It’s it a bit of an irony that we all go to a doctor when we are sick and expect them to help us, make us better or even fix whatever the problem is in the first place. “How devastating it is when going to the physician actually gives the patient a new threat to their health? This isn’t as farfetched as it may sound. It actually happens every day when people are discharged from the hospital,” said Michael G. Smith, a Little Rock injury lawyer and Little Rock accident lawyer, practicing personal injury law in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Many people are going home mostly recovered from what put them in the hospital in the first place and subsequently becoming very ill with a nosocomial infection. These infections are also called health care associated infection or hospital acquired infection.

“This isn’t good news and having another bout of illness on the heels of the first doesn’t do much for a person’s immune system. It makes one wonder why they go to the doctor or hospital in the first place if they are going to wind up sicker than they went in,” added Smith.

Nosocomial infections are those picked up in the hospital environment while in there for something else and are considered to be a genuine nosocomial infection if appearing within 48 hours or more after admission, or within 30 days after being discharged.

In the U.S. alone it’s estimated that one patient in ten gets a nosocomial infection. That translates into about 2 million patients a year and costs up to 11 billion to treat. These infections have also been cited as being responsible for an average of 88,000 deaths a year. “The most common nosocomial infections are pneumonias, infections of a surgical sites, and urinary tract infections. Sadly, about 92% of the deaths from hospital infections like this could be prevented,” Smith explained.

For a stark and unusual example of nosocomial infection in action, read the media reports of what is going on with the Cleveland Browns. Evidently at least five of their players have contracted some kind of infection that didn’t have a thing to do with the injury that sent them to hospital. “The biggest thing here to be extremely wary of is battling MRSA, otherwise referred to as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. In other words, it’s an infection that can’t be treated with methicillin antibiotic which is a major problem since that covers just about all the antibiotics used,” said Smith.

No matter how the individual contracted the nosocomial infection, this is something that needs to be discussed with a skilled personal injury lawyer. “Knowing what one’s rights are goes a long way toward having the situation legally resolved in a fair and equitable manner,” stated Michael G. Smith, a Little Rock injury lawyer and Little Rock accident lawyer, practicing personal injury law in Little Rock, Arkansas.

To learn more about Little Rock injury lawyer, Little Rock accident lawyer, Little Rock person injury lawyer, Little Rock malpractice lawyer, Little Rock injury attorney, Little Rock wrongful death attorney, visit Arkansaslawhelp.com.

“While it’s true that the VA Non-Service Pension Benefits does help with eldercare, which can be very costly these days, having these benefits may greatly affect a pensioner’s ability to qualify for Medicaid in the area of assisted living once the pensioner’s benefits have run out,” said Michael G. Smith, a Little Rock injury lawyer and Little Rock accident lawyer, practicing personal injury law in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Having the VA Non-Service Pension Benefits really does help in terms of having extra income, however the pensioner needs to carefully check applying for it first, before making that decision. Having the extra money might not be in their best interests if they think they may require Medicaid before needing a greater level of care. “The thing to keep in mind is that once the veteran is awarded the additional income, the vet or surviving spouse can’t stop the benefits to qualify for Medicaid, which may cause some significant problems,” added Smith.

Consider the example of Mary Buetel who lived in a memory care assisted living community. That community organization helped Mary get VA surviving spouse benefits which increased Mary’s income to roughly $2,600 a month. That money combined with her savings helped her to pay for the community care she received.

Unfortunately, at the going rate of about $3,850.00 a month, her savings were running out quickly and Mary was faced with a real dilemma. Even if the community organization participated in the Medicaid waiver program, Mary would not qualify because the extra money she received from the VA put her well over her state’s Medicaid threshold. Mary doesn’t need long-term nursing home care, but because of her income, she may have no other alternative.

What happened here is that the person who helped Mary get her benefits in the first place didn’t pay much attention to or didn’t understand the possibility that Mary may need Medicaid once her assets were dried up. “The difficulty here is that when living providers arrange for VA benefits for their residents so that they have extra income, it is a violation of federal guidelines for an “interested” party to pay someone on the vet’s behalf to arrange this kind of service. In cases like that, many living providers have found themselves in a position of being liable,” Smith explained.

In fact, the specific regulation pertaining to situations like this reads as follows:

Federal Regulation 38 CFR 14.636: Payment of fee by disinterested third party. (i) An agent or attorney may receive a fee or salary from an organization, governmental entity, or other disinterested third party for representation of a claimant or appellant even though the conditions set forth in paragraph (c) of this section have not been met. An organization, governmental entity, or other third party is considered disinterested only if the entity or individual does not stand to benefit financially from the successful outcome of the claim. In no such case may the attorney or agent charge a fee which is contingent, in whole or in part, on whether the matter is resolved in a manner favorable to the claimant or appellant.

It can’t be stressed enough that veterans and their families need to know the “right” information before they make financial decisions that may have a major impact on their life and ability to be able to find proper care situations. “Yes, the additional income is nice, but if it comes with a hefty price tag and penalty later, it bears some serious research up front by a disinterested third party, such as a qualified lawyer,” commented Michael G. Smith, a Little Rock injury lawyer and Little Rock accident lawyer, practicing personal injury law in Little Rock, Arkansas.

To learn more about Little Rock injury lawyer, Little Rock accident lawyer, Little Rock person injury lawyer, Little Rock malpractice lawyer, Little Rock injury attorney, Little Rock wrongful death attorney, visit Arkansaslawhelp.com.

Collisions with semi tractor trailer units never have a very happy ending. Whether the people involved are seriously injured or they do not survive the crash, this is one area of the law where you need to talk to an experienced Little Rock personal injury lawyer about your rights.

Statistically speaking, it seems to be a bit of a toss-up when it comes to the reasons for devastating crashes involving 18-wheelers and other vehicles. Some schools of thought think it’s largely the truck driver’s fault. Others think it is the driver of the car that causes the collision. Frankly, when push comes to shove, the reasons for the accident really only matter when it comes to putting together a court case. If there was negligence on the part of the trucker or the “other” driver, then you may be able to recover damages for your injuries.

=What on earth are car drivers doing that results in such horrific outcomes when they “meet and greet” a tractor trailer on the wrong side of the road, or are rear-ended? Typically when accidents of this nature take place, it’s the car driver who has lost sight of the fact that 18-wheelers don’t have the same ability to whip in and out of small spaces, or to quickly avoid another car in their way or even come to a quick stop.

Quick and stop when you’re talking about a big rig do not belong in the same sentence. For example, a car is able to come to a rather rapid stop if they’re traveling 55 mph and will accomplish that halt in about 265 feet. A huge truck with a load on will take at least 313 feet to stop, and not all that gracefully either. Herein lies a very crucial safety rule and that is to keep your car a safe distance behind or in front of the truck. If you don’t do that and have to stop suddenly, you will find the semi up the back of your car. This is a two-way street. You don’t want to be following a big rig too closely either in case they have to stop abruptly.

Passing and cutting back in front of the truck is another area that a lot of motorists really don’t “get.” When they cut in too closely, they don’t leave enough distance between the car and the truck. When something like that happens the trucker reacts by slamming on the brakes. This doesn’t only have the potential to affect you, who cut in front of him leaving him no room to move, but also other cars beside and behind the truck. In other words, “think” before you act when you are traveling with big rigs.

Motorists also need to realize that truckers do have blind spots. This shouldn’t really come as too much of a surprise, since cars have blind spots as well. The point here is that you do not want to be traveling in those blind spots or the trucker can’t see you. Stay away from the back of a semi, the right front and left rear. Keep in mind that when you pull out to pass, you can “not” be seen in those blind spots in either the rearview mirror or the side mirrors, and you run the risk of the truck pulling left or right into your lane. The end result is a nasty crash.

If you have been involved in a tractor trailer crash or have lost a loved one as a result of an accident with a semi, speak to a seasoned Little Rock personal injury lawyer. Find out what your rights are, what damages you may be able to claim, and how a case would proceed to court. Time is of the essence in cases like this, so don’t wait too long to speak to that attorney or the evidence in the case will be lost, or the statute of limitations may run out.

Michael G. Smith is a Little Rock injury lawyer and Little Rock accident lawyer, practicing personal injury law in Little Rock Arkansas. To learn more about Little Rock injury lawyer, Little Rock accident lawyer, Little Rock person injury lawyer, Little Rock malpractice lawyer, Little Rock injury attorney, Little Rock wrongful death attorney, visit Arkansaslawhelp.com.

Our seniors are entitled to be treated with dignity, respect and deference. Many of our seniors fought in wars that gave us what we so blindly take for granted today – the freedom to be who we are and do what we do. These people were injured on our behalf, lost family members fighting to give us this precious freedom, and are now in need of our help and care in a nursing home.

Nursing home abuse is way too common and it has to stop. People must speak up and out about it. Every senior in a nursing home has family that loves and cares for them and only wants to ensure they are safe. If the family suspects something is wrong, that their elderly family member is being abused, hit, shoved, kicked, shaken, pinched or burned, they need to speak to a skilled Little Rock personal injury lawyer. While these examples mostly deal with physical abuse, there are other insidious forms of abuse that are known to stalk the halls of nursing homes.

Some of the other forms of abuse that attorneys tend to see and hear about are the inappropriate use of chemicals/drugs as a form of restraint or retribution; the use of tie downs or straightjackets; and other monitoring devices being used as punishment. In some cases, seniors have been left for long periods of time physically restrained and unable to move until someone came to free them. Force feeding someone who is unable to eat without assistance is abominable and definitely a form of abuse, as is pushing elderly patients to perform bodily functions that are difficult for them.

Perhaps the most despicable form of abuse in a nursing home is sexual abuse. While it sounds awful, unfortunately there have been cases of this happening. It’s very difficult for elderly people to be able to effectively resist someone forcing themselves on them. Very plainly, without putting a fine point on it, this is “wrong.” Non-consensual sexual contact is abuse and so is having sex with someone who isn’t able to give their consent to the act. Sexual abuse can take the form of assault, sodomy, rape, improper touching, nudity and even the resident being harassed into posing for sexual or nude pictures.

If sexual abuse isn’t enough, there have also been cases of mental and emotional abuse. Consider how hard it is for seniors to have to rely solely on others for assistance performing their daily living tasks. This causes a great deal of embarrassment for many seniors who used to be independent. The shame they feel at not being able to do basic tasks is something that some nursing home workers will exploit to their own advantage.

The list of other abuses is too long to cover in this article, so we highly recommend that if you feel your loved one is the victim of nursing home abuse, do the right thing and contact a Little Rock personal injury lawyer immediately. The longer the abuse is ignored, the more people who will be affected by it. Speaking up on behalf of your senior will make a big difference in how the other residents in a nursing home are treated. Know your rights and what to do about nursing home abuse.

Michael G. Smith is a Little Rock injury lawyer and Little Rock accident lawyer, practicing personal injury law in Little Rock Arkansas. To learn more about Little Rock injury lawyer, Little Rock accident lawyer, Little Rock person injury lawyer, Little Rock malpractice lawyer, Little Rock injury attorney, Little Rock wrongful death attorney, visit Arkansaslawhelp.com.

The lousy economy these days has led to a new form of senior abuse – financial abuse, as younger members of a family start to take advantage of older relatives who may have a nest egg stashed away. We may not be aware of this happening because in most instances it starts slowly and without any fanfare. It may start with a request for a few dollars here and there and over time escalate into cash being taken out of a senior’s wallet or purse or from their bank account.

Maybe taking a few bucks from a senior doesn’t seem like a big deal, but if it continues, there is the potential to totally wipe out that person’s life savings. This is abuse, financial abuse. It’s a temptation to those who have very little money to spare in this economy. However, this is a form of stealing, even if the person the funds are being taken from is a family member.

Why is this particular form of elder abuse so easy to perpetrate? It largely has to do with the fact that since housing is in such a mess, many people who should be out on their own with the own homes are having to abandon that home and move back in with parents or other relatives. This isn’t the most ideal situation in many cases and causes a lot of stress and pressure for seniors who happen to be a part of those “new” living arrangements. In addition, a lot of younger individuals may not deal well with the loss of a job, family or home and turn to drugs and alcohol to handle matters. The potential for violence increases in circumstances like this. If that violence spills over to a senior, elder abuse takes on a whole other ugly façade.

Sadly, statistics show that about one in close to 25 cases of elderly people being financially exploited happened to be reported. The National Center on Elder Abuse extrapolates those figures to mean that there may be close to 5 million elderly financial abuse victims in the U.S. every year. That is a shocking statistic. It’s not just financial abuse that is going on either; at least five out of six cases that involve elder abuse deal with neglect and exploitation, and these go unreported as well. Many people who deal with elder abuse in the system are reporting a significant increase in elder abuse since the recession crept in.

In any situation where a senior is being abused, whether it is physically, emotionally, mentally, psychologically or financially, it’s best to speak to an attorney with experience in this area. Justice needs to be done for our seniors and the only way this will happen is by speaking to an attorney who understands the ramifications of elder abuse, and who is able to put a stop to it.

To learn more about Little Rock injury lawyer, Little Rock accident lawyer, Little Rock person injury lawyer, Little Rock malpractice lawyer, Little Rock injury attorney, Little Rock wrongful death attorney, visit Arkansaslawhelp.com.

People are probably familiar with the term “Shaken Baby Syndrome” and understand immediately what that means in terms of damage to a baby. The result of a baby being shaken causes the infant’s brain to be bruised irreparably. Here is how that works. Inside everyone’s head there is a fluid filled space in between the actual skull and the brain. Apply enough force to the skull, say blunt force traumas that happen in sports, and the brain slaps up against the hard skull. The end result here is something called a concussion.

The other term for concussion is bruised brain and we all understand that some bruises are much worse than others. Watching hockey, football, soccer, polo or other body contact sports will inevitably show the viewer at least one bone crunching thump to the skull by one player to another. If the player has been in a particular sport for a number of years – say hockey for 5 or more years – they are likely to have sustained numerous concussions. Many of those hits to the head may not be that serious, but over a period of time the damage builds up and manifests itself in interesting and problematic ways.

For instance, cumulative damage may end up manifesting itself as short term memory loss or even pseudo-Parkinson’s disease. An example of a well-known sports figure who sustained cumulative brain damage is Mohammed Ali. His precise diagnosis is actually pseudo- Parkinson’s disease which is the adult equivalent of Shaken Baby Syndrome.

While everyone agrees that something needs to be done to make the sport safer, it still seems that no one knows exactly what to do or is hesitating to do it. Tighter chin straps would help, better helmets and decent mouth guards that actually allow a player to breathe through them would all be a great start. However, none of this addresses the legal ramifications of negligence in “not” providing players with the proper equipment, even when team owners are aware of the consequences of using improper gear.

It’s no laughing matter to get concussions on a consistent basis as a result of using not so safe paraphernalia. It’s no wonder that many people involved in sports are seeking legal counsel about the ramifications of being provided with improper gear. Only a skilled personal injury attorney will be able to address what this may mean in terms of compensation for personal damages sustained while playing sports.

To learn more about Little Rock injury lawyer, Little Rock accident lawyer, Little Rock person injury lawyer, Little Rock malpractice lawyer, Little Rock injury attorney, Little Rock wrongful death attorney, visit Arkansaslawhelp.com.

While traveling to and from work and other places by motorcycle may be a smart way to save money on gas and registration, it’s just not like riding in the relative safety of a steel enclosure like a car, that has “some” safety features like bumpers, air bags, seatbelts, crumple zones and the like. Being out there in the wind with no protection tends to put a biker’s safety at a great deal of risk.

The odd thing is that even with the increase in motorcycle accidents, many people seem to be unaware or oblivious as to what types of injuries a motorcycle accident may cause. Many of the injuries for those that survive may result in a lifetime of therapy and treatment. Many also result in death. For those that do survive, it is crucial to speak to a skilled personal injury attorney to recover compensation for your injuries.

Some of the injuries that are a result of a motorcycle accident are spinal cord damage, brain and head trauma, badly broken or shattered bones and the usual cuts, scrapes and bruises. The more serious injuries, of course, are spinal cord and head trauma. The spinal cord may be crushed as a result of the accident and since the cord is largely responsible for sending brain signals to and from our organs, this is a serious trauma.

In many instances, a crushed spinal cord may result in paralysis. Whether or not that results in being permanently paralyzed is mainly a function of how quickly the proper medical treatment was implemented. Some bikers regain the use of their body parts if they are treated promptly and get the right medication.

Traumatic brain injuries are more problematic in that they cause the brain to be slammed from one side of the skull to the other, resulting in bruising and swelling. This is a life threatening injury and often results in permanent cognitive impairment. Most patients who sustain an injury like this suffer from memory loss that ranges from mild to severe, severe headaches and impaired thinking. Brain damage may be permanent.

When it comes to broken bones, a motorcyclist may sustain anything from a clean break at one location to a more serious situation when the bones in their legs or arms are crushed. Crush injuries that are severe enough often mean amputation to save the biker’s life.

Always remember that even if an injury seems to be minor on first blush, it may turn out to be more serious down the road. Always make sure to consult with a personal injury attorney with extensive experience in this area. They will know immediately if your injuries have the potential to develop into something long-term. External injuries are usually indications of more serious internal problems.

Michael G. Smith is a Little Rock injury lawyer and Little Rock accident lawyer, practicing personal injury law in Little Rock Arkansas. To learn more about Little Rock injury lawyer, Little Rock accident lawyer, Little Rock person injury lawyer, Little Rock malpractice lawyer, Little Rock injury attorney, Little Rock wrongful death attorney, visit Arkansaslawhelp.com.

Virtually every weekend someone is killed in a motorcycle crash. Whatever caused the accident, bad roads, bad weather, motorist inattention or even speeding; the statistics are mounting at a rapid pace. Just recently across the nation one weekend witnessed the deaths of at least 20 bikers for a variety of reasons. Sadly, in many of them, speeding was the critical factor that ultimately caused the deaths.

Overall statistics for biker deaths in America are quite alarming. For instance, in 2006 there were 4,837 motorcycle fatalities. In 2007, that figure went up dramatically to 5,154. That means that motorcycle fatalities accounted for 13% of all road fatalities in 2007, which was up from roughly 11% in 2006.

Typically most of the fatalities involved motorcyclists aged 20-29. And the more troubling statistic is the fact that roughly 25% of these people who died had invalid licenses. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see that motorcycles have the potential to be death traps for the inexperienced.

Speeding while on a motorbike is literally an accident looking for a place to happen. In one recent weekend incident, a biker slammed into the back end of a parked car at the side of a highway so hard, the car wound up on a guardrail. You can only imagine what condition the biker was in when the police finally dislodged his remains from underneath the car.

For those that do survive a motorcycle crash the injuries could range from scrapes and road rash to broken bones, traumatic brain injury, herniated discs, paralysis and death. Not exactly the kind of thing anyone wants to hear when they love riding their bikes. However, that is the reality of life and at times, life as a habit of biting people hard when they least expect it.

No matter what the reasons are for the accident you may have been involved in, you will need a skilled personal injury attorney to help you get damages. Those reasons may include negligence on the part of another person, improperly maintained roads, reckless driving on the part of another, or an improperly maintained bike.

All these things need to be factored into a motorcycle personal injury lawsuit or a wrongful death suit. Talking to your experienced personal injury attorney will make things clear on how to proceed with a potential lawsuit.

Michael G. Smith is a Little Rock injury lawyer and Little Rock accident lawyer, practicing personal injury law in Little Rock Arkansas. To learn more about Little Rock injury lawyer, Little Rock accident lawyer, Little Rock person injury lawyer, Little Rock malpractice lawyer, Little Rock injury attorney, Little Rock wrongful death attorney, visit Arkansaslawhelp.com.

While tasers may have their place in law enforcement, there is a burning question about the number of deaths resulting from the use of this weapon on suspects. Just recently a man involved in a traffic stop, who bolted when he saw police, died as a result of the use of a taser to disable him to arrest him. The autopsy reports are expected to show that the taser played a part in his demise.

This is just one more death in a long laundry list of them that hit the media over the use of tasers instead of talking to arrest suspects. Has the company that makes tasers been taken to court in a wrongful death action? Indeed it has and in most cases, it was not found liable. However, that all changed one day in September 2008, when Taser International was deemed partially liable in a wrongful death lawsuit.

Interestingly enough, until September 2008, Taser International had won 45 wrongful death or injury cases. In that landmark court case, it lost a $6 million wrongful death suit. The door swung open that day on the issue of their liability in the future for taser deaths.

Granted the court’s findings in that case apportioned liability to the deceased plaintiff and the company as being 85% to 15%, but the decision had an even greater ripple effect. It saw Taser International stocks plummet.

The facts are that if the company is found liable for damages done after tasing a suspect, they could lose their shirts. It doesn’t matter if the suspect may have had heart damage, the fact remains that if police are chasing a criminal, they aren’t going to stop and ask if the person has a heart condition.

Families faced with the death of a loved one due to the possible questionable use of a taser need to consult with a highly skilled wrongful death attorney to determine their path to justice for that death. It’s not just the police force that may wind up being cited as defendants in such a case.

Often the maker of the product that caused the serious injury or death is joined in this kind of a lawsuit. Keep in mind that wrongful death suits are “not” criminal cases and do not go through the criminal courts. A wrongful death case is conducted in civil court and the standards of proof are different. This makes it essential to discuss the case in detail with an expert wrongful death attorney.

To learn more about Little Rock injury lawyer, Little Rock accident lawyer, Little Rock person injury lawyer, Little Rock malpractice lawyer, Little Rock injury attorney, Little Rock wrongful death attorney, visit Arkansaslawhelp.com.

It’s a given that if a big rig crashes into another vehicle, the smaller of the two vehicles involved in the accident will bear the brunt of the damages. Big rigs weigh in at 40 tons or 80,000 pounds. The average car only weighs about 5,000 pounds. This is a bit like David versus Goliath.

When a vehicle that size is hurtling down the highway, it takes 40% longer for it to get stopped than it does an average vehicle. This has a lot to do with what type of load they have at the time. If it happens to be steel, add in an even longer period of time to stop.

Trucks only have ten brakes, not 18 despite what people think. However, no matter how many brakes a semi has, it still can’t stop suddenly. This is the reason that crashes are so devastating and the rationale behind many states investigating implementing driving campaigns targeted at regular car drivers who drive like maniacs around big rigs.

In Georgia, there are roughly 6,700 truck collisions yearly, resulting in close to 5,364 injuries and 235 deaths. Survivors of these catastrophic accidents often have brain damage, spinal and neck injuries, amputations, multiple fractures, and neurological disorders. These victims generally need extensive and expensive medical treatment. It is essential to hire an experienced Georgia trucking attorney to ensure personal injury damages are properly awarded.

Interestingly enough, not many people realize that nearly 60% of the time the trucker is not at fault in an accident. On the contrary, it is mainly other drivers that don’t respect the rules of the road or the space of the rigs while they’re on the same highway. A new program launched in Nevada has state Troopers hitch rides with truck drivers to see what really goes on when they’re trucking.

If a program like this was implemented in every state, it might just reduce the number of deaths as a result of a collision with an 18-wheeler. If it taught motorists hard facts about driving near a big rig, it would smarten some of them up. For instance, trucks have no-zones. This means if a person can’t see their mirrors, the trucker can’t see the other vehicle. It’s just that simple.

Seen from the other side of the wheel – inside the big truck – it puts a different spin on the real problems on the highways these days. Many of the truckers cite cars following too closely, cutting them off or being in their blind spot. No matter what the cause of an accident with a semi, the results are devastating. Hiring a skilled attorney is the best way to seek justice and an award (even a proportional one) that will deal with the lifelong injuries the victim will struggle to handle.

To learn more about Little Rock injury lawyer, Little Rock accident lawyer, Little Rock person injury lawyer, Little Rock malpractice lawyer, Little Rock injury attorney, Little Rock wrongful death attorney, visit Arkansaslawhelp.com.

Recent studies done across the nation are showing that over half of the residents in care homes are victims of prescription errors. These errors may be anything from uncomfortable side effects to death. Who is responsible for the medication errors? Typically, the people who cause medication errors are nursing home staff, pharmacists and other physicians treating the elderly.

The unfortunate thing when dealing with medication mess ups and the elderly is that even the smallest of goofs may end up being a royal disaster. It only takes one small error to set off a chain of cascading mistakes that may have deadly results.

The studies are showing that the reported mistakes are just the tip of the iceberg; and if you take into account the sheer size of the senior population these days, even the “small” proportion of reported screw-ups are likely representational of many, many more.

Most seniors that took part in the studies were taking, on average, as many as six to eight medications. The potential for drug interactions and reactions with that many drugs is staggering. In some of the cases studied, the family physician prescribed the wrong drug or didn’t consider how a new one would interfere or interact with an existing one. It’s a known fact that any more than three drugs on board can set a person up for a severe drug interaction problem.

Going from a nursing home care setting to the hospital is a situation fraught with all kinds of opportunities for mistakes. Many times the seniors don’t come in with enough information and many times they don’t leave hospital with enough information either. This is a two-way street where communication is essential, and it doesn’t seem to be happening.

Consider the disturbing story of a 90 year old D-Day vet whose prescription for morphine was faxed to a hospital. One of the decimal points was overlooked in the dosage. He died of a massive morphine overdose. Or consider the case of a 76 year old woman who was on 12 medications and hoarded them in her room, and no one thought to check to see if they were compatible or if she was actually taking them. She died of an overdose. There are many more cases that have made the nightly news, and will continue to find their way into the mainstream media. Our job is to “do” something to stop the mistakes.

Caring for the elderly is not easy due to the delicate equilibrium a physician must take to balance one drug and condition against another. It takes time, dedication and a lot of up-to-the-minute knowledge that many nursing home care doctors don’t always have or take the time to learn.

This isn’t to say that it’s acceptable to make mistakes. If there is negligence involved and proven, then medical malpractice moves from an abstract concept to a deadly reality.

Michael G. Smith is a Little Rock injury lawyer and Little Rock accident lawyer, practicing personal injury law in Little Rock Arkansas. To learn more about Little Rock injury lawyer, Little Rock accident lawyer, Little Rock person injury lawyer, Little Rock malpractice lawyer, Little Rock injury attorney, Little Rock wrongful death attorney, visit Arkansaslawhelp.com.

We don’t often read about cases of anesthesia malpractice, but they do happen and may result in the death of someone undergoing surgery. For example in a Florida medical malpractice suit, an 18-year old girl died as a result of malignant hyperthermia. The plastic surgeon and anesthesiologist performing the operation on an out-patient basis were the defendants in the lawsuit.

The lawsuit alleged that the surgeon and anesthesiologist failed to meet acceptable medical standards when she had a life threatening reaction to the anesthesia administered for breast surgery. The case hinged on the fact that the doctors failed to recognize a reaction to the anesthesia and because they missed the signs of this deadly reaction, they didn’t give the proper treatment to save her life.

This patient survived long enough to be transferred to another medical facility where she succumbed to hyperthermia. Malignant hyperthermia is inherited and only one parent needs to be carrying the gene for a child to inherit it. It causes a rapid rise in body temperatures and severe muscle contractions as a result of receiving anesthesia. Signs and symptoms include bleeding, dark brown urine, muscle rigidity and aching, and a very fast rise in temperature to 105 degrees F or higher.

The Florida lawsuit alleged the doctors could have treated the patient with intravenous Dantrolene sodium (muscle relaxant) had they paid attention to the patient after surgery. Dantrolene sodium was given later at another medical facility, but it was too late.

At the root of this case is the contention that the doctors did not follow accepted medical practices in monitoring their patient, and as a result of that negligence, caused her death. If they had been paying attention and were capable of identifying malignant hyperthermia, the patient would still be alive today. Evidently, recognized medical standards were not followed with disastrous consequences.

It is medical errors like this Florida case where patients have the right to speak to a medical malpractice attorney about filing a med mal lawsuit. They need to know their rights and how to go about dealing with the devastation such cases dish out.

It goes without saying that we rely on doctors to do their jobs and not allow us to come to any harm. In instances such as this case, something went drastically wrong and an innocent victim paid the price.

Michael G. Smith is a Little Rock injury lawyer and Little Rock accident lawyer, practicing personal injury law in Little Rock Arkansas. To learn more about Little Rock injury lawyer, Little Rock accident lawyer, Little Rock person injury lawyer, Little Rock malpractice lawyer, Little Rock injury attorney, Little Rock wrongful death attorney, visit Arkansaslawhelp.com.

Negligence plays a huge part in the accidents that occur daily across the nation that take the lives of at least 110 people everyday. Consider how many others are severely injured and have their lives change in the blink of an eye. When collisions start to become almost as prevalent as the common cold, it’s time to do something.

Bad drivers and what to do with them have occupied the minds of many a law enforcement agency over the years, but as yet, no successful program seems to be in place to combat lousy driving. Some have suggested that if those who drove carelessly were aware of the consequences of their actions – the death of another person – they might slow down. Others propose driving home the fact that negligence costs a lot of money in the form of a jury award for wrongful death or severe personal injuries. Unfortunately, there are many people who figure the law is not meant for them to obey and that nothing bad will ever happen to them – until it inevitably does happen.

Losing a family member is heartbreaking and life altering all at the same time. If there were other family members involved in the same car crash, they may have sustained injuries that left them requiring medical care for the rest of their lives. The total disruption of a family because of the negligence of another driver is absolutely devastating, but the other driver never seems to think of that when they are driving and talking on a cell phone or driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Personal injury law is all about righting the wrongs done to others by the negligence, thoughtlessness and carelessness of others. This is what personal injury lawyers do, help those who were victims recover damages for their losses. Those losses may include punitive and exemplary damages, funeral and medical expenses, loss of wages, pain and suffering, and other more intangible things like loss of companionship.
In the process of fighting for the rights of those who have lost a family member or are dealing with debilitating injuries as the result of an accident, other issues may also come to light that point the finger of negligence in another direction. This isn’t to say that the other driver who may have caused the accident in the first place isn’t at fault, but there may be things like a defective seatbelt or airbag that caused death or injuries.

Personal injury law is never dull and just because a case looks like it is straightforward and a death or severe injuries are the result of someone running a red light doesn’t mean that the accident itself was responsible for the drivers death (but may have contributed to it). This is precisely why a hiring a personal injury lawyer is a critical factor in any car crash case.

To learn more about Little Rock injury lawyer, Little Rock accident lawyer, Little Rock person injury lawyer, Little Rock malpractice lawyer, Little Rock injury attorney, Little Rock wrongful death attorney, visit Arkansaslawhelp.com.

There isn’t too much of a mystery about what a slip, trip and fall case is all about. The definition in this instance lies in the description of the actions that take place prior to a personal injury sustained as a result of the fall. While the definition is reasonably clear, there are certain circumstances that need to happen in order for a person to be able to file a lawsuit for damages against an entity or a person.

The first thing may seem rather obvious, but surprisingly isn’t to a lot of people who have been in the difficult situation of having fallen after tripping or slipping, and then found out they had no case. There needs to be an actual dangerous condition. In other words, the fall must come about as the result of a dangerous condition on private or public property.

The reason the law is exceedingly specific in this instance that a person “must” have fallen due to a genuine dangerous condition is because we all land on our rears or other parts of our anatomy many times over. It’s a fact of life. Obviously, the law would not allow you to recover damages every time you fall. Imagine trying to convince a court that tripping over the cat on the way to the bathroom at 3:00 am in the morning is worthy of compensation.

The law will, however, allow recovery of damages for personal injuries that happened because of a dangerous condition on private or public property with the caveat that the owners or people responsible for that property knew or should have known about the dangerous condition.

Knowing what a dangerous condition is may help a person assess whether or not they may have a valid case to discuss with an attorney. Some examples of hazardous conditions include cracks in sidewalks or other areas where people walk, badly maintained handrails or stairs, wet substances on the floor, uneven stairs, debris on the floor, food or other random objects left on a floor and dangerously slippery surfaces. There are a multitude of potentially precarious situations that have the real potential to cause a slip, trip and fall accident.

Another requirement to file a lawsuit is that the owner of the property where the accident happened, or whoever controls the property must either be aware of the treacherous condition, or in the alternative, known about the risky condition as a result of “reasonable” inspections. If they didn’t know or couldn’t have known, a person is not able to recover against them. To find out further specifics, it’s best to discuss a case like this with a highly skilled attorney.

In many instances, slip and/or trip and fall cases require an expert witness to prove an unsafe condition did exist and the owner, etc., either knew or should have known about it. This would shape up as the battle of dueling experts, as the defendant would also have an expert that states the exact opposite.
If someone has fallen as a result of a perilous condition, then consult with a qualified lawyer to determine if there is a potential lawsuit.

To learn more about Little Rock injury lawyer, Little Rock accident lawyer, Little Rock person injury lawyer, Little Rock malpractice lawyer, Little Rock injury attorney, Little Rock wrongful death attorney, visit Arkansaslawhelp.com.

While the vast majority of people have never heard of iatrogenic, it is actually far more common than one would think. In fact there is a rough estimate of 120,000 to 225,000 deaths in the U.S. every year that may be tracked back to iatrogensis. Unfortunately, there is no mandatory reporting system for iatrogenic injuries or deaths. To say that would make it a bit difficult to police and control, or even develop procedures to prevent it would be a major understatement.

Iatrogenic means something caused by accident by a doctor, a diagnostic procedure or medical treatment. In other words, it’s the adverse effects or complications resulting from advice from a health care professional and that includes a dentist, nurse, pharmacist, therapist, doctor, psychologist and as a result of alternative medical treatment and advice.

The causes of iatrogenisis are quite varied and include adverse reactions, medication errors, medical misadventure and noscomial infections.

Adverse reactions are, generally speaking, the result of someone having a bad reaction to a medication, which may be an allergy or a potentially fatal side effect. The American Medical Association estimates at least 108,000 deaths due to adverse reactions. Quite a shocking statistic, isn’t it?

According to the Institute of Medicine, there have been close to 7,000 deaths attributable to medication errors. Another good reason to double check what you are being given when you pick up a prescription or are handed something in the hospital.

Medical misadventure is an injury or other adverse effect that is the result of medical treatment. These misadventures are usually preventable medical errors, which tends to not give people a lot of faith in doctors or other health care professionals.

Noscomial infections originate in a hospital and manifest themselves by causing inflammation, swelling, infection, night sweats and breathing difficulties. This kind of infection may be responsible for the death of 80,000 annually.

Most of the figures discussed in this article deal with patients actually in a hospital. They do not cover outpatient clinics, long-term care home residents, patients not in the hospital or dental patients. It goes without saying that iatrogensis rears its head in those settings as well. Based on just these figures alone it would be enough to give anyone needing medical treatment in a hospital setting second thoughts. Another chilling aspect of iatrogenic diseases is that they are not always easy to identify. E.g. drug interactions.
Proving someone died as a result of an iatrogenic disease is a complex process. If you have lost a loved one and feel their death was the result of an adverse reaction or complication due to medical treatment, get in touch with an experienced medical malpractice attorney and discuss your potential case.

Michael G. Smith is a Little Rock injury lawyer and Little Rock accident lawyer, practicing personal injury law in Little Rock Arkansas. To learn more about Little Rock injury lawyer, Little Rock accident lawyer, Little Rock person injury lawyer, Little Rock malpractice lawyer, Little Rock injury attorney, Little Rock wrongful death attorney, visit Arkansaslawhelp.com.

You don’t always have to sue if you’re involved in a business dispute. However, it is one of the options available if other things don’t work out. Ideally, in a perfect world, the difference of opinion would be resolved amicably and through negotiations. Having said that, sometimes things just don’t go the way you want them to go.

Generally speaking business owners have four different avenues to handle customer, vendor or partner disputes. They each have a different price tag, so it pays to have a working knowledge of them. The four avenues are direct negotiation, mediation, arbitration and litigation.

In terms of saving money, direct negotiation is often the least expensive method to use. This isn’t to say that it’s the easiest, but it is a good place to start. During this process both parties need to make it really clear what they want, why they want it and what will happen to future relations between the them. It goes without saying that both sides in direct negotiations need to look, listen, ask questions and pay sharp attention to the discussions. In other words, make use of good communication and planning skills during the negotiations. If everything holds together, the outcome should be an agreement that works for everyone. It beats the alternative, which may be an all out war.

Mediating is another good solution and only addresses how to fix the problem at hand. Meeting with a neutral third party that acts as a facilitator is often a smart business move. Understand that the mediator doesn’t make decisions but helps both sides come to a solution that works. Anything said in the presence of a mediator and all related documents are not admissible in court, so if mediation doesn’t work out, there are a couple of other routes left to try.

Another route to settle disputes is handing the whole thing over to a neutral arbitrator. In this instance, the arbitrator does make a binding decision based on the facts of the situation. Because arbitration is in essence a fact finding venture, it does take more time and money than mediation, but still doesn’t take as long as litigation.

The last resort is litigation and this involves letting a judge decide which party wins based on the facts of the case and the law. The court would make a determination of who is right and who is wrong. This is applicable “if” the case gets that far, as many of them don’t and wind up being settled out of court. This usually happens if one party doesn’t want to run the risk of losing in court. Frankly, there are a couple of cons to actually litigating a business matter: the negative effect it has on future relations and the cost, time and stress. However, if you have exhausted all other efforts, this may be a viable option for you to pursue.

Michael G. Smith is a Little Rock injury lawyer and Little Rock accident lawyer, practicing personal injury law in Little Rock Arkansas. To learn more about Little Rock injury lawyer, Little Rock accident lawyer, Little Rock person injury lawyer, Little Rock malpractice lawyer, Little Rock injury attorney, Little Rock wrongful death attorney, visit Arkansaslawhelp.com.

Delivering a baby isn’t always a stress free job, particularly if there are problems that develop during the birth. If the doctor and medical staff do not take the appropriate action or delay taking action, the consequences may be birth injuries to the baby and possibly the mom.

One situation that has the potential to cause shoulder dystocia is when the baby’s shoulders are folded inward during the birth process, otherwise called mal-positioned. When that does happen, it makes delivery that much more difficult because it ripens the conditions for dystocia to take place. Mal-presentation, in other words, not presenting with the head down, is also a critical situation that may cause shoulder dystocia if something isn’t done to attend to this situation.

While the mother is in labor, there may be a good reason to give her an epidural – either at her request or at the discretion of the doctor. This of course is an anesthetic that helps with labor pains, but the contractions still happen, it’s just that they’re mostly pain free. The epidural causes the mom to lose all sensation of being able to push. This means pushing is not done in a natural way, which may cause the baby to descend improperly – a situation ripe for an impacted shoulder.

Birth injuries may also happen as a result of the improper use of forceps. Generally speaking, the forceps are used to help the baby be born. This instrument that looks like a pair of tongs, normally grips about the infant’s head to help with the birth. Although forceps do have their place in deliveries, if they’re used incorrectly, this causes problems. It may for instance turn the baby’s head in the wrong direction, impacting the shoulders, or they may wind up squeezing the baby’s head too tightly, thus causing injuries.

Also be aware that the incorrect use of a vacuum extractor has the potential to go wrong. In an ideal situation, the cup at the top of the extractor is attached to the baby’s head. The physician then uses vacuum pressure to get the baby into the right position to deliver. There is a risk of applying too much pressure and thus causing nerve damage that could result in brachial plexus palsy.

Anyone of the above situations may result in the parents of the baby filing a medical malpractice lawsuit. Speak to a highly qualified attorney who will assist in building the case for compensation.

To learn more about Little Rock injury lawyer, Little Rock accident lawyer, Little Rock person injury lawyer, Little Rock malpractice lawyer, Little Rock injury attorney, Little Rock wrongful death attorney, visit Arkansaslawhelp.com.

It’s likely that not many people have heard of invention scams or even rare item investment scams, but they exist and they are every bit as sneaky and underhanded as stock and securities fraud. Scams are on the rise, which makes sense in this dismal economy, and as a net result, millions of dollars is fleeced from customers every year.

To be on the alert and get wise to investment frauds/scams there is some warning flags that should go up that would hint that a person may be dealing with a potential scam. Of course, the first one is predicated on that old chestnut, “If it sounds too good to be true, then it likely is.”

Red flag number two would be a high-pressure sales person trying to use strong-arm tactics to get the potential investor to invest immediately if not sooner. If someone calls and starts a spiel about an investment opportunity when no one in the house requested information, it’s time to hang up. Some scam artists also have the nerve to ask for credit card information or even social security numbers. It goes without saying that this information needs to be kept close to the vest and not shared with anyone.

Although people are able to get fraud and scam information from the Federal Trade Commission and the state securities regulator, if common sense is utilized in a prudent manner, most scams of this nature may be avoided. On the other hand, if a scam was successful, and some of them are due to their very crafty believability, the victim needs to act fast to remedy the situation.

Don’t waste two seconds thinking that some fraudster took advantage of you and ripped off money or vital personal information. Just pick up the phone and call the police, the fraud has to be stopped in its tracks before someone else gets taken in. Give them as many details as possible about who called, how the contact was established, how any investments purchased were funded, and any information that might help. No detail is too small to mention.

The next person on the list to call would be a lawyer familiar with stock and investment fraud. It’s their job to assist in building a case against the person who perpetrated the fraud. It’s also their job to answer any questions about stock and investment fraud, how it works and what the chances are of recovering any money.

To learn more about Little Rock injury lawyer, Little Rock accident lawyer, Little Rock person injury lawyer, Little Rock malpractice lawyer, Little Rock injury attorney, Little Rock wrongful death attorney, visit Arkansaslawhelp.com.

Filing a medical malpractice lawsuit is a matter of personal choice, and whether or not the patient genuinely feels they have been the victim of medical malpractice. There are times when a patient gets to a point with their illness, or other medical situation, and looks back at how they got there and wonders what went wrong.

The first answer to come to mind doesn’t always happen to be medical malpractice. In fact, many people don’t even blame their doctors for making mistakes or figure no one could prove they made an error anyway, so why waste time filing a lawsuit?

While it’s true that proving medical malpractice is difficult, it is not impossible and this largely depends on the nature of the case. There are countless numbers of ways that things may take a turn for the worse when in medical situations and that would include the fact that different people react differently to various medical procedures as well as medications.

The simple fact here is also that physicians must make decisions based on what evidence they are able to see at the time, and then make decisions instantaneously. It’s not an easy job being a doctor.

Despite the difficult tasks doctors face, the mistakes they and other medical personnel have made are proven to be of significant harm or death to patients. Patients who have suffered at the hands of a medical mistake have the right to file a personal injury lawsuit (medical malpractice). The families of those who have lost a loved one also have a right to seek redress from the courts as well.

Those victims of med mal that are faced with long-term suffering should be able to seek compensation through the courts to be able to deal with the consequences of their injuries. This is actually one of the main reasons why people file med mal lawsuits – the financial difficulties a family will face trying to provide care for a patient who was a victim of a medical error. Money like that does not come from standard health insurance.

If you think you or a loved one has been the victim of medical malpractice, medical error, misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis, contact a skilled personal injury attorney to take on your case.

Michael G. Smith is a Little Rock injury lawyer and Little Rock accident lawyer, practicing personal injury law in Little Rock Arkansas. To learn more about Little Rock injury lawyer, Little Rock accident lawyer, Little Rock person injury lawyer, Little Rock malpractice lawyer, Little Rock injury attorney, Little Rock wrongful death attorney, visit Arkansaslawhelp.com.

Generally speaking, the major cause for traumatic brain injury is car crashes, but this isn’t to say that other accidents might not happen that would also cause a TBI – for instance, slip and fall and hitting one’s head, diving, some form of sports, injuries sustained in a war zone and so on.

In some respects, a TBI is almost what might be called a silent injury, as no one “sees” it, often until it is too late. When someone sustains a traumatic brain injury, immediate medical assistance is crucial to deal with the consequences of a coup and contre coup injury.

In most cases, there are short and long-term symptoms to deal with daily. Thankfully, the short-term effects are mercifully short lived and may last only as long as a few hours to a few months, but do disappear. Unfortunately, long-term effects may last for years or ultimately wind up being permanent. The difficulty with TBI is that it is literally impossible to figure out which symptoms will last until a great deal further down the road.

The length of time for injuries like this to last is a major consideration when contemplating a personal injury claim. This is why it is best to hire an experienced personal injury lawyer to handle a complex case such as this. Damages in cases like this may run quite high for the simple reason that the injury is long-term and care ongoing.

When dealing with the symptoms of a TBI, the usual one that most people notice is they will suffer from amnesia for a variety of things, and they may even forget about their accident. This shouldn’t be too surprising, since the brain tissue has taken a hard knocking about and the memory will be affected.

TBI victims may feel very dizzy, nauseated and perhaps be disoriented as well. While the dizziness may recede, it may also hang on long enough to occur intermittently. This would largely have to do with how serious the injury happens to be. It also isn’t much of a surprise that memory loss is a long-term effect. Of course, the most common problems happen to be severe headaches, sensory changes and as we already mentioned, memory loss.

If you suspect or know that you have sustained a TBI, consult with a highly skilled personal injury attorney to discuss the merits of your case and what the potential is to recover damages to pay for inevitable long-term treatments.

Michael G. Smith is a Little Rock injury lawyer and Little Rock accident lawyer, practicing personal injury law in Little Rock Arkansas. To learn more about Little Rock injury lawyer, Little Rock accident lawyer, Little Rock person injury lawyer, Little Rock malpractice lawyer, Little Rock injury attorney, Little Rock wrongful death attorney, visit Arkansaslawhelp.com.

“If a claim is handled through insurance, the settlement may cover the compensation due as a result of injuries sustained in a car crash. And then again, it may not,” explained Arkansas super lawyer Michael G. Smith of Little Rock. This is where a highly skilled personal injury attorney comes into play – meaning they will ensure a just settlement if the insurance companies are playing musical insurance policies with the victims involved in the crash.

Unfortunately, although insurance companies do offer us coverage on our vehicles and offer funds if there has been an accident, in most cases, the settlement amounts are no where near what they may need to be depending on the severity of the accident and the extent of the injuries suffered. “Nor do they address other issues such as pain and suffering and loss of wages,” added Smith.

It’s not uncommon for insurance companies to try and lowball settlement for those involved in accidents to try and get them to settle for far less than what they would be entitled to if they went to court and successfully sued for compensation. “The fact is that insurance companies are not anyone’s friends and that is quite evident when it comes to their accident settlement techniques,” explained Arkansas super lawyer Michael G. Smith of Little Rock.

Never take the first offer an insurance company makes as the result of an accident. In fact, don’t take the second offer either. Instead make tracks to talk to a highly skilled personal injury attorney who will assist in dealing with the insurance companies. “In most instances, the presence of a lawyer to settle a claim speeds it up and often may increase the settlement amount,” said Smith.

The ultimate big stick of course is the lawyer taking the insurance company to court, something most insurance companies hate with a passion and strive to avoid the costs. If an insurance problem involving a car crash is being shuttled about without any satisfactory ending in sight, speak to a top-notch attorney to get things sorted out fast. One such attorney is Arkansas super lawyer Michael G. Smith of Little Rock.

To learn more about Little Rock injury lawyer, Little Rock accident lawyer, Little Rock person injury lawyer, Little Rock malpractice lawyer, Little Rock injury attorney, Little Rock wrongful death attorney, visit Arkansaslawhelp.com.

It’s a well-known fact that we are now living longer lives. In fact there are now at least 1.7 million Americans in long-term care. In some cases, this is a real joy and a much-appreciated event. In others, especially if we or a loved one is placed into a long-term care home or nursing home, this is not always the experience that we anticipated it to be.

To say that nursing homes and long-term care facilities experienced an enormous boom in business is a serious understatement. Think about this as well when the future of our lives is being contemplated. “Virtually one quarter of the population today, and that may include those who are reading this release, may need to receive long-term care in a facility,” said Arkansas super lawyer Michael G. Smith of Little Rock.

Just because medical science has advanced and allows us to live longer does not mean that nursing homes and long-term care facilities have kept pace with the prevailing opinion on how people, particularly our elders, should be treated. One would think with the advent of more nursing homes being built that the new facilities would be a significant step up in care for our seniors. Such is not always the case. “Nursing home abuse and negligence is far more prevalent than we would like to believe,” added Smith.

“The most disturbing thing about this type of abuse is that while the government is aware of it, thanks to studies they have conducted in this area, nothing much seems to be done to resolve the issue. This state of affairs is not only shocking; it is discouraging, because our seniors should be treated with dignity and respect,” added Smith.

Those federal government studies actually came to the conclusion that roughly 30% of all nursing home facilities perpetrate some from of medical malpractice and that includes mental and physical abuse and other forms of psychological harm. “Cited in those studies were the most common forms of abuse. Some of them were patient dehydration, malnutrition, infections left untreated, pressure sores, bedsores, medication errors, slip and fall accidents, and untreated pain,” explained Arkansas super lawyer Michael G. Smith of Little Rock.

If a loved one is being mistreated while in care, it needs to be reported immediately to the administrator. File a complaint with the department in your state that regulates nursing homes and immediately call a qualified nursing home abuse attorney.

To learn more about Little Rock injury lawyer, Little Rock accident lawyer, Little Rock person injury lawyer, Little Rock malpractice lawyer, Little Rock injury attorney, Little Rock wrongful death attorney, visit Arkansaslawhelp.com.

One of the difficulties that a newborn may face on their journey into this world is shoulder dystocia, defined as the baby’s head being delivered, but the shoulders are stuck and the baby is unable to be delivered naturally. This is an emergency situation and requires prompt action by the doctor doing the delivery to avoid any complications.

Shoulder dystocia is a term that actually means difficult birth, and indeed it is when the baby is stuck, unable to move forward without help. This may be caused if the baby is a large one, but may also happen with any size. There are several methods doctors may use to help the baby along, including fondal pressure (but not excessive) forceps or even vacuum assisted delivery.

Lately there has been a move to rotate the baby’s head during birth to prevent dystocia, which, if done correctly, assists in a proper birth. If done incorrectly, it causes dystocia. The other method of delivery involves lateral traction. This happens when there is a little delay after the baby’s head has cleared the birthing canal. This may be a natural delay, but some doctors panic and use lateral traction. Many doctors are now finding that lateral traction pushes the baby’s head towards its shoulders, which causes shoulder dystocia.

There are other causes of shoulder dystocia, but suffice it to say that in some instances, it may be the result of medical malpractice. Unfortunately there is a high risk of brain and nerve damage in babies with shoulder dystocia. The nerve damage is a brachial plexus injury, otherwise called Erb’s palsy and it affects the nerves that control movement and sensation in the fingers, hands and arms.

If you feel that you have been the victim of medical malpractice, call a knowledgeable attorney to discuss your potential birth injury case. Your lawyer will ensure you are informed of your rights and keep you apprised of everything happening on your file as your lawsuit progresses.

Michael G. Smith is a Little Rock injury lawyer and Little Rock accident lawyer, practicing personal injury law in Little Rock Arkansas. To learn more about Little Rock injury lawyer, Little Rock accident lawyer, Little Rock person injury lawyer, Little Rock malpractice lawyer, Little Rock injury attorney, Little Rock wrongful death attorney, visit Arkansaslawhelp.com.

The problem of medical misdiagnosis in America is bigger than many people think. It happens when a doctor does not diagnose a condition properly, or incorrectly diagnoses someone’s condition. While neither of these problems happens to be intentional, they often result in medical malpractice because they are based on negligence. Of interest is the fact that the Journal of the American Medical Association, indicate the rate of misdiagnoses in the US has not improved much since the 1930s. Doesn’t that revelation make you stop and think?

Victims of medical malpractice have the right to file a lawsuit and recover damages for things like the expenses related to the initial misdiagnosis, lost wages (not just for the future and the present, but for the past) and the mental anguish the misdiagnosis caused. In instances where death was a result of the misdiagnosis, the family members may be able to file a wrongful death suit and be compensated for the death.

Medical malpractice lawsuits must be filed within a certain period of time, and this tends to vary with each state, so make sure to speak to a knowledgeable attorney about the time limits. For instance, in Arkansas a medical malpractice suit must be filed within two years after the date of the incident.

The most common instances where medical misdiagnosis has happened usually occur when potentially dealing with cervical, lung, colon and breast cancer, blood clots, stroke, heart attacks, severe infections, meningitis and diabetes. At one time, it was thought that roughly 20% of every deadly disease diagnosed was wrongly diagnosed. Unfortunately, it’s likely this statistic from 2006 has increased.

How does medical misdiagnosis happen? It is usually the result of a doctor making the wrong call on whether or not a tumor is benign or malignant; not ordering screening for a condition a patient is at high risk to develop; doesn’t do necessary testing or refer to a specialist; misreads lab tests, doesn’t listen to the patient closely and doesn’t properly handle lab specimens.

If you suspect you may be the victim of medical malpractice (medical misdiagnosis), contact a medical malpractice attorney to discuss your case. Remember, time is of the essence in these cases, so do not wait until it is too late.

Michael G. Smith is a Little Rock injury lawyer and Little Rock accident lawyer, practicing personal injury law in Little Rock Arkansas. To learn more about Little Rock injury lawyer, Little Rock accident lawyer, Little Rock person injury lawyer, Little Rock malpractice lawyer, Little Rock injury attorney, Little Rock wrongful death attorney, visit Arkansaslawhelp.com.

The funniest labels are the ones that mention you should not use a certain product while asleep. How that ever happened in the first place defies logical explanation, but it evidently did happen for it to wind up as a warning on a label. “Labels of course, are on products for the very simple reason that they are designed to protect the company from lawsuits from people who have injured themselves with the product in question,” explained Arkansas super lawyer Michael G. Smith of Little Rock.

While they may be hysterical in their interpretation, labels are intended to warn end users about the potential risks or incorrectly and dangerously using an item. The warnings are there because they need to be. “However having said that, if a product is incorrectly labeled or if the product is defective, that is another story,” outlined Smith.

Here is something that many consumers do not know; the safety rules and regulations relating to products are applicable to new and used (second-hand) items. This may include medicines, household goods, chemicals, motor vehicles and clothing, to name just a few.

“The idea behind the rules and regulations is that the maker of the products is telling the end user (consumer) that their item is safe used under normal conditions and in “unusual but predictable” situations,” commented Arkansas super lawyer Michael G. Smith of Little Rock. When dealing with humans, unusual tends to be a common happenstance. The bottom line is, that if a certain product does not offer a certain safety level, it is classified as defective.

“There is a difference between a product that just doesn’t work and one that is defective, and this is something that needs to be brought up with an attorney,” added Smith. A non-defective product is merely one that may be returned to the store for a refund or replacement. A defective product is determined to be such for a variety of reasons, and some of those reasons include, what the label warns against doing and how the product is handled by the consumer.

No matter what the label says, if there is any chance that a defective product caused personal injury, speak to a defective product attorney, who will assess the case for the potential to file a lawsuit.

To learn more about Little Rock injury lawyer, Little Rock accident lawyer, Little Rock person injury lawyer, Little Rock malpractice lawyer, Little Rock injury attorney, Little Rock wrongful death attorney, visit Arkansaslawhelp.com.

Not a day goes by when there isn’t some kind of a car crash. While the vast majority of them happen to be minor incidents, others will require immediate emergency medical care. Those accidents that result in a trip to the doctor or the ER are the ones where a good personal injury attorney is invaluable in claiming damages for the carnage. “The attorney will also deal with the insurance companies involved on both sides to ensure a just settlement” explained Arkansas super lawyer Michael G. Smith of Little Rock.

Usually the most difficult thing to determine in car crashes is who happens to be at fault. While on the surface it might look like the other driver was drunk and caused the crash, after digging deeper it might turn out the driver was not drunk and was weaving because s/he was having chest pains. The lawyer is responsible to sort out the facts from the second guesses made at the scene of the accident and later.

“Other causes for collisions usually involve a distracted driver, someone talking on a cell phone or using a GPS, bad road conditions, speeding, a tired driver or something mechanical that has gone wrong,” indicated Smith. Lately, the cell phone has been named as the culprit in far too many crashes.

In fact, some of the most recent statistics show that about 6 percent of the total number of accidents yearly, are the result of cell phones in use while driving. Even more ugly is the guesstimate that says at least 2,600 people (or more) will die in cell phone accidents this year.

“Sadly, almost 98 percent of vehicle crashes are the direct result of one driver’s inattention to what they are supposed to be doing – driving,” commented Arkansas super lawyer Michael G. Smith of Little Rock. They may be gawking, fiddling with a radio or just plain bored, but they are not paying attention to the rules of the road, or where they are in relation to other drivers. This inevitably spells disaster and is a recipe for personal injury accidents.

If faced with the results of a personal injury accident, hire a skilled lawyer to represent the family in court. The attorney is skilled at working to get a just settlement.

To learn more about Little Rock injury lawyer, Little Rock accident lawyer, Little Rock person injury lawyer, Little Rock malpractice lawyer, Little Rock injury attorney, Little Rock wrongful death attorney, visit Arkansaslawhelp.com.

Lawyers specializing in business law advise their clients that this type of law is meant to keep their business legal and in line with necessary rules and regulations as well as keep them on top of any possible internal difficulties – such as trading disputes and workers’ compensation. It’s not an easy area of the law, and having an experienced attorney on your team makes a great deal of sense in today’s hectic and tumultuous marketplace.

The most common thing that many businesses run into is the difficulty of resolving the far too frequent differences of opinion that crop up. While this may be something relating to an employee or a dust up with the federal government, there is no shortage of things with potential to go amiss. A competent business lawyer is able to do a number of things in order to get such disputes under control.

Just because there is a dispute does not always mean there has to be a knockdown drag out battle in a courtroom. Negotiation, conciliation and mediation are the best routes to follow, not to mention the least expensive. The 21st century has seen the increase of negotiation teams in many corporate entities. The team’s raison d’être is to arrive at a reasonable agreement without resorting to the law.

If mediation proceedings don’t work, then the alternative routes such as collaborative law, actual lawsuits and arbitration may be attempted. If the dispute has gone past the point of no return and no one will budge, it will often take a lawyer and judge to sort the resulting fray out by handing out a legally binding decision.

There are other things that may be attempted to resolve business disputes as well, and that would even include taking the matter to appeals court. This isn’t the most ideal solution to contentious matters, as it may wind up taking years for something to be settled. If you happen to be facing a sticky situation in your business dealings, contact a highly experienced business attorney and get him or her on board and see if the matter may be dealt with expeditiously.

Michael G. Smith is a Little Rock injury lawyer and Little Rock accident lawyer, practicing personal injury law in Little Rock Arkansas. To learn more about Little Rock injury lawyer, Little Rock accident lawyer, Little Rock person injury lawyer, Little Rock malpractice lawyer, Little Rock injury attorney, Little Rock wrongful death attorney, visit Arkansaslawhelp.com.

Anyone who has been around the stock market for a long time will have encountered high yield investment programs. Most often these seem to be found on the Internet. By definition, they are an investment in which the investor has the potential to garner a hefty return of their investment. Of course this sounds absolutely amazing and who would not want to make more money? However, most of these high yield investment programs are fraudulent.

Here are some tips so you will recognize a fake when you see one. The first thing you should watch for is the fact high returns are guaranteed. This should send up warning flags to you because no reputable fund manager worth his or her salt would ever guarantee a return on someone’s investment. They won’t guarantee a return because honest to goodness genuine investments just don’t work like that.

Traditionally, investments will fluctuate with the market. This is usual, but what is not usual is the ability of a fund manager to be able to predict the future for an investment. It solely depends on the market. If you’re told you will have a guaranteed fixed rate of return on an investment, run, don’t walk to the nearest door.

One of the other signs you should watch for relates to the investment’s risk levels. You need to ask pointed questions about the security of your investment, and if you get wishy-washy answers, think long and hard about what you are doing. Chances are you being mislead if they mention all investments are completely protected and safe. There is no such thing as complete protection and safety in an open, honest and fluctuating market place.

If mysterious funds backing these so-called safe and protected investments were so full of cash, just how much would they need if the fund collapsed? The investors would be out on the streets with nothing if this were the case. If you’re told there is no risk or can’t get a straight answer about the risks, take a pass.

Red flag number three is if you are asked to send your money directly to the professional with whom you are dealing. That’s a no-no in the real world of stock market buying, selling and trading. If this reminds you in the slightest of something called a “Ponzi scheme,” you’d be right on. So stay alert, be smart, ask questions and when in doubt, don’t proceed; and/or call a lawyer with experience in this area.

Michael G. Smith is a Little Rock injury lawyer and Little Rock accident lawyer, practicing personal injury law in Little Rock Arkansas. To learn more about Little Rock injury lawyer, Little Rock accident lawyer, Little Rock person injury lawyer, Little Rock malpractice lawyer, Little Rock injury attorney, Little Rock wrongful death attorney, visit Arkansaslawhelp.com.

Those statistics are pretty dismal when you think about it. There is, however, a certain sense of realism in that number when you take a look at just how many of those huge monsters travel the highways on a daily basis. In fact, it’s almost a wonder more accidents don’t happen. Suffice it to say that a rough average of at least 5,000 deaths a year is even more shocking.

The problem with large truck crashes is that quite often they are also involved in multiple vehicle pile-ups, which increases the death toll. By state the accident statistics tend to vary, but the three states with the highest death records due to 18-wheeler crashes are California, Texas and Florida. Not exactly a record that a state would want to brag about.

The point is that the trucking industry is making money hand over fist to the predicted tune of roughly $610 billion currently; a number that is expected to double by the year 2015. What trucking company in their right minds is going to stop hauling loads and cutting corners when it comes to safety, when they stand to make money like that?

What are the main causes of big rig crashes? Mostly the usual litany of things, that ranges from being under the influence of an illegal substance to driver fatigue, and from an improperly secured load to driver inattention. There are so many things that may go wrong with a big rig that it may seem like only a matter of time before something does happen.

In addition, given the fact that many of these big rigs put on some really punishing miles each year, there are the usual mechanical failures from shredded tires to failed brakes, and from transmission problems to defective steering. In all instances where there has been a big rig crash, immediately contact a highly skilled 18-wheeler attorney who will begin to piece together the information needed to present a case in court.

To learn more about Little Rock injury lawyer, Little Rock accident lawyer, Little Rock person injury lawyer, Little Rock malpractice lawyer, Little Rock injury attorney, Little Rock wrongful death attorney, visit Arkansaslawhelp.com.

With the highest ever statistics on traffic accidents making the news on what seems like a daily basis, it is incumbent on drivers to start taking some responsibility for their behavior behind the wheel. It’s actually in everyone’s interest to drive safely, save lives and cut the enormous costs of insurance. Let’s face it, car crashes aren’t just about people and injuries, they are also about the cost of repairs and the skyrocketing prices for insurance premiums.

It’s a fairly straightforward proposition to smarten up and drive right, and if everyone did his or her small part, the overall effect would definitely be beneficial. To begin with, the driver needs to be road smart, the vehicle being driven needs to be in great shape, and there is no doubt in the driver’s mind that it IS in prime condition.

This means making sure all the regular maintenance requirements are met, the tires are not bald, the “check oil” light only comes on when the vehicle is started (normal) and all the lights work. Pretty basic stuff, but a lot of people don’t bother doing even the simplest of maintenance. This means they can never be sure about the safety of their vehicle for themselves, never mind the safety of others.

Don’t drink and drive. While this might be considered to be a total no-brainer, more often than not people think nothing will ever happen to “them” after they’ve been drinking. This is a bad assumption and many times has ended in tragedy for more than just the irresponsible drunk driver.

Don’t tailgate: a warning that really should not have to be issued, as following too closely is a guaranteed recipe for disaster; however, it does happen, and on a regular basis. Keep a safe distance between vehicles on all roadways – e.g. one vehicle length for every 10 kms per hour. So, if the rate of speed on the highway is 110 kms, there should be 11 vehicle lengths between cars, etc. traveling in the same direction.

And for the basic warnings, think smart and don’t try to pick up things off the floor mat, reach for something in the backseat, adjust the radio, talk on the cell phone, or change radio stations. Any distraction like this is a recipe for an accident in the making.

If being in a crash resulted in personal injuries due to the negligence of another driver, then be certain to contact a qualified personal injury attorney who knows their area of the law and will make certain justice is served.

To learn more about Little Rock injury lawyer, Little Rock accident lawyer, Little Rock person injury lawyer, Little Rock malpractice lawyer, Little Rock injury attorney, Little Rock wrongful death attorney, visit Arkansaslawhelp.com.

Medical malpractice may mean a less than stellar performance of their job, right up to failure to act in a timely manner. The truth of the matter is that there are literally hundreds of injuries that may happen during a medical procedure – some that result in serious injuries, and some that result in death.

If you’ve spent any time reading about the health care system, then you have a pretty good idea that it isn’t in the best shape financially. It is over burdened, overused and overwhelmed. All these factors have contributed to a medical malpractice epidemic over time. Think about it. Virtually every time you go for coffee at the local eatery, there is always one story or another about doctoring gone wrong.

Malpractice laws exist because the patients have the right to be protected from the negligence of health care providers. There also needs to be some way for injured parties to seek damages for things such as lost wages, mental anguish, loss of consortium and medical bills, etc. In the greater scheme of things medical malpractice lawsuits are deterrents to health care providers.

Don’t make the mistake of thinking that every state has the same laws relating to medical malpractice, because that is not the case. They vary by state and it is best to speak to an expert medical malpractice attorney about what laws apply in your state and potential case.

As for what kinds of acts are considered to be negligent, this varies as well, however, some acts are things like not responding promptly to fetal distress, not providing the patient with enough information to make an informed consent to a procedure, not promptly treating an illness, and misdiagnosis of a condition. There are many others areas where medical malpractice may raise its head from misdiagnosing lab results to mistakes in medication.

Don’t wait too long to see an experienced medical malpractice attorney if you feel you have been a victim of medical malpractice, as each state also has a statute of limitations (in most instances between 2-3 years) and only a competent attorney will be able to advise you of what you need to do to claim damages and get justice.

Michael G. Smith is a Little Rock injury lawyer and Little Rock accident lawyer, practicing personal injury law in Little Rock Arkansas. To learn more about Little Rock injury lawyer, Little Rock accident lawyer, Little Rock person injury lawyer, Little Rock malpractice lawyer, Little Rock injury attorney, Little Rock wrongful death attorney, visit Arkansaslawhelp.com.

In some cases, a nursing home resident is able to speak for themselves if something very bad has happened, but in most instances, it is the family that will need to be the voice of the resident. In any suspected case of nursing home abuse, immediately contact an attorney who has a track record in this area of the law. Only a nursing home attorney with experience in this area will be able to handle these sensitive issues.

Aside from the major issues that have the potential to go wrong in a nursing home or long-term care center, there are the smaller, subtler things that make people wonder if they should even bother to call a lawyer. After all, what if they are just imagining things? If your instincts tell you something is wrong, chances are there is, and you need to go with those feelings and speak to a lawyer.

The whole point of contacting an attorney is to stop the abuse in its tracks, as many cases of nursing home abuse take place on a continuous basis. If you disregard your instincts your loved one may continue to suffer unnecessarily. So, pay attention to those subtle signs, most of which are usually physical. You need to be vigilant as residents are often frightened to report their caregivers for fear of reprisal.

Pay attention to things such as repeated falls, extensive or frequent bruising, cuts or infections that never seem to heal properly, a change in demeanor and a reluctance to participate in activities, etc. Once you begin to see a pattern, don’t wait to contact an attorney. Do it right away and also find out about your state’s statute of limitations.

Contacting an attorney now will get an investigation started and guarantee an extensive review of your loved one’s medical records. It takes a long time to successfully pursue this type of case, which is another reason why contacting a lawyer sooner rather than later makes the most sense.

The bottom line in all cases like this is to remember that the main party involved, your loved one, needs to be properly represented. Do not take anyone’s word for it that they will make things better, or things will change, or that it will never happen again. The world is full of people who make promises they don’t keep. Always seek legal help if you think your loved one is dealing with abuse in a nursing home or long-term care home.

Michael G. Smith is a Little Rock injury lawyer and Little Rock accident lawyer, practicing personal injury law in Little Rock Arkansas. To learn more about Little Rock injury lawyer, Little Rock accident lawyer, Little Rock person injury lawyer, Little Rock malpractice lawyer, Little Rock injury attorney, Little Rock wrongful death attorney, visit Arkansaslawhelp.com.

“Almost being hurt does not count in a personal injury case,” explained Arkansas super lawyer Michael G. Smith of Little Rock. Only an actual injury is capable of being the foundation for a personal injury lawsuit that claims damages for the particular injury in question. To be perfectly clear about what constitutes a personal injury, the true definition is when a person is actually injured and someone else caused the injury (was at fault.)

What personal injury cases really boil down to is that an actual injury has to have taken place. “People are not entitled to damages just because they might have been injured. Could have, should have, would have just won’t cut it in court,” added Smith. And, as a matter of fact, not every case will result in compensation being awarded. While this may come as a surprise, since the plaintiff may have been expecting an award, the fact is that some states give the nod to the doctrine of contributory negligence, while others follow the rules of comparative negligence.

“The doctrine of contributory negligence means that if the plaintiff is even slightly at fault in the case before the court, in other words contributed towards the accident that caused their injury, they are not entitled to compensation,” outlined Smith. If the plaintiff lives in a state that follows the rules of comparative negligence, then fault may be apportioned according to fault assessed in the case. For instance, if a plaintiff were assessed as being 60% at fault for their own injury, they would be able to recover 40% of the total assessed damages.

This next interesting factor is one that a lot of people tend to ignore at their own financial peril. A plaintiff has to get to the point in his or her healing called the maximum medical healing, before settling a personal injury claim. Here is why not settling immediately is the best way to handle a personal injury case.

Insurance companies are notorious for approaching a victim right after an accident and offering them a settlement. Many of them are downright aggressive about it and some people do settle, then discover later that their injuries were worse than they appeared. “They now have no way to claim damages in court and may wind up having to pay for therapy and other medical expenses out-of-pocket because they settled too soon,” commented Smith, who has seen this happen in many instances.

If a victim of an accident is approached by an insurance company and offered a settlement immediately after an accident, the best advice is to not settle the case without speaking with a highly qualified personal injury lawyer, like Little Rock injury lawyer, Michael Smith. Settling too soon may be one of the worst decisions ever in terms of the potential compensation that may be available from the courts.

To learn more about Little Rock injury lawyer, Little Rock accident lawyer, Little Rock person injury lawyer, Little Rock malpractice lawyer, Little Rock injury attorney, Little Rock wrongful death attorney visit Arkansaslawhelp.com.

Where does a personal injury claim originate? This is an interesting question and one that actually has a whole list of sub-categories that qualify as personal injuries. However, first of all, a personal injury is usually physical in nature, but may also be a mental injury. The distinction here being that mental personal injuries are somewhat harder to prove than physical ones which can actually be seen.

In most instances, personal injury cases arise as a direct result of car crashes, but they may also come in the form of medical malpractice, negligence, on the job accidents, assaults, slip, trip and fall accidents, defective products, defective drugs, defective medical devices, dental negligence, and exposure to hazardous materials at work, etc.

The list is endless and the ways of obtaining settlements in each of these cases vary as well. This is why it is critical to consult with a highly skilled personal injury lawyer, familiar with all these areas. One such lawyer is Arkansas super lawyer, Michael G. Smith of Little Rock, who has handled numerous personal injury cases over the course of his prestigious career.

“Workplace exposure to hazardous materials are very complex cases and usually involve industrial health hazards like asbestosis and mesothelioma, etc.,” he explained. The bottom line in all the examples mentioned here is that in these personal injury cases an accident was caused by someone else’s negligence. If that is the case, then the injured party is usually eligible for compensation for those damages. This doesn’t happen without the intervention and representation of a knowledgeable such as Little Rock personal injury lawyer, Michael Smith.

A qualified attorney guides clients through filing the claim for damages, through the hearings in court and also takes the lead in dealing with insurance companies who want to hassle the plaintiff to settle early to avoid any greater liability. While it may seem like a great expense to hire legal representation, take heart that most personal injury attorneys work on a contingency basis. Working on contingency means they don’t get paid unless and until a case is settled.

In most instances, having a competent personal injury lawyer on retainer is the smartest thing to do when facing a long court battle trying to collect damages for a personal injury. Many cases in this area may take months to resolve, and without a lawyer, may not go anywhere. A good personal injury lawyer will win the day.

To learn more about Little Rock injury lawyer, Little Rock accident lawyer, Little Rock person injury lawyer, Little Rock malpractice lawyer, Little Rock injury attorney, Little Rock wrongful death attorney visit Arkansaslawhelp.com.

If you doubt the precipitous increase of the numbers of senior Americans in nursing homes and long term care facilities, then do some homework on the Internet. You will find that there is a staggering number (over 1.6 million) seniors being cared for every year in the U.S. In addition to that, close to one quarter of the total U.S. population will be checked into one of these facilities.

Now you’d think that because this is a rapidly growing area which has the advantages of the latest in medical technologies and medicines, that residents would be treated with genuine care, respect and dignity. Unfortunately this isn’t always the case, and in fact there are many instances of nursing home abuse and negligence uncovered every day. This is an outrage perpetrated on some of the most vulnerable citizens in the nation and there is absolutely no excuse for it.

Nursing home abuse has become so prevalent that the federal government even did studies dealing with the quality of care for the elderly in these institutions. The results were dismal, to say the least. Did you know that roughly 30% of all nursing home and long-term care facilities are guilty of some form of nursing home malpractice? The areas of malpractice include mental, physical and psychological harm.

The most common forms of abuse range from emotional abuse to dehydration/malnutrition and from medication errors to untreated pain. Untreated pain is one of the highest rated areas of abuse in most nursing homes meaning that close to 50% of all patients in such homes are not being given adequate or any meds for pain. If you were in that kind of a situation at home, would you stand for it? Of course you wouldn’t and neither should our seniors who have no voice of their own when they are in circumstances like this.

If you suspect nursing home abuse involving your loved ones, then immediately contact a qualified nursing home abuse attorney. It’s up to you to stop the cycle of abuse and find justice for your loved ones.

Michael G. Smith is a Little Rock injury lawyer and Little Rock accident lawyer, practicing personal injury law in Little Rock Arkansas. To learn more about Little Rock injury lawyer, Little Rock accident lawyer, Little Rock person injury lawyer, Little Rock malpractice lawyer, Little Rock injury attorney, Little Rock wrongful death attorney visit Arkansaslawhelp.com.

Investment or brokerage fraud is usually the result of an advisor, a stockbroker or even the brokerage firm in question offering advice to a client that goes directly against the guidelines laid out by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Will you know if you have been scammed? Not necessarily, however there are some things for you to be on the lookout for when dealing with brokerage firms, etc.

A word of advice to older Americans who have sizeable savings accounts and are looking for places to invest – avoid deals that look too good to be true. Many unscrupulous investment brokers looking to pull a fast one on their clients will target seniors, as they have a tendency to be more trusting. It’s usually best if you do your investing directly with trusted banks and stay away from online trading schemes as well.

In you’re considering making an investment, then make it a point to hire a lawyer to read the fine print in the brokerage contracts. That is where fraudulent companies and brokers tuck the tricky legalese away, hoping you won’t understand what you are reading. Once that contract is signed it’s hard to do anything about it. So before you invest, consult with a highly skilled investment fraud attorney who has seen just about everything and knows what a genuine contract should say.

Generally speaking, the most common investment fraud scheme centers on Prime Bank Instruments. This is where the scammer throws around the names of some of the world’s most well known banks to get you to invest your money. Here is how that scheme works: you will be told your money is pooled with other investors and you will likely get good returns to start with so that you invest more. The returns are really funds from other victims. This scheme usually folds quickly, leaving you holding an empty bag of money.

For this reason alone — the chances of brokerage investment fraud — take the time to thoroughly investigate any company in which you are considering investing. While this may seem like a pain, it will be worth it in the long run if you not only get to keep your initial investment, but also get a good rate of return on it legitimately.

Michael G. Smith is a Little Rock injury lawyer and Little Rock accident lawyer, practicing personal injury law in Little Rock Arkansas. To learn more about Little Rock injury lawyer, Little Rock accident lawyer, Little Rock person injury lawyer, Little Rock malpractice lawyer, Little Rock injury attorney, Little Rock wrongful death attorney visit Arkansaslawhelp.com.

Car crashes seem to be a way of life in some jurisdictions and a very common site on the way to or from work. In many of these accidents, it’s evident the collision has come from the side. In fact, side impacts have the nasty reputation of being the cause of over 9,000 deaths a year across the U.S. This runs a close second with head on crashes.

The heartbreaker is that most of the side impact collisions (and head on collisions) could be prevented if people were paying attention to what they were doing. This is where the great debate about cell phone use in vehicles comes into play, and it’s not just the use of cell phones, it’s using a fax, listening to music with headphones, adjusting a radio while driving or even trying to watch TV on a mini dashboard set. Really, what are car manufacturers thinking?

Car wreck victims that survive are well served by contacting a highly trained and knowledgeable car crash attorney such as Arkansas super lawyer Michael G. Smith of Little Rock. “Whether it’s a minor side impact or not, it’s vitally important to launch a lawsuit quickly, as the outcome of the case depends on medical records dealing with the injuries sustained in the accident,” outlined Smith. The longer people wait, the connection between the accident and any injuries becomes more tenuous.

Every state also has statutes of limitations about filing in a timely manner and if an accident survivor waits too long, they may not be able to claim compensation for their losses. It is vitally important to speak with experienced legal counsel in order to expedite the case and ensure a damage award.

To learn more about Little Rock injury lawyer, Little Rock accident lawyer, Little Rock person injury lawyer, Little Rock malpractice lawyer, Little Rock injury attorney, Little Rock wrongful death attorney, visit Arkansaslawhelp.com.

Statistically speaking, the usual cause of a wrongful death seems to be laid directly at the door of medical malpractice. However, if the statistics are broken down further, what they reveal is that the other leading causes of wrongful death are accidents in the workplace, car crashes and deaths due to defective products.

One thing to remember is that a wrongful death action is not a criminal case; it is settled in a civil court. This isn’t to say, however, that there may not be a prior criminal case as well, that was settled first. The people who are allowed to file wrongful death personal injury lawsuits are immediate family members. In most instances, the definition of immediate family member would include a spouse, children or parents. Minors need an adult guardian to act on their behalf.

The other thing the somewhat distinguishes a wrongful death suit from a criminal case is the damages being sought. Compensation in these cases is usually awarded for emotional distress, loss of income/inheritance, medical costs, funeral expenses, lost benefits and loss of companionship.

Every state has its own wrongful death statute and in general they all follow the same principle – of suing for compensation for a wrongful death; however, that is where the similarities end. Each state has it’s own unique approach to their statute and the only way you will know what your state requires to file a wrongful death lawsuit is to speak to a highly qualified attorney such as Little Rock personal injury lawyer Michael G. Smith.

Be aware that there are statutes of limitations that apply to filing wrongful death lawsuits in a timely manner. Do not wait or the deadline may be missed. This is why contacting a competent wrongful death attorney like Smith is one of the first things that should be done in the case of a wrongful death. “In many instances family members have between one and three years to file from the time of the victim’s death,” added Smith.

Once an attorney has been contacted, it is their job to prove the defendant caused the wrongful death due to their actions or inaction. This isn’t the only thing the lawyer needs to prove. S/he must also convince the court that the family is suffering and require adequate compensation for the death.

Contact Arkansas super lawyer Michael G. Smith of Little Rock if there has been a wrongful death in the family. Smith is an attorney with a reputation for being able to handle this kind of emotional upheaval with compassion and sensitivity.

To learn more about Little Rock injury lawyer, Little Rock accident lawyer, Little Rock person injury lawyer, Little Rock malpractice lawyer, Little Rock injury attorney, Little Rock wrongful death attorney, visit Arkansaslawhelp.com.

It’s a routine visit to the dentist, you have been there before, he’s a good dentist, and you’ve have no problems with his work. This visit is about starting a root canal and that means the administration of the mandibular block – the needle filled with freezing that is inserted through this tiny little hole at the back of your mouth, nestled in between the upper and lower jaw. Talk about needing a good, steady hand to hit that mark and not rupture any blood vessels in the process.

The shot is done, you are lying back in the chair in a reclined position and suddenly WHAMMO, you feel like you are about to pass out. You are sweating, panting, filled with fear and your heart is racing madly. You call out to the dentist and they rush to your side to sit you up and try to figure out what went wrong. You eventually get taken to the hospital for what turns out to be a drug interaction between the freezing and an antihistamine taken first thing that morning.

Is this case one for the courts? Good question, and definitely one that you need to be asking a qualified med mal attorney. In this example, no one was killed, however there have been cases of death due to the improper use of anesthetic, severe injuries sustained as a result of dental surgery and failure of the dentist to notice oral cancer, etc.

While these cases are not all that easy to litigate, a highly experienced dental negligence attorney will be able to take a case to court and get a settlement. Be aware that in most dental negligence lawsuits the damage awards tend to be smaller.

At the root of the case, your lawyer will be representing you on is the premise that the patient (you) had the reasonable expectation to get professional care, accurate diagnosis and the right treatment. You also have the right to expect due care and attention when it comes to administering freezing.

If you have any doubts about a trip to the dentist that resulted in some serious injuries you are struggling with, make your first call to a highly competent med mal attorney who will assess your case and advise you how to proceed.

Michael G. Smith is a Little Rock injury lawyer and Little Rock accident lawyer, practicing personal injury law in Little Rock Arkansas. To learn more about Little Rock injury lawyer, Little Rock accident lawyer, Little Rock person injury lawyer, Little Rock malpractice lawyer, Little Rock injury attorney, Little Rock wrongful death attorney, visit Arkansaslawhelp.com.

In most instances when someone says medical malpractice, people automatically think about doctors misdiagnosing something, handing out the wrong kind of prescription or even removing the wrong organ during surgery. While these are examples of medical malpractice, they are really just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the various types of med mal.

Med mal comes in various forms and while most of the cases are pretty obvious, others need close scrutiny. The three areas that often get overlooked completely are birth injury, medication errors and dental negligence.

Unfortunately birth trauma/injuries are quite common and cause the most anxiety to the parents. Many parents don’t realize what went wrong or if they do, they don’t realize it may have been the fault of the attending physician. Most don’t say anything, and certainly don’t seek legal counsel to file a birth injury lawsuit.

Birth injuries are often the result of the fetus being harmed while being delivered; for instance, as the result of a McRobert’s maneuver to assist a child whose shoulder is impacted on the mother’s pelvis. Some of the injuries that may arise during this method of delivery are facial injuries, brachial plexus injury, and Erb’s palsy.

Statistics show that roughly 6 injuries happen each year in the U.S. out of every 1,000 live births. These stats also cover other injuries such as the baby slipping out of the doctor’s grip (or other health care practitioner) or falling out of a bassinet at the hospital. Other well-known personal injuries are an improperly performed cesarean section and an improper response to fetal distress. Med mal in these instances has the potential to mean lifelong permanent injury or illness for the child.

If you suspect your are the victim of med mal birth injury, don’t wait until it is too late to contact an experienced litigator; one who will ensure you receive an award that will cover your child’s medical bills.

Another little known, or mentioned, category of med mal is dental malpractice. This happens when a dentist or oral surgeon doesn’t offer the proper standard of care and the end result causes injuries to a patient. Dental negligence may include unnecessary/improper treatments, improper use of dental instruments, nerve damage as a result of an improperly given injection, or the failure to diagnose gum disease. In many cases, what started out as a routine visit ended up being an unwelcome root canal procedure.

A great many people don’t think to report what may be med mal on the part of the dentist because they feel things “just happened.” Never hesitate to call a med mal lawyer about situations such as this, as you may have a good med mal claim. Your lawyer will assess your case and advise you.

Michael G. Smith is a Little Rock injury lawyer and Little Rock accident lawyer, practicing personal injury law in Little Rock Arkansas. To learn more about Little Rock injury lawyer, Little Rock accident lawyer, Little Rock person injury lawyer, Little Rock malpractice lawyer, Little Rock injury attorney, Little Rock wrongful death attorney, visit Arkansaslawhelp.com.