The post What causes an increase in pedestrian fatalities? appeared first on Beausay & Nichols Law Firm.
]]>There is more traffic than ever these days, and communities and cities sometimes struggle to expand their infrastructure to accommodate the increase in the number of cars on the road. As traffic increases, drivers tend to pay more attention to the other motor vehicles around them than to pedestrians or cyclists.
There is also a correlation between reckless driving and pedestrian fatalities. A vehicle going over the speed limit, for example, is not only less able to stop in time to prevent striking someone but will likely cause more damage than a vehicle that is going slower.
There has been an increase in the number of sport utility vehicles on the road over the past few decades. These are larger vehicles that are more likely to cause greater harm to a pedestrian due to their size alone. Although there are many factors involved, SUVs, pickup trucks and minivans have the potential to cause more damage to pedestrians than smaller vehicles. When people are aware of the things that can cause an increase in pedestrian fatalities, they can make better decisions as both drivers and pedestrians.
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]]>The post Understanding the legal elements of a medical malpractice claim appeared first on Beausay & Nichols Law Firm.
]]>To make a successful medical malpractice claim, the patient must demonstrate the following four elements.
A fundamental aspect of any medical malpractice claim is establishing that the health care professional had a duty of care towards the patient. This simply means that the professional had an obligation to provide a certain standard of care, which generally arises once a doctor-patient relationship commences.
The patient must then show that the health care professional breached this duty by not adhering to the standard of care expected in their field or specialty. The professional’s actions are often compared with what a reasonably competent professional would do under similar circumstances.
Causation is another important thing the patient must prove, meaning they must demonstrate that the breach of duty directly resulted in their injury or harm. This connection between the breach of duty and the injury sustained is essential. It is not sufficient to simply show that the health care professional made a mistake; The mistake must have directly caused harm to the patient.
Another aspect the patient must prove is that they suffered damages because of the injury or harm. Damages can be physical, such as bodily injury or worsening of an existing condition, or non-physical, such as emotional distress or loss of earnings. Without provable harm, no matter how egregious the breach of duty, a medical malpractice claim cannot be successful.
Understanding these key elements helps patients navigate the process of establishing medical malpractice, thereby ensuring they protect their rights.
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]]>The post What grades did Columbus-area hospitals receive for safety? appeared first on Beausay & Nichols Law Firm.
]]>Columbus has 16 hospitals rated by Leapfrog, and thankfully, none received a failing grade. However, some hospitals did fare better than others in the 2022 fall grading period. See below for a brief look at the best- and worst-performing hospitals in the Columbus area.
Nine hospitals earned an A for their fall evaluation. The most outstanding hospitals were:
The grades measure the hospital’s performance for infections, safety problems, problems with surgery, practices to prevent errors and qualifications of doctors, nurses and hospital staff.
Mount Carmel East Hospital was the only hospital to receive a B grade.
Six hospitals received a C. These were:
If you currently use a lower-ranked hospital, you do not necessarily need to make a change. However, if you feel unsafe at your hospital, check to see how it ranked. You may want to consider a different hospital, even if it is less convenient.
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]]>The post Is there such thing as minor surgery? appeared first on Beausay & Nichols Law Firm.
]]>However, even routine surgeries and simple procedures come with the risk of pain and complications.
Surgery typically involves a surgeon cutting into your body to treat or fix a medical issue. Because of this, pain and discomfort are common as you recover. The incision site may be sore and experience swelling. You may get sick from the anesthesia. If they inserted and removed a breathing tube, you may have a sore and scratchy throat. You may have a fever, a headache or extreme thirst. Pain, nausea and discomfort that are not severe are not considered complications. If the symptoms are extreme, they may be a sign of something more serious.
Depending on the type of surgery and the medical history of the patient, complications after even minor surgeries can vary. Common complications include shock, hemorrhaging, infection, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, breathing problems, urinary retention problems and allergic reactions to anesthesia. Complications after surgery often require immediate treatment or even additional surgeries to address the issues. Complications left untreated can be life-threatening.
Pain and discomfort often occur within hours of the surgery. Post-operative complications may occur right away or even weeks later. For example, an infection at the incision site can occur within 30 days of surgery.
Complications after surgery can be difficult and costly to recover from. If you experienced a complication after surgery that was the result of negligence, consult a legal professional to determine if you suffered medical malpractice.
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]]>The post Anesthesia: What you can do to prevent problems appeared first on Beausay & Nichols Law Firm.
]]>Anesthesia risks can arise as a result of preexisting conditions or other personal circumstances, as well as through negligent behavior on the part of the staff providing your care. By learning more about these risks and what you can do to mitigate them, you can approach your treatment with greater peace of mind.
One of the most significant anesthesia risks is long-term cognitive dysfunction, which is more common for elderly individuals and those with heart conditions or a history of strokes. Hyperthermia is another risk and one that you can foresee if heat stroke and other instances of hyperthermia are common in your family. If you have sleep apnea, then there is a possibility your throat will close while under the effects of anesthesia.
There will be an anesthesiologist present to administer anesthesia prior to surgery and to monitor your status throughout the procedure, but you should consult with a professional even before the day of your operation. Your anesthesiologist will strive to understand your medical history and daily habits to help you make any necessary changes that will lower the risk of harmful anesthesia side effects.
Problems that occur with anesthesia can be the result of medical malpractice, but some potential problems are unavoidable unless you speak up about personal factors that might make anesthesia dangerous for you. Being honest and communicative with your anesthesiologist is the best way to ensure a smooth and successful surgery.
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]]>The post How communities are re-thinking road safety appeared first on Beausay & Nichols Law Firm.
]]>Vision Zero is gaining national momentum as a cooperative effort to address the safety of motorists, cyclists and pedestrians.
Vision Zero supporters propose that engineers, police, county officials, lawmakers, vehicle manufacturers and others share responsibility for reducing and eliminating traffic-related fatalities and devastating injuries. They accept that human error is inevitable but that communal efforts to identify and address potential accident risks and responses can improve outcomes. Moreover, despite increasing road congestion, the steady decline in traffic fatalities in European Vision Zero cities is evidence that the program’s collaborative approach is successful.
This plan to reduce road fatalities and injury severity is a Swedish initiative with decades of success throughout the European Union and England. It is slowly gaining momentum across the United States as more communities experience its positive impact. However, with the federal government’s recent commitment to promoting the Vision Zero-based Safe System Approach, states can apply for federal grants to create or implement regional, local or tribal initiatives. For example, communities use funds to collect data, test strategy proposals, build or improve infrastructure and signaling systems and formalize street names to enhance first responder accident response.
U.S. Vision Zero has a long way to go toward achieving its potential. However, as communities that adopt its principles report favorable results, others will acknowledge its efficacy for saving lives, lowering insurance rates and reducing motor vehicle reliance by promoting safe conditions regardless of how individuals choose to travel the nation’s roads.
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]]>The post What to know about filing a bodily injury claim appeared first on Beausay & Nichols Law Firm.
]]>Negate these financial stressors by filing a bodily injury claim with vehicle insurance. Understanding the process will better your chances of receiving ample compensation.
Payment depends on your ability to prove serious harm. Save all medical documents during your treatment, including doctor bills and test results. Have a strategy for keeping everything safe.
Whether you file with your insurance or that of the other driver depends on varying matters. For example, where you live makes a difference. Once the insurance company has your paperwork, an insurance adjuster will reach out. Be ready with medical receipts, proof of lost wages and details of the crash.
In time, the adjuster may return with a settlement offer. You can accept this proposal or reject it. Should you take the money, you will be forfeiting the right to pursue further damages.
Harm from accidents sometimes appears slowly. Seek medical treatment even if you feel fine. A serious problem may not yet be evident.
When weighing a settlement offer, consider the long-term costs of the crash. Also, beware of unnecessary tests. The insurance company will refuse to pay for procedures it deems nonessential.
Vehicle wrecks are never fun, yet they are worse when you get hurt. Understanding the bodily injury claims process is mandatory for all roadside victims.
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]]>The post What are the stopping distances of cars vs. semi-trucks? appeared first on Beausay & Nichols Law Firm.
]]>Understanding the significance of stopping distance is one way for drivers of all types to help mitigate catastrophic accidents. By comparing the stopping distance of two different classes of vehicles, you can apply the knowledge to keep yourself safe behind the wheel.
Data shows the average stopping distance for a standard passenger vehicle is approximately 316 feet when traveling 65 miles per hour. At the same speed, a semi-truck need around 525 feet to come to a complete stop. This data accounts for the average reaction distance of drivers as well as the average weight of vehicles in each class.
Recognizing that large commercial trucks have a greater stopping distance can help you make better decisions while driving. Coming to an abrupt stop is always dangerous when another vehicle is close behind you, but it is especially so when that other vehicle is a semi-truck. It is not possible for a semi to come to a complete stop as quickly as a smaller car, so make sure to brake gradually whenever possible to avoid a major rear-end collision.
Large truck accidents can result in major damage to property and people alike. Being aware of the disparity in stopping distance between vehicles of various size classes is a way to protect yourself and other motorists around you from a crash.
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]]>The post New technology could prevent truck accidents appeared first on Beausay & Nichols Law Firm.
]]>Several states are employing sensors embedded in the pavement to reduce the number of traffic accidents on major roads and highways and to save lives. Road-based sensors is a technology that could change motor vehicle and truck driving operations.
Leading the way in the usage around the country is a pavement sensor technology that identifies potentially unsafe truck tires. Blowout contributes to thousands of injuries and deaths each year, and data suggests that tire issues are responsible for nearly 33,000 accidents involving tractor-trailers each year.
With the new technology, sensors are embedded in the pavement. Sensors can detect problems like underinflation, mismatching tires or flat tires. Because trucks travel at such high speeds, these are dangerous situations that can turn deadly when a blowout occurs.
The sensor technology provides a complete footprint of each tire, and the results of the analysis allow a Department of Transportation or other regulating agency to remove the truck from the road until the driver corrects the problem. This involves either replacing or repairing all the tires in question. Federal regulations mandate inspections of commercial vehicles, but this will not always catch a tire problem. Using pavement sensors is a way to proactively address this gap.
States are continuing to experiment with this new technology and hopes are high in the transportation industry. One thorough tire inspection could save multiple lives.
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]]>The post Does healthcare worker burnout mean more mistakes? appeared first on Beausay & Nichols Law Firm.
]]>When you seek medical care, you expect that the people on your medical team will be ready to give you the care and attention you need. However, challenging conditions can leave healthcare workers overtired and apathetic when they show up for duty.
Here’s what you should know about the link between healthcare worker burnout and decreased quality of care.
Healthcare work typically requires a specific type of person. Providing medical care means supporting people at their worst, which can become exhausting.
Often, healthcare workers start excited and passionate about their job. However, as the long hours add up and the challenging patients become more complicated, they often begin to suffer from compassion fatigue and cynicism.
As worker passion erodes, so does attentiveness to the job. Healthcare workers with burnout tend to pay less attention to the details and operate more or less on autopilot.
When healthcare workers become less attentive, they may not notice changes in a patient’s status or needs for a change in a care plan. Additionally, a jaded healthcare worker may be less likely to fulfill patient requests or pass on information about a new concern.
As a patient, it is essential to be able to advocate for yourself. If you notice a member of your medical team is not being attentive to your concern, you may need to talk to another member of your team. Remember, it is ok to speak up about your concerns so that you can receive quality care.
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