The federal Nursing Home Compare website provides rankings for nursing homes along with inspection information so that consumers can have one more tool when trying to decide where their family member will be well taken care of.

Homes are rated based on information on staffing levels, the percentage of registered nurses on board, quality measures such as vaccination schedule compliance or whether a resident is keeping on weight, and state inspections. Homes are awarded one to five stars based on their performance in these areas and only the top ten percent receive 5 stars.

Although it is a useful tool, people looking for care on the behalf of a loved one should keep in mind that two thirds of the information regarding staffing and quality is self-reported and the remaining third is derived from state inspections, which may or may not be current.

It is still important to delve deeper into researching a potential nursing home by talking to administrators about any blips on inspection reports to ensure they have been addressed and to drop in at different times of day to see for yourself how many staff are on hand and how people are being cared for.

Contact Iowa Nursing Home Residents Rights Attorneys
Over 25 Years of Experience Protecting Nursing Home Residents

With all the news coverage regarding nursing home abuse and neglect, families are of course concerned about the quality of care their loved one will receive in a nursing home setting. The federal database along with some detective-like leg work may help you find the right place for you loved one when they need care in a nursing home setting. If you have concerns about an Iowa nursing home or suspect elder abuse, neglect or exploitation in a nursing home or by one of it’s employees, contact Iowa nursing home resident rights attorney John T. Hemminger at 515-283-2116.

Long before automobiles, people traveled by train. The first passenger railroad in the U.S. began construction in 1828 and five years later, the country saw its first train accident. As train travel proliferated, train wrecks became “a surprisingly frequent form of disaster” according to historians. “The single worst type, was the rear-end collision”, which left many victims with a peculiar constellation of symptoms such as back pain, arm pain, headaches, hearing problems, and anxiety known colloquially as “railway spine”. Flash forward to the future to the age of automobiles and the same condition is often referred to as neck and back whiplash injury, often resulting from a rear end car accident.

‘Whiplash’ injuries can range from a muscle sprain to spinal cord contusions to a fractured vertebrae. Soft tissue injuries including muscles tears, sprains, nerve damage or deep muscle bruising do not show up with diagnostic tools such as x-rays or MRI’s the same way traumatic injuries like bone fractures do, but that does not make them any less painful or life altering to the victim of a car accident. All injuries can have a significant impact and can manifest in different ways.

Following an accident, even if it is initially just minor discomfort or pain you are feeling, seek medical attention immediately. Remember that soft tissue injuries sometimes do not become symptomatic right away, so you may feel okay following an accident only to develop symptoms hours or days later, which should also prompt a trip to the doctor.

If you are making a claim with the offending driver’s insurance company, it is very important to document all the expenses you incur for treatment and rehabilitation, including medical expenses, travel expenses to and from a medical facility, lost wages for missed work, prescription costs and copays. If an insurance adjuster is unwilling to pay your claim, you may want to file a personal injury lawsuit to facilitate the collection of your economic damages as well as pain and suffering.

Are You Suffering From Neck and Back Whiplash Injury?
Contact a Des Moines Car Accident Attorney For Help

If you have been injured in an Iowa car accident and are suffering from neck and back whiplash injury, it is advisable to contact an experienced personal injury lawyer to discuss your case first. An experienced car accident attorney can help you navigate the process so that you receive a fair settlement to compensate you for medical treatment of your injury or pursue a legal suit if an insurer is not meeting their end of the bargain. Contact the Des Moines personal injury law offices of John T. Hemminger at 515-283-2116 for assistance today.

One of the most dangerous things just about everyone does on a daily basis is get into a vehicle and drive. When accidents occur, few people know what to do. According to an Iowa Highway Patrolman interviewed following a string of weather related accidents in the state, the normal response people have after being involved in an accident is to leave their car to assess the damage done to their vehicle. However, exiting the car may not be a good idea as they are designed to provide protection. If possible it is recommended that drivers and their passengers remain in the car with seat belts fastened until emergency vehicles arrive. Of course, in situations where there may be a fuel leak or a vehicle is in the middle of oncoming traffic, occupants should stand off the shoulder of a road or highway at a considerable distance while waiting for help.

With the icy conditions seen in Iowa during the winter, it is advisable to avoid travel when road conditions are not at their best. Drivers come in all varieties, many with little experience navigating slick roads which pose a risk to even the most seasoned drivers. Even when drivers are doing everything right, one accident can create a chain reaction, as seen in the multiple vehicle crash recently where one person was killed and several others severely injured in a pile up involving more than 50 cars after a bus rear ended a semi on Interstate 35 in Ames. The crash was one of 185 that state troopers responded to across the state on Monday alone.

Iowa is still in the thick the winter season so drivers are urged to take precautions when heading out in conditions that are not ideal. Make sure that cars are up to the challenge by ensuring the windshield wipers are functional and tires are in good shape at a minimum. Take along emergency supplies such as additional warm weather clothing, water and snacks and also a flashlight, charged phone and perhaps flares to alert other drivers to make way for a disabled vehicle. Drive defensively and slowdown in inclement weather and avoid distractions or impaired driving to minimize your risk of a car accident. As always, if travel is avoidable, it is better to wait out the storm.

Iowa Car Accident Injury?
Contact an Experienced Des Moines Personal Injury Attorney

For Immediate HelpIf you or a family member has been injured in an Iowa car accident, contact the Des Moines personal injury law offices of John T. Hemminger for help today. We have helped many injured Iowans and their families get the compensation they need when they are hurt due to the negligence of another driver. Call 515-283-2116 today for your free consultation.

Source: KWQC, “Iowa State Patrol offers tips to stay safe during an accident”, by Shelby Sheperd, February 8, 2018.