Neese Law Firm Blog

Medical Tables Unexpectedly Fall or Tilt During Surgery

Submitted by Russ Schmidtberger on Mon, 2011-12-19 12:28

Due to reports of personal injury, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a Class I recall of a surgical table typically used during orthopedic trauma, thoracic, and spinal surgery procedures. These particular classes of recalls are the most serious types, involving situations in which there is a reasonable probability that the product’s use will cause serious adverse health consequences or even wrongful death. (For a visual reference and to view a video of these types of surgical tables, click here.)

Large Animal Vehicle Collisions Cause Almost 200 Annual Deaths

Submitted by Russ Schmidtberger on Sun, 2011-12-18 12:13

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), approximately 200 fatalities occur each year due to large animal-vehicle collisions. Because it is currently deer season in Texas, understanding safety measures while driving on remote roads and highways may be of concern. The following tips are usually offered to prevent unexpected collisions or personal injury:

Safely Enjoy Your Thanksgiving Leftovers

Submitted by Russ Schmidtberger on Sat, 2011-12-17 12:10

Eating leftovers is one of the benefits of cooking on Thanksgiving. However, certain precautionary measures should be taken to assure that leftovers are safe for consumption.

It is estimated that nearly 76 million cases of food poisoning occur in the United States each year. Symptoms of food poisoning may be mild at first, but they can also be extremely severe. Moreover, it is not uncommon for food poisoning to last for many hours or even a couple of days. The symptoms typically involve the following:

Merck & Co. Agree to Pay Nearly $1 Billion for Vioxx Fraud

Submitted by Russ Schmidtberger on Fri, 2011-12-16 12:06

Large drug companies in America have been plagued with health-care fraud allegations and improper drug marketing practices for years – e.g. GlaxoSmithKline, PLC; Pfizer, Inc.; AstraZeneca, PLC; and Eli Lilly & Co. The most recent drug company pleading guilty to governmental allegations is Merck & Co. According to the Wall Street Journal, Merck has agreed to pay $950 million for illegally promoting the painkiller drug Vioxx.

Heavy Trucks on Highways Call Safety into Question

Submitted by Russ Schmidtberger on Thu, 2011-12-15 12:00

Earlier this year in Dallas, the American Trucking Association (ATA) and the Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) convened to discuss weight restrictions affecting their members. The groups voted to lobby for an increase in the amount of weight that can be hauled by five-axle and six-axle vehicles.

Always Check Your Doctor's Disciplinary History

Submitted by Russ Schmidtberger on Wed, 2011-12-14 12:41

We always tell clients that when considering hiring any attorney, they should check the attorney’s disciplinary history on the State Bar of Texas website. The same goes for doctors.

Weekend Morning Collision Raises Questions About Driver Fatigue

Submitted by Russ Schmidtberger on Tue, 2011-12-13 12:36

Highway 6 in Houston was the scene of a fatal car accident this weekend, when multiple cars collided in the morning. Two people were killed and three more suffered serious personal injury after one of the vehicles ran a red light at the Pine Forest Road intersection and struck another vehicle. The two cars – a Chevrolet Monte Carlo and a Honda Accord – also impacted a Nissan Sentra approaching in oncoming traffic. According to the Houston Police Department, the three people in the Nissan were taken to the hospital for injuries, and the two drivers of the initial collision were killed, one dying on the scene and the other at an area hospital.

Commercial Vehicles Pose Highlighted Risk to Roadway Travelers

Submitted by Russ Schmidtberger on Mon, 2011-12-12 12:04

Pool Chemicals Cause Thousands of Personal Injuries in U.S.

Submitted by Russ Schmidtberger on Sun, 2011-12-11 12:52

Each year, almost 340 million swimming visits to pools, water parks, and interactive fountains occur in the United States. The water used for these particular recreational attractions is typically treated with chemicals, which are added to prevent transmissions of infectious pathogens. Between the years of 2002 and 2008, it is estimated that approximately 28,000 cases of personal injuries and illnesses have been caused by these chemicals.

The Centers for Diseases Control (CDC) has concluded in a report that oftentimes pool chemicals are either stored improperly or used incorrectly, thus causing serious personal injury. Additionally, the chemicals are handled or applied by individuals who may not understand the risks or wear the proper safety gear, resulting in an unexpected illness. Most of the cases occur at private residences or homes. The most common problems affect the respiratory system, the surface of the skin, or a victim’s eyes.

Driving With the Flow of Traffic is Safer Than Driving Too Slowly

Submitted by Russ Schmidtberger on Sat, 2011-12-10 12:43

An individual may be cited for driving too slowly. Typically, the traffic ticket will read: “Below Minimum Speed”. Many states have laws mandating a minimum driving speed on freeways and highways. Most of these states demand that slow drivers stay in the farthest right lane, thereby causing traffic to pass on the left hand side.

Traffic safety officials have warned of slow-driver dangers for many years. In multiple studies, slow drivers increase both their own risk of collisions as well as other drivers’ risks of automobile crashes. The research shows that drivers going the median speed of all traffic – not the actual speed limit – have the lowest risk of collision.