Medical malpractice is far more common than many people assume. A 2016 study from Johns Hopkins Medicine determined that medical errors were the third-leading cause of death in the United States, behind heart disease and cancer. The study calculated that almost 10% of all deaths in the U.S. stemmed from a medical error. Notably, the study only looked at fatal incidents, and did not estimate the number of patients injured or left with life-altering changes due to medical error. The study was also limited to analyzing inpatient hospitalization data. Since the frequency of medical errors is ..read more

Motorcycle crashes can cause catastrophic injuries, which in turn, can cause missed work and massive medical bills. Often, motorcycle crashes also result in extensive property damage. Frequently, motorcyclists are not to blame for the wreck but faced with large bills, it is common for injured riders to be anxious about their rights after a crash. One common question that gets asked: If you did not have a helmet on at the time of the crash, will that prevent you from seeking full compensation from the other driver through a civil lawsuit? The short answer is that helmets are not required, but t ..read more

We are pleased to announce that Blake Scott, an associate at Hixson & Brown, has been selected to the 2021 Iowa Rising Stars list. This is an exclusive list, recognizing no more than 2.5 percent of attorneys in the state. Super Lawyers, part of Thomson Reuters, is a research-driven, peer influenced rating service of outstanding lawyers who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. Attorneys are selected from more than 70 practice areas and all firm sizes, assuring a credible and relevant annual list. The annual selections are made using a patented multip ..read more

When someone in your family dies because of lawbreaking or negligence on someone else’s part, your entire family suffers, not just the person who dies. Iowa protects the victims of criminal actions and negligence by letting them file a personal injury lawsuit against the responsible party. If someone dies because of another person’s actions, their surviving family members are the ones who can potentially take legal action. In a wrongful death lawsuit, you have to request a specific amount of compensation that reflects the actions of the other party and the impact of the death on your life. How ..read more

Modern cars are equipped with a variety of safety features, including airbags. While these can go a long way in saving your life in the event of a serious accident, they also pose a threat to your health if you don’t know what you’re doing. Airbags save lives, but you need to take precautions Here are some of the steps you can take to prevent airbag injuries: Wear your seat belt: Without a seat belt holding you in your seat, you’re likely to end up too close to the steering wheel in an accident. Subsequently, you’re hit with the airbag with too much force. Move back: Don’t be one of those peop ..read more

Dog bites are a significant problem when they happen. Even seemingly minor puncture wounds could cause life-threatening infections. That’s why these bites should always be taken seriously. There is a reason why dogs often cause catastrophic injuries when they attack. First, a dog that really wants to attack to kill will go for the abdomen or neck, both of which are unprotected and open. If a dog bites either of these areas, there could be significant, life-threatening damage done. Another reason for such severe damage is that dogs tend to bite down and then shake their prey. That shaking motio ..read more

How do you know if your surgeon is competent? Most of the time, patients don’t have long relationships with their surgeons. Most patients are referred to a surgeon by their primary care doctor or specialist. In fact, they likely will meet the surgeon just once for a consultation prior to the actual surgery. That doesn’t give them a lot of time to evaluate a surgeon’s competence or character. To protect yourself or your loved one, here are some steps you should take before agreeing to surgery: Ask questions. Is this surgery necessary? Are there any non-invasive methods that could be tried ..read more

People consider many factors when thinking about the odds that a car accident will turn fatal, from the safety rating of the car to the speed at which the crash occurs to whether or not those in the car are wearing seat belts. One thing that they may need to consider more often, though, is simply the location where the crash takes place. It can have a drastic impact. Distance to medical care The biggest issue is the distance to the nearest hospital. The greater that distance, the higher the odds someone will pass away. Say, for instance, that two vehicles get involved in a crash when one drive ..read more

The Department of Transportation (DOT) recently changed the hours of service regulations to which truckers must comply. These regulations are meant to ensure that the truckers don’t drive too many hours or work too many non-driving hours before getting back behind the wheel. Ultimately, this is one of the ways that the industry can combat trucker fatigue. Some recent guidance from the DOT is changing some of these rules, and there are mixed thoughts on what impacts this might have. Long-haul truckers have a limit of 14 hours of driving per shift. Once they hit that time, they have to stop driv ..read more

Dogs are normally friendly, loving animals. Unfortunately, even the most docile pet can become aggressive when it is sick or injured, scared or upset. This year, as you’re traveling for the holidays, it’s important to remember how you can avoid dog bites when you’re with friends and family or around people in public.  While you’re never going to be able to prevent every dog from biting, there are some things you can do to recognize when a dog doesn’t want you to approach it or is feeling stressed. If you notice these signs, back away from the animal and separate yourself from it.  Wh ..read more