Nursing Homes Rate Themselves; Really!

According to an article published in yesterdays (August 24, 2014) New York Times, Medicare Star Ratings Allow Nursing Homes to Game the System (link below), Nursing Homes rate themselves on largely "self-reported data".  The data is for the most part not independently verified by the government or any neutral agency.  This presents serious and potential dangers to those among the vulnerable; our seniors.  Shouldn't we expect more?  Shouldn't we demand more?


Here's the link:  http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/25/business/medicare-star-ratings-allow-nursing-homes-to-game-the-system.html?smid=nytcore-iphone-share&smprod=nytcore-iphone&_r=1

What Do I Need To Prove In My Injury Case?

Posted on May 29, 2014 11:33am EDT

In order to win an injury case, there are several steps involved. This process is complex and it is important to team up with experience and sound counsel. Our team has been handling injury cases since 1958 and we are very familiar with the intricacies involved in the process. Rest assured that with us by your side, your rights will be fought for and we will not back down.

In order to win an injury case, we need to prove 2 things in trial:

1. The liability of the other party.
2. The damages caused by the other party's actions or negligence.

When proving liability and fault of the other party, we will need to investigate the details of your case. For example, if you were involved in an auto accident, the jury will look at the fault of each party and assign a percentage of fault. The degree of fault for the accident can be split 50/50 or one driver can be 100% at fault. Our job is to gather evidence and build a case to help prove the other party at fault for whatever accident you were involved in.

The second aspect of the case is proving the damages that you have suffered. This includes your injuries and any losses caused by the accident. To do so, we use medical reports, police reports, pictures, and any evidence that we can gather to build up your case. After proving the damages, we can fight for the deserved compensation moving forward.

For the help that you need in your injury case, call Adams Law Firm, P.C. We have recovered millions of dollars on behalf of clients throughout New York. If you have been injured in any type of accident in Rockland County, get started in your case with a free case review.
Call today to see how we can help.

What Is My Case Worth?

Posted on Apr 1, 2014 10:06am EST

 

One of the most commonly asked questions following an accident or injury is: "How much is my case worth?" There is no definitive answer that can be given to this question. The best possible answer is 'it depends,' but we can help you figure out some factors and defining elements to help you get a ballpark of the worth of your injury case. After looking into the severity on your injuries and all of the details of your accident case, we can help you determine an approximate worth. Before looking into the details of the case, you need to prove liability. If this matter is straightforward and the other party is clearly at fault, you can then dive into looking at the damages suffered. There are five main areas that play a role in the worth of a case, they are:

1. All previous medical bills following the accident
2. Any future medical costs due to the accident
3. All lost wages
4. Any loss of your earning capacity
5. Your pain and suffering due to the accident

Taking all of the above into consideration, we may be able to estimate the value of your case. To do so, we need to be able to provide evidence of the details of your case. Evidence can be provided through medical records, testimonies, pictures, police records and more. We can help you build the best possible injury case with solid evidence of all details of your case. Our end goal is to recover the maximum amount for our injured clients in order to help make recovery easier. We have been dedicated to this cause since 1958 and we are prepared to help you. See some of our case results.
Contact Adams Law Firm, P.C. to get started with a free initial consultation today!

What Should I Do After a Car Accident?

Posted on Jan 31, 2014 9:35pm EST

 

All too often injured victims do not take the appropriate procedures after a car accident and then later on they are unable to recover the deserved compensation. While it can be an emotionally traumatic and stressful situation, it is essential that you are able to gather the necessary information and evidence to help in an injury case. To help make the process easier for you, here is a checklist of the key steps that you need to take after being involved in an auto accident:

1. Check to make sure everyone involved is okay and call 911 if help is needed
2. Start talking to witnesses and bystanders and get their contact information
3. Call the police, even if it is just a minor accident
4. Take down information of the other drivers involved
5. Report the incident to your insurance company
6. Take pictures and notes as evidence
7. Seek medical attention for any injury

There is a purpose to each one of these steps, even if you do not see it. One other thing to note is that you need to file an accident report if the police do not come to the scene. This helps insurance companies and in turn it helps you in your injury claim. The purpose of the pictures and notes is to gather evidence of the scene and the accident, this can help you prove negligence and recover damages. The reason that you need to seek medical attention for your injuries is to have proof through medical records. This is similar to having proof through the police report, you need as much evidence as possible to build your case. Witness statements are imperative to helping your case as well. Make sure that you stay calm and take the necessary procedures to help your injury case after an accident. If you have any questions, feel free to call us at Adams Law Firm, P.C. We offer a free case evaluation where we can discuss your accident and the steps you need to take moving forward.

Former Jets QB Suffers Brain Damage

Posted on Jan 31, 2014 2:00pm EST

 

Joe Namath, the former quarterback for the New York Jets, has spoken out about the health of his brain after playing football for years. Namath is one of the most memorable players in the NFL and he had an interview with CBS on Sunday where he discusses medical matters. One of the quotes from the interview is about things that he has seen on his brain that has led to the need for treatments. He continues to talk about how human bodies are just not designed for football. Joe Namath is not the first former NFL player to come forward with this kind of connection between football and head injuries. Tony Dorsett, a former Cowboy, spoke about signs of brain damage as well. Also, this is not the only injury that Namath has experienced as a result of his football career, he also suffered from knee injuries that required two knee replacements.

The interview that will air on Super Bowl Sunday touches on the treatments Namath has had on his brain, fortunately also the improvements seen after treatment. The NFL has had countless cases of settlements for former players over concussions. They recently reached a settlement with 4,500 players but this is on hold at the moment. There are further concerns about the millions that may need to be distributed to former players that have serious medical needs. Tune in to the interview with CBS Sunday morning to hear more from Joe Namath about his injuries and medical concerns.

If you or a loved one have suffered serious injuries as a result of professional football or other sports, you may be able to receive some type of compensation. Do not hesitate to get in contact with Adams Law Firm, P.C. if you have questions or would like to set up a free case evaluation.
Read more about this issue in the Daily News Article or the Yahoo Sports Article.

NYC City Workers Injured In Cherry Picker Crash

Posted on Dec 6, 2013 6:00pm PST

 

According to the New York Post, two city workers were injured in Midtown on November 5 while they were stringing up holiday lights in a cherry picker.

The Post reported that the accident left one person “clinging to life and another in serious condition.”
The workers were reportedly hanging decorations and lowering themselves into a bucket near the corner of Columbus Avenue and West 67th Street around 1:30 a.m., when a UPS tractor trailer smashed into them, knocking them to the ground.

The men reportedly suffered head trauma and were taken to New York Presbyterian Hospital.
The UPS driver remained at the scene of the accident. An investigation into the crash is ongoing and charges are pending.

Locate a New York Personal Injury Attorney
Unfortunately, pedestrian accidents and car accidents can result in personal injuries like spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, amputations and broken bones. They can also result in wrongful death. If these workers live through this tragic accident, they may end up having to go to expensive physical and occupational therapies in order to regain strength and movement.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), in 2012 there were 75 fatal work injuries in New York City. If you or a loved one has suffered an injury because of a negligent driver in Rockland County or its surrounding areas, we will advocate on your behalf. Contact our lawyers today at (877) 699-1152 to learn more.

Adams Law Firm, P.C. – Rockland County Injury Attorney

[ Did You Know: According to the BLS, over the last four years, NYC has had an average of 70 work fatalities per year.]

Source: http://nypost.com/2013/11/05/cherry-picker-crash-injures-2-city-workers/

Pedestrians Injured in NYC Construction Accident

Posted on Nov 15, 2013 6:05pm EST

 

The New York Daily News reported that three people were injured near Seventh Avenue and West 40thStreet in New York City on November 1 when a piece of plywood construction forming a wall near Times Square crashed.

The newspaper reported that two women and a man had to be dragged from the wreckage of the construction accident, and were transported to Bellevue Hospital for treatment. The accident occurred around 10 a.m.

“Someone yelled, ‘There is someone under the wall!’” 53-year-old Greg Muse, a salesman from Boston, told the Daily News. “There were probably 25 people lifting the wall. It was pretty heavy.”
An official with the city’s Buildings Department told the Daily News that the accident was caused by high winds that blew down a construction wall that had not been properly secured to the building at 561 Seventh Ave.

Einstein Construction Group, a Texas-based contractor working on the ground floor, was hit with violations and a stop-work order was placed on the site, an official told the Daily News. A representative with Einstein denied that it was the company’s fault, saying it was responsible for doing work inside the location, not outside.

It is bad enough when construction accidents injure workers onsite; it is simply unacceptable when a company’s negligence results in pedestrian injuries. Construction accidents can result in personal injurieslike spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, amputations and broken bones. They can also result in wrongful death.

If you or a loved one has suffered an injury because of a construction accident in Rockland County or its surrounding areas, we will advocate on your behalf. Contact our lawyers today at (877) 699-1152 to learn more.

Some Nursing Homes Overprescribing Powerful Antipsychotic Drugs

Posted on Dec 13, 2013 9:21pm EST

 

Forbes had an eye-opening report last month about nursing home residents being given powerful antipsychotic drugs despite concerns over them being inappropriate and dangerous.
According to Forbes, residents are being given drugs used to treat diseases such as schizophrenia, even though they are dementia patients who need only to be calmed.

The news service reported, “In March, 2012, the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services kicked off an effort aimed at reducing nursing home use of antipsychotic drugs from nearly 24 percent to about 20 percent by the end of that year.”

However, a year later, nearly 21 percent of residents, or an estimated 300,000 people, are still receiving these drugs, which include Depacon, Depakote, Depakote CP, Depakote ER, Depakene or Stavzor, as well as Risperdal, Zyprexa and Seroquel.

These drugs have been linked to high blood pressure, insomnia, increased liver enzymes, hyperthyroidism and diabetic ketoacidosis.

Looking for an Attorney that Handles Nursing Home Abuse or Negligence?
Although it is not illegal to prescribe drugs for unapproved uses, it may not be ethical. As Forbes reported, “Many [healthcare providers] find it easy to manage anxiety, confusion, or behavioral issues of their residents with drugs. It is, for too many facilities, a convenient solution even though most research shows few benefits for residents and many risks.”

Aside from death, prescription drug complications can result in serious personal injuries, especially if they interact with other medications or are overprescribed.

If you have a loved one that has been injured because of nursing home abuse or negligence, like a prescription misfill or error, contact our firm for a free consultation. We have obtained multi-million settlements and verdicts for our clients.

Adams Law Firm, P.C. – Rockland County Nursing Home Attorneys

Source: http://www.forbes.com/sites/howardgleckman/2013/11/20/dementia-patients-still-getting-dangerous-antipsychotic-drugs-in-nursing-homes/