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Recent Blog Posts
When is a dog owner responsible for injuries that their animal causes?
Dogs are among the most popular companion animals in Maryland. They are also one of the only animals that people regularly rely on for work. Dogs can assist by providing security support or helping manage livestock on a farm. They can benefit families by providing entertainment, opportunities for exercise and companionship.
Unfortunately, they are also a source of injury risk for members of the general public. Any dog could potentially become aggressive. Canines of all breeds, ages and sizes occasionally attack humans and may cause massive injuries when they do so. Those injured by dogs might worry about paying for their medical care and other expenses. When is an animal’s owner responsible for the injuries it inflicts on another person?
Maryland has a strict liability statute
In some states, a dog has to display aggression at least once before it attacks and injures someone for the owner to have liability for the incident. One-bite rules reduce the economic risk associated with animal ownership, but they leave victims of dog bite incidents in very difficult situations.
Workers’ comp and third-party claims: Understand the options
Workers’ compensation is one of the most important safety nets in existence for employees who are injured on the job – but it’s also somewhat limited. Many times, it’s not nearly enough.
If you’ve been hurt at work, workers’ comp is usually the only course of action you have – even when your employer was negligent. However, that doesn’t mean that you can’t pursue a personal injury claim against any third party who has also contributed to your injuries.
How do third-party claims differ from workers’ comp claims?
A successful third-party claim can provide additional compensation above and beyond the wage replacement benefits that workers’ comp provides. In addition, a successful third-party claim can provide additional compensation for pain and suffering, emotional distress and other non-economic damages.
When is a third-party claim possible? Consider these examples:
Misdiagnosis: Delayed treatment and unnecessary interventions
Accurate and timely diagnoses are critical when it comes to making sure that patients get the best possible care.
Unfortunately, misdiagnoses are not uncommon. Every year, roughly 371,000 people die due to misdiagnoses and 424,000 are left with permanent injuries and disabilities. Roughly 6% of the 130 million people who seek emergency care – or 1 out of every 18 patients – get a wrong diagnosis. In the words of one researcher, "Diagnostic errors are, by a wide margin, the most under-resourced public health crisis we face…" There are two main ways that diagnostic errors can lead to patient harm.
Delayed treatment
Perhaps the most significant (and obvious) danger of misdiagnosis is the delay that the patient suffers in obtaining the care they need for their actual condition. For the 17% of stroke victims who are misdiagnosed every year, a delay in treatment could easily mean the difference between life and death. Even in less dire situations, however, a diagnostic error can have serious consequences. For example, if a patient with cancer is misdiagnosed with gastrointestinal issues and treated for those instead, they may lose the last clear chance they have of recovery as their cancer progresses.
The most dangerous times for driving
Most people spend a lot of time on the road. Whether you are commuting to work or picking up your children from school, driving is essential in modern life. Unfortunately, driving comes with risks, and every time you get behind the wheel, you risk getting into an accident.
While accidents are never completely preventable, there are ways to lower your chances of being in one. One way is by understanding that there are certain times during the day when it is more dangerous to be on the road.
At night
Driving at night is, without a doubt, the most dangerous time to drive. Most accidents happen at night because:
- You have low visibility
- You can easily miss an obstacle on the road
- You can fall asleep at the wheel
- You can easily miss traffic signs
You should always try to drive with someone else if you must drive at night. Especially if you are not used to driving at night or take any medication that could impair your ability to drive normally.
Detecting nursing home abuse: know the signs
As your loved ones age, ensuring their safety and well-being becomes a top priority. Unfortunately, nursing home abuse is a reality that occurs in nursing homes across the country. It is critical to remain vigilant so you can detect any signs of nursing home mistreatment or neglect.
Whether your loved one can or cannot communicate with you, it is vital for you to observe your family member and their surroundings when you visit them. Some signs that your loved one is being subjected to nursing home abuse include:
Physical signs
Physical abuse can manifest in many forms. Abuse can leave physical marks on the body, as well as bruises, cuts, burns or fractures. Be watchful for signs of excessive restraint, like rope marks on your loved one’s wrists or ankles.
Emotional signs
Abuse takes a psychological toll on a person. Keep an eye out for sudden changes in your loved one’s behavior, such as not wanting to participate in activities they used to enjoy, increased anxiety, mood swings, insomnia, social isolation or strained relationships with caregivers.
5 most common reasons for car accidents
Car crashes are unfortunately common in the modern world, and these accidents can be devastating, causing immense damage, injuries and sometimes death. While accidents can happen because of several factors, identifying and understanding the most common reasons behind them is crucial.
Recognizing these causes can proactively reduce their occurrence and enhance road safety for yourself and others.
Distracted driving
One of the leading causes of car accidents today is distracted driving. 3000+ people die each year in car accidents caused by distracted driving. With the increasing prevalence of smartphones and other electronic devices, many incorporated into the vehicles themselves, drivers often get distracted by texting, making calls, browsing social media and checking work email.
Navigation systems are also dangerous because, while they serve a useful purpose, they can cause a driver to become distracted and take their eyes off the road, which can easily lead to an accident.
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