At this time of year, many children in Hollywood and across South Florida look forward to trick-or-treating on Halloween. At this time, many parents are looking for costumes. Unfortunately, each year children are injured by unsafe costumes. Costumes can lead to burn injuries, skin breakouts, eye injuries, trip and fall injuries, and more.
There are ways to create fun and enjoyable costumes while keeping your kids safe from injuries:
The risk of misdiagnosis, medical malpractice, and now exposure to COVID-19, are serious concerns for anyone who is going to a clinic or hospital for medical care. Of course, we all see medical experts to get better and to get quality medical care. Unfortunately, negligence, recklessness, and even mistakes in a medical setting can result in serious complications, injuries, and even fatalities.
As a patient, you have rights. You also have the ability to reduce your risk in a few key ways:
Right now, some medical appointments in Hollywood and South Florida are being taken virtually in order to help reduce the spread of the novel coronavirus and to protect the patient’s health. Telemedicine can happen through videoconferencing apps and over the phone. Telemedicine can be a great alternative in helping you avoid exposure while still allowing you access to medical knowledge and expert care. However, there are some challenges with telemedicine which you should be aware of.
Since virtual care providers do not see you in person, they may not notice some symptoms which are evident when they are in the same room as patients. Telemedicine appointments can also be brief and since this is a new form of communication to both patients and some doctors, communication between doctors and patients can be different. In some cases, this can impact care.
Medical malpractice claims in southern Florida are intended to help protect patients who have been injured due to the recklessness and negligence of medical professionals. Medical malpractice claims arise when someone is misdiagnosed, incorrectly treated, or suffers another issue caused by recklessness or negligence. If you have a doctor-patient relationship and a doctor causes injury through their actions, you may have a claim.
Right now, medical malpractice claims are more complex. With the COVID-19 pandemic, some patients believe they have contacted COVID-19 in a hospital or clinic setting. However, they don’t always know whether they have a strong claim. In addition, with hospitals sometimes overrun and with patients worried about the coronavirus, some patients find that their care is being delayed or is being affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. They, too, wonder if they have a legal claim.
This year, some parents are choosing to homeschool their children to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission. While this can mean a lowered risk of sports injury and at-school injuries, it doesn’t mean that virtual school is without risks. Homestead students still face:
Zantac is a popular antacid medicine, which for years was used both as an over-the-counter and prescription option for heartburn, acid reflux, ulcer pain, and other gastrointestinal issues. However, studies have shown that when stored incorrectly and exposed to heat, Zantac’s main ingredient can become cancerous.
Unfortunately, some patients who have taken Zantac for years to deal with gastrointestinal discomfort have now developed cancer or have even passed away from cancer. The medication may be linked to stomach cancer, liver cancer, testicular cancer, bladder cancer, kidney cancer, and other cancers.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, patients in Hollywood who suffered from misdiagnosis may have pursued a medical malpractice claim. These claims were possible if a doctor treating a patient did not meet expected standards of care and the patient was injured as a result. In cases of cancer and other deadly illnesses, a patient could possibly suffer significant harm and even fatalities because of a misdiagnosis.
With COVID-19, unfortunately, misdiagnosis continues to be a concern. The symptoms of COVID-19 include high fever, coughing, and respiratory problems. However, the illness is new and understanding of this coronavirus is imperfect. Authorities have found that some patients have a rash or have atypical symptoms. Some have no symptoms at all. This has made diagnosis difficult.
The current pandemic is a very stressful time for business owners. Many businesses are closing or facing significant revenue losses because they have been forced to close due to stay-at-home orders. In addition, measures may mean that businesses have to pay for personal protective equipment, may need to limit the number of people in their store or establishment, or may be losing employees who must self-isolate or who are ill. Industries such as tourism and retail—major parts of the economy in Hollywood and across South Florida—are especially affected.
In addition to this, many businesses are concerned about possibly being held liable if their employees, customers, or visitors get COVID-19. If you run a business, fortunately, there are several ways you can protect yourself against a premises liability claim in Hollywood and other COVID-19 related claims:
Many people are concerned about the government’s actions when it comes to the pandemic. Some people feel that more strict measures are needed to protect the population from the COVID-19 pandemic. Others feel that mandates to stay-at-home or to close businesses effectively endanger their livelihood and their rights. Both sides have been suggesting lawsuits again against the government in Homestead and beyond.
Whether you feel the government has too slow in promoting safety or if you feel your business collapsed due to harsh measures, you may wonder whether you have a claim against the municipal or state or federal government. You may also be considering all your legal options if you have been personally affected.
Assault is a serious crime in Hollywood and Florida and can lead to both criminal and civil charges. Assault has traditionally involved hitting, punching, physical violence, or threats of violence. However, with the current pandemic a new form of assault is being seen.
This form of assault includes people who deliberately cough at, spit on, or otherwise expose others to the COVID-19 virus, in some cases suggesting that they have novel coronavirus. A person may walk up to a front-line worker, health-care professional, or a stranger and cough, sneeze, or spit on them and then allege to have the virus.
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