A Boston Globe report based on government data has found that a number of the nation’s nursing homes are wrongfully using anti-psychotic drugs to silence residents who display hostile or combative behavior. According to a news report in USA Today, the Globe’s investigation found that a Massachusetts nursing home was administering dangerous anti-psychotic drugs to 19 percent of its residents, even those who did not have a diagnosis for which the drugs are recommended.
These drugs, usually prescribed for those suffering from schizophrenia, can have powerful side effects, including dizziness, abnormal heart rhythm, sudden drop in blood pressure, blurred vision, or even death. The Globe’s investigation also found that just in the year 2010, 185,000 nursing home residents nationwide received these drugs against the recommendation of federal nursing home regulators. Many of the patients who received these drugs were those suffering from Alzheimer’s or dementia.
Some nursing homes are using the defense that they “have to” use these drugs on some patients to prevent them from hurting others or themselves. These drugs are used as “chemical restraints” instead of physical restraints. But in many of the nation’s understaffed nursing homes, these dangerous drugs are being used to simply subdue patients. When staff members do not have the time to provide care or attention to these “demanding” patients, they are put to sleep with these powerful medications. This inhumane practice amounts to nursing home neglect and abuse.
If you believe that your loved one is being given unnecessary medications at a nursing home, you have the right to demand an inquiry and file a complaint with nursing home administrators. If your loved one has suffered serious side effects as a result of these medications, please contact an experienced Oklahoma nursing home abuse lawyer at the Maples Law Firm. We will fight for your rights and ensure that the negligent parties are held accountable. Please contact us at (888) 226-6159 for a no-cost consultation.
Two children were hospitalized with injuries after a traffic accident involving a Tulsa Public Schools bus. According to a KTUL news report, the injury crash occurred in the southbound lanes of Highway 75 near the on-ramp to the Interstate 44. The bus carrying 16 children and four adults from Anderson Elementary School was on its way to the Jewish Holocaust Museum when their bus rear-ended a semi truck. Two children were transported to an area hospital and three others were treated at the scene. It is not clear if the bus driver will be cited for the collision.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 96 crashes occurred in which at least one occupant of a school transportation vehicle died between 1996 and 2008. More than half of those crashes, about 59 percent, involved at least one other vehicle. In the 57 multi-vehicle crashes, 32 drivers and 40 passengers died. In 51 percent of all fatal school bus crashes, the principal point of impact was the front of the vehicle.
When a school bus crash occurs, it is important to determine which one of the parties was at fault. If the driver of the other vehicle was at-fault, he or she can be held liable for the injuries. If the school bus driver was at fault, then the driver, his or her employer, the bus company, and even the school district may be held liable.
If your child has been injured in a school bus accident, an experienced personal injury attorney in Oklahoma City at the Maples Law Firm can help you better understand your legal rights and options. If you wish to obtain more information about pursuing your legal rights, please contact us at (888) 226-6159 for a free consultation and comprehensive case evaluation.
Nursing homes nationwide are “woefully unprepared” to protect frail residents in the event of natural disasters such as tornadoes, hurricanes, and floods, government officials say. According to a news report in The Huffington Post, Oklahoma is one of the top 10 disaster-prone states ranked by historical statistics. The government requires nursing homes to come up with emergency plans specifying details such as coordinating with local authorities, notifying relatives, or pinning nametags and medication lists to residents in the event of an evacuation. Even seven years after Hurricane Katrina when the vulnerability of nursing homes was exposed, very little has been done to ensure that nursing home residents will be safe in the event of a major disaster.
This is particularly important because millions in the United States live in nursing homes. According to available data, more than 3 million people in the United States spent at least some time in a nursing home during the year 2009. Nearly 40 percent of those individuals, about 1.2 million, were in the top 10 disaster-prone states, including Oklahoma. A typical nursing home resident is a woman in her 80s or older who is dealing with physical or mental issues that make her dependent on others to carry out everyday activities.
It is the responsibility of nursing homes to ensure that their residents are safe and secure under all circumstances. Nursing homes are required to screen employees or prospective workers, keep their premises safe, and to make sure that their residents who depend on them receive quality care. Often, this does not happen because of nursing homes that try to cut corners and maximize their profits by understaffing their facilities and neglecting their frail residents.
If you or a loved one has been the victim of nursing home abuse or neglect, an experienced Oklahoma City nursing home negligence lawyer at Maples Law Firm can help you better understand your legal rights and options. Please contact us at (888) 226-6159 to find out how we can help you.
A 24-year-old man was killed in a fatal Oklahoma motorcycle accident after his motorcycle struck a pickup truck. According to a news report in NewsOK.com, the fatal motorcycle accident occurred on U.S. 59 north of Stilwell in Adair County. The man was driving south on the highway when he struck a pickup truck driven by a 66-year-old woman and then hit a mailbox and a stop sign. The motorcyclist was taken to an area hospital with severe head and internal injuries, but later died from his injuries. The man was wearing a helmet. The two women in the pickup truck were uninjured.
According to the Governors Highway Safety Association, fatalities involving motorcyclists have steadily increased over the last 10 years. In fact, in 2007, there was a 7 percent increase in fatalities as compared to 2006. Per vehicle mile traveled in 2007, motorcyclists were about 37 times more likely than occupants of other vehicles to die in a motor vehicle accident and nine times more likely to be injured.
When a fatal motorcycle accident is caused by someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing, the family of the deceased victim can file what is known as a wrongful death lawsuit against the at-fault motorist seeking compensation for damages such as lost future wages, medical expenses, and funeral costs.
The experienced Oklahoma motorcycle accident attorneys at Maples Law Firm offer our deepest condolences to anyone who has lost a beloved family member in a traffic accident. If you wish to obtain more information about pursuing your legal rights, please contact us at (888) 226-6159 for a free consultation and comprehensive case evaluation.
An Oklahoma bill that would protect nursing home patients by requiring a fingerprint background check program for long-term care facilities is in jeopardy of dying a quiet death on the Senate floor. According to a news report in Tulsa World, House Bill 2582 sets up a system that would fingerprint all new employees applying to certain jobs in nursing homes and other care facilities. The fingerprints would then be submitted to the FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) for a national criminal background check.
If the employee had a prior disqualifying offense, such as abuse by caretaker, that would prevent the person from working at the nursing home or care facility. Currently, prospective applicants for nursing home jobs have a criminal background check on their name only. Also, the background check is only done statewide and does not include other states unless the employee discloses that he or she worked in another state. The bill has passed the House, but has not been heard in the Senate. The bill is in danger of dying if it does not get a hearing in the Senate soon.
Several groups, including the American Association for Retired Persons, the Oklahoma Aging Partnership, and other industry associations for nursing homes, have endorsed this bill, which will go a long way in protecting Oklahoma seniors against OK nursing home abuse. The current system does not do a good job of protecting nursing home residents because the background checks are not thorough. A 2005 study found that 52 nursing aides who were certified to practice in Oklahoma had a criminal record in 16 other states.
It is a nursing home’s responsibility to ensure that employees are properly screened before they are allowed to care for or interact with residents. If you or a loved one has been the victim of nursing home abuse or neglect, an experienced Oklahoma nursing home abuse lawyer at Maples Law Firm can help you better understand your legal rights and options. Please contact us at (888) 226-6159 to find out how we can help.
An Oklahoma City oil rig worker was killed after he was pinned under a piece of equipment. According to a KOCO news report, officers say a hydraulic line broke at an oil rig site in the 3400 block of Southeast 59th. Several workers were at the site,but only one worker was under the pipe when it collapsed. Officers say the force was so strong that the worker was pinned underneath it. He died at the scene despite other workers’ efforts to resuscitate him. The Department of Health and Safety will conduct an investigation in order to determine if proper procedures were followed.
Injuries on oil rigs are extremely common. Oil rig workers take on long and rigorous shifts. Oil rig accidents may be caused by failing equipment, working mandatory overtime without rest, and being expected to follow unsafe procedures. Employers are expected to provide oil rig workers with a safe working environment. Workers should also be properly trained for the jobs they are required to perform. In addition, workers should be provided with safety equipment that is necessary to perform the job.
Oil rig workers are often able to receive compensation if their injuries are caused by an employer’s failure to follow proper procedures or due to someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing. If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in an Oklahoma City oil rig accident, please contact the experienced workers’ compensation attorneys in Oklahoma City at Maples Law Firm. We will review the circumstances of your accident and fight to ensure that you receive fair compensation for all your injuries, damages, and losses. Please contact us at (888) 226-6159 for a free consultation and comprehensive case evaluation.
A nursing home in Oklahoma City has fired two employees who were accused of abusing a 96-year-old patient with dementia. Quail Creek Nursing and Rehabilitation Center fired the two female employees, ages 23 and 28, after they were both arrested by police on one complaint each of neglect by caretaker. One of the nursing assistants was caught on camera shoving latex gloves into the patient’s mouth as the other watched. The video also shows the worker lift the patient into bed and the push the side of her face to force her to lie down. The for-profit facility is owned by Westlake Nursing Home L.P. of Dallas, Texas, and has 92 residents in its care.
Nursing home abuse and neglect are becoming an epidemic in the United States. According to the National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA), there are many different types of abuse that occur at nursing homes. There are signs and symptoms of abuse and neglect that family members would be well advised to watch out for. The common symptoms of physical abuse include slap marks, bruises, burns, or blisters. Signs of neglect may include pressure ulcers, filthy appearance, malnutrition, lack of medical care, or dehydration. Seniors who suffer emotional abuse may become withdrawn or show other behavioral changes. A sudden change in the patient’s finances or accounts may be indicative of financial abuse.
Victims of nursing home neglect or abuse may be able to recover compensation from the negligent nursing home for their suffering and losses. Filing a civil suit is often the only legal recourse nursing home victims and their families have to hold the facility accountable. If you or a loved one has been a victim of nursing home abuse or neglect, the experienced nursing home abuse lawyers in Oklahoma City at the Maples Law Firm can help you better understand your legal rights and options. Please contact us at (888) 226-6159 for a no-cost consultation and comprehensive case evaluation.
Animal control officials in Bryan County are urging dog owners to secure their pets after two pit bulls mauled a 92-year-old man to death in his own yard. According to a news report in the Durant Democrat, the fatal dog attack occurred on South Walnut Street in Mead. The elderly man was seen lying in his yard with multiple bites all over his body. He later died in an area hospital. The two pit bulls that belonged to a neighbor were taken into custody. It is not clear if the dogs’ owner has been charged or cited.
The American Humane Association reports that there are 238 dog bite-related fatalities each year in the United States. About 24 percent of these deaths involving humans are caused by unrestrained dogs off their owner’s property. The city of Durant requires pets to be secured, but the municipal ordinance does not specifically state how an animal must be restrained.
According to Oklahoma Statutes Annotated §4-42.1: “The owner or owners of any dog shall be liable for damages to the full amount of any damages sustained when his dog, without provocation, bites or injures any person while such person is in or on a place where he has a lawful right to be.” What this means is that under most circumstances, dog owners can be held financially responsible for the injuries and damages caused by their pets.
Injured victims can seek compensation from negligent dog owners for damages such as medical expenses, loss of wages, hospitalization, medications, cosmetic surgery, pain and suffering, and emotional distress. The experienced Oklahoma personal injury attorneys at the Maples Law Firm have a long and successful track record of helping dog attack victims secure the compensation they need and rightfully deserve. Please contact us at (888) 226-6159 for a free and comprehensive consultation.
Federal health regulators have said they will add labeling to contraceptive pills containing the synthetic hormone drospirenone, such as Yaz, Yasmin and Ocella, indicating the risk of blood clots. According to an Associated Press news report, the labeling will apply to Bayer’s Yaz, its predecessor Yasmin, and other drospirenone-containing drugs. The synthetic hormone, which is found in newer generation contraceptive pills, mimics the naturally occurring female hormone progesterone. The decision by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) comes in the wake of several recent research studies showing an elevated risk of blood clots for users of birth control pills with drospirenone. Women taking these pills have reported blood clots in their legs. These clots can become fatal if they travel to the heart, lungs or brain.
If you are a woman taking these drugs, you can take precautionary steps to prevent these dangerous side effects. First, talk to your doctor and see if the benefits of taking the drugs outweigh the risks. Also, do address your risk factors. Smoking, obesity, or diabetes could raise your risk of blood clots if you are taking these pills.
Staying active improves blood circulation and reduces the risk of blood clots. Those who have to sit down for long periods of time for work would be well advised to move around often. Avoid the pill immediately after childbirth. It is important to understand the symptoms of blood clots. These include: shortness of breath, sharp chest pain, coughing up blood, dizziness, back pain, and wheezing.
If you or a loved one has suffered adverse health effects, such as blood clots, as a result of using Yaz, Yasmin, or other contraceptive pills containing drospirenone, an experienced Oklahoma defective drug attorney at the Maples Law Firm can help you better understand your legal rights and options. Please contact us at (888) 226-6159 for a free and comprehensive consultation.
One person was injured in an Oklahoma City school bus accident after the bus collided with another vehicle in the southwest portion of the city. According to an Associated Press news report, one person was transported by ambulance to a local hospital. A 17-year-old ninth grader and the bus driver were not seriously injured, but both were taken to the hospital as a precaution.
School bus accidents may be rare in Oklahoma City. But when they do occur, they have the potential to cause major injuries or even fatalities. Some of the common injuries suffered in Oklahoma City bus accidents include: broken bones, head injuries, back and neck injuries, and lacerations.
Not all school buses are required under the law to be equipped with seatbelts. Federal law requires buses weighing under 10,000 pounds to be equipped with three-point lap and shoulder restraint systems. However, larger buses, which constitute the majority of school buses on our roadways, are not required to have seatbelts.
When a school bus accident occurs, the bus company and/or the school district may be held liable for the injuries caused to students, depending on the cause and circumstances of the crash. Injured victims can file a personal injury claim seeking compensation for medical expenses, loss of wages, hospitalization, physical therapy, and other related damages.
If your child has been injured in a school bus or auto accident, the experienced personal injury lawyers in Oklahoma City at the Maples Law Firm can help you better understand your rights. Please contact us at (888) 226-6159 for a no-cost consultation.
