Atlanta Injury Attorney

A jury has awarded $15 million to the parents who filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Enterprise Rent-A-Car of San Francisco after their daughters, Raechel and Jacqueline Houck of Santa Cruz, died in a fiery crash in 2004.

Enterprise, the nation’s largest rental car company, and its corporate parent contested the lawsuit for five years, then admitted in May they were negligent and that “their negligence was the sole proximate cause of the fatal injuries,” according to a document signed by their attorneys.  The jury awarded damages June 9; the defendants have 30 days to decide whether to appeal.

The family of a diabetic drug counselor has filed a $10 million lawsuit against the city of New York over the man’s death from a lack of insulin being provided while he was held in custody. The lawsuit claims that Peter Fort, who was being held in Queens Central Booking in 2006 for trespassing, was denied the insulin he needed to treat his diabetes. According to the lawsuit, facility officers ignored the medical bracelet identifying Fort as a diabetic and delayed his transfer to the hospital once he became ill.

6/21/2010: New York Daily News

At Glaser Currie & Bullman, we have handled cases of negligent medical attention for those in custody.  We are ready to help with cases inolving injury or death caused by the bad conduct by prison staff.  In most circumstances, these cases are subject to a higher standard than most, but we know what to look for and how to maximize the amount the goverment must pay for wrongful behavior that results in injury or death.

A wrongful death lawsuit has been filed against a California apartment complex over the fatal shooting of a 19-year-old man almost two years ago. The lawsuit accuses the apartment of failing to protect its tenants and guests. The lawsuit stems from the shooting of Vallejo, Calif., resident Charles Chandler II in one of the common areas of the complex. The lawsuit accuses the apartment owners and the security company they employed, Black Talon Enterprises, of failing to put reasonable safety measures into place to prevent such incidents. No arrests have been made in the shooting.

6/7/2010: Contra Costa Times

Author: Lavana James

Our skulls have been specifically designed to protect one of the most important elements of our body, our brains,
but even with its extra hard, naturally protective sheath, a mild bump to the head can lead to disorientation, memory loss,
severe disability and even death.

Head trauma is commonplace

Head trauma is unfortunately commonplace in our society and can result accidentally, intentionally or as a by-product of a chosen profession like boxing, rugby or even cycling.

Serious damage to our cognitive processes can occur even when we do not suffer a blow to the head. A sudden and unexpected deceleration can cause whiplash, for example, and this is quite simply the delicate brain tissue bashing against the hard, serrated inner-skull.

Symptoms can last for years

What is so worrying about head trauma, be it a serious fracture or simply a light blow, is the fact that it can cause problems for months or even years after the event. Recent research indicates memory problems, cognitive dysfunctions and even Alzheimer’s disease can be a direct result of a mild head trauma experienced years before.

Apart from the obvious pain and suffering, the victim will have lost the opportunity of claiming justifiable damages in certain cases and will be left with a medical debt of considerable proportions if not adequately covered by personal injury insurance.

MRI scans are excellent diagnostic tools

Non-intrusive head injuries are also very difficult to diagnose as the damage is not visible to the naked eye. Fortunately, the advancement of technology has improved the diagnostic event and today MIR or Magnetic Resonance Imaging scans have eclipsed CT scans in efficacy.

The MRI’s are able to precisely pinpoint contusions, thereby detecting brain cell trauma – something the CT scans were never able to do. Secondary factors like lack of oxygen to the brain, brain swelling and any disturbance to the blood flow can be fatal and these issues are not easy to detect without neurological scans.

However, it is the more subtle type of head injury that is arguably more dangerous. Victims and witnesses may be less inclined to treat the trauma seriously but over 60% of mild head trauma patients continue to suffer from debilitating symptoms for up to 12 months after the incident.

Post-concussion syndrome

Known as the ‘post-concussion syndrome’, symptoms are very tricky to diagnose with patients complaining of headaches, cognitive confusion, behavioural changes, emotional outbursts and short-term memory loss. The patient is often totally bemused as to the cause of the symptoms and often doesn’t realise that they stem from the incident.

Head trauma accounts for 70% of accidental deaths

Between 2% and 5% of head trauma victims will develop epilepsy, regardless of the force of the injury, and over 70% of all accidental deaths result from head injuries. These frightening statistics may well encourage readers involved in recent head injury cases to approach personal injury attorneys in South Africa to obtain adequate compensation, especially considering the cost of a single MIR scan alone.

Article Source: Articlesbase.com

Author: Patricia Woloch

The long-term outcome of traumatic brain injury (TBI) is difficult (and sometimes impossible) to predict. While new breakthroughs are made every day, still, very little is actually known about the brain. Some patients make a rapid and full recovery, even from severe injuries, while others may experience permanent impairment from a minor concussion.

Symptoms can take months or even years to surface, and many people with TBI experience improvements followed by setbacks, making recovery a slow and frustrating process.

Overwhelming personality and behavioral changes can make TBI frightening and confusing for victims and their friends and family. More than anything, TBI victims need the understanding and support of loved ones.

Post Concussion Syndrome (PCS)

PCS is a combination of disorders from which TBI victims often suffer. Although recognized for over 100 years, PCS is still a controversial subject within the medical community, making support, treatment, and therapy difficult for many victims to obtain. Symptoms of PCS include:

• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
• Sensitivity to noise
• Sensitivity to light
• Vision problems
• Sleep disorders
• Fatigue
• Irritability
• Personality changes
• Apathy
• Depression
• Confusion
• Difficulty concentrating
• Impaired attention
• Memory problems
• Slowed mental processing
• Difficulty with abstract thinking

Alzheimer’s Disease

AD is a progressive, neurodegenerative disease characterized by dementia, memory loss, and deteriorating cognitive abilities. Recent research indicates an association between head injury in early adulthood and the development of Alzheimer’s later in life. The more severe the head injury, the greater the are the chances of developing AD later in life.

Parkinson’s Disease (and other motor problems)

Movement disorders as a result of TBI are rare but do occur. Parkinson’s may develop years after TBI as a result of damage to the basal ganglia. Symptoms of PD include tremor or trembling, rigidity or stiffness, slow movement, inability to move, shuffling walk and stooped posture.

Article Source: Articlesbase.com

An Edgewater, Florida woman has been awarded $10 million by a Volusia County jury in a lawsuit against EVAC Ambulance service over injuries to her son at the time of his birth. The jury found the ambulance company was negligent in transporting Margarita Chess, who gave premature birth to her son in the ambulance. The infant suffered injuries from a lack of oxygen to the brain and has been diagnosed with cerebral palsy. Local doctors and hospitals settled with Chess in 2009.

Read more: : Orlando Sentinel

There are few more terrifying prospects for an expectant parent than the possibility of injury to a newborn. Our firm works with families who have suffered as a result of the negligence of professionals during the delivery and medical care of infants. Call us today to discuss how our experienced lawyers can help.

A New Jersey appeals court has upheld a trial court judgment against defendants ordered to pay more than $30 million to the family of a 50-year-old advertising executive who died of mesothelioma-related illness. At trial, plaintiff’s counsel argued that Mark Buttitta was exposed to asbestos while working at a GM warehouse while in college and as a child from fibers carried home on his father’s clothing.  The award is believed to be the largest asbestos-exposure mesothelioma verdict in NJ history.

Read More:  Law.com

The company that manufactured an all-terrain-vehicle linked to the deaths of two Tennessee children in 2008 was negligent for failing to warn consumers of design flaws, a lawsuit filed by family members claims. According to the lawsuit, the Yamaha Rhino ATV is inherently unstable and prone to rollovers that could lead to fatal injuries. The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages.

Read more:  Memphis Commercial Appeal

At Glaser Currie & Bullman, we handle claims for people injured in motorcycle accidents.  As Atlanta accident injury attorneys, we also handle cases involving dangerous and defective products.  Call us or visit our website for more information about your claim and how we can help.

www.atlantaaccidentinjuryattorneys.com