Florida Injury Lawyer Blog

With the economy in poor condition still, some safety experts are warning that businesses may be cutting costs and increasing the odds of accidents in doing so. Some worry that small businesses and larger companies may be cutting costs in ways that compromise safety as well as customer service. Some industry insiders working with aerospace industries have expressed worry that airline companies may be among those who are cutting safety as they cut costs.

One area of concern is airplane maintenance. While safety regulators set standards for maintenance, regular maintenance takes an airplane out of circulation for up to a week. During that week, the airplane is in a hangar getting repairs and is not making any money. Industry insiders note that during a tough economy airlines want to keep planes as full as possible and in the sky as possible.

Another issue is the use of vendors maintain airplanes. These independent vendors work either in Central America or near airports and work quickly on a number of planes. In some cases, language issues or lack of training can mean airplane maintenance mistakes. In fact, federal safety officials have voiced concerns about vendors since 2005, but vendors continue to be used for airplane maintenance because they are quick and inexpensive.

Poor management practices and bad maintenance are often at least secondary causes of aviation accidents and their resultant personal injuries. The Turkish Airlines Flight 981 crash, for example, was caused when a baggage handler was unable to read the directions for the locking of the cargo bay door. The door opened during the flight, causing decompression and a crash.

Another issue might be with replacing planes. Airplanes need to be replaces regularly as they wear out. Some industry experts worry that airlines will be less likely to buy newer, safer planes while the economy is doing poorly and fewer people are flying. A Southwest Airlines 737, however, developed decompression after fatigue cracks developed in the craft. Flying planes that are past their prime compromises passenger safety.

Flying continues to be much safer than other modes of travel. Passengers are far more likely to be injured or killed in a car accident than in an aviation accident. Nevertheless, it is important for airlines and airplane manufacturers to adhere to safety measures and to make safety a top priority.

In Florida and across the country, Hydroxycut products have often been used by customers interested in losing a few extra pounds. However, new information suggests that Hydroxycut weight loss products can cause liver damage. Customers are urged to immediately stop using all Hydroxycut products.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued an alert after 23 cases of health problems and death have been linked to Hydroxycut weight loss products. The products are made by Canadian-based company Iovate Health Sciences Inc. The company has issued a recall of Hydroxycut products after the FDA reported its findings.

Even customers using Hydroxycut products in recommended doses and using the products as recommended have developed liver problems and other personal injuries. Customers do not have to use excessive amounts of the product to develop serious problems. Unfortunately, Hydroxycut products have been on sale since 2008 and some customers have been using these products for some time.

If you have been using Hydroxycut products and have developed symptoms of liver disease or liver problems, seek medical attention right aaway. Symptoms of liver problems may include:

1) Brownish urine
2) Vomiting and nausea
3) Pale stools
4) Poor appetite
5) Jaundice (yellowish color of the whites of the eyes or the skin)
6) Exhaustion or severe fatigue
7) Itchiness
8) Pain in the stomach or abdominal area

Keep in mind that symptoms will vary from person to person. If you have some of these symptoms and have been using Hydroxycut products, seek medical attention. Even if you have few or no symptoms you may wish to get a physical or a check-up from your doctor if you have been taking Hydroxycut products. Some customers do not have symptoms until several months after taking Hydroxycut, so do not assume you do not have any adverse effects. Get medical help to evaluate your condition.

In addition to liver problems, some customers who have used Hydroxycut have reported cardiovascular problems, kidney problems, muscle damage, and seizures. If you have any unusual symptoms, see a physician. However, keep in mind that only 23 cases of problems have been reported while Hydroxycut has been sold since 2008. More than 9 million units of Hydroxycut have been sold in that time and only a small percentage of users so far have reported problems.

The manufacturer of Hydroxycut is recalling fourteen Hydroxycut products. These include Hydroxycut Max Drink Packets, Hydroxycut Carb Control, Hydroxycut Regular Rapid Release Caplets, Hydroxycut Max Liquid Caplets and Hydroxycut Natural. If you have any of these products, stop using them immediately and monitor yourself for symptoms. Keep checking the company website for updates and details about the recalls.

According to the Florida Department of Health, accidental falls and trip and fall accidents are a main cause of personal injury and fatalities for elderly Florida residents. The agency reports that unintentional falls are a major cause of death, injury and disability for state residents who are over 64 years old. In 2007 alone, about 53 000 elderly Florida residents required medical treatment or a hospital stay following a fall. That same year, about 1 700 Florida residents were killed as a result of a fall.

Many elderly Florida residents are fearful of slip and fall accidents and many caregivers to the elderly are worried about unintentional falls as a major cause of injury. Luckily, experts know that there are many things that can be done to prevent such accidents. In fact, it is essential to prevent unintentional falls in the elderly, as these falls can lead to serious injury. According to the Florida Department of Health, 25% of fatalities associated with slip and fall accidents among the elderly were linked to hip fractures. Another 52% of slip and fall accidents among the elderly led to brain injury and fatalities.

According to experts, most slip and fall accidents occur close to home or at home. Most commonly, these accidents occur when an elderly person is standing or walking and trips, slips, or tumbles. However, falls from ladders, beds, stairs, and steps are also quite common.

To prevent slips and falls, an evaluation of an elderly loved one’s physical state is important. Many illnesses can make an elderly person more prone to falls. Loss of balance caused by illness, muscle weakness or pain due to arthritis, general loss of mobility, and other ailments can make someone prone to falls. As well, medication used to treat many conditions can cause confusion, drowsiness, or reduced muscle control, which can lead to falls. Medications used for diabetes, some heart conditions, high blood pressure, anxiety, and other conditions, can all make someone more prone to falls. Always check with your family physician when your elderly loved one is prescribed a new medication. Ask whether the medication can increase the likelihood of falls and be prepared to take extra precautions to prevent such an eventuality. Also, have eyesight checked regularly. Poor eyesight can increase the chances of trips and falls.

If you have an elderly loved one living independently or in your own home, it is a good idea to have regular health checks or audits conducted on your home. Many health care professionals can do this to evaluate and help you remove any possible slip and fall risks. As well, a regular physical is essential to ensure that your elderly loved one does not develop an untreated condition that affects their mobility.

In addition to these steps, there are several things you can change around your home to make your home safer for an elderly loved one. Handrails on steps and staircases, for example, can help provide a steady grip for an elderly loved one as he or she goes up and down stairs. Grab bars in the bath or shower are also essential, as the slippery conditions in the bath or shower create prime conditions for falls. Securing carpets and removing clutter and throw rugs can also help prevent falls. Good lighting and no-slip treads on floor or laminate surfaces can also be a big help.

According to the Burn Institute, about 2.4 million Americans sustain burn injuries each year. Of these, about 75,000 people require hospitalization while 650,000 require medical treatment. Burn injuries often occur as a result of fires, chemical burns, hot water burns, or as a result of car accidents.

Hot water burns are the most common cause of burn injuries to children, according to the Burn Institute. They are also a very preventable form of injury. Parents can protect their children from hot water burns by reducing the hot water heater temperature to 120 degrees F and by testing bath water before a child’s bath. Additionally, parents should avoid carrying hot water near children and should cook hot liquids on the back of the stove. In a household with younger children, do not use tablecloths, since a child can easily pull dishes and cups of hot water on themselves by tugging at the cloth. Careful supervision in the kitchen and the bathroom are also needed to prevent injuries.

In addition to hot water, everyday appliances and items – such as stoves and matches – can easily lead to childhood burn injuries. The Burn Institute recommends that to prevent such injuries, parents keep any hot appliance – including hair straighteners, curling irons, hair drivers, heaters, stoves, and other items – well secured from children. Matches, lighters, and flammable fluids should also be carefully locked away where children cannot get them.

Supervision is a key to burn prevention. Many burn injuries to minors and children occur because a child was playing with a dangerous item without adequate supervision. For this reason, it is important to blow out candles and turn off portable heaters when leaving a room. Do not allow children to play with fireworks. If you have gas or electric heaters or open fires in your home, install fire guards. Keep children away from outdoor grills. Use covers for electrical outlets to prevent electrical burns.

Hot packs, hot water bottles, and heating pads are soothing if you have aches and pains, but these items can also cause burns. You can prevent injuries caused by heating pads by inspecting your heating packs before each use. If a pack is damaged, replace it. Always carefully read and follow the instructions that came with your heating device and always use the protective cover that keeps the hot element of your heating pad from touching your skin. Do not use heating pads for more than 15 to 20 minutes per use and never place a heating pad underneath a person – always place it loosely on top of an affected area. Lying down on a heating pad or putting pressure on a heating pad underneath you can cause the device to overheat. Always use heating pads only on adults who are awake and in good physical condition.

According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, families can also help prevent burn injuries by installing a working smoke detector in the home and by developing a fire escape plan. Practice your escape plan at least twice a year. Buy and learn to use a fire extinguisher. Preventing fires can help prevent burn injuries as well.

This past week in Canada, a three-year old girl was killed while playing near home exercise equipment. In May of this year, the four-year-old daughter of boxer Mike Tyson died after becoming entangled in a cord hanging from a treadmill. Unfortunately, these are not isolated incidents. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), approximately 8,700 children under 5 years of age sustain personal injuries caused by exercise equipment. Approximately 16,500 children ages 5 to 14 sustain exercise equipment-related injuries each year.

Injuries from exercise equipment include head injuries, broken bones, strangulation, and even amputations. These injuries can occur on just about any type of home exercise equipment, but treadmills, stair climbers, and stationary bicycles seem to be the most frequent causes of childhood injuries. According to experts, there are several things that parents can do to reduce these types of injuries:

1) Read instruction manuals carefully. Many parents see exercise machines are innocuous and safe, but most instruction manuals carefully detail possible hazards. Being aware of these dangers is crucial in preventing injuries. Always assemble, use, and store exercise equipment in exactly the manner prescribed in the instructions.

2) Keep your exercise equipment locked away. When you are not using your exercise equipment, store it correctly so that children do not have access to it. If possible, store exercise equipment in a locked room. At the very least, lock exercise equipment so that curious children cannot use it. Remove any dangling cords and wires to reduce strangulation hazards.

3) Check for product defects and recalls. If you notice something dangerous about your exercise machine – it doesn’t operate correctly or becomes overly heated – return the product and contact the manufacturer and retailer. Check frequently for recalls and register your product so that you will be informed of any recall notices. Incorrectly functioning equipment greatly increases the odds of injury.

4) Do not treat exercise equipment as a toy. Do not let your children play on or around exercise equipment. Do not allow young children to use exercise equipment – always check instruction manuals for age requirements.

5) Supervise younger children using the equipment and make sure older children use the exercise equipment correctly. Once your children reach the age when they can use exercise equipment safely, supervise your children while they use the equipment and teach them to use the equipment correctly. Make sure that older children and teenagers are aware of the proper ways to use the exercise equipment in your home.

When children are home from school in the summer, burn injuries are far more common. Unfortunately, burn injuries can occur just about anywhere – on a camping trip, at bath time, in the kitchen, in the backyard. Tragically, burn injuries to children can easily cause scarring, severe pain and even muscle or tissue damage. Since children are small, burn injuries can easily spread over large surfaces of the body, becoming potentially fatal. Here are some ways to prevent this type of tragedy this summer:

1) Practice fire smarts. Ensure that smoke detectors in your home are correctly installed and working properly. Rehearse your family escape plan at the start of summer.

2) Be careful during bath time. Never leave children alone in the bath tub during bath time. Not only is this a drowning risk, but children can easily burn themselves by turning on the hot water tap. Better yet, lower your water heat temperature to below 120°F. This will lower the risk of an accident burn.

3) Check your yard for flammable liquids. Never store gasoline in your yard, as it is highly flammable. If you have propane for the barbeque, stow it in a locked area well away from children. Throw away any corroded or damaged bottles. Keep matches and lighters well-hidden and locked away as well.

4) Check your kitchen. If you use fryers or oil cookers, make sure that children are not in the room when these machines are being used, since the oil from these appliances can spray. Never leave children alone in the kitchen, where they can easily touch a hot surface or spill cooking food on themselves.

5) Update your first aid kit. Your first aid kit should have gauze, bandages, antibacterial ointment, emergency phone numbers, antibiotic ointment, bandages, scissors, tweezers, gloves, an instruction manual, an ice pack, and other musts. Review the instructions in your emergency kit, throw out any expired items and stock up on any items you might need

Brain injuries can result from simple summer sports, from car accidents, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, and even simple slip and fall accidents. In many cases, a bump on the head results in no serious injury, but in some cases, a bump on the head causes the brain to crash against the inside of the skull. In some cases, this can lead to internal bleeding, concussions, and brain damage.

The case of actress Natasha Richardson earlier this year proved that diagnosing a brain injury can be difficult. Richardson fell at the bottom of a beginner’s slope while skiing. Initially, she seemed fine, speaking and laughing. After refusing medical attention, she walked to her hotel room. Within hours, her condition became serious. Tragically, she eventually died as a result of the brain injury she suffered on the slope.

Experts and neurologists note that when helping someone who may have suffered a brain injury, it is important to:

1) Test for altered consciousness. Experts suggest asking a patient a series of simple math and information questions. Asking the patient to follow your finger with his or her eyes is also a good way to note whether a patient is fully alert or not. If someone has hit his or her head and is conscious but has trouble answering questions or following your finger, that person needs immediate medical help.

2) Check for vision problems. If the patient’s eyes seem to have trouble focusing or if the patient seems to have a “glazed” look, he or she may be experiencing vision problems. Blurry vision or problems seeing can be a sign of brain injury. Get the patient to a physician at once for a full assessment.

3) Check for sleepiness or confusion. Most patients will complain of a headache after being hit in the head. However, if a patient feels tired and wants to sleep, it is important to keep the person awake and rush them to a doctor. Sleepiness, drowsiness and confusion – being “in a fog” – can indicate that an injury has taken place and the brain in not functioning normally.

4) Look out for nausea and dizziness. These can be symptoms of a head injury or even an internal injury to one of the organs. In some cases, these can indicate shock, but it is better to err on the side of caution and have the patient examined for brain injury and other serious injuries.

5) Take the “better safe than sorry” attitude. If someone has hit their head and experiences any symptoms, take the person to an emergency room. While it can be frustrating to spend hours in an emergency room, if a brain injury has taken place, timely help is a must. Many brain injury patients can be helped within the first hour after an accident, but the more time that passes the more difficult a positive prognosis can be. Prompt treatment can help save a person’s life.

Even though Independence Day is over, the risk of fireworks remains. Many homes have left over fireworks and many stores continue to sell fireworks after the 4th of July. In fact, many retailers are now discounting their fireworks, making them possibly more attractive to teens and children. Fireworks can cause serious burn injuries, eye injuries, head injuries, and other injuries. Prevent a firework accident with these tips:

1) Get rid of fireworks safely and responsibly or store them correctly until next year. If you have left over fireworks, call your local waste management authority to find out how to dispose of the fireworks responsibly. In most areas, you cannot simply place fireworks in your garbage because they are dangerous. Some communities have special fireworks pick-ups or drop-offs. If you decide to keep your fireworks, keep them in a cool, dry area where they won’t come into contact with heat. Keep them securely stored where children will not have access to them.

2) Talk to your children about the risks of fireworks. Some children may genuinely not understand how dangerous fireworks are. Discuss the possible injuries and risks of fireworks so that you children can understand the consequences of these products.

3) Make sure your children are not buying or setting off fireworks. Do not permit your children to operate or play with fireworks by themselves. Be clear and consistent about the privileges they will lose if they participate in such a dangerous activity.

4) Work with a local group to ensure that minors and children cannot buy fireworks. In most areas, retailers cannot sell fireworks to children and minors. Check your local laws. If such laws are in place, make sure that they are enforced. If such laws are not in place, consider writing to a local political representative to have these laws created.

Fireworks, when used responsibly, light up the summer night sky and delight us. Each year, however, many children lose an eye or sustain a serious injury due to improper use of fireworks. Taking a few precautions can help prevent such a tragedy.

Each 4th of July, while many people across the country are celebrating their country, many people are being admitted to emergency rooms with serious burn injuries and other injuries caused by Independence Day festivities. Have a wonderful holiday, but use these tips to stay safe, as well:

1) Use extra caution with fireworks. Every Independence Day, fireworks cause many serious injuries, including eye injuries and burn injuries. Unfortunately, injuries to minors and children are the most common with fireworks-related injuries, since children are often fascinated by fireworks but often do not know how to prevent serious injury. Firefighters recommend that families attend public fireworks displays organized by professionals. This is the safest way to view fireworks. If you decide to enjoy your own fireworks, use caution and always follow all precautions in the instructions very carefully.

2) Keep your children safe. Children can easily get injured this weekend around pools, bonfires, fireworks displays and boats. Have fun, but ensure that your children are carefully monitored by a responsible adult at all times.

3) Use extra caution on the water. Many people take their boats out for Independence Day or head out swimming. If you do go swimming, make sure that you have someone with you in case you get fatigued or ill in the water. Swim in designated swimming areas. If you take your boat out, make sure everyone has a life vest on and only head out on the water if you are completely sober.

4) Don’t drink and drive. Across the country, police forces will be monitoring the roads more carefully for drunk driving and other traffic violations. Unfortunately, the 4th of July weekend often means more drunk driving arrests, in part because so many people are heading out to gatherings and driving home when they have been drinking. If you go out, make sure that you take a taxi or alternative form of transportation if you have been drinking. If you are hosting an Independence Day event, do not allow your guests to drive under the influence.

5) Use caution when drinking. Whether you are setting off fireworks, driving, taking your boat out on a lake, supervising swimmers, having a bonfire, or taking part in any other 4th of July activity, staying sober will allow you to do all these activities safely.