Anthony L. Verrelli & Associates, Attorneys at LawAnthony L. Verrelli & Associates, Attorneys at Law2024-03-14T06:58:22Zhttps://www.verrellilaw.com/feed/atom/WordPress/wp-content/uploads/sites/1303389/2023/04/cropped-site-icon-32x32.jpgOn Behalf of Anthony L. Verrelli & Associates, Attorneys at Lawhttps://www.verrellilaw.com/?p=467852023-04-13T05:33:00Z2023-04-06T05:32:23Zsafety of their customers while they are on the premises, but the law only cautions them to act reasonably. Members of the public likewise bear the expectation of behaving reasonably when they are on someone else’s property.
Business owner responsibilities to customers
Business owners are expected to meet certain duties on their property. This includes inspecting the property for hazards and repairing any hazards of which they are aware. Additionally, the owner is required to warn customers with regard to any dangerous conditions that have not yet been repaired.
A business owner who fails to meet these expectations by not cleaning up a spilled liquid or warning people about a defective staircase may be liable in a personal injury lawsuit.
Proving that a business is liable for a customer’s injuries
It is not easy to determine precisely who is at fault in a slip and fall accident. If such a case came to trial, the judge would instruct the jury to weigh whether or not certain conditions existed at the time of the accident. For instance, a condition that created an unreasonable risk of harm had to exist, and it is essential that an employee or owner knew of or should have discovered the condition. If the business failed to warn customers of the condition and did not take steps to correct the problem, then they may be found liable in a personal injury claim.]]>On Behalf of Anthony L. Verrelli and Associates, Attorneys at Lawhttps://www.verrellilaw.com/?p=466852023-03-24T03:41:25Z2023-03-24T03:41:25ZReasons why polypharmacy can be a hazardous issue
The more drugs a patient takes, the harder it may be to obtain an accurate medication history, which can be an important factor in diagnostics. Even if a doctor understands the patient’s history, he or she still needs to monitor the effects of all drugs and be alert for potential interactions.
When it comes to handing out drugs, there is always a risk of prescribing medications that unfavorably interact with each other. This can cause serious health issues for patients, such as increases in blood pressure or liver damage. Additionally, if a doctor prescribes too much medication or does not correctly adjust dosages based on age and weight, this could lead to an overdose.
Claiming medical malpractice in New York
If you or your loved one has been a victim of medical malpractice due to polypharmacy, it is important to file a claim as soon as possible in civil court. To do this, you need to provide evidence demonstrating the doctor's or hospital's negligence. For example, if you showed your doctor your medication history, but they failed to adjust the dosages or double-check for interactions, the courts may consider that as negligence.
While filing for medical malpractice can be overwhelming and time-consuming, it is an important step in protecting yourself and holding negligent doctors accountable for their actions. A successful claim could also help cover any costs associated with your injury or illness.]]>On Behalf of Anthony L. Verrelli and Associates, Attorneys at Lawhttps://www.verrellilaw.com/?p=466842023-03-23T03:26:08Z2023-03-23T03:26:08ZAdded weight, added dangers
The GMC Hummer EV is an example of this trend toward absurdly heavy electric vehicles. It tips the scales at 9,063 pounds, and its lithium-ion batteries weigh almost as much as Toyota’s popular Corolla sedan. That is concerning because the chances of being killed in a motor vehicle accident increase by 47% when one of the vehicles involved outweighs the other by 1,000 pounds. The GMC Hummer EV outweighs most other vehicles by at least 5,000 pounds.
Speed increases the risks
Road safety experts are also concerned about the speeds large and heavy EVs can reach and how quickly they can reach them. Vehicles like the GMC Hummer EV can reach 60 mph in under four seconds, which is faster than most sports cars. Most drivers cannot handle this type of acceleration, which is why a National Transportation Safety Board official said that the popularity of fast and heavy EVs will lead to ”unintended consequences.”
Unintended consequences
Those unintended consequences are increases in traffic accident injuries and deaths, and there seems to be little that can be done to prevent them. Auto manufacturers will continue to make the vehicles that consumers want, and lawmakers are unlikely to stop them. Until scientists develop lighter batteries, vehicles like the GMC Hummer EV should be given a very wide berth.]]>On Behalf of Anthony L. Verrelli and Associates, Attorneys at Lawhttps://www.verrellilaw.com/?p=466832023-03-09T21:14:53Z2023-03-09T21:14:53ZNew York's probate threshold and qualifications
Small estates valued at under $50,000 do not have to pass through full, formal probate. That figure doesn't include all assets, as certain ones are exempt. If your estate has the potential to top that figure, careful estate planning can help avoid full probate.
Non-probate assets include life insurance policies, IRAs, U.S savings bonds, and jointly held bank accounts. Assets with a designated beneficiary also do not count toward the minimum threshold. If you leave behind a surviving spouse or children under the age of 21, the state's "exemption for the benefit of the family" applies. The items go first to a surviving spouse. If there is no spouse, the items go to the deceased's children. The state specifies a wide range of exemptions and includes a maximum value for each. Knowing the worth of the items you can leave to your heirs in this manner is essential for estate planning.
Setting up your estate plan
Careful planning of your estate, even if your assets are worth more than $50,000, can help you avoid full probate. Careful planning is the key to reducing the chances of requiring your executor to go through the process. Diversification of your assets is crucial to avoiding probate.
It's never too early to begin the estate planning process. You can always change it in the future. Drafting a will is only one element. Careful designation of beneficiaries, setting up trusts and putting assets in exempt financial instruments can save your heirs time and additional grief after your passing.]]>On Behalf of Anthony L. Verrelli and Associates, Attorneys at Lawhttps://www.verrellilaw.com/?p=466822023-03-09T21:10:13Z2023-03-09T21:10:13ZThe costs of physician labor
As with other businesses, hospitals hire employees to balance budgets and lower expenses. Increasingly, many of these hospitals realize that physician labor costs are major expenses for these facilities.
Considering that, medical staffing firms tend to send physician assistants and nurse practitioners to hospitals instead of doctors. It's financially beneficial for certain staffing firms to replace licensed physicians with mid-level care providers. Unfortunately, this situation can lead to problems for patients.
Costlier care and more misdiagnoses
While keeping fewer physicians on staff can cut costs, the patients of these facilities don't have things as easy. In October 2022, the National Bureau of Economic Research looked at over one million visits to emergency rooms within the Veterans Health Administration. Researchers chose this administration due to how often they allow nurse practitioners to treat patients.
This study found that patient costs increased by 7% and experienced an 11% longer stay when receiving treatment from nurse practitioners. There's also the problem of possible misdiagnoses and instances of medical malpractice. If the patients had received treatment from physicians or nurse practitioners with more experience, each patient would have likely noticed shorter wait times and less expensive hospital bills.
While the performance of private equity healthcare companies looks like a great investment, numerous concerns remain about these companies only looking at the financial side of things. Critics of these investment firms hope the money these companies receive goes towards providing top-notch patient care.]]>On Behalf of Anthony L. Verrelli and Associates, Attorneys at Lawhttps://www.verrellilaw.com/?p=466812023-02-23T23:59:57Z2023-02-23T23:59:56ZSeek medical attention
Your health and safety should always be your top priority. If you were injured, seek medical attention immediately, even if your injuries appear minor. Delaying medical treatment can make it harder to prove that your injuries were caused by the accident, which could affect your chances of receiving compensation.
Report the incident
Report the incident to the hotel staff as soon as possible. Ensure you give a detailed account of what happened and ask for a copy of the incident report. This documentation can be used as evidence if you decide to pursue a legal claim regarding premises liability.
Gather evidence
If possible, take pictures of the accident scene, your injuries and any property damage. Get the contact information of any witnesses who saw the accident happen. This evidence can be critical to your case.
Types of injuries
Common types of injuries that can occur in hotels include slip and fall accidents, food poisoning, bed bug bites and swimming pool accidents. The hotel may be liable for your injuries if they failed to maintain a safe environment, warn you of potential hazards or were otherwise negligent in their duties.
Holding the hotel accountable
If you were injured while staying at a hotel, it's important to take immediate action to protect your health and legal rights. Seek medical attention, report the incident to the hotel staff, gather evidence, and proceed with the appropriate claim. With knowledge of premises liability laws and taking the proper steps, you can receive the compensation you deserve and hold the hotel accountable for their negligence.]]>On Behalf of Anthony L. Verrelli and Associates, Attorneys at Lawhttps://www.verrellilaw.com/?p=466792023-02-23T23:57:30Z2023-02-23T23:57:30ZCauses of truck driver fatigue
Fatigue is a common cause of truck crashes. It may happen when a driver is overworked or has not slept well. Although drivers are required by law to take breaks and rest, some have difficulty getting a good night's sleep. Some drivers may be fatigued because of substance use. Others may be tired because of a medical condition or a medication used to treat it.
Dangers of truck driver fatigue
Regardless of why a truck driver is fatigued, driving while tired can lead to motor vehicle accidents. When truck drivers collide with smaller trucks, SUVs or cars, the drivers in the smaller vehicles tend to suffer more severe injuries. Also, the vehicles in those accidents tend to have significant damage. Fatigued drivers are less likely to have good reflexes. Slowed physical and mental reactions are both dangerous. In addition to facing a greater risk of colliding with another vehicle, a fatigued driver is more likely to go off the road. This can be especially dangerous on roads along hills or mountains.
Anyone who notices a drowsy truck driver should exercise caution. If the individual is making dangerous moves or swerving, call 911. Although it may be hard to know if a driver is drunk or falling asleep, reporting dangerous driving to authorities can help save lives.]]>On Behalf of Anthony L. Verrelli and Associates, Attorneys at Lawhttps://www.verrellilaw.com/?p=466762023-02-15T06:06:19Z2023-02-15T06:06:19ZWhat is the difference between medical malpractice and negligence in nursing?
Medical malpractice and negligence are usually determined by evaluating the nurse's intent or awareness. Medical negligence is when a medical professional engages in an action that unintentionally or accidentally harms their patient. Conversely, malpractice is when a medical professional knows a potential negative consequence exists before making a mistake. With medical malpractice, the error is made because the medical professional did not follow established protocol guidelines.
Examples of medical malpractice and negligence in nursing
Determining whether a situation is medical negligence or malpractice requires scrutinizing the facts. Sometimes, an incident can be classified as medical malpractice and negligence. Factors considered include:
What led up to the mistake
The nurse's awareness of consequences before taking action
If protocols were followed or ignored
The nurse's desire to offer the best medical treatment
A nurse routinely draws blood from a patient and accidentally damages a blood vessel causing injury. This might qualify as medical negligence.
Conversely, a nurse performs a procedure on a patient without following protocol to save time. This leads to an injury that could be classified as medical malpractice.
What to do if you experience medical neglect or malpractice
Mistakes happen even in the healthcare field. Patients have the right to the best medical treatment, and in the cases of medical malpractice or negligence, they may have the right to seek compensation for the damages. Although no one wants to be a victim of medical malpractice or neglect, understanding what they are can be the first step in identifying it when it happens and taking corrective measures.]]>On Behalf of Anthony L. Verrelli and Associates, Attorneys at Lawhttps://www.verrellilaw.com/?p=466742023-02-14T22:44:37Z2023-02-14T22:44:37ZCauses of pedestrian accidents
Pedestrian accidents occur when a person walking or crossing a street is hit by a vehicle. These types of accidents can happen for a variety of reasons, including:
Distracted driving
Reckless driving
Failure to yield to pedestrians
Improper road design or maintenance
Poor weather conditions
While driver behavior and road design are certainly factors, there are also steps that pedestrians can take to stay safe and avoid accidents.
Prevention measures
Many cities, including New York, have implemented various safety measures to help reduce the number of pedestrian accidents, such as:
Pedestrian crosswalks
Traffic lights
Educational campaigns
Increased enforcement of traffic laws
Infrastructure improvements, such as adding sidewalks or creating bike lanes
However, there are still many steps that individuals can take to stay safe while walking or crossing the street. For example:
Pay attention to your surroundings and avoid distractions such as your phone
Wear reflective clothing, especially when walking at night
Be aware of the rules of the road, such as the right-of-way rules
Look both ways before crossing the street
Serious consequences
Pedestrian accidents can have severe consequences, and it's important to prevent them. While cities and safety advocates are working to improve safety measures, it's up to individuals to take personal responsibility and make informed choices that can help prevent accidents.]]>On Behalf of Anthony L. Verrelli and Associates, Attorneys at Lawhttps://www.verrellilaw.com/?p=466722023-02-01T03:12:36Z2023-02-01T03:12:36ZUnsafe behavior
In May 2022, the NHTSA announced that the 42,915 road deaths recorded in 2021 was the highest annual death toll in 16 years. In 2020, car crash fatalities rose by 7%. Experts blamed these sharp increases on a rise in dangerous behavior like speeding and distracted and impaired driving. Overall road fatalities rose by 10.5% in 2021, but the number of speed-related deaths increased by 17%.
Pedestrians and cyclists
The 0.2% drop in traffic fatalities is unlikely to be celebrated by the most vulnerable road users as cyclist and pedestrian deaths continue to rise. The 7,342 pedestrians killed in 2021 represented a 13% year-over-year increase and was the highest annual death toll in four decades, and pedestrian fatalities rose by a further 2% during the first six months of 2022. Cyclist fatalities rose by 5% in 2021 and by 8% during the first two quarters of 2022.
Safe cars and dangerous drivers
Road deaths are still worryingly high. Modern cars are packed with safety features that are designed to prevent accidents and protect occupants when crashes do occur, but the people driving them appear to be getting more and more reckless. The NHTSA believes that investment in infrastructure will make the nation’s roads safer, but it is difficult to share this optimism when significant advances in automobile safety have had little or no effect.]]>