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Death Resulting from Work Injury
Posted by: Steve Wagner
June 21, 2010
Topic: Worker's Compensation

A man painting the inside of a tank at a power plant in Edwardsport, IN fell to his death after the scaffolding he was using collapsed. John Garrett, 52 years old, Owensville, suffered head and chest injuries that ultimately led to his death. The plant where Garrett was killed is being built for Duke Energy.

Early investigation of construction site accidents is crucial to protecting the rights of those who will have to deal with the loss of a loved one. Of course, considering potential legal action is usually the last thing on their mind. Turning the investigation over to an experienced construction accident lawyer can let the family deal with the loss while still preserving future recovery rights. Call today for a free consultation regarding your construction accident or other injury case. (800) 792-0332 or http://www.injuryattorneys.com/.

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Tippecanoe County Jail Inmate Receives Incorrect Medical Treatment
Posted by: Steve Wagner
June 14, 2010
Topic: Civil Rights Violations

Lekeia Brown was admitted to the Tippecanoe County Jail on May 18, 2010, for unpaid child support. During the admitting process the nurse had to confiscate her seizure medication which she must take daily. The nurse then gave her a different medication three (3) times stronger than what she had been taking. Lekeia didn't know her prescription was switched. Immediately, she noticed a difference in the way she felt. Lekeia started having hot flashes, urinating every 10-15 minutes, experiencing symptoms of dehydration as well as migraines. That was just the beginning. She then saw blisters on her face and felt them in her mouth. Lekeia complained to the nurses on multiple occasions about her symptoms, but nothing was done. Since she looked fine on the outside they didn't bother to check her out.

On June 5, 2010 Lekeia Brown was admitted to St. Elizabeth East Hospital because her eyes were swollen shut and she couldn't see. The next day, June 6, 2010, she was transferred to Methodist Hospital in downtown Indianapolis where she is still undergoing treatment. Lekeia is lying in a hospital bed literally burning from the inside out, wondering if she will ever see again.

Lekeia is now suffering from what is called Stevens Johnsons Syndrome, which is a form of erythema multiforme and can be life threatening if not treated right away. This syndrome has a mortality rate of 5%, affects more adult women than men, and can cause permanent damage including blindness.

Over the past ten years, attorney Stephen M. Wagner has handled numerous cases against county Jails and Indiana state correctional facilities across Indiana. He has reached significant settlements in Allen County, Johnson County, and Pulaski County in cases where the medical care provided to detainees was alleged to be inadequate. Inadequate medical care in jails can arise in numerous situations such as prescription errors, failure to monitor for alcohol withdrawal and DT's, and failure to transfer inmates to outside specialists for evaluation. Mr. Wagner understands that these cases are tough because the public tends to have little sympathy for jail inmates. However, Mr. Wagner notes, "People who are arrested have rights, too. They have the right to emergency medical care and should be treated with respect and dignity. If jail nurses and other personnel are deliberately indifferent to serious medical conditions, the jail personnel involved can be sued for violating the inmate's constitutional rights." Mr. Wagner handles such civil rights cases throughout the state and can be reached for a free consultation at (800) 792-0332 or in the web at http://www.injuryattorneys.com/.

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Bus Accident Leaves One Dead and Several Injured
Posted by: Jason Reese
June 11, 2010
Topic: Motor Vehicle Accidents

Every little girl dreams about her wedding day. Lauren Magee's dreams quickly turned to tragedy. On the day she was set to marry Tom Hanley, their wedding bus from Mavris Arts & Events Center carrying the wedding party and traveling west on South St. ran a red light and collided with a northbound vehicle at Delaware St. The collision caused the bus to tip and land on its side. While reportedly 16 people in the bus were injured, groomsman James Douglas, 29 years old, died as a result of the crash.

They did go on to marry the same day of the crash, June 5, 2010. They had to change their venue to the Methodist Hospital Emergency Room. For the new Mr. & Mrs. Hanley, this day will forever be bittersweet.

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Indiana Medical Malpractice & Wrongful Death ? Rights to My Loved One?s Patient Medical Records
Posted by: Jason Reese
May 18, 2010
Topic: Personal Injury

Following the untimely or suspicious death of a loved one, family members often wonder, "Do I have a right to collect my loved one's patient medical records?" This question usually arises when a family member shows up at a medical facility to collect medical records and encounters a problem. Maybe a staff member says they need to speak with their supervisor or they have to speak to the medical facility's legal counsel. But they refuse to give you a copy!

Here's the truth about Indiana law: You have a right to your loved one's medical records if you are the personal representative of their estate. If there is not a personal representative, then the person's spouse is the next in line with the right to receive the records. Finally, if the spouse is no longer living or there was not a spouse, the deceased person's child or parent or guardian then have the right to request the records. Indiana Statute 16-39-1-3 is the law you can show the health care provider.

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Hamilton County Indiana Jail Death
Posted by: Steve Wagner
May 07, 2010
Topic: Civil Rights Violations

Curtis Christopher Tschohl, 39, was found dead in his cell in the Hamilton County jail on Sunday, May 2^nd, 2010. He had been arrested 12 days prior to his death on a drunk-driving charge. While deputies at the jail tried to resuscitate Tschohl, he was unresponsive and transferred to Riverview Hospital where he was pronounced dead. It was reported that Mr. Tschohl was going through alcohol withdrawal in the days before his death.

This unfortunate in-custody death raises questions regarding whether the Mr. Tschohl was suffering from the most serious form of alcohol withdrawal, delirium tremens or "DT's." Although only a small percentage of individuals suffer from DT's, it is a potentially deadly condition which requires immediate medical assistance. Hallucinations, tremors, excessive sweating, and seizures are some of the more obvious symptoms. Because the risk of DT's is well known to jailors who frequently take into custody alcoholics who are forced to go "cold turkey," proper medical screening and monitoring is needed to prevent such deaths. If jail policy is not followed, or even worse if correctional officers ignore the warning signs because they don't care, detainees will needlessly die.

Attorney Stephen M. Wagner handles civil rights claims against jails if there is deliberate indifference to a serious medical condition such as DT's. Mr. Wagner has handled these difficult cases throughout the state of Indiana, often on referral from other attorneys. In the last five years, Mr. Wagner has personally handled civil rights death cases resulting in the largest voluntary settlement payments ever in four Indiana counties. Call today for a free evaluation of your case. (800) 792-0332.

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One Worker Dead Following Indiana Construction Accident
Posted by: Steve Wagner
May 03, 2010
Topic: Worker's Compensation

A construction worker was killed on Interstate 94 near Burns Harbor, Indiana, two days after he was hit. The accident happened on Friday, April 30, 2010 and is being blamed on a drunk driver who made an illegal u-turn. The worker, 49 year old Roger Sadler, was dragged almost 35 feet after Ricardo Bustos made the turn and hit Sadler. Although Bustos fled from the scene, he was later found and arrested.

In such cases, the family of the victim not only has to deal with their grief in losing a loved one, but they also have to deal with the legal issues that follow a fatal work accident. Dealing with the employer's work comp insurance carrier, and the insurance company for the at fault driver, are the last things on their mind. The law requires the work comp carrier to pay for all medical treatment, funeral and burial costs, and up to 500 weeks of death benefits. Because Indiana work comp law does not provide any recovery for loss of love and affection or other non-economic damages, a wrongful death lawsuit against the wrongdoer is often the only way to ease the long term impact of a work death on the surviving family members. Wrongful death lawsuits require an immediate and thorough investigation, however.

For assistance with your work comp and wrongful death claims, call the one law firm who can help with both. The injury attorneys at Wagner Reese & Crossen will help get work comp benefits started immediately and will investigate your wrongful death claim right away. No retainer fee up front and no fee at all unless we win your case. Call today for a free consultation. Toll Free (800) 792-0332.

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Car Accident Indianapolis Results in Serious Injuries
Posted by: Steve Wagner
April 27, 2010
Topic: Motor Vehicle Accidents

A drunk driver has once again changed the lives of two people forever. Jamyriah Walker and Octavia Wells, both 15 years old, will never be the same following an accident on April 132, 2010 in Indianapolis on North Keystone Avenue at 28^th St. Dwayne Holloway, 36 years old, was believed to be traveling up to 70 MPH when he struck the two teenage girls as they crossed the street. Holloway's blood alcohol level registered .30, almost 4 times the legal level. Both girls were transported to Methodist Hospital with head injuries, broken necks and backs, several other broken bones, and respiratory failure.

If you need help pursuing a legal claim against a drunk driver, let the accident attorneys at Wagner Reese & Crossen help today. Call us for a free consultation at (800) 792-0332.

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Trucking Accident Northern Indiana
Posted by: Trevor Crossen
April 19, 2010
Topic: Motor Vehicle Accidents

The driver of a van was airlifted to Parkview Hospital after suffering serious injuries on Thursday morning in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Another driver, pulling a trailer, ran a stop sign at the intersection of State Road 247 and County Road 68. The van collided head-on with the trailer. The driver of the other vehicle had minor injuries.

If you have been seriously injured in an accident, let the accident attorneys at Wagner Reese & Crossen work for you. Call our office 24 hours/day at (800) 792-0332.

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Press Release from NTSA
Posted by: Steve Wagner
March 29, 2010
Topic: Motor Vehicle Accidents

Ray Lahood, U.S. Transportation Secretary, hadgood news to report last week. Early projections for 2009 data indicate that fatalities on U.S. highways have dropped to levels not seen since 1954. Still, 33,963 people died on our highways in 2009. However, that is an 8.9 percent decrease from 2008. The National Traffic Safety Administration credits safety campaigns such as Click It or Ticket and Drunk Driving: Over the Limit, Under Arrest with increasing safe driving habits and reducing the number of fatalities. Maybe we need a new campaign to cut down on distracted drivers - Text and You're Next.

If you have been injured in a truck accident or care accident, whether due to a drunk driver or a distracted driver, contact the highway accident attorneys at Wagner Reese & Crossen for a free consultation today. Call (800) 792-0332 or visit us at http://www.injuryattorneys.com/.

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Pallet Falls, Kills Kroger Employee
Posted by: Trevor Crossen
March 24, 2010
Topic: Worker's Compensation

An unfortunate accident has claimed the life of 32 year old Lori Keen of Franklin, Indiana. While checking in a shipment of water at a Franklin Kroger Supermarket, a pallet of the bottled water fell on Keen. After being on life support for several days, Keen died at Methodist Hospital on Saturday. Indiana Occupational Health and Safety Administration is completing an investigation.

If you or a loved one is injured at work, call the experienced attorneys at Wagner Reese & Crossen for a free consultation.

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