Florida Prescription Medication Attorneys
| Arleen Lazarus | 0 Comments | Prescription Errors

Prescription Errors Persist Despite Regulations and Training – Florida Pharmacy Error Attorneys

In most workplaces a small error doesn’t cause a problem, but at the pharmacy it may jeopardize someone’s life. A recent case involved a woman who was scheduled for an MRI examination. Her physician prescribed a mild medication to calm her nerves because she gets claustrophobic, but what was supposed to be 1/4 milligram dose was dispensed from the pharmacy at 2 full milligrams and the patient passed out during the test. Paramedics were summoned and they were able to revive her after some time.

Another situation was a name mix-up. A man who thought he was picking up a muscle relaxant actually received a bag with pills intended for a man with the exact same name. The man went home and began taking pills intended to treat a psychological issue, and he attempted suicide. Fortunately he survived and is suing the pharmacy for the error.

And in a move that could cause even more errors and mix-ups, there are more companies moving into online prescription ordering and fulfillment, including Amazon. CBS Miami recently reported on the growing trend, and a professor of pharmacology at FIU said “Almost 50% of patients take their medication incorrectly and that causes emergency room visits,” she told CBS4 Anchor Lauren Pastrana. “Over 3.5 million physician office visits (happen) yearly due to medication-related problems.”

All the publicity about these serious mistakes has prompted more training for pharmacists and pharmacy techs, and internal policies and procedures have been tightened according to the major pharmacy chain stores, but the problems are not going away.

There is a reason for the consultation window at the pharmacy but it seems that few people take advantage of it. We strongly advise everyone to closely examine their prescriptions before leaving the pharmacy. Ask the pharmacist to come to the window and check the name, the medicine, the doctor, the dosage, and the instructions. The few extra minutes it takes to do this may save you from being seriously hurt or worse by a pharmacy error.

If you ever have any confusion whatsoever about a pill or pills that you can’t identify, and you’re not sure if it’s the right one, return to the pharmacy and ask.

The Law Firm of Lazarus and Lazarus has been helping people who are victims of either doctor or pharmacist mistakes regarding prescription medications for over 20 years. We also handle cases where people are hurt due to a problem with the drug because of harmful side effects. We are very experienced investigating cases to find the cause of problems whether it is a pharmacist, pharmacy, doctor, hospital, or drug company and we get the facts and answers needed to proceed with whatever action is necessary to protect our clients.

Call us any time at 954-356-0006 if you have questions. We’re here to help.

Fort Lauderdale Accident Attorneys
| Gary T. Lazarus | 0 Comments | Florida Accident Attorneys

Prepare for Your Summer Road Trip – Fort Lauderdale Accident Attorneys

Accident Attorneys Fort LauderdaleDid you know that our nationwide network of highways is actually called the Dwight D. Eisenhower National System of Interstate and Defense Highways? The system is named for President Dwight D. Eisenhower, who championed its formation. Construction was authorized by the Federal Aid Highway Act of 1956, and the original portion was completed 35 years later, although some urban routes were cancelled and never built.

Before all the highways were built people weaved their way through towns and farmlands on narrow roads, and long distance trips took far more time than they do today. Many families choose road trips over air travel for their summer vacations and pack the car, truck, or camper because they enjoy the sights, but it is prudent to be properly prepared.

Some of the things you’ll want to think about before you embark on your trip involve a thorough mechanical check of your vehicle, your car insurance, and your health insurance.

Hopefully you have a regular maintenance schedule for your car and stick to it, but even if you do it’s a good idea to double check the things that are most likely to cause problems on the road.

Overheating – Hoses, radiator, water pump, anything involving the coolant system should be inspected. Breaking down on a hot highway in the middle of July can ruin any vacation.

Belts – This is a big one. Most modern cars have one or two belts that run all the various systems: cooling, steering, electrical, and more. If your belts are worn, replace them.

Tires – Make sure your tires are properly inflated and the tread is not worn. Check your spare and make sure you have a jack that works in case you have a flat and need to change it.

Loading your car – Heavy loads should be packed in the center and low. Loading heavy items near the top, especially in a van or SUV can make the vehicle top-heavy and possibly more likely to tip over. If you use a roof rack, keep the same in mind, don’t overload. Always load according to manufacturers specifications.

Fort Lauderdale Accident LawyersCheck all your lights – Headlights, back-up lights, brake lights, and turn signals. Sit in the car and have someone stand outside while you check every light on the car.

Car Insurance – Call your insurance company or your agent and make sure you are up-to-date on payments and fully covered. If your roadside assistance is tied to your insurance make sure it will cover you if you’re far from home in the middle of nowhere and that your coverage includes long-distance towing.

Health Insurance – Chances are you’ll be out-of-network for your trip so keep in mind that medical emergencies don’t care where you are when they happen. Also, make sure you have an adequate supply of prescription medications with you, or have the ability to refill if needed.

Focus on the Road – We understand that people get excited when vacation time comes, and people tend to throw caution to the wind, but please stay focused on the road. Don’t text while you drive or stare at the GPS. Never, ever drink and drive. Look after your car, take care of details, and pay attention to the road ahead of you and you’ll have a vacation to remember forever.

The Law Firm of Lazarus and Lazarus works with people who have been injured in accidents, including many who have accidents on vacation. If you have questions about accidents, insurance, or anything else related to driving-related injuries please call us at 954-356-0006 and have a safe summer.

 

| Gary T. Lazarus | 0 Comments | Fort Lauderdale Accident Attorneys, Uncategorized

Are Uber Cars Safe? Fort Lauderdale Accident Attorneys

Uber was founded in 2009 and has grown to be the world’s largest ride-share company with over 5 billion trips completed, and the addition of UberEats, a food delivery service. While Uber’s growth has been amazing, it hasn’t been without controversy. Taxi companies in particular have challenged their business model, which competes with their share of the transportation market. Many taxing authorities have also resisted Uber because they were not subject to the same permit requirements as cabs and limousines. It seems a lot of that has now settled down, and Uber is apparently here to stay at least for a while.

You can click here to see Broward County’s regulations website page pertaining to for-hire vehicles, which includes “All for-hire vehicles that are permitted to operate in Broward County must be inspected by an ASE certified master mechanic or AATI master automobile technician from a licensed auto repair shop.”

But if Uber is not under the same guidelines as taxi cabs and limousines how do we know their cars are safe and their drivers are competent? A Florida Statute (627.748) covers insurance requirements for transportation network companies (like Uber) and Uber’s website tells drivers:

  • Depending on your city, your vehicle may need to undergo a 19-point inspection.
  • Vehicle inspections are required annually. You must have your vehicle inspected at least once every 12 months.
  • Please check that your vehicle meets your city’s Uber vehicle requirements before having your vehicle inspected.
  • It is your responsibility to make any repairs needed to pass the vehicle inspection. Please note that passing the vehicle inspection does not guarantee access to the Uber platform.

So the next time you tap your Uber app to request a ride, how will you know if the car has been inspected and is safe? Unless you want to request the driver provide you with all his maintenance records, you’ll have to take it on faith. Personally, I use a reversed version of the old adage “you can’t judge a book by the cover” and figure if the car is clean on the inside and out, appears well maintained, if the driver seems to have a professional demeanor, then chances are the brakes and tires are ok.

We have devoted a portion of our law practice to helping people who have been involved in accidents involving taxis, limousines, and ride-sharing vehicles. These incidents involve a special knowledge of how the law and insurance coverage works, so if you have questions about an incident that concerns you, please give us a call at 954-356-0006. We’re here to help.

 

sudden unintended acceleration
| Arleen Lazarus | 0 Comments | Fort Lauderdale Accident Attorneys

Sudden Unintended Acceleration – Fort Lauderdale Accident Attorneys

A tragic crash in Delray Beach on April 29th killed four people and apparently involved a pickup truck crashing into the rear of a minivan, which was stopped at a traffic light. The investigation is going to be extensive and details are sketchy, but one local news report said the driver reported the “pickup suddenly lurched into high speed.”

We cannot imagine anything more horrifying than driving down the road when suddenly your car accelerates even though you do not have your foot on the accelerator. What do you do?

Sudden Unintended Acceleration

First, a history of the problem, because it has happened many times and is sometimes caused by vehicle defects. Here are a few situations involving large numbers of cars:

• 1987: The 1982-1987 Audi 5000s sales in the United States fell after recalls linked to sudden unintended acceleration. There were 700 accidents and 6 deaths.
• 2006: The 2004 model year Ford Mustang Cobra was recalled by Ford for accelerator pedals that failed to return to idle after being fully pressed.
• 2009-2011: Several vehicle models were recalled in the 2009–2011 Toyota vehicle recalls, which resulted in suspension of production and sales of many of Toyota’s most popular models, including the Toyota Corolla, Toyota Camry, Toyota Tacoma pickups, Toyota Avalon, Toyota Matrix, Pontiac Vibe, and more.

Now, what do you do if your car or truck suddenly accelerates forward while you’re driving? Popular Mechanics Magazine offers these suggestions:

Step 1 /// Press the Brake Pedal, Hard
The first thing to do–immediately–is press as hard as possible on the brake pedal. Do not pump the pedal, but simply keep steady, hard pressure. Use all the strength your leg can muster. The brakes will require significantly more force than normal because when the engine throttle is wide open, there’s no engine vacuum to power the brake booster. The car won’t slow as quickly as normal, either, but it will reduce speed. In every car, the brakes are more powerful than the engine, so eventually the brakes will win.

Step 2 /// Get Into Neutral
The next step is to shift the transmission into neutral. If the throttle is stuck wide open, the engine will rev alarmingly high. Do not worry about hurting the motor, there’s an electronic rev limiter that will automatically keep the engine spinning high enough to kill it. With the engine power now disengaged from the drive wheels, the brakes will have a much easier job.

Step 3 /// Turn Off the Car
You’re well under control now, but just to be safe, shut off the engine. Since some modern cars have push-button starters, like many Lexus models, you may have to hold the button for three seconds to cut the engine. And you should be aware that the brake-pedal pressure may increase when the motor stops running. As safely as possible, pull the car off the road and call a tow truck. There’s no sense driving the car again until the mechanical problem is found and fixed.

As strange as this may sound, they also say it’s a good idea to practice these three steps.

Performing well in any panic situation comes down to being prepared. So find an empty parking lot and practice these techniques. To simulate a stuck throttle, you’ll have to keep the throttle pinned with your right foot and use your left foot to work the brakes. After a few go-arounds, you’ll get the idea.

The Law Firm of Lazarus and Lazarus has worked with victims of car, truck, and motorcycle accidents where there were issues with auto manufacturer and repair defects involved. We are very experienced investigating the reasons for vehicle crashes and we are fully capable of dealing with manufacturers, dealerships, and auto repair shops in order to get the facts.

If you believe an accident you have been involved in was due to a defect in design, manufacture, or repair, we can help. Call us at 954-356-0006 and we’ll arrange a confidential consultation at your convenience.