Blog

Kansas Couple File Hepatitis C lawsuit Against UPMC and others

Sep 4, 2012

By Dallas Hartman of Dallas W. Hartman P.C. posted in Hepatitis C on Tuesday, September 4, 2012. A report today in the Sacramento Bee indicates that a "Kansas couple file hepatitis C suit against UPMC." The plaintiff, Linda Ficken of Kansas is claiming that UPMC Presbyterian hospital was negligent in its handling of David Kwiatkowski, a hospital technician accused of narcotics use and infecting multiple hospital patients with hepatitis C in New Hampshire. David Kwiatkowski...

Kansas woman files Hepatitis C lawsuit against Pittsburgh hospital, alleges negligence

Sep 4, 2012

According the therepublic.com, the website of the Columbus, Indiana newspaper “The Republic,” Ms. Linda Ficken is filing a lawsuit against UPMC Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Kansas woman believes that the actions of Mr. David Kwiatkowski, a Radiological Technician employed by UPMC in 2008, have caused her to become infected with the hepatitis C virus. “Linda Ficken said in the lawsuit, which was filed in Pittsburgh, that the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center was...

C. diff bacteria must be stopped or tightly controlled

Aug 31, 2012

You may be unfamiliar with the often fatal infection Clostridium difficile, known as C. diff. This bacterium, which damages the intestines, is more common in hospital patients than federal statistics report. Unfortunately, many of these cases are evidence of hospital negligence in Pennsylvania and across the U.S. According to an investigation by USA TODAY, C. diff is linked to over 30,000 fatalities per year as evidenced by examining hospital records. Almost 500,000 people in the...

Young Pennsylvania girl hospitalized after dog attack

Aug 29, 2012

Dog attacks happen throughout the nation regularly. Though scary, most do not result in serious physical injuries that then lead to lawsuits. When they do however, the aftereffects can be devastating. This is particularly true when it is a child who is involved, which it is, much of the time. A 7-year-old Pennsylvania girl is currently recovering from injuries inflicted by a dog one evening earlier this week. The injuries reportedly stemmed from an attack...

Black licorice voluntarily recalled after lead discovered

Aug 29, 2012

People in the Pittsburgh area who are planning on settling in to watch a movie with popcorn and black licorice may want to rethink their choice of snack. More specifically, they should be aware that black licorice made by Red Vines Black Licorice Twists sold in 1-pound bags has been voluntarily recalled. The recall is due to the licorice in some bags testing positive for lead at high levels. Many may not be aware of...

Ohio residents reminded to practice school zone safety

Aug 28, 2012

As Ohio children gear up for another school year, it's important for parents and children alike to brush up on rules related to car, pedestrian and bicycle safety. Sadly, every year there are incidents involving car and pedestrian accidents or car and bicycle accidents. Following some basic safety practices, however, can help ensure that more Ohio children have a safe commute to and from school. Drivers who are transporting children to and from school need...

Nursing negligence results in death of 14-year-old Ohio girl

Aug 24, 2012

The large majority of doctors and nurses are highly trained and esteemed professionals who provide excellent patient care. There are some, however, that fail to understand the significance of their position and the important actions and decisions that come with it. When doctor and nursing negligence occurs, serious and even fatal consequences can result. Three nurses have been detained and are awaiting trial for charges related to nursing negligence that resulted in the death of...

Workers’ comp reforms coming to Pennsylvania school district

Aug 24, 2012

A return-to-work program may be coming to the Baldwin-Whitehall School District very soon. The district is concerned that school employee workers' compensation claims have increased around 20 percent per year for the past five years. Controlling and reducing costs is the primary focus of this Pennsylvania school district. The proposed return-to-work program would permit claimants to reduce their time spent on workers' compensation claim payouts. By assigning less demanding alternative duties to these employees, they...

East coast nursing home death brings large fine

Aug 24, 2012

A nursing home located in a state neighboring Pennsylvania was fined by state officials after the choking death of a resident in April. Curiously, this nursing home death is the fourth such tragic incident in nursing homes in that state in 2012. Two aides were also fired as a result of this tragedy. These incidents are not confined to this state as Pennsylvania also has had its share of accidental or negligent nursing home deaths...

Alleged drunk driver injures man when he hits restaurant

Aug 24, 2012

It is not likely that the occupant of a Pittsburgh area restaurant was expecting to be involved in a car accident earlier this month. Nonetheless, the man was pinned against a wall after a car barreled into the building shortly after midnight one evening a couple of weeks ago. According to police, the car driven, by a 23-year-old man, ran into Ann's Corner Store Restaurant, located on George Street injuring the 56-year-old man inside. Though...