New Law – Back-seat Riders Required to Buckle Up
January 2, 2012
A good law is now in effect. If one is ridding in a moving vehicle, there are no reasons why all passengers should not be belted in and secured in their place. All unrestrained objects in a vehicle can become deadly projectiles in an accident and cause various levels of personal injuries if not death to themselves and/or others. It only makes sense that this law was passed.
One thing that is not clear, why passengers in taxi cabs and/or motor buses are exempt. Will the laws of physics not apply to those passengers if involved in a motor vehicle accident?
Just like unrestrained front-seat riders, back-seat passengers who aren’t buckled up during an accident can suffer head, chest and abdominal trauma.“ And they can be thrown from the vehicle,” said James Doherty, medical director of trauma and critical care programs at Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn. Back-seat passengers also can become human projectiles during a crash, injuring or even killing others in the vehicle, he said.
Beginning Sunday January 1, 2012, Illinois will require all passengers, including previously exempt back-seat riders 18 and older, to buckle up. “It’s a good law,” New Lenox police Deputy Chief April DiSandro said. “It makes sense. If you have to be belted in the front seat, why not the back?
”The bill, which was sponsored by state Senate President John Cullerton D-Chicago and the late state Rep. Mark Beaubien R-Barrington Hills, was signed into law during the summer. It allows police officers to stop a car if they spot an unbuckled rider. Fines start at $25 but can be more, depending on court costs.
via Back-seat riders required to buckle up starting Sunday – Joliet Herald News.
Tips & Tricks – Tis The Season: Snow-Shoveling Injuries Appear Early
December 29, 2011
Dr. Peretz offers simple tips to get you through the winter without injury:
1. Warm up before you dig in: Youll do your back a favor if you warm up for five to ten minutes before shoveling or any strenuous activity. Get your blood moving with a brisk walk, jogging or marching in place, or running up the stairs. Then stretch your lower back and hamstrings the large muscles in the back of the thigh with some gentle stretching exercises.
2. Use the right shovel: The basic snow shovel hasnt changed much since it was invented over 100 years ago. Hand grips are often lacking and the shovel length is typically too short for most people, forcing the user to bend and twist while heaving snow. Also, the traditional steel shovel is heavy, adding to the weight – as much as 20 pounds per shovelful of snow – you are lifting. Newer, ergonomic snow shovels take some of the effort out of snow removal. They are typically made of lighter materials such as plastic or lightweight aluminum and feature a curved handle or adjustable handle length to reduce or eliminate bending.
3. Use proper shoveling technique: Whenever possible, push the snow aside instead of lifting it. If you must lift, follow these guidelines:
- Bend your knees and lift with your leg muscles – not your back!
- Avoid twisting; pivot your whole body to change direction.
- Do not throw snow over your shoulder.
- Keep each load light.
- If you must lift a full shovel, grip the shovel with one hand as close to the blade as comfortably possible and the other hand on the handle.
- Walk to a new location to deposit the snow; do not reach or toss.
4. Clear early and often: Its easier to clear a light layer than to wait until all the snow has fallen and its packed and heavy. In deep snow, remove a few inches off the top at a time rather than attempting to shovel the full depth at once.
5. Stay on your feet: Wear shoes or boots with good treads and spread sand, rock salt, or kitty litter on your sidewalk or driveway to increase traction and reduce the likelihood of slipping.
6. Take it easy: Take a break every 10-15 minutes; stand up straight, walk around, and drink water to avoid dehydration and overheating. Listen to your body; when it says “stop” STOP.
7. Consider a snow blower: When used correctly, a snow blower puts less stress on your lower back than shoveling. Use the power of your legs to push the snow blower while keeping your back straight and knees bent.
via Tis The Season: Snow-Shoveling Injuries Appear Early.
Personal Injury – Soft Tissue Injury: Conditions & Common Causes
December 28, 2011
By far the most common type of injuries we encounter are soft tissue injuries resulting from automobile car accidents, slip and falls, trip and falls and other traumatic events causing personal injuries in Chicago or Evanston.
Soft tissue injury is damage to four different types of tissue: muscles, ligaments, tendons or nerves.
Soft tissue injury is caused by direct or indirect trauma. Direct trauma may happen in connection with sports or other accidents, being struck by an object or falling. Indirect trauma commonly stems from overuse of the tissue. For instance, assembly line or factory workers often suffer from this type because of the many repetitive movements they have to do many times a day.
Types of soft issue injury
Soft tissue injuries include ligament sprains e.g. sprained ankle, tendon strains, repetitive stress injury and carpal tunnel syndrome.
Treatment
Immediately after the event causing the injury, you should use ice packs, rest, bandaging and elevation. You should see your doctor if you can’t move normally or if the pain and swelling are still present after a couple of days.
Treatment options might include:
- Physiotherapy exercises to promote healing, strength and flexibility
- Electrotherapy
- Manual techniques such as mobilization and massage
Information via Soft Tissue Injury: Conditions & Common Causes.
Insurance – U.S. Ranks Last Among High-Income Nations on Preventable Deaths
December 9, 2011
There is something disconcerting about the finding that the United States is last amongst comparable Nations when it comes to preventable deaths. That is, all other wealthy Nations do better than us when it comes to providing proper healthcare and treatment to those whose death could be potentially prevented by timely and effective treatment. This should be of concern!
sThe United States placed last among 16 high-income, industrialized nations when it comes to deaths that could potentially have been prevented by timely access to effective health care, according to a Commonwealth Fund–supported study that appeared online in the journal Health Policy this week and will be available in print on October 25th as part of the November issue. According to the study, other nations lowered their preventable death rates an average of 31 percent between 1997–98 and 2006–07, while the U.S. rate declined by only 20 percent, from 120 to 96 per 100,000. At the end of the decade, the preventable mortality rate in the U.S. was almost twice that in France, which had the lowest rate—55 per 100,000.
Preventable Death In “Variations in Amenable Mortality—Trends in 16 High Income Nations,” Ellen Nolte of RAND Europe and Martin McKee of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine analyzed deaths that occurred before age 75 from causes like treatable cancer, diabetes, childhood infections/respiratory diseases, and complications from surgeries. They found that an average 41 percent drop in death rates from ischemic heart disease was the primary driver of declining preventable deaths, and they estimate that if the U.S. could improve its preventable death rate to match that of the three best-performing countries—France, Australia, and Italy—84,000 fewer people would have died each year by the end of the period studied.
via Healthcare-NOW! – U.S. Ranks Last Among High-Income Nations on Preventable Deaths.
Insurance – Healthcare – New Study Shows Health Insurance Premium Spikes in Every State
December 6, 2011
Premiums for employer-sponsored health insurance have risen faster than incomes in every state in the nation, according to a report released Thursday.
The analysis of federal data by the Commonwealth Fund, an independent research organization, shed new light on the state-by-state picture while essentially confirming a national trend, highlighted in other recent surveys of employer-sponsored insurance, of greater premiums for skimpier benefits.
The District of Columbia had the highest annual total premiums, including both the employer’s and the worker’s share. In 2010, they averaged $5,644 for a single policy and $15,206 for a family version — a rise of 51 percent and 41 percent, respectively, since 2003.
But the costs were significant even in states with some of the lowest average rates, such as Alabama, where a single policy averaged $4,571 in total premiums and a family version reached $12,409. Maryland and Virginia were roughly in the middle of the pack.
“Although employees typically don’t see the total cost of their insurance, the sharp increase, in effect, means lower wages and salaries as employers make the trade-off between increasing wages and offering insurance,” said Cathy Schoen, a co-author of the study.
via New study shows health insurance premium spikes in every state – The Washington Post.
Insurance Law – Medical Payment – Class Action – Farmers Insurance Resolves Class Action Lawsuit
December 2, 2011
Farmers Insurance has reached a settlement to resolve a nationwide class action lawsuit. Although Farmers denies any wrongdoing, the insurer agreed to the terms of the settlement in order to “avoid ongoing litigation” and the significant time and monetary resources associated with that path.
In Re Farmers Med-Pay Litigation (CJ-2004-559), plaintiffs charged that Farmers failed to pay—either in whole or in part—“reasonable” expenses for necessary medical services under the medical payments (Med-pay) and/or personal injury protection (PIP) coverage outlined in their automobile policies. This alleged inadequate distribution of benefits was based on Farmers’ use of certain systems and procedures for adjusting claims for paying medical expenses incurred as a result of an auto accident.
The District Court of Canadian County, Oklahoma entered a final order approving the settlement on Nov. 29.
“We are pleased to have been able to resolve this matter with the plaintiffs,” a spokesman for Farmers stated.
According to Farmers website, comprising the Settlement Class are those who submitted claims for payment of medical bills related to an automobile accident under Med-pay or PIP coverage if (a) the claim was adjusted from January 1, 2001 to February 9, 2009 based upon a recommended reduction from Zurich Services Corporation; (b) the claim was paid at less than the amount billed; and (c) total Med-pay or PIP payments were less than the respective limits of coverage. The Class also includes medical providers who were assigned the right to assert these claims.
Under the terms of the settlement, Class Members who submit a valid claim form postmarked no later than December 29 may be eligible to receive 60 percent of the difference between the amount of the bills submitted to Farmers for Med-pay and/or PIP claims and the improperly reduced amount paid by Farmers.
via Farmers Insurance Resolves Class Action Lawsuit | PropertyCasualty360.
Product Liability – Honda Expands Recall of Risky Airbags
December 2, 2011
A manufacturer is responsible to place goods on the market that are reasonably safe and free from defect that could cause personal injury or property damage to others. Here, Honda is taking steps to ensure that the airbags it has installed in nearly 900,000 vehicles are safe by expanding its earlier recall of 2001 to 2003 Honda and Acura vehicles. The question is why did it take almost 11 years to take such an action and how many persons have been injured or have died as the result of this defect.
Originally, Honda said that it needs to replace the driver’s airbag inflator, which has a risk of being deploying with too much pressure. The high-pressure airbags could cause the inflator casing to rupture, possibly resulting in injury or fatality, the automaker said.Honda added 603,000 vehicles to the recall Thursday morning. The automaker said the additional cars need to be brought in to an authorized dealer for inspection, because they may contain faulty parts.
The automaker said it has determined that 640 questionable airbag parts were sold for installation in cars for collision repair or other reasons.
via Honda expands recall of risky airbags – chicagotribune.com.
Safety Tips – Christmas Holidays Are Around The Corner – Some Safety Points To Remember
December 1, 2011
In 1998, Christmas trees were the first item ignited in 300 home fires, resulting in 11 injuries and $8 million in direct property damage. The leading cause of Christmas tree fires and property damage was short circuit or ground fault (21%). In this category, electrical failure other than short circuit ranked second in number of fires, injuries and property damage with the exception of the “other known” category. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), cords and plugs were the leading type of equipment involved in the ignition of Christmas trees.
- Any string of lights with worn, frayed or broken cords or loose bulb connections should not be used.
- Always unplug Christmas tree lights before leaving home or going to sleep.
- Never use lit candles to decorate a tree, and place them well away from tree branches.
- Try to keep live trees as moist as possible by giving them plenty of water daily. Do not purchase a tree that is dry or dropping needles.
- Choose a sturdy tree stand designed not to tip over.
- When purchasing an artificial tree, be sure it is labeled as fire-retardant.
- Make sure the tree is at least three feet (one meter) away from any heat source and try to position it near an outlet so that cords are not running long distances.
- Do not place the tree where it may block exits.
- Safely dispose of the tree when it begins dropping needles. Dried-out trees are highly flammable and should not be left in a house or garage, or placed against the house.
Holiday Fire Safety
The winter holidays are a time for celebration, and that means more cooking, home decorating, entertaining, and an increased risk of fire due to heating equipment.
- Unattended cooking is the leading cause of home fires in the U.S. When cooking for holiday visitors, remember to keep an eye on the range.
- Provide plenty of large, deep ashtrays for guests who smoke and check them frequently. Cigarette butts can smolder in the trash and cause a fire, so completely douse cigarette butts with water before discarding.
- After a party, always check on, between and under upholstery and cushions and inside trashcans for cigarette butts that may be smoldering.
- Keep matches and lighters up high, out of sight and reach of children (preferably in a locked cabinet). When smokers visit your home, ask that they keep smoking materials with them.
Candle Fire Safety
December is the peak month for candle fires, with nearly twice the average number of incidents. 44% of reported candle fires in the home started in the bedroom.
Safety points to remember:
- Extinguish all candles when leaving the room or going to sleep.
- Keep candles away from items that can catch fire.
- Use candleholders that are sturdy, won’t tip over easily, are made from a material that can’t burn and are large enough to collect dripping wax.
- Don’t place lit candles in windows, where blinds and curtains can close over them.
- Place candleholders on a sturdy, uncluttered surface and do not use candles in places where they could be knocked over by children or pets.
- Keep candles and all open flames away from flammable liquids.
- Keep candlewicks trimmed to one-quarter inch and extinguish taper and pillar candles when they get to within two inches of the holder or decorative material. Votives and containers should be extinguished before the last half-inch of wax starts to melt.
- Avoid candles with combustible items embedded in them.
