CitiBank recently announced a change to its overdraft policies. Beginning July 25, 2011, CitiBank will process checks from smallest to largest. Currently, most banks process checks from largest to smallest, which means that if a large check overdraws an account, then each smaller check will do so also, resulting in […]
One in Three Hospital Patients Will Be Injured by a Medical Mistake
No one wants to believe this frightening fact. One in three? That’s right. Studies now show that one out of every three hospital admissions includes an injury to a patient due to a medical mistake. If everyone knew how dangerous hospitals are, I wouldn’t have to explain my job at […]
House Bill 709: A Radical Attack on Injured Workers in North Carolina
Big business and insurance company lobbyists have pressured some of our legislators to file a bill, House Bill 709, that is a radical attack on the rights of injured workers. The bill has many objectionable provisions, but here are some of the worst: With few exceptions, the bill limits both […]
National Asbestos Awareness Week Brings Attention to Disease
Thanks to a resolution passed by the US Senate, the first week of April 2011 has been designated as National Asbestos Awareness Week. Senate Resolution 63 is intended to raise awareness about the prevalence of asbestos-related diseases among the population of people who have been exposed to the fiber, and […]
FDA’s Abbreviated Process for Approving Medical Devices Puts Dangerous Devices on the Market
In a recent study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine the authors found that 71 percent of medical devices were approved through the FDA’s less-rigorous 510(k) process. Most of the medical devices recalled in the FDA’s highest-risk recall category (a risk of serious injury or death) were cleared for […]
Should I Use My Hazard Lights in the Rain?
In a heavy rain storm when your windshield wipers just won’t keep up, you want to be as safe as possible. Sometimes it is not even safe to pull over. You want to do something. Don’t turn on your hazard lights. The hazard lights indicate your vehicle is a hazard […]
What’s Wrong With This Picture?
There is something wrong with this picture – right? Putting a price tag on the medical liability system is difficult, but one 2010 study estimated it costs the United States more than $55 billion annually, or 2.4 percent of the country’s healthcare spending. In addition, experts say tens of thousands […]
Don’t Believe The ‘Stella Awards’ Emails!
Every year, chain emails about the ‘Stella Awards’ are forwarded. These emails contain false stories about lawsuits and are designed to make you think that people are getting rich off of frivolous lawsuits that are ruining our country. Don’t believe this propaganda. Snopes.org, a website that ‘fact checks’ urban legends […]
A Family Health History Can Be An Important Health Tool
Uncovering your family health history may be beneficial in predicting the diseases you may experience. This is according to a study conducted by the Cleveland Clinic as reported in FindLaw.com. Family gatherings offer a great opportunity to learn you family medical history- which is most insightful if thoroughly gathered from […]
Hospital Medical Errors Continue At Alarming Rate
A recent study entitled “Adverse Events in Hospitals: National Incidence Among Medicare Beneficiaries” published on the website for the Office of Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services points out that medical errors are still costly in terms of lives and money. “The study said unexpected adverse […]