Senior Women at Twice the Risk for Fall Related Injuries
Tripping and falling happens from time to time but senior citizens (65 and older) are more likely to fall and to become injured from the fall. Every year, millions of adults aged 65 and older fall, causing moderate to severe injuries including hip fractures and head traumas. A hard fall can increase the risk of premature death. Sadly, death rates from falls among older men and women have risen sharply over the past decade.
Senior Fall Statistics
- In 2012, $30 billion dollars was spent on the direct medical costs of falls.
- One out of every three senior citizens experiences a fall each year but less than half report the fall to their doctor.
- Among senior citizens, falls are the leading cause of both fatal and nonfatal injuries.
- In 2012, 2.4 million senior adults were treated for non-fatal falls in emergency departments. More than 722,000 of these patients were hospitalized.
Health Risks from Falls
- Falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injuries (TBI).
- Almost half of fatal falls among older adults are due to TBI.
- Up to thirty percent of falls cause serious injuries including hip fractures, lacerations, and head traumas. Serious injuries can make it hard to get around or live independently, and increase the risk of early death.
- Most of the time, when a senior experiences a fracture it is from falling. The most common fractures are to the spine, hip, forearm, leg, ankle, pelvis, upper arm, and hand.
- Many times a person who falls develops a fear of falling again which may cause them to limit physical activity. Sadly, decreased physical activity weakens the muscular-skeletal system and actually increases the risk of falling.
Fall-related Deaths
- In 2011, approximately 22,900 senior adults died from unintentional fall injuries.
- Men are at greater risk of dying from a fall than women. After controlling for age, the fall death rate in 2011 was 41 percent higher for men than for women.
Fall Injuries
- Senior women are twice as likely as senior men to experience a fracture from a fall.
- People 75 years and older who experience a fall are four to five times more likely than those aged 65 to 74 to be admitted to a long-term care facility for a year or longer.More than 95 percent of hip fractures are caused by falls. In 2010, there were 258,000 hip fractures from falls.
Fall Prevention Tips
- Regular exercise, particularly activities that increase leg strength and balance can help prevent a fall. Tai Chi or other weight bearing exercises are a great way to built lower body strength and balance.
- Get plenty of calcium and vitamin D from food and/or supplements.
- Get screened and treated, if needed, for osteoporosis.
- Have a doctor or pharmacist analyze all medicines taken, including prescription and over the counter, to identify any that could cause side effects or interactions like dizziness or drowsiness.
- Seniors should have their eyes checked by an optometrist annually to check for overall eye health and ensure that their prescription is up to date. It might be a good idea to get a pair of glasses with single vision lenses for distance only for walking outside.
- Remove tripping hazards from in and around the home.
- Add grab bars to walls for getting in and out of the bathtub or shower and using the toilet.
- Add railings to both sides of stairways.
- Ensure adequate lighting inside and outside of the home.
If you or a loved one were injured in an accident, you have enough to deal with. Let an experienced accident attorney fight for the full compensation that you deserve. It is not uncommon to receive a settlement from the insurance company that is five to ten times bigger with the help of a lawyer. Call the caring accident attorneys at Tario & Associates, P.S. today for a FREE consultation! You will pay nothing up front and no attorney fees at all unless we recover damages for you!
Read MoreFall Clean-up Accidents
Fall is here and that brings fall projects and fall clean-up. Every year, thousands of Americans are injured in fall clean-up activities including back strains from raking leaves and sprains and broken bones from falling off ladders or roofs while cleaning gutters or windows. In 2010, more than 35,500 people were injured using a stepladder and 532,000 were injured in falls from ladders.
The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) encourages people to take the proper safety precautions to reduce the number of fall clean-up related accidents this season.
Fall Clean-Up Safety Tips:
Raking
- It is best to wait until the majority of the leaves have fallen to do one big fall clean-up. Spot cleaning tends to lead to carelessness and injuries.
- Raking a large yard is vigorous exercise! Warm your body up for at least 10 minutes with some stretching and light exercise before you start.
- Choose a rake that is comfortable for your height and strength. Purchase a heavier, ergonomic rake if possible. The lighter the rake, the more energy you will actually need to use to gather the piles.
- Wear lightweight clothes warm enough to prevent being cold but cool enough to avoid trapping sweat. Shoes should be supportive and comfortable, and should have slip-proof soles in case you walk across a patch of wet leaves.
- To prevent blisters, wear gloves or use rakes with padded handles. You should also vary your movement, alternating your leg and arm positions often.
- To prevent a back injury, do not overfill leaf bags. Never carry or throw a bag over your shoulder or to the side as the twisting motion places undue stress on your back. When you pick up the bag of leaves, separate your feet shoulder-width apart and keep your back straight. To lift, bend at the knees while tightening your stomach and leg muscles. If you are worried that the bag is too heavy or awkward to lift on your own then ask for help!
Ladder Use
- Choose the right ladder for the job. A step ladder is meant for washing windows and other jobs at low or medium heights. An extension ladder is appropriate for cleaning high places, such as the gutters.
- Before use, inspect the ladder for loose screws, hinges or rungs. Clean off accumulated mud, dirt or liquids.
- Before you climb a ladder, make sure all ladder locks and safety braces are in place.
- Never place a ladder on ground or flooring that is uneven, soft, or wet; choose a firm surface.
- Use a sturdy step stool instead of a counter or furniture when cleaning high, hard to reach places.
- When working on a ladder, do not lean so far that your bellybutton has gone beyond the edge of the ladder. Climb down the ladder and reposition it closer to your work area if necessary.
- Never climb a ladder without a spotter.
- Never sit or stand on the top of a step ladder or pail shelf as these areas weren’t designed to hold heavy weights.
If you or a loved one were injured in an accident, you have enough to deal with. Let an experienced accident attorney fight for the full compensation that you deserve. It is not uncommon to receive a settlement from the insurance company that is five to ten times bigger with the help of a lawyer. Call the caring accident attorneys at Tario & Associates, P.S. today for a FREE consultation! You will pay nothing up front and no attorney fees at all unless we recover damages for you!
Read MorePainkiller Deaths: Women
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Vital Signs report released on July 2, 2013 revealed that more than five times as many women died of prescription painkiller overdoses in 2010 than in 1999. This accounted for about 48,000 women dying from painkiller overdoses, an increase of 400 percent over the decade. In 2010, 18 women died every day; about half of all women’s overdose deaths were due to prescription painkillers. Prescription painkillers include opioid or narcotic pain relievers, including drugs like Vicodin, OxyContin, Opana, and methadone.
Statistics on Women’s Painkiller Deaths
- Since 2007, more women have died from drug overdoses than motor vehicle crashes.
- Women aged 45 to 54 years are at the highest risk of dying from a painkiller overdose.
- About 10 percent of women who commit suicide use prescription painkillers.
- Women between 25 and 54 years of age are more likely than any other age group to have to go to the emergency room due to prescription painkiller misuse or abuse.
- For every woman who died of a prescription painkiller overdose, 30 more visited the emergency room for misuse or abuse.
- In 2010, one woman visited the ER every ten minutes related to prescription pain medication.
General Population Painkiller Statistics
- Drug overdose deaths rose for the 11th straight year in 2010; 60 percent of these fatalities involved prescription painkillers.
- Opioid deaths were involved in 75 percent of medication-related deaths.
- Men are still more likely to die from painkiller overdoses than women but the gap between the two genders is closing.
- 70 percent of Americans take prescription drugs at one time or another.
- More kids are being poisoned by prescription drugs as medication prescribing rates increase.
- The FDA has banned the generic version of original OxyContin.
- Experts believe that increased painkiller prescription rates may be behind the rising numbers of prescription painkiller addictions and overdoses as there is a parallel between increased prescription rates and overdoses and deaths over the last decade.
Painkiller Issues Particular to Women
It is important to understand that women are more susceptible to chronic pain and are therefore prescribed higher doses of painkillers over longer periods of time compared to men. Women have also shown higher rates of addiction to prescription painkillers and are more likely to go from doctor to doctor seeking pain medication.
Women are more susceptible to drug overdoses from medication prescribed for mental health issues such as anti-depressants, anti-anxiety, and sleep-aids which could be due to women being more likely to seek help for mental health issues than men.
Prescription drugs taken by pregnant women can put their fetus at risk of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS). NAS is a set of symptoms that appear when a newborn has been exposed to addictive illegal or prescription drugs, similar to fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), which happens when a mother abuses alcohol while pregnant. NAS symptoms vary depending on the type of drug the mother used but can include mottling (blotchy skin coloring), diarrhea, excessive or high-pitched crying, excessive sucking, fever, vomiting, seizures, and more. Symptoms typically appear one to ten days after birth.
If you or a loved one were injured in an accident, you have enough to deal with. Let an experienced accident attorney fight for the full compensation that you deserve. It is not uncommon to receive a settlement from the insurance company that is five to ten times bigger with the help of a lawyer. Call the caring accident attorneys at Tario & Associates, P.S. today for a FREE consultation! You will pay nothing up front and no attorney fees at all unless we recover damages for you!
Read MorePrescription Drug Overdose Statistics
In 2011, prescription drug overdose became the leading cause of injury death in the United States after growing steadily over the last twenty-five years. Every day, 113 Americans die of drug overdose and another 6,748 people are treated in the emergency room for the misuse or abuse of prescription drugs.
In 2012, 259 million prescriptions for painkillers were written; that is enough for every adult to have a bottle of pills. In the United States alone, prescription opioid abuse costs about $55 billion per year. The breakdown in costs: 46 percent is attributable to workplace expenses such as lost productivity, 45 percent is due to healthcare costs such as abuse treatment, and nine percent is from criminal justice costs.
Prescription Drugs, Overdose, and Drug Abuse Defined
Drug: A drug is a chemical compound used for the diagnosis or treatment of disease or injury, for the relief of pain, or for the feeling it causes. A drug is either classified as a pharmaceutical (including both prescription and over-the-counter products) or illicit/illegal.
Overdose: An overdose occurs when too much of a drug is eaten, inhaled, injected, or absorbed through the skin. Overdoses are either intentional or unintentional. If the person taking or giving a substance did not mean to cause harm, then it is unintentional.
Drug Abuse or Misuse: The use of illicit or prescription or over-the-counter drugs in a manner other than as directed by a medical professional.
Prescription Drug Overdose Statistics
- For people aged 25 to 64 years old, drug overdose was responsible for more deaths than motor vehicle traffic crashes. In 2011 alone there were 41,340 drug overdose deaths in the United States.
- Drug overdose death rates have been rising steadily since 1992. There was a 118 percent increase in overdose deaths from 1999 to 2011.
- In 2011, 80 percent (33,071) of drug overdoses were unintentional, 12.8 percent (5,298) were of suicidal intent, 0.2 percent (80) were homicides, and 7 percent (2,891) were of undetermined intent.
- In 2011, there were over 2.5 million visits to the emergency department related to drug misuse and abuse. More than 1.4 million of these visits were related to pharmaceuticals.
- Between 2004 and 2005, almost 71,000 children (18 or younger) were taken to the emergency room each year due to accidental medication overdose. (These numbers exclude visits for self-harm, abuse, and recreational drug use).
- Forty percent of poisonings among children under age six involve pharmaceutical drugs. Almost 90 percent of all poisoning deaths are caused by ingesting drugs.
Most Common Drugs Involved in Drug Overdoses
In 2011, fifty-five percent (22,810) of drug overdoses were related to pharmaceuticals. Of these, 74 percent (16,917) involved opioid analgesics (also known as opioid pain relievers or prescription painkillers), and 30 percent (6,872) involved benzodiazepines. Note that some deaths include more than one type of drug.
About 1.4 million visits to the emergency room involved the non-medical use of pharmaceuticals. Among these visits, 501,207 overdoses involved the misuse of anti-anxiety and insomnia medications, and 420,040 visits were related to opioid analgesics.
Benzodiazepines are often found among people treated in the emergency department for misusing or abusing drugs. People who died of drug overdoses commonly had a combination of benzodiazepines and opioid analgesics in their bodies.
If you or a loved one were injured in an accident, you have enough to deal with. Let an experienced accident attorney fight for the full compensation that you deserve. It is not uncommon to receive a settlement from the insurance company that is five to ten times bigger with the help of a lawyer. Call the caring accident attorneys at Tario & Associates, P.S. today for a FREE consultation! You will pay nothing up front and no attorney fees at all unless we recover damages for you!
Read MoreTop 10 Marathon Injuries
After seeing hundreds of runners running the Bellingham Bay Marathon on Sunday, September 28th, I started thinking about marathon injuries. There is no doubt that the body faces a physical challenge while training for and completing the 26.2 miles in a marathon. It is important to train well in advance of the marathon and be prepared for the common injuries that can occur during the race. Having an understanding of symptoms to look for, how to handle them, and whether it is safe to finish the marathon can be an important tool to keeping yourself healthy.
Preventing and Handling the Top 10 Marathon Injuries
1. Blisters
Foot blisters are a common reaction to running long periods of time with socks rubbing against running shoes. Assuming that you trained for the race, you may have already experienced blisters and know which shoes, socks, drying agents, covering pads, and lubricants have worked to keep them at bay. If you feel a hot, sore spot early in the race it is best to stop and pop the blister and cover it with a disinfectant, and a gel bandage or moleskin pad.
2. Black Toenails
Black toenails are a result of a blister or blood pooling under a toenail. During a marathon, this is usually caused by repeated banging of the toenail against the front of the running shoe. The best prevention is to buy a well fitting shoe and tie the laces tight enough that they keep your heel in place. You may not notice the blackened toenail until after the marathon; note that you will likely lose the nail and have it grow back over the course of three to five months.
3. Chafing
Chafing is when skin rubs against skin and is made more painful with the salt from sweat. Common areas for chafing are underarms, nipples, under-breast area, groin, and thighs. You will likely already have experienced chafing during training so pay attention to your problem areas and keep them dry with cornstarch or moist with petroleum jelly, or roll-on silicone products.
4. Upset Stomach and Nausea
With all the bouncing up and down, an upset stomach is common during a marathon. In the 48 hours leading up to the marathon be careful what you eat or drink. Avoid spicy foods, alcohol, foods that you don’t tolerate well, or unfamiliar foods. Limit caffeine right before the race. During the race only consume energy snacks or liquids that you used successfully during training.
5. Dehydration
Pay attention to feelings of dehydration during training. Weigh yourself before and after a long run to ensure that you have neither lost nor gained weight. Make sure that you have ample access to water during the race. Watch for symptoms of dehydration including dry mouth, fatigue, dizziness, stomach ache, back pain, headache, irritability, and decreased urination. If you experience these symptoms you should slow down or stop and drink a sports drink until the symptoms subside.
6. Hyponatremia
Hyponatremia is the opposite of dehydration; it is when a person drinks so much fluid that the body doesn’t have time to eliminate it. The concentration of water dangerously dilutes the salt concentration in your cells. Watch for signs of hyponatremia that include nausea, headache, cramps, confusion, slurred speech, bloating, and swollen hands. If you are experiencing these symptoms, stop and do not continue the race until the symptoms subside.
7. Sunburn and Windburn
Being outside for a prolonged period of time exposes your skin to a lot of sun and wind (if it is windy). Even on a cloudy day you should protect your face and the top of your head with a billed hat and apply sunscreen to any exposed skin. Keep your lips hydrated with lip balm. On windy days you can wear a Buff neck gaiter to wear as a balaclava or scarf for extra wind protection.
8. Muscle Cramps
Muscle cramps can occur from long periods of exertion and from the strain of using the same posture and gait for several hours. The risk for muscle cramps is exacerbated by dehydration and depleted salt levels. If you experience a muscle cramp during the race, stop and gently stretch and massage the cramped muscle. Drink a sports drink to replace salt and fluid levels in your body. Be aware of your posture during the race, stay hydrated, and change your stride or pace throughout the marathon to help prevent muscle cramps.
9. Hitting the Wall
“Hitting the wall” or completely running out of energy stores in your muscles is more common in competitive marathon runners than in slower runners or marathon walkers. Drinking sports energy drinks and consuming energy gels or other energy snacks every throughout the marathon can help prevent energy loss.
10. Sprains, Strains, and Stress Fractures
Muscle exhaustion can lead to a trip or fall and a sprain, strain, or fracture. If you experience sudden, sharp pain, stop immediately and seek the help of course volunteers.
If you or a loved one were injured in an accident, you have enough to deal with. Let an experienced accident attorney fight for the full compensation that you deserve. It is not uncommon to receive a settlement from the insurance company that is five to ten times bigger with the help of a lawyer. Call the caring accident attorneys at Tario & Associates, P.S. today for a FREE consultation! You will pay nothing up front and no attorney fees at all unless we recover damages for you!
Read MorePlastic Surgery Risks
Plastic surgery procedures completed in accredited surgical facilities by board-certified plastic surgeons have a great safety record. A survey based on more than 400,000 operations performed in accredited facilities found that the rate of serious complications was less than half of one percent. Although plastic surgery has a low rate of complications, you should know the risks of plastic surgery before you undergo a procedure. It is advisable to do research on the potential risks and complications of your chosen procedure and discuss any concerns you have with your plastic surgeon.
Risks for Plastic Surgery
Complications from Anesthsia/Sedation
Some people experience serious complications when put under anesthesia/sedation. People with heart or lung disease or who are obese are at greater risk of complications due to anesthesia. To reduce your risk, tell your doctor about any medications you are on and let her know your complete medical history.
Possible complications include:
- temporary paralysis
- Temporary paralysis can occur if muscle relaxants have not fully worn off after surgery but it is generally considered easy to detect and treat by a medical professional.
- abnormal heart rhythm
- blood clots
- heart attack
- stroke
- nerve damage
- airway obstruction
- Anesthesia can irritate the air passages, causing the vocal cords to spasm and block the airway. The anesthesiologist may need to insert a tube down the throat or cut into the windpipe to treat the airway obstruction.
- brain damage
- death
- malignant hyperthermia
Aspiration
Aspiration is when a person vomits during surgery and the vomit is forced back into the lungs. Aspiration can cause mild discomfort and can also lead to infections, chronic cough, obstruction in the lungs, or even pneumonia.
Excessive Blood Loss
Some bleeding is normal with any procedure but if there is excessive bleeding, it can create major complications. Your surgeon and anesthesiologist will look for pooling blood or a dramatic drop in blood pressure. If excessive bleeding occurs after surgery, it can accumulate under the skin and require an additional surgery.
Blood Clots (DVT)
Blood clots are formed from a medical condition or being kept immobile such as in a surgery setting. A blood clot in the veins can be fatal and they are difficult to predict. To help prevent them, move around and flex your feet often during recovery. Be aware that patients who have liposuction in their legs are at higher risk for DVT; compression garments can help.
Drop in Blood Pressure
Blood pressure often decreases slightly during surgery but a sudden drop from blood loss can cause an irregular heart beat or even a heart attack.
Infection
Infection is actually a low risk at less than one percent of surgeries. Taking precautionary antibiotics can reduce the risk of infection dramatically but be aware that if infection does occur, it is very serious. People who smoke, take steroids, or have certain vascular conditions are at greater risk. The longer the surgery and the more blood lost increases the risk of infection.
Loose Sutures
If sutures come loose it can cause internal bleeding or a hernia which would require additional surgery.
Skin Death (or Necrosis)
Skin death usually follows an infection or hematoma and is most common among smokers. Necrosis is treated by surgically removing the dead skin which may affect the cosmetic outcome.
Asymmetry
Moderate or severe asymmetries in results may require a second surgery. Mild asymmetry is normal.
Slow Healing
Slow healing can be caused by advanced age, skin type, failure to follow doctor’s advice or an auto-immune disorder.
Numbness/Tingling
Some patients experience temporary numbness or tingling after surgery. A permanent loss of sensation can result from an injury to the sensory or motor nerves.
Irregularities
Dimples, puckers, divots or other irregularities can appear in the skin due to surgical error, unusual healing, or body make-up.
Seroma
Seroma is when fluid collects under the skin and can occur after breast augmentation, liposuction, or a tummy tuck.
If you or a loved one were injured in an accident, you have enough to deal with. Let an experienced accident attorney fight for the full compensation that you deserve. It is not uncommon to receive a settlement from the insurance company that is five to ten times bigger with the help of a lawyer. Call the caring accident attorneys at Tario & Associates, P.S. today for a FREE consultation! You will pay nothing up front and no attorney fees at all unless we recover damages for you!
Read MorePrevent Pet Bites
How to Care for a Pet Bite:
- If the wound is bleeding heavily, call your doctor or go to the emergency room*. Keep in mind that stitches must be done within six hours of the injury.
- If you decide to care for the injury yourself:
- Wash the wound gently with soap and water.
- Apply pressure to the wound with a clean towel to stop any bleeding.
- Apply a sterile bandage.
- Keep your injured leg or arm elevated above the level of the heart to slow swelling and prevent infection.
- Apply antibiotic ointment to the area two times a day until it has healed.
If you were bitten by a neighbor’s pet, take pictures of the wound, if possible, and report the incident to the proper authorities in your community such as the neighborhood association, the animal control office, or the police. You may wish to speak with a personal injury lawyer to see if you have a case for damages.
*Call Your Doctor/Visit the Emergency Room in these Scenarios:
- If you were bitten by a stray cat as cat bites often cause infection. It is not necessary to call your doctor for a cat scratch unless you think the wound is infected.
- You have a dog bite on your hand, foot or head, or the bite is deep or gaping.
- You were bitten and have diabetes, liver or lung disease, cancer, AIDS, or another condition that could weaken your ability to fight infection.
- You have any signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, warmth, increased tenderness, pus oozing from the wound, or a fever.
- The bleeding hasn’t stopped after 15 minutes of applying pressure or you think you may have a broken bone, nerve damage, or another serious injury.
- Your last tetanus shot was more than five years ago, because you may need a booster shot.
- You were bitten by a wild animal or a domestic animal (such as a pet) of which you don’t know their vaccination status.
Do I Need a Rabies Shot?
If you were bitten by a wild animal such as a skunk, raccoon, bat or coyote, go to the doctor right away to get the rabies shot. Rabies is actually fairly uncommon among household pets in the United States; the chance that you came into contact with rabies if you were bit by a domestic animal that appears healthy is very low.
If you are the owner or you know the owner of the dog or cat that bit you, acquire the pet’s vaccination record. An animal that appears healthy and has been vaccinated may still be quarantined for 10 days to make sure it doesn’t start showing signs of rabies. If the animal does have rabies, you will need to get a series of rabies shots.
If the animal is a stray or you can’t find the owner of the dog or cat that bit you, call the animal control agency or health department in your area. If they can locate the animal, they will test for rabies. If the animal cannot be located, your doctor may recommend that you take the series of rabies shots as a precaution.
Prevent Cat and Dog Bites
- Never leave a young child alone with a pet as they don’t always know to be gentle or see the signs of irritation in the pet.
- Do not try to separate fighting animals as you may get bitten in the process.
- Stay away from sick animals and/or animals that you don’t know whether or not they are vaccinated.
- Do not touch animals while they are eating as they are often very protective of their food.
- Keep dogs on a leash in public.
- Choose your family pet carefully and be sure to keep your pet’s vaccinations up-to-date.
If you or a loved one were injured in an accident, you have enough to deal with. Let an experienced accident attorney fight for the full compensation that you deserve. It is not uncommon to receive a settlement from the insurance company that is five to ten times bigger with the help of a lawyer. Call the caring accident attorneys at Tario & Associates, P.S. today for a FREE consultation! You will pay nothing up front and no attorney fees at all unless we recover damages for you!
Read MoreCan You Sue a School for Bullying?
It is natural to want to protect our kids so if they were bullied at school you might be wondering if you can sue the school for bullying. Traditionally it has been very difficult to successfully sue a school or school district as they generally have “sovereign immunity.” Sovereign immunity is a legal doctrine that states that the sovereign or state cannot commit a legal wrong and is immune from civil suit or criminal prosecution.
In March 2014, a groundbreaking case may have changed the game on suing for bullying. A Superior Court judge in New Jersey ruled that two Hunterdon County school districts may file suit against students who torment their peers. Some legal precedent has been set that parents may be held legally liable when their children bully, taunt, tease or physically harass their classmates.
What Is Bullying?
Bullying includes many wrongs committed by one or more persons against another person or group. The actual act can take on many forms including sexual harassment, teasing, excluding, name calling, physically pushing, hitting or attacking, threatening, hazing, damaging or stealing belongings, or demanding money.
What to do if Your Child is Bullied at School
If your child is sexually harassed or bullied by another student, you should act right away; waiting for the students to work it out is not advised. Setup a meeting with any teachers or recess attendants who may have witnessed the bullying; ensure the school principal is also present. You will have the most success if you have documented the incidents carefully including times, places, description of the incidents, witnesses, and pictures of any physical bullying. If you are aware that other students are being bullied by the same person, then encourage their parents to speak to school officials as well. School representatives are more likely to respond immediately if they have multiple complaints.
If you don’t get a favorable response at your meeting or see any concrete action taken within a couple days afterward, write a letter to the principal and school district superintendent. The letter should outline the facts and demand an immediate response to the problem. In the last decade, many public schools have adopted zero tolerance policies against bullying after nationally-publicized school bullying incidents and subsequent suicides. There is increased awareness and sensitivity to bullying today compared with previous decades.
Notify the Police
If your child was assaulted physically, including being hit, pushed, slapped, or tripped; call the police and file a police report right away. The police can investigate and check to see if the bully has a juvenile record and if not, a record can be started. Additionally, the police can help you file a restraining or anti-harassment order to keep the school bullies a safe distance from your child.
If your child has been physically or sexually assaulted by another student, talk with a local personal injury lawyer right away.
If you or a loved one were injured in an accident, you have enough to deal with. Let an experienced accident attorney fight for the full compensation that you deserve. It is not uncommon to receive a settlement from the insurance company that is two to three times bigger with the help of a lawyer. Call the caring accident attorneys at Tario & Associates, P.S. today for a FREE consultation! You will pay nothing up front and no attorney fees at all unless we recover damages for you!
Read MoreSchool Liability in Gym Class Accidents
A study by the Journal Pediatrics revealed that gym class accidents and injuries increased by a whopping 150 percent between 1997 and 2007; there are more than 400,000 injuries reported every year. The study was based on the number of emergency room visits by children injured in gym class accidents and showed an increase from 24,000 per year to 60,000. Put another way, in 1997, there were an average 4.39 trips to the emergency room per every 10,000 kids; a decade later, the number had increased to 10.9 visits. Seventy percent of gym-class related injuries were caused by the same six activities: running, basketball, football, volleyball, soccer, and gymnastics. With all the negative press that it has gotten, some people might by surprised that dodgeball doesn’t make the list.
With a decrease in school funding, P.E. classes have actually become less available so there are a lot of questions as to why the number of injuries are increasing. Some experts speculate that the increase in childhood obesity and large class sizes may be contributing factors. It is important to note that many schools no longer employ a school nurse so there could be more trips to the emergency department without an actual increase in injuries.
Gym Class Injury Statistics
- Half of all gym class injuries were among middle school kids
- The most common gym class related injuries are bruises, sprains, strains, fractures, and cuts
- Outdoor gym classes have seen heatstroke and dehydration situations
- Boys account for 54 percent of all gym class injuries
- Boys are more likely to get hurt playing group sports or by colliding with other kids or their surroundings
- High school aged boys incur more gym class related injuries than elementary aged boys
- Girls are more likely to get hurt by twisting an ankle while running, playing tennis or participating in other individual or paired activities
School District Liability for Injuries on School Grounds
School district liability for injured children is an ongoing debate and a controversial topic among parents and schools. From state to state, courts are weighing in on whether a parent has a right to damages after their child is injured in a gym class accident.
Over the years, courts have seen lawsuits against school districts filed for a variety of reasons including school-yard fights, bullying, lax security, and dodgeball injuries. As school districts have endured lawsuits some have decided to stop allowing certain games or activities on school grounds; most famously dodgeball and any other “human target” games.
School liability for injured children will continue to evolve in the legal system as views change on appropriate types and amounts of physical fitness. As schools become more concerned about liability, limiting more physical activities may become a reality.
If you or a loved one were injured in an accident, you have enough to deal with. Let an experienced accident attorney fight for the full compensation that you deserve. It is not uncommon to receive a settlement from the insurance company that is two to three times bigger with the help of a lawyer. Call the caring accident attorneys at Tario & Associates, P.S. today for a FREE consultation! You will pay nothing up front and no attorney fees at all unless we recover damages for you!
Read MorePreventing Kitchen Burn Accidents
Whether you work in a commercial kitchen or you prepare daily meals at home, kitchen burn accidents are a common hazard. Work-related burns are one of the leading causes of occupational injuries in the restaurant industry. Although restaurants are generally safer than many other types of workplaces, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that work-related burns are disproportionately high among restaurant workers.
Kitchen Burn Risk Factors
Scald burns are a common form of burn associated with kitchen accidents; a scald occurs when the skin contacts hot liquid or steam. Many serious scalding burns happen when a person slips and grabs at something to steady themselves or slips while carrying hot liquids. Grabbing above you in a moment of panic or slipping while holding containers can both lead to containers splashing hot liquid. Scalds from hot water and oil are both common but scalds from hot oil generally create a more severe injury. The reason for this is that oil heats to higher temperatures than water and it is also thicker so it can remain on the skin for a longer period of time.
Other common kitchen burn risks include:
- Removing or cleaning oil from deep fryers
- Contact with steam, oil, or grease
- Cooking or serving boiling soups, desserts, or beverages
- Cooking with hot stovetops, grills, or ovens
- Access to exposed or improperly maintained wiring and equipment
- Rushed or tired employees carrying hot food/beverages
- Managers failing to enforce safety rules or not following safety rules themselves
- Congested quarters
Work Kitchen Burn Prevention Tips
The Burn Foundation recommends these safety tips to protect yourself from burns at work:
- Always wear protective gloves or mitts when touching hot pots, cooking with large amounts of oil, or pulling items out of the oven.
- Wear shoes with non-skid soles to help prevent slipping on wet or greasy tile floors.
- Extinguish hot oil/grease fires by placing a lid over the top of the container.
- Never carry or move containers with boiling liquid.
- Do not reach across hot surfaces; use barriers, guards or enclosures to prevent contact with hot surfaces.
- Always follow directions for proper use of electrical appliances.
- Keep a first-aid kit in the kitchen and ensure that a person with first-aid training is working on each shift.
- Keep fire extinguishers accessible and up to date.
- Plan traffic patterns so that wait staff are not stepping around cooks, and dishwashers or on top of each other.
Home Kitchen Burn Prevention Tips
The following safety tips are recommended to help prevent a burn accident at home:
- Keep curtains and dish/hand towels well away from burners.
- Choose an oven with controls on the front or side so that you don’t have to reach over burners.
- Turn pan handles away from other burners and away from the edge of the stove while cooking.
- Do not wear loose, long sleeved shirts while cooking over a stovetop.
- Do not store cooking utensils above the range, so that you don’t have to reach over the stop top to access them.
- Keep hot pads, oven mitts, and pan holders near the stove/oven and always use them when handling pots, pans, and bake ware.
- Use a safety hook to help slide the baking rack to more easily retrieve hot foods.
- Only operate the microwave when there is food inside.
- Unplug small appliances when not in use.
- Keep a fire extinguisher near the stove but make sure that you know how to use it and that it is properly charged.
- Smoke alarms should be in every room in your home and in working order. Don’t forget to replace the batteries annually!
If you or a loved one were injured in an accident, you have enough to deal with. Let an experienced accident attorney fight for the full compensation that you deserve. It is not uncommon to receive a settlement from the insurance company that is two to three times bigger with the help of a lawyer. Call the caring accident attorneys at Tario & Associates, P.S. today for a FREE consultation! You will pay nothing up front and no attorney fees at all unless we recover damages for you!
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