Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Wrongful Death Caused by Swimming Pool Drowning: Who’s Responsible?
The state of Rhode Island has received a six-figure grant to promote pool safety and prevent pool and spa drownings. Rhode Island was among the three states and two cities that have received generous grants from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) as part of its Pool Safety Program, according to WPRI. The… Read More »
Car Accident Caused by Medical Emergency in Rhode Island: Who’s Liable?
If a motorist has a heart attack, stroke, or another sudden medical emergency while driving, is he or she responsible for the damages suffered by other parties as a result of losing control of the vehicle? A recent car accident in Rhode Island has highlighted the question of liability in motor vehicle collisions caused… Read More »
Airbnb’s Popularity Grows in Rhode Island, But What About Liability for Guests’ Injuries?
You are probably familiar with the concept of Airbnb, especially if you are passionate about traveling. However, you do not necessarily have to be obsessed with tourism to know what Airbnb is. In recent years, Airbnb – an online marketplace for arranging lodging – has become one of the most used apps in many… Read More »
Rhode Island Trucking Companies Sentenced for Ordering Truck Drivers to Falsify Safety Reports
The owners of two major trucking companies in Rhode Island have been sentenced to a year of probation and fined $1,250 for ordering their truck drivers to falsify vehicle inspection reports. According to a report by the Providence Journal, the owners of trucking companies CDE Corporation and Winsor Hill Hauling and Recycling Corporation directed… Read More »
Why Rhode Island is One of the Worst States for Car Accident Claims
If you own a car and carry auto insurance, you probably know by now that if you are at fault in a car accident, there is a good chance that your premiums will go up. How much your insurance rates will increase after an at-fault crash depends on the state where you live. As… Read More »
Rhode Island Eliminates the ‘Open and Obvious’ Doctrine from Premises Liability Law
Thanks to the efforts of Robert E. Craven, House Judiciary Chairman and founder of Robert E. Craven & Associates, Rhode Island no longer follows the common principle of “open and obvious” dangers, which used to be a defense in premises liability cases. Rhode Island law has eliminated the “open and obvious” doctrine, which prevented… Read More »
Is It Illegal to Drive a Car Under the Influence of Marijuana in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island has decriminalized marijuana and legalized its medicinal use, but does it mean that drivers in the state can get behind the wheel of a motor vehicle after smoking weed? Not really. Despite the cannabis-friendly laws in Rhode Island, it is still illegal to drive a car under the influence of marijuana. The… Read More »