Mainstream Social Inclusion

A Delray Beach, Fl assisted living facility may face a $10,000 fine for not securing its kitchen properly after a 93-year-old Alzheimer’s patient accidentally swallowed dishwasher detergent.  The state agency is investigating this tragic event, and this facility has been cited in the past for not securing the kitchen.

Two staff members who were on duty were caring for another resident when the 93-year-old, who was in the late stages of Alzheimer’s, went in to a satellite kitchen in the centers dementia unit.  After drinking the dishwasher detergent, he was discovered by staff members who called 911, but the elderly man died 18 hours later following paramedics and doctors attempts to save him.

The Delray Beach facility claims it did nothing wrong, and that there was no way they could have known a tragedy like this would happen.  Reports show that previously the facility had been cited for not securing several areas properly from these types of residents, including the laundry room and beauty salon.  It was also noted that dangerous items that could potentially injure a resident such as hot curling irons, chemical products and a hot coffee pot were not secured and accessible by residents.

This death was totally unnecessary, and illustrates the negligence of administration staff in not following through with recommendations made when a state inspection takes place.  Apparently, administrators were not motivated to correct the problems that were cited in reports.  Assisted living and nursing home facility administrators should be held accountable for their negligent actions (or lack thereof), so that senseless deaths like this do not occur.

If you fear that your loved one is being neglected or abused in a nursing home, contact a compassionate Buffalo personal injury lawyer to learn what action you may need to take.

Hartmann Dairy farm takes issue with the state’s recent claims that E. coli illnesses that have been reported are linked to the farm.  A June 7th statement released on behalf of Michael Hartmann states that “not a single test of raw milk was found to contain any strain of E. coli.”  He also claimed that the state’s media campaign was being conducted in a negligent manner with complete disregard for the defamatory and damaging content.

According to the state Health and Agriculture departments, those who have become ill with E. coli so far have likely become sick due to raw milk or raw milk products that were bought at the dairy farm.  A technique called pulsed-field gel electrophoresis or PFGE was used to produce DNA fingerprints of the isolated bacteria in this recent cluster of E. coli cases.  According to state officials, this image provides evidence that the source of the particular strain of E. coli that has made at least four individuals sick did indeed come from the Hartmann farm.

Interestingly, a fifth case of E. coli has occurred where there seems to be no link to Hartmann Dairy, as the person did not eat or drink and raw milk or raw milk dairy products produced by the Hartmann farm.  The state continues to investigate this case.

According to an email to Food Safety News, Doug Schultz who is a spokesman for the Health Department stated that “We do not know the exposure, but there are some possible connections to the Hartmann farm that are still being investigated.” If you are in need of Buffalo personal injury attorneys, contact Brown Chiari.

A toddler was one of the five individuals who became ill due to E. coli, and was hospitalized with deadly complications.  On June 2, the toddler was released from the hospital.  State officials believe that there is a common source of this new strain of E. coli, which has never been seen in Minnesota before.  The reason for this belief is the fact that several individuals were infected with the strain, and all happened in a narrow time frame.

While Hartmann Dairy farms continues to take issue with the state’s claims, it appears that the exact strain of E. coli O157:H7 detected in those who became ill is the same strain detected in various locations on the farm, as well as numerous animals.

E. coli produces symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting in most individuals.  Young children, the elderly, and those with a compromised immune system are at an increased risk of developing serious and even life-threatening complications.

If you suspect E. coli food poisoning due to foods that you have purchased in a store or eaten at a restaurant, contact a reputable New York food poisoning attorney to determine if you may be eligible for compensation.

Unfortunately, many people believe that when they are charged with driving under the influence, simply paying a fine will be the end of the situation.  A reputable Indiana DUI attorney knows that this is not the case; there is much more involved, such as losing your right to drive, imprisonment, and a hike in your insurance premiums.  This is a serious offense, and should be treated as such if you want to protect your right to freedom, your future, and your reputation.

Laws regarding DUI vary from state to state.  This is why you need the services of a competent Indiana DUI lawyer on your side.  In some states, refusing to take a breath test isn’t that big of a deal; in Indiana, making this decision will likely cost you your rights to drive for one year due to the suspension of your license.  There are many things the average individual does not know about the laws of Indiana, which is why you need effective representation of an experienced attorney.

If it is your first offense, you may be frightened and unsure of what the future holds.  This is another reason you should employ the services of an Indiana DUI attorney.  A compassionate attorney will explain everything that will take place, so that you know what to expect and can prepare yourself.  One thing you should never do is allow a police officer to coax information out of you, because the old saying you’ve likely heard “anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law” is true.  You certainly do not want to make matters worse by incriminating yourself!

An experienced, dedicated Indiana DUI lawyer has an arsenal of defenses that may be used on your behalf.  For instance, your vehicle must have actually been in legal operation for you to be charged with driving under the influence, so a good attorney will challenge the prosecution to prove this point.  Did an officer have probably cause to stop you?  What was the blood alcohol concentration in your case, and was the result correct?  When was the breath or blood test given?  There are numerous factors that can come in to play when you are charged with DUI, and many work to your favor.

When you are charged with driving under the influence, never take matters in to your own hands, and never believe it isn’t a big deal – it is.  Before you talk to anyone, contact an aggressive Indiana DUI lawyer at once, and don’t waste any time.  Your freedom and future hang in the balance; you need someone on your side with a record of winning.

Stark Law Offices, Criminal & DUI Defense
201 N. Illinois St., Indianapolis, IN 46204 (317) 273-8888
450 E. 96th St., Ste. 500 Indianapolis, IN 46240 (317) 818-6035
23 South 8th Street, Noblesville, IN 46060
3209 West Smith Valley Road, Greenwood, IN 46142

Recently, Athens City and County Health Department officials have been investigating an outbreak of salmonella food poisoning in Athens OH.  Chuck Hammer, administrator, states that to date 12 people have developed symptoms after eating at Casa Lopez restaurant on East State Street.

According to Hammer, six have been hospitalized and positive test results have come back on three of the individuals involved.  So far, investigations done at Casa Lopez have uncovered nothing that would warrant closing the restaurant, and Casa Lopez remains a licensed operation.  Several items were taken from the restaurant for testing.  Hammer also stated that many of the victims have what he calls a similar food history.

Update:  As of May 8, press reports state that 22 people have become ill after eating at Casa Lopez.  According to the health department, each one of the people ate at the restaurant over the weekend, but there has yet to be anything discovered that reveals the contamination source.

Now, positive confirmations of salmonella have been seen in 7 of he cases reported.  Results are pending on the rest, but customers of the restaurant feel that the source of the salmonella contamination was brought in to the restaurant, and that the outbreak was not due to anything that Casa Lopez did wrong.

Salmonella food poisoning usually results in only mild symptoms in healthy individuals, but can become a serious concern in certain groups of people.  Young children, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems are most at risk of developing serious complications.  If you suspect salmonella food poisoning, seek medical attention. If you find yourself in need of a salmonella attorney, consider visiting Brown Chiari.

Common symptoms of salmonella include diarrhea, nausea, abdominal cramps and occasionally fever.  These symptoms generally last only a few days in healthy individuals.

When you are facing federal or felony drug charges, it is imperative that you have a reputable Kansas City criminal defense lawyer on your side.  If this is your first offense, you have no idea what you are up against or how to fight it.  A good attorney understands the laws in depth, and will do all in his power to defend your freedom and your rights. Ockclaw also represents clients as a Kansas City DUI attorney

You may not realize it, but your reputation and ability to keep your job or find employment in the future may be at stake.  When you are accused of federal or felony drug offenses, it literally affects you whole life – and that of your family.  Without a seasoned Kansas City criminal defense lawyer on your side, your chances of beating the charges are dismal at best.  You need an attorney with vast experience in this area; one who has helped thousands of people before you achieve a favorable outcome.

If you do have prior convictions, matters are even more serious.  There may be years added to your prison sentence, stiff penalties, or both.  You may not be aware of the fact, but simply being in possession of a small amount of a controlled substance can trigger federal crime charges.  You may have been caught with a small amount of cocaine, marijuana or methamphetamines, thinking you had nothing to worry about.  Depending on weight, possession of drugs can land you in federal prison for years.

If you are stopped and law enforcement finds guns or other weapons on top of the illegal drugs you possess, you are in a very serious situation that requires legal assistance.  A highly regarded Kansas City criminal defense lawyer is your best bet, and can negotiate agreements so that either charges are dropped, or you spend considerably less time in prison.  You desire a favorable outcome, and you need effective legal representation on your side.

Don’t go in to this blind – your future, your reputation, and your family hang in the balance!  Before you take one step or do anything regarding the accusations or charges against you, contact the best Kansas City criminal defense lawyer in the area, who will fight aggressively on your behalf to ensure that the outcome for you is positive.  It is the smartest move you can make to protect your rights.

When you are charged with a DUI offense, you need a reputable Indiana DUI attorney by your side.  In the minds of most people, this type of offense is similar to a simple traffic infraction that can be taken care of by paying a fine.  This is not the truth; driving under the influence is a criminal offense.  You may be subject to fines, jail time, losing your driver’s license or even house arrest.  For something you thought to be only a minor problem, you may be facing major punishment.

An experienced Indiana DUI lawyer knows the laws involved with this offense, and knows how to aggressively represent your rights.  Unfortunately, many people believe they should talk with police, answer questions, and offer any information they can.  This is WRONG.  While law enforcement officers often make you believe they are trying to help you, they will use everything they can get against you.  As defense attorneys for DUI, we persuade you to avoid answering questions or talking to police until your lawyer is present.

The average person has no idea what steps to take to insure that their legal rights are protected. One misstep, and you could throw your future right out the window.  Your future is at stake, and your family’s future is at stake.  This is where an experienced Indiana DUI attorney comes in; they know the law, and they know how to best represent you so that the future outcome is as positive as possible.  A knowledgeable lawyer will work hard and fast to get the charges against you completely dismissed, or reduced to a minimum.

Being arrested for DUI affects your livelihood; your employer may hear of the charges and it may affect your job.  There may be a stigma attached to you that follows you wherever you go.  A compassionate Indiana DUI lawyer is on your side, and will work diligently to limit the effects of the charges on your future.

As an individual who has been charged with driving under the influence of alcohol or other chemical substances or drugs, you most likely do not know or understand the laws pertaining to your situation.  A well-seasoned Indiana DUI attorney knows the law and how to make it work for you.  A skilled lawyer knows the law inside and out, and how to use them to protect anyone charged with DUI from undue legal harm.  If you have been charged, contact an effective Indiana DUI lawyer at once!

Have you dreamed of becoming a legal assistant, but just don’t have the time to attend school?  Today, everyone is busy and there is often very little time left in the day to pursue your dreams.  Now, you can obtain your certificate online, and enter an exciting and rewarding career in the legal industry.  If you like the idea studying and completing your training on your own terms, you can be employed in an exciting industry sooner than you think!

As a legal assistant, you will find the work very fulfilling and rewarding.  There is nothing like feeling a sense of accomplishment for a job well done!  Your skills will always be in high demand, so job security is never a worry.  Whether you want to become certified as quickly as possible, or need to take things at a slower pace, it is all up to you.  Become certified as a legal assistant in as little as 8 months, or take up to two years if you need to.  No matter what your schedule, you can work around it so that you can better your future and the future of your family.

Is online training as thorough as attending school?  When you choose an accredited program that has been highly regarded for years, you can rest assured that you will be well trained to enter a good paying career as a legal assistant.  All of the tools such as study guides and textbooks are available to you, along with many resources and full support.  You will even have access to an online student center, so that you can communicate with other students who are pursuing a career in the legal industry!

As a legal assistant, you will find yourself in one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States.  In fact, the US Department of Labor predicts that this exciting career field will grow at a rate much faster than that of others through 2018!  When you become certified, you will find that you feel a sense of accomplishment as a vital part of the team; working closely with lawyers and preparing for trial leaves you with a good feeling.  The work is challenging, and you will be in a position where a good deal of responsibility lies on your shoulders.  This is a great field for those who are self motivated and love to feel they have done a job well.

When you become a legal assistant, you can expect to earn anywhere from $35,000 to $60,000 annually on average!  If you have long wanted to enter this exciting industry but felt that you just didn’t have the time, train to become a legal assistant online!  It is a choice you will never regret.

Do you want to enrich your life with a rewarding, good paying career?  Now, you can find an exceptional paralegal program online.  This means that even if you have very little spare time, you can earn your certificate so that you can go to work in the legal industry.  Since there is such a huge demand for those looking to assist lawyers and other professionals, you will rest easy knowing that your job is secure.  That fact in itself is amazing, given the state of the economy recently!

When it comes to choosing a good paralegal studies program, you want to make certain that you choose to train with a company that is known for its reputation.  You must be provided with the clock hours required to sit for the Certified Legal Assistant exam, so that you can quickly go to work.  If you are looking for a paralegal program on the internet, there are plenty to choose from, but few that offer the support and tools you need to complete training successfully.

Have you always had an interest in the legal field? Those who are motivated and want to provide a secure future for themselves and their families are looking for secure employment.  By entering a paralegal program on the internet, you can study and work on your own terms.  No set class schedule, no money spending gas to drive to college.  Complete the course at your own leisure. You can finish in as little as 8 months, or take up to 24 months – it’s your choice.

Are you one of those who love a challenge, and want to feel that you are a truly vital part of a team?  A paralegal performs many important tasks, and is always prepared to take a position of responsibility within the legal community.  If working with lawyers and clients, preparing for trial, and performing other necessary duties sounds exciting to you, it’s a dream that can soon become a reality.  The pay is exceptional as well; in fact, the National Association of Legal Assistants found that the average annual wage for paralegals in 2008 was $48,211.  Quite a step up from minimum wage!

If your desire is to create a stable future in a rewarding career field, this may be the opportunity you have been waiting for.  Do it on your own time and study using the method best suited for you.  Full support, training materials, tools and other resources allow you to get started today!  Remember, choose a paralegal program with a reputation for excellence.  Follow your dreams now.

Rosemary Nelson, a Concord nursing home resident who was reported missing last month, was recently found dead in a culvert.  She was missing for three days before being found, and had last been seen late in the afternoon at the facility before going missing.  Nelson most likely died due to exposure to the elements, according to the coroner’s office.  Nelson had walked out of similar facilities previously, according to information obtained by police from family members.

Information is sketchy as to how a 63-year-old woman could disappear from a nursing facility, which has not been identified, and go missing for a prolonged period without it being noticed by staff sooner.  It is certainly questionable how a woman could walk out of a facility, and what kind of security measures were in place at the nursing home.  If staff had noticed earlier that Nelson was missing, perhaps she could have been located in time to save her life.

This type of tragedy seems to occur all too often in nursing homes, and California nursing home abuse lawyers recognize this fact.  Many elderly people cannot care for themselves, which is why they are placed in nursing home facilities to begin with.  It doesn’t seem too much to ask that these centers for our elderly provide adequate staff to supervise and insure that residents are not able to leave a facility without anyone knowing it.

Making the decision to place an elderly loved one in a nursing home is extremely difficult.  Individuals can search the Medicare website to find ratings of these facilities, and make comparisons of what is available by city, county and zip code.  The 5-star rating system on this site will allow you to compare ratings and filter results, so that you can make the best decision for your loved one.

Ratings are based on how nursing home facilities compare when it comes to staffing, health inspections and quality of care delivered.  While one nursing home may fare better in staffing, another may be exceptional in quality measures that are in place.  This information helps you make an informed decision in order to determine which facility may be best able to properly care for a loved one.

Staffing ratings are determined by the number of residents and how many staff members there are to care for those residents.  The number of trained nurses located at the facility is also taken in to consideration.

Regarding health inspections, approximately 180 aspects are studied by trained inspectors to determine the quality of care offered.  Quality measures take in to consideration the overall performance of the facility, and review aspects like assisting residents with eating and dressing, and prevention of skin ulcers, bed sores and other common problems.

The Reeves Law Group has offices across California and is dedicated to representing personal injury victims, including victims of nursing home abuse.  Please contact us for a free consultation at (800) 644-8000.