10 Questions to ask before having LASIK Surgery
Who will perform your preoperative work-up? Will it be an optometrist or technician, and if so, when will the ophthalmologist review the findings and discuss them with you? Will your surgeon review all of the tests that were performed before the day of surgery? Does the surgeon regularly practice medicine in the community where your
Transportation Safety Month
May is Oregon’s “Transportation Safety Awareness” month. Traditionally, the summer months are when the majority of Oregon roads get repaired, and there is an increase in work zones for all drivers to navigate. Unfortunately, there is also an increase in the amount of accidents involving drivers and work zones. Most work zone injuries are avoidable.
Toys Hurt Children More Often Than You Think
A growing percentage of children suffer significant injuries at the hands of their favorite toys, according to the Center for Injury Research and Policy (CIRP). Based on a study by the CIRP, a child is treated in an emergency room in the United States every three minutes for a toy-related injury. The biggest risk for
Informed Consent and Medical Malpractice Cases
Informed Consent and Medical Malpractice Cases At trial, the doctor wanted to tell the jury that our client had signed consent forms and, therefore, she accepted the risk of a bad outcome. The trial judge said such evidence was improper. In reality, defendants always say this, mostly to confuse the jury into thinking that patients
April is “Distracted Driving Awareness” Month
April is “Distracted Driving Awareness” Month in an attempt to drive down the incidences of accidents, injuries, and deaths associated with distracted driving. In 2014, Oregon Department of Transportation started to team up with NHTSA in supporting the National Distracted Driving campaign. Many people believe that distracted driving is texting on a cell phone while
Roadway Departure Crashes Account for 66% of All Traffic Fatalities in Oregon
Oregon State Police (OSP) and Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) have teamed up to help reduce the incidences of roadway departure crashes. A roadway departure crash is a non-intersection crash when a vehicle either crosses the center line or the edge of the road. Examples of these types of crashes are sideswiping another vehicle, traveling
Cell Phone Usage and Multitaskers
There have been several articles and awareness campaigns regarding cell phone usage while driving. Many people believe they can multitask without a problem, but studies indicate just the opposite. As reported in Medical News Today, Motorists overrate their ability to talk on cell phones while driving. A study supported by a grant from the American
Some Sleep Drugs Can Impair Driving
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is reminding consumers that some drugs to treat insomnia could make them less able the next morning to perform activities for which they must be fully alert, including driving a car. FDA has informed manufacturers that the recommended dose should be lowered for sleep drugs approved for bedtime use
Decorative Contact Lenses – Not a Good Choice for Halloween
During the Halloween season, many people are tempted to add decorative contact lenses to put the finishing touches on their costumes for a cool or spooky look. If you purchase these lenses without a prescription or the involvement of an eye care professional, you can risk serious eye damage. Most decorative lenses are readily available
Definition of Legal Terms
I am frequently asked by clients to define the meaning of certain legal terms and concepts. In the law, there are many things that we, as lawyers, refer to that are foreign to the layperson. One of the more important concepts to be aware of is the Statute of Limitations. Virtually every legal claim is
What is LASIK Surgery?
LASIK, a form of refractive surgery that has been around since the mid-90s, stands for laser in-situ keratomileusis, which means using a laser underneath a corneal flap (in situ) to reshape the cornea. While statistically, LASIK is a safe procedure, sometimes there are adverse consequences. Since the end of 1999, I have represented over one
Motorcycle Lane Usage
In 2010, The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) proposed a new law for motorcycles that altered legal lane usage on the roads in Oregon. The law would allow a motorcyclist to “share” the lane with a vehicle and pass the vehicle within the lane. This maneuver is also allowed in California and is a common