Michael V. Barszcz, M.D., J.D.
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.
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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.
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October 11th, 2011
Breast cancer is the fifth leading cause of death for women age 40 and above, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. An estimated 39,520 women are expected to die from breast cancer in 2011, according to Susan G. Komen for the Cure®.
Caring and experienced medical professionals help save lives every day by diagnosing early stage breast cancer. Unfortunately, some healthcare providers deviate from proper methods of diagnosis and treatment and become perpetrators of medical malpractice, which includes:
- Failure to diagnose breast cancer
- Failure to follow-up on positive breast cancer finding
- Failure to recommend needed treatments
When you visit the doctor because you are concerned about breast cancer, there are certain standards of practice to which the doctor must adhere. Breast cancer can be diagnosed several ways, including:
- Clinical breast exam
- Mammogram
- Other imaging equipment
- Biopsy
If a physician acts negligently in any of these steps of detection, a tragedy can result. In Florida, attorney Michael Barszcz has represented women whose cancer spread because their doctors failed to diagnose breast cancer. Medical malpractice can also arise if a doctor neglects to inform the patient of a positive cancer finding.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Take this opportunity to remember those who have bravely fought this disease, and remember you can always seek a second medical opinion.
Michael Barszcz, M.D., J.D., has the medical experience to knowledgeably handle your medical malpractice case. Please contact Orlando, Florida, medical malpractice attorney Michael Barszcz to schedule a consultation.
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October 3rd, 2011
Over the weekend, many Florida children visited “Safety Town,” an annual event teaching safety skills to children. The event helps kids avoid pedestrian accidents and other hazardous situations.
Safety Town is a miniature model of a real town. Children walk around the town, practicing various safe habits, including:
- Looking before crossing the street
- Waiting for the traffic signal to change before crossing
- Wearing a seatbelt
- Wearing a bicycle helmet
Efforts like Safety Town are especially important in Orlando and the surrounding areas. According to the Orlando Sentinel, 16 children younger than 9 were killed in pedestrian accidents in Florida last year.
Just last week, a 7-year old boy on a bicycle was injured when a driver carelessly made a right turn onto the road the boy was crossing. The Orlando Sentinel reports the motorist was cited for careless driving. In another incident occurring this past weekend, a Kissimmee-area man was killed as he walked along the shoulder of a road. The driver of a pickup truck ran off the road, killing the man.
Negligent drivers cause tragic accidents every day, but teaching kids the importance of pedestrian safety early on can help them avoid these accidents.
If you or a loved one has been injured by a negligent driver in a car accident, please contact experienced Orlando, Florida accident attorney Michael Barszcz to schedule a consultation.
Posted in Auto Accidents, Uncategorized | No Comments »
September 22nd, 2011
Two people are dead after a tragic car and motorcycle accident that occurred earlier today at Conroy Road and Hidden Beach Boulevard. The other vehicle was an SUV. The cause of the accident is still under investigation.
Given the minimal protection of a motorcycle, motorcyclists are especially vulnerable to catastrophic injuries and fatalities following an accident. The unfortunate result of today’s harrowing accident cannot be undone, but we can all revisit the importance of driving safely with motorcyclists.
Share the road with motorcycles by adopting these safe driving habits:
- Respect the rights and privileges of all drivers. Motorcyclists have the same rights on the road as other motorists.
- Stay within your lane. A motorcyclist is entitled to the full width of the lane, regardless of the motorcycle’s size. Do not try to fit beside a motorcycle in the same lane.
- Always check your blind spots. One of the most common reasons for motorcycle accidents is a failure to see the motorcycle. Anytime you change lanes, be sure to look over your shoulder in addition to checking your mirrors.
- Be especially cautious when making left turns. Many motorists fail to see an oncoming motorcycle or misjudge the speed of the cycle. Make it a habit to check for motorcycles when turning.
- Maintain an appropriate distance. Do not follow motorcycles at an unsafe, close distance. Motorcyclists may need to make quick maneuvers to avoid obstacles in the roadway, and you should allow enough room to react.
By practicing safe driving habits, you can better ensure your safety and the safety of cyclists with whom you share the road.
If you have been in a car accident in Orlando, Florida, or the surrounding areas, please contact experienced car accident attorney Michael Barszcz, M.D., J.D., to schedule a consultation.
Posted in Auto Accidents, Uncategorized | No Comments »
September 19th, 2011
According to the Insurance Research Council, 24 percent of Florida drivers are uninsured. If an uninsured driver causes you to get in a car accident, you could be facing serious expenses while the other driver pays nothing.
Although your own car insurance may cover some of the cost, after an accident with an uninsured driver you may face:
- Medical expenses for injuries like whiplash
- Repair costs for vehicle damage
- Lost wages from missed work
- Emotional suffering
Florida is one of the top 5 states in the nation with the highest rates of uninsured drivers. If you are in a car accident in Florida, there is a significant chance the other driver does not have insurance.
Take preventative steps to protect yourself from uninsured motorists:
- Consider adding uninsured motorist coverage to your insurance policy. With this type of coverage, you can receive compensation for bodily injuries caused by an uninsured driver.
- If a negligent, uninsured driver caused your accident, contact a car accident lawyer as soon as possible. A lawyer can review your case and file your insurance claim.
Protect the financial and emotional wellbeing of yourself and your family. Choose a lawyer who will help you find all opportunities of compensation after being in an auto accident.
If you have been in a car accident in Florida, please contact the experienced Orlando accident attorney Michael Barszcz, M.D., J.D., to schedule a free initial consultation.
Posted in Auto Accidents, Personal Injury Lawyer | No Comments »
September 8th, 2011
More than 17 percent of Florida’s population is over the age of 65. With frightening statistics regarding nursing home abuse and neglect, Florida needs a watchdog to protect these residents.
Unfortunately, politics have mired the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, a program sending volunteers into nursing homes and assisted living facilities (ALFs) to observe conditions and listen to resident complaints. For clearly political reasons, the vigilant leader of this program, Brian Lee, was forced out.
Earlier this year, Lee asked nursing homes and ALFs to provide information regarding who owned the facilities, information he was allowed to access under the new health care reform act. Soon after, the Governor’s Office ousted Lee. Federal investigators have found Florida to be in violation of the U.S. Older Americans Act because of the events surrounding Lee’s dismissal.
Older people have rights and deserve impartial protection, regardless of political interest in who owns these facilities. The ousting of Mr. Lee sends the wrong message: The ombudsman cannot operate independently to advocate for long-term care residents.
Residents of nursing homes and ALFs are often unable to advocate for themselves, and abuse and neglect occur far too often. The need is critical for the ombudsman program to remain independent of political whim.
To learn more about nursing home abuse, or if you think a loved one may be a victim of nursing home abuse or neglect, please contact experienced Orlando, Florida attorney Michael Barszcz, M.D., J.D.
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August 24th, 2011
The summer is winding down, and that means it’s time for Florida students to head back to school. As students make their morning and afternoon commutes, ensure their safety and prevent car accidents by taking the following precautions:
- Stay alert for children crossing the street or playing in the street while waiting for the bus.
- Be conscientious of student drivers who have little driving experience.
- Obey flashing lights on buses. Yellow means the bus is slowing down and you should reduce your speed. Red flashing lights mean the bus is stopped and children will be unloading and crossing the street. You must remain stopped until the lights are off and the bus begins to move.
If you are a parent, before buying back to school supplies for your child, you may want to check the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission website to look for recalled products. Defective products can be harmful and cause injury.
If your child has been injured by a car while commuting to and from school, or if you think a school supply product may have harmed your child, please contact the experienced Orlando, Florida car accident and defective product lawyer Michael Barszcz to schedule a consultation.
Posted in Auto Accidents, Personal Injury Lawyer | No Comments »
August 19th, 2011
According to a study released this month by the non-profit organization Transportation for America, Orlando metro is the most dangerous metropolitan area in the U.S. for pedestrians. Pedestrian accidents occur at an alarming rate in Orlando, with 557 total pedestrian deaths occurring between 2000 and 2009. That number boils down to 3 out of 100,000 people being killed yearly in these accidents.
And Orlando isn’t alone. In fact, the top four areas listed in that study are all in Florida. Behind Orlando were Tampa, Jacksonville, and Miami-Fort Lauderdale.
A high volume of drivers compared to walkers requires wide roadways that can move cars efficiently through the city and surrounding areas. But if you’re a walker, busy, high-speed roads can be dangerous and even fatal.
Crossing the street to a grocery store can result in a tragic accident, and these tragedies often occur when Florida drivers negligently fail to stop for a crossing pedestrian, do not obey speed limits, or are otherwise being inattentive to the road.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian accident in Orlando, Florida, please contact the experienced Orlando car accident attorney Michael Barszcz, M.D., J.D. to discuss your case free of charge.
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August 10th, 2011
Driving on Florida beaches is a tradition dating back to the late 19th century, when horses pulling buggies and passengers traveled across the sand. Later, the beaches were used for stock car races, and, until 1959, various NASCAR races. More recently, some Florida beaches have been the scenes of tragic accidents, and one incident has led to a wrongful death suit.
The parents of 4-year-old Aiden Patrick, who was killed in a July 2010 beach-driving accident at New Smyrna Beach, have brought a wrongful death lawsuit against Volusia County, claiming that the county was negligent, and that although the county knew that the beach was dangerous, no precautions were taken to make the beach safer. The little boy was running toward his father when he crossed the road and was struck by a pickup truck. The driver did not see him. Aiden’s tragedy is not the only of its kind. Another child, 4-year-old Ellie Bland, was hit and killed in a beach-driving accident in March 2010 at Daytona Beach.
In recent years, driving on overcrowded beaches has caused many injuries, and several fatalities. According to the Orlando Sentinel, there have been 49 beach-driving accidents in Volusia since 1995, and in each one of these accidents a pedestrian or sunbather was either injured or killed.
If a loved one has been killed because of someone else’s negligence, please contact the experienced Orlando, Florida wrongful death attorney Michael Barszcz, M.D., J.D.
Posted in Auto Accidents | No Comments »
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