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Tractor Trailer Alert on VIT and APM Terminals

You have probably hear a lot about Rutter Mills in the last couple of years. We have appeared in several publications and many times on the news with stories about our expertise in the law or about significant results we have obtained for our clients.

One area of law that we handle is injuries caused by tractor trailers. Many of the terminals on the waterfront in Hampton Roads were designed to handle a much smaller volume of traffic than currently passes through the gates each day. Tractor trailer drivers may be entering the port to drop off chassis and boxes or to pick up loads. Unfortunately, many of these tractor trailer drivers are causing injury to longshoremen. We are currently handling several cases where individuals have been injured or killed due to the negligence of a tractor trailer driver.

Rutter Mills brings a unique approach to these types of cases. When someone is injured on the job they have a workers' compensation claim against their direct employer. In many cases there is also a claim against another person or corporation due to negligence. This is commonly called a third party claim. At Rutter Mills we assign a team of attorneys and paralegals that work on the workers' compensation claim as well as an additional team which prosecuted the third party negligence claim. By handling all of these legal matters together we are able to provide the client with a swift and excellent recovery while reducing expenses.

This team approach that we use when a longshoreman is injured by a tractor trailer driver is the same strategy we use when suing other third parties, including the terminal where you might work. Very few people know that the terminal itself may also be liable for your injuries. For instance we have claims pending against VIT for injuried and for wrongful death caused by VIT's negligence. Of course this claim is in addition to the longshore claim we are also prosecuting on behalf of the client.

These claims against corporations who are different than your employer are very important in recovering damages. The Workers' Compensation law limits damages to a percentage of your wages plus medical expenses. Workers' Compensation laws do not allow for recovery of pain, suffering, loss of enjoyment of life or disfigurement. These are the types of damages that are only recoverable when you are able to find a third party who is in part responsible for your injuries. That is where the Rutter Mills team approach to these types of cases can be successful for you and for your family.

If you, a family member or a co-worker would like to discuss your injury to determine whether there may be additional damages to which you are entitled, please call us for a free consultation. Let Rutter Mills put our team to work for you against the tractor trailer companies and terminal operators.

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