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A large pileup involving more than 50 vehicles near Harrisburg resulted in numerous injuries and several deaths on Saturday morning. Authorities from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation reported that the Lebanon County accident occurred shortly before 10:00 am as a result of strong winds and poor visibility. Officials have confirmed at least 3 fatalities, more than 40 people transported to local hospitals, and numerous other non-critical injuries. The pileup resulted in a full shutdown of I-78 while numerous emergency crews worked to treat victims. Over 50 vehicles were involved in[...]
Proving Fault in Medical Malpractice Cases
Medical malpractice cases often involve serious and life-altering injuries, and can be very complex and expensive to try. Because the burden of proof rests entirely on the plaintiff, it is very important that medical malpractice cases be handled by a law firm with substantial experience and a history of positive outcomes. At Shrager, Sachs, & Blanco, we have handled countless malpractice cases and know what it takes to help our clients obtain the money they deserve after a doctor or health care provider’s mistake left them injured. (more…)
Tips for Holiday Safety
The holidays are here and for many that means celebrations, parties, and time with family. Although this time of year brings enjoyment for many, it unfortunately also brings an increase in accidents, injuries, and deaths - many of which are preventable. In fact, statistics and studies show that the winter holidays account for some of the highest rates of accidents in America: Crash data shows a significant spike in traffic accidents during the holidays, especially alcohol-involved auto accidents. Dangerous weather conditions during the holidays and an increase in[...]
More NTM Infection Cases Confirmed at Hershey Medical Center
You may recall from our previous blog that an outbreak of nontuberculous mycobacterium (NTM) a few weeks ago at WellSpan York Hospital in Pennsylvania resulted in the deaths of four patients. Now, the Pennsylvania Department of Health has announced that more cases have been confirmed at Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. Approximately 2,300 patients who received open-heart surgery at this hospital have been alerted of the possibility that they may have been exposed to the bacteria. In light of this information, the Health Department is urging healthcare facilities to[...]
Ben Carson Sued for Medical Malpractice 8 Times
During his three-year long career as a neurosurgeon, Ben Carson, a man now running for the republican nomination for the presidential election, has been sued eight times for medical malpractice in Maryland. In one instance, a patient who was suffering from multiple sclerosis, sustained pain on the left side of her face, and suffered vision problems was referred to Carson for injections that would reduce nerve pain and alleviate the patient’s symptoms. Sadly, the symptoms and suffering grew worse. To help the patient, Carson suggested that the patient[...]
Four Patients at Pennsylvania Hospital Dead After Contracting Bacterial Infection
A suspected outbreak of nontuberculous mycobacterium, also known at NTM, may be linked to the deaths of four patients at WellSpan York Hospital in Pennsylvania. Hospital staff estimate that roughly 1,300 open-heart surgery patients may have been exposed the bacteria, eight of whom have so far contracted infection. Since all four of the patients had underlying medical conditions, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) is still not officially attributing their deaths to the infection, although the hospital has admitted that it was a contributing factor. This is the[...]
The Beginning of a New Formation of Nursing Home Regulations
After the Attorney General’s Office filed a lawsuit against Golden Gate National Senior Care due to alleged inadequate care, poorly trained staff members, and not enough staff members in 14 different nursing home facilities, the Auditor General and the Department of Health (DOH) formed a task force to review the state regulations of these facilities over a six-month period. Currently, the DOH is permitted to place provisional statuses on facilities not performing up to par. During this period, the nursing home is able to operate but must be monitored by[...]
Updates on the Pocono Interstate Crash
As an update on the truck/bus collision Wednesday in Pennsylvania, we are learning more about the truck company whose truck crossed the median and struck the bus. Subsequent reports about the accident indicated that the driver of the tractor trailer which crossed the median was Franklin Wyatt of Macomb, Oklahoma. He was driving for Greatwide Dedicated Transport, which is an operating division of Cardinal Logistics Holdings, LLC from North Carolina. We checked one of our resources for handling commercial truck cases and found that “Greatwide Dedicated Transport” corporate[...]
Settlement Finalized: $900, 000 Awarded to Woman Who Suffered Permanent Injury to Spinal Accessory Nerve
Shrager, Sachs, & Blanco was able to settle a case for an emergency room nurse who developed complex regional pain syndrome after incurring a spinal accessory nerve injury during a lymph node biopsy while under receiving diagnostic care at a hospital in central Pennsylvania. The spinal accessory nerve controls functions related to the muscles in the shoulders and the head, such as shrugging the shoulders or tilting the head back. It can also affect motions of the arms, including extension and other larger arm movements originating in the[...]
Hospital-Acquired Pressure Ulcers Still A Significant Problem, PA Officials Report
Earlier today, the Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority released an advisory that hospital-acquired pressure ulcers remain a top concern for hospitals across the state. According to the advisory: PA hospitals reported over 19,000 pressure ulcer events (recognized safety concerns) in 2013. PA healthcare facilities reported 33,545 events involving impaired skin integrity in 2013 - a majority of which were hospital reported pressure ulcers. Nearly 30% of pressure ulcers reported from 2007-2013 Reports of pressure ulcers from 2007 - 2013 reveal alarming rates and show need for improved protocol. Pressure ulcers -[...]