Del Sole Cavanaugh Stroyd, LLC Pittsburgh Business Attorneys | Del Sole Cavanaugh Stroyd, LLC2024-03-08T03:46:28Zhttps://www.dscslaw.com/feed/atom/WordPress/wp-content/uploads/sites/1403831/2021/02/cropped-ID-image-32x32.jpgOn Behalf of Del Sole Cavanaugh Stroyd LLChttps://www.dscslaw.com/?p=509602024-03-04T03:47:15Z2024-03-08T03:46:28ZWhy are commercial vehicles riskier?
By the title of this post, you know we are writing about commercial vehicles being more dangerous than regular vehicles, like a car. Why is this the case?
Larger vehicles cause more harm because of their size.
Commercial vehicles are usually not owned by the driver, so any claims involve more people.
Insurance claims are more complicated because commercial vehicles have different insurance policies than regular vehicles do, so the question of who pays what becomes more challenging to answer.
Investigations involving commercial vehicles take longer and require more evidence.
Injuries are usually more severe because the force of the impact is stronger.
With these additional risks, driving behind, beside or around a massive truck sounds terrifying, right?
For that reason, it is critical to understand the augmented risks when trucks are involved in order to be especially alert when you’re on the road and see a truck passing by.
Try not to be around a truck for long, if possible. If you can safely pass them, do so, which will eliminate the danger of crashing into the commercial vehicle.
Who represents you matters
Any accident is traumatic but when we talk about accidents involving commercial vehicles, the potential for serious injuries is much higher, so knowing this will hopefully help people understand and act accordingly.
If you or anyone you know is involved in an accident, especially one where there is a commercial vehicle involved, you need tough representation that is dependable, knowledgeable and always here to answer your questions.]]>On Behalf of Del Sole Cavanaugh Stroyd LLChttps://www.dscslaw.com/?p=509372024-01-29T21:24:51Z2024-01-29T19:59:58ZZachary Gordon for being appointed to a three-year term as a member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association’s Bar/Press Committee. This state-wide committee includes lawyers, judges, and members of the media. The committee promotes increasing cooperation and dialogue among the press, the bar, and the bench. To learn more about the committee visit here.]]>On Behalf of Del Sole Cavanaugh Stroyd LLChttps://www.dscslaw.com/?p=509152023-12-11T08:00:22Z2023-12-14T15:18:28ZMajor injuries can affect self-esteem
One of the most common psychological responses to a severe injury is a drop in self-esteem. People often use their productivity or appearance as a foundation for their sense of self-worth. When their physical abilities or looks change because of an injury, their self-esteem may plummet. Reduced self-esteem can harm someone's interpersonal relationships and their career.
People may be at risk of depression
Depression affects someone's mood and ability to function in daily life. Those struggling with functional limitations related to an injury may develop new depression symptoms despite being mentally healthy before. Those with a pre-existing tendency toward depression may find that their condition gets worse.
Injuries can cause anxiety and post-traumatic stress
Someone hurt in a car crash or fall may become very nervous about the possibility of getting hurt again. Some people become incredibly anxious after an injury and have a harder time navigating the world. In fact, some people who suffer significant injuries display concerning symptoms associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The nature of the injury and the duration of someone's symptoms will influence their likelihood of developing PTSD-like symptoms as a byproduct of a major injury. People may have intrusive thoughts of the incident that left them hurt, may feel hopeless or may become numb to daily life.
Someone who is thinking about the future after a major injury may need to account for the possibility of future mental health struggles in addition to physical symptoms that their condition may cause. Having a holistic view of the impact of an injury may help someone more effectively seek fairly-valued compensation after getting hurt.]]>On Behalf of Del Sole Cavanaugh Stroyd LLChttps://www.dscslaw.com/?p=509122023-10-30T20:34:00Z2023-10-30T20:03:59Z[1] While surgeons may supervise a nurse anesthetist without a physician anesthesiologist, “In the interests of patient safety and quality of care, the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) believes that all patients deserve the involvement of a physician anesthesiologist in their perioperative care.”[2]
If non-anesthesiologists are the physician to supervise a nurse anesthetist, the ASA cautions that “Careful consideration is required whenever a non-anesthesiologist physician will be the only physician available, as in some small hospitals, freestanding surgery centers, and offices. In the event of an emergency, lack of immediate support from other physicians trained in the management of critical events may reduce the likelihood of successful resuscitation.”[3]
A supervising anesthesiologist protects patient safety, because “All types of anesthesia carry risks. Non-anesthesiologist physicians lack the expertise that uniquely qualifies and enables physician anesthesiologists to manage the challenging airway and other complications that could occur during the perioperative period.” [4]
Anesthesia complications may arise from improper anesthesia care before, during, or after surgery. Patients administered anesthesia at small hospitals, freestanding surgical centers, and other medical offices without appropriate supervision can suffer serious complications or may even die. Patients in those circumstances may have a medical malpractice claim. Attorneys at Del Sole Cavanaugh Stroyd LLC have successfully obtained verdicts against health care providers for medical malpractice in these circumstances.
]]>On Behalf of Del Sole Cavanaugh Stroyd LLChttps://www.dscslaw.com/?p=509102023-10-30T19:50:45Z2023-10-26T18:00:19ZOn Behalf of Del Sole Cavanaugh Stroyd LLChttps://www.dscslaw.com/?p=509082023-10-11T06:33:22Z2023-10-16T06:32:53ZWhy they may help
Most car accidents happen because of human error right now. There are examples of crashes caused by mechanical errors or road design errors, and some accidents are caused by weather. But most of the time, the issue is just that a human driver makes a mistake and causes an accident.
In theory, self-driving cars could minimize or eliminate the risk of driver error. A driver may get distracted and look down at their phone, but an autonomous vehicle is always monitoring traffic conditions. Even if the driver would have otherwise failed to hit the brakes in time to avoid a rear-end crash, a self-driving car could automatically apply the brakes and prevent an accident without any input from the driver.
Why they may inspire new concerns
Yet, the concern remains that self-driving cars will inspire new safety issues. Some people allege that it will be easier for outsiders to hack these vehicles. Could a computer hacker theoretically take over the vehicle and tell it where to go, drive it off of the road, or turn off the safety systems? This is a valid concern, but cybersecurity is something that automakers are looking at. They need to be sure that the computer systems on these cars are safe and secure before they are released to the public. Technological errors and gaps can be as dangerous as human error if they aren’t headed off at the pass.
Self-driving cars are certainly going to change the way people approach the road. But they will likely not eliminate all accidents. Those who have been injured by a self-driving car – or any other vehicle – will, therefore, continue to need to know how to seek financial compensation in the event that they experience harm due to another’s conduct, technological missteps, etc.]]>On Behalf of Del Sole Cavanaugh Stroyd LLChttps://www.dscslaw.com/?p=508832023-08-31T19:06:36Z2023-08-31T19:06:36Zwhich you can read here, discusses the role of amicus briefs and is well worth your time.
Jonathan focuses on turning exceptional advocacy into client success. He focuses his practice on civil litigation and appellate practice. Drawing on his unique experience as an analyst, teacher and judicial clerk, he is able to empower clients through compelling legal arguments.]]>On Behalf of Del Sole Cavanaugh Stroyd LLChttps://www.dscslaw.com/?p=508812023-08-07T06:58:39Z2023-08-10T06:58:23Zsummer particularly dangerous for teen drivers.
Every summer, a new crop of teen drivers hits the road after passing their driver's education courses. While these courses provide essential training, nothing can fully replicate the experience of driving independently in real-life conditions. This lack of experience combined with overconfidence can lead to risky driving behaviors, such as speeding, not wearing seatbelts and distracted driving, which increase the chances of accidents.
Teens have more free time
With school out for the summer, teens typically have more free time, and that often translates to more time spent behind the wheel. Whether it's driving to summer jobs, visiting friends or simply cruising around, the sheer increase in driving hours increases the potential for accidents. The longer daylight hours may also encourage teens to stay out later, increasing the chances of late-night driving when visibility is poorer.
There is an overall increase in travel
Summer is a popular time for road trips and vacations, leading to an overall increase in traffic on the roads. Not only are there more vehicles on the road, but there are also more recreational vehicles, such as campers and boats, which can lead to more complex driving conditions. Combined, these factors can make summer roads challenging for even the most experienced drivers, let alone those who are newly licensed.
People who are involved in a crash with any driver – of any age – have the right to seek compensation from the liable parties. During the particularly dangerous days of summer, teens, parents and other motorists alike should be particularly vigilant to prevent wrecks and should seek legal guidance in the event that one occurs.]]>On Behalf of Del Sole Cavanaugh Stroyd LLChttps://www.dscslaw.com/?p=508792023-06-13T18:13:02Z2023-06-16T18:12:33ZIt’s up to the licensing board
Oftentimes, the problem isn’t that hospitals are hiding this information, but that is just very difficult to get. In some states, online records are accessible by patients, at least for disciplinary records, but not everywhere. General records are not made available online for people in Pennsylvania to read. Instead, they are instructed to “contact Pennsylvania's medical board at ST-MEDICINE@PA.GOV.” The reason for this is that the medical board in the state is in charge of licensing. These boards are the ones who deal with first providing a license to a doctor and then handling any challenges to it. You may be able to go through a board, accordingly, to get the information you are seeking.
Even this doesn’t always work
However, it can prove very difficult to find everything you want to know. For example, the Boston Globe investigated one doctor and found that he had been sued for medical malpractice 21 times. He had settled those claims, but it was certainly a concerning track record. When reporters checked the website run by the Board of Medicine in New Hampshire, however, not a single one of these 21 cases were listed on the doctor’s record.
The average person who is going in for treatment may not find out about their doctor’s questionable record until after mistakes have been made and they have suffered harm. If you or a loved one is struggling to manage the aftermath of a harmful approach to medical care, do not hesitate to seek legal guidance in order to explore your rights and options under the law.]]>On Behalf of Del Sole Cavanaugh Stroyd LLChttps://www.dscslaw.com/?p=508762023-04-06T10:44:47Z2023-04-11T10:43:50Za national emergency” in healthcare. The letter estimated that the U.S. is about 1.1 million nurses short of what they need – at a minimum – and the situation is only growing bleaker.
Medical workers are exhausted and patients are suffering
One of the most significant dangers of hospital understaffing is the increased risk of medical errors. Doctors and nurses are working long shifts without adequate breaks, which leads to physical and mental fatigue (burnout) that can affect a medical provider’s attention span, processing skills and judgment. That leads to mistakes ranging from incorrect medication dosages to misdiagnoses – which are already a major leading cause of death in this country.
Hospital understaffing can also lead to a lack of attention and care for patients. When healthcare professionals are overworked and have too many patients to care for, they can’t provide the attention and support their patients need. That leads to additional problems like:
Patients waiting too long for bathroom assistance, which can lead to them soiling themselves or attempting it alone
Patients being left with adequate pain control because there aren’t enough nurses to make the rounds in a timely fashion
Shortcuts in care, which put patients at risk of hospital-acquired infections and other injuries
Increased waiting times to be seen, which put patients with acute conditions (like heart attacks) in serious danger
All of these things have very significant consequences for patients. For example, central line-associated blood infections rose 28% between 2019 and 2020, and patient falls climbed by 17%, while bed sores among nursing home patients rose by 42%.
If you or your loved one must visit a hospital for any reason, it’s wise to be aware of the staffing issues. No matter what, though, you have a right to expect a certain standard of care from your medical providers. If they fail you, it may be time to learn more about your legal rights.]]>