Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Robert E. Craven, a Lawyer of the Year, Talks About Eliminating the ‘Open & Obvious’ Doctrine in Rhode Island
Robert E. Craven, a House Judiciary Chairman, has been named a Lawyer of the Year by Rhode Island Lawyers Weekly. The trial lawyer sat down with the publication to discuss the newly enacted law eliminating the infamous “open and obvious” doctrine. Robert E. Craven was first elected in 2012 and currently chairs the House… Read More »
Drunk Driving Accidents During the Holidays in Rhode Island
Car accidents related to drunk driving spike during the holiday season in Rhode Island and all other states. An average of 300 Americans die in DUI-related collisions the week between Christmas and New Year’s Eve. With so many office parties, family gatherings, and holiday events in December, one’s chances of having one too many… Read More »
Health Violations in Rhode Island’s School Cafeterias: Who Can Be Sued for Your Child’s Food Poisoning?
Some parents pack lunches for their children, while others choose to give them pocket money to buy food and snacks from the school cafeteria. While a home-packed lunch is almost always a healthier alternative to eating meals prepared in god-knows-what-conditions, making and packaging lunches for your kids can be time-consuming, especially if you are… Read More »
Rhode Island Legislators to Reform the State’s ‘Vicious Dog’ Laws
Rhode Island lawmakers consider changing the state’s vicious dog laws. The current dog bite laws have not been updated in more than three decades, as the public continues pushing for a change. A new legislative commission at the State House wants to overhaul Rhode Island’s regulations on vicious dogs after a dog bite incident… Read More »
Can a Rhode Island Bar Be Held Liable for Your Slip & Fall Injury?
What happens if you slip and fall or trip and fall in a bar or nightclub? Are you the only one to blame, or can the bar be held responsible for your injury? What if someone dies? These are the questions that Rhode Island residents have been asking upon hearing the news that a… Read More »
What to Do After a Rhode Island Pedestrian Accident?
A female pedestrian was struck by a vehicle in Westerly, Rhode Island, as the state continues to be beset by an increasing number of pedestrian accidents. Pedestrian deaths have been rising nationwide, as reported by U.S. News, citing a WPRI-TV report. The rate of pedestrian deaths in Rhode Island has held relatively steady in… Read More »
Does it Make Sense to Sue a Drunk Driver in Rhode Island?
If you were in a motor vehicle crash involving an intoxicated motorist, you are probably wondering if filing a lawsuit against the drunk driver is worth the effort, time, and money. More often than not, suing an impaired driver in Rhode Island does not make much sense in terms of recovering compensation unless the… Read More »
Is It Legal To Eat While Driving in Rhode Island?
Most drivers in Rhode Island have eaten while operating a vehicle at least once. Some of them think doing so is against the law, while others could not care less about this being an illegal activity. But is it? Is it illegal to eat while driving in Rhode Island? No. Rhode Island law does… Read More »
How Does Rhode Island Dog Bite Law Define an ‘Enclosed Area’?
As you may know, unlike dog bite laws in other states, the law in Rhode Island places strict liability on the owner of a dog that bites someone outside of the dog’s “enclosed area.” But what is that mysterious “enclosed area”? How does Rhode Island dog bite law define the term that prevents victims… Read More »
Fatal Head-On Crash in Rhode Island Reminds of the Perils of Frontal Collisions
Any vehicle collision can cause injury, but head-on crashes – also known as frontal impact collisions – are associated with serious injuries and a heightened risk of death. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, head-on collisions are associated with a 58% fatality rate for drivers and passengers in either vehicle. Given the… Read More »
