Iowa’s strict seat belt laws are not protecting children
Iowa has some of the strictest child passenger safety laws in the country, but research from Harvard University and the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center suggests that law enforcement agencies in the state may not be doing enough to enforce these regulations. Researchers from the two universities found that only children in Nebraska are […]
Facts about distracted driving in Iowa
On roadways in Des Moines and throughout the state of Iowa, distracted driving is becoming a growing concern. According to the Iowa Department of Transportation, the amount of distracted driving-related vehicle accidents, both minor and major, increased from 518 in 2001 to 1,230 in 2016. The increase over this 15-year period has prompted Des Moines […]
Getting a second medical opinion
Iowa patients who want to get another opinion about a diagnosis may want to consider obtaining a virtual second opinion. The telehealth and telemedicine industries have been providing means of communication between patients and providers who are not in the same room for years. However, the trend has expanded in recent years due to advances […]
May is Melanoma Awareness Month
Iowa residents suffering from melanoma may not know that May has been designated as Melanoma Awareness Month. During the month, experts hope to raise awareness about this dangerous form of skin cancer by promoting early detection and prevention of the disease. According to data from the American Cancer Society, while melanoma accounts for just 1 […]
Employers risk liability for workplace violence
When Iowa employers perform background checks during the hiring process, they should consider records of violent behavior as a potential liability. A lawsuit working its way through the court system against Home Depot Inc. illustrates how an employer’s responsibility to prevent harm to employees could even extend beyond the workplace. The home supplies retailer had […]
Seeking compensation for PTSD in car accident lawsuits
Iowa residents may pursue civil remedies when they have been harmed in automobile accidents caused by the negligent actions of others. Damages are generally awarded in this type of litigation to cover the plaintiff’s medical expenses, lost income and property damage, but car accident victims may also seek compensation for emotional or psychological injuries such […]
Fatal motorcycle accident a powerful reminder to stay alert
The most recent statistics are shocking: over 88,000 motorcyclists were injured on American highways in 2015. 4,976 motorcyclists were killed in crashes in 2015. Motorcyclists are 27 times more likely to die in a crash than occupants of other vehicles. And the majority of fatal motorcycle accidents involve collisions with other motor vehicles. Tragically, another […]
Medical errors commonplace throughout health system
Even routine interactions with healthcare settings in Iowa present risks to patients, such as infections and misdiagnosis. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, roughly 750,000 people in the United States pick up an infection when receiving medical care, and about 10 percent of them die as a result. Other hazards experienced by […]
A guide for those who have just been in a car accident
If you have just been in a car accident, it is likely that there are a million thoughts running through your mind and a million emotions racing through your body. It is in these tense moments immediately after a crash — when you’re stunned, angry, in pain and everything in between — that you need […]
9-year-old dies hours after tonsillectomy
Our source article for today’s blog post tells a tragic story of a nine-year-old girl who died mere hours after a routine tonsillectomy. Given that more than 530,000 children have their tonsils removed every year in the United States, this story will certainly concern parents all across Iowa and, indeed, the entire country. The girl […]