Transferring patients can be an arduous task. If those doing the transfer are not careful, patients could suffer injuries. Some medical and nursing home facilities here in Maryland and elsewhere use lifts to help facilitate those transfers, which are supposed to be safer. However, if not used properly, it too, can lead to serious injuries or the death of a patient. Such an error may be construed as nursing home negligence by a court.

A family in a neighboring state believes that negligence led to the death of their family member. During a transfer using a lift on April 15, 2016, the woman fell. Reportedly, this was not the first time she fell or suffered injuries during a transfer. Her family says it happened no less than six other times prior to this fall, which they say led to her death eight days later.

Motorcycle sales have risen steadily since the early 1990s. That surge was fueled by Baby Boomers who were rediscovering motorcycles or finally indulging their wild side in their empty nest and golden years. At the same time, safety has become increasingly important, especially because there are many more senior riders on the road today.

Fortunately, new safety features continue to pop up. If you love riding your motorcycle, here are five safety innovations for you to consider.

In the past few years, concussions and other brain injuries suffered by football players have been much in the news. However, football and other contact sports are in the minority in terms of causing serious brain damage.

Vehicle accidents are at fault for many more cases of traumatic brain injury across the country.

Understanding the two forms of TBI

Even in a low-speed, rear-end collision, serious brain trauma is possible. There are two forms of traumatic brain injury: open and closed. An open head injury refers to a skull fracture or an incident in which a foreign object penetrates the skull. A closed head injury, which is much more common, is caused by a blow to the head; no open wound is involved. This could happen, for example, if the impact of a rear-end collision causes a person’s head to strike the steering wheel or dashboard.

Maryland roads are often always busy. However, during rush hour, the concentration of vehicles increases dramatically. Along with the increase in vehicles, there also comes an increase in the potential for a motor vehicle accident. Even a seemingly minor mistake could lead to catastrophe.

However, a big mistake led to man’s death in a recent crash that took place on a Maryland road at approximately 5:30 p.m. The driver of a pickup truck somehow allowed his vehicle to cross over into oncoming traffic directly into the path of another vehicle. The driver of the second vehicle, a pickup truck as well, was unable to avoid the resulting head-on collision. The mail truck behind the second pickup could not stop in time to avoid becoming involved in the accident.

Can you really sue if you are injured on someone else’s property? Yes and no. The legal doctrine of premises liability makes property owners responsible under certain circumstances.

If you were trespassing or caused your own injury, you would be out of luck. But if the property created or ignored a safety hazard, you may be able to bring a claim for damages.

Maryland fans of reality television may be familiar with a show entitled, “My 600-lb Life” that profiles morbidly obese people as they go through their weight loss journeys. As part of the show, their care is overseen by Dr. Nowzaradan, referred to on the show as Dr. Now, who also performs weight-loss procedures on his patients as part of their care. Patients are painfully aware of the possible risks involved in the surgery, but many of them probably did not realize the danger could come from Dr. Now who is currently facing a medical malpractice claim from one of his patients.

Both the doctor and the clinic out of which he works are named in the suit, which was filed in Sept. 2017. The former patient alleges that Dr. Now failed to remove tubing and a stainless steel connector inside the patient following surgery to repair a hiatal hernia and remove a gastric band system two years prior to that date. Just days thereafter, the patient began experiencing excruciating abdominal pressure and pain.

Recent research indicates that a concussion can impair driving skills long after the person has “recovered.”

Among other findings, a study at the University of Georgia indicated that post-concussion drivers lacked vehicle control. This could contribute to a car crash causing serious injury to you or a family member.

The collapse of the newly constructed pedestrian bridge at Florida International University is a horrifying example of the unexpected failure of a massive structure.

Within 24 hours of the incident, the number of fatalities was still unclear. The bridge collapse not only posed danger to people in the immediate vicinity, but also to rescue workers and emergency responders who arrived on the scene.

Meeting OSHA standards

In accordance with the Occupational Safety and Health Act, employers must meet hazard-specific health and safety standards and provide employees with a work environment that is not likely to cause serious injury or death. This is not always easy in the construction world. The pedestrian bridge at FIU was meant to provide students with a safe walking route over the busy highway below. Instead, the bridge crashed onto the eight lanes of traffic, leveling several vehicles. Reportedly, two workers were on the bridge when it fell.

Working long hours, family obligations and other circumstances can make it difficult to get adequate sleep. Most Maryland residents can recall at least one time when they felt tired all day long due to sleep deprivation, but still had to get on with their lives, which may have included driving. An extra cup of coffee, soda or energy drink may have provided enough alertness to get through the day, but they probably were not on the road all day. What about the trucker who struggles to stay awake while driving all day? No amount of caffeine can erase the increased potential for a truck accident.

A rollover is possibly the most frightening type of crash you could ever have. The vehicle suddenly flips, and you are powerless to stop it. You can only hope to ride it out as you are bounced around and upside down.

There are various reasons for rollover accident. One of the most common causes is that the vehicle may have “tripped” on something.

In car will roll, but some are more prone

Any kind of vehicle can roll over in the perfect storm of circumstances. However, vehicles that are narrower and taller – such SUVs, vans and pickups – are the most prone to rollovers. In a curve, a vehicle with a higher center of gravity will lean. As speed increases, the lateral forces will cause it to tip. Making too sharp a turn can trigger a rollover. Another common scenario is overcorrecting after a suddenly swerve, creating a pendulum or wobble effect that the vehicle cannot sustain.