2012 April Archive

A dog can certainly be man’s best friend and can be an excellent source of companionship for the owner and his or her family, but under the right circumstances, a dog can also present a danger to others.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that 4.5 million Americans are bitten by dogs each year, and one in five dog bites results in a severe enough injury that it requires medical attention.

These alarming statistics serve as a reminder that dog attacks occur frequently and can be very dangerous for the victim, but canine lovers can help play a part in preventing a dog attack. The CDC offers the following tips for dog owners:

1. Speak with a professional, such as a veterinarian, before you adopt your new pup to learn what breed may be best for your household and your lifestyle. Canines with a history of aggression aren’t appropriate for households with children.
2. Spend time with your potential new pet before you decide to adopt to make sure it is a good fit for you and your family.
3. To reduce aggressive tendencies, spay or neuter your animal.
4. Properly train and socialize your pet. Teaching the dog submissive behaviors can keep aggression at bay, as well as not playing aggressive games with them.
5. If your dog develops aggressive or hostile behavior, seek the help of a professional so your pup can remain placid.
6. Never leave an infant or young child alone with your dog, as small children are most at risk for a dog attack.

A dog attack can leave a victim with severe injuries, both physical and emotional. Therefore, it is important that a dog attack victim seek compensation from any at-fault parties to aid in recovery. If you are the victim of a dog attack in NE, schedule a free consultation with an Omaha dog bite lawyer at the law firm of Cullan & Cullan. We understand the serious impact of this kind of attack and will get you the compensation you need to move forward. Call (402) 397-7600 to speak with us regarding your case.

The manufacturers of the blood thinning medication Pradaxa have recently come under a great deal of scrutiny from a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) investigation. An FDA report concerning Pradaxa, which helps reduce the risk of stroke for patients with the heart condition non-valvular atrial fibrillation, has thousands of patients concerned as there is a potential link between the drug and fatal bleeding incidents. Claims against the German manufacturer of the drug, Boehringer Ingelheim, have began making their way into court since a number of these hemorrhaging incidents have called into question the safety of this blood thinning medication. The company admits that in just one year, the drug was linked to 260 cases of fatal bleeding.

Pradaxa was approved by the FDA in 2010 as a substitute for the widely-used anticoagulant Warfarin, and an estimated 1.1 million prescriptions were filled in the U.S. between its approval in October 2010 to August of 2011. The use of a blood thinner such as Pradaxa comes with a great patient risk, as even a very minor scrape or injury can result in excessive hemorrhaging. This risk was known at the time of FDA approval, but since the drug was put on the market there has been a much higher rate of reported bleeding incidents than was anticipated. The FDA is continuing to investigate why this might be. Safety investigations are underway, not only in the U.S., but in Europe and Canada as well.

Patients are advised not to stop taking the drug without discussing it with their physician first, but Pradaxa users should be aware of the signs that may be indicative of a potential bleeding problem. These signs include: coughing up blood or clots; severe or uncontrollable bleeding; frequent nose bleeds; vomiting blood; inexplicable bruising; pink or brown urine; and red or black stool.

Pradaxa lawsuits in the U.S. are alleging that the drug’s maker failed to warn about the possibly life-threatening side effects of the drug, and when a drug manufacturer puts profit before patient safety, thousands of innocent patients could pay the price. At the law firm of Cullan & Cullan, LLC, our Nebraska pharmaceutical litigation attorneys have extensive experience helping patients who have been harmed due to a dangerous or defective drug and will work diligently to ensure drug companies are held responsible. Call us immediately to discuss your claim at (402) 397-7600.

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a severe type of injury which can permanently alter a person’s life. TBI is one of the leading causes of acquired disability and death in infants, and the Brain Injury Association of Michigan reports that children ages zero to four and 15 to 19 are the most at-risk age groups for getting a traumatic brain injury.

The only known cure for a traumatic brain injury is prevention, so following these seasonal safety tips from the Brain Injury Association of America can help prevent a child injury accident while having fun in the sun.

Spring

• Falls are a common cause of playground injuries, so check for an appropriate surface under the playground equipment; avoid hard surfaces such as concrete.
• Wear a helmet during spring recreational activities! Check your child’s baseball helmet to ensure it meets athletic equipment standards, and have your child wear a helmet while skating or bicycling.
• Brain injury is the leading cause of death for children hit by cars, so teach your children proper pedestrian safety. Never allow kids to run into the street and tell them to stop at the curb and look both ways before crossing the street.
• Two-thirds of ATV, or all-terrain vehicle, accidents involve kids 16-years-old or younger, so lead by example and wear a helmet.

Summer

• Always supervise children around water. Most children who survive a drowning accident are found within two minutes of being under water, so supervision can help save a life.
• If your child’s plans involve going out on a boat, explain to them the dangers of going out on a high seas excursion with someone who has been drinking. Alcohol use is a leading factor in boating accidents and fatalities.
• Install child safety window guards; screens are meant to keep out bugs, not kids.

A brain injury can have life-altering consequences, so adhering to these warm weather safety rules can help protect your child from a serious incident. Unfortunately, not all accidents can be prevented. If your child has been involved in an accident caused by another person’s negligent actions, call a Nebraska child injury attorney at Cullan & Cullan, LLC. We aim to provide exceptional representation to each client and will make sure your family receives the compensation that’s deserved. Call (402) 397-7600 for a consultation.

Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes surrounding your brain and spinal cord, typically due to the spread of an infection. Depending on the cause, meningitis may resolve on its own in several weeks, or in severe cases, it may be life-threatening. In honor of World Meningitis Day on April 24, the Confederation of Meningitis Organisations (CoMO) and its global members are encouraging individuals, families, and communities across the globe to learn more about this potentially serious disease.

The organizations would like people to understand the signs and symptoms of this disease, the significance of urgent treatment, and that prevention against some forms of meningitis is available through vaccination.

The signs and symptoms of meningitis are similar to the flu, and may develop over a few hours or over the course of one to two days. Symptoms may include:

• High fever;
• Severe headache;
• Seizures;
• Stiff neck;
• Confusion or difficulty concentrating; and
• Lack of interest in eating or drinking.

Anyone who suspects they may have meningitis and is experiencing these symptoms should immediately seek medical care.

The ultimate goal of CoMO and its fellow members is to stop meningitis worldwide, and you can be a part of the global movement to increase awareness and prevention by being a member of Join Hands Against Meningitis. Friends and family members are encouraged to join as well!

Receiving prompt medical care is crucial in combating this dangerous disease, and early treatment can help prevent serious complications. If your healthcare professional fails to properly diagnose the condition or does not administer the appropriate tests to determine if a patient has meningitis, the consequences can be life-threatening.

The medical malpractice attorneys in Nebraska with Cullan & Cullan, LLC are able to help you if you have suffered undue injury or harm due to the negligence of a medical professional. As physicians, we are aware of how dangerous a medical error can be for an unsuspecting patient, and will work to obtain the compensation you deserve to recover. For a no-cost consultation, please call (402) 397-7600.

The estate of a deceased woman has filed a Nebraska medical malpractice lawsuit against the Granite City medical center where she was receiving treatment, according to The Madison Record. The estate of the deceased filed the lawsuit on March 29 in Madison County Circuit Court against Gateway Regional Medical Center for failing to adequately monitor the woman and allowing her to wander, ultimately resulting in her death.

In May of 2010, an ambulance transported the victim from Park Haven Care Center to Gateway for admittance to their psychiatric unit because of suicidal thoughts. Prior to the victim being picked up, Park Haven instituted a 1:1 patient watch, meaning there would be one worker specific designated to watch her, to prevent the woman from harming herself.

The complaint alleges that when the woman arrived at Gateway Regional, however, the doctor performed an assessment but did not place her on a 1:1 patient watch. The lawsuit states that a little more than an hour after being admitted, the woman walked away, essentially wandering off; subsequently, hospital staff tried to find her but were unsuccessful. The woman was later found dead on railroad tracks near the facility.

The Madison Record reports that the estate of the deceased woman is alleging medical malpractice, saying they saying they “negligently failed to properly perform a suicide risk assessment, failed to institute a close watch of [the patient], allowed her to walk out of the hospital and failed to locate [her] after she left the hospital.” The estate is seeking a judgment of more than $600,000 plus costs.

Failure on part of a medical facility to properly monitor a patient and perform any necessary tests can have devastating results, such as in this case. If you feel you have been the victim of medical malpractice of any kind, the Nebraska medical malpractice attorneys of Cullan & Cullan, LLC will work diligently to protect your rights and help you through this difficult time. As physicians, we fully understand how a medical mistake can turn an innocent patient’s life upside down. For a complimentary consultation regarding your case, call (402) 397-7600.

NECN.com reports that Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman has proclaimed April as “Donate Life” month in order to increase awareness of organ and tissue donations. Gov. Heineman states that presently there are 450 Nebraskans on a donation waiting list who need some kind of transplant, showing the crucial need for individuals to pledge to be an organ donor. In addition, many more could benefit from cornea or tissue transplants. In 2011, more than 260 lives were saved in NE after receiving a life-saving organ transplant.

With over 100,000 patients on the national waiting list for a donor organ, there are simply not enough donors to meet the need. A new name is added to the national waiting list every 10 minutes, and sadly an average of 18 people die each day from the lack of available organs. Nebraskans have the power to potentially save a life as just one person who makes the decision to be an organ, eye, or tissue donor can save up to eight lives, restore sight to two people, and help heal another 50.

The Governor hopes “Donate Life” month will encourage people to sign up as an organ donor and potentially save a number of lives in the process. Any NE resident interested can sign up here: https://www.donoregistry.org/Register/ne/en.

At the law firm of Cullan & Cullan, our personal injury attorneys in Omaha are committed to helping anyone who has been injured due to another’s negligence obtain the compensation they need to recover. We are also physicians and therefore understand the devastating impact an accident and any subsequent injuries can have on a person’s life. For more information on how we can assist you with your injury claim, call (402) 397-7600 to schedule a free consultation.

According to KHAS-TV, the residents of an apartment building in Hastings have begun to clean up after a fire nearly destroyed the place they call home. The fire began March 31 in one of the basement apartments in the building located on Kansas Street. Most residents of the Hastings apartment home were able to make it out of the burning building unharmed; however, one injured man was immediately airlifted to a burn unit for treatment of his fire injuries, but his condition is unknown at this time. The local American Red Cross is providing residents with a place to stay.

Several of the residents were back at the apartment building home on April 2 sifting through the charred remains and seeing what was left of their belongings. Although some residents lost everything, they are still keeping a positive attitude and are simply trying to piece together what is left of their lives.

Officials with the Hastings Fire Department say the fire was an accident, but the Nebraska Fire Marshalls were at the apartment building on Monday as well and are continuing the investigation into what caused the blaze.

A residential fire can be devastating for those involved and can cause serious injuries to occupants of the home. It can also leave residents with unanswered questions regarding the cause of the fire and high costs to replace their belongings and find a new place to live. When those responsible for the maintenance of an apartment building are negligent and do not properly protect residents, they can be held responsible for the damages caused.

At Cullan & Cullan, LLC, our premises liability lawyers in Omaha are dedicated to helping those injured by another’s negligence obtain the compensation they need to move on with their life. Please call (402) 397-7600 for a free consultation regarding your case.