Impact of Social Media on Personal Injury/Medical Malpractice Cases

People injured through the fault of another, such as a personal injury case, often must retain a lawyer and see that a lawsuit is filed on their behalf so that their rights are protected. If you are seriously injured by a negligent driver in a truck crash or car accident, or due to substandard medical care, you may need to take your case to court if the insurance company either denies responsibility, or is not willing to be fair in the settlement process. Once a claim is made, or especially when a case is filed, your health and medical history becomes "fair game" for the insurance company or defense lawyers to investigate.

 

What people often don't realize is that the insurance companies and their attorneys have been known to check social media sites to look for postings by people who have made claims for their injuries or filed cases for fair compensation. Injury claims are then compared to statements on sites like Facebook and MySpace, and if there are inconsistencies, they can be used against the injured person. For instance, if a car crash victim who claims an inability to do certain activities, then talks about doing those activities on a networking site, those posts can be exploited by the insurance company fighting the claim.

 

There was an actual case in which a seriously injured crash victim claimed he couldn't engage in vigorous activities such as bike riding like he used to.  He also said he was limited in hobbies such as painting.  Unfortunately, he posted anecdotes about himself biking and painting and then his posts were used to discredit his case and lower its value.

 

Statements taken out of context can be used against even honest and truthful people and posts to social media sites can create unnecessary skepticism and potentially have a huge impact on a legal case. I, Christopher L. Jackson, can advise you through every step of your personal injury or medical malpractice case, including what information not to share on social networking sites. Contact me at (859) 261-1111. 

Medication Errors are an Increasing Problem for Ohio and Kentucky Residents

Many people rely on doctors to provide accurate medical diagnoses and pharmacists to properly fill prescriptions. However, sometimes these expectations are not met. Unfortunately, the result of a misdiagnosis or a prescription mistake can be severe for patients, who often have to file a medical malpractice claim to get their lives back on track.

 

As Americans continue to use an increasing number of medications, it becomes more likely that doctors and pharmacists, if they fail to provide appropriate care, will end up confusing prescriptions. However, medication and pharmacy errors can cause serious personal injuries, and it is patients who are left to pick up the pieces.

 

At least 1.5 million people are harmed each year from medication errors. According to a report released by the Institute of Medicine, hospitals experience at least one error in medication per patient each day.

 

Sometimes patients misunderstand directions and cause their own medication errors. Still, there are other times when a doctor prescribes the wrong medication or the pharmacist makes a mistake in filling a prescription. In these cases, the patient may be entitled to compensation for damages suffered as a result of medical negligence. When a hospital or pharmacist fails to meet a reasonable standard of care, and that failure causes harm, injury or even death to another person, then that person or their family is entitled to compensation through a medical malpractice claim. In the event that the patient is fatally injured, this may also lead to a wrongful death claim.

 

Medical malpractice cases can be emotionally draining and complicated for all parties involved. Ohio residents who have been injured as a result of medical negligence should be fully aware of their rights as victims. If you or someone you love are a victim of a medication error, contact me, Christopher L. Jackson, Attorney at Law, at (859) 261-1111.

 

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Christopher L. Jackson, Attorney at Law

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Founder of Crocs Arrested for DUI, Blames Taylor Swift

The founder of Crocs shoes was arrested last week for driving drunk after he was allegedly discovered unconscious in his Porsche, but he had a bizarre excuse for his behavior, according to a report from Reuters.

 

Sources say that, when he was approached by Colorado police, George Boedecker said he hadn’t been driving the car. When officers asked who had been driving, Boedecker said his “girlfriend,” pop singer Taylor Swift, had been behind the wheel.

 

The responding officers, naturally, were not convinced, so they pressed Boedecker about the location of his girlfriend, who was nowhere to be seen when officers approached the car.

 

In response, Boedecker reportedly pointed to a nearby yard and claimed that Swift was hiding there. After a cursory search, police officers failed to find the 22-year-old singer, who, luckily, was thousands of miles away at the time.

 

Unfortunately for the entrepreneur and founder of the popular Crocs shoe line, Boedecker’s bizarre behavior did not stop after the claims about his imaginary relationship with Taylor Swift.

 

When the police tried to take the 51-year-old millionaire into custody, he told them he had “17 (expletive) homes” and when police asked him to perform a field sobriety test, he told them “I’m not doing your (expletive) maneuvers,” according to sources. Boedecker’s colorful language, as well as his failure to perform the field sobriety test, could lead to extra jail time or increased fines if he is convicted for a DUI.

 

In many states, DUI laws state that drivers implicitly consent to certain sobriety tests when they get behind the wheel of a car. In these states, if drivers fail to perform they test, they may be presumed drunk, and could face a heavier sentence.

 

Sources are not sure if Colorado consent laws cover field sobriety test, although the state does have a consent law with respect to breathalyzer tests, which measure drivers’ levels of intoxication in a non-invasive manner.

 

Of course, if Boedecker made any physical contact with the police officers, or attempted to flee the scene of the crime, he could’ve faced additional charges of resisting arrest.

 

So the lesson to be learned from Boedecker’s bizarre arrest is, first, do not drink and drive. It’s simply not worth the danger or the potential legal consequences.

And second, if you do happen to be pulled over on suspicion of driving drunk, be on your best behavior when dealing with the police. Giving the police trouble only dares them to add extra charges to the DUI.

 

If you have been charged with DUI, or involved in an accident with a drunk driver, call me, Christopher L. Jackson, Attorney at Law, at (859) 261-1111.

 

 

 

 

The founder of Crocs shoes was arresteThe founder of Crocs shoes was arrested last week for driving drunk after he was allegedly discovered unconscious in his Porsche, but he had a bizarre excuse for his behavior, according to a report from Reuters.

Sources say that, when he was approached by Colorado police, George Boedecker said he hadn’t been driving the car. When officers asked who had been driving, Boedecker said his “girlfriend,” pop singer Taylor Swift, had been behind the wheel.

The responding officers, naturally, were not convinced, so they pressed Boedecker about the location of his girlfriend, who was nowhere to be seen when officers approached the car.

In response, Boedecker reportedly pointed to a nearby yard and claimed that Swift was hiding there. After a cursory search, police officers failed to find the 22-year-old singer, who, luckily, was thousands of miles away at the time.

Unfortunately for the entrepreneur and founder of the popular Crocs shoe line, Boedecker’s bizarre behavior did not stop after the claims about his imaginary relationship with Taylor Swift.

When the police tried to take the 51-year-old millionaire into custody, he told them he had “17 (expletive) homes” and when police asked him to perform a field sobriety test, he told them “I’m not doing your (expletive) maneuvers,” according to sources.

 

And Boedecker’s colorful language, as well as his failure to perform the field sobriety test, could lead to extra jail time or increased fines if he is convicted for a DUI.

In many states, DUI laws state that drivers implicitly consent to certain sobriety tests when they get behind the wheel of a car. In these states, if drivers fail to perform they test, they may be presumed drunk, and could face a heavier sentence.

Sources are not sure if Colorado consent laws cover field sobriety test, although the state does have a consent law with respect to breathalyzer tests, which measure drivers’ levels of intoxication in a non-invasive manner.

Of course, if Boedecker made any physical contact with the police officers, or attempted to flee the scene of the crime, he could’ve faced additional charges of resisting arrest.

So the lesson to be learned from Boedecker’s bizarre arrest is, first, do not drink and drive. It’s simply not worth the danger or the potential legal consequences.

And second, if you do happen to be pulled over on suspicion of driving drunk, be on your best behavior when dealing with the police. Giving the police trouble only dares them to add extra charges to the DUI.

d last week for drunk driving after he was allegedly discovered unconscious in his Porsche, but he had a bizarre excuse for his behavior, according to a report from Reuters.

Sources say that, when he was approached by Colorado police, George Boedecker said he hadn’t been driving the car. When officers asked who had been driving, Boedecker said his “girlfriend,” pop singer Taylor Swift, had been behind the wheel.

The responding officers, naturally, were not convinced, so they pressed Boedecker about the location of his girlfriend, who was nowhere to be seen when officers approached the car.

In response, Boedecker reportedly pointed to a nearby yard and claimed that Swift was hiding there. After a cursory search, police officers failed to find the 22-year-old singer, who, luckily, was thousands of miles away at the time.

Unfortunately for the entrepreneur and founder of the popular Crocs shoe line, Boedecker’s bizarre behavior did not stop after the claims about his imaginary relationship with Taylor Swift.

When the police tried to take the 51-year-old millionaire into custody, he told them he had “17 (expletive) homes” and when police asked him to perform a field sobriety test, he told them “I’m not doing your (expletive) maneuvers,” according to sources.

And Boedecker’s colorful language, as well as his failure to perform the field sobriety test, could lead to extra jail time or increased fines if he is convicted for a DUI.

In many states, DUI laws state that drivers implicitly consent to certain sobriety tests when they get behind the wheel of a car. In these states, if drivers fail to perform they test, they may be presumed drunk, and could face a heavier sentence.

Sources are not sure if Colorado consent laws cover field sobriety test, although the state does have a consent law with respect to breathalyzer tests, which measure drivers’ levels of intoxication in a non-invasive manner.

Of course, if Boedecker made any physical contact with the police officers, or attempted to flee the scene of the crime, he could’ve faced additional charges of resisting arrest.

So the lesson to be learned from Boedecker’s bizarre arrest is, first, do not drink and drive. It’s simply not worth the danger or the potential legal consequences.

And second, if you do happen to be pulled over on suspicion of driving drunk, be on your best behavior when dealing with the police. Giving the police trouble only dares them to add extra charges to the DUI.