Archive for February, 2012

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28
Feb

Study Shows Sleep Medications May Increase Risk Of Cancer and Death

February 28, 2012

Sleep medications can be beneficial on nights when you can’t fall asleep, but new research shows that consistent use of these drugs can increase patients’ risks for certain health problems. Reports from FOX DC News indicate that a new study shows that taking sleep aids on a regular basis can more than quadruple patients’ risk of death while also increasing their risk of cancer.

Researchers from the Scripps Clinic Viterbi Family Sleep Center in San Diego, California, and the Jackson Hole Center for Preventive Medicine in Jackson, Wyoming, examined 10,500 cases of adults taking sleep medications for two and a half years. These patients were matched with a control group of 23,600 participants based on age, gender, lifestyle, and health. They discovered that patients who took 18 to 132 doses of sleep medications per year were 4.6 times more likely to die than those who were in the control group.

The study was also able to help researchers determine that those taking the highest doses of sleep medications were 35% more likely to develop cancer than members of the control group who did not take the medications.

Estimates show that six out of 10 adults in the United States were prescribed sleep medications in the past year.

The Washington, DC Drug Injury Attorneys with ChasenBoscolo Injury Lawyers are here to help you if you have been harmed by a medication prescribed to you by a doctor.

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21
Feb

Maryland Cement Plant Worker Run Over By Fork Lift

February 21, 2012

An on-the-job accident at a cement plant in Union Bridge, Maryland, yesterday has left a 46-year-old worker seriously injured. According to reports from ABC 2 News, the incident took place around 2:00 p.m. at the Lehigh Portland Cement Company located on Quaker Hill Road.

Reports from deputies with the Carroll County Sheriff’s Department indicate that the victim was lying on the ground, fixing a piece of monitoring equipment underneath a conveyor belt in the yard of the plant. That is when a forklift backed over the man, causing serious injuries to his legs and lower torso.

The victim was transported by Maryland State Police Medvac helicopter to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore where he remains in serious condition.

“While our first priority is the well-being and recovery of our employee, we are working closely with authorities to investigate the accident and determine what happened.” said plant manager Kent Martin.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and Carroll County Deputies both have investigations into the incident that remain ongoing.

The National Safety Council estimates that the cost of the average work-related injury to be around $53,000, while a work-related death will have a total bill of around $1,330,000.

These high costs are why the Maryland Workers’ Compensation Lawyers with ChasenBoscolo work with accident victims to help them get what they need in order to move forward with life following a serious injury.

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14
Feb

New Survey Shows Doctors Aren’t Always Honest

February 14, 2012

While most doctors have their patient’s best interests in mind, a new study shows that they may not always be completely honest with their patients. An article released by NBC-Washington says that a new survey of doctors across the country shows many admitting to lying to patients.

The survey was conducted by Harvard Medical School researcher, Dr. Lisa Lezzoni, and was published in this past month’s Health Affairs. She and her team compiled data pulled from 1,891 doctors who were surveyed and had some startling discoveries.

They discovered that approximately one-third of all physicians did not agree with fully disclosing serious medical mistakes to patients because of fear of having a medical malpractice lawsuit filed against them. Also, 40 percent of the physicians surveyed did not feel they needed to disclose their relationships and financial backing that comes from drug and medical device manufacturers.

Just over 10 percent of the doctors admitted to telling a patient something that wasn’t necessarily true in the past year.

The research team concluded that the findings raise concerns that patients may not be getting accurate information from their doctors in order to make an unbiased, educated decision on their healthcare.

The Washington, DC medical malpractice attorneys with ChasenBoscolo Injury Lawyers believe that doctors should be completely honest with their patients. If you have been injured as a result of a doctor’s dishonesty, contact an experienced attorney today.

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7
Feb

Family Of Five In Critical Condition From Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

February 7, 2012

A faulty furnace caused one family of five to be hospitalized early Tuesday morning in Fort Washington, Maryland. According to reports from MY FOX DC, the family is listed in critical condition after suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning in their home.

Doctors were already treating one of the children that morning at Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, for what at that time was an unknown condition. They discovered high levels of carbon monoxide in the child’s blood and immediately called for police and rescue units to do a welfare check at the home.

There, police found the other four members of the family unconscious. Helicopters were able to transport the victims to a Baltimore Hospital where they remain under doctor’s care.

Furnaces can easily cause a home to fill with the poisonous gas when combustion gases–or the leftover waste gas from heating your home–does not get properly ventilated out of your home.

To reduce the chances of this happening, make sure flues and chimneys are not blocked, and check for rust and cracks. Soot could also be a sign of combustion leakage.

If a faulty product of some kind has injured you, or a loved one, the Maryland defective product lawyers with ChasenBoscolo Injury Lawyers are here to help you get what you need in order to get back on your feet again. Contact an experienced attorney today.

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