Indiana Injury Lawyer Blog

THE INDIANA INJURY LAWYERS OF CROSSEN KOOI LAW DISCUSS THE INDIANA STATE TRAUMA CARE COMMITTEE

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 21:31:11 -0500

The injury lawyers of Crossen Kooi Law discuss Indiana's attempts to address trauma issues and injuries issues in the State of Indiana and how the State has moved to address these concerns.

On November 6, 2009, Governor Mitch Daniels signed Executive Order 09-08 for creation of the Indiana State Trauma Care Committee.
Click HERE for a link to the full text of the order.

As discussed in the Order's preamble, there are several factors which lead to this committee's development. They include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Injury is the leading cause of death for citizens from 1 year to 34 years of age in the State of Indiana and in the United States. More than 95,000 Indiana citizens are hospitalized and over 5,000 citizens die from injuries each year.

• Indiana injuries defined as trauma require rapid evaluation and transport to specific hospitals with trauma care capabilities, staffed and equipped to provide the comprehensive care needed. All hospital emergency departments are not trauma centers.

• A trauma system is an organized, coordinated effort in a geographic area that delivers the full range of care to all injured patients. Until March 2006, Indiana was one of a very few states with no laws or regulations providing legal authority for state oversight of trauma care, a necessary element of a trauma system. Indiana Public Law 155 - 2006 now provides authority for the Indiana State Department of Health to be the lead state agency for an Indiana trauma care system.

• States with trauma systems have a review process to designate hospitals according to the level of care that can be provided to injured patients – ranging from emergency department evaluation and stabilization in smaller hospitals to the most comprehensive levels of care provided in hospitals verified by the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma (ACS-COT).

• Indiana now has 8 hospitals that are Level I or Level II trauma centers as verified through a strenuous review process by the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma. These facilities include:

Indianapolis –Wishard, Methodist, Riley Hospitals (Level I)
Fort Wayne – Parkview and Lutheran Hospitals (Level II)
South Bend – Memorial Hospital (Level II)
Evansville – St. Mary’s and Deaconess Hospitals (Level II)

• Indiana trauma system development is being addressed by an Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) Trauma System Advisory Task Force, organized in May 2004. The Task Force has broad representation from numerous organizations and individuals interested in developing a statewide trauma care system.

Organizations and individuals that make up the task force include:

-        Indiana State Health Department
-        Indiana Rural Health Association
-        Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance
-        Indiana Emergency Nurses’ Association
-        Indiana American College of Emergency Physicians
-        Indiana American College of Surgeons – Committee on Trauma
-        Indiana Hospital Association
-        Indiana Department of Homeland Security, Fire and Emergency Medical Services
-        Indiana Trauma Network
-        Trauma surgeons, emergency physicians, registered nurses, paramedics,
state legislators, hospital administrators, rehabilitation specialists, and others.
Issues being considered by the Task Force include:
-        leadership of a statewide trauma system
-        policies, legislation and financing needed for such a system
-        system design, based on data and needs assessments
-        education of policy-makers, health professionals and the public
-        information management and quality of care indicators
-        collaboration and resources to support a statewide system
-        development and maintenance of a state trauma registry
-        standards and procedures for trauma care level designation of hospitals.

Task Force Efforts:
-        The goal of a statewide trauma system is the prevention of injuries and the coordination of care of injured patients to accomplish decreased death and disabilities due to trauma.
-        It is desirable for all Indiana hospitals to eventually be part of a statewide trauma system, based on the level of care each hospital is able to provide.
-        System participation by hospitals would be voluntary.
-        Collaboration between emergency medical services, hospitals, rehabilitation facilities and public health is needed.
-        A statewide trauma registry is necessary because it provides a proven mechanism to examine trauma patient care data on a confidential basis.
-        Widespread education is needed to inform numerous constituencies (legislators, hospitals, the public) about a statewide trauma system.

INDIANA WORK COMP LAWYERS DISCUSS FATAL INDIANA CONSTRUCTION ACCIDENT

Mon, 16 Apr 2012 20:40:43 -0500

The Indiana Construction Accident Lawyers of Crossen Kooi Law have learned that a construction worker was killed early on the morning of April 16, 2012 when he was struck by an excavator. Co-workers advised emergency crews that 33 year-old David Anderson of Brownsburg was placing concrete barriers when the excavator pinned him against a barrier. Indiana State Police reported that Anderson was one of two construction workers that were helping an excavator driver guide the barriers near a ramp on Allisonville and westbound I-465 in Northeast Indianapolis. Police believe the operator of the 2010 Caterpillar excavator simply lost track of where Anderson was standing when he moved the vehicle around crushing Anderson against one of the barriers he was guiding.

Investigators are intending to complete an accident reconstruction in an attempt to piece together what exactly occurred and what lead to yet another accidental construction accident. State Police report that Anderson was working for Walsh Construction Company of Crown Point, Indiana, at the time he was killed.

Indiana State Police investigators were joined by investigators from the Indiana Occupational Health and Safety Administration (IOSHA) in an attempt to determine if there were any violations or safety issues.

Work Injury Lawyers discuss Indiana Work Comp Laws and their impact for Employees

Mon, 26 Mar 2012 20:56:19 -0500

Most employees and employers involved in an Indiana Workers Compensation claim are generally concerned about the uncertainties they may face moving forward. For employers, most of the concern generally centers around the fear that their insurance premiums will increase if they have to pay on an employees work injury claim. For employees, the fears are generally centered around taking care of their families and themselves while they are unable work. There are also frequently concerns about who will cover medical bills and what the process is to make sure those medical bills are paid.

Unfortunately, fear also sets in on occasion where employers try to fight injured workers from making a claim. An employer can either provide assistance to their injured Indiana worker or be an obstacle moving forward. This is particularly important at the inception of the case when it is essential that an employee be provided all necessary information to start their claim and get their first medical care underway. The more information both the employee and employer have at the outset will make both of their jobs easier. The first thing both an employee and employer need to know is that when an injury is reported, a First Report of Injury must be filed by the employer. This is required by Indiana's Workers' Compensation law. For most employers, this simply means contacting their insurance company and advising them of whatever facts they know regarding the claim of injury. A first report of injury does not mean the employer is consenting to the facts reported to them or consenting the fact that the claim is compensable under Indiana's Work Comp laws.

If an employee has a question as to whether an injury or event should be reported to their employer or the insurance company, they should always err on the side of caution. As experienced Indiana Work Comp Lawyers, Crossen Kooi's attorneys have seen small injuries that went unreported blow up in to substantial injuries. Failing to report the injury or claim initially will only make the task of proving that the injury is related to your job more difficult down the road. This is particularly true if the injury is of the nagging or consistent type (such as back injuries and muscle strains). Another consideration is that prior injuries can make employees more apt incur additional injuries or an exacerbation of your injury. If you have question or concerns about your work injury or Indiana Work Comp claim, please don't hesitate to contact our attorneys for a free consultation.www.indyfirm.com

Indiana Work Comp Lawyers' discuss complexities of Indiana Workers' Compensation Laws

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 09:19:45 -0500

The Workers’ compensation attorneys of Crossen Kooi know that work comp laws can be difficult for a layperson to assess in any State, as this body of law is often complex and dynamic. Unfortunately, Indiana is no exception. The Work Comp Board of Indiana is charged with the responsibility of providing both formal and informal adjudication and alternative dispute resolution. Any Indiana employee can use the various services and offerings of the Board to address problems they may be confronted with in the workplace, including, but not limited to, Ombudsman, mediators, Hearing Judges, etc. The following is a brief summary of the Indiana Workers' Compensation laws and the role of the Indiana Work Comp Board:

Requirement of Work Comp Coverage or Insurance

Workers’ compensation coverage or insurance is mandatory in Indiana. The distinction basically comes down to who provides the coverage. If an employer pays for a work comp insurance policy then they have workers' compensation insurance coverage; thus, the insurance company or their third-party administrator will handle your claim. There are some employers, however, whom are large enough to be self insured. This basically means, they have the financial resources to cover their employees' comp claims. In order to qualify for such coverage, self-insured employers must first file an affidavit of financial compliance with the Board and establish they have the financial assets to provide for such claims. While there are some exceptions to the mandatory work comp coverage in Indiana (such as farmhands, firemen, etc.) most employers in Indiana must provide employees with this benefit.

Generally speaking, workers' comp coverage kicks in when an employee becomes temporarily totally disabled (TTD). Per the definition from the United States Department of Labor, this is defined as “a situation in which the individual is incapacitated to perform his or her regular work because of an anatomical or functional abnormality or loss, but where it is expected that recovery merely awaits a normal healing period.” In order to qualify for Workers' Compensation benefits, however, Indiana Work Comp laws mandate a waiting period for injured employees before they may start receiving benefits. This waiting period is basically 7 days. Thus, if an employee becomes temporarily disabled, they must wait a period of at least seven days from the date of injury before TTD payments (2/3 of their average weekly wage -- non-taxable) kicks in. As a general rule, if an employee's injury does persist beyond the waiting period, they may not receive any Indiana Workers’ Compensation benefits.

NOBLESVILLE MAN KILLED IN AN INDIANA CAR ACCIDENT INVOLVING TWO CARS IN HAMILTON COUNTY, INDIANA

Sat, 17 Mar 2012 12:13:37 -0500

The Indiana Car Accident Lawyers of Crossen Kooi have learned that 40 years old Brent Russell of Noblesville was killed in a crash Friday near Lapel, Indiana. The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department responded to reports of a car crash just before 4 p.m. on Friday afternoon near Cyntheanne Road and 196th Street in Hamilton County, Indina. Our Indiana Injury Attorneys have been advised Russell was operating a Honda Civic when he was struck by a Dodge Dakota being driven by Calvin Bays, 24, of Lapel. Investigators believe Bays had the right of way and Russell, who was southbound on Cyntheanne Road, appeared to stopped at a stop sign at 196th Street, but then continued on into the intersection without warning. The Sheriff's department advised noticed evidence on the road which showed Bays did brake and attempted to swerve around Russell, but was unable to do so causing the severe impact.

Russell was pronounced dead on the scene, but Bays was taken by ambulance to St. Vincent Hospital Northeast in Noblesville, Indiana, with complaints of leg pain.

INDIANAPOLIS SCHOOL BUS ACCIDENT CLAIMS LIFE OF A 5 YEAR OLD INDIANAPOLIS LIGHTHOUSE CHARTER STUDENT

Mon, 12 Mar 2012 16:33:44 -0500

The bus accident and injury lawyers of Crossen Kooi have learned that a five year old Indianapolis Lighthouse Charter student, Donasty Smith, 5, and her bus driver, Thomas Spencer II, 60, of Indianapolis, were fatally injured this morning when their bus inexplicably hit a concrete overpass support. Witnesses and investigators are baffled at what cause the school bus to strike the support as the vehicle had been traveling normally prior to the impact with the bridge. Public Information officer for the Indianapolis police indicated "[t]he bus had completed its rounds and was on its way to school. For some reason, it struck the bridge here".

Ten more students were injured in the bus accident, with two boys suffering from critical injuries. Four people had to be extricated from the bus. The two boys remaining in critical condition were transferred to Riley Children's Hospital.

After officials were able to contact the decedent's family, the driver's, Spencer, family released a statement noting , "He was a good man who cared about the kids he drove and was committed to getting them to school safely."

The uninjured students on the bus at the time of the crash were were placed in another bus and taken to school, which was only a few short blocks from the scene of the bus crash. Indianapolis Lighthouse Charter School dismissed classes early, and asked parents to come to the school to get their children. In doing so, Principal Kelli Marshall and Principal Ryan Gall released the following statement:

"Indianapolis Lighthouse Charter School is deeply saddened by the injuries and loss of life that occurred this morning during a tragic school bus accident. As the safety of our students is the primary concern at Lighthouse, this tragedy has hit our school hard. We share the pain felt by so many and grieve with the families of the students and bus driver involved."

According to reports, the bus was owned and operated by Miller Transportation. Miller operated as a private entity under contract with Lighthouse Charter to provide bus service for students.

INDIANA WORK COMP OR WORKERS' COMPENSATION LAWS FOR INDIANA EMPLOYEES INJURED AT WORK

Sun, 11 Mar 2012 10:35:36 -0500

As an Indiana statutory benefit for employers and employees, Indiana Workers' Compensation laws create a type of insurance offering. Under the Indiana Work Comp system, an injured Indiana worker will be provided wage replacement (2/3 of their average weekly wage) and medical benefits when they are injured in the course of their Indiana employment. The trade-off for this benefit or no fault system, however, is the mandatory relinquishment of the Indiana employee's right to sue his or her employer under the civil judicial system (tort laws). What does this mean for the average Indiana Worker or their employee? Basically, it means that in the event they are injured in the course of and within the scope of their employment, they need not prove their employer was negligent in order to hold them liable for their wage replacement and medical benefits. In addition, should the employee sustain a permanent impairment, under Indiana laws he or she would be entitled to a schedule impairment rating and corresponding compensation. Conversely, while the employee need not prove negligence on the part of their employer, the employee cannot obtain ordinary tort recovery such as pain and suffering or emotional distress. The exception to these general rules may fall where the employee is injured at the hands of a non-employer third party, such as a general contractor or a sub-contractor that is not their employer. These types of cases are also frequently seen when employees are injured in auto or truck accidents while driving a work vehicle or driving their own vehicle for work purposes. In such cases, an employee may pursue a direct legal claim against the third party and may avail themselves of all civil tort remedies such as pain and suffering.

Indiana Workers' Compensation laws differ greatly than those statutes that guide typical civil claims. Should you be injured in the course of your employment, it is imperative that you consult with an Indiana Work Comp Lawyer. As full-service injury firm, the lawyers of Crossen Kooi are well versed in the details important to the Indiana Workers' Compensation system. Our Work Comp Attorneys will evaluate your claim immediately, at no charge to you and ensure that you are opening all of the windows to full recovery. As always, our work injury lawyers will evaluate your claim at no charge to you unless we are able to obtain recovery. You will never be charged an initial consultation fee or will you ever have to pay for fees or expenses until your claim is resolved. If you'd like to speak to one of our work comp injury lawyers, please call us at 866-569-1335 or contact us via IndyFirm.com.

Indiana Work Comp Board Issues a user friendly Indiana Worker's Compensation Guide

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 11:20:11 -0500

The Indiana Work Comp Board has published a guide intended to assist Indiana workers better understand Indiana's Worker's Compensation Laws. The Work Comp guide, published by the Worker's Compensation Board of Indiana, chaired by Linda Hamilton, is available online or by print. Indiana Work Comp laws can be difficult for injured workers to understand. This Work Comp Guide is intended to help the injured worker better understand these Work Comp Laws.

THE MOST INFAMOUS STAGE CONSTRUCTION LAWSUIT IN INDIANA'S HISTORY CONTINUES TO UNFOLD

Wed, 29 Feb 2012 20:10:32 -0500

The Band Sugarland, a named defendant in a lawsuit filed on behalf of the victims of the 2011 Indiana State Fair stage collapse, has made a legal move in their defense of the claim by naming non-party entities and individuals, including the injury and death victims themselves, as causes or contributors to the accident.

According to Mario Massillamany of Starr, Austen & Miller, LLP, “Sugarland is trying to place the blame on many other people and entities, for the stage collapse”. The lawsuit Sugarland is defending stems from a tragic accident at the Indiana State Fair Grounds on August 13, 2011, wherein high winds caused a grandstand stage to collapse killing and injuring numerous concert goers and employees. In its recent answer to the complaint brought against the band, Sugarland named at least eight individuals or entities, not originally named in the lawsuit. Their response contends that those parties bear some fault or responsibility for the matter. Additionally, Sugarland’s answer and pleading denied all liability asserted in the complaint.

The legal rambling in this case has and continues to unfold following a damaging IOSHA report and investigation. Both in their legal pleadings and in the court of public arena, the parties have continued to spar over who had control to call off the concert and who had ultimate authority with respect whether the concert should go on as scheduled or an evacuation of attendees should take place. The State Fair commission has sustained much of the public scrutiny given their control over the facility where the concert was to take place.

INDIANA TEACHER DIES IN CAR ACCIDENT IN SOUTHERN INDIANA

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 15:28:00 -0500

A former Center Grove, Indiana teacher died in a Vehicle Accident in Jackson County last week. The Indianapolis Auto Collision Attorneys at Crossen Kooi learned the victim was Sharlene Mellencamp. Her husband, from Greenwood, Indiana, was hurt in the auto accident. He was identified as 74 year old William Mellencamp.

According to Indiana authorities, two vehicles -- a van and a car -- were involved in this Vehicle Crash. William Mellencamp was listed at a local Indianapolis hospital at last check with chest injuries. Jackson County's coroner says Sharlene Mellencamp died at the scene.

At this time, it is unclear who was the driver in this deadly Auto Accident. Statistics show it is often the driver who is killed in vehicle crashes. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that in 2009, 17,640 drivers were killed in crashes while 6,770 passengers died in vehicle collisions. When you look at Indiana alone, the scenario is similar -- more drivers die than passengers. For example, in 2009 in the Hoosier state, 386 drivers died in auto accidents while 136 passengers were killed.

Age, unfortunately, can sometimes play a role in a car crash. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found statistics show the number of fatalities begins to increase after the age of 74. For example, in 2009, in the 65-74 year old age group, 2,374 people were killed in vehicle crashes. In the over 74 years old age group, 2,914 people died in auto collisions.

Of course, the Indianapolis Auto Accident Attorneys at Crossen Kooi realize you can be the victim of a serious and even deadly car crash regardless of your age or if you were the passenger or the driver. However, if you are involved in such situation, there are certain actions you can take to protect yourself and help ensure you receive the proper benefits. As soon as possible, if not immediately after the accident, you should gather and keep key pieces of evidence for future communication with insurance companies and for possible legal proceedings. Those key pieces of evidence can be police reports, accident photos, and witness statements.

INDIANA COMPANY FINED AFTER WORK-RELATED INJURY RESULTING IN DEATH

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 11:52:42 -0500

The Indianapolis Workers Compensation Attorneys at Crossen Kooi have learned an Indiana company is facing a $3600 fine due to a work-related injury that resulted in an employee dying. The fine was levied by the Indiana Department of Labor against Tiller Sanitation. The deadly incident happened on Labor Day of last year. Workplace injuries and deaths are often connected to Indiana Work Comp issues.

As for this workplace death, it apparently happened when two males, 17 year old Stephen Tiller and 19 year old Michael Scott fell off the front of a garbage truck that loaded from the front side. Tiller ended up under the vehicle and died. Scott was thrown to the side and was injured. Delaware County's coroner said the two should not have been on the front of the vehicle.

Tiller Sanitation was fined $1500 for not reporting a worker's fatality to the nearest United States Department of Labor's OSHA office. The company was fined an additional $2100 for not giving its workers an operating manual for the truck and not teaching them how to properly adhere to the operating manual. That booklet details how sanitation employees are not to ride outside the truck on a ledge that's in the front part of the vehicle.

In Indiana and in states throughout the country, employers have specific Work Comp rules and laws to follow to help ensure worker safety. Recording work-related deaths and injuries can help Indiana's Department of Labor make the workplace safer by identifying problem areas.

The Indiana Worker's Compensation Lawyers are very familiar with the specific steps an injured worker should take immediately following the incident. Sticking to these steps can greatly help an injured employee receive the Work Comp benefits he or she deserves. Plus, these steps should be taken no matter how small you might think your injury is. First, you should immediately report your injury to your supervisor or manager and ask them to complete a formal accident report. You should receive a copy of this report from your supervisor or employer. If you require formal medical attention, you should follow all directions of the provider and your employer. That includes going to all appointments and examinations scheduled and following all restrictions. If you will need to miss more than 7 days of work due to your workplace injury, you should contact an attorney for a consultation concerning your temporary total disability rights.

SEMI TRUCK DRIVER DIES IN TRACTOR TRAILER CRASH IN INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 11:30:35 -0500

The Indiana Semi Truck Accident Lawyers at Crossen Kooi can report a Tractor Trailer Driver died in a Vehicle Accident just after midnight Thursday. Indiana State Police say the Truck Crash happened on United States Interstate 65 near Downtown Indianapolis. The truck driver is identified as 30 year old Sukhinder Dhuga from Ontario. His passenger did suffer injuries. Indiana Workers Compensation issues could be involved.

Indiana State Police say the semi truck driver might have fallen asleep while driving; thus, causing the crash. Dhuga apparently went off the right side of the highway, struck a guardrail and flipped. Indiana police say he was stuck under the semi while his passenger was thrown from the vehicle. Medics took both victims to a local Indianapolis hospital. Dhuga died there while his passenger's status is not known at last check by Indianapolis Vehicle Crash Attorneys.

As mentioned earlier, Indiana Work Comp issues might be involved in this case. Workers Compensation is defined as the body of laws that pertains to an injury a worker suffers while in the course and scope of employment. In other words, it's an injury a person suffers while on the job. Each state has its own specific laws to cover Workers Compensation. And the experienced attorneys at Crossen Kooi are well-versed on Indiana's and Illinois's Work Comp laws and can help answer your questions if you believe you are suffering from a work-related injury.

Semi Truck Drivers are frequently victims of Work Comp injuries due to vehicle crashes. According to Truckinginfo.net, the United States Department of Transportation estimates there are more than 500,000 trucking accidents every year. The website further explains more than 75% of truck driving crashes are because of an error by the driver of the passenger vehicle. Only 16% of all truck driving crashes are due to the truck driver’s fault.

No matter who is to blame, injuries can be severe in a semi truck accident. Statistics show about 5,000 people are killed in truck crashes every year. And unfortunately, about 98% of the time, the drivers of the other vehicle are killed in a truck crash.

CONSTRUCTION WORKER KILLED IN VEHICLE CRASH IN INDIANA'S MARION COUNTY

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 11:08:54 -0500

A 43 year old Construction Worker from Indianapolis died in a Vehicle Crash in Indiana's Marion County. The tragic accident happened Thursday at 30th Street and Franklin Road in Indianapolis. The Indianapolis Construction Accident Lawyers learned the victim's name is Juan-Hernandez Rosas.

Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officers say the Vehicle Crash involved several vehicles and started when an unidentified driver plowed through a construction zone. The driver reportedly struck a propane tank before striking a construction flagger, Rosas, who was moving traffic away from workers who were building a barrier on United States Interstate 465. The driver apparently continued on, hitting at least five other vehicles before his car flipped. A female passenger was allegedly in the car as well.

As for injuries in this Auto Accident, the male driver and his female passenger were taken to a local Indianapolis area hospital for treatment of their injuries. They were in police custody. A few other drivers were also hurt in this Car Crash. Rosas's son was also working in the construction zone at the time of the accident. He was working on a crane machine when his dad was struck by the car. He jumped down to assist his dad before medics come to his aid.

INDIANA NAMED ONE OF WORST STATES FOR LONG TERM CARE, NURSING HOME ABUSE

Thu, 06 Oct 2011 14:06:11 -0500

Indiana families know how difficult it can be to find a quality nursing home for their loved ones. Nursing Home Abuse is one big concern. Nursing Home Neglect and Injuries are growing problems that often go unreported or aren't discovered until it is too late. Recently, the Indianapolis Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers read a report by the AARP which detailed the best and worst states for long term care. Unfortunately, the article listed Indiana as one of the worst states, coming in at number 47 out of 50.

The lack of quality Nursing Home care not only in Indiana but throughout the country is getting President Obama's attention. The President recently proposed tough new penalties for skilled nursing facilities whose residents are too often taken to hospitals. These patients are taken to hospitals for treatment of injuries that came from falls, infections or faulty medication management. In other words, many of these patients are victims of Nursing Home Abuse, and these injuries are commonly seen by the experienced Indiana Nursing Home Neglect and Injury Attorneys at Crossen Kooi.

These new penalties for Nursing Home Injuries are part of President Obama's deficit reduction plan. Obama is seeking to cut several hundred million dollars from expected Medicare and Medicaid spending. Some of those cuts would come from payments to nursing homes and home health agencies, but some of those cuts would also target long term care facilities with high hospital admission rates.

The Kaiser Family Foundation found about 40% of Nursing Home patients are admitted to hospitals on average each year, and about 25% of them could be avoided. Additionally, a congressional review panel found about 14% of patients taken directly from hospitals to skilled nursing facilities are re-admitted to hospitals for conditions and/or injuries that could have been prevented.

The penalty for poor Nursing Home Quality of Care in Indiana Nursing Homes and in facilities across the country would be that these facilities could lose up to 3% of their Medicare payment. It would apply to residents who are getting rehabilitation or recovering from a hospital stay. As of now, it would not apply to long term residents getting Medicaid.

While the President's proposal could improve the quality of Nursing Home Care, it is also imperative that people who suspect Nursing Home Abuse report it to the proper authorities to ensure the perpetrators are stopped and punished and that the victims receive the proper care and compensation.

A ZIONSVILLE MAN IS KILLED IN CAR CRASH IN BOONE COUNTY, INDIANA

Wed, 05 Oct 2011 13:45:55 -0500

A Car Accident in Boone County, Indiana left one man dead. The Auto Collision happened Wednesday morning on United States Interstate 865. The Indianapolis Car Crash Attorneys at Crossen Kooi learned 23 year old Max Watters from Zionsville, Indiana was killed in the accident. A man in another vehicle was also hurt in this Vehicle Collision.

Indiana State Police say Watters apparently drove his car across the median on United States Interstate 865 and into oncoming vehicles. Indiana investigators say his car then crashed into a mini van driven by 33 year old Jonathon Sherrill from Franklin, Indiana. Sherrill's two young daughters were in the vehicle at the time of the crash, but fortunately, they were not hurt. However, Sherrill did suffer injuries. The force of the Car Collision apparently caused Watters's car to split in two. He was taken to a local Indianapolis Hospital where he died.

Too many people are killed every year in Auto Accidents not only in Indiana but throughout the country. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration compiles data on deadly vehicle accidents in an effort to make our roads safer. While it is not clear why Watters drove his car across the median and into oncoming traffic, researchers with the NHTSA found that failing to stay in the proper lane is a leading cause of deadly motor vehicle accidents. In fact, nationwide in 2009, failure to stay in the proper lane resulted in 7,696 drivers involved in deadly crashes. That made up 17% of all the drivers in fatal vehicle accidents.

In Indiana in 2009, not staying in the proper lane resulted in the third most drivers involved in deadly vehicle collisions. Swerving or avoiding due to wind, slippery surface, etc. and driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or medication were the top two related factors for drivers involved in fatal crashes in Indiana in 2009.

Many more people are injured in Auto Accidents than are killed in them, but the effects can still be devastating not only for the victims but for their families as well. The Indiana Car Crash Attorneys strongly recommend victims take specific steps following an accident to ensure they receive the compensation they deserve to help them recover their losses. As soon as possible following the accident, victims should gather police reports, accident photos, witness statements, driving records, and medical records.