Bentonville Personal Injury Lawyer

Basic Information About Brain Injury

Frank Bailey — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 15:22:43 GMT

According to the Brain Injury Association of America, there are approximately 5.3 million U. S. citizens with a disabling brain injury. The costs totaled $60 billion in 2000. Every 23 seconds a traumatic brain injury occurs. This year alone, 1.4 million Americans will sustain a traumatic brain injury.

Insurance adjustors fail to recognize traumatic brain injury unless it is documented by a competent physician. That is why I recommend to all my clients, who I suspect may have a traumatic brain injury, to be tested by a competent neuropsychologist. PET scans are another means of documenting traumatic brain injury. But, often PET scans are not available at local hospitals and doctors are hesitant to recommend the expensive test.

Traumatic brain injury can occur even in low impact collisions. Often with the new shock absorbing crash designed vehicles, there is little property damage to the vehicle, but massive damage to the occupant's brain. This happens because our heads and necks were not designed to withstand the energy of being struck from the rear by a 5000 lbs. vehicle.

If you have been in a rear end collision and have any of the symptoms of a traumatic brain injury there is treatment. Don't delay in getting the needed treatment just because you can't see your injury. It is just as real as if you had broken your arm or had a huge gash in your skin.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Frank Bailey

FDA Continues to Search for Cause of Salmonella Outbreak

Drew Dixon — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 13:35:34 GMT

As the number of Salmonella related illnesses nears 1,000, Officials from the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are still searching for the cause of the Salmonella outbreak. According to the FDA, tomatoes still top the list as the prime suspect, but investigators are looking into other ingredients found in salsa.

The FDA has begun to focus on jalape�os, cilantro and serrano peppers as the common salsa ingredients in their investigation. Investigators are now stopping shipments of jalape�os as they cross the border from Mexico.

The FDA continues to warn consumers of the risks of eating red plum, red round, and Roma tomatoes. According to farmers, this warning, which was initially made in April, has cost the tomato industry more than $100 million.

Image Source: Wikimedia Commons

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Drew Dixon

Tractor-trailer Rig Causes Death

Frank Bailey — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 14:37:32 GMT

Not a day passes we don't hear of an innocent person killed by someone's negligence. Just yesterday a Harrison woman was killed when the rear axle of a tractor-trailer came off, crossed the center line and hit her pickup truck near Green Forest.

There is no excuse for owners of tractor-trailers to let their equipment go unrepaired. We live in a society that values life. Some owners of tractor-trailers seem to value money more than the lives of innocent people. How can they sleep at night knowing they are allowing unsafe vehicles on our highways.just to make an extra buck?

Just this morning I was writing about the new devices available to track repairs, speed, and driver hours in these tractor-trailer rigs. Our government needs to do something to ensure our highways are safe. If everyone would contact their government representatives and demand something be done about these big trucks, it might get the ball rolling.

If the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration did its job, this kind of thing wouldn't happen.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Frank Bailey

Why Golf Carts Are Dangerous

Drew Dixon — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 16:27:41 GMT

According to the Center for Injury Research and Policy, golf-cart related injuries have soared. The study found that the number of golf cart related trips to the emergency room increased from an estimated 5,772 in 1990 to 13,411 in 2006.

With the price of gasoline at record levels the popularity of golf carts has soared. The battery-powered carts have proven to be a cheap, energy efficient mode of transportation. Golf-carts are commonly seen at sporting events, hospitals, national parks, college campuses, and of course retirement communities and neighborhoods.

The average speed of a factory golf-cart is between 25 and 30 miles per hour, and some after market kits can even make carts faster. But most carts still lack basic safety equipment like seat belts and side rails.

Because the highest injury rates were among males ages 10 to 19, the study suggested a minimum driving age of 16, braking slowly, and wearing a helmet while riding.

Image source: Wikimedia commons

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Drew Dixon

A Sad Day for Anderson, Missouri

Drew Dixon — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 14:54:42 GMT

Each day we are reminded of how precious life truly is. Last week Allison Paige Davis, 9, of Anderson, Missouri, died from injuries sustained after being struck by a motor vehicle. The vehicle being driven by Lonnie B. Brown collided with Allison as she crossed New Bethel Road.

At the scene, Trooper Grant Hendrix of the Missouri Highway Patrol detected an odor of intoxicants on Mr. Brown's breath. During a preliminary investigation Brown admitted to having consumed two beers with dinner, at which time Trooper Hendrix administered a field sobriety test. During the field sobriety test Brown performed poorly and was taken into custody for driving while intoxicated and transported to the McDonald County Jail.

A breath test showed alcohol present and a blood test taken at the jail revealed Brown's blood alcohol level to be 0.075, just under the 0.08 level considered intoxicated in Missouri. However, the blood alcohol test was conducted more than an hour after the accident was reported, possibly having a bearing on the results. Brown has been charged with involuntary manslaughter, a class C felony. A report of his prior driving history revealed two prior convictions for driving while intoxicated.

According to her obituary, Allison was born Nov. 17, 1998, at the Kansas University Medical Center in Kansas City, Kansas. She recently completed the third grade at Anderson Elementary School where she enjoyed dancing, fixing her hair, reading, and drawing pictures.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Allison. For help with the positive resolution of grief following the death of a child, checkout http://www.geocities.com/tcf4states/.

Source: Ozark Funeral Homes

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Drew Dixon

Vinyl Shower Curtains Emit Toxic Chemicals

Drew Dixon — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 17:22:36 GMT

Vinyl shower curtains sold at many major retail stores across the country have been linked to serious health problems because they emit toxic chemicals. Researchers at Center for Health, Environment, and Justice found that the curtains contained high concentrations of chemicals that are linked to liver damage as well as damage to the central nervous, respiratory, and reproductive systems.

The researchers tested the chemical composition of polyvinyl chloride, or PVC, plastic shower curtains bought from Bed Bath & Beyond, Kmart, Sears, Target, and Wal-Mart. The study found that PVC shower curtains contained high concentrations of phthalates and varying concentrations of organotins. One of the curtains tested released measurable quantities of as many as 108 volatile organic compounds into the air, some of which persisted for nearly a month.

Seven of these chemicals -- toluene, ethylbenzene, phenol, methyl isobutyl ketone, xylene, acetophenone and cumene -- have been identified by the Environmental Protection Agency as hazardous air pollutants.

The Center for Health, Environment, and Justice has notified 19 major retailers of their findings and encouraged them to stop selling the PVC shower curtains.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Drew Dixon

Ways to Improve your Personality after an Emergency

Sach Oliver — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 16:17:07 GMT

We all have ideas about how we might handle an emergency. And we're probably wrong. People who are leaders---or basket cases---in everyday life often won't behave that same way in a crisis. But we do know there are ways to become more resilient, and they don't all involve luck or prayer (although those are good too).

1. Attitude

People who respond well to trauma tend to have three underlying advantages: a belief that they can influence events, an ability to find meaningful purpose in life's turmoil and a conviction that they can learn from positive and negative experiences. This may be largely a matter of genetic makeup, but it is possible to teach yourself to be more proactive and avoid the victimization trap ("If it happens to me, there's nothing I can do").

2. Knowledge

Sometimes a small amount of information can help us tap into a vein of resilience we didn't know we had.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Sach Oliver

Crane Accidents Prove Deadly

Drew Dixon — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 16:10:54 GMT

The last few months I have noticed a significant number of crane accidents around the nation. The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration should really take the lead in this area to ensure training for crane operators coincides with changes in the industry as cranes become larger and the loads heavier. Currently about 80 workers die each year from crane related accidents, according to OSHA.

The latest crane accident was this past Saturday in Wyoming when 3 people were injured after a crane collapsed while trying to move pipe across a rail line. The crane weighed around 2.7 million pounds and was described as one of the world's largest cranes. Luckily no one died from the collapse, but the rail line was temporarily closed until late Saturday night as railroad crews removed debris.

On June 1, 2008, a crane collapsed in the Upper East Side of Manhattan killing two and injuring another. The Manhattan's District Attorney has opened a criminal investigation into the accident because investigators believe the crane was the same crane damaged last year during another project. The investigators are probing into who repaired the crane and how it was allowed back into service.

In a previous crane accident on March 15, 2008, seven people were killed and several buildings damaged in Manhattan's Turtle Bay. That accident led to the arrest of a crane inspector, who had certified the crane just days before the crane crashed to the ground, and the resignation of then Department of Buildings Commissioner Patricia Lancaster.

For more information on crane accidents check out www.craneaccidents.com.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Drew Dixon

Accutane Linked to Depression

Drew Dixon — Tue, 27 May 2008 16:54:46 GMT

The use of isotretinoin, the active ingredient in the acne medicine Accutane, is believed to more than double the risk of depression. In a report in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, Doctors from CHU Sainte-Justine Research Centre in Montreal have performed the first study to find a statistically significant link between isotretinoin and depression.

While depression is likely to be a rare side effect of isotretinoin, current guidelines should be modified to include psychiatric assessments before and during a patients use of Accutane.

If you or a loved one have taken Accutane here are some common symptoms of depression to look for:

1. Loss of interest in daily activities

2. Loss of appetite or weight changes

3. Changes in sleep

4. Loss of energy

5. Concentration problems

6. Irritability

7. Aches and pains

People suffering from depression often show distorted thinking. Everything looks bleak to them, and they hold extremely negative views about themselves, their situation, and the future. Trapped in their pessimism, they obsess over their problems and blow them out of proportion. Unable to see a light at the end of the tunnel, they may even start to see suicide as their only way out.

For more information on depression, please check out the Dr. Robert E. Elliott Foundation at www.robertelliottfdn.com.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Drew Dixon

Twister Hits Toxic Town in Oklahoma

Sach Oliver — Wed, 21 May 2008 16:03:48 GMT

The Picher, Oklahoma tornado was one of several that combined to kill 26 people in the Midwest and the South, raising the nation's 2008 total to about 100, the worst toll in a decade.

In Picher, the devastation was complicated by the town's status as one of the most polluted Superfund sites in the nation. But Miles Tolbert, the Oklahoma secretary of the environment, said he did not think there was an immediate public health hazard to the 800 residents. He did say more testing is needed to be certain.

Long term exposure to lead dust poses a health risk, particularly to young children.

A tornado with the second-strongest rating killed seven people, destroyed a 20-block area and blew dust off mountains of mining waste, or chat piles.

"You can look at the chat piles and see that a lot of the material has blown off," said John Sparkman, head of the Picher housing authority.

Oklahoma Gov. Brad Henry, who toured the area by air and on foot Sunday, said the buyout program won't stop just because homes were leveled. He went so far as to say he would "guarantee" that those awaiting buyouts who lost their homes would be treated fairly. "We will make sure the people get the assistance they need," Henry said.

Because of Picher's Superfund status, the Federal Emergency Management Agency is unlikely to grant assistance to homeowners to rebuild in the town, said Oklahoma Emergency Management Director Albert Ashwood.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Sach Oliver