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.