Alcohol impairs drivers by reducing the cognitive functions in their brain, including their thinking and reasoning skills. It also reduces muscle coordination and reaction times. The more alcohol someone drinks, the greater impact it will have on their driving abilities. Currently, the legal limit is .08% in all states except Utah, which has enacted a lower limit. While these are the legal limits, drivers should understand that even small amounts of alcohol can impair their ability to safely drive a vehicle. For example, over 1,800 people died in traffic accidents where drivers had alcohol levels below the legal limit in 2017.
Even though drunk driving is dangerous and illegal, thousands of people still do it every year. Statistics show that male drivers are more likely than female drivers to become involved in a fatal drunk-driving crash. For example, 21% of men involved in fatal alcohol-related crashes in 2017 were drunk, compared to 14% of women. Meanwhile, drunk drivers who are arrested face harsh penalties, including the loss of driving privileges, steep fines and jail time.
People who are injured in car accidents that were caused by a drunk driver often need extensive and expensive medical care and treatment, during which they are unable to return to work. They might find it advisable to have the assistance of an attorney when seeking compensation for their losses.
]]>Unfortunately, the reality is that nursing homes are often hotbeds for abuse and neglect. The elderly are fragile and vulnerable, which can make them targets. They may also struggle with mental and emotional issues as their bodies succumb to things like dementia and other mental disorders. In some cases, they cannot or will not talk about the abuse.
As a loving family member, you want to know what red flags to watch out for and what steps to take when you see them. Some potential signs of abuse include the following:
1. The same injury happens again and again
Maybe your loved one fell and injured their arm. They had it in a sling for a while and recovered, and you thought it was just an unfortunate event. It may have been, but, if it keeps happening repeatedly, that's a serious red flag. Either the nursing home is neglecting them and allowing it to happen or some type of direct abuse is leading to those injuries.
2. No one can explain the injuries in the first place
Perhaps you noticed a bruise on a weekend visit. The next weekend, you spotted a small cut. After that, you saw a burn mark or active bleeding. When no one has an answer -- including your loved one -- that's a massive red flag. Yes, people do get hurt accidentally, but someone typically knows the story behind it -- especially if it keeps happening.
3. When you ask your loved one to go to the doctor, they don't want to go
Many elderly people who suffer from abuse feel ashamed about it. They don't want to talk about it. They may have been manipulated into thinking it was their own fault. They may feel self-conscious because they want to be independent and it is clear that they need help. Whatever the reason, if they do not want to go to the doctor or get treatment when they need it, you should probably dig a bit deeper into exactly what happened and how it happened.
Your options
By no means are these all of the potential red flags, but they do give you a good place to begin. As noted above, it's important to know what steps to take if you think that abuse has occurred, as you need to protect a vulnerable loved one who may not be able to do so on their own.
]]>The presenter, president of the Independent Healthcare Associates, says that misdiagnosing vasculitis can lead to injury. In one case, a rheumatologist had a patient with what was suspected to be rheumatoid arthritis, but the doctor disregarded the patient's fever and did not order blood cultures. It turns out that the patient had endocarditis, an infection of the heart's inner lining, and a classic example of a vasculitis mimic. The patient suffered a stroke afterwards and became permanently disabled.
Another thing to remember is that among adults, vasculitis can be caused by drug use. Cocaine and amphetamine use are known to cause vasculitis-like symptoms. Cholesterol embolisms are a third example of a vasculitis mimic, so doctors should not hesitate to have an ophthalmologist check the retina for signs of retinal disease.
A last condition, much rarer, that mimics vasculitis is reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome. It affects the blood vessels leading to the brain and is characterized by thunderclap headaches.
Many doctors misdiagnose a condition through their own negligence. When the error leads to unnecessary treatments, a decreased survival rate and other negative consequences, the victim may be able to file a claim under medical malpractice law and be compensated for the medical costs, pain and suffering, lost wages and other related losses. They may want a lawyer by their side, though, because it takes a lot to prove malpractice and link it to the injuries. The lawyer may speak at the negotiation table and even in the courtroom.
]]>Similar previous care bundles recommended three- or six-hour care bundles. The new one-hour recommendation was designed to shorten the amount of time between recognition and treatment. If the diagnosis is inaccurate, though, the risk of overtreatment or unnecessary treatment is significantly increased. According to researchers, the three- and six-hour care protocols were sufficient to treat many patients and to prevent dangerous complications. Patients who have early-stage sepsis may not need treatment immediately, and there are potentially serious consequences of administering antibiotics and other care to patients who do not need them.
On the other side of the issue, failure to optimally treat sepsis may result in the death of the patient. Researchers also noted that care bundles may erroneously imply that all parts of them are of equal importance while evidence suggests otherwise. Many studies have indicated that timely antibiotic administration was equivalent in efficacy to completing the entire bundle of care. Over-treatment and misdiagnosis of patients can lead to unnecessary complications, injury or death.
People who have suffered injuries due to misdiagnosis or other medical errors might be entitled to recover for lost wages, pain and suffering, medical expenses or other damages. An attorney with experience in medical malpractice cases might help injured parties by gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses to build a case for trial. An attorney may be able to negotiate a settlement without the client having to go to court.
]]>Crash statistics have long shown that car crashes injure women more frequently than men. In fact, one study found that female car occupants are 73% more likely to suffer injuries or death in an accident than male car occupants. More than 10 years ago, traffic safety advocates noted that seat belts could be to blame for this phenomenon. Apparently, seat belts were designed for male bodies, and women who are short or prefer to sit in certain positions can counteract the device's restraint abilities, leading to more injuries and fatalities.
Now, researchers from the University of Virginia have found that crash test dummies might also be part of the problem. Most vehicle safety testing is done using dummies designed to represent the average male body. While a dummy meant to represent women was introduced in 2003, it is just 5 feet tall and weighs only 110 pounds, meaning that it does not represent the bodies of most women. One of the authors of the study said that male and female bodies have significant differences in fat distribution and pelvis shape, which could alter the ways that seat belts work during a crash. He went on to say that the auto industry has not adequately taken this information into account.
Kentucky women injured in car accidents might be able to recover financial compensation by filing a lawsuit against the party responsible for the crash. A personal injury lawyer may be able to represent the victim in court and push for a settlement that covers medical bills, lost wages and other losses.
]]>For example, the riskiest place to drive in 2019 is Baltimore, Maryland, where drivers go an average of just 4.2 years between crashes. In comparison, the national average between car crashes is 10.57. The next riskiest place for motorists is Washington, D.C., where drivers go just 4.4 years between accidents. Boston, Massachusetts, comes in third on the list, with drivers averaging just 4.9 years between collisions. Other risky cities on the list include Worcester, Massachusetts; Glendale, California; Los Angeles, California; and Springfield, Massachusetts.
Meanwhile, the safest place to drive in America is currently Brownsville, Texas, where drivers go an average of 14.95 years between accidents. The second safest place is Boise, Idaho, where drivers go 13.65 years between collisions. The third safest place is Huntsville, Alabama, where drivers go 13.39 years between wrecks. Other safe areas on the list include Kansas City, Kansas; Laredo, Texas; Olathe, Kansas; Fort Collins, Colorado; and Overland Park, Kansas. Finally, Lexington, Kentucky, was ranked the 29th safest place to drive, with drivers averaging 11 years between crashes. Louisville ranked 98th, with drivers averaging 9.1 years between accidents.
Individuals injured in car accidents caused by other drivers may be entitled to compensation for damages, including medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages and property loss. An attorney who handles car crash claims might assess a victim's case, collect evidence supporting a personal injury claim and negotiate the maximum settlement possible with the insurance company.
]]>Truck accidents happen for all sorts of reasons, from drunk driving to distracted driving. These are professional drivers, but they make a lot of the same mistakes as other drivers on the roads. One potential issue that may hit truck drivers a bit harder than most, though, is fatigue.
Workplace fatigue
You have to remember that, for a trucker, the cab of that truck is their workplace. If you have ever felt bored and exhausted sitting at your desk at work, you know how truckers feel. They too grow complacent and bored with the repetitive nature of the job.
There's also something to be said for the way that the open road can lull you to sleep. At a desk job, you can get up and walk around, talk to a coworker, make a phone call or browse social media on your phone. You can break up that monotony. A truck driver doesn't have that luxury. They just have mile after mile of pavement going by at exactly the same speed. They get paid by the mile, and they can't afford to stop for a break just because they're getting bored.
Other reasons for fatigue
On top of boredom and monotony, truck drivers also face high risks for fatigue because:
This just scratches the surface. The reality is that drivers face a lot of challenges and may fall asleep behind the wheel. If you get injured in an accident, be sure you know what rights you have.
]]>The medical records of 13,653 patients showed that 1,583 of them experienced a medical complication within 30 days of their surgeries. Patients operated on by surgeons with complaints on file against them had complications at a greater rate than patients cared for by surgeons with clean records. Surgeons who had between one and three complaints created an 18% higher risk of complications for patients. When surgeons had four or more complaints, their patients faced a 32% higher risk of surgical complications.
Complaints from co-workers ranged from concerns about a surgeon's attitude toward safety to disrespectful communication. Some complaints described surgeons failing to attend to their professional responsibilities. The authors of the study concluded that unprofessional behavior by surgeons weakened safety culture and reduced teamwork. Complications associated with poorly behaving surgeons took the form of surgical errors, infections, pneumonia, stroke, sepsis, urinary tract infections, and renal problems.
All health care professionals have a duty to maintain high standards of care. Mistakes or outright negligence could inflict harm on unsuspecting patients. A person injured by a physician's poor performance could consult with an attorney in order to learn how to seek compensation for their losses, either through negotiating a settlement with the at-fault party's insurer or through a lawsuit.
]]>The automatic lane changing function, an optional feature in the Autopilot, troubled car testers because it changed lanes when other vehicles were too close. In some cases, the system initiated car passing in violation of state laws. The testers reported that they frequently had to take action to stop the Autopilot from making unsafe maneuvers.
In response to the rough review from Consumer Reports, Tesla issued a statement that emphasized that its Autopilot system was meant for use with human supervision. The company also said that its customers have driven millions of miles safely while using the system. According to the National Transportation Safety Board, however, three fatal accidents in the United States have been blamed on the Tesla Autopilot.
Until further technological breakthroughs occur, car accidents will continue to be a hazard to Kentucky roadways. Someone who has been hurt by a negligent driver may seek compensation via a personal injury claim. An attorney might prevent an insurance company from forcing a low settlement on someone. Furthermore, an attorney could identify insurance coverage and assemble documentation to support a client's claim for medical expenses and lost income.
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