Blog

Surgical Fires: A Threat to Patient Safety in the Operating Room

Mar 9, 2016

Surgical fires, though rare, can kill or severely burn patients undergoing a medical procedure. These preventable fires are the result of the negligence of health care providers in various settings ranging from hospitals to urgent care centers to doctor’s offices. The patient safety organization Emergency Care Research Institute (ECRI) has estimated that 200 to 240 surgical fires occur each year in the United States, while the FDA estimates as many as 650. A fire can ignite...

Steps To Take After a Rental Car Accident

Mar 8, 2016

Rental car accidents can get complicated quickly, especially when they involve injuries and other drivers. The ease in obtaining compensation depends largely on how the rental is covered by insurance. Below are a few points to know about insurance coverage and accident claims before you rent a vehicle. Speak to an experienced Philadelphia car accident lawyer now for more information about steps to take following a rental car crash. Does my personal car insurance cover my rental? Chances...

Possible Factors Contributing to Seat Belt Failure

Mar 7, 2016

Wearing a seat belt is the most effective thing vehicle occupants can do to protect themselves in the event of a collision. Seat belts save thousands of lives every year – in fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that buckling up saved more than 62,000 lives between 2008 and 2012. It’s no wonder seat belt use in the United States reached 88.5 percent in 2015. Unfortunately, the effectiveness of a seat belt in...

4 Types of Brachial Plexus Injuries During Birth

Mar 7, 2016

A newborn can suffer nerve damage when his or her shoulder gets stuck behind the mother’s pubic bone during birth. If the delivering physician fails to recognize and respond to this condition, called shoulder dystocia, the infant can sustain nerve injuries ranging from mild to permanent. Call a birth injury attorney at Anapol Weiss if you believe your child suffered during delivery as a result of neglect from doctors and medical staff. The brachial plexus nerves...

Preventing Surgical Instruments from Being Forgotten Inside Patients

Mar 4, 2016

A surgical object mistakenly left inside a patient is a medical emergency that can lead to death or permanent health problems. Shockingly, surgical instruments are left inside patients thousands of times every year in the United States. Surgical sponges account for nearly 70 percent of items left inside patients. Other items commonly found on post-op X-rays include: retractors, sharp objects such as needles, blades and scalpels, towels and other textiles, clamps, guide wires, scissors and more...

6 Steps to Take After Being Informed of an Infection Control Breach

Mar 4, 2016

More than 200 patients were recently notified that they may have been exposed to HIV or hepatitis B or C at Shore Medical Center in New Jersey. Sadly, infection control breaches continue to happen in hospitals across the country, and patients are left with unexpected health problems they never expected to happen. Below are six steps patients should take if they receive a letter from any hospital about possible infection exposure. 1. Get tested right away. Set up...

What to Do if You’re a Passenger in a Bus Accident

Mar 3, 2016

Passengers who ride on a bus entrust the bus driver and the owner of the bus with their safety and well-being. Unfortunately, thousands of buses are involved in crashes in the U.S. every year. Bus accidents have the potential to be much more complex than crashes involving smaller vehicles. There are more victims involved as well as more responsible parties. Due to the lack of airbags and seat belts on buses, injuries can be much more...

Underscoring TBI Complications during Brain Injury Awareness Month

Mar 2, 2016

About 137 people in the U.S. die every day as a result of a TBI-related injury. To help raise awareness and reach out to those living with the effects of TBI, the Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA) leads the nation in observing March as Brain Injury Awareness Month. This year’s campaign theme is “Not Alone,” which provides an educational platform about the incidence of TBI and the needs of those affected. The campaign also aims...

The Surprising Liability of Carpooling: What Parents Should Know

Mar 2, 2016

Arranging a carpool to get the kids to and from school and activities can be a huge timesaver for parents, not to mention the environmental benefits. Before agreeing to transport other people’s children, however, it’s extremely important to take a look at your car insurance to ensure your family is protected. Click here for more crash statistics and to speak to our expert Philadelphia car crash attorneys at Anapol Weiss. Drivers can be sued for acting...

When Can Injured Workers Sue for Pain and Suffering?

Mar 1, 2016

Workers compensation laws protect people who have been injured in the workplace. These laws ensure injured employees are given specific benefits to which they are entitled, such as lost wages and medical expenses. This is a claim for benefits, not a lawsuit and does not provide any compensation for pain and suffering. Below are a few benefits injured employees may be able to seek through a workers compensation claim. Medical care bills and related expenses for reasonable...