Posted on November 07, 2022 in Personal Injury

If you recently sustained an injury, your main focus is healing and recovering so you can get back to living your life. It is crucial to receive proper medical care and supervision during the recovery process.

The treatment you receive can impact your current and future quality of life, so do not take these decisions lightly. If you are unsure about your current care, here are some circumstances that may warrant obtaining a second opinion.

When should I get a second opinion?

Your health is one of the most vital issues in life, so having a trustworthy doctor is paramount. However, even the most genuine and likable doctor may have limitations in their ability to identify and treat your injury or illness. If any of the following scenarios sound familiar, you may want to obtain a second opinion.

• You are not comfortable with your care team
• The diagnosis is unclear or treatment does not help

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 Posted on November 04, 2022 in Personal Injury

The number of pedestrian accidents in Connecticut has been growing. As noted by News12 New York, a vehicle accident in Stamford sent a husband and wife crossing the street to the hospital in September with the wife’s condition listed as critical. The couple had the right of way and a "Walk" signal. Students from the University of Connecticut-Stamford said they were not surprised; they also came close to getting hit by vehicles at the intersection. Two other accidents involving pedestrians occurred at the same location earlier in the year.

Stamford alone had more than 50 accidents involving pedestrians by mid-September; two were fatal. As reported by CTinsider.com, the number of pedestrian fatalities has doubled. Both 2021 and 2016 saw highs of 65 pedestrian deaths; the other years since 2016 each saw more than 50 statewide fatalities.

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 Posted on October 17, 2022 in Personal Injury

When thinking about the possibility of a time when you cannot make medical decisions for yourself, you may start to panic.

Choosing someone to be your health care proxy means giving them the power to make important medical decisions for you in a crisis, including being able to look at your private information. Knowing some meaningful traits and qualifications may help you pick someone who is right for the job.

Think about stress and pressure

According to the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, it is never too early to begin seriously thinking about this choice. When picking someone, you should consider how calm and prepared they are in emergency situations.

If they are prone to panicking or dislike making quick decisions, it could help you to pick someone else for this role.

Think about your wishes

Whether or not this person understands and respects your medical wishes is important. If someone would make decisions you would disapprove of in your place, that choice may not be the right one for you.

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 Posted on October 14, 2022 in Personal Injury

Personal injuries, like those individuals suffer during falls or in motor vehicle accidents, are disturbingly common in the U.S. In fact, according to the National Safety Council, there were more than 55 million of them in 2020 alone. Sadly, these injuries also contributed to roughly 201,000 preventable deaths that year.

If you sustain an injury, you expect your doctor to listen to your concerns, consider your symptoms and make a correct diagnosis. Unfortunately, though, doctors miss diagnoses all too frequently. If you do not trust your doctor’s diagnosis or treatment plan, you may wonder how you can get a second opinion.

Do not feel awkward

You should not worry about offending your doctor by requesting a second opinion, as second opinions happen all the time in medicine. To begin your request, tell your doctor your concerns. Then, update him or her with the information you uncover.

Request a recommendation

Your go-to doctor may be able to recommend a physician you can see for a second opinion. If the doctor your physician recommends has relevant experience, it probably does not hurt to schedule an appointment with him or her. Otherwise, you can ask relatives, friends or colleagues for their recommendations.

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 Posted on October 06, 2022 in Car Accidents

A car crash can be a harrowing experience, and you may find that your adrenaline surges in the aftermath. However, if you suffer an injury in the wreck and fail to take certain steps following the incident, your lack of action could hurt the strength of your personal injury claim.

Per AARP, many people feel too shaken up following an accident to think and act rationally. Thus, it benefits you to educate yourself about what to do in this scenario ahead of time. When you find yourself involved in a Connecticut car wreck, make sure to take these three steps.

1. Get the authorities on the scene

Failing to call the authorities to a crash scene may lead to numerous complications if you want to pursue a claim later. To avoid this, call the authorities, even after a minor fender-bender. Then, note the law enforcement officer’s name and badge number and be sure, too, to secure a copy of the incident report.

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 Posted on September 20, 2022 in Personal Injury

Having a health care proxy is something that most people do not want to think about. Along with estate planning and writing a will, it is one of those things that reminds people that life is not always pleasant or predictable.

However, a health care proxy is someone who could potentially end up saving a person’s life. They hold a huge responsibility, so it is important to know as much about their role as possible.

What are health care proxies?

Tufts Medical Center discusses why all adults should have a health care proxy. First, what is a health care proxy? In short, these are people who will act instead of someone who can no longer make reasonable decisions on their own. Incapacitated individuals could include those who are comatose due to a car crash, or a person who is confused due to age-related dementia or even a brain tumor.

Health care proxies can be used even if a person is not incapacitated. For example, if a person is undergoing long-term treatment for cancer, having a health care proxy allows that person to speak to all medical professionals on behalf of the individual they represent.

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 Posted on August 31, 2022 in Personal Injury

Ridesharing, an arrangement that matches potential travelers with transportation opportunities, is the newest business model to hit it big. The latest incarnation in urban areas is shared vehicles, like bicycles and scooters, that you can rent with an app and use at will.

While a rideshare scooter can be impulsive and fun, it does come with its share of dangers. Follow these tips to keep yourself safe while using a rideshare scooter.

1. Wear a helmet

Wearing a helmet while riding a scooter is crucial for safety. Cracked sidewalks and potholes present unforeseeable obstacles that often result in rider injury. According to a CDC study, less than 1% of people seriously injured in rideshare scooter accidents were wearing a helmet. Nearly half of the injuries reported were head injuries, and 15% of those were traumatic brain injuries like concussions and internal bleeding.

Rideshare scooters do not have a helmet for you to use. Go the extra mile and carry your own. Using a helmet every time you ride is the best way to prevent serious injury while using a rideshare scooter.

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 Posted on August 26, 2022 in School Bus Safety

As a parent of a young school-aged child, deciding to let them ride the bus can be scary and difficult.

There are ways to help ensure your child’s safety and calm your nerves.

Be prepared

Consider having your child wear a brightly-colored shirt, sweater or jacket to make them more visible in the early morning hours. Make sure to tuck your child’s belongings away in their backpack before leaving the house to prevent the distraction of dropping things and having to stop along the way to the bus stop. You should also practice your morning routine as a family to help everyone get good at being on time. It is never a good idea to run after a school bus, so you should make getting to the bus stop at least five minutes before the scheduled pick-up time a priority.

Encourage etiquette

Teach your child proper bus stop etiquette and emphasize why following these rules is important for safety. Children love to play and be creative but reinforce with your child that the bus stop is not the place for games. Encourage your child to stay on sidewalks as much as possible and to stand back at least 10 feet from the road while waiting to protect them from distracted drivers. If crossing the street is necessary on their walk to the bus stop, remind them how crucial it is to look both ways more than once before crossing. If you know other families with children in your neighborhood, consider reaching out to organize a group walk to the bus stop to ease your mind and add a layer of safety to your child’s morning routine.

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 Posted on August 24, 2022 in Car Accidents

There is a lot of commotion and confusion in the immediate aftermath of a car accident, which may feel doubly stressful if it happens during your vacation. You have an emergency situation on your hands, you are in unfamiliar territory and you might also lose out on hard-earned relaxation.

It is important to understand what to do in this situation so that you keep your family safe, navigate the confusing nuance of your location and maybe even salvage some of your vacation.

Remain calm and gather information

According to AARP, there are plenty of steps to take when in an accident. These steps apply whether you experience the accident at home or abroad. Do not panic, call 911 or the relevant emergency line and use your cellphone to document the accident. Documentation includes photos of the scene and important details such as driver’s license numbers or insurance policy numbers.

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 Posted on August 12, 2022 in Personal Injury

Any blow to the head has the potential to lead to a traumatic brain injury. However, many Connecticut residents who experience TBIs do so after car crashes, assaults or falls, among other common causes. TBIs have the potential to lead to serious, potentially life-threatening complications, and some who suffer serious brain injuries wind up needing ‘round-the-clock care for the rest of their lives.

According to Mayo Clinic, brain injury symptoms are not always immediate or clear. In some cases, they do not become noticeable until days or even a week after the initial blow occurred. However, knowing what to look for may help TBI victims and their loved ones identify problems promptly and seek appropriate care.

Symptoms associated with TBIs

The symptoms someone experiences following a TBI may vary based on the severity of the head injury. After a mild TBI, an individual might experience headache, fatigue, nausea or vomiting. He or she may also develop sensory issues or cognitive, behavioral or mental health-related symptoms. For example, a TBI sufferer may experience sudden mood changes, depression or problems sleeping. More serious TBIs often include a period of unconsciousness. Dilated pupils, clear fluids draining from the ears or nose, or convulsions may also indicate a severe TBI.

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