Injuryboard Regional Blogs

Do you know the safest seat in the car for your child?

Jamie Sheller — Fri, 16 May 2008 10:36:00 GMT

Studies have revealed that the safest position for your child who sits in a safety seat is located in the center of the back seat. Apparently, infants and toddlers who were positioned in the middle of the back seat suffered less serious injuries in side impact car accidents. The studies were based on children who were age three and younger. Parents can go to local child safety seat inspection stations, where inspectors will give advice on properly using the seats. Many online resources exists to instruct parents on keeping their children safe in the car. Visit that National Highway Traffic Safety Administration http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cps/cpsfitting/index.cfm to learn more information.

Girl And Aunt Mauled in Pit Bull Attack

Jeff Rasansky — Fri, 16 May 2008 10:27:12 GMT

A toddler in Fort Worth is in critical condition after being attacked by two pit bulls Wednesday night. The two year-old's aunt was also injured by the dogs in the Redwood Mobil Home Park. Police said the aunt was giving the young girl a bath when the attack occurred. Both she and the toddler suffered horrible puncture wounds and broken bones as a result of the attack. The police added that this attack was one of the most vicious they'd ever seen. The scene was an exceptionally bloody one, according to one officer.

The dogs were later captured and euthanized. Their bodies were sent away for testing and the police said that there were no records of the dogs receiving their required shots. No charges have been filed in the incident.

Pit bulls have been the subject of much debate over the past few years. Many lawmakers are seeking to ban the ownership of the breed, claiming that they are excessively dangerous and aggressive.

FDA Announces Digitek (Digoxin) Recall

David Mittleman — Fri, 16 May 2008 09:16:38 GMT

On April 25, 2008, Actavis Totowa LLC announced a recall of all lots of a drug known as Digitek sold under the Bertek and UDL Laboratories labels. Digitek, known in its generic form as digoxin, is a drug used to treat congestive heart failure and atrial fibrillation. The recall was initiated because of the possibility that some tablets may contain twice the appropriate dosage of the active ingredient.

The active ingredient in digoxin is known as digitalis or digitoxin. It is found in the foxglove plant, which is widely known to be extremely poisonous. Digitalis has been described in medical literature since 1775, and used in folk remedies for centuries before that.

An overdose of digoxin can have severe side effects. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, hallucinations, the appearance of halos or aura around objects, seizures, green- or yellow-tinged vision, irregular heartbeat, and low blood pressure. In some cases, digitalis poisoning can result in death.

Anyone taking Digitek should immediately contact their doctor for medical advice. You should also report the event to the FDA by calling 800-FDA-1088 or through their website. If you or a loved one have been harmed by Digitek, contact us for a free legal review of your potential case.

Legal Hotline Disclaimers

Donald Caminiti — Fri, 16 May 2008 09:00:00 GMT

The New Jersey Supreme Court ethics committee recently held that disclaimers for legal hotlines stating that a call does not form an attorney-client relationship are ineffective and that attorneys are responsible for following professional conduct rules during the limited time they are providing legal services on the phone.

More and more frequently, individuals seek advice on matters ranging from personal injury caused by automobile accidents, dangerous products and workplace accidents to wrongful death.

In the opinion of the committee, discussions between attorneys and individuals seeking legal advice almost always lead to a discussion of the particular facts of the case and, accordingly, a non-profit trade association may not disclaim the formation of an attorney-client relationship, as it is likely that such a relationship will arise in the course of the provision of services by the attorneys staffing the legal hotline.

Los Angeles Sex Abuse Cases Settle

Paul Kiesel — Fri, 16 May 2008 08:58:11 GMT

Just hours before a Los Angeles jury was to hear opening statement in a long running Sex Abuse case the case settles. Kiesel Bucher & Larson LLP partner, Raymond P. Boucher, was preparing to deliver his opening statement in Los Angeles Superior Court in a case involving a Priest known as Father Miani. While the Los Angeles Archdiocese settled the cases of childhood Clergy Sexual Abuse last summer the religious Order known as the Salesians refused to participate, financially, in the global settlement. Now, with a payment of 19.5 million dollars the last of the clergy molestation cases has come to an end. "We are turning our full attention now to the release of historic documents which show a pattern and practice of secrecy and deceit when it comes to protecting children from predatory Priests." Said partner Paul Kiesel.

Wrong Site Surgery

Dan Frith — Fri, 16 May 2008 06:34:00 GMT

Wrong site....Wrong patient....Wrong procedure! Anyway you cut it (pun intended)....it is bad news for the patient!

Recently reviewed data in Pennsylvania shows that a near miss or actual wrong-site surgery occurs every other day in Pennsylvania hospitals. That is a lot of mistakes and can't we agree that wrong site surgeries are 100 percent preventable? Be proactive and follow these steps:

• Don't be upset if each doctor/nurse asks the same questions about your identity or procedure.

• Make sure that you know which physician is in charge of your care.

• In addition to your name, give healthcare professionals another identifier, such as your birth

date, to confirm who you are.

• If something does not seem right or if you do not understand something, ask.

• Ask the doctor or nurse to mark the place that is to be operated upon.

• Make sure you have someone with you that you trust to be your advocate.

Allstate Denied New Policy Privileges

Sandy Grinnell — Fri, 16 May 2008 05:16:00 GMT

The State of Florida continues to prohibit Allstate from writing any new automobile insurance policies until it complies with the state's request for an affadavit signed by one fo Allstate's coporate officials. The affadavit would certify that Allstate officials have given all the documentation Florida has requested and require them to produce any additional documentation requested by the State of Florida. This action came on the heels of an appeals court ruling against the insurance provider's request for a re-hearing this week.

Allstate had originally objected to the Office of Insurance Regulation's request for all documents substantiating the methodology behind their homeowner's insurance premium structure. It was Allstate's stand that if this information became public, it would put them at a disadvantage against the competition. They say, however, that they have provided many of the documents demanded by the State.

PTSD - Genetic Link

Steve Lombardi — Fri, 16 May 2008 00:00:39 GMT

Post traumatic stress disorder or PTSD has a genetic code that makes certain individuals more susceptible than others to stress related disorders.

Scientists have identified a gene with the genetic code that makes people more susceptible to PTSD or post traumatic stress disorder.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
What is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder? Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, PTSD, is an anxiety disorder that can develop after exposure to a terrifying event or ordeal in which grave physical harm occurred or was threatened. Traumatic events that may trigger PTSD include violent personal assaults, natural or human-caused disasters, accidents, or military combat.

Signs & Symptoms People with PTSD have persistent frightening thoughts and memories of their ordeal and feel emotionally numb, especially with people they were once close to. They may experience sleep problems, feel detached or numb, or be easily startled.

Treatment Effective treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder are available, and research is yielding new, improved therapies that can help most people with PTSD and other anxiety disorders lead productive, fulfilling lives.

The NIMH or the National Institute of Mental Health has created a fact sheet that explains many aspects of PTSD.

Squeaking Hips - Is It Grandpa's Ceramic Hip?

Beth Janicek — Thu, 15 May 2008 19:02:36 GMT

Artificial hips have a basic design: a socket implanted in the pelvis, into which a spherical head is fitted. A spike is attached to the head which his driven into the femur, or thigh bone for anchorage. Hip replacements are very common and more than 250,000 Americans get hip implants each year. The procedure costs approximately $45,000.00. The success rate is more than 90% based on generally pain-free mobility after recovery. The recovery period varies and can be from a few months to a year.

In the United States in 2003, a medical products company, Stryker, began marketing highly durable ceramic hips. Many patients chose the highly durable ceramic hip to avoid a second replacement later in life. These ceramic hips were promoted as lasting more than the 15 years for the conventional joints made of steel and plastic. Prior to that, squeaking was very rare after hip replacement. Individuals who opted to go with the ceramic hip are now saying that the squeaking hips is interfering with their daily life. Mr. Mueller, a software executive in Scottsdale, Arizona has become so frustrated with squeaking and popping noises from his ceramic hip that he has displayed his problem on YouTube.

"One study in the Journal of Arthroplasty found that 10 patients of 143 who received ceramic hips from 2003 to 2005, or 7 percent, developed squeaking. Meanwhile, no squeaks occurred among a control group of 48 patients who received hips made of metal and plastic."

Patients and their surgeons fear that the squeaky ceramic hips may be an alarm that the joints are wearing out prematurely.

High Tech Employees Catching On To Fact They May be Owed Overtime.

Zev Antell — Thu, 15 May 2008 18:26:18 GMT

There's a widespread misconception among the general public that if you are well-compensated, you are not eligible for overtime. That simply by virtue of one's salary or commissions earnings, their employer can force them to work more than forty hours, even fifty hours per week without any additional compensation. While salary or earnings may play a role in determining someone's entitlement to overtime, it is far from the only criteria. Much to the chagrin of some employers, well paid employees are becoming aware of their rights and asserting claims for unpaid overtime. One area where this type of claim has become more and more common is among Silicon Valley type tech companies.

Sun Microsystems is just the most recent high tech employer to face a claim for unpaid overtime. A California court recently granted class action status to a lawsuit brought by a former "technical writer" for the company seeking compensation for overtime. Though the plaintiff earned a good salary, she worked long hours, many of which she was uncompensated for. Needless to say, it seems she was not alone. In fact, given the number of possible class members, Sun faces potential liability well into the millions. If you are a high tech employee not receiving overtime who always just assumed you weren't entitled to it, you might want to think again.