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Tips for a Memorable Fourth of July

July 1, 2019/in Blog/by Yao Dinizulu

The Fourth of July is a day that you get to enjoy quality time with family and friends, enjoy delicious food, and celebrate the independence of our nation. With the Fourth of July quickly approaching, it’s important to keep in mind a few safety tips so your day is memorable for the right reasons.

Alcohol Safety
Operating a Motor Vehicle

Over 34 million Americans are expected to travel over the course of Fourth of July weekend. The Fourth of July is one of the deadliest days for drunk driving. July 4 has the second highest percent of car crash deaths linked to alcohol where deaths involved blood alcohol content of 0.08 g/dL or more (Fatality Analysis Reporting System).

Even if you’ve had one drink, do not drive. As you know, law enforcement agencies are highly populated across the country on this holiday. By drinking and driving, you put not only yourself, but other innocent people at risk too. DUI checkpoints are enforced across the country along popular routes. Order an Uber or assign a designated driver for the night.

Weather
If you’re planning to drink outside, especially during the day during peak hours of high temperatures, remember to stay hydrated. Heat exhaustion or a stroke can happen quickly and suddenly, so be aware of how you feel and be on the lookout of your friends that show signs of nausea, fatigue, faintness and dizziness.

Firework Safety
Nearly 280 people go to the emergency room every day with firework-related injuries around the weekend of July 4. Please ensure that fireworks are legal in your area before purchasing or using them.

There should always be an adult supervising the use of fireworks. Place fireworks on dry, flat surface and never stand directly over a firework while lighting the fuse. Immediately back up a safe distance after lighting the firework. Never point or throw fireworks at a person and keep a bucket of water nearby in case of an emergency.

Children ages 10-14 have the highest rate of firework-related injuries.

Pool Safety
An adult should supervisor any child that is going to be around a pool or any body of water. It can be easy for risks to go unnoticed while mingling with a large crowd that’s preoccupied enjoying their time.

Children should be supervised at all times. Keep floatation devices nearby for quick response if someone needs help in the water. Young and inexperienced swimmers should wear U.S. Coast Guard approved life jackets.

Pet Safety

One in five pets go missing from fear of loud noises of fireworks, thunderstorms, and other loud-related noises during the July 4^th weekend according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. July 5^th is one of the busiest days of the year at animal shelters because of pets running away on July 4^th.

Make sure your animal’s identification tags have your up-to-date contact information. If your pets are microchipped, make sure this information is also up-to-date. If your animal is not microchipped, consult with your veterinarian about this process which greatly improves the chances of finding your animal if they were to ever become lost. Take a current photo of your animal just to be on the safe side.

If you know you are likely to pay attention to your pet because you’re busy entertaining or mingling, make sure they are in a safe, gated area. When setting off fireworks, keep your pet inside and away from anything flammable. Please note just as you get hot from the sun, hot temperatures can be dangerous for your animal, too.

Grill Safety
It’s the best day of the year to grill out and BBQ, but there are a few things to keep in mind. When using your grill, make sure it is away from your home and out from under any branches or overhangs. Remove any grease of buildup in trays to avoid being ignited. Do not let children or pets near the grill and avoid wearing any loose clothing that can catch fire while grilling.

Above all, have a safe and memorable Fourth of July holiday from the Dinizulu Law Group.

Semi-Truck Explodes on I-94 Killing 2 in Racine County

June 21, 2019/in Blog/by Yao Dinizulu

CHICAGO, IL – Just before 11 am on Wednesday morning, two semi-truck drivers were killed in a multi-vehicle car crash on I-94 in Racine County, Wisconsin.

Northbound and southbound lanes were closed throughout the day and into Thursday afternoon, though southbound lanes reopened around 8:30 p.m.

According to ABC 7 Chicago, a semi-truck driver was driving southbound attempting to switch lanes when it over-corrected and lost control before hitting the median wall of the interstate, bursting into flames. As a result of the collision, three other vehicles collided into each other and the median wall.

Another semi-truck traveling northbound attempted to avoid the crash by turning into a ditch lane, in which he drove off the road, and burst into flames. The truck plunged nearly 30 feet off the right side of the highway, onto another road. The semi-trailer caught fire before exploding.

Two semi-truck drivers died at the scene, and at least two others were taken to a local hospital and sustained minor injuries.

Semi-truck accidents or collisions can be rare, but when they occur, they can be catastrophic. The average weight of a commercial vehicle is roughly 80,000-230,000 pounds. Semi-trucks also require a longer distance to stop. If a semi is driving 55 miles per hour, it will take about 400 feet to come to a complete stop (Safer America, 2019). Please keep these thoughts in mind when passing in a semi-drivers blind spot or driving past any commercial truck.

Semi-Truck Crashes Hauling 40,000 Pounds of Bees

June 18, 2019/in Uncategorized/by Yao Dinizulu

CHICAGO, IL – A semi-truck was traveling from California to North Dakota when it crashed in a rural intersection in Bozeman, Montana, carrying 40,000 pounds of bees. No humans were hurt during the crash.

When the Hyalite fire department arrived on the scene, the driver and the passenger were already out of the truck. When inspecting the truck, they noticed only an oil leak.

Fortunately, most of the semi-truck’s load was kept in-tact; in fact, only a quarter of the 40,000 pound of bees actually escaped. The trucks load of 40,000 pounds of bees is equal to roughly 133 million bees. Hyalite fire department said there was no immediate threat to the public.

Tractor-trailers and semi-trucks weigh several tons and travel at very high speeds. Please remember to keep your distance when passing a semi-truck and you are passing on the left side of the truck – truck drivers cannot see you from the right side of their vehicle. If you or someone you know has recently been a victim of a trucking or car accident, please call Dinizulu Law Group at (312) 384-1920 or visit our website at www.dinizululawgroup.com. Due to the statue of limitations, we must start on your case right away.

3 Little-Known VA Pensions: Do You Qualify?

June 14, 2019/in Blog/by Yao Dinizulu

CHICAGO, IL – Are you or a loved one a veteran or a surviving spouse? The VA offers many benefits; however, there are hundreds of thousands of veterans and/or surviving spouses that are eligible for these little-known VA benefits. These funds are used for assisted living at many facilities and for at-home care. Please consult an adviser to see if you or a loved one qualifies for the following VA benefits.

There are three levels of VA benefits called Pensions:

Basic Pension/Improved Income – healthy veterans with low incomes over the age of 65
Aid & Attendance – veterans over the age of 65 that require assistance with daily living activities
Housebound – veterans with a disabling rate of 100% that prevents them from leaving their home, but doesn’t have to be related to their military service

Aid & Attendance and Housebound pension benefits provide an additional monthly income over and above the Basic Monthly pension. To be eligible for either pension, the individual must meet the requirements for Basic Pension. The Aid & Attendance Pension benefits eligible veterans and their surviving spouses, or just the spouse in the event of a veteran’s death, to pay for the assistance they need in an everyday function. This includes eating, bathing, dressing, and medication management.

It’s important to note that potential eligibility conflicts between pensions and other assistance may arise. There are complex financial considerations for Aid & Attendance eligibility; however, the general requirements listed below must be met by the veteran or the surviving spouse:

Age – Veterans or surviving spouses must be 65 years old, or officially disabled if younger
Period of Military Service – Veterans must be considered “war time” veterans, meaning they served at least 90 days and served at least 1 day during the wartime dates listed below; this does not necessarily mean in combat:
- World War II: Dec. 7, 1941 – Dec. 31, 1946
- Korean War: June 27, 1950 – Jan. 31 – 1955
- Vietnam War: Aug. 5, 1964 – May 7, 1975 (or Feb. 28, 1961 – May 7, 1975 for Veterans who served in Vietnam)
- Gulf War: Aug. 2, 1990 – Undetermined
Discharge Status – Veterans cannot have been dishonorably discharged.
Disability Status – Veterans are eligible without a disability; however, a higher benefit is available to those who are disabled.
- Aid & Assistance Eligibility – veteran must require help with daily activities at home, in nursing homes, or assisted living. The need for that help does not have to be related to service in the military.
- Housebound Eligibility – veteran needs to have the disability rating of 100% that prevents them from leaving their home. The disability does not have to be related to their military service.
- Basic Pension/Improved Income Eligibility – no disability requirement.
Marriage Rules – a surviving spouse must have been living with the veteran at the time of their death and must be single at the time of a claim.

Medical-related expenses include skilled nursing, assisted living, adult day centers, and at-home care. Medicare and other insurance premiums, as well as prescriptions that may not be covered by insurance, should be included as medical-related expenses. Please check out how the VA calculates income here.

When calculating assets, the VA allows a veteran to deduct the value of their homes and vehicles; in addition, the VA looks at the applicant’s overall net worth in addition to their income. Net worth accounted for includes assets in bank accounts, stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and property, plus furnishings and personal effects, such as clothing.

VA Pensions can be used to pay family members who are the caregiver of a veteran or survivor (with the exception of spouses). Care expenses can be deducted from their income. Veterans’ spouses are not considered since joint income is calculated as household income.

The downside to these VA Pensions is it can be a lengthy process. Applicants can expect to wait 9-12 months before receiving their benefits; however, there are loans available to help pay for care while claims are being processed. Please consult an adviser to learn more about VA Pensions and Benefits.