Tuesday, June 10, 2014

New Blogging Platform!

Attorney Doug Stoehr is moving his blog directly to his website.  For future blog posts and topics of interest, please check out his new blog at http://www.stoehrlaw.com/blog.

Wednesday, June 4, 2014

Facts About Brain Injuries--Surprising Or Not?

According to information provided in a recent article by EverydayHealth.com, many Americans have suffered from a significant head injury in the past several years.  Here are some facts provided by EverydayHealth.com that may surprise you!


  • In 2010, about 2 1/2 million Americans suffered from a traumatic brain injury (TBI)
  • TBIs are a contributing factor in about 1 in 3 injury-related deaths
  • The populations that are at the most risk to suffer a TBI injury are children aged 0-4, teens aged 15-19, and adults over 65
  • Children alone account for almost 500,000 ER visits every year for TBI injuries


For more information and facts related to traumatic brain injuries, please visit the original article here.

If you have recently been in a car crash, it is important to closely monitor your body's response to injury.  This is especially true if you suspect that you have sustained a significant head injury.  If your car accident was due to the fault of another, it may also be time to seek legal action.   If you or a loved one has recently been in a car accident due to the fault of another, please contact Altoona, PA area personal injury attorney Doug Stoehr to set up an initial, free consultation.  His law office can be reached by visiting his website at http://www.stoehrlaw.com or calling his firm at 814-946-4100.

Monday, June 2, 2014

Elder Abuse Prevention Group Celebrates 10 Year Anniversary

An eastern Pennsylvania organization, The Schuylkill Elder Abuse Prevention Alliance, is celebrating 10 years working to help protect the rights of seniors in their area.  To mark the occasion, a monument has been erected outside the county's human services building.  The ceremony to unveil the monument features the current Secretary for the State Department of Aging, Brian Duke.  The organization has a board of 30 members, which includes professionals from the areas of law, banking, nursing home employment, and the clergy.  The main goals of their organization are public education and raising awareness about elder abuse. To learn more about this organization and their tenth anniversary celebration, please click here

Attorney Doug Stoehr is a personal injury lawyer serving western and central Pennsylvania.  He takes cases for older Pennsylvanians who have been abused or neglected.  For more information on his Altoona, PA area practice, please call his office at 814-946-4100 or visit his website at http://www.stoehrlaw.com.  Attorney Stoehr takes cases in Blair and the seven surrounding counties.

Pennsylvania also has an Elder Abuse Task Force, which holds the mission to examine allegations of individuals who cheat, deceive, and/or abuse older Pennsylvanians.  To report a potential case of elder abuse, please call their reporting hotline at (866) 623-2137.

Thursday, May 29, 2014

Scranton-Area Woman Abuses Elderly Mother, Who Has Alzheimer's Disease

Often, this blog talks about the prevalence of elder abuse in Pennsylvania.  These discussions are often general, but occasionally a specific incident is highlighted and reported.  Once such report has recently come out in the Scranton area.  According to local news source WTRF.com, a 56-year-old woman from northeast Pennsylvania was charged with elder abuse of her 96-year-old mother, who suffers from Alzheimer's disease.  Reports highlight instances of beating, threatening, swearing, and hair pulling on the part of the daughter.  The abuse was initially brought to the attention of the authorities by a Chicago-area man who had found a live webcam feed of the family's living room.  To read more of the original story, please click here.

Attorney Doug Stoehr is a personal injury lawyer serving western and central Pennsylvania.  He takes cases for older Pennsylvanians who have been abused or neglected.  For more information on his Altoona, PA area practice, please call his office at 814-946-4100 or visit his website at http://www.stoehrlaw.com.  Attorney Stoehr takes cases in Blair and the seven surrounding counties.

Pennsylvania also has an Elder Abuse Task Force, which holds the mission to examine allegations of individuals who cheat, deceive, and/or abuse older Pennsylvanians.  To report a potential case of elder abuse, please call their reporting hotline at (866) 623-2137.

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Elder Abuse Education Close to Altoona

Many Pennsylvanians are working together to educate the community on the frequency and types of elder abuse that many aging citizens face in our state.  Last month, the Pennsylvania Department of Aging set up a community seminar to address some of these issues in Johnstown.  Over 400 people registered for the event, making it one of the largest elder abuse seminars that state officials have seen to date.  Other similar seminars are held frequently around the state.  For more information and to read the 
originals news source from the Tribune-Democrat, please click here

Attorney Doug Stoehr is a personal injury lawyer serving western and central Pennsylvania.  He takes cases for older Pennsylvanians who have been abused or neglected.  For more information on his Altoona, PA area practice, please call his office at 814-946-4100 or visit his website at http://www.stoehrlaw.com.  Attorney Stoehr takes cases in Blair and the seven surrounding counties.

Pennsylvania also has an Elder Abuse Task Force, which holds the mission to examine allegations of individuals who cheat, deceive, and/or abuse older Pennsylvanians.  To report a potential case of elder abuse, please call their reporting hotline at (866) 623-2137.

Friday, May 23, 2014

Pennsylvania's Elder Abuse Task Force

Did you know that Pennsylvania has its own Elder Abuse Task Force? Created in 2006, this state-wide initiative examines allegations of people  who cheat, deceive or abuse older Pennsylvanians.  The force is make up of a diverse group of participants, including prosecutors and support staff. As part of their duties, the force also has a public education component.  PA also has an elder abuse hotline, which can be reached by calling the number (866) 623-2137. According to an article by StateCollege.com, "The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has the third highest percentage of elderly residents in the United States with nearly 2 million residents over the age of 65. In addition, the fastest growing segment of Pennsylvania's population is those who are 85 years of age or older.".  To read more from the original article, please click here

Pennsylvania also has a state-wide Elder Law Task Force that examines Pennsylvania's issues with guardianship, abuse/neglect, and access to justice for the state's elderly population. This special task force is chaired by Justice Debra Todd.  The main aims of the task force include suggesting amendments for court rules, as well as recommendations for education and best practices involving the care of senior citizens. The task force has been given one year to complete its work.

Attorney Doug Stoehr is a personal injury lawyer serving western and central Pennsylvania.  He takes cases for older Pennsylvanians who have been abused or neglected.  For more information on his Altoona, PA area practice, please call his office at 814-946-4100 or visit his website at http://www.stoehrlaw.com.  Attorney Stoehr takes cases in Blair and the seven surrounding counties.

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Tractor-Trailer Hit In Accident On PA Highway

A tractor-trailer has was involved in an accident on Pennsylvania's highways.  According to the story posted by Lancaster Online, two people were injured in a crash when a tractor-trailer was hit on the Pennsylvania Turnpike.  The tractor-trailer was overturned and was blocking the right land and shoulder. At the time of the report, the accident was reported to have been caused by a sportscar driver who was driving too fast for the conditions and crashed into the truck.  

As drivers in Pennsylvania, it is important to realize that we need to share the road with commercial truck drivers .  When truck drivers are put into a dangerous position, they are also a significant cause of motor vehicle accidents . As a result, passengers and other vehicles often bear the brunt of the activity and are can be seriously injured or die from a resulting collision. If you have been injured or a loved one has died as a result of a motor vehicle or commercial vehicle accident, please contact our law office for a consultation at no cost to you at the Law Offices of Attorney Doug Stoehr.
For more on the original article, please click here.

Pennsylvania Reports Increase In ER Visits for Head Injuries

Pennsylvania is seeing a significant increase in head injuries in their hospitals' emergency rooms.  According to a local central Pennsylvania news source, there was almost a 30% increase in the number of ER visits for head injuries from 2006 to 2010.  Among those statistics, the majority of reports came from children and adults over 60.  Right here in Altoona, the emergency department director, Dr. Bouchard, stated that they've seen a larger increase in the number of brain injuries in older people. He also believes that this is largely due to increased awareness and potential severity of brain injuries.

If you have recently been in a car crash, it is important to closely monitor your body's response to injury.  This is especially true if you suspect that you have sustained a significant head injury.  If your car accident was due to the fault of another, it may also be time to seek legal action.   If you or a loved one has recently been in a car accident due to the fault of another, please contact Altoona, PA area personal injury attorney Doug Stoehr to set up an initial, free consultation.  His law office can be reached by visiting his website at http://www.stoehrlaw.com or calling his firm at 814-946-4100.

Please visit the original article here.

Thursday, May 15, 2014

NPR Discusses Social Media and Class Action Lawsuits

Once again, the National Public Radio is weighing in on a relevant topic to today's blog topic.  Social media and its use for legal claims has been an area of hot debate in recent years.  Can private social media posts be used as courtroom evidence?  How do you control jurors and judges who may tweet or Facebook post about a current case? Interestingly, some lawyers are also attempting to use social media to reach large masses of people for class-action lawsuits.  Read about this new phenomenon by clicking the link to the original NPR article, which can be found here.

As stated on yesterday's blog, social media can be potentially complicated for clients pursuing a personal injury claim.  Just like applying for a job or being an employee within a company, your social media activity is not as private or as protected as you may think.  Social media can become dangerous for a legal claim when certain pictures or comments are taken out of context and may be used against you.  For this reason, if you are hesitant about posting a picture or writing a comment that you feel may be used against your case, use discretion and do not post that item.  It may be even be better to not discuss your injury, and especially your legal claim, over Facebook at all.  The only way to keep your personal life as private as you want it to be is to not post anything you wouldn't want everyone to know about.

If you would like more information about this page or central Pennsylvania attorney Doug Stoehr's areas of practice, contact our Altoona, Pennsylvania, law firm by calling 814-946-4100.

Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Social Media in the Office

Ever wonder how different employers regulate the use of social media? The Huffington Post just released an interesting article that covered the trends that arose in social media use in the office.  Some of the more interesting points include the following:


  • Almost 100% of companies now use social media in some way for their businesses
  • There has been a 20% increase in the number of organizations that have formal social media policies in the past year
  • Fewer than 20% of organizations have provisions that protect against social media misuse by ex-employees
To read more, please visit  the original article from the Huffington Post by clicking here


Social media use has many implications for clients pursuing a personal injury claim.  Similar to applying for a job or being an employee within a company, your social media activity is not as private or as protected as you may think.  For example, an innocent picture of you enjoying a short walk after your accident may be misconstrued as a full and complete recovery.  Additionally, posts/comments from friends suggesting that you're healthier than you really are may come across as you being insincere about your injury as well.  Social media may become dangerous for a case when certain pictures or comments are taken out of context and may be used against you.  For this reason, if you are hesitant about posting a picture or writing a comment that you feel may be used against your case, use discretion and do not post that item.  It may be even be better to not discuss your injury, and especially your legal claim, over Facebook at all.  The only way to keep your personal life as private as you want it to be is to not post anything you wouldn't want everyone to know about.

If you would like more information about this page or central Pennsylvania attorney Doug Stoehr's areas of practice, contact our Altoona, Pennsylvania, law firm by calling 814-946-4100.

Friday, May 9, 2014

State College Sees Decline In Traffic Fatalities

Good news for residents of State College, PA!  New statistics show that the number of traffic-related fatalities has largely dropped in the past several years.  Many of these numbers reflect a reduced amount of fatalities related to no seatbelt use, speeding, and alcohol consumption.  However, some subsets of traffic-related fatalities actually increased.  The number of deaths involving distracted driving increased by 57 in the past year, as well as deaths related to head-on or side-swipe crashes.  For more information on the new statistics, please click here for the original StateCollege.com article

If you are involved in a car accident, most states, including Pennsylvania, have at least one section on the incident report dedicated to distracted driving violations.  Fines and charges may increase if you are cited with one of these violations.  In addition to fines and charges for distracted driving, you also are putting yourself and others in danger.  Attorney Stoehr represents those injured through no fault of their own, including automobile and pedestrian accidents. Call today for your free case evaluation 814-946-4100 or visit his website at http://www.stoehrlaw.com.

Thursday, May 8, 2014

An Editorial On PA's Distracted Driving Problem

Pennsylvania has had a driving and texting ban that has been in effect since 2011.  However, many drivers continue to text on the road, as well as engage in other forms of distracted driving.  What have Pennsylvania and other states done to address this issue?  Some of the things that police have done include sitting in unmarked SUVs and riding city buses to be able to look down on drivers.  You might want to read this editorial, written in Lancaster Online, to find out more.  

 Distracted driving is a major cause of motor vehicle accidents on the highway.  If you have been injured as the result of a distracted driver, it might be time to consult an attorney.  Tractor-trailer drivers are also cited with distracted driving, and can leave devastation in their wake after a highway accident.  Attorney Doug Stoehr is a personal injury lawyer serving western and central Pennsylvania.  Please visit his website athttp://www.stoehrlaw.com for more information.

Tuesday, May 6, 2014

Truck Drivers Guilty of Distracted Driving

When you see tractor-trailers moving along our country's highways, you expect their drivers to be safe, alert, and vigilant. Unfortunately, this is not always the case.  A local New York City news source just posted an article about the increased occurrence of truck drivers who text and drive.  According to the news report, through local ABC news station 13WHAM,  "A hidden camera investigation has uncovered a dangerous trend on highways. WABC-TV in New York City set up camera on several of highly travel roadways, catching truckers texting and talking on their phones and one driver even talking on two cell phones at once. The New York State Department of Transportation said nearly 16,000 truckers were ticketed for distracted driving in 2013, but only four of them were suspended and taken out of service.4 out of 16,000 drivers who were caught texting while driving seems like a tiny percentage!    

If you are involved in a car accident, most states, including Pennsylvania, have at least one section on the incident report dedicated to distracted driving violations.  Fines and charges may increase if you are cited with one of these violations.  Distracted driving is a major cause of motor vehicle accidents on the highway.  If you have been injured as the result of a distracted driver, it might be time to consult an attorney.  Attorney Doug Stoehr is a personal injury lawyer serving western and central Pennsylvania.  Please visit his website athttp://www.stoehrlaw.com for more information.

Please read more of the original 13WHAM article by clicking this link

Friday, May 2, 2014

Chronic Pain Education Through Tweeting


In the latest in a series of articles on this blog relating to chronic pain, ABC News has released an interesting article covering many common questions about chronic pain in the form of Twitter tweets.  It is an interesting and engaging lens into the world of chronic pain.  I urge you to take a look at the original article, which can be found by clicking this link.  Considering that as much as 25% of the United States population may be experiencing some form of chronic pain, the disorder is worth looking into. 

Attorney Doug Stoehr is a personal injury lawyer serving Blair and the seven surrounding counties in central Pennsylvania.  He takes cases for clients who are experiencing chronic pain as the result of an injury due to the fault of another.  This may include a car accidentslip-and-fall accident, and others.  For more information on his Altoona, PA area firm, please call his office at 814-946-4100 or visit his website at http://www.stoehrlaw.com.

Wednesday, April 30, 2014

NPR Weighs In On Chronic Pain

Chronic pain is becoming an issue that is swiftly gaining national attention as more physicians are recognizing the disorder as a valid medical condition.  Among the many national news sources that are covering the topic of chronic pain, the National Public Radio is one of them.  NPR recently ran a radio interview covering an area within chronic pain that many patients grapple with:  the fear of addiction to pain medication versus the discomfort of chronic pain.  To read the NPR interview with Judy Foreman, author of "A Nation in Pain", or listen to the audio version, please click here.

Attorney Doug Stoehr is a personal injury lawyer serving Blair and the seven surrounding counties in central Pennsylvania.  He takes cases for clients who are experiencing chronic pain as the result of an injury due to the fault of another.   For more information on his Altoona, PA area firm, please call his office at 814-946-4100 or visit his website at http://www.stoehrlaw.com.

Tuesday, April 29, 2014

CARIE Works For The Rights Of The Elderly

Interested in advocating for the rights of the elderly?  Are you or an elderly loved one currently undergoing some type of neglect or physical, financial, emotional, or sexual abuse? You might want to consider visiting the following website for valuable resources on educating and protecting yourself from elder abuse.  The Center For Advocacy Of The Rights And Interests Of The Elderly, known as CARIE, has set up a detailed resource page for education on many forms of elder abuse.  Please visit their website here for more valuable information. 

Pennsylvania has also stepped up to protect its state's aging population.  The state has set up a statewide elder abuse hotline, which can be accessed by calling this number: 1-800-490-8505.  The hotline is open 24 hours a day and can be used a tipline to report activity related to abuse, neglect, exploitation, identity theft, or abandonment of an elderly PA resident.  Pennsylvania also has local Area Agencies on Aging that can assist in these situations. 


Attorney Doug Stoehr is a personal injury lawyer serving western and central Pennsylvania.  He takes cases for older Pennsylvanians who have been abused or neglected.  For more information on his Altoona, PA area practice, please call his office at 814-946-4100 or visit his website at http://www.stoehrlaw.com.  Attorney Stoehr takes cases in Blair and the seven surrounding counties.

Friday, April 25, 2014

Western PA Elderly Resources Website

            As stated in earlier blog posts, Pennsylvania has a significant amount of legal claims related to elder abuse and neglect. This primarily a result of our state’s large aging population, which has one of the highest percentages of senior citizens in the country.  Allegheny County's Department of Human Services has acknowledged this phenomenon and created a resource page to for seniors address some of these issues.  This page can be accessed by clicking this link, which takes you to a variety of resources for seniors including nursing home alternatives, mental health resources, and caregiver support.  It may be worthwhile to take a few minutes to browse this page and educate yourself on the options available to you and your aging loved ones in Western Pennsylvania.   
Attorney Doug Stoehr is a personal injury lawyer who takes nursing home abuse and neglect cases in the western and central Pennsylvania areas.  He takes cases in Blair and the seven surrounding counties, and his practice is based in Altoona, PA.  For more information on his firm, please call his office at 814-946-4100 or visit his website at http://www.stoehrlaw.com.

To access Pennsylvania’s resource page for elder abuse, please click this link

Thursday, April 24, 2014

Elder Justice Event in Johnstown

Today, there is an elder justice event taking place in Johnstown, PA.  This event will host speakers from state and local justice agencies and is sponsored by the Cambria County Elder Abuse Task Force. For more information, please visit the Tribune-Democrat's article, located here.

Instances of elder abuse are not uncommon in Pennsylvania, which has a large aging population.  The term "elder abuse" can be used for seniors who have suffered physical, financial, emotional, and sexual abuse, as well as neglect.  According to state data, the three most common types of abuse experienced by older Pennsylvanians are self neglect, caregiver neglect, and financial abuse.

Attorney Doug Stoehr is a personal injury lawyer who takes nursing home abuse and neglect cases in the western and central Pennsylvania areas.  He takes cases in Blair and the seven surrounding counties, and his practice is based in Altoona, PA.  For more information on his firm, please call his office at 814-946-4100 or visit his website at http://www.stoehrlaw.com.

To access Pennsylvania’s resource page for elder abuse, please click this link.

Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Potential Genetic Basis For Chronic Pain

Anecdotal information suggests that some members of the population are more sensitive to pain and more susceptible to chronic pain than others. Recently, scientific research suggests that there may a genetic factor that influences the perception and persistence of pain.  To read more about this research, please visit the article here, as originally posted by Medical News Today.  As stated in previous blog posts, the majority of chronic pain begins in the joints and muscles, but then can move into the central nervous system. There is also research that has shown that persistent pain can re-map brain pathways, making pain worsen over time.  To manage this, it is best to consult with your physician as soon as you begin to feel chronic pain symptoms.  Catching the problem early may make treatment easier, less time consuming, and more effective.

Attorney Doug Stoehr takes cases for clients who are experiencing chronic pain due to an accident or injury due to the fault of another.  For more information on his Altoona, PA area practice, please visit his website at  http://www.stoehrlaw.com or call his office at 814-946-4100.

Friday, April 18, 2014

Neurostimulation For Chronic Pain

For people who suffer from chronic pain, they often have tried many different ways to control their symptoms using drugs, medication, and alternative therapies. Unfortunately, these are not always successful.   For some chronic pain patients, there is the option of a neurostimulator.  This stimulator is a small electronic device that is inserted on the patient's spinal cord and helps to regulate nerve impulses to the areas that are affected by the patient's pain symptoms.  To read more about this method, please click on this link to an article by the Fort Wayne-area newspaper, The News-Sentinel.


Attorney Doug Stoehr is a personal injury lawyer serving Blair and the seven surrounding counties in central Pennsylvania.  He takes cases for clients who are experiencing chronic pain as the result of an injury due to the fault of another.   For more information on his Altoona, PA area firm, please call his office at 814-946-4100 or visit his website at http://www.stoehrlaw.com

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

More Elder Abuse Incidents Reported By PA News

Elder abuse can come in many different forms, including financial, emotional, sexual, and physical.  Recently, a Hanover Township woman has come under investigation for physical abuse and subsequent death of her 78-year-old aunt.  According to reports, the woman under investigation threw porcelain figurines at her aunt's head and face, causing the elderly woman significant and fatal damage to her head.  To read more about the report, please visit the original news source at The Times-Tribune here.


Attorney Doug Stoehr is a personal injury lawyer who takes nursing home abuse and neglect cases in the western and central Pennsylvania areas.  He takes cases in Blair and the seven surrounding counties, and his practice is based in Altoona, PA.  For more information on his firm, please call his office at 814-946-4100 or visit his website at http://www.stoehrlaw.com.

Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Elder Abuse Case in Eastern PA

Instances of elder abuse are not uncommon in Pennsylvania, which has a large aging population.  Although most people think of physical violence when they hear the term "elder abuse", the term also actually encompasses financial, emotional, and sexual abuse, as well as neglect.  The Bucks County Courier Times recently covered an article highlighting a case of elder abuse in the county.  According to the article, the reports of elder abuse in the area have tripled since 2000.  The PA Secretary of Aging also reported that Pennsylvania seniors were scammed out of $2.5 million in the past year. 

Also noted within the Courier Times article, " In 2011-12, Pennsylvania Area Agencies on Aging received 18,454 reports of abuse, up from 18,129 in 2010-11. A few years ago, in 2006-07, the state reported 11,962 cases of abuse. According to the most recent state data, the three most common types of abuse experienced by older Pennsylvanians are self neglect, 41.7 percent; caregiver neglect, 24.7 percent; and financial abuse, 16.2 percent."

Attorney Doug Stoehr is a personal injury lawyer who takes nursing home abuse and neglect cases in the western and central Pennsylvania areas.  He takes cases in Blair and the seven surrounding counties, and his practice is based in Altoona, PA.  For more information on his firm, please call his office at 814-946-4100 or visit his website at http://www.stoehrlaw.com.

To access Pennsylvania’s resource page for elder abuse, please click this link.

To read more from the original Bucks County Courier Times article, please click here

Thursday, April 10, 2014

Financial Elder Abuse Is Real!


It is one thing to hear about financial elder abuse stories, but it is another to read about them hitting so close to home! Recently, a Doylestown, PA area bank manager was accused of scamming over $350,000 from seniors who frequented his bank over a course of ten years.  When asked by a judge what he had purchased with the money, the man denied buying anything large or memorable.  Want to know more? Find the original article here.  There have also been several other cases in the Pennsylvania area with similar details and features.  One lesson to learn from these stories is to keep a close eye on your finances to make sure all your balances add up no money is being incorrectly removed from your accounts. 

Attorney Doug Stoehr is a personal injury lawyer who takes claims for elderly clients who have been abused financially, physically, emotionally, or sexually.  For more information on his Altoona, PA area practice, please visit his website athttp://www.stoehrlaw.com or call his firm at814-946-4100.

Monday, April 7, 2014

Sleep and Exercise Closely Linked for Chronic Pain Patients

The health benefits of exercise are numerous and well-documented.  However, for those people who suffer from chronic pain, the act of exercising may be more limited and painful than the average person.  Chronic pain sufferers also commonly experience issues relating to sleep quality and the amount of sleep they obtain. 

The Huffington Post highlighted this problem in one of their recent articles.  According to the news piece, a recent scientific journal article had results that suggest that "sleep is associated with physical activity for people with chronic pain, with sleep better predicting levels of next-day physical activity than pain intensity or mood in the morning".  These results suggest that sleep and exercise are closely linked for chronic pain patients, and the value of sleep is important for the output and ability to exercise.  

Attorney Doug Stoehr is a personal injury lawyer serving Blair and the seven surrounding counties in central Pennsylvania.  He takes cases for clients who are experiencing chronic pain as the result of an injury due to the fault of another.   For more information on his Altoona, PA area firm, please call his office at 814-946-4100 or visit his website at http://www.stoehrlaw.com

For more on the original article from the Huffington Post, please click here

Friday, April 4, 2014

Looking for Chronic Pain Resources?

Often, many people who receive a diagnosis of chronic pain are unsure of where to turn for help, information, and resources.  As a result, many websites and support networks have been created to address these needs.  One of the major ones in the United States is the American Chronic Pain Association.  Their online website features resources relating to tracking your pain, managing your medication, and connecting with others to find support.  To visit their website, please click here

Attorney Doug Stoehr is a personal injury lawyer serving Blair and the seven surrounding counties in central Pennsylvania.  He takes cases for clients who are experiencing chronic pain as the result of an injury due to the fault of another.   For more information on his Altoona, PA area firm, please call his office at 814-946-4100 or visit his website at http://www.stoehrlaw.com

Tuesday, April 1, 2014

Car Crashes Are Second Leading Cause of TBI

Often when people hear about traumatic brain injuries, they tend to envision accidents related to sports.  In reality, falls are the number one leading cause of traumatic brain injuries, followed closely by car crashes.  This information, courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control, is true across all age groups.  
One news site (WATE.com) highlighted the story of a young college student who was in a car accident and suffered significant injury to her head.  Her traumatic brain injury was so severe that it was compared to the effects often seen in Shaken Baby Syndrome.  To read more about this girl's story and to educate yourself on the lasting effects of a TBI injury, please click here
If you have recently been in a car crash, it is important to closely monitor your body's response and recovery after the accident.  If you suspect a TBI, immediately seek help from a qualified physician who can diagnose you and develop a comprehensive treatment plan.  If your car accident was due to the fault of another, it may also be time to seek legal action.  This is especially true if your injuries cause you to miss extended periods of work or not be able to continue your line of work at all.  Other major expenses resulting from an accident may include medical bills.  If you or a loved one has recently been in a car accident due to the fault of another, please contact Altoona, PA area personal injury attorney Doug Stoehr to set up an initial, free consultation.  His law office can be reached by visiting his website at http://www.stoehrlaw.com or calling his firm at 814-946-4100.

Monday, March 31, 2014

Understanding Traumatic Brain Injuries

How much do you really know about traumatic brain injuries?  Although this injury has made many headlines in the news in the past few years, the cause, symptoms, and treatments remain a mystery to many.  Many websites have compiled information about traumatic brain injuries to help educate the general public.  Of these websites is the Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center (MSKTC), which has myriad information relating to traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and burn injuries. For those who may want to educate themselves more on the causes, signs, and treatment of traumatic brain injuries, their website may be a good place to begin.  Click here for the direct link to their TBI page.

If you have recently been in a car crash, it is important to closely monitor your body's response to injury.  This is especially true if you suspect that you have sustained a significant head injury.  If your car accident was due to the fault of another, it may also be time to seek legal action.   If you or a loved one has recently been in a car accident due to the fault of another, please contact Altoona, PA area personal injury attorney Doug Stoehr to set up an initial, free consultation.  His law office can be reached by visiting his website at http://www.stoehrlaw.com or calling his firm at 814-946-4100.

Friday, March 28, 2014

Brain Injuries Have A Long Recovery Time

Sometimes, people who are victims of a car crash often experience concussions or another form of traumatic brain injury (TBI).  Although the signs associated with this injury may not immediately be present, the symptoms may manifest themselves days or weeks later.  Many common symptoms related to TBIs include headaches, dizziness, disorientation, changes in sleep patterns, and gaps in or loss of portions of memory.  Other more immediate symptoms may include vomiting and/or loss of vision.

Post-TBI, many patients find that the road to recovery is long, hard, and takes a variety of different professionals to manage the healing process.  Major news source NBC took a hard look at instances of TBIs in America and what the recovery process looks like for those victims.  The article can be found by clicking this link.

If you have recently been in a car crash, it is important to closely monitor your body's response and recovery after the accident.  If you suspect a TBI, immediately seek help from a qualified physician who can diagnose you and develop a comprehensive treatment plan.  If your car accident was due to the fault of another, it may also be time to seek legal action.  This is especially true if your injuries cause you to miss extended periods of work or not be able to continue your line of work at all.  Other major expenses resulting from an accident may include medical bills.  If you or a loved one has recently been in a car accident due to the fault of another, please contact Altoona, PA area personal injury attorney Doug Stoehr to set up an initial, free consultation.  His law office can be reached by visiting his website at http://www.stoehrlaw.com or calling his firm at 814-946-4100.

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

How Chronic Pain Affects Daily Life

Chronic pain can have a major impact on day-to-day functions, including relationships, mental health, and emotional well-being.  An article from a Dallas, TX area news source recently reported on this issue and the many challenges that people with chronic pain face.
According to the article, people who have chronic pain are three times more likely to suffer from mental health issues than people who don't have chronic pain.  Chronic pain can also cause people to have trouble sleeping, eating, and trouble controlling tension.  Many sufferers of chronic pain also report problems with anxiety and depression.  To remedy these issues, many neurologists and pain specialists are compiling pain management programs.  Many of these programs not only involve medication, but also relaxation techniques, coping skills, and therapeutic remedies to manage chronic pain from the holistic perspective. 
For more information and to read the Dallas Morning News article in its entirety, please click here.

Attorney Doug Stoehr is a personal injury lawyer serving Blair and the seven surrounding counties in central Pennsylvania.  He takes cases for clients who are experiencing chronic pain as the result of an injury due to the fault of another.   For more information on his Altoona, PA area firm, please call his office at 814-946-4100 or visit his website at http://www.stoehrlaw.com

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Drunken Snowmobiling?

Unfortunately, and perhaps unbelievably, sharing the snowmobiling trails with people who are drunk and driving is a legitimate cause for concern while enjoying the winter weather.  A recent report by an Erie, PA area news website just covered an incident relating a drunken snowmobiling accident.

According to the report, a New York man was drunkenly operating a snowmobile and crashed into a county sheriff's car last weekend in Marysville, PA.  The 28-year-old driver was charged with several offenses, including snowmobiling white intoxicated, reckless operation, and failing to stop before cross a highway.  The snowmobile nearly hit an oncoming car while attempting to enter the highway without stopping or yielding to traffic. 

Although enjoyable, off-road vehicles, such as snowmobiles, are also a significant cause of serious injury among Pennsylvanians.  Attorney Doug Stoehr of Altoona, PA handles cases involving injury as a result of accidents involving off-road vehicles.  For more information about Attorney Doug Stoehr and his Blair county area practice, please visit his website athttp://www.stoehrlaw.com or call his law firm at 814-946-4100.

for more information on the original article, please click here

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Nursing Home Buyouts Becoming More Common



It appears that many Pennsylvania nursing homes have gone out of business or have been sold in the past few years.  Recently, a Montgomery County nursing home was sold for $41 million to a large, regional healthcare agency.  Prior to this purchase, the nursing home had recently been run by the county, which had been cited in recent years as being a significant financial drain.  Many counties in Pennsylvania used to run their own nursing homes, but the trend has shifted towards selling their facilities to outside organizations.  As a part of this particular buyout, the new health care group agreed to keep all current employees who wished to stay at their current salary and seniority levels.

If you or a loved one are in a nursing home that is in the middle of being purchased by another organization, you should take care to be aware of any changes in staffing or policies that might affect the care that your family member receives.  Improper care could also lead to elder abuse or neglect, which is a growing problem among Pennsylvania's aging population.  Attorney Doug Stoehr is a personal injury lawyer who takes nursing home abuse and neglect cases in the western and central Pennsylvania areas.  He takes cases in Blair and the seven surrounding counties, and his practice is based in Altoona, PA.  For more information on his firm, please call his office at 814-946-4100 or visit his website at http://www.stoehrlaw.com.       

Pennsylvania has set up a statewide elder abuse hotline, which can be accessed by calling this number: 1-800-490-8505.  The hotline is open 24 hours a day and can be used a tipline to report activity related to abuse, neglect, exploitation, identity theft, or abandonment of an elderly PA resident.  Pennsylvania also has local Area Agencies on Aging that can assist in these situations. 

To read more about the nursing home purchase, please click on the original article here.

Monday, March 17, 2014

Accidental Death In Pittsburgh-Area Nursing Home?



A recent article by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette is covering the death of an area nursing home patient.  According to the article, a 94-year-old woman who was residing in the Golden Living Center in Waynesburg died after her became stuck between her mattress and bed rail.  Although the death was ruled as accidental by the county’s coroner, the woman’s family believes that her death was preventable and may be due to neglect.  During the Pennsylvania Health Department’s last visit at the nursing home, the Golden Living Center had 16 violations, which were corrected by a follow-up visit the next month.

Do you want to know how to spot the signs of a bad nursing home?  Our blog ran an article highlighting some tips and signs to watch out for if you suspect that your loved one is receiving substandard care in a nursing home.  Check out our blog post here for nursing home warning signs!

Attorney Doug Stoehr is a personal injury lawyer who  takes nursing home abuse and neglect cases in the western and central Pennsylvania areas.  He takes cases in Blair and the seven surrounding counties, and his practice is based in Altoona, PA.  For more information on his firm, please call his office at 814-946-4100 or visit his website at http://www.stoehrlaw.com.

To read more from the original article by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, please click here

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Pennsylvania Has Elder Abuse Hotline


            You may not know that Pennsylvania has a significant amount of claims related to elder abuse and neglect. This is due mainly to our state’s large aging population, which is among the highest in the country.  The State of Pennsylvania has noticed this occurrence and has created a website and resource center for victims or family members related to those who have suffered elder abuse.
            Pennsylvania has set up a statewide elder abuse hotline, which can be accessed by calling this number: 1-800-490-8505.  The hotline is open 24 hours a day and can be used a tipline to report activity related to abuse, neglect, exploitation, identity theft, or abandonment of an elderly PA resident.  Pennsylvania also has local Area Agencies on Aging that can assist in these situations. 

Attorney Doug Stoehr is a personal injury lawyer who takes nursing home abuse and neglect cases in the western and central Pennsylvania areas.  He takes cases in Blair and the seven surrounding counties, and his practice is based in Altoona, PA.  For more information on his firm, please call his office at 814-946-4100 or visit his website at http://www.stoehrlaw.com.

To access Pennsylvania’s resource page for elder abuse, please click this link

NCEA Examines Elder Abuse Nation-Wide

Unknown to many, an organization known as the National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA), is a branch of the Administration on Aging.  The NCEA has compiled a wealth of information regarding elder abuse across the country and where our country seems to be headed on the topic in the future. Some of the most interesting results of their research can be found below.  I strongly urge you to check out their website at http://www.ncea.aoa.gov/Library/Data/index.aspx for more information and to read the entire compilation!

Here are some interesting pieces of data collected by the NCEA:


  • The 2010 US Census recorded both the greatest number and proportion of people 65+ years old in the entire census history.  This amounts to 40.3 million elderly residents.
  • By 2050, the population will most likely be 20% comprised of people aged 65 and older.
  • Data from the Adult Protective Services (APS) reports an increase in the number of reports of elder abuse in the past several years. They expect that this trend will continue.
  • Only about 1 in 14 cases of elder abuse come to the attention of authorities.  Some report this statistic to be as high as 1 in 24 cases. 
  • Financial exploitation is the highest self-reported form of elder abuse.  
  • The majority of those who engage in elder abuse are family members, at a percentage of about 90% of all reported elder abuse cases. 
  • The proportion of abuse of the elderly with disabilities is particularly high, as well as those with dementia and those who live in nursing homes or long-term assisted living facilities.



Attorney Doug Stoehr is a personal injury lawyer serving western and central Pennsylvania.  He takes cases for older Pennsylvanians who have been abused or neglected.  For more information on his Altoona, PA area practice, please call his office at 814-946-4100 or visit his website at http://www.stoehrlaw.com.  Attorney Stoehr takes cases in Blair and the seven surrounding counties.



Thursday, March 6, 2014

Chronic Pain Can Affect Office Performance

Do you suffer from chronic pain?  It might be hard to get your job done during the day, especially if you are sitting for a large amount of time.  Millions of Americans suffer from this problem, and a Seattle-area news website offered up some tips to help sufferers of chronic pain more effectively function during the work day.  Here are a few of their tips below:


  • Regularly stretch tense muscles during the day, especially those in your back and neck.
  • Try to take walks during the work day.  Even a brief stroll around the office can relieve pressure on your spine and increase blood flow.
  • Pick a chair that will support your body in an appropriate and comfortable way.



The majority of chronic pain begins in the joints and muscles, but then can move into the central nervous system. There is also research that has shown that persistent pain can re-map brain pathways, making pain worsen over time.  To manage this, it is best to consult with your physician as soon as you begin to feel chronic pain symptoms.  Catching the problem early may make treatment easier, less time consuming, and more effective.

Attorney Doug Stoehr takes cases for clients who are experiencing chronic pain due to an accident or injury due to the fault of another.  For more information on his Altoona, PA area practice, please visit his website at  http://www.stoehrlaw.com or call his office at 814-946-4100.

To read more of the original article, and for more of their tips on dealing with chronic pain at the office, please click here. 

Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Is Your Auto Insurance Appropriate For You?

In today's age, there are many choices when it comes to picking the appropriate automobile insurance to meet your needs.  Unfortunately, many drivers are underinsured and may suffer a large financial cost if they are ever in a car accident.  Although it is unpleasant to think about, car accidents are a fairly frequent occurrence, especially in the bad weather associated with the winter months.

In an effort to help area Pennsylvanians see if they have the right automobile insurance for them, Attorney Doug Stoehr has added a free auto insurance review section to his website.  You can find the link by clicking here, where you can fill out a form that Attorney Stoehr can review and consult with you about.  Attorney Stoehr is uniquely qualified to do this because he used to be an insurance agent before he became a personal injury lawyer.  Therefore, he can see the larger perspective of a potential insurance claim, especially when it involves a personal injury that you've suffered in a car accident!   Unfortunately, if you do not have the appropriate insurance coverage to meet your needs, your potential compensation from an accident could be limited as a result.   Attorney Stoehr works hard for his clients to get them their appropriate compensation for any injuries they've suffered as a result of an accident due to the fault of another. If you feel that you would like to take a second look at your automobile coverage, take a minute and fill out Attorney Stoehr's link by clicking here.

Attorney Doug Stoehr is an Altoona based personal injury lawyer who takes claims for many clients who have been injured in automobile accidents.  He also takes cases for victims of distracted driving accidents in Altoona, Blair County, and the seven surrounding counties in Pennsylvania. For more information on his central Pennsylvania practice, please call his office at 814-946-4100 or visit his website at http://www.stoehrlaw.com

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Avoiding Slip-And-Fall Accidents for Elderly Residents

In the winter months, the episodes of outdoor slip-and-fall injuries tend to increase.  This is especially true this year, given the heightened amount of snow, ice, and cold conditions that our area of Pennsylvania has seen.  This can be especially dangerous for Pennsylvania’s significant elderly population.  Older residents often have osteoporosis, which may lead them to break or fracture a bone when they fall, due to the weakened bone structure.

An Erie, PA area website has posted some tips for its elderly residents to help decrease the incidences of slip-and-fall accidents for older Pennsylvanians.  Some of the tips found on their website, GoErie.com, can be found here:

·      People with osteoporosis should be especially diligent about taking supplements, such as vitamin D and calcium, in order to increase bone strength and density.
·      Do some balance exercises daily.
·      Wear proper footwear when heading outside.  Wearing slippers or shoes with not enough tread may increase your likelihood of falling and seriously injuring yourself.
·      Consider buying over-shoe inserts that attach to the bottom of your shoes to give you more traction outside.
·      Keep your walkways completely clear of snow and ice. The use of rock salt and/or sand may help with that goal.

If you have slipped and fallen on the property of another, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills and potential pain and suffering.  This may include cases where sidewalks were improperly maintained due to the winter weather, such as failure to remove snow and ice.   Attorney Doug Stoehr takes cases for clients who have sustained slip-and-fall injuries due to the fault or negligence of another.  For more information on his Altoona, PA area practice, please visit his website at http://www.stoehrlaw.com or call his firm at 814-946-4100.

To read more about the GoErie.com article, please click here.



Monday, March 3, 2014

Slip-And-Fall Accidents Can Happen Anywhere

Are you familiar with premises liability and slip-and-fall cases?  In some situations, if you slip and fall while on a homeowner or business premises, you may be entitled for compensation for any resulting injuries.  This may happen in places where walkways are improperly maintained, areas are not well-lit, or there is not proper signage indicating danger or unusual walking conditions.

One such slip-and-fall case is recently in the news in Philadelphia, PA.  A city woman is suing the Wal-Mart Corporation for injuries sustained in one of their area stores.  The plaintiff claims that the Wal-Mart store had an accumulation of spilled and trampled foods, such as fruits and vegetables, on the store’s floor.  The plaintiff slipped and fell on the mess, and suffered injuries to her back, lower extremities, and hips.


If you have slipped and fell on the property of another, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills and potential pain and suffering.  This may include cases where sidewalks were improperly maintained due to the winter weather, such as failure to remove snow and ice.   Attorney Doug Stoehr takes cases for clients who have sustained slip-and-fall injuries due to the fault or negligence of another.  For more information on his Altoona, PA area practice, please visit his website at http://www.stoehrlaw.com or call his firm at 814-946-4100.

For more information on the Philadelphia area case, please click here.

Thursday, February 20, 2014

Financial Scams and the Elderly

Financial abuse and fraud against the elderly appears to be on the rise, especially in Pennsylvania as much of our population ages.  Altoona area attorney Douglas Stoehr has been keeping an eye for this issue and his law firm has compiled a useful group of blog posts that may help you spot the signs of elder financial abuse and how to potentially stop elder financial abuse from occurring in your home. There are also several real-life stories to browse that highlights elder financial abuse in the PA area.

Here are some of the useful resources our blog has highlighted:

Elder Scam: Money Stolen by Family Members
http://altoonainjurylawyer.blogspot.com/2012/09/elder-scam-money-stolen-by-family.html

Financial Fraud and the Elderly
http://altoonainjurylawyer.blogspot.com/2012/11/financial-fraud-and-elderly.html

Elder Financial Abuse in York, PA
http://altoonainjurylawyer.blogspot.com/2012/10/elder-financial-abuse-in-york-pa.html

Protecting Loved Ones from Financial Abuse
http://altoonainjurylawyer.blogspot.com/2012/09/protecting-loved-ones-from-financial.html

Ways to Lighten The Financial Load for Elderly Relatives
http://altoonainjurylawyer.blogspot.com/2013/04/ways-to-lighten-financial-load-for.html

Attorney Doug Stoehr also represents elder abuse victims and their loved ones in the central and western Pennsylvania area.  For more information on his personal injury practice, please click here or call his office at814-946-4100.