Winston & Damman October 2018

Best in Show or Halloween Hazard?

Costume Safety Tips for Kids

For many kids, picking out a costume is the best part of Halloween. Will they be a spooky witch, a

serious injuries. Remind your child to use caution around open flames and avoid costumes with flimsy, hanging components, like flowing sleeves, long skirts, and capes. Test makeup first. Halloween is a great time to have fun with face paint, and makeup is a good alternative to masks, which can obscure a child’s vision. However, a lot of costume makeup isn’t approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Before letting your child cover their face in makeup from the Halloween store, test their skin for allergic reactions by putting just a little bit on the back of their hand first. Practice prop safety. What’s a Jedi Knight without her lightsaber or a wizard without his magic wand? The right accessories can really bring a costume together, but it’s important that props — especially weapon props, like swords, knives, or guns — are not mistaken for the real thing. Choose props that are obviously fake, with round edges made from soft, flexible material. And if your child wants to wear their Halloween costume to school or some other event, check the rules on props beforehand to avoid any trouble. Halloween is a night for ghosts and goblins to come out to play, and with these tips, your kids can safely dress up and join in the fun.

wildcat, or their favorite superhero? There are so many options! But in all the fun, it can be easy for parents to overlook certain risks that Halloween costumes can pose. Here are important safety tips to remember when choosing

the best Halloween costume.

Look for fire-resistant costumes. Candles inside jack-o’-lanterns and other open flames are everywhere on Halloween night, so make sure your child’s costume isn’t a fire hazard. Most store-bought costumes are made from fire-resistant materials, but you should still check the labels on all costumes, wigs, and accessories. The same goes when you’re buying fabric for homemade costumes. And remember, fire-resistant is not the same as fireproof . While fire-resistant material takes longer to burn and can be put out quickly, it can still catch fire and cause

WHAT KIND OF CLAIM IS IT? Understanding Your Personal Injury Accident

Though it’s easy to tell the difference between a car accident and a work accident, sometimes it can be difficult to determine what kind of claim you’re entitled to as the victim. Get some guidance on how to move forward and fight the confusion with these tips. Who’s at fault? The guilty party in a vehicle accident may be difficult to determine, especially for truck drivers. It could possibly be the other driver, or maybe it was a different company that caused the accident. Furthermore, any employee can get injured at work, but maybe it wasn’t their employer’s fault.

due to Michigan’s no-fault state status. Non-work-related accidents may be mediated through personal parties, lawyers, the court system, and insurance companies. Once again, a lawyer can help you determine the process you should follow after you’ve been injured. How long will it take? In Michigan, it can take about a year for a workers’ compensation case to be completed. That timeline obviously varies, but with strict public deadlines, it doesn’t compare to the private world of insurance and lawyers (though some companies may utilize the private realm for certain claims). When

It could be the manufacturer of a product, fellow coworkers, or a contracting company. A lawyer and documentation of the accident can help you establish an accurate idea of who’s at fault. How do you file? The process of filing a workers’ compensation claim is vastly different than filing a lawsuit or claim against an insurance company or individual. If you’re hurt on the job in Michigan, you must file a report with the state to be compensated, but you don’t have to prove careless actions by your employer

you’re fighting for personal injury compensation in the private world, the insurance company can create its own timelines, filing reports and motions can take months, and if your case goes to court, you may spend years battling it. The lengthy process should not deter you from fighting for justice, especially if you have a lawyer fighting alongside you. If you’re unsure about what kind of case you have or if you need assistance in getting the compensation you deserve, call Winston & Damman at (810) 966-9467 or visit WinstonDamman.com .

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