Gregory S. Young Co., LPA FindLaw IM Template2024-03-16T18:41:30Zhttps://www.younginjurylaw.com/feed/atom/WordPress/wp-content/uploads/sites/1501698/2020/12/cropped-icon-image-1010-32x32.pngOn Behalf of Gregory S. Young Co., LPAhttps://www.younginjurylaw.com/?p=507342024-03-15T18:42:39Z2024-03-16T18:41:30ZEvidence suggests that women are more likely to suffer from diagnostic errors compared to men, a disparity that raises significant concerns regarding gender bias and inequality in medical treatment.
Historically, medical research has predominantly focused on male physiology, with clinical trials often excluding female participants. This gender bias has led to a knowledge gap, affecting how symptoms and diseases are understood and diagnosed in women. Additionally, conditions that predominantly affect women, such as autoimmune diseases, have traditionally received less academic and practical study than those that affect men more often or affect both sexes in relatively equitable ways.
Stereotyping, atypical presentations, and dismissal of symptoms
Women's health concerns are often dismissed or stereotyped in healthcare settings. Symptoms presented by women, especially those related to pain or mental health, are sometimes attributed to emotional or psychological factors rather than physical conditions. This dismissal can delay accurate diagnosis and treatment, potentially leading to worsened health outcomes.Certain diseases manifest differently in women than in men, but diagnostic criteria are frequently based on male symptomatology. For example, heart attack symptoms in women can include fatigue, shortness of breath and jaw pain, which are less commonly associated with heart attacks than the classic chest pain often experienced by men. This atypical presentation can lead to misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis in women. Ultimately, there is a need for more comprehensive training for healthcare professionals on the gender differences in disease presentation and progression. The consequences of diagnostic errors can be profound, potentially affecting a patient’s quality of life, financial stability and long-term health. Women who have suffered due to misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis may be in a position to hold negligent providers accountable. As such, exploring their rights and options under the law is generally a good idea. ]]>On Behalf of Gregory S. Young Co., LPAhttps://www.younginjurylaw.com/?p=507322024-03-15T18:39:42Z2024-03-15T18:39:42ZAs the snow melts and the days grow longer, spring in Ohio inspires a renewed sense of energy and the promise of warmer weather. However, this season also introduces unique road travel hazards that drivers should be cautious to account for.
Awareness of these risks can significantly reduce the likelihood of accidents, better ensuring the safety of all road users.
Potholes
The freeze-thaw cycle of winter into spring is notorious for creating potholes. As water finds cracks in the pavement and freezes, it expands, causing the asphalt to break apart. These potholes can appear overnight and range from minor annoyances to serious hazards that can damage vehicles and cause accidents. Motorists should remain alert and avoid swerving suddenly to dodge potholes, as this can lead to collisions with other vehicles.
Wet and slippery roads
Spring showers bring May flowers—and slick roadways. Rain can mix with different substances on the pavement, making roads more slippery than they appear, especially during the first few minutes of a rainfall. This can reduce tire traction and increase stopping distances. Drivers should reduce their speed and maintain a safe following distance during wet conditions.
More cyclists and pedestrians
With the arrival of pleasant weather, more cyclists and pedestrians are out and about, enjoying the outdoors. Drivers must share the road responsibly, giving cyclists ample space and yielding to pedestrians at crosswalks. Being mindful of more vulnerable road users can prevent accidents and better ensure everyone's safety.
Construction zones
Spring also marks the beginning of the construction season. Drivers may encounter unexpected detours, reduced speed zones and uneven road surfaces. Paying attention to construction signage and workers directing traffic is important for navigating these areas safely.By being aware of these springtime road hazards, drivers can take proactive steps to avoid accidents. With that said, even safety-conscious travelers may find themselves experiencing harm due to the negligence of another party. When accidents like this occur, victims can benefit from seeking personalized guidance to better understand their rights and options.
]]>On Behalf of Gregory S. Young Co., LPAhttps://www.younginjurylaw.com/?p=507312024-03-07T12:33:53Z2024-03-07T12:33:53ZEating and drinking
Those who have long commutes to work often eat their breakfast or enjoy their morning coffee on the way to their jobs. Those eating on the go may not realize how much of a distraction eating and drinking can be. People have to take their hands off of the wheel to handle food or beverages. They may also be at risk of spilling something and becoming even more distracted.
Interacting with passengers
Other people in a vehicle can be a major source of distraction. Children in the backseat might get into a fight or throw their favorite toys into the front of the vehicle. Coworkers carpooling with someone might ask questions about work projects or crack jokes that take someone's attention off the road. Passenger distraction is particularly dangerous for young adults traveling with other teenagers.
Grooming behaviors
Getting ready for a meeting, a date or the beginning of a work shift often means looking one's best. People may need to tie ties, shave, put up their hair, apply make-up or adjust their clothing. Engaging in personal remaining habits while driving could lead to someone taking both of their hands off of the wheel and visually focusing on themselves in a mirror instead of on traffic.
Singing along to the radio
It can be a very pleasant experience to have a favorite song come on the radio while driving on a sunny day. Unfortunately, singing along can be a source of distraction, especially if someone becomes emotional about the song or performative as they sing. Similarly, other forms of entertainment while driving, including podcasts and audiobooks, can become so distracting that people don't pay attention to the road.
Hands-free solutions
Many people get around rules about texting and phone use while driving through special systems. They use talk-to-text software or Bluetooth headsets to make phone calls. Conversations over hands-free devices can be just as distracting as calls on handheld phones or conversations with passengers. People using talk-to-text software may try to check the input and might actually become more distracted than they initially expected.
Distracted drivers put themselves, the other occupants of their vehicles and other people in traffic at unnecessary risk. Avoiding sources of distraction can help people avoid legal and financial culpability for car crashes.]]>On Behalf of Gregory S. Young Co., LPAhttps://www.younginjurylaw.com/?p=507232024-03-02T01:13:09Z2024-03-07T01:04:53ZCommon surgical errors
The most common surgical error types include the following:
Wrong-site surgery: This is where a surgeon operates on the wrong part of the body. This could involve operating on the wrong side of the body or the wrong organ. Despite rigorous protocols in place to prevent such errors, they still occur due to factors such as miscommunication, inadequate preoperative verification or failure to mark the correct surgical site.
Surgical instrument or foreign object retention: Sometimes, surgical instruments or foreign objects like sponges or gauze are unintentionally left inside the patient's body after surgery. This can lead to infections, pain, and other complications, requiring additional surgery to remove the retained object.
Anesthesia errors: While anesthesia plays a major role in surgery, errors in its administration can lead to serious complications. These errors may include administering too much or too little anesthesia, using the wrong type of anesthesia, failing to properly monitor the patient during the procedure or not adequately preparing the patient for anesthesia. Anesthesia errors can result in anesthesia awareness (where the patient is conscious during surgery), allergic reactions, respiratory problems or even death.
Wrong surgery: As unbelievable as this may sound, sometimes patients undergo surgery intended for another individual. This may happen due to mix-ups in patient records, miscommunication among medical staff or errors in scheduling. Performing the wrong surgery can lead to unnecessary physical and emotional trauma for the patient, as well as potential complications from the procedure they didn't need.
Surgical errors can result in expensive and painful consequences for patients, both physically and emotionally. If you suffer a surgical error, don't hesitate to seek prompt medical attention and seek legal guidance to understand your options for recourse.]]>On Behalf of Gregory S. Young Co., LPAhttps://www.younginjurylaw.com/?p=507222024-03-02T00:58:08Z2024-03-02T00:58:08Zseveral signs to look out for. While symptoms might seem mild, it is important to seek medical evaluation to accurately assess the extent of the injury and determine the appropriate course of treatment.
Trouble recalling events
Concussion victims may experience difficulty recalling events that happened before or after the injury. This can manifest as gaps in memory, confusion about recent activities, or the inability to remember details of the incident itself. In some cases, they may exhibit repetitive questioning about what happened, indicating a struggle to retain new information.
Clumsy movement
Trouble maintaining balance or gait after impact to the head may be a sign of a concussion. Concussion victims might appear unsteady on their feet, have difficulty walking in a straight line or stumble frequently. This clumsiness can be attributed to the disruption of normal brain function caused by the injury, affecting coordination and motor skills.
Sudden mood or behavioral changes
After suffering a concussion, victims may experience sudden mood or behavioral changes that are out of character for them. This could include irritability, agitation or unexplained emotional swings such as crying or laughing inappropriately. They may also seem unusually fatigued or lethargic, showing a lack of interest in activities they typically enjoy.
Light and noise sensitivity
Due to disruption in the sensory processing pathways of the brain, individuals with concussions often become sensitive to light and noise. They may find bright lights uncomfortable or painful, and loud noises may worsen their headache or overall discomfort.
Concussions can result in serious consequences if not properly managed. If you or someone close to you has indeed suffered a concussion, it's important to follow medical advice for proper treatment and recovery. Legal guidance can help you determine your rights and options, especially if the concussion occurred due to someone else's negligence or wrongdoing.]]>On Behalf of Gregory S. Young Co., LPAhttps://www.younginjurylaw.com/?p=507202024-02-16T22:05:36Z2024-02-17T22:04:13ZMany years ago, the idea that cars would drive themselves was just science fiction. Today, many people are driving vehicles that are advertised as self-driving. In theory, these self-driving vehicles can take people to their destination without user input. This would ideally give people more time to focus on other things, make traffic safer and reduce auto accidents.
The reality of self-driving cars is that this vision is far from complete. Many people are trusting their self-driving vehicles too much. Is this causing more auto accidents? Here’s what you should know:
Why people put too much trust in their semi-automated vehicles
Cars that are promoted as self-driving only have features that assist drivers. These cars may have adaptive cruise control that can help maintain a vehicle's speed and keep vehicles within traffic lines. These cars can also keep a specific distance between leading vehicles and warn users when they or another vehicle is too close to an obstacle. A user could also indicate when they need to change lanes and allow the vehicle to do so when it doesn’t detect other vehicles. These features are found in a lot of modern cars, but the technology can be somewhat more advanced. At most, however, these vehicles are semi-automated. Users still need to have a lot of input into their driving. This means that users still need to keep their eyes on the road and hands on the wheel even when they can turn on auto-pilot mode. Yet, this hasn’t stopped many people from doing so, which has led to catastrophic accidents. Because the technology is so new, many users don’t understand their semi-automated vehicles' limits. Furthermore, programming errors can cause these vehicles to make major mistakes, such as braking unexpectedly during traffic or failing to detect obstacles or pedestrians.It may be a long time before there are fully autonomous vehicles. For now, people might need to learn about their legal rights if they suffer from a vehicle accident that was caused by someone’s negligence.
]]>On Behalf of Gregory S. Young Co., LPAhttps://www.younginjurylaw.com/?p=507182024-02-16T20:55:32Z2024-02-16T20:55:32ZPeople expect a certain level of care when they seek medical help from professionals, whether they are going to a hospital or visiting their doctor. Doctors, medical techs and nurses should help patients by reviewing their medical records, examining their condition, having patients undergo examinations and providing the proper treatment or medicine. A patient can suffer from serious injuries and illnesses when they don’t get the attention they need.
Many people continue to suffer from their medical condition even after a medical professional has seen them. In some cases, the condition worsens. This could be the result of a “misdiagnosis” or a “missed diagnosis.” Understanding the difference could be key to a medical malpractice case. Here’s what you should know:
Did you have a thorough diagnosis?
Unfortunately, some medical professionals will fail to diagnose patients, which can be referred to as a missed diagnosis. This can happen for several reasons. For example, a patient who frequently visits the hospital may no longer be taken seriously by medical professionals. Or, sexism may lead to a missed diagnosis. This has historically led to women being told that their illness is “all in their head.” This kind of treatment has led to patients suffering from medical conditions that would have been resolved with a thorough diagnosis.
Was the wrong illness or injury diagnosed?
Many illnesses and injuries can have similar symptoms to other medical conditions. This is why many medical professionals have patients undergo so many different examinations. For example, a migraine could be the result of high blood pressure or it could be caused by a tumor. A thorough examination can reveal what a patient may be suffering from. But, if the illness is confused with the wrong medical condition, a patient may continue to suffer from their condition and may also experience issues from the wrong treatment. If your doctor or other medical professionals have their duty of care, you may be able to file a medical malpractice claim.
]]>On Behalf of Gregory S. Young Co., LPAhttps://www.younginjurylaw.com/?p=507142024-02-04T01:24:19Z2024-02-04T01:24:19Zdistracted driving involving rideshare drivers include the following.
Smartphone use
Rideshare drivers are increasingly using hailing apps and other smartphone features to navigate, communicate with passengers, and manage their rides. While smartphones provide essential tools for rideshare drivers, they can also be a significant source of distraction. Maintaining focus on the road should always be a top priority for rideshare drivers.
Extended passenger interactions
It is not uncommon for rideshare drivers to strike up a conversation with their passengers. While fostering a positive and friendly atmosphere is essential, it's crucial to balance extended passenger interactions with safety considerations. Interactions that shift a driver’s focus from the road can pose safety risks for both the driver and passengers.
Disruptive passengers
Unruly passengers are a concern for rideshare drivers, as their behavior can negatively impact the overall safety and experience of the ride. Disruptive passengers may exhibit various behaviors such as excessive loudness, offensive language, intoxication, or refusal to follow the rules outlined by the rideshare platform. This can easily cause the driver to lose concentration on the road and potentially cause accidents.
Adjusting radio and music
While many modern vehicles are fitted with steering controls for music selection, drivers may become engrossed in selecting songs or adjusting volume levels, leading to a lapse in situational awareness. Implementing hands-free options for music control or setting playlists before starting a ride can help mitigate distractions associated with audio adjustments.
Distracted driving is among the major causes of car accidents. If you find yourself a victim of an accident caused by distracted driving, you may benefit from taking necessary steps to understand your legal options moving forward.]]>On Behalf of Gregory S. Young Co., LPAhttps://www.younginjurylaw.com/?p=507122024-01-30T15:12:08Z2024-01-30T15:12:08ZIncreased severity of the condition
A delayed diagnosis often means that the patient's medical condition has progressed further than it would have with a timely diagnosis. As a result, the severity of the illness or injury may increase, leading to more complications, a need for more aggressive treatment, and poorer outcomes. This can be particularly critical in cases where early intervention could have prevented or mitigated the progression of the disease.
Loss of chance doctrine
The loss-of-chance doctrine is a legal concept that comes into play when a delayed diagnosis reduces a patient's chances of a better outcome. If a healthcare professional's negligence diminishes the likelihood of a positive outcome, the patient may have a legal claim based on the loss of a chance for a better prognosis or treatment.
Prolonged suffering and emotional distress
Cases of delayed diagnosis can result in prolonged suffering and emotional distress for patients and their families. When a condition goes undiagnosed, patients may experience ongoing symptoms, pain and discomfort. They may also endure the stress and anxiety associated with not knowing the cause of their health issues. The emotional toll on the patient and their family can be considered part of the damages in a medical malpractice claim.
Increased medical costs
As a result of delayed diagnosis, patients may incur higher medical costs. The delayed identification of a medical condition can lead to the need for more extensive and expensive treatments. In some cases, a delayed diagnosis may necessitate additional surgeries, therapies or medications that might have been avoided with a timely diagnosis. Patients may incur financial burdens due to increased healthcare expenses, and these additional costs can be factored into a medical malpractice claim.
Understanding delayed diagnosis and how it can be used as the basis for a medical malpractice claim can help you determine if you have enough grounds to pursue this kind of case due to the unique nature of your circumstances. Getting legal guidance is crucial to navigating the complexities of the legal system and building a strong case.]]>On Behalf of Gregory S. Young Co., LPAhttps://www.younginjurylaw.com/?p=507102024-01-15T20:24:13Z2024-01-21T20:23:29ZTeenage drivers
Teenage drivers often lack the experience required to make split-second decisions on the road. As novice drivers, they may find themselves overwhelmed in complex traffic scenarios, leading to an increased likelihood of accidents. Constant connectivity also poses a significant distraction for many teens, diverting their attention away from the road.
Not to mention that teenagers are naturally inclined towards risk-taking behavior. This trait can manifest on the road as urges to exceed speed limits and engage in risky maneuvers.
Elderly drivers
As individuals age, cognitive abilities, including reaction time and spatial awareness, may decline. Elderly drivers may struggle with processing information in record time, making it challenging to navigate dynamic traffic situations effectively. Regular health check-ups and cognitive assessments can help identify potential concerns.
Furthermore, eyesight naturally deteriorates with age, impacting driving capabilities among older people. Elderly drivers may experience difficulties in low-light conditions or distinguishing road signs. Encouraging regular eye check-ups and promoting the use of corrective lenses can mitigate vision-related challenges.
Many elderly individuals are also on medication, and certain drugs can have side effects that affect driving performance. Therefore, it is crucial for seniors to be aware of the potential impacts of their medications and consult with healthcare professionals if they experience any adverse effects.
Understanding the unique challenges faced by teenage and elderly drivers is essential for promoting road safety. By addressing these challenges, older and younger drivers can be empowered with the knowledge and tools to help navigate the roads more responsibly.]]>