September 24, 2008

How much can a dog bite cost me?

Depending upon the amount of the damages and the severity of the injuries sustained, it could cost tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Dog bite claims make up approximately one third of all liability claims against home owners insurance policies. More than 4.7 million people are bitten by dogs each year. Nearly 25% of those bitten require medical attention. Medical costs can range from a trip to the emergency room at a cost of $500.00 to multiple surgeries and medical procedures totaling in excess of a hundred thousand dollars or more or even death. Some policies of insurance do not cover certain breeds of dogs for dog bites or personal injuries as a result of the dog. Most policies have provisions that may demand a higher premium if you choose to cover a high risk dog or after your dog bites someone for the first time. Some other insurance policies may drop your dog from coverage if there is an attack or bite.

Dog owners can get into trouble if homeowners insurance will not cover an attack or bite, the dog owner chooses to keep the animal and does not get any additional insurance and that same dog attacks someone else. If for one reason or another, your homeowners insurance declines coverage, or you are self insured, you will be responsible for your dogs actions. In this case, a skilled lawyer will likely get a judgment against you as the owner/or responsible party for the damage that your dog caused.

For more information on dogbite claims, please visit our website.

 

September 22, 2008

Medical negligence in children

 
Studies have shown that about 10 percent of children will be the victim of a medical error during their stay at the hospital and nearly 25 percent of those errors are preventable. Additionally, children are at a greater risk of injury or death as contrasted with adult patients. 
 
What can you do to as the patient or parent of a patient to help prevent medical errors before they happen?
 
Patients that are more involved with their care get better results. That means understanding the condition or diagnosis, how the physician went about with a diagnosis and the available treatment options including the risk involved. 
 
Also, your doctor must be made aware of any medicines that you are taking including over the counter medications. Your doctor must also know about allergies or allergic reactions to any medicine. 
 
If you are having surgery and have a choice as to which hospital to have the procedure, you should choose the hospital that has treated other patients with similar conditions to the one you have. You should make it clear with your physician as to the correct body part and the specific surgery to be done on that body part. There have been instances where physicians have operated on the wrong body part. You should also ask all health care workers with whom you come into contact with whether they have washed their hands. When you are released from the hospital, make sure that you and your physician are clear about what activities you can return to.   Please visit http://www.foranlaw.com/resources/maryland-medical-malpractice-lawyer/Hospital-Negligence-Attorney.html to read more about hospital negligence and medical malpractice. 
 
If you have test or procedure performed, follow up about the results. No news does not always mean good news. 
 
You should ask any questions that you have and make sure that your personal physician is involved in some way with your case. 
 
 

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