Friday, July 29, 2011

Philly Rehab Center Uses Cutting-Edge Technique for Spinal Cord Injuries

A Philadelphia rehabilitation center is offering the use of ReWalk, a revolutionary new medical device, to help mobilize patients with severe spinal cord damage.  This device is a motorized exoskeleton that will help patients paralyzed from the waist down to engage in gait training and work on muscle activity. It works in tandem with arm crutches to help stabilize and mobilize the patient.

Severe brain and spinal cord damage often involves prolonged and sometimes complicated recovery, and may also result in a large host of secondary problems.  If you or a loved one have been injured as a result of an accident due to the fault of another, and now suffer from spinal cord, brain, or nerve damage, please contact our law office for a free consultation.  Attorney Doug Stoehr is a personal injury serving the western and central Pennsylvania area, and has experience litigating claims involving significant brain and spinal cord damage, including a case that recently settled for over $1 million dollars.

Thursday, July 28, 2011

State Legislation Offers Opinion into Highmark-UPMC Dispute


This summer, a major medical insurance company and a largehealthcare provider in western Pennsylvania have been in the midst of tense contract negotiations.  If negotiations fail, many patients in western Pennsylvania may lack the access to healthcare that they had previously relied upon.  Earlier in the summer, our blog had highlighted the larger points of this dispute and recently, PA congressmen have stepped in to add their perspective and opinion on the matter.  Both State and House members have offered to meet with both parties to discuss options and reach a favorable solution for both parties.  Highmark and UPMC have both agreed to meet with the lawmakers.

Attorney Doug Stoehr is a lawyer serving western and central Pennsylvania who specializes in personal injury. If you would like to set up a consultation with him involving a possible personal injury claim, please contact our law office.

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Butler County Agency of Aging Gaining Consultant


The Agency of Aging in Butler County has hired a consultant to help them speed along their investigations into elder abuse allegations in the county.  For the past several years, the agency has been out of compliance for taking too long to investigate cases of elder abuse, and for misfiling cases where they didn’t belong.  The new consultant will work full-time to help the agency handle their cases and get back into compliance with state regulations.

Attorney Doug Stoehr is a lawyer serving western and central Pennsylvania who specializes in personal injury and elder abuse. If you would like to set up a consultation with him involving a possible personal injury claim, please contact our law office.

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

In Midst of Heat Wave, Elderly Among Most Susceptible


Pennsylvania is in the midst of a long and extreme heat wave.  In the effort to keep cool, we advise you to not neglect the elderly in your area, since they are among the most susceptible to heat-related problems and accidents.  Additionally, if you have a loved one in a nursing home that is affected by the heat wave, it may be wise to check on them more frequently than usual to make sure the facilities are adequately cool and the staff is providing sufficient hydration for their residents.  Elder abuse can come in many forms, and deliberately denying elderly patients access to cooler areas and enough water may fall under that category.

Attorney Doug Stoehr is a lawyer serving western and central Pennsylvania who specializes in personal injury and elder abuse. If you would like to set up a consultation with him involving a possible personal injury claim, please contact our law office.

Monday, July 25, 2011

Driver Hits Two Children, One Dragged Under Car


An unlicensed young driver in Penn Hills, PA ran into two young girls walking on the street last week.  One of the girls was dragged under the vehicle and could not be removed until the car stopped after crashing through a fence. Both girls hit were taken to Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh for treatment of their injuries.

Pedestrian accidents are frightening and occur without warning.  The consequences of pedestrian accidents can also be emotionally and physically damaging. Attorney Doug Stoehr is a lawyer specializing in personal injury and services the western and central Pennsylvania area.  If you feel that you have been wrongfully hurt in a pedestrian accident and would like to consult with him about a possible personal injury claim, please contact our law office.

Friday, July 22, 2011

UDPATE: Highmark and UMPC Disagreement


Earlier, our blog post mentioned the contract negotiations involving a prominent Pennsylvania health insurance provider and healthcare provider.  Since that time, their disagreement has escalated into a lawsuit since a successful resolution could not be reached.

If you have Highmark insurance and are also a patient within the UPMC Healthcare system, Attorney Doug Stoehr advises you to carefully examine any correspondence that your health insurance and medical provider may send you.  It is important to be as knowledgeable as possible about what you are entitled to from your insurance company and your healthcare provider, especially when major changes are occurring within those systems.  Attorney Stoehr is a lawyer specializing in personal injury and services the western and central Pennsylvania area.  If you would like to consult with him about a possible personal injury claim, please contact our law office.

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Pottsville, PA To Consider Breed-Specific Dog Bans


In light of the many recent dog attacks that have occurred in Pottsville, PA, the city is considering changing their current animal laws to exclude certain breeds of dogs that are traditionally violent and aggressive.  Residents of Pottsville have reported three pit bull attacks within the past several weeks, two against children and one against an elderly man.  The issue is going to be discussed at an upcoming Town Hall meeting.

Dog bites can be both physically and psychologically damaging for the victim.  In addition to medical expenses, victims can suffer from anxiety and fear of other’s and their own household pets, and may have trouble enjoying formerly pleasant activities, such as taking a walk outside or visiting friends and neighbors due to fear of a future attack.  Attorney Doug Stoehr has litigated dog bite claims before with success for the victim.  If you would like to schedule a free consultation with Attorney Stoehr, please contact our law office to set up an appointment.

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

New Legislation for Underage Athletes Suffering from Head Trauma


The Pennsylvania House of Representatives is considering a bill that would change how student-athletes compete and practice following a concussion.  This bill, sponsored by State Senator Pat Browne (R-Lehigh) would require all students to be examined and cleared by a doctor following a head injury before they can practice or compete in their sport.  Additionally, coaches will have to undergo concussion training certification courses, and parents will have to sign and review a concussion checklist sheet at the beginning of every new sporting season that their child is participating in. The House is currently examining this bill under their House Education Committee.

Those suffering from brain and spinal cord injuries, especially as a result of an accident at the fault of another may find themselves with lingering, unexpected medical problems that only worsen over time. Unfortunately, this is not uncommon in the world of student-athletes at schools across the country; this is especially true as athletes are pressured to return to the playing field before they are completely healed. Attorney Doug Stoehr has dealt with claims involving brain and spinal cord injuries, and recently settled a case for over $1.5 million involving a severe brain injury. If you would like to consult with him about your case, please contact our law office.

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Medical Malpractice Claim in York County, PA

A medical malpractice claim is being brought against doctors in York County, PA. Several years ago, a 9 year old boy fell while playing soccer and injured his ankle. He contracted an infection as a result of this injury that spread to his limbs and resulted in the amputation of both feet and the majority of the digits on his left hand. The family of the boy claims that this infection was misdiagnosed as the flu, and doctors failed to diagnose the infection in time to save his feet and fingers from amputation. Additionally, the family says the doctors failed to diagnose a genetic disorder that disrupts normal clotting of the blood cells, which aggravated his injuries. The boy, now in 10th grade, uses prosthetics that will need to be replaced every year and half until he is finished growing.
Medical malpractice is hard to prove in the legal world, but negligent doctors and hospitals should be held accountable when failing to properly diagnose or implement improper treatments that lead to severe injuries. Pain, suffering, medical bills (both past and future) and a lost earnings are just a portion of the hardships that patients have to endure as a result of medical malpractice. If you feel that you or a loved one has been a victim of hospital negligence that led to severe injury, please contact our law office for a consultation with Attorney Doug Stoehr.

Monday, July 18, 2011

PA Legislators Crack Down on Drunken Boating


The Pennsylvania House of Representatives is proposing an amendment to House Bill 78, which would allow prior drunken boating convictions to be taken into account when reviewing a current drunken boating conviction. The major proponent of the amendment, Representative Mike Hanna (D-Clinton/Centre) proposed this amendment in part to correct the inequity between sentences for DUI in vehicles and DUI in boats, with the latter currently carrying a much lighter sentence.

Boating accidents see an expected and marked increase in the summer, especially involving intoxication while driving a boat.  In this area, Glendale and Raystown lakes are arguably the most susceptible places in our local area for such occurrences.  Victims of boating accidents injured due to the fault of another may have lasting and extensive injuries that result in compounded medical bills and significant changes in mobility and ability.  Attorney Doug Stoehr is an attorney serving western and central Pennsylvania that handles cases involving personal injury. If you would like to consult with him about your case, please contact our law office.

Major PA Healthcare Provider and Insurance Company at Odds

UPMC Healthcare Systems and Highmark health insurance services have been debating in the past few months whether to continue to serve each other as their 10-year contract comes to a close this year.  If Highmark refuses to provide insurance to patients at UPMC medical facilities and UPMC does not accept Highmark insurance, many patients could potentially be left without doctors or access to medical services.  This poses a particularly complicated situation for those patients undergoing long-term treatment for such diseases as cancer and diabetes.  Patients and physicians are both worried about the possibility of mass movement of medical records, which may result in lost or incomplete records at the patient’s new treatment center.  Those who receive Medicare plans through Highmark will not be affected by any possible changes.  

During your personal injury claim, you will be incurring long-term medical expenses, most likely over a period of months or years.  If there is a significant shift in your healthcare plan or your insurance company refuses to pay your medical bills during treatment for your injury caused by an accident, you should keep your attorney up to date, as it might affect how your claim is handled.  Although Attorney Doug Stoehr cannot consult with you about a possible gap in your insurance coverage as the result of an issue like the UPMC/Highmark contract negotiation, he encourages you to check your insurance policy frequently to be aware of any possible changes in your policy.

Attorney Stoehr is a lawyer based out of Altoona, PA that specializes in personal injury claims.  If you would like to consult with him about a possible personal injury claim, please contact our law office for more information.

Friday, July 15, 2011

PA Summer Camp Gives Quadriplegic Children New Lease on Life


PA Vent Camp is offering overnight summer camps to quadriplegic children between 4 and 18 years old who require a ventilator to breathe.  This unique camp affords the children many opportunities to participate in activities they otherwise couldn’t have done, such as going down a zip-line, rock climbing, boating, and swimming. Trained volunteers run the camp, including doctors, nurses, nurses in training, and respiratory therapists.  The program is largely funded by private donations and through Children’s Miracle Network.

Those suffering from severe brain and spinal cord injuries, especially as a result of an accident at the fault of another have a lifetime of pain and medical expenses, and find their world drastically changed. This is especially troubling when these accidents occur to children.  Attorney Doug Stoehr has dealt with claims involving severe brain and spinal cord injuries, and recently settled a case for over $1.5 million involving a severe brain injury. If you would like to consult with him about your case, please contact our law office.

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Two Large Medical Research Companies Collaborate for Spine Research


Acorda and Medtronic, two large medical device companies, are currently working together to research a new magnesium formulation that may help treatment for those suffering from brain, spinal cord, and other neurological injuries.  This magnesium formulation has received fast-track research and development status by the FDA for spinal cord injured patients.

Brain and spinal cord injuries are medical conditions that are often prolonged, complicated to diagnose and treat, and may leave victims with lifelong medical expenses.  If you have been injured at the fault of another and now suffer from spinal cord, brain, or other neurological injuries, please contact our law office to set up a free legal consultation.   Attorney Doug Stoehr has experience bringing claims for those who have suffered from brain and spinal cord injuries, and recently settled a claim for over $1 million for a client suffering from brain injuries. 

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Construction Accident in York, PA

A York, PA employee died this summer as a result of a cave-in at a trench he was working in at Manheim Township.  The construction worker was employed by York Excavating, a company that had violated two OSHA standards on a construction site in 2009.  It is possible in this situation that OSHA violations also occurred.  Attempts to save the worker were unsuccessful due to the unstable nature of the land surrounding the trench.

Working on construction sites is potentially hazardous for employees, especially when employers fail to follow all established safety procedures and protocol.  It is also a potentially dangerous place for bystanders. These construction claims often involve potential 3rd party claims against other liable defendants, in addition to your workers compensation claim.  In a related matter, Attorney Stoehr settled a claim in 2010 for over a million dollars for a man seriously injured near a hole that had been recently excavated.  If you have been injured working on a construction site or as a bystander near a construction site, please contact our office  for more information or to set up a free consultation with Attorney Doug Stoehr.

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Dental Malpractice Insurance Becoming Mandatory in PA

A bill recently passed in the state Senate that would make carrying dental malpractice insurance mandatory for all practicing dentists in Pennsylvania.  According to this bill, dentists would be required to have a minimum coverage of $1 million per claim and $3 million annually.  The bill is now being reviewed by the House Insurance Committee.

Medical malpractice insurance is a common practice for doctors and hospitals, and it follows logically that dentists should also carry malpractice insurance.  Attorney Stoehr has dealt with claims involving medical malpractice and hospital negligence. If you have been injured as a result of medical malpractice, please contact our office for more information or to set up a free consultation.

Monday, July 11, 2011

Paralyzed Patient First to Undergo Stem Cell Surgery

An Atlanta-based hospital is leading the next step in stem cell research by performing surgery on a patient who suffers from a severe spinal cord injury. TJ Atchinson, a college student at the University of Alabama, was injured in a car accident that damaged his spinal cord. At the hospital, doctors told him he would be an excellent candidate for stem cell therapy; Atchinson agreed, and doctors injected about two million stem cells into his injured back. Since that time, Atchinson has regained partial feeling in his legs, including sensing the weight of heavy objects placed on his lap, and tugging on the hairs of his leg. Doctors continue to monitor his progress.Severe brain and spinal cord injuries often occur as a result of a motor vehicle accident. Although many great strides are being made in research that would help heal injured patients, there is still a great deal more knowledge to discover and successfully implement in practice. Attorney Stoehr has experience working with those suffering from brain and spinal cord injuries as a result of an accident. If you would like to consult with Attorney Stoehr at the Law Offices of Attorney Doug Stoehr at no cost to you, please contact our law office.

Thursday, July 7, 2011

The High Price of Dog Attacks

An article by Forbes magazine recently broke down the average costs of dog attacks for dog owners. According to the Insurance Information Institute, the average dog bite claim was a little over $26,000, with payouts rising and increasing over 35% since 2003. The magazine attributes this rise in payout amounts to the increase in medical costs and larger jury and judge verdicts. If your dog bites another person, you could be tried under both negligence and dog-bite statutes, depending on where you live. If you dog is a previous offender, you may also have trouble getting home insurance. If you rent your house or apartment, also look into renter’s insurance, since you will be responsible for the dog attack claim, even if you do not own the property.
To avoid dog bite claims, it is best to choose a breed of dog that is not traditionally aggressive. Active socialization to people and other animals, obedience training, and keeping dogs restrained, whether in a fenced-in yard or by using a leash, are all effective ways of avoiding a potentially expensive dog bite claim. If you or a loved one has been the victim of a dog bite and would like to consult with Attorney Stoehr at the Law Offices of Attorney Doug Stoehr, please contact our law office.

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Majority of Child Safety Seats Incorrectly Installed

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette recently reported on a safety initiative run by the state police to assess child safety seats. A voluntary inspection occurred at sites throughout the state for a two-week period.  Over 75% of the 319 seats checked were not installed correctly.  The state police listed the most common problems as a failure to position the seat in the right direction and not properly adjusting the safety harnesses or harnessing the seat in the right manner.

When traveling with small children, it is extremely important to make sure that they are as safe as possible in your car.  This includes following suggested federal guidelines for installing safety seats, keeping children in safety seats until they reach a certain age or weight, and making sure every person in the car is wearing their seatbelt.  Although you may feel that you are safe on the road, you never know when a motor vehicle accident will occur. If you and your family members are not following safety guidelines, you put yourselves at a higher risk for severe injuries or even death.  If you have been injured or a loved one has been injured or killed as a result of a motor vehicle accident, please contact our law office to set up a free initial consultation with Attorney Doug Stoehr.