Earlier this month, officials from the Connecticut Department of Public Health (D.P.H.) reported a third confirmed case of the measles in Connecticut that was determined to be unrelated to the first two illnesses reported back in January. Health officials confirmed the most recent case involved an adult in New Haven County who had recently visited Brooklyn, New York- an area currently experiencing an ongoing measles outbreak.
The growing number of measles cases in Connecticut is concerning for state health officials and has heightened fears that an outbreak could be in our state’s future by the end of the year if residents are not cautious. To help reduce the spread of the measles in our communities, all Connecticut residents should be educated on the virus and how to protect themselves from contracting it. By spreading awareness, you can help keep you, your family, and your neighbors safe from this unnecessary and harmful disease.
According to a recent report by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (C.D.C.), the number of affirmed measles cases in our nation for the initial three months of 2019 has just exceeded the whole number of cases in 2018. There are a lot of myths and stories circulating about the measles right now which do not help prevent the spread of this dangerous virus. Here are the essential facts to know about the measles to keep your loved one safe:
What Is The Measles: Measles is a highly infectious illness caused by the rubeola virus, a strain affecting the lungs and breathing tubes leading to several uncomfortable and possibly life-threatening consequences.
Who Is At Risk: Children younger than 5-years-old and adults older than 20 years of age are most at risk from measles complications. Pregnant women and individuals with compromised immune systems are also at risk.
How Does It Spread: The transmission of the measles is primarily person to person via large respiratory droplets. It is most commonly spread by coughing and sneezing. It can live up to two hours in the air. Most of the recent measles outbreaks in the United States were the result of travelers bringing the disease home with them from overseas. The virus has spread quickly through unvaccinated populations within the travelers’ communities.
What Are The Signs and Symptoms: Measles symptoms appear around 10 to 14 days after a person is exposed to the virus. Signs and symptoms of measles typically include:
The reddish-brown rash appears around 3 to 4 days after initial symptoms. The rash usually begins behind the ears and spreads over the head and neck. Following two or three days, it spreads to the remainder of the body, including the legs. As the spots develop, they start to combine.
What Are The Health Consequences: In addition to uncomfortable symptoms, the measles can lead to pneumonia, encephalitis (swelling in the brain), convulsions, deafness, intellectual disabilities, central nervous system disorders, or even death.
The only way to fully protect yourself from contracting the measles virus is through the MMR immunization. The MMR vaccine provides safeguard against the measles, mumps, and rubella and is exceptionally effective. According to the C.D.C., one dose is about 93 percent effective at preventing the contagious disease if you come into contact with the virus, and two doses are about 97 percent effective. It is recommended that children receive the vaccine in two doses: the first between the ages of 12 months and 15 months and the second between the ages of 4 and 6 years old.
The resurgence of measles in the United States is spurring a backlash against vaccine critics and even sparking congressional hearings investigating the spread of vaccine misinformation. In some areas of New York with dense populations of unvaccinated individuals, city and state officials are taking extreme measures to protect the public by banning people who have not been immunized from specific public settings (such as schools) to help contain the virus from spreading further.
It’s important to note we are not advocating for either side of the vaccine issue. While we believe it is the right of every parent and individuals to decide if they will vaccinate their children and themselves, we also believe in the power of spreading awareness to help those who are looking for more information on the issues make a formulated and educated decision.
At the law firm of Jacobs & Wallace, we have been advocating for the health and safety of Connecticut residents for over 40 years. If you or a loved has sustained an unnecessary illness due to negligence, contact us for a free consultation to review your case and your rights today.
Drivers who use their cellphones behind the wheel can cause horrific and deadly accidents. In Connecticut, it’s against the law to drive while using a hand-held phone and even illegal for drivers under the age of 18 to use hands-free devices.
Even though the risks are grave, not everyone is as supportive about reducing distractions on the road as others, especially when it comes to phones. Many employers who encourage employees to use their cellphones for work also support the use of these devices behind the wheel if their employees work remotely or travel. In cases where cellphone use leads to a traffic accident, employers could be liable for putting their employee’s lives at risk.
To help keep all drivers safe on the roads, workers and employers must understand the dangers of using cellphones behind the wheel. Taking the chance to get a little extra work done in your car is not worth the price of a life, and spreading awareness is the first step to reducing these tragic accidents.
Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of work-related fatalities in the country according to the Center For Disease Control and Prevention. Millions of American workers get behind the wheel or in a passenger seat of a vehicle for their jobs every day, and distractions during this time are one of the main reasons these accidents occur.
Cellphones have become one of the most deadly distractions for any driver on our roads. Approximately 1.6 million accidents result from cellphone use every year according to AMAXX Worker’s Comp Resource Center, and more functions popup every minute that take driver’s attention off the roads.
Any employee who works using their cellphone while on the road is unnecessarily putting themselves at risk. AMAXX reports that people who drive while talking on the phone are up to four times more likely to be in a vehicle accident- those who text are up to eight times more likely.
Unfortunately, employers are making it easier than ever to continue working out of an office environment. Company apps and work cellphones put additional pressure on employees to always stay on top of their work, even when they are supposed to be focusing on driving. Though it may seem that all of the downtime in the car is the perfect opportunity to catch up on work, experts have shown that multi-tasking while driving is having a devastating result on the safety of our roads.
You may think you are an excellent multitasker in your car, but chances are, others can tell your focus is not entirely on driving.
In a safety campaign titled The Great Multitasking Lie, the National Safety Council is attempting to debunk the overall myth that multitasking behind the wheel is safe. Here are the four most common misconceptions about multitasking:
After looking at the data, it is astonishing that employers would encourage these dangerous behaviors to get a little bit of extra work completed, but most of these myths are widely believed. Employers may believe they are protecting their employees when encouraging the use of Bluetooth devices or handsfree gadgets to work while driving when they are putting their workers at risk. More awareness needs to be spread about these myths and the dangers of distracted driving to help reduce the rising numbers of transportation accidents on the job.
Even if an employer does not outwardly encourage the use of cellphones while driving at work, they can still be held liable for damages sustained if the employee is on shift or in a work vehicle. Employers who continue conversations with employees they know are driving or do not say anything when they see an employee using their cellphone behind the wheel are just as accountable as employees who heavily suggest that their employees should do work behind the wheel. By not talking to employees about the dangers of cellphone use while driving or creating/enforcing policies to hinder it, employers are showing a type of support for the behavior, and more accidents will continue to occur because of it.
Employers can help keep their workers safe on the job by implementing a Distracted Driving Policy highlighting the risks of cellphone use behind the wheel. To start, AMAXX recommends incorporating a policy that bans all employees from using their cellphones while driving on the job in a company vehicle. The policy should include all work-related communications and any communication on company cell phones or hands-free devices. Distracted driving policies should also include
To take the pressure off employees to use their cellphone while driving and promote a distraction-free work culture, employers can make changes such as:
Jacobs & Wallace is a successful personal injury and workers’ compensation firm that has over 40 years of combined expertise to offer our clients. If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, our knowledgeable team is here to fight back for you. Contact us today for a free consultation and to discuss your case with one of our amazing team members.
Salons are in the industry of beauty and health, but that doesn’t make them safe. Hundreds of people sustain injuries from negligent salon practices every year, some leading to permanent scarring and life-threatening injuries.
Millions of people visit nail salons and beauty bars in the summer to freshen up for the beach. Before you make your appointments this season, know the common salon injuries and the risks of visiting establishments who may not be up to code with safety.
Hair, nail, and beauty salons are all obligated to keep their clients safe from harm. Yet, despite the federal health and safety regulations salons must follow to stay in operation, many establishments still rank profit over their clients.
Salons pose a significant risk to their clients when:
There is no such thing as a minor injury when it comes to salons. Even a small cut can lead to infections if bacteria from unsanitary facilities enters a wound.
Manicures and pedicures, laser hair removal, body waxing, and indoor tanning are four of the most sought after summer beauty services that could cause injuries. Each one poses unique risks Connecticut residents should be aware of before taking a seat.
Manicures and pedicures are summer staples for beachgoers that could be putting them at risk. According to an article by U.S. News, 75 percent of nail salons across the country do not follow proper safety protocols for disinfecting. Nail technicians who use unsanitary tools pose the risk of spreading fungal and bacterial infections that could be life-threatening if entering the bloodstream. Nail salons are also infamous for hiring technicians who are poorly trained, putting clients at risk of cuts, chemical burns, and health issues from unnecessary exposure to toxins.
Both women and men seek out laser hair removal in the summer. Laser hair services promise permanent hair reduction with the use of a powerful tool that must be operated by a certified esthetician. When untrained or incompetent employees perform laser hair removal, clients can experience many unfortunate side effects such as burns, painful blisters, scars, skin infections, or even eye injuries. What makes matters worse, laser hair removal is expensive, causing clients to shell out tons of money for the service and additional medical care if injured.
A cheaper alternative to laser hair removal is body waxing, which can easily be offered at any salon- sanitary or not. According to an article by Life, salons who do not use safe waxing practices have been known for ‘double dipping’ in communal pots, improperly pulling wax strips, overheating wax, and neglecting to wipe down surfaces between clients. Infections, scarring, burns, and other skin trauma can all result from waxing gone wrong, leaving you less likely to want to put a bathing suit on any time soon.
Before the summer sun arrives, many beachgoers ‘prep’ their tan by using dangerous indoor tanning beds. According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, there is no such thing as a safe tanning bed. Every year, people are treated in emergency rooms across the country for burns, loss of consciousness, and eye injuries from tanning beds. Tanning beds can also put clients at an increased risk of skin cancer before the summer season even begins.
You don’t have to forgo all your beauty treatments this summer if you know how to spot an unsafe salon. Before you make any more appointments, here’s what you should be looking for :
At the law firm of Jacobs & Wallace, we have been advocating for the health and safety of Connecticut residents for over 40 years. If you or a loved has sustained an unnecessary injury due to negligence, contact us for a free consultation to review your case and your rights today.
In the last decade, Connecticut has seen an influx of Ambulatory Surgical Centers (ASC) providing same-day care at lower costs. Unfortunately, that doesn’t make these facilities safe. New research continues to show that lack of reporting and oversight at ASC’s is putting the health and safety of patients at serious risk, even during some of the most routine and minor procedures.
In 2018, an investigation by the USA Today Network and Kaiser Health News revealed a shocking finding regarding surgical centers nationwide- they are not reporting their deaths! The investigation found that surgical centers across the country are either withholding information on patient fatalities or not mandated to report it depending on the state. These gaps allow ASC’s to continue operating even when issued the most stringent federal sanctions and to go practically unpunished for making preventable fatal medical errors.
Since 2013, investigators found that more than 260 patients have died due to complications after same-day surgeries performed at ASC’s. At least 14 of these patients were undergoing spinal surgeries, while dozens of others were undergoing minor procedures with low mortality rates. Out of the 260 fatalities, at least 10 percent of the patients died within 24 hours of being released. Because these cases were poorly recorded, it’s difficult to say whether or not these patients could have been saved if they had been treated in a hospital environment.
According to the experts in the USA Today and Kaiser Health investigation, these are the areas where surgical centers pose the most risk for patients:
Possibly the most concerning part of the USA Today and Kaiser investigation was the difficulty it took to find information on patient deaths and medical errors. Between coverups, lack of adequate record keeping, and the 17 states who are not required to report their patient’s deaths, it took a national team to find statical information that should be open and readily available to the public at all times.
In 2014, at least 50 percent of outpatient surgeries were performed at ASC’s. With healthcare costs continuing to rise, the numbers have only grown since. According to Carrum Health, here are some reasons for why patients might choose a surgical center over a hospital for their procedure:
Most of the reasons why patients seek services from ASC’s have to do with convenience and money. The promise of a ‘quicker’ and ‘cheaper’ surgery is enough to get the majority of patients on board, especially when their jobs and financial stability are on the line.
When it comes to deciding between a hospital and a surgical center, patients must understand that ASC’s do not have the same resources as hospitals: they are not inspected as often to ensure compliance with health and safety regulations, they are not equipped with various specialists when something goes wrong, and they do not provide the same emergency services you would receive in a hospital. If emergency arises during a procedure, ASC’s are forced to transfer patients via ambulance to the nearest hospital, during which time a patient could die from causes that would otherwise have been prevented if addressed immediately.
Some minor surgeries and procedures may be completely safe when performed at ASC’s while others are not a good match. If you fit any of the following criteria, a hospital may be the safer option for your surgery:
Patients meeting any of the above criteria are at a higher risk of complications that can lead to the need for emergency measures during surgery. You want the best medical staff available in these cases, which surgical centers are not prepared to provide.
If you are still considering an outpatient center for your surgery, don’t schedule any procedures without doing your research. Not only should you be looking into your doctor and the ASC they are affiliated with, taking the extra time to ask these questions could help you decide the best course of action for your treatment:
Surgical centers have a responsibility to keep their patients safe and to screen individuals for risk factors that could make them poor candidates for outpatient surgery. If you or a loved has been injured due to the medical negligence of an ASC, you may be eligible to receive compensation for any damages suffered. Contact our expert team of medical malpractice attorneys at Jacobs & Wallace for a free consultation to explore your options.
Workplace accidents do not always occur because of negligence. Sometimes employers have the best intentions of keeping their employees safe on the job but just aren’t aware of the best ways to go about it.
According to an article released in February by Small Business Trends, worksite safety is one of the most overlooked areas when it comes to productivity planning on the job. Occupations in the construction trade, manufacturing, and steel work industries are already at an elevated risk for accidents and injuries based on the dangerous nature of their work. With little room for errors, oversight in safety policies can lead to catastrophic work accidents that result in unnecessary and preventable fatalities.
In 2017, more than 5,147 workers were killed on the job. To stay at the forefront of safety in any workplace, employers much educate themselves on all hazards that can pose risks to their employee’s safety in their industry. These are the ‘8 Overlooked Work Site Safety Practices’ that often cause unnecessary occupational injuries and accidents:
Accidents are bound to occur when employees are not aware of the hazards they face in their position or how to react to them. It’s essential for all workers to be mindful of their surroundings to help keep them safe. Managers and employers are responsible for adequately training employees upon hire regarding the safety and health risks they can be exposed to on the worksite. Consistent review of old and new safety policies can also be useful in helping employees prevent injuries and accidents.
Stress on all levels can have a significant impact on an employee’s health, safety, and productivity at work. Managers should have a policy and process available for employees to report their work-related stressors to help reduce stress-related safety oversights on the job. Knowing the signs of stress and when to step in is another effective way managers can overcome these types of accidents.
A worksite cannot be safe if employees and employers are not properly communicating. Workers experiencing communication barriers are more likely to make vital mistakes that can put themselves, their co-workers, and the public at risk. Employers should establish an open and frequent line of communication with their workers daily. Providing communication devices such as cell phones and walkie talkies to be used when managers are not onsite can also help increase communication to keep the job site flowing smoothly.
Workers who are suffering from illnesses, diseases, or injuries on the job can cause harm to themselves and others if their abilities are not up to par. Managers should keep a close eye on the physical state of their workers to ensure they are not putting anyone in harm’s way. Providing medical benefits and personal time for employees can help reduce their financial need to work through their health conditions, allowing them appropriate time to recover safely. Monitoring seasonal health habits at work, such as water intake on hot days, can also help reduce the number of physical health problems experienced while on the job.
Hazardous materials on worksites can cause horrible injuries and illnesses if employees are unaware of how to handle them appropriately. When working with unsafe materials, employees should always wear PPE and know how to interpret the different warning labels on the products to understand what threats the material can pose to them. In the case of an accident, it’s crucial for all worksites to develop a HAZMAT program to teach employees what to do in the case of an emergency.
It only takes looking away for a second to cause a serious or even fatal work injury. Distractions are one of the leading causes of occupational injuries, and most of them are entirely preventable. Employees should never use electronic devices (cellphones, tablets, smartwatches, or GPS’s) while actively performing job tasks. Employers must make strict electronic policies to keep everyone on the worksite safe and held accountable for unnecessary distractions.
Without modern day technology, accidents in most industries would skyrocket. Employers can help increase safety on their worksites by keeping up with the newest technologies geared towards reducing errors on the job. If all worksites were committed to improving safety with the tools available to them, construction and other trade industries may one day become 100 percent accident-free!
Covering up occupational accidents and injuries is never a good idea. These types of sneaky behaviors cannot only lead to more accidents but can also cause people to see a firm or contractor as unsafe and untrustworthy. Maintaining transparency with safety organizations, the public, the press, and with employees will reduce the number of similar accidents from occurring in the future and contribute to the growing need for more modern safety technologies to help keep workers safe.
For more information on how to make your worksite safety, visit our team.
Workers in Connecticut have the right to work under safe and protected working conditions, even in the most dangerous industries. If you or a loved one has been injured on the job due to unsafe or negligence working conditions, Jacobs & Wallace is here to fight for your rights. Contact us today for a free consultation to review your case and your options for seeking justice.
Regardless of what industry you work in, every job poses eye hazards that can cause serious or even permanent injuries. The Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that around 2,000 American workers sustain an occupational eye injury every day and 90 percent of these accidents are entirely preventable.
March is Workplace Eye Safety Month and the perfect time to remind employers and employees about the importance of eye safety on the job. By spreading awareness of how eye injuries happen and what steps workers can take to prevent accidents, we can increase the likelihood of employees using approved and effective eye protection to help keep eyes safe.
Eye injuries are not hard to come by with an endless number of hazards to avoid. Airborne particles can easily cause mild to severe irritation to the eyes, while objects forced directly into the eye can lead to traumatic injuries with the possibility of permanent vision loss.
The CDC lists these as the three most common accidents leading to eye injuries across all industries of the workforce:
Every job has its own specific hazards and suggested safety precautions to use when it comes to keeping eyes protected. Here are just a few examples highlighted by Alcon of how workers in certain industries can practice eye safety in the workplace.
Factories and manufacturing industries are some of the most dangerous workplaces when it comes to your eyes. Whether you’re working with wood, plastic, chemicals, or even food, there are countless opportunities for objects to enter the eyes if proper precaution is not taken. Heavy machinery and fast-moving equipment can also pose a significant risk to employees if they are struck in the face and not wearing any protection as a barrier between the blunt force and their eyes.
Some of the most common hazards leading to injuries in manufacturing and factory jobs include:
Employees who work in the manufacturing industry should always wear proper eye protection such as goggles or glasses on the job. Eye protection that is old, damaged, or in poor condition should never be used as they could break and cause further injury to the worker. Using all necessary guarding and shielding when working on machines can also help prevent unnecessary facial injuries.
In addition to the eye risks highlighted for manufacturing and factory jobs, welding positions also pose the additional hazards of working with extremely hot materials and tools. Burns to the eye tissue from getting too close to a flame or from a flaming piece of metal entering the eye can result in painful injuries and vision loss. Welders should always wear certified and approved helmets or full-face masks when performing their duties to keep their eyes and face safe while working.
Doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals who do not wear eye protection can be at risk for developing eye injuries, as well as eye diseases. Exposure to pathogens from blood splashes or droplets from coughing and sneezing can enter the eye through the mucous membrane and transmit life-threatening diseases such as hepatitis B virus, HIV, or influenza. Medical professionals should wear eye protection, especially during surgeries and other serious medical procedures where the risk of bodily fluids going airborne is high.
Yes- even cubical employees can damage their eyes! Aside from the threat of an accidently elbow to the eye from a coworker or pencil to the face, employees who spend the majority of their time looking at a screen can be at severe risk for developing eye strain known for leading to conditions such as dry eyes, fatigue, decreased productivity, headaches, and neck/shoulder pain. To reduce eye strain, employees can use these safety tips throughout the workday to improve their eye health:
Each eye injury and treatment plan are unique depending on the type of accident. However, when eye injuries do occur on the job, these general first aid recommendations can help keep eyes safe until you can seek medical care for your injury:
For more specific eye safety tips, visit WebMD to create a comprehensive eye safety plan for your workplace.
If you or loved one has been injured in an accident, Jacobs & Wallace is here to seek justice for you. Contact our knowledgeable team of personal injury attorneys for a free consultation and to review all of your options for fighting back.
Checking your tire pressure is one of the most vital maintenance steps when it comes to keeping your vehicle safe, but most drivers forget to stay on top of it! With snow and icy weather still on the radar for Connecticut this season, it is more important than ever to avoid driving with low tire pressure to avoid unnecessary vehicle accidents that could cause devastating injuries.
Low tire pressure is one of the leading causes of tire failure in the country and results in thousands of injuries every year. In 2017, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported 11,000 injuries and 738 fatalities were caused by tire-related accidents, and these numbers are conceived to be even higher due to classification errors in traffic accident reporting.
According to the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), about a third of cars and small trucks on the road are driving with under-inflated tires or with pressure levels below the manufacturer’s safety recommendations. Under-inflated tires severely impact a driver’s ability to control their vehicle, leading to tire failures such as skidding, uneven wear, and blowouts.
It may seem bothersome to pay a low fee for air, but not filling your tires can end up costing you a lot more in the end:
In addition to financial losses, accidents that result from tire failures can lead to catastrophic consequences including fatalities. Understanding the importance of tire maintenance and how to know when/why your tires may be low is the first step to preventing these unnecessary tragedies from happening.
When the weather becomes cold, your tires can lose air and cause the low tire pressure indicator in your car to turn on. Some drivers ignore the warning, expecting the problem to resolve when the car warms up. But cold weather is not the only reason why your tires pressure could be low.
Tires can decrease in pressure for several different reasons, including:
The invention of tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) has dramatically reduced the number of traffic fatalities and injuries over the past two decades, but you can’t rely on these systems as a substitute for manually checking your tire pressure. Sensors used in TPMS systems can stop working correctly from running out of batteries, wiring issues, voltage or electronic failures, corrosion, or recognition errors after a tire rotation. Drivers who wait for the indicator to go on may be driving on severely low tire pressure and putting themselves at risk for a vehicle accident without even realizing.
Luckily, most tire-related accidents are entirely preventable when taking the proper maintenance steps before you hit the road. Here are some tips for how drivers can help prevent accidents caused by low tire pressure:
Let’s face it- tires do not always cooperate even with the best prevention. If you do experience a tire blowout while on the road, use these safety tips to reduce the risk or severity of an accident:
If you or a loved one has sustained a serious injury due to a motor vehicle accident, our expert personal injury team is here to support you. Contact the law firm of Jacobs & Wallace today for a free case evaluation to explore your options.
Winter brings more than just bitter cold temperatures and slippery surfaces. Illnesses and fatalities caused by carbon monoxide poisonings soar in the winter months, mostly due to failed and improperly functioning heating solutions. With February’s weather proving to be unpredictable, Connecticut residents should be aware of all the carbon monoxide risks in their home and how to prevent future fatalities from occurring.
Carbon Monoxide: The Silent Killer
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a highly fatal gas known as the ‘silent killer’ for its odorless scent and appearance. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 5,000 people are treated in emergency rooms across the United States for CO poisoning every year. Shockingly, this number is conceived to be even higher due to the fact that carbon monoxide poisoning is often misdiagnosed and documented as other illnesses such as the flu.
At least two people die every day in the month of January from Carbon Monoxide poisoning due to fuel powered heating solutions that release carbon monoxide into the home. Since January is generally the coldest month of the year, the higher rate of CO deaths is explainable. However, bitterly cold temperatures are still on the horizon for this season which could bring a new onset of CO fatalities in the month of February if residents are not careful.
Appliances posing carbon monoxide poisoning risks
Carbon monoxide is found in the fumes released from dozens of appliances we keep around our home all year round. Any appliance that runs on the following fuels can produce harmful CO gases:
The winter months, however, prove to be especially deadly due to the number of heating appliances that release carbon monoxide indoors or near windows, doors, and vents. These products allow for CO to become trapped and circulate freely within the home, exposing those inside to air contaminated with the fatal gas. The most common sources of CO in the winter months come from appliances such as:
Signs of CO Poisoning
Far too many people are killed while they are sleeping due to undetected carbon monoxide levels in the home. In these cases, sadly, there is little to be done if there is no CO detector installed to wake residents and alert them to evacuate.
Though carbon monoxide cannot be seen or smelled, there are some common symptoms to watch out for that could indicate a CO leak is present in your home:
Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning can be easily passed off as other ailments such as the flu. If you or a loved one experiences a sudden onset of these symptoms (while in the home), and have not come in contact with anyone who has been diagnosed with the flu, check your CO levels to ensure your family is safe before going to bed for the night.
Unfortunately, these symptoms are not allows experienced when there are harmful levels of CO in the home. If you or anyone in your family does display these symptoms, it’s extremely important to exit the house immediately and not return until first responders have cleared you for reentry.
Most At Risk for CO Poisoning
Anyone can be at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning if they are not careful, but some populations are more at risk than others of becoming extremely ill from even minimal exposure. People who have a history of heart disease or anemia, infants, and individuals over the age of 65 are most at risk for complications when CO is present in the home. Making sure to place CO detectors directly in the rooms of at-risk individuals will help prevent long term exposure if any carbon monoxide is present.
How To Prevent CO Poisoning
The most distressing fact about carbon monoxide deaths is that they are 100% preventable using the appropriate measures. All homeowners and renters should be making sure they take the following safety steps highlighted by the CDC to reduce the occurrence of CO leaks that can lead to serious illnesses and unnecessary fatalities this winter:
There are no natural and obvious warning signs to alert you when carbon monoxide is present. If you suspect a carbon monoxide leak in your home, get out first and call 911 immediately after for assistance.
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in an accident, our experienced attorneys at the law firm of Jacobs & Wallace are here to help. Contact us today for a free case evaluation to review your options for seeking fair compensations for all damages sustained in your accident.
Bad doctors who surrender their license to save their reputations may still be practicing medicine. An investigation published by MedpageToday last November revealed that hundreds of physicians who have surrendered their license in one state are simply moving to another to start over with a clean slate and unknowingly putting more patients in danger.
It’s always been recommended that you do your research on your doctor to make sure they are licensed in your state. But now it might be necessary to check across stateliness. More than 250 actively practicing doctors were found to have surrendered their medical licenses in other states prior to their current position, according to the MedPage Today investigation using data from TruthMd- a private firm that collects from thousands of sources on physicians nationwide. Out of the cases found:
In an additional study using the data from TruthMd between 2011 to 2016, more than 500 doctors were found to have been disciplined in one state, yet practicing with a clean slate in another. Unfortunately, these numbers are conceived to be far higher than what has been reported.
Doctors who continue using negligence and poor quality medical practices are putting patients across the country at risk of serious or even fatal medical errors. So how are these physicians getting away with it?
Doctors who have been accused of medical malpractice due to negligence, medical errors, or other ethical violations must have their records available for patients and prospective patients to view. If a doctor loses his or her license involuntarily, this information also becomes available for those who wish to find it.
Medical licenses that are voluntarily surrounded, however, are not granted public access and this is where bad doctors are sliding through. Rather than wait for their license to be revoked for poor quality care, doctors are instead choosing to voluntarily surrender their license to avoid consequences such as:
Without these consequences, most doctors are free to change their address and practice with a new clean license in another state, even though states have the ability to take action against them. Some states even make it easier for doctors to start over by neglecting to check the national database at all before issuing new licenses to applying physicians.
Medical licenses are not revoked from physicians on a whim. According to the Connecticut Physician Licensure Statue, a doctor in danger of losing their license in our state has met one or more of the qualifications that could put patients in severe danger:
Other unprofessional conduct that could result in the loss of a medical license defined by the Federation of State Medical Board include:
You are your own best health advocate. Making sure you are doing thorough research on your doctor before you trust them with your medical care is crucial to your health and safety. Here are some tips to help you get started:
Patients should be doing their due diligence to ensure a doctor is appropriate for their care, but states must do a better job of preventing negligent and dangerous doctors from getting new licenses. It is not the responsibility of a patient to issue and suspend licenses of physicians, nor it is their job to monitor current and past cases of malpractice that could lead to fatal consequences.
If you or loved one has sustained an injury or illnesses due to medical malpractice, our expert team of medical malpractice attorneys is here to fight back for you. Contact Jacobs & Wallace today for a free case review to review your options for justice.
In the last two decades, more than 70,000 people have died from opioid overdoses in the United States- about 130 every day. Sadly, over 9,000 of these fatalities were children and some of them under the age of four, who stumbled upon the drugs by accident.
Opioid drugs are addictive and dangerous, particularly for our young. It only takes a small amount of opioids for a child to experience a fatal overdose and it doesn’t take long for them to take it. Children are curious about prescription bottles they see on the counter and the medication they watch their parents take. A Yale study found that opioid deaths have almost tripled among children since 1999. Around 25% of these fatalities were children ages 0 to 4, involving accidental or even intentional doses of opioids. This age population, particularly when they begin to walk and climb, are very curious and observant. It only takes a parent walking away from an open bottle for a second, or improperly disposing of medication in the trash, for a fatal dose to be swallowed by a child who mistakes the drugs as candy.
All opioid drugs are dangerous for children, but one of them, in particular, has been making headlines for causing children to become seriously or fatality ill: methadone. Methadone is a synthetic drug that is used to help people come down off of heavily addictive substances, including narcotic painkillers and heroin. The goal of this drug is to reduce the horrible withdrawal symptoms by helping to relieve pain, however, it is still classified as an opioid itself and extremely dangerous.
The Yale study found that approximately 36% of accidental opioid overdoes in children involved methadone. In recent years, laws regulating the prescription of methadone have become more lax, allowing doctors to easily prescribe it to patients who are in need. As the fight against the opioid crisis continues, more and more patients are bringing home this dangerous drug and children are suffering the consequences of easy access.
A study published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information warns parents to watch out for these overdose symptoms to indicate their child could have ingested a harmful opioid:
The study reports that symptoms of a methadone overdose generally kicks in around 120 minutes after the child ingests the drug and can be difficult to spot if the child takes a nap or goes to sleep shortly after.
Almost 50% of children who are dying of opioid overdoses are dying within their very own homes. An article published by ABC News back in February 2017 reported only 32% of parents are locking their opioids safely away and limiting access of these dangerous substances to their children.
Parents who keep opioid drugs in their home such as methadone must put safety practices in place to help keep children safe from unnecessary harm:
In any home with children, parents should have the Poison Control number (800-222-1222) posted or saved on their phone for easy access in the case of an emergency. By being mindful of your medications and where they are at all times, you can make a huge difference in the safety of your children when it comes to opioid overdoes.
