Personal Injury Law

School Hazing

Posted on September 07, 2008
Many look at hazing as a sort of right of passage - it's a tradition. Harmless pranks, right? Wrong. Hazing is defined as any activity expected of someone joining a group that humiliates, degrades, or risks harm to that individual. Hazing activities vary by group/organization and not all acts are criminal in nature; however, the acts involved are almost always against the rules of the institution or team involved...

School Safety - School Bully Packs Big Punch

Posted on September 06, 2008
It's inevitable - every classroom has at least one - there's always a class clown, there's always a nerd, and there's always a bully. And, generally speaking, bullies pack a lot more punch than the clowns or nerds (no pun intended). In fact, psychologists have identified school bullying as a frequent and serious health problem...

Construction Site Regulations - Iowa - Sling Safety and Preventing Injury

Posted on September 06, 2008
Iowa Construction Site Injuries - Safe and effective use of slings Reported in the online Gazette, Blahnik Construction (Iowa Corp. No. 139932) was fined $7,000.00 for an incident in which two employees were injured when slings being used to lift a 12,000 pound compressor in an elevator shaft broke...

School Safety - Leave the cell phone at home.

Posted on September 05, 2008
Today, we discuss the National School Safety and Security Services site. What do they claim to do? Here is what the site says is the purpose and service. National School Safety and Security Services Our school safety consulting services are used by school boards, superintendents, and school administrators to: · prevent and manage school violence · reduce safety risks and liability · improve school-community relations on school safety issues School leaders use our school safety services because we understand the unique K-12 educational climate and culture dynamics involved in K-12 school safety, school security, and school emergency planning...

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School Safety - National School Safety Center Shines Bright

Posted on September 05, 2008
Remember the frightful events that occurred just last April at Virginia Tech? Of course you do - we all do. Thirty-three dead (including the gunman) and numerous others seriously injured. Granted, this wasn't the first school shooting to take place (nor will it be the last); it was, however, the deadliest shooting rampage in U...

School Safety - Peanut treats and anaphylaxis shock

Posted on September 04, 2008
Today, we discuss peanut allergies and what risks parents are exposed to when sending treats to school. You may think this is something "the other guy" faces but never a problem you will face. In fact, food allergies are the leading cause of anaphylaxis and are responsible for between 150-200 non-hospital deaths each year...

School Safety - Why snack-time can be scary... anaphylaxis and peanut allergies

Posted on September 04, 2008
It is a well-known fact that peanut allergies are one of the most severe allergies an individual can have. In fact, food allergies are the leading cause of anaphylaxis and are responsible for between 150-200 non-hospital deaths each year. Sufferers of such allergies must constantly be aware of their surroundings; they need to watch what they eat, what they touch, and even what their food touches...

A Health-Issue Pushed to the Back

Posted on September 03, 2008
As highlighted in my previous post, smoking is the number one health concern for adolescents. And rightfully so, given the statistics. But what about the less commonly thought of health issues - like heavy backpacks? I know, I know - you're thinking a backpack isn't a health issue, right? WRONG...

He Said, She Said - Pink Color Choice Linked to Female Genetic Flaw

Posted on September 03, 2008
Hmmm.... Chrissie, Chrissie, Chrissie, tssk, tsssk, we men demand equal time to comment about this alleged genetic flaw. After reading the title of your article I'm wondering if only a woman could write this? I've got to respond with the guy version. Your article is titled Commitment Phobias in Men Linked to Genetic Flaw...

Motorcyclist's "loss of control" may not be the cause of this wreck.

Posted on September 03, 2008
Doctors refer to general diagnoses as "a waste-basket diagnosis", meaning the diagnosis is so general that it's meaningless. So when the Harrison County, Iowa officials list a loss of control as the cause of what killed a 49-year-old Omaha man after his motorcycle crashed it's pretty worthless...

September, on the InjuryBoard, is school safety month.

Posted on September 02, 2008
During the month of September the InjuryBoard will focus on discussing school safety. Megan Roth from our office and in the Des Moines, Iowa market, will take the lead on blawg posts. Megan is a journalist living currently in New York. She writes well and will be covering quite a few subjects having to do with school safety including some of the following areas: Peanuts in treats, bus rider safety, crossing guard rules, street crossing safety, science project safety and explosions, walking home, dress codes, food safety, bullying, backpack weight, cell phone use, iPod use, recognizing serious Columbine-type threats, locker privacy, gym excuses from the doctor, school nurse, staying after school, recognizing mental health issues, RX taken in school, playground equipment safety, playground equip maint, after school sports and school trips, show and tell, animals and pets to school, cheating on tests, drinking HOH, roller blading to school, cigarettes on school grounds, drugs and alcohol on school grounds, looking for your first job and getting bit by your Facebook drunken photos, etc...

Students Light Up

Posted on September 02, 2008
It's a movement that has taken the nation by storm: we're in the middle of the ultimate attempt to rid all nicotine-craving-fiends from campuses and public places around the nation. Even entire cities have put a ban on smoking in public places (less the streets, of course)...

Drugs and Alcohol in Schools

Posted on September 01, 2008
"Approximately one-half of all high-school seniors in the U.S. admits to having used alcohol or illegal drugs during their high school years." Surprised? Don't be. Alcohol and drug abuse are incredibly prevalent on school campuses across the nation and are affecting kids at younger ages than they have in the past...

The Controversy about Crocs isn't just a Crock

Posted on August 29, 2008
No product is thought to be dangerous until you're injured in a way you never thought about. And that's the point about Crocs, people, but mostly children, are getting hurt in ways parents hadn't anticipated or imagined possible. To those people that love their Crocs, this is just a bunch of BS...

Part VII - The Universal Protocol for Preventing Wrong-Site, Wrong-Procedure and Wrong-Person Surgery

Posted on August 28, 2008
Follow the link to the Joint Commission's Universal Protocol, print it and save it to your computer file for the client's case. Create an electronic file for "research-medical" and save it. Print a copy and take it with you. Get to know this protocol...

Iowa Q&A: Work. Comp. When should a lawyer get paid?

Posted on August 27, 2008
Q: I retained a lawyer for a workers comp injury-was receiving benefits before he was hired-now all of a sudden he wants me to give him a perecntage of my weekly benefits. I have not signed any form giving him permission to do so but he has also had the check made out in his name and mine and sent to him...

Part VI - Wrong-Site Surgery - Universal Protocol gets a Universal Endorsements

Posted on August 27, 2008
The universal protocol for preventing wrong-site surgeries is just that, a universal protocol. If used properly it can and will prevent wrong-site, wrong-procedure and wrong-patient surgeries. If not utilized they will continue to cause head scratching by patients and others...

Part V - The Joint Commission - Reading Assignment Before the Case Begins

Posted on August 23, 2008
We are now at the fifth part of this series. This post concerns the resources you'll need for understanding The Joint Commission and what it's written about how this problem, of wrong-site, wrong-patient and wrong-procedure surgical mistakes, can be avoided and prevented...

Iowa Boating - Even if you're a good swimmer is wearing a life-vest a good idea?

Posted on August 22, 2008
Jet skiing is a fun way to spend an afternoon. But unlike cars, jet skis operate on water where there are no clearly marked roads and signs telling you when to stop or yield. In this instance the two drivers failed to avoid colliding, crashed and the driver of one was saved by her passenger...

Iowa Motorcycle Helmet Law - A Choice To Protect Your Brain

Posted on August 21, 2008
While Iowa has no mandatory helmet law for motorcyclists, the personal choice should be made with facts in mind about how collisions and wrecks are caused. Some are caused by drunks, by being under the influence, by geese, by deer, by raccoons, gravel on the roadway and other drivers failing to yield the right of way...

Part IV - Wrong-Site Surgery - The Surgery Center

Posted on August 20, 2008
This blog is the fourth in a multi-part series addressing the concerns faced by patients who experience a wrong-site, wrong-procedure, and/or wrong-patient surgery. It also addresses many of the initial questions encountered by their attorneys. This series is directed to surgeons who want to learn and be aware of why these mistakes continue to occur, some of whom believe that surgical mistakes of this nature would never happen to them...

Arkansas Board of Medicine "Sanctions" Surgeon with a "Participation Trophy"

Posted on August 16, 2008
We were to begin Part IV of the wrong-site surgery yesterday, but trial took me away and then I was sent a story that is directly related to what we are talking about and I think it's worth discussing. So assuming we aren't provided with more wrong-site or wrong-patient or wrong-procedure surgery cases that warrant discussion I'll be back on track on Monday...

Alcohol and Drugs on campus

Posted on August 15, 2008
"Approximately one-half of all high-school seniors in the U.S. admits to having used alcohol or illegal drugs during their high school years." Surprised? Don't be. Alcohol and drug abuse are incredibly prevalent on school campuses across the nation and are affecting kids at younger ages than they have in the past...

Wrong-Site Surgery - Does anyone see the bigger picture of what is wrong with the system?

Posted on August 14, 2008
Before going on to the next part in this series about wrong-site, wrong-patient or wrong-procedure, we need address the question: Why write about this subject? Why is this, a topic of discussion that has the lawyers' interest for an entire month? Our answer is pretty simple: No one seems to be seeing the bigger picture that improves patient safety...

Part III - Wrong-Site Surgery - The Surgeon's Hospital System

Posted on August 13, 2008
This blog is the third installment in a series of blogs directed towards patients or attorneys representing patients who have fallen victim to a wrong-site, wrong-procedure, or wrong-patient surgery. It is also addressed to surgeons who believe this type of mistake will never befall them...

Part II - Wrong-Site Surgery - The Surgeon Doctor's Clinic

Posted on August 11, 2008
Welcome to the world of Web 2.0. Most every business has a website for purposes of advertising what they do well. Surgical clinics are no exception. A surgeon friend of mine once stated, "Advertising for hospitals is similar to saying, 'We have sharper needles...

Part I - Wrong Site Surgeries - The Board of Medicine - The Surgeon

Posted on August 08, 2008
This post is for referring lawyers. So let's begin by discussing just where to begin in a case where the wrong surgical site, wrong-procedure or wrong-patient is involved. For simplicity sake I'm going to select just one, the wrong surgical site. As we go along we'll expand on the other two of the tripartite possible negligent acts...

The Who-Can-I-Sue Syndrome, is a misnomer and in bad taste

Posted on August 08, 2008
Curtis Wolfe: This is an open letter to you asking for your cooperation in cleaning up our profession by placing the profession ahead of all other considerations. I see you attended the University of Iowa College of Law, where I attended as an undergrad...

Iowa Motorcycle Riders - Protect your brain with a free helmet.

Posted on August 07, 2008
As part of my mission to assist in preventing and then reducing the high costs to society of treating those with brain injuires I am giving away a free motorcycle helmet at the Iowa State Fair. We believe preventing brain damage is a valuable goal in the reduction of the number of people suffering injuries involving accidents and wrecks with motorcycle riders...

INTRODUCTION TO WRONG-SITE, WRONG PROCEDURE AND WRONG-PATIENT SURGERY

Posted on August 07, 2008
INTRODUCTION TO WRONG-SITE, WRONG PROCEDURE AND WRONG-PATIENT SURGERY To represent a person who's undergone an unnecessary surgical procedure requires a thorough understanding of who is involved, what procedure was involved, what standards apply in the surgical suite, who the patient is and how communication broke down resulting in this OBVIOUS of a mistake...

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