Kansas Personal Injury Blog

Caldwell Man Killed In Crash With Semi-Truck

Chrissie Cole — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 13:28:00 GMT

A Caldwell man was killed late on U.S. 166 late Friday night after his vehicle collided with a semi-truck, according to the Kansas Highway Patrol.

Russell Engel, 46, was transported to Via Christi-St. Francis Hospital in Wichita, where he died from the serious injuries he sustained in the crash.

The accident happened when Engel crossed the centerline and struck a semi going the opposite direction, said the Highway Patrol.

The truck driver, 31, was not injured in the crash. The investigation into the accident is ongoing.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chrissie Cole

Pedestrian Injured In Hit And Run

Chrissie Cole — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 14:56:00 GMT

A pedestrian was struck and injured in a hit and run accident in Junction City Sunday early morning.

William Head, 24, of Manhattan, was walking along the 1000 block of East 6^th Street, just east of J Hill Road when he was struck by a car at that was traveling east.

He suffered injuries and was airlifted to Topeka Hospital, according to Kansas City Highway Patrol. His current condition is unknown.

The driver of the car fled the scene. Troopers later recovered the vehicle and identified the driver as Marcus Barnes, 28, of Birmingham, Alabama.

An estimated 1043 people have been killed this year so far in hit and run accidents across the U.S. And another 70965 have been injured.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chrissie Cole

Boy Struck By Car In Crosswalk Accident

Chrissie Cole — Sun, 17 May 2009 08:40:00 GMT

A boy, 7, was injured in a pedestrian accident when a Ford Taurus proceeded through the crosswalk at Mauring and Ridgeway despite a crossing guard wearing a reflective vest and displaying a stop sign.

Following the accident, Wichita Falls Police Department released a news statment urging motorists to exercise extreme caution when driving through school zones.

The boy suffered a cut to his lip and bruise to his leg when he was thrown to the ground. An ambulance transported him to the hospital as a precaution.

Officers are closely monitoring the school zones, said Officer Harold McClure, a public information officer with the WFPD.

Officer McClure also said motorists need to be on alert for flashing lights indicating school zones and also when they come upon intersections; they need to be aware that a crossing guard may be there to help the children cross.

Failure to obey a crossing guard is a ticketable offense.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chrissie Cole

Notebook Computer Batteries Recalled By HP

Chrissie Cole — Thu, 14 May 2009 23:42:00 GMT

Hewlett-Packard Co., in conjunction with the U.S. Product Safety Commission (CPSC), voluntarily recalled Lithium-Ion batteries used in Hewlett-Packard and Compaq notebook computers because they can overheat, posing a fire and burn hazard.

To date, 70,000 notebooks have been recalled. The company has received two reports of the batteries overheating and rupturing, resulting in flames/fire that resulted in minor property damage. There have not been any reported injuries.

The recalled batteries are used with various HP and Compaq notebooks. Below are the notebook models that may contain a recalled battery:

HP Pavilion

Compaq Presario

HP Compaq

dv2000
dv2500
dv2700
dv6000
dv6500

dv6700
dv9000
dv9500
dv9700

A900
C700
F700
V3000
V3500

V3700
V6000
V6500
V6700

G6000
G7000

6720s

Batteries subject to the recall will have one of the following bar code labels (^ in the code can be any letter or number):

62940^^AXV^^^^

65033^^B7U^^^^
65033^^B7V^^^^
65033^^BGU^^^^

65035^^B7U^^^^
65035^^B7V^^^^
65035^^BGU^^^^
65035^^BGV^^^^

67059^^V8U^^^^
67059^^V8V^^^^

The recalled batteries should be removed from the notebook immediately. Consumers can contact HP to determine if the battery is included in the recall and to request a free replacement.

The AC adapter can be used to power the computer AFTER the battery has been removed. Consumers should only use batteries obtained from HP or an authorized reseller.

Consumer Contact: For more information, visit the HP Battery Replacement Program Web site or call (800) 889-2031 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. CT Monday through Friday.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chrissie Cole

Wichita Teen Killed; Sun May Be Factor In Crash

Chrissie Cole — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 14:06:00 GMT

A 15-year-old Wichita boy was struck and killed while running in a crosswalk. According to Wichita Police, the sun’s glare apparently kept the driver from seeing the teen in the road.

He was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead at 6:04 p.m., about 21 minutes after the accident. His name has not yet been released, pending family notification.

The Wichita man, 35, who was driving the car that struck him was coming west on Douglas through a green light at Rock Road. The boy had run north at the crosswalk at Douglas, police said.

Douglas is five lanes wide including the turn lane and the speed limit is 40 mph. The angle appears to have played a role in the accident.

“The driver did not see the teen crossing the crosswalk as he approached,” police said.

Police are still investigating the crash no citations have been issued at this time.

This is the sixth traffic fatality in Wichita so far this year. Four of which have involved pedestrians.

At Douglas and Rock, there have been two serious pedestrian or bicycle accidents from 2003 through 2007, according to Kansas Department of Transportation records.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chrissie Cole

Topeka Man Dies In Car Accident

Chrissie Cole — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 13:00:00 GMT

Wet weather is likely the cause of car crash that claimed the life of a 72-year-old Topeka man on Wednesday morning near Junction City, according to the Kansas Highway Patrol.

While driving on I-70, he lost control of his vehicle and slammed into a parked car on the shoulder of the road that had stopped to help another driver who slid into the ditch.

The driver, 16, of the car that slid into the ditch was not injured and the driver of the van that was hit was transported to a Junction City Hospital for treatment.

InjuryBoard has several posts on driving safely in bad weather that you can refer to for more information.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chrissie Cole

Remaining Heparin Sodium Vial Products Recalled by Baxter

Jenny Albano — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 15:26:51 GMT

Baxter International Inc., in conjunction with the FDA, is recalling all remaining lots and doses of heparin sodium vial products, including all multi-dose, single-dose vials and HEP-LOCK heparin flush products. The company recently recalled nine lots of the heparin sodium injection multi-dose vials as a precaution due to more than normal reports of adverse reactions from the product. Production was suspended earlier in February.

Given the widespread use of this blood thinner and the impact a product shortage would have on operating rooms, dialysis centers and other critical care areas, the FDA and Baxter concluded that removing additional lots and doses of Baxter's heparin from the market earlier would have created more risk to patients requiring heparin therapy than the increased potential for experiencing an adverse reaction. Accordingly, the FDA and Baxter decided not to recall all Baxter heparin vial products at that time. The FDA has now concluded that there is sufficient capacity on the part of other suppliers that Baxter's recall will not jeopardize access to this drug, and has told Baxter that the company can now proceed with recalling its remaining heparin sodium injection and heparin flush products.

Even though most consumers who experienced adverse side effects took the multi-dose products, Baxter wants to make sure that consumers are safe and is now recalling all remaining heparin sodium injection and heparin flush products that are still being sold.

In addition to the 100 units/mL, 10 mL, and 30 mL multi-dose vials that were already recalled, the company is adding the following:
the remaining lots of those products and heparin sodium injection 5000 units/mL 10mL multi-dose vials, heparin sodium injection 10,000 units/mL 4mL multi-dose vials, heparin sodium injection 1000 USP units/mL, 5000 USP units/mL, and 10,000 USP units/mL single-dose vials, and all HEP-LOCK and HEP-LOCK U/P, 10 USP units/mL and 100 USP units/mL vials, both preserved and preservative-free.

This recall does not involve Baxter's heparin pre-mix IV solutions in bags: heparin sodium in 5% dextrose injection and heparin sodium in 0.9% sodium chloride injection.

Almost all adverse side effects reported by consumers have involved three specific areas of the product's use - renal dialysis, invasive cardiovascular procedures and apheresis procedures. To see a list of adverse side effects click here. Consumers have been advised to stop using these recalled products and segregate the product for the rest of its inventory.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jenny Albano

Harry and David is Recalling Their Giant Cashews Because of Undeclared Peanuts and Other Nuts

Jenny Albano — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 21:33:01 GMT

Harry and David, in conjunction with the FDA, is recalling around 2130 boxes of their 4.oz Harry and David Giant Cashews because because they may contain mixed nuts. Consumers who have an allergy to these nuts (peanuts, almonds, pecans and/or Brazil nuts) may have a serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume this product.

Harry and David is recalling all 4 oz. boxes of Giant Cashews with lot codes 2507 MSL 15:00 through 2507 MSL 18:00 and a use by date of 6/28/08. The lot code and use by date are ink jetted on the bottom of the box. Affected boxes also can be recognized by the price sticker on the bottom, or lower portion of the back, of the box. The price sticker states "Nuts Mixed Nuts Box 4oz". These products are packaged in 4 oz. paperboard boxes with bags of metalized film containing nuts inside. The boxes are olive green with a pale green design in the background.

The recalled product was sold nationwide in Harry and David Stores beginning November 16, 2007. So far the company has not received any reports of illness.

The problem happened when there was a product changeover. When the cashews were being packaged, some of the mixed nuts, which were packaged right before the cashews, got mixed in with the product.

For more information on this subject, please refer to our section on Defective and Dangerous Products.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jenny Albano

Lawsuit Over Lead in Thomas Toys Settled for $30 Million

Jenny Albano — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 21:14:23 GMT

RC2 Corp., the maker of Thomas & Friends Wooden Railways toys, has settled a class-action suit about last year's recalls because of lead paint for $30 million. The settlement, which received preliminary approval in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Ill., calls for reimbursements for all its consumers and improved safety.

Consumers can be reimbursed in cash for the recalled toys or they can receive a replacement and bonus toy. Customers who do not have the recalled toys and proof of purchase can receive $15 coupons.

The Thomas recall -- covering 1.5 million toys in June followed by 200,000 in September -- was the first to raise global concerns about excessive levels of lead paint in toys made in China. In the 12 months ended Sept. 30, 19 of 61 U.S. toy recalls were because of lead paint, the Consumer Product Safety Commission says.

Before the recalls RC2 had some quality controls but relied on what Chinese manufacturers told it. According to the settlement RC2 must improve testing and auditing of materials, better communication, and make sure contract manufacturers meet their standards.

Since the recall, RC2 has dropped the Chinese manufacturer. The company previously did random testing quarterly or twice a year, like many other companies do. RC2 has now increased testing of materials and toys, set stricter standards for manufacturers and paint suppliers, and increased random inspections and audits. The company also now requires lab test results for every batch of wet paint.

Final court approval of the RC2 settlement is expected in May.

For more information on this subject, please refer to our section on Defective and Dangerous Products.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jenny Albano

Medical Couple May Have Contributed to 56 Overdose Deaths

Jenny Albano — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 15:52:11 GMT

A doctor and his wife are thought to have caused the overdose deaths of at least four patients by prosecutors. The couple will remain in jail because they are a flight risk, a federal magistrate ruled Friday.

Dr. Stephen J. Schneider and his wife, nurse Linda K. Schneider, pleaded not guilty in U.S. District Court to counts including conspiracy, unlawful distribution of a controlled substance, health care fraud, illegal monetary transactions and money laundering.

The couple has not been charged with killing any of their patients but they are still being held in prison because they pose a danger to the community. U.S. Magistrate Judge Donald Bostwick stated that even if Schneider was ordered to not practice medicine there was no way the court could police that stipulation.

The clinic that the Schneider's work in has been under investigation for a few years by the feds and in September was raided. Prosecutors claim that the couple continued to commit fraud while they knew their clinic was being investigated.

According to the indictment, 56 of the doctor's patients have died from accidental prescription drug overdoses in the past five years. However, the indictment alleges that only four of the deaths were directly caused by drugs prescribed by Schneider's clinic in Haysville, south of Wichita.

According to Linda's sister there are five doctors at the clinic that treat patients and insurance companies frequently put Schneider's name on the patient records even if he did not treat them and they were not his patients.

For more information on this subject, please refer to our section on Medical Malpractice and Negligent Care.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jenny Albano