Sacramento Personal Injury Lawyer - injuries

Wear a helmet--save your life

John Demas — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 11:49:57 GMT

We see a number of different collisions that occur on California Highways including a lot of motorcycle crashes. Unfortunately, the injuries are usually much more severe with bike riders than people in cars. Broken bones and other serious orthopedic injuries are common. Motorcyclists often sustain head injuries but the severity of the head injury is frequently determined by whether the rider was wearing a DOT approved helmet.

The consequences of not wearing a DOT helmet were seen recently in Sacramento when a motorcyclist was killed in a low-speed collision after sustaining a head injury.

Riders--be smart, be safe and wear a DOT approved helmet!

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by John Demas

Systems Of Fire Hazard Identification - Are You Aware Of Them?

Edward Smith — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 03:19:47 GMT

Can you recognize a fire hazard risk? Systems of fire hazard identification are for people like you and me, who have no degree in fire fighting. There are symbols known as "hazard diamonds" drawn on vehicles, chemical bottles, storage tanks, and other fire prone areas for caution. The symbols have been designed by the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA), under section 704 of the National Fire Code. This is the worldwide identification system of fire hazard.

Hazard Diamonds

The symbols are diamond-shaped and the identification signal for fire hazard is coded in four letters or letters in colors red, blue, and yellow. All the symbols make use of a numbering scale that ranges from 0 to 4. The number 1 depicts health, 2 indicate flammability, and 3 imply reactivity. Zero implies that the material is free from any hazard. The number 4 shows extreme danger. The highest value is colored white. It is a variable value, which may mean anything, on the basis of the numbers or letters written there.

The OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) has ordered that all the chemicals present at the workplace be labeled with appropriate warning signs of hazard diamonds.

The Hazardous Material Identification Guide (HMIG)

Lab Safety Supply Inc. has developed a labeling system called Hazardous Material Identification Guide (HMIG). Then there is also the Hazardous Material Information System (HMIS) developed by the National Paint and Coatings Association (NPCA). It is sold through Labelmaster Inc. Both HMIG and HMIS use a label consisting of four color bars. There is some space on the top for the name of the chemical. The color indicators and the rating from 0-4 are the same as those in hazard diamonds.

The HMIG system of fire hazard identification has a fourth bar in white, which is marked with the words "protective equipment" while in HMIS system, the fourth bar indicates "personal protection". Both the systems inscribe a letter on this bar to represent the type of personal protective equipment (PPE) to be used for handling the material safely. They use the letters A - K and X. The letters have the same meaning in both the systems. HMIG as well as HMIS supplement the letters with icons or pictograms presenting the types of PPE that has to be used.

The Hybrid System

The introductory chemistry labs of the University of Oregon make use of a "hybrid system" for labeling materials. The NFPA diamond is there, but the white bar is marked with a letter taken from the HMIG system. There are posters placed at several spots in the lab. They provide a complete explanation of the PPE symbols used.

Hope, now that you have the symbols in mind, you are aware of the systems of fire hazard identification!

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Edward Smith

Fibromyalgia

Laura Mackie — Mon, 29 Jan 2007 13:56:04 GMT

If you are representing a client who is diagnosed with Fibromyalgia you may encounter stiff resistance from opposing counsel on nearly every issue associated with your client's claims of pain, suffering and residuals. Why should this be the case? Simply stated, because historically, persons suffering from Fibromyalgia were thought to be imagining their symptoms. The attitude of "it's all in their heads" was adopted by physicians as well as the legal community. In recent decades, however, medical studies have proven that fibromyalgia does indeed exist. In fact, it is estimated to affect between 2% and 6% of people worldwide.

Fibromyalgia is a medical syndrome that is often misunderstood and therefore misdiagnosed. Symptoms are generally described as widespread pain and stiffness in the muscles and joints as well as sleep problems leading to chronic daytime fatigue. Somewhere between 80% - 90% of people diagnosed with fibromyalgia are middle-aged women, although it can affect people of all ages and both sexes. Clinicians who care for patients with fibromyalgia report a range of possible causes that include: 1. Repetitive stress injuries 2. Automobile accidents 3. Other traumatic events

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Laura Mackie

Burn Injuries associated with Automobiles

Laura Mackie — Sun, 17 Dec 2006 20:07:34 GMT

Automoible burns still account for a significant portion of hospital burn unit admissions. Despite efforts on the part of the medical community to increase consumer awareness of the dangers associated with regular use and maintenance of vehicles, burns associated with motor vehicles accounted for as much as 10% of all burn admissions to hospitals in 2006. The most common burn injuries associated with vehicles originated with exposure to the radiators and carburetors.

A survey of patients admitted to just one regional burn center in the United States from 1997 through 2003 provided some interesting and informative statistics. Of the 2745 patients admitted to the burn center, 220 had automobile associated injuries. Of those 220 individuals, 184 were men. There were two deaths among the 220 automobile burn victims. Hospital charges amounted to $53,200 to $78,000 per patient. The average hospital stay was 14.8 to 23.6 days.

Although not specifically addressed by this survey, many of those burn injuries associated with automobiles were the unfortunate result of negligence on the part of third parties and/or defective products.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Laura Mackie

When a Welbilt Cooker isn't....

Laura Mackie — Mon, 04 Dec 2006 09:35:42 GMT

On-line retailer QVC has issued a voluntary recall of an electronic pressure cooker sold via its telemarketing channel, web page and toll-free number from March 2001 through April 2001. The cooker was sold for $120.

Selling under the name "Welbilt", the pressure cooker measures 11-inches-high, 11-inches-wide and 15-inches-long and was sold in white. The recalled electronic pressure cooker was sold under model number PC501. The model number PC501 is located near the control panel, on the label near the bottom of the unit, and on the very bottom of the product.

The recall is based on 43 reports of failure incidents reported by another retailer that sold the same model Welbilt electronic pressure cooker. There were 37 reports of burn injuries to consumers when the lid on these pressure cookers opened prematurely while contents were under pressure. The known burn injuries include various degrees of burns, including at least four third degree burns.

If you purchased one of these cookers or have experienced a product failure, please discontinue using the unit immediately and contact our offices with further questions.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Laura Mackie

Auto Accidents and Burns

Laura Mackie — Sun, 03 Dec 2006 15:45:51 GMT

Burn injuries are second only to motor vehicle accidents as the leading cause of accidental death in the United States. There are, however, instances where victims suffer injury and/or death as a result of a fire that was part of an automobile accident. The fact is, fires occur in about three out of every one thousand automobile collisions. Each year thousands of people sustain disfiguring or fatal burn injuries in post-collision fires. Many of these can be attributed to dangerous and defective fuel system designs. Injured parties and/or their families are often able to recoup their losses by filing a personal injury lawsuit against the automobile manufacturer because of the defect.

Although certainly not the only loss suffered by the victim of a burn, the financial aspect of treatment can be overwhelming. Burns associated with motor vehicles account for as much as 10% of all burn admissions to hospitals and are one of the most expensive catastrophic injuries to treat. For example, initial hospitalization costs and physician's fees alone can cost as much as $200,000. For extensive burns, there are additional significant costs. These costs include charges for repeat admissions incurred for reconstruction and for rehabilitation.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Laura Mackie

Skull fractures and Auto Accidents

Laura Mackie — Tue, 21 Nov 2006 15:06:33 GMT

Over one million people are seen by medical doctors every year in the U.S., due to having received a blow to the head. 50,000 to 100,000 of those individuals will have prolonged problems that will affect their ability to function in their daily lives.

Although most people would prefer not to dwell upon the subject, the legal community is well aware that it is not uncommon for fractures of the skull to occur in auto accidents.

Although the skull is tough, resilient, and provides excellent protection for the brain, a severe impact or blow can result in fracture of the skull. A fractured skull generally results in an injury to the brain. Injuries to the brain, whether classified as open or closed injuries; are often life-threatening. Someone with a skull fracture should always be admitted to the hospital for treatment and/or observation.

As recently as October of this year, a well known rapper known as Cassidy suffered a fractured skull in an auto accident. As is the case whenever a celebrity is injured, Cassidy's injuries have spurred a sudden interest in the dynamics of brain injuries and in particular, skull fractures.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Laura Mackie

Espresso Makers Causing Burns

Ed Smith — Thu, 09 Nov 2006 09:36:34 GMT

On November 8, 2006, "Espresso Express" Espresso Makers, has had to recall more than 50,000 espresso makers because they are causing burns and other injuries.

What is causing these incidents? Well, apparently the machine's heating element can forcefully seperate from it's base during the brewing cycle causing the burns. It has also been reported that consumers have been hit by parts of the machine when the base separates from the heating elements.

As a result of some 42 incidents nationwide, 54,000 of these machines are being recalled.

Please stop using the recalled product and contact Atico International USA for verification of the product and for directions on returning the product for a refund.

If you have this espresso maker in your home and would like more information please contact us.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Ed Smith

Classsification and treatment of Burn Injuries

Ed Smith — Mon, 06 Nov 2006 17:20:40 GMT

Burn injuries can be caused by electricity, chemical agents, radiation or thermal sources. It's important for Doctors to classify burns by degree so that they have a working paradigm on how to treat the injury. Most people have heard of first, second and third degree burns..and believe that third degree burns are the most serious.

Actually, however, there are six degrees of burns...

Third Degree burns show some charring of the skin.

Fourth degree burns are those where skin is irretrievably lost.

Fifth degree burns are burns where muscle is irretrievably lost.

In a sixth degree burn, the bone itself is charred.

An excellent overview of the treatment of burn injures as well as resources for survivor's is contained herein.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Ed Smith

Great book on burn injuries

Ed Smith — Mon, 06 Nov 2006 16:36:17 GMT

I just finished a wonderful book which would be a great starting place for young attorney's dealing with a burn injury case. It is called BURN UNIT and is sold on Amazon.

If you are specifically interested in learning about what goes on in a burn unit or what goes on in a patient's body after they are burned, then this is an amazing book. It is very informative. The author talks about historical fires and how they contributed to medical knowledge about burns, the physiological changes that occur in a human's body after becoming burned, and the medical treatment. She also personalizes the burn unit by showing actual people who suffered a burn and showing their progress.

Another useful publication from Amazon is Nationwide Trends in burn injury Verdicts and Settlements.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Ed Smith