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Effective Leadership Requires “eq” Not Iq

Sach Oliver — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 12:27:25 GMT

EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP REQUIRES “EQ” NOT IQ

Most everyone knows what an IQ is, but many do not have any idea what an “EQ” is, even though it is nearly impossible to be an effective leader without it. EQ first caught my attention is a great book, Emotional Intelligence: Why it can matter more than IQ, by Daniel Goleman. Then I read an article by Jamie S. at Northwest Arkansas News and I thought about this blog.

“EQ” is emotional intelligence, or having the ability to manage one’s emotions and to understand and respond to the emotional needs of others. William Chew, CFO of Bama Food, Inc. and an expert on emotional intelligence spoke about this issue recently at a local college.

Chew told the crowd that a common reason for leaders to fail is their lack of emotional strength. Chew stated that “IQ gets you to the party, but it doesn’t keep you there,” he said. “IQ gets you to the interview, but EQ gets you the job.”

Chew outlined the five components essential to having “EQ”:

Self-awareness: Understanding your own moods and emotions, as well as their effect on others;
Self-regulation: Being able to control and redirect your own disruptive impulses and moods, as well as being able to think before acting;
Motivation: The propensity to pursue goals with energy and persistence and having a passion for work that goes beyond gaining money and status;
Empathy: The ability to understand the emotional makeup of others, as well as having the skills to treat people according to their emotional reactions; and
Social Skills: A proficiency in managing relationships and building networks, as well as the ability to find common ground with people and build support.

Chew also said that having a strong emotional intelligence is not only important in business, but in one’s personal life.

This post written by: Leona Crowe, Legal Assistant to Sach Oliver

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Sach Oliver

MRSA Outbreaks Spreading Among High School Sports Teams

Ryan Scott — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 14:40:31 GMT

Those of us who make InjuryBoard part of our daily lives (and pretty much anyone who watches the evening news) are familiar with the growing MRSA problem. MRSA -- short for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus-- is commonly found in hospitals, nursing facilities, and other long-term care facilities. My wife, who serves as the Director of Social Services for a nursing home in our area has told me that her facility tests its residents regularly and requires testing of any hospital patient that seeks to be admitted. Given the growing prevalence of this affliction in our hospitals, this is a prudent step in the admission process.

However, MRSA has branched out... according to the Center for Disease Control, MRSA is becoming an increasing problem among junior high and high school athletes, particularly, among football players. The CDC states that that football training camps provide a setting where multiple risk factors converge to increase the likelihood of MRSA outbreaks. These risk factors include sharing towels, soap and other personal items, and inadequate care of skin wounds among players. Crowded living conditions also appeared to be a risk factor. Also, the investigators found that the players' body mass index (BMI) — the ratio of weight to height commonly used to assess obesity — correlated with an increased risk of MRSA infection. Finally, body shaving and "turf burns" also seem to raise football players' risk of contracting MRSA.

There are several measures that can be taken to prevent MRSA skin infections in sports participants, CDC officials note, such as designing processes and facilities to enable and promote optimal player hygiene, and better educating coaching staff, and especially players, on recognizing potential infections and what to do about them.

Community-acquired MRSA infection typically causes abscesses or areas of inflammation on the skin, though in some cases it can also lead to more serious problems such as pneumonia and blood infection.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Ryan Scott

R.H. Sheppard Company M100 Power Steering Gears and Trucking Accidents

Sach Oliver — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 16:54:29 GMT

This past week we were in Mountain Home, AR with trucking experts doing an inspection on an 18 Wheeler. The 18 Wheeler was at the center of attention that day because it crossed the center line and hit two vehicles causing one death and three serious injuries. One of the issues during the inspection was whether or not the pitman arm had broken off of the power steering box (gears) before or after the 18 wheeler rolled over on its side.

Jeff Neiderer from R.H. Sheppard Company, Inc. in Hanover, Pennsylvania flew down here for the inspections. Mr. Neiderer completely disassembled the power steering gear box and was able to determine the pitman arm broke after the 18 wheeler made impact and rolled on its side. Therefore, it was not a causing factor in the wreck.

While I was watching Mr. Neiderer I was quite amazed at the technology involved with the M100 Power Steering Gear Box. The M100 is designed for heavy duty line haul trucks and heavy bus applications with a front axle rating between 10,000 and 14,000 lbs.

The Specifications for the M100 are as follows: (the left column is in US Standard Units and the right column is metric units)

Front axle range*	10,000 - 14,000 lbs	4,545 - 6.363 kg
Output torque @rated pressure 90% efficiency	45,350 in/lbs	5,124 Nm
Rated pressure	2,350 psi	162 bar
Minimum pump flow @1.5 H.W.T.	3.0 gpm	11.3 lpm
Pump flow range single systems	3.0 - 4.5 gpm	11.3 - 17.0 lpm
Ratio	18.9:1
Gear travel	95 degrees
Maximum operating temperature	250 degrees F	121.1 degrees C
Output shaft diameter	2.00 in	50.8 mm
Approximate dry weight	75 lbs	34 kg
Pump flow range dual w/M80 slave	5.1 - 6.0 gpm	19.3 - 22.7 lpm
Pump flow range dual w/M90 slave	5.5 - 6.5 gpm	20.8 - 24.6 lpm
Output torque @2350 psi 90% efficiency dual w/M80 slave	73,440 in/lbs	8,297 Nm
Output torque @2350 psi 90% efficiency dual w/M90 slave	83,275 in/lbs	9,407 Nm

I am going to simplify this quite a bit and for a more detailed explanation, you should contact R. H. Sheppard, however inside the M100 there was a shaft. If the shaft has little indentations on it, then that meant the pitman arm broke after impact, however if the shaft was indentation free, then the pitman arm broke before impact. Well, he counted 16 dents. This was good news for our clients’ cases in litigation.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Sach Oliver

Dangerous ATVs

Sach Oliver — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 12:34:20 GMT

Unsafe ATVs

ATV’s are useful tools. Whether you are a farmer, hunter, or trail rider, these vehicles can make your recreation or work more enjoyable. However, these vehicles can sometimes be unsafe. In fact, on March 31, 2009, the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a warning that the 450, 660, and 700 models of Yamaha’s Rhino off-road vehicles need certain upgrades in order to ensure that they are safe.[1] The company has agreed to do a free repair program to address the problems with the vehicle. Furthermore, Yamaha agreed to suspend the sale of the models until repairs were made. The repairs are in an effort to reduce the risk of rollover for these vehicles. The repairs include: 1) installation of a spacer on each of the rear wheels and 2) removal of the rear anti-sway bar. Both Yamaha and the CPSC suggest that these vehicles should not be operated until these repairs are made.

The CPSC has investigated 50 incidents involving the Yamaha Rhino, with reports of 46 driver and passenger deaths.[2] Of these incidents, two-thirds have involved rollovers with unbelted drivers and/or passengers.[3] What is even more shocking is the fact that many of these rollovers have occurred on turns at relatively low speeds on level terrain. The Rhino also has been involved many accidents that did not kill, but mangled those who were injured.[4]

Sadly, one such rollover accident involving the Yamaha Rhino killed a 31-year-old man and injured five children under the age of 9.[5] It is always a tragedy when people are killed or injured because of unsafe products. If you own one of these Yamaha Rhinos, by all means, please go get the safety upgrades for it. Also, look at the websites below, one of which contains some video showing how easily this machine turns over.

[1] “Yamaha Motor Corp. Offers Free Repair For 450, 660, and 700 Model Rhino Vehicles
CPSC advises consumers not to use the off-road vehicles until repaired” available at: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09172.html, (accessed October 22, 2009).

[2] Id.

[3] Id.

[4]“Yamahas Rhino: For Some a Deadly Ride” available at: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/08/04/cbsnews_investigates/main5213784.shtml, (accessed October 22, 2009).

[5] “Garden Grove Man Killed, 5 Children Injured in Off-Road Crash,” available at: http://www.ocregister.com/articles/old-year-children-2429745-officials-broken, (accessed October 22, 2009).

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Sach Oliver

To Err is Human: Building a Safer Health System: Medical Negligence Occurs but Why?

Sach Oliver — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 10:46:35 GMT

To Err is Human: Building a Safer Health System: Medical Negligence Occurs but Why?

The Institute of Medicine found a decade ago that as many as 98,000 people die every year from preventable medical errors, costing the nation an estimated $29 billion. The literature where this data is found is titled, To Err Is Human: Building a Safer Health System. The authors note medical errors kill more people than motor vehicle accidents, breast cancer, guns, AIDS, and many other harms. Matter of fact, they say medical errors are the nations 6^th leading cause of death.

The literature’s goal is to educate and set out plans to reduce medical errors and improve patient safety through the design of safer health systems. To Err is Human asserts that the problem is not bad people in health care – it is that good people are working in bad systems that need to be safer.

I agree with this literature in that most of the time it is not bad people causing harm, it is usually bad systems. Patient safety in America’s health care system should be a priority and “bad systems” should be held accountable for their actions that cause harm. Medical Negligence lawsuits are sometimes the only avenue harmed patients have to hold the “bad systems” accountable.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Sach Oliver

Car Wrecks, Car Wrecks, and More Car Wrecks

Sach Oliver — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 13:55:51 GMT

Car Wrecks, Car Wrecks, and More Car Wrecks

Every day we read the paper and everyday it seems there are more and more car wrecks. In our fast pace society people are driving faster and faster. In our technologically advancing world, more and more people are texting and talking on their cell phones while driving. In this economy, more and more people are probably worried about money and bills more about driving. Who knows what is on the minds of drivers! What is clear, negligent and reckless driving severely injures and kills folks on our highways every day.

When you read the paper and see these wrecks, the first thought that should run through you mind is not who will be lawyer if I get hit. The first thought should be: Do I have enough auto insurance and do I have the right types of coverage? Auto insurance is essential for the victim and the wrongdoer. Let me repeat that: auto insurance is essential for the victim and the wrongdoer in an auto accident. People’s first thought is the wrongdoer should have insurance. Yes, they should. But the victim also needs insurance.

The victim should have what is called “PIP” coverage or also known as medical payment coverage plan. This type of coverage pays your medical bills in a wreck at a minimum of $5,000 and you can buy up to $100,000 in coverage. PIP is automatic payment. You don’t have to win your lawsuit or settlement for it to kick in a pay. Ask your insurance agent about PIP today and raise your coverage.

The victim should have uninsured and underinsured coverage. Uninsured coverage applies when the person who hit you does not have insurance at all. You will need this uninsured coverage to pay for all of your harms and losses. Underinsured coverage applies when the person who hit does not have enough insurance to cover all of your harms and losses. Ask your insurance agent about under and uninsured coverage and raise your coverage.

The wrongdoer should enough insurance to cover the harm they can cause to some else. For example, the bigger the vehicle the more coverage you should have…or the more you drive, the more likely it is for you cause a wreck…or do you drive at night a bunch. The list goes on and on. Another way to judge how much insurance you should have is by your assets. The more assets you have the more insurance you need to protect your assets.

Hopefully, none of this applies to you because you do not ever get into wrecks. But if you are unfortunate and become involved in a wreck, please feel free to contact us with questions.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Sach Oliver

Motorcyclist Dies After Backhoe Accident

Sach Oliver — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 11:46:42 GMT

Motorcyclist Dies After Backhoe Accident

A driver of a backhoe failed to yield while turning west onto Huntsville road from Stonebridge and struck a motorcyclist last week in Fayetteville according to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Sadly, the motorcyclist, Glen Fleeman, was pronounced dead at the scene. Police cited the backhoe driver, Kevin Jordan, for failure to yield.

The backhoe is owned by Fayetteville Mechanical and had been contracted to another company when the accident occurred. Who is the other company?

The reason I ask is because the term vicarious liability or respondeat superior may be applicable to this situation. Respondeat superior is a doctrine in tort law that makes a master liable for the wrong of the servant. More specifically, the doctrine makes an employer or principal liable for the wrong of an employee or agent if it was committed within the scope of employment or agency. The “other company” may or may not be liable. We would have to know more about the situation.

We should keep the people involved in this wreck in our prayers and offer our deepest condolences for the family of Mr. Fleeman.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Sach Oliver

Gambling on the Road - 18 Wheelers

Sach Oliver — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 08:45:00 GMT

One in five chances in the lottery would not be so bad. Would you take the same chances on the road? Chances on what? A recent study (June 2009) conducted by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance shows that for every large truck on the road, one in five were unable to pass inspection, and thus had to be removed from service.[1]

Passing an inspection might not seem like a huge deal, until you consider the fact that over half of these violations were accounted for by defective brakes.[2] That is right -- big, heavy trucks with defective breaks. This is not really what one would consider a “winning hand.” The problem does not stop there. One-percent of truck drivers were also found to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs.[3]

How Does Arkansas Weigh Up?

Arkansas has a relatively low population when considered nationally, but astonishingly, comes in 9^th (ninth) on the list of states with the most companies in violation of safety requirements per 100,000 people, with 23 companies having violations in 2009.[4] Nationally, it is estimated that there are over 200,000 trucks operating with safety violations.[5] These safety violations do not stop with big trucks, with a significant number of these violations coming from buses, cargo tankers, and motor coaches.[6]

At What Cost?

It is disturbing to find out that so many trucks with safety violations are on the road. The question must be asked as to why this is the case. Those involved in the trucking business see very low profit margins, and violating safety standards allows these companies to maximize profits.[7] Illegally overloading trucks, exceeding speed limits and maximum driving hours, as well as failure to maintain tires and brakes are just a few of the ways that trucking companies cut costs.[8] There can be serious consequences however, for such conduct. “Fatalities per miles driven are 56% higher for trucks than for all motor vehicles combined.”[9] Sadly, in 2007, trucks accounted for 4,808 fatalities across the U.S. with 114 of those deaths in Arkansas.[10]

This just covers the surface of some disturbing findings about trucks across the nation. I would encourage you to read the whole report for yourself at www.justice.org/trucksafetyviolations. Awareness is an important factor in promoting trucking safety, and while the odds of running across a truck with safety violations will never be as low as those of winning the lottery, that should be our goal.

[1] “Warning! Safety Violations Ahead: Motor Carrier Companies Keep Unsafe Trucks on U.S. Roads,” pg. 5, available at: www.justice.org/trucksafetyviolations, (accessed September 3, 2009).

[2] Id.

[3] Id.

[4] Id. at 4.

[5] Id. at 3.

[6] Id.

[7] Id.

[8] Id.

[9] Id. at 2.

[10] Id.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Sach Oliver

“It’s Not a Tumor!”: Cell Phone Use and Brain Cancer

Sach Oliver — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 09:00:00 GMT

For those of you who cannot reference this title check out this link first (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xqZnmESuiw&feature=related). In this clip, the Governator himself seems to be echoing the sentiment of the cell phone industry. The convenience of cell phones has caught on with a rapid pace in our society. It used to be that you only witnessed busy professionals jabbering away on cell phones. Today however, kids in elementary school are carrying them around, talking and texting their way through the day.

All along, the safety of cell phones has been studied, often with the results ending in the same “inconclusive” category. All the while, cell phone companies insist that their products are safe. A recent report entitled “Cellphones and Brain Tumors: 15 Reasons for Concern,” suggests that regular cell phone use can “result in a “significant risk of brain tumors.”[1] Despite this, there is no real conclusive evidence that one can point to in order to say whether cell phone use is directly related to brain tumors.

There is concern however, with the “biological effects resulting from electromagnetic radiation” on a person.[2] Noted, is the “higher risk of brain tumors for people who use a cell phone for at least 10 years and who typically hold the device to the same side of their head.”[3]

However, as noted, “there are gaps in knowledge that have been identified for further research to better assess health risks.”[4] This is a very interesting topic to ponder. The more our society turns to the use of cell phones, the more we are likely to find out about the health risks resulting from their use. If masses of people continue using this method of communication, data will be more prevalent, thus, easier to obtain. This is sure to be an emerging issue over the next 5-10 years, and one which warrants our full attention. I encourage you to read the David Lazarus article linked below.

[1] David Lazarus, “Cellphones and Brain Tumors: Report Revives Nagging Questions,” available at http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-lazarus9-2009sep09,0,7825195.column?track=rss, (accessed September 27, 2009).

[2] Id.

[3] Id.

[4] Id.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Sach Oliver

Goals of Rehabilitation Following a Spinal Cord Injury

Sach Oliver — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 08:41:33 GMT

Goals of Rehabilitation Following a Spinal Cord Injury

Change should be expected following a spinal cord injury. One of the most important things that a person can do is setting goals for rehabilitation following a spinal injury. Setting goals allows a person to “facilitate [his/her] return to performance of accustomed tasks and roles in [his/her] family and in society.”[1] Of course, accomplishing goals requires a person who suffers from a spinal injury to make adjustments, acquire certain skills, possess necessary equipment, adapt their physical environment, and maintain their health.[2]

Adjustment

First of all, one who suffers a spinal cord injury must make psychosocial adjustments including coming to terms with their loss.[3] Furthermore, a person must make adjustments to their vocation and recreation activities since many of the activities possible before injury are now impractical.[4] Adapting these two areas of one’s life will likely require significant changes, but are necessary to developing a well adjusted life.

Functional Skills

Perhaps most affected by spinal cord injuries are a person’s physical capabilities. Learning to function despite altered capabilities will require one to take up functional training.[5] The goals set in this area are critical, as accomplishing them will allow a person to become more independent and mobile.[6]

Necessary Equipment

Acquiring the necessary equipment following spinal injury is interconnected with developing functional skills that allow a person to maintain their independence. Often, as part of an overall plan for recovery, the right equipment enhances one’s health and performance of socially defined roles.[7]

Adapting the Physical Environment

The architectural environment of most places is not well suited to those with spinal cord injuries. The most adaptable place is often the home environment, and adequate adaptation should take place in order to promote independence.[8]

Maintaining Health

Following a spinal cord injury, a host of health maintenance issues will arise that one probably did not consider prior to injury. “Virtually constant vigilance is required to avoid complications such as pressure sores and urinary tract infections.”[9] Avoiding health deteriorations requires one to “learn how [his/her] body works, how to prevent and detect complications, and what to do when complications occur.”[10]

Setting practical goals in these areas will help a person’s rehabilitation following spinal cord injury.

[1] Martha Somers, Spinal Cord Injuries: Functional Rehabilitation (New Jersey: Prentice-Hall, 2001), 2.

[2] Id. at 2-3.

[3] Id. at 3.

[4] Id.

[5] Id.

[6] Id.

[7] Id. at 4.

[8] Id.

[9] Id.

[10] Id.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Sach Oliver