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Injury Data Reveals Infrastructure Need for E-Scooter Riders in NY

The uptick in electric scooter riding in New York City has come with a slew of complications, including a rising number of scooter-related injuries. New York City leaders and scooter company officials alike are weighing their options for creating a safer transit environment for these e-scooters. One recent report suggests that the most promising option is to create more third-lane, or bike lane, options for electric scooters.

This report, compiled by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), found that most people who are injured in scooter accidents were riding on a sidewalk at the time of their accident. Their research suggests that scooter riders often do not feel safe enough to share the road with cars, so they opt for using sidewalks when bike lanes are not available. While this may keep scooter riders safe from colliding with vehicles, it puts pedestrians who use sidewalks at a greater risk.

The data show that three out of every five scooter riders who were injured sustained their injuries while riding on a sidewalk. Conversely, only one out of five of the injured riders was hurt while riding in a bike lane. About a quarter of riders who were injured were in a traffic lane with cars when they were injured. These injuries tend to be more serious compared to the bike lane or sidewalk injuries.

Electric scooter injuries can include broken bones, cuts and bruises, and even traumatic brain injuries. This is exacerbated by the fact that many people use electric scooters for fun, not for commuting to work. This means that numerous riders fail to wear helmets while operating the scooter. Some riders have died from their injuries, which necessitated a temporary pause on Revel scooters in the city this summer.

Designing a Safer City for E-Scooters

The IIHS report on scooter injuries reveals a gap in city infrastructure that, until addressed, will continue to cause scooter injuries and even deaths. More scooter riders are using sidewalks because they do not have adequate access to bike lanes, which in turn results in more accidents. This also puts pedestrians at a higher risk of being hit.

Scooter companies such as Link, Bird, and Lime all agree that adding third lanes to city infrastructure would be greatly beneficial to scooter riders. A spokesman for Lime said, “Adding street space for vulnerable road users like scooter riders, cyclists, and pedestrians at the expense of cars is the number one way to make streets safer for all users.”

Contact a New York Accident Attorney

If you were injured in a scooter accident, you may be entitled to compensation, even if you were partly at fault. The New York accident attorneys at Hach & Rose, LLP have the experience and determination it takes to win the full and fair compensation you deserve. Call our office today at [phone] to speak with an attorney.

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Bicycle Helmet Laws in New York

Riding a bicycle in the city is one of the best ways to get around. It’s free, it’s good exercise, and it gives you a close-up look at your surroundings. However, the lack of a protective barrier usually provided by a car necessitates some extra safety precautions.

In New York State, everyone under the age of 14 is required by law to wear a helmet while riding on a bicycle, even as a passenger. Children younger than one year of age are not allowed to ride as passengers on a bicycle. There are no explicit laws requiring adults to wear helmets while riding a bike in New York State, but some counties like Rockland and Erie counties have passed laws requiring anyone riding within the county to wear a helmet.

Even though there is no law specifically requiring adults to wear a helmet while bike riding, a helmet could be the difference between life and death in a serious accident. According to a report from CBS 2, helmets reduce the risk of serious injury in a bicycle accident by up to 85%. Likewise, a report from 2008 found that 91% of bike riders killed in accidents that year were not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. There is no state in America that requires adults over the age of 17 to wear a helmet while riding a bicycle, but it’s clearly important to wear one for public safety.  

According to the New York Police Department, 693 cyclists were injured in New York City in September 2020, and six cyclists died. Experts suggest that wearing a helmet could save your life in the event of a collision.

Still, children under the age of 14 are required by state law to wear a helmet any time they are riding on a bike. Parents could be fined up to $50 if their child is riding without one. Helmets can reduce the risk of sustaining a traumatic brain injury by 88% in the event of an accident.

Selecting a Bicycle Helmet

When shopping for a helmet, there are a few factors to take into consideration. The New York Health Department recommends looking for the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s (CPSC) sticker on the helmet. This ensures that the helmet meets safety standards. The helmet should sit on your head evenly and snugly, not tipping forward or backward. There should be about two finger widths distance between the front of the helmet and your eyebrows. Always keep the helmet buckled under your chin while riding.

Contact a New York Accident Attorney

If you were injured in a bicycle accident, you may be entitled to compensation, even if you were partly at fault. The New York accident attorneys at Hach & Rose, LLP can build your case and help you win maximum compensation for your injuries. Call our office today at [phone] to schedule your free consultation.

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TRY OR SETTLE? SHOULD PLAINTIFF SETTLE HER TRIP AND FALL CASE WHEN SHE HAS A FRACTURED LEG REQUIRING SURGERY?

Our injured client, a 61-year old female home attendant, tripped and fell, when an employee at the St. Barnabas Hospital Occupational Therapy Department unthinkingly placed a step stool directly behind our client’s feet, just as our client’s back was turned to help her own patient get ready for occupational therapy. Our client took one step back and tumbled right over the step stool. 

Due to the clear severity of our client’s injuries, she was immediately taken to St. Barnabas’s Emergency Room with excruciating pain in her left leg. In fact, she had suffered a fracture of the left femur, a broken thighbone. The thighbone is one of the strongest bones in the body, but the fall was so forceful and broke the bone so badly, the doctors at St. Barnabas told our client only surgery could repair it.  

The doctors however would not perform the surgery, because our client’s leg was severely swollen around the fracture site.  As a result, her fracture did not heal properly and she was left with pronounced shortening of her left leg. This in turn led to difficulty walking, standing, working and performing even the simple usual and customary daily activities of living, like shopping and cleaning. Later, our client was forced to have a total left knee replacement to alleviate the leg shortening. Despite the surgery, our client suffers from continuing pain, as well as limitation and restriction of motion in her leg. She was never able to return to work as a home health aide because of the injuries. 

We sued St. Barnabas Hospital on her behalf for damages, including past and future pain and suffering, lost earnings, and extensive medical bills. We argued that St. Barnabas as a matter of law was responsible for the acts of its employee and the employee was negligent and created a trap when he placed the step stool directly behind our client without giving her any warning or notice whatsoever. She never had a chance. 

Prior to the trial, the lawyers for the defendant St. Barnabas Hospital offered plaintiff $50,000 to settle the case. This would never compensate her for her losses, and she rejected the offer, deciding instead to place her trust in us and the jury system.

Michael Glynn, Esq., of our office, who has many years extensive experience trying personal injury cases, tried the case in the Supreme Court Bronx County before a judge and jury. Our client testified. The testimony of the defendant was read into evidence. The witnesses testified. Mr Glynn also called our client’s treating doctor, Dr. Louis Rose, to testify.

Dr. Rose testified that the fractured femur, the left leg shortening, and the subsequent total left knee replacement were all caused by the trauma suffered by our client as a result of the accident. Dr. Rose explained that these injuries were permanent, that our client would have significant pain for the rest of her life, and that she could never return to work as a home health aide. 

The defendant’s medical expert agreed with Dr. Rose that plaintiff sustained a fractured femur that needed surgery to repair. He agreed with Dr. Rose that the plaintiff sustained a left leg shortening because the St. Barnabas doctors never did the necessary surgery. However, he disagreed that the total knee replacement was related to the accident; he said, the plaintiff was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis before the accident and it was this condition that necessitated the knee replacement. The jury disagreed with St. Barnabas and agreed with the plaintiff. 

The jury deliberated for over four hours and found the defendant St. Barnabas Hospital 100% responsible for the accident. The jury understood the extent of plaintiff’s pain, suffering and limitations and compensated her with $2.4 million in damages.  

While our client will never be whole again and will always suffer from the effects of the fall caused by St. Barnabas, a Bronx jury vindicated our client. She made the right decision going to trial.

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Another Romaine Lettuce E coli Outbreak?

Another Romaine lettuce E coli outbreak?  Tanimura & Antle Romaine Lettuce has been linked to two cases of E. coli O157:H7 in Michigan.  A routine sample of the lettuce collected at a Walmart in Comstock Park, MI, and tested by MDARD’s Laboratory Division confirmed positive for E. coli 0157:H7. Further analysis conducted by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services laboratory determined that the strain of E. coli recovered from the product sample is highly related genetically to E. coli causing two recent illnesses in Michigan.

 The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is advising consumers not to eat Tanimura & Antle brand romaine lettuce packed as single heads due to food safety concerns.

 The lettuce was sold in a zip-top clear plastic bag with a blue label and white lettering. It has the UPC number 0-27918-20314-9 and a white sticker indicating it was packed in Salinas, California on October 15, 2020.

 Consumers should discard this product or return it to the place of purchase. If you think you or a family member have become ill from consuming any of these products, please seek immediate medical attention.

Another Romaine Lettuce E coli Outbreak?

 On October 28, 2020, CDC and FDA reported two mysterious outbreaks, whose source was unknown.  Both E coli outbreaks affected people in Michigan, as well as multiple other states.  Could Tanimura & Antle Romaine lettuce be the source of one of these E coli outbreaks?

 Could the Mystery Outbreaks Be Another Romaine Lettuce E coli Outbreak?

CDC and FDA reported that they were investigating two E coli outbreaks in October.  At that time, the source of these outbreaks was unknown.  Could one or both E coli outbreaks be linked to Romaine lettuce?  It would not be the first time that Romaine lettuce caused an E coli outbreak.

Outbreak #1

 21 people in 8 states are ill

8 people have been hospitalized

1 person (from Michigan) has died.

Illness onset dates range from June 6, 2020 to October 5, 2020

The patient age range is from 2 to 75 years

Of 16 people who gave information to investigators, eight were hospitalized

One person developed HUS

Investigators have identified and illness cluster at a restaurant that was not named

The patient case count by state is: California (7), Florida (1), Illinois (1), Michigan (2), New Jersey (1), Ohio (7), Utah (1), and Wisconsin (1).

Outbreak #2

23 people in 12 states

10 people have been hospitalized

Of 15 people who gave information to investigators, 10 were hospitalized, including two who developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure.

A specific food item hasn’t yet been identified as the culprit, but of 13 people interviewed, all ate various types of leafy greens, including iceberg lettuce (9), romaine (8), mixed bag lettuce (6) and spinach (9) before getting sick

Illness onset dates range from August 17, 2020 to October 8, 2020

The patient age range is from 5 to 81 years

This outbreak is caused by the same strain of bacteria that contaminated romaine lettuce and sickened 167 people in 27 states in 2019. While this information is significant, it doesn’t mean that this outbreak was caused by leafy greens.

The patient case count by state in this outbreak is: California (2), Illinois (1), Kansas (4), Michigan (2), Missouri (2), North Dakota (4), Ohio (1), Pennsylvania (2), Tennessee (1), Utah (1), Washington (1), and Wisconsin (2).

 What is Ecoli?

Ecoli (Escherichia coli) is a bacteria that lives in all animals, including humans. Most types of Ecoli are safe to humans, and even our intestines use Ecoli to break down food. The difference is some of E. coli strains are pathogenic. These are the types that cause unpleasant and sometimes serious illnesses.

Signs and Symptoms

Like most other foodborne symptoms, Ecoli is hard to diagnose. This is not due to the ability for hospitals to test to see what has made you ill, it is because the signs are mostly all the same. Do any of these symptoms look familiar?

Diarrhea

Cramping

Nausea

Vomiting

Fever

Fatigue

The majority of people infected with E. coli will exhibit symptoms of diarrhea and abdominal cramps within 2 to 8 days after ingestion of the bacteria.

Urgent medical attention is highly recommended if you or someone you love has the above symptoms. Early medical attention can help reduce the risk of more severe illness and potential long-term complications.

In extreme instances, pay special attention to these indicators that something is severely wrong:

Blood in the urine

Dehydration

Bruising

Pale skin

In some circumstances a more serious illness may develop, such as hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS).  HUS is a type of kidney failure that develops as a result of E. coli infection.

How Then Does Ecoli Get on My Salad?

Lettuce, like many other crops, is grown in the ground. If the seeds have been watered with contaminated water or fertilized with contaminated manure, the plant grows with the bacteria. The bacteria live and grow in the root system, in the leaves, and in the plant itself.

Scientists are still working out the details of this micro-phenomenon. In a New York Times article I read, published back in 2011, it was represented that “[s]cientists in the United States and Europe are working to identify the risky junctures in the supply chain, noting recently, for example, that bacterial counts in refrigerated greens may rise before the leaves look tainted and that E. coli may be integrated into the fiber of some vegetables, making washing them ineffective against E. coli.”

The Concerns for Children and Other High Risk Individuals with Ecoli Infections

Ecoli infections can affect anyone, regardless of age, health status, or geographic location. Those who are high risk usually have more severe infections. Of those in the highest risk group, children are among those who are most at risk to develop Ecoli infections with severe symptoms and complications.

Where Does Ecoli Come From?

Ecoli come from animals. Most E. coli are harmless and are actually an important part of a healthy human intestinal tract. However, some E. coli can cause diarrhea, urinary tract infections, respiratory illness, bloodstream infections, and other illnesses. The types of E. coli that can cause illness can be transmitted through contaminated water or food, or through contact with animals or people.

As for STEC Ecoli, according to the CDC, “STEC live in the guts of ruminant animals, including cattle, goats, sheep, deer, and elk. The major source for human illnesses is cattle. STEC that cause human illness generally do not make animals sick. Other kinds of animals, including pigs and birds, sometimes pick up STEC from the environment and may spread it.”

How The Lange Law Firm Can Help

Our mission is to help families who have been harmed by contaminated food or water.  When corporations cause Ecoli food poisoning outbreaks, we use the law to hold them accountable.  The Lange Law Firm is one of the only law firms in the nation focused on representing families in food poisoning lawsuits.

If you got sick in a Romaine lettuce E coli outbreak and are interested in making a legal claim for compensation, we can help. We want you to know that an E coli Lawyer at the Lange Law Firm, PLLC is currently investigating this matter and offering free legal consultations.

Our lawyer, Jory Lange became a lawyer to help make our communities and families safer. Anyone who was infected with E coli s may be entitled to compensation for their injuries.  To learn more about the this potential Leafy Greens Ecoli Outbreak or making an E coli food poisoning claim, please contact the Lange Law Firm, PLLC by phone or contact us online.

The post Another Romaine Lettuce E coli Outbreak? appeared first on The Lange Law Firm.

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Another Romaine Lettuce E coli Outbreak?

Another Romaine lettuce E coli outbreak?  Tanimura & Antle Romaine Lettuce has been linked to two cases of E. coli O157:H7 in Michigan.  A routine sample of the lettuce collected at a Walmart in Comstock Park, MI, and tested by MDARD’s Laboratory Division confirmed positive for E. coli 0157:H7. Further analysis conducted by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services laboratory determined that the strain of E. coli recovered from the product sample is highly related genetically to E. coli causing two recent illnesses in Michigan.

 The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is advising consumers not to eat Tanimura & Antle brand romaine lettuce packed as single heads due to food safety concerns.

 The lettuce was sold in a zip-top clear plastic bag with a blue label and white lettering. It has the UPC number 0-27918-20314-9 and a white sticker indicating it was packed in Salinas, California on October 15, 2020.

 Consumers should discard this product or return it to the place of purchase. If you think you or a family member have become ill from consuming any of these products, please seek immediate medical attention.

Another Romaine Lettuce E coli Outbreak?

 On October 28, 2020, CDC and FDA reported two mysterious outbreaks, whose source was unknown.  Both E coli outbreaks affected people in Michigan, as well as multiple other states.  Could Tanimura & Antle Romaine lettuce be the source of one of these E coli outbreaks?

 Could the Mystery Outbreaks Be Another Romaine Lettuce E coli Outbreak?

CDC and FDA reported that they were investigating two E coli outbreaks in October.  At that time, the source of these outbreaks was unknown.  Could one or both E coli outbreaks be linked to Romaine lettuce?  It would not be the first time that Romaine lettuce caused an E coli outbreak.

Outbreak #1

 21 people in 8 states are ill

8 people have been hospitalized

1 person (from Michigan) has died.

Illness onset dates range from June 6, 2020 to October 5, 2020

The patient age range is from 2 to 75 years

Of 16 people who gave information to investigators, eight were hospitalized

One person developed HUS

Investigators have identified and illness cluster at a restaurant that was not named

The patient case count by state is: California (7), Florida (1), Illinois (1), Michigan (2), New Jersey (1), Ohio (7), Utah (1), and Wisconsin (1).

Outbreak #2

23 people in 12 states

10 people have been hospitalized

Of 15 people who gave information to investigators, 10 were hospitalized, including two who developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure.

A specific food item hasn’t yet been identified as the culprit, but of 13 people interviewed, all ate various types of leafy greens, including iceberg lettuce (9), romaine (8), mixed bag lettuce (6) and spinach (9) before getting sick

Illness onset dates range from August 17, 2020 to October 8, 2020

The patient age range is from 5 to 81 years

This outbreak is caused by the same strain of bacteria that contaminated romaine lettuce and sickened 167 people in 27 states in 2019. While this information is significant, it doesn’t mean that this outbreak was caused by leafy greens.

The patient case count by state in this outbreak is: California (2), Illinois (1), Kansas (4), Michigan (2), Missouri (2), North Dakota (4), Ohio (1), Pennsylvania (2), Tennessee (1), Utah (1), Washington (1), and Wisconsin (2).

 What is Ecoli?

Ecoli (Escherichia coli) is a bacteria that lives in all animals, including humans. Most types of Ecoli are safe to humans, and even our intestines use Ecoli to break down food. The difference is some of E. coli strains are pathogenic. These are the types that cause unpleasant and sometimes serious illnesses.

Signs and Symptoms

Like most other foodborne symptoms, Ecoli is hard to diagnose. This is not due to the ability for hospitals to test to see what has made you ill, it is because the signs are mostly all the same. Do any of these symptoms look familiar?

Diarrhea

Cramping

Nausea

Vomiting

Fever

Fatigue

The majority of people infected with E. coli will exhibit symptoms of diarrhea and abdominal cramps within 2 to 8 days after ingestion of the bacteria.

Urgent medical attention is highly recommended if you or someone you love has the above symptoms. Early medical attention can help reduce the risk of more severe illness and potential long-term complications.

In extreme instances, pay special attention to these indicators that something is severely wrong:

Blood in the urine

Dehydration

Bruising

Pale skin

In some circumstances a more serious illness may develop, such as hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS).  HUS is a type of kidney failure that develops as a result of E. coli infection.

How Then Does Ecoli Get on My Salad?

Lettuce, like many other crops, is grown in the ground. If the seeds have been watered with contaminated water or fertilized with contaminated manure, the plant grows with the bacteria. The bacteria live and grow in the root system, in the leaves, and in the plant itself.

Scientists are still working out the details of this micro-phenomenon. In a New York Times article I read, published back in 2011, it was represented that “[s]cientists in the United States and Europe are working to identify the risky junctures in the supply chain, noting recently, for example, that bacterial counts in refrigerated greens may rise before the leaves look tainted and that E. coli may be integrated into the fiber of some vegetables, making washing them ineffective against E. coli.”

The Concerns for Children and Other High Risk Individuals with Ecoli Infections

Ecoli infections can affect anyone, regardless of age, health status, or geographic location. Those who are high risk usually have more severe infections. Of those in the highest risk group, children are among those who are most at risk to develop Ecoli infections with severe symptoms and complications.

Where Does Ecoli Come From?

Ecoli come from animals. Most E. coli are harmless and are actually an important part of a healthy human intestinal tract. However, some E. coli can cause diarrhea, urinary tract infections, respiratory illness, bloodstream infections, and other illnesses. The types of E. coli that can cause illness can be transmitted through contaminated water or food, or through contact with animals or people.

As for STEC Ecoli, according to the CDC, “STEC live in the guts of ruminant animals, including cattle, goats, sheep, deer, and elk. The major source for human illnesses is cattle. STEC that cause human illness generally do not make animals sick. Other kinds of animals, including pigs and birds, sometimes pick up STEC from the environment and may spread it.”

How The Lange Law Firm Can Help

Our mission is to help families who have been harmed by contaminated food or water.  When corporations cause Ecoli food poisoning outbreaks, we use the law to hold them accountable.  The Lange Law Firm is one of the only law firms in the nation focused on representing families in food poisoning lawsuits.

If you got sick in a Romaine lettuce E coli outbreak and are interested in making a legal claim for compensation, we can help. We want you to know that an E coli Lawyer at the Lange Law Firm, PLLC is currently investigating this matter and offering free legal consultations.

Our lawyer, Jory Lange became a lawyer to help make our communities and families safer. Anyone who was infected with E coli s may be entitled to compensation for their injuries.  To learn more about the this potential Leafy Greens Ecoli Outbreak or making an E coli food poisoning claim, please contact the Lange Law Firm, PLLC by phone or contact us online.

The post Another Romaine Lettuce E coli Outbreak? appeared first on The Lange Law Firm.

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Court Rules That Workers’ Compensation Principles Should Be Applied to At-Home Workers

In a recent decision from New York State’s Third Department of their Appellate Division, workers’ compensation claims from employees working from home must be decided using the long-standing definitions of what constitutes a “short break” or what is “work-related” or personal. The decision came from the recent case, In the Matter of the Claim of Christopher Capraro, Appellant, versus Matrix Absence Management et al., Respondents. Workers’ Compensation Board, Respondent.

In 2016, the claimant, Christopher Capraro, ordered office furniture to use in a home office for his new job. His employer informed Capraro that the company would not reimburse him for the furniture as they had already provided him with the necessary computer equipment for the role. When the unassembled furniture was delivered in boxes on June 13, 2016, Capraro attempted to haul them into his home. In the process, he injured himself. In 2017, Capraro filed for workers’ compensation benefits, claiming the injury sustained in carrying the boxes of furniture caused him to stop working.

The Workers’ Compensation Law Judge assigned to his claim denied it, finding that his injuries did not arise from a sufficiently work-related activity. Capraro appealed the decision to a panel of the Workers’ Compensation Board, which upheld the Law Judge’s decision, despite one board member’s dissent.

Capraro then appealed to the full Workers’ Compensation Board, which upheld the previous decision. Capraro appealed a third time to the New York Appellate Division, Third Department. In a ruling published by the Appellate Division on Oct. 22, 2020, the appeals division determined that the previous denials for workers’ compensation benefits were based on a new, overly strict set of standards.

Home Residence as a Place of Employment

According to the appeals division’s statement, “a ‘regular pattern of work at home’ renders the employee’s residence ‘a place of employment’ as much as any traditional workplace maintained by the employer.” Therefore, Capraro was injured during his regular work shift at his workplace and should be considered for workers’ compensation based on the traditional set of standards.

As a result, the appeals court remitted the decision back to the Workers’ Compensation Board to assess Capraro’s claim using the long-established standard. In remitting the decision back to the Workers’ Compensation Board, the appeals court recommended that the Board accept that a “short break or some similar ‘momentary deviation from the work routine for a customary and accepted purpose’ does not constitute an interruption in employment sufficient to bar a claim for benefits.” Therefore, Capraro did not sufficiently interrupt his work time when moving the boxes.

Contact a New York Workers’ Compensation Attorney

If you were injured while working from home, you may be wondering whether you are eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. Our attorneys can help you develop a compelling case and secure the maximum compensation you deserve. Call the New York City workers’ compensation attorneys at Hach & Rose, LLP to see how much your case might be worth. Our number is [phone].

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2 Mystery Ecoli Outbreaks – Leafy Greens Ecoli Outbreak Again?

The CDC and FDA have announced two mysterious outbreaks this week. At this time, no particular food item(s) have been identified and no recalls have been announced. Could this mean another Leafy Greens Ecoli Outbreak?

Outbreaks Abound – What We Know

Outbreak #1

 21 people in 8 states are ill

8 people have been hospitalized

1 person (from Michigan) has died.

Illness onset dates range from June 6, 2020 to October 5, 2020

The patient age range is from 2 to 75 years

Of 16 people who gave information to investigators, eight were hospitalized

One person developed HUS

Investigators have identified and illness cluster at a restaurant that was not named

The patient case count by state is: California (7), Florida (1), Illinois (1), Michigan (2), New Jersey (1), Ohio (7), Utah (1), and Wisconsin (1).

Outbreak #2

23 people in 12 states

10 people have been hospitalized

Of 15 people who gave information to investigators, 10 were hospitalized, including two who developed hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a type of kidney failure.

A specific food item hasn’t yet been identified as the culprit, but of 13 people interviewed, all ate various types of leafy greens, including iceberg lettuce (9), romaine (8), mixed bag lettuce (6) and spinach (9) before getting sick

Illness onset dates range from August 17, 2020 to October 8, 2020

The patient age range is from 5 to 81 years

This outbreak is caused by the same strain of bacteria that contaminated romaine lettuce and sickened 167 people in 27 states in 2019. While this information is significant, it doesn’t mean that this outbreak was caused by leafy greens.

The patient case count by state in this outbreak is: California (2), Illinois (1), Kansas (4), Michigan (2), Missouri (2), North Dakota (4), Ohio (1), Pennsylvania (2), Tennessee (1), Utah (1), Washington (1), and Wisconsin (2).

Additional illnesses might not yet be reported due to the time it takes between when a person becomes ill and when the illness is reported. This takes an average of 2 to 4 weeks. The investigations into the sources for these two outbreaks are ongoing. The two outbreaks have different strains of Ecoli O157.

What is Ecoli?

Ecoli (Escherichia coli) is a bacteria that lives in all animals, including humans. Most types of Ecoli are safe to humans, and even our intestines use Ecoli to break down food. The difference is some of E. coli strains are pathogenic. These are the types that cause unpleasant and sometimes serious illnesses.

Signs and Symptoms

Like most other foodborne symptoms, Ecoli is hard to diagnose. This is not due to the ability for hospitals to test to see what has made you ill, it is because the signs are mostly all the same. Do any of these symptoms look familiar?

Diarrhea

Cramping

Nausea

Vomiting

Fever

Fatigue

The majority of people infected with E. coli will exhibit symptoms of diarrhea and abdominal cramps within 2 to 8 days after ingestion of the bacteria.

Urgent medical attention is highly recommended if you or someone you love has the above symptoms. Early medical attention can help reduce the risk of more severe illness and potential long-term complications.

In extreme instances, pay special attention to these indicators that something is severely wrong:

Blood in the urine

Dehydration

Bruising

Pale skin

In some circumstances a more serious illness may develop, such as hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS).  HUS is a type of kidney failure that develops as a result of E. coli infection.

How Then Does Ecoli Get on My Salad?

Lettuce, like many other crops, is grown in the ground. If the seeds have been watered with contaminated water or fertilized with contaminated manure, the plant grows with the bacteria. The bacteria live and grow in the root system, in the leaves, and in the plant itself.

Scientists are still working out the details of this micro-phenomenon. In a New York Times article I read, published back in 2011, it was represented that “[s]cientists in the United States and Europe are working to identify the risky junctures in the supply chain, noting recently, for example, that bacterial counts in refrigerated greens may rise before the leaves look tainted and that E. coli may be integrated into the fiber of some vegetables, making washing them ineffective against E. coli.”

The Concerns for Children and Other High Risk Individuals with Ecoli Infections

Ecoli infections can affect anyone, regardless of age, health status, or geographic location. Those who are high risk usually have more severe infections. Of those in the highest risk group, children are among those who are most at risk to develop Ecoli infections with severe symptoms and complications.

Where Does Ecoli Come From?

Ecoli come from animals. Most E. coli are harmless and are actually an important part of a healthy human intestinal tract. However, some E. coli can cause diarrhea, urinary tract infections, respiratory illness, bloodstream infections, and other illnesses. The types of E. coli that can cause illness can be transmitted through contaminated water or food, or through contact with animals or people.

As for STEC Ecoli, according to the CDC, “STEC live in the guts of ruminant animals, including cattle, goats, sheep, deer, and elk. The major source for human illnesses is cattle. STEC that cause human illness generally do not make animals sick. Other kinds of animals, including pigs and birds, sometimes pick up STEC from the environment and may spread it.”

How The Lange Law Firm Can Help

Our mission is to help families who have been harmed by contaminated food or water.  When corporations cause Ecoli food poisoning outbreaks, we use the law to hold them accountable.  The Lange Law Firm is one of the only law firms in the nation focused on representing families in food poisoning lawsuits.

If you got sick from eating ground beef contaminated with Ecoli and are interested in making a legal claim for compensation, we can help. We want you to know that an E coli Lawyer at the Lange Law Firm, PLLC is currently investigating this matter and offering free legal consultations.

Our lawyer, Jory Lange became a lawyer to help make our communities and families safer. Anyone who was infected with E coli s may be entitled to compensation for their injuries.  To learn more about the this potential Leafy Greens Ecoli Outbreak or making an E coli food poisoning claim, please contact the Lange Law Firm, PLLC by phone or contact us online.

By: Candess Zona-Mendola

The post 2 Mystery Ecoli Outbreaks – Leafy Greens Ecoli Outbreak Again? appeared first on The Lange Law Firm.

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Temporary FDA Guidelines for Food Allergens

In response to supply chain shortages amid the COVID-19 pandemic, in late May the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released, without warning, new temporary guidance that allows manufacturers facing those supply chain shortages to substitute ingredients without changing food labels.  For those with food allergies, this is a very scary thing! Without further ado – FDA Guidelines for Food Allergens:

Limits to Regulation Are Not Sufficient to Calm Concern

There are limits to the substitutions that manufacturers are allowed to make.  Under this emergency order, manufactures are not allowed to substitute for known allergens without changing the label.  Some ingredients are known to cause “adverse health effect, including food allergens, gluten, sulfites, or other ingredients known to cause sensitivities.

Certain substitutions are not allowed, such as:

milk

eggs

fish

shellfish

peanuts

tree nuts

wheat

soy

sesame

celery

lupin

buckwheat

molluscan shellfish

mustards

These ingredients are still required to be listed on the ingredient labels.  However, there are plenty of other allergens – albeit less common, that do not make the list.  Ingredients such as parsley and cilantro can often be included under “spices.”  Those with these allergies or sensitivities must always follow up with a phone call with the manufacturer.

My allergy did not make the list either.  Personally, I am allergic to coconut oil.  You would not believe the number of products that contain coconut oil.  It is found as an emulsifying agent in many products and snuck into breakfast bars and peanut products.  If coconut oil was used instead of palm oil in a food product, I would be very confused as to why my favorite snack might be giving me ulcers in my mouth.  Particularly if I have been consuming the same product and brand for years.  That could very well be the case under this temporary guidance.

I am lucky that my allergy only results in acute oral reaction.  For some with a more life-threatening anaphylactic reaction, the outcome could be more fatal.

FDA Claims it is for the Greater Good

FDA spokesperson Peter Cassell would not address specific food-allergic consumer concerns, only stating that the new guidelines were developed in conjunction with other federal agencies and is only one of several temporary measures put into place to respond to the challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic.

He includes that manufacturers are still required to make ingredient substitutions public.  But would I, as a consumer, think to look for this information.  If I were not writing this post and you were not reading it, would you have known this was taking place?  I think not!

The FDA claims this new guidance, or lax of guidance is for the greater good.  “It’s a temporary guidance in order to make sure that the supply chains throughout the country are able to provide safe and ample food for America,” says Cassell.

Generally, policies like this have a public comment period before etched in stone.  Due to the temporary nature of the guidance, this public comment period did not take place.  I suppose it is only etched in wood after all.  According to Cassell, the FDA is now accepting comments on the guidelines, though they will remain in place until the end of the declared public health emergency.  At that point the FDA will make a decision to continue to the policy or axe it based on public comments and industry needs.  Considering “the new normal” is probably going to be put in the dictionary, as an affected party I have grave concerns.

Why is This a Problem?

Why is this product substitution a big deal, if the big ones don’t apply to the revised guidelines?  I know that I am not the only one with a dog in this fight.  With 170 known food allergens in the United States, and concerns about even cross-contact among ingredients, I am not alone in my worries.

Say you are allergic to cashews.  That is clearly on the list of “Not Allowed to Substitute.”  But the manufacturer is unable to get the peppercorn it has been using in the recipe, so they substitute for another type of peppercorn.  Peppercorn isn’t on the list.  They don’t have to change the label.  Some peppercorns, such as the pink peppercorn is related to the cashew.  Those with a cashew or tree nut allergy may have an anaphylactic response to consuming this substituted peppercorn.

What about an allergy to sunflower seeds or oil?  The FDA considers highly refined oils such as sunflower oil safe for people with food allergies, however some people are extremely sensitive.  Those people choose not to risk their health and avoid sunflower oil.  After all, there are so many others out there.  But what if the supplier of canola oil in the brownie product you buy opts to use sunflower for a short run instead.  The flavor won’t change.  And under the temporary guidelines, no label change would be necessary.  The potentially allergic consumer would not know until it was too late.

A Sticker is Suggested but Not Required

While the FDA guidelines do not require new ingredient labels, they do suggest companies put an informational sticker on products that are made with substitute ingredients.  But this is not a requirement.  I am not alone in thinking that even this suggestion to appease the public is not good enough.

Sharon Wong, food allergy advocate, recipe blogger, and experienced mother of food-allergic children with two sons that have 30 food allergies between them agrees.  She explains that while many Americans have the time to cook from scratch, this isn’t the case for everyone.  Contacting manufactures requires resources and time that some families just don’t have.

“If it’s not on the label, it’s an equity issue,” she said.  “Not everybody has access to the internet.  Not everyone can call during business hours.  Some people have language issues.” How are those people protected?

What Can I Do to Help?

This is a very scary time to live in.  Not just with these FDA Guidelines for Food Allergens. We have enough everyday stressors.  Now with the pandemic threat that has altered most of our lives in some way or another, food-allergic individuals now have another worry.

You may be asking, what can I do to help.  Spread the word.  Share this post.  Tell everyone you know to tell everyone they know.  It might be a minor annoyance with a sore in my mouth for me, but for someone with an anaphylactic reaction it could be the end.

By: Heather Van Tassell

The post Temporary FDA Guidelines for Food Allergens appeared first on The Lange Law Firm.

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Juice Bar Salmonella Outbreak

Who doesn’t enjoy a good juice bar?! I certainly enjoy a delicious smoothie from time to time.  Unfortunately, even fresh fruits and vegetable can become contaminated with Salmonella. Currently, officials are investigating a juice bar salmonella outbreak, that has left two people hospitalized in Woodbury, MN. Approximately 700-1000 Salmonella infections are reported each year in Minnesota.

Anyone can become sick with a Salmonella infection. Contaminated food does not usually show signs of contamination. It appears totally normal and does not look, smell, or taste spoiled. According to the CDC infants, children, seniors, and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of serious illness because their immune systems are fragile.

Officials are investigating an outbreak of Salmonella Paratyphi B linked to the NéktƏr Juice Bar in Woodbury, MN. At least 9 people have been affected by the outbreak, 2 of which ended up in the hospital. However, most people infected with Salmonella do not seek medical care, leading health officials to believe that additional people are likely infected. Fortunately, all of the people currently known to be infected, are on the mend and haven’t experienced any serious complications.

According to the Minnesota Department of Health, “The investigation to date has found that the cases consumed a variety of menu items — juices, smoothies, or bowls — from NéktƏr Juice Bar in Woodbury from mid-August to Sept. 20. It is possible that infections in people who became ill after visiting the establishment more recently have not yet been detected.” The investigators continue to interview patients in an attempt to identify a specific food or drink responsible for the contamination.

Fresh squeezed juices and smoothies made with fresh ingredients are great sources of vitamins, minerals and living enzymes. Not only are they delicious, consuming them can provide our bodies with a great variety of the  daily nutrients we need. They’re great as a quick breakfast, snack, or post workout re-fuel. My son and I often enjoy chocolate peanut butter protein smoothies for breakfast.

NéktƏr Juice Bar is a California based company that was founded in 2010. There are currently 100 stores operating throughout the U.S. According to their website, they’ve received multiple recognitions for offering fresh, clean, and nutrient-rich juices, smoothies, acai bowls, and healthy snacks. Don’t fret, you can feel still feel safe ordering your favorite smoothie. Authorities reported that the Woodbury juice bar has cleaned, and sanitized its location and restocked ingredients.

Most people infected with Salmonella, such as those effected by the juice bar Salmonella outbreak, develop symptoms within 8 to 72 hours, and recover within a few days without specific medical treatment. Possible signs and symptoms include:

Nausea

Vomiting

Abdominal cramps

Diarrhea

Fever

Chills

Headache

Blood in the stool

Symptoms usually last up to seven days. However, the diarrhea may last up to 10 days, and it may take several months for the bowels to return to normal. A few varieties of Salmonella bacteria can result in Typhoid Fever, a disease that can sometimes be deadly. Fortunately, however, Typhoid Fever is more common in developing countries.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that each year in the U.S., there are about 1.35 million cases of salmonellosis, with 26,500 hospitalizations and 420 deaths. Contaminated food is the source for most of these cases. Salmonellosis is the second leading cause of foodborne illness in the U.S., after norovirus. Most people who become infected with Salmonella, contract the bacteria from eating raw or undercooked meat, poultry, or eggs, raw or unpasteurized milk and other dairy products, or raw fruits and vegetables that have been contaminated. People can also become infected by handling contaminated food and then accidentally transferring the bacteria from their hands to their mouth. If the bacteria get on to their hands or clothes, people can easily spread it to other people, objects, and surfaces.

Our pets are family, unfortunately, we can also contract Salmonella bacteria from them. Pet food is sometimes the source of Salmonella infection. If people handle contaminated pet food or a contaminated utensil and then touch their mouth, they can accidentally ingest the bacteria. Pet food that contains raw or uncooked meat is more likely than processed pet food to test positive for Salmonella. Many animals, especially cattle, chickens, rodents, reptiles, and amphibians, can naturally carry Salmonella in their intestines and show no signs of illness. People can get salmonellosis from handling these animals. Salmonella can also get on the inside and outside of cages, aquariums and terrariums. Feeder rodents fed to some pet reptiles and amphibians can be a source of the bacteria. Direct contact with feeder rodents or contaminated items in animal habitats can spread Salmonella to people.

Don’t worry, it’s fairly easy to avoid contracting Salmonella bacteria. If you want to prevent yourself or others from being exposed to Salmonella, like in the juice bar salmonella outbreak you need only to take proper precautions. Wash your hands after handling raw meat or eggs. Cook meat and eggs thoroughly before consuming. Properly clean the food prep area after preparing raw meat or eggs. Avoid cross contamination by keeping raw meat and eggs separate from other food in the refrigerator. Make sure that all food is stored at appropriate temperatures. Thoroughly wash all fruits and vegetables before eating them, whether or not you intend to cook them. Follow food recalls in order to avoid recalled food products, and check your favorite restaurants to be sure that they are following proper sanitizing, food handling, and food storage guidelines.

By: Michelle Galadik

The post Juice Bar Salmonella Outbreak appeared first on The Lange Law Firm.

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Happy COVID Halloween

It’s almost Halloween! In a normal year, we all know what sort of celebrations this would entail. Unfortunately, this year is not normal. It’s COVID Halloween. There’s an ongoing public health crisis. Uncontrolled community spread of the novel coronavirus is ongoing. As of this writing, cases are up, and deaths, previously wrestled down from peak levels, have climbed back up above the thousand a day mark.

So, given the facts, what can we get away with? What sort of things should you be doing, according to public health experts, and what sort of things are best avoided?

Location, location, location

This article will contain general recommendations. What’s safe to do, however, depends on how many cases of COVID are in your area. Different localities will have different restrictions. No blog article, no matter how informative or well-written, should replace the guidance of local health experts or officials. First and foremost, look to them. Listen to your local health department and medical professionals, and follow whatever guidance has been put in place to keep you safe.

Few are the places in late October of 2020, unfortunately that have entirely rid themselves of the coronavirus. Even where cases are low, the possibility remains that they could jump up again. People are free to travel from viral hotspots to locales that have fared better. Halloween falls on a Saturday this year, raising the spectre of quarantine-frustrated and socially deprived revelers throwing caution to the wind.

All of this is to say that our hard-won progress against the novel coronavirus could be undone by imprudent behavior. It’s tempting to think that we can return to February, but reality is a stubborn thing, and it’s better that we meet it on its own terms. So: what activities are COVID-safe going into Halloween, and which ones aren’t?

Different activities, different levels of risk

There are lower-risk activities that you can participate in without having to worry about transmission. The CDC recommends activities with the people that you live with, such as pumpkin carving or a Halloween movie night; socially-distanced activities outside at a safe distance, like pumpkin carving, that don’t involve incidental close contact. The unifying theme here is that you’re doing stuff with people in your household or bubble and keeping contact with those outside at the level of the virtual, the distanced, and the outdoors.

Some activities which you might think safe are actually listed as medium risk by the CDC. These include one-way trick or treating, where bags are set out beforehand for trick-or-treaters to pick up without having to interact directly with another person. Parades are considered medium risk, even if appropriately distanced and without too many participants. So are visits to pumpkin patches, orchards, haunted forests, and other COVID-proofed outdoor activities.

Whatever you do, you’ll want to avoid activities which the CDC has seen fit to classify as high risk. These include conventional trick or treating, as well as trunk-or-treating, where people hand out candy from cars. Indoor costume parties are, obviously, a no-go. That applies even moreso if they’re conducted without masks, ventilation, or limits on attendance.

Remember that there are cheap, effective ways of limiting transmission: masks, handwashing, and social distancing. These methods cost little, are available to everyone, and can cut your risk of exposure by a significant amount. Whatever you’re doing on Halloween, you should remember to stick to these as first principles.

If you’re infected with COVID-19, or if you’re at risk for contracting COVID-19, the best course of action is to stay home. Masking up, maintaining distance, and avoiding poorly-ventilated indoor areas serve to reduce the risk of transmission. They don’t eliminate it.

How does it spread?

We know that the SARS CoV-2 virus can be spread through droplets that are expelled when we breathe, talk, sneeze, or cough. Wearing a mask will corral many of these droplets so that they can’t fly very far from your mouth. It’s not a perfect solution: the effectiveness of masks hinges on the material they’re made from and how well they’re used, amongst other things. What we know is that they’re cheap, widely available, and proven to reduce risk of transmission.

We now also know that the virus which causes COVID-19 can also float through the air on aerosols. It’s not bound by transport via droplets that are big enough to see: it can move on tiny drops that are light enough to be borne this way and that by air currents. Because the virus can spread on aerosols, the risk profile of indoor spaces is high. You don’t just have to worry about staying out of the way of particles sprayed by unmasked mouths or noses: you also have to think about how the virus accumulates in poorly ventilated air.

An apt comparison is secondhand smoke. If you’re trying to avoid it, the worst place to be is right next to the person who’s smoking. If you’re in a room with them, however, you need to have some windows open and air circulating to avoid exposing yourself. The virus hangs on the air in aerosols, according to the latest guidance; like smoke, it accumulates in poorly-ventilated rooms, becoming more concentrated over time.

Takeaways

The takeaways here are the same as ever. Wear your mask. Avoid crowds and poorly ventilated indoor spaces. Forms of socializing that take you inside of 6 feet with another person are riskier than those that don’t. Be careful about what you’re touching, and make sure that it doesn’t include your eyes, nose, or mouth.

And, if you can manage, remember to have fun! Lord knows we all need it this COVID Halloween. There are ways of socializing this Halloween that are lower risk than others. Please take advantage of them.

By: Sean McNulty

The post Happy COVID Halloween appeared first on The Lange Law Firm.

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Deadly Deli Meat Listeria Outbreak

Deli meats are the cause of 10 illnesses and one death in the United States this month. According to the latest CDC notice, the agency and the FDA are investigating a multistate outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections linked to deli meats. One person, in Florida, has died. Here is everything you need to know about this Deli Meat Listeria Outbreak:

The Outbreak

According to the CDC, 10 people infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria have been reported from Florida, Massachusetts, and New York. All 10 ill people were hospitalized. One death has been reported from Florida. During its interviews, the agency found that 9 of those who are ill reported  eating Italian-style meats, such as salami, mortadella, and prosciutto. They reported purchasing prepackaged deli meats and meats sliced at deli counters at various locations.

A specific type of deli meat, brand, and common supplier has not yet been identified. There are no recalls at this time.

What is Listeria?

Listeria monocytogenes is a bacterium that causes the illness Listeriosis.  It’s a serious infection that affects immune compromised individuals such as the very young, the very old, and those with weakened immune systems.  It is also a more serious concern for pregnant women.  Listeriosis may cause miscarriage and still births, so pregnant women must be vigilant and take extra precautions.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) each year an estimated 1,600 people get Listeriosis and about 260 die.  In general, symptoms include fever and diarrhea, while more invasive infection (when the bacteria spreads past the gut) can be more severe.  Pregnant women typically experience milder symptoms such as flu-like symptoms, while non-pregnant women may experience more severe symptoms such as headache, fever, muscle aches, stiff neck, loss of balance, confusion, and even convulsions.  Invasive symptoms are generally reported between 1 to 4 weeks after eating contaminated food, however some may experience symptoms in as little as one day or as late as 70 days.  Non-invasive versions of Listeriosis are often not diagnosed because otherwise healthy individuals may not present any signs or symptoms or the symptoms may be very mild. 

Why is Listeria of Such Concern?

Listeria can cause serious infection in young children, elderly people, or those with compromised immune systems. Also, pregnant women are especially at risk as the infection can pass directly to the fetus. Symptoms of Listeria include high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Listeria monocytogenes can grow at refrigerator temperatures, as low as 40 degrees Fahrenheit (4 degrees Celsius). The longer ready-to-eat refrigerated foods are stored in the refrigerator, the more opportunity Listeria has to grow. Listeria monocytogenes is very hardy because it resists freezing, drying, and heat. Additionally, Listeria is particularly virulent as it can cause meningitis and spontaneous abortion, and has a mortality rate of approximately 30 percent. In fact, 32 percent of 165 culture-confirmed listerios cases could be traced to the consumption of food purchased from store delicatessen counters or from the ingestion of soft cheeses.

Listeria is a common presence in nature, found widely in such places as water, soil, infected animals, human and animal feces, raw and treated sewage, leafy vegetables, effluent from poultry and meat processing facilities, decaying corn and soybeans, improperly fermented silage, and raw (unpasteurized) milk. So why does it seem as if we, as consumers, are noticing more and more reports of foodborne illnesses such as listeriosis? One of the answers may be the globalization of the food supply, and instances of “gaps” in safe food handling procedures from farm to fork. There is also the reality of our industrialization and exposure to technology and media that highlights the incidences of foodborne illnesses and outbreaks. There is also the “evolution” of new pathogens that emanate from previously-identified ones, the increase in international travel and trade, drug-resistant pathogens, and finally, changes in the food production system.

How The Lange Law Firm Can Help

Our mission is to help families who have been harmed by contaminated food or water.  When corporations cause Listeria food poisoning outbreaks, we use the law to hold them accountable.  The Lange Law Firm is the only law firm in the nation solely focused on helping families in food poisoning lawsuits and contaminated water lawsuits.

If you got Listeria food poisoning in this Deli Meat Listeria Outbreak and are interested in making a legal claim for compensation, we can help.  Our Listeria lawyer can help you pursue compensation for your Listeria food poisoning.  Call us for a free no obligation legal consultation at [phone] or send us an e-mail here.

By: Candess Zona-Mendola

The post Deadly Deli Meat Listeria Outbreak appeared first on The Lange Law Firm.

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Car Accidents Are a Real Danger for Those with Undiagnosed Focal Epilepsy

For people with undiagnosed focal epilepsy, the possibility of having a subtle seizure while driving is a very real and dangerous one. These seizures could happen at any time and are characterized by intense moments of déjà vu or hallucinations, according to MedPage Today. But because these seizures are not similar to those experienced by other epileptics, those suffering from subtle seizures may not realize they have epilepsy. Because of this, focal epilepsy sometimes takes years to diagnose. Doctors believe that in that gap between the first seizure and diagnosis, the potential for serious car accidents occurring is a danger for the whole community.

Johns Hopkins calls focal epilepsy a brain condition that only affects one half of the brain at a time. It can affect the frontal, temporal, parietal, or occipital lobe. The intensity and consequences of the seizure depend on which lobe exhibits it. However, subtle seizures are not as noticeably and physically disruptive as motor seizures. For people who experience subtle seizures, the time between their first seizure and diagnosis averages to about 600 days. For those who suffer from motor seizures, that gap closes to about 60 days.

Subtle seizures are dangerous because they can affect a person’s ability to operate a moving vehicle. People suffering from focal epilepsy may or may not lose consciousness during one of these seizures. Symptoms of a subtle seizure with impaired awareness are:

Loss of consciousness or awareness

Being unresponsive to your environment

Staring into space

Performing repetitive movements such as walking in circles, chewing, swallowing

Symptoms of a subtle seizure without a loss of consciousness include:

Involuntarily jerking a body part

Experiencing spontaneous tingling, seeing flashing lights, or feeling dizzy

Experiencing a change in taste, smell, or sound

Losing consciousness, being unable to respond appropriately and quickly to your surroundings, staring into space, or making movements involuntarily are all dangerous when driving a car. But if a person does not have the other standard hallmarks of epilepsy, it could be mistaken for a number of other illnesses.

Treatment for epilepsy varies depending on the severity of a person’s condition, but doctors will often start by prescribing anticonvulsant medications to reduce the severity of these episodes. It is considered a medical emergency if a seizure lasts more than five minutes. If you stop breathing, have a high fever, experience heat exhaustion, or are pregnant during a seizure, you should seek immediate medical attention.

Contact a New York Injury Attorney

If you were injured in a car accident that was caused by someone else, you may be entitled to compensation. Call the New York City car accident attorneys at Hach & Rose, LLP to see how much your case might be worth. Our number is [phone].

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Construction Site Pedestrian Injuries in NYC

Nationwide, over 100 pedestrians are killed each year while walking past construction sites. Since it is impossible to completely avoid passing near all construction sites, especially in a large city like New York, both property owners and construction companies owe a duty of care to members of the general public who may enter the property or pass nearby. This duty extends beyond just putting up fences and “Keep Out” signs.

Bystanders should also be protected from falling debris, spills, and dangerous chemicals. Signs should be visible and clear. Barricades should be placed in such a way as to keep the public at a safe distance from danger zones. Hazardous chemicals should be contained. A contractor who fails to protect the public from these and other risks can be held responsible for injuries.

If you are a pedestrian that has been injured on a construction site you have the absolute right to bring a lawsuit for the injuries you have suffered.

Call a New York Injury Attorney

If you are injured at a construction site, either as a worker, invited guest, or pedestrian, you need to know your rights. Call the law firm of Mirman, Markovits & Landau PC today for a free consultation with one of our attorneys. We will do whatever is necessary to get you the compensation you deserve, including going to court against large corporations and insurance companies. Visit our website here to learn more about us or call us at 212-227-4000.

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Protected: Analysis: A History of Legionnaire’s Disease and Statistics

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The post Protected: Analysis: A History of Legionnaire’s Disease and Statistics appeared first on The Lange Law Firm.

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The Pros and Cons of Self-Driving Trucks

Self-driving cars have been in the headlines for the past few years as companies have begun testing autonomous vehicles. A self-driving vehicle uses sensors, radar, cameras, and GPS systems to navigate the road and other vehicles, pedestrians, and bicycles around them. Now, those same self-driving car companies are expanding their reach with self-driving trucks. What will this mean for the future of autonomous vehicles and for the safety of everyone else who shares the road?

Right now, as companies like Waymo and Tesla are testing their machines, human drivers sit in the cab as a backup, in case the software malfunctions. But the goal is to put trucks on the road that can change lanes and speed up or slow down without a human operator. Since Google first started testing its driverless trucks in 2011, there have been 20 accidents involving their vehicles. Of those 20 accidents, the self-driving truck was at fault for only one of them.

Will Autonomous Technology Save Lives?

According to the National Safety Council, 38,800 people in the United States lost their lives in car accidents in 2019. The National Highway Traffic Safety Commission reported that 4,678 people died in accidents involving large trucks in 2019. Companies developing self-driving vehicles say that their autonomous technology could help save lives. One such company, Embark, said cutting the driver out of the equation will also cut out human errors such as driver fatigue and distracted driving.

Additionally, trucking companies are seeing a shortage of drivers. There is currently a shortage of about 100,000 truck drivers in America, according to the American Transportation Research Institute. As more current drivers retire over the next several years, this number will only increase.

However, there are still plenty of safety concerns when it comes to driverless vehicles sharing the roads with other drivers. In general, Americans do not trust self-driving cars. Nearly 50% of people surveyed by Partners for Automated Vehicle Education (PAVE) said they “would never get in a taxi or ride-sharing vehicle that was self-driving.” There has not been enough testing done yet to convince drivers that automated vehicles are safer than human-operated vehicles.

Moreover, it is generally accepted that semi-trucks are naturally more difficult to operate because of their length and immense weight. If people are wary of human truck drivers on the highway, it may be a long time before we trust a computer to do the job.

Contact a New York City Truck Accident Attorney

If you were injured in an accident involving a self-driving vehicle, contact the New York City truck accident attorneys at Hach & Rose, LLP. Our experienced team will navigate the complex legal process that follows an accident of this nature so you can focus on healing. Call us today at [phone].

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Construction Accidents in NYC

Construction Workers

Each year, thousands of construction workers are killed or injured on the job.  More than in any other industry.

In New York city, construction is one of the deadliest occupations. Just last year, one worker was crushed to death by a crane, and another killed by a fall from a scaffold. These are just two of the nearly 60 New York construction workers killed on the job last year. Thousands of others were injured, and many of those injuries are permanent. The construction industry is so dangerous, that New York state passed the Scaffold Law, which makes employers and property owners liable for injuries sustained from falls if proper safety standards are not met and/or proper safety equipment is not provided.

If you are a construction worker that has been injured on a work site you have the absolute right to bring a lawsuit for the injuries you have suffered.

Call a New York Injury Attorney

If you are injured at a construction site, either as a worker, invited guest, or pedestrian, you need to know your rights. Call the law firm of Mirman, Markovits & Landau PC today for a free consultation with one of our attorneys. We will do whatever is necessary to get you the compensation you deserve, including going to court against large corporations and insurance companies. Visit our website here to learn more about us or call us at 212-227-4000.

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Attorney Spotlight: Halina Radchenko

New York City personal injury attorney Halina Radchenko discusses what inspired her to become a lawyer.

What inspired you to become an attorney?

Well as a kid, I absolutely loved theater and sometimes dreamed of being an actress, but as a child of immigrants there was no way that was going to happen. I came to the U.S. when I was 4 from Kiev. I think the seed of practicing law must have started young, though I didn’t truly realize it until high school. My great grandfather practiced as a criminal defense attorney on behalf of the King of Russia. My grandmother used to tell me stories as a child about his cases, and how much he loved helping people.

I went to James Madison High School, which is the high school that Ruth Bader Ginsburg graduated from. They actually had a courtroom named after her and I think that’s where my love for the law started. In my freshmen year I participated in a mock trial, and after that I was completely hooked. I had found a profession that tied my love of performance – because trying a case in court is definitely a kind of performance! – with a profession that my parents would approve of.

My great grandfather’s influence, coupled with my experiences in high school, are why I chose to become a plaintiff’s side personal injury trial lawyer. It’s a career I’m truly passionate about.

Tell us about one of your most interesting cases.

I think the most interesting case I ever worked on would be my first municipal liability case. This was really my first foray into a case suing the city, and I didn’t know all of the ins and outs associated with that kind of a case. My client had fallen in a pothole, and she had taken photos of the pothole at the time of the accident. Lo and behold, by 7 AM the next day, the pothole was gone! I thought, well, surely that means the city must have received written notice. But after 2 years of wild goose chase – which took two years! – it turned out they had never been notified. That was when I learned that in New York City, they employ roving repair gangs whose entire purpose is to just wander around the city and fix any potholes that they stumble across. And that was how it happened – the city had never had written notice, the repair gang just came across the pothole. I had no idea this process even existed, and I found out so much about the city and how repairs happen.

I truly thought I’d lose the case, but the night before the trial I had an idea to issue a crazy motion to go back into discovery. It was a last-ditch effort, but it was worth a shot. Somehow it worked, and we were able to settle for $75,000, way more than we ever expected to get. It was an incredibly difficult case, but it was fascinating, and in the end rewarding that I was able to get that amount for my client!

What are you most proud of?

Personally, I’m really proud that I’ve achieved a good balance between my work and my home life. Before I had kids, I was incredibly career focused. After I had my kids, I was determined to be a great mom and an excellent lawyer at the same time, and I knew I’d need to work out a way to accomplish both without sacrificing anything. I’ve completely restructured my work and home life so that I can spend as much time as possible with my kids, while still getting as much time as I need to do my job to the best of my ability. I’m really proud of being able to be a great mom and a great lawyer.

Professionally, I’m very proud and humbled to become the next president of the New York State Trial Lawyers Association (NYSTLA). During the case that I was describing earlier, my boss at the time suggested that I use NYSTLA as a resource to get some transcripts I needed. That was how I was first introduced to the organization, and over the years I became more and more involved with them. They were a big part of my growth journey as a lawyer. I’m really proud of the work that they do. They work to change legislation that’s unfair and make New York a better place to live. When I was nominated as president-elect this year, I became the youngest president at NYSTLA, and possibly the youngest in the country (each state has their own Trial Lawyers Association).

Do you have any hidden talents, hobbies or a fun fact?

I’m a diver! I love to dive, and as a result I’m really big into ocean conservation. If I am ever in the water and see a piece of garbage, I have to grab it. My kids all know the drill. If we’re in the water, we all immediately grab any trash. The strangest piece of trash I ever found was an iPhone in the middle of the ocean.

We like to dive when we travel as well, and one place I really want to dive is Thailand. They have a serious issue with pollution in their waters, and if you want to help them clean their waters, you can actually join a dive team for that purpose. I really want to go with my son so we can join the diving team and collect garbage. It’s a passion of mine.

What is your favorite quote?

“Heaven is a place. A place where nothing, nothing ever happens.” It’s a quote from the song Heaven by the Talking Heads. I love it because it reminds me to live my life to the fullest. Everyone has this abstract concept of what will happen when we die, but in this song, it’s just a bar where they play the same song, the same people are always there, and nothing ever happens. Down here on Earth is where everything happens. So to me, it means live your life to the fullest now, because nothing is better than this.