Posted on November 08, 2013 in Uncategorized

Elderly care is necessary for those who cannot take care of themselves. Whether that is due to illness, disability, or just old age, nursing homes provide an invaluable service to our grandparents and parents. Yet, the same reason that they need around the clock care is why they are susceptible to harm and abuse by their caregivers.

It is difficult to find the right kind of care for grandparents. But a non-profit group called Families for Better Care is trying to change that. Their executive director, Brian Lee, stated that “you’ve got to be able to have a good vetting process to be able to determine which people, the caregivers, are going to treat the residents with dignity and respect. You’ve got to hire the right people. State officials need to hold nursing homes accountable. And nursing homes need to hold themselves accountable and step up and start providing better care.” Thanks to this company’s hard work, the process is easier to navigate.

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 Posted on October 29, 2013 in Uncategorized

Major surgeries generally require anesthesia to avoid pain and suffering for the patient. The anesthesia is administered either intravenously or through inhaled gases, and sometimes, a combination of both. The patient is rendered unconscious as if asleep, but since it relaxes the body, the anesthesiologist will monitor vital signs and assist breathing with a medical device. As scary as anesthesia seems, the process is one of the safest procedures in healthcare. A recent study at Yale University School of Medicine has reported a decrease in complications from surgery. They detailed that there was a near 60 percent drop in problems like nausea and difficulty breathing that are present in the recovery room. Part of the reason why anesthesia is safer is with the use of combinations of different products as well as the use of nerve blocks like epidurals. There are certain factors that can increase the risks of going under for surgery, including:

• Diabetes
• Smoking
• Obesity

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 Posted on October 25, 2013 in Uncategorized

Allstate Insurance Co. recently released their annual Allstate America’s Best Drivers Report®. For the ninth year in a row, the company has taken the 200 largest cities in the country and ranked them by the frequency of car collisions in determining who is the safest.

According to figures from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), vehicle accident fatalities increased by more than 1700 victims from 2011 to 2012. This has been the first increase since 2005. Allstate’s own research reveals that 70 percent of vehicle accidents occur at low speeds of 35 m.p.h. or less.

For the third time in nine years, Fort Collins, Colo. has been the safest driving city on Allstate’s list. The number two spot went to Boise, Idaho, followed by Sioux Falls, S.D., Brownsville, Texas and Madison, Wis.

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 Posted on October 21, 2013 in Uncategorized

The Rapid City Journal recently reported about a lawsuit filed by a South Dakota woman against Johnson & Johnson. The woman claimed in her lawsuit that powder she used that was manufactured by the company caused her ovarian cancer.

Fifty-six year old Deane Berg was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2006. At the time, she had been a user of Shower to Shower, a talc based powder produced by Johnson & Johnson. In her lawsuit, Berg said she had used the product for the past 30 years, regularly applying it to her genital area.

During the trial, attorneys for Berg produced a New York Times article from 1982 which revealed that women who used talcum powder in their genital area were three times more likely to develop ovarian cancer. The article also said the company was aware of at least one study that had concluded these statistics.

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 Posted on October 18, 2013 in Uncategorized

In late September, three individuals were hurt in a crash with an 18-wheeler. Representatives from the Texas Department of Public Safety noted that the car driver edged off the road onto the shoulder and slammed into the side of the truck directly between the trailer and truck. The truck was moving at 55 miles per hour while officials suspect the car was moving at 75 miles per hour. The early-morning crash, according to officials on the scene, is believed to have been caused by driver fatigue. Accidents like this one can lead to major injuries and personal injury litigation. Drowsy driving is linked to 100,000 car crashes every year, including 71,000 injured individuals and 1,500 fatalities.

Earlier this year, Texas adopted a House Resolution making up-11-6>th to up-11-12>th “Drowsy Driving Prevention Week”, with the goal of educating citizens across the state about the dangers of operating a vehicle while tired. Crashes related to fatigue tend to be more severe for victims since tired drivers fail to brake at all before the collision occurs. Driving while tired makes drivers less likely to react quickly, impairs their ability to make decisions quickly, and makes a driver less prepared and attentive overall.

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 Posted on October 15, 2013 in Uncategorized

With rising gas prices a constant concern and many families staying vigilant about their budget, it’s not surprising that some people would turn to walking as a great way to get to work, accomplish errands, or simply exercise. Walking is actually the most popular aerobic activity for adults. Unfortunately, this increased interest in walking has also been linked to a rising number of pedestrian deaths in the last two years. Pedestrians caught in serious collisions with motor vehicles might face critical injuries and expensive medical bills leading to a personal injury lawsuit.

Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx has helped make a new set of tools available to raise awareness and share safety tips for pedestrians and drivers alike. The new website includes numerous resources for local leaders, parents, and city planners. Cities affected by high numbers of pedestrian deaths will also be eligible to request a portion of $2 million in safety grants.

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 Posted on October 11, 2013 in Uncategorized

Although considered a safe way to travel, plane crashes are a reality that is faced daily by pilots, passengers, and people on the ground. According to NBC News, four bodies were recovered after a plane crashed into two Connecticut homes. Among the deceased were two passengers and two boys who were inside one of the homes that was hit.

Authorities have several questions surrounding the cause of the crash; one being the angle that the plane hit the first home. It is reported that no distress call was made prior to the crash. In addition, the plane was completely fueled prior in New Jersey. The weather may have had an influence as it was raining when the airplane crash occurred. Neither weather nor mechanical failure has been confirmed as the cause of the crash.

The neighborhood residents are reportedly in shock and the mother to the two deceased boys was taken to the hospital for observation. According to the report, one resident observed the plane flying low over the area. The neighborhood is close to an airport and it is reported that planes fly at low altitudes. An airplane mechanic who lives nearby reported hearing the hum of the motor and felt the plane was in trouble. The deaths of these four people were unfortunate.

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 Posted on October 08, 2013 in Uncategorized

A roughneck’s job is by definition very dangerous. It consists of difficult, manual work which takes on a certain amount of risk. While a roughneck generally works on an oil rig, it can also apply to any other tough and demanding lines of work. A man from San Antonio was working as a roughneck in off the coast of Louisiana when he was injured. On July 23^rd, Joshua Flores was on the Hercules 202, which is a jack-up rig in the Gulf of Mexico. In the course of fulfilling his job, he suffered back injuries. He was asked by his supervisor to stand on a ladder while replacing a valve. Due to the height of the valve, Flores had to stand near the top of the ladder. As he was not able to get a good angle to hold the valve, his body draped over the top of the ladder. When the old valve was finally taken off, the weight pulled Flores down over the ladder which subsequently injured his back. While his line of work assumes some risk, Flores is seeking to be compensated for his suffering by filing a personal injury suit. The defendant, Hercules Offshore Services, had the suit filed on September 6th in the Federal Court in New Orleans. Flores claims entail that his employer was negligent for many business reasons including failing to employ a satisfactory crew, inadequately training the crew they did employ, and failing to provide enough manpower to assist Flores in his task to replace the valve. In regards to his employment, Flores asserts that Hercules Offshore Services failed to supply safe working conditions, failed to warn Flores of any danger or harm he may receive, and failed to supply Flores with the equipment to protect him from any work-related injuries. After recovering from his back surgery, Flores has been suffering through his back pain and also being unable to perform his previous duties. In an effort to recover from this event, Flores is requesting compensation from Hercules Offshore Services. He is seeking damages including punitive damages, attorney’s fees, court costs, emotional distress, lost wages and lost capability to work. If you have been injured in the course of your employment, you may have a case against the negligent party. Contact a knowledgeable personal injury attorney in San Antonio who can assist you in your efforts.

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 Posted on September 29, 2013 in Uncategorized

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the leading cause of death in children age 1 to 12 is a car accident. Choosing the right seat can be a challenge with so many types and models to choose from. NHTSA offers these tips on choosing the seat that could save your child’s life.

The Right Fit

The best car or booster seat is one that fits your child and your car. Car seats vary based on the child’s size. He or she should always fit properly in the car seat. Booster seats should fit flush against the back of the seat, allowing your child to be properly constrained by the use of the shoulder and lap belts. Try the seat out before purchasing it. Sit your toddler in the seat to ensure a proper fit. Ensure that the harness strap fits securely in place over your child’s shoulders and chest. According to NHTSA, 3 out of 4 car seats are not installed properly and many parents become frustrated and confused when trying to install one. Take your time and ask for help.

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 Posted on September 26, 2013 in Uncategorized

Car accidents are scary and stressful situations, which can be made even more complicated when you are involved in an accident with an uninsured driver. One in seven drivers on the road is uninsured, which means that it’s not impossible for you to hit or be hit by one. The best way to ensure that you do not have to face thousands of dollars in damages after an accident is to review the guidelines for being hit by an uninsured driver, as suggested by Esurance.

As you would after any auto accident, immediately call 911. Calling the police is even an even more urgent matter when being involved in an accident with an uninsured driver because the police record and accident report will be vital when you are trying to getting your expenses covered. When waiting for the authorities to arrive, it wouldn’t hurt for you to take out your cell phone and take pictures of the entire scene of the accident as well as any damage to each vehicle.

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