When you think of spooky places, odds are good that the local version of a haunted house — perhaps with teenagers dressed up as chainsaw villains — comes to mind. You might even get someone to take you to the local penitentiary, where they’ll try to convince you that a draft is actually the movement of a tormented soul. After Oct. 31, though, that spooky atmosphere will fade away, and you’ll be left with just a fleeting memory of what you believed might be a haunted place. But there is one location on earth that is truly haunted year-round. The abandoned island of Poveglia, Italy, was the site of some of the worst horrors in human history. In 1348, the region surrounding Venice was struck with the bubonic plague, and the infected were sent to Poveglia to die. Once the plague had taken their lives, the victims’ bodies were stacked on pyres and burned. It’s said that 50 percent of the soil on the island is made up of the ash from these funeral rites. While the ash-ridden soil would deter many, it did not stop the locals from turning the island into a mental asylum in the 1800s. Shortly after the asylum opened, all its inhabitants reportedly lost their wits, making it impossible to tell the doctors from the patients. The doctors on the island were rumored to have gone insane and begun performing questionable experiments on live subjects. Some THE HORRORS OF POVEGLIA, ITALY THE MOST HAUNTED PLACE IN THE WORLD
Plague mask and tools for disinfecting letters discovered on Poveglia
patients died; others lost their minds. The island quickly claimed them all.
Today, Poveglia is completely abandoned. Local fishermen are unwilling to cast their nets off its shores out of fear. They even report hearing chimes from the island’s church bell, but they still refuse to dock their ships. Locals decline to visit the island for fear of the curse that claimed the lives of so many. The very few who dare set foot on the island do not stay for long, claiming to feel a profound disturbance that overwhelms the soul. If you’re taken to a haunted house this Halloween, be thankful. Anyone can handle a quick scare from someone dressed up in a costume. No one has been able to handle the curse of Poveglia, and no one ever will.
NAVIGATING WORKERS’ COMPENSATION CLAIMS
HOW TRUCK DRIVERS CAN GET JUSTICE AFTER INJURIES
For most people, an injury that hinders your ability to drive limits your freedom. But for truck drivers, this means the loss of a livelihood. The next steps after a truck-driving injury may be unclear, and navigating workers’ compensation claims can add more stress to an already unpleasant situation. Follow these steps to claiming workers’ compensation to help you ensure you get the justice you deserve. UNDERSTAND YOUR CASE. Some truck drivers are employed with a trucking company, while others are independent contractors. Regardless, they all have rights and are
GET LEGAL HELP. Even if you’re unsure about fault, it’s always wise to consult a professional. A lawyer knows what rights you have as an injured driver, and, if nothing else, they can answer questions or point you in another direction to help you get the justice you deserve. COMMUNICATE. Interacting with your employer after you were injured can be … well, awkward. You might even be considering a lawsuit against your workplace or be out of the workplace because of the injury. Accidents happen; workers’ compensation happens. That doesn’t have to ruin your relationship with a good employer, and your lawyer can help you navigate that situation. Furthermore, if the injury needs to be handled in court, this is where having a lawyer becomes a huge benefit. Communication — either through you or your lawyer — is key to getting the incident resolved swiftly and fairly. If you’re unsure about your rights or believe you deserve workers’ compensation for a truck-driving injury, give the Law Offices of William F. Underwood, III, a call at 229-888-0888.
due compensation if someone else is at fault for an injury. Independent drivers may have trouble pinpointing where the compensation may lie, but drivers who are injured while dealing with another company that their own trucking company works with may also struggle. Photos of your injuries, medical documentation, photos of the scene, and witness observations will help you (and your legal counsel) piece together exactly what happened.
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