A silent epidemic: identifying signs of mild traumatic brain injury
A mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI) is the most common of brain injuries. Of the 2.5 million annual TBI-related deaths, hospitalizations, and emergency room visits, 75%-90% are MTBI, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This is a staggering. The CDC, and the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, have declared MTBI a...
A silent epidemic: identifying signs of mild traumatic brain injury Continue reading…Trucking safety rule changes shows industry protecting profits over drivers
The trucking industry is getting a holiday bonus from the U.S. Congress. The federal spending bill just passed for 2015 includes a provision that will undo many of the trucking safety rule changes the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) implemented last year. The current trucking safety rules—mandating a 30-minute break every 8 hours, and 2...
Trucking safety rule changes shows industry protecting profits over drivers Continue reading…5 Tips for Holiday Fire Safety and Burn Prevention
The holiday season generates an increase in serious burns, primarily because there’s more opportunity for accidental fires during winter months. 5 easy ways to avoid holiday fires 1. Check your outlets and power strips. It’s easy to overload, especially with decorative lights. If the strip feels warm, or there are any dark marks around the...
5 Tips for Holiday Fire Safety and Burn Prevention Continue reading…How the Glasgow Coma Scale assesses brain injuries
Used by emergency responders and medical professionals, the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) is a quick test of a potential brain injury. The GCS is used for a fast assessment of a head or brain injury at the scene of a car accident, sporting event, or other injury site. Three factors—a victim’s ability to speak, to...
How the Glasgow Coma Scale assesses brain injuries Continue reading…Understanding mild traumatic brain injuries
As a child of the 1960s and 1970s, I can attest to a general lack of knowledge in society regarding traumatic brain injuries. I vividly recall friends and fellow students being “knocked out” on the playground or playing sports. Adults simply used smelling salts to get the student to come around. The kid would go...
Understanding mild traumatic brain injuries Continue reading…Medication theft in nursing homes is potentially a really big problem
More than 100,000 doctors, nurses, and healthcare workers are abusing drugs—mostly, narcotics. The healthcare industry is aware of the serious implications of widespread “drug diversion.” (“Drug diversion” is a nice way to say “stealing medication from sick people”.) Any facility that handles drugs will have diversion going on... But the industry is focused on the...
Medication theft in nursing homes is potentially a really big problem Continue reading…Truck Drivers Ignoring Cell Phone Ban
It’s illegal. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has a blanket ban on commercial drivers using a hand-held cellular phone or texting while driving. It’s unsafe. Truck drivers are 23x more likely to crash if they are texting. And a number of trucking carriers claim that texting and driving is grounds for a driver’s immediate dismissal. So...
Truck Drivers Ignoring Cell Phone Ban Continue reading…How did a Seattle cabbie steal a $164,000 from an elderly woman – with state investigators watching?
Last week, King County prosecutors filed charges against 56-year-old David G. Money for stealing from an elderly nursing home patient. The two met when Mr. Money picked her up as a fare a few years ago. Since then, the woman has written $164,000 in checks to Mr. Money, and another $90,000 in suspicious checks to...
How did a Seattle cabbie steal a $164,000 from an elderly woman – with state investigators watching? Continue reading…Coluccio’s Lawyer Profile in King County Bar Bulletin
Every month, the King County Bar Association features a Washington lawyer. I am honored to be the subject of October's Bar Bulletin Profile. I am grateful to my friend Lincoln Sieler of Friedman Rubin for the profile, and to my former law partners Mike Withey and Paul Whelan for the kind words. Thanks, Kevin Coluccio
Family spurs government to action after tragic truck accident
The truck accident crash that’s changing safety laws In May 2013, Marianne Karth and the three youngest of her nine children were driving from their home in North Carolina to Texas to visit family. The Karth’s Crown Victoria came upon a traffic back-up on the interstate, the result of an accident two miles ahead. Behind...
Family spurs government to action after tragic truck accident Continue reading…Failure to act leads to truck crash deaths: it’s time to fix underride guards
About half of the deaths from semi-truck accidents crashes involve an underride collision. When a passenger vehicle is pushed under a semi truck, the top of the car is crushed and the passengers are injured and often killed by striking the underneath parts of a trailer. Crash tests from IIHS show the need for new underride guards...
Failure to act leads to truck crash deaths: it’s time to fix underride guards Continue reading…Rebuilding after a traumatic brain injury
David Grant is doing something very unusual: he’s actually talking about his traumatic brain injury. He survived a serious bicycle accident in 2010, but was left with a brain injury. David explains the challenges of TBI in frank and honest way. He describes his personal struggles to accept his disability, and to...
Rebuilding after a traumatic brain injury Continue reading…