Indiana Injury Lawyer Blog

Thursday, the state of Indiana honored Indiana workers who were killed on the job. On the job injuries or deaths are often deemed Work Comp related because they happen while a worker is in the course and scope of employment. April 28th was the annual Workers' Memorial Day ceremony. People at the Indiana Statehouse in downtown Indianapolis honored the 122 Indiana workers killed on the job in 2010.

As reported by www.fox59.com in the article, "Workers Killed on the Job in 2010 Remembered at Indiana Statehouse," the AFL-CIO union put on the event and stated they want legislators to implement tougher laws to safeguard Hoosier workers.

While even one death is too many, Indiana is seeing the number of Hoosier workers killed on the job decline. According to the Indiana Department of Labor, in 2009, 123 workers were killed on the job. That number was the lowest on record for Indiana until last year, when that number of on the job deaths dropped to 122.

Continue reading " INDIANA HONORS WORKERS KILLED ON THE JOB " »

A federal judge in Hammond, Indiana did not accept a plea deal for the former northwest Indiana nose doctor charged with 22 counts of fraud and facing about 300 Medical Malpractice and Medical Negligence lawsuits. Merrillville's Mark Weinberger pled guilty in October to those health care fraud charges in exchange for four years in prison. Wednesday morning, an Indiana judge said that sentence wasn't tough enough.

As reported by the Chicago Tribune in the article, "Judge Rejects Plea Deal for Ex-Fugitive Doctor," many of Weinberger's former patients wrote to the judge asking him to reject the plea deal with prosecutors. The judge said those letters did not impact his ruling. This case could now go to trial.

Legal troubles are not new to Weinberger. The Chicago Tribune states the former Indiana doctor was recently convicted of Wrongful Death in a medical malpractice case where one of his former patients died of cancer after he did not diagnose it. Weinberger fled the country for about five years after that patient's death. Authorities captured him in 2009 in the Alps.

Indiana does have guidelines on how Medical Malpractice cases should be handled. They are outlined in the Indiana Medical Malpractice Act which is also known as the Indiana Compensation Act for Patients or INCAP. It contains five components: statute of limitations, limits on recovery, patient's compensation fund, medical review panel, and limit on attorney fees.

Continue reading " INDIANA JUDGE REJECTS DEAL FOR MERRILLVILLE SURGEON FACING HUNDREDS OF MEDICAL MALPRACTICE LAWSUITS " »

An Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officer was hurt in a Car Crash Wednesday night on Indianapolis's east side. An Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department spokesperson says both of the officer's legs were injured. The officer was taken to Methodist Hospital in Marion County. The officer's injuries could be deemed Work Comp related because he was hurt while in the course and scope of employment.

As reported by www.theindychannel.com in the article, "IMPD Officer Injured in High-Speed Chase," Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officials say the auto accident began when an officer saw a stolen car and began to follow it. The stolen car driver then apparently began to speed away, and a chase ensued into an alley. Indiana investigators say as the stolen car was heading west in the alley, it collided head-on into another Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department squad car that was helping end the chase. Police say the stolen car driver ran away after the vehicle crash. Also during the chase, a woman was hurt after she was pushed or jumped out of the stolen car. She was taken to Indianapolis's Wishard Hospital. No word if her injuries are work comp related.

The term "Work Comp" or "Workers' Compensation" refers to the laws covering an injury one suffers while in the course and scope of employment. In other words, it's an injury one suffers while on the job. "On the job" can be in a variety of places, not just in an office or construction site. Work Comp injuries can, indeed, happen while in a vehicle. According to the Indiana Department of Labor, in 2005, 5.2% of the work-related injuries and illnesses that required workers to miss work were caused by transportation accidents.

Continue reading " INDIANAPOLIS POLICE OFFICER HURT IN CAR CRASH WITH STOLEN VEHICLE IN MARION COUNTY " »

Lafayette's Dustin Stevens is facing criminal charges stemming from a deadly Vehicle Crash on a United States Interstate 65 exit ramp last autumn. The 28-year old is charged in a Tippecanoe County, Indiana Superior Court with several counts including operating a vehicle while intoxicated with a controlled substance in his blood causing death and operating a vehicle while intoxicated causing death. The Indiana State Toxicology Lab apparently found traces of marijuana in Stevens's blood.

As reported by www.jconline.com in the article, "Charges Filed in Fatal Wrong-Way Crash on I-65 Ramp," the auto accident happened on the northbound United States Interstate 65 exit ramp to Indiana 26. Stevens was apparently driving the wrong way when the passenger side of his car crashed into a Semi Truck. 30-year old Brooke Adams was a passenger in Stevens's car. She died as a result of the vehicle collision. No word if the semi truck driver suffered any Work Comp injuries.

Driving under the influence of drugs along with driving the wrong way can be highly dangerous. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2009, driving under the influence of drugs, alcohol or medication accounted for about 7,000 fatal vehicle crashes. Driving the wrong way accounted for more than 1300 deadly vehicle accidents.

Continue reading " CHARGES FILED AGAINST LAFAYETTE MAN BLAMED IN DEADLY VEHICLE CRASH " »

Indiana's fellow midwestern state, Iowa, is drawing criticism for not doing nearly enough to prevent Nursing Abuse and Nursing Home Neglect. Patient advocates are upset because the state of Iowa cannot pose fines on hospitals or hospital owned nursing homes. This is the case even in instances of nursing home abuse and nursing home neglect.

As reported by www.desmoinesregister.com in the article, "Iowa Hospices Inspected Only Once Every 20 Years," patient advocates says Iowa's health care system is ripe for poor care. That, unfortunately, can lead to Medical Malpractice and Medical Negligence. For example, Iowa does not oversee privately run home health agencies nor does it necessitate licensing or government inspection of out-patient surgical centers. And Iowa hospices are only inspected once every 20 years.

Fortunately for Hoosiers, Indiana has much more oversight on the health care facilities in its state. According to the state's website, Indiana's General Assembly recently created the Regulated Occupations Evaluation Committee. This committee looks into all professional licenses in the state including those in the health care field and examines the state board responsible for reviewing and regulating nursing home administrators.

Continue reading " INDIANA'S FELLOW MIDWESTERN STATE CRITICIZED FOR LACK OF NURSING HOME ABUSE PREVENTION " »

Four people are hurt, two very seriously, after a Car Accident on Indianapolis's southeast side. The auto accident happened early Tuesday morning on Fisher Road. One of the car's passengers is in critical condition at Indianapolis's Methodist Hospital. The car's driver is in serious condition at Indianapolis's Wishard Hospital. The other two passengers are not severely hurt. No word if any of the injuries are Work Comp related.

As reported by www.fox59.com in the article, "Serious Crash on Southeast Side Injures Four," Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officers say the car's driver lost control and one person in the back seat was ejected. Indiana investigators believe the car might have flipped over after the driver lost control. Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officers say alcohol might be to blame for the crash.

It is well-known that driving while under the influence of alcohol is extremely dangerous. Unfortunately, sometimes, it can be fatal. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, drivers under the influence of alcohol, drugs or medication were involved in more than a hundred deadly vehicle crashes in Indiana in 2009.

Continue reading " FOUR PEOPLE HURT IN SERIOUS CAR ACCIDENT IN INDIANAPOLIS " »

Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officers are looking for the driver involved in a hit and run Vehicle Accident in a stolen car. This accident involved a bicyclist who was hit by a car early Monday morning at the intersection of 31st and Clifton on Indianapolis's west side. The bicyclist was hurt but is expected to be okay. No word if any of the injuries are Work Comp related.

As reported by www.fox59.com in the article, "Bicyclist Injured After Hit and Run on Indianapolis West Side," Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officers found the car shortly after the accident. It was apparently stolen and burnt and recovered at the intersection of Congress and Elmira in Indianapolis.

People get hurt on bikes all too often, but solid statistics are hard to come by because many bike accidents are not reported. Many people assume bicyclists are usually at fault in accidents involving cars, but recent research refutes that claim. According to www.bicycleuniverse.info, a study by the group, Right of Way, looked at fatal bicycle accidents in New York City. The study showed that traffic violations by motorists, not bicyclists, were the main cause of deadly bike accidents.

Continue reading " INDIANA BICYCLIST HIT BY CAR IN HIT AND RUN VEHICLE ACCIDENT IN INDIANAPOLIS " »

A former Northwest Indiana doctor is the subject of more than 300 Medical Malpractice lawsuits. Thus, many of Mark Weinberger's former patients are not satisfied with the plea deal he received on federal fraud charges. They believe his sentence isn't tough enough.

As reported by www.myfoxchicago.com in the article, "Patients Unhappy with Dr. Mark Weinberger's Plea Deal," Weinberger recently pled guilty to 22 counts of health care fraud and in return, he is to spend 4 years in prison. A federal judge has to first accept the deal, and many of Weinberger's former patients are asking the judge to reject it. He is set to be sentenced on Wednesday.

Weinberger is no stranger to controversy. Just last month, a Lake County, Indiana jury convicted him of medical malpractice in the death of his former patient Phyllis Barnes. She died in 2004 after Weinberger did not diagnose her throat cancer. Soon after Barnes' death, Weinberger disappeared, fleeing to Europe before authorities found him five years later.

Indiana's Medical Malpractice Act has been in place since 1975. That's more than 35 years. It stipulates how medical malpractice and medical negligence cases should be handled and caps the monetary amount juries can award in medical malpractice cases. The Indiana State Medical Association reports that the law has faced constitutional challenges, but unlike in other states, it has not been overturned.

Continue reading " MORE THAN 300 MEDICAL MALPRACTICE LAWSUITS FILED AGAINST FORMER INDIANA DOCTOR " »

An Indiana woman suffered severe injuries after she was involved in a Semi Truck Crash in Florida. The Vehicle Accident happened Wednesday afternoon near Englewood. Florida Highway Patrol officers say the Indiana victim is 63-year old Marjorie Bunting from Dagsboro.

As reported by the Herald-Tribune in the article, "Woman Seriously Injured in Englewood Accident," Bunting did not stop at a stop sign while driving her car north. Florida Highway Patrol officers say she then tried to drive her car in front of a semi that was going west. That's when her car collided with the truck. No word if the truck driver suffered any Work Comp injuries. Bunting is expected to be charged with violation of right of way.

People can be involved in auto accidents at any age. Sometimes, tragically, the vehicle accidents are fatal. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the 55-64 year old age group had the fifth highest number of people killed in vehicle accidents in 2009 with 3,781 deaths.

Continue reading " INDIANA WOMAN SERIOUSLY HURT IN SEMI TRUCK ACCIDENT IN FLORIDA " »

A Fort Wayne, Indiana construction worker's family is grieving after he was killed in a Semi Truck Accident last week while on the job. On the Job Accidents are often deemed Work Comp related because they happen while the victim is in the course and scope of employment. 25-year old Ryan Zimmerman was working for a contractor for the Indiana Department of Transportation on United States 27 when a semi ran him over and killed him.

As reported by www.wane.com in the article, "Family of Killed Construction Worker Speaks Out," Zimmerman was part of a PRIMCO construction crew fixing concrete on United States 27 in Decatur when the on the job accident happened. He was in a dug up section of the road when the tractor trailer turned, and apparently, that's when the semi's trailer ran over Zimmerman.

As a result of this construction accident, officials with the Indiana Department of Transportation are requesting that drivers use extra caution when in construction zones. Unfortunately, work zones on roads are very dangerous. According to www.workzonesafety.org, in Indiana, in 2009, 13 people died in motor vehicle traffic accidents in construction/maintenance zones. And throughout the country in 2009, large trucks were involved in 122 construction work zone crashes.

Continue reading " FORT WAYNE CONSTRUCTION WORKER'S FAMILY GRIEVES AFTER HE IS KILLED IN SEMI TRUCK ACCIDENT IN INDIANA " »

The Indiana Occupational Safety and Health Administration is looking into an On The Job Accident involving a Semi Truck that left a Marion County, Indiana man dead. The deadly incident happened Tuesday evening on Indianapolis's northeast side. On the job injuries are usually deemed Work Comp injuries because they happen in the course and scope of the victim's employment. Lawrence police say 55-year old Randy Wimmer from Lawrence is the name of the victim.

As reported by www.wishtv.com in the article, "Man Pinned by Semi at Loading Dock Dies," Wimmer apparently died after the driver of the semi truck backed into a loading dock at O'Neal Steel to make a delivery and backed into Wimmer. The tractor trailer's driver discovered this when he got out of his truck to figure out why his truck wasn't sealing properly. The truck driver moved his semi to free Wimmer, but it was too late.

Unfortunately, injuries from loading dock accidents are a common form of Work Comp injuries. According to www.narm.biz, loading dock hazards include falls, carbon monoxide exposure, back injuries, head and eye injuries from falling objects, and injuries from the neglectful operation of equipment.

Continue reading " LAWRENCE MAN DIES AFTER ON THE JOB ACCIDENT IN INDIANAPOLIS " »

The University of Notre Dame in Indiana is releasing new information in the death of Illinois's Declan Sullivan who was a student at the school and filming football practice when he fell to his death. School officials say after investigating, they found the football staff wasn't using the most up-to-date National Weather Service report the day Sullivan died. The 20-year old died when windy conditions caused the hydraulic lift he was on to tumble over while he was on the job. On the job injuries can be deemed Work Comp injuries because a victim suffers them while in the course and scope of employment.

As reported by www.theindychannel.com in the article,"Probe: Notre Dame Used Old Weather Info on Day Student Died," the National Weather Service had released a warning of wind gusts near 40 miles per hour. That warning apparently came at 2:54PM just about 45 minutes before football practice at 3:45PM. The university's probe found the football staff was apparently relying on a weather report from 1:54PM that showed wind gusts of 29 miles per hour. The wind speed was at more than 50 miles per hour at the time the lift Sullivan was on blew over. The Indiana Occupational Safety and Health Administration has already fined the University of Notre Dame more than $75,000 for violations connected to the student's on the job death.

On the job or Work Comp accidents can happen in all different jobs and at all different times. And unfortunately, sometimes, they can be fatal. According to the Indiana Department of Labor, in 2009, 123 workers were killed on the job in the Hoosier state.

Continue reading " PROBE FINDS NOTRE DAME USED OUTDATED WEATHER REPORT WHEN ILLINOIS STUDENT DIED WHILE ON THE JOB " »

An Evansville, Indiana man is dead after an apparent Work Comp related accident at American Electric Power plant in Rockport. The city of Rockport is in Spencer County which is about three hours south of Indianapolis. Work Comp injuries or Workers' Compensation injuries are those that one suffers while in the course and scope of their employment or in short, while on the job.

As reported by www.wishtv.com in the article, "Evansville Man Dies After Power Plant Fall," 54-year old Kent Todd was a contractor at the plant who fell 150 feet while on the job. The Spencer County Coroner says Todd suffered massive internal injuries from the fall. The coroner's office is still looking into this incident.

The electric power industry is a vital part of our nation's economy, but unfortunately, many of the industry's jobs are dangerous. Hazards include electrocution, fires, explosions, fractures, environmental stress, and of course, falls. The U.S. Department of Labor sites reports that falls from elevations were the 4th leading cause of occupational deaths from 1980-1994 with an average of 540 deaths every year.

Continue reading " INDIANA MAN DIES WHILE ON THE JOB AT ELECTRIC POWER PLANT IN ROCKPORT " »

Medical Malpractice may be the cause of an Indiana man's likely death. 74-year old Richard Wallace Sr. was recovering from heart surgery in the intensive care unit at Indianapolis area's St. Francis Health's Heart Center when an IV pole fell and struck him on the head. This alleged Medical Negligence accident happened Wednesday.

As reported by www.theindychannel.com in the article, "Hospital Makes Changes After 'Tragic Accident,'" doctors say the Indiana man incurred a serious head injury when the IV pole that was attached to the wall fell on him. They say he is not likely to recover from this injury. Officials with all the Indianapolis area St. Francis Health Hospitals say they are striving to replace those particular IV poles with ones that are based on the floor. Before this apparent medical malpractice accident, Wallace was expected to fully recovery from heart surgery. The Indianapolis Coalition for Patient Safety was informed of this incident.

Unfortunately, many people seek medical treatment every year and end up with more severe problems because of Medical Malpractice. According to the National Patient Safety Foundation, recent research estimated that as many as 44,000 to 98,000
people die in the United States every year because of a preventable medical error. This makes medical malpractice or a medical error at least the ninth leading cause of death in our country. That's even more deaths than from motor vehicle accidents.

Continue reading " INDIANA MAN NOT EXPECTED TO RECOVER FROM APPARENT MEDICAL MALPRACTICE AT INDIANAPOLIS HOSPITAL " »

An Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department patrol car was involved in an Auto Accident with a pickup truck Thursday night. That vehicle crash happened at the intersection of Fall Creek Parkway and 30th Street in Indiana's Marion County. The truck driver, who is from Indianapolis, was arrested for having a suspended license. Neither the truck driver nor the Indianapolis police officer suffered any major injuries, but there is no word if any of their minor injuries are Work Comp related.

As reported by www.wishtv.com in the article, "Driver Arrested After Collision with IMPD Officer," Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officers say it appears the pickup truck ran a red light while driving east on 30th Street. This apparently caused the police car that was going south on Fall Creek Parkway to collide with the truck.

Thankfully, both drivers did not suffer any severe injuries. And recent trends show the number of auto accidents with injuries is decreasing. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2009, only 27.6% of vehicle accidents resulted in injuries. That's the lowest percentage in the years 1988-2009.

Continue reading " INDIANAPOLIS PATROL CAR COLLIDES WITH PICKUP TRUCK IN MARION COUNTY " »

Two men are dead after a Construction Accident in Indiana's Tippecanoe County. The apparent Workers Compensation accident happened Wednesday morning at a radio tower. The construction crew was from ERI, Inc. in southwest Indiana.

As reported by www.wthr.com in the article, "Two Dead in Tippecanoe County Radio Tower Accident," the Tippecanoe County Sheriff's Department says two of the construction workers who were on the tower were allegedly working more then 300 feet above the ground when a platform they were on collapsed. Workers Paul Aliss and Ernest Garcia, both from Texas, were killed in the apparent work comp accident. Indiana investigators say both construction accident victims did have safety cables on themselves. Officials with the Indiana Occupational Health and Safety Administration are now looking into this deadly construction accident.

According to www.wirelessestimator.com, these men were the second and third tower technicians to die on the job this year. The website, www.wirelessestimator.com, also finds that based on 2004 data from the Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics, workers who climb cell towers and other communications structures have the most dangerous job in the United States. That's based on a death rate per 100,000 employees.

Continue reading " TIPPECANOE COUNTY IS SITE OF DEADLY INDIANA CONSTRUCTION ACCIDENT " »

Indiana State Police were on the scene of a Car Crash in Hamilton County Wednesday morning. Hamilton County is north of Indianapolis. Indiana State Police say the auto collision happened on Indiana State Road 37 near the Florida Road intersection. Part of State Road 37 was shutdown as a result of the car accident.

As reported by www.theindychannel.com in the article, "At Least Two Hurt in Serious Crash," one of the cars involved in the auto accident was on fire. At least one other car was involved in the crash. Indiana State Police say one person had to be pulled from one of the cars while one other victim was apparently ejected from a car. Medical helicopters were heading to the scene of the auto accident. No word if any of the injuries are Work Comp related.

While we are still awaiting word on the extent of the victims' injuries, there is promising news on current trends related to traffic safety. The United States Transportation Secretary recently announced the number and rate of traffic deaths in 2010 fell to the lowest levels in more than 60 years, since 1949. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, total traffic deaths dropped three percent between 2009 and last year. And, since 2005, the number of deaths fell 25 percent. This all happened despite a huge increase in the miles Americans traveled on our country's roads.

Continue reading " HAMILTON COUNTY CAR CRASH SHUTS DOWN PART OF INDIANA STATE ROAD 37 " »

We're learning more about the deadly Semi Truck Crash in Indianapolis that involved now six vehicles. The multi Auto Accident happened Monday in a construction zone on United States Interstate 70 near United States Interstate 465. One person from Indianapolis died after his car was struck by another tractor trailer while people in other vehicles were hurt. We're still awaiting word to see if any of the injuries are Work Comp related.

As detailed by the Indy Star in the article, "Truck Firm Sought Permit an Hour After Fatal I-70 Crash," Indiana State Police say the company that owns the semi that is to blame for the vehicle accident failed to request a permit for an oversized load until 60 minutes following the deadly multi vehicle collision. Poindexter Transportation is the name of the truck company, and it's based in Indianapolis. Its semi was driven by Indianapolis's Donald Taylor, and Indiana investigators cited him for not having a permit for an oversized load and for violation of a permit.

Indiana State Police say this auto collision began when Taylor's semi was going east and hit a few concrete median barriers forcing them into the westbound lane. Several cars in the westbound lane moved, trying to get out of the barriers' way, and that's when a Suzuki passenger car was hit from behind by another semi. The Suzuki was driven by 41-year old Judson Dye from Indianapolis. He died from the semi crash. Four people were hurt and were treated and released at Indianapolis's Methodist Hospital.

While large trucks like tractor trailers are a vital part of our nation's economy, they can, unfortunately, pose dangers on the road. According to www.smartmotorist.com, in 1996 more than 5,000 people died in large truck crashes. Only 12% of them were in the trucks. And, in auto accidents involving a large truck and a passenger vehicle, 98% of the deaths were people in cars, vans, pickup trucks or SUV's.

Continue reading " INDIANAPOLIS SEMI TRUCK DRIVER AT ROOT OF DEADLY MULTI VEHICLE ACCIDENT IN MARION COUNTY IS CITED " »

The city of Mishawaka in northern Indiana settled a case involving a 5 year old boy who was electrocuted to death in 2008. The boy's family sued for Wrongful Death and emotional distress. Terms of the settlement were not made public.

As reported by www.theindychannel.com in the article, "City Settles with Family of Electrocuted Boy," the deadly incident happened on Thanksgiving of 2008. The victim's name was Izaya Baiz-Hickey. He apparently crawled into an electrical transformer box and was then shocked to death. Mishawaka Utilities owned the box which was not locked at the time of the boy's death. The boy's family sued the city of Mishawaka, the apartment complex where the incident happened and its management company. The case against the apartment complex and management company has not yet been resolved.

Unfortunately, dozens of people including those in Indiana die each year from being electrocuted. And many of those deaths happen when people are on the job and are Work Comp related. According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, electrocutions are the fifth leading cause of workplace deaths with more than five thousand workers dying from contact with electrical energy from 1980-1992.

Continue reading " INDIANA WRONGFUL DEATH CASE INVOLVING ELECTROCUTED BOY SETTLES " »

An Indianapolis man is dead and four others are hurt after a Semi Truck Accident that also involved several cars on Indianapolis's far westside. The Auto Collision happened Monday morning on United States Interstate 70 under the United States Interstate 465 overpass.

As reported by the Indy Star in the article, "I-70 Construction Zone Crash Kills One, Injures Four," the vehicle crash started when a semi truck heading east and loaded with construction equipment struck temporary concrete barriers on United States Interstate 70. According to Indiana State Police, that impact caused many parts of that barrier to move into westbound lanes and cars were forced to move in an attempt to avoid crashing into the barriers. Indiana investigators say a Suzuki car that was attempting to get out of the way, collided with a car in front of it, and then a tractor trailer crashed in it, smashing the Suzuki. The Suzuki car's driver was a 41-year old man from Indianapolis. He died in this collision with the semi.

Indiana State Police say four other people were hurt in the multi vehicle accident. At least two of the injured are from Indianapolis and were taken to Marion County's Methodist Hospital. No word if any of the injuries are Work Comp related.

Unfortunately, this deadly semi truck accident involved multiple trucks and cars, and that is commonly the case when tractor trailers are involved. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, throughout the country in 2009, large trucks were involved in 2,612 deadly multi vehicle crashes as opposed to 603 deadly single vehicle accidents.

Continue reading " INDIANAPOLIS MAN DIES AFTER HIT BY SEMI TRUCK IN MULTI AUTO ACCIDENT IN INDIANA'S MARION COUNTY " »

Specialized Indiana nurses are joining forces to help protect against elder abuse including Nursing Home Injuries and Nursing Home Neglect. The Allen County nurses perform forensic medical exams for the Fort Wayne Sexual Assault Treatment Center and have now formed FACE or Forensic Advocacy Center for Elders. This is Indiana's first such program.

As described by www.news-sentinel.com in the article,"Nurses Put FACE on Elder Abuse Victims," this agency aims to provide victims of elder abuse a wide range of help. The goal is to better coordinate responses from various agencies when a report of elder abuse or neglect arises.

Elder abuse can come in many forms including from Nursing Home Abuse and Nursing Home Neglect. While many cases of abuse go unreported, there are dozens of abuse or neglect reports in Indiana each month. As reported in the News-Sentinal article, a long term care ombudsman for northeast Indiana stated that in February alone, she had more than 55 reports of abuse or neglect from verbal abuse to a resident with bruises. And, according to www.elderabuseca.com, in Indiana in the 2004 fiscal year, reports of adult abuse increased about 12 percent from the previous year.

Continue reading " NEW INDIANA AGENCY TO HELP PROTECT AGAINST NURSING HOME ABUSE AND NURSING HOME NEGLECT " »

One person is dead following an Auto Accident in Madison County, Indiana Sunday evening. Medics transported one of the other auto collision victims to a hospital in Indianapolis. Another auto crash victim is at Mercy Hospital in Elwood. No word if any of the injuries are Work Comp related.

As reported by www.Fox59.com in the article, "Police Investigate Deadly Crash in Madison County," Indiana police say a car going west on Indiana State Road 28 crossed into on-coming traffic and hit a minivan head on. Indiana investigators say the minivan's passenger died in the auto collision. The minivan's driver was airlifted to a local Indianapolis area hospital. The car's driver suffered numerous injuries including those to the head.

Unfortunately, this auto accident involving a minivan turned deadly. However, statistically, minivans are involved in a relatively few number of fatal auto crashes. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in Indiana in 2009, minivans were involved in 45 deadly vehicle crashes. That accounted for only 4.5% of the fatal auto accidents in Indiana that year.

Continue reading " ONE PERSON DIES IN MADISON COUNTY CAR/MINIVAN CRASH AS OTHER VICTIMS ARE TREATED AT INDIANA HOSPITALS " »

A deadly Multi Vehicle Crash has Hoosiers in the northeastern Indiana community of Angola as well as others throughout Indiana continuing to mourn. Four Angola High School seniors died in the March 26th car accident. This tragic auto collision happened in Alabama on United States Interstate 65. Indiana's Alexx Bauer, Matthew Roe, Evan Weaver and Riley Zimmer were killed in the three car crash.

As reported by The Daily Reporter in the article, "Fort Wayne Radio Stations Raise Money for Families of Four Angola High Seniors Killed in Accident," two radio stations in Fort Wayne pitched in to help the victims' families. The radio stations raised money for those families by staying on the air until they raised $40,000. Within about 24 hours, they had raised $31,000.

All four Indiana victims were 18 years old, and recent research shows the 16-20 age group tends to be involved in many deadly auto crashes. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 3,653 motor vehicle occupants and motorcyclists who were in the 16-20 year old age group were killed in vehicle crashes in 2009. Out of 11 age groups, only three saw more fatalities.

Continue reading " INDIANA MOURNS DEATHS OF FOUR ANGOLA STUDENTS KILLED IN MARCH CAR CRASH " »

With reports of Nursing Home Abuse and Nursing Home Neglect prevalent in many states including Indiana, choosing a nursing home for your loved one can be a particularly daunting situation. Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to give you some peace of mind.

According to www.marketwatch.com in the article, "How to Pick the Right Nursing Home," there are five steps to help you in the decision-making process.

1. Look at all the nursing homes in Indiana with four or five stars on quality of care, and check into how much time staff spends with each resident.
2. Examine the costs.
3. Meet as many staff members at your prospective Indiana nursing homes as possible. Ask for their qualifications. Five years experience is ideal, according to experts.
4. Visit those potential Indiana nursing homes several times and at different times. Try to talk with residents about their experiences.
5. Ask nursing home management many key questions. Most importantly, ask if they do background checks on their employees and for a copy of their latest federal inspection. This inspection should tell you if the Indiana nursing home has had recent reports of nursing home abuse or nursing home neglect.

Continue reading " HOW TO PROTECT AGAINST NURSING HOME ABUSE AND NEGLECT " »

Two Indiana women are dead after a Semi Truck Accident. The vehicle crash happened on United States Interstate 70 in Ohio on March 26th. The Indiana women were both from Richmond, Indiana and were in a car that collided with a tractor trailer. The car's driver was 47 year old Tina Boswell and 72 year old Tomella Mason was the passenger. The semi truck driver is from Munster, Indiana, and he did suffer some minor injuries. No word if they are Work Comp related.

As reported by The Register Herald in the article, "Two Die in I-70 Crash," Boswell's car was heading west when it crossed the median and crashed head on into the semi truck. Ohio Highway Patrol officers say they believe the car's driver was either tired or suffered a medical issue and thus, say those factors could have led to the deadly auto accident.

While large trucks like semi trucks are frequently found on Indiana roads and have a big size advantage over other vehicles, you might be surprised to learn they are not the vehicle involved in the highest number of fatal auto crashes. As compiled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2009, large trucks were involved in 7.1% of deadly accidents in the United States. Passenger cars, light trucks and motorcycles were all involved in a higher percentage of deadly vehicle collisions according to this study.

Continue reading " TWO INDIANA WOMEN DIE IN VEHICLE ACCIDENT WITH SEMI TRUCK ON INTERSTATE 70 IN OHIO " »

A head-on Car Crash in Jennings County, Indiana left four people with injuries. The two car accident happened last week on United States 50. Jennings County is in southeast Indiana. The victims were flown to an Indianapolis area hospital.

As reported by www.WISHTV.com in the article, "Four Flown from Jennings County Accident," it appears one car's driver, Kevin Wagler, was going east on United States 50 when he allegedly did not negotiate a turn in the road. Indiana State Troopers say Wagler then collided head-on with another car that was stopped while waiting to turn onto United States 50. The four people who suffered injuries in the car crash were passengers in Wagler's car. It is not clear if any of the injuries are Work Comp related.

Millions of people are hurt in car crashes every year even if they are simply passengers. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in 2008, 2,346,000 people were hurt in vehicle accidents, and 2,120,000 were occupants. Of those, 1,340,000 were in passenger cars. That's more than in light trucks, heavy trucks and buses combined.

Continue reading " FOUR INDIANA PEOPLE HURT IN HEAD ON CAR ACCIDENT IN JENNINGS COUNTY " »

An Indiana school bus and a truck were involved in a Vehicle Crash in Clay County earlier this week. Clay County is in the southwestern part of Indiana. The bus driver and the students aboard the bus suffered minor injuries. The driver of the truck, Kasie Scarbrough, was taken to an Indianapolis hospital with more severe injuries. No word if any of the drivers' injuries are Work Comp related.

According to www.WTHITV.com in the article, "School Bus Crashes into Truck in Clay County," the truck/bus accident happened on Clay County Road 800 North and 150 West. Indiana investigators say the truck's driver did not stop to give the school bus the right of way. Thus, the bus driver hit the truck which then struck a light pole.

While school buses do find themselves in auto accidents, they are considered an extremely safe form of transportation. As detailed by www.parenting.kaboose.com, kids are almost eight times safer traveling in a school bus than with their parents or peers.

Continue reading " INDIANA SCHOOL BUS CRASHES INTO TRUCK IN CLAY COUNTY " »