serious personal injuries

Published on: January 29, 2022

Artificial Intelligence Promises Quicker Fracture Diagnosis for Accident Victims

Artificial intelligence has been used in many areas to help fill voids needed in tasks. Now, doctors treating victims of car accidents who have suffered fractures might receive a quicker diagnosis of the fracture using artificial intelligence- enabled systems.

Fractures or broken bones are some of the most common injuries that occur during car accidents. A fracture is a serious injury that oftentimes requires people to be rushed to a hospital emergency room. X-rays and other scans may be used to help diagnose a fracture in an emergency room. The problem, however, is that most doctors are expected to interpret hundreds of X-rays in a given day, delaying diagnoses and increasing the risk of interpretation errors.

However, according to a new study, systems that make use of artificial intelligence can help doctors diagnose fractures quicker. The researchers are working on a system that makes use of artificial intelligence to identify positive X- rays and moves these up for radiologists to begin interpreting these X-ray reports quicker. This makes the waiting time for a patient to receive a diagnosis much shorter. That also means a lower waiting time at the hospital emergency room before you receive a complete diagnosis of your injury.

Published on: May 22, 2019

Rear Seat Occupants Continue to be at Risk for Crash Injuries

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Car designs of the recent past have focused greatly on improving the safety of front seat occupants. Such safety improvements have led to better restraint systems, seat-belts, and airbags. Advanced seat belt systems and airbags now make it easier for front seat passengers and drivers to escape serious injuries or death in the event of an accident.

However, rear seat passengers have not been as lucky. Protections for passengers in the back seat have not kept up with the pace of other car safety improvements. For instance, side airbags are present to protect back seat passengers in a side crash, but there are no front airbags for these passengers as there are for front seat riders. Similarly, seat belts in the back seat usually do not have the same tension capacity as front seat belts. The result is that rear-seat passengers continue to be at risk of serious injuries in accidents.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety recently analyzed more than 100 crashes where rear seat occupants were seriously injured or killed. They found that the most common injuries to back seat passengers were injuries to the chest. This was the most common cause of serious injury or fatality to back seat passengers, regardless of whether they were adults or children.

Published on: March 13, 2015

Young Adults More Likely to Suffer Serious Injuries in Accidents

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

It’s a fact that young adults and teenagers are at a much higher risk of accidents and injuries. Studies also indicate that this group of drivers is more likely to be injured severely in accidents.

A new study finds that young adults and teenagers are much more likely to suffer critical injuries that require them to be rushed to hospital emergency rooms after being involved in a motor vehicle accident. Those findings came from a study of data compiled by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The study found that there were 4 million emergency room visits after accidents in 2010-2011. In fact, auto accidents accounted for approximately 10% of all emergency room visits across the country.

Age was a common factor in most of the persons who were rushed to ERs after being involved in an accident. For every 10,000 persons rushed to ERs for treatment after an accident, 286 persons were between the age of 16 and 24. Among persons above 65, the rate was just 65 for 10,000 persons, and in the case of persons below the age of 18, the rate was 70 for every 10,000 persons.

Published on: October 17, 2011

Bionic Leg That Allows Accident Amputees Greater Movement Soon to Be Commercially Available

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Car Accident victims in Georgia, who have suffered limb amputations, may soon be able to enjoy greater freedom of movement through a prosthetic limb that will soon be commercially available.The bionic leg is manufactured by a Massachusetts-based company called iWalk.Until now, the device was only available to members of the military, but will soon be available to civilians through providers across the country. Given the serious consequences of this type of personal injury, the use of this new technology is very welcome.

This prosthetic device boasts of an advanced design that uses robotics to imitate the muscles and tendons of the human foot, including the Achilles’ tendon and heel.Veterans of the US military, who have been injured during combat in Iraq and Afghanistan, have had access to these bionic legs for a while now.The US military has invested in developing more advanced and scientifically-proven prosthetic devices that can mimic the natural movement of the human limb.Amputations of limbs are some of the most frequent injuries among veterans, and in fact, according to recent reports, the number of such amputations involving veterans has actually increased.

Earlier prosthetic limbs were cumbersome and provided limited mobility. This prosthetic device is advanced enough to allow wearers to climb stairs, and walk up and down slopes with ease.With earlier devices, such movements were not possible.Veterans who have been fitted with this bionic leg have found that it is close to the actual working of the human foot.

Published on: October 7, 2011

Seatbelt Failures Can Amplify Car Accident Injury Risks in Georgia

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Seatbelt failures happen more often than most drivers think, and when these do occur, motorists may be at a serious risk of personal injury.Honda has now announced the recall of more than 311,000 vehicles because of potential seatbelt failure problems. Airbag and seatbelt failures are regular complaints received by accident attorneys nationwide.

The recall involves certain Pilot SUVs from model years 2009 to 2011.According to Honda, these vehicles may have a problem in the way that their seat belts have been sewn together.The stitching at the end of the lap belt on both the driver and front seat passenger seatbelt may not be complete, and the seatbelt may be at risk of coming loose from the anchor webbing during an accident.A person who is poorly restrained in a defective seatbelt like this is at a serious risk of traumatic injuries in an auto accident.

Honda has informed the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that it has received two complaints about the defective seatbelts.One of these incidents involving a defective seatbelt occurred in 2010, while the other occurred this year.Honda owners whose vehicles are included in the recall are required to visit their dealers as quickly as possible, for an inspection.If necessary, the seatbelt will be replaced free of charge.Approximately 310,773 vehicles are included in the recall.

Published on: July 3, 2011

Atlanta Seniors at Higher Risk of Injury in Slip and Fall Accidents

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Seniors in Atlanta are at a high risk of suffering serious injuries in a slip and fall accident because of their age, gait, vision problems and a number of other factors.A new study conducted in the UK focuses on how a senior’s direction of gaze and walking style affects his risk of a fall accident.

The research is being funded by the Age UK, and is probing the link between vision and a slip and fall accident.Researchers are specifically looking at the theory that a person’s risk of a fall accident increases when he is looking straight ahead, and not down at obstacles that are in front of him.According to the research, older adults who look directly ahead at obstacles in the distance may be at a higher risk of a fall accident than those who look at obstacles in front of them.

Age UK is planning more studies into the prevention of fall accidents involving the elderly.Soon, the group will initiate a new study involving people over the age of 65.Researchers are currently looking for subjects who will participate in this new research.The research will involve a four-hour experiment during which the subjects must walk over a 7 m walkway.The participants will be required to take precise steps on a target marked on the road, as well as over a series of marked obstacles.While they walk, a number of variables will measured, including the participants’ eye and body movements.Saliva samples will be tested.Participants will also be surveyed about their experiences while walking.Through this study, the researchers hope to determine safer ways of walking for senior adults.

Published on: May 2, 2011

Rotator Cuff Injuries Are a Frequent Result of Slip and Fall Accidents

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Rotator cuff injuries often occur as a result of slip and fall accidents, or because of repetitive stress or strain over a period of time.A severe rotator cuff injury can leave a person in constant pain and with difficulty in shoulder movement.Now, a new experimental surgery is offering a ray of hope for people who suffer from these debilitating injuries. Injury attorneys in Atlanta and elsewhere welcome any surgery that is helpful with this injury.

In the case of moderate rotator cuff tears, there are surgeries that can help.However, in the case of severe rotator cuff injuries, surgical options are fairly limited.Typically, physical therapy is used to treat such injuries.Besides, doctors may also prescribe steroid injections or minor surgery.However, these treatments may have a limited effect, and over a period of time, rotator cuff injuries may lead to arthritis.In fact, in severe cases, the person may need partial or total shoulder replacement.Now Dr. Spero Karas, who also happens to be the associate professor of orthopedics at Emory Healthcare Sports Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia, is using a new procedure that can help fix serious injuries to the rotator cuff.

The surgery involves using a surgically placed cadaver tissue graft to replace and reattach the injured tendon.So far, studies have indicated that the experiment with this graft-to-bone technique is very effective in treating defective tendons and repairing the injury.Some patients who have had the surgery performed on them have been able to go back to their normal routine activities, including golf. However, this procedure will not work for all rotator cuff tears.

Published on: March 31, 2011

First Full Face Transplant Offers Hope for Traumatic Injury Victims in Atlanta

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

A team of doctors at a Massachusetts hospital announced that they had completed the country’s first full face transplant.The recipient of the transplant was a 25-year-old construction worker, who had been left horribly injured and disfigured after an electrocution accident in 2008.With the surgery being declared a success, and the military investing millions of dollars in facial transplant research, Atlanta personal injury attorneys believe that this transplant signifies even greater possibilities for the treatment of victims of traumatic injury.

The construction worker had had his nose, lips and much of his face destroyed after the accident.He had been left disfigured and unrecognizable.After the family of a brain-dead young man came forward to donate his face, doctors decided to perform a transplant on the worker.The surgery took a total of 15 hours, and doctors worked to attach a nose, lips, skin, muscles and nerves on his face.The new face hasn’t been revealed yet, but doctors have confirmed the success of the surgery.

The cost of the surgery was borne by the American military, which has pumped millions of dollars into face transplant research.The military is investing in possible treatment and rehabilitation options for soldiers who return from combat duty with horribly disfiguring injuries.

Published on: March 25, 2011

Georgia Needs More Trauma Centers to Treat Injuries of Auto Accident Victims

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

The Atlanta car accident lawyers at our firm have been blogging regularly about the need for more trauma care centers in Georgia to treat auto accident victims and others.Rural areas in Georgia have a severe shortage of trauma care centers to treat individuals who have suffered serious personal injuries. This has resulted in a significant number of unnecessary deaths. Unfortunately, a recent vote to provide a limited tax to increase the number of trauma centers was defeated.

According to estimates, approximately 700 people in Georgia are killed every year because they lacked immediate access to emergency trauma care.Many of these people were injured in catastrophic accidents, and sustained serious injuries that could not be treated without the facilities available at a trauma center.The first hour after a person suffers serious injuries is the “golden hour,” and if the person receives emergency care during this time, his chances of surviving the accident or injuries increase substantially.Unfortunately, many people who are involved in auto accidents in Georgia cannot be taken to an emergency trauma care center in time because there is not one close enough to them.

According to estimates, there should be at least 30 trauma centers in Georgia for trauma care access for all.Currently, we need at least 12 more centers to ensure that all Georgia residents live within 50 miles of a trauma center.Georgia’s trauma care network leaves much to be desired, and the average trauma death rate in our state is much worse than the national average.To make matters worse, recent budget cuts have slashed approximately $10 million of funding for the existing trauma care centers in Georgia.

Published on: December 12, 2010

Study Shows Increase in Serious Dog Bite Injuries

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

A new study shows an increase in the numbers of people being hospitalized after suffering a dog bite. Statisticians from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality looked at dog bite data between 1993 and 2008. They found that the number of people who needed hospitalization after a dog bite actually grew by 86%.

In 1993, 5,100 people had to be rushed to the hospital after a dog bite, and that number ballooned to 9,500 cases in 2008. Every day, an approximate 856 Americans are forced to seek emergency treatment after a dog bite. Of these, an average of 26 are admitted to the hospital for treatment of their injuries.

Other findings from the study: