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Texting Law Goes Into Effect In Colorado

Chrissie Cole — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 13:33:00 GMT

New laws involving cell phone use while driving go into effect in Colorado tomorrow banning texting for all drivers and cell phone use for drivers under 18.

The new law will make it a primary traffic offense, which gives law enforcement the authority to cite any driver seen texting while driving. And it’s illegal for 16 and 17-year-olds to use a cell phone – even with a speakerphone or headset - while behind the wheel.

For an initial offense, drivers can be fined $50. Repeat offenders will be fined $100.

Unlike some new laws that allow for a grace period to help educate drivers about the new law before citations are issued – officers with Fort Collins police and the Colorado State Patrol will be handing out citations immediately upon the law taking effect, according to spokespersons from each agency.

The legislation was introduced after 9-year-old Erica Forney was hit and fatally injured Nov. 25, 2008, by a woman who police said had just finished talking on a cell phone.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chrissie Cole

Top 10 Deadliest Drugs

Linda Snyder — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 16:31:29 GMT

In 1988, the AIDS activist group ACT UP staged a protest that led to a dramatic change in the US Food and Drug Adminstration (FDA) drug approval process. Previously, the drug approval process was slow, bureaucratic and unresponsive to patients who were desperately ill and might not live to see a drug approved. By 1995, the process became streamlined and dying patients with no other options were given early access to promising medications. Drugs that were granted “priority review” status saw the approval times drop from just under three years to as little as six months.

This makes perfects sense for terminal patients and for catastrophic diseases such as AIDS and cancer, however this streamlining process has allowed drugs to be approved before proper testing has been completed. Vioxx, which may have caused up to 100,000 heart attack and stroke related deaths, is a direct result of prioritizing speed over safety. And, studies have shown that drug makers are spending almost twice as much on marketing a drug than they are on research and development.

A dangerous by-product of this streamlined approval process is weaker standards. The arguments made for fatal diseases such as AIDS and cancer were then extrapolated to other less serious conditions. In 1999, Vioxx was approved under these diluted standards and only after millions of people have taken it was research made public showing that high doses of Vioxx increased the risk of heart attack by a factor of 5 compared to a similar painkiller, naproxen (Aleve).

So, what can you do to protect yourself? Be an informed consumer and research any drugs you are taking for any potential safety risks. Some drugs, like Darvon and Darvocet have been found to be no more effective than aspirin, and they may cause heart damage.

1. Oxycodone Prescription opiod painkiller 5548 deaths 1998 - 2005

2. Fentanyl Prescription opiod painkiller 3545 deaths 1998 - 2005

3. Clozapine Anitpsychotic 3277 deaths 1998 - 2005

4. Morphine Prescription opiod painkiller 1616 deaths 1998 - 2005

5. Acetaminophen Over-the-counter painkiller 1393 deaths 1998 - 2005

6. Methadone Prescription opiod painkiller 1258 deaths 1998 - 2005

7. Infliximab Immune-system modulating drug 1228 deaths 1998 - 2005

8. Interferon beta Immune-system modulating drug 1178 deaths 1998 - 2005

9. Risperidone Antipsychotic 1093 deaths 1998 - 2005

10. Etanercept Immune-system modulating drug 1034 deaths 1998 - 2005

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Linda Snyder

Deer-related Car Accident in Nebraska Kills Two Children

Staff Writer — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 10:35:32 GMT

On Sunday night, January 27th, 14-year-old Michael Betts and 4-year-old Cora Betts were killed after the driver of their minivan, 37-year-old Michael Betts Jr., lost control of the car after trying to avoid hitting several deer that ran across the road.

The accident happened on Interstate 80 in Odessa, Nebraska. The driver tried to avoid hitting the deer, however ended up hitting one and the minivan was hit from behind by a truck pulling a car trailer. As a result, the minivan rolled and ended in a ditch.

The two children were killed and four other family members in the minivan were taken to a local hospital in Kearney, Nebraska. The driver of the truck was uninjured.

According to the State Patrol, everyone appeared to be wearing seatbelts.

Only 2% of deer-car collisions result in human fatalities while around 85% of deer-motorcycle collisions involve human fatalities. According to wildlife statistics, almost half of all wildlife-related car accidents are a result of the driver swerving to avoid an animal crossing the road.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Staff Writer

Parents of Teen Killed by Drunk Driver, want to Change Drunk Driving Laws

Christina Cole — Tue, 27 Mar 2007 09:25:33 GMT

Friends and family gathered to remember two students killed by a suspected drunk driver. Jacob and his girlfriend, Jennifer, were killed last Thursday after another vehicle crashed into the back of their Saturn on the Interstate.

Jacob's parents announced at the service that they are now activists against drunk driving. They are planning to change the laws in Colorado about drunk driving.

Although Jen and Jack can't be brought back, the parents intend to fight for a stronger legislation. " They hope to change the DUI process and address high speed chases in Colorado.

Patrick Strawmatt, a former Lafayette police officer, is accused of killing the two teens. Police say he was driving drunk and speeding from police, going at 120 mph, when the crash occurred. Strawmatt was out of jail on a $15,000 bond at the time of the accident.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Christina Cole

Fire Damage Uncovers Asbestos

Linda Snyder — Wed, 14 May 2008 19:14:19 GMT

State health officials confirmed today, that the early Monday morning fire, which damaged 4 units in the Holly apartments in Boulder, has exposed asbestos in the building materials. Until further testing to check the air quality is completed, the residents who are mostly University of Colorado students will have to wait to retrieve their belongings.

Asbestos is a mineral fiber that has been used commonly in a variety of building construction materials for insulation and as a fire-retardant. EPA and CPSC have banned several asbestos products. Manufacturers have also voluntarily limited uses of asbestos. Today, asbestos is most commonly found in older homes, in pipe and furnace insulation materials, asbestos shingles, millboard, textured paints and other coating materials, and floor tiles.

Elevated concentrations of airborne asbestos can occur after asbestos-containing materials are disturbed by cutting, sanding or other remodeling activities. Improper attempts to remove these materials can release asbestos fibers into the air in homes, increasing asbestos levels and endangering people living in those homes.

Asbestos is impure magnesium silicate minerals in a fibrous form and has been linked to lung cancer and specifically mesothelioma, a rare, deadly cancer that attacks the linings of the lungs, abdomen and heart and is almost exclusively caused by exposure to asbestos.

Due to the long incubation period, symptoms which include shortness of breath, chest pain and severe cough, may not surface for 20 years or more. Thus, mesothelioma is often not diagnosed until the disease has progressed to an advanced state making treatment difficult and the chance of survival compromised.

The fire which is thought to have started in a juniper bush outside the building is under investigation.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Linda Snyder

Diving Equipment Recalled by Halcyon

Chrissie Cole — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 11:15:00 GMT

Halcyon Manufacturing, in cooperation with the CPSC, recently announced a voluntary of Halcyon Diving Equipment because the over pressure valves can fail, allowing the buoyancy compensator devices and the diver lift inflatable devices to leak, posing a drowning hazard.

To this date, there have been no reports of injury.

The recalled items involve the following Halcyon diving equipment: Halcyon Explorer, Eclipse, CCR35, Evolve and Pioneer Buoyancy Compensator Devices (BCDs) and Halcyon Surface Marker Buoys (SMBs), Lift Bags, Diver Alert Markers (DAMs) Surf Shuttle and Diver Lift Raft Inflatable Devices.

Consumers should return the recalled diving equipment to any authorized Halcyon distributor or dealer for a free inspection, and replacement if needed. In the meantime, the recalled diving equipment should not be used.

For more information, call Halcyon at (800) 425-2966 or visit www.halcyon.net/opv-recall.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chrissie Cole

Medical Malpractice Crisis Myths(2)

Darin Schanker — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 04:00:00 GMT

The Center for American Progress has a series of short articles on medical malpractice, and it is worth giving a read. As the election shifts into overdrive, you can expect to hear a lot about this issue, since health care is sure to be central this cycle and the canard about a medical malpractice crisis is one that gets trotted out every year.

Proponents of damage caps on personal injury like to use the myth of a medical malpractice crisis as a hammer, talking about how frivolous lawsuits and “jackpot juries” are bloating healthcare costs nationwide. However, they tend to ignore a few crucial facts: first, that medical malpractice costs hover around 2% of all healthcare costs, and second, that the systems is quite skilled at sorting out truly frivolous claims.

But even that is missing the point.

The civil justice system generally, and medical malpractice specifically, is not about shifting money from one party to another; and one of the main things it is about is ensuring continuing care for those with medical needs. There is, all to frequently, no safety net for those who are injured. And if you were injured because of another, then nothing is more basic, more primal, more just then to ensure that the person who injured you does their level best to make you whole again. It is not for nothing that a former doctor and new lawyer framed the issue this way:

“When errors do occur, early and honest disclosure and offer of fair compensation should be the norm.”

It is not about the money, it is about responsibility. Keeping that in mind is the secret to parsing talk about the medical malpractice “crisis.” If the statement is not about how to care for injured people, if it instead talks about exploding costs, then you can bet it is a smoke screen. The first goal of everyone should be expanding protection to the injured, not to the bottom line.

Nathan T. Swanson

Summer Intern 2008

JD Candidate, 2009

University of Denver

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Darin Schanker

4 Killed in Chemical Plant Explosion

Staff Writer — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 09:49:47 GMT

On Wednesday, December 19th, four workers were killed during a massive explosion at a chemical plant in Jacksonville, Florida. 14 others were injured as well.

T2 Laboratories Inc. Plant makes chemical solvents and fuel additives. It is still unclear on what actually caused the explosion.

The chemicals at the plant made the environment "incredibly dangerous for the first responders," stated Tom Francis, a fire rescue spokesperson.

The U.S. Chemical Safety Board has planned on beginning an investigation Thursday morning. Everyone else at the plant was accounted for by Wednesday evening.

For more information on this subject, please refer to the section on Workers' Compensation Overview.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Staff Writer

Diactyl linked to lung ailment removed from microwave popcorn

Staff Writer — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 09:54:57 GMT

On Monday, December 17th, the nation's four largest makers of microwave popcorn stated that they have removed a flavoring chemical that has been linked to a lung ailment in popcorn plant workers from their products.

The Weaver Popcorn Company, ConAgra Foods Inc., General Mills Inc., and the American Pop Corn Co. have all promised to change their microwave popocorn recipes by January 2008. These companies sell Orville Redenbacher, Act II, Pop Secret and Jolly Time microwave popcorn.

The chemical diacetyl has been linked to cases of bronchiolitis obliterans, a rare life-threatening disease most often called popcorn lung.

The FDA has approved the use of diacetyl as a flavor ingredient and can be found naturally in butter, cheese and fruits.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has increased their inspections of microwave popcorn plants that use diacetyl. The U.S. House of Representatives approved a bill in the fall that would limit worker exposure to the chemical at microwave popcorn plants.

There have been more than 500 lawsuits against the companies that produce or use the butter flavoring with the chemical. $50 million has been awarded in verdicts and another 100 cases have been settled for around tens of millions of dollars.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Staff Writer

Truck Carrying Hazardous Materials Crashes

Christina Cole — Sun, 22 Apr 2007 23:29:20 GMT

A trucking accident, on Wednesday, forced parts of I-76 between Bush and Fort Morgan, to close and evacuate.

Colorado State Police say, a semi-truck, possibly carrying explosive or hazardous materials tumbled all over mile marker 100. Authorities say it was unclear if the truck was leaking any material on to the roadway.

Authorities evacuated the area within half a mile of the accident scene as a precautionary measure for safety. A hazardous materials team was also called to the accident scene.

Emergency crews extricated the truck driver from the wreckage and he was transported by helicopter to the hospital with serious injuries.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Christina Cole