Blog | Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd

Mom Unexpectedly Dies From Allergic Reaction & Medical Malpractice

December 19, 2016/in Blog, Medical malpractice, Medical negligence, Uncategorized/by Yao Dinizulu

Doctors can make mistakes, and these mistakes can cost the lives of your loved ones. If you have suspect medical malpractice occurred when your loved one needed care, I want you to call us at 1-800-693-1LAW or 1-312-384-1920 with your questions. I am a medical malpractice attorney that is here for you. You may also contact us by email. Visit our firm’s media page, where you can view more videos and learn more about your rights.

In this case, the patient was rushed to the ER because she had an allergic reaction to seafood. The hospital staff enacted the ABC’s of medicine, which stands for airways, breathing, and circulation. The first step was to make sure that her airway was not blocked. They did this by inserting an endotracheal tube down her throat to establish her airway. They made a mistake and inserted the tube too far down her right bronchial tube. This in and of itself is not negligence, but not fixing the tube into the proper position is negligence. Because the tube was improperly inserted, air was only going to the right lung, which resulted in the collapse of the left lung.

At this point the ER doctor had several steps that he could have taken to prevent the patient’s death. Instead of ordering a CT scan, which required transport that could jostle the tube, the doctor could have ordered an x-ray to ensure that the tube was properly placed.

Because the doctor ordered a CT scan instead of an x-ray, the patient was transported to the CT room, which resulted in the jostling of the E.T. tube. During the CT, the patient was required to be unrestrained. Because the doctor did not adequately sedate the patient and insisted on a contrast scan, the patient woke up, vomiting. In the process, she pulled the tube out of her throat because she was not restrained, and this permanently collapsed her airway. The scene was described as chaotic by medical staff, and she did not survive. Had her medical staff ordered an x-ray instead of CT scan, she may have survived. This case was settled confidentially and resulted in the client being awarded 7 figures. Watch the video to learn more.

A Doctor’s Insecurity Led to a Patient’s Death and a Seven-Figure Medical Malpractice Settlement

December 19, 2016/in Blog, Medical malpractice, Medical negligence, Uncategorized, Video, Wrongful death action/by Yao Dinizulu

If your loved one died as a result of mistakes made by medical practitioners, you may be outraged. You trusted the medical staff to take care of your loved one, and instead they failed. You may have a potential medical malpractice case. Please call us at 1-800-693-1LAW or 1-312-384-1920 with your questions. I am a medical malpractice attorney that is here for you. You may also contact us by email. Visit our firm’s media page, where you can view more videos and learn more about your rights.

Here we discuss the case of a 50-year-old woman who died as a result of mistakes that could have been avoided by her ER doctor. The patient was admitted due to a collapsed airway. Upon her arrival, emergency procedures were enacted, and they called all available staff to the scene. The staff that showed up included ER doctors, nurses, and respiratory therapists.

The patient’s attendant ER physician was able to manually deliver oxygen to the patient, resulting in 100 percent oxygenation during transportation. At that moment, the ER physician was the only one in control, and as such did not feel that he needed assistance. In this case, he could have benefited from assistance provided by someone with more specialization in intubation. The doctor later admitted that he did not possess the skills needed for the surgery required if his intubation failed, but he still proceeded. The doctor decided to use a paralytic drug that relaxes the muscles but prevents the patient from trying to breathe on her own. The use of paralytic drugs in such a case is not recommended.

Upon further investigation, the doctor also admitted under oath that he does not like to ask for assistance because he thinks it makes him look stupid. It appears he was more concerned about his self-esteem and respect from his coworkers than the survival of his patient, and this contributed to the patient’s death. Our client received a 7-figure settlement. Watch the video to learn more.

What To Do If You Suspect Nursing Home Abuse

December 12, 2016/in Blog, Media, nursing home neglect, Uncategorized, Video/by Yao Dinizulu

Listen as Attorney Yao Dinizulu explains what to do when you suspect nursing home abuse.

Nursing home abuse is a common occurrence. If you suspect nursing home abuse, there are immediate steps you need to take.

The first step that you need to take is seek immediate medical attention. Depending on the severity of the abuse, this can mean calling 911 or demanding that your loved one see a doctor immediately. You can’t waste time. The second step that you need to take is to gather evidence. This includes pictures of any injuries or sores, copies of medical records, and statements from witnesses. You’ll need this evidence to support your case.

You can also contact the Illinois Department of Public Health. Once you file a claim of nursing home abuse, the Department of Public Health will send someone out to inspect the nursing home. During their inspection, they will review medical records, interview staff and residents, and assess the nursing home’s policies. As a result of their investigation, the Department can make the nursing home pay fines for negligence as well as order the nursing home to implement a plan of care that targets the specific issues stated in your claim. Watch the video to learn more.

If you have questions about nursing home abuse and what to do if you suspect it, I want you to call me at 1-800-693-1LAW. I am a nursing home abuse attorney that is here for you. You may also contact me by email. Visit our firm’s media page, where you can view more videos and learn more about the signs of nursing home abuse.

Nursing Home Sues Daughter of Deceased Patient

December 12, 2016/in Blog, Elder abuse, Media, nursing home neglect/by Yao Dinizulu

Listen as Attorney Yao Dinizulu explains what you can do when you are being sued by a nursing home for debts accumulated by a deceased family member.

I once had a client who was being sued by a nursing home for the debt that her deceased father accumulated. She was already dealing with the passing of her father, and to add the new debt to her life only made matters worse. She told me of all of the negligence that had happened during her father’s stay. The nursing home was not taking care of her father.

Upon further investigation of her case, I found that the contract the home wanted her to sign called for her to sign her own name on her father’s contract on behalf of her father. Law students know that for a contract to be enforceable, both parties have to fulfill the promises outlined in that contract. In this case, the nursing home promised to provide adequate medical care to her father, which they did not. Their lawsuit was dismissed, but we were able to turn around and sue the nursing home for negligence. Watch the video to learn more.

If you or a family member has experienced nursing home negligence, I want you to call me at 1-800-693-1LAW. I am a nursing home abuse attorney that’s here for you. You may also contact me by email. Visit our firm’s media page, where you can view more videos and learn more about your case.

NCEA Survey: 44 Percent of Nursing Home Residents Suffer Abuse

December 7, 2016/in Blog, nursing home neglect/by Yao Dinizulu

Finding the perfect nursing home for a loved one is no easy feat. Reading online reviews, speaking with nursing home staff and residents, inspecting the facility – the process takes time. But all that effort is essential for ensuring that your family member receives the best possible care.

Unfortunately, far too many long-term care facilities hire unqualified staff or do not screen or train their staff sufficiently. This often leads to the abuse, neglect or exploitation of residents.

According to the National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA), a survey of 2,000 nursing home residents revealed that 44 percent had experienced abuse, and 95 percent had been neglected or witnessed the neglect of another resident. According to the most recent data from the NCEA, nearly 1 in 3 U.S. nursing homes were cited for violations of federal standards that either had the potential to cause harm or that had caused harm to a resident between 1999 and 2001.

There’s no doubting the fact that nursing home abuse, neglect and exploitation are widespread. An estimated 70 percent of people aged 65 and older can expect to use a long-term care facility at some point, which means that millions of senior citizens are vulnerable to mistreatment.

If you or a member of your family was a victim of nursing home abuse in Illinois, contact The Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. The at-fault staff member or facility may be liable for economic and non-economic damages related to the incident.

Yao O. Dinizulu is an elder abuse attorney in Chicago who will evaluate your case to determine if you have grounds for a claim. Call 312-384-1920 to schedule a consultation. You can also learn more about nursing home abuse lawsuits in Illinois by visiting USAttorneys.com.

Common Symptoms of Nursing Home Abuse

Only 1 in 14 cases of nursing home abuse get reported. The reason? Some residents are not physically able to report mistreatment; others are too afraid to take action.

If your loved one is in a nursing home, it is critical that you look for these signs of abuse, neglect and exploitation:

Physical Symptoms

Bruises and welts are common signs of physical abuse. Neglect can also cause physical symptoms such as bedsores and poor hygiene. You should also look for signs of restraint on the ankles and wrists.

Psychological Symptoms

Victims of abuse or neglect are often depressed. They also may be abnormally irritable or display other atypical personality traits.

Financial Symptoms

It is not uncommon for caregivers to exploit nursing home residents financially. Look out for changes to your loved one’s will or financial transfers to a caregiver’s account.

If you believe that your family member is a victim of nursing home abuse, you should report the incident to the Illinois Department of Human Services by calling 1-866-800-1409. Contact the police if he or she is in immediate danger.

Then, consult a Chicago elder abuse attorney from The Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. Yao O. Dinizulu will help you recover the maximum compensation from the at-fault nursing home or staff member. Call 312-384-1920 today to schedule a consultation.

Truck Driver Fatigue & Increased Personal Injury Risk for Car Drivers

December 5, 2016/in Blog, Car accident injury law, Personal injury claim, Personal injury law, Trucking accident injury law, Wrongful death action/by Yao Dinizulu

In 2014, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) conducted a study to analyze various factors that contribute to crash risk. It comes as little surprise that driver fatigue contributes to many tractor-trailer accidents every year. Between 1975 and 2014, about 185,000 crashes involving large trucks or buses resulted in fatalities and of the nearly 215,500 individuals who lost their lives, most were occupants of smaller vehicles, such as cars.

This data clearly shows that when trucks and smaller vehicles collide, the truck drivers are much less likely to be injured or killed. Unfortunately, truck drivers often fail to adhere to safety mandates required by law and as a result, other citizens on the road face a higher risk.

Costs Associated with Trucking Accident Injuries Can Last a Lifetime

Injuries sustained in accidents caused by large trucks are often severe and can include loss of limb, brain injury, burns, spinal injury, and immobility. Costs associated with these massive injuries are not limited to the hospital bills incurred right after the accident. Many victims require years of rehabilitation and may never be able to work again. The economic impact can be crippling and that does not even take emotional trauma into consideration. Truck accidents are also often fatal. Many times a loved one lost in an accident is a family’s breadwinner.

If you or someone you know has been injured or worse in a trucking accident, you should seek legal counsel right away. The accident injury lawyers at Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd. have almost 60 years of total experience representing victims of truck accidents. We will help you get the compensation you deserve.

While insurance companies are experts at pointing the finger and talking victims into very low settlement amounts, our experienced trucking accident attorneys request log books and backup data to build strong, credible cases that will withstand the utmost scrutiny in the courts.

We understand that trucking accidents are often catastrophic and life changing. Contact us today so we can help you get the justice you deserve.

Filing a Wrongful Death Lawsuit – Where Do I Start?

November 28, 2016/in Blog, Car accident injury law, nursing home neglect, Personal injury claim, Personal injury law, Trucking accident injury law, Wrongful death action/by Yao Dinizulu

While no amount of money can bring back a loved one, wrongful death lawsuits are designed to compensate family members of those killed by negligence. Under the law you are entitled to both economic and non-economic damages . Economic damages are a dollar amount that’s decided based on the deceased’s income, funeral expenses, medical expenses etc. Non-economic damages address the pain and loss of companionship that family members will face as a result of the death.A professional and experienced wrongful death attorney understands that it’s important that you be compensated for both damages. Insurance companies and other responsible parties fight aggressively to refuse or limit your fair payment. To get the compensation you deserve, it’s important that a skillful wrongful death attorney is representing you.

Proving a Wrongful Death Claim

In building your claim, an experienced wrongful death lawyer will understand that there may be many more complexities regarding your case. People you might not have even thought about could be liable. For example, in a single car accident caused by a road in poor condition, the city who owns the road, the contractors responsible for maintaining it, or a number of other groups may be liable depending on the facts of the case.

Time Limits on Filing a Wrongful Death Lawsuit

Additionally, it’s very important to file a wrongful death case fairly quickly. Otherwise, your case may get barred by the statute of limitations. In Illinois, generally a wrongful death claim against a private entity or corporation must be filed within two years from the date of the accident, but there are exceptions to this time limit. Certain cases only have a one year limit for filing and some others have longer than two years. Please contact the Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd to learn which time limits apply in your case. Waiting too long can prevent you from filing the lawsuit at all.

Waiting any longer than necessary creates other problems too. The scene of an accident changes quickly after the road is opened to traffic again. The vehicles that may have been involved in the wreck will be repaired by the owners or possibly destroyed. Witnesses will become harder to locate, and records will be misplaced.

Time may not be on your side but the compassionate and experienced wrongful death attorneys at the Dinizulu Law Group, Ltd will work with you to determine the best way to handle your wrongful death claim. Contact us to set up a free consultation with one of our experienced wrongful death lawyers today.

How Can I Prove Nursing Home Abuse?

November 22, 2016/in Blog, nursing home neglect/by Yao Dinizulu

The first time you check your elderly relative into a nursing home, you are bound to feel a little anxious. After all, this is an important person who has played a major role in your life – and your loved one deserves reliable care in a safe, comfortable environment.

What to Do When Car Accidents Are Serious Personal Injuries?

November 18, 2016/in Blog, Car accident injury law, Personal injury claim, Personal injury law, Trucking accident injury law/by Yao Dinizulu

Truck accident

If you experience a serious car accident, chances are insurance companies will try to get you to sign on an injury settlement amount quickly. This is never a good idea. When injured, you may not be able to perceive the long-term effects of the accident and this is what insurance companies want. Accepting a short-term settlement amount quickly will only leave you paying unforeseen expenditures out of your own pocket. This is not something that most people are able to afford and it often leads to financial ruin. There also may be the matter of ongoing medical care which you or your loved one will need. This is often impossible to get without fair representation in the courts from an experienced personal injury lawyer.

Head and back injuries are some of the most serious injuries that can happen in a car accident. These are the type of cases that you must have representation from a good personal injury lawyer. You need a lawyer who is experienced in litigation and will be able to able to get you the compensation you deserve. When back injuries result in severe nerve damage or even paralysis, these conditions leave people with lifelong physical issues and enormous medical bills. The average yearly expenses of someone living with severe a spinal cord injury ranges between $230,000 to over $775,000. This can amount to millions of dollars across the average lifetime. These financial costs can be ruinous to both the victims and their families without monetary compensation. Insurance companies are not willing to give this level of money unless they are taken to court.

Trucking Accidents & Serious Personal Injuries

While we often wishfully think such serious injuries won’t happen to us, they can, especially when a large truck collides with a car. Serious injuries or death when trucks and cars collide are often in the car and not the cause of the accident. The Illinois Department of Transportation reports that while only about 6% of traffic crashes in Illinois involve large trucks, these wrecks represent a disproportionate number of traffic fatalities (nearly 13%).

Illinois Personal Injury Attorneys

If you or somebody you know has been involved in a car accident injury due to collision with a large truck or other commercial vehicle, it is important to seek help from an attorney who is familiar with the tactics used by truck and insurance companies and has the knowledge to anticipate the future needs and challenges that could be faced by you or your loved one. The experienced and compassionate personal injury lawyers at the Dinizulu Law Group will work with you to determine the best way to handle your personal injury claim. Contact us to set up a free consultation with one of our experienced car accident injury lawyers today.

6 Questions to Ask When Evaluating a Nursing Home

November 14, 2016/in Blog, nursing home neglect/by Yao Dinizulu

Looking after an elderly parent or grandparent can be a full-time job. If you cannot provide for the medical needs of your loved one, then it may be time to consider the benefits of nursing homes.