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- ‘Webbing’ poised to be the next distracted driving focus
Dec 7, 2012
Surfing the internet is a favorite pastime for many. Until recently, that activity could only be done in behind a computer. With the introduction of smartphones and tablets to the masses however, that has all changed. It is now possible to participate in the activity anywhere one is able to wirelessly connect to the internet. As Pittsburgh area readers are likely aware, that is many places. One of those places is behind the wheel of...Read More - Afternoon surgeries could be hazardous to your health
Dec 7, 2012
Duke University published an in depth study in 2006 in the Quality and Safety in Healthcare journal. The research found that surgeries begun between 3 and 4 PM displayed an alarmingly high rate of patient "nausea, vomiting and postoperative pain." The reasons for this troubling statistic are elusive, but could include the following factors, according to an assistant professor of surgery at the Oakland University/William Beaumont School of Medicine (Michigan). Surgical errors in Pennsylvania and...Read More - Dangerous toys come with parental warnings
Dec 7, 2012
The government and Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) are closely monitoring those toys they consider dangerous, but remain on store shelves. The CPSC has initiated numerous recalls of toys they consider to be a dangerous product and have stopped millions more from getting into the U.S. CPSC statistics indicate that over 190,000 children suffered injury, including 13 deaths, while playing with unsafe toys in Pittsburgh and around the country in 2011. Incredibly, some of these...Read More - Update on tractor-trailer accident
Dec 7, 2012
When two women were traveling near Washington County Pennsylvania it is likely one of the last things they were worried about was a tractor trailer crossing the median. Unfortunately, that is exactly what they were faced with, and the driver's error caused a fatal motor vehicle accident. We first wrote about this accident late last month and now have more information to share potentially regarding its cause. When an accident like this happens, many minds...Read More - Allegheny County Jury awards Irwin Family 109 Million in Wrongful Death Case
Dec 6, 2012
A jury in Allegheny County sent a clear message to West Penn Power Company today by awarding an Irwin man and his family 109 million dollars, including 61 million in punitive damages. On a clear June afternoon Carrie Goretzka was inside her home with her mother-in-law and two young daughters when she looked outside and noticed that her trees were on fire. She immediatley went outside with her cell phone to call 911 and waited in...Read More - Mortician believes leukemia was a result of working conditions
Nov 30, 2012
Often when the term workers' compensation benefits is mentioned it is assumed that someone is seeking the benefits due to an injury that is suffered while conducting a task related to one's occupation. While in many cases this is of course true, there are other times in which the benefits are sought due to an illness that is brought on by working conditions. An example of an illness that could be due to working conditions...Read More - Popular bounce houses lead to more injuries
Nov 30, 2012
When it comes to a Pittsburgh kids party, few things burn off as much energy in a small space as bounce houses. What could be more fun for a kid that jumping around in a little air filled house, laughing and giggling to their heart's content? The problem is, too often that bliss is cut short very abruptly. Maybe an older child falls on a smaller child, or the heads of two kids conk together...Read More - Bed rails may pose deadly risk to older patients
Nov 28, 2012
Most people do not view bed rails, used to prevent patients from rolling out of bed, as a dangerous product. However, the issue is now being studied by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Surprisingly, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the CPSC have been aware of the patient deaths from bed rails, but have done little to regulate manufacturers. This review of deaths could affect Pittsburgh and other U.S. hospital and nursing home...Read More - Driver injured, passenger killed in Pennsylvania accident
Nov 28, 2012
When one reads of a fatal motor vehicle accident, it seems that it is second nature to scan for evidence of drunk driving. In one recent accident that occurred just north of Pittsburgh, police report that alcohol was suspected to have been involved. In this particular car accident, the driver went off the road, flipped the vehicle several times and crashed into a utility pole, injuring himself and killing his passenger. Neither were wearing seat...Read More - Bus and truck drivers must now get certified exams
Nov 28, 2012
New Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations require people holding commercial driver licenses to have a complete medical physical exam no longer than every two years by a certified physician. There is one prominent goal for these new regulations: Help to prevent medical emergency-generated bus and truck accidents in Pittsburgh and across the country. Until the new federal regulations take effect in May 2014, any licensed medical provider can perform the DOT physical exam. After the...Read More