Washington DC Injury Lawyer Blog

In Washington DC on Wednesday, Akio Toyoda, the president of Toyota Motor Corp., appeared before the US Congress to apologize over the acceleration and brake issues that has led to the recall of more than 8.5 million vehicles in less than six months. Toyoda is the grandson of Toyota’s founder.

In front of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Toyoda took responsibility for the company’s failure to properly acknowledge and deal with the issues that have allegedly injured and killed so many. The US government has opened a criminal probe into Toyota’s handing of the safety issues.

According to the Los Angeles Times, at least 56 deaths are linked to Toyota’s sudden untended acceleration problems, and not all of the Toyota vehicles involved in these deaths have been recalled. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has received complaints regarding 34 of these fatalities, while another 22 Toyota-related deaths were identified in police reports and auto products liability complaints over wrongful deaths.

Granted, the NHTSA’s information does not say whether the complaints are valid, and the allegations have not been proven in a court of law. However, our Washington DC auto products liability lawyers cannot help but be concerned that there are so many US car crash victims that have reportedly died or gotten hurt while in a Toyota vehicle.

Over the years, many people have opted to buy Toyota vehicles because the automaker has been known for making safe cars. Yet many of the victims that died in alleged runaway Toyota car crashes weren’t doing anything dangerous at the time. They weren’t driving drunk or talking on a cell phone. Instead, as the LA Times reports, they were just living their lives—going shopping, returning to the office from a lunch break, headed to the bank, etc.

One 62-year-old woman faces time in prison if she is convicted for reckless driving and gross vehicular manslaughter over a 2008 car crash that killed her sister-in-law. The driver, who along with another passenger was also seriously injured, had a clean driving record before the catastrophic auto accident. Her family believes that an electronic malfunction, rather than driver negligence, may have been the actual reason that the Lexus RX330 accelerated unintentionally and overturned.

Crash reports tell of horror, Los Angeles Times, February 28, 2010

After stoic showing in Congress, Toyoda breaks into tears, Reuters, February 24, 2010

Related Web Resources:
Toyota Motor Corporation

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Washington DC slip and fall, step and fall, and trip and fall accidents can cause serious personal injuries that are painful and debilitating. While a fall accident at ground level may sound harmless enough, it can lead to traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, and even death.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that more than 17,000 people in the US die because of trip and fall and slip and fall accidents. 15% of work injuries also occur during these types of falls.

Property owners, including business owners, landlords, homeowners, and the owners of public properties, are supposed to make sure that there are no hazards on a premise that can cause a trip accident, a slip accident, or a fall accident. When failure to clean up the danger and/or to warn about the hazard results in an accident, the injured party may have grounds for filing a Washington DC slip and fall accident lawsuit.

Some common causes of slip and fall accidents:

• Wet floors
• Uneven pavement
• Snow or ice that hasn’t been properly treated or cleared
• A leak or spill
• Broken floorboards
• Steep staircases without handrails
• Poor lighting
• Objects left on the ground
• Debris on the floor
• Spilt liquids or other soft/wet food items

Our Washington DC slip and fall lawyers represent clients injured in slip and fall accidents and other kinds of fall accidents. Slip and fall injuries can take a long time to recover from. Not only can they be costly to treat, but also the injured party may have to take an extended period of time off from work. He or she may be unable to drive, tend to daily tasks, or live independently during recovery. If the injury is a permanent one, then special nursing care and other medical services may be required for the duration of the victim’s life.

Related Web Resources:
Slip and Fall, Nolo

Premises Liability, Justia

GlaxoSmithKline PLC says it is taking “voluntary, precautionary” measures by removing zinc from all of its denture creams. The pharmaceutical company acknowledged that health issues have been linked to long-term excessive use of denture adhesive products that contained zinc in them. However, a Glaxo spokesperson noted that its denture creams are safe if used as instructed and that it is only excessive use over an extended period of time that causes neurological symptoms.

Currently, Glaxo is the manufacturer of the Super PoliGrip line, including Original, Extra Care, Ultra Fresh, and the zinc-free Super Poligrip Comfort Seal Strips, Free, and Powder. Approximately 8.5 million people use these poligrip products.

However, the concern that long-term use of denture creams with zinc is causing neurological damage, including crippling nerve injuries, is growing. Already, dozens of people have filed products liability lawsuits alleging denture cream injuries.

According to a Neurology study from 2008, high doses of zinc may lead to copper deficiencies that can cause nerve damage. Because some denture cream wearers need a lot of adhesive to keep their teeth in place, these persons are likely absorbing more zinc than what is considered safe.

Our Washington DC products liability lawyers know how upsetting it can be to discover that your injuries were caused by a pharmaceutical product that you believed was benefitting you rather than harming you. There may be legal options that can allow you to obtain Washington DC personal injury recovery.

Possible signs that denture crème poisoning is causing neurological damage:

• Constipation
• Anorexia
• Balance problems
• Neuropathy
• Abnormal heart rate
• Sores
• Perspiration difficulties
• Extremity-related weaknesses
• Paresthesias
• Bone marrow failure
• Dyesthesias
• Blood pressure problems

Glaxo to Remove Zinc From Denture Cream, The Wall Street Journal, February 18, 2010

Glaxo Plans to Remove Zinc From Poligrip Denture Adhesive, The New York Times, February 18, 2010

Related Web Resources:
GlaxoSmithKline

Zinc poisoning, MedlinePlus

According to police, school officials reported 220 incidents of teachers allegedly physically or verbally abusing students in an attempt to discipline them. Acts of corporal punishment allegedly included slapping, choking, shoving, and kicking. The Washington Post obtained information about these abuse allegations using the Freedom of Information Act.

There is no clear information as to whether teachers were disciplined or charged criminally for assaulting the students or if follow-up investigations ensued. However, according to Schools Chancellor Michelle A. Rhee, some of the teachers laid off last October had physically assaulted or had sexual relationships with students or missed 78 school days.

Under District law, teachers are allowed to use force against a student in order to defend others, as an act of self-defense, or to keep order. Principals are required to report any allegations of sexual misconduct or corporal punishment by teachers to a private security system, whose officers must then report the incidents to police.

Injuries to Minors
If you believe that your child was the victim of unnecessary use of force by a teacher or anyone else, you may be able to file a Washington DC injuries to minors claim on their behalf. Teachers are in a position of power when it comes to supervising their students. This does not mean that they can abuse that power by verbally abusing, molesting, or physically assaulting a student. Physical, mental, and emotional injuries may result that can damage the child.

School officials have a duty of care to ensure that students are not harmed while on the premise. Failure to remove any hazardous conditions or dangerous persons from the school grounds may be grounds for a Washington DC injury lawsuit if injuries result.

D.C. school officials reported 220 abuse allegations against teachers, The Washington Post, February 9, 2010

Related Web Resources:
Freedom of Information Act, USDOJ.gov

Washington DC Schools

DC Teachers Allegedly Abused Kids Hundreds of Times: Post, NBC Washington, February 9, 2010

Continue reading " 220 Washington DC Abuse Allegations Against Teachers Reported during ’08 – ’09 Academic Year " »

Our Washington DC products liability attorneys are concerned about the dangers that poorly designed cribs post to young children. On Tuesday, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced that it is recalling all “ChildESIGNS” and Generation 2 Worldwide drops side cribs following three infant deaths. The CPSC says these cribs are very dangerous and pose suffocation and strangulation risks to children. The CPSC wants caregivers and parents to stop using these cribs right away.

The three babies died after the drop side on their cribs detached and they got stuck between the mattress and the drop side. The first crib entrapment death happened in September 2002 when the six-month old infant suffocated. The drop side became detached because it was missing two screws.

The entrapment death, involving an 8-month-old victim, happened in October 2003 after the drop side’s plastic hardware broke. In July 2007, an 8-month-old child suffocated during an entrapment accident.

There have been 20 other reported drop side incidents involving the recalled cribs. Two children survived their entrapment accidents, although one child sustained bruises. Five kids fell from their cribs when the drop sides detached. One child broke an arm.

Eight other incidents involved the mattress support detaching. In three of these crib accidents, three kids became entrapped between the mattress and the crib frame while four kids were able to crawl out of the crib. One child suffered bruises and cuts.

Generation 2 is no longer in operation.

Drop-Side Crib Dangers
As more drop-side cribs are recalled because of the possible entrapment, strangulation, and fall hazards they pose to infants and toddlers, it is no longer possible to ignore the dangers that this type of crib can pose because of the way they are designed. Millions of drop-side cribs have been recalled over the past couple of years. Some crib manufacturers are even proposing a ban on drop-side cribs.

Generation 2 Worldwide and “ChildESIGNS” Drop Side Crib Brands Recalled; Three Infant Deaths Reported, CPSC, February 9, 2010

Major manufacturers propose ban on drop-side cribs, Chicago Tribune, March 18, 2010

Related Web Resources:
What are the safety issues with drop-side cribs, About.com

Crib Bands from Consumer Reports

Continue reading " CPSC Recalls “ChildESIGNS” and Generation 2 Worldwide Drop-Side Cribs Following Three Child Deaths " »

USA Today reports that one in five of the 15,700 nursing homes in the US received low ratings for two years in a row under Medicare’s five-star quality rating system. The assisted living facilities that received the lowest ratings averaged 14 deficiencies each.

Medicare primarily determines its ratings based on data from the last two years, including inspection findings and complaint investigations. USA Today reports that there are Washington DC nursing homes among the assisted living facilities that scored poorly over consecutive years.

Our Washington DC nursing home lawyers are aware of the abuse and neglect issues that can arise for patients staying at an assisted living facility in the District of Columbia area. It is important that you remove your loved one from the nursing home where the abuse or neglect is taking place and that you explore your legal options.

Some of the signs that a patient may be experiencing Washington DC nursing home abuse or neglect:

• Bruises, cuts, burns, or fractures that can’t be explained
• Genital infections
• Mood swings
• Depression or withdrawal
• Behavioral changes
• Bedsores
• Broken bones
• Rope marks on wrist
• Unexplained anal or vaginal bleeding
• Sudden weight loss or weight gain
• Unsanitary living environment
• A patient who isn’t bathed and/or is left in soiled clothing
• Dirty linens
• Hazardous living conditions

Remember that nursing home abuse comes in many forms. A patient may be the victim of physical violence, sexual violence, psychological violence, or emotional abuse. It is also considered elder abuse to exploit a nursing home patient’s financial resources.

Analysis: Poor ratings persist for 1 in 5 U.S. nursing homes, USA Today, January 28, 2010

Related Web Resources:
Elder Abuse and Neglect, Helpguide.org

Nursing Home Compare, Medicare.gov

Nursing Home Directory, DOH Health Care Facilities Division

Continue reading " Are Washington DC Nursing Homes Doing Enough to Prevent Patient Abuse and Neglect? : One in Five US Nursing Homes Receive Low Star Ratings for Quality " »