Personal Injury and Medical Malpractice Blog

A car accident, or any type of traumatic accident, can lead to a condition such as acute anxiety disorder or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). A recent study shows that playing just 20 minutes of Tetris – a video game that was originally released in 1985 – can prevent the painful, intrusive memories that can follow trauma. Although the study was small, researchers believe that the results justify additional exploration. Since traumatic memories are highly sensory, they can become associated with certain sounds or odors. The bright colors, repetitive movement, and immersive experience of Tetris can prevent graphic recollections from forming when played shortly after an accident. If you or someone you love has suffered an injury, acute anxiety disorder, or » Read More

When a severe allergic reaction causes blood pressure to plunge or the airways to close, a dose of epinephrine can make all the difference in survival. A recent study has revealed a frightening fact that caregivers are often too slow to reach for an EpiPen, the brand name for the device that dispenses epinephrine. According to the study, when children who experience serious allergy attacks with anaphylaxis, parents, teachers, other caregivers, and emergency responders failed to administer epinephrine. This occurred with children who experienced anaphylactic reactions in the past and were prescribed an epinephrine injector. The study analyzed more than 400 patient records for children and young adults, with a median age of seven, and found that only 36 percent » Read More

  At the onset of summer, the number of dog bite injuries increases as the clear majority of the population begins to spend more time outdoors with their furry friends. Dogs are immersed into more social situations as the weather gets nicer, which may be outside the dog’s comfort zone. Much like humans, dogs can become irritable in the heat, and even the most well trained pet can act out of character when placed into unsavory conditions. The NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene reports that in 2013, more than 4,611 dog bite accidents were reported. More than half of them occurred during the summer months, with the highest number of bites occurring in August. Dog owners are subject » Read More

We have long known that a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), or an intracranial injury, can cause agonizing symptoms in the victim. Some of those symptoms may include confusion and persistent headaches, among others. In very severe cases, a victim might experience a period of unconsciousness, amnesia, coma, disability, and fatality. These can be quite traumatic, but recent research indicates yet another possible debilitating effect of a TBI – dementia. The new research, which took place in Finland, suggests that a TBI could dramatically increase the risk of developing dementia later in life, especially if the victim is middle-aged. A TBI is usually caused by a sudden, violent blow or jolt to the head, which can result in bruising of the » Read More

Tire blowouts pose a serious threat to all who travel American roadways, but drivers of large trucks are particularly vulnerable. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tire blowouts cause more than 12,000 truck accidents annually. The tires of a large truck can be subjected to as much as 75,000 pounds of pressure. These same over-worked tires must then travel thousands of miles, further contributing to their decline. As a result, tires weakened by pressure and distance are more likely to explode in response to a puncture or tear. Some tire blowouts are attributable to improper maintenance. The law requires drivers of large trucks to check their tire pressure before every trip. An underinflated tire allows for too » Read More

A recent study found that patients with Alzheimer’s who experience psychosis – which may include delusions and hallucinations – are more likely to be misdiagnosed. In fact, they are a staggering five times more likely to be misdiagnosed as compared to those patients who do not suffer psychosis. Alzheimer’s and Dementia with Lewy Bodies are Different Here is how the two differ: Alzheimer’s is identified by protein deposits in the brain, including twisted fibers found inside brain cells Dementia with Lewy Bodies is believed to be caused by the buildup of a different abnormal protein aggregate that is found in nerve cells in the brain Researchers are working to create effective treatments for both of these diseases, but experts believe » Read More