Blog | Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd

What are some signs that might indicate bed bugs and other insects are living in my loved one’s nursing home?

September 25, 2019/in Blog/by Yao Dinizulu

Nursing homes in Illinois and all across the U.S. are required to meet certain state and federal standards that stipulate the type of environment a home is expected to provide its residents with. Not only must the facility be kept clean and tidy, but it should also be sanitary so viruses and diseases have nothing to feed off of and bed bugs and other insects don’t have an environment that is conducive for them to survive in. Unfortunately, there are facilities that aren’t being maintained which results in the home becoming hazardous and unhealthy for the residents who are living there.

Vietnam Vet Dies Days After Being Bit by Ants More Than 100 Times

After Laquna Ross went to visit her father Joel Marrable at the Eagle’s Nest Community Living Center, which is a nursing home for veterans located on the Atlanta VA Medical Center campus, she noticed something rather concerning. Her father, who was an Air Force veteran, had swollen hands and his body had red bumps all over it, says ABC News. Obviously, Ross was alarmed to see her father like this as it wasn’t how he looked the last time she had seen him.

When Ross reported her father’s condition to a staff member, their response was “You know, the ants. When we walked in here, we thought Mr. Marrable was dead. We thought he wasn’t even alive because the ants were all over him.” After hearing this, Ross couldn’t help but wonder what the protocol was inside these types of facilities to manage these situations.

Sadly, Ross’ father died days after he had been bitten up by ants.

While Ross knew her father was going to die as he had been suffering from cancer, perhaps the ant bites “promoted his body to die quicker.” She told the news source that after she had informed the staff about her father, they bathed him and cleaned his room. But that wasn’t enough to get rid of them. The ants returned the next day and that is when the staff decided to move him into a new room which is where he later died.

Ross shared with the news outlet that her father’s room had ants everywhere. They were on the ceiling, the walls, and the beds. After the Atlanta VA Hospital got word of the incident, a spokesperson for the facility released a statement saying they had taken action to address the issue by “stripping all the bedrooms and inspecting them for ants, removing all open food containers, hiring a pest control company to do an inspection, and purchasing plastic containers for the residents’ snacks.”

Although the facility did proceed to take preventive measures to reduce the chances of this happening again, you can’t help but wonder why these measures weren’t taken once the staff saw Marrable crawling with ants. It wasn’t until his daughter notified the staff that something was actually done. It is for this reason that the Chicago, IL nursing home abuse attorneys here at Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. encourage you to visit your loved one regularly and report any signs of odd behavior, markings on your loved one, or anything out of the ordinary so that is can be properly addressed. If you find that the staff is not handling the issue accordingly, you should then contact our office immediately at 1-312-384-1920.

Signs that Your Loved One’s Nursing Home Might Have Bed Bugs and Other Insects Living Inside of it

As unwholesome as it sounds, insect infestation has proven to be a serious issue for residents living in nursing homes which is why we encourage you to look for the following signs that might indicate there are insects such as bed bugs living in the nursing home your loved one currently resides in.

Signs of Bed Bugs

Bed bugs generally hide during the day which makes them difficult to spot, according to Orkin so be sure to keep your eye out for the tiny, rust-colored stains they tend to leave behind. You will want to look in the following places for these spots:

The mattress tags and shams
The ceiling
Under seat cushions
Behind the headboard
You’ll also want to look for areas that might be potential hiding spots for bed bugs such as lifted wallpaper.

Some other insects aside from bed bugs that tend to lurk in nursing homes include scabies and the only way to tell if your loved one is living in a place that fosters an environment for these bugs to survive in is to remain vigilant during each of your visits. For example, you should inspect your loved one each time you go to seem them to be sure they don’t have any raised bumps, bites, rashes, blisters, pimples, etc. and if you notice anything that could potentially be a bug bite, report it to the staff immediately.

The Chicago, IL nursing home my loved one lives in is unsanitary and dirty. What can I do?

For starters, you might want to notify the staff of the conditions you are witnessing and consider looking for a new home for your relative to live in. You can also contact one of our Chicago, IL nursing home abuse attorneys to learn more about what your family member’s legal rights are when they are forced to live in unhealthy or hazardous conditions.

You can contact Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. at:

221 North La Salle Drive, Suite 1100
Chicago, IL 60601

Phone: 1-312-384-1920

Website: www.dinizululawgroup.com

How Can I Tell If My Loved One is Being Neglected or Abused?

September 16, 2019/in Blog/by Yao Dinizulu

CHICAGO, IL – Abuse and neglect in nursing homes remains under-reported in the United States according to a report released by the Department of Health and Human Service’s Office. Many nursing homes frequently fail to report abuse to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), or to local law enforcement.

Elder abuse is the physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, financial exploitation, abandonment or neglect. Often times the victim knows the perpetrators – they are often family members, such as children or spouses, and care givers in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Illinois has more nursing home abuse cases than any other state. The Illinois Department of Aging’s Annual Report (2017) stated there were 16,507 reports of abuse, neglect and financial exploitation. Nearly 74 percent of abusers were the child, spouse, or relative and many times experience more than one form of abuse.

How Can I Tell if My Loved One is Experiencing Neglect or Abuse in a Nursing Home?

There are many warning signs to look for in your loved one while visiting them at a nursing home, or any other facility. Common signs of abuse include:

Signs of malnutrition and dehydration
Unexplained bedsores, bruises, or lacerations
Broken bones or fractures
Rapid weight gain or loss
Sudden change in mood and behavior
Torn or bloody clothes
Sexually transmitted diseases
Signs of depression, confusion, and loss of interest in things they once enjoyed
Missing or broken eyeglasses, hearing aids, etc.
Unsanitary conditions
Understaffed and hostile employees
Improper medication, or overly medicated

How Can I Tell How Many Deficiencies a Nursing Home Has?

Pro Publica is a great search engine tool you can use to compare nursing homes based on deficiencies cited by regulators within the last three years. You’re able to search using a keyword, city, or nursing home name and search by state and severities.

Once you hit search and your results pop up, you’re able to see the nursing home, the date, city and state, how many deficiencies were reported, the severity range, and the actual report and nursing home information. It’s important to note that the number and severity relates to the search terms, and not necessarily all deficiencies against the nursing home facility.

How Can I Tell if a Nursing Home is Reputable?

Start by doing a lot of research – read reviews and look up deficiencies of nursing home facilities. You want to ensure your putting your loved one in the right hands, so many factors must be accounted for. The location of a nursing home, their visiting policies, and the patient-to-staff ratio are all things to consider. When visiting the nursing home, it’s important to note the appearance of the facility and residents and how the facility is ran overall. The friendliness and helpfulness of the staff, sleeping accommodations, and daily activities may contribute towards your decision. In addition, the dining facility and meal options, and health care issues should be inquired about.

What Damages Can be Recovered?

If your loved one has experienced neglect or abuse while at the hands of a caregiver in a nursing facility, you may be entitled to collect compensation for:

Emotional distress, loss of quality of life, and pain and suffering
Past and future medical expenses
Physical impairment for disability for injuries caused by staff negligence
Other out-of-pocket expenses

Who is More Susceptible to Being Neglect or Abused?

67 percent of victims are female, while 33 percent are male; however, 49 percent of abusers are male and 51 percent are female. One in five victims are 86 or older and suffer from some sort of barrier. 35 percent of reported cases of abuse were from social workers or medical personnel, while family members contributed for 16 percent of reports, followed by victims self-reporting in only 8 percent of cases.

What to do if My Loved One is Being Neglected or Abused in a Nursing Home Facility?

It’s important to bring any concerns of neglect or abuse to the nursing home facility, in addition to law enforcement. Our experienced nursing home abuse attorney’s will help you recover from abuse and neglect – we work for you and your loved one to get the reimbursement you deserve. Please call (312) 384-1920 to schedule a free, confidential consultation. Due to the statue of limitations, we must begin to work on your case right away.

Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd.
221 N. LaSalle St., Suite 1100
Chicago, IL 60601

How do I Ensure a Nursing Home’s Physical Condition is Suitable for My Loved One to Live in?

September 9, 2019/in Blog/by Yao Dinizulu

Choosing the right nursing home for your loved one to live in takes time and consideration as many things must be assessed. Aside from taking into account past inspection reports as well as the quality of staff that is employed at the home, you must also assess the physical condition of all areas of the home that your loved one is going to be exposed to. The fact is, a nursing home facility must be set up in a way that promotes safety and cleanliness and decreases the chances of an accident happening.

Note: Elderly individuals tend to have weaker immune systems and are prone to falling so you need to be sure the home you choose won’t put them at risk of becoming ill or injuring themselves.

Physical Conditions You Should Assess When Choosing a Nursing Home for a Relative

Although the physical condition of the nursing home isn’t the only thing to consider when selecting a nursing home for a relative, it is a very important part of the process. Therefore, below we are outlining for you some physical considerations we’d like you to take into account if you are planning on moving a loved one into a nursing home in Chicago, IL or looking to relocate a relative into a new facility.

Does the facility emphasize accident prevention? The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) says that the facility should eliminate hazards that could lead to a mishap occurring. For example, “all areas should be clear of small low objects that can cause a person to trip” and “there should be no throw rugs or small areas rugs” present where residents walk. The facility should also use chairs that are sturdy and cannot tip over easily as well as have handrails present in the hallways and bathrooms so that the residents have something to grab hold of should they need it.

The IDPH says that each of the bedrooms in a nursing home should open up to a corridor and have a window. There shouldn’t be more than four beds in a room and the area should be easily accessible. Some other things residents should have in their room include:

A nurse call bell
Reading light
Closet space and drawers to store personal belongings

Tip: If you do not feel comfortable with having your loved one room with someone else, you can request that they have their own room. While some facilities may accommodate this request, others may not have the space to do so. Nursing homes should consider the special interests and personalities of any two residents before putting them into the same room as you wouldn’t want any conflicts to arise.

Fire safety. The facility you are considering should be complying with the State of Illinois’ fire safety codes. The IDPH suggests that you request to see when the facility last had a fire inspection completed to ensure it is up to date with inspections. You will also want to choose a facility that has clearly labeled its exits and has a plan in place in the event an emergency arises.

Tip: Ask the facility director or another person in charge about fire drills. The IDPH says “a good home puts residents through frequent fire drills to acquaint them with the quickest way to leave the building wherever they may be at the moment.”

The kitchen should be separated into areas. For example, the IDPH says that food preparation, garbage, and dishwashing areas should be separated from one another and any food that needs refrigeration shouldn’t be left out on the countertops. You’ll also want to check the area for cleanliness as you wouldn’t want your mom or dad’s food prepared or stored in an unsanitary place.

Isolation rooms. The facility should be equipped with an isolation room that can be used for a resident to stay in who has caught a contagious disease.

The hallways must be large enough for at least two wheelchairs to pass through with ease. There should also be handgrip railings on either side of the hallway for residents just as a precaution.
Dining rooms. The dining room should be set up in a way that is “attractive and inviting.” The chairs should be comfortable for the residents and the area should be accommodating to wheelchairs.

To read about the other physical considerations you should take into account when choosing a nursing home, visit the IDPH’s website by clicking here.

Before you settle on a single nursing home in Chicago, be sure to request a tour so you are able to assess the facility’s physical conditions mentioned above. If you are relocating a loved one who happened to have been mistreated at the previous facility they resided in, contact Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. to speak with a Chicago, IL nursing home abuse attorney. We will not only help you find a new home for your relative to live in but we can also help you to take the necessary steps to hold the other facility liable for your loved one’s pain and suffering.

You can contact Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. at:

221 North La Salle Drive, Suite 1100

Chicago, IL 60601

Phone: 1-312-384-1920

Website: www.dinizululawgroup.com

Truck Accidents: Common Causes, Statistics, & What to Know if You’ve Been in A Truck Accident

September 6, 2019/in Blog/by Yao Dinizulu

CHICAGO, IL – Commercial truck accidents are less common than car accidents; however, truck collisions have proven to be more catastrophic, and even deadly. There can be several factors leading up to a commercial-vehicle car accident, such as negligence on the manufacturer part, or perhaps the driver, and so forth.

According to GTG Technology Group, a transportation management system, there are five specific causes that may cause a trucking accident to occur:

Five Common Causes of Truck Accidents:

Driver Error
Truck drivers are required to work long hours, with regulations allowing them to work 60 hours over seven consecutive days. Some companies have tight deadlines and overcompensate by allowing drivers to work more hours than what they are allowed, resulting in drowsiness, or under the influence driving.A passenger vehicle weighs an average of 4,000 pounds, whereas a commercial truck typically weights 80,000 pounds. On average, 81 percent of trucking accidents caused by a driver error is due to a passenger vehicle. Many people are not aware of the dangers of truck accidents, which calls for a need to improve trucking defense driving techniques.

Equipment Failure
Equipment manufacturers may be at fault for neglecting production of a part, which can lead to a defective or dangerous component. A driver may not be the only one at fault; in addition, the parts manufacturer, a truck manufacturer, the company that sold the truck, and the mechanic who made repairs may be held liable.
Poor Vehicle Maintenance
The average truck driver is expected to drive between 2,000 and 3,000 miles per week which results in very poor vehicle maintenance. Truck companies, drivers, and maintenance crews must regularly maintain the fleet to keep up with these trucks; moreover, the truck driver must check their rig and submit a maintenance report before the start of every shift.
Weather
Poor weather conditions can test any drivers defense skills, especially truck drivers. Poor weather conditions lead to poor road conditions, making driving much more difficult. Rain, sleet, snow, and ice can be very difficult to drive on, causing a much longer stopping distance. The weight and length of the truck may skid, hydroplane, or jackknife.
Improper Cargo Loading
There are industry-specific rules and regulations when it comes to truck loading cargo into a commercial vehicle. There are certain state and federal regulations required of all drivers of any commercial motor vehicle such as size, weight, and length.

Drivers must ensure all cargo was properly loaded and in place for the duration of direction traveled. A minor mistake, like not properly securing cargo, or negligence, can lead to catastrophic accident on any roadway – regardless of weather.

Any type of accident can be scary, and colliding with a commercial truck can be fatal, but it is important to be proactive by educating yourself on how dangerous a truck collision can really be.

Truck Accident Statistics

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) stated in 2015 that over 433,000 large trucks were involved in a collision. In Illinois, there were more than 19,000 crashes involving large trucks in 2014. These crashes contributed to nearly 13 percent of all traffic fatalities that year. Contrary to popular belief, the majority of the crashes occurred in daylight and clear weather conditions.

How Many Trucks Are Really on the Road?

According to the American Trucking Association (ATA), trucks move more than 71 percent of the nation’s weight in freight. To put this in perspective, the trucking industry represented more than 79 percent of the nation’s freight bill in 2017 – that’s more than $700.1 billion in revenue.

In June 2017, the U.S. Department of Transportation totaled carriers on file with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration totaled 777,240. Private carriers contributed 700,591 trucks while interstate motors totaled 80,247.

After an Accident:

Your safety is of the upmost importance – assess the situation and make sure you’re okay. Check to see if others involved in the accident are injured and proceed to call 911; if someone was injured, request an ambulance.

It’s important the police are notified of the accident so an official police report can be issued. Your insurance company will most likely ask for a copy later. Even if there is little to no damage, the police should be notified of the incident so an accident report can be filed.

Notify your insurance company that you’ve been in a truck collision. Others that were involved in the accident will have their insurance companies contact you. State the facts, but remember it’s important to say as less, as possible. It’s best to keep the conversation to a minimum whenever you are involved in an accident.

Contact one of our experienced truck accident attorney’s of Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd., for the help you need and seeking out the maximum recovery for our clients. There are many challenging factors in a truck accident case, and due to the statue of limitations, we will need to work on your case right away. Please call our office at (312) 384-1920 or visit our website for assistance.

Pritzker Creates Elder Abuse Task Force

August 19, 2019/in Blog/by Yao Dinizulu

CHICAGO, IL – The Department on Aging is responding to more than 20,000 reports of elder abuse that has occurred within the last year. Last Monday, Governor J.B. Pritzker created a 22-member Elder Abuse Task Force to further investigate current practices and raise the publics’ awareness of elderly abuse.

The newly-created task force was created through Senate Joint Resolution 13 and passed both houses unanimously. The Elder Abuse Task Force is staffed with legislators, agency heads, and elder abuse experts which range from state directors at AARP Illinois to an Illinois State Police captain.

The task force will analyze the effectiveness of elder protective services in Illinois and other states to develop a long-term plan to combat elder abuse in Illinois. Pritzker will be presented all findings and recommendations by January 1, 2021.

“One case of elder abuse would be too many,” Pritzker said. “But 20,000 annually is unacceptable. We need to tackle this head on.”

Paula Basta, the director of the Illinois Department of Aging, mentioned the reports of abuse included adults over the age of 60 and older and people 18 to 59 with a disability. She made note that abuse comes in many forms – it’s not limited to simply physical abuse, but furthermore passive neglect, financial exploitation, emotional and verbal abuse, among many more. In many cases, an elder is experiencing more than one form of abuse.

According to The Telegraph, the task force is staffed includes:

Katie Stuart – 112^th District Legislator
State Sen. Rachelle Crowe
Kristopher Tharp – Lieutenant, Madison County Sheriff’s Office
Tonya Genoese – Assistant State’s Attorney, Madison Country State’s Attorney Office
State Sen. Craig Wilcox
Debbie Verschelde – Executive Director, Aging Care Connections
Lori Hendren – Associate State Director, AARP Illinois
Dawn Wells – RN, Area Manager, Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services
Aimee Isham – Bureau Chief for Long Term Care, Illinois Department of Public Health
Paul Isaac – Senior Advisor to the Secretary, Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
Gene Seaman – Human Rights Authority Supervising Manager, Illinois Guardianship and Advocacy Commission

If you suspect a loved one is suffering from elder abuse, please contact Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd right away. Our experienced attorney’s work diligently until your case is resolved and your loved one is out of harm’s way. Please call our office at (312) 384-1920 or visit our website for more information.

Report Shows Nursing Home Abuse Increased But Extremely Underreported

July 29, 2019/in Blog/by Yao Dinizulu

CHICAGO, IL – A study recently conducted by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) shows an increase in nursing home abuse between 2013 and 2017, stating abuse deficiencies more than doubled. In 2017, abuse deficiencies were categorized at the highest levels of severity causing actual harm to residents or putting them in immediate jeopardy.

GAO identified the most common types of abuse and perpetrators including physical abuse (46 percent) and mental/verbal abuse (44 percent) were the leading forms of abuse, followed by sexual abuse (18 percent). Nursing home staff, which includes staff working in any part of the nursing home, are most often the perpetrators (58 percent), followed by resident perpetrators (30 percent), and other types of perpetrators (2 percent).

The federal law requires nursing homes to report allegations of abuse of reasonable suspicion of crimes committed against residents; however, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has not properly instructed nursing homes on what information should be included in incident reports. Furthermore, there is a lack of information given to state survey agencies which delays the determination of if an investigation should occur.

There are undeniable gaps in the CMS process for referring incidents of abuse to law enforcement, which can limit CMS’s ability to ensure nursing homes meet federal requirements to ensure residents are free of abuse. GAO noted issues relating to referring abuse to law enforcement in a timely manner, tracking abuse referrals, defining what it means to substantiate an allegation of abuse, and sharing information with law enforcement. GAO made recommendations for the respective issues addressed in gaps in the referral process.

Although physical, mental, and verbal abuse is less common than neglect, the review shows a substantial increase in abuse deficiencies cited in nursing homes. The study specifically highlights the largest increase in severe cases. The report notes imperative changes CMS must make to have information complete and readily available, in addition to reporting incidents to law enforcement upon reasonable suspicion a resident is in danger.

General Evidence of Abuse

A loved one may be experiencing abuse if there is a sudden change in their behavior and personality, and/or tension between an elder and their caregiver. The Nursing Home Abuse Center mentions signs and symptoms to look for if you suspect a loved one is being abused.

Physical Abuse

Unexplained broken bones, dislocations, or sprains
Bruising, scars or welts
Failing to take medication properly
Signs of restraint
Broken eyeglasses
Caregiver refusing to let you be alone with the elderly individual

Emotional

Unusual behavior that can resemble symptoms of dementia, including mumbling, sucking one’s thumbs, or rocking behavior
Witnessing the caregiver belittle, control, or use threatening behavior towards elderly person

Sexual Abuse

Unexplained STDs of other genital infections
Bruising on body
Stained, bloody, or torn underwear

Nursing home and elderly abuse is not limited to just abuse – neglect, health care fraud, and financial exploitation are all forms of abuse to consider. If you or a loved one has experienced or suspect elderly abuse is occurring, please contact Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd right away at (312) 384-1920 or by visiting our website. Due to the statue of limitations, we must begin working on your case right away.

Report Shows Pharmaceutical Companies Contributing to U.S. Opioid Epidemic

July 19, 2019/in Blog/by Yao Dinizulu

CHICAGO, IL – Recently released federal data shows how drug makers and distributors contributed to the nation’s opioid epidemic by increasing shipments of opioid painkillers between 2006 to 2012.

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) records show that over 76 billion oxycodone and hydrocodone pills were distributed to U.S. pharmacies during the 6 year time period. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), opioids contributed to more than 100,000 deaths in the United States between 2006 and 2012.

The Associated Press reported Purdue Pharma was fined $635 million for falsely marketing OxyContin as being less addictive than other generic and brand opioids; however, Purdue accounted for 3 percent of pills sold during that time compared to generic drug distributors accounting for nearly 90 percent of sales.

According to the CDC, other prescription and illegal opioids such as heroin and fentanyl have resulted in more than 430,000 deaths in the U.S. since 2000. Between 2006 and 2012, the annual amount of opioid-related deaths rose from 18,000 to more than 23,000.

Synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl, are among the most common drugs involved in drug overdose deaths in the U.S. According to the National Institute of Drug Abuse, there were 59 percent of opioid-related deaths involving fentanyl in 2017 compared to 14.3 percent in 2010.

Local and state governments have requested these records not be released to the public; however, U.S. District Judge Dan Polster, who is overseeing most of the cases, ruled that it could be made public. Records from 2013 to 2014 have not been released yet and have asked to be sealed and protected.

An article released in 2016 by PBS calls the opioid epidemic “the worst drug crisis in American history,” destroying lives nationwide regardless of age, race, wealth, or location. The CDC stated whites and Native Americans have experienced the largest rise in death rates; moreover, by 2014, whites and Native Americans were dying at double or triple the rates of African-Americans and Latinos.

Drug expert Dr. Andrew Kolodny told the New York Times “racial stereotypes” may be an explanation for the gap, saying studies have found doctors are more reluctant to prescribe painkillers to minorities, worrying they may sell them or become addicted.

More than 2,000 state, local, and tribal governments are seeking to hold drug companies accountable for the national crisis. According to the Associated Press, West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Nevada all received more than 50 pills for every man, woman, and child each year.

Opioid addiction is a chronic disease that can cause major health, social, and economic problems. Opioids are a class of drugs that act in the nervous system to produce feelings of pleasure and pain relief (U.S. National Library of Medicine). Opioids change the chemistry in the brain and lead to a drug tolerance, resulting in needing increased dosages over time to experience the same effect. Opioids are potent, meaning they have a high potential for causing addiction in some people, even when administered and taken properly.

Medical professionals can make costly mistakes that lead to serious harm or death of a patient. Responsible parties can include:

The physician who prescribed the medication for prescribing too much, the wrong dosage, or failure to monitor the patient after medication has been prescribed
The hospital if medication was given during hospitalization or emergency room visit
The pharmacy and/or pharmacist if the wrong drug or dosage was given to a patient

If you or a loved one has suffered from a prescription drug overdose or medical error, you may seek justice from a negligent medical professional by filing a medical malpractice lawsuit. It’s important to report and hold the responsible party accountable to prevent others from suffering in the same way. The attorney’s at Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. work diligently to recover compensation for monetary, emotional, and mental losses you or a loved one may have suffered.

Please call (312) 384-1920 or visit www.dinizululawgroup.com to seek legal representation.

Boeing Offers $100M to Those Affected by Crashes, Families Have Not Heard Directly from Boeing

July 16, 2019/in Blog/by Yao Dinizulu

CHICAGO, IL – Boeing Co. has offered $100 million to help families and communities affected by the deadly crashes of its 737 MAX planes in Ethiopia and Indonesia. Families are still mourning after the tragic accident that occurred on March 10, 2019.

Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 was scheduled to fly internationally from Addis Ababa Bole International Airport in Ethiopia to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, Kenya. Six minutes after takeoff, the aircraft crashed near the town of Bishoftu killing all 157 people aboard.

Flight 302 is the deadliest accident involving an Ethiopian Airline craft to date that affected farmers in Ethiopia, victims’ families and relatives, and Kenyan and Ethiopian governments have still not heard about the funds.

Farmers lands were destroyed after crashing into fields and has been fenced off since; however, the site is filled with debris still and farmers can’t afford to rent plots elsewhere.

According to Reuters, Boeing said in a statement last week, “These funds will support education hardship and living expenses for impacted families, community programs, and economic development in impacted communities.”

Another crash in Ethiopia in October 2018 on a Lion Air aircraft killed 346 people. After the investigation concluded, it was said both pilots, flying Boeing’s new 737 MAX 8 model, struggled to override an automated system that pointed plane’s nose down.

Boeing has yet to reach out to families, farmers, or authorities directly. The 737 MAX was grounded worldwide after the second crash. Regulators must approve a fix and implement new pilot training before jets can fly again.

Some families are asking the money to be put towards a memorial at the crash site to honor their loved ones; on the other hand, some have requested Boeing fund professional counseling.

There were people from 35 countries abroad the Ethiopian Airlines flight that crashed. The Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. offers our deepest condolences to those affected by the Boeing crashes. The Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. is located in Chicago, IL where Boeing is currently faces litigation from some of the families affected.

Contact: www.dinizululawgroup.com or call 1(800)-693-1LAW(1529)

Army Veteran Dying of Cancer Delivers Emotional Statement to Congress on Medical Malpractice

July 10, 2019/in Blog/by Yao Dinizulu

CHICAGO, IL – U.S. Army Sergeant First Class Richard Stayskal testified before Congress an emotional statement regarding medical malpractice in the military. Lawmakers on Capitol Hill heard testimony about allegations of medical malpractice by Defense Department medical professionals as Congress considers overturning the Feres Doctrine, a legal doctrine prohibiting people who are injured as a result of military services from suing the federal government under the Federal Tort Claims Act for injuries and negligence (Cornell Law).

Stayskal delivered an emotional opening statement to lawmakers explaining a misdiagnosis and inadequate medical care involving a tumor in his lungs that he suffered with for months. Medical professionals brushed off symptoms of walking pneumonia, even though he was on the verge of death throwing up pools of blood.

According to Newsweek, Staksyal was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer in January 2018 – something U.S. Army doctors overlooked or ignored. Over time, his cancer spread to his lymph nodes in his neck, spleen, liver, and ilium crest, which forms a hipbone, along with his spine and right hip.

Lung cancer is the leading form of cancer in both men and women and account for nearly 25 percent of cancer deaths. A five-year survival rate for those diagnosed with stage-four lung cancer is less than ten percent (American Lung Association).

“I want to say that this does affect me obviously, but my children are the true victims,” Stayskal, 37, said. “They will now grow up without a father. Someone that will teach them how to drive, walk them down the aisle when they get married. They seek counseling and special treatment at school. One of the biggest things they try and understand is how this happened.

As Skayskal’s case shows, a failure to diagnose frequently involves medical professionals mistaking symptoms of one disease for another. A misdiagnosis can lead to unresolved treatment needed to prevent symptoms from worsening or becoming terminal.

If you have experienced a misdiagnoses by a doctor for your medical condition, under the breach of standard care, you may potentially seek damages through civil litigation. The Feres Doctrine is a unique consideration that applies only to members of the military.

If your doctor has failed to accurately diagnose a medical condition that has led to serious problems, the attorneys at Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. are ready to assist you with a malpractice claim. Our attorney’s have experience, resources, and a network of medical professional to build a strong case on your behalf. Please call (312) 384-1920 or go online to schedule a consultation.

Tips for a Memorable Fourth of July

July 1, 2019/in Blog/by Yao Dinizulu

The Fourth of July is a day that you get to enjoy quality time with family and friends, enjoy delicious food, and celebrate the independence of our nation. With the Fourth of July quickly approaching, it’s important to keep in mind a few safety tips so your day is memorable for the right reasons.

Alcohol Safety
Operating a Motor Vehicle

Over 34 million Americans are expected to travel over the course of Fourth of July weekend. The Fourth of July is one of the deadliest days for drunk driving. July 4 has the second highest percent of car crash deaths linked to alcohol where deaths involved blood alcohol content of 0.08 g/dL or more (Fatality Analysis Reporting System).

Even if you’ve had one drink, do not drive. As you know, law enforcement agencies are highly populated across the country on this holiday. By drinking and driving, you put not only yourself, but other innocent people at risk too. DUI checkpoints are enforced across the country along popular routes. Order an Uber or assign a designated driver for the night.

Weather
If you’re planning to drink outside, especially during the day during peak hours of high temperatures, remember to stay hydrated. Heat exhaustion or a stroke can happen quickly and suddenly, so be aware of how you feel and be on the lookout of your friends that show signs of nausea, fatigue, faintness and dizziness.

Firework Safety
Nearly 280 people go to the emergency room every day with firework-related injuries around the weekend of July 4. Please ensure that fireworks are legal in your area before purchasing or using them.

There should always be an adult supervising the use of fireworks. Place fireworks on dry, flat surface and never stand directly over a firework while lighting the fuse. Immediately back up a safe distance after lighting the firework. Never point or throw fireworks at a person and keep a bucket of water nearby in case of an emergency.

Children ages 10-14 have the highest rate of firework-related injuries.

Pool Safety
An adult should supervisor any child that is going to be around a pool or any body of water. It can be easy for risks to go unnoticed while mingling with a large crowd that’s preoccupied enjoying their time.

Children should be supervised at all times. Keep floatation devices nearby for quick response if someone needs help in the water. Young and inexperienced swimmers should wear U.S. Coast Guard approved life jackets.

Pet Safety

One in five pets go missing from fear of loud noises of fireworks, thunderstorms, and other loud-related noises during the July 4^th weekend according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. July 5^th is one of the busiest days of the year at animal shelters because of pets running away on July 4^th.

Make sure your animal’s identification tags have your up-to-date contact information. If your pets are microchipped, make sure this information is also up-to-date. If your animal is not microchipped, consult with your veterinarian about this process which greatly improves the chances of finding your animal if they were to ever become lost. Take a current photo of your animal just to be on the safe side.

If you know you are likely to pay attention to your pet because you’re busy entertaining or mingling, make sure they are in a safe, gated area. When setting off fireworks, keep your pet inside and away from anything flammable. Please note just as you get hot from the sun, hot temperatures can be dangerous for your animal, too.

Grill Safety
It’s the best day of the year to grill out and BBQ, but there are a few things to keep in mind. When using your grill, make sure it is away from your home and out from under any branches or overhangs. Remove any grease of buildup in trays to avoid being ignited. Do not let children or pets near the grill and avoid wearing any loose clothing that can catch fire while grilling.

Above all, have a safe and memorable Fourth of July holiday from the Dinizulu Law Group.