Southern Maryland Personal Injury Blog

Unintentional summer drownings claim an average of 10 lives per day across the United States, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Over half these deaths involve children under 14 years of age, making accidental drowning the number two cause of death in this age group after motor vehicle accidents.

Here are some ways to help prevent accidental drowning:

• Supervise children at all times when they are on or near the water. At least one adult who can swim should have their eye on those in the water at all times.
• Put a barrier around all four sides of the pool or hot tub. According to the CDC, a fence that completely encircles the pool area is 83% more effective in preventing accidental drownings than a fence that merely encloses the entire property or backyard.
• Barriers should have locks on all points of entry, such as gates and doors. Alarms on doors that lead from the house to the pool area can also help prevent accidental drownings of children who wander out of the house and toward the pool.
• Adults and children should wear a personal floatation device (PFD) at all times when they are on or near a boat or water area. Inflatable pool or beach toys should never be used as a substitute for a PFD.

At the law firm of Alpert Schreyer, our knowledgeable Annapolis personal injury lawyers can help you investigate what happened following a drowning accident and hold any negligent parties accountable for their actions so that you and your family can focus on getting well. Call us today at (800) 489-1577 for a free, confidential consultation.

As part of a national settlement with Abbott Laboratories over allegations of illegal drug marketing, Maryland is expected to receive a $1.8 million settlement. The Baltimore Sun reports that the Illinois-based company will pay $100 million to 44 U.S. states where officials claimed the company marketed the drug Depakote for uses other than those approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Depakote is used for the treatment of seizure disorders, migraines, and mania associated with bipolar disorder, but Abbott was accused of marketing the drug for autism, schizophrenia, and agitated dementia.

The Sun reports that the sizable settlement is considered the largest “multi-state consumer protection-based pharmaceutical settlement” ever reached. Abbott Laboratories has agreed to stop promoting Depakote’s unapproved uses and will stop making misleading and false claims about the drug. The company will also have its scientists, not sales staff, develop medical content for healthcare providers and will limit the distribution of studies which relate to the drug’s unapproved uses, in addition to other steps.

The Maryland Attorney General says MD consumers deserve to know the truth about the prescription drugs they’re using, and the office will continue to investigate the potentially illegal and inappropriate claims made by pharmaceutical companies.

Manufacturers of products that consumers rely on and use everyday are legally and ethically obligated to disclose truthful, accurate information regarding a product or drug. If a company fails to do so, an innocent consumer’s health and well-being may be put in danger. The product liability lawyers in Waldorf with the law firm of Alpert Schreyer are dedicated to protecting the rights of consumers and will work to hold any negligent parties responsible for the injuries and harm caused. Schedule your free consultation by calling (800) 489-1577 today.

As summer is fast approaching in Maryland, everyone from families to friends to college students may be busy planning a trip to have some fun in the sun. While there are many modes of transport that can take you to your seasonal destination, large groups of travelers will likely need a large vehicle that can safely accommodate everyone. One such option for big groups of vacationers is a 15-passenger van, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is urging church groups, colleges, and others who may utilize this type of van for travel to take specific steps to keep occupants safe.

The NHTSA offers the following safety tips for drivers and passengers of 15-passenger vans:

• Do not overload the vehicle, which can increase the chance of a MD rollover crash and may make the vehicles more unstable in regards to handling maneuvers;
• As a van owner, make sure the vehicle is properly maintained. Suspension and steering components should be inspected according to the manufacturer’s schedule and parts should be replaced/repaired as needed. Also, tires should be the appropriate size.
• All occupants in the van should wear their safety belts, which can help prevent serious injury in the event of an accident.
• Van owners should make sure anyone driving the vehicle is licensed and has experience operating this type of van.
• Before any trip, tires should be checked for proper inflation and to make sure there are no signs of wear or damage. The owner’s manual will have information on the correct tire size and inflation pressure.

While 15-passenger vans are great way to transport large groups of Maryland residents, they can also be dangerous if the vehicle is not properly maintained or an inexperienced driver is at the wheel. If you have been involved in a 15-passenger van accident, contact an Annapolis personal injury attorney with the law firm of Alpert Schreyer. We protect the rights of accident victims and make every effort to ensure full compensation is awarded. Call (800) 489-1577 for a no-cost consultation.

The Carroll County Times reports that a 21-year-old woman from Sykesville has unfortunately lost her life following a recent Westminster motor vehicle accident. The woman was driving her 2006 Ford F-250 truck on the 1900 block of Nicodemus Road on April 28 around 1 a.m. when her vehicle reportedly left the roadway and hit several trees. Only one other person, a 23-year-old from Union Bridge who was the passenger in the truck, was involved in the accident.

The driver and her 23-year-old passenger, who was treated for non-life threatening injuries, were treated by paramedics at the accident scene and taken to the University of Maryland Medical Center for treatment. Tragically, the 21-year-old driver was later pronounced dead due to the serious injuries she sustained in the crash.

The Times report states that the crash occurred because the driver failed to navigate through a curve, and then the vehicle crossed a double yellow lane divider in the road. The exact cause of the accident is still under investigation by officials and has not yet been determined.

An auto accident can greatly impact the life of a victim, leaving him or her with potentially serious injuries and costly medical bills. If you have been involved in a motor vehicle accident caused by the negligence of another person, contact a skilled Carroll County auto accident attorney at the law firm of Alpert Schreyer. Our legal team will work to ensure your lawful rights are protected and that you receive the compensation you need to recover. To discuss your potential claim with us, call (800) 489-1577.

The Cumberland-Times News reports that a new state bill that focuses on firefighters’ workers’ compensation claims has been met with opposition from Frederick County commissioners who are in fear of the increased costs. Under existing Maryland law, rescue workers can receive compensation for various ailments, such as hypertension or heart disease. The new piece of legislation would add five cancers to the list of diseases linked to firefighting, allowing workers to file workers’ compensation claims for these specific diseases.

Supporters of the bill highlighted medical research which essentially has shown that firefighters are at an increase risk for certain types of cancers. For example, according to University of Cincinnati research, firefighters are twice as likely to develop testicular cancer and also have an increased chance of contracting non-Hodgkin lymphoma, brain cancer, and multiple myeloma. The proposed state bill would also add breast cancer to the list of diseases thought to be job-related.

Firefighters and the groups representing them praise the bill, as it fulfills an obligation to those who inhale soot, diesel engine exhaust, and harmful chemicals while protecting the community. However, county commissioners in Maryland assert that the scientific research merely establishes “tenuous connections” between firefighting and the specific cancers listed in the bill, arguing that the state may be paying out for diseases not actually linked to occupation.

State legislative analysts also believe the bill would notably increase local expenses, though actual costs have not been determined. Next, the bill will be examined by the Senate Finance Committee.

Workers’ compensation is a system established to help MD workers who have become ill or injured while on the job, but due to existing laws a worker may not receive the compensation they deserve. For assistance with your workers’ compensation claim, contact a knowledgeable Annapolis workers’ compensation attorney at the law firm of Alpert Schreyer, LLC. Call (800) 489-1577 for a free case evaluation.

Medical malpractice is defined as an act of medical negligence that results in undue harm or injury to the patient. An estimated 195,000 patients are killed each year due to medical error, and between 15,000 and 19,000 medical malpractice cases are brought against doctors annually. As a medical malpractice attorney, Michael Schreyer recognizes the seriousness of medical negligence and knows the devastating impact it can have on an innocent patient’s life.

In order for those who may receive, or are currently receiving, medical care and treatment in MD to understand their patient rights, here is information on three common types of medical malpractice.

1. Prescription drug errors: Prescription drug errors are a very common type of medical malpractice, and mistakes made with medications can be very serious and possibly even fatal. Anyone from pharmacists to physicians can be held liable for a medication error, and a common example of this error is prescribing or administering the wrong medicine or the wrong dosage.
2. Birth injuries: Delivering a baby is a very delicate process, and if a physician or other medical professional makes even a small mistake, the newborn may suffer a debilitating injury. Some common causes of child injury include inadequate monitoring of the baby’s condition or improper use of forceps or a vacuum.
3. Surgical and diagnosis errors: Surgical mistakes, such as a physician accidentally causing damage to a nerve or internal organ or even amputating the wrong limb, can be extremely detrimental to a patient’s well-being. Two common types of diagnosis errors are misdiagnosis and delayed diagnosis, both of which can cause great harm to a patient if an illness or health problem is either not diagnosed properly or not in a timely fashion.

As millions of people trust their health and well-being to medical professionals every year, it is imperative patients in MD and across the country understand that they have legal rights if medical negligence causes them injury. Waldorf medical malpractice lawyer Michael Schreyer and the legal team at Alpert Schreyer are dedicated to helping medical malpractice victims hold negligent parties responsible for any harm caused. To discuss your case with us, please call (800) 489-1577 for a free initial consultation.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has recently launched a new campaign to increase awareness of proper child car seat use, including a new website and public service announcements created in conjunction with the Ad Council. Alarmingly, auto accidents are the leading cause of death for children one to 12 years old, and NHTSA crash data reveals that an average of almost two children were killed and 325 injured each day in 2010 due to crashes. Thus, the safety group created the campaign to ensure families select the proper car seat for their child’s age and size to help prevent serious car accident injuries.

The Cumming Patch reports that fatality rates could be reduced by half if the correct child car seats are consistently used, and so the new website provides information to parents and caregivers on appropriate selection of a child’s car seat. In addition, helpful information is offered on car seat use and installation with instructive how-to videos, relevant recall notifications, and the NHTSA’s unique “ease of use” ratings system. Parents and caregivers can also find out where to get assistance with child car seat use and selection in their area from Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians.

For more information on child car seat safety, parents and child caregivers can visit this site: http://www.safercar.gov/parents/carseats.htm.

Car accidents are only one of the ways a child may be injured, and the negligence of another party may unfortunately be one of the reasons your little one suffers from an injury. If your child has been injured in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, the Annapolis personal injury attorneys of Alpert Schreyer can help you hold at-fault parties legally accountable for the harm caused. We offer a free case evaluation, so please call (800) 489-1577 to speak with us regarding your case.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CSPC), in conjunction with Todson, Inc., has announced a voluntary recall for their bicycle child carrier seat, which affects an estimated 40,000 units. The name of the recalled product, manufactured in Taiwan, is the Topeak Babyseat II Bicycle Carrier Seats made by the Massachusetts-based company. A child can place his or her fingers in the opening at the grab bar’s hinge mechanism, and when the consumer opens the bar to remove the child from the seat, the child’s fingertips may be caught in the hinge mechanism. This ultimately poses a fingertip amputation or laceration hazard to the child.

Presently, the firm has received two reports of serious incidents, including near amputations that resulted in stitches and a crushed finger. The model numbers of the recalled products, which can be found on the product’s packaging, include: TCS2100, TCS2101, and TCS2102. The plastic, gray bicycle child carrier seat was sold from January 2009 through April 2012 for $140 to $180 at a variety of retail stores and independent bicycle dealers across the country, including REI and J&B Imports. The CPSC is advising that consumers stop using the product immediately and contact Todson for a free hinge cover retrofit kit by calling (800) 250-3068 or visiting www.todson.com.

Families trust that the many products they use for their children each day will be safe and risk-free, but when a manufacturer fails to properly test an item or has inadequate manufacturing standards, a serious child injury can occur as a result. If your child has been hurt by a defective product, contact a knowledgeable Waldorf product liability lawyer at the law firm of Alpert Schreyer. Our legal team is committed to holding negligent manufacturers responsible for the harm their products have caused and will work to get your family the compensation you deserve. Call (800) 489-1577 for a free case evaluation.

According to a Herald-mail.com report, a father and son were airlifted from the scene of a tractor-trailer crash that occurred sometime before 8:43 a.m. on the morning of April 12, 2012. Reports indicate that the tractor-trailer rig with the father and son driving team apparently veered off the interstate while traveling eastbound on Interstate 70 then proceeded to go off the ramp to Md. 65, crashing through a guardrail and continuing down a 50-foot embankment. A Maryland State Police trooper said both the tractor and trailer overturned at the bottom of the embankment and the truck’s fuel tanks were ripped off, ultimately causing a diesel fuel spill.

Two medevac helicopters were called to the scene of the MD rollover accident and both the father and son were flown to R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center for treatment. The extent of their injuries is unknown at this time. The father is reportedly in his 60s and his son is estimated to be in his late 20s. At least a dozen emergency vehicles were parked at the off ramp, and the ramp from northbound Md. 65 to eastbound I-70 was closed while crews worked to clean up the fuel spill. A Maryland State Police trooper said the cause of the accident is still under investigation.

Truck accidents are very dangerous and can be caused by any number of reasons; however, when a crash is caused by the negligence of another party, the injured victim has the legal right to pursue compensation from those responsible. A dedicated Bowie truck accident lawyer with the law firm of Alpert Schreyer can help you get the compensation you need to get back on your feet after a devastating truck accident. To see how our legal team can assist you, please call our offices at (866) 444-6363.

With warmer weather and the summer season fast approaching, MD motorcyclists are preparing for exhilarating road trips on their motorcycles. Though motorcycles are a source of fun and excitement, riders face unique hazards that other vehicles on the road may not. According to Nolo.com, road hazards are a common cause of motorcycle accidents as things that have little to no effect on cars, such as debris, can easily cause a MD motorcycle crash.

In order to be safe on the open road, the following are five common road hazards for motorcycle enthusiasts to be aware of and avoid:

1. Rough roads – Rough roads can be caused by disrepair, construction work, or resurfacing efforts.
2. Gravel on pavement – Gravel is one of the more problematic hazards for a rider to navigate, and gravel on pavement tends to be more common on winding roads, which are very popular terrain for riders.
3. Debris/objects in the road – Debris in the road, such as rocks or parts of tire tread, are very dangerous for motorcyclists as the object can cause a crash and also hit and injure the rider.
4. Slick surfaces – Due to the unstable nature of motorcycles and their lighter weight, sliding on the road due to a slippery surface can be very dangerous and easily cause an accident. Riders should be cautious during snowy, icy, and rainy weather.
5. Uneven surfaces – An edge break is when two traffic lanes are different heights and an expansion joint connects two sections of a road or bridge together. Both present a unique hazard to riders because of the uneven surfaces they cause.

Motorcycle safety year round is imperative to prevent a dangerous accident, but not all motorists exercise the same caution, which can endanger those they share the road with. If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident caused by another’s negligence, the Bowie motorcycle collision lawyers with Alpert Schreyer have the experience and knowledge needed to obtain a winning result in your case. Call (866) 444-6363 for a comprehensive case evaluation.