Fort Lauderdale Nursing Home Neglect Attorneys
| Gary T. Lazarus | 0 Comments | NURSING HOME NEGLIGENCE

Sepsis Can Be an Undiagnosed Cause of Death – Fort Lauderdale Nursing Home Neglect Attorneys

Sepsis is a serious, potentially fatal infection that causes more fatalities in the U.S. than heart attacks. A recent study done by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has found that almost two thirds of the total 258,000 annual deaths were not diagnosed in time by doctors and nurses. In some cases, this could be considered medical negligence.

There have been instances where people have died in a hospital or nursing home and their family is not told the truth about the cause of death. Many times people are left to assume that it was just “old age” but in truth it was a preventable issue: sepsis.

A thorough article about sepsis was published last year in U.S. News and World Report.

Early Detection of Sepsis is key to Recovery

According to the CDC, while delayed diagnosis sepsis can increase the risk of mortality, early detection can save lives. If the condition is diagnosed within six hours, the prognosis is pretty good. Another study has shown that the chances decrease over by 7 percent for each hour it goes untreated. The chances become bleak with every hour that the condition is left untreated.

Sepsis is Difficult to Diagnose

One reason that many cases of sepsis go undiagnosed and untreated is that there is no reliable test for it. Also, each patient experiences different symptoms. While there are some hospitals that have found ways to detect and prevent sepsis at an early stage, there are many others that still lack in this.

Have someone close to you been a victim of delayed sepsis diagnosis?

Fort Lauderdale Nursing Home Neglect Attorneys

Sepsis is a potentially fatal condition if not detected and treated in time. Also, it is possible to prevent, detect and manage the condition. If you or someone close to you has suffered from complications or fatality as a result of delayed diagnosis of sepsis, you have the right to pursue compensation for all the losses you have suffered.

The best thing to do if you suspect sepsis may have contributed to the deteriorating condition of a loved one, or their death, you may call us and arrange a confidential consultation. We can be reached at 954-356-0006.

Fort Lauderdale Nursing Home Neglect Attorneys

 

Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorneys
| Gary T. Lazarus | 0 Comments | Fort Lauderdale Accident Attorneys

Best and Worst Car Insurance Companies • Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorneys

Fort Lauderdale Car Accident AttorneysInsurance is one of those things people hate to pay for, but when they need it they are very happy they did. Many people pay for insurance their entire lives and never actually use it. The insurance companies love those people. Others are constantly making claims for this or that and it all balances out in a system that isn’t perfect, but we have to deal with it.

Is there any big difference between one insurance company and another? Consumer Reports did some research and then produced ratings for car insurance companies and the results are interesting.

12 Best Car Insurance Companies – #1 is best:

  1. USAA Property & Casualty
  2. Amica Insurance
  3. New Jersey Manufacturers Insurance Company
  4. Erie Insurance Group
  5. Auto Club Enterprises Insurance Group
  6. Auto Club Insurance Association
  7. Auto-Owners Insurance Group of Companies
  8. Ameriprise Financial (IDS)
  9. State Farm
  10. State Auto Insurance Companies
  11. Mercury
  12. Geico

12 Worst Car Insurance Companies – #1 is worst:

  1. Farmers Insurance
  2. Hanover Insurance
  3. Mapfre USA
  4. Allstate
  5. MetLife
  6. Liberty Mutual
  7. Travelers
  8. The Progressive Group of Insurance Companies
  9. AAA Northern California, Nevada & Utah Insurance Exchange
  10. The Hartford Financial Services Group
  11. Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company
  12. American Family

We have worked with all these companies, and while we will offer no opinions of our own on the quality of coverage or claim service, we will say that they all have good points and bad. Car insurance is necessary and mandatory, but working with them after an accident and getting the best compensation for your losses is sometimes best left to professionals.

Florida Automobile Insurance

We recommend that you do some rate comparisons and research on your own before making a decision. We also recommend that you obtain more than just the “basic” or required coverage. Many people call us and complain that after an accident they were left out in the cold when it came to having access to rental cars, quality repairs, and other reimbursements. Study your policy carefully and if possible sit down with an agent to go over the fine print.

Fort Lauderdale Accident Attorneys

If you have been involved in an accident and your company is not performing according to what you believe is fair and reasonable, give us a call. We’ll look over your policy and see what we can do to get you the compensation you deserve. We’re always here to talk at 954-356-0006.

 

Fort Lauderdale Accident Attorneys
| Gary T. Lazarus | 0 Comments | Fort Lauderdale Accident Attorneys

Car, Truck, or Motorcycle Accidents Involving Alcohol-Impaired Drivers

We read about terrible accidents involving drunk drivers all the time, but how bad is the problem?

Every day, 28 people in the United States die in motor vehicle crashes that involve an alcohol-impaired driver. This is one death every 51 minutes. The annual cost of alcohol-related crashes totals more than $44 billion. In 2015, 10,265 people died in alcohol-impaired driving crashes, accounting for nearly one-third (29%) of all traffic-related deaths in the United States.

And even though over one million people are arrested each year for driving under the influence of alcohol, the numbers of accidents and deaths are not really diminishing.

If you’re involved in an accident with a drunk driver and suffer injuries or significant damages, there are different dynamics involved and itFort Lauderdale Accident Attorneys would be a good idea to seek the advice of an experienced accident and personal injury attorney.

Drunk drivers are almost always liable for damages and injuries, and a drunk driver will often try to hide from the authorities or conceal assets if they feel they will be sued. They may tamper with evidence, attempt to coerce witnesses, or any number of things to hinder the investigation and proper progress for justice, both civilly and criminally.

Fort Lauderdale Accident Attorneys

DUI cases are very complex, and the attorneys at Lazarus and Lazarus have worked with victims far too many times. We persevere until our clients receive the maximum compensation for their injuries, pain, suffering, and property damage.

Please don’t become involved in confrontational situations involving drunk drivers. It’s best left to law enforcement and your attorney. Call us at 954-356-0006 and we can arrange a confidential consultation.

 

Fort Lauderdale Motorcycle Accident Attorneys
| Gary T. Lazarus | 0 Comments | Fort Lauderdale Motorcycle Accident Attorneys

Biker’s Arm – One of Many Common Motorcyclist Injuries • Fort Lauderdale Motorcycle Accident Attorney

We don’t have to tell you how dangerous it is to ride a motorcycle on the roads of south Florida, but we do like to tell you that there are ways to limit the danger and reduce injuries. Because we work with so many injured motorcyclists we understand what causes the accidents to occur and what the resulting injuries are like to deal with.

Motorcycle Accident Attorneys - Fort LauderdaleLike any other accident, injuries are sometimes obvious at the accident scene, and other injuries do not manifest themselves until later, like spinal dislocations, concussions, and others.

One of the most common injuries suffered by motorcyclists is called “biker’s arm.” It is a broad term that includes several different types of trauma to the arm and the symptoms vary. When the motorcycle falls on the rider’s arm, it can cause severe injuries, and among the most serious of them is paralysis. It can cause permanent loss of sensation and movement in the part or whole of the arm.

These are the nerves in the arm that are most often damaged in a motorcycle accident:

Median Nerve – This nerve is located on the inner side of the arm, and crosses in front of the elbow joint. Median nerve is the one which is affected by carpal tunnel syndrome as well. If this nerve become damaged in the crash, the rider may experience partial or complete paralysis of all or parts of the hand and/or arm.

Radial Nerve – It is located on the outside and back of the arm, and transmits signals for the muscles to lift and straighten the wrist, fingers and thumb, and to straighten the elbow. When the radial nerve becomes injured, the rider may not be able to perform these important functions

Ulnar Nerve – This nerve is located in the inside of the arm and passes behind the elbow. Ulnar nerve allows for the bending of fingers and wrist, and also allows the fingers to move from side to side. This nerve is commonly known as the funny bone, and when it gets injured, the above mentioned functions may no longer be possible.

Sometimes these injuries aren’t immediately evident. It may begin with tingling in the fingers, or a loss of movement in the arm itself. Often the symptoms worsen and sometimes there is total paralysis.

If you are involved in a motorcycle accident that was someone else’s fault it’s very important you don’t accept a settlement that will not cover these types of serious injuries if they become worse over time. An experienced accident attorney understands how to deal with these issues and can protect your right to have full and proper care and compensation.

Fort Lauderdale Motorcycle Accident Attorneys

Lazarus and Lazarus has set aside a major part of our practice for victims of motorcycle accidents. They happen too often in south Florida and we know how to handle the after-effects. Your rights and your recovery are always our primary concern.

Please call us at 954-356-0006 and we will promptly arrange a confidential consultation with you.

 

| Gary T. Lazarus | 0 Comments | Brain Injury Attorneys

Head Injuries Resulting from Automobile, Truck, and Motorcycle Accidents – Head Injury Attorneys

One of the most common injuries that occurs in traffic accidents is a head trauma injury. It can be particularly dangerous because it’s often missed during an on-scene examination or even at the hospital, only to manifest later as a serious problem. A ‘bump on the noggin” could actually be a serious concussion or worse.

Here are some things that could be going on in an accident victim’s head that are not visible from an external examination:

Concussion – A concussion occurs when the head sustains trauma due to sudden movement or impact, causing the brain to bounce against the hard walls of the skull. It can result in blurred vision, confusion, nausea, memory loss, and in severe cases, unconsciousness. Repeated concussions can potentially lead to permanent damage.

Contusion – A contusion is a bruise located on the side of the brain that affects the brain tissue, occurring because of a sudden impact. It can range from minor to life-threatening, and can also increase cardiovascular risks.

Edema – Any head injury can result in edema, also known as swelling. Though numerous injuries cause swelling in the surrounding tissues, this is more serious when it occurs in the brain as it leads to a buildup of pressure in the brain.

Whiplash – Whiplash results from a rapid forward and backward movement of the head, thus possibly stretching and damaging the muscles and tendons in the neck.

Hemorrhage – Hemorrhage is uncontrolled bleeding in the brain. A subarachnoid hemorrhage is bleeding in the space around the brain, Brain Injury Attorneyswhile an intracerebral hemorrhage is bleeding that occurs within the brain tissue.

Diffuse axonal injury – Also known as a sheer injury, this injury does not cause bleeding but instead damages the brain cells. Diffuse axonal injury is among the most dangerous forms of head injuries as it can lead to long-lasting brain damage and even death.

Secondary Impact Syndrome – Also known as SIS, this occurs when an individual suffers a second traumatic brain injury before healing from the first traumatic brain injury. It can result in massive swelling of the brain, and sometimes, can lead to the loss of blood flow to the brain and eventually death.

If you are involved in an accident and you think you may have injured your head it is important to have a thorough examination immediately. If the doctors at the hospital don’t feel it is necessary or they will not pursue aggressive testing, please reach out to a personal injury attorney who can help.

Sometimes people feel a head or neck ache a day or two after an accident, and it is due to one of the above serious injuries.

You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries, loss of work, and pain and suffering. We will work hard to help you.

The Law Firm of Lazarus and Lazarus has worked with hundreds of head injury victims over more than two decades and we understand the proper course of action to make sure people are properly diagnosed, treated, and compensated for their injuries. Please call us if you have any questions at 954-356-0006.

Fort Lauderdale Accident Attorney
| Gary T. Lazarus | 0 Comments | Fort Lauderdale Accident Attorneys

Car Crash Test Results – How Does Your Car Rate? Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorneys

If you’re older than 40 you know that cars used be much bigger and heavier than they are today. Fenders and bumpers used to be made of steel and when you drove a car in the 1970s and ‘80s you felt like you were in a tank.

Today’s cars are much lighter and include a lot of plastic, composites, and fiberglass in their design. The good news is that newer cars defy what you might think, and are much safer than older cars.

The government performs crash tests on cars and they publish the results online. You can check your car by visiting: https://www.nhtsa.gov/ratings

You’ll need to input you car’s year, make, and model to get the results which are from one to five stars.

Something that is disconcerting, however, is that while cars are getting safer there are more serious crashes resulting in injuries. According toCar Accident Attorney Fort Lauderdale Wired Magazine:

“…..traffic fatalities spiked in 2016, according to new data from the Department of Transportation. Cars may be safer than ever, but 37,461 people died on American roads that year, a 5.6 percent hike over 2015. While fatalities have dramatically declined in recent decades, this is the second straight year the number has risen. It’s too early to say why, exactly, this is happening. Researchers will need much more time with the data to figure that out.”

Some analysts believe the increase is due to lower gas prices and an improved economy. People drive around more when they have more money in their pockets.

Many experts believe there are more accidents because people are driving and texting more, or they are being distracted by other technical gizmos.

A few suggestions to keep you safe in your car:

  • NEVER text and drive.
  • NEVER drink and drive.
  • Obey the speed limit and other traffic laws.
  • Wear your seatbelt, even if you’re just “running a quick errand.”

We hope we meet you someday, but not because you’ve been injured in an accident. Stay safe!

If you are in an accident, please reach out to us by calling 954-356-0006 and we will set up a time to meet.

| Gary T. Lazarus | 0 Comments | Personal Injury Attorney

Fraud Hurts Us All

Dear Friends and Clients:

I wanted to take this opportunity to bring to your attention that recently, four local personal injury attorneys have been charged criminally for engaging in kickback schemes with tow truck drivers, tow yards and medical providers. Simply put, it is alleged that these attorneys were being paid cash for new cases, which is a clear violation of Florida’s criminal statutes. Even though the names and photos of these attorneys have been published by the Sun-Sentinel, I have decided not to name them out of respect for their families. Although these specific attorneys are innocent until proven guilty, those of us who do this for a living have known for years that these kickback schemes have been ongoing.

In fact, as a young attorney over 20 years ago, I met with a local chiropractor for lunch and he offered me $2,000 cash for each client that I referred to his clinic for treatment. Think about that for a moment. This was the first time I had met this chiropractor but he felt completely comfortable in soliciting me to commit a crime. Without hesitation, I rejected his offer and ended the lunch early. I know I will be accused of sounding self-righteous but I have always advocated that all ‘honest’ plaintiff’s attorneys have a duty to speak out when fraud is being committed. A fraud of this nature further tarnishes the reputation of injury attorneys and as we know, our reputations as a whole are already tarnished.

Other types of auto insurance fraud hurt consumers in the form of higher insurance premiums. Estimates vary greatly but the Coalition for Insurance Fraud puts the cost of fraudulent claims in the range of $80 billion dollars annually. While I think that is an inflated number presented by a group that is friendly to the insurance industry, once again, there is no denying that fraud exists and that it increases our insurance premiums. As I have always done, I am advising all clients and friends to report any incidences of attorney fraud. If you are in an accident and someone in a tow truck, tow yard or emergency room approaches you with an attorney referral, they may be engaging in a crime. If someone contacts you without your permission–either on your cell phone or home telephone line–and attempts to refer you to a lawyer, they are likely working with a lawyer who is aware of their actions. This constitutes a clear violation of the Florida Bar rules and may also be a crime.

Finally, choose your attorney wisely because it will likely mean the difference between a bad or good settlement amount. Those injury attorneys who illegally solicit patients often work on a high volume/low margin business model. They don’t care if they don’t obtain just compensation for you because they have so many cases that they earn a profit on turnover and sheer volume. Simply put, this means they will not fight for you on those cases where you deserve a higher settlement. I hope all of you have recovered from the recent storm. If you need anything at all, please do not hesitate to contact me at the office. (954) 356-0006.

Gary T. Lazarus, Esq.
1625 North Commerce Parkway
Weston, Florida 33326
(954) 356-0006
www.Lazaruslaw.us