Pennsylvania Injury Lawyer Blog

A Philadelphia doctor has admitted to botching dozens of prostate cancer surgeries at a Veteran Administration hospital stating that he sometimes missed his target while implanting radioactive seeds, leaving patients with incorrect dosages. According to this Associated Press news report, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission has found that 92 out of 116 men treated at the VA Medical Center in Philadelphia in the hospital's brachytherapy program received incorrect doses of radiation seeds. The doctor in question performed a majority of the procedures under a VA contract with the University of Pennsylvania, where he was on staff.

During a Senate hearing, the doctor admitted that he never informed patients about his errors. He argued that this does not amount to "substandard care" because brachytherapy is still an "evolving field." A 68-year-old victim of this medical malpractice in Philadelphia testified that he lost his job during the five months he spent in bed after the doctor implanted the seeds into his rectum instead of his prostate in 2005. The VA misdiagnosed his condition stating that he was suffering from hemorrhoids or constipation. But the problem was eventually diagnosed as a radiation burn and the man had to undergo surgery to get it corrected.

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Almost any type of work or job has its inherent risks and dangers. However, it has been statistically proven that construction sites are more hazardous than most other job sites. Accidents at construction sites often result in catastrophic injury or death. Still, even at a construction site, accidents and hazards can be prevented by implementing stringent safety standards. It is critical for employers to make sure that workers are properly trained in the operation of various types of machinery so they don't expose themselves to danger by operating heavy machinery that they are not trained to operate.

Construction accidents in Philadelphia can result from defective or unstable scaffolds and falls off of or through roofing structures. Other common construction accidents that can result in serious injury or death include electrocutions, ladder injuries, defective machinery, malfunctioning tools and slip and fall incidents.

When defective or malfunctioning products cause construction accidents, the injured worker, in addition to collection worker's compensation benefits, can also file a product liability claim against the manufacturer of the defective product.

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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning users of Zicam pharmaceutical products about serious adverse effects caused by these unsafe drugs that have reportedly caused loss in sense of smell among hundreds of consumers. According to an ABC News report, these over-the-counter Zicam cold remedies contain zinc, an ingredient scientists say may damage nerves in the nose needed for smell. The products affected by the FDA's announcement include adult and kid-size Zicam Cold Remedy Nasal Swabs.

According to the FDA, about 130 consumers have reported a loss in sense of smell after using Matrixx Initiatives' Zicam products since 1999. Zicam cold medications never received formal approval from the FDA because they were part of a small group of medications that are not required to undergo federal review. Loss in sense of smell can not only seriously affect your quality of life, but can also be potentially life threatening. For example, people without a sense of smell may not be able to detect hazardous situations such as a fire or a gas leak.

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Rollover and roof crush is a serious auto product liability issue. Because of a defective or weak roof, vehicle occupants can suffer serious brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, or even death when the collision’s force causes the roof to cave in. These rollover accident victims are put at risk of being rendered disabled for the rest of their lives because of these defective autos. This is particularly true when it comes to several brands of sport utility vehicles or SUVs that have a propensity to roll over because of their high center of gravity.

The federal roof strength standard has not been changed since the 1970s. Large auto makers including Ford and General Motors have lobbied to keep those standards unaltered in spite of knowing that these roofs will only result in more injuries and deaths. It wasn't until this April that the U.S. Department of Transportation announced new roof standards for light vehicles weighing up to 6,000 pounds.

In an effort to help lower the severity of rollover accidents in Pennsylvania and throughout the nation, the new rule specifies that both the driver and passenger sides of the roof must be capable of withstanding a force equal to three times the weight of the vehicle. The Department of Transportation also announced recently that heavier vehicles from 6,000 to 10,000 pounds must now have both sides of the roof capable of withstanding a force equal to 1.5 times the weight of the vehicle. The phase-in schedule, which begins in September 2012, will be completed for all affected vehicles by the 2017 model year.

Continue reading " Roof Crush during Rollover Accidents Causes Serious Injuries " »

Pennsylvania-based Blair LLC., along with U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, is recalling about 162,000 women's chenille robes after reports that several women died and many others suffered burn injuries as a result of the robes catching fire. According to this Associated Press news report, at least six women are believed to have died due to the Pennsylvania flammable products. In five out of six cases, the victims were women who were cooking at the time. CPSC officials are asking that consumers stop using these robes immediately.

The robes, made in Pakistan, have the following item numbers: 3093111, 3093112, 3093113, 3093114, 3093115, and 3093116. The robes were apparently sold in Blair catalogs, on the company's Web site as well as in Blair stores in Warren and Grove City, Pennsylvania from January 2003 through March 2009. Consumers may return these defective robes to Blair and receive a refund or a $50 gift card.

Burn injuries in Philadelphia can be serious and often life-threatening. In order to prevent these tragic events and to hold those accountable for the injuries responsible, it is important to understand what causes burn injuries. Burns can be caused by many different products, including defective clothing. Burn injuries are also costly.

Continue reading " Defective Robes Cause Fatal Burn Injuries " »

A story on the newsblaze.com website reported that on May 4, 2009 Pennsylvania Congressman Joe Sestak introduced legislation to keep workers with violent histories out of long-term care facilities. The bill H.R. 2223, the Patient Safety and Abuse Prevention Act, will stop individuals with criminal histories from working in long-term care locations by creating an all inclusive country wide system of background checks. The legislation would broaden an extremely successful three-year pilot program that stopped 7,000 applicants with a background of continued abuse or a violent criminal record from working with and victimizing our elders and individuals. These efforts should help lower incidents of nursing home abuse in Philadelphia.

Congressman Sestak said, “The measure of a society is how well it looks after its most vulnerable citizens. Every day, too many of our Nation’s seniors and disabled become victim to physical, emotional, or other abuse. This legislation will help prevent those abuses by ensuring the patients in long-term care will not be at the mercy of those with a violent or criminal past…our most vulnerable citizens deserve better, demand better, and this bill is an important step in implementing the safeguards they need.”

Chairman of the Special Committee on Aging, Senator Kohl, said, “We have hard evidence that this policy will work and will protect lives. It is vital that this legislation moves quickly, and I look forward to working with the Finance Committee, the elder justice community, and Congressman Sestak in the House to make that happen."

Philadelphia nursing home abuse and neglect consists of bedsores, open wounds, cuts, bruises, dehydration, malnutrition, weight loss, burns, falls, bowel impactions, medication errors, poor personal hygiene, verbal or physical abuse, over-sedation, and other cruelties. People in nursing homes may not be able to speak for themselves or may be afraid to speak about their conditions or what they see and hear going on around them. Nursing home abuse is a crime against the sick, helpless, and elderly.

If you or a loved one has been mistreated in a nursing or long-term home in Pennsylvania, you should consider contacting the compassionate and experienced Philadelphia personal injury lawyers at Anapol Schwartz. With over 30 years of experience, they know the law and can help you get the compensation you deserve. Please call 1-866-735-2792 for a free consultation.