July 3, 2011

Fatal Motorcycle Accident Reported in Osceola County Florida

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Florida is a popular state for motorcyclists given the year-round sunshine and warm temperatures. Unfortunately, Florida also ranks as one of the deadliest states in regards to fatal motorcycle crashes each year.

In rural eastern Osceola County a motorcyclist died after riding into a trailer pulled by an RV. The 59-year-old deceased man was from DeLand, but his identity was not released because the next-of-kin had not been notified. According to the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), the accident occurred on U.S. Highway 192, east of Hibiscus Road. The motorcycle fell over after it struck the rear of the trailer, and the driver was thrown onto the road, said the FHP. The reports said the motorcyclist was wearing a helmet. The RV occupants were not injured.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration statistics, 413 people died in motorcycle accidents in Florida in 2009. In addition, there were a total of 8,313 motorcycle accidents in Florida in 2009, with 7,435 resulting in injury, according to figures from the Center for Urban Transportation Research (CUTR). While any motorcyclist faces the risk of an accident, the CUTR statistics show that certain populations face more of a risk than others. Listed below are the top five risk groups according to the CUTR findings for 2009.

• Males ages 45-54: 1,465 victims out of 6,803
• Males ages 25-34: 1,338 victims out of 6,803
• Males ages 35-44: 1,242 victims out of 6,803
• Males ages 55-64: 900 victims out of 6,803
• Males ages 21-24: 771 victims out of 6,803

Regardless of what the numbers say, any rider can sustain serious injuries from a Florida motorcycle accident such as traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury or even death. For more information, see motorcyclist strikes rear of trailer, dies on U.S. 192

Posted by David A. Wolf | | Email This Post

Posted In: Automobile Accidents , Brain Injury , Motorcycle Accidents , Spinal Cord Injuries , Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

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July 21, 2010

Nursing Home Abuse Closes Jacksonville, Florida Glenwood Nursing Center

804340_wheelchair.jpgclosing of a Jacksonville Nursing Home, Glenwood Nursing Center. In accordance with Florida Statute 440.022(O) residents living in a nursing home have a right to be protected from personal injuries resulting from mental or physical abuse. Due to an investigation by the Department of Children and Families, it came to light that such protections were not in place at Jacksonville’s Glenwood Nursing Center and on July 15, 2010, residents and their families discovered the State of Florida will be revoking the facility’s license due to such violations.
The abuse reported by Department of Children and families was not the stereotypical abuse we hear of regarding bed sores and lack of treatment, but was due to patients being injured due to the actions of other patients and injuries resulting from falls. A facility’s duty to protect goes beyond providing care directly to the patients, but also protecting patients from others that have violent tendencies. Over the years there have been reports of patients using their wheelchairs to injure others and the facility has failed to properly supervise and separate the offenders from the other patients. Patient on patient fighting should not be tolerated and the facility’s failure to stop such abuses shows negligence in training its employees to property supervise and protect its residents.

Other signs of abuse were those due to lack of supervision of patients leading to injuries from patients falling. While an occasional fall will occur, the number of falls in the last 5 years at Glenwood Nursing Center caused alarm in the investigation. One patient reported having multiple falls and related injuries since entering the facility. These types of reports have also led the state’s decision in the license revocation of Glenwood Nursing Center.

Continue reading "Nursing Home Abuse Closes Jacksonville, Florida Glenwood Nursing Center" »

Posted by David A. Wolf | | Email This Post

Posted In: Brain Injury , Medical Care & Health Issues , Nursing Home Neglect and Abuse , Slip & Fall Injuries

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July 6, 2010

Brain Injury Caused by Boyfriend’s Abuse Makes Florida Girl Appreciate Life

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Amanda Linn was a 20-year-old nursing student at Kent State University when her life was changed forever by a drunken boyfriend’s abusive rage.

Linn was attending a party with her boyfriend at his fraternity house when he turned on her in a drunken rage, violently shaking her and slamming her head against a bed post. She managed to escape and thought she had not suffered any major injuries until three weeks later, when she developed headaches and tingling in her legs.

Diagnosed at Cleveland Clinic with a brain injury caused by a leaking blood vessel, Linn eventually had to undergo a seven-hour surgery to repair the vessel. Her family then moved to their vacation home in Punta Gorda to allow her to recover fully.

Unfortunately, she recently suffered a stroke and is having to learn to walk again. And amazingly, she is not bitter about her experience with a major brain injury; she says the incident has brought her closer to her family and made her appreciate life more than ever. She hopes to return to school to finish her nursing degree.

Brain injuries are insidious because of the damage that can be done without the victim even knowing it until it is almost too late. Lifelong disabilities can and do occur frequently with brain injuries, and victims should always consult with a personal injury attorney to be sure that both current and future medical expenses are covered.

For more on Amanda Linn’s story, read Young victim of abuse knows life is short — and precious.

Posted by David A. Wolf | | Email This Post

Posted In: Brain Injury

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