Medicaid to Cover New York Home Births Resulting in Neurological Damage
In 2011, a fund was created during New York Medicaid reform to benefit babies born at hospitals with neurological damage. According to a report in The New York Law Journal, a Brooklyn judge has decided that the fund should benefit home-birthed babies as well.
The judge ruled that the Governor and the Legislature didn’t intend for the location of the birth to exclude babies from benefits. Babies born with neurological damage are now qualified for financial support in New York whether they were born at home or at the hospital.
It’s unclear if this ruling will have a significant impact on New Yorkers as a whole, but it will benefit the few families dealing with neurological disorders after a home birth. There are only about 500 to 600 home births in New York each year compared to about 125,506 live births that happen in New York hospitals. Furthermore, complications only arise in home births about 10 percent of the time.
Syracuse Student Sues Boxing Club
A 22-year-old college student has had to drop out of school because brain injuries have impaired his ability to read and write.
According to a Daily News report, the student is now suing the school because his brain injuries were suffered during an unexpected sparring session in the Syracuse University’s boxing club. He alleges that the instructor invited him into the ring for a non-contact shadow boxing drill. Since he thought it would be a non-contact drill, he was not wearing any protective head equipment. During the drill, the instructor repeatedly struck the student in the head. The coach failed to intervene.
Governor Cuomo Acts to Protect New York Workers
The Task Force to Combat Worker Exploitation has just been given a boost from Governor Andrew M. Cuomo. According to WorkersCompensation.com report, the governor approved $700,000 for education, outreach, and investigations. The Governor also formed an Anti-Retaliation Unity and a Mediation Unit. These units will exist within the State Department of Labor to help prevent retaliation against workers who assert their rights.
Baruch College Students Arraigned on Murder Charges
Five young men now face murder charges for the 2013 hazing death of a New York City college student. According to a CNN report, the Baruch College freshman died from a traumatic brain injury (TBI) suffered during a hazing incident for the Pi Delta Psi fraternity.
During the hazing, the freshman was blindfolded freshman fell and struck his head. He went unconscious and didn’t receive medical care for two hours. Officials say the delay in treatment lead to his death.
The five men were arraigned on murder charges, but they’re not the only people facing legal consequences for the hazing. The incident took place at the Poconos in Pennsylvania, and the Monroe County grand jury there recommended charges against 37 people in total.
Fiat Chrysler Issues Massive Recall
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) has announced a major recall involving 65,760 Ram trucks and 75,364 Jeep Cherokee sport utility vehicles. According to a Channel News Asia report, the recall involves faulty rear axles and possible fire risks.
Car Plunges Into Yonkers Construction Site
A woman was injured when her vehicle plunged about 40 feet down into a construction site. According to a CBS New York news report, the car crash took place near the victim’s home in Yonkers.
Officials say her gray Toyota accelerated suddenly, forcing her vehicle through the chain link fence and over the cliff. The vehicle landed on its nose and flipped over onto its roof. The driver suffered a deep cut and lost some blood, but survived the crash. It’s unclear what caused the accident.
Woman Killed at Queens Intersection
A 52-year-old woman was killed and her relatives were among survivors of an accident involving an SUV losing control after running a red light. According to NBC New York news, the fatal pedestrian accident happened at Atlantic Avenue and 108th Street in Richmond Hill. Officials say a 43-year-old woman in an SUV went through the red light and was hit by a Kia. The SUV then jumped the sidewalk and struck a 2-year-old girl, her 48-year-old mother and a 52-year-old relative. Witnesses say one of the women tried to push the child out of the path of the car.
New York Injuries Caused by Dangerous Drugs
There are times when the drugs we are prescribed to make us better actually cause us harm. We trust doctors to make the right decisions and for the drugs we take to actually help us recover. But, some medications have ingredients that may cause additional health issues and dangerous side effects. Many of these dangerous prescription drugs are under investigation by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), or have been recalled for causing serious or fatal injuries.
Queens Construction Worker Killed in Avoidable Trench Collapse
This past April, a 22-year-old Queens man was recently killed in a construction accident when the trench he was working in collapsed. According to an EHS Today news report, safety investigators have determined the fatal trenching accident was completely preventable. Officials with the Occupational Safety Health Administration (OSHA) say that neither the general contractor nor subcontractor provided cave-in protection for the trench. They didn’t even brace a section of the trench to support the sidewalk.
Uber Car Jumps Curb and Strikes New York Children
Four children and a woman were injured in a New York City car accident involving an Uber driver. According to an ABC 7 New York news report, the car accident happened on East Kingsbridge Road in the Fordham section of the Bronx.