In terms of statewide laws, only three states have not yet placed restrictions on cell phone use while driving. South Carolina is one of those states. However, on April 1, a distracted driving ordinance will go into effect in the city of Greenville. In particular, the ordinance bans the use…
Since 1999, hospitals throughout the United States have made well-intentioned efforts to adopt systems meant to prevent hospital errors. However, studies have shown that the widespread use of systematized medicine, by which hospitals use checklists to follow established protocol, has not significantly reduced the number of preventable hospital deaths. In…
After coming under increasing criticism and pressure GM finally folded under intense pressure and recalled 1.6 million vehicles for a defect in the ignition switch which caused vehicles to shut down while being driven. The recall included six models – all from between 2003 and 2007 model years – including the…
A federal law gives protection to those employees of hospitals, doctor’s offices and others who blow the whistle on those who are defrauding Medicare and Medicaid. While other private citizens can also blow the whistle, over 70% of all claims come from employees within the healthcare system. $35 billion has…
Residents of assisted living facilities are generally allowed to come and go as they please. They may be asked to sign in and out so that staff members are aware of the residents’ whereabouts, but assisted living facilities typically offer residents more mobility than would a nursing home. However, depending…
As readers of our blog know, employees have the right to seek workers’ compensation benefits if they suffer a work-related injury. But as many may not know, certain laws can conflict with this right and cause a person to lose access to their benefits. While a lawyer is often considered…
Merck may pay $100 million to settle thousands of lawsuits over the safety of its NuvaRing contraceptive as long as enough women agree to participate. The settlement may resolve as many as 3,800 cases in federal and state courts. The lawsuits alleged that Merck knew while selling the product that…
Imagine that you have a loved one who is currently living in an elderly care facility. Unable to care for themselves, they rely on the help from staff members to provide a certain standard of care. The nursing home staff then in turn relies on the health care directives provided…
While some transplants from northern states may not have had difficulty travelling in the rare snow storm that struck much of South Carolina this week, most drivers were caught off guard by just how dangerous the roadways would be. A lot of drivers quickly discovered that their driving habits on…
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), amputations are some of the most serious and debilatating workplace injuries. Amputations happen most often when workers operate unguarded or inadequately safeguarded mechanical power presses, power press brakes, powered and non-powered conveyors, printing presses, roll-forming and roll bending machines, food slicers,…