Cleveland Ohio Injury Blog

Juul faces wrongful death suit following death of 18-year-old

On behalf of Hoffman Legal Group, LLC posted in wrongful death on Thursday, October 31, 2019.

Traditional cigarettes may be decreasing in popularity, but there has been a significant rise in vaping, or the use of e-cigarettes, among young people over the past few years. However, many worry that e-cigarettes may also have serious health consequences that could lead to death. For the first time, a family grieving the loss of a loved one has taken action against an e-cigarette manufacturer.

Juul, one of the leading manufacturers of e-cigarettes, has been sued by the family of an 18-year-old boy, who recently passed away in his sleep, allegedly from breathing complications, after using Juul for years. According to his family's wrongful death suit against the company, the teen was unaware of the dangers of Juul use for people under the age of 26, and became addicted to vaping after being drawn to its sleek design and the candy-like flavors. The teen apparently tried to quit but was unsuccessful and suffered breathing and lung complications within a year of starting to vape, which led to his hospitalization. The nursing staff had to affix nicotine patches to his skin to keep him comfortable, as a result of his addiction. Shortly after leaving the hospital, he started vaping again, but appeared to be breathing normally the day before his death. However, his father found him unresponsive at home at around 4 a.m. the next morning.

The FMCSA regulates truck driver hours on the road for safety

On behalf of Hoffman Legal Group, LLC posted in truck accidents on Friday, October 25, 2019.

Truck drivers are often responsible for transporting goods from one side of the country to the other, which can require them to travel for days at a time. Because many of these deliveries are time sensitive, drivers may drive for many consecutive hours, sometimes through the night, without taking a break. However, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has made sure to regulate the number of hours a truck driver is allowed to drive without rest.

According to the FMCSA, property-carrying truck drivers may drive no more than 11 hours and the 11 hours must be completed within a 14-hour period. Once the 11 hours are completed, or once the 14-hour period has ended (even if the driver has not driven for 11 hours), the driver must stop driving for at least 10 straight hours before getting back on the road. As for shorter breaks, drivers are required to have a 30-minute break for every eight hours of driving.

What steps can I take to file a nursing home abuse claim in Ohio?

On behalf of Hoffman Legal Group, LLC posted in nursing home neglect and abuse on Thursday, October 17, 2019.

It can be hard to imagine a loved one being neglected or suffering abuse while in the care of an Ohio nursing home facility. Unfortunately, nursing home neglect and abuse happens every day, and causes many elderly people to suffer physically and emotionally. If a family member has been mistreated in a nursing home, you can file a civil claim against those responsible for negligently caring for your loved one. The purpose of a civil claim is to recover damages to cover medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other costs stemming from the abuse.

First, you will need report any instances of abuse or neglect to law enforcement or adult protective services, so that they can begin an investigation. An attorney can then help you gather evidence, question witnesses, and have an expert evaluate any medical reports received from the nursing home.

First responders use a new procedure to help TBI victims

On behalf of Hoffman Legal Group, LLC on Saturday, October 12, 2019.

Falls and motor vehicle accidents are responsible for most traumatic brain injuries in our country. First responders only have a few minutes in which to treat a TBI victim.

An innovative public health initiative revealed in May 2019 helps save brain cells that can quickly die and cause the patient a lifetime of cognitive and physical impairment.

Ohio University suspends fraternities following wrongful death

On behalf of Hoffman Legal Group, LLC posted in wrongful death on Thursday, October 10, 2019.

Filing a wrongful death lawsuit can help victims' families recover damages to cover medical costs, funeral expenses and other expenses relating to the loss of their loved one. But, that's not all they do. In many cases, filing a wrongful death lawsuit can bring attention to serious issues within a community and force those responsible for the victim's death to take action to prevent future deaths.

Earlier this year, the parents of an 18-year-old freshman student at Ohio University filed a wrongful death lawsuit after the student reportedly died as a result of a hazing incident at a fraternity house. According to the lawsuit, the student, who was pledging at a fraternity at the university, ingested nitrous oxide and died of asphyxiation at an off-campus fraternity annex. The lawsuit alleges that fraternity members provided and forced drugs on the student.

Filing a wrongful death claim in Ohio

On behalf of Hoffman Legal Group, LLC posted in wrongful death on Thursday, October 3, 2019.

While no amount of money can ever ease the pain of losing a loved one, families that have suffered a loss may find financial support helpful during a very difficult time. Filing a wrongful death lawsuit against parties responsible for your loved one's death could allow your family to recover damages for loss of support, medical and funeral expenses and other pecuniary injuries.

According to Ohio Rev. Code, Chapter 2125.01, a wrongful death is defined as a death caused by a "wrongful act, neglect or default" of another party. In other words, a wrongful death claim is essentially a personal injury claim filed on behalf of a deceased person who can no longer file their own claim.

Webcams in nursing homes may help prevent elder abuse

On behalf of Hoffman Legal Group, LLC posted in nursing home neglect and abuse on Thursday, September 26, 2019.

Over one million elderly adults reportedly live in nursing homes all across America but, unfortunately, many of them are not getting the care they deserve. Families often leave their loved ones in elder care living facilities, trusting that they will be treated with respect, only to later discover that their loved ones have been physically, emotionally or sexually assaulted by staff members.

As the number of elders in America increases, incidents involving nursing home neglect and abuse may become even more common. That is why a number of states are making changes to current legislation regarding care for elders. Some states have introduced statutes allowing relatives of elderly nursing home residents to set up webcams in resident rooms to ensure that they are being properly cared for.

Accident victims may experience memory loss after an accident

On behalf of Hoffman Legal Group, LLC posted in catastrophic injuries on Friday, September 20, 2019.

Many Ohio car accident victims suffer head or brain injuries that can affect the rest of their lives, even with extensive medical treatment. Traumatic brain injuries can sometimes result in amnesia, or the loss of memory.

While people suffering from amnesia will generally be aware of who they are, they may be unable to recall past memories or retain new information, depending on the type of amnesia they have and the severity. Generally, those suffering from retrograde amnesia will lose their existing memories. The most recent memories will be affected before memories formed many years ago. Accident victims with damage to the hippocampus may suffer from anterograde amnesia, or an inability to create new memories. This can be temporary, but it can also be permanent.

Causes of bedsores in nursing homes

On behalf of Hoffman Legal Group, LLC on Monday, September 16, 2019.

Deciding to place an aging parent in long-term nursing care can be tough. After all, nursing homes often represent the final stage before a loved one passes. Still, when you move your parent into a nursing home, you want to be sure he or she receives the best possible care.

As you may suspect, correctly documenting nursing home abuse can be challenging. Still, according to the National Council on Aging, an estimated 10% of individuals over the age of 60 have experienced some type of elder abuse or neglect. Bedsores are often an early indicator of a problem. Here are some reasons bedsores tend to form:

Poll: One in six doctors admits to making diagnostic errors daily

On behalf of Hoffman Legal Group, LLC posted in medical malpractice on Thursday, September 12, 2019.

When we go to an Ohio physician with a medical issue, we expect them to properly diagnose our condition, order the right tests and recommend the best possible course of treatment. If we choose to consent to the treatment, the physician and other medical professionals are responsible for administering the treatment in accordance with the applicable standard of care.

Failure to properly diagnose a patient can be a form of medical malpractice. However, according to a recent poll by Medscape, many doctors, nurses and physician assistants say they make diagnostic errors on a daily basis.