Ambulette Crashes

As reported today in The Journal News, one year ago today one of the worst ambulette crashes in the Hudson Valley occurred between a bus and an ambulette.

(http://www.lohud.com/story/news/transit/2016/05/13/ambulette-safe-crash/82948428/)

Because people who use such services are the elderly, infirm, disabled, or suffer from some other malady, these collisions often have dire consequences.  This can make them more vulnerable to injury.  Improper training of operator's, short staffing, unsafe vehicles, not being properly seat-belted are frequent contributing factors.

Perhaps it's time for our lawmakers and oversight agencies to take a more active role in helping to prevent injuries such as these.

Medical Errors 3rd Biggest Killer in U.S.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2016/05/03/second-study-says-medical-errors-third-leading-cause-death-us/83874022/

Talcum Powder and $55 million

Johnson & Johnson has been found responsible for causing a woman to suffer from ovarian cancer.  A jury has determined her harms and losses to equal $55 million dollars.  $5 million for actual damages and $50 million for punitive damages.

Why punitive damages?  Punitive are intended to punish the responsible party.  J&J has apparently known for years about this danger, yet did nothing to prevent it.

This is the 2nd such verdict against J&J in recent weeks.

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-johnson-johnson-talc-verdict-idUSKCN0XT20L

Medical Errors Killing 10% of Americans

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, medical errors (in other words, malpractice) is the 3rd leading cause of death in this Country.

Most of it is preventable.  Unfortunately, laws that have made it harder to sue hospitals and doctors have made medical malpractice more commonplace.

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/this-is-secretly-killing-10-of-americans-2016-05-04