WRSH Wins $4,250,000 Verdict for Patient Paralyzed by Medical Malpractice
The personal injury law firm of Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro, Moses & Halperin, LLP recently reached a verdict that gave $4,250,000 in compensation to a woman paralyzed by medical malpractice. The case result made the first page of VerdictSearch, which detailed the case and the struggles experienced by the girl.
In 2003, the then-fifteen-year-old girl was on vacation in Hawaii when she developed a face rash, unsteadiness, and slurred speech. She was taken to Kapiolani Medical Center in Honolulu, where she was diagnosed with lupus and was administered regular steroid doses to combat the condition. However, complications with the steroid doses caused the child to be paralyzed from the neck down because of steroid-induced myopathy.
Preventing Dog Bite Injuries in New York
Dog bites can happen to a person of any age, but they are more common among children. According to the New York Department of Health, about 6,600 children younger than the age 20 suffer dog bites in New York each year, with about 200 of these bitten badly enough to need hospitalization.
While dog bites rarely cause death, the severe pain, bone and tissue damage, and scarring that can result can be severe.
Here are some tips to avoid child injuries due to dog bites at any time of the year.
Living with a Brain Injury after an Auto Accident
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 1.7 million people sustain a traumatic brain injury (TBI) annually. The CDC reports that motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of TBI-related deaths and are the second leading cause of TBIs. Unfortunately, many brain injury victims struggle to return to the lives they led before the accident.
Life after a TBI may be very different for survivors. The victim may not be able to physically perform as he or she did prior to the accident. He or she may have reduced mental capabilities and a number of brain injury victims also deal with behavioral changes that may be permanent.
The Top 10 Most Popular Children’s Halloween Costumes for 2013
Every October, Americans spend billions of dollars on all things Halloween. According to a National Retail Federation (NRF) survey, Americans are expected to spend $2.6 billion this Halloween season, with $1 billion of that being spent on children’s costumes alone. While costumes definitely come in all shapes and sizes, some are clearly more popular than others. According to the NRF, here are the 10 most popular:
Fairy
A pair of wings is the focal point of this popular children’s costume. Couple those wings with a whimsical dress or ballet tutu, and you have yourself the 10th most popular children’s Halloween costume of 2013.
Superman
It’s a bird … it’s a plane … it’s the 9th most popular children’s Halloween costume of 2013. A classic superhero outfit that numerous children find themselves enamored with, who wouldn’t want to dress up as the Man of Steel? After all, he CAN fly.
The Top 5 Halloween Treats Kids Never Want
It’s Halloween time once again, and that means that neighborhoods throughout New York will soon be filled with kids of all ages, looking to show off their costumes and get some of their favorite treats. At Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro, Moses & Halperin, LLP, our New York legal team remembers those exciting times and the thrill of getting a great candy haul. Unfortunately, not all treats are made equally, and occasionally you do have to sift through some of the more undesirable types of candy to get to the good stuff.
If you’re a trick-or-treater, you may have to put up with some unwanted snacks on Halloween night. If you’re a home owner, do everybody a favor and skip picking these up when you’re at the store!
5. Candy Buttons
Not since the Wax Bottle has a candy required more effort for so little reward. You can pick them off one by one or scrap off scores with your teeth.
Either way, your memory of how much time and energy was used eating Candy Buttons will last far longer than the moment of sweetness you tasted once you ate a handful of these disappointing drips of sugar.
Keep Your Kids Safe This Halloween Season
As the cool fall weather sets in and October is coming to a close, families in New York and elsewhere are busying themselves in preparation for the Halloween festivities. This means pumpkin carving gatherings, costume parties, spooky house decorations, and, of course, trick-or-treating for the kids. With so much to do, it’s easy to get lost in the hustle and bustle of the season; however, it is important to keep in mind the dangers present in various Halloween activities so you can prevent injury to your children and to others.
Costumes
If your kids plan to go trick-or-treating at night, make sure to get them costumes that are bright and reflective. Avoid any costumes with excessive length as this may pose a tripping hazard. Also avoid any costumes that are made of flammable material. If your child’s costume is accompanied by an accessory, make sure it is safe and remains so in the event your child stumbles or trips.
Increased Evidence of Serious Football Player Brain Injury Found in New Study
During the past few years, brain injuries and the effects felt by National Football League (NFL) players have come into increased focus. As reported by CBS News, a new study from Scientific Reports has provided further evidence that the repeated head injuries suffered by football players frequently leads to chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).
During the study, 13 retired football players suffering from neurological problems underwent brain imaging scans. Results showed unusual activity linked to the amount of times they suffered a head injury during their sport. According to the lead author of the study, there is a strong link between levels of brain abnormality and head impacts that are bad enough to take a player out of a game.
Drive Safe in Winter Weather
Winter is right around the corner and that means the roads will soon be slick with snow, slush, and ice. No longer will New Yorkers be able to make a mad rush through the morning and evening commutes without putting themselves at serious risk of an auto accident. Now’s a good time for all motorists in the soon-to-be snowy city to prepare for the oncoming climate change and remind themselves of some key winter driving safety tips.
Make Preparations
Make a checklist of all the things you would need in case you get stuck in your car during a winter storm. You should include these items in your emergency inventory: extra clothing for warmth, a flashlight, a windshield scraper, jumper cables, tire chains, a bag of salt, blankets, food, and water. Also be sure to always have your gas tank filled up halfway during the winter.
How Do You Know When an Insurance Company is Cheating You?
We all want to think that insurance companies, especially our own, are there to protect us and our best interests, but that is not typically the case.
Insurance adjusters and companies have two goals: maximize profits and minimize compensation payouts. To do this, they will do everything they can to settle with you for less than you deserve or even completely deny your claim. If you’ve been dealing with an insurance adjuster after an auto accident or other incident, stay aware of these warning signs. If the insurance company is doing any or all of these things, they are trying to manipulate you. In that case, you may want to get an attorney on your side. The insurance company may become much more cooperative once they realize they have to deal with a lawyer instead of you.