Maryland residents purchase millions of different products each year, including food, medical devices, pharmaceutical products and general consumer goods. Some have been on the market for decades, while there are countless new products introduced each year. With an increasing number of products inevitably comes a growing number of warnings about defects, malfunctions and instances of contamination. When producers discover these problems, they usually announce a recall or a warning to consumers about the potentially dangerous product.
Increase in product recalls may lead to rise in liability suits
Medical malpractice suit settled, but surgical error may go on
When someone suffers a serious injury or death as a result of a medical error, a patient or the patient's family may decide to file a civil lawsuit. One of the goals of most medical malpractice lawsuits is to see that the error doesn't happen again to another patient. But in many cases, it does -- often at another hospital far away, where doctors haven't been warned about the potential for the error. These cases are especially troubling because they're often easily preventable.
Maryland man sentenced for role in car accident that killed 2
One of the responsibilities we all have as drivers is to make sure our vehicles are in safe driving condition. A car with faulty, broken or unstable parts creates a risk not just to ourselves and our passengers, but to other motorists on the road. If a car accident results from a vehicle that isn't in working order, a driver could even face criminal charges.
Drowsy Maryland teen causes car accident with serious injuries
Most of us have had the experience of driving while we're fatigued: The soothing hum of tires on the road starts to lull you, your eyelids begin to droop and your chin starts to fall -- before you snap back to life suddenly and realize you need a jolt of energy. This scenario may be common, but that doesn't make it safe. According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, about 1 in 6 fatal car accidents involves drowsy driving, which can be just as dangerous as driving while drunk or distracted.
Adding patient photos to records could reduce medical mistakes
Most hospitals and clinics these days rely on electronic records and patient charts. Unfortunately, since one screen of data looks much like another, sometimes medical personnel mistakenly add information to the wrong patient's records. The consequences could be harmful or even deadly if the error results in the administration of the wrong medication or procedure to a patient.
Maryland driver's road rage leads to several accidents, injuries
Heavy traffic in Baltimore and other areas of Maryland is enough to make anyone a little cranky. Whether you're a daily commuter or are running late for an evening date or other appointment, you may have gotten frustrated by traffic jams or specific drivers on the road. But there's no excuse for the kind of road rage that leads to intentional car accidents like the one a Frederick County, Maryland, man is accused of causing last weekend. In addition to damaging several vehicles, the accidents caused numerous injuries.
Antidepressant use during pregnancy could pose risk to newborns
Women who take antidepressants while pregnant may want to reconsider doing so, according to a recent study reported in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology. The study's findings linked antidepressant use to pregnancy complications including premature birth and smaller birth weight. Experts have stopped short of saying the medications themselves are dangerous, but say the safest option is to stop using antidepressants during pregnancy.
Workers' compensation often doesn't cover all costs
If you get injured on the job, do you know how all the costs of your medical care will be covered? Your first assumption might be that workers' compensation insurance picks up the tab. But according to a new study, that's often not the case.
Study: Sleepy surgical residents dangerously ineffective
Medical students in surgical resident programs may be too tired to function effectively while on the job, according to a new study. The report in Archives of Surgery said that student doctor fatigue can cause enough impairment to cause mistakes in judgment that lead to medical malpractice.
