attorney.  Attorney Doug Stoehr is a personal injury lawyer serving western and central Pennsylvania.  To learn more about his law firm, please click here.

Foods to Ease Chronic Pain

For those people who suffer from chronic pain, MSN Health recently penned an article about foods that may ease the discomfort associated with the disorder.  Some of the foods the article recommended are the following:

• Sources of protein that do not come from land animals. Some foods to try may include fish, such as canned tuna or salmon, as well as beans and nuts.  Fish specifically may be helpful because they contain omega-3 fatty acids, which can aid in pain associated with arthritis.   
• A wider variety of herbs and spices.  Some spices the article recommended were turmeric, garlic, ginger, and cinnamon.  These herbs are shown to have anti-inflammatory effects similar to the active ingredients in Vioxx and Celebrex.
•  Eat more healthy fats.  Examples of this category include olive oil, avocadoes, nut butters, and sunflower seeds.  Healthy fats such as these promote hormone activity that helps you heal after injury and repairs stress to cells.
•  Incorporate more plants into your diet, such as kale, whole grains, and all colored fruits and vegetables. According to the article, "A plant-based diet emphasizing whole (unprocessed) foods is like a force field, or sunglasses, protecting your lipid membranes and DNA from oxidative damage."
• Probiotics, such as those found in yogurt, may also help to ease the discomfort of chronic pain. 
• Drinking lots of water and tea, such as green tea, are also especially helpful in restoring the body's natural balance and helping the problems associated with chronic pain.

Attorney Doug Stoehr is a central Pennsylvania personal injury attorney.  For more information on his firm, please click here. 

Elder Housing Complex Under Fire In Franklin County

Village Green Apartments in Waysnesboro, PA has received complaints filed against them through Franklin County Housing Authority with the Department of Aging, the Elder Abuse Unit of the Pennsylvania Attorney General's office, and Department of Housing and Urban Development. The apartment complex, which caters exclusively to the elderly and disabled, had recently installed new toilets, shower heads, and heating pumps that are more energy-efficient, but do not meet the needs of their tenants.  Unfortunately, these new money saving mechanisms are not user-friendly and, in some cases, are also unsafe. 

Many of the Village Green residents have reported problems with the new installations of devices, ranging from inability to control heat/air flow, unsafe and inefficient toilets, to unusable shower heads.  Many of the elderly residents could not properly control the heat and air mechanisms in their apartments due to problems with the air flow mechanism, resulting in a lack of cool air during the hot summer months, and frigid cold temperatures during the cold spells of fall.  The new toilets are also not sturdy enough to accommodate the special chairs and other devices that people with special needs to use the bathroom. One elderly woman had reported making 40 calls to the energy services company for repairs related to the installation of her new and mandatory energy-efficient system.  Tenants were told to apply for reasonable accommodations to be made for the installations, and have received over 75 requests already.

Attorney Doug Stoehr is a personal injury lawyer serving western and central Pennsylvania.  He has litigated several claims involving elder abuse. For more on his career and firm, please click here.

Johnson and Johnson Drug Approved by FDA

Johnson and Johnson recently received approval from the FDA to market one of their newest drugs, Nucynta ER.  This extended-release pill is intended to be used for those suffering from moderate to sever chronic pain.  This drug will be available under a risk management strategy, in which consumers will be informed of the dangers of drug abuse and misuse, overdose, and addiction.

Attorney Doug Stoehr is a personal injury lawyer serving western and central PA. If you would like to consult with him about a possible claim, please contact our law office.

September is Pain Awareness Month

Unfortunately, many of Attorney Stoehr's clients have experienced sustained pain to one degree or another as the result of an accident.  According to the American Pain Foundation, September is National Pain Awareness Month.  Pain is said to affect more Americans than diabetes, heart disease, and cancer combined.  With this in mind, chronic pain is still a medical problem that many overlook or underestimate when making medical diagnoses.  It is extremely important to monitor your pain, especially after an accident, to see if the intensity and frequency of your pain is diminishing, or is something that needs to be seriously addressed by a professional.  This is also something that a caregiver or concerned family member could check in on in regards to their injured loved one, perhaps every day or certain times during the day. 

Attorney Doug Stoehr is a lawyer serving western and central Pennsylvania who specializes in personal injury. If you would like to set up a consultation with him involving a possible personal injury claim, please contact our law office.

Chronic Pain is More Prevalent Than You May Think

Chronic pain is an extremely debilitating and life-changing issues that a large number of Americans deal with on a daily basis.  According to the American Pain Society, 42% of American adults experience pain daily (chronic pain) and 89% experience pain monthly.  Nearly half of all Americans seek out a physician at least once a year for pain relief as a primary complaint.  If you consider those statistics in terms of raw numbers, that means that about 50 million Americans are living with chronic pain, and millions of others directly related to them that are dealing with their diagnosis along with the affected person. 

With all that in mind, it is important to realize what a major effect chronic pain can have on day to day life.  It is all-encompassing and can prevent a person from spending time with their family, contributing to their community through daily work or volunteering, and make them unable to perform physical activities which they previously enjoyed.  Often, this chronic pain comes as a result of an accident, whether it be motor vehicle, slip-and-fall, brain or spinal cord injury, or countless other situations.  Attorney Doug Stoehr has worked with many clients who experience chronic pain as a result of an accident at the fault of another.  If you would like to contact our office to set up a free initial legal consultation, please click on the above link to reach us.

State Police Recognized for Good Crash Inspection Performance

The Pennsylvania State Police was recently recognized for provided accurate and timely data from crash scenes, as well as random inspections of truck and other commercial drivers.  They were recognized nationally by the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration for their outstanding work in addition to their day-to-day work of enforcing roadside safety and state and federal driving laws.

The Pennsylvania State Police work very hard for our state's citizens, especially on site at crash scenes.  Motor vehicle accidents occur suddenly and can be overwhelming for an accident victim.  The State Police do an excellent job of assessing the crash scene while helping to get accident victims the medical assistance that they may need. Their crash report may also become important if a crash victim decides to open a personal injury claim accident against the person who caused the accident. 

Attorney Doug Stoehr is a personal injury lawyer serving western and central PA. If you would like to consult with him about a possible claim, please contact our law office.

Vicious Dog Ordinance in Pottsville

Earlier in the summer, this blog talked about the possibility of changing dog laws in Pottsville, PA after a wave of dog attacks hit the area. As a result of a town hall meeting, the city has introduced a new "vicious dog ordinance".  This ordinance is not breed-specific, but would require owners of dogs viewed as vicious to take extra measures, such as paying a fine, applying for a special license, and putting up signs around their property.  If these measures, along with others listed in the ordinance, are broken three times, the dog must be euthanized at the owner's expense. This ordinance will be voted on by the City Council on August 8th.

Most of the time, dogs are faithful and loving household pets that interact well with family, friends, and neighbors.  However, sometimes dogs can attack others without warning.  These attacks can be extensive and lead not only to physical injury, but also psychological issues.  If you have been the victim of a dog attack and would like to consult with a lawyer, Attorney Doug Stoehr would be willing to meet with you. Please contact our law office to get more information or to set up a time for your consultation.

Wrong-Way Crash Kills Passenger and Injures Driver

A New Rochelle, PA woman is being arraigned after she drove over 6 miles on the wrong side of the highway while intoxicated, crashing into an oncoming car.  The crash killed the passenger in the other car and injured the driver.  The woman who crashed the car is in the hospital after suffering injuries as well.  She will be charged with second-degree manslaughter.


Car accidents are a very real danger when driving, no matter on the highway or on a secluded country road.  The physical and psychological damage caused by car accidents can be extensive and result in years of medical and professional care.  If you or a loved one has been injured in a car crash that was the fault of another, Attorney Doug Stoehr would be willing to set up a free consultation to discuss a possible legal claim involving your accident.  Attorney Stoehr has experience litigating personal injury claims relating to car crashes, and if you would like to meet with him, please contact our law office.

Pottsville, PA To Consider Breed-Specific Dog Bans

In light of the many recent dog attacks that have occurred in Pottsville, PA, the city is considering changing their current animal laws to exclude certain breeds of dogs that are traditionally violent and aggressive.  Residents of Pottsville have reported three pit bull attacks within the past several weeks, two against children and one against an elderly man.  The issue is going to be discussed at an upcoming Town Hall meeting.

Dog bites can be both physically and psychologically damaging for the victim.  In addition to medical expenses, victims can suffer from anxiety and fear of other’s and their own household pets, and may have trouble enjoying formerly pleasant activities, such as taking a walk outside or visiting friends and neighbors due to fear of a future attack.  Attorney Doug Stoehr has litigated dog bite claims before with success for the victim.  If you would like to schedule a free consultation with Attorney Stoehr, please contact our law office to set up an appointment.