The winter season in Iowa is in full swing following the relative heatwave we experienced well into December this year. Snow and ice makes for treacherous driving, particularly when drivers do not adjust for changing conditions or are simply not used to slippery roads. Although Iowans are well-acquainted with the dangers hazardous weather presents, we still have our share of accidents in the winter driving season, which sometimes result in injury.

The Plains/Midwest region of the U.S. has the highest ice-related car accident fatality rates when compared to other parts of the country. Travel in the region often takes place on rural highways at high speeds with average trips requiring more time on the road, which can translate into a higher number of accidents when conditions deteriorate.

Add to the equation, that icing events in Iowa tend to be intermittent rather than season long, so motorists are caught unprepared. In general, the fewer road icing events a location sees per winter, the greater the rate of fatalities per event results. This rings true not only in Iowa, but parts of the country that rarely experience winter driving.

Whether you live in the Iowa or other parts of the country, getting ready to drive in inclement weather is key but, first, ask yourself if you really need to go out when a storm is brewing or can it wait until roads are cleared.

If you must venture out in slick conditions, make sure your tires and windshield wipers are up to the job. Practice cold-weather driving away from other motorists to get a feel for how to maneuver on icy roads and allow more time to get to your destination. Remember that distracted driving is a leading cause of accidents so smart phones or driving impaired in  winter driving conditions definitely do not mix. Buckle up at all times and have an emergency plan if you get stranded out in the icy tundra.

Contact an Experienced Iowa Car Accident Attorney

Getting to your destination safely takes more thought on the part of all motorists when driving in winter conditions, but sometimes accidents do occur. If you or a family member is injured in an Iowa car accident due to the negligence of another driver, contact the Iowa motor vehicle accident Law Offices of John T. Hemminger for immediate assistance today at 515-283-2116.

Fines against nursing homes for neglect and abuse are set to decrease as part of a broad relaxation of regulations on business under the current administration.

It is a welcome change for the nursing home industry who have complained that, up to now, federal inspectors have placed more emphasis on catching wrong doers instead of helping nursing homes improve. Some say that the time and effort that goes into complying with regulations would be better spent on providing quality care.

However, advocates for nursing home residents are concerned that the revised penalties spell trouble for patients. Since 2013, nearly 6500 nursing homes – a staggering 40 percent – have been cited at least once for a serious violation, which often includes neglect resulting in serious injury to elderly residents. Without the threat of a hefty fine, some believe that a valuable patient safety tool has been lost.

Contact an Iowa Nursing Home Neglect & Elder Abuse Attorney

Unfortunately, with regulations easing on the nursing home industry, there may be more incidences of nursing home neglect and abuse. If you or a family member is injured in a nursing home in Iowa, it is important to seek the help of an experienced nursing home neglect and elder abuse lawyer to hold the facility and their staff accountable. For a free consultation, contact the Des Moines nursing home neglect and elder abuse lawyers of John T. Hemminger Law Office for help today at 515-283-2116.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2016, there were over 5,000 workplace fatalities, a seven percent increase over 2015.

One in four workplace fatalities were related to transportation incidents, the leading factor in lost lives, followed by violence in the workplace which rose 23 percent last year.

The opioid crisis leaves no stone unturned and drug related fatalities in workplaces across the country have also increased. In fact, drug related fatalities at work have risen 25 percent since 2012.

Unfortunately, 2016 marks the third consecutive increase in worker fatalities, and the third highest since 2008. For many groups of workers in the country, work is becoming more dangerous and deadly.

Statistics released by the National Safety Consul reveal that not only certain types of workplace accidents lead to fatalities, but also that some groups are more vulnerable than others :

• Overdoses from the non-medical use of drugs or alcohol while on the job increased from 165 in 2015 to 217 in 2016, a 32 percent increase.
• Deaths among workers aged 55 or older totaled 1,848 – a 10 percent increase.
• Deaths among black or African-American, non-Hispanics increased 18.6 percent, totaling 587.
• Deaths among Asian, non-Hispanic workers increased 40.4 percent, totaling 160 deaths.
• Fall, slip and trip deaths increased 6 percent, totaling 849 deaths.
• Transportation incidents remained the most common fatal event, totaling 2,083 deaths.
• Homicides increased 19.9 percent now totaling 500 deaths.

If you or a family member is injured at work, contact the Iowa workers’ compensation personal injury law offices of John T. Hemminger for assistance. We can help you get the benefits you need to pay for medical expenses, lost wages and disability in the event you cannot return to work or are limited in your professional duties due to your injuries.  If you are dealing with the loss of a loved family member who suffered a fatal work accident, we will work to protect children and family members in need of financial help.  Contact our Des Moines offices today at 515-283-2116.

A central Illinois jury has awarded $5.2 million to a nurse who alleges she was fired from her job at a nursing home after reporting abuse. The nurse claims she was let go because she refused to follow the nursing home director’s orders to increase dosages of anti-anxiety medication to agitated residents and would not change or omit records of suspicious injuries. For her unwillingness to compromise, the nurse was not only awarded back wages, but $5 million in punitive damages.

The ruling holds out the hope that employees that witness abuse or neglect in a nursing home setting will also stand their ground by reporting inappropriate practices at their places of employment and refusing to be part of the problem of nursing home abuse and neglect. The allegations should also remind families that family members in nursing homes are vulnerable to abuse and neglect at the hands of staff or other residents, and sometimes even those in charge may be complicit.

If you suspect that an elderly loved one is being abused, do not hesitate to call law enforcement if you believe your family member is in danger. In other cases of suspected abuse, you should contact the nursing home to make them aware of the abusive behavior on the part of employees or other residents, because they may not be aware that it is occurring and may be able to put a stop to it. You should also make your family member’s doctor aware so that they can help you identify signs and substantiate your claims.

It is recommended that you also follow up with your complaint in writing to assure there is a record of your grievance. Be detailed in your account, providing names, evidence you believe may have be attributed to abuse such as a change in behavior, suspicious injuries or medical conditions, keeping a copy for your records.

Per your contract with the nursing home facility, as part of the established grievance policy, you may be contacted by a representative for more information regarding your concerns and, following an investigation, you will receive results of the facility’s findings and further actions you may take. If you are not satisfied with the results of the investigation, you may also register a complaint with your local Adult Protective Services agency who will initiate an investigation of their own.

Iowa Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect lawyers

Sometimes family members may decide to file a personal injury lawsuit against the nursing home facility for negligence and abuse. If a person’s medication or medical treatment is in question, you may also have a medical malpractice claim. An experienced elder abuse attorney can assist you in protecting your loved one. They have specific knowledge of state and federal laws that may be applicable to your situation. They will assist you with gathering the information and documents to support the allegations of abuse or neglect so the nursing home and their employees are held accountable and seek compensation on your loved ones behalf. Contact the Des Moines Iowa Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect lawyers at the Law Offices of John T. Hemminger for help today at 515-283-2116.