A new study has found that expectant mothers with asthma may be at a greater risk of delivering prematurely if they are exposed to high levels of traffic-related air pollution just before conception and in early pregnancy. National Institutes of Health researchers noted both short-term and continuous exposure to carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides increased…
Around 8 percent of expectant mothers suffer traumatic injuries such as fractures and open wounds that typically arise from falls or car accidents. A recent study has suggested pregnant women who sustain traumatic injuries may experience better outcomes when treated at trauma centers instead of non-trauma hospitals. According to research published in the Journal of…
A study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that mistakes on the part of drivers are the cause of 94 percent of all car accidents, and about 87 percent of drivers engage in unsafe behaviors. Meanwhile, the number of deaths from car accidents has risen sharply. In 2015, there were 38,300 fatalities and…
With a baby on board, pregnant women may find it more difficult to maintain balance and be surefooted. Pregnancy brings with it many bodily changes like a shift in the center of gravity, weight gain, a protruding belly, dizziness and loosening of ligaments. As a result, expectant mothers may be prone to falls. While there…
In this month’s Florida Injury Report, we look at the five most preventable Fort Lauderdale birth injuries. [powerpress]
The United States has a high caesarean-section rate of 32.5 percent in comparison to the average of 28 percent among developed nations. The high rate has been controversial as the surgical procedure is not always medically necessary. While C-sections may be performed due to a woman’s personal preference, in some cases they are required for…
Recent research suggests step training and exercises for improving balance may help prevent seniors from slipping and falling. People over the age of 65 are particularly at risk for sustaining serious injuries from such accidents. A Yale University study has found that exercising can help older men significantly reduce their risk of dangerous falls. The…
A new app called QUiPP could help doctors predict the risk of preterm deliveries. Infants born before 37 weeks’ gestation are considered premature. Each year 15 million babies worldwide are born prematurely. More than one million die from the resulting birth injures and complications. Doctors use several factors to determine the risk of premature birth…
Footwear can play an important role in slip and fall lawsuits. Florida’s liability system is based on comparative negligence, which means a jury can reduce an award by the extent the victim is deemed responsible for causing their injuries. While wearing certain types of footwear does not automatically make someone negligent, the defendant in a…
Researchers have claimed doctors should not assume that a mother who has previously undergone a vaginal delivery is exempt from the risk of her subsequent babies sustaining brachial plexus birth injuries. A recent study analyzed all brachial plexus birth injuries that occurred between October 2003 and March 2013 at an academic medical institution. There were…
In an effort to tackle the large number of slip and fall accidents reported in Palm Beach County, Florida, officials announced three senior health fairs in January. Palm Beach County Fire Rescue said 87 percent of the 911 calls they received in 2015 were regarding medical emergencies. The most common calls they responded to involved…
As the product reportedly catches on fire, a number of retailers are pulling the products from their sites, and the federal Consumer Product Safety Commission is conducting an investigation. [powerpress]
A diabetes medication considered safe for pregnant women could potentially be used to treat or prevent preeclampsia, a leading cause of maternal death. Preeclampsia is a pregnancy complication that kills more than 60,000 women around the world each year. It occurs when an insufficient blood supply to the placenta causes the release of toxins into…
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one out of five slip and fall accidents results in a head injury, broken bones or other serious injuries. Hazardous conditions such as spills on supermarket floors and cracked sidewalks have the potential to cause slip and fall accidents that can lead to significant head injuries….
Simulation using manikins is becoming an integral part of medical training around the country to help improve the quality of care for patients. Research indicates that simulated learning environments contribute to preparing medical staff for emergencies, enhance their skills and allow them to practice rarely used procedures. In addition, simulator training is credited with reducing…
University of Pittsburgh researchers received a $1.5 million grant from the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health to develop techniques for predicting the wear rate of footwear in order to reduce the risk of slip and fall accidents. The study is titled “Impact of Worn Shoes on Slipping.” The university’s Swanson School of Engineering…
The Florida Supreme Court in December 2015 decided not to hear a dispute over whether the University of Miami could be held liable for the actions of two physicians it employed through its medical school. The case concerned a baby who sustained a brain injury during delivery in 1998 at Jackson North Maternity Center in…
Florida officials are looking for ways to prevent wrong-way car crashes, which occur with alarming frequency in the state. In April, a study published by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) found that 75 people were killed in 280 wrong-way crashes between 2009 and 2013 on Florida highways. Miami-Dade County accounted for 60 of those…
In this month’s podcast, the Florida Supreme Court Weighs in on a University of Miami birth injury case. [powerpress]
Tire Defects and Tire Recalls Defective tires are a major concern of consumer safety advocates and industry watchdogs, who point to their involvement in numerous traffic accidents and fatalities. A defective tire can suddenly come apart at the treads or blow out, sending the vehicle spinning out of control. In recent years, high-profile defective tire…
