That’s where Kids’ Chance of South Carolina is making a difference. The mission of Kids’ Chance of South Carolina, Inc. is ‘to provide scholarships and support to the dependents of South Carolina workers who have been seriously or fatally injured in work-related accidents.’

Since 1992, these scholarships have been giving South Carolina children of injured workers the opportunity to pursue their educational goals. They’ve awarded more than $700,000 to help with tuition costs and have seen their scholars go on to become teachers, scientists, doctors, and lawyers — all striving to make their communities a better place to live. Kids’ Chance of South Carolina isn’t just investing in students; it’s investing in the future of South Carolina.

The scholarships are dependent on the support of donations from individuals, groups, organizations, companies & foundations. In order to continue giving children the chance at a brighter future after they’ve had a family member injured or killed at work, Kids’ Chance of South Carolina needs your help.

There are several ways you can support the organization. For more information on how to help or to make a tax-deductible donation to assist in furthering their mission, please visit them at http://kidschancesc.org/. The website is also a great resource to learn about upcoming events and to hear some amazing success stories from previous scholarship recipients.

Harris & Graves, P.A. has long been a proud supporter of Kids’ Chance of South Carolina. Our hope is that you will find this a worthy cause and get involved in helping make a difference in these children’s lives.

In South Carolina an assisted living facility is defined as a ‘residential program for two or more people that offers meals, lodging, and personal support activities for more than 24 hours.’ And these community residential care programs can be for the physically handicapped, the elderly, or for people with mental illness.

The exact condition of the 39-year-old neglect victim hasn’t been released, but it is known that she was incapable of getting around without a wheelchair.

Her 20 hour ordeal happened over Easter weekend. According to reports by the victim’s mother, her caregiver checked on her on April 23rd. At this time she moved the woman’s wheelchair away from the bed and supposedly knocked the phone from a side table to the floor before leaving.

At the Union Street facility, caregivers are required to check in on their residents every three hours.

But the three hours came and went and the time continued to slowly tick away. The 39-year-old grew desperate and finally attempted to get out of bed. She collapsed to the floor where she dragged herself to her wheelchair — unfortunately she was unable to pull herself into it.

Unable to get in the wheelchair, she grabbed the phone from the floor, and that’s when she made a series of distressed phone calls that went unanswered. Several of these calls were to the supervisor of her caregiver and despite leaving messages they went ignored.

Assisted living staff must be adequate to meet the needs of its residents. In South Carolina this included one staff member for every eight residents during the day and one staff member for every 30 residents at night. The administrator in charge must be ‘reasonably accessible and local’ and must have a license from the South Carolina Board of Long Term Care Administrators.

The caregiver as well as her supervisor were arrested and charged by the Spartanburg Public Safety Department with neglect of a vulnerable adult. The women have been placed on unpaid administrative leave, and the South Carolina state law enforcement is investigating the case.

South Carolina Nursing Home and Assisted Living Abuse Lawyers

Many of us in South Carolina have a loved one in an assisted-living facility or nursing home, and we want to know that they’re receiving the care and love that they need and deserve. When they’re exploited, abused or neglected, it’s a disgusting crime. If you’ve had a loved one that’s been a victim of nursing home or assisted living abuse, you know they deserve justice.

The Attorneys at Harris & Graves are experienced in dealing with the mistreatment of the elderly or the physically disabled. If you suspect nursing home or assisted living abuse, neglect, or exploitation in Columbia, Greenville, Spartanburg, Myrtle Beach, and surrounding South Carolina areas, contact Harris & Graves right now! Get your loved ones the help they deserve.

Source. AssistedLivingFacilities.org, “http://www.assistedlivingfacilities.org/directory/sc/,” 2010.

Source. GoUpstate, “http://www.goupstate.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?p=1&tc=pg&AID=2012120509730&tc=ar,” Jenny Arnold, May 7, 2012.

Source. WLTX.com, “http://www.wltx.com/news/story.aspx?storyid=186730,” Derry London, May 8, 2012.

To ride a motorcycle, you have to have a lot of skill, and must always be aware of your surroundings. Motorcycle accidents have an incredibly high rate of injuries, and it is usually the rider who experiences the most serious injuries. These can include head injuries, broken bones, road rash, and can sometimes even be fatal.

In the motorcycle wreck in Anderson, the bike ended up on top of the father and son, but the extent of their injuries are not yet known. They were rushed to the hospital and are expected to recover.

Motorcycle accidents can happen for a variety of reasons, but is most often the fault of other motorists. If you’re a motorcyclist, you should always practice defensive driving. Sometimes cars won’t see you or give you the right of way, which can lead to an injury accident.

Motorcycle riders should try to make themselves more visible, by wearing bright clothing and always using traffic or hand signals.

Anderson South Carolina Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Ask Harris and Graves what they know about South Carolina motorcycle accident lawsuits. If you’ve been hurt on a motorcycle, you may be entitled to financial compensation for your injuries. But you’ll want the help of an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer to ensure that you get the money you deserve after a wreck.

The South Carolina personal injury attorneys at the law offices of Harris & Graves know the devastating effects that a motorcycle injury can have on a victim and their families, and that along with the physical injury comes financial and emotional burdens. They’ve fought hard for motorcycle injury victims in Anderson, Columbia, Greenville, Spartanburg , Myrtle Beach, and all across South Carolina.

So, if you’ve been injured on a motorcycle, contact the injury lawyers at Harris & Graves and let them get started on your case today!

A 27-year-old from Bonneau, SC, a passenger in the dune buggy when the accident occurred, died at the scene from his injuries. The driver of the buggy was taken to the hospital where he was treated for minor injuries while the driver of the semi-truck wasn’t hurt at all.

In most states dune buggies are classified under the same type of vehicle registration as ATVs. But in order to make them street legal there are several steps an owner must take. Each county in each state may have varying regulations on making your buggy legal for the streets, but some general rules commonly apply across the board.

Emissions are one factor and dune buggies have to adhere to the same standards as more traditional vehicles like cars and pickups. Another factor is that buggies have to be insured and require proper paperwork for registration, but this is also not any more difficult than registering any other vehicle.

The biggest roadblock to making dune buggies street legal are safety regulations and the state DMVs are often quite strict on these policies.

First, the buggy must obviously have working engine, brakes, seat and frame. But you may also need a windshield. It’s not required in every state, but it is required in many since most states believe leaving yourself vulnerable to debris and insects while traveling at high speeds can lead to auto accidents.

You must also have operational turn signals, taillights, and headlights even if you don’t use the dune buggy at night. And of course, dune buggies must be equipped with a shoulder strap or 5-point harness as seat belts are also required.

Unfortunately in the fatal South Carolina accident, the passenger was still killed despite being properly restrained with a safety belt.

South Carolina Commercial Truck Accident Lawyer

If you have a been involved in an accident with a commercial truck in the Columbia, Greenville, Rock Hill, Sumter, or surrounding South Carolina areas, you will need a personal injury lawyer to pursue all of the defendants liable in your case.

The South Carolina personal injury attorneys at the law offices of Harris & Graves are dedicated to serving accident victims and their families throughout the state.

Contact Harris & Graves today for a free case review!

The resulting collision left the mother trapped inside the car. Emergency crews responded, removing parts of the Honda to free the woman from the wreckage. She was quickly transported by air to Greenville Memorial Hospital.

Her two children were taken to AnMed Health Medical Center, and fortunately had escaped the accident without severe injuries. The driver was also taken to AnMed Hospital and managed to leave the wreck without sustaining major harm.

Tragically however, the Belton mother didn’t leave the scene without suffering serious injury. According to the Anderson County deputy coroner, the woman died of hemorrhagic shock as a result of the trauma to her liver around 2:30am Sunday.

According to reports, the mother was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the car wreck, but her children were properly restrained in the backseat.

South Carolina Child Passenger Safety Laws

South Carolina law states that children from birth until 1 (or that weigh less than 20lbs) have to be restrained in rear facing child safety seats. Also, a child has to be restrained in a forward facing seat from ages 1 to 5 that weigh between 20 and 40lbs.

Children under 6 years don’t have to be in booster seats if they weigh more than 80lbs and can sit comfortably with their backs touching the seat and legs over the seat’s edge. Also, children under 6 can’t sit in the front seat — unless there are no back seats or if the rear seats are already occupied by children under 6 years old.

South Carolina Car Accident Lawyer

If you’ve been injured or lost a loved one in an auto accident in Benton, Columbia, Greenville, Spartanburg, Florence, Myrtle Beach, or any surrounding South Carolina area you may entitled to financial compensation.

The South Carolina personal injury attorneys at the law offices of Harris & Graves are dedicated to serving accident victims and their families throughout the state.

Contact Harris & Graves today for a free case review.

The unusually warm weather has lead to trees and plants blooming early, making pollen counts increase much to the anguish of allergy sufferers. Allergies aside, the unprecedented warmth is making for dangerous working conditions for South Carolina workers. Heat-related injuries are becoming a threat much earlier in the year than usual.

Those workers who are exposed to severe heat or work in warm environments are at risk of heat-related injuries or heat stress.

Heat stress can lead to heat rashes, skin irritation from excessive sweating. It can lead to heat exhaustion, which is the body’s response to losing too much water through sweating and causes nausea, muscle cramps, and dizziness. The most devastating effect of heat stress is heat stroke, when the body completely loses control of its body temperature and can lead to permanent disability or death.

Heat also compounds the risk of common workplace injuries by fogging safety glasses, and causing sweaty palms and faintness.

Several suggestions are often offered to help avoid the devastating effects of heat stress. These include spending time in a cooler place, wearing loose-fitting cotton clothes, and most importantly drinking extra water, and avoiding drinks with caffeine and alcohol.

South Carolina Workers’ Comp Lawyer

Like any other workplace injuries, after suffering from heat-related injuries you may be entitled to workers’ compensation.

All employers in South Carolina are required to provide workers’ compensation coverage if they have four or more employees. There are several exceptions and exemptions from this requirement, but by and large, workers’ compensation insurance coverage is mandatory.

Every South Carolina workers’ comp claim is different. If you’ve been injured at work, for a heat-related injury or any other work-related injury, contact Harris &Graves for a free, no obligation case review.

Nestled snuggly in the top ten of the most dangerous cities in which to drive is Columbia, South Carolina. Columbia’s inclusion could have something to do with another dangerous driving factor that Men’s Health took into account – whether existing laws banned cell phone use while driving. Drivers are 23 times more likely to be in an accident if texting, and South Carolina is yet to ban the habit… but it’s getting closer.

A bill banning texting while driving in South Carolina has passed the House and is on its way to the Senate. The bill has been stripped of its more severe penalties such as points on your license or negligence charges if an accident occurs while texting, but it would include up to a $150 fine for an offense.

The sponsor of the bill, Dan Bowen, has stated, “It’s about technology getting ahead of keeping our roads safe… No texting while driving is a no brainer.” He went on to compare texting while driving to driving while drunk.

Some other members of the House thought that the bill didn’t go far enough and should have included bans on other distractions. A similar bill was rejected by the Senate in 2010.

‘W8 2 TXT’ Program to Prevent Teen Accidents

Last year saw an 11% increase in teen deaths from car accidents. And 165 teens, between the ages of 15 and 24 died in fatal car accidents last year in South Carolina alone.

The South Carolina Department of Public Safety has put into place the ‘W8 2 TXT’ (Wait to Text) program, a volunteer program where teens can pledge to not text and drive well before the legal ban goes into effect. With National Distracted Driving Awareness Month coming up in April certain stores will be distributing ‘W8 2 TXT’ wristbands and pledge cards.

What’s your take on texting while driving?

By the time the 44-year-old made it home, the damage had already been done. She arrived on the scene just in time to see several young men flee from the demolished car. One of the men was still struggling to free himself from the wreckage, but a witness to the accident held the man until police arrived.

Fortunately for the Rock Hill woman, her daughter, whose bedroom was the point of impact, was not in the house at the time of the crash.

When the detained man was questioned, police reported that his speech was slurred, and he claimed to not be the driver. After contacting the owner of the vehicle, police learned that the man in question had in fact borrowed the car earlier in the day.

The suspect’s blood alcohol level was not released, but by South Carolina laws your blood alcohol content cannot be .08% or higher while operating a vehicle. How far you exceed this limit decides your degree of punishment. Less than .10% carries a suspension of your license for 6 months, a fine of $400, and a minimum of 48 hours in jail. Anything above .16% and you can still expect that 6 month license suspension, you’ll see that fine jump up to $1000, and receive a minimum of 30 days in jail.

In the Rock Hill DUI wreck, the suspect was given a blood alcohol content test at Piedmont Medical Center. He was arrested, and later released on $1,649.50 bond.

It was also reported that a 9mm handgun was found under the passenger seat.

The verdict is in and you are face to face with the reality that you have been denied. You are not alone, more than half of the people who apply for Social Security disability benefits each year are turned down on their initial request. Thousands of cases are filed but because of the backload of requests many claimants fall by the wayside. Those who apply for Social Security disability are willing and wanting to work but simply cannot. Don’t give up hope. There are firms that will get you back on track and give you the help you deserve.

If you are one of the many who have already been turned down, it is so important that you find the right law firm to represent and fight for you. You need a lawyer to be your voice and have true compassion for you and the pain you are going through. If you are in the South Carolina area and have been denied benefits the personal injury attorneys at Harris & Graves can help.

What sets Harris & Graves apart from other firms is the fact that they fight day after day for their clients. They are not just in it to collect a quick buck, they sincerely care about the clients they work for. This firm will fight to seek justice within the system and get you the Social Security benefits you deserve. Harris & Graves’ motivation is to serve the people and that is exactly what they will do for you.

Been Denied Social Security Disability Benefits?

Get free legal advice today! Ask Harris & Graves.

Often when spilt cargo is involved several agencies may get involved in the cleanup process, usually private towing companies or the state Department of Transportation. The response also depends on the sheer quantity of contents that were spilled, as well as if they pose a health risk. This can often lead to the closing of roads and rerouting of traffic, though in peak travel hours some agencies recommend simply moving the spilt cargo from the affected traffic lanes.

Spilt cargo becomes much more complicated when hazardous materials or live animals are involved, a animal control or HAZMAT responders must be called to the scene before the cargo can be removed.

Fortunately the tractor trailer in Spartanburg was only transporting lumber; although it was also reported that some diesel fuel leaked from the rig as well.

The driver of the truck was charged with ‘driving too fast for conditions’ after the incident. In South Carolina, a driver can be charged with ‘driving too fast for conditions,’ despite being well below the posted speed limit.

Often this charge is applied in accidents where no other clear fault can be established, and carries with it fines, license points, and often an increase in insurance rates. Within the South Carolina DMV Point System the charge of ‘driving too fast for conditions’ results in two points on your driving record, a similar charge to ‘speeding no more than 10mph above the limit’ or ‘having a defective taillight.’ Once a driver has received 12 points their license is suspended for three months.

The driver of the lumber truck did remain unharmed after the wreck, although one person was reported to be injured. The exact cause or severity of their injuries has not been released.

Have you been injured in a Spartanburg tractor-trailer accident?

Get free legal advice from an experienced personal injury lawyer in South Carolina.

Ask Harris and Graves!