In this month’s Florida Injury Report, we look at the five most preventable Fort Lauderdale birth injuries. [powerpress]
5 Most Preventable Birth Injuries
C-section rate of United States exceeds global average
The United States has a high caesarean-section rate of 32.5 percent in comparison to the average of 28 percent among developed nations. The high rate has been controversial as the surgical procedure is not always medically necessary. While C-sections may be performed due to a woman’s personal preference, in some cases they are required for…
How exercise can reduce slip and fall accidents among the elderly
Recent research suggests step training and exercises for improving balance may help prevent seniors from slipping and falling. People over the age of 65 are particularly at risk for sustaining serious injuries from such accidents. A Yale University study has found that exercising can help older men significantly reduce their risk of dangerous falls. The…
New app helps identify risk of premature birth
A new app called QUiPP could help doctors predict the risk of preterm deliveries. Infants born before 37 weeks’ gestation are considered premature. Each year 15 million babies worldwide are born prematurely. More than one million die from the resulting birth injures and complications. Doctors use several factors to determine the risk of premature birth…
How shoes can affect the outcome of a slip and fall case
Footwear can play an important role in slip and fall lawsuits. Florida’s liability system is based on comparative negligence, which means a jury can reduce an award by the extent the victim is deemed responsible for causing their injuries. While wearing certain types of footwear does not automatically make someone negligent, the defendant in a…
Study warns not to underestimate birth injury risk for second-time mothers
Researchers have claimed doctors should not assume that a mother who has previously undergone a vaginal delivery is exempt from the risk of her subsequent babies sustaining brachial plexus birth injuries. A recent study analyzed all brachial plexus birth injuries that occurred between October 2003 and March 2013 at an academic medical institution. There were…
Palm Beach County plans health fairs to reduce slip and fall accidents
In an effort to tackle the large number of slip and fall accidents reported in Palm Beach County, Florida, officials announced three senior health fairs in January. Palm Beach County Fire Rescue said 87 percent of the 911 calls they received in 2015 were regarding medical emergencies. The most common calls they responded to involved…
Diabetes drug may help treat preeclampsia in pregnant women
A diabetes medication considered safe for pregnant women could potentially be used to treat or prevent preeclampsia, a leading cause of maternal death. Preeclampsia is a pregnancy complication that kills more than 60,000 women around the world each year. It occurs when an insufficient blood supply to the placenta causes the release of toxins into…
How a simple fall can lead to serious head injuries
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one out of five slip and fall accidents results in a head injury, broken bones or other serious injuries. Hazardous conditions such as spills on supermarket floors and cracked sidewalks have the potential to cause slip and fall accidents that can lead to significant head injuries….
Simulation manikins gain popularity as medical training tool
Simulation using manikins is becoming an integral part of medical training around the country to help improve the quality of care for patients. Research indicates that simulated learning environments contribute to preparing medical staff for emergencies, enhance their skills and allow them to practice rarely used procedures. In addition, simulator training is credited with reducing…
Scientists to study impact of worn shoes on slip and fall accidents
University of Pittsburgh researchers received a $1.5 million grant from the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health to develop techniques for predicting the wear rate of footwear in order to reduce the risk of slip and fall accidents. The study is titled “Impact of Worn Shoes on Slipping.” The university’s Swanson School of Engineering…
Florida Supreme Court declines University of Miami birth injury liability case
The Florida Supreme Court in December 2015 decided not to hear a dispute over whether the University of Miami could be held liable for the actions of two physicians it employed through its medical school. The case concerned a baby who sustained a brain injury during delivery in 1998 at Jackson North Maternity Center in…
Florida seeks to prevent wrong-way auto crashes
Florida officials are looking for ways to prevent wrong-way car crashes, which occur with alarming frequency in the state. In April, a study published by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) found that 75 people were killed in 280 wrong-way crashes between 2009 and 2013 on Florida highways. Miami-Dade County accounted for 60 of those…
Documenting Your Slip-and-Fall Accident
How to Document Your Slip and Fall Injury After a slip-and-fall accident in a Florida grocery store, you need to remember some do’s and don’ts in order to protect your rights. Take a Picture of the Scene First, document your slip-and-fall accident. You may not have a pen and pencil with you, but you more…
Remember Amber Mae
On August 18, 2007, in Pompano Beach Florida, a young girl’s life was tragically taken away from her as a result of the negligence of a parasailing operator. Amber May White, age 15, and her sister Crystal White, age 17, of Summerfield, Florida, were staying at the Wyndham Resort on Pompano Beach, enjoying their last…
Parasailing Safety Checklist
Whether you’re soaring over the waters off Fort Lauderdale Beach or floating gently along the shores of the Florida Keys, parasailing is a fun and exciting activity nearly anyone can enjoy. Before you strap into your harness, there are questions to ask and steps to take to ensure your whole family has a safe and…
Florida Parasailing Regulations Bill Passes
As of June 2014, the White-Miskell Act is law in Florida. With Governor Scott’s signature, it feels as if a hard fought battle has finally been won. We didn’t get everything we wanted or need, but after seven years of trying, Florida citizens at least have some minimal protection against those parasailing operators who put…
Fort Lauderdale Tire Safety Tips
Tire Defects and Tire Recalls Defective tires are a major concern of consumer safety advocates and industry watchdogs, who point to their involvement in numerous traffic accidents and fatalities. A defective tire can suddenly come apart at the treads or blow out, sending the vehicle spinning out of control. In recent years, high-profile defective tire…
Symptoms of a Herniated Disc
Are Symptoms Noticeable? After a Fort Lauderdale car crash, a victim may come into the doctor’s office with undefined pains. They know something is wrong in their legs and feet and describe it as muscle weakness or a feeling of tingling and numbness. When a doctor tells the patient that these are classic symptoms of…
Safe Driving Resources for Teen Drivers
Chalik & Chalik wanted to share information on the best practices to teach new teen drivers. You will find downloads to use in your discussions with your teen about the traffic laws and how to stay safe on the road. Additionally, we have provided links to websites focused on helping parents teach their teens to…