Pedestrian Accidents in Michigan Cause Serious Injuries

When cars hit pedestrians, there is a high risk of serious injury. About 5,000 pedestrians are killed and another 64,000 are injured in motor vehicle accidents every year in the United States.

Victims of automobile accidents have legal rights. If you or a family member suffered injuries in a Michigan pedestrian accident, call our experienced Michigan accident attorneys to discuss your case. We have the skill needed to successfully handle a wide variety of automobile accident cases. Our attorneys can hold the negligent parties responsible for your accident and get you the maximum monetary compensation you deserve.

You may be entitled to collect monetary damages for:

• Pain and suffering
• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Emotional distress
• Replacement services
• Home modification
• Mileage reimbursement
• Attendant Care

If you or a loved one has been injured in a pedestrian/motor vehicle accident, call The Thurswell Law Firm toll-free 1.866.354.5544 for a free consultation.

Hospital Errors still a Problem in the United States

In 1999, the Institute of Medicine reported that hospital errors cause up to 98,000 deaths and over 1 million injuries a year in the United States.

Just 12 years later, a new study, published in the April 2011 issue of Health Affairs magazine, reported that hospital errors are ten times greater than what was previously reported. Hospital errors included medication errors, failure to correctly diagnose or treat patients, and mistakes during surgery.

If a loved one has died or if you are suffering from the consequences of medical malpractice, it is important to call The Thurswell Law Firm at once.

Call toll-free 1.866.354.5544 for a free consultation. No recovery, no fee.

Preventing Michigan Auto Accidents

Sometimes preventing an automobile accident is out of your control. But, by applying these simple steps, you can greatly reduce the chances of causing an accident.

·         Limit Cell Phone Usage

Don’t talk on the cell phone if possible, and never text while driving. Taking your eyes off the road for a couple of seconds is enough to cause a fatal accident.

·         Never Drink and Drive

If you have been drinking, ask a friend or family member to be your designated driver, or have someone call you a cab.

·         Seatbelt

Always wear a seatbelt, and make sure that your passengers are wearing one too. Also, make sure that your child is safely secured in their safety seat.

·         Follow the Speed Limit

Try to keep your speed at or under the speed limit, especially during dangerous driving conditions like rain or snow.

·         Keep Safe Distances

Make sure to keep your car at least one full car length away from the car ahead of you per every 10 mph speed you are driving. The larger gap in between gives you more time to stop if the car ahead of you has to stop quickly.

·         Limit Distractions

If you have passengers in the car, don’t turn around and talk to them. Always keep your eyes on the road.

·         Observe the Cars around You

Always make sure to observe the cars around you. Before changing lanes, make sure that there are no cars in your blind spots. Also, watch for cars that are switching lanes. Just because you see them doesn’t always mean they see you.

If you or a loved one were injured in a car, truck, bus, motorcycle, bicycle or pedestrian accident, call The Thurswell Law Firm toll-free 1.866.354.5544 for a free consultation.

Michigan's New Law that Protects Doctors

Michigan Governor Rick Snyder recently passed a new bill that protects doctors if they express any kind of sympathy to their patient or patient’s family. The first section of Senate Bill 0053 says:

A statement, writing, or action that expresses sympathy, compassion, commiseration, or a general sense of benevolence relating to the pain, suffering, or death of an individual and that is made to that individual or to the individual’s family is inadmissible as evidence of an admission of liability in an action for medical malpractice.

What this section is saying is if a doctor, either verbally or in writing, says that they are sorry for any pain, injuries or death caused to the patient, that statement cannot be used against them in a medical malpractice case.

This new law does not protect doctors who admit fault after they express their sympathy. Section two of the bill says:

This section does not apply to a statement of fault, negligence, or culpable conduct that is part of or made in addition to a statement, writing, or action described in subsection (1).

If your or a loved one are suffering injuries that were caused by a negligent doctor, call the Michigan Medical Malpractice Attorneys of The Thurswell Law Firm immediately. There are no attorney fees unless we collect money for you. Call us toll-free 1.866.354.5544 today.

Michigan Motorcycle Accident Attorneys discuss the Importance of Helmets

In Michigan, about 114 motorcyclists die and another 3,020 motorcyclists are injured in Michigan motorcycle accidents every year. In a crash, a helmet can help protect your brain, your face, and your life.

When you are in an accident, a helmet plays an important role in keeping you safe. A helmets main purpose is to absorb the force of impact to your head. The more impact-energy absorbed, the less there is to reach your head and cause serious damage.
Although helmet safety laws are different from state to state, it is important to always wear a helmet. When you don't wear a helmet, you are leaving yourself open to serious injury, ranging from mild scratches and bruises, to more severe head injuries and even death.
Even though a helmet is the best protective gear you can wear while riding a motorcycle, you may still be injured after a Michigan motorcycle accident. If you are injured, you should speak with an experienced Michigan motorcycle attorney immediately to find out about your rights.
You may be able to recover damages for medical bills, lost wages, attendant care and pain and suffering. To speak with an experienced Michigan motorcycle accident attorney, call The Thurswell Law Firm now at 1.866.354.5544. You won't pay any legal fees unless we recover money for you.

How to keep your child safe while driving

Child Automobile Safety

One of the most important jobs you have as a parent is keeping your child safe while riding in a vehicle. Each year, thousands of young children are killed or injured in car crashes.

Below are some general guidelines that you should follow when choosing a safety seat for your child. It is important to choose the right seat to protect your child from injury in case of an accident.

(click image to enlarge)

Correctly positioning a seat belt

When your child is old enough to wear lap and shoulder seat belts, it is important to know the correct way to wear one to prevent injury. A lap and shoulder seat belt fits correctly when:

·   The shoulder belt lies across the middle of the chest and shoulder, not the neck or throat.

·   The lap belt is across the upper thighs, not the stomach.

Make sure that your child does not put the seat belt behind their back or under their arm. This leaves their upper body unprotected and open for severe injury in an accident.

What to do if you’re in an accident
If you or your child was injured in a Michigan car accident, call The Thurswell Law Firm today to know your legal rights. You may be entitled to collect monetary damages for pain and suffering, medical and hospital bills, loss of income, and more. Call us toll-free 1.866.354.5544.

What to do after a Michigan Rear-End Accident?

One of the most common and dangerous types of Michigan car accidents is a rear-end collision. This type of wreck accounts for about 2.5 million of the approximately 6 million automobile accidents reported in the U.S. each year.

Michigan rear-end car accidents can happen nearly anywhere and at any time. However, they are most common at times when traffic slows and cars behind you cannot stop in time. This can happen: 

• In intersections;
• At stoplights;
• In construction zones;
• Merging onto highways;
• In parking lots.

Michigan rear-end car wrecks can result in a wide range of injuries because of impact and whiplash. These can include, but are not limited to, broken bones, sprains or dislocations, back or neck injuries, and head or brain injuries that can easily be fatal.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a rear-end collision caused by a negligent driver, then you may be able to recover damages from the wreck. This financial compensation may cover: 

• Medical bills
• Missed time at work
• Pain or emotional suffering

The first thing that you should do is to call a Michigan car accident attorney. The insurance companies won't just cut you a check, so having an experienced lawyer on your side ensures that your legal rights are protected.

For more information about your rights, call the Michigan car accident lawyers of the Thurswell Law Firm for a free consultation about your case. Just dial toll-free 1-866-354-5544.

The Unnatural Causes of Michigan Birth Injuries

When the joyous occasion of welcoming a new child into the family is interrupted by the harsh reality of a Michigan birth injury, many questions immediately arise, including:

1. How did this happen?
2. Is there something wrong with my child?
3. Who caused the injury?
4. Could it have been prevented?
5. What do I do now?

Doctors or nurses who take the wrong action, or no action at all, can cause serious injuries that have long-term implications for your family.

Some of the most common medical causes of Michigan birth injuries include:

• Failure to timely perform a C-section;
• Failure to prevent premature birth;
• Misuse of forceps or vacuum extractors.

If your family has been victimized by one of these mistakes, and you believe that the injury to your child was caused or could have been prevented by a doctor or nurse, then you need to call a Michigan birth injury attorney as soon as possible.

Call the Michigan birth injury lawyers of The Thurswell Law Firm who, since 1968, have obtained millions of dollars for children who were the victims of medical malpractice. Call today at (866) 354-5544 to learn more about your legal rights. You can schedule a free consultation with one of our attorneys to gain valuable information about your case.

The Scary Results of Michigan Wrong Side Surgery

As hard as it is to believe, some surgeries are performed on the wrong side of the patient's body. These mistakes, clear instances of Michigan medical malpractice, can lead to serious injuries and even loss of life.

Michigan wrong side surgery occurs as the result of the negligence of the doctors and nurses in charge of the procedure. These can include: 

• Misunderstanding a patient's symptoms;
• Mislabeling surgery diagrams;
• Confusion in the operating room;
• Lack of attention/focus.

Michigan wrong side surgery can lead to serious complications. Not only is the original problem that required surgery not fixed, but it creates more problems to deal with as well. Extra surgery to reverse the original procedure, as well as perform the intended one, is likely required.

The costs of these additional procedures can add up quickly. If you are the victim of this negligence, you may face: 

• Thousands of dollars in medical bills
• Extra recovery time and physical therapy
• Permanent scarring and damage
• Extended absence from work
• Added pain and emotional suffering

Because wrong side surgery is almost always the responsibility of negligent medical professionals, you likely have the legal right to earn compensation for costs related to the incident. Contact a Michigan medical malpractice lawyer for more information.

Call the Michigan medical malpractice attorneys of the Thurswell Law Firm today at (866) 354-5544 to schedule a free consultation about the details of your case.

The Cost of Michigan Drunk Driving Accidents

Most people know that drunk driving is a dangerous and foolish act. However, many do not know just how damaging it can be. Sadly, all of the following statistics about drunk driving are TRUE:  

• Over 10,000 people die each year in alcohol-related car accidents in the U.S.
• One person is killed every 50 minutes in a drunk driving accident.
• One person is injured in a drunk driving accident every minute.
• One in three people will be involved in an alcohol-related crash in their lifetime.
• The average drunk driver has been drunk 87 times before being caught.

The very real lesson here is that drunk driving can lead to serious injuries and, in many cases, loss of life. You should never drink and drive, and you should talk to your kids about the dangers of drunk driving.

If you or a family member has been injured or even killed by a negligent drunk driver, then you face a harsh and difficult reality. The victims of Michigan drunk driving wrongful death accidents go beyond those that have been killed. The people left behind after fatal drunk driving accidents have to deal with many hardships, including: 

• Emotional pain and suffering
• Funeral costs
• Medical bills and permanent losses
• Lost wages
• And more

Call the Michigan wrongful death attorneys at The Thurswell Law Firm if a loved one was a victim of a drunk driving accident. There is no reason that you should have to suffer the consequences of someone else's negligent behavior.

You can contact the Michigan wrongful death lawyers of The Thurswell Law Firm by calling toll free at (866) 354-5544. Schedule a free consultation about the details of your case, and gain invaluable advice about how to proceed. Do not delay any longer. Call us today!

The Social Security Administration’s Narrow Definition of "Disability"

You have probably heard that if you are disabled before retirement age and can no longer work, then Social Security will help you with the necessary bills and payments for living a normal life.

What you may not know, however, is that Social Security has a very narrow definition of "disability." In essence, it only considers you disabled if your condition is full and permanent. The conditions do not apply if your disability is partial or temporary.

To comply with the Social Security's definition of disability, you must meet ALL THREE of the following conditions: 

1. You cannot do work that you did before.
2. You cannot adjust to other work because of your medical condition(s).
3. Your disability has lasted or is expected to last for at least one year or to result in death.

If you believe that you meet these conditions but are still not receiving payments, or your payments have stopped unexpectedly, then you need to seek out the help of a Michigan Social Security disability attorney as soon as possible.

These cases can be very complex, and even if the government will eventually offer you benefits, it is under tight financial restrictions. The government will make you jump through countless complex hoops of paperwork just to get what you deserve. You need an experienced lawyer to guide you through the process.

To speak with a Michigan Social Security disability lawyer, call toll-free at (866) 354-5544 and schedule a free consultation today.

The Thurswell Law Firm has been serving clients just like you in the state of Michigan since 1968. We have the necessary experience to make the government recognize your legal rights. We will work hard to help you earn the benefits that you deserve.

TLF Founder Recognized as Top Lawyer in Michigan

Gerald Thurswell, founder of The Thurswell Law Firm, has been recognized by The National Trial Lawyers in "The Top 100 Trial Lawyers" for the state of Michigan. Attorneys are considered for membership in The National Trial Lawyers top 100 list based on superior qualifications, leadership, reputation, influence, stature, and profile in the Trial Lawyer community. 

Detroit Attorneys discuss Birth Injuries

Having a baby can be one of the most exciting moments in life. However, you never expect to hear that your baby has suffered a birth injury.

A birth injury is an injury that occurs to the baby as a result of a doctor's negligent actions or inactions either during pregnancy, the delivery process or following the birth of the baby.

Birth injuries happen at a rate of about seven in every 1,000 births. If your child, or the child of someone you love, has suffered a birth injury, such as cerebral palsy, Erb’s palsy, developmental delays, hydrocephalus or premature birth, call the Thurswell Law Firm today toll free at 1.866.354.5544 to discuss your legal rights. There is no fee unless we collect money for you.

Automobile Accidents and No-Fault Insurance

Automobile accidents happen every day. More so now during the winter months, when driving conditions are made worse by snow and ice. Some accidents only produce minor injuries; a scratch or a bruise, maybe some damage to your car. Others, unfortunately, cause severe injuries, and can even be deadly.

Regardless of who was at fault, those who are insured are entitled to receive first-party benefits, which includes payment for medical expenses, replacement services, attendant care, and lost wages. If the accident was caused by someone else, you may also be able to receive money for pain and suffering.

If you or a loved one has been in an automobile accident – whether it involves a car, truck, bus, motorcycle, bicycle or pedestrian – you should call an experienced attorney immediately. The Thurswell Law Firm has been recovering monetary damages for those who have been injured in automobile accidents since 1968. Call us toll free at 1.866.354.5544.

Biting Back Against Dog Bites

The Center for Disease Control recently announced that dog bites are once again on the rise.

The CDC reports that in the first six months of 2010, 16 fatal dog attacks occurred. In addition, statistics show that over 800,000 Americans need medical attention every year from dog bite injuries. Approximately 50 percent of these victims are below the age of 9.

The “Michigan Dog Bite Statute” holds owners of dogs who have bitten someone “strictly liable.” The Michigan Dog Bite Statute, MCL 287.351, states that if a dog bites a person on public property or lawfully on private property, then the owner of the dog is liable for any damages caused by the attack, unless the attack was provoked.

If you, a loved one or friend has suffered from a dog bite, call us immediately. At The Thurswell Firm, we have experienced attorneys available to give free legal advice. Call us at 866.354.5544 (toll free). There is no attorney fee unless we collect money for you.

Thurswell Attorneys discuss Medical Malpractice

The Institute of Medicine reported that medical errors cause up to 98,000 deaths and over 1 million injuries annually in the United States.

People suffer pain, become disabled, and sometimes lose their lives due to a health care provider’s negligence.

If you or someone you love has suffered from someone else’s negligence, call The Thurswell Law Firm toll free at 1.866.354.5544. We will do a thorough investigation to see if a medical error occurred, which has caused injury or death. There are no attorney fees unless we collect money for you.

Judy Susskind Recognized as Top Lawyer 2010

Judy Susskind, an attorney at The Thurswell Law Firm, has been recognized as one of Michigan’s “Top Lawyers of 2010” by dbusiness magazine in Medical Malpractice and Personal Injury Litigation. The dbusiness magazine “Top Lawyers of 2010” recognizes attorneys who are practicing in Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties who possess the highest professional ability and ethical standards.

New Teenage Driving Laws in Michigan

Starting March 30th, there will be a new law affecting teen drivers. 
Former Gov. Jennifer Granholm approved the new limitations in the fall in a nationwide effort to reduce dangerous teen driving.

The new restrictions include:
• Limited driving hours. What was once a curfew of 12 a.m. has now tightened to 10 p.m. Teen drivers are not allowed to drive between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m., unless headed to or from work.
• Limited underage passengers. With the new restrictions, teen drivers are limited to one passenger, age 20 or below, unless accompanied by an adult. However, an exception to this restriction is made when driving to school or school-held events.

The restrictions will affect all 16-year-olds and some 17-year-olds.

Studies show that drivers ages 16 to 19 are the most dangerous on the road, and the risk of crashes increases significantly if they have other teens in their vehicles.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, about 3,000 teens in the United States were killed and more than 350,000 were treated for injuries suffered in motor-vehicle crashes in 2009.

If your teenage child was involved in an accident, call the Thurswell Law Firm toll free at 1.866.354.5544 immediately. Even if your child may have caused the accident, you may be able to recover monetary compensation for injuries and losses.

If you or a loved one was injured in an accident that was caused by a teen driver, call us toll free at 1.866.354.5544 to talk with an experienced attorney today.

The Thurswell Law Firm is recognized by US News and World Report and Best Lawyers as Best Law Firms of 2010, Tier 1 - a survey ranking the best law firms in 171 metropolitan areas. Tier 1 is awarded to the highest ranking law firms.  

TLF Founder Recognized as Top Lawyer of 2010

Gerald Thurswell, founder of The Thurswell Law Firm, has been recognized as one of Michigan’s “Top Lawyers of 2010” by dbusiness magazine in Medical Malpractice and Personal Injury Litigation. The dbusiness magazine "Top Lawyers of 2010" list recognizes attorneys who are practicing in Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties who possess the highest professional ability and ethical standards.

Have you been a victim of Emergency Room wait times?

Malyia Jeffers, 2, from Sacramento, California, lost her left hand, fingers on her right hand, and both legs below the knee because of wait times and irresponsible nursing.

After developing a fever and bruise on her face, Malyia’s parents brought her to the emergency room, where they waited for five hours. During that time, the bruise spread to cover most of her face and ears and her fever increased from 101 to 103. After telling the triage nurse multiple times about their daughters worsening condition, her parents found another nurse who finally gave them treatment.

Malyia was diagnosed with a Strep A infection, also known as the “flesh eating bacteria.” Because the infection had been allowed to spread, oxygen was not getting to her limbs, which was the cause for her amputations.

According to a 2009 report from the Government Accountability Office, emergency room wait times are almost double the recommended time. On average, patients may wait up to six hours before being seen by a doctor.

If you need to go to the ER, do your research first.

Does the closest hospital post their ER waiting times online? If so, check to see how long the wait is before you go. Also, once you get to the ER, don’t leave after waiting. Chances are the next ER you go to will have you waiting longer. Most importantly, if you are in the ER waiting room, and your condition worsens, notify a nurse right away.

If you were a victim of ER wait times, call The Thurswell Law Firm toll free at 1.866.354.5544 to discuss your legal rights.

To read Malyia’s full story, click here.