Oklahoma Personal Injury Legal Blog
Oklahoma Court Upholds Family’s Right to Pursue a Wrongful Death Claim on Behalf of Nursing Home Resident
The Supreme Court of Oklahoma recently found that a nursing home arbitration agreement is not binding to beneficiaries or next of kin in the event of a wrongful death claim. The opinion arose from a case involving clients of the Maples Law Firm, a family seeking compensation following the death of a loved one at an Oklahoma City nursing home.
According to court documents, in 2010, a then 87-year-old woman was admitted to the Grace Living Center. As part of admission, the woman’s daughter, acting as her representative, signed a Dispute Resolution Provision stating that any legal matters would be handled by a third-party arbitrator and not through litigation.
Elder Care Advocates Outraged Over Lack of Charges against Abusive Aide
On May 9, 2010, Virginia Hicks, a resident at an Oklahoma City nursing home called Epworth Villa, suffered a broken wrist when an aide allegedly grabbed her arm with much too force.
After the incident, a lawsuit was brought against Epworth Villa. District Judge Patricia Parrish found the aide’s actions to be “atrocious” and “utterly intolerable.” She ruled that the nursing home was liable for the abuse and ordered them to provide $15 million in damages, effectively bankrupting the owners.
However, criminal charges have not been brought against the aide who had injured the elderly woman.
Read more about Elder Care Advocates Outraged Over Lack of Charges against Abusive Aide
Bicyclist Injured in Oklahoma City Intersection Crash
A bike rider was injured in an Oklahoma car accident that occurred near an intersection. According to a News 9 report, the bicycle accident occurred at Sheridan and Western in Oklahoma City the morning of September 24. Officials have not released any information regarding how or why the accident occurred. The bike rider was transported to a nearby hospital in good condition. It is not clear if the driver will be cited for the crash.
There are many reasons why so many Oklahoma bike accidents occur near intersections. It is common for riders to put themselves in danger by running through red lights and by pulling up alongside vehicles that are about to turn. It is just as common for drivers to cause accidents by failing to yield to bicyclists and by entering an intersection without first looking for approaching riders.
Read more about Bicyclist Injured in Oklahoma City Intersection Crash
Citizen Advocacy Group Gives Oklahoma Nursing Home a Failing Grade
Families for Better Care, Inc. is a citizen advocacy group that acts as a watchdog of nursing homes for residents and their families. According to a recent NewsChannel 4 report, the group gave Oklahoma nursing homes a failing grade. The report states that local nursing home residents are living in dangerous conditions and that immediate and decisive action is required to keep the elderly safe.
Out of the 50 states and the District of Columbia, Oklahoma ranked 49th in providing “safe, quality nursing home care and security,” the report stated. In response to the ranking, Oklahoma State Representative Richard Morrissette stated: “We aren’t getting better, we are sinking like a rock!”
Read more about Citizen Advocacy Group Gives Oklahoma Nursing Home a Failing Grade
Edmond Man Killed in Logan County Crash
A 50-year-old Edmond man was killed in an Oklahoma car accident when a vehicle rolled over and struck his vehicle. According to a news report in The Edmond Sun, the fatal car crash took place at Broadway and Charter Oak in Logan County north of Edmond. Officials say a 2013 Hyundai Sonata struck a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado causing the Silverado to partially roll and hit a 2006 Honda Accord. The 50-year-old driver of the Honda was killed at the scene and his 49-year-old wife has been listed in stable condition. The 32-year-old female driver of the Sonata and the 46-year-old driver of the Silverado refused treatment. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
Read more about Edmond Man Killed in Logan County Crash
Lenapah Motorcyclist Killed in Catoosa Collision
A 50-year-old Lenapah man was killed in an Oklahoma motorcycle accident involving a front-end loader. According to a KJRH news report, the fatal motorcycle crash occurred on Bird Creek near a gravel service road in Catoosa. Officials say the motorcyclist was traveling northbound when he collided with a front-end loader that was in the process of turning. KOCO.com reports that the victim was not wearing a helmet. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the front-end loader was not hurt.
Under Oklahoma Statute 47-12-609 (B), only motorcycle operators and passengers who are under 18 are required to wear a safety helmet. The dangers of head injuries, however, do not go away when you become an adult. All motorcyclists in Oklahoma would be well advised to wear a helmet whenever they ride. Helmets cannot prevent all fatal injuries, but they can significantly reduce the amount of brain trauma that can occur during a violent crash.
Read more about Lenapah Motorcyclist Killed in Catoosa Collision
Nine Injured in Oklahoma City Bus-Truck Collision
Nine people were injured in an Oklahoma City traffic accident involving a collision between a Greyhound bus and a semi truck. According to a News 9 report, the truck and bus accident occurred on I-40 eastbound just west of the Amarillo junction in Oklahoma City. Officials have not released information regarding what caused the bus and truck to collide. All nine of the injured victims were transported to nearby hospitals with minor injuries. It is unclear how the accident could have been prevented or if anyone will face charges for the crash.
Read more about Nine Injured in Oklahoma City Bus-Truck Collision
Oklahoma Family Reports Nursing Home Abuse of Vietnam War Veteran
A Vietnam War veteran is bruised and battered and his family believes that the Jones nursing home where he was staying is responsible. According to a KFOR news report, his wife found him one day turned to the wall of his room crying. When questioned, he claimed that the care provider balled up her fist and took a swing at him. His family reported the abuse but received no positive response from the nursing home’s administrators.
They man’s family has since taken him home and the director of the facility claims that the abuse is under investigation. The wife of the injured veteran says that the facility could not explain where the bruises on his stomach came from and that she worries for the many other residents who live in that facility. She is now working with a local advocate to learn about her options.
Read more about Oklahoma Family Reports Nursing Home Abuse of Vietnam War Veteran
3 Animals That Help Humans in Unexpected Ways
Although we prideful humans would like to take all the credit for ourselves, the fact is we wouldn’t have the world we have today without help from other species. For example, dogs have facilitated the herding of livestock since ancient times. Horses and camels made long distance cultural exchange possible. Early agriculture just wouldn’t have worked out without the ox there to pull the plow. Diseases associated with rat infestations would’ve irrevocably crippled early cities had it not been for cats. The list goes on and on. It’s clear that animals were absolutely vital to our development at various turning points throughout history.
But what about today? It’s easy to think that with the advent of modern technology, animal help has become obsolete. However, this is a misconception, albeit a common one. There are actually a wide variety of ways animals help us today and some of them are sure to surprise you…
Read more about 3 Animals That Help Humans in Unexpected Ways
Toddler Killed in Oklahoma City Parking Lot Accident
A 3-year-old boy was killed in an Oklahoma car accident that occurred in a McDonald’s parking lot. According to a news report in The Oklahoman, the fatal pedestrian accident occurred at Northwest Expressway and Council Road in northwest Oklahoma City. Officials say a mother and her two sons were crossing the parking lot when they were struck by an SUV. The 3-year-old sustained fatal injuries and the mother and 4-year-old suffered non-life-threatening injuries. The female driver of the SUV was not arrested, but the investigation is ongoing. According to the report, she may have caused the crash while distracted by another vehicle.
Parking lot accidents are very common, but they are rarely reported. The majority of parking lot accidents result in relatively minor injuries because they vehicles involved are typically moving slowly. However, injury accidents can happen at any speed. It is dangerous to have a false sense of security in a parking lot and to fail to exercise caution.
Read more about Toddler Killed in Oklahoma City Parking Lot Accident