Hit and Run Accidents in the US – What You Have to Know

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Posted on 20th May 2011 by admin in Legal Info

A hit and run accident is an accident where the driver of an automobile hits a person, another vehicle or property and does not stop to identify themselves as having committed the act, or having been involved in the accident at all. There are roughly 700,000 hit and run accidents every year and they make up 11% of all car accidents in the United States.

The causes of hit and run accidents are the same things that cause most automobile accidents. Among those causes are driving under influence of drugs or alcohol, the driver being distracted, falling asleep behind the wheel, street racing, road rage and a lack of experience driving. The difference between most car accidents and hit and run accidents is the reason why the driver wouldn’t report it. In many cases, the drivers are committing a secondary crime, such as being unlicensed, uninsured, or driving a stolen vehicle and simply do not want to be caught.

The worst part about hit and run accidents is the progressive rise in their number over the past ten years. There are several possible reasons for this rise, such as the number of unlicensed drivers on the road increasing or the economy causing people to hold off in reporting the accident in fear that it could cost them a lot of money if they are proven at fault.

The severity of a hit and run accident in the eyes of the law, like with most laws, is entirely determined by the state which one lives. Some states see minor hit and run accidents where property isn’t damaged and nobody is hurt as a misdemeanor or no offense what so ever. Other states see it as a felony to commit any hit and run accident. Some states even set a price on where a hit and run accident becomes a felony.

Due to the amount of variation in the laws concerning hit and run accidents, it is a good idea to know the law in one’s state. To do so, it’s best to either contact a lawyer for legal assistance or ones local police department for clarification.

This article is provided as information only and not intended as legal advice in any means or manner whatsoever, Kenneth J Allen & Associates P.C. provides focused legal counsel and representation within the area of Auto Accidents and has provided this for informational purposes only.

Common Causes of Medical Malpractice

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Posted on 2nd May 2011 by admin in Legal Info

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When an illness or injury occurs, many people rely on the expertise of medical professionals to provide excellent treatment for recovery. However, since medical care providers are human, errors are possible for numerous reasons. Some of the common causes for medical malpractice are errors with medication doses, a failed diagnosis and surgical errors.

Estimates show that nearly 15 million medical mistakes occur in the United States annually, many resulting in medical malpractice lawsuits. Several types of medical professionals might commit medical malpractice. Typically, a hospital could be held liable when an employee commits malpractice.

Medication Errors

Many adults take a combination of over-the-counter medications, dietary supplements and prescription medications. Unless patients inform their physician about certain medicines, the physician may prescribe medication that interacts negatively with other medicines. Physicians should also know about previous diagnoses before prescribing medications. It is recommended that patients keep a list of all medications – including dosage information at all times.

Improper communication of medication orders at the pharmacy may also cause errors. These may include sloppy handwriting, similar drug names, improper use of decimal points and zeros and confusion about dosing units.

Misdiagnosis of an Illness

A delay in treatment or failure to make a proper diagnosis of an illness might lead to medical malpractice. This is particularly true if the delay or misdiagnosis causes an additionally injury or the progression of a life-threatening disease. Malpractice is a concern when a timely diagnosis could have halted the progression.

Another possible cause of medical malpractice occurs when a patient receives treatment for a condition or disease he or she does not have. The patient is harmed by the medication prescribed or treatment. While the patient receives treatment for the wrong condition, the real health issue is left untreated, possibly causing more harm.

In some cases, a misdiagnosis can occur because of poor communication between the physician and patient. Asking questions or receiving full explanation about treatments and diagnostic tests may stem the problems of medical malpractice.

Surgical Errors

Generally, thousands of patients suffer from surgical mistakes each year. Some of the surgical mistakes that occur include operating on the wrong side of the body, or operating on the wrong patient. Failure to discuss the details about a surgical procedure with the surgeon increases the risks of errors.

Laws regarding medical malpractice are typically for protecting the rights of patients who pursue compensation because of medical negligence. However, most medical malpractice lawsuits can become costly and complex.

This information is for general purposes only and is not a substitute for legal advice. A person should consult an experienced Connecticut Medical Malpractice Lawyer concerning a possible medical malpractice issue.

Possible Side Effects of Accutane

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Posted on 2nd April 2011 by admin in Legal Info

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Accutane is a powerful drug prescribed primarily to treat disfiguring, severe nodular acne. The generic form of the drug is isotretinoin. Accutane is the brand name of Hoffmann-La Roche, the original developer of the drug. Since the company’s patent expired, the drug has also been marketed under a number of other names. Accutane is normally reserved for only the most severe cases and only after all other options have been proven unsuccessful, due to the potential side effects associated to the use of Accutane.
Common Side Effects

Patients may experience any or all of the following while taking Accutane:

• Pain in the joints or deep pain that feels as if it is in the bones
• Stiffness or difficult movements
• Inflammation of the eyes, such as itching, redness, or burning
• Skin rashes, itching, dryness or crusty patches on the skin
• Nosebleeds, usually mild but occasionally severe
• Pain, scaling or peeling, burning, or redness of the lips
• Dry eyes (which may continue even after medication is discontinued) or dry mouth
• Sensitivity to sunlight, which can result in sunburn
• Peeling skin on the palms or feet
• Hair loss

Rare Side Effects

Certain side effects are rare, but have been documented among patients taking the drug. These include:

• Severe stomach or abdominal pain
• Suicidal thoughts or actions, which normally disappear after discontinuing the drug
• Vision problems, including blurry vision, pain in the eyes, or decreased night vision, which has been reported as continuing, even after the drug is discontinued
• Back pain
• Bleeding or swollen gums
• Severe gastrointestinal upsets, including diarrhea, nausea or vomiting
• Bleeding from the rectum
• Depression, mood swings, or changes in behavior
• Severe headaches or headaches that seem continuous
• Yellow tinge to the eyes or skin
• Muscle pain, stiffness, or tenderness

Reported by Patients

Other side effects have been reported by patients, but specific studies have not been able to conclusively link them to the use of Accutane within assigning this to a definite frequency rate. These may include:

• Blood in the urine or mucous expelled while coughing
• Chills or hot flushes
• Constipation
• Difficulty swallowing, speaking, or breathing
• Mental agitation or confusion
• Dizziness or fainting
• Pain in the ears, changes in hearing, or buzzing and ringing in the ears
• Heartburn and indigestion
• Hives
• Reduced appetite
• Bladder problems, including control problems or painful urination
• Soreness or loosening of the nails
• Acne that spreads to the trunk or chest
• Insomnia
• Facial hair growth
• Lethargy or unusual fatigue or weakness

Potentially Severe Side Effects

Some potential side effects are quite severe. Women who take Accutane while pregnant, risk giving birth to a child who has severe defects. There is also some evidence of a link between Accutane and gastrointestinal diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis.

Goldberg & Osborne, a personal injury law firm, has provided this article for informational purposes only, written by an independent author, and has not reviewed or edited this article and is not responsible for its content or accuracy.