Esme Green was involuntarily admitted to the hospital’s psychiatric emergency department on June 18 for “agitation and psychosis.” According to the New York Civil Liberties Union, however, Green was made to wait almost 24 hours for treatment. The group is also accusing the hospital of falsifying records to conceal the duration of time Green was on the floor unattended.

The video footage shows Green, on June 19 at 5:30 am, rolling off a chair in the waiting room and landing on the floor face-down while convulsing. She stopped moving a little over half an hour later. Hospital workers are seen ignoring her the entire time. It isn’t until around 6:35 am that the footage shows a worker nudging Green with her foot. Help was called for about three minutes later.

The New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation has expressed shock and distress about the incident and they terminated six workers following a preliminary investigation.

In an unrelated case, Mental Hygiene Legal Service and the New York Civil Liberties Union sued the hospital in Federal court last year because of allegedly filthy conditions at the hospital. The plaintiffs reported that patients were frequently forced to sleep on floors and chairs covered with blood, urine, and feces when waiting for beds. They lawsuit also alleged physical abuse and use of medication to keep patients calm.

If there is evidence that a hospital, a doctor, or a health care provider acted negligently or carelessly to cause your loved one’s death, you may be entitled to wrongful death recovery for your loss. In North Carolina and South Carolina, our wrongful death law firm can assist you.

Tape shows woman dying on waiting room floor, CNN.com, July 1, 2008

Investigators probe death of woman in Brooklyn hospital, Newsday.com

Related Web Resources:

Times acquires tape excerpts showing King-Harbor staff ignoring dying patient, Los Angeles Times, July 2, 2008

Kings County Hospital Center

New York Civil Liberties Union

Opponents of the new legislation have voiced concerns that the longer trucks are hard to control on narrow, winding, and two-lane roads even for experienced truckers. In some North Carolina areas, other motorists have been run off the roads because the drivers of 48-foot trucks haven’t been able to stay in their lanes.

The House of Transportation Committee will look at the bill this week, which the North Carolina Senate approved by a 47-0 vote last week. If approved, the measure would also loosen weight restrictions on trucks and allow for the transportation of recreational boats 10 feet wide or smaller without a permit. The current regulation allows only boats 8 ½ feet wide or smaller to be transported on North Carolina’s roads without a permit.

Supporters of the bill claim that 53-foot trailers is the new industry standard and that passing the proposal will help boost the state’s economy. However, while it allows for the barring of certain vehicles on specific routes if engineering studies show that their presence on these roads is a hazard, the new legislation does not mandate the studies.

Trucking accidents can cause serious injuries to passengers. Truck accidents have been known to occur when the truck driver:

1) Steps on the breaks. Bigger trucks can’t stop as quickly as smaller trucks, cars, and motorcycles. Many large trucks need almost 800 feet to brake to a stop—compared to the approximately 400 feet that many motorists need.

2) Makes a turn. Larger trucks need more space to turn left or right.

3) Fails to notice a vehicle or pedestrian in the truck’s blind spot. Truck drivers have major blind spots and they do not always check these areas to make sure that there is nothing there.

4) Large trucks are not as easy to control or maneuver as regular automobiles, which can create a problem on narrower roads or roads with just two lanes.

If you or someone you love was seriously injured in a truck accident because of another party’s negligence, contact our North Carolina truck accident lawyers today.

Safety group opposes lifting truck restrictions, WCNC.com, June 24, 2008

State Senate votes to allow bigger trucks, Newsobserver.com, June 18, 2008

Related Web Resources

Truck Safety Coalition

The current lawsuit accuses the defendants of trying to cover up their mistakes after some 3,800 surgical patients at Duke Health Raleigh Hospital and Durham Regional Hospital in 2004 were exposed to instruments washed with used hydraulic fluid.

Duke Health officials have said that the instruments had been sterilized after being washed in the fluid and that their findings showed that patients were unlikely to be harmed. A number of patients, however, said they suffered immune system reactions and infections as a result of the exposure.

Although Duke Health isn’t a defendant in this new lawsuit, the plaintiffs are accusing the hospital system of working with the defendants to minimize liability in the case. Duke Health allegedly shared costs with the companies for testing the instruments, conducting the test in a lab connected to Duke, preventing patients from getting more information, and destroying key evidence.

The lawsuit accuses Cardinal workers of failing to check the detergent drums before sending them to the hospital. The hydraulic fluid came from an elevator and was transported to the hospital to be used as detergent. The Steris workers are accused of disregarding complaints of greasy surgical tools and neglecting to check the sterilization equipment at the hospitals.

Hydraulic fluid is often used in equipment, machines, and motor vehicles and has been known to cause health issues in people that have been exposed to it.

If you have suffered health issues because of your exposure to a toxic or hazardous substance, contact our North Carolina personal injury law firm today.

Suit alleges cover-up in tainted surgical instrument case, WRAL.com, June 19, 2008

Duke, patients settle hydraulic fluid claims, The News and Observer, January 19, 2008

Read the Lawsuit

Related Web Resources:

Hydraulic Fluid Facts, Dukehealth.org

A compilation of correspondence related to hydraulic fluid issues at Duke University Health System, Dukehealth.org

Reduced visibility, caused by fog and smoke from the burn, may have played a role.
The truck driver, Fayetteville resident Robert Kornegay, was charged with exceeding a safe speed and two counts of misdemeanor death by vehicle.

18-wheeler Tractor-Trailer Accidents
Traffic accidents involving 18-wheeler trucks can lead to serious injuries for those involved. If you or someone you love suffered serious injuries in a collision with an 18-wheeler tractor-trailer in North Carolina or South Carolina, it is important that you hire an experienced truck crash lawyer.

Trucking companies are prepared when it comes to dealing with injury cases, and many of them will aggressively fight to minimize liability. You need a truck collision law firm that is familiar with the state trucking regulations, as well as the regulations of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

Our North Carolina truck crash attorneys have successfully represented clients with trucking accident claims and lawsuits. You are entitled to financial recovery for your injuries and losses.

Causes of Tractor-Trailer Accidents include:

• DUI
• Failure to monitor blind spots
• Driver fatigue
• Break or tire failure
• Unsecured cargo
• Speeding
• Driver inattention
• Reckless or careless driving

Do NOT speak to a truck company representative without your lawyer present. Tractor-trailer accidents are usually catastrophic injury accidents.

Potential defendants in a truck accident case may include the truck driver, the trucking company, the owner of the tractor-trailer, the truck leasing company, the truck manufacturer, and other liable parties.

NC Deputy and Firefighter Killed in Tractor-trailer Crash, Efluxmedia.com, June 15, 2008

Officer Down: Deputy Sheriff Steve Boehm, PoliceOne.com, June 14, 2008

Related Web Resources:

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

Truck Safety Coalition

Khari sustained these catastrophic injuries when the passenger side of the car she was riding in was hit by a pickup truck. Khari spent several weeks in intensive care at NC Children’s Hospital and was later moved to a rehabilitation center. Her mother and 2-year-old sister were also involved in the crash but are now both fine. Khari needs money to pay for a medical car seat, a wheelchair ramp outside their house, and other medical costs.

In North Carolina and South Carolina, our catastrophic injury lawyers can help you or your injured family member recover personal injury compensation from the negligent party to cover your losses and damages. Catastrophic injuries are often life changing accidents, and living with a TBI or an SCI can be very expensive.

Traumatic Brain Injury
A sudden trauma to the brain can cause a traumatic brain injury. While a mild TBI can result in temporary unconsciousness, headaches, dizziness, or blurred vision, a more person with a serious TBI may experience convulsions, seizures, permanent brain damage, or fall into a coma or brain death.

Spinal Cord Injuries
A severe blow that dislocates or fractures the spine can lead to a spinal cord injury. An SCI patient may experience loss of sensation, sexual dysfunction, respiratory problems, loss of movement, including paralysis, and other serious health problems.

Our North Carolina auto accident lawyers know how to prove that a negligent motorist or another liable party caused your catastrophic injuries. We will zealously pursue your recovery. Our personal injury lawyers have successfully obtained compensation for the families of minors seriously injured in auto crashes.

Community unites to help accident victim, The Daily Tar Heel, June 12, 2008

Town rallies for injured girl, The Chapel Hill News

Related Web Resources:

Spinal cord injury, MayoClinic

Traumatic Brain Injury

Paul died while chasing a speeding car. A draft from a tractor-trailer he was trying to overtake appeared to have made the motorcycle wobble, causing Radford to drive onto the freeway shoulder where he was thrown from his 2002 Electra Glide motorcycle.

The wrongful death lawsuit, however, says that he lost control of his motorcycle because of a high-speed wobble—a problem that has been encountered by other Harley-Davidson riders and mechanics. While some people believe the wobble is caused by a design defect in certain Harley motorcycles, others cite improper maintenance.

The confidential products liability settlement was made in December, but the lawsuit was not dismissed until last month. Paul’s family also received a workers’ compensation settlement from the city of Raleigh.

Defective motorcycles and motorcycle parts are a frequent cause of motorcycle-related injuries or deaths. Products liability lawsuits involving motorcycle accidents may cite a number of defect issues, such as:

• Defective tires
• Helmet defects
• Brake problems
• Defective pedals
• Stuck throttles
• Problems with the shock absorber
• Chain defect

Compared to other motorists, motorcycle riders are already at higher risk of injury or death when involved in traffic accidents. There is no reason that riders should be placed in greater jeopardy because a motorcycle or one of its parts was defective.

In North Carolina and South Carolina, our products liability law firm can help you pursue your personal injury or wrongful death claim against the negligent party.

Officer's family settles motorcycle suit, News and Observer, June 3, 2008

Related Web Resource:

North Carolina State Motorcycle Laws

Justia.com

The Carrboro Fire Department has not determined the cause of the fire, but Arango says that it was the faulty construction and negligent maintenance that caused the flames to spread so fast. Firefighters were only able to look in 4 of the 14 units before the building started to fall down. Two women that jumped from their second-story balconies suffered injuries.

The fire reportedly burned for nearly 30 minutes before anyone reported it.
Arango says that none of the smoke detectors in the building were in operation. According to a fire department report, the fire detectors did not alert the victims that there was a fire.

Arango’s North Carolina wrongful death lawsuit accuses Colonial Properties and Schumacher of not creating proper fire barriers and failing to keep the common areas and crawl space free of combustible items.

In North Carolina, apartment landlords and managers are supposed to take the proper safety and maintenance precautions to ensure that there are no unsafe conditions on the premise or in a building or residential unit that can cause injury or death.

Failure to put in place and maintain the proper safety measures can be grounds for a North Carolina premises liability lawsuit if the injured person can prove that the manager or owner knew of the potentially unsafe condition but failed to eliminate this hazard.

Our North Carolina premises liability attorneys know how to properly investigate and pursue your case so that you can receive recovery for your injuries or the death of your loved one.

Woman's death in fire leads to lawsuit, NewsObserver.com, June 4, 2008

Related Web Resources:

Colonial Properties Trust

Premises Liability, Justia

May died on May 17, 2007 while riding in a vehicle driven by Polumbo. According to the North Carolina wrongful death lawsuit, the two girls had dinner at Miyabi Kyoto Japanese Steak and Seafood House before proceeding to Secrets Cabaret. Carolina Hospitality owns the nightclub. Polumbo drank alcohol at both spots, even though she was just 20-years-old. The lawsuit alleges that at the club, Reaves, who knew Polumbo, served her a number of drinks.

Soon after leaving the nightclub, Polumbo ran into the red-light camera pole, which is run by ACS and the city of Fayetteville. The camera dropped onto the car and struck May.

May's family alleges that mounting the camera, which weighed several hundred pounds, on a pole that was designed to “break away” when impacted created an unsafe condition that placed drivers and others on Bragg Boulevard at risk of serious personal injury during a motor vehicle accident.

After the accident, Polumbo’s blood-alcohol level registered at .17%, which is more than double the .08% drunk driving limit. Earlier this year, she pled guilty to reckless driving, DWI, driving after consuming alcohol while under the age of 21, and felony death by vehicle. She was sentenced to 30 days in jail and three years probation.

May’s family is asking for over $10,000 in wrongful death-related damages.

Catastrophic motor vehicle accidents can be complex injury or wrongful death cases that require the skills and knowledge of an experienced North Carolina wrongful death lawyer. In certain instances, more than one negligent party may have contributed to causing the deadly accident. Our North Carolina wrongful death lawyers know how to prove liability so that we can claim damages from all responsible parties.

We can gather evidence, call on accident reconstruction experts, and work with medical experts that can explain how the injury wounds were caused by the accident. We will zealously pursue your wrongful death recovery.

May family files lawsuit in fatal DWI, FayObserver.com, May 16, 2008

North Carolina Drunk Driving Law, About.com

North Carolina Drunk Driving Statistics, Alcohol Alert.com

According to the North Carolina Highway Patrol, the two sisters died after suspect Guy Christopher Ayscue crashed head-on into their vehicle while fleeing from Dunlap on December 1. Ayscue also died in the deadly auto collision.

Officer Dunlap says the chase began because he tried to apprehend Ayscue, who was driving erratically. Ayscue also reportedly had a criminal record, which included convictions for driving violations, drug and alcohol infractions, assault with a deadly weapon, and robbery.

Investigators say the police chase was going as fast as 90 mph in a 50 mph zone. The 15-mile police chase began on NC Highway 56 and ended on US Highway 15. The wrongful death lawsuit alleges that Dunlap may have been driving as fast as 103 mph at one point.

Franklinton police policy states that police officers engaged in suspect pursuits can at no time drive faster than 20 miles above the posted speed limit. Officer Dunlap was placed on administrative leave after the crash but returned to patrolling the streets in February.

If someone you love has died in a motor vehicle collision caused by another party’s negligence, contact our North Carolina personal injury law firm right away to schedule you free consultation.

In 2003, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that over the past decade, over 3,000 people died because of police car chases. Of the 365 police car chase fatalities in 2001, 140 of the victims were not even directly involved in the actual pursuit. Federal statistics reveal that 40% of police car chases result in motor vehicle accidents.

Our North Carolina wrongful death law firm has the experience and resources to handle even the most complex wrongful death cases. We can help you recover compensation for your losses.

Family Sues Cop, Suspect's Estate in Chase Crash that Killed Sisters, WRAL.com, May 21, 2008

Sisters, Suspect Die in High-Speed Police Chase, NC Wanted, December 1, 2007

Police pressured to call off chase, USA Today, January 1, 2008

Related Web Resources:

The Lawsuit (PDF)

Franklinton Police Pursuit Policy (PDF)

Joseph Robert was implanted with an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD), a Medtronic InSync Sentry defibrillator with Guidant leads, on October 26, 2000. This device is designed to monitor the person’s heart and when there is rapid, abnormal heart rhythm, the ICD is supposed to send energy to the heart muscle so that the heart can beat at a normal rate again.

In 2005, Roberts was admitted to a hospital for an ICD upgrade to a Vitality 2 biventricular automatic implantable cardioverter-defibrillator. His original ICD was being replaced because it had been found defective and dangerous. Roberts died nearly three weeks after the second device was implanted.

Patsy Roberts, one of the plaintiffs in this products liability wrongful death case, says that in 2007, she found out that Boston Scientific recalled the Vitality 2 because it was considered dangerous and defective also.

The plaintiffs claim that the defendants were grossly negligent and engaged in fraud, misrepresentation, breach of express warranties, breach of continuing duty to warn, breach of implied warrant of fitness, and breach of warrant of merchantability. They also say that the defendants violated the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices-Consumer Protection Act.

They are asking for damages for Joseph’s pain, suffering, and mental trauma before he died, as well as for their own pain and suffering, loss of consortium, loss of affection, grief, and other associated costs.

In North Carolina and South Carolina, our defective medical device lawyers have represented victims and their families whose lives have been catastrophically affected by a defective Guidant cardiac defibrillator. We believe that manufacturers of defective medical devices and the other liable parties should be held financially liable for your pain, suffering, and associated costs.

Wrongful death suit filed against Boston Scientific over cardiac defibrillator, Southeast Texas Record, April 21, 2008

Sudden Cardiac Deaths, Get the Facts 2006, AmericanHeart.org

Related Web Resources:

Boston Scientific

FDA: Some Guidant Defibrillators Recalled, WebMD, June 17, 2005

North Carolina Doctor groups have expressed concern that while they agree that medical malpractice verdicts or notice about whether a doctor has had his practicing privileges revoked should be made available to the public, they don’t think that information about medical malpractice settlements should be published.

North Carolina Medical Society President Dr. Hadley Callaway has suggested that the board investigate the legal settlements first—and if substandard care is proven, then only then should the settlements be listed.

He says that doctors may want a chance to make their case before the NCMB and that just because they settled doesn’t mean they provided poor medical care. Callaway expressed concern that listing explanations for settlements could sound like the doctors were making excuses.

Allowing settlement information to be available to the public could also lead to more lawsuits going forward because doctors may be less willing to settle any medical malpractice claims.

Another doctor, North Carolina Academy of Family Physicians Christopher Snyder says that this proposed rule is unfair. He says that some doctors choose to settle because of pressure from insurance companies and not because they have done anything wrong. However, it is ultimately up to the NCMB to decide whether the information will be posted.

If you have been seriously injured because a hospital, a doctor, or another health care provider was negligent or careless when providing you with medical care, contact our North Carolina medical malpractice law firm to discuss your case.

N.C. Medical Board may put malpractice settlement info online, Triangle Business Journal, April 25, 2008

Malpractice Settlement Data Could Go Online in North Carolina, IHealthBeat.org, May 5, 2008

Related Web Resource:

North Carolina Medical Board

The two officers saw that the gate to the building was unlocked and a ladder was leaning against the building. One man climbed the ladder and fell through the roof. The other officer fell soon after. There apparently were two fiberglass-like skylights that had been painted over to match the color of the roof and the men had stepped on them.

One officer sustained serious head injuries from falling 20 feet. He was taken to Winston-Salem by airlift where he was admitted to Baptist Medical Center. The second police officer landed on the banister of a stairwell and his injuries were not as serious. He was taken to a Hickory hospital and later released.

Longview police later discovered that an employee that worked for the company had left the ladder against the building and forgot to lock the gate.

It is the responsibility of all North Carolina property owners to make sure that any hazardous conditions are removed from the premise so that patrons, visitors, employees, residents, or guests are safe from serious harm. In the event that there is an unsafe condition that exists on the premise, property owners must provide proper warning and take the correct safety precautions so that serious injuries and deaths are prevented.

Please contact our North Carolina premises liability law firm to discuss the specifics of your injury case.

Fall accidents, especially from elevated heights, can lead to serious injuries, including spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, massive organ injuries, permanent disabilities, and wrongful death. You may be able to file a claim or lawsuit against a negligent party. You will increase your chances of obtaining a successful financial recovery by retaining the services of an experienced North Carolina premises liability lawyer.

Falls through skylights injure 2 officers, Charlotte.com, May 8, 2008

Fall through roof injures officer, Hickoryrecord.com, May 7, 2008

The national safety campaign comes less than a week after the end of North Carolina’s Motorcycle Safety Awareness Week, which took place from April 21 to April 25.

The statewide and national safety awareness campaigns couldn’t come at a better time. The North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles says that motorcycle deaths have risen—183 rider deaths last year compared to 61 motorcyclist fatalities in 1997.

Motorcycles account for only 1.96% of all registered motor vehicles in North Carolina, but make up nearly 12% of all traffic deaths. There are 500,000 licensed drivers in North Carolina with either a motorcycle learner’s permit or endorsement.

Promoting motorcycle safety is essential—especially as motorcycle accidents often lead to serious injuries and fatalities. Just lat month, a Guilford County school bus driver was charged with misdemeanor death by motor vehicle. She accidentally struck a motorcyclist when she failed to stop before driving through an intersection.

In North Carolina and South Carolina, our motorcycle accident law firm has helped many motorcycle victims and their families recover personal injury compensation.

Many motorcycle accidents occur because motorists fail to see the motorcycles on the roads with them. Driver inattention, inexperience, and drunk driving are also common causes of motorcycle crashes.

As your personal injury representation, our North Carolina motorcycle accident law firm can deal with all aspects of your personal injury case for you.

School Bus Driver Charged In Motorcycle Crash Death, WXII12.com, April 22, 2008

May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, AAMVA.org, March 31, 2008

Related Web Resources:

Gov. Easley Proclaims April 21-25 Motorcycle Safety Awareness Week, WNCT.com, April 21, 2008

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Because a bicyclist does not have any protection, except for a helmet, from the impact of colliding with a car, truck, motorcycle, or bus, many bicyclists are prone to serious injuries when they are involved in a traffic accident. Serious bicycle injuries can include broken bones, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, severed limbs, and death.

In Raleigh, Monroe, Hickory, Charlotte, or anywhere else in North Carolina or South Carolina, one of our bicycle accident lawyers can explore your legal options with you.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration:

• 622 bicyclists died in traffic accidents in 2003.
• 46,000 others were injured that same year.
• The average age of bicyclists killed in 2003 was 35.
• Over 30% of bicyclist deaths involved alcohol (whether the pedalcyclist or motorist).

In preparation for National Bicycle Safety Month in May, the N.C. Department of Transportation offers the following reminders to motorists about keeping bicyclists safe:

• Keep a lookout for oncoming bicyclists when turning left and wait for them to clear the intersection before completing your turn.
• After passing a bicyclist on your right, take care not to cut them off by immediately turning right in front of them.
• Slow down when passing a bicyclist to make sure the rider is aware of your presence and leave plenty of room between your vehicle and the bicyclist.
• Stay alert for bicyclists who suddenly swerve or turn in front of you.
• Yield to bicyclists, when appropriate, as you would for other motor vehicles.

The N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles says that 114 bicyclists died and almost 2400 others were injured in traffic accidents in North Carolina from 2001 to 2005.

Bicyclist dies after struck by vehicle, News14.com, April 24, 2008

May is National Bicycle Safety Month, NCDOT.org

Related Web Resource:

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Candelario and Herrera filed their birth defects lawsuit against Ag-Mart in 2006. They have accused the family of spraying pesticides on the fields while workers were present and not waiting long enough to send workers back to the field after the pesticides were applied.

A hearing has been scheduled this summer in North Carolina by the state pesticide board to determine whether Ag-Mart workers were exposed to toxic chemicals in pesticides. The tomato grower grows grape tomatoes in Brunswick County, North Carolina.

In 2005, Ag-Mart was charged with 369 violations of the state’s pesticide law. Company officials, however, says that many of the charges are false because North Carolina investigators had misinterpreted work records.

To this day, Ag-Mart continues to deny responsibility for causing Carlitos’s birth defects. Other farm workers under its employ also had children with birth defects around the time that Carlitos was born.

Ag-Mart has also voluntarily stopped using certain pesticides that appeared to be responsible for developmental problems in lab animals.

The terms of the birth defects settlement between Ag-Mart and Carlitos’s family is confidential, but their personal injury lawyer says that Carlitos will receive financial support for his medical costs, plus income, for life.

In South Carolina and North Carolina, our personal injury lawyers represent children and adults that have sustained catastrophic injuries because of the negligent or careless actions of people and/or corporations.

Ag-Mart settlement with couple OK'd, News and Observer, April 18, 2008

Board revives pesticide case, News and Observer, March 12, 2008

Related Web Resources:

Ag-Mart Produce

Beyond Pesticides