The Yost Legal Group wishes you and your family a happy, healthy and safe holiday!
Year: 2015
Drive Safely This Holiday Season
During the winter holidays, traffic volume is much higher than normal as families hit the road to visit friends and relatives. AAA estimates that nearly 95 million Americans will travel the roads during the holidays.
This high volume of drivers, combined with the multitude of festivities and potential distractions, increases the odds of being involved in a car accident caused by a drunk or distracted driver. The National Safety Council estimates that almost 30,000 Americans will be seriously injured in auto accidents during the holiday season.
The holidays are a wonderful opportunity to celebrate and reconnect with friends and loved ones, but please be extra cautious while traveling the roads this holiday season:
- Drive Defensively: Drive the posted speed limit and do not tailgate other vehicles. Accidents caused by drunk drivers happen without warning, so keep a safe distance between your car and other vehicles on the road at all times. Also, keep an eye out for distracted drivers.
- Don’t Drive Distracted: Distracted driving reduces your field of vision because it takes not just your hands and eyes off the road, but also your mind. Stay alert.
- Plan Ahead: Put your cell phone in your bag, in your backseat, or give it to a passenger. If you are planning on consuming alcohol at a Holiday party or any other seasonal event, have a plan to get home safely. Plan a ride home from a designated driver, or call a taxi or car service in advance. Don’t leave this detail to the last minute!
- NEVER Drink and Drive: Do not get behind the wheel to drive if you have had any alcoholic drinks. Drinking and driving endangers not only your life, but the lives of others. If you will be drinking, designate a driver, call a cab, or make other arrangements.
If you or a loved one were injured in a car accident that was not your fault, call The Yost Legal Group right away at 1-800-YOST-LAW (967-8529). When you call, you will speak with an experienced Baltimore Car Accident lawyer absolutely FREE. Our hardworking attorneys will investigate every detail of your accident and fight hard to protect your rights.
At The Yost Legal Group, you will never pay an attorney’s fee up front. We take all cases on a contingency fee basis, which means that you owe us nothing unless we recover for you. At The Yost Legal Group, we don’t get paid until you do.
The Yost Legal Group – Experienced Attorneys Dedicated to Protecting Your Rights
Chipotle Restaurants Linked to E. coli – Outbreak Affects Maryland Residents
The Center for Disease Control recently confirmed that an E. coli outbreak linked to Chipotle Restaurants now has at least one confirmed case in Maryland. The popular restaurant has been linked to an outbreak of the dangerous E. coli bacteria since November 13th, and the CDC is warning consumers that the number of reported cases is growing.
A total of nine states in the U.S, including Maryland, now have confirmed cases of E. coli infection reported within the past month. There are 52 confirmed cases related to this outbreak so far, and 20 ill people have required hospitalization. The CDC has warned that these figures could continue to expand.
Read more about this outbreak here.
E. coli is a strain of bacteria that is often transmitted to humans through contaminated food or water. The most common form of E. coli infection in the United States occurs when people eat meat that has not been properly cooked to a temperature of at least 160°F.
The CDC estimates that E. coli bacteria is responsible for 96,000 illnesses, 3,200 hospitalizations and 34 deaths in the United States every year.
Symptoms of E. coli infection often include:
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Abdominal Pain
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Blood in stool
Symptoms of an E. coli infection generally do not require hospitalization, and are often resolved within a few days to a week. However, patients with weakened immune systems, including the elderly and young children, also run the risk of developing much more severe side effects from an E. coli infection, including dehydration and kidney failure.
Food distributors and restaurants have a responsibility to make the safety and wellbeing of their customers their top priority. When companies fail to follow the proper safety protocols to ensure that all of their ingredients are fresh and safe for consumption, they put consumers at significant risk.
If you or a loved one has experienced any severe medical symptoms that you think may be linked to unsafe food, you can call and speak with an experienced attorney. Call The Yost Legal Group at 1-800-YOST-LAW (967-8529) for a FREE and confidential consultation.
Our experienced Baltimore Product Liability lawyers will review the details of your situation, and will fight hard to protect your rights. When you trust The Yost Legal Group to handle your case, you will never pay an attorney’s fee up front. We handle all cases on a contingency fee basis, which means that you owe us nothing unless we recover for you.
At The Yost Legal Group, we don’t get paid until you do.
The Yost Legal Group – Experienced Attorneys Dedicated to Protecting Your Rights
Happy Thanksgiving from The Yost Legal Group!
At The Yost Legal Group, we want to wish you and your family a safe, happy and healthy Thanksgiving!
The Yost Legal Group hopes that you have an opportunity to relax and enjoy this time with your friends and family this holiday weekend. Thanksgiving is an important time to connect with those that are closest to us, and to reflect on all the blessings we receive every day.
Have a wonderful holiday weekend!
The Yost Legal Group – Experienced Attorneys Dedicated to Protecting Your Rights
Helpful Halloween Safety Tips from The Yost Legal Group
This Saturday is Halloween, and children and families all over Baltimore are preparing their scariest decorations and costumes. Unfortunately, statistics show that Halloween is one of the most dangerous times of the year for young pedestrians.
According to the Center for Disease Control, children are more than twice as likely to be hit by a car and killed on Halloween compared to any other day of the year. Data compiled by USA Today also found that on Halloween night between 1990 and 2010, there were a total of 115 pedestrians under the age of 18 killed in motor vehicle accidents.
Whether you are planning to go trick-or-treating with your children or attend a costume party with your friends, here are some important safety tips that everyone should keep in mind this weekend.
- Remain Visible: 60% of fatal pedestrian accidents on Halloween were found to occur between the hours of 5 and 9pm. Low visibility combined with dark clothing and costumes can be a deadly combination. If your child is planning on wearing a dark costume and walking after dark, be sure to include reflective tape, lights, or other objects that can help alert motorists of their presence.
- Stay on the Sidewalk: Pedestrians should always avoid walking in the street whenever possible. This is especially true on Halloween night when there is sure to be a high volume of both cars and pedestrians on the road. Walking on the sidewalk can greatly reduce your risk of being hit by a car.
- Travel in Groups: There is safety in numbers. Traveling in groups is safer for both parents and children because it makes it easier for drivers to see you. If you are the parent of an older child that prefers to go out with their friends, make sure that they stay together and do not stray from the group.
- Use the Crosswalk: Statistics show that only 30% of pedestrian accidents occur at designated crosswalks. That means that pedestrians face a far greater risk of being hit by a car when they cross in the middle of the street or away from designated crosswalks.
- NEVER Drink and Drive: For adults looking to celebrate with friends and co-workers, there are sure to be plenty of Halloween parties to choose from this weekend. However, just like every other night of the year it is crucial that you remember to plan a way home ahead of time if you will be consuming alcohol.
The Yost Legal Group, Baltimore, Maryland Personal Injury law firm, reminds you to NEVER get behind the wheel of a car if you have had anything to drink. Maryland Police will be stepping up alcohol enforcement efforts this weekend to ensure that everyone enjoys Halloween safely and responsibly.
At The Yost Legal Group, we urge everyone to be safe this weekend, and make responsible decisions while celebrating Halloween.
If you or a loved one were injured in a traffic accident caused by an intoxicated, distracted or negligent driver, you may be entitled to compensation. Call The Yost Legal Group today at 1-800-YOST-LAW (967-8529) for a free consultation about your case.
When you call, an experienced Baltimore, Maryland Car Accident lawyer will speak with you for FREE, investigate the details of your case, and fight hard to ensure you receive the justice you deserve.
At The Yost Legal Group you will never pay an attorney’s fee up front. If we take your case, you owe us nothing unless we recover for you.
At The Yost Legal Group, we don’t get paid until you do.
The Yost Legal Group – Experienced Attorneys Dedicated to Protecting Your Rights
Maryland to Expand Lead Poisoning Tests to Include All Children Ages 1 and 2
Lead poisoning is a serious health issue that has plagued some of Baltimore’s most vulnerable neighborhoods for generations. Exposure to lead paint, especially in young children, can cause serious physical and neurological damage. Unfortunately, many families living in homes that contain lead are not aware of the problem until it is too late.
Now, a new law announced on Monday, 10/28 by Governor Larry Hogan, will make lead poisoning tests mandatory for all Maryland children between the ages of 1 and 2. This new policy will ensure that over 175,000 children statewide are tested for elevated levels of lead in their bloodstream within their first two years. Testing children for lead exposure at an early age is a crucial step towards preventing serious and irreversible physical and developmental problems later in life.
To read more about Maryland’s new requirements for lead testing, click here.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with elevated levels of lead in your blood, you may be entitled to compensation.
Call 1-800-YOST-LAW (967-8529) for a FREE, confidential and no-obligation consultation. Our Maryland Lead Poisoning attorneys have years of experience protecting the rights of Baltimore residents that were harmed by exposure to dangerous lead paint.
When you call The Yost Legal Group, we will speak with you for free, investigate the details of your case, and fight to secure the justice you and your family deserve.
At The Yost Legal Group, you will never pay an attorney’s fee up front. We take all cases on a no-win, no-fee basis. That means that we don’t get paid until you do.
The Yost Legal Group – Experienced Attorneys Dedicated to Protecting Your Rights
Understanding the Signs and Symptoms of a Traumatic Brain Injury
Traumatic Brain Injuries can be life-altering events for both the individual and for the injured person’s family. These severe head injuries often result in permanent disability and a lifetime of medical care. While treating a Traumatic Brain Injury (“TBI”) is often difficult, the first and most important step is recognizing the signs and symptoms of a TBI and getting immediate medical attention.
Traumatic Brain Injuries can result from of a fall, a blow to the head, or any other concussive force that damages brain tissue. In more than 50% of TBI cases, a person will require surgery in order to repair brain tissue that was damaged due to either hematoma (bleeding inside the brain,) or contusions (bruising of the brain tissue.) Brain tissue is extremely sensitive, and even minor damage can have a devastating impact on a patient’s mental and physical well-being.
The symptoms of a TBI can be difficult to predict and may vary depending on what part of the brain was impacted, as well as whether the injury is qualified as mild, moderate or severe. In most cases, symptoms of a TBI will fall into one of four major categories:
- Thinking/Remembering
- Physical
- Emotional/Mood
- Sleep
Common signs & symptoms in these four categories that may be an indication of a TBI include:
- Loss of consciousness
- Difficulty concentrating, thinking clearly, or remembering new information
- Grogginess or lack of energy
- Headache, blurred vision, nausea and vomiting
- Sensitivity to light and noise
- Trouble maintaining balance
- Irritability, extreme anxiety or depression
- Changes in sleeping patters, difficulty falling asleep or sleeping more or less than normal
After a Traumatic Brain Injury, time is of the essence. If left untreated, even a mild TBI can lead to serious and permanent brain damage.
If you or a loved one has suffered a fall, blow to the head, or any other injury that may result in a TBI, watch carefully for these symptoms and seek medical treatment immediately. Only a trained medical professional can say for sure whether or not a patient has sustained a TBI. The most important thing you can do is see a medical professional as quickly as possible after a head injury.
If you or a loved one has suffered a head injury at work, at school, in a car accident, or due to any other circumstance that was not your fault, call The Yost Legal Group right away.
Our experienced Baltimore Traumatic Brain Injury lawyers have both the legal experience and medical knowledge necessary to defend your rights. Call The Yost Legal Group at 1-800-YOST-LAW (967-8529) for a FREE, no-obligation consultation.
At The Yost Legal Group, you will never pay an attorney’s fee unless we achieve a recovery for you. If we take your case, we don’t get paid until you do. It’s that simple.
The Yost Legal Group – Experienced Attorneys Dedicated to Protecting Your Rights
Tragedy Linked to Young Boy Suffering a Traumatic Brain Injury at School
On September 24, 2015 a third grade student at Gwynns Falls Elementary School in Baltimore was fatally injured after sustaining a severe head injury while at school. Details about the case are still emerging. Attorney Tom Yost, of The Yost Legal Group is investigating the case on behalf of the family. It is still unclear as to how a child who fell in a hallway could sustain a skull fracture. The timeline from when the trauma occurred and when the school assistant principal called the ambulance has not been explained. More details will become clear in the coming days and weeks. Click the link below to read the Baltimore Sun article.
Understanding Cerebral Palsy
The childbirth process should be a joyous and memorable experience for all families; but, not when there is a birth injury or trauma.
At The Yost Legal Group, we represent families who have suffered a serious birth trauma or birth injury. We are committed to raising awareness about birth injuries in the U.S. One of the most common birth injuries we see is cerebral palsy.
What is Cerebral Palsy?
Cerebral palsy is a broad term referring to any number of neurological disorders that result in the impaired development of a child’s brain function, motor skills, muscle control and more. These impairments do not worsen over time, but the signs and symptoms of cerebral palsy do become more and more apparent as the child continues to age and grow into his body. Cerebral palsy can take many different forms and it can impact children differently. That said, almost all forms of cerebral palsy are the result of a birth injury or birth trauma.
Tragically, cerebral palsy is one of the most common disabilities affecting children in the United States. Here are some statistics that demonstrate the high occurrence of cerebral palsy in the U.S:
- It is estimated that cerebral palsy impacts between 2 and 3 out of every 1,000 live births in the United States each year.
- Approximately 10,000 babies born each year will develop cerebral palsy in their lifetime
- Nearly 764,000 Americans currently live with some form of cerebral palsy
- Between 1,200 and 1,500 preschool-aged children will be diagnosed with some form of cerebral palsy annually
How is it Caused?
Cerebral palsy is the result of brain damage suffered before, during, or immediately after the birthing process, when an infant’s brain is still developing. Symptoms and manifestations of cerebral palsy can vary greatly depending on the extent of a child’s injury, as well as when and how it was sustained.
There are four types of brain damage that can cause cerebral palsy:
- Periventricular Leukomalacia (PVL): Damage to brain tissue which impairs the brain’s ability to relay nerve impulses that control motor function. Symptoms most commonly associated with this type of damage are intellectual impairment, hearing and visual impairment, and stiffness in the muscles or limbs.
- Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE): Oxygen deprivation to the brain resulting in the destruction of brain tissue. Symptoms that can result from this type of injury include epilepsy, cognitive and motor-skill impairment, and developmental delay. Signs and symptoms of this type of injury are usually not evident until a child reaches three or four years of age.
- Intraventricular Hemorrhage (IVH): Severe bleeding inside the brain, sometimes resulting in a hematoma, a condition which can damage and kill the surrounding tissue. Depending on the location, duration and severity of the bleeding, the brain’s ability to control cognitive and motor function may be permanently damaged.
- Cerebral Dysgenesis: This is not a brain injury per se, but rather in-utero brain malformation or abnormal brain development. This can occur at any time during fetal development and has a wide array of possible symptoms.
Protecting Your Rights as a Victim
At The Yost Legal Group, Baltimore Birth Injury and Personal Injury law firm, we are committed to protecting the rights of people whose babies were injured before, during or immediately after the birthing process.
If your child’s birth trauma or birth injury may have been prevented, we will investigate the facts, work to get to the truth and seek monetary damages for you and your family, to help pay for a lifetime of care for your child.
At The Yost Legal Group, our experienced Birth Injury and Cerebral Palsy lawyers will investigate every detail of your case to get to the bottom of how your baby sustained a birth injury.
At The Yost Legal Group, if we believe you have a case, you will never pay an attorney’s fee up front. We will take your case on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we achieve a recovery for you.
Call The Yost Legal Group today at 1-800-YOST-LAW (967-8529) to find out how we may be able to help.
Don’t fight this battle alone. Let The Yost Legal Group provide the answers you seek.
The Yost Legal Group – Experienced Attorneys Dedicated to Protecting Your Rights
Happy Labor Day from The Yost Legal Group
The attorneys and staff at The Yost Legal Group would like to wish you and your family a happy and healthy Labor Day weekend!
We hope that you have an opportunity this weekend to relax, unwind and spend time with friends and loved ones. Whether you are heading out of town to visit relatives, or having a Labor Day party in your own backyard, stay safe and remember to always take the proper safety precautions to avoid preventable injuries and accidents.
While you celebrate over the long Labor Day weekend, remember:
- NEVER get behind the wheel of a vehicle after consuming alcoholic beverages. Always secure a designated driver.
- Practice proper safety around the pool or any large body of water.
- Take extra precautions while driving, as traffic congestion and is greatly increased over holiday weekends.
- Drive the speed limit. There are many more vehicles on the road, so you must be more careful.
- If your holiday plans involve a fireworks display, use them responsibly and remember that fireworks can cause serious injury if used improperly.
We hope that you and your family have a wonderful, and safe long weekend.
Your friends at The Yost Legal Group.
The Yost Legal Group – Experienced Attorneys Dedicated To Protecting Your Rights