Car Accident Attorney│Clearwater, Florida

How to Minimize the Medical Errors of Hospitalization

Pam — Thu, 24 May 2012 21:25:45 +0000

If you have to be hospitalized, go in armed with these statistics: Medical error kills more than 100,000 patients each year (SafePatient Project.org, 2009). Hospital-acquired infections alone kill 99,000 each year (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).

If You Must Be Hospitalized:

Speak up; ask questions; make sure you understand the answers.
Bring with you a list of all medications you take, including over-the-counter meds, and list any allergies or history of drug reactions. Give copies to surgeon, pharmacist, and anesthesiologist.
Get the results of all tests and procedures; read them. Ask your doctor what they mean.
Discuss hospital choices with your doctor; choose the one best for your health needs.
Ask Your Surgeon these Questions Before Undergoing the Procedure:

Exactly what will you be doing?
How long will it take?
What will happen afterward?

How should I expect to feel during recovery?<
Have someone who loves you stay with you and ask questions on your behalf.

Tampa Bay medical malpractice lawyer Jim Dodson has been helping victims of a medical mistake and other injuries caused by a doctor or another medical provider’s negligence for more than 25 years. Jim is always here to help and will be happy to answer any questions you may have. Just give him a call at 727-446-0840.

Scarring and Disfigurement in a Car Accident in Florida

Pam — Mon, 21 May 2012 20:10:03 +0000

Causes of Scarring and Disfigurement

A serious car accident can cause scarring and disfigurement and needs to be included in any claim against the driver who caused the accident. There are a number of different ways that disfiguring injuries happen in a car accident in Florida. They may be caused by injuries from the face striking the windshield of the car and shattering the glass, or by any other large cuts or gashes caused by the accident.

A person who is thrown from a vehicle or who has been knocked off a motorcycle or bicycle, or who was hit by a car as a pedestrian often suffers disfiguring injuries, sometimes from road burn when sliding across pavement. If the accident caused a fire, some of the most seriously disfiguring injuries can be caused by burns.

What are Scars?

Scars are areas of fibrous tissue that replaces normal tissue at the site of an injury and is different from normal, uninjured tissue. Scars are less resistant to ultraviolet rays and may lack the hair follicles and sweat glands that are a part of normal skin tissue.

Types of Scars from Car Accident Injuries

Keloid scars are large, thick scars that extend beyond the edges of the original injury. Keloids may affect mobility.
Hypertrophic scars are red, raised scars at the injury site.
Contracture scars are caused by of burns. After a burn, the skin becomes tight and stiff. It may impair mobility in the affected area and may also affect nerves in the area of the burn.

What Kinds of Treatment are Available for Scarring?

Some scars respond to injections or plastic or reconstructive surgery, skin graft surgery, or scar tissue removal surgery. Keloids can sometimes be removed surgically or treated with liquid nitrogen (cryotherapy). Other severe scars cause permanent disfigurement. This can result in embarrassment and damage to one’s self-esteem. The emotional anguish caused by scarring and disfigurement often requires psychotherapy to help the victim deal with such a devastating loss.

If you have been injured in a car accident in Florida and have suffered from scarring and disfigurement as a result, an experienced car accident attorney in Florida can help you recover for your damages.

A lawyer with experience in handling these types of cases knows that scarring and disfigurement is a serious consequence of the accident, and one that may never go away. The long-term medical and psychological treatment and the emotional anguish that these injuries cause need to be compensated when making a claim against the person who caused the accident.

A good first step, before you even hire a lawyer to represent you, is to read a consumer guide written by Jim Dodson, a car accident attorney in Clearwater, Florida, entitled Five Mistakes That Can Wreck Your Florida Accident Case. Jim makes his book available to the public at no cost.

Many people who have been in a car accident in Florida have questions that they need to have answered right away. Jim is always here to help and will be happy to answer any questions you may have. Just give him a call at 727-446-0840.

A Patellar Fracture May Need Open Reduction Surgery or Removal of the Shattered Kneecap

Pam — Mon, 21 May 2012 19:18:28 +0000

Broken Kneecap

The kneecap covers and protects the knee joint and helps to absorb stress on the joint. It can be broken by any direct impact, and is an injury that sometimes occurs in a fall, a motor vehicle accident, or a pedestrian or bicycle accident. It often requires open reduction – internal fixation surgery, and in the most severe cases may require removal of the kneecap.

Losing the protection of your kneecap may mean permanently losing your ability to participate in some of your favorite activities.

If you’ve broken your kneecap in a motor vehicle accident, fall, or any accident that was caused by someone else, you may be able to receive money to compensate you for your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. To find out more, give Jim Dodson a call. Jim handles only personal injury cases and has more than 20 years’ experience helping people recover money when they’ve been injured.

Jim’s phone number is 727-466-0840. Or, you can send an email with your questions to jim@jimdodsonlaw.com. Your information is always safe with us. We respect your privacy and never share your info with anyone.

Florida Law on When a Driver Must Yield the Right of Way

Pam — Mon, 21 May 2012 15:09:06 +0000

Florida Statute 316.122

Vehicle turning left.—

The driver of a vehicle intending to turn to the left within an intersection or into an alley, private road, or driveway shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction, or vehicles lawfully passing on the left of the turning vehicle, which is within the intersection or so close thereto as to constitute an immediate hazard. A violation of this section is a noncriminal traffic infraction, punishable as a moving violation as provided in chapter 318.

Florida Statute 316.126

Operation of vehicles and actions of pedestrians on approach of authorized emergency vehicle.—

(1)(a)Upon the immediate approach of an authorized emergency vehicle, while en route to meet an existing emergency, the driver of every other vehicle shall, when such emergency vehicle is giving audible signals by siren, exhaust whistle, or other adequate device, or visible signals by the use of displayed blue or red lights, yield the right-of-way to the emergency vehicle and shall immediately proceed to a position parallel to, and as close as reasonable to the closest edge of the curb of the roadway, clear of any intersection and shall stop and remain in position until the authorized emergency vehicle has passed, unless otherwise directed by any law enforcement officer.
(b)When an authorized emergency vehicle making use of any visual signals is parked or a wrecker displaying amber rotating or flashing lights is performing a recovery or loading on the roadside, the driver of every other vehicle, as soon as it is safe:

Shall vacate the lane closest to the emergency vehicle or wrecker when driving on an interstate highway or other highway with two or more lanes traveling in the direction of the emergency vehicle or wrecker, except when otherwise directed by a law enforcement officer. If such movement cannot be safely accomplished, the driver shall reduce speed as provided in subparagraph 2.
Shall slow to a speed that is 20 miles per hour less than the posted speed limit when the posted speed limit is 25 miles per hour or greater; or travel at 5 miles per hour when the posted speed limit is 20 miles per hour or less, when driving on a two-lane road, except when otherwise directed by a law enforcement officer.

(c)The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles shall provide an educational awareness campaign informing the motoring public about the Move Over Act. The department shall provide information about the Move Over Act in all newly printed driver’s license educational materials after July 1, 2002.

This section does not relieve the driver of an authorized emergency vehicle from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons using the highway.

(2)Every pedestrian using the road right-of-way shall yield the right-of-way until the authorized emergency vehicle has passed, unless otherwise directed by any police officer.
(3)Any authorized emergency vehicle, when en route to meet an existing emergency, shall warn all other vehicular traffic along the emergency route by an audible signal, siren, exhaust whistle, or other adequate device or by a visible signal by the use of displayed blue or red lights. While en route to such emergency, the emergency vehicle shall otherwise proceed in a manner consistent with the laws regulating vehicular traffic upon the highways of this state.
(4)Nothing herein contained shall diminish or enlarge any rules of evidence or liability in any case involving the operation of an emergency vehicle.
(5)This section shall not operate to relieve the driver of an authorized emergency vehicle from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons using the highway.
(6)A violation of this section is a noncriminal traffic infraction, punishable pursuant to chapter 318 as either a moving violation for infractions of subsection (1) or subsection (3), or as a pedestrian violation for infractions of subsection (2).

Florida Statute 316.123

Vehicle entering stop or yield intersection.—

(1)The right-of-way at an intersection may be indicated by stop signs or yield signs as authorized in 316.006.
(2)(a)Except when directed to proceed by a police officer or traffic control signal, every driver of a vehicle approaching a stop intersection indicated by a stop sign shall stop at a clearly marked stop line, but if none, before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection or, if none, then at the point nearest the intersecting roadway where the driver has a view of approaching traffic on the intersecting roadway before entering the intersection. After having stopped, the driver shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle which has entered the intersection from another highway or which is approaching so closely on said highway as to constitute an immediate hazard during the time when the driver is moving across or within the intersection.
(b)At a four-way stop intersection, the driver of the first vehicle to stop at the intersection shall be the first to proceed. If two or more vehicles reach the four-way stop intersection at the same time, the driver of the vehicle on the left shall yield the right-of-way to the vehicle on the right.
(3)The driver of a vehicle approaching a yield sign shall, in obedience to such sign, slow down to a speed reasonable for the existing conditions and, if required for safety to stop, shall stop before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection, or, if none, then at the point nearest the intersecting roadway where the driver has a view of approaching traffic on the intersecting roadway. After slowing or stopping, the driver shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle in the intersection or approaching on another highway so closely as to constitute an immediate hazard during the time the driver is moving across or within the intersection. If such a driver is involved in a collision with a pedestrian in a crosswalk or a vehicle in the intersection, after driving past a yield sign without stopping, the collision shall be deemed prima facie evidence of the driver’s failure to yield the right-of-way.
(4)A violation of this section is a noncriminal traffic infraction, punishable as a moving violation as provided in chapter 318.

Florida Statute 316.125

Vehicle entering highway from private road or driveway or emerging from alley, driveway or building.—

(1)The driver of a vehicle about to enter or cross a highway from an alley, building, private road or driveway shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles approaching on the highway to be entered which are so close thereto as to constitute an immediate hazard.
(2)The driver of a vehicle emerging from an alley, building, private road or driveway within a business or residence district shall stop the vehicle immediately prior to driving onto a sidewalk or onto the sidewalk area extending across the alley, building entrance, road or driveway, or in the event there is no sidewalk area, shall stop at the point nearest the street to be entered where the driver has a view of approaching traffic thereon and shall yield to all vehicles and pedestrians which are so close thereto as to constitute an immediate hazard.
(3)A violation of this section is a noncriminal traffic infraction, punishable as a moving violation as provided in chapter 318.

Florida Statute 316.121

Vehicles approaching or entering intersections.—

(1)The driver of a vehicle approaching an intersection shall yield the right-of-way to a vehicle which has entered the intersection from a different highway.
(2)When two vehicles enter an intersection from different highways at the same time the driver of the vehicle on the left shall yield the right-of-way to the vehicle on the right.
(3)The driver of a vehicle about to enter or cross a state-maintained road or highway from a paved or unpaved road and not subject to control by an official traffic control device shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles approaching on the state-maintained road or highway.
(4)The driver of a vehicle about to enter or cross a paved county-maintained or city-maintained road or highway from an unpaved road or highway and not subject to control by an official traffic control device shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles approaching on said paved road or highway.
(5)The foregoing rules are modified at through highways and otherwise, as hereinafter stated.
(6)A violation of this section is a noncriminal traffic infraction, punishable as a moving violation as provided in chapter 318.

Bimalleolar and Trimalleolar Fractures of the Ankle Involve Multiple Bones

Pam — Fri, 18 May 2012 18:43:07 +0000

The ankle has three malleoli, bony protuberances that are part of the ankle joint. A broken ankle may involve any one of the three, or may involve two or all three of the bones.

Bimalleolar and trimalleolar fractures are usually displaced fractures, meaning the bone fragments have moved away from each other, and are usually unstable fractures. These fractures are treated surgically, unless there is a compelling health reason that makes surgery too risky for the patient.

Bimalleolar and trimalleolar ankle fractures typically involve a long recovery time. Although the bones may heal in six to twelve weeks, it usually takes about a year to regain full use of the ankle. Most people are out of work for weeks or months, since weight must be kept off the ankle.

A person who has suffered an ankle fracture in and accident that was someone else’s fault often has a valid claim to recover money as compensation for losses involved in the accident, such as medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Do you have questions about your injury or you accident? If so, Jim Dodson, a Florida personal injury attorney in the Tampa Bay area, will be pleased to answer them for you. Jim has been helping people recover compensation for their injuries for more than 20 years. You can call him at 727-446-0840 or drop him an email at jim@jimdodsonlaw.com.

Ankle Fractures of the Lateral Malleolus from a Florida Accident

Pam — Fri, 18 May 2012 17:44:24 +0000

If you’ve fractured your lateral malleolus, you’ve broken the “knuckle” that sticks out on the outside part of your ankle . . . and you will be off your feet for some time.

A broken ankle is not fun! It may require surgery, and will certainly keep you off your feet for weeks or months, unable to do many of the things you enjoy. If your broken ankle was caused by someone else’s careless behavior, you may be able to receive payment to compensate for your losses. To find out if you have a claim, an experienced personal injury attorney is your best resource.

If you have questions about how to pursue a monetary recovery for your losses, Jim Dodson, a personal injury lawyer in St. Petersburg, Florida, makes himself available to provide you with the answers you need. Give him a call today at 727-446-0840 or send him a private email at jim@jimdodsonlaw.com. Your privacy is fully protected; we never share your information with anyone.

Get Rid of the Pain in Your Butt: Treating Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction

Pam — Fri, 18 May 2012 16:49:02 +0000

If the SI joint is identified as the source of pain, it can be treated with SI fusion surgery. Traditional surgical fusion procedures involve using screws and bone grafts. Sometimes a PEMF (pulsed electromagnetic frequency) bone stimulator is implanted to improve the odds of a proper union.

A new minimally-invasive surgical procedure that does not require bone grafts has shown promise in improving union, reducing bleeding, and shortening hospitalization time. It involves implanting three triangular-shaped titanium implants through a 2-3 cm incision into the joint, using a cannulated delivery system to protect soft tissue. With the new procedure, patients can usually put their full weight on the affected leg eight weeks after the surgery.

Recovering Money for Your Losses

If you have suffered an SI joint injury or any other back injury from a car accident or fall that was caused by someone else’s negligence, you may have a claim to recovery compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses resulting from the accident. You should consult a Florida personal injury lawyer who has knowledge of these kinds of injuries in order to achieve the best possible outcome.

Jim Dodson, a personal injury lawyer in Clearwater, Florida, knows how painful and frustrating sacroiliac and other back injuries can be. He has helped people with back injuries get the compensation they need and deserve for more than twenty-five years.

If you have questions about your accident or your injury, give Jim a call at 727-446-0840 or send him a private email at jim@jimdodsonlaw.com. We always respect your privacy and never share your information with anyone.

Got a Pain in the Butt? Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction May Be the Cause

Pam — Fri, 18 May 2012 15:57:18 +0000

Have you suffered severe pain in your low back and buttocks? Have you been to several doctors, chiropractors, and therapists all to no avail?

It may be possible that your doctor has completely missed the real cause of your problem: the sacroiliac joint.

The sacroiliac joint may be the culprit in in as many as 30 percent of the cases of low back pain. In spite of the fact that problems with the sacroiliac joint are common, sacroiliac joint dysfunction is a diagnosis that is often missed. In fact, many patients eventually found to have SIJ dysfunction have seen a string of doctors and therapists without ever being properly diagnosed.

The sacroiliac joint connects the sacrum at the bottom of the spine with the pelvis. Its function is to transfer the upper body weight to the pelvis and legs.

Causes of Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction

The two most common causes of sacroiliac joint injury are falls and car accidents, especially rear-end collisions. When a patient reports a history of either of these accident types, the doctor should consider the possibility of an injury to the SI joint.

Symptoms of SIJ Dysfunction

SIJ pain always includes the buttocks, and may also cause pain in the low back, groin, thigh, and foot, as well as sciatica. Pain usually worsens when walking, sitting, turning over in bed, climbing stairs, and when under emotional stress. The patient will often sit with weight on the opposite buttock, may have difficulty standing on one leg on the affected side, and may shift weight when standing on two legs to avoid the side with the problem.

Diagnosis of Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction

Because X-rays, CT scans and MRIs don’t show SI joint dysfunction, the diagnosis is usually made using an arthrogram and block. Imaging will, however, rule out other problems that could be causing the pain. The definitive test is the sacroiliac iliac intraarticular injection in which a contrast dye is injected into the joint. The dye spreads through the joint space, producing an arthrogram, and a local anesthetic and steroid are injected.

A CT scan is then done to track the dye. Then the patient is asked to stand up and perform a series of movements that typically cause pain. If the pain disappears, this is an indication that the problem is coming from the SI joint. In some patients only buttock pain disappears, which would indicate that there may be another source in addition to the SI joint.

The injection may give the patient several days or even several weeks of relief, but the relief is only temporary. Click here to learn about how sacroiliac joint dysfunction is treated.

Brain Injuries Cause Long Term Consequences for Accident Victims and NFL Players

Pam — Tue, 15 May 2012 19:59:38 +0000

In personal injury law, we often see people with traumatic brain injuries from car accidents or falls. Recently, attention has turned to another cause of brain injuries: sports. Studying football players has taught researchers much about brain injuries; more than 60% have suffered at least one concussion.

A concussion usually happens when the head accelerates rapidly and stops suddenly when it hits an obstacle, or when it is spun rapidly, sometimes causing loss of consciousness. The violent shaking depolarizes the brain cells, causing them to fire all their neurotransmitters, harming receptors needed for learning and memory. This may cause blurred vision, confusion, headache, dizziness, and memory loss. Long term, there is an increased incidence of depression and Alzheimer’s disease.

A study of children with brain injuries from accidents found that they were more likely to have both symptoms like headache, fatigue, and balance disturbances, and also cognitive difficulties, such as forgetfulness and attention problems. Approximately 10 percent to 15 percent of the children who lost consciousness demonstrated cognitive problems months after their injury.

Whether the concussion results from a sports injury, car accident, or fall, this type of brain injury has lingering effects. Once someone suffers a concussion, it takes less force to cause a subsequent one.

Former Tampa Bay Bucs player Mike Alstott is concerned. According to an article in the Tampa Bay Times, Alstott finds himself needing to write things down more often. “I don’t know if it’s age, or if it’s normal, or if it’s football,” Alstott said. He is only 38.

For more information about recovering money from a brain injury, contact Bradenton, Florida attorney Jim Dodson, who has helped the injured for more than 25 years. Call 727-446-0840 or send him an email at jim@jimdodsonlaw.com.

Torn Meniscus Injuries

Pam — Wed, 09 May 2012 14:55:36 +0000

A torn meniscus is a common but painful knee injury that can occur in a car accident, pedestrian accident, bicycle accident or fall.

If you have been in an accident and your doctor has told you that you have a torn meniscus, you may have some questions about what kinds of treatment options are available and how long it will be before you are back to normal.

If you still have specific questions about your knee injury or your accident, or if you want to know if you have a claim against the person who caused your accident, give Clearwater, Florida, personal injury attorney Jim Dodson a call. He has more than twenty years’ experience in helping people recover money when they’ve been injured in Florida accidents.

Jim’s phone number is 727-446-0840. If you’d prefer to contact Jim by email, his address is jim@jimdodsonlaw.com. Don’t worry about your privacy. We never share your information with anyone.