January, 2018 - Braunfotel and Frendel

Woman with flesh-eating bacteria misdiagnosed with the flu

When New York residents visit their doctor with a health problem, they expect to be properly diagnosed and treated. However, heath care professionals sometimes get it wrong, causing patients to needlessly suffer.For example, an Arizona woman visited her doctor on Jan. 11 for treatment of flu-like symptoms and a painful area under her arm. Her doctor diagnosed her with the flu and sent her home. Unfortunately, her pain greatly increased over the next two days. On Jan. 13, she was finally taken to the hospital and diagnosed with necrotizing fasciitis, more commonly known as flesh-eating" bacteria. She was rushed into surgeryAccording to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, necrotizing fasciitis can be caused by multiple types of bacteria, including group A Streptococcus, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Typically, bacteria [...]

Woman with flesh-eating bacteria misdiagnosed with the flujames2018-01-31T00:00:00+00:00

What are the elements of shoplifting in New York?

Shopping is a staple of New York City life, and as a result, stores have to deal with a great deal of shoplifting. If you have been accused of shoplifting, the prosecutor on your case will have to prove a number of elements in order to convict you. You and your defense attorney can work together to come up with ways to dispute the prosecutor's arguments and avoid conviction.In legal terms, shoplifting is often referred to larceny or theft. The prosecutor will attempt to prove that you wrongfully took, obtained, or withheld property belonging to someone else. They must also prove that when you took these items with the intent to deprive the person, store, or other entity of property. Prosecutors will often present evidence such as surveillance footage, witness [...]

What are the elements of shoplifting in New York?james2018-01-25T00:00:00+00:00

Time to file claims may be limited following car accidents

While there are circumstances in which a driver in New York may choose not to report a car accident, the best course in most cases is to report the crash as soon as possible. The first priority following a car accident should be to assess any harm to the people involved and seek medical care if necessary. Following that, it is important to begin the recovery process, which may include filing reports with insurers or the police. It may also include filing a lawsuit in some cases.In a case where the accident is a minor fender-bender and no one is injured, it may be in a driver's best interest not to report the accident. Many minor crashes go unreported because the cost of repair is less than the relevant insurance [...]

Time to file claims may be limited following car accidentsjames2018-01-22T00:00:00+00:00

What are New York’s drunk driving laws for people under the age?

The legal drinking age is 21, but that does not stop many younger people from consuming alcohol and getting behind the wheel. Generally, drivers with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher are considered legally intoxicated and may be arrested for driving under the influence. But, according to New York's Zero Tolerance" lawBecause anyone under the age of 21 is not legally allowed to consume alcohol, some people think that the legal BAC limit for people under 21 is 0. Yet, state legislators determined that having a .02% limit gives some leeway to young people who may have consumed alcoholic cough syrup or mouthwash, or drank a small amount of alcohol at a religious or family function.If an officer stops someone under the age of 21 and suspects [...]

What are New York’s drunk driving laws for people under the age?james2018-01-18T00:00:00+00:00

Trump administration reduces number of OSHA inspectors

President Trump's decision to shrink the federal workforce and slow its growth has affected OSHA offices in New York and across the U.S. So far under the Trump administration, 40 inspectors have been lost through attrition, with regional offices in Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and Florida being hit the hardest.Though the organization has hired some two dozen officials to help carry out its work of protecting worker safety and health, vacancies remain. Training each employee takes time, so even if OSHA is allowed to increase its staff, the decision will have an impact for years to come.The Labor Department has reported an increase in the number of OSHA inspections between October 2016 and September 2017. However, critics claim that the staff shortage will negatively impact how it enforces guidelines. When employers [...]

Trump administration reduces number of OSHA inspectorsjames2018-01-16T00:00:00+00:00

Governor Cuomo works to change New York’s criminal justice system

When someone is charged with a crime in New York, there are many things working against them. While a solid criminal defense strategy can help the accused significantly, there are still many things that can be done to protect them from injustice. Governor Andrew Cuomo is working to reform the criminal justice system in New York with a number of proposed changes.One of Cuomo's goals is to change New York's blindfold law." This law allows prosecutors to withhold evidence against the accusedThis is a huge advantage for prosecutors. Cuomo plans to introduce new legislation which forces prosecutors to turn over evidence in stages over the course of the three months that follow a defendant's arraignment. If a defendant knows the evidence available against them, they will be able to make [...]

Governor Cuomo works to change New York’s criminal justice systemjames2018-01-11T00:00:00+00:00

Robotic technology may lead to more accurate cancer diagnoses

According to the American Association of Preferred Provider Organizations, cancer surgeons perform more than 1.7 million breast biopsies every year. The accuracy of the diagnoses has always been hampered by human error and limited technology. However, a robotic biopsy system now under development could change this forever. Surgical pathologists in New York and across the U.S. may want to know how this could enhance their work.The robot, known as the Stormram 4, is made to fit inside the narrowest MRI bores. In fact, this 3D-printed machine is considered the smallest robot of its kind. Rather than use a thick needle multiple times, the Stormram 4 aims a thin needle at the target coordinate and retrieves a biopsy sample on the first insertion with sub-millimeter precision.Since the needle insertion takes place [...]

Robotic technology may lead to more accurate cancer diagnosesjames2018-01-09T00:00:00+00:00

Alleged drunk driver crashes into DUI patrol officer

With the increase in drunk driving over the holiday season, New York police officers often patrol the streets to catch as many drunk drivers as possible. Over New Year's weekend, Nassau police made 21 more DUI arrests than last year. If you are arrested and convicted for drunk driving, the severity of your consequences may increase if you injure another person.A Nassau County DUI patrol officer was struck by an alleged drunk driver over New Year's weekend. The officer was in an unmarked vehicle, traveling in Roslyn in the early morning hours of New Year's Day, when he was apparently struck head-on by a pickup truck that crossed over a double yellow line. Emergency Services' personnel and an off-duty officer worked for 45 minutes to free the patrol officer from [...]

Alleged drunk driver crashes into DUI patrol officerjames2018-01-05T00:00:00+00:00

OSHA alliance is renewed

Women in New York who work in the construction industry may be interested to know that the National Association of Women in Construction and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration have renewed their alliance. The goal of the alliance is to address workplace hazards that are unique to women in the construction industry. These hazards may include workplace intimidation, personal protective equipment selection, workplace violence and sanitation.Although women comprise a small section of the construction workforce, their segment of the labor force is growing. An OSHA representative stated that the alliance will continue to push for effective solutions to the health and safety risks women construction workers face.Construction workers and employers will be given information that addresses the recognition and prevention of workplace dangers. The alliance participants will also provide [...]

OSHA alliance is renewedjames2018-01-02T00:00:00+00:00

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