Now, a documentary created by an Illinois director is tackling the issue directly and exposing the risks connected to sports concussions. Though an independent film, the movie may increase awareness for the dangers of head injuries if approved to be shown in theaters throughout the United States. The target audience is parents of athletes who are still in school.
]]> Recently, head injuries have been in the forefront of local and national news, showing the impact they have on people's lives. Some NFL players have shown erratic behavior after head trauma, including one who committed suicide. Though there is no current evidence to support a connection between the suicide and the player's brain injuries, investigations might prove otherwise.Families of professional football players have filed wrongful death suits against the NFL in the past. If connections are proven, the NFL should have a responsibility to possibly change regulations to improve safety conditions for the players.
Football team members are not the only ones at risk of head injuries resulting in brain injuries, however. Soccer players have been reported to have sustained a high number of injuries as well, especially in female players, when hitting the ball with their head. Some players, including one who played in the Olympics, have even sustained memory loss before the age of 35.
Brain injuries, such as those suffered in athletics, can be devastating. They can have a lifelong effect on a person and they may require ongoing medical treatment. Determining the type of injury, what caused the injury and who may be at fault for the injury may help victims recover compensation.
Source: Chicago Tribune, "'Head Games': Steve James documentary focuses on brain trauma," Nina Metz, May 10, 2012
]]>Testifying before a state legislative committee, the official argued that a number of guards at the prison had falsely applied for benefits on the basis that they acquired carpal tunnel syndrome in their wrists, and a similar repetitive injury disorder known as cubital tunnel syndrome in their elbows because of injuries suffered while turning keys in cell and unit locks.
]]> The director argued that the filing of false claims took place over a three year period and resulted in the paying of approximately $10 million in illegitimate benefits.The accusations highlight the fact that applications for workers' compensation benefits must be properly prepared. Failure to carefully document the particulars of how a workplace injury occurred, and to support it with competent medical evidence, can result in an employee with a genuine injury becoming embroiled in an accusation of fraud for simply asking for the compensation to which they are entitled. The assistance of an experienced workplace accident attorney is essential.
In the immediate case, the director did concede that an investigation into the accusations of fraud had not been completed, and that he did not want to prejudge the conclusions it would reach, since he also believes prison employees make a number of legitimate injury claims. Menard prison is located in downstate Illinois, and is classified as a maximum security facility, with highly dangerous and violent prisoners. The claims at issue in the current controversy were made from 2008 to 2010.
Source: CBS Chicago, "Official: Menard Prison Guards Committed $10 Million Worth Of Fraud," May 3, 2012
]]>In this case, the motorist was traveling in a 1989 Ford Bronco II over Labor Day weekend in 2003 when he was unable to maintain control of the car. It left the highway, rolled over and ejected the driver from the vehicle. He suffered both paralysis and cognitive impairment. Doctors say that both conditions are permanent.
]]> His lawsuit targeted Ford as the manufacturer, Firestone Tires as the supplier of an important component, and the dealership which sold him the car. Both the dealership and tire company settled his claims before trial, so the trial involved only Ford's culpability.The victim asserted that the accident was largely the result of the tread belt coming apart from the tire on the car's left rear wheel. Prior similar incidents had caused other accidents, the plaintiff's attorneys argued. They also contended that the car's design made it more likely that tread belt separation would occur. Not only was the design defective, they claim tthat Ford was aware of this but chose not to take needed remedial action.
The jury in the trial found Ford liable, while concluding that the company did not act with actual malice, and rejected the design defect claim. Further deliberations will determine the exact amount of damages to be awarded for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and disability.
Source: Great Falls Tribune, "Jury finds Ford Motor Co. at fault in civil case," David Murray, April 25, 2012
]]>Storm season is right around the corner in Illinois and many are worried that nursing homes are not adequately prepared. While the government requires such facilities to have emergency plans, many nursing homes approach the matter mechanically, putting some words on paper without spelling out detailed, plans for how to safeguard the safety of their patients.
]]> Residents being evacuated from a facility, for example, should be identified with name tags, local authorities should be contacted to coordinate efforts, and relatives of patients should be notified so that they know where their loved ones are.The inadequacy of many nursing homes' disaster plans was tragically revealed by the fiasco which followed Hurricane Katrina, when many nursing home residents were neglected or abandoned in the wake of the disaster. A recently released government report indicated that many nursing homes have unreliable transportation contracts, a lack of plans for coping with the severe health problems of some residents in the event of an emergency, and no established channels of communication with local emergency authorities.
The report recommends that Medicare and Medicaid should require more specific emergency plans from nursing homes receiving funding. With severe weather season coming up in Chicago, nursing home administrators should start taking proper precautions. Engaging in advanced planning to keep dependent residents safe when an emergency arises benefits everyone.
Source: Bloomberg Businessweek, "Big gaps found in nursing homes' disaster plans," Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar, April 16, 2012
]]>The baby girl, tragically, seems to have suffered neurological damage as well as convulsions and sepsis. She is in intensive care and being given antibiotics to fight infection and her breathing is being helped by using a ventilator. Sources say the baby could be in the hospital for quite a while.
]]> The baby was born three months prematurely, which puts her at risk for complications and death even before factoring in her half day spent without care in the morgue. Five medical employees suffered a suspension from their jobs while the incident is being investigated.A scant 20 minutes following her premature birth, hospital personnel were already filling out a death certificate. Employees were quickly dispatched to transport the baby to the hospital morgue, encased in a coffin. The parents of the little girl wanted to say one final goodbye to their daughter and asked to see her. The mother then saw her baby move and she realized that her daughter was, in fact, alive.
The hospital lacked an explanation for the serious error. One U.S. specialist speculated that the doctors at the hospital may simply not have expected such a premature baby to survive, having an impact on how they treated her, and even on their perceptions of her condition. This kind of behavior is arguably careless and negligent. Some question the level of care that was taken in treating the baby.
Despite the fact that this situation is quite extraordinary, it is a good reminder of the mistakes that can be made in a hospital. Errors can be made by doctors and staff members, and oftentimes these errors can have serious, long-lasting consequences. In the United States, victims of these mistakes may be able to seek compensation for this type of negligence.
Source: Washington Post, "Argentine 'miracle' morgue baby in critical condition; president calls mother to sympathize," April 12, 2012
]]>This notion was supported by a recent report conducted by the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and State Farm Insurance. The study showed that 30 percent of the over 55,000 teen drivers - passengers included - injured between 2009 and 2010 suffered head injuries. The results of car crashes lead to everything from traumatic brain injuries and skull fractures to concussions. At this rate, the Centers for Disease Control have pegged car crashes as the leading cause of brain injury for individuals between the ages of 15 and 19.
]]> However, there has been a decline in teen driving fatalities over the course of the last six years. Still, just because a teen does not die from their brain, or other, injuries after a car crash does not mean they do not suffer significant and life-altering damages.A doctor and lead author in the study said that a full recovery from some head injuries simply is not attainable, so the injuries can deeply affect not only the teen victim, but also their families.
While teen car crashes might seem like an unavoidable reality, an official for State Farm Insurance said there are measures states and young motorists can take to help prevent them. He pointed to the states with strict graduated driver licensing laws as those most effective in reducing brain injuries and death among teen drivers. GDL programs dictate how many adult-supervised hours a young driver must log while also limiting the amount of teen passengers and nighttime driving for young drivers.
Source: Forbes, "Car Crashes Are The Leading Cause Of Fatal Head Trauma Among Teens," Jim Gorzelany, April 2, 2012
]]>An incident involving a carpenter, who was working on a new bridge that crosses the Mississippi River, underscored this fact when he succumbed to injuries suffered while on the job. The victim was a 35-year-old man hailing from Park Hills. He was working on a barge at the time of the incident and fell off into the Mississippi River and disappeared. Rescue crews frantically searched for the man but had to stop their effort late in the afternoon. These search efforts included crews from the St. Louis Fire Department and the United States Coast Guard.
]]> Rescuers eventually found the man submerged in the water near an industrial lift he was working on. The lift also fell from the barge. The man's body was still attached to the machine with a tether when they found him. While the tether was a proper safety device, many are left wondering why the lift tipped into the water. More importantly, what safety measures could have prevented that?The barge was about 150 feet away from one of the bridge's large towers when the aerial man lift the worker was laboring on tipped into the water at around 10:30 a.m. The man fell into the river while wearing a life jacket, but the jacket must have come off because rescuers recovered it shortly after they began their search.
Federal workplace safety investigators are looking into the ordeal to see if the contracting company followed all appropriate safety measures. If any negligence or machinery malfunctions are discovered, the victim's family may be able to pursue financial compensation for their inevitable pain and suffering.
Source: stltoday.com, "Body of missing bridge worker pulled from Mississippi River," Patrick M. O'Connell, March 29, 2012
]]>In 2010, only two companies were fined more than $500,000 by the Consumer Product Safety Commission for product defects. In 2011, though, 10 companies were cited, with penalties amounting to more than $4 million. Defective products included strollers, kitchen appliances, exercise equipment, office furniture and clothing.
]]> Corporate representatives say they sometimes are unsure whether they should report a potential safety problem to the CPSC. They say that sometimes consumers are using the product incorrectly, and no pattern of injury exists to support a recall. Some corporate leaders say they would be unlikely to report a problem if the injury was minor. Only severe consequences such as cutting off a body part or sustaining a concussion should trigger an investigation.CPSC sees things differently. "If in doubt, report it," is one of their fundamental philosophies, according to agency leaders. CPSC representatives say they want to encourage consumers to report any injuries sustained from product usage. Further, the group wants to reassure the American public that it is closely monitoring product dangers, watching and counting the type and number of injuries that occur each year. CPSC representatives emphasize that companies can be held liable both by the government and the consumer if something goes wrong during product use.
Federal law states that companies must immediately report defects if they could create a significant hazard that increases risk for injury or death. But because so many companies are careless in this reporting, an item that should be removed from the market does not always get removed. Those who have been injured by a defective or dangerous product may consider filing a claim against a negligent company to collect financial compensation for damages.
Source: ABC News 2, "Policing Product Failures That Put You and Your Family at Risk," March 21, 2012
]]>The lawsuit, filed in Cook County Circuit Court, accuses Mandujano of failing to maintain proper control of his vehicle, proceeding at a speed which was greater than reasonable and proper, and operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol. Susana Pintor leaves behind a 2 year-old daughter, Arianna Torres. The case is entitled Susana Guajardo, Guardian and Next Friend of Arianna Torres, a minor, as Special Administrator of the Estate of Susana Pintor, deceased v. Mario Mandujano, case number 2012 L 003283. The case is pending before Judge Diane J. Larsen. For media coverage of the crash, please click on the following links:
]]>The family of the 80-year-old man has filed a wrongful death suit against the nursing home after his death was determined a homicide by the medical examiner's office. They claim the center did not provide protection for their family member from nursing home neglect, and says the home also did not have enough employees working during the time of the incident.
]]> The fight between the two elderly residents occurred days before Valentine's Day, and resulted in the 80-year-old victim sustaining head injuries, according to authorities who arrived on scene. The fight looked unprovoked, and employees said they heard yelling before they came upon the 66-year-old standing above the bleeding man lying on the floor.The victim died Feb. 14 at the nursing home. Currently, there are no charges against the alleged attacker.
Employees, including a facility administrator, have said both men had become increasingly aggressive and forgetful through the years, and were often seen wandering and losing their tempers. However, some other employees said they were unaware of the problems suffered by the men.
The police commander of the business said they will take the time they need to investigate the case. So far, he said reports point to the fact the staff members did not do enough to monitor the men before the fight broke out or have policies addressing physically aggressive behaviors. A spokeswoman for the public health department said updates at the nursing home should have long been established to continually keep watch over the men involved.
When a loved one is placed in the care of a nursing home, family members should have every right to believe he or she will be treated with care and dignity. When a person is neglected or put in danger, those responsible for any resulting accident should be held accountable.
Source: Chicago Tribune, "Oak Park nursing home failed to supervise 2 patients before deadly fight, state says," Brian Slodysko, March 11, 2012
]]>http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2012/03/15/family-of-woman-who-walked-onto-eisenhower-sues-state-police/
http://www.wgntv.com/news/wgntv-diana-paz-lawsuit-march15,0,5860466.story
http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/local&id=8582890
]]>Malpractice claims such as this are a national problem, affecting thousands of patients everywhere, even in Illinois, each year. Fatalities and injuries as a result of medical malpractice can have a significant impact on victims' and families' lives, and it is important to hold hospitals accountable for their actions or inaction.
]]> The woman's medical saga began in 2008, when she went to the hospital and was diagnosed with kidney stones. She was given painkillers and sent home, according to local news sources. The next day, the woman was in excruciating pain and called 911 two times. For some reason, medics refused to transport her to the hospital despite repeated requests.Her fiancé eventually took her to the emergency room, where medical professionals found that a sepsis infection had spread throughout her body's systems. The woman went into a coma and the infected areas became gangrenous. She woke up to find that both of her hands and feet had to be amputated while she was unconscious, and she had lost sight in one eye.
Some of the $18 million settlement will compensate the woman for her future medical costs, as well as for her pain and suffering. Although the woman said she is happy that she will be able to afford future medical care, she says the money cannot possibly restore her missing limbs. The woman faces a lifetime of medical woes because of the physicians' and medics' poor decision-making skills.
Source: Reuters, "NYC Multiple Amputee Wins $18M from City, Hospital," Stephanie Rabiner, March 6, 2012
]]>The study focused military members returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. For many years, it has been known that soldiers frequently experience PTSD, but are some of them at a greater risk than others? According to the results of this test, the answer is yes.
]]> Since 2008, a link between PTSD and traumatic brain injury has been identified. Scientists determined that a larger majority of TBI patients also suffered from PTSD than those who did not have any physical injuries. It was not until recently, however, that studies are suggesting that a serious blow to the head can actually prime a brain to develop a disorder.During the course of a TBI, the part of the brain called the amygdala can be affected. The amygdala is very vulnerable to injury and is also the location of where fear responses are regulated. In their studies, scientists showed that when the amygdala is injured, the subject is seemingly more capable of being fearful. Subjects with TBI showed significantly more receptor response in the amygdala making the emotion of fear much more pronounced.
This could be an important development in traumatic brain injury studies. For now, the studies are being used primarily to understand the effects on military members. Going forward, however, studies into the wide variety of effects of a brain injury can help everyone. Learning more about the consequences of these injuries can help the victims move on while being more educated. In the event that a person is at fault for a TBI, he or she should be held liable for the various and often long-term effects a victim may suffer.
Source: Danger Room, "Blasts to the Head 'Primed' Brains for PTSD, Study Says," Katie Drummond, Feb. 22, 2012
]]>On November 8, 2003, at approximately 12:48 a.m., Leo W. Mach and his son were traveling to Wisconsin for a fishing trip. Their minivan was heading west on Route 173 near its intersection with Lakeview Road in Spring Grove, Illinois when a vehicle being driven by a drunk driver suddenly crossed the centerline and collided head on with their vehicle. Leo W. Mach was immediately transported via helicopter to Rockford Memorial Hospital with fractured ribs, a collapsed lung, a fractured cervical spine, a lacerated spleen, and a pulmonary contusion. At Rockford Memorial Hospital, Leo W. Mach underwent six surgeries over the next two months. During this time at Rockford Memorial Hospital Leo W. Mach developed a terrible bedsore. The bedsore progressed all the way to a Stage IV ulcer and Leo W. Mach underwent three more surgical procedures, including a major skin and muscle flap surgery.
At trial, the jury found against the drunk driver and found that the hospital nurses failed to properly monitor Leo W. Mach while he was at Rockford Memorial Hospital. This verdict is Matt Rundio's second successful verdict in three months.
]]>The purpose of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration is to ensure that workplaces are safe. They set and enforce standards that must be met in order to keep workers safe. When a company fails to meet these standards, OSHA can fine the negligent parties. After a serious injury occurred at a plant recently, an Illinois-based company was significantly fined by OSHA for willfully neglecting safety standards.
]]> The injury occurred when a worker was exposed to energized parts of some electrical equipment. The employee suffered serious burns on his hand as a result. The electrical burning incident prompted OSHA to investigate the situation. Their examination uncovered several safety hazards present at the plant.The company received six citations, which includes failing to provide workers with protective equipment. This failure illustrates a clear lack of concern for the safety of the employees, according to OSHA. All told, the company was fined over $90,000 for several safety violations.
While OSHA can identify and fine companies who are negligent in safety violations, victims of a work injury may choose to work with an attorney to discuss any damages that they may personally be entitled to.
Source: Patch, "Yaskawa Fined After Worker's Injury at Oak Creek Factory," Mark Schaaf, Feb. 28, 2012
]]>