Bedsores, also known as pressure ulcers, decubitus ulcers or pressure sores are one of the many signs of nursing home neglect and abuse. The condition is caused by unrelieved pressure to the skin and can lead to serious health problems such as infections and other life threatening conditions.

Bedsores are a serious health concern, particularly for the elderly who may require mobility or other assistance. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) reports that 1 out of 10 nursing home residents suffer from bedsores, which are largely attributed to a lack of attention and improper medical care.

Once bedsores develop, unfortunately, many nursing home residents do not get the prompt medical attention they need allowing the bedsores to move into later stages that are more difficult to treat.

Untreated in the early stages, some bedsores may lead to medical conditions such as sepsis, a bacterial infection of the bloodstream or body tissues; cellulitis, an inflammation of connective tissues making victims vulnerable to meningitis; joint and bone infections; and cancer.

Iowa Bedsore Nursing Home Neglect Attorneys

It is the responsibility of the nursing home to prevent bedsores by providing competent care. In the event a resident develops a bedsore, it is crucial to treat bedsores immediately to prevent them from getting worse. If you or a family member has been a victim of neglect or abuse in an Iowa nursing home contact the Iowa Nursing Home Neglect Lawyers of Hemminger Law  Firm for assistance at 515-283-2116.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. teenage drivers are more likely to cause motor vehicle accidents than any other age group and, unfortunately, car accidents are the leading cause of death for teenagers. Fatalities are not limited to the driver, however, as many teen drivers are also responsible for causing injury to others.

Thinking about teenagers on the road can be a cause for concern, especially when your own teen starts driving. No one wants their child to get hurt or injure someone else, however accidents do occur so it is not only important to instill safe driving practices, but also have insurance to cover your financial needs in the event of a catastrophic accident. As your kids approach this milestone in their lives, insurance experts recommend that parents consider these tips when insuring new drivers:

• Parents should notify their insurance company as soon as their child gets their learners permit. If the insurance company does not know that you have a licensed young driver, they may not cover an accident caused by your teen.
• When parents add teenage drivers to their car insurance policy, their rates typically increase an average of 78 percent. If you are adding a teen, it may be a good time to shop around for coverage as some insurance providers may have better rates than others, allowing you to get more coverage for your money.
• If your son or daughter earns good grades, many insurance companies offer discounts to the tune of 25 percent. If they take a driver’s education course, they may take another 15 percent off the cost of insurance. Some insurance companies may even offer a discount if you install computerized equipment to monitor seat belt use and speed.
• Decide on the car your teen will drive and limit them to that vehicle. Of course, the obvious choice will be the vehicle in your fleet that is the least expensive to insure, however, be sure to avoid too old of a car because you will want to make sure that your teen’s vehicle has all the newer safety features such as anti-lock brakes, electronic stability control and airbags that can save their life in an accident.
• Despite having insurance coverage, many teenage drivers find that they are underinsured after being involved in a serious car accident. In many states, wherever the teen driver’s liability insurance policy ends, the owner of the car may be required to make up the difference if a car accident occurs. A good option may be to get an umbrella liability policy to provide more coverage.
• On the safety side, emphasize the basic rules of the road and urge your child to avoid the leading causes of accidents such as impaired driving, texting or talking while driving or having too many passengers in the car. Consider installing and using apps to turn off your teen’s phone when they are driving.

Being thoughtful about the process of teaching your teen about their responsibilities as drivers will encourage them to drive safely and hopefully avoid an injury accident. If you or a family member have questions regarding an Iowa personal injury matter, contact the Des Moines Law Offices of John T. Hemminger for assistance today.

If your son or daughter is ready to get behind the wheel you may have already completed the necessary driver’s education course, driven the hours with your child and taken the test. Now it is time to pick the right car.

According to a new report released on teenage driving, picking the right vehicle for a new driver is an important decision. Teenagers killed in crashes are more likely to be behind the wheel of smaller vehicles that do not offer adequate crash protection or older vehicles that lack important safety features such as electronic stability control and side air bags. When picking out cars for new drivers, parents are urged to follow a few guidelines:

• Avoid High-horsepower cars that invite speeding
• Select bigger cars. More mass may offer protection to occupants in an accident
•  Select cars with electronic stability control, which help new drivers maintain control of a vehicle in dicey situations.
•  Take a look at the Insurance Institutes for Highway Safety and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration safety rating as a reference when picking out a car for a teenage driver
• Look for recalls on vehicles you are considering

Parents want to protect their children as they begin to navigate the roads independently, so it is important to equip them for the journey. Taking time to pick out the right vehicle may help them avoid being injured in an auto accident. If you have personal injury questions or you were injured in a car accident, contact the Des Moines, Iowa Law Offices of John T. Hemminger for assistance today.