Michael V. Barszcz, M.D., J.D.
January 26th, 2012
Toyo Tire USA Corp. is recalling 66,763 tires because of a defect that could lead to tire failure. Tires are from the Extensa A/S group, size p225/60r16 97t.
Tire failure can be a very sudden and unexpected cause of an auto accident. Your car’s tires support the weight of the vehicle and keep your vehicle on the road. When your tires fail, a violent and devastating car accident can result.
Apparently, these tires have a kink in the bead area. If the tires are overloaded or underinflated, the kink may quickly turn into a crack in the bead area, which could cause the tire to fail.
When your tires fail, you will experience a sudden loss of control of your vehicle. In such an unexpected event, it may be near impossible to prevent an accident, and the debris of the tire could cause other motorists to veer off the roadway. You or your loved ones may face life-altering injuries as a result of the accident, including:
- Brain injury
- Spinal cord injury
- Paralysis
- Amputation
- Death
As medical expenses climb and as you suffer from the emotional trauma of your accident, it is important that you not face these consequences without monetary compensation if someone else’s negligence caused your accident. Although your initial instinct may be to blame yourself when other drivers are not involved, defective products are just as capable of causing accidents as people.
If you have been injured in an auto accident because of someone else’s negligence in Orlando, Florida or the surrounding areas, please contact experienced accident attorney Michael Barszcz, M.D., J.D., to schedule a consultation.
Posted in Auto Accidents | Comments Off
January 16th, 2012
Auto accidents remain one of the leading causes of death in the US. This source of fatality is also preventable.
In recent years, local and state governments have targeted the prevention of auto accidents in order to curb the tragedies that result. In 2011, Florida recorded the lowest number of traffic-related deaths since 1978, even though the state’s population has doubled. Last year, 2,373 people lost their lives in Florida auto accidents, compared to 2,444 people the year prior.
In fact, the number of traffic-related deaths in the state has been decreasing over the past six years. Julie L. Jones, the executive director of the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, called the trend “encouraging,” but emphasized the importance of sticking to strategic efforts to decrease the rate of auto accident deaths, a frequent cause of wrongful death claims. The Department’s approach to reducing traffic-related fatalities includes:
- Enforcement of traffic laws
- Education regarding traffic safety issues
- Licensing all drivers
- Registering all vehicles
- Effective use of technology
Like all accidents, car accidents are preventable. We all have the ability to prevent these tragedies, simply by always wearing a seatbelt and never driving drunk.
If you have been injured in an auto accident in Orlando, Florida or the surrounding areas, please contact experienced attorney Michael Barszcz, M.D., J.D., to schedule a consultation.
Posted in Auto Accidents | Comments Off
January 5th, 2012
Florida hospitals and health centers are filled with many hard-working, caring and compassionate healthcare workers. Unfortunately, many of these individuals are placed under undue stress when these facilities are not adequately staffed. Even with dedicated and experienced workers, errors and medical malpractice are more likely to occur in an improperly staffed medical environment.
According to a report issued by the Florida Hospital Association last month, the state may face a critical healthcare worker shortage in the years ahead. The state has struggled with shortages over the years, but the situation is expected to worsen. The report attributes this shortage to:
- Cuts to Medicaid payments
- Current health care reform legislation
- Increased rate of retirement of healthcare professionals
By 2025, the shortage of Florida nurses is expected to increase to 50,300 full-time registered nurses. Currently, more than three-fourths of hospitals in Florida are short on nurses. The vacancy rate of emergency room nurses in Florida is the highest of all the nursing departments in the state at 8.3 percent.
A stressed and overburdened nursing staff is more likely to make mistakes as longer working hours become common and temporary nurses replace full-time staff. Tragic medical malpractice cases that can arise in these situations include:
Compounding the shortage is the fact that Florida’s population is increasingly in need of healthcare: The population is expected to grow 60 percent by 2030, contributing to a greater demand for and stress upon healthcare services.
The state is also struggling with a physician shortage. There are not enough new physicians to replace the aging and retiring physicians. One-fourth of Florida’s physicians are over the age of 65, while only 10 percent are under the age of 35.
We rely on healthcare professionals during the most unexpected and trying times. Unfortunately, healthcare workers who are careless when performing their job duties have the capacity to change our lives forever. Hospitals across the state are seeking solutions, such as finding new ways to recruit and hold on to new nurses.
If you have suffered an injury because of medical malpractice in Orlando, Florida or the surrounding areas, please contact experienced injury attorney Michael Barszcz to schedule a consultation.
Posted in Medical Malpractice | Comments Off
December 28th, 2011
Thousands of people are killed in drunk-driving auto accidents each year. Unfortunately, these accidents often spike around Christmas and New Year’s, which should be a joyous time for all of us. Do your part to protect the wellbeing of yourself and others: Don’t drive drunk, and don’t let friends drive drunk.
At the Law Offices of Michael Barszcz, M.D., J.D., we are often reminded of the harm that can be caused by a DUI auto accident. Life-changing injuries are frequently the result of this type of accident, and may include:
These injuries could have been avoided had the drunk driver chosen to take a cab or been offered a ride by a designated driver.
The holidays are a time to celebrate, but we can all choose to celebrate safely. We hope you enjoy a plentitude of holiday festivities, and we wish you health and happiness in the year ahead.
If you have been injured in an auto accident in Orlando or the surrounding areas, please contact experienced accident attorney Michael Barszcz, M.D., J.D., to schedule a consultation.
Posted in Auto Accidents | No Comments »
December 14th, 2011
Since 1981, each US President has declared December as National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month. This year, President Obama declared December as National Impaired Driving Prevention Month, a title reflecting the modern-day dangers of distracted driving, in addition to DUI. The Administration hopes to prevent auto accidents by promoting sober and drug-free driving, as well as raising awareness about the dangers of distracted driving.
Alcohol and drugs are common causes of car accidents. In 2009, alcohol-impaired deaths made up 32 percent of total driving fatalities, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). In 2009, drugs – including marijuana and cocaine – were present in 18 percent of fatally injured drivers, which translates into about 10,000 deaths.
Alcohol is a widely recognized source of DUI; less present in the national consciousness are the dangers posed by drugged driving – driving under the influence of any drug that affects cognition. You use your cognitive faculties when driving to:
- Judge distances and speed.
- Remember everyday driving rules.
- React to unexpected situations.
- Pay attention to the road.
- Coordinate body movements.
Even prescription drugs can cause these cognitive effects in certain dosages and within a certain time period after taking them.
National Impaired Driving Prevention Month also seeks to prevent tragedies like wrongful death by reducing rates of distracted driving. Distracted driving occurs anytime you take your hands, eyes or mind off the road, including:
- When you text or talk on the phone.
- When you use a hands-free electronic device.
- When you eat or drink while driving.
- When you apply makeup while driving.
- When you try to read a map while driving.
According to the NHTSA, 5,474 people were killed in car accidents involving driver distraction in 2009. Another 448,000 people were injured in these accidents.
Motorists who choose to drive while drunk, drugged or distracted put other drivers at risk. Raising awareness and educating our young drivers may help prevent these devastating auto accidents.
If you have been injured because of someone else’s negligence in Orlando, Florida or the surrounding areas, please contact experienced auto accident attorney Michael Barszcz, M.D., J.D., to schedule a consultation.
Posted in Auto Accidents | No Comments »
December 9th, 2011
According to information compiled by the National Fire Protection Association and the US Fire Administration, about 250 residential fires occur because of Christmas trees each year. Another 150 home fires are caused by holiday lights. In the entire winter season, there are more than 900 fatalities caused by residential building fires every year.
At the Law Offices of Michael Barszcz, M.D., J.D., we have seen the damage that catastrophic injuries can inflict on the lives of families, and we would like to offer some tips for preventing these injuries.
During the holiday season, some simple steps can help ensure the safety of family and friends:
- Keep Christmas trees away from heat sources – like fires, heating vents and candles – that can cause the tree to become dry. Keeping the tree watered is the best way to prevent it from becoming dry and flammable.
- When choosing a live Christmas tree, buy a freshly cut tree instead of an old, dry one. Fresh trees have green needles that do not snap and break. Avoid leaving your tree up for much longer than two weeks. Christmas trees are a common source of home fires and serious burn injuries.
- Before putting up your holiday lights, inspect the strands for any frayed wires, broken sockets and other wear. Avoid linking together more than the recommended number of strands. Do not leave lights unattended for long periods of time.
- If you are using lit candles, you should place them in secure holders in a place where they are not likely to be knocked over. Also, you should never leave candles unattended or place lit candles on a Christmas tree.
Additionally, you may want to make sure everyone in your home knows the appropriate steps to take in the event of a fire.
If you have suffered a personal injury because of someone else’s negligence, please contact experienced Orlando, Florida injury attorney Michael Barszcz, M.D., J.D., to schedule a consultation.
Posted in Personal Injury Lawyer | No Comments »
November 28th, 2011
A campaign by the Florida Department of Transportation seeks to prevent pedestrian accidents by encouraging drivers, bicyclists and motorists to be more aware of one another. The campaign is called “See the Blindspots,” and the website presents a collection of data regarding pedestrian and bicyclist accidents in Florida.
Florida has been ranked one of the most dangerous places for pedestrians. There are nine traffic-related pedestrian deaths each week in the state. Motorists are not always the sole cause of pedestrian accidents. Pedestrians must also obey certain rules of the road.
If you are walking, jogging, skateboarding, or otherwise acting as a pedestrian, avoid injuries by following these safety tips:
- Avoid walking in the shoulder. If there is no sidewalk and you are forced into the roadway, walk on the left side of the road so approaching drivers will be more likely to see you.
- Do not jaywalk. Many Florida pedestrians are injured when they attempt to cross the road in an area without a crosswalk. Do not cross intersections until the signal indicates it is okay to do so.
- Do not assume motorists will stop for you as you cross a crosswalk. Common driver distractions may mean the driver is not looking at the road. Try to make eye contact with the driver before you cross, or wait until there are no cars before crossing.
- As you cross a road, continue to check for drivers who do not see you. Motorists making a right-on-red sometimes fail to see crossing pedestrians.
- Wear reflective clothing at dusk, dawn and nighttime. It is particularly difficult for drivers to see at these times. Consider carrying a flashlight as well.
We can all prevent car accidents by being more aware of each other’s presence on Florida roads.
If you have been injured in a car accident or pedestrian accident that was not your fault, please contact experienced Orlando, Florida personal injury attorney Michael Barszcz, M.D., J.D.
Posted in Auto Accidents, Personal Injury Lawyer | No Comments »
November 18th, 2011
In Orlando today, representatives of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and local law enforcement gathered at a news conference to warn Florida drivers about drunk driving during the holidays. DUI is a common cause of auto accidents and holiday tragedies. The news conference was held at the Florida Highway Patrol’s headquarters.
With Thanksgiving a little over a week away, drivers are cautioned to be especially vigilant of drunk drivers, and to drive responsibly themselves. Last year, 774 people were killed in auto accidents in Florida by drunken drivers, and DUI car accidents tend to increase during the holidays.
To keep the holidays a joyous and happy time for both yourself and others, please consider some of the following holiday safety tips to prevent DUI car accidents:
- If you are hosting a party, arrange transportation for guests to get home safely. Do not let guests drink and drive.
- If you are attending a party, plan multiple means of return transportation. Have a back-up plan if you are unable to get a taxi. Look up a bus route ahead of time, or ask a friend to be an on-call designated driver.
- Many people will be travelling by car this Thanksgiving. If you notice another driver is driving suspiciously, pull over somewhere safe and report the incident to local law enforcement.
Take extra precaution to make sure family members and friends are in a condition that is safe to drive. Car accidents are sometimes preventable, as well as the devastating injuries they cause.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident in Orlando or the surrounding Florida areas, please contact experienced injury attorney Michael Barszcz, M.D., J.D., to schedule a consultation.
Posted in Auto Accidents | No Comments »
November 11th, 2011
Today is Veterans Day, and at the Law Offices of Michael Barszcz, M.D., J.D., we would like to thank American veterans of all wars and honor their heroic service to our country. Thank you for your patriotism and courage, and for your sacrifice for the good of the nation.
Also worthy of recognition are the many dedicated and hardworking civilian and military surgeons, doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers. These professionals are dedicated to providing veterans with the high-quality medical care they deserve.
According to the Pew Research Center, one out of every 10 veterans living today was seriously injured while serving for the military, and 75 percent of the injuries were sustained during combat. Catastrophic injuries many veterans suffer include:
Injuries of this magnitude require not only emergency medical care, but often ongoing medical treatment as well. The vast majority of our nation’s healthcare professionals continue to perform their jobs with the knowledge and care required for the serious injuries of veterans. Negligent healthcare professionals who deviate from standards of care do a disservice to their responsible coworkers and medical peers.
If you have been injured by a negligent healthcare professional, please contact experienced medical malpractice attorney Michael Barszcz, M.D., J.D., to schedule a consultation.
Posted in Medical Malpractice | No Comments »
October 27th, 2011
About 4,000 children aged 5 to 14 are injured in pedestrian accidents between 4 and 10 p.m. on Halloween, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That number is about four times greater than any other night.
Traffic accidents – including car accidents and pedestrian accidents – are the number one safety concern for Halloween weekend. Excited children and celebrating adults may forget to be careful, but there are some steps you can take to make the weekend safer.
If you are driving during Halloween weekend, avoid auto accidents and injuries by taking a few precautions, including:
- Do not drink and drive.
- Stay alert and drive slowly.
- Do not expect children to cross at designated crosswalks.
- Expect pedestrians to dart from in between parked cars.
- Do not pass stopped vehicles that may be dropping off children.
- Do not text or talk on your cell phone while driving.
If you are a parent, protect your children and other trick-or-treaters by ensuring a safe and fun Halloween environment:
- Remove objects from your yard that could trip or injure someone.
- Make sure your porch and walkway is adequately lighted.
- Move lit pumpkins away from where children may be standing and walking.
- Dogs and other pets should be restrained and kept away from visiting children.
If you have children who are trick-or-treating, be sure to accompany them. Bring a flashlight or glow stick, and dress your children in light-colored costumes. For older children who are trick-or-treating with friends, make sure you know what route they will be taking and set a curfew. Taking care and looking out for the well-being of your family members and others leads to a safe, happy Halloween.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car or pedestrian accident in Orlando, Florida or the surrounding areas, please contact experienced accident attorney Michael Barszcz, M.D., J.D., to schedule a consultation.
Posted in Auto Accidents, Personal Injury Lawyer | No Comments »
Entries (RSS) | Comments (RSS).
