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Personal Injury
by Keith Adkins | May 22nd, 2013
May 15, 2013
Colon Hydrotherapy is being lauded as a way to cleanse the body of harmful substances that may be enlarged in an individual’s bowels. The procedure is performed by forcing large amounts of liquid into the colon in order to flush the organ clean.
What many don’t realize though is that there is a great danger of suffering a Colon Hydrotherapy Injury when the procedure is performed. There have been numerous reports filed of patients suffering from injuries ranging from perforated bowels to dehydration and infection.
Anyone who is still considering the benefits of the procedure to outweigh the risks should read an article from the Mayo Clinic. It explained that the procedure is unnecessary in most cases, as the body naturally eliminates toxins on its own.
If a person still chooses to have the procedure done, the article offered several safety tips. These included staying hydrated, as well as using a reputable doctor and disposable equipment. Patients should also be informed on what herbal supplements are being used in the procedure.
The Louisiana Personal Injury Lawyers with Dudley DeBosier recognize there are risks involved with every medical procedure. The firm may be able to help if you have been harmed while receiving treatment.
by Keith Adkins | April 10th, 2013
April 10, 2013
A decision reached in a Louisiana Personal Injury Lawsuit to award a deliveryman approximately $1 million was upheld by the state Supreme Court last week.
The incident occurred in January of 2001 in the lobby of the Wooddale Tower, located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Court documents indicate the victim was delivering packages to the building for the Unite Parcel Service (UPS) with a cart weighing between 200-300-pounds when fully loaded. As the worker was attempting to exit an elevator though, the floors were not properly aligned, causing the man to fall backwards and suffer a serious back injury.
An article published in The Advocate stated the worker filed the suit claiming the misaligned elevator posed an “unreasonable risk” of harm to those using the equipment. Furthermore, the suit alleged the state had failed to provide a safe environment in which to work by failing to fix the problem or warn the public of risks associated with the issue.
A jury initially placed a 38 percent fault for the accident on the worker, while the remaining burden of liability was placed on the state. This awarded the victim $986,000; however, the decision was appealed and overturned. The case was then heard by Supreme Court Justices, who reinstated the award last week.
The Louisiana Personal Injury Attorneys with Dudley DeBosier hope the decision in the case will bring a sense of closure to the incident for the victim.
by Keith Adkins | March 27th, 2013
March 27, 2013
The Louisiana Workforce Commission (LWC) has launched several online training videos aimed at educating the public on different aspects of the Louisiana Workers’ Compensation Benefits system. The Executive Director of the LWC, Curt Eysink, explained the videos would also help workers to “better report and assess” workplace injuries for the agency.
KATC 3 News says the first training video offers assistance in how to properly fill out and complete forms that are common when filing a workers’ compensation claim. The 30-minute course also offers information about certain regulations regarding medical treatment.
Once the first video is completed, a participant has the option to view another program that covers topics such as disputed claims for medical treatment.
A final course covering the difference between work-related illnesses and injuries is also being offered. The program also discusses how to tell the difference between different types of medical treatment and can be completed in roughly an hour and a half.
The courses are considered a hands-on training session, as participants will be walked through several steps of the claims process.
The Louisiana Personal Injury Lawyers with Dudley DeBosier recognize how complex and confusing the process for receiving workers’ compensation can be. That is why the firm urges anyone filing a claim or who handles claims to consider taking part in these informative and helpful programs.
by Keith Adkins | March 13th, 2013
March 13, 2013
A woman from Livingston Parish, Louisiana, filed a lawsuit against drug manufacturer, Pfizer, for birth defects her child suffers from, which she claims are the result of taking the antidepressant, Zoloft.
According to Injury Lawyer News, court documents show the woman’s physician prescribed her the medication during her 2007 pregnancy. She was never informed of any risks of Zoloft Birth Defects before beginning to take the drug.
The child was later born suffering from a condition known as ventricular septal defect, which causes a hole in the heart to develop prior to birth.
The victim is seeking compensation for medical bills the child has incurred over the last five years stemming from the defect.
Numerous studies have shown a link between taking antidepressants during pregnancy and a higher risk of children being born with health complications. Researchers found common defects, besides ventricular septal defects, to include:
- Limb abnormalities
- Cleft Lips or Palates
- Spina bifida
- PPHN
- Craniosynstosis
- Ductus Arteriosis
One study in particular pointed out women who take Zoloft during the second half of their pregnancy were six times more likely to have a child suffering from a birth defect than women who did not take the drug.
The Louisiana Personal Injury Lawyers with Dudley DeBosier Injury Lawyers may be able to help if your loved one was harmed by a medication that was taken during pregnancy. Call us today to discuss your case!
by Keith Adkins | February 13th, 2013
February 6, 2013
Recent studies have shown rice grown on farms in Louisiana may contain levels of arsenic that may be considered too high for consumption. An article from Food Safety News addressed the findings and also discussed what action is being taken by farmers to halt the problem.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Consumer Reports both recently issued report that found product grown on Contaminated Rice Farms might contain levels of arsenic above the standardly accepted level of five micrograms. Tests showed levels of between 3.5 and 8.7 micrograms of arsenic per sample.
The high levels of contaminates is being attributed to chicken farms in the area that are polluting the water table with the dangerous chemical. Lawsuits that were recently filed in connection to the case by farmers claim the high levels of arsenic comes from the feed the chickens receive that contain a compound known as “Nitro-3”. The chickens eat the feed, which is then passed through their body still containing the arsenic. The wasted then seeps into the ground and poisons area water supplies used for growing rice.
The lawsuits are seeking punitive damages as well as class action status.
The Louisiana Personal Injury Attorneys with the law firm of Dudley DeBosier Injury Lawyers recognize the dangers consuming a product containing Arsenic could have and encourage anyone who has a farm they believe to be contaminated to discuss their legal options with an attorney.
by Keith Adkins | December 19th, 2012
December 19, 2012
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) announced that Louisiana saw a decline last year in work-related accidents that resulted in injuries requiring time away from the job. Furthermore, the state was well below the national average for on-the-job injuries last year.
The Daily Comet stated statistics from the BLS show Louisiana workers reported a total of 32,500 non-fatal accidents in 2011, a slight decrease from the roughly 34,800 injuries recorded in 2010. The state was also below the national average of 105.2 workers injured per 100,000 employees last year, accounting for an injury rate of only 83.5 injury accidents per 100,000 workers.
Data showed common injuries sustained by workers in Louisiana included sprains, strains, and tears of muscles, ligaments, and joints. These injuries were most commonly seen among workers in nursing home facilities due to the lifting they are required to do with patients.
Experts attribute Louisiana’s high safety ratings not only to employers being vigilant of on-the-job dangers, but also the work of government agencies to educate employees and employers of certain risks that result in injuries.
The Baton Rouge Personal Injury Lawyers with Dudley DeBosier Injury Lawyers are happy to see the number of work accidents in Louisiana declining, but understand such accidents can still occur. The firm is here to help you if you are hurt on-the-job at no fault of your own and need to file a Baton Rouge Workers’ Compensation claim.
by Keith Adkins | December 5th, 2012
December 5, 2012
A recent investigation into the Greensburg, Louisiana, carnival ride accident that left two teens seriously injured found that mechanical fault may not be the only contributing factor in the incident. The Town Talk states a lax inspection of the ride and other inspection errors could be partially at fault for the accident.
On May 14, 2011, the two victims were getting off of the “Zipper” ride when the piece of equipment went into motion and struck the two. The fire marshal initially blamed operator error for causing the accident; however, an investigation conducted by the Office of the Inspector general found that a fire marshal had inspected the ride just seven hours prior to the accident and had failed to address several pieces of faulty equipment on the ride. Some of those problems included a faulty emergency brake and switches that had been replaced on the machine. Experts believe if these malfunctions had been repaired, the accident would not have occurred.
The New Orleans Personal Injury Lawyers with Dudley DeBosier Injury Lawyers explain that premises liability law in Louisiana requires an owner of property to ensure the safety of visitors and that failure to do so could be considered negligence in the event of an accident. That is why the firm’s team of Baton Rouge Personal Injury Lawyers would encourage anyone who has been hurt at no fault of their own to contact an experienced attorney immediately.
by Keith Adkins | October 31st, 2012
October 31, 2012
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently recognized Louisiana for having a low number of work-related injuries last year and for continuing to work to improve safety standards.
According to KNOE 8 News, the 2011 Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illness showed non-fatal injuries in private industry here in Louisiana was at 2.5 injuries per 100 workers, a number that was well below than the previous year’s 2.7 injuries per 100 workers and the national average for other states of 3.5.
Several sectors of the private industry reported commendable safety numbers as well. For instance, the arts and entertainment sector only reported 1.8 injuries per 100 employees that resulted in a Baton Rouge Workers’ Compensation claim last year. Furthermore, professional, scientific, and technical services sectors each decreased their injury rate by .7, while the construction industry showed a .3 reduction in injury rates.
A spokesperson for the Louisiana Workforce Commission said the organization had a direct effect on lowering the numbers by educating dangerous industries on how they can better protect workers. The spokesperson went on to say that employers played a vital role as well in protecting workers from harm through their commitment non-hazardous operating policies.
The Baton Rouge Personal Injury Lawyers with Dudley DeBosier Personal Injury Lawyers would like to applaud all the businesses and workers in Louisiana for improving workplace safety this past year and hope for a greater reduction in workplace injuries next year.
by Keith Adkins | October 17th, 2012
October 17, 2012
A 44-year-old Kenner, Louisiana, man was killed and his 25-year-old assistant was injured in a work-related accident at a Westwego, Louisiana, industrial plant yesterday afternoon. The Times-Picayune reports the accident happened at approximately 4:30 p.m. at the Cargill plant on River Road in Nine Mile Point.
Reports indicate the men were underneath an elevator at the facility on a lift as they serviced the unit, when a cable suddenly snapped and allowed the elevator to come crashing down several feet on top of the workers. The victim was declared dead at the scene from blunt force trauma, while his assistant was rushed to a local hospital for treatment of moderate injuries.
Officials from the company and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, along with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, are investigating the incident to determine what may have caused the accident and if it could have been prevented.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, service technicians have one of the most dangerous jobs in the country, accounting for 177 fatalities and 2.9 injured workers per 100,000 in 2011.
The Baton Rouge Personal Injury Lawyers with Dudley DeBosier Injury Lawyers would like to send their deepest sympathies to the family and friends of the worker who was tragically killed and would like to wish the injured young man a full recovery.
If you were injured in an on-the-job accident, you may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits.
by Keith Adkins | October 10th, 2012
October 10, 2012
With abuse of prescription drugs at an all-time high in the U.S., a new study shows a lack of physician intervention may play a large role in the problem. The study, which was conducted by the Workers’ Compensation Research Institute, found Louisiana had some of the worst preforming physicians and medical facilities in the country.
Researchers examined more than 300,000 workers compensation claims filed over a three-year period and roughly 1.1 million prescriptions associated with those cases. The results concluded drug testing for those who received Baton Rouge Workers’ Compensation benefits was conducted less frequently than guidelines call for, with less than one-quarter of patients receiving chronic opioid pain management receiving regular examinations. Even more disturbing was the fact that one in six patients who were given narcotics were still using them three to six months later, and only a small percentage of patients were receiving psychiatric evaluations.
Experts say the long-term use of this particular type of medication can lead to dependence and addiction over time, which can result in more work missed and more disability claims.
The Baton Rouge Personal Injury Lawyers with Dudley DeBosier Injury Lawyers believe doctors have a responsibility to ensure a patient’s treatment regimen is not causing them harm. That is why the firm would encourage anyone who suffered negative effects from the long-term use of painkillers prescribed to you by a doctor to discuss your legal options with an attorney.
