Jun 25, 2012 | Products, Uncategorized
Back in 2009 Medtronic, recalled specific lots of “Quick-set infusion sets” that are used with MiniMed Paradigm insulin pumps. “An infusion set is a thin plastic tube used to deliver insulin from an insulin pump to a diabetes patient, and is typically replaced by the patient every three days.” Reference numbers MMT-396, MMT-397, MMT-398 and MMT-399 for the infusion sets are affected, bu only those with lot numbers starting with the number “8.” The problem that led to recall was that approximately two percent of “Lot 8” Quick-set infusion sets (approximately 60,000 infusion sets out of 3 million infusion sets with customers) may not allow the insulin pump to vent air pressure properly. The result is that the device will deliver too much or too little insulin and which would in turn could lead to serious injury or death.
Product Recall Attorneys of Reeves, Aiken, & Hightower
If you or a loved one was injured due to the failure of the Paradigm insulin pump, or any other insulin pump, you may have a claim against the pump’s manufacturer. The experienced attorneys at Reeves, Aiken, & Hightower are ready to fight for you. Please browse our website, review our credentials, and call us at 877-374-5999 or contact us at this link to schedule a private consultation at no cost to you. We’re here to help.
Jun 25, 2012 | Brain Injury/Head Trauma, Uncategorized
Purdue University researchers have found support for the key element in the concussion case against the NFL brought by former players: “Repetitive blows to the head produce subconcussive injury and increase the risk of long-term brain damage and cognitive decline.”
This notion has been controversial and has been viewed with skepticism in past concussion suits, and to some extent in the media.
While it has been clear for some time that concussions can cause neurological changes that may greatly affect the medical and psychological futures of football players, the Purdue Neurotrauma Group has now discovered that the cognitive abilities of even football players who never suffered are damaged. Besides pure medicine, a goal of the researchers is to increase safety for football players and have helped in developing helmet technology that reduces the impact of each trauma.
-ScienceDaily (June 12, 2012)
Attorneys for Brain Injury: Reeves, Aiken & Hightower
If you think you or someone you know have suffered a brain injury, seek medical help immediately. Then seek the counsel of experienced brain injury attorneys like those at Reeves, Aiken, & Hightower. We know how to fight for you and your family in serious brain injury cases. Compare our credentials to any other law firm. Then call 877-374-5999 or contact us at this link for a private consultation. Don’t worry. We are here for you.
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Jun 21, 2012 | Uncategorized, Workers' Compensation
The Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has found that Norfolk Southern Railway violated the whistleblower protection provisions of the Federal Railroad Safety Act in firing injured workers.
One part of the investigation centered around the OSHA office in Columbia, SC and an accident occurring in Greenville, SC. Back in 2009, a worker in Greenville was hit by the company’s gang truck. The railroad fired the injured worker for improper performance of duties, while letting the other individuals involved in the incident continue work. OSHA found this to be disparate treatment, and thus, the wrongdoing on the part of Norfolk Southern.
For this incident, OSHA has ordered the railroad to pay punitive damages of $200,000 as well as compensatory damages of $110,852 and attorney’s fees of $14,325.
SC Workers Comp Lawyer
The SC workers comp attorneys at Reeves, Aiken, & Hightower know the South Carolina worker’s compensation system and are ready to get you the recovery you deserve. Peruse our website. Examine our credentials. Then call us at 877-374-5999 or contact us at this link for a private consultation.
Jun 21, 2012 | Boating Accidents, Uncategorized
According to WIS, the Lexington County Coroner determined that the first man to die on Lake Murray this year had a blood alcohol level over 4 times the legal limit, 0.33%. For reference, death from alcohol poisoning is possible at any BAC above 0.30%
The 49 year old man was piloting a personal watercraft when he crashed near Bomb Island on the evening of June 8. He had apparently hit an object in the water and was thrown off of his PWC.
Although he was wearing a life jacket, the autopsy revealed that he had drowned. As sad as this story is, we can be grateful that this individual did not strike another boat or hit a swimmer in the water. Please be safe this summer. Don’t risk your life and the lives of others. Have fun. But get back home to your family.
Experienced Attorneys in your time of need
Whether you need help with a boating accident claim or your BUI, the experienced attorneys at Reeves, Aiken & Hightower are ready to fight for you. Browse our website, and compare our credentials with those of attorneys at any other firm. Then, call us at 877-374-5999 or contact us at this link for a private consultation. Our practice spans the Carolinas, we can come to you.
Jun 21, 2012 | DUI & DWI, Uncategorized
For anyone who has been charged with driving under the influence, we know that charge alone is seriou. But, a felony DUI charge is even more so. Not only has the person charged allegedly caused serious harm or the death of another, but they also face much steeper penalties, including possible mandatory prison time.
What is Felony DUI?
A felony DUI charge in South Carolina requires that the person charged have:
- Operated a vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol or both, and
- Did something else against the law, whether traffic law or duties imposed by the court, for example, failed to maintain lane or acted negligently, and
- Proximately causes great bodily injury or death to a person other than himself, including passengers, pedestrians, and other motorists
The first element sounds like DUI, but unlike DUI, the statute does not mention that the drugs or alcohol must impair the ability of the driver to drive safely.
The second element allows individuals who are under the influence, but do nothing wrong, to escape a serious felony DUI charge. For example, a driver who was under the influence, who otherwise was following the law, and killed a driver who was turned left in front of him, probably would be able to escape a Felony DUI charge. Why? They breached no legal duty. The other driver was entirely at fault.
The third element contains two problems: Proximate causation and “great bodily injury.” What in the world do either of those phrases mean?
Proximate causation basically means legal causation, not factual causation, but causation that will be recognized by law for a certain purpose. Here, you can imagine that
- if one driver breached a legal duty like crossing the white line on a two lane road, and
- that action spooked a driver in the oncoming lane, and
- that driver hit a tree and died,
the driver crossing the white line could have actually caused the death, but even if that person was under the influence, we don’t want to charge them with felony DUI. However, if someone dies of complications within 3 years of a “great bodily injury” as defined below, the death may meet proximate causation.
Great bodily injury for the purpose of felony DUI is an injury that “creates a substantial risk of death or which causes serious, permanent disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of the function of any bodily member or organ.” SC Code § 56-5-2945.
Penalties
The penalties for conviction of a felony DUI depend on whether there was a great bodily injury or a death.
For causing great bodily injury:
- 30 days to 15 years mandatory imprisonment, in state or federal prison, not local jail,
- $5,000 to $10,100 mandatory fine,
- driver’s license is suspended for the term of imprisonment plus three years.
For causing death:
- 1 year to 25 years mandatory imprisonment, in state or federal prison, not local jail,
- $10,100 to $25,100 mandatory fine, and
- driver’s license is suspended for the term of imprisonment plus five years.
As you can see judges have very little latitude in felony DUI for mercy.
Another small caveat: the local prosecutor can choose to charge someone who can otherwise be charged with felony DUI with involuntary manslaughter or reckless homicide.
Serious Attorneys for a Serious Charge
If you have been charged with felony DUI, contact the attorneys at Reeves, Aiken & Hightower. Browse our website, and compare our credentials with those of attorneys at any other firm. Then, call us at 877-374-5999 or contact us at this link for a private consultation.
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Jun 21, 2012 | Brain Injury/Head Trauma, Uncategorized
It truly is amazing what people survive of these days.
Just a few days ago a Florida teenager’s head was impaled by a spear longer than 3 feet. The spear entered his skull 2 inches above his right eye and exited the back of his head. Amazingly, the spear apparently missed all major blood vessels in the teen’s brain.
The teen was awake during the entire accident, and was able to speak to the doctors before the surgery to remove the spear.
After the spear was removed, the boy could speak in short sentences and communicated that he was not in pain, but was worried about his limited ability to use his left side.
Brain injury attorneys: Reeves, Aiken & Hightower
If you think you or someone you know have suffered a brain injury, seek medical help immediately. Then seek the counsel of experienced brain injury attorneys like those at Reeves, Aiken, & Hightower. We know how to fight for you and your family in serious brain injury cases. Compare our credentials to any other law firm. Then call 877-374-5999 or contact us at this link for a private consultation. Don’t worry. We are here for you.
For the full story and quotes from the doctors see: CBS: Teen miraculously survives spear through his brain, speaks throughout ordeal.
