The stereotypical doctor is one with illegible handwriting and this is what can lead to adverse drug events. A professor at Weill Cornell Medical College published a study in 2010 which showed that ordering prescriptions from an online list led to fewer errors. For every 100 paper prescriptions, there were 37 errors found and only seven per 100 for prescribing software. The study didn't include legibility issues when the pharmacist couldn't read the handwriting.
]]> Even though these studies support e-prescribing, only 36 percent of all prescriptions were delivered electronically in the United States in 2011. While the cost for a provider to switch over from paper to e-prescribing is significant, there was a 2009 stimulus package passed to help ease the financial burden for doctors who switched over.Cost is not the only issue of reluctance to switch over, but more hours need to be added to the workday to enter the data. While the number of hospitals that use e-prescribing is growing, there are still about 30 percent that have not made the switch. It's not a requirement; so many hospitals continue to keep things the way they are.
Many feel that reducing prescription errors would be to eliminate handwriting and to make sure that the prescriptions that are written for a patient are checked for adverse reactions. It would be a safety check for the doctor and the patient.
Source: The New York Times, "Chicken Scratches vs. Electronic Prescriptions," Randall Stross, April 28, 2012
]]>According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the tanker truck driver was driving in the northbound lane of I-295 when he crashed into a Ford SUV. The truck then slammed into the concrete barrier and flipped over, spilling its contents.
]]> Police, rescue personnel and the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department's HAZMAT team was dispatched to the scene. Luckily none of the accident victims were seriously injured. All of them were taken to Orange Park Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries.Police diverted the traffic while the HAZMAT team cleaned up the scene. The highway was opened a few hours later.
Investigators on the scene are still trying to determine the cause of the accident and no charges have been filed against either driver.
These types of highway accidents happen daily and when they occur with a tanker truck, the results could be fatal. The accident victims in this case were lucky to walk away with minor injuries. If you've been involved in an accident because of the possible negligence of another driver, you should seek the advice of a personal injury attorney.
Florida residents may be entitled to compensation for past and future medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, permanent disability, and loss of earning potential. Obtaining adequate compensation for these expenses can be difficult and the insurance company may not be willing to pay you what you are entitled to. This is where an experienced attorney can step in. They understand the emotional, physical and financial strain that can go along with being injured in a car accident. They will work to protect you from low settlement offers and get you the compensation that you deserve.
Source: ActionNewsJax.com, "Tanker truck accident: I-295 lanes reopen," Monica Earle, May 7, 2012
]]>The accident happened Monday morning as the woman was holding her 3-year-old son at a school bus stop. While she was standing there a car came crashing into her and then crashed into a home. The woman, 32, was seriously injured, but her toddler only suffered minor injuries. The driver narrowly missed hitting the other children at the bus stop.
]]> According to the FHP, the woman said that she accidentally stepped on the accelerator instead of the brake when she was approaching the stopped school bus. Investigators said that this was the first time the woman was cited for a driving infraction.Witnesses at the scene thought that the driver may have fallen asleep because they felt that she had plenty of time to recover after stepping on the accelerator.
Car accidents are the most common causes of personal injury lawsuits. No matter how safe we are behind the wheel, we can't predict or control the actions of other drivers on the road. If you or a family member has been injured through the negligent actions of another, you should consult with a personal injury attorney. They can review your case and determine the best course of action.
Investigators are still reviewing this case and no further charges have been filed against the driver. The home that was crashed into is now condemned.
Source: Clickorlando.com, "Mother in serious condition after car crashes into her, her baby, and a house," April 30, 2012
]]>The accident happened in the early morning hours of Apr. 13 just after 5 a.m. The father was driving his two daughters to their mother's house so that they could get ready for school. As they were driving towards their mother's house, a Range Rover slammed into the side of their minivan, splitting it in two. At first the accident didn't seem that bad until the father looked in the backseat and saw his daughter.
]]> The father pulled the girl out of the car and was holding her until police and an ambulance arrived. The 13-year-old died at the scene and the father and the girl's sister were treated for their non-life threatening injuries. The driver of the Range Rover got out of his vehicle and ran from the scene.Police were able to track down the suspect and arrested him. He has been charged with killing the girl, driving drunk and running from the scene of an accident. He is in jail on a state-record-setting $1 million bond.
Car accidents are the most common causes of personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits. No matter how safe we are behind the wheel, we can't predict or control the actions of other drivers on the road. If you or a family member has been injured through the negligent actions of another, you should consult with a personal injury attorney. They can review your case and determine the best course of action.
The defendant in this case is scheduled to go before a judge for a bond reduction hearing and the family of the girl is fighting to keep this man in prison.
Source: WSVN News, "Family speaks out after loved one killed in car crash," April 24, 2012
]]>The motorcycle accident happened Saturday afternoon when officers from the St. Johns and Jacksonville police departments were escorting a charity motorcycle run. The officer involved in the accident had his emergency lights and siren on when we was heading south on Florida A1A after stopping a motorist for failing to obey the directions of another officer. After handing out a citation, the officer was driving when another car entered the roadway, and the two crashed into one another.
]]> The officer was seriously injured in the crash and was taken to the hospital where he has undergone surgery for multiple injuries that he sustained in the crash. The driver of the car was not injured.The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the accident and no charges have yet been filed against the driver.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a motorcycle or car accident because of possible negligence of another driver, you should speak with an attorney specializing in personal injury. They understand the emotional, physical and financial strain that an accident can have and will work with you to get you the compensation that you deserve.
The officer injured in the crash along with other officers were escorting a motorcycle run that benefits Rides for Smiles, a charitable organization that provides medical treatment for children.
Source: The Florida Times-Union, "Law & Disorder: Deputy upgraded to serious condition," April 16, 2012
]]>The accident happened in the early morning hours of Monday on State Road 415 in Sanford, Florida. A car driven by an 18-year-old boy and his 14-year-old passenger were traveling north when his car drifted into the southbound lanes and sideswiped a car. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the car then spun around and collided with a pickup truck. The pickup truck was hauling a trailer with roofing nails, which spilled all over the road. The girl in the back seat was ejected from the vehicle, as she was not wearing a seat belt. Medical personnel on the scene took the girl to Orlando Regional Medical Center where she later died. The 18-year-old driver was taken to Central Florida Regional Hospital where he is in serious condition. The other drivers involved in the accident, were not seriously injured.
]]> Investigators on the scene reconstructed the accident, but don't know why the driver drifted into the oncoming traffic, but they do know that he caused this chain-reaction accident. They are continuing to investigate.Tragic car accidents like this happen every day, but victims of car accidents in Florida may be entitled to compensation for past and future medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, permanent disability or disfigurement, and loss of earning potential. Obtaining adequate compensation for these expenses can be difficult and the insurance company may not be willing to pay you what you are entitled to. In these instances, you should contact a personal injury attorney who understands the emotional, physical and financial strain that can go along with injuries from a car accident. They will work with you to protect you from low settlement offers and work to get you the compensation that you deserve.
Source: WESH.com, "Girl Dies After Crash In Sanford," April 10, 2012
]]>The court will hear arguments about a medical malpractice case and the malpractice law that was enacted in 2003. The law was instituted because there was a perceived crisis in the medical malpractice insurance market. Doctors and physician groups were having a hard time finding insurance coverage that they could afford and they believed that it was affecting their ability to treat patients, especially those people with high-risk conditions that require specialists.
]]> Former Governor Jeb Bush signed off on the bill that would:The court is hearing specifically about the 2006 case of a woman who died of blood loss after child birth. Her family filed a medical malpractice suit and a jury awarded them $2 million in non-economic damages for pain and suffering. However, the judge lowered the amount to $1 million, citing Florida law. The family's estate is saying that by reducing the damages, it is violating the victim's constitutional rights.
At issue with this case is whether the caps on medical malpractice claims are justifiable at all. The family is positioning their case by providing facts about medical malpractice cases. Statistics have shown that 95 percent of all medical malpractice cases are settled without a trial and the median settlement is approximately $213,000. Their point is that these medical malpractice caps are not constitutional.
Those in support of the caps say that the state avoided a crisis of health care and that with the law in place, 18 new insurers entered the market, which provided a stable market going forward.
The case is continuing and there is no time limit for the state's high court to render an opinion.
Source: Insurance Journal, "Florida Supreme Court to Decide on Medical Malpractice Caps," Michael Adams, April 2, 2012
]]>The report said that officers were caught going to and from work travelling well over 100 miles per hour. That can cause some serious mayhem on the state's roadways. Just ask one young Floridian who was stopped at a red light in 2008 when his car was rear-ended by a police cruiser travelling over 100 miles per hour. His car was hit so hard it was pushed 250 feet forward. The young man was paralyzed and suffered severe brain injuries in the car crash and will require around-the-clock care for the rest of his life.
]]> And the officer who rear-ended the young man was not responding to an emergency call nor did have his siren or lights on at the time of the accident. He did, however, have a record of on-the-job accidents, one of which involved speeding. He was cited in this accident for lack of due care and not wearing his seatbelt, which resulted in his having to pay court costs and his driver's license was suspended for 90 days.Doctors say the now 23-year-old young man injured in the car accident will never fully recover. The state of Florida paid the family a $2 million settlement in the case, which according to sources will only cover about 4 years of the young man's required medical care.
Car accidents are one the most common causes of personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits. No matter how safe we try to be when we get behind the wheel we cannot predict nor control the actions of other drivers on the road. If you or a family member has been injured through the reckless or negligent actions of another you may be entitled to recover compensation for your injuries. Consult with a personal injury attorney to learn your rights and the steps you can take to recover damages for your injuries.
In the state of Florida, between 2004 and 2010, there were 230 accidents caused by officers' speeding that resulted in the death or maiming of 21 people, 7 of them police officers. A 2011 report from the Department of Transportation found a 44 percent increase in police deaths from car crashes.
Source: CBS News, "Extreme police speeding investigated in Florida," Mark Strassmann," Mar. 20, 2012
]]>The annual event brought in thousands of people and many accidents. The Florida Highway Patrol were called to 17 crashes on Saturday alone and said that the majority of the accidents occurred in the evening, when people were out celebrating at various venues. The FHP believes that motorcycle accidents occur because sometimes other drivers have a hard time seeing them in the evening, and combine that with speed and possibly alcohol; it usually does not bring about a good result.
]]> If you've been involved in a motorcycle accident because of the inattentiveness of a car or truck driver, you know that the injuries you sustain can have life-altering consequences. You could miss work, your bills pile up, and you worry if your insurance company will cover your losses. These physical, emotional and financial strains can be overwhelming. An experienced attorney specializing in personal injury can help you figure out your options and they can provide you with an approach that fits your situation and benefits you the most.The FHP has not officially released the total number of Bike Week-related accidents, but the ten deaths on Florida roads during this year's event, is higher than 2011's six reported crashes.
Source: WFTV.com, "Motorcycle crashes rise during Daytona Bike Week," March 18, 2012
]]>According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a car traveling northbound on County Road 437 veered into the southbound lanes of traffic and struck a jeep driven by a 60-year-old man, which then left the road and overturned into a ditch. The car then hit a PT Cruiser, which the 3-year-old child was in. Investigators believed that she died instantly, while the other people involved in the accident were taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center for their non-life threatening injuries.
]]> Investigators believe that the child was not restrained in her booster seat at the time of the accident and a blood sample was taken from the driver who is believed to have caused the accident. The Florida Highway Patrol believes that the driver may have been under the influence of medication or prescription. Results of this type of test usually take 10 to 12 weeks.Tragic car accidents like this happen every day, but victims of car accidents in Florida may be entitled to compensation for past and future medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, permanent disability or disfigurement, and loss of earning potential. Obtaining adequate compensation for these expenses can be difficult and the insurance company may not be willing to pay you what you are entitled to. In these instances, you should contact a personal injury attorney who understands the emotional, physical and financial strain that can go along with injuries from a car accident. They will work with you to protect you from low settlement offers and work to get you the compensation that you deserve.
Authorities are still investigating this crash and no charges have been filed.
Source: WESH.com, "Child Killed In Lake County Car Accident," Mar. 13, 2012
]]>The man, 21, was involved in a motorcycle-car accident Saturday at the intersection of Little Road and Easthaven Court in New Port Richey, Florida. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the motorcyclist was traveling in the left lane, when the driver of a Honda Civic, paused at a yield sign and then continued through the intersection. The motorcyclist hit the back rear of the car and was thrown from his bike.
]]> The victim was wearing a helmet, but died from the injuries he suffered from being thrown from his bike. The driver of the car, a woman, 71, had minor injuries.Motorcycle accidents can have serious consequences because of their size and many drivers have difficulty seeing motorcycles on the road. Often, the inattentiveness of a car or truck driver, could lead to an accident with a motorcycle. Because a motorcyclist is not protected by a vehicle, there are usually no minor motorcycle accidents for the rider and many times can be fatal as in this case.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a motorcycle or car accident because of possible negligence of another driver, you should speak with an attorney specializing in personal injury. They understand the emotional, physical and financial strain that an accident can have and will work with you to get you the compensation that you deserve.
Investigators are still reviewing the accident, but alcohol was not a factor in this crash.
Source: Tampa Bay Times, "Motorcyclist dies in Pasco crash," Keyonna Summers, Mar. 4, 2012
]]>The study statistics show that the number of fatalities fell from 322 in 2004, to 196 in 2010, representing a 39.1 percent decrease. Pedestrian accidents accounted for almost 30 percent of the deaths, which is a lot considering that pedestrians were only involved in 3 percent of the accidents in the area during the study timeframe.
]]> According to the director of the Florida Bicycle Association, most Central Florida roads are designed to move cars quickly through an area, regardless of the location. He feels that speed limits need to be reduced in urban areas to give cyclists and walkers a chance.If you've been involved in a pedestrian-car accident, you know that the result can have life-altering consequences if you've been seriously hurt. You could miss work, your bills pile up, and you worry if your insurance company will cover your losses. These physical, emotional and financial strains can be overwhelming. An experienced attorney specializing in personal injury can help you figure out your options and they can provide you with an approach that fits your situation and benefits you the most.
Source: Orlando Sentinel, "Study: Local roads grow ever safer, but not for cyclists, walkers," Dan Tracy, Feb. 26, 2012
]]>The car accident happened around 7 a.m. when he blew a tire while rounding a curve near the Disney World property, just outside of Orlando, Florida. Hanson said that when the tire blew, it pulled him off the road and he crashed into the ditch. He then contacted police, who were dispatched to the scene.
]]> According to police, there was no incident report or charges filed because the victim appeared to have no visible injuries from the accident and no other driver or vehicle was involved.Hanson was on his way to a team meeting for pitchers and catchers when the accident occurred.
Luckily in this instance no other vehicle was involved and no serious injuries were reported, but that is not always the case with car accidents. If you've been injured in an accident, it can be hard to obtain adequate compensation to cover your medical bills and lost wages. Sometimes insurance companies are not willing to pay what they owe and other times you are involved in an accident with an uninsured driver. No matter what your circumstances are, you should contact a personal injury attorney who can help you figure out your options.
As for Hanson, after arriving to the team meeting, he complained of not feeling well and was sent to see a doctor for concussion testing.
Source: Wdbo.com, "Braves pitcher bangs head in Orlando accident," Feb. 20, 2012
]]>From 2006 to 2010, 118 people were killed in fatal crashes involving Florida law enforcement vehicles according to the Orlando Sentinel. In analyzing the five years worth of data, in 32 accidents that killed 33 people, officers were at least partially to blame and in 10 of those crashes, the officers were solely to blame. In just these 32 accidents, the data showed that only two officers were prosecuted, four were ticketed, nine were killed and 17 faced no charges or tickets.
]]> The victims feel that more needs to be done to protect the public when police are chasing a suspect or pulling over an individual for a traffic stop. According to the investigation on the two officers that were prosecuted, one officer struck and killed an elderly woman while driving 80 mph in a 45 mph zone. He was charged with vehicular homicide, but prosecutors dropped the charge last year. Another officer was driving 98 mph in a 40 mph zone when he struck and killed a man. Although his records are sealed, the officer was sentenced to a year of probation after pleading no contest to culpable negligence.Car accidents can have life-altering consequences if you've been hurt in one. You could miss work, your bills pile up, and you worry if your insurance company will cover your losses. These physical, emotional and financial strains can be overwhelming. An experienced attorney specializing in personal injury can help you figure out your options. They can provide you with an approach that fits your situation and benefits you the most.
Source: Orlando Sentinel, "Collision with the law, Day 2: Cop crashes leave devastated families," Rene Stutzman and Scott Powers, Feb. 12, 2012
]]>The 19-year-old driver struck the child, who was riding his bike as he crossed an intersection with his mother. The boy and his mother were not in a crosswalk when the accident occurred and the driver did see the child, but he wasn't able to stop in time and ended up crashing into him.
]]> Pedestrian-car accidents happen every day and can have serious consequences for everyone involved. If you have been injured in a car accident in Florida, you may be entitled to a settlement that covers:Obtaining adequate compensation for these expenses can be difficult and the insurance company may not be willing to pay you what you are entitled to and in cases where a driver has no insurance, it could be hard for you to get your insurance to protect you. In these instances, you should contact a personal injury attorney. They understand the emotional, physical and financial strain that can go along with such an injury and can work with you to protect you from low settlement offers and work to get you the compensation that you deserve.
As for this accident, police are still investigating the crash and no new details have been released. Currently, there are no charges pending against the driver.
Source: My Fox Orlando, "9 yr old struck by car critical," Feb. 8, 2012
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