Lundy Law | Injury Law Blog

May

Pennsylvania Medical Malpractice Lawsuit Payouts Second Highest In Nation

May 15, 2013

Last year, medical malpractice payouts from across the United States totaled $3.6 billion. Now, a new study has shown that a significant portion of that money came from Pennsylvania Medical Malpractice Lawsuits.

According to The Clinical Advisor, the study examined information that was culminated in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ National Practitioner Data Bank. Researchers found that a medical malpractice payout was given in the country last year every 43 minutes. Pennsylvania ranked as the state with the second highest payout total in the nation, accounting more than $316 million of the national total.

More than half of all claims were brought against doctors as a result of botched surgeries, treatments, and deliveries. Another 33 percent of claims were filed due to a doctor’s misdiagnosis of a patient’s condition.

Data indicated that there was a direct correlation between the severity of a patient’s injury and the likelihood of a medical malpractice lawsuit resulting in a payout.

The study also highlighted an interesting trend in medical malpractice payouts. Researchers concluded that while the number of medical malpractice payouts has significantly increased in recent years, the average amount of a payout has continued to decrease.

The Pennsylvania Personal Injury Lawyers with Lundy Law explain doctors have a legal responsibility to protect the health and safety of their patients. The firm may be able to help if you have been harmed while under the care of a physician.

May

New Jersey Bus Accident Leaves 14 People Injured

May 9, 2013

A New Jersey Auto Accident involving a commercial bus that occurred recently was responsible for leaving fourteen people injured. Reports indicate that a blown tire on the bus was responsible for causing the accident.

According to NBC-10 Philadelphia, the crash happened on Saturday, April 20, in the northbound lanes of I-295 in Mercer County. A spokesman for the State Police, Lt. Steven Jones, explained the bus was traveling from Philadelphia to New York when a tire on the vehicle suddenly blew out. The loss of pressure caused the bus to slam through a guardrail and roll down an embankment before coming to rest.

The accident comes after a crackdown on safety among commercial bus companies by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Several months ago, the FMCSA was responsible for shutting three bus companies down due to safety violations, including a lack of vehicle maintenance, which the agency deemed as a “high risk” to passengers.

These dangers have left many wondering what they can do to stay safe when riding a bus.

The New Jersey Personal Injury Lawyers with Lundy Law explain that ensuring the buses an individual chooses to patronize are equipped with seatbelts is one of the best ways to help prevent an injury in the event of an accident. Researching a bus company’s safety record can also provide vital information when selecting which bus company to use.

May

Repeat DUI Offender Responsible For Deadly Pennsylvania Motorcycle Accident

May 2, 2013

A 49-year old man from the town of West Chester is being held in the Chester County jail in connection to a Pennsylvania Motorcycle Accident he caused while under the influence of drug and alcohol. Reports indicate the man had been convicted of five charges of Driving Under the Influence (DUI) prior to the fatal collision.

According to an article from NBC 10-Philadelphia, the crash happened on April 26 at the corner of Stanton Avenue and High Street. The 26-year-old victim was riding a motorcycle north along Stanton when the man responsible for causing the crash attempted to make a left turn onto Stanton from High Street in a Dodge Ram pickup truck. The truck pulled out in front of the bike and the two vehicles collided.

The victim died two days later, while the driver of the truck was taken into custody at the scene of the crash on suspicion of DUI.

The crash left many wondering how a repeat offender was allowed to be on the road and what is being done to curb the growing problem. Experts say that many states are considering laws that would require anyone convicted of DUI, even first time offenders, to have an ignition interlock device installed on any vehicle they drive.

The Philadelphia Personal Injury Lawyers with LundyLaw explain motorists can do their part to keep the roads safe by never driving after consuming something that will inhibit a driver’s ability to make sound judgments.

Apr

32-Year-Old Man Missing After New Jersey Boating Accident

April 25, 2013

A 32-year-old man is missing after a New Jersey Boat Accident that occurred earlier this week. Reports indicate the incident occurred on Tuesday morning near Great Egg Harbor.

According to an article from NBC10-Philadelphia, the man was the captain of a 45-foot Sea Tow boat, called the Cape Hatteras, which had left Absecon Inlet at around 7:45 a.m. that morning. Roughly three hours later though, the U.S. Coast Guard reported receiving signals from the ship’s Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB).

Attempts were made to contact the ship and captain; however, the Coast Guard received no response. Rescue crews were dispatched to the scene to preform a search, but the boat was nowhere to be found and no one was aboard a life raft that was found. Searches continued yesterday using a MH-65 Dolphin Helicopter and a 47-foot motorboat, but were called off early today after no signs of the man or the boat were found.

The incident has left many wondering what they can do to stay safe when on the water.

The New Jersey Personal Injury Attorneys with Lundy Law say having a watercraft regularly inspected and maintained will help to prevent mechanical failures out on the water. The firm adds that equipping a boat with enough life preservers for everyone on board is also vital. Life preservers should be worn at all times by each occupant of a boat when the vessel is in motion.

Apr

Philadelphia Slip and Fall Accident Claims Young Woman’s Life

April 18, 2013

Slips, trips, and falls account for a staggering number of injuries and fatalities each year. Data from the National Safety Council shows that around 25,000 people are the victims of slip and fall accidents in the United States each day and can cost more than $12,000.

Just yesterday, a Philadelphia Slip and Fall Accident claimed the life of a 19-year-old woman. The accident happened at a row house located on North 18^th Street just before 5:00 p.m.

According to reports from NBC 10-Philadelphia, the woman was visiting her boyfriend, who is a Temple University student, for the campus’s annual Spring Fling. During the event, the victim and a group of others gained access to a rooftop without guardrails by climbing a ladder attached to the building.

Once on the rooftop, the group had a party and alcohol was present. During the gathering though, the victim tripped over a 10-inch high ledge and plummeted three stories to the street below. The girl sustained numerous blunt trauma injuries upon impact.

Paramedics rushed the injured teen to a local trauma center, but she died shortly after arrival.

Investigators say they are still examining what contributing factors may have played a role in the accident.

The Philadelphia Personal Injury Attorneys with Lundy Law acknowledge how devastating these accidents can be. The firm would like to send its deepest condolences to the family and friends of the young woman who lost her life.

Apr

Leonard Lundy Discusses Dog Bite Injury Prevention

April 11, 2013

With the weather beginning to warm across the Delaware Valley with spring, the Philadelphia Personal Injury Lawyers with Lundy Law say the chances of being bitten or attacked by a dog also dramatically increases. Attorney, Leonard Lundy, recently spoke with CBS-Philadelphia News about this phenomenon and what the law holds an animal’s owner is responsible for.

Lundy points out that each state has a different set of regulations outlining the responsibilities and liabilities of a dog owner. He goes on to explain that if a person suffers a Pennsylvania Dog Bite Injury as the result of an attack, the one bite rule apples. This means the owner of the dog is only responsible for paying the victim’s medical expenses and cannot be required to pay any additional damages. The only exception to this rule is if the bite results in serious injury or death.

If the same attack was to occur in Delaware or New Jersey though, the owner of the responsible animal could be held strictly liable for any damages the animal may have caused.

Lundy explains dog owners should also be aware of laws in the area regarding the need to have a dog leashed or confined, even if on their own property. He goes on to explain that being educated on the laws regarding pet liability is the first step in preventing an injury as a result of an attack.

Apr

Two Wrongful Death Lawsuits Added to Class Action NFL Concussion Litigation

April 4, 2013

Two Wrongful Death Lawsuits filed on behalf of the family of Junior Seau, a former professional football player who killed himself last year, were merged into the class action litigation being heard against the National Football League (NFL) in a Philadelphia federal courtroom.

An article from the Connecticut Post explains that Seau was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound on May 2, 2012. The lawsuits claim the victim sustained numerous head injuries during his time in the NFL, which led to him suffering from a degenerative brain disease causing outbursts of violent behavior.

The suits go on to allege the NFL concealed information regarding medical links between concussions or traumatic brain injuries and certain neurological diseases.

Roughly 4,000 other players have filed similar motions and those cases have been consolidated to be heard by U.S. District Judge Anita B. Brody next Monday.

The NFL has filed a motion to have the case dismissed under a collective bargaining agreement the league has with players. It outlines regulations for player health and safety, while also handing over all medical decisions regarding individual players to every team.

The Philadelphia Personal Injury Lawyers with Lundy Law know how difficult the loss of a loved one can be. The firm is hopeful a decision in the case will bring a sense of closure to the family for their loss.

Mar

Pennsylvania Motorcycle Accident Leaves Woman Seriously Injured

March 28, 2013

Data shows that in the event of a motorcycle accident, there is 98 percent likelihood that the rider of the bike involved in the crash will sustain an injury. Unfortunately though, the costs associated with these injuries can often leave the victim with nothing to spare.

An Eden, New York, woman is a prime example of individuals who may lose everything due to a Pennsylvania Motorcycle Accident Injury. The crash happened in September of last year on a rural road.

An article from WIVB 4 News explained the woman and her boyfriend were riding down the road on separate bikes when a tractor-trailer suddenly pulled out in front of them from a secondary road. The woman did not have time to stop and collided with the truck.

The impact of the collision tossed the woman and the bike through the air. Somehow, the victim’s leg became stuck in the spokes of the bike and it separated from her body upon impact with the asphalt.

The woman may now lose her home due to mounting medical bills and her inability to continue working.

The Pennsylvania Personal Injury Lawyers with Lundy Law explain an individual who is hurt in an accident that is the result of another driver’s negligence may be entitled to compensation for damages. That’s why the firm recommends discussing your legal options with an attorney if you have sustained such an injury.

Mar

Philadelphia Implements New Roadway Safety Campaign

March 21, 2013

Data from the Office of Transportation and Utilities indicate that a pedestrian or cyclist suffers a Philadelphia Auto Accident Injury once every 13 days. In an effort to help reduce this number, the city has implemented a safety campaign entitled, Drive Right, Ride Right, Walk Right.

According to The Montgomery News, the campaign will consist of different signs promoting safety hung across the city. Officials say the signs will be placed at more than 50 bus shelters and will also be placed on as many as 65 of the city’s buses.

The signs feature simple designs match with catchy slogans, such as “Cars Have Bumpers. You Don’t.” or “The Sign Doesn’t Say Sorta Stop”. The messages were designed to be simple and deliberate according to Rina Cutler, the Deputy Mayor for Transportation and Utilities. Cutler added this is to make it clear that every motorist, cyclist, and pedestrian is not only responsible for their own safety, but that of others around them as well.

The hope is that the $125,000 campaign, sponsored by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, will pay dividends in reducing the roughly $1 billion annual price tag the city faces in economic costs associated with traffic accidents.

The Philadelphia Personal Injury Attorneys with Lundy Law applaud the efforts the city is making towards improving transportation safety. The firm is hopeful the campaign is successful in attaining the goals officials have established.

Mar

New Processing System For Veterans’ Disability Benefits Not Working

March 14, 2013

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has been swamped with a growing number of Veterans Disability Benefits claims in recent years. The high number of claims, in turn, has led to the system used to process them becoming bogged down. Estimates show there are currently more than 600,000 claims that have been awaiting an approval decision for more than 125 days.

These numbers are continuing to inflate daily. Experts say the number of veterans returning from service overseas claiming to be afflicted by eight or more serious conditions has grown in excess of 200 percent over the last ten years.

In an effort to solve this problem, the VA adopted a new computer system that was supposed to drive processing efficiency and help lower costs. The system was unable to produce satisfactory results during a demonstration before government officials last week though. According to a story from WVNSTV 59 News, the failed test prompted many legislators to question the system’s ability to meet goals set of lower the processing time for all claims by 2015.

Despite concerns, the system is set to roll out to disability claims processing offices across the country by the end of the year.

The Philadelphia Personal Injury Attorneys with Lundy Law understand the complexities of the Veterans Disability benefits process. The firm is here to help if you are preparing to file such a claim or have a claim that was denied in the past.

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