Year: 2016

Keep Driving Safety a Top Priority During the Holidays!

Posted on by YostLaw

The holidays bring many joys- family traditions, delicious food and most importantly, the cherished company of family and friends. While we get so wrapped up in the process of gift shopping, time in the kitchen and organizing holiday arrangements, we sometimes fail to consider driving safety around this chaotic time.

Although we don’t like to think about it, driving safety is a legitimate concern around the holidays. A study conducted by the National Safety Council revealed that the holiday season costs us nearly 700 lives on U.S roads as well as 37,200 injuries from car accidents.

With people rushing to complete last-minute errands, trying to arrive on time and driving after a couple alcoholic beverages, the roads become a dangerous place.

At The Yost Legal Group, we want to ensure the utmost safety among all Maryland residents. Many lives are lost each year due to motor vehicle accidents during the holidays. Help reduce holiday car accidents by following these safety tips:

  • Drive protected. You should always put on your seatbelt the second you get in your car. Make sure all children are in the proper safety seats that are aligned to their age, height and weight
  • Drive sober. Even if you only had one drink, this can negatively alter your capabilities behind the wheel. Designate a sober friend in advance or arrange an alternative transportation, such as a cab, Uber or Lyft.
  • Drive alert. If you are in the least bit tired, pull over and take a short nap. Alternate drivers if there are other occupants in the vehicle.
  • Drive attentively. Under no circumstances should a cellphone be used while driving. If you need GPS directions, have the passenger navigate the way or pull over to figure out your directions.
  • Don’t Text & Drive. Wait until you have reached your destination to look at your mobile device to check emails, view texts or communicate with anyone. By taking your eyes off the road for just a moment to view your cell phone, you could cause a serious accident, which could take another persons life. It is NOT worth it.

By keeping these basic tips in mind could make all the difference in a happy, healthy and safe new year for you and your family.

To read more about this, click here.

It doesn’t matter where you are going when you get behind the wheel. What matters is the safety of you, the occupants in your vehicle, and the surrounding motorist on the road. We tend to get overwhelmed out in the excitement of the holiday and drive irresponsibly as a result, but at the end of the day, it is our safety and wellbeing that should remain the highest priority.

Please keep these safety tips in mind this holiday season.

Happy holidays!

The Yost Legal Group – Experienced Attorneys Dedicated to Protecting Your Rights

Stay Safe While Decorating Your Home This Holiday Season!

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When it comes to the holiday season, a big part of the fun is decorating your home in the spirit! Ornamenting Christmas trees and hanging lights in and around your home is so much fun for the entire family. This is also a great way to bring families and neighbors together.

Although a lot of creativity and excitement goes into the decorating process, many people get caught up in the process and overlook basic safety issues. Last year, in November and December  nearly 14,000 people were sent to the hospital due to holiday-decoration related accidents. Many of these injuries were linked to falls, cuts, strains and accidental indigestion of foreign objects.

At The Yost Legal Group, Baltimore and Washington D.C attorneys, we want to ensure you and your family is as safe as possible this holiday season. While decorating your home for the holidays can be fun, please also take into consideration the risks associated with the decorations you select. Just because something looks nice does not mean it is a safe, practical idea. People can trip over cords, children may knock over candles and ornaments and fuses can easily be blown.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) wants to spread awareness to keep Americans as safe as possible during the holiday season. Please keep in mind these following tips:

  • Trees. The placement of your Christmas tree is important. Never place your tree near a fireplace, radiators or other heat sources. Additionally, keep up with the maintenance of the tree by watering it on a daily basis. A well-maintained Christmas tree is less of a fire hazard than an unkempt, dry tree.
  • “Snow.” A unique way to spunk up your home is to incorporate artificial snow in your decoration scheme. Although this looks appealing, it can be an irritant if swallowed, especially if there are young children around. To properly avoid injury, read labels and follow directions closely.
  • Lights. Whether indoor or outside, only use lights that have been tested for safety. When you buy new lights or use ones from the previous year, check for broken bulbs, cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, and loose connections. Dispose of any damaged sets or repair before using
  • Candles. Never use lighted candles on a tree or near evergreens. Keep candles in locations where they cannot be knocked over and out of reaching distance from children. And make sure that you blow out any candles at the end of the day, so that candles are not lit when you are sleeping. Sparks can fly; candles can fall over, and can become a fire hazard. Ultimately, it is best to purchase non-flammable candles to dismiss the likelihood of a fire.
  • Ornaments. Please make sure that smaller ornaments are high up enough on the tree, so that your youngsters cannot grab them, and ingest them, which could cause a choking hazard. And watch out for ornaments that break or have small parts that break off, again, could be a choking hazard for small children, or could potentially cut someone.

By keeping these essential tips in mind, you could save yourself, a family member or a friend from a trip to the hospital. Let’s keep this holiday a safe one for everyone. After all, it is the time spent with our loved ones that truly matters the most.

Happy Holidays!

The Yost Legal Group – Experienced Attorneys Dedicated to Protecting Your Rights

Choosing the Safest Toys for Your Children This Holiday Season

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There are so many toys to choose from around the holiday season, it can be overwhelming. But the most important decision to make when purchasing a toy for your child or teen is the safety of the toy. There are thousands of toy recalls each year due to dangerous and defective toy products. Even now, there are highly dangerous toys on sale in most major stores such as Target, Wal-Mart and on Amazon.com.

Remember, just because a toy is for sale in a reputable retailer, does not mean that toy is safe and will not harm your child. And many toys do have warning labels, but they are ignored, because consumers assume they are safe if they are for sale at a reputable retailer.

In 2015 alone, there were 254,000 toy-related injuries treated in U.S hospital emergency rooms. This alarming number proves there are still many toys on the market that pose a serious threat to a child’s safety.

With December being “National Safe Toys and Gifts Month” and the height of toy shopping season, we want to help parents select the safest and most appropriate toys for their kids.

Below are guidelines to keep in mind when purchasing toys this holiday season, according to SafeKids:

  • Age. When choosing a toy, keep in mind your child’s age. Although many toys come with a recommended age, some manufacturers do not list this on the package. It is up to you to make the best decision for your child. Additionally, it is wise to consider your child’s capabilities, size and personality.
  • Choking hazards. Thoroughly inspect the toy or game for any potential choking hazards- whether it is detachable items on a doll or action figure, pieces to a game, or parts to a building set. Even if the toy does not issue a choking hazard, toys can become dangerous when children detach parts on toys.
  • Protective gear. Although many toy packages have children pictured with safety gear, it is often not included in the purchase. Before selecting a toy, make sure to buy the necessary masks, helmets and elbow and knee pads to keep your child and their friends safe.

Next time you go shopping for a toy, please think not about what toy your child will like most, but what toy will be most safe and suitable for them. In the grand scheme of things, it is our children’s safety and well being that matters the most.

To view a list of the most dangerous toys in 2016, click here.

At The Yost Legal Group, we deeply care about the safety and well-being of all children. Please be mindful when selecting gifts for your children this holiday season and keep an eye out for toys that may pose a threat to your child’s safety.

The Yost Legal Group – Experienced Attorneys Dedicated to Protecting Your Rights

Umbilical Cord Prolapse is Linked to Hypoxic Brain Injury in Children

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When a woman is pregnant, the umbilical cord is what connects the mother to the developing fetus, acting as a lifeline for the child. It allows the supply of nourishment and oxygen for necessary development. Unfortunately, one in every 300 births involves an umbilical cord prolapse (UCP). An umbilical cord prolapse occurs when part of the umbilical cord gets ahead of the baby, and comes through the cervix and into the birth canal before the baby does. This pinches the umbilical cord and causes a reduction or complete cut-off of the oxygen supply to the fetus. If untreated, umbilical cord prolapse can result in birth injuries due to lack of oxygen (hypoxia) including: cerebral palsy, developmental delays, hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), or even death of the child.

Signs of Umbilical Cord Prolapse Include:

  • Abnormal fetal heart rate pattern
  • Fetal heart rate drop, often sudden and sustained, to a heart rate lower than 120 bpm
  • The doctor performing a pelvic exam and finding either:
    – The umbilical cord protruding through the cervix or in the vagina ahead of the baby
    – The umbilical cord in an incorrect position

Once it is discovered that the mother and child are experiencing UCP, it is important that the correct steps are taken to ensure their safety. UCP can be corrected by a doctor or physician if the proper steps are taken. Procedures may include changing the mothers positioning to relieve pressure on the umbilical cord, using a vacuum to extract the baby quickly if she is giving birth at the time, or a C-section delivery may be vital.

Complications due to umbilical cord prolapse are the cause of preventable hypoxic brain injury in children.  Cerebral palsy is one of the injuries which can occur due to untreated umbilical cord prolapse.  Cerebral palsy cannot be cured but treatment will very often improve a child’s capabilities and, in general, the earlier treatment begins the better chances are that children will overcome developmental disabilities.

Our experienced attorneys fight for individuals who have been negatively impacted by the negligence of others.  If you would like to discuss your child’s potential claim arising from HIE or CP, the Birth Injury Attorneys at Yost Legal Group are experienced professionals ready to investigate your claim with compassion and determination.  For a free consultation, please call us at 1-800-YOSTLAW.

Happy Thanksgiving from The Yost Legal Group!

Posted on by YostLaw

The attorneys and staff at The Yost Legal Group wish you and your family a happy and safe Thanksgiving!

Please remember that Thanksgiving is one of the busiest travel periods of the year. People throughout Maryland will be anxious to arrive at their destinations, and this can often lead to impatient and aggressive driving.

Please keep these guidelines in mind over the holiday weekend:

  • Consider leaving early to avoid holiday traffic.
  • Drive defensively and be aware of the speed limit.
  • Never allow your phone, mobile devices or fellow passengers to distract you from the task of driving safely and attentively.
  • NEVER get behind the wheel if you have consumed any alcohol. Plan your way home before going out – call a car service or taxi, use public transportation or designate a sober driver.

Enjoy your holiday weekend!

The Yost Legal Group – Experienced Attorneys Dedicated to Protecting Your Rights

MADD “Tie One On For Safety” Campaign Reminds Us to Drive Sober During The Holiday Season

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This year marks the 30th anniversary of the MADD “Tie One On for Safety” campaign. This public awareness campaign focuses on the importance of preventing drunk driving during the holiday season.

Thousands of innocent lives are tragically lost every year due to drunk drivers. Sadly, the holiday season is no exception. The rate of impaired driving increases greatly between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve. The U.S National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism reported that 40% of all traffic-related deaths during Christmas and New Year’s Eve involved drunk drivers.

If you are placed in a situation this holiday season where a friend, family member, or even a stranger is trying to get behind the wheel after a few too many drinks, MADD provides the following tips to help prevent a dangerous situation:

  • Suggest an alternative. Recommend the person call a cab, ride with a sober driver or take public transportation.
  • Have a buddy by your side. It’s more difficult to say “no” to two or three people versus one person.
  • Take the power away. The best way to prevent an impaired person from driving is taking their keys – this gives you leverage and makes it easier to persuade them against driving while under the influence.
  • Be conscious of how you sound. Remember this person is intoxicated – talk slowly and in a non-confrontational tone. Explain your reasoning in full detail.

Drunk driving is a serious public safety issue, but if we work together, we can help put an end to these preventable accidents during this holiday season.

To show your support for the “Tie One On for Safety” campaign, please order a MADD red ribbon through your local MADD affiliate to display on your car. This ribbon will serve as a reminder to other motorists to always practice safe and sober driving all year round.

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in an accident involving a drunk driver, call The Yost Legal Group immediately at 1-800-YOST-LAW (967-8529) for a FREE, confidential consultation.

The attorneys at Yost Legal Group are experienced professionals ready to investigate your claim with compassion and determination. When you call, one of our experienced Baltimore Car Accident attorneys will investigate every detail of your situation at no cost to you and fight hard to protect your rights.

The Yost Legal Group – Experienced Attorneys Dedicated to Protecting Your Rights

Happy Veterans Day from The Yost Legal Group

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Veterans Day is an important time to reflect on the incredible sacrifices that our men and women in uniform have made to defend our freedoms. At The Yost Legal Group, we deeply appreciate your bravery, dedication and commitment.

Please join us today in showing your respect to the veterans who have served this great nation.

The Yost Legal Group – Experienced Attorneys Dedicated to Protecting Your Rights

“Drowsy Driving Prevention Week” Starts this Sunday 11/6

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Now that fall is in full swing, the sunsets come earlier and the nights are longer. That means that it is almost inevitable for us to feel sleepier earlier in the day, and that can be a dangerous combination when paired with driving.

Sunday, November 6th is the start of Drowsy Driving Prevention Week, a national movement aimed towards the elimination of sleepy driving. While many Maryland drivers are familiar with the risks associated with impaired driving and distracted driving, it is not widely known that drowsy driving holds many of the same risks, such as slower judgement, delayed response time and wandering thoughts.

Below are some disturbing statistics about the severity of drowsy driving in the United States, according to the National Sleep Foundation:

  • 100,000 police-reported vehicle crashes are caused by drowsy drivers every year
  • Drowsy driving is linked to approximately 1,550 deaths and 71,000 injuries every year
  • The total value of drowsy driving accidents is nearly $12.5 billion per year
  • 11 million drivers admitted that they were in a crash or a near crash due to being too tired behind the wheel

Here are a few important tips recommended by the National Sleep Foundation that can help prevent drowsy driving:

  • Be well rested: There is a lot of responsibility that comes with driving, so make sure you are as alert as possible while operating a vehicle.
  • Pull over: If you notice yourself drifting off, make sure you are in a safe location and take a 15-20 minute nap.
  • Bring a buddy if you are planning a long road trip. Not only will you be able to drive in shifts, your driving buddy can pick up on signs of fatigue if you start to drive dangerously due to drowsiness.
  • Drink caffeine: This can increase your alertness for several hours. Please note you should not solely rely on caffeine to get you through long road trips.

Don’t get behind the wheel if you are drowsy, the risks are simply too high.

If you or a loved one suffered serious injuries in a car accident that was not your fault, call The Yost Legal Group at 1-800-YOST-LAW (967-8529) for a FREE, confidential consultation.

The attorneys at Yost Legal Group are experienced professionals ready to investigate your claim with compassion and determination. When you call, one of our experienced Baltimore Car Accident attorneys will investigate every detail of your situation at no cost to you and fight hard to protect your rights.

The Yost Legal Group – Experienced Attorneys Dedicated to Protecting Your Rights

Maryland Drivers – Please Be Extra Cautious on the Roads this Halloween

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Halloween is just around the corner. Statistics show that Halloween is one of the most dangerous times of the year for young pedestrians. Maryland drivers should be ready to take special precautions on the road this year to ensure that everyone can enjoy the holiday safely.

Children traveling in groups with their friends on Halloween may not always practice proper pedestrian safety. That means it is up to drivers to make sure that they slow down, avoid distractions, and prevent tragic pedestrian accidents from occurring.

Here are a few helpful safety tips for motorists this Halloween:

  • Slow Down: Halloween is one of the busiest nights of the year for pedestrian foot traffic, so plan your night accordingly. Carefully obey posted speed limit signs, and slow down even more in residential neighborhoods. Leave yourself more time to arrive at your destination, take your time and help make the roads safer for everyone.
  • Remain Alert: Keep your eyes peeled for pedestrians on both sides of the street at all times. You never know when a child could run out into the road, so always expect the unexpected. Also, be especially cautious when entering or exiting alleys or driveways. Go slowly and give any pedestrians plenty of time to get out of your way.
  • Be Aware of Popular Trick-or-Treating Hours: Most children are out trick-or-treating between the hours of 5:30pm to 9:30pm. Be especially cautious on the roads during these times on Halloween.
  • Yield to Pedestrians: Even if you are not approaching a designated crosswalk, stop and allow kids and parents to safely cross the street. Kids could be walking on the shoulder of the road, on the median or on the curb so make pedestrian safety your top priority.
  • Avoid Distractions: Distracted driving causes thousands of preventable pedestrian accidents every year. With more young children out and about on Halloween, it is more important than ever to avoid all driver distractions while behind the wheel. Keep your phone in your pocket or purse, and do not eat, groom yourself, adjust the radio or GPS when you should be focusing on the road.
  • NEVER Drive Drunk: There will be plenty of Halloween parties to attend, so be sure you plan a safe way home BEFORE you go out. If you will be consuming alcohol at a Halloween event, plan to take public transportation, designate a sober driver, or call a taxi or car service like Uber or Lyft.

At The Yost Legal Group, we want to make sure that everyone has a safe, fun and happy Halloween. By following these safety tips, Maryland drivers can help prevent tragic and avoidable accidents with pedestrians. Please be safe, drive defensively and click here to read additional Halloween safety tips.

The Yost Legal Group – Experienced Attorneys Dedicated to Protecting Your Rights

Stryker Issues Voluntary Recall Due To Defective Parts In Metal Hip Implant Devices

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Stryker Corporation is one of the leading manufacturers of metal hip implant devices. In the past, defective Stryker metal hip implants have caused serious injuries and adverse reactions in thousands of patients. In some cases, patients have even required revision surgery in order to remove and replace the defective Stryker hip implant parts.

Stryker recently issued a voluntary recall of all LFit V40 femoral heads manufactured between 2001 and 2011. Stryker LFit V40 femoral heads are prone to a high failure rate and pose potential risks to patient health and safety.  These defective hip components start to corrode. This can release harmful metal particles into the tissue and bloodstream surrounding the joint.

Government oversight agencies in both Canada and Australia have already issued safety warnings to doctors and patients about the high rate of failure among LFit V40 Femoral Head components. The Canadian government went as far as to issue an official recall of these components, sighting “higher than expected complaints of…failure.”

This is not the first time that a metal hip implant device manufactured by Stryker Corporation has been recalled due to safety concerns. In 2012, the FDA recalled all Stryker Rejuvenate and ABGII metal hip implant devices after patients complained that the devices failed and broke down at rates that were much higher than expected.

Stryker marketed their metal hip implant devices by promising patients and doctors increased durability and improved recovery times, compared to hip implant devices made from other manufacturers.

Unfortunately, once Patients that received a defective Stryker metal hip implant can experience painful and dangerous complications, including:

  • Osteolysis (bone dissolution)
  • Synovitis (inflammation of the synovial membrane)
  • Pseudo-tumors
  • Fluid in the joint
  • Tissue and bone necrosis
  • Metal poisoning in the blood
  • Revision surgery

If you or a loved one is experiencing any adverse reactions from Hip Replacement Surgery or if you have required painful Revision Hip Surgery, call The Yost Legal Group today at 1-800-YOST-LAW (967-8529).

When you call, one of our experienced Defective Medical Device attorneys will speak with you for FREE. The Yost Legal Group is made up of experienced attorneys ready to pursue your case with compassion and determination. We stand up to major medical device manufacturers on behalf of our clients and will fight hard to protect your rights.

The Yost Legal Group – Experienced Attorneys Dedicated to Protecting Your Rights

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