tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55411282895014349902024-03-13T23:34:02.452-07:00Schain InjurySteve Schainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16045675524373344555noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5541128289501434990.post-73202388081407934522015-05-21T09:21:00.003-07:002015-05-21T09:21:57.755-07:00Unsafe Drug Alert: Benicar High Blood Pressure Medication
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Nearly 67 million Americans are
prescribed Benicar to treat their high blood pressure.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">After research surfaced
linking it to severe gastrointestinal side effects, the Food and Drug
Administration ("FDA") required a warning label, a flood of
"failure to warn" lawsuits ensued, and Benicar manufacturer Daiichi
Sankyo entered into a $39 million settlement agreement with the United States
Department of Justice.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">What is Benicar?</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">High blood pressure
medication "Benicar" is in a class of drugs known as "angiotensin
II receptor blockers" ("ARB"), the active ingredient in which lowers
the body’s blood pressure by keeping blood vessels dilated.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Also marketed as "Benicar
HCT", "Azor "and "Tribenzor", Benicar is manufactured
by Daiichi Sankyo and received FDA approval on April 25, 2002.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">In 2012 alone, over 1.9
million patients were prescribed Benicar from which Daiichi Sankyo received
billions in sales revenue.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Bennicar Side Effects</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">After years on the market,
research surfaced linking Benicar patients to serious and deadly
gastrointestinal complications including: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Sprue like enteropathy (a disease with
Celiac-like symptoms)<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Vinous atrophy (damages small intestines ability
to absorb nutrients)<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Kidney problems and failure <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Liver impairment<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Dehydration<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Chronic diarrhea<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Nausea and vomiting<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Malnutition<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Significant weight loss<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Abdominal pain<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Angioedema (rapid swelling of the skin) <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Chest pain<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Hair loss and rashes<o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Irregular heart beat <o:p></o:p></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Arthritis</span></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Benicare Lawsuits</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br />
After research surfaced linking Benicar to severe side effects, in April 2014,
the FDA ruled that Benicar required a label warning associating it with
specific and significant gastrointestinal ailments.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Shortly thereafter, a flood
of "failure to warn" lawsuits ensued and, in early 2015, Daiichi
Sankyo entered into a settlement agreement with the United States Department of
Justice. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Specifically, to resolve
allegations that it paid kickbacks to induce physicians to prescribe Benicar
over other ARBs in violation of the False Claims Act, Daiichi Sankyo agreed to
pay $39 million.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Steve Schainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16045675524373344555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5541128289501434990.post-19846028760238400032015-03-11T09:27:00.000-07:002015-03-11T09:27:02.458-07:00Four Things Never to Say to an Insurance Adjuster After an Accident
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">For most people, "insurance
company" means the agent who sold them <u>their</u> home, life, auto, or
health insurance policy; a salt-of-the-earth family man with a ready smile, genuinely
interested in your life and family, and whom, after you signed the policy
application, let you keep the pen!</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">After an auto accident, you'll
meet another insurance company representative: the adjuster. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While pleasant and charismatic, she acts on
behalf of the other driver’s insurance company when he negligently injured you.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’s matter-of-fact and businesslike,
and, because insurance companies are in the business of making money, her primary
goal is to minimize your claim. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">To receive the compensation
you deserve for your injuries and property damage, there are four types of
statements you should <u>never</u> make to an insurance adjuster.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">1. <u>“In My Opinion” or “I
Think”</u> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">An adjuster may ask you
several things in several ways, and all your answers will be used to prevent
you from getting your claim's maximum value.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If you do not know the answer to a question, say nothing and only state
the facts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t guess or estimate
anything.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">2. <u>“I’m Sorry” or “It Was
My Fault”</u> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Apologize for nothing. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Apologies can be interpreted as admitting
fault, you did not witness the accident and everything you say will be used against
you. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even if you feel you are at fault,
the other driver may have caused the accident or have just as much
responsibility for it as you do. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These
statements should never be made to any insurance adjuster, police officer, or other
driver.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">3.“<u>I’m Not Hurt</u>”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Volunteer nothing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just because you may not have any visible
injuries, it does not mean you are fine. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some injuries may not show up right away and the
initial shock's adrenalin may prevent you from feeling the pain you may
experience in the ensuing days. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have a doctor
document any pain you may be feeling and avoid signing a medical release
without speaking to an experienced accident attorney.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">4. <u>Recorded Statements</u>
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">You have no obligation to
give a recorded statement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because what
you say to an insurance adjuster can be taken out of context, never agree to
provide a recorded statement.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Many accident victims are not
aware of their claim's value and may be tempted to accept the insurance company's
first offer. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do not rush into a
settlement without consulting an attorney able to calculate your claim's value,
taking into consideration immediate and future injuries and expenses such as
medical bills, out-of-pocket expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and the
impact an injury may have on your life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Steve Schainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16045675524373344555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5541128289501434990.post-11413934347428323172014-12-16T10:46:00.000-08:002014-12-16T10:46:29.479-08:00Takata Airbag Injuries Causes Nationwide Recall
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">On October 21, 2014, the
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration ("NHTSA") reported
that recall of Takata Corp. supplied airbags would affect 4.7 million vehicles.
<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">A Tokyo-based supplier of
seat belts, steering wheels and other auto parts, Takata's airbags contain faulty
inflator mechanisms causing rupture and release metal shrapnel when deployed in
a collision.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Presently, 4 deaths and 139
injuries (particularly affecting the face and neck) have been attributed to the
defective Takata airbags. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Since 2008, over 14 million
vehicles have been recalled for Takata defects from automakers including
Toyota, Honda, Mazda, BMW, Nissan, General Motors, Ford, Mitsubishi and Subaru.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Because the defect has been specifically
seen in vehicles located in high humidity regions, the NHTSA advised that Florida,
California, Hawaii, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and South
Carolina vehicles owners take immediate action.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">The Center for Auto Safety
has warned that the potential for defective airbags goes beyond the recall's identified
areas which does not include the 2 states - - Virginia and Oklahoma - - in
which people have been killed due by defective airbags metal shrapnel. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">The vehicles contained in the
"Takata Airbag Recall" list currently include:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">◦2002–2004 Lexus SC</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">◦2003–2004 Toyota Corolla and
Tundra</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">◦2002–2004 Toyota Sequoia</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">◦2003– 004 Pontiac Vibe</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">◦2001–2007 Honda Accord (4
cyl)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">◦2001–2002 Honda Accord (6
cyl)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">◦2001–2005 Honda Civic</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">◦2002–2006 Honda CR-V</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">◦2003–2011 Honda Element</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">◦2002–2004 Honda Odyssey</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">◦2003–2007 Honda Pilot</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">◦2006–Honda Ridgeline</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">◦2003–2006 Acura MDX</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">◦2002–2003 Acura TL/CL</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">◦2001–2003 Nissan Maxima and Pathfinder</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">◦2002–2003 Nissan Sentra</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">◦2001–2003 Infiniti I30/I35</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">◦2002–2003 Infiniti QX4</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">◦2003 Infiniti FX</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">◦2003–2004 Mazda 6</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">◦2004–Mazda RX-8</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">◦2000–2005 BMW 3 Series Sedan
and Sports Wagon</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">◦2000–2006 BMW 3 Series Coupe</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">◦2000–2006 BMW 3 Series
Convertible</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">◦2001–2006 BMW M3 Coupe and <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Convertible</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">◦2002–2003 Buick LeSabre and Rendezvous</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">◦2002–2003 Cadillac DeVille</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">◦2002–2003 Chevrolet
Trailblazer, Impala, Monte Carlo and Venture</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">◦2002–2003 GMC Envoy and Envoy
XL</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">◦2002–2003 Oldsmobile Aurora,
Bravada and Silhouette</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">◦2002-2003 Pontiac Bonneville
and Montana</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">◦2005-2007 Mustang</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">◦2005-2006 GT</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">◦2004 Ranger</span></div>
Steve Schainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16045675524373344555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5541128289501434990.post-5489390980058567142014-10-06T13:24:00.001-07:002014-10-06T13:24:27.968-07:005 Tips For Picking Automobile Insurance
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Which automobile insurance
company is right for you?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Whether bringing a car
accident claim or just trying to understand costs, coverage and exclusions,
avoiding the stinkers will make an enormous difference in both what you are
able to recover and how you are treated.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">However, because Pennsylvania
Insurance Department's website http://www.insurance.pa.gov/portal/server.pt/community/insurance_pa_gov/
lists hundreds of insurers, choosing the best carrier can be challenging. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">In selecting an insurance
company the main points to consider are stability, service, comfort, licensing
and cost. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">1. Stability</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Insurance is purchased for
financial protection and to provide peace of mind. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Research insurance companies to
determine if the insurer is stable, financially sound, and likely to be around for
the duration.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Remember, because they are
paid commissions by the insurance companies, insurance agents and brokers are
often conflicted and unable to provide you fair and unbiased information. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">2. Service</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Your</span></u><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> insurance company and its representatives should be
able to answer <u>your </u>questions and handle <u>your</u> claims swiftly, efficiently
and fairly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Talking to other customers
who have used a particular company or agent is an excellent way of determining
what level of service is being provided.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Further, in addition to state insurance departments, many national
claims databases exist listing and indexing complaint information for
particular a insurance company and service relative to the number of policies
it sold.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">3. Comfort</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Whether purchasing insurance
from a local agent or directly from the company over the phone or the Internet,
you must be comfortable both with the insurance you purchased and ease and
responsiveness of communication with the insurer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Make sure that the agent or
company will be easy to reach if you have a question or need to file a
claim.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Consider whether you prefer a company that has
agents you can visit locally or how quickly and satisfactorily it responds to
information requests.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">4. Licensing</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">For your state insurance department
to regulate your carrier and resolve any problem you may have, a prospective insurance
company must be licensed to operate in your state. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Contact the state insurance
department (http://www.iii.org/state-organizations) to determine which
companies are licensed in your state.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">5. Cost</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Because insurance policies' coverage
and prices vary greatly, shopping around is critical. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Get at least three (3) price
quotes from companies, agents and from the Internet. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Further, your state insurance
department http://www.iii.org/state-organizations may publish a guide listing
what insurers charge for different policies in various parts of your state.</span></div>
Steve Schainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16045675524373344555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5541128289501434990.post-91413526729904583272014-07-24T11:56:00.001-07:002014-07-24T11:56:11.455-07:00Prescription Medication Error Medical Malpractice
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">According to a recent Yale-New
Haven Hospital study, 3 out of 4 patients leave the hospital with either the
wrong prescriptions or a lack of understanding about their medications. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">The chief researcher, Dr.
Leora Horwitz, who also practices at the hospital, said healthcare providers
“do a relatively poor job of educating patients about their medications.” </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Medical malpractice mistakes
involving medication errors injuring more than 1.3 million persons a year. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">The study looked at 377 Yale-New
Haven Hospital patients, ages 64 and older, who had been admitted with heart
failure, acute coronary syndrome or pneumonia, then discharged to home. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Of that group, 307 patients -
- 81% - - either experienced a provider error in their discharge medications or
had no understanding of at least one intended medication change. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">“We’re talking about the vast
majority of our patients going home at potential risk” of medication problems,
Horwitz said. “That’s huge. Collectively, something is not right.” </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">The Yale study relied on
interviews with patients after discharge, who were asked about their medication
regimen. The researchers also reviewed patients’ admission and discharge
medication records to see if all changes were intentional, or if any appeared
to be errors. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Other study findings include:
</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">•24% of medication changes
were due to provider error.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">•The average patient had no
understanding of 60% of all stopped, re-dosed and new medications.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">•Errors and misunderstanding
were more common for medications not related to patient’s primary diagnosis
than for those related to main ailment being treated.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">•The electronic medical
records system used at Yale and other hospitals makes it hard to track and
reconcile medication changes.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">•Patient discharge lists
don’t flag which prescriptions are new and which have been stopped.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">•Patients at many hospitals
get a quick drug rundown from a nurse before discharge, but not a thorough
review that ensures they understand the medications.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Dr. Horowitz recounted a
horror story in which one of her patients switched to a new beta blocker for
high blood pressure during an inpatient hospital stay. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She landed back in the hospital after
discharge when she took both the new medication and her old beta blocker – a
combination that lowered her heart rate and blood pressure to dangerous levels.
</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Medical malpractice errors –
including prescription mistakes – are responsible for up to 98,000 wrongful
deaths in American hospitals each year. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">The full Yale-New Haven
Hospital is at:
http://www.nhregister.com/articles/2012/12/03/news/doc50bd213d5f662015750301.txt</span></div>
Steve Schainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16045675524373344555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5541128289501434990.post-63689179313403174422014-06-19T13:08:00.001-07:002014-06-19T13:11:35.675-07:00Higher Gas Prices Result in Motorcycle Fatalities<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">While traffic fatalities have
dropped to record lows, motorcycle deaths have risen reflecting both an
increase in the number of riders and cycles' inherent vulnerability.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">A strong relationship exists between
gasoline prices and motorcycle fatalities - - as gas prices rise, so do the
number of fatalities - - and wearing helmets is still the best method of reducing
motorcycle deaths. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Dangers of Motorcycle Travel</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">According to the National
Safety Council ("NSC"), motorcycles are the highest-risk form of travel
and do not follow normal highway fatalities trends because circumstances leading
to motorcycle deaths differ from automobile crashes.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">In 1975, 44,525 people died
in US highway accidents of which 3,189 were motorcyclists.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">By 2012, total highway
fatalities had dropped to 33,561, while motorcycle deaths rose to 4,957.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">In Pennsylvania, between 2001
and 2013 motorcycle fatalities rose 43% while fatalities in other vehicles
dropped 27%.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Although millions more cars
and motorcycles are on the road now than in 1975, the fatality rate has dropped
for both vehicles with a threefold nationwide drop in car fatalities compared
with a 14% drop for motorcycles.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Unlike motorcycles, cars have
become safer by seat belts, air bags, antilock brakes and electronic stability
control.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Conversely, according to the Governors
Highway Safety Association ("GHSA"), little can be done to improve
motorcycle safety other than helmet wearing which, unfortunately, has diminished
over the past 30 years.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">In 1975, 47 states required
all motorcyclists to wear helmets but that number has dropped to 19.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">New Jersey requires helmets, but
in 2003 Pennsylvania repealed its mandatory helmet law requiring helmets only
for those under 21 or licensed for less than 2years (unless they have completed
an approved safety course).</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">The National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration ("NHTSA") estimated that in 2011 helmets saved
1,617 motorcyclists' lives and would have saved 703 additional lives if all motorcyclists
wore helmets.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Further, according to Pennsylvania's
Motorcycle Dealers Association, motorcyclists are much less visible to motorists
distracted driving by talking on cellphones or texting which likely has contributed
to accidents.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Gasoline Price and Motorcycle Fatality Correlation </span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">An NSC analysis charting the
trend since 1976 shows a strong correlation between gasoline prices and
motorcycle fatalities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Specifically, because higher
gas prices encourage using fuel-efficient motorcycles instead of cars leading
to more - - and more inexperienced - - motorcyclists, as gas prices rise, so do
the number of motorcycle deaths.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">To reduce motorcycle
fatalities, the GHSA recommends:</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">°</span><u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Increasing helmet use</span></u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 2012, the
U.S. Government Accountability Office concluded <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>that laws requiring all motorcyclists to wear
helmets are the only strategy proven to be effective in reducing fatalities.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">°</span><u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Reducing drunken riding</span></u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 2010, 29% of
fatally injured riders had a blood alcohol concentration at or above 0.08 %
legal limit, the highest among all motorists.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">°</span><u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Reducing speed</span></u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">.
35% of motorcycle riders involved in fatal crashes were speeding and almost
half of these crashes did not involve any other vehicle.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">°</span><u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Improving training</span></u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While all states offer
training, some courses may not be provided at convenient times and locations.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Lucida Sans Unicode","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt;">°</span><u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Encouraging drivers to share the road</span></u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>According to
NHTSA, when motorcycles crash with other vehicles, the other vehicle usually
violated motorcyclist's right of way.</span></div>
Steve Schainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16045675524373344555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5541128289501434990.post-50870485723061008742014-04-02T07:28:00.000-07:002014-04-02T07:28:04.254-07:00Injury Claims Against The Government
<br />
<h1 style="margin: 0.67em 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></h1>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Ever get clobbered by the Government, literally?</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br />Victims of accidents due to federal and state government employees' negligence - - and aviation, maritime, and negligent healthcare claimants at government owned facilities and military hospitals - - bring personal injury actions against the state or federal government to pay damages for losses and suffering.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">What Are Governmental
Claims</span></u></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Like any other institution,
the federal government and its employees can harm people through negligence. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A Veterans Administration doctor may cause a
wrongful death through negligence and medical malpractice. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A law enforcement officer may commit a heinous
act of brutality resulting in serious injuries. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A contractor working on a government project
may cause a construction accident.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">But suing the government to pay
for losses and suffering caused by its employees' negligence and wrongdoing is
different from any other personal injury action and requires getting around <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">sovereign immunity,</i> a legal doctrine
immunizing the state from prosecution for a legal wrongdoing.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Federal Tort Claims Act</span></u></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">The Federal Tort Claims Act ("FTCA")
is a statute enacted by the United States Congress in 1946 permitting private
parties to sue the United States in a federal court for torts committed by
persons acting on the United States' behalf.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">The FTCA provides a limited
waiver of the federal government's sovereign immunity when its employees are
negligent within the scope of their employment. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Under the FTCA, the government can only be
sued "under circumstances where the United States, if a private person,
would be liable to the claimant in accordance with the law of the place where
the act or omission occurred." <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thus,
the FTCA does not apply to conduct that is "uniquely governmental"
and incapable of performance by a private individual.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">The FTCA further provides
that the government is not liable when any of its agents commits the torts of
assault, battery, false imprisonment, false arrest, malicious prosecution,
abuse of process, libel, slander, misrepresentation, deceit, or interference
with contract rights. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, the FTCA
provides an exception that the government is liable if a law enforcement
officer commits assault, battery, false imprisonment, false arrest, abuse of
process, or malicious prosecution. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">FTCA Exposure Exceptions </span></u></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">The FTCA is limited by a
number of exceptions pursuant to which the government is not subject to suit,
even if a private employer could be liable under the same circumstances. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">These exceptions include the "discretionary
function exception" barring a claim "based upon the exercise or
performance or the failure to exercise or perform a discretionary function or
duty on the part of a federal agency or an employee of the Government, whether
or not the discretion involved be abused." <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>28 U.S.C. §2680(a).</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">In order to determine whether
conduct falls within the discretionary function exception, the courts must
apply a two</span><span style="font-family: "MS Mincho"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Mincho";">‑</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">part
test. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First, determine whether the
conduct involved "an element of judgment or choice" which is not
satisfied if a "federal statute, regulation, or policy specifically
prescribes a course of action for an employee to follow." </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">If an element of judgment is
established, the second inquiry is "whether that judgment is of the kind
that the discretionary function exception was designed to shield" in that
it involves considerations of "social, economic, and political
policy."</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<u><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Mechanics of Bringing a
Government Claim</span></u></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">The FTCA specifies that government's
liability is to be determined "in accordance with the law of the place
where the [allegedly tortious] act or omission occurred." </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Thus, in an action under the
FTCA, a court must apply the law the state courts would apply in the analogous
tort action, including federal law. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">A plaintiff cannot bring an
FTCA claim against the United States based solely on conduct that violates the
Constitution because such conduct may violate only federal, and not state, law</span></div>
Steve Schainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16045675524373344555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5541128289501434990.post-9420108871109235562014-02-28T12:42:00.001-08:002014-02-28T12:42:47.838-08:00Unsafe Drug Alert: Testosterone Replacement Products
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">On January 31, 2014, the Food
& Drug Administration ("FDA") launched an investigation into the
risks of testosterone replacement therapy through the use of products including
AndroGel®, AndroDerm®, Axiron®, and Testim®. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Alarming new research
suggests that millions of men may be at risk for a heart attack, stroke or
premature death by taking testosterone therapy they don’t actually need and “Low
T” testosterone replacement therapy lawsuits have already been filed in Federal
District Court. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Booming "Testoterone Replacement Therapy"
Market</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">In the past several years, testosterone
replacement therapies manufacturers have aggressively marketed their product
for treatment of common and natural effects of aging in men - - like normal
decline in sexual drive, energy and athleticism - - <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>by describing these effects as a new medical
condition called “Low T.” </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">According to the industry,
such symptoms call for treatment with testosterone replacement therapy and a
prescription for one of their testosterone supplement products.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">While testosterone has been
in limited clinical use since 1937 and approved by the FDA since 1953,
testosterone can now be administered by patients at home, and the drug comes in
at least five forms including patches, gels and injections. </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">According to the FDA,
prescription testosterone is only indicated for men with demonstrated low
testosterone levels and an associated medical condition known as
“hypogonadism.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In recent years, "testosterone
replacement treatments" use has increased radically, largely due to
increased manufacturers advertising on websites www.isitlowt.com and
www.low-testosterone-option.com. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Since 2001, the number of
testosterone prescriptions given to American men has tripled and in 2012 sales
were estimated at $2 billion with three million prescriptions being written for
the market leader AndroGel® alone. </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Testoterone Replacement Therapy Litigation</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Alarming new research
suggests that millions of men may be at risk for a heart attack, stroke or
premature death by taking testosterone therapy they don’t actually need. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">On January 29, 2014, the
respected medical journal PLoS ONE found that prescription testosterone can
double the rate of heart attacks in men 65 and older and triple the risks in
younger men with a history of heart disease. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another study published by The Journal of the
American Medical Association found that men age 60 and older using testosterone
drugs had a 30 percent greater risk for stroke, heart attack, and death
compared to those who didn’t use testosterone replacement drugs. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Lawsuits related to the use
of testosterone replacement therapy for so-called “Low T” which seek
compensation for such injuries have already been filed in Federal District
Court. </span></div>
Steve Schainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16045675524373344555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5541128289501434990.post-30903650855900003142013-12-19T11:10:00.001-08:002013-12-19T11:10:14.614-08:00OSHA Launches Online Whistleblower Claim System To protect employee "whistleblowers", on December 5, 2013, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration ("OSHA") launched an online whistleblower complaint system at <a href="http://www.whistleblowers.gov/">http://www.whistleblowers.gov/</a>. <br />
<br />
"Whistleblowing activity" includes reporting a work-related injury, illness, or fatality, participating in safety and health activities, or reporting a statutory or regulatory violation. <br />
<br />
Although known primarily as the federal agency responsible for regulating workplace health and safety under Occupational Safety and Health Act, OSHA's "Whistleblower Protection Program" enforces the whistleblower protection provisions of 22 different federal statutes including:<br />°Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act;<br />°Clean Air Act;<br />°Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act;<br />°Consumer Financial Protection Act;<br />°Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act;<br />°Energy Reorganization Act;<br />°Federal Railroad Safety Act;<br />°Federal Water Pollution Control Act;<br />°International Safe Container Act;<br />°National Transit Systems Security Act;<br />°Pipeline Safety Improvement Act;<br />°Safe Drinking Water Act;<br />°Sarbanes-Oxley Act;<br />°Seaman's Protection Act;<br />°Section 1558 of the Affordable Care Act;<br />°Solid Waste Disposal Act;<br />°Surface Transportation Assistance Act;<br />°FDA Food Safety Modernization Act; and<br />°Toxic Substances Control Act.<br />
<br />
Mirroring the existing paper complaint form, OSHA's free online system provide workers with an accessible way to file whistleblower complaints without fear of retaliation. <br />
<br />
Workers can now file whistle blower complaints by calling an agency hotline or a regional office, submitting a written complaint, or using the online form. <br />
<br />
Given the ease with which employees now can file complaints, employers should anticipate a likely whistleblower claims increase by updating internal policies and educating managers on the whistleblower statutes.<br />
Steve Schainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16045675524373344555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5541128289501434990.post-70542371023626826552013-10-03T07:25:00.001-07:002013-10-03T07:25:44.447-07:00"Bad Faith" Insurance Claims
Accidents aren't the only cause of personal injury harm<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Injured plaintiffs are often victims
of wrongful delaying, withholding, or denying of benefits by either their own or
the injury-causing-party's insurance company known as "bad faith". <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Bad faith law requires an
insurer who has acted in bad faith to compensate the policyholder the original
claim's amount, any other losses resulting from the denial of benefits, and, to
deter future wrongful acts, punitive damages.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Types of "Bad Faith"<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">"First Party" bad
faith regards insurance companies' obligation to their injured policyholders to
settle claims in a reasonable amount of time and for a reasonable amount of
money.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">"Third Party" bad
faith regards claims made against the injury-causing-party's policy. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For
example, if you're injured in an accident where someone else is clearly at
fault, their insurance company, the Third Party insurer, is responsible for
compensating for your injuries and settling the claim in a reasonable amount of
time and for a reasonable amount of money.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Examples of bad faith include
undue delay in handling claims, inadequate investigation, refusal to defend a
lawsuit, threats against an insured, refusing to make a reasonable settlement
offer, or making unreasonable interpretations of an insurance policy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Bad Faith Law and Claims</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Because it is among the United
States' most powerful and profitable industries, insurance companies wield
significant influence over the federal government which has no bad faith law or
requirements that insurers act in good faith and fairly with their insureds. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Instead, the insurance
industry is regulated by state created bad faith law which deems insurers as
having a "fiduciary relationship" - - a special relationship of trust
and of acting in good faith - - with policyholders and define "bad
faith" as delaying, withholding, or denying policyholder benefits based on
legitimate claims filed under valid insurance policies. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Bad faith laws require insurance
companies to "adjust", <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">i.e.</i>,
deny or pay, a claim within a reasonable period of time, cooperate with
claimants through all dealings, including promptly responding to policyholder inquiries,
and express the exact reason for denying requested benefits by citing the
policy provision upon which that decision relies. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Bad Faith Claims and Recovery</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">When it wrongfully delays,
withholds, or denies benefits, bad faith law empowers injured policyholders to
seek relief from the insurance company through a tort, or personal injury,
lawsuit. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Bad faith law requires an
insurer who has acted in bad faith to compensate the policyholder <u>both</u> the
original claim's amount and any other losses resulting from the denial of
benefits. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Further, to deter future wrongful
acts, bad faith law provides for recovery of punitive damages from insurance
company. </span></div>
Steve Schainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16045675524373344555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5541128289501434990.post-36591535535801056982013-09-02T10:36:00.003-07:002013-09-02T10:36:59.926-07:00Class Action and Mass Tort Actions
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Class actions are procedural
device to determine the rights and remedies of large numbers of people whose
cases involve common questions of law, fact and harm suffered in areas
including insurance, banking, securities, workers' rights, maritime and unfair
trade and consumer protection.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Unlike "class actions",
in which the plaintiff seeks court approval to litigate on behalf of a group of
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">identically situated persons</i>, mass
tort actions involve <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">similarly situated
people</i> whose claims are brought in one "mass tort " complaint
seeking the efficiencies and economic leverage that class action's provide.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">What Are Class Actions</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">A class action is a civil
lawsuit brought by one person on behalf of a larger group of people who have
suffered a similar harm or have a similar claim. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Class actions can be brought in federal or
state courts and are used when too many people have been affected by the
subject of the claim for each to file separate lawsuits frequently involving
injuries resulting from hazardous products and drugs like tobacco, asbestos,
Agent Orange, breast implants, and contraceptives. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Class actions are also used
in securities (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">e.g.,</i> fraudulent
financial statements or releasing false information about stocks and other
forms of market manipulation) and employment (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">e.g.,</i> wage/hour laws violations and mass dismissals) cases or to
stop illegal or harmful practices like oil spills, manufacturing pollution, or Constitutional
protection violations.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Mechanics of Class Action Proceedings</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">A lawsuit becomes a class
action when a plaintiff, called the "Lead Plaintiff", files a lawsuit
claiming that a harm has been suffered and requesting that the case be
certified as a class action. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">To have the case certified,
the Lead Plaintiff must demonstrate that:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">• a legal claim exists against
the defendant(s);</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">• a significantly large group
of people have been injured in a similar way and their respective claims involve
similar issues of fact and law as that of the Lead Plaintiff; and</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">•the Lead Plaintiff is
typical of the class members, has a reasonable plan and ability to adequately
represent the class, and has no conflict with other class members. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">If certified as a class
action, the court will order that the class of affected people be notified
including through direct mailings. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Class
membership is usually automatic and, unless they choose to "opt out",
everyone affected by the wrongdoing will be part of the case. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Unless they have evidence to
offer, class members generally are not involved in the case nor the settlement negotiations.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead, the Lead Plaintiff consults
with the class action attorneys to develop the case's strategy (including and accepting
settlement offers) and other class members only may choose to accept or opt out
of the settlement.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Class Action Recoveries</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Because few class actions
proceed to trial, and often settle following class certification, a large
portion of the proceeding involves forging a settlement.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">The court decides how to
divide any recovery and the attorneys are given costs and fees, often
calculated as a percentage of the entire recovery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Lead Plaintiff receives an amount partly
determined by his participation, and the rest of the recovery is then divided
among the class members.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Mass Tort Actions</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Unlike "class actions",
in which the plaintiff seeks court approval to litigate on behalf of a group of
identically situated persons, many disputes involve similarly situated people whose
claims are brought in one "mass action" complaint seeking the same
efficiencies and economic leverage as if a class had been certified.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Because they operate outside class
action's detailed procedures, mass torts actions can pose special difficulties.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For example, unlike a class action settlement,
which follows a predictable path of negotiation with class counsel and
representatives, court scrutiny, and notice, a uniform method for settling all mass
tort claims may not exist. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Some states permit
plaintiff's counsel to settle all mass tort plaintiffs claims according to a
majority vote while others require each plaintiff to approve the settlement of
that plaintiff's respective claims.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Steve Schainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16045675524373344555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5541128289501434990.post-64759859770666772512013-07-30T13:19:00.002-07:002013-07-30T13:19:17.466-07:00Construction Accidents
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">People working in construction are
exposed to tremendous hazards and dangers with thousands of construction
workers seriously injured or killed each year. </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Despite state and federal
regulations, as well as industry standards, requiring owners, general
contractors and subcontractors to implement a wide variety of safety measures,
each year U.S. workers experience 6,000 job related deaths and 5.7 million
occupational injuries, illnesses and accidents. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Because of nearly daily changes at
construction sites, construction accidents require early legal intervention and
investigation.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">General
Construction Site Accidents </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Each year more workers are hurt
and killed doing construction than in any other industry.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Construction site injuries
frequently result from objects or workers falling from elevated areas, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>workplace motor vehicle machinery and
equipment accidents (including trucks, cranes and forklifts), electrocution,
fires, explosions, exposure to harmful substances and environments, </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">a lack of excavation shoring, and
unsafe ladders.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Construction
Site Falls and Scaffolding Accidents</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The
most common causes of construction site catastrophic falls and deaths include unprotected
sides and wall openings, holes in floors and unguarded protruding steel rebars,
and falls off the edges of - - or holes in - - roofs.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">An
estimated 2.3 million construction workers work on scaffolds and each year 4,500
workers are injured in - - and 60 die as a result of - - scaffolding accidents.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Scaffolding
accidents often involve falls due to lack of fall protection, instability or
overloading caused scaffold collapse or tip-over, or being struck by falling
tools, work materials or debris.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Structural
Collapse Accidents</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Structural collapses occur both
in existing structures or structures being built.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">For buildings under construction,
structural collapse accidents require examining construction codes and
blueprints to determine:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>°
whether structure was being built properly according to its design or if it's design
was <span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>improper; <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>°
were the foundation and building materials appropriate;</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>°
was the building properly braced during construction; and</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>°
was it engineered to be structurally stable.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">For an existing structure's
collapse accident investigation involves ascertaining the structure's age, how
well it was maintained, and whether owner was aware of any potential safety
hazards and, if so, what it did - - or failed to do - - to address these dangers.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Liability
and Damages in</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Construction Site Accidents</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Workplace injuries range from
broken limbs to severe brain and spinal cord injuries to death. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Further, construction site injuries
often devastate the injured worker's family members whom may have depended on
his income and now are responsible for his care. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpLast" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The property's owners, general
contractors, contractors, construction managers, construction companies and
equipment manufacturers may all be liable for compensation for pain and
suffering, emotional trauma, medical costs, lost income and future earnings.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Steve Schainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16045675524373344555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5541128289501434990.post-32675912848381977172013-06-11T14:05:00.002-07:002013-06-11T14:05:33.123-07:00Defective Road Conditions
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Sometimes it's the road - -
and not the driver or vehicle - - that causes the car accident.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">The American Society of Civil
Engineers' ("ASCE") “2010 Report Card for Pennsylvania’s
Infrastructure” gave our roads - - which are the state and local municipalities'
responsibility - - an overall D-minus grade rating 38% of Pennsylvania's roads as
"fair" or "poor".<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Defective road conditions like
potholes and sinkholes can cause a driver to lose control of his vehicle leading
to accidents resulting in serious personal injury or death. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Accident Causing Defective Pennsylvania Roads <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">According to ASCE, Pennsylvania's
40,000 miles of state roads and 76,000 miles of local roads are among the nation's
oldest and have exceeded their design capacity including cracking and expanding
because of temperature and weather changes and rapidly deteriorating due to chemicals
used for snowy/icy conditions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Further, ASCE says that 27%
of Pennsylvania’s 22,280 bridges are structurally deficient deeming 17% as "functionally
obsolete".<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Potholes, crumbling roads giving
way to soft shoulders, drainage problems causing water or ice hazards, and
other defective roadway conditions can lead to car accidents, injury and death.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Governmental Liability for Defective Road Conditions <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Although Pennsylvania’s
Sovereign Immunity Act generally bars suits against the government, dangerous
highways conditions created by potholes, sinkholes or similar conditions are
exempted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Thus, the Commonwealth and local
governmental entities are liable if the dangerous condition creates a
reasonably foreseeable risk of injury that’s suffered by a motorist and the government
had actual written notice of the "dangerous condition" sufficiently prior
to an accident to protect against it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Pennsylvania law allows lawsuits
against the government seeking damages for past and future loss of earnings and
earning capacity, pain and suffering, and medical and dental expenses and loss
of consortium. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Unlike most personal injury
claims, lawsuits against government entities for injuries caused by dangerous
road conditions require written notice of the claim made within six (6) months of
the accident. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Product Liability for Defective Road Conditions </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"></span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">If a defective product - - such
as asphalt or pavement supplied by a private contractor - -was a “substantial
factor” in causing the injury, a product liability lawsuit may be filed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Anyone in the product's chain
of distribution can be held liable, including manufacturers, wholesalers,
distributors, and retailers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Further, because Pennsylvania
is a “strict liability” state, claimants need not show that someone’s
negligence caused their property damage or personal injury. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead, claimants must only show the defect's
existence and its relationship to the harm that was caused. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Steve Schainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16045675524373344555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5541128289501434990.post-34490317399404332412013-04-23T07:57:00.001-07:002013-04-23T07:57:07.002-07:00Teleradiology: Misleading Patients As To Who is Reading Their Film
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Although patients
know that hospitals have third parties perform laboratory testing, few question
the source of their CT scan's reading. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">However, recognizing
the financial advantages of outsourcing radiological services, hospitals have
begun to outsource both beyond their own institution and the United States' borders.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Beyond
misleading patients as to whom is providing their care, a patient injured through
a teleradiologist not subject to the hospital's credentialing requirement suboptimal
reading may have corporate negligence and informed consent claims case against
the hospital.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<u><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">What is
Teleradiology<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">As a result
of technological improvements, imaging can be easily transmitted to remote
locations preventing physicians from travelling back to the hospital to
interpret a study or film that could be done on their home computers. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">When
teleradiology studies are provided by a Pennsylvania-licensed radiologist directly
affiliated with the institution at which the patient is receiving care, teleradiology
can be a cost-effective way of improving patient care.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Unfortunately,
because digital technology also enables transmitting the images anywhere around
the world, overseas radiologists are often used to do interpretations.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Beyond the lack
of communication between the clinician and doctor reading the study, the interpretation-providing-overseas-physician's
frequent lack of credentials makes teleradiology an inferior form of care.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<u><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">No Current
Bar Against Teleradiology<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Although patients
and their families often select an institution based on its overall reputation,
hospitals are not presently required to disclose the practitioner's
interpreting the radiology studies location and credentials.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Further, to
get around Medicare's refusal to pay for medical services performed outside the
United States, offsite radiology services often perform "preliminary
interpretations" contracted and paid for by a local radiology group
servicing the hospital which follows up the with a "final reading" that
is billed to Medicare. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<u><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">"Corporate
Liability" and "Lack of Informed Consent" Claims <o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Although there
is no presently recognized requirement that treatment recommendations conveyed
to the patient or family include a disclosure that they are based upon
interpretations provided by practitioners not directly affiliated with the
hospital or located in the United States, patients injured as a result of a teleradiologist's
suboptimal reading may have corporate negligence and lack of informed consent
claims against the institution.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In <i>Thompson
v. Nason Hospital</i>, 527 Pa. 330, 591 A.2d 703 (1991), Pennsylvania's Supreme
Court recognized that hospitals are directly liable to patients under the
doctrine of corporate liability establishing a duty that the hospital owes
directly to the patient to oversee all persons who render care and to adopt
adequate policies ensuring quality care. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Because
corporate liability involves hospital's direct negligence (as opposed to
vicarious liability for hospital employee's act) and is based on the institution's
negligent acts arising from its policies, an injured party need not establish a
doctor's negligence to prevail under a corporate liability theory.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Further, in
2002, Pennsylvania's law of informed consent was legislatively changed to
include misrepresentation where a patient was misled as to the doctor's
training, experience or credentials. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The use of
teleradiology without full disclosure is no less misleading to a patient than a
surgeon exaggerating his or her experience performing a procedure and goes to
the heart of a hospital's duty to its patients. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Steve Schainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16045675524373344555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5541128289501434990.post-55987646108958735302013-02-27T11:04:00.004-08:002013-02-27T11:07:56.713-08:00Marcellus Shale Accidents<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">The shale gas industry's rapid
expansion has introduced risks of serious accidents, explosions, worker
injuries, property damage and environmental harm.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Specifically, Marcellus Shale
exploration and drilling causes industrial accidents including well blowouts,
fires, methane leaks, loss of well control and gas migration.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Marcellus Shale</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Marcellus Shale -- a deep
underground rock formation extending from Ohio and West Virginia into
Pennsylvania -- holds the United States largest natural gas reserve comprised of
hundreds of trillions of cubic feet of natural gas. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Although geologists have
known about this massive reserve for years, recent drilling innovations including
hydraulic fracturing ("Fracking"), coupled with higher energy prices,
have greatly increased mining of Marcellus Shale natural gas. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">According to the Pennsylvania
Department of Environmental Protection, 2,500 Marcellus Shale drilling permits
were issued between 2007 and 2009 and 5,000 permits were issued in 2010.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fracking</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Each project involves constructing
a "well pad" and drilling a "well bore" to depths of up to 6,000
feet. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">The majority of Marcellus
Shale wells use “fracking”, high pressure pumping of millions of gallons of
chemically-treated water mixed with sand deep into the ground to break up the
shale and release trapped natural gas. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Because it involves withdrawing
millions of gallons of freshwater, contaminates water and groundwater wells and
results in improper drilling fluid and wastewater disposal, Fracking raises
significant environmental concerns.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Drilling fluid wastewater spills
or leaking into holding pits pollutes rivers, streams and aquifers killing fish
and contaminating local water supplies.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Marcellus Shale Accidents</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">The oil and gas exploration
industry's growth has strained existing state regulatory safeguards exposing
property owners, businesses and workers to accidents, injuries and
environmental damage. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Drill operators often
encounter unexpected natural gas pressures in areas that haven’t been drilled
previously causing blowouts and injuries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Further, sparks from a drill bit can ignite trapped methane, a highly
volatile gas, severely burning workers. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Natural gas also migrates
underground from improperly constructed wells, building up to explosive
pressure beneath houses and buildings.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Injuries in a Marcellus Shale
well drilling accident often result from the employer's negligence or lack of
workplace safeguards. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Further, those whose property
is damaged or contaminated by well drilling, may have claims against a drilling
rig operator or gas exploration companies.</span></div>
Steve Schainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16045675524373344555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5541128289501434990.post-58827215106808609232013-01-30T15:18:00.002-08:002013-01-30T15:18:45.894-08:00Texting-While-Driving Accidents
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration describes sending or reading a
text message while operating a motor vehicle as “by far the most alarming
distraction” leading to death, injury and property damage on our nation’s
highways.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Beyond
forming a crime, texting-while-driving is negligence the victims of which are
entitled to be compensated for their injuries and financial losses.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">
<u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Texting-While-Driving
Accidents</span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">According
to the U.S. Department of Transportation ("DOT"), texting while
driving creates a 23 times greater crash risk than driving while not
distracted. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">According
to the DOT, sending or receiving a text removes a driver’s eyes from the road for
approximately 4.6 seconds, which, when traveling at 55 miles per hour, is like
driving the length of a football field blindfolded.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Further,
due to immaturity and lack of experience behind the wheel, younger drivers are
more likely to text while driving with 23% percent of a 2011 AAA Foundation survey
respondents between 17 and 26 admitting that they or their friends texted while
driving.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation revealed that 13,000 crashes occurred
between 2005 and 2010 involving 16 to 19 year old distracted drivers resulting in
60 fatalities. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">
<u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Texting-While-Driving
is a Crime in Pennsylvania <o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Because
of the dangers posed by distracted driving, it is a crime in Pennsylvania to
use a cell phone, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>IPAD, or portable computer
to send, read or write a text message, instant message, email or other written
communication while operating a vehicle. </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Because
texting while driving is a form of distraction that a driver chooses, texting
accidents comprise reckless or negligent driving. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">If
a texting driver causes death, injury, or property damage, crash/collision
victims have the right to seek compensation for their losses.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">
<u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Handling
Texting-While-Driving Cases</span></u></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Most
critical to prevailing in a texting-while-driving accident case is conducting an
independent investigation to determine how the accident occurred including
obtaining cell phone records to ascertain whether a driver was texting at the
time of the crash.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The
Schain Law Firm works closely with a network of medical experts, economists and
life-care planners who can fully document the extent of a texting accident
victim’s injuries and financial losses. </span></div>
Steve Schainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16045675524373344555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5541128289501434990.post-68531064381793593852012-07-02T08:41:00.001-07:002012-07-02T08:41:20.470-07:00Black-Box Recorders in Automobiles<br />
Most drivers are unaware that their vehicle is equipped with a “black box” gathering information regarding the events immediately before and during a motor vehicle accident.<br />
Eighty five percent (85%) of current automobiles have event data recorders (EDR), more commonly known as black boxes, installed in them. <br />
<br />
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (“NHTSA”) defines an EDR as a device recording a “vehicle's dynamic, time-series data during the time period just prior to a crash event or during a crash event, intended for retrieval after the crash event." <br />
<br />
On March 14, 2012, the U.S. Senate passed “Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act” (“MAP-21”), a transportation bill making event data recorders mandatory in all new cars and there is pending Pennsylvania EDR legislation - - the Pennsylvania Motor Vehicle Event Data Recorder Act - - currently under review by the Committee on Transportation.<br />
<br />
While those protective of privacy may not support a law making black boxes mandatory, in all vehicles, data obtained from an EDR can help establish liability and deconstruct a motor vehicle accident streamlining accident claims and litigation processes, facilitating prosecution of drivers disobeying traffic laws and resulting in improved vehicle and roadway design. <br />
<br />
<strong>Background on Black Boxes in Cars</strong><br />
<br />
Although historically identified with airplane crashes in which downloaded data was used by aircraft accident investigative engineers, the use of black boxes in automobiles dates to the early 1970s, when the National Transportation Safety Board (“NTSB”) recommended that automobile manufacturers and the NHTSA use onboard sensors and recorders to gather crash data. <br />
<br />
Within a few years, General Motors began installing early versions of EDRs in its vehicles mainly used to control airbag deployment and document crash severity data. <br />
<br />
Black boxes became more sophisticated recording data from minor accidents during which airbags did not deploy and by 2005, General Motors, Ford, Isuzu, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Subaru and Suzuki were voluntarily equipping their vehicles with EDRs.<br />
<br />
<strong>Recent Vehicular Black Box Legislation</strong><br />
<br />
Beyond making EDRs mandatory in all vehicles, starting in 2015, MAP-21 requires manufacturers to make EDR data accessible with commercially available equipment.<br />
<br />
Starting with 2013 models, EDRs must keep a record of 15 discrete variables in the seconds before a crash including the car's speed, how far the accelerator was pressed, the engine revolutions per minute, whether the driver hit the brakes, whether the driver was wearing a safety belt, and how long it took for the airbags to deploy.<br />
<br />
On March 10, 2012, the Pennsylvania Motor Vehicle Event Data Recorder Act was filed and transferred to the Committee on Transportation and requires that a manufacturer of a new motor vehicle sold or leased in Pennsylvania disclose both whether the car is equipped with ,and what type of data can be recorded by, an EDR.<br />
<br />
The pending act also provides an outline for information retrieval, requiring consent from the motor vehicle owner to download data and provides that illegally downloaded information is inadmissible as evidence in any civil, criminal or administrative action and is insufficient to support an adjudication of the motor vehicle accident’s cause unless corroborated by other evidence.<br />
<br />
<strong>Vehicular Black Box Data’s Impact and Privacy Protections</strong><br />
<br />
If made readily available, this information gathered by EDR’s will greatly affect criminal and civil cases involving motor vehicle accidents. <br />
<br />
Specifically, accident claims and litigation processes should be streamlined for insurance companies leading to settlement and saving insurers millions of dollars in litigation fees. <br />
<br />
Additionally, retrieved data can establish the speed of vehicles and lead to the prosecution of drivers disobeying traffic laws.<br />
<br />
Further, increased awareness of, and accessibility to, black-box data will result in improved vehicle and roadway design and lead to safer driving. <br />
<br />
Although previously unclear if black-box data to belonged to the car owner or to the manufacturer, MAP-21 establishes that EDR compiled data from belongs to the car owner.<br />
<br />
Therefore, outside of a court order granting law enforcement access, where an emergency medical team needs the data, or in the event of an NTSB investigation, insurance companies would be unable to collect EDR data without owner consent.Steve Schainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16045675524373344555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5541128289501434990.post-28115013361635100442012-05-31T11:36:00.001-07:002012-05-31T11:36:03.787-07:00Electronic Medical Records<br />
Within the next few years, all health care providers will transition from paper charts to electronic medical records (“EMRs”) and operate exclusively within an EMR system. <br />
<br />
<strong>ESI and EMR</strong><br />
<br />
Both the recently enacted “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act” and “Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act” and monetary incentives and compliance deadlines created by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services are spurring health care providers to hurriedly transition to EMRs. <br />
<br />
Beyond amassing and organizing existing Electronically Stored Information (“ESI”), EMRs will have an active role in patient treatment ranging from enabling providers to interface to offering clinical decision support. <br />
<br />
Further, while sharing core functionalities, more sophisticated EMR systems may suggest courses of treatment upon an analysis of medical data, remind a provider of clinical practice guidelines or automatically warn of a patient's allergies or a dangerous combination of medications.<br />
<br />
<strong>EMR and Personal Injury Litigation </strong><br />
<br />
EMRs widespread adoption may aid personal injury litigation by both placing unwieldy amounts of information in a user-friendly and searchable format and "definitively" provide the facts surrounding a patient's care. <br />
<br />
EMRs may also alter fundamental elements of medical malpractice litigation including increasing the number of parties to sue, the costs of bringing a claim and the amount of time needed to resolve a dispute.<br />
<br />
For example, because copying and pasting information from EMR to EMR is a basic system function, perpetuating an existing error or inaccuracy that will follow a patient from provider to provider will increase. Thus, errors like omitting a medication allergy during one provider's treatment may result in an adverse event through the course of treatment with other providers. <br />
<br />
This error’s origin may only be discovered well into a claim’s litigation necessitating amending pleadings and creating liability disputes.<br />
<br />
Extending liability to an EMR vendor is inevitable and will require significant technical discovery further complicating an already complex medical malpractice claim. <br />
<br />
Further, beyond carefully choosing an EMR vendor and system, health care providers will need to avoid contractual agreements immunizing from technical errors (like software bugs and hardware malfunctions) causing adverse events.<br />
<br />
EMR use may also change how medical malpractice standards of care are defined. <br />
<br />
Providers implicated in an adverse event may be weighed and measured against a sophisticated EMR system providing differential diagnoses or recommending courses of treatment. <br />
<br />
If a provider deviates from an EMR's recommended course of treatment, a jury may equate it to deviating from a legally defined standard of care requiring the defense to provide both a standard of care set forth by an expert and a justification for deviating from EMR-generated treatment recommendations. <br />
<br />
Further, providers not using EMR systems may face exposure for failing to adhere to the diagnoses or courses of treatment that the EMR system would have provided. <br />
<br />
Legislation has been proposed in Pennsylvania’s State House to provide medical malpractice claim immunity to suppliers of medical data to electronic databases and on the federal level, the proposed “Safeguarding Access for Every Medicare Patient Act” seeks to create legal protections for providers if an adverse event occurs as a result of EMR errors.Steve Schainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16045675524373344555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5541128289501434990.post-75279121180865091752012-02-29T05:49:00.000-08:002012-02-29T05:50:24.440-08:00Van RolloversBecause it’s 3 times more likely to rollover with 10 or more occupants, a 15-passenger van is the most dangerous vehicle on the road. <br /><br />Half a million 15-passenger vans are currently operating often by schools, day care centers, hotels, churches, and scout troops. <br /><br />Since 2000, more than 400 people have died and thousands have been seriously injured in 15-passenger van rollover accidents involving roof pillar failure or collapse (causing the roof to crush the passengers), tire failures, seatback failures, seatbelt injuries, lack of headrests, lack of glazing of windows, fuel-fed fires, gas tank fires, and fuel tank explosions. <br /><br />The federal government has banned their purchase by schools, most insurers won’t cover them, and several universities no longer permit athletes to be transported in 15-passenger vans. <br /><br />Engineers place the problem in the van’s design, weight and balance. First, the van’s manufacture with a car’s wheel base and an “extended back end” comprised of a 4 passenger seat behind the rear axle weigh down the rear end causing it to swing out following a “sudden swerve”, i.e., emergency action after steering in one direction and then being forced to rapidly correct in the opposite to avoid a hazard.<br /><br />Second, 15-passenger vans are top heavy with a high center of gravity which increases with additional passengers. <br /><br />According to National Highway Traffic Safety Association (“NHTSA”) research, 15-passenger van’s rollover risk increases dramatically with the number of occupants in that vans with 10 or more occupants have 3 times the rollover rate as those with fewer than 5 occupants. <br /><br />Although research has consistently shown that improperly inflated tires drastically change the vehicle’s handling and significantly increase the prospect of a rollover, a recent NHTSA research reports that 74% of all 15-passenger vans had incorrectly inflated tires. <br /><br />For the 3rd time in the past 5 years, NHTSA has issued a “15-passenger van consumer advisory” recommending that only trained and experienced drivers operate the vans, weekly check tire inflation levels against manufacturer's recommended pressure levels, and place no loads on the vehicle’s roof.Steve Schainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16045675524373344555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5541128289501434990.post-67424158880572381732012-01-31T11:47:00.000-08:002012-01-31T11:48:47.643-08:00Bus AccidentsAs public transportation’s use increases, so does the number of bus accident injuries and deaths. <br /><br />According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, in 2002 19,000 people were injured in bus accidents principally caused by driver negligence, defective equipment, dangerous roadways and improper maintenance. <br /><br />In addition to city buses, each weekday 25 million children ride yellow school buses to school related activities as well as religious, athletic and youth events. <br /><br />Approximately 450,000 school buses are in service travelling 2 million miles per day resulting in 16,000 annual collisions causing 12,000 injuries and 130 deaths per year.<br /><br />Most full-size school buses lack seat belts exposing children to a greater risk of harm and budgetary pressures cause schools to stretch maintenance schedules, keep vehicles in service for prolonged periods and use lower paid, less experienced drivers. <br /><br />Bus-related accidents cause brain and spinal cord injuries, sprains, fractures, abrasions, internal and soft tissue injuries, burns and death.<br /><br />Bus companies’ legal responsibility to their passengers is that of a "common carrier", i.e., an individual, company or a public utility in business of transporting people and/or freight owing a greater duty of safety and protection than an ordinary car. <br /><br />Despite this higher responsibility to drive with the utmost care and protect passengers and other vehicles sharing the road, buses are often owned or operated by city, county or regional transportation departments which vigorously defend bus accidents. <br /><br />As a result, immediately investigating a bus accident while the physical evidence is still fresh and inspecting the driver's training history and driving record is crucial.Steve Schainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16045675524373344555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5541128289501434990.post-70176092751667059682011-12-21T09:56:00.000-08:002011-12-21T09:57:40.615-08:002011 Amherst Bowl<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I_ud-njhN7o/TvIeC3blsFI/AAAAAAAAABU/NV4Hr4j2rPA/s1600/2010Amherst.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I_ud-njhN7o/TvIeC3blsFI/AAAAAAAAABU/NV4Hr4j2rPA/s320/2010Amherst.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688642313910595666" /></a><br />Years ago I put together a father son Thanksgiving football game hoping to fill those empty morning hours and hang out with my son. <br /><br />I succeeded beyond my wildest dreams. <br /><br />Celebrating its 8th year, the tournament, christened "The Amherst Bowl", has swollen to 127 players spanning 6 football fields and 12 teams playing 5 continuous football games in authentic AFC or NFC team jerseys.<br /><br />The trash talk begins on Labor Day and echoes through our Township’s lunchrooms and playing fields with kids wearing prior years’ jerseys like badges of glory. <br /><br />During Thanksgiving’s wet early morning hours, we map out and line the fields and set up tables overflowing cakes, hot chocolate and coffee. <br /><br />The horde shows up at around 8:00 a.m. eager to learn the team to which to they’ve been assigned, whom their teammates will be, and how gloriously muddy the fields are. <br /><br />Shirts are distributed, rules are explained, and at 9:00 a.m. the carnage begins. <br /><br />During the ensuing rigidly timed five games, fathers put their middle-aged bodies at risk, re-live their youth and play football with their sons.<br /><br />Throughout the morning used soccer gear is collected by "Heads Up Soccer" which transports and distributes it to impoverished third world youth.<br /><br />Additionally, monies raised are donated to "Katie at the Bat" http://www.katieatthebatteam.org/ (improving inner-city youths’ lives through athletics, literacy, nutrition and health, and the arts), "Adam Spandorfer Memorial Fund" http://www.adamsfield.org/ (raising monies for Variety Club Camp at which children with disabilities can play baseball), and Hope with Heart http://hopewithheart.com/ (providing a summer camp and building a community for children with moderate to severe heart problems).<br /><br />Although, at the Tournament’s end, some need help getting off of the field, that evening’s Thanksgiving tables are abuzz with boasts of heroic plays, grudges revisited, and glorious victories. <br /><br />Until next year, when we do it bigger and better.Steve Schainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16045675524373344555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5541128289501434990.post-88454760351041812272011-03-31T12:06:00.000-07:002011-03-31T12:07:12.618-07:00Unsafe Drug Alert: TOPAMAXOn March 4, 2011, the Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) issued a warning that Topiramate, a seizure, epilepsy and migraine medication marketed as Topamax, increases the risk of oral birth defects including cleft lip and/or cleft palate. <br /><br />The FDA approved Topiramate to prevent migraine headaches (but not to relieve migraine headache pain) and it has been used “off-label” to treat other conditions.<br /><br />Topamax has been on the market since 1996 and was the 13th best selling prescription drug in 2008 with $2.4 billion pm annual U.S. sales. <br /><br />Although previously classified as a “Pregnancy Category C” drug (meaning that animal studies data suggested potential fetal risks) because new human data shows an increased oral cleft risk, Topiramate was placed in “Pregnancy Category D” signifying human fetal risk.<br /><br />Specifically, data indicates that if Topiramate is taken during pregnancy there is a higher risk that the baby will develop a cleft lip and/or cleft palate. <br /><br />Cleft lip and cleft palate range from a small notch in the lip to a groove running into the roof of the mouth and nose, possibly leading to eating, talking and ear infection problems. <br /><br />Oral clefts happen early in pregnancy, before many women even know they are pregnant, and surgery is used to close the lip and palate. <br /><br />Topiramate’s benefits and risks should be carefully weighed when prescribing to women of childbearing age, particularly for conditions not usually associated with permanent injury or death. <br /><br />Further, because suddenly stopping Topiramate can cause serious problems, Topiramate should not be stopped before talking to a healthcare professional, even in pregnant women.Steve Schainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16045675524373344555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5541128289501434990.post-10981856621445227512011-02-24T11:41:00.000-08:002011-02-24T11:42:28.510-08:00Consumer Product Safety DatabaseStarting in March 2011, consumers will be able to submit reports of harm caused by consumer products to a public database created by the Consumer Product Safety Commission ("CPSC").<br /><br />The CPSC regulates consumer products sold in the United States including toys, furniture, clothing and accessories, electronics, sports and recreation items, containers, kitchen items, household chemicals and fuel.<br /><br />The database, www.saferproducts.gov, will allow the public to post, search for, and review consumer product reports (previously available only through a Freedom of Information Act request) and manufacturers’ response to those reports. <br /><br />The database was created to provide timely injury-causing-dangers information without waiting for a product recall by allowing consumers and others to submit consumer product safety reports directly to the CPSC.<br /><br />Here is how it works. <br /><br />Consumers log onto www.saferproducts.gov and submit a description of the product, the manufacturer’s identity, and a description of the harm caused by the product’s use. <br /><br />If it meets the minimum criteria for publication, the CPSC will post the report on the database 15 business days after submission and forward a copy to the manufacturer for comment. <br /><br />The manufacturer then has 10 business days to comment if it wishes to have its comments published simultaneously with the report’s posting. <br /> <br />Although the new CPSC database will both promote transparency and provide consumers with necessary product safety information, because anyone may submit a report, including competitors and lawyers representing claimants against the manufacturer, concerns exist that the database might unfairly damage reputations or lead to baseless litigation.Steve Schainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16045675524373344555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5541128289501434990.post-29401681211264772922010-10-26T12:54:00.000-07:002010-10-26T12:57:40.455-07:00Brain and Spinal Cord Injuries: Causes and ProtectionsAlthough design defects have not changed much over the last couple of decades, recent medical advances allow crash victims to survive formally fatal injuries.<br /><br />Seriously brain damaged and paralyzed spinal cord victims’ survival and increased life expectancies require huge sums for lifetime medical expenses and costly functional and psychological problems.<br /><br />How brain and spinal cord injuries occur - - and methods for eliminating or reducing their severity - - is discussed below.<br /><br /><strong>Severe Brain Injury<br /></strong><br />Brain injuries are most commonly caused by head impact, inertial loading of the head, and loss of oxygen (hypoxia).<br /><br />While brain injury from head impact requires direct impact, inertial loading of the brain results from direct or indirect loading like violent flexion/extension in a rear-end crash lacking properly designed head restraints.<br /><br />This trauma causes diffuse and focal brain injury, the latter involving harm to defined brain regions in which victim experiences skull fractures and brain contusions or epidural or subdural hematomas located beneath - - or opposite to - - impact’s site.<br /><br />Head contact may cause diffuse axonal injury, i.e., an initial concussion followed by cellular or bleeding damage to multiple brain regions.<br /><br />Regardless of whether the injury is focal or diffuse, swelling or edema (tissue damage and increased fluid) more life threatening than the injury may occur and horribly injure the brain stem, i.e., the link between the brain and spinal cord.<br /><br />Either direct head impact or indirect violent head movement induces two types of brain injury: translational and/or rotational movement.<br /><br />Translational (or linear) motion is the movement in a direct path through head’s center of gravity (CG). Rotational motion occurs when the brain angulates around the head’s CG causing it to violently move in a non-uniform fashion and exposing areas of the brain to injury.<br /><br />The brain is a viscoelastic organ susceptible to injury due to sensitivity to force, shape of impacting object, acceleration, and rate at which brain is accelerated.<br /><br />While most closed head injuries occur within a fraction of a second of exposure to acceleration, the head injury’s nature and extent depends upon the acceleration’s rate of onset, directionality and peak.<br /><br /><strong>Severe Cervical Spinal Cord Injury<br /><br /></strong>The cervical spine is made up of vertebrae positioned to produce “lordotic curvature” causing the spine to arch when standing upright.<br /><br />The lower cervical vertebrae are similar in shape, with size and mass increasing as there is movement toward the thoracic spine.<br /><br />The commonly acknowledged mechanism causing cervical spine fracture or dislocation —resulting in catastrophic quadriplegia/paraplegia — is axial loading with failure of the spine in a flexion mode.<br /><br />Considering the cervical spine with the neck in the neutral position, the spine’s normal alignment is with extension because of the lordotic curve. When the head moves forward and the neck flexes forward, the cervical spine is straightened.<br /><br />With the force exerted from head impact or arrest of the head with the body in motion, along the axis of a straight spine, loading of the spine as a segmented column occurs. When energy input exceeds energy absorbing capacity, intervertebral disc injury, vertebral body fracture, ligamentous disruption or posterior element fracture results. When maximum vertical compressive deformation is reached, acute cervical spine flexion occurs, with fracture or dislocation. The spinal cord is traumatized by impingement of the spinal process.<br /><br />Because current research places the critical limits on the compressive load’s magnitude at 700 to 1000 pounds, force exceeding this load causes spinal cord injury.<br /><br /><strong>Automotive and Helmet Design and Injury<br /><br /></strong>To properly design a motor vehicle to reduce brain or spinal cord injury, the restraint system and "head strike zone" (<em>e.g.,</em> steering wheel, instrument panel, roof, windshield, etc.) must account for head contact, inertial loading of the head from torso restraint, and spinal cord loading.<br /><br />Thus, manufacturers must set design/injury parameters under foreseeable accident circumstances then test and measure the safety componentry’s performance. Generally, the more shock attenuation provided by the component or system placed between the head/neck and loading force (<em>e.g.,</em> helmet, instrument panel, "A" pillar padding, etc.), the less transmitted acceleration and less likely the victim will be injured.<br /><br />Head and spinal cord injury is also a major cause of disability in sports activities associated with helmets often due to lax and outdated helmet test standards.<br /><br />If designed correctly, all helmets protect through load distribution and energy absorption. Distribution depends on the stiffness of the shell while absorption is based upon the liner’s deformable properties, <em>i.e.,</em> density and thickness.<br /><br />Unfortunately, many helmet designers fail to provide head and neck protection in impacts with velocity changes exceeding 15 mile per hour often meeting only minimal governmental or industry standards.Steve Schainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16045675524373344555noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5541128289501434990.post-75480446587161105382010-09-02T07:20:00.000-07:002010-09-02T07:22:35.792-07:00Crashworthiness<strong>What is Crashworthiness</strong><br /><br />Vehicles sold in the United States should protect occupants from injury in moderate speed, foreseeable collisions and those which cannot are not “crashworthy”.<br /><br />Insufficient crashworthiness is established by demonstrating that:<br /> ○ crash was of a kind that is expected to occur;<br /> ○ injuries were caused or enhanced by defective vehicle condition which failed to protect occupant; and<br /> ○ an alternative design existed which would have prevented or lessened injuries.<br /><br />Because auto defect cases are not always readily apparent, any time a person is catastrophically injured in a motor vehicle accident a crashworthiness claim should be investigated.<br /><br />The most frequently encountered crashworthiness claims involve tires, airbags, fuel tank design, rollover/roof crush/vehicle stability, seat design/restraints, child safety seats, or passenger vans.<br /><br /><strong>Fuel Tank Design<br /></strong><br />If an occupant can survive the accident’s initial impact but suffers loss of life or significant burns in the resulting fire, a "fuel fed fire" case may exist. One type of case involves fuel tank placement within a vehicle’s known “crush zone” making it more susceptible to fuel leakage and resulting fire. Other potential defects include the design of the connection points that gas passes through while traveling through the vehicle like the design and location of the filler neck assembly connecting the gas cap to the tank.<br /><br /><strong>Airbags</strong><br /><br />It is common in accidents, such as where a vehicle strikes a tree or a pole, for airbags to fail to deploy. Some airbags are incredibly aggressive, deploying at speeds of 200 miles per hour causing head, neck and eye injuries. Some airbags deploy late in the accident sequence, after the occupant is already close to the airbag, or deploy in minor, low speed impacts, which would not have resulted in injury except for those relating to the airbag.<br /><br /><strong>Rollover/Roof Crush/Vehicle Stability</strong><br /><br />Tall, narrow vehicles such as SUVs are especially prone to rollover, particularly after drivers make sudden steering changes. Recently manufactured vehicles should be equipped with Electronic Stability Control, an intelligent braking system assisting drivers in responding to sudden steering inputs minimizing the risk of loss of vehicular control.<br /><br /><strong>Seat Design/Restraints<br /></strong><br />Often in relatively moderate speed rear impacts, seatbacks will collapse, causing occupants to move rearward and strike the seat or persons in the rear of the vehicle. In more severe accidents where occupants are ejected from the vehicle, seatbelts may become unlatched, the seatbelt webbing can "payout" during an accident sequence, or seat tracks can fail. Seatbelts must be designed to fit as closely to the body as is possible and claims may be brought against vehicle and/or seatbelt manufacturers for designing belts failing to protect occupants. <br /><br /><strong>Tire Defects</strong><br /><br />A tire defect case may exist if there is a loss of vehicular control. Sometimes the association between loss of control and a tire condition is relatively easy to determine, like with blowouts. Tire mounting errors can also severely impair a driver's ability to control the vehicle.<br /><br /><strong>Child Safety Seats</strong><br /><br />Any time a child riding in a carseat is seriously injured in a accident, there must be an evaluation as to whether or not the child seat contained any defects. Frequently seats become dislodged from bases, issues with the seatbelt or latch issues exist, or problems occur with which how the child seat "fits" in specific cars.<br /><br /><strong>Passenger Vans</strong><br /><br />Because "15 passenger vans" have significant stability and handling problems exacerbated when fully occupied, a crashworthiness case must be investigated whenever an accident occurs.Steve Schainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16045675524373344555noreply@blogger.com0