A man's 91-year-old mother had lived in an assisted living facility since 2007. Then, one morning, the man and his wife received a phone call notifying them that his mother had 48 hours to find another place to live. Before the call, they had not suspected the facility of any sort of nursing home neglect. However, the reason she had to move so quickly was that the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) had suspended the operating license of the facility where she was living.
Alabama authorities looking for F-150 pickup after fatal crash
Alabama authorities have more information about the hit-and-run accident that left one dead and three injured on Interstate 65 on June 18. The Alabama State Troopers say they have new evidence and believe that the vehicle that left the scene of the fatal accident was a dark-colored 1998 to 2004 model Ford F-150 pickup truck.
Awareness is important in preventing elderly abuse
As the population in the United States continues to live longer, greater numbers of the aged segment are finding it necessary to seek assistance in the form of long-term skilled care. Unfortunately, not all of these caregivers are truly interested in the well-being of their wards, often resorting to various forms of elder abuse. This problem is growing in Alabama as well, and is not just confined to nursing home neglect.
Six Common Surgeries Often Done Unnecessarily
USA Today is reporting that there are at least six surgeries commonly done in this country that often do not need to be done. Using federal data and independent studies, the newspaper concluded there are six surgeries that carry significant risks of being done without medical necessity.
Elder abuse still a serious issue in long-term care homes
The National Center on Elder Abuse classifies elder mistreatment in six main ways: physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, exploitation, neglect and abandonment. According to the Senate Special Committee on Aging, almost 5 million Americans, including elders in Alabama, may be the victims of one or more of these forms of abuse. Victims of elder abuse and malnutrition usually have some form of either physical or mental disability and are usually over 75 years of age.
Hands-free devices may not reduce car crashes
Many Alabama residents have started to use hands-free systems for their cell phones while they are driving so they can stay focused on the road, but a study shows that no matter how people are using mobile devices, it could distract them from driving. There has been growing concerns about the number of car accidents caused by distracted driving related to cell phone use, and many people believe that it is due to taking their eyes off of the road and hands off of the wheel. However, researchers from the University of Utah have discovered that drivers using hands-free systems are still not paying enough attention to the road.
Jeff Rickard Elected President: Alabama Association for Justice
Marsh Rickard & Bryan attorney Jeff Rickard will be leading the Alabama
Association for Justice (ALAJ) as its new President for the 2013-2014 term.
Jeff was elected as part of a new slate of officers during the organization's
annual meeting today.
Wrongful death suit filed after boy killed by airport sign
A wrongful death suit has been filed in the case of a boy killed at an Alabama airport. The 10-year-old boy was killed when an airport sign fell down and struck him and three of his family members. The wrongful death suit raised by his family alleges that the designers and contractors involved with the construction of the sign were aware that it was unstable. The sign itself was an arrival and departure sign placed in a new terminal and weighed somewhere between 300 and 400 pounds.
Elder abuse highlighted in the New York Times
Alabama residents might be hesitant to enter nursing homes after hearing that the New York Times highlighted the occurrence of elder abuse in America. The Elder Maltreatment Alliance reported that in 2011, three to five million elderly people were victims of some sort of abuse, whether it was physical abuse or exploitation.
Family mourns death of girl after Alabama car accident
The family of a 10-year-old girl is mourning the loss of their family member after she died in a severe car accident. The accident happened at the intersection of Bailey Cove and Weatherly Road in Huntsville, Alabama. The girl and her family were reportedly returning home from their vacation in Panama City, Florida.
Semi-truck collision causes bridge to collapse
Alabama residents who planned to travel to Washington or Canada via Interstate 5 over the holiday weekend had their travel plans changed by a bridge collapsing. Just days before the Memorial Day weekend began, a bridge 60 miles north of Seattle fell into the river after a truck accidents at the wheel of an 18-wheeler collided with one of the bridge's overhead tresses. The tress was a part of the bridge's "superstructure," which is what investigators believe caused the collapse.
