From minor fender benders to totaled wrecks, car accidents happen every day. If you are caught up in an accident that is attributable to someone else’s reckless actions, you deserve compensation for your injuries and property damage per Ohio negligence laws. However, Ohio laws also stipulate that your damages will be reduced based on your contribution to the accident. This legal doctrine is known as comparative liability, and it is crucial that you understand how it works when filing your personal injury claim. Understanding modified comparative negligence If someone is 100% at fault for the...
The theory behind personal injury compensation is that it primarily serves to make an injury victim “whole” again. Viewed one way, this idea is pretty offensive. After all, no amount of compensation can make up for the consequences associated with serious, catastrophic or fatal injuries. Yet, viewed another way, it is a hopeful concept. Although money alone can’t “make things right,” awarding as much compensation as is necessary to properly honor and reflect the extent of a victim’s losses is a respectful approach to victims’ rights. Unfortunately, not all injury victims across the U.S. are...
Medical malpractice can happen in any department of a hospital, including the operating room (OR). While most surgeons are careful, some may make mistakes that can harm a patient, which is possibly a worrying statement. Research shows that surgery is the second most common reason for medical malpractice lawsuits. This guide discusses three mistakes that can occur in the OR: Unnecessary surgeries Not all medical conditions require surgery, as other treatment options can be beneficial, and in some cases, the surgery won't result in significant changes in the patient. However, some surgeons...
Drivers must be well rested to be able to drive safely. It’s recommended that adults get at least seven hours of sleep each night. However, the number of hours a person sleeps at night won’t matter if they aren’t getting quality sleep. A fatigued driver doesn’t have the swift reaction time that can be needed to remain safe. There aren’t any quick fixes for driver fatigue. The only way you can stop fatigue is to get the proper sleep. Circadian rhythm affects driver fatigue The body’s natural sleep cycle can have an impact on fatigue. People who are on the road at night or working overnight...
Medical malpractice is a scary reality in the health field. According to a 2016 Johns Hopkins Medicine study, 10 percent of deaths in the U.S. are caused by medical errors. With a statistic like this, it’s no wonder some people are afraid of hospital visits. However, health professionals can prevent most medical errors — and avoid medical malpractice — by adhering to these measures: 1. Obtain informed consent from patients Since they have patients’ lives in their hands, medical professionals should not make assumptions about certain medical conditions and procedures. They must thoroughly...
There are many reasons that doctors don't fully listen to their patients. They may work at a very busy medical practice or an understaffed emergency room where they only have a few minutes to spare for each patient. The patient may talk or look like someone they have worked with before who exaggerated their symptoms in an attempt to receive certain medications. Doctors frequently ignore or minimize self-reported symptoms from patients. They tend to prioritize medical issues that they can objectively affirm and quantify, as they may assume patients will exaggerate or outright lie to a medical...
When someone that you love dies, your entire world may change in an instant. From the relationships you have with other family members to your daily responsibilities, everything will be different after you lose a member of your immediate family. An unexpected death often causes emotional upheaval in addition to financial stress. Your family may desire justice and may also need financial support. A wrongful death lawsuit in theory can provide you with both. You ask the civil courts to award you compensation from a business or an individual who caused your loved one's death through negligence...
Distracted driving is a significant issue that leads to serious car accidents every day. Much of the time, the distraction comes from a cellphone, but not always. People can also get distracted by passengers, for instance, or the GPS. This phenomenon is well-known in driving, but it’s important to remember that doctors can also get distracted. If you’re in a medical center, could this mean that you don’t get the type of care that you deserve? Are distracted doctors a public health threat? Some experts have gone so far as to say that it’s a public health threat to be as distracted by...
Wrong-way crashes are on the rise. Unfortunately, this type of motor vehicle accident is one of the most serious, often resulting in head-on collisions and deaths. It is commonly thought that wrong-way accidents are rare and difficult to get into, but studies have shown that these accidents have increased in recent years. While the topic is undoubtedly scary and difficult to process, there are things we can do to prevent these types of accidents. Driver age and technology Notably, teenagers and young adults behind the wheel and elderly drivers, especially those over 70, should take special...
When backup cameras first came onto the scene, they were viewed as an extra piece of technology. There were some drivers who didn’t even want them, assuming that technology would just break more often. But it became very clear, very quickly that they were actually a terrific safety innovation. Today, it is mandatory that all new cars have backup cameras. Even those who may have initially been against them have come to expect them on modern vehicles. Why was this change made? Preventing traffic accidents The thing to remember is that driving in reverse is relatively uncommon. However, it...