Beaumont Personal Injury Lawyer - Wrongful Death

Hospital Announces New Patient MRSA Testing

Courtney Mills — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 14:50:29 GMT

Loyola University Medical Center made the announcement this week that the hospital will begin evaluating all new patients for staph infections. Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus infections (MRSAs) are the type of bacterial infections that do not respond to treatment with antibiotics.

The new policy comes in the wake of a $25 million dollar wrongful death suit filed this week by the surviving parent of a Brooklyn boy, who died of MRSA-related complications in Kings County Hospital.

Loyola Medical Center initiated the universal testing policy in part because of the alarming number of cases of staph infections showing up around the country. The test is a simple matter of a nasal swab to determine if the bacteria are present. Because transmission of the bacteria usually takes place from patient to patient via nurse or doctor, it is especially important to encourage a thorough hand-washing policy among hospital staff members.

Although many staph infections are minor surface abrasions, the infections can become quite serious if the bacteria enter the bloodstream and are allowed to permeate organs. These infections are usually the cases that are most severe and can result in death if not treated in time

For more information on this subject, please refer to the section on Drugs, Medical Devices, and Implants.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Courtney Mills

Wife Files Wrongful Death Suit Against Chrysler for Husband's Death

Chrissie Cole — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 01:45:43 GMT

A widow has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Chrysler Corporation claiming the company failed to provide adequate protection, ultimately leading to her husband's death.

Robert Leaks was driving his Dodge pickup truck when he lost control and slammed into a tree, killing him. The family claims the dangerous 2006 Dodge Laramie pickup "was not reasonably fit for unintended, but clearly foreseeable, accidents."

The widow, individually and as estate representative, has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Chrysler Corporation, in the Marshall Division, of the Eastern District of Texas.

Leaks claims her husband's death is due to the vehicle's failure to maintain survival space and not providing adequate restraint with "side airbags, side head curtains or any side impact SRS." Moreover, the lawsuit asserts Chrysler is liable through its failure to use "technology to minimize loss of structural integrity" and failure to conduct side impact and pole impact side testing.

On behalf of the deceased, the lawsuit seeks damages for medical, funeral, and burial expenses, physical pain, torment, mental anguish, emotional pain, and distress. The Leaks' estate is seeking damages for mental anguish, loss of care, maintenance, support, services, advice, counsel, companionship, society, and consortium and contributions of a pecuniary value.

While Chrysler does admit its vehicles may be involved in accidents, they deny further allegations made by the family. Chrysler states that at the time of the trucks manufacture it was in full compliance with all applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chrissie Cole

Family of Mentally Ill Inmate Files Wrongful Death Lawsuit

Chrissie Cole — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 23:40:19 GMT

The family of a mentally ill inmate that died while in Dallas County Jail in 2005 has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the county, Sheriff, five jail guards and a nurse, claiming neglect was a contributing factor to her death.

The lawsuit was filed by the inmate's children. The lawsuit states, the woman, 60, died in jail in November 2005 of pneumonia after the nurse and five guards refused to take her to the infirmary. The woman, who suffered from paranoid schizophrenia, spent more than a year in jail waiting for her trial prior to her death.

According to the lawsuit, the woman had not received any medical treatment during her time there. The guards found her lying on the floor in her own waste after she collapsed in her cell but they didn't take her to be examined.

The lawyer representing the family says this is not an isolated incident. The suit also seeks an injunction barring other inmates from being mistreated.

Additionally, the lawsuit alleges the county violated her rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chrissie Cole

Widow Files $3.5 Million Wrongful Death Suit Against Crane Company

Chrissie Cole — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 02:33:04 GMT

The wife of an iron worker crushed by a crane load is seeking $3.5 million from the crane company she claims is responsible for her husband's wrongful death.

He was hired by Deep South Crane & Rigging Co. in Texas, to work on a temporary jobsite in Kansas. While readying equipment for a job, he was crushed and killed by a load off the crane.

On July 5, his wife filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Deep South Crane, in Jefferson County District Court.

The original petition filed on February 2, 2007, states an employee operating a Link-Belt, 60-ton hydraulic boom crane at the job site "was not properly trained on the crane's computerized system." The petition states the crane kicked out while a load, thought to be counter weights was suspended.

"Mr. Price was severely injured and was rushed to the hospital," the petition states. "He lingered for days attempting to hang on for his life but the injuries consumed him and he died from crushing injuries including fractured ribs, pelvis, deflated lungs, torn renal artery and damage to internal organs."

"Upon the trial of this cause, it will be shown that as a result of the act and omissions of defendant, Mr. Price suffered excruciating pain for several days. Defendant's conduct was such that it must be punished because it lead to the death of Mr. Price," the suit says. "Although the life of a husband and good man cannot be adequately determined, plaintiff seeks the sum of not less than $3.5 million."

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chrissie Cole

Comcast Sued in Wrongful Death Suit

Christina Cole — Thu, 08 Mar 2007 16:24:53 GMT

In December, a 23-year-old woman was beaten to death in her home, due to the cable company allowing a repairman to continue working although he had been suspected in a pervious slaying, a wrongful death lawsuit filed in Cook County Circut Court, alleges.

The wrongful death complaint says Comcast Corporation didn't take action when they were informed that Anthony Triplett was suspected in the death of a customer back in October.

Employed as Comcast subcontractor, Triplett is accused of raping and killing a woman during a service call to her home on December 8th. He is also charged with the death of another woman who was found dead in her home October 23, just two days after Triplett had a service call there.

It should not have happened. Comcast should have been more careful about its workers.

Triplett has pleaded not guilty to charges of murder, sexual assault, robbery and burglary and is being held without bond.

The lawsuit alleges detectives investigating the death questioned Triplett and took fingerprints and a DNA sample Oct. 27, and then notified Comcast that Triplett was a suspect.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Christina Cole