CO poisoning can unfortunately be hard to diagnose as the symptoms can be similar to other illnesses, but if you think you may be inhaling this dangerous gas, here are some of the more common symptoms to look out for: headache; dizziness; nausea; chest pain; vomiting; confusion; and loss of consciousness due to high levels of CO.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that annually more than 400 Americans die from unintentional CO poisoning, more than 20,000 visit the emergency room, and more than 4,000 are hospitalized. These alarming statistics show how common CO poisoning can be, so knowing how to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning can save you and your family’s life. The following are tips offered by the CDC to help you and your loved ones avoid carbon monoxide poisoning:

• Install a battery operated CO detector and check or replace the battery every spring and fall.
• Have gas, oil, and coal burning appliances, such as heating systems or water heaters, serviced by a qualified technician every year. Also, have your chimney cleaned every year to prevent CO buildup in your home.
• Any gas appliance must be vented to prevent CO buildup, and never use a gas range or oven for heating.
• Do not use a charcoal grill or a barbecue grill indoors, and never burn charcoal indoors as it gives off CO.
• Have a mechanic check your vehicle’s exhaust system every year; even a small leak can lead to CO buildup in your car or truck.

Following these simple safety tips can help prevent a CO poisoning incident; however, a defective product or the negligence of another party (such as an apartment manager who fails to properly service appliances) may still cause a CO poisoning accident to occur. If you or a loved one has suffered from CO poisoning, an experienced Baltimore carbon monoxide poisoning lawyer can help. Steven H. Heisler, “The Injury Lawyer,” is dedicated to helping CO poisoning victims obtain compensation for their injuries to help them get back on their feet. For a no-cost consultation, call (877) 228-4878.

The panel, named the Advisory Committee on Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention, has suggested lowering the definition of lead poisoning for children from 10 micrograms of lead per deciliter of blood to 5 micrograms. This means that if the new standard is adopted, thousands more young children could be diagnosed with lead poisoning. Health officials estimate that as many as 250,000 kids may have lead poisoning, but with the new standard, the number may go up to 450,000.

Lead, which for years was a metal common in gasoline and paint, can severely harm a child’s kidneys, brain, and other vital organs. High levels of lead in the blood can cause convulsions, a coma, or even death, while lower levels can impair hearing and behavior, as well as reduce intelligence, among other problems. Too much lead in the bloodstream has also been determined to cause harm to developing brains and lead to a lower IQ. Victims of lead poisoning are often children who live in older homes that are rundown or under renovation, as the little one may pick up paint chips or dust and put it in his or her mouth. Children have also gotten lead poisoning from dust tracked in from industrial worksites or from soil contaminated by old leaded gasoline.

Finding out your child has lead poisoning can be devastating as the effects it can have are detrimental to a child’s health and well-being. If your child suffers from lead poisoning that you feel was caused by the negligence of another party, a skilled Baltimore lead poisoning lawyer can help. Steven H. Heisler, “The Injury Lawyer,” will help you obtain full compensation to help with your child’s medical bills and treatments. For a complimentary consultation, call (877) 228-4878.

Each participating school has agreed to rev up training for medical students in how PTSD is treated, along with traumatic brain injury, and share new information, practices, and research. A report by the Rand Corp. think tank estimates that about 300,000 Iraq and Afghanistan veterans currently suffer from either PTSD or major depression, but more than half did not seek treatment the preceding year.

Post traumatic stress disorder is a very serious mental health condition that is triggered by a terrifying event. Symptoms of this condition can last for months or even years and may include flashbacks, severe anxiety, nightmares, and uncontrollable thoughts about the event. PTSD is a common condition experienced by those who have been in the service, so it is essential veterans receive treatment and aid to prevent the disorder from becoming long term. In addition, a person with PTSD may be at a higher risk for other mental health problems and medical illnesses, such as:

• Depression;
• Drug or alcohol abuse;
• Chronic pain;
• Suicidal thoughts or actions;
• Cardiovascular disease; or
• Autoimmune diseases.

This serious condition is treatable, however, and can include the use of different medications or psychotherapy.

Veterans who have sustained any kind of injury or illness while on active duty, or whose condition was worsened by active duty, should be eligible for disability compensation. The application process to receive this financial assistance requires a great deal of paperwork, such as discharge papers and medical records. In order to promptly receive the compensation a veteran needs, a qualified Maryland veterans disability attorney can help. Steven H. Heisler, “The Injury Lawyer,” can help any veteran applying for benefits simplify the process. To see how he can help, please call (877) 228-4878 for a free consultation.

One of the primary culprits of physical abuse in juvenile facilities, and an issue that has sparked much controversy, is the use of physical restraints and devices. There have been quite a few cases of restraint-related deaths, including a Florida teen that was restrained while several guards repeatedly struck him and a 17-year-old in Maryland who lost consciousness and died after being held to the floor face down. In the latter case, prosecutors stated the staff waited 41 minutes after the teen was unresponsive to call for help. Maryland attorney, Steven H. Heisler represented the family of the 17-year-old in a wrongful death case against the state and the private facility in which a confidential settlement was reached.

The issue of sexual abuse in juvenile detention centers is also widespread. The federal Bureau of Justice Statistics issued a 2010 report that shows one in 10 youths in juvenile facilities and large non-state facilities reported sexual victimization by staff in the prior year. In the very worst facilities in the study, 20 to more than 30 percent reported sexual abuse.

Knowing your son or daughter has committed a crime and is in a juvenile facility can be difficult enough for a parent, but with the increasingly documented cases of abuse in these facilities, it can be a cause for serious concern. Steven H. Heisler, “The Injury Lawyer,” is a Baltimore juvenile facility abuse lawyer committed to protecting the rights of young people who have suffered any type of abuse in a juvenile correction center. Mr. Heisler can help you hold any at-fault parties legally accountable. For a no-cost consultation regarding your case, please call (877) 228-4878.

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that nearly 5,000 pedestrians die in motor vehicle accidents each year, and more than 78,000 pedestrians suffer injuries when hit by a car or truck. The NHTSA also reports the startling fact that a pedestrian is injured in a traffic accident every 8 minutes and killed every 111 minutes. These shocking statistics serve to remind all MD pedestrians that safety and being cautious is extremely crucial while on two feet.

To help prevent a dangerous pedestrian accident in the upcoming New Year, cross at the corner of an intersection and only when clear, but continue to look left and right as you cross. Also, walk into the middle of the street, don’t run, and always look to the left and right for moving vehicles. Walking alertly can also help MD pedestrians avoid a collision; looking for signs that a car is about to move and using your eyes and ears will help you be aware of potential hazards. Lastly, it is important to stop at the edge of parked cars, curbs, and other vehicles.

Exercising pedestrian safety while walking Maryland roads may help you avoid a serious accident, but unfortunately, you cannot control the actions of motorists who may not be paying attention or driving in a cautious manner. If you are involved in a pedestrian accident that was caused by the negligence of the driver of a motor vehicle, the Baltimore pedestrian accident attorney Steven H. Heisler, “The Injury Lawyer,” can help you obtain full compensation for your injuries. Call (877) 228-4878 for a free consultation.

• At-home heating: At the start of the winter season, have your chimney cleaned and inspected by a professional, as chimney buildup may cause a fire. Also, never use flammable liquids, evergreen trimming, or other flammable materials (such as wrapping paper or cardboard) in the fireplace, and use a fireplace screen to prevent sparks and embers from entering the room. If using a space heater, make sure to turn it off before going to sleep or leaving a room. In addition, place space heaters at least 3 feet away from anything that can catch fire, such as furniture, paper, or clothing.
• Kitchen and cooking safety: Cooking is the most common cause of fires in U.S. homes. To prevent an unfortunate kitchen fire, do not place flammable objects such as wooden utensils or oven mitts near the stove, and wear clothing that is form fitting so it does not drape over the open flame. Turning off the stove when you leave the room for any period of time can also help prevent a dangerous fire.
• Holiday decorations: Avoid choosing decorations that are flammable, sharp, easily breakable, or leaded. Candles should be kept in sturdy holders so they do not tip, and they should also be kept away from decorations, evergreens, and other combustible materials. If using electrical lights, make sure extension cords and strings of holiday lights are not frayed, showing bare wires, and are in good condition. Also, make sure lights have been safety tested by an independent lab (which will be stated on the label), and turn them off before going to bed or leaving home.
• Holiday trees: If decorating your home with an artificial tree, make sure the label says it is fire resistant. If using a fresh tree this December, keeping it fresh by putting it in a tree stand filled with water and cutting a few inches off the trunk can make it less of a fire hazard.

Following these simple safety tips can help prevent a dangerous in home fire. However, if someone else acts in a negligent manner and does not follow appropriate safety measures, it could endanger innocent people, whether at home or in the workplace. The experienced Baltimore burn injury lawyers at the law offices of Steven H. Heisler have years of experience helping burn injury victims get the compensation they need to recover from a serious burn related injury. Please call (877) 228-4878 for a complimentary consultation.

State officials closed two of three lanes on the outer loop of the Baltimore Beltway and the two right-hand lanes of Interstate 95 southbound while the debris was cleared. The state’s Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division is reviewing company records and reconstructing the accident to see if any charges will be filed or penalties assessed. Large trucks are required to have a state permit if they exceed a height of 13 feet, 6 inches.

Traffic accidents can be very serious and can cause life-threatening injuries to motorists involved. The Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) reports that each year, traffic crashes kill more people in Maryland than homicides. Large truck accidents can be especially dangerous for car or motorcycle drivers involved; due to their immense size and heavy cargo, large trucks often inflict extraordinary damage when they hit a smaller vehicle, even at slow speeds. Motorists involved in truck accidents can suffer spinal damage, brain damage, head trauma, broken bones, internal injuries, or even death.

Being involved in a large truck accident can have a devastating impact on one’s life, and compensation is needed for victims to recover from their injuries and pay for unexpected costs associated with the accident, such as medical bills or paying for vehicle damage. The experienced Maryland tractor trailer accident attorney Steven H. Heisler, “The Injury Lawyer,” can help you receive any deserved compensation if involved in a large truck accident caused by the truck driver’s negligence. Please call (877) 228-4878 for a no-cost consultation.

Other states with startling flare-ups include Maine, Massachusetts, and Connecticut, all with double the amount of cases from last year, and there have also been sharp increases in northeastern states as well. An advisory was issued to all state healthcare providers to look out for any patients who have Legionnaires’ disease or may be experiencing symptoms of the disease, and to report any of these cases.

Legionnaires’ disease is caused by the inhaling of an infectious dose of Legionella bacteria, which is often found in contaminated water sources such as whirlpool spas, showers, faucets, and cooling towers. The symptoms of this disease are similar to the flu which can make it hard to diagnose initially, but can include:

• Cough;
• Chills;
• High fever;
• Muscle aches; and
• Headaches.

Legionnaires’ symptoms usually begin within 2 to 14 days of being exposed to the bacteria.

In July, an outbreak of Legionnaires’ was seen at the luxury Las Vegas resort Aria, but other reported outbreaks have been seen in hotels in Hamilton, Ontario and Ocean City, Maryland. In addition, residents in a Cleveland nursing facility contracted the disease in June, as well as a number of Playboy mansion guests getting the disease at a party in February. All of these reported cases show that Legionnaires’ disease can be caught at a variety of places, so it is important to be wary of public places that may have a contaminated water source.

As the symptoms of Legionnaires disease are similar to the flu, this winter season it is important to see a medical provider if you experience any flu-like symptoms to ensure it is nothing more than a seasonal cold or flu. This disease can be very serious and can cause death in five to 30% of cases. If you or a loved has contracted Legionnaires’ disease that was the fault of another party or business, such as a hotel, the Legionnaires’ disease attorney in Maryland, Steven H. Heisler, can help. Heisler is one of the few attorneys in the country that handles these types of cases, and he can help you get the compensation you deserve for your illness. Please call (877) 228-4878 for a free consultation.

Thanksgiving is a highly anticipated and delicious holiday. People look forward to it, not just because of the traditional feast that comes with it, but because they can celebrate in the company of family and friends. When traveling to family and friends, however, it is important to drive safely so that you can make it to your destination. Focusing on the road is especially important as the weather becomes more rainy and snowy.

It is natural to be impatient on your way to a Thanksgiving celebration, especially if you are hungry, but it is important to consciously keep your focus on the road and driving. Following these tips will help make sure you arrive in time for turkey in one piece:

• Buckle-up – Seat belts can protect you from serious injury and even save your life in the event of an accident.
• Avoid distractions – Turn off your cell phone or give it to a passenger.
• Drive sober – Celebrate at Thanksgiving, not on the way to or on the way from your Thanksgiving celebration.

Every motorist is responsible for his or her own safety, as well as the safety of other motorists on the road. When a driver is distracted, reckless, or otherwise negligent, he or she increases the risk of an auto accident and a missed holiday celebration. If you have been injured in a Maryland car crash caused by the negligence of another, contact the experienced car accident attorney in Baltimore, Steven H. Heisler, “The Injury Lawyer,” for a consultation. Mr. Heisler will examine the details of your case to determine whether you have a valid personal injury claim. To learn more about your legal rights and options, call (877) 228-4878 today.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) determined that approximately 100 patients die annually across the nation as the result of being physically restrained. Many of these deaths occur when the patient attempts to remove him or herself from the restraints for purposeful behavior, such as using the restroom, or to simply get out of the restraints. In the United Kingdom, physical restraints are seldom used, if ever, and no evidence suggests that the lack of restraints poses a safety threat.

Many health professionals believe physical restraints will protect the patient from pulling out necessary medical equipment, such as IVs and breathing tubes, or falling, when, in fact, physical restraints actually increase the risk of those dangers. Studies in nursing homes have demonstrated that the number of falls actually decreases when the use of physical restraints is reduced. In addition, recent studies have shown that in intensive care units (ICU), physical restraints are associated with more injuries and an increased probability that breathing tubes may be pulled out. Many medical studies have shown that physical restraints cause both psychological and physical harm, including confusion, discomfort, anger, agitation, pressure ulcers, and other injuries.

Research suggests that the use of physical restraints is oftentimes unnecessary, harmful, and even unethical. If you have suffered injury or have lost a loved one as the result of being unnecessarily or improperly physically restrained, you and your family may be entitled to compensation. The experienced Maryland patient restraint injury attorney Steven H. Heisler, “The Injury Lawyer,” is dedicated to holding at-fault facilities and/or individuals responsible for their negligence or misconduct in using physical restraints. To learn more about your legal rights and options, contact Mr. Heisler today at (877) 228-4878 for a consultation.