Distracted Nurses in Paediatric Intensive Care Unit
We all are aware of the dangers of distracted driving, but are you all aware of the distracted medical care specialists who use cell phones while providing treatments to patients, especially in paediatric care units? Studies have found that the negligence of distracted nurses is harming the young patients. Every healthcare professional owes their patients a standard duty of care when they are working in a nursing home or a hospital. Failing to act in a manner which is consistent with the expectation of the medical community can get the nurses and the doctors into grave trouble. If you have had an encounter with a distracted nurse/doctor then you have all the right to file a claim against them. For a doctor or nurse to be distracted at work is an offence, it is because their being distracted is putting someone’s life in danger. Why are Nurses Distracted? As the medical systems are advancing, the industry is getting more and more dependent on technology. In an attempt to curb medical errors, hospitals are spending tons of money on electronic devices that give health care providers instant access to drug information, patient data, medical references or material etc. Unfortunately, just like all other innovations, this advancement has come with a downside; the focus of the healthcare professionals has shifted to these electronic devices and away from their patients. These electronic devices like computers and phones have also allowed health workers to do non-work-related tasks such as talking to family members, texting a friend, checking e-mails, checking social media, surfing the internet, etc during critical hours when the patient needs their attention. A term has been given to this kind of distraction and is called – ‘distracted doctoring ’. Avoiding Errors in Medication Administration All the healthcare providers who are taking care of fragile patients and those within the paediatric intensive care unit should be given some mistake-proofing tools to perform their routine services so that they can provide compassionate care without harmful distractions. The hospitals and nursing homes need to make sure that there is no room for any kind of error in every patient’s medical care. The one way in which all kinds of mistakes and errors can be avoided is by minimizing the interruptions during the medical administration process, so that a strong focus is enforced by the health system and the hospitals. In fact, with kids in the paediatric intensive care unit, the medical staff needs to be even more careful and attentive. Get Help from an Attorney Kids in the hospital can be a very stressful situation and on top of that, if you get a distracted medical staff, the condition worsens for the whole family. If a medical error of a distracted nurse in the paediatric intensive care unit has harmed your child or someone you know, then you need to get in touch with a Personal injury lawyer at Siler & Ingber. For many years now the team of lawyers at Siler & Ingber have fought for compensation on behalf of many families like yours who have suffered because of the negligence of a healthcare provider. For a free evaluation of your case, contact the team today!
10 Symptoms of Infant Spinal Cord Injury after Birth
At the time of birth, newborns can suffer some birth injuries which are caused due to medical negligence or malpractice. These injuries can have lifelong consequences which also include expensive medical care. Spinal cord injury in newborns is a kind of birth injury where the spinal cord of the baby is injured due to excessive traction or rotation/twisting of a baby’s trunk at the time of the delivery. Misuse of instruments such as the forceps or vacuum extraction can be the cause of this injury. If a physician tries to manipulate the position of the fetus very quickly then the baby is put at further risk of a spinal cord injury and the negligent doctor is the one to be blamed. If you believe that your child has suffered a spinal cord injury at the time of birth then you sure should reach out to an experienced birth injury lawyer who will help you out in weighing your options and would act on your behalf to secure rightful justice and compensation. Symptoms of Infant Spinal Cord Injury after Birth During difficult birth scenarios, spinal cord injuries are likely to happen. These scenarios could be rotational stress on the spine during delivery, traction on the baby’s truck during a breech (where the bottom comes out first) delivery or hyperextension of the head in an abnormal birthing position. A Paediatrician must examine every newborn for any sign of birth injuries and differentiate them from congenital disabilities or congenital malformations. A child needs to be observed for some specific time after birth to rule out any kind of birth injuries or any health issues. In case a child has suffered a spinal cord injury, the symptoms may vary from mild benign signs to life-threatening ones. The signs and symptoms of a spinal cord injury may include:- High-pitched Crying Breathing Difficulty Low Oxygen Levels Inability to Move Difficulty Suckling Sensitivity to Light Extreme Drooling Curled Hands & Feet Lowered Heart Rate Overall Fussiness Newborns that suffer spinal cord injuries may be at a high risk of neurodevelopmental impairment and should be monitored very closely by a pediatrician, developmental-behavioral pediatrician, clinical and nursing staff. Some birth injuries cannot be stopped but in most cases, they can be prevented or their severity can be lessened with a careful and attentive approach of the medical practitioner. The best way in which a birth injury can be avoided is a proper evaluation of the position of the baby before the labor and delivery begin. Get Help from a Skilled Birth Injury Attorney Birth injuries like spinal cord injury are usually caused due to the mistake of doctors or other medical staff. Infant injuries caused during delivery and labor can cause physical, emotional and financial burden on the parents. As a result of it, the family may seek compensation to cover the high costs of medical care and treatment. If you suspect that medical negligence at the time of delivery has contributed to a spinal injury to your newborn then get in touch with Siler & Ingber’s team of lawyers which have helped many parents obtain financial damages for the birth trauma caused to them and their child. Contact the team today to schedule a free initial consultation and case evaluation.
Loud Music and Distracted Driving
Are you one of those who love listening to music at full blast when driving around? Music of slow tempo and safe volume has a calming effect and decreases boredom but when music in the car is too loud, it can put you in a lot of danger. What might seem like a fun and harmless activity might turn your whole life upside down. Listening to loud music is a form of distracted driving as it hampers your reaction time and hence it may be the primary cause of many serious accidents. When you are behind the wheel it is expected that your reaction times are optimal at all times. Beyond the direct physical effect of delayed reaction time, in general, loud music inside the car while driving is a distraction. With loud music the driver can’t hear horns or an emergency siren which might be warning you about a potentially dangerous situation. In addition, drivers that play loud music in their cars tend to speed. A research was conducted that proved true that if tempo of the music is more than 120 beats per minute then you will accelerate more. Loud music increases the risk-taking ability of the driver such as changing lanes suddenly, running red lights, etc. Overall, it has been seen that there can be dire consequences for those who choose to listen to loud music inside their cars while driving. In case an accident is caused because the driver was distracted listening to music, then legal actions against the driver for recklessness and negligence can be very harsh. Consequences of Listening to Loud Music while Driving Loud music might make you miss seeing a vehicle in your blind spot, in that split second your reaction time may drop dramatically, resulting in a collision with the rear-end vehicle. You might get severely injured in such a collision and also cause injury to someone else. Listening to loud music can be a hobby for when you are home because your safety and the safety of those with whom you share the road are in your hands. Due to the delayed reactions while listening to loud music, distracted drivers are some of the most dangerous people on the road as accidents caused by them usually occur at high speed and result in maximum damage. This is the reason why injuries sustained in these kinds of accidents are devastating, tragic and in some cases even deadly. Legal Help for Loud Music Distracted Driving Incidents Getting involved in a car accident can be a life-altering event. An injury caused by distracted driving can be serious and may lead to expensive hospital bills and time spent away from work. If you or any of your known were involved in a car accident that was caused because the driver was distracted due to music, phone etc then do not hesitate to seek legal help. Siler & Ingber’s team has personal injury lawyers who will be able to help you receive compensation for your lost wages, medical bills, and the physical & mental trauma. Call today for a free evaluation of your case and to learn about the first steps that you need to take to get the desired outcome from the lawsuit you plan to file.
Understanding the MV-104 Accident Report
View our Settlement Calculator The New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law requires all drivers to file their own MV-104 accident report within any vehicular accident case involving over $1,000 of property damage to at least one of the parties, including yourself. Part of what makes the MV-104 accident report form so complicated is that everyone must file this form within 10 days of the accident’s occurrence, as well as report the following: Whether or not the accident only caused property damage. This will include reporting information involving the personal exchange of your driver’s license, registration and insurance information with the other drivers involved in the accident. Whether or not any parked vehicles or other property was damaged due to the events of the accident. This also includes any information about a domestic animal being injured and the animal’s owner information. Whether or not the property damage to any party involved in the accident exceeded $1,000 or more, and if this is the case then this is really where the MV-104 form comes to play. It’s important to know that the DMV can suspend your license if you don’t file an MV-104 form within 10 days after the day of the accident. It is always legally required to immediately notify the police in the situation that someone was injured or even killed in a vehicular accident, and the drivers and the police will be required to file a report to the DMV. There’s no doubt about it that properly filling out the MV-104 form can be very complicated, which is sometimes due to the vast amount of abbreviations, codes, and symbols that many people simply have never seen before on any other government forms. We’re here to help you get through all the confusion through this article that entails an entire guide to reading and filling out the MV-104 accident report form. A lot of people don’t realize just how important it is to fill this form out correctly, and the information that you’ll include in the MV-104 form could potentially play a significant factor in determining how much money in damages you’ll end up receiving for any accident situation. Insurance companies are always going to be examining every word you put in the MV-104 form, so it’s always best to team up with an experienced New York car accident lawyer so they can’t dictate what ends up happening with your case. Help yourself take back the control in these types of unfortunate situations and always feel free to contact us right away with any questions or concerns you may have about filling out your MV-104 form. Filling out the MV-104 Accident Report Page 1 One of the main things everyone must fully understand about the MV-104 form is that the intricate details are always going to matter a lot. You aren’t going to want to give insurance companies any kind of reasoning to deny your claim, which is a lot easier said than done. You’re going to need to ensure that all the accident report information is 100% accurate, which includes your personal information on Page 1. You’ll have to provide things like your driver’s license number, name, address and the exact time and date of your vehicular accident. Number Injured This is something that you’ll have to pay close attention to when it comes to the number that has been written within this box by the police officer who is investigating your accident. The box itself is pretty straightforward in that it entails the number of injured individuals from your accident, but you’ll want to ensure that this number is 100% correct because insurance companies may begin questioning you to see if you or any other people were actually injured if there are any discrepancies between these boxes in other MV-104 forms. Types of Injuries Involved This is a really important section of the MV-104 report because it will contain the specific injury information that occurred as a result of the accident. This section tends to be a little bit complicated to fill out because there are codes for rows 14-16 in this box that entail the physical location of the injuries, type of injuries and severity of injuries, respectively. There is a good chance that your investigating police office may help you with notes for this section, and you can also always find the specific code information for this box on Page 2. Boxes 19-24 These boxes on the right side of Page 1 entail information about the overall cause of the accident, and there are several different codes that can be found on Page 2 that can help you fill this section out correctly. There may be notes left by your investigating officer that you could use to help you fill this section out as well. This is one of the main sections that insurance companies will be reviewing in order to determine how much accident victims will be compensated, so you’re going to want to make sure you are completely agreeing with your investigating officer’s overall assessment of the accident. If you have any reason to not agree with the officer’s assessment then you should contact us immediately so we can help you set the record straight and get your rightful compensation. Pages 2 and 3 Most of the boxes within Page 1 require special numeric codes, and so Pages 2 and 3 entail codes for Page 1. The meanings for these codes will also be found on this page, and there’s no denying that it can become really complicated to correctly match up the right codes for each box. This is one of the many reasons why it’s best to have an experienced auto accident attorney to help you fill out these forms. We know exactly how to read these reports and will be on your side to help you better understand how you can utilize the MV-104 accident report form to build a stronger case. Page 4: Types of Injuries Codes Similar
Unhappy With Your Lawyer? Here’s What to Do
Are you unhappy with the services you are receiving from your current lawyer? Did you know that you have the right to change lawyers at any point throughout your case? Just be sure to make careful steps when doing so. Like personal relationships, not all professional relationships last forever. The doctor you initially appreciated because of his efficiency now strikes you as abrupt and impatient would make you look for another doctor. The same goes for your lawyer. If you think your case is not being handled the way you like, you have a right to change lawyers. You are allowed to get a second opinion, not just when you have medical issues, but legal issues too. When evaluating your lawyer’s services ask yourself . . . Is your attorney wasting time in meetings? Do they appear to be unprepared for court, disorganized, or in the worst-case scenario, seem to be mishandling your funds or documents? This unprofessionalism is unacceptable, as is an attorney who does not communicate well with you. Is your attorney not responding to your repeat emails, phone calls, or questions? It’s important for your attorney to understand your case thoroughly so that you may work together as a team. Also, if you disagree about how your case should be handled perhaps hiring another attorney is a better option. Finally, if you believe your attorney is not showing full dedication toward your case or compassion to you as a client, these are all reasons finding a different attorney may be your best option. No matter where you are in the process, you are allowed to change attorneys if that is what works in your best interest. Once you’ve definitely decided to change attorneys, there are still a few things you should do before notifying him or her of the change. You should review your retainer agreement in order to follow the correct steps to terminate the relationship. Meet with other attorneys to explain the situation and minimize the delay in switching attorneys. When you’re ready to end the relationship with your old lawyer, send a certified or registered letter that clearly states you are terminating the relationship and a request for your file. The process of changing attorneys can be stressful, but maintaining a professional demeanor while dealing with your old attorney should allow for a smooth transition to a new firm that is more capable and dedicated to handling your case. If you wish to obtain a second opinion, Siler & Ingber offers a free case evaluation. Contact us: 1-877-718-6079.
Fourth of July Backyard Safety
Don’t Let Your Summer Festivities Turn Tragic With this week following a holiday of fun festivities, there are a few safety concerns to keep in mind. America’s birthday usually means the tradition of fireworks, road trips to the beach, and a barbecue celebration with family and friends. Although these activities are more than exciting and something to look forward to, this week is also known to be one of the most dangerous weeks of summer. The National Safety Council estimates 409 people may be killed on the roads this upcoming holiday period. Drivers need to always be vigilant and aware that there will be many more drivers on the road. Make sure to give yourself enough time, focus on both your safety as well as those around you. Be sure to buckle up, reduce your speed and refrain from distractions like using your cell phone. Lastly, do NOT drink and drive. If you plan on drinking, make sure to organize make a designated driver or an alternative form of transportation. With an average of 230 fireworks-related injuries near, and on Independence Day, being part of a home firework show must be carefully considered. Not only is it illegal within the state of NY to have possession of fireworks but the risks of injuries are high. However, if you still feel the need to take part in setting off fireworks, please remember the risks involved. Fireworks can easily start a fire, and the chances multiply when the climate is dry. Even something as innocent as simple sparklers can set off a fire if you don’t properly make sure that the flame is out before throwing it away. Always point fireworks and sparkles away from yourself and those around you. The most common cause of fireworks-related injuries is being too close. So keep your distance and never allow young children to play with fireworks, including sparklers; as sparklers burn at temperatures near 2,000 degrees. The last thing to remember is if lighting a firework does nothing and it burns without setting it off, don’t re-light it. In the case of “duds,” as these defective firecrackers are called, you must leave the dud alone for 20 minutes before putting it in a bucket of water. By trying to light it again you are setting yourself up for danger if it happens to explode. Overall, throughout the summer it is important to follow back-yard safety. Be sure to follow proper barbecuing instructions, always watch children by the pool, and don’t forget to wear sunscreen. The Siler & Ingber team wishes you a happy and safe Independence Day Week.
