Author Archives: Morrison Wagner

February 10, 2014 News
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Ambulance accident in Brooklyn, New York leaves multiple injured

New York – An ambulance versus bus accident left several people injured last night. The bus was hit by an ambulance during the evening hours, just as the bus was carrying children home from their school in Borough Park. Records show that the ambulance was responding to an unrelated emergency at the time of the motor vehicle accident. It is still unclear if the fire department ambulance was driving with lights and sirens activated at the time of the crash. Officials say that the paramedic team and another person from the bus suffered serious injuries. Reports from the scene of the collision indicate that several of the children on the bus suffered accident injuries as well. Trauma specialists note that injuries from a bus crash such as this may need evaluation even when they initially appear to be minor. They say that some significant wounds, such as spinal injury or even intracranial bleeding, can appear as only minor bumps and bruises. However, if left untreated, these injuries can leave a trauma victim disabled or can even lead to death. Accident victims are advised to see a doctor or go to the closest hospital emergency room for evaluation of injuries and proper care. More details about this ambulance collision are on hand here.

Illustrative photo by Kevin.B (Own work) [GFDL or CC-BY-SA-3.0-2.5-2.0-1.0], via Wikimedia Commons

February 05, 2014 News
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MRI center on Long Island allows man into suite with metal

New York – An elderly man was allowed to enter the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) room of an imaging center in Medford, New York while carrying a walker made from metal material. The strong magnet in the machine forcefully jerked the walker from his hands, causing him to slip and fall. The victim fell and hit his head, evidently leading to an intracranial hemorrhage and stroke only days later. The head injury and brain damage apparently soon led to the man’s death approximately two months later. The injury victim’s son expressed outrage about the incident and filed a medical malpractice lawsuit against those responsible. The case alleges that negligence on the part of the MRI facility’s staff caused a sequence of events that led to the patient’s wrongful death.

Healthcare experts explain that this type of medical error or accident is a known complication of MRI machines. MRI equipment creates an extremely powerful magnetic force that can pull metal objects across the room with enough speed and strength to cause injuries and death. Many cases have been documented of dangerous objects flying through the air in MRI facilities, including heavy steel oxygen tanks, ambulance stretchers, jewelry, pens or even belts and other articles of clothing. In addition, some medical devices can be a hazard when exposed to an MRI machine’s strong magnet. This can include cardiac pacemakers, aneurysm clips, metal surgical rods and screws, and medication pumps. The dangers of these devices shifting or being dislocated during an MRI must be taken very seriously when doctors and MRI staff select eligible patients. Yet another medical complication linked to MRIs is thermal burns caused by the powerful machines. Due to these dangers of MRI accidents, all establishments are required to maintain strict training and protocols to ensure patient and worker safety. This includes complete explanations to the patient, inspections and checklists to avoid anyone from bringing an unauthorized metal object that could cause an MRI injury into the suite. Some metal is allowed in if it is verified to not be attracted to strong magnets. According to a New York City medical malpractice lawyer, the responsibility to maintain patient and workplace safety remains with the staff and doctors of the MRI company. Read more about how to prevent getting injured during an MRI here.

Photo by English: Lance Cpl. Jonathan G. Wright [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

January 27, 2014 News
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Van rear-ended in truck accident on George Washington Bridge

New York – The driver of a van was injured in a rear-end accident just as he was getting onto the George Washington Bridge (GWB). The crash victim was driving a work vehicle and was on his way into New York City when a tractor-trailer truck hit him from behind. Investigators were called to the scene to determine if the truck was speeding or driving dangerously at the time of the collision. Reports show that the truck and van had just exited the toll barrier and this may have contributed to the accident. Motor vehicle accident specialists say that sometimes a rear-end crash can actually be due to the driver negligence of the vehicle in front. This is often the case when a car or smaller vehicle tries to cut in front of a slower moving truck or other vehicle. Legal experts explain that both drivers have responsibility to drive with due regard for others on the road. This means that the truck driver would have the responsibility to maintain control of his vehicle in order to avoid hitting the car in front of him. However, the van would also have the responsibility to not cut off another vehicle or swerve dangerously.

This motor vehicle accident on the GWB brings up recent accusations against the governor of New Jersey’s office, which reportedly closed several lanes of the bridge. Those bridge lane closures have been implicated in the delayed emergency response of ambulances and paramedics to several car accidents and an elderly woman that was unconscious. The 91-year-old woman died later in the hospital according to officials. Further investigations into the effects of the closed lanes and subsequent gridlocked traffic are ongoing. Although no proof has yet to be presented, accusations continue to be heard regarding the governor himself ordering the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to close the roads onto the bridge. This has left the public wondering if the governor’s office and the Port Authority are legally and morally responsible for the delayed ambulance responses and their consequences. Still others have expressed concern that other life and death delays, such as organ transplant deliveries, could have occurred due to the closing of lanes and subsequent traffic. Find out more about these delays here.

Photo by Cumulus Clouds (Own work) [GFDL, CC-BY-SA-3.0 or CC-BY-SA-2.5-2.0-1.0], via Wikimedia Commons

January 22, 2014 News
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Car company gears up for recall amidst allegations of gas tank safety problems

The Chrysler Group, a US-based car manufacturer, has announced that they will start recalling one of their popular Jeep SUVs in order to make a necessary repair. The car recall is apparently being implemented in order to mitigate concerns of a safety hazard regarding the vehicle’s gas tanks. Car safety advocates have claimed that a design flaw placed the fuel tank in a dangerous location, creating the possibility of a fuel line rupture and fire during a rear-end collision. Rear-end accidents are common and should be taken into consideration when designing and building a car, according to experts. The company plans on adding a trailer hitch to the back of the SUV in order to more support to the vehicle in case of a rear crash. Some safety advocates have expressed concern regarding this proposed fix, believing the repair may not solve the problem. The car company had been asked to institute a dangerous product recall by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration but refused. An investigation was started into the problem but has reportedly been closed now that Chrysler has declared their product recall. Outcries against the closing of the safety investigation have arisen. Various activists have warned that the true nature of the danger of gas tank fires or explosions cannot be discovered without a proper third-party inquiry. See more about this motor vehicle recall here.

Photo by M 93 (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0-de], via Wikimedia Commons

January 14, 2014 News
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Boy rescued after falling into broken manhole in Brooklyn, New York

New York – A 10-year-old boy fell into an open manhole in a busy intersection of a city street earlier today. Various reports show that the manhole cover had broken but it was unclear as to when or how that occurred. The young boy fell into a hole while crossing the street but apparently slowed down his speed as he grabbed onto the walls and a ladder. Some telephone company workers nearby rushed to the accident scene and helped rescue the injured boy with their ladder. Some reports explain that the open hole had already been reported but the cover had not yet been repaired or replaced. The injured victim was taken to the hospital emergency room for treatment of his injuries. New Yorkers have expressed concern over what they describe as negligence by utility companies and the city in maintaining safe streets and sidewalks. They explain that manholes, sidewalk grates and construction sites are left broken or in disrepair on an alarmingly regular basis. Potholes, cracks and protruding tree roots are other dangers that pedestrians encounter on a daily basis. Others warn that businesses and even private homeowners sometimes ignore their responsibility to keep their property safe and free of trip hazards. They describe how store workers often leave metal doors that lead down to storerooms below the sidewalk wide open for extended periods of time. Sometimes the workers will place a chair or even a traffic cone nearby but rarely will the dangerous hole be properly secured, according to reports. Neglect of this sort puts the public at risk, according to accident prevention specialists. This is especially true during the snow, ice and rain during the winter months. Constant vigilance, forethought and repairs are necessary to prevent injury from these types of fall accidents and dangerous conditions. See this article for more about this morning’s fall victim.

Photo by Infrogmation of New Orleans [GFDL or CC-BY-SA-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

January 06, 2014 News
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Winter airplane accident at John F Kennedy Airport

New York – The snow and ice from the recent winter storm are being blamed for an airplane accident yesterday. The plane slipped on ice and rain puddles when it was taxiing along the taxi roadway after having landed only minutes earlier. Reports show that the aircraft was exiting the runway and had just entered the taxiway. Passengers reported that the flight had been overall normal until the pilot got on the public address system to announce the accident. Some were worried about what had happened but officials stated that no injuries were reported by passengers or staff. Records for the flight note that there were over people on the plane at the time of the mishap, including 35 passengers. An investigation was opened into the plane accident to determine why it skidded. Questions remained as to what efforts were made to maintain the airport road such as deicing, plowing the snow and safety inspection. Experts say that these are standard operating procedures in dealing with snow, ice and rain storms, as part of routine safety maintenance. If proper measures were not taken to avoid danger for the airplanes and their passengers, it would have been expected that airport officials would have closed the affected parts of the airport pending further maintenance or repairs of any hazardous condition. Further investigation of the incident is pending to determine if negligent maintenance was at fault for causing the accident. Additionally, it would be necessary to determine how fast the plane was travelling at the time it slipped off the road. Speeds are often reduced during inclement weather in order to prevent accidents or injuries. Transportation safety specialists explain that the potential for serious injury or death in a crash like this warrants a full investigation to prevent another incident in the future. See this article for more about this airport accident.

Photo by U.S. Park Rescue Technician/Paramedic Sgt. Klebaner [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

December 31, 2013 News
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Dietary supplement linked to liver damage

The dietary supplement called Mass Destruction has been flagged by the Food and Drug Administration as potentially causing liver damage. The agency has received reports of illness and health damage possibly caused by the body building dietary supplement. According to experts, this is not an isolated incident though. They say that products marketed as “natural” or “herbal” or as “dietary supplements” have often been linked to health problems and illness. The liver and kidneys can easily be injured by these substances, causing liver failure or renal failure. Other dangerous side effects can also occur due to some of the ingredients placed into these dangerous dietary supplements. There is little oversight or control over these products by the federal or state governments. Health professionals note that proper medical safety testing has usually not been performed on these types of products, yet they are still marketed as safe or even as healthy. In addition, there is a lot of money to be made in selling these products, even if they are potentially unsafe. Experts say that the business of manufacturing and selling supplements has become a booming multi-billion dollar industry.

Many of the dangerous products are sold on the internet but even when they are sold in stores, they are still difficult to monitor. Consumer health consultants say that manufacturers and promoters of the products claim all kinds of health or wellness benefits with little-to-no evidence. To attempt to legally cover themselves, the companies will usually include a disclaimer on their labels that says something like, “this statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.” Other attempts by companies to skirt their legal responsibilities to consumers include posting statements like, “this product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.” However, an injury lawyer in Manhattan, New York explains that this doesn’t absolve these manufacturers and the stores that sell the dangerous items from responsibility. Potentially misleading advertising is something that must be looked at closely in order to fully evaluate a given situation. Personal injury lawsuits may be filed against a company or individual that knowingly puts the public in danger by selling dangerous products that can cause illness or a health hazard. Professional investigation is usually needed to determine if negligence or deceit was involved with the production, advertising and sale of such hazardous products. Find out more about this recent warning and health scare in this article.

Photo by Ragesoss (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0-2.5-2.0-1.0 or GFDL], via Wikimedia Commons

December 23, 2013 News
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Baby carrier device recalled due to danger of fall and injury

A trendy child carrying product, similar to a baby sling, has been recalled by the Playtex manufacturer due to concerns regarding the safety of the item. The company released a statement describing their concerns and the reason for the dangerous product recall. The plastic buckles that secure the safety straps on the pouch can break or crack, causing the baby to fall and get hurt. They stated that they had received 87 reports of the buckle failure before issuing the recall alert to the public. In fact, there were also at least two events where the child fell from the carrier and at least one where the injured child had to receive emergency medical treatment. Critics of the current hazardous product recall system say that action is only undertaken after considerable numbers of the products have been placed on the market and broken or otherwise malfunctioned. The companies leave it up to consumers to levy complaints against the merchandise’s lack of safety or outright dangers. Citizens are left to fight, to prove that a product broke and injured someone, and that the company should take responsibility for it. Some activists have pointed out that the consumer is left at risk until the Consumer Product Safety Commission or the company issue warnings or a proper recall of the item. Often, a recall is only issued once a victim has already suffered a personal injury or wrongful death. Even then, a recall can get held up with administrative red tape that continues to leave the public in danger. Independent safety specialists warn that product safety must become a more prominent issue well before someone gets hurt in an accident. Details about the current baby hip carrier recall can be found here.

Photo by Thomas Nugent [CC-BY-SA-2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

December 17, 2013 News
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New York injury lawyers applaud new road safety initiative

New York – A Queens hospital held a conference to discuss traffic accidents and injuries this past Thursday. The hospital’s head of the neurosurgery department organized the meeting in an attempt to prevent car crashes, bicycle accidents and pedestrian injuries that have become so common on the local roads. Neurological and neurosurgical injuries that are often treated by the hospital can include a traumatic brain injury with hemorrhage, concussion, spinal cord damage and vertebral fractures as well as nerve damage. Soon after the hospital’s conference, a New York City transportation safety advocacy group held an awareness demonstration. At the rally and march, the activists demanded improved road safety with enforcement of traffic laws and education of both drivers and pedestrians. In addition, they explained the importance of proper road and sidewalk design to prevent car accidents but also to protect people in case of a collision. A top New York accident law firm has applauded the safety efforts of everyone involved, noting that an injury suffered by an accident victim can leave the person disabled and unable to care for him or herself. Many injuries can even be fatal.
Raising further concern, the Fire Department of New York’s Emergency Medical Services branch shared some of the horrifying statistics regarding crashes and injuries in the city. More than 14,000 pedestrians and bicyclists were hurt in a road accident last year. The police department has been criticized by some for their lax policies on investigating accidents and issuing tickets. Some improvements with their policies are pending and these will hopefully improve the situation, as we’ve discussed in this forum in the past. In the meantime, many injury victims find it necessary to speak to an accident lawyer to help advocate for their rights.

Photo by U.S. Navy Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Gary Granger Jr. [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

December 09, 2013 News
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Dangerous toys identified throughout New York area before the holidays

New York – A public safety advocacy group has published a list of hazardous and toxic toys that are for sale in local stores in our area. The list is just a sampling of dangerous children and baby toys that have been discovered on shelves but experts say many other unsafe products are also out there. Public outcries against the dangers of many products and toys that present hazards for people, especially kids, have become a tradition around the holiday time every year. Activists have been arguing for years that manufacturers, importers and retail stores each must each be held responsible for injuries or deaths caused by products they produce and sell. Regulations and laws regarding the production, import and sale of products, especially toys, have been in place for a long time but are often negligently ignored. Some of the dangers noted with the toys include small pieces that are choking hazards, small magnets and poisonous or toxic paints and additives that children can ingest. Special labeling is required on toys with small parts that kids can choke on. Experts say that several toxic substances have been identified that can cause illness or even death, including lead poisoning, arsenic, cadmium and phthalates. These poisons have been outlawed from use in paints or consumer objects, especially toys or products used for children. However, many products continue to be analyzed and found to contain these illegal substances, often imported for countries with more lax laws, such as China. U.S. customs continues to work hard to stop this problem but require the cooperation of the stores selling them as well as the importing companies. Check out more on the dangerous situation lurking in local toy stores here.

Photo by Poindexter Propellerhead at the English language Wikipedia [GFDL or CC-BY-SA-3.0], from Wikimedia Commons