InjuryBoard Northern Virginia Archives

• School Bus Accident Victim's Recovery Limited

  Ben Glass | November 30, 2006 5:40 AM | 0 Comments
  Category: Automobile Accidents

  A Henrico County judge has ruled that the family of a child who was injured when a school bus driver negligently failed to operate safety equipment is limited in its recovery to $50,000.00. Virginia law says that where a school board is qualified as a self-insurer the amount that may be recovered by a plaintiff is the minimum amount set forth in the Code. The amount of liability the school...

• Protect Yourself in the Hospital

  Ben Glass | November 29, 2006 5:32 AM | 0 Comments
  Category: Medical Malpractice

  The Washington Post has a great little article written by Susan Morse on how patients can protect themselves in the hospital. Susan points out that human error kills as many as 98,000 Americans a year, according to the institute of medicine. She gives nine tips for patients.1. If you are having surgery and can choose where it will be done, select a hospital where the procedure is done...

• Ban Cell Phones During Vehicle Use

  Ben Glass | November 27, 2006 3:07 PM | 0 Comments
  Category: Automobile Accidents

  We may be getting closer to a ban on all cell phone use while driving. The National Transportation Safety Board has come out with a recomendation that bus drivers be banned from using a cell phone while driving except in an emergency. The report recomendation is that:The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and the 50 States and District of Columbia prohibit CDL holders with a...

• Another Bold Denial by a Disability Insurance Company

  Ben Glass | November 21, 2006 8:27 PM | 0 Comments
  Category: Miscellaneous

  Long term disability insurance claims are tough. The law is terribly weighted in favor of the insurance companies and Congress won't change the law anytime soon since none of its members fall under ERISA (Officially the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, unofficilally "the Employee Ripoff and Insurance Company Security Act). That's not enough for some insurance companies, though,...

• FDA Approves Use of Silicone Breast Implants

  Ben Glass | November 20, 2006 8:12 PM | 0 Comments
  Category: Medical Malpractice

  The plastic surgeons of the world can now expect a happy Holiday season. Patients are starting to line up for breast augmentation in light of the FDA's decision to allow their use again in this country.Here's what Public Citizen had to say about the news:In terms of adverse safety and health information known at the time of approval - such as high rates of rupture, the need for repeat surgery...

• Pennsylvania Hospitals to Report Infection Rates

  Ben Glass | November 15, 2006 2:16 PM | 0 Comments
  Category: Medical Malpractice

  Accoriding to an article in USA Today, Pennsylvania became the first state to publicly report the number of patients who contracted an infection in their hospitals. That's good, consumers will have one more piece of informatio to use in deciding where to get their medical care. You can find a good summary of state disclosure laws at this web site.We see quite a few cases where patients allege...

• Please Don't Lie on That Insurance Application

  Ben Glass | November 12, 2006 7:52 PM | 0 Comments
  Category: Miscellaneous

  Every year our firm is asked to evaluate a handful of life insurance claims. Usually the life insurance company has denied a claim based on information about the decedent's health that was not disclosed when he/she made the application for the insurance.In a recent case a man left a wife and three young children. His family thought he had left them adequate insurance coverage. Instead they ended...

• From the Witness's Viewpoint

  Ben Glass | November 12, 2006 7:40 PM | 0 Comments
  Category: Automobile Accidents

  I have a newfound respect for those who witness car accidents and then stick around to make sure the facts are known to the authorities. Last week I witnessed a terrible accident on Northern Virginia's beltway. Travelling about 60 mph, I watched as a car whizzed past me on the left at a high rate of speed, then made a quick change of about 3 lanes going to his right. "What a jerk" I...

• Defamation Case Allowed to Proceed

  Ben Glass | November 04, 2006 5:58 AM | 1 Comments
  Category: Miscellaneous

  The Supreme Court of Virginia has held that statements made about a Virginia personal injury attorney by a Nationwide claims adjuster were not mere opinions and do support a cause of action against the claims adjuster, and Nationwide Insurance, for defamation.According to the published opinion by the Supreme Court of Virginia, a personal injury victim met with Todd Schmitt, a Nationwide claims...

• This Can't be Good

  Ben Glass | November 02, 2006 2:04 PM | 0 Comments
  Category: Miscellaneous

  Indictment: Crooked deputies sold guns, drugs to publicJust when you thought it was OK to go out in public again, a group of Virginia's law enforcement officers get caught recycling guns and ammo back into the community. Here's what the U.S. Attorney had to say:"These were drugs and guns that were seized as part of their law enforcement duties that were then stolen from the property room and put...