Georgia Injury Law Blog

Published on: February 8, 2023

Feds to Probe Abuse of Antipsychotics in Nursing Homes

The federal administration has announced that it will soon launch an investigation of the wrongful use or overuse of antipsychotic drugs on patients in nursing homes.

The administration has long been investigating the misuse of antipsychotic sedatives, including those that are typically prescribed for nursing home patients who do not require these drugs at all. In too many cases, investigators have found nursing homes wrongly classifying certain patients as schizophrenic so that they may be prescribed antipsychotic sedative drugs. The administration has also found several nursing homes engaging in these practices and wants to understand whether these practices are widespread in the industry. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services believes that the problem is a prevalent one, and that its scope has not been fully investigated. Therefore, it has now announced that it will soon launch an investigation of such practices in the nursing home industry.

Schizophrenia is a psychotic disorder that is characterized by symptoms that include delusions, hallucinations and other symptoms. Antipsychotic drugs are often used to treat patients with schizophrenia. Side effects of these medications can include death. It is estimated that less than 1% of the American population suffers from schizophrenia. However, more than 99 nursing homes classify as many as 20% of their patients with schizophrenia. That is a disproportionately large percentage of nursing home residents who are being diagnosed with this condition, relative to the American population with schizophrenia. In other words, the math simply does not add up here.

Published on: January 30, 2023

Car Accident Wrongful Deaths Drop Slightly in First 9 Months of 2022

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Statistics seem to show a slight drop in the number of people killed in car accidents across the country during the first 9 months of 2022, compared to the same period of time the previous year. However, the number of people killed in pedestrian accidents and bicycle accidents increased over the same period of time.

New statistics released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration show a very slight drop in auto accident fatalities in the first 9 months of last year, compared to the same period of time in 2019. A total of 31,785 people were killed in car accidents between January and September 2022, compared to the previous year. That was a 0.2% drop. The bad news, however, is that bicycle accident and pedestrian accident wrongful deaths continued to rise over the first 9 months of 2022 as they have for several years now.

Car accident deaths across the country and in Georgia have been at elevated levels since 2020 when the pandemic struck and lock downs were imposed. In spite of a drop in traffic volumes with few people driving on the streets, the number of auto accidents began to spike, confounding experts. Since then, we have learned that auto accident numbers began to rise in 2020 because of reckless driving behaviors, including speeding. With lower traffic volumes on the road, motorists became much more comfortable driving at high speeds, and those behaviors have continued since then. Additionally, the lack of enforcement campaigns during this time also meant more numbers of people driving without wearing their seatbelts or driving under the influence of alcohol, contributing to those high statistics.

Published on: January 23, 2023

Majority of Motorists, Pedestrians Concerned about Auto Accident Risks

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Fears for personal safety are widespread among motorists and pedestrians, a majority of whom in a recent survey admitted that they were very concerned about their risks of being involved in an auto accident while traveling.

The results of the survey revealed that as many as 83% of motorists and 78% of pedestrians are concerned about their risks of being involved in an auto accident while on the road. Auto safety is definitely a priority and a major concern for most American motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists. Respondents in the survey opined that safe transport should be the top most transportation safety concern for authorities, and should be given more importance than efficient commutes, sustainable transport and other initiatives.

Those fears for safety are not entirely unfounded. Americans have been treated to a variety of disquieting news articles about declining safety standards and increasing car accident deaths across the country over the past few months. In 2021, for instance, there were more than 42,000 car accident wrongful deaths recorded across the country, the highest number on record in 16 years. The number of pedestrians killed in car accidents increased by close to 12% between 2019 and 2021, and there were close to 7,500 wrongful deaths in these auto accidents last year.

Published on: January 13, 2023

Tips to Avoid Being Involved in Chain Reaction Car Accidents this Winter

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Chain reaction auto accidents that involve multiple vehicles are a serious threat during the winter season. With winter storms and blizzards in many parts of the country, including Georgia recently, it is important for motorists to understand that these are some of the most treacherous conditions that they could be driving in.

Many parts of Georgia, especially the north, typically see several snowstorms over the winter season. If you are a motorist in Georgia or plan to travel around the state over winter, it is likely that you will come across some kind of snow storm or other wintry or icy road conditions. It is important for motorists to understand that these are some of the most treacherous and hazardous weather conditions for a motorist to drive in. Multi-vehicle chain reaction car accidents that initially start off with a single vehicle or two are common during the winter months. Elsewhere around the country, several multi vehicle accidents have resulted in serious personal injuries and wrongful deaths this winter season.

Protect yourself against being involved in a multi vehicle auto accident this winter by following these tips.

Published on: January 9, 2023

Brain Injury Association Launches Concussion Awareness Coalition

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Concussions are some of the most common head injuries that occur in car accidents and motorcycle accidents, but are often ignored with sometimes serious consequences. It is this mindset that the nation’s premier brain injury advocacy group will seek to change with a new initiative.

The Brain Injury Association of America in collaboration with Abbott recently launched a coalition of more than 20 brain injury advocacy groups. The coalition called Concussion Awareness Now will conduct education campaigns across the country in order to raise awareness about the possibly serious consequences of concussions.

According to experts, concussions are often brushed aside as minor injuries. These injuries sometimes can result in no loss of consciousness and no bleeding. There may be no swelling or inflammation at the site of the injury. The lack of any visible symptoms can sometimes spur people into a sense of complacency, and many victims who have suffered a concussion may not even seek medical treatment.

Published on: December 30, 2022

Alcohol Related Personal Injuries Increase Odds of Dying One Year Later

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

People who have suffered an alcohol related personal injury, like an injury that results from a drunk driving car accident, may have their chances of dying in the year after the injury increase significantly.

As the holiday season commences, it is important for Georgia motorists to understand that driving under the influence of alcohol, or otherwise using alcohol irresponsibly in a manner that causes them personal injury may actually increase their chances of dying in the year after the injury. According to the results of a new study that was published in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, when a person suffers an injury of the kind that results from an alcohol -related car accident, or any alcohol-related accident, especially an injury that is serious enough to require hospitalization, the chances of the person dying after the injury increase by a staggering 5 times.

The researchers looked at people who suffered from alcohol – related disorders and analyzed their fatality risk after suffering a serious personal injury related to their alcoholism. Different types of injuries were studied as part of the research. These injuries include those that result from drunk driving accidents as well as slip and fall accidents which are common when a person is inebriated and not in complete control of his senses. The researchers also included those injuries that occurred as a result of attempted self-harm, or when the person is involved in drunken fights.

Published on: December 13, 2022

7 Warning Signs that a Senior Motorist can no Longer Drive Safely

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

An increasing population of senior motorists on Georgia roads translates into a large number of drivers with possibly impaired driving abilities, and an increased risk of auto accidents.

It is important to note that not every person above the age of 65 is a dangerous driver. In fact, a fit and healthy senior can expect to be driving for many more years, provided he or she is in excellent physical health. However, in some cases, a senior motorist may exhibit signs of impairment that can impact his ability to drive safely. Because a senior’s impaired driving abilities can significantly affect not just his or her own safety, but also the safety of other motorists on the road, it is up to the family to look out for warning signs of declining driving abilities and heightened car accident risks in the senior.

Here are some warning signs that should alert you to the possibility that your loved one is incapable of driving safely.

Published on: December 6, 2022

Auto Braking Cuts Pickup Truck Accident Rates, But Few Trucks are Equipped

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Auto braking systems that use sensors, cameras and other devices to determine whether the vehicle is too close to the vehicle in front can significantly reduce the risks of auto accidents involving pickup trucks. However, according to a new study, far too many pickup trucks are lacking this important safety feature.

Many automobiles now come with automatic braking systems that significantly reduce the risk of certain types of auto accidents, specifically rear-ender accidents. Pickup truck manufacturers have been slow to add these very important safety features to their vehicles. A new study conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety lays down exactly how important automatic braking systems are for pickup trucks.

The study used data from 25 states between 2007 and 2012, and the researchers found in their analysis that the rate of rear-end car accidents involving pickup trucks was 43% lower in cases in which the truck was equipped with an automatic braking system. In cases of auto accidents involving an injury, the rate was 42% lower in the case of pickup trucks equipped with automatic braking systems. Overall, there was a 73% reduction in the number of injurious and fatal car accidents involving pickup trucks, when these vehicles were equipped with auto braking systems.

Published on: November 30, 2022

Many of Nation’s Deadliest Roads Run Through Georgia with the highest car accidents

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

A new list of the most dangerous roads in the country includes at least three interstates that run through the state of Georgia. These highways are already very well known in the state for the large number of auto accidents that they see every year.

The list was compiled by Zebra car insurance company. The company used data from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System to identify the states and cities that are home to the most dangerous roads in the country based on the number of car accidents and fatal crashes that occur on these roads. The company specifically looked at the number of car accident deaths for every 100 million vehicle miles traveled.

Taking top position, to no one’s surprise is Interstate 95, a notoriously dangerous stretch of highway that has long been known for the large number of car accidents, including fatal auto accidents, that occur here. Interstate 95 has long held the title of the country’s most dangerous highway. According to data by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2019, a total of 284 people were killed in car accidents on interstate 95. This highway has a fatality toll rate of 14.88 deaths for every 100,000 miles traveled. By any comparison, those are disturbing statistics.

Published on: November 22, 2022

Some Motorists at Higher Risk of Distracted Driving Car Accidents

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Gig economy workers and parents are much more likely to be distracted by smartphone apps while driving, exposing them to the risk of an auto accident. This is a simple idea that the majority of these drivers do not understand.

It’s a myth that distracted driving only involves the use of cell phones for texting or having conversations while driving. As smartphones become more sophisticated and as we rely more and more on smartphone apps for daily routine activities, we find that motorists are at risk of using these apps while at the wheel with possibly disastrous consequences. A new study finds that gig economy workers are up to four times more likely to use a smartphone app while driving. Examples are rideshare drivers who may frequently use smartphone apps in order to connect with potential riders. Similarly, delivery workers are also much more likely to use smartphone apps while driving as part of their daily work routines.

Parents of young children are also very likely to use smartphone apps while driving. A parent driving his child to school, for instance, might be likely to check on a weather app to learn the forecast ahead, or traffic updates for the route. The study found that drivers of children below the age of 18 were as much as 50% more likely to use a smartphone app while driving.