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Recent Blog Posts
Can I Pursue Compensation for Medical Malpractice at a VA Hospital?
Veterans make huge sacrifices to serve our country, and they deserve to be cared for in the years following their military service. Unfortunately, hospitals operated by the Department of Veterans Affairs often provide substandard care, and veterans may suffer serious injuries because of medical malpractice. In fact, investigations performed in recent years have found that hundreds of veterans have died and thousands more suffered injuries because of medical mistakes by the VA, and in many cases, the VA failed to properly address medical errors or discipline healthcare providers who harmed patients. If you are a veteran who has been injured by medical errors at a VA facility, you should be sure to understand your legal options for pursuing compensation.
Medical Errors at VA Hospitals
Investigations have uncovered a wide variety of medical negligence resulting in injuries to veterans, including:
New Information on Sterigenics Ethylene Oxide Emissions in Willowbrook
In 2018, residents of the Chicago area were shocked to learn that a company had been releasing toxic chemicals into the community for decades, endangering the health of those who live and work in Willowbrook, Burr Ridge, and other nearby cities. Sterigenics International operates a facility in Willowbrook that uses ethylene oxide to sterilize medical equipment and other materials, and this facility was found to be emitting dangerous levels of this toxic chemical. Recently, some more information came to light that demonstrated the extent of Sterigenics’ negligence, and those who have been harmed by toxic chemical emissions should be sure to contact a personal injury lawyer to learn about their legal options.
Cover-Up of Toxic Chemical Emissions
Since the release of a report by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in August 2018 detailing the risks of ethylene oxide emissions in the Willowbrook area, Sterigenics has claimed that it had been following EPA regulations ever since its plant was opened in 1984. However, a recent report by CBS News contained some shocking revelations by former Sterigenics employees about the company’s practices.
Are Rideshare Accident Injuries Covered By Insurance?
While people have traditionally used taxis for transportation around cities such as Chicago and its surrounding suburbs, many people now choose to use ridesharing apps such as Uber, Lyft, or Via. These services offer convenience and savings, but since they have only begun operating within the last few years, they are still lightly regulated, especially when compared to the strict laws and regulations surrounding taxis and other forms of public transportation. This means that those who are injured in an accident with a rideshare driver may have trouble determining what is covered by insurance and how to receive compensation.
Insurance Coverage for Rideshare Accidents
Determining liability for any accident can be difficult, but matters become even more complicated in collisions involving rideshare drivers. Accidents may be caused because of a Uber or Lyft driver’s inexperience, because they were distracted when using the rideshare app, or because they were driving recklessly. Accidents may also be caused by other drivers or because of poor vehicle maintenance, and people injured may include passengers in the ridesharing vehicle or other drivers, passengers, or pedestrians. Untangling these factors to establish fault and determine who is covered by insurance is likely to be a complex undertaking.
Medical Negligence Involving Failure to Address Vascular Complications
People in the United States who receive medical treatment expect their doctors to provide high-quality care that properly addresses their concerns, including any complications that arise from treatment. Unfortunately, medical errors often occur, and these can lead to serious injuries. Orthopedic procedures are one area of medicine in which medical professionals must take extra care, and when doctors fail to address vascular complications following these procedures, patients may suffer a great deal of harm.
Common Vascular Issues in Orthopedic Procedures
Orthopedic procedures involve surgeries or treatments to the musculoskeletal system, including the bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, and tendons. Some common procedures include treatment of joints with an arthroscope (arthroscopy), joint replacement (arthroplasty), correction of deformed bones (osteotomy), repair of bone fractures, treatment of herniated disks in the spine, and repair of torn tendons or ligaments.
The Benefits of Medical Marijuana for Injuries With Chronic Pain
A personal injury can have a wide variety of long-term effects on a person’s health and well-being, and one of the most serious issues victims may experience is chronic pain. Severe injuries involving brain trauma, damage to the spine, nerve damage, amputation, or other debilitating conditions can lead to long-lasting problems as victims struggle to deal with a high level of pain that greatly affects their lives, their comfort, and their ability to work and earn an income. However, many have found that medical marijuana provides a solution that allows them to manage this pain as they work to return to normalcy.
Benefits of Using Medicinal Marijuana
Many people are hesitant to consider marijuana as a medical solution because of its perception as a recreational drug. The federal government in the United States classifies marijuana as a Schedule I drug, which signifies that it has a high potential for abuse and little medical value. However, research in recent years has found that marijuana has a wide variety of medical benefits, and this has led to it being legalized for medicinal use in more than half of the states in the U.S., including Illinois. An increasing number of states have legalized marijuana for recreational use as well.
Avoiding Dangerous Motorcycle Accidents in the Winter
Motorcyclists face serious risks whenever they use the road, since they are much more likely to be seriously injured in a motorcycle accident than the drivers or passengers of other vehicles. These risks increase substantially during the winter, since cold-weather conditions not only make motorcycles and other vehicles more difficult to control, but visibility is also often limited, increasing the chances that drivers will fail to see motorcycles and be unable to avoid a collision.
Winter Motorcycle Safety Tips
While it is often impossible to avoid a collision caused by a negligent driver, motorcyclists can take some precautions that will increase their safety on the road:
- Use the proper equipment - No matter the time of year, wearing a helmet can help avoid serious brain injuries in a crash. During the winter, a helmet with full-face protection ensures that you will have full visibility, even when snow is falling and strong winds are blowing. Wearing warm clothing, including heavy-duty boots, pants, jacket, and gloves, can provide additional protection against cold temperatures.
Bicyclists Can Suffer Serious Injuries in a Collision or Accident
Bicycles provide a great way to get exercise and enjoy the outdoors while traveling from place to place, and they can help you save money on energy and transportation costs. However, these benefits also come with some serious risks, especially in cities such as Chicago, where large amounts of traffic and narrow streets can put bicyclists in danger of being injured in a collision. When riding, you should be aware of the potential injuries that can occur in a bicycle accident and the steps to take if you are injured. It is important to contact an attorney after an injury to determine your options for pursuing compensation from the negligent parties.
Common Bike Accident Injuries
- Head injuries - A helmet can provide essential protection in the case of a crash, but even when wearing a helmet, you may experience a concussion or traumatic brain injury. If you lose consciousness, experience severe headaches or confusion, or have vision problems, you should seek immediate medical attention.
Sexual Abuse By Catholic Priests Has Been Underreported in Illinois
There have been few news stories in recent decades that have been as shocking and troubling as the revelation that people across the United States have been the victims of sexual abuse by priests and clergy in the Catholic church. While any instance of abuse by someone who was in a position of trust is horrifying, these cases have been especially sickening due to the efforts of the Catholic church to cover up the crimes and protect the abusers rather than the victims. Those who have been harmed by this type of abuse and the negligent actions of the church should take steps to determine their options for pursuing compensation from those who were responsible.
New Report on Clergy Sexual Abuse from Illinois Attorney General
In December 2018, Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan released a report detailing the preliminary findings of an investigation into sex abuse by Catholic priests in the state. While church officials from the Archdiocese of Chicago and the other five dioceses in Illinois have stated that they have put measures in place to address the issue, the report makes it clear that instances of abuse have been widely underreported.
Reports Show That Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder Contains Asbestos
In the United States, we expect the products we use to be safe, but unfortunately, large corporations often put profits ahead of public safety, and unsafe or dangerous products are put on the market as a result. When people are injured by the negligence of product manufacturers, they deserve to be compensated for their damages. In some cases, injuries may even be caused by trusted brands that many people have relied on for decades. This was illustrated recently by reports that Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder has been found to contain asbestos.
J&J Knew That Baby Powder Danger Existed for Decades
Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder has been a popular product for over 100 years. However, when the talc used in this product is mined from various sources around the world, it can become contaminated by tremolite, a naturally-occurring form of asbestos. While J&J has claimed that its Baby Powder is safe to use and does not contain dangerous amounts of asbestos, recently-uncovered reports have shown that the company was aware that their products were contaminated and took steps to conceal this information from the public.
Toxic Chemicals Continue to Put People in the Willowbrook Area at Risk
In recent months, residents of the Chicago suburbs have learned of a serious risk to the health of those who live and work in Willowbrook, Burr Ridge, and surrounding communities. A plant operated by Sterigenics International was found to be releasing dangerous amounts of ethylene oxide, a carcinogenic chemical, into the air, putting those who live and work in the area at risk of harm. Those who have been exposed to toxic substances should contact a personal injury attorney to determine their options for pursuing compensation for their injuries.
Testing Shows Continued Risk of Toxic Chemical Exposure
After the original report which raised the alarm of ethylene oxide exposure was released in August 2018, Sterigenics stated that in July 2018, they had put new measures in place in their plant to reduce ethylene oxide emissions. While this did not address the harm caused to people in the community during the decades the facility has been in operation, it was meant to ensure that the plant would not present a public safety risk going forward. However, recent tests have indicated that risks of toxic chemical exposure continue to exist near the facility.
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