Baltimore City Nursing Home Neglect Over Problems with Air Conditioners

A Baltimore city nursing home has been fined more than $50,000 for allowing elderly and ill residents to bake in near-100 degree temperatures without air conditioning before a 911 call alerted the state to the problem. The actions of this nursing home operator constituted nothing short of nursing home neglect for failing to take steps to properly care for their residents. Read more

Problems with Child Car Seats Make Accidents Leading Cause of Injury, Death for Children

Seven out of 10 parents are strapping their children into child car safety seats that are incorrectly, leading to unnecessary injury and death among children in automobile accidents.

According to recent research presented by Dr. Karen Judy, an associate professor of pediatrics at Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, the prolific misuse of child safety seats across the United States have made car accidents the leading cause of death and disability among American children.

Any child under 80 pounds or shorter than 57 inches should be in a car seat or child safety seat. But that safety seat needs to be installed the correct way to properly protect the child in case of a car crash.

The following tips should always be followed when placing a child in a children safety seat:

• Infants less than a year old and weighing 20 lbs and under should always be placed in a rear-facing position.
• Children older than 1 years old and weighing more than 20 pounds should be placed in a forward-facing car seat until they are four years old or weigh more than 40 lbs.
• Children between the ages of 4 and 8 should use a booster seat until they are at least 4 feet 9 inches or taller.
• All children younger than 13 should sit in the back seat to avoid crushing injury from air bags. Safety seats should always be installed in the back seat.
• Avoid using second-hand car seats and only use car seats that you know have never been in an accident. Do not use any car seat older than six years old.
• When securing a child in a safety seat, make sure that the harness is level with the shoulders and that the straps are tight and secure.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has provided a system of child safety seat inspection stations across the U.S. It is recommended that anyone installing a child safety seat into a car for the first time take the car and seat to one of these inspection stations, where a trained individual will make certain that the seat is installed correctly.

Car Accident Crash is Leading Cause of Teen Death

A new government report estimates that 35% of teen deaths every year are caused by a car accident crash, making it the leading cause of teen death in the U.S. by a wide margin. Read more

On the Job Injury Risk Higher Among Young Workers, But Risk of Death is Less

According to a new federal report, younger workers throughout the United States face a higher risk of being injured on the job than older workers, but less of a chance of dying. Read more

Request for Jury Trial in Maryland Lawsuits May Be Raised to $15,000

Maryland voters will get the chance to decide in November whether to raise the minimum amount that must be at stake in a lawsuit for the parties to request a jury trial. Read more

Maryland Auto Accident Deaths Declined Last Year

Reflecting what appears to be a national trend, the Maryland Highway Administration is reporting that the preliminary number of fatal Maryland auto accidents dropped last year to the lowest number in several years.

About 550 people died on Maryland roads in 2009, according to state officials. That is down from 591 in 2008, and in 2007 there were 614 Maryland automobile accident deaths. The numbers have been trending downward, even as the number of Maryland drivers has increased.

Throughout the United States there has been a drop in fatal auto accidents. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is reporting that 33,963 traffic fatalities were reported across the U.S. in 2009, down 3,298 from 2008; a 9 percent drop.

Some experts attribute the decline in traffic accident deaths, the lowest in 55 years, to the economic recession. As Americans have less money to spend, they drive fewer miles, putting themselves collectively at less risk of getting into a traffic accident. Before 2008, when most believe the economy bottomed out, the number of traffic deaths regularly surpassed 40,000.

However, there may be a number of other factors involved, from laws to technology.

Maryland Cell Phone Ban Passes: Will Reduce Risk of an Auto Accident Injury in Maryland

Governor Martin O’Malley is expected to sign a Maryland cell phone ban passed last week by the state legislature, making it a crime to talk on hand held cell phones while driving. The legislation is another step forward in making our roads safer and reducing the number of automobile accidents in Maryland. Read more

Maryland Pain and Suffering Damage Cap Reviewed by Court of Appeals

The Maryland Court of Appeals is currently considering a case that challenges the constitutionality of the Maryland pain and suffering damage cap. The cap places an artificial and often harsh limit on the amount of non-economic damages a court can award in medical malpractice lawsuits, auto accident lawsuits, truck accident lawsuits or other personal injury claims. Read more

Identifying Risk of Car Accident Injuries for Older Drivers

A recent study provides some new information about the potential causes of auto accidents involving older drivers and the risk of a personal injury from a car accident for drivers over 65 years old. Read more

Insurance for Maryland Auto Accidents Could See Increase If Legislation Passes

The Maryland House of Representatives is considering legislation that would raise the minimum required automobile insurance coverage in Maryland, providing much needed protection for motorists and pedestrians injured in Maryland auto accidents. Read more

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