Archive for the ‘ Wrongful death ’ Category

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2
May

Ways to Help Prevent Serious Brain Injuries

May 2, 2013

The risk of suffering a Brain Injury is staggering across the United States, including Virginia. Data from the Brain Injury Association of Virginia shows that an estimated 28,000 residents suffer brain injuries each year, resulting in 1,400 deaths and 5,000 individuals being hospitalized. These injuries have also left roughly 190,000 brain injury victims in the state disabled.

These statistics leave many wondering what they can do to prevent being victims of such brain injuries. Experts say education is the most important step in accident prevention.

There are several steps that can be taken to help prevent being the victim of a brain injury. For example, a person should always wear a helmet when riding a bike, motorcycle, scooter, or skateboard. Taking action to prevent slip and fall accidents, such as drying wet floors or checking the stability of a ladder before climbing, will also cut down the chances of an injury.

If a person does sustain a blow to the head, experts point out that it is vital to seek treatment for the injury immediately. Failing to do so could result in the individual’s condition worsening.

The Roanoke Personal Injury Attorneys with Skolrood Law Firm recognize the dangers brain injuries can pose. The firm may be able to help a person who has suffered a traumatic brain injury through no fault of their own.

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4
Apr

Woman Sentenced in Virginia Nursing Home Abuse Case

April 4, 2013

Last Friday, a judge with the Virginia Beach Circuit Court sentenced a 48-year-old woman to more than a year in jail after she pleaded guilty to charges stemming from a case of Virginia Nursing Home Abuse.

The woman had been caring for a 94-year-old woman with dementia for roughly five years when employees with a private home care facility began to suspect mistreatment. Hidden cameras were installed in the victim’s room and caught footage of the accused repeatedly slapping, hitting, and further abusing the victim. The caregiver was charged in July 2011 with abuse and neglect of an incapacitated adult.

An article in The Virginian-Pilot revealed that roughly one in three residents of nursing homes are victims of abuse or neglect in the United States each year. This is considered to be a conservative estimate as many cases go unreported. These numbers leave many families wondering how they can better protect their loved ones from such harm.

Industry experts say one of the best ways to keep your family member safe is to hire a licensed home care agency rather than a private caregiver. This ensures standards of accountability are followed. It is also important to ask questions about the care your loved one receives.

The Roanoke Personal Injury Lawyers with Skolrood Law Firm suggest discussing your legal options with a qualified attorney if you suspect your loved one is the victim of abuse.

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14
Mar

Policies Amended to Better Protect Virginia’s Athletes from Brain Injuries

March 14, 2013

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data shows a 62 percent increase in the number of brain injuries sustained by athletes under the age of 19 over the past decade. These numbers have persuaded the state of Virginia to change its policies towards the treatment of brain injuries.

One high school trainer claimed to have diagnosed more than 30 cases of a Virginia Brain Injury at a single school during the past year. Similar numbers are being reported throughout the state and recently prompted lawmakers to adopt new policies on how schools should handle such incidents.

A story from NBC 29 News said state law now requires all athletes, parents, coaches, and staff to attend a concussion education course before hitting the field. Changes also are being made to the steps taken if an athlete suffers a brain injury.

Long gone are the days of a player getting up and “shaking it off”. Players suspected of having a brain injury are given an assessment to determine if an injury has occurred. The assessment is a timed set of questions the player must answer. If a player is determined to have sustained an injury, they are pulled from sports and their academic workload is lightened until they heal.

The Roanoke Personal Injury Attorneys with Skolrood Law Firm applaud the efforts state lawmakers have made in attempting to better protect young people from serious head injuries.

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28
Feb

First Roanoke Medical Malpractice Lawsuit from Fungal Meningitis Outbreak Hits Courts

Feb. 28, 2013

The first of many Roanoke Medical Malpractice lawsuits stemming from an outbreak of fungal meningitis caused by contaminated injections was heard earlier this week in Roanoke Circuit Court. According to an article from WSLS 10 News, the case accuses Insight Health Group & Image Guided Pain Management of negligently administering a contaminated injection.

Court documents show that a woman filed the lawsuit on behalf of her husband after a doctor at Insight Imaging Center gave him the tainted injection just days prior to a wedding anniversary vacation. Less than two weeks later, the man died from what the coroner’s office ruled as fungal meningitis.

The lawsuit alleges that Insight and its staff were negligent in not ensuring the safety of the injections manufactured by the New England Compounding Center (NECC) in Massachusetts. Attorneys for the facility and its staff stated they had no way of knowing the injections were made by NECC or that they presented any danger. Furthermore, the defendants claim they cannot be sued without the manufacturer of the drug being sued as well.

The woman’s lawsuit is seeking more than $25,000,000 in punitive damages for her loss.

The Roanoke Personal Injury Lawyers with Skolrood Law Firm know how devastating the loss of a loved one to a botched medical procedure can be. That is why the firm hopes a decision in the case will bring the victim’s family a sense of closure.

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14
Feb

Changes Considered for Virginia Medical Malpractice Law

Feb. 14, 2013

The state may soon see some major changes to the way Virginia Medical Malpractice claims are handled. A story published by the August Free Press explains that six bills were recently approved by the Virginia House of Delegates Courts of Justice Committee and will soon be considered for law in a vote amongst state legislators.

Changes proposed by the bills range from the way the forum for a hearing in a case is chosen to the way depositions may be used as evidence in a case of medical malpractice. House Bill 2004 calls for changes to the state’s trespass liability law, making it more difficult for a person to sue for damages if an injury occurs on a property while the victim is there without the owner’s consent.

While supporters of the laws say adopting these pieces of legislation will help both the state and businesses thrive by reducing the number of costly lawsuits, opponents claim such measures will make it more difficult for those who have truly been harmed by the negligence of a medical professional to get the care and assistance they need and deserve.

The Roanoke Personal Injury Lawyers with Skolrood Law Firm recognize these reforms to the law could make it more important than ever to have a qualified attorney by your side if you have been harmed while under a physician’s care.

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24
Jan

Several Suffer Roanoke Personal Injuries due to Carbon Monoxide Exposure

Jan. 24, 2013

Some of the coldest temperatures of the winter season are now bearing down over the region. This means that it is important to check that all natural gas-burning appliances, especially furnaces, are working properly to eliminate the risk of Carbon Monoxide (CO) poisoning. This was recently highlighted by the case of a CO build-up at a Salem, Virginia, apartment complex.

According to a story posted on firehouse.com, the incident occurred at approximately 6 p.m. in the afternoon on Sunday, Jan. 6 at the Chestnut Manor Apartments located on Chestnut Street. Salem firefighters were called to the scene after receiving a report of a CO detector being set off at the facility. By the time firefighters arrived, levels of the toxic gas had already climbed to more than 400 parts per million in the building. Several residents suffered a Roanoke Personal Injury and were transported to a local hospital for treatment.

Experts say an individual can feel the effects of levels of CO as low as 35 parts per million. Inhaling the gas for too long can lead to a person feeling dizzy, tired, nauseous, or disoriented and can ultimately lead to unconsciousness and death.

The Roanoke Personal Injury Attorneys with Skolrood Law Firm believe the best way to protect your family from the dangers of CO is to ensure your home has a functioning CO detector. Then, be sure to check its batteries on a regular basis to ensure it is working at all times.

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11
Jan

Study Shows Effects of Repeat Traumatic Brain Injuries

Jan. 10, 2013

An article from Medical Xpress reports that multiple repeat traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) within a specific amount of time may result in degeneration of the brain. John T. Povlishock, PhD, the Editor-in-Chief of Journal of Neurotrauma and a Professor at the VCU Neuroscience Center, Medical College of Virginia stated that recent studies involving animal testing show that Traumatic Brain Injuries that occur before a previous TBI is completely healed can lead to problems with the structure, function, and response of the brain.

The study specifically examined glucose metabolism rates in the brains of rats at different times following a TBI. Researchers were able to conclude that metabolism rates were at their lowest one day following a TBI compared to the highest rates of metabolism, which occurred five days after sustaining a TBI.

An inability to metabolize nutrients can have serious effects on the brain, considering a link was recently established between repeat TBIs suffered by a former professional football player and his apparent suicide last May. Doctors stated the man suffered from Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) brought on by repeated blows to the head from playing football. The disease can cause dramatic changes in behavior and thinking, memory problems, and violent mood swings.

The Roanoke Personal Injury Lawyers with Skolrood Law Firm know the serious dangers that a brain injury can pose to a victim and may be able to help you if you have suffered a Roanoke Brain Injury through no fault of your own.

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27
Dec

Aging Physicians Leading to More Medical Errors?

Dec. 27, 2012

Older doctors may have years of experience, but recent research has shown a doctor’s age may inhibit the ability to properly care for patients. Medpage Today highlighted this growing problem and what some facilities are doing to remedy it.

There have been several cases where a doctor’s age has led to cases of Medical Malpractice and negligence. One doctor, who was in his 80’s, performed surgery on a patient, then forgot about them before going on vacation. The patient had no one overseeing their care which ultimately led to their death. As the number of elderly doctors who are still practicing increases, experts say the number of medical errors has also risen.

A total of 63 percent of the nation’s one million doctors are said to be over the age of 55-years-old. Less than one-third has a personal physician keeping check on mental and physical deterioration. Experts believe there may be as many as 8,000 practicing doctors suffering from dementia.

To combat the problem, some facilities, such as the University of Virginia, have adopted policies mandating retirement at a certain age. Policies like these are common in other industries, such as aviation and law enforcement.

The Roanoke Personal Injury Lawyers with Skolrood Law Firm recognize the dangers this problem could pose, and are here to help if you’ve been harmed under the care of a physician.

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13
Dec

Thirteenth Roanoke Lawsuit Filed in Connection with Meningitis Outbreak

Dec. 13, 2012

Lawsuits continue to pile up in the Roanoke area  following a Meningitis outbreak caused by contaminated injections. According to The Virginian-Pilot, the 13th Roanoke lawsuit associated with the outbreak was filed this week.

The lawsuits stem from exposure to a deadly form of fungal meningitis from a contaminated batch of steroid injections from the New England Compounding Center in Framingham, Massachusetts. The contamination was caused by a leaf fungus. The company has since been shut down for operating outside of its license.

So far, 36 people have died and 541 have been sickened by the outbreak. Of that total, two deaths and 51 illnesses were reported in Virginia.

The most recent Roanoke Medical Malpractice lawsuit was filed by a Salem, Virginia, man who stated he had received the injections between June 28 and Sept. 21 at a Roanoke outpatient clinic. The victim is believed to be seeking more than $500,000 in damages.

The Roanoke Personal Injury Lawyers with Skolrood Law Firm believe healthcare providers have a responsibility to ensure the medications they give patients are safe and that failure to do so could be considered negligence if a patient is harmed by the drug. Anyone who has been injured by a drug prescribed by a doctor should speak with an attorney about their legal rights.

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29
Nov

Virginia Costs Associated with On-The-Job Personal Injuries Rising

November 29, 2012

A new study from the Workers’ Compensation Research Institute has shown that the cost per worker who sustains a serious personal injury while on the job has risen in Virginia. According to an article published by the Augusta Free Press, researchers hope the study can be used to show how the state’s workers’ compensation system compares with other states and also will be useful in pinpointing areas for improvement.

Data shows that in Virginia, the cost per claim for workers’ compensation benefits stemming from a personal injury that resulted in more than a week of lost time rose by eight percent over a five-year period, while most other states saw costs decreasing or staying near the same level. Costs for medical care in the state was to blame for the rise, considering their prices for care were, on average, 25 percent higher. Income benefit payouts in Virginia also rose by five percent from 2005 to 2010.

Regardless of the rising costs, experts say that fewer workers in Virginia missed more than a week of work due to serious injury as compared with the 16 other states examined by the study.

The study also revealed that Virginia is one of the slowest states to payout to workers who suffered serious personal injuries.

The Roanoke personal injury lawyers with the Skolrood Law Firm understand how confusing the process for filing a personal injury claim can be and are here to answer any questions you may have about your claim.

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