Cassian & Carter LLC Cassian & Carter LLC 2021-08-03T15:02:36Z WordPress /wp-content/uploads/sites/1201443/2021/05/cropped-3549718_Favicon-new-32x32.png On Behalf of Cassian & Carter LLC <![CDATA[Older adults and slip-and-fall accidents]]> 2021-08-03T15:02:36Z 2021-08-03T15:02:36Z How often do older adults fall down? The Illinois Department of Public Health published information on older adults and falls. According to data, roughly 3.7 people in the U.S. turn 65 every day. With a growing older population, more and more older people are suffering serious injuries and losing their lives due to falling down. In fact, an older adult loses his or her life as a result of falling down every 20 minutes in the U.S.

How do falls affect older adults?

Aside from claiming lives and causing serious injuries, falls can also interfere with an older adult's ability to stay independent. If you fall down as an older adult, you could suffer a serious head injury or break a bone. Moreover, you could have mental trauma after the accident, which might interfere with your quality of life. If you or a loved one recently fell down on a slick surface or another risk factor such as clutter, and the accident occurred due to another person's negligence, you need to look into your options.]]>
On Behalf of Cassian & Carter LLC <![CDATA[What are examples of brain injury symptoms?]]> 2021-07-23T17:32:48Z 2021-07-23T17:32:48Z Physical problems You might expect to feel a headache after a brain injury. As Medline points out, other physical problems may emerge. You could experience nausea or feel dizzy. You might have issues walking and sustaining your balance. Some symptoms may come off as strange. Suddenly, you feel more sensitive to sound or light. These can also be signs you have suffered a TBI.

Cognitive problems

Brain injuries do not always manifest with physical symptoms. They can cause you to have problems with certain cognitive functions like concentration. It becomes hard to remember new information. You do not react as quickly as you used to. You may also feel confused at times and cannot think clearly.

Emotional issues

A TBI can also cause emotional changes. You might not understand why you suddenly feel sad, anxious or irritable all of a sudden. In general, you may feel more emotional than you used to be. All of these could result from the brain injury itself but you may also have PTSD from your recent auto accident.

Other symptoms

Sometimes a symptom seems so disconnected from a brain injury that you may not recognize the connection. TBI victims can suffer from lack of sleep, a change in sleep patterns, a bad taste in the mouth, or ringing in the ears. If you have had a recent auto accident, having a doctor check you out may help you understand what is happening to you and how to proceed with whatever treatment you need.]]>
On Behalf of Cassian & Carter LLC <![CDATA[What are the biggest risks for Illinois bicyclists?]]> 2021-07-20T20:38:50Z 2021-07-20T20:38:50Z How many bike accidents occur in Illinois? In 2018, 2,359 Illinois bicyclists experienced some type of injury while riding, and 346 cyclists experienced serious injury. There were 24 cyclist fatalities in the same year, with about a fourth of those fatalities occurring in Chicago.

What are the most common types of cyclist accidents?

Failure by motorists to look out for bicycle traffic is one of the leading causes of cyclist accidents. In addition to impaired or distracted driving, negligent behaviors include:
  • Weaving or unsafe lane changes
  • Turning without checking for bikes
  • Driving too close to bike lines or driving, idling or parking in bike lanes
  • Failing to yield right of way
  • Running a red light or stop sign
  • Opening a door across bike traffic while parked (dooring)

Who is responsible for a bicycle injury?

Everyone has a basic obligation to follow the rules of the road and stay alert should the unexpected happen. Unfortunately, when a motorist is negligent, a cyclist may easily experience catastrophic injury. Bikers should know that they may be able to pursue compensation for medical bills, lost wages and more if a driver failed to operate his or her vehicle with a reasonable level of care.]]>
On Behalf of Cassian & Carter LLC <![CDATA[What are some conditions that lead to store slip and falls?]]> 2021-07-14T17:51:03Z 2021-07-14T17:51:03Z Poor lighting According to the National Floor Safety Institute, shoppers often trip and fall in dark, poorly lit areas. Some places may not have working lightbulbs or some may just have unfinished construction in the middle of a building. However, these conditions can lead to severe head injuries and even spinal trauma. Unlit stairs or hallways that are not properly taken care of by the store employees can lead to lasting health problems if you fall.

Wet floors

A puddle of water from a leak inside the building can cause devastating injuries for unsuspecting people. Food jars full of liquid can fall from high shelves and crash onto the floor, leaving sticky or clear residue behind below. Even recently mopped floors pose a serious hazard due to the water used during cleaning. Any slick surface should always have a sign or warning near it to alert people walking by. Many stores may neglect to place any signs out, which also leads to slip and falls.

Loose rugs and boards

Unrepaired floorboards that are sticking up from the ground can snag on someone's shoe and cause an accident. Each store has a duty to its customers to fix or try to eliminate any sources of hazards. Safety features like hand railings for staircases can also help prevent any issues. However, uneven or ripped rugs and mats on stairs are a tripping hazard in many circumstances. Knowing what conditions lead to falls can help you determine what to do next if you get hurt.]]>
On Behalf of Cassian & Carter LLC <![CDATA[Statistics on motor vehicle accidents in Illinois]]> 2021-07-01T17:51:02Z 2021-07-01T17:51:02Z How many traffic accidents cause injuries and death each year? According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, more than 312,000 motor vehicle collisions took place in Illinois during 2019. Among these accidents, 938 resulted in death and more than 63,000 caused injuries. Moreover, these statistics show that motorcyclists are especially vulnerable. While under 1% of all accidents involved motorcycles, 14.6% of all fatal accidents involved motorcyclists.

When do most motor vehicle accidents take place?

IDOT reports that in 2019, more traffic accidents took place on Friday than any other day of the week (45,230 in urban areas, 4,824 on rural roads). Moreover, more than 73,000 traffic collisions occurred between 4 and 7:59 PM on urban roads, while 71,724 accidents took place between 12 and 3:59 PM in urban areas. Regardless of the time you drive, you could find yourself in an accident for a host of reasons. If another driver's negligence results in a traffic accident that leaves you or a loved one injured, make sure you examine all of your options with respect to the recovery process. Reckless drivers must answer for their behavior when injuries or deaths occur.]]>
On Behalf of Cassian & Carter LLC <![CDATA[What is general anesthesia?]]> 2021-06-24T00:03:51Z 2021-06-24T00:03:51Z As explained by WebMD, general anesthesia is a type of medication used to induce a peaceful, unconscious state. Not only does it prevent patients from feeling pain, it also deprives you of any memories of the procedure.   While general anesthesia has been standard during surgeries for some time now, doctors must still take every precaution to keep patients safe and secure. This guide explains how the process works, as well as explaining possible issues during surgery.  

How does general anesthesia work?

An anesthesiologist administers medication through an IV line inserted into your arm or hand, although it is also available in the form of gas. Its effects come on in stages. The first stage is induction, which occurs just after the anesthesiologist administers medication. Next is the delirium stage, which causes irregular heartbeat and accelerated pulse rate. Monitoring is key during this stage to prevent side effects or complications. The next stage is the surgical anesthesia phase, which is when the procedure can actually take place.

What are the possible side effects?

Monitoring is crucial during procedures to ensure patients remain well. However, side effects like drowsiness, nausea, muscle aches, and dry mouth can occur after the patient is brought out of anesthesia.   It is also possible to overdose on the medication if the anesthesiologist provides too much. In this case, your brain will no longer signal your heart and lungs to function. This illustrates why it is so important for doctors to properly assess patient characteristics, such as height and weight, to get the correct dosage.  All surgical procedures entail some level of risk, and it is the responsibility of your doctor and other medical staff to proceed safely. When health care professionals are careless or negligent, serious complications can occur.  ]]>
On Behalf of Cassian & Carter LLC <![CDATA[Signs a resident is suffering nursing home neglect or abuse]]> 2021-06-10T15:59:57Z 2021-06-10T15:59:57Z abuse or neglect.

Preventable harm

If the nursing home has enough staff to operate as it should, then preventable issues such as bedsores and falls ought not to be a problem. For example, there should be enough staff available to shift or relocate an elder confined to a bed or chair at regular intervals to prevent pressure sores.

Poor hygiene

Unwashed hair, soiled clothing or bad smells may indicate that staff is neglecting the resident's hygiene needs. If the resident normally takes care of personal hygiene, though, it could indicate that neglect or abuse is taking a mental toll and leaving him or her depressed.

Medical deficiencies

Most older adults need glasses, hearing aids, walkers, dentures and other assistive devices. If a resident has broken glasses or a hearing aid is missing, it can effectively isolate him or her. Without dentures or mobility aids, a resident could go hungry or fall and break a hip. Missing medical devices may indicate at the least that staff is not paying attention. Theft may be an issue, or staff or another resident may be withholding or breaking items intentionally. Family members can take complaints to the long-term care ombudsman. However, if there is any sign that a resident is at risk of harm or immediate danger, then it is time to contact law enforcement.]]>
On Behalf of Cassian & Carter LLC <![CDATA[Common signs of a birth injury]]> 2021-05-25T21:29:04Z 2021-05-25T21:29:04Z misstep occurs during labor or delivery, it may have serious repercussions for the child moving forward. Find out about some signs that a baby may have sustained an injury at birth.

Bruising or swelling

A newborn's body is resiliant and meant to withstand the pressure and trauma of labor and delivery. However, there are physical indications that may immediately indicate something went wrong. Any signs of bruising and swelling, especially about the face, neck and head, may indicate further injury below the surface. Fractures, shoulder dislocation and head injury may occur if a baby becomes stuck and needs forcible through the birth canal.

Seizures or tremors

Sometimes, an injury does not leave a mark. A baby with a brain injury may exhibit other symptoms. Seizures or tremors within the first 48 hours after birth may indicate something is wrong in the brain. A brain injury may happen when the baby loses access to oxygen. This deprivation may occur if labor continues too long or if the cord cuts off the airway. Once a provider sees that a baby is in distress, emergency action must occur to ensure oxygen deprivation does not occur. Some birth injuries resolve after a few hours or days. Fractures may take a little longer. Brain injuries may leave a lasting impact on the development of a child. If there are any signs of a birth injury, the proper steps must proceed sooner rather than later.]]>
On Behalf of Cassian & Carter LLC <![CDATA[Know the risks of distracted driving]]> 2021-05-19T03:23:43Z 2021-05-19T03:23:36Z die in a collision in 2019. Many people associate cellphones with distractions, and this technology does take people's eyes off the road. If people look at their cellphones to send a text message, they can drive the length of a football field without looking at the road. However, distracted driving also includes activities such as changing the radio station, programming the GPS and talking to passengers.

Who is most prone to distracted driving?

Anyone can experience distractions behind the wheel. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, teenage drivers are more likely to drive while distracted than older drivers. One 2019 study found that about 39% of teenage drivers sent text messages and emails behind the wheel at least once ina 30-day period. Younger drivers also have a higher chance of getting into a fatal collision in which distracted driving is a factor.

Can people prevent distracted driving?

While people cannot control the behavior of other drivers, they can make sure that they avoid distractions behind the wheel. People should usually refrain from multitasking. This includes the following actions:
  • Eating
  • Reading emails and text messages
  • Making phone calls
  • Adjusting mirrors
  • Changing the radio station
  • Putting on makeup
Additionally, passengers can help drivers to focus on the road. People can program the GPS, read the map and answer phone calls so that drivers do not need to take their eyes off the road. By understanding the risks of distracted driving, people can do their part to make the road safer for everyone.]]>
On Behalf of Cassian & Carter LLC <![CDATA[What should you know about retained surgical items?]]> 2021-05-03T04:34:23Z 2021-05-03T04:34:17Z retain a surgical item in about 1 out of every 5,500 surgeries. These incidents can have a serious impact on your health. You may experience severe internal injuries and spend more time in the hospital as doctors treat these new wounds. In some situations, a retained item can lead to death.

Which items do surgeons leave behind?

Doctors and nurses may forget to remove several different kinds of items as they operate. One study found that between October 2012 and March 2018, surgical staff left 14 implants and 102 instruments inside patients. Retained objects also included 33 needles and blades, as well as 52 catheters and drains. Additionally, surgeons may leave behind guide wires and surgical sponges.

How can surgeons prevent retained items?

There are several ways that people can ensure that items do not stay inside a patient. The surgical staff should experience minimal interruptions and distractions during a procedure. As they prepare to finish the surgery, people should examine each tool used inside the body to determine if there are any pieces missing. Additionally, staff members should go over the surgical site before they close it. Do they see any surgical sponges or guidewires remaining? Staff members may also want to verbally verify that they have the same number of tools at the beginning and end of a procedure. If you think that your surgeon may have left an item behind, you should speak up. Immediate action may help decrease your chances of experiencing a complication.]]>