Archive for November, 2009

Car Seats Dangerous When Used Outside the Car According to Study

Car safety seats save thousands of lives each year, and are essential for restraining a child.  California product liability lawyers stress that children need to be restrained properly, but a new study reveals that some newer car seats can be used as a baby carrier as well.  These new systems have caused thousands of injuries, according to a study done by pediatric orthopedist Shital Parikh.  The results of this study were revealed in Washington at the American Academic of Pediatrics annual conference.

Many injuries occur every year due to car seats being placed on top of counters, tables and beds.  In fact, every year over 8,700 infants are into he emergency room for treatment because of accidents that occur because of these car seats being used outside of the car.  Many times, the infants are not buckled in properly and fall out of the seat.  When placed on soft surfaces like beds, the risk of the car seat falling over places infants at great danger of suffocation.

About half of the injuries that occur are inside the home.  Head injuries, and fractures to the arms and legs account for the majority of these injuries.  Between 2003 and 2007, according to the study, three babies died due to improper use of these car seats, with about 680 babies requiring hospital treatment.  Parents need to be more informed about the risks associated with using car seats outside of their cars.  They should always be placed on a hard, flat surface where there is less danger of the seat toppling over.

As odd as it sounds, a new condition called “container syndrome” is now being observed by the American Physical Therapy Association.  This condition is caused when infants spend an excessive amount of time buckled into a car seat.  This can cause their muscles to weaken, and their heads often get misshapen and flat due to spending so much time placed on their backs.  Experts believe that car seats are best used only when traveling to prevent the dangers that can occur.

Placing babies in a car seat that is properly installed while traveling can reduce the risk of fatalities by as much as 75%, and California defective car seat lawyers know that these seats spare many babies from serious injury.  The secret to increasing safety is to insure that the car seat is installed properly, so that risk of injuries is not actually increased.

The Reeves Law Group has offices across California, and is dedicated to representing personal injury victims, including victims of defective child seats.  Please contact us for a free consultation at (800) 644-8000.

PTSD Treatment Counseling Therapy Makes a Positive Change in Your Life

When you or a loved one suffer from PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), treatment counseling therapy is effective in helping the individual regain a happy, productive life.  Traumatic events that have caused the anxiety in your life may seem difficult to overcome; however, professionals can help what now seems impossible a reality that changes your life for the better.

PTSD is often triggered by events of the past.  War veterans may suffer; those who were abused or neglected as a child may be affected.  Rape, witnessing a murder, and many other traumatic events may cause the condition.  Any dramatic or tragic event can cause anxiety, depression, nightmares and other symptoms that may lead to alcohol and drug abuse.  Cognitive behavioral therapy is one of the most effective treatments, and helps the individual identify certain thoughts and how they make the symptoms worse.

Every person is different, so the particular treatment for those affected often vary.  In many instances, Arizona PTSD treatment counseling therapy combined with medications may be the most effective.  For others, therapy and counseling alone may be all that is needed.  Your therapist will assist in determining what goals are most important to you.  Some people desire to learn how to cope with their sadness or guilt, while others want to focus more on improving relationships and communication skills.

Those who suffer from post traumatic stress disorder often blame themselves for things that they feel they could have done or changed, even though they could not have done more.  Cognitive behavioral therapy helps in targeting these negative thoughts, so that they may be replaced with thoughts that are less distressing.  Coping with fear, guilt and anger is also essential.  When you have the skills to deal with your symptoms, you will find that life becomes much easier, and the depression and anxiety you often feel is decreased to a minimum.

There is a silver lining in the cloud that seems to hang over your life!  In a relatively short time, your life can change dramatically.  You can feel happy again, regain relationships, and bond with your family.  Everyday life can be free of anxiety and depression, because you learn how to effectively cope with these issues.  Are you ready for a positive change in your life?   Arizona treatment counseling therapy is definitely effective, and an option you should seriously consider.

Stronger Warnings About Safety of Botox Demanded by FDA

Makers of Botox and other similar drugs have been required by the Federal Drug Administration to issue stronger warnings about unapproved uses which may have potential health hazards.  Some uses such as treatment of muscle spasms, twitches and neck pain have been reported.

The danger lies in complications that could arise if the Botulinum toxin were to spread beyond the injection site and elsewhere into the body.  Children suffering from cerebral palsy were administered Botulinum toxin to treat the uncontrollable muscular spasms that are common with the disease.  Use of Botox in instances like these can result in the muscles necessary for swallowing and breathing to become paralyzed.  Other complications could include weakness of the muscles, loss of bladder control, problems with vision and even death.

The use of Botox has been approved by the FDA for the treatment of frown lines and wrinkles and muscle spasms in the feet, neck or eye.  It has also been approved for excessive sweating.  Of course, millions across the world, including many well known celebrities, have used Botox to take years off of their looks.  This works by freezing the muscles that are responsible for creating the lines and wrinkles.  If you have been injured by bad medical products, consider contacting a San Diego pharmaceutical liability lawyer.

Allergen, Solstice Neurosciences and Medicis, according to the FDA, need to place stronger warnings on their products stating the dangers of unapproved uses of Botox.  According to Allergen, who has released a statement about the safety and efficiency of Botox, reports are rare that the toxin spreads into the rest of the body from the injection site.  These rare side effects were reported when Botox was used in the legs of children who have Cerebral Palsy in order to treat spasticity.  Adults with neck spasms were also treated with the drug, and neither of these uses is approved by the FDA.

Doctors have prescribed drugs for purposes other than their intended use, which is allowed, so using drugs for unapproved purposes is not something new.  However, promoting an unapproved use of a drug is not allowed by companies according to the FDA.  Controversies surrounding Botox have been around ever since the drug came on the scene in the 1980’s, and there has not been any strong evidence that dangerous side effects have occurred.

The Reeves Law Group has offices across California, and is dedicated to representing personal injury victims, including victims of recalled products.  Serving Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego, Riverside County, San Bernardino, Ventura & beyond. Please contact us for a free consultation at (800) 644-8000.

Why Use Reservations Software? You Would Be Surprised!

You may have heard of dining reservations software, and wondered why any restaurant owner would want to spend the money.  Without a doubt, this new technology can save you much more money in the long run than you spend on it - and the difference it makes in your customers dining experience?  Let’s just say once you have it, you will never be without it again.

So, what’s so great about dining reservations software?  Well, where do we start.  It automates a huge portion of your business, which makes everyday life much less stressful for not only you, but your staff members as well.  Reservations, cancellations, multiple locations and customer preferences can all be handled effortlessly, leaving you much less stressed at the end of the day.  And those nervous new employees that dread learning customer names and preferences?  It’s all a breeze; this technology allows them to look up this information, so that they greet the client the right way the first time, and each time thereafter!

If you run your business manually, you know that staff members often get their wires crossed.  One employee may take a cancellation over the phone, and the rest of the staff may not be aware of this.  What happens?  That table may sit empty for a length of time, meaning that you have lost potential revenue.  The same thing can happen with reservations - two different staff members may reserve the same table, which can create an embarrassing situation.

Dining reservations software is in a word, simply amazing.  You can even communicate with your clients through email, which is extremely impressive and helps avoid mix-ups.  How many times have clients tried to phone you to make a reservation or cancellation, only to get a busy signal?  This can cause confusion and create problems as well.  Don’t risk it - give your customers the relaxed, enjoyable dining experience they truly deserve.

Some food establishment owners manage multiple locations.  You can run your business from a single location, which cuts down tremendously on traveling from one restaurant to the other to make certain all is going as it should be.  Are you convinced yet?  If you are still running your business the same way they did it 20 years ago, get out of the dark ages!  Dining reservations software is a miraculous invention, and one you’re sure to love.

iPod Car Adapters Let You Enjoy Your Commute

Traveling in the mornings to school or work and listening to the talk shows is ok, but sometimes they get boring or are talking about a subject you really aren’t interested in.  iPod car adapters let you avoid this, so that all you will be hearing are your favorite songs!  This means your morning commute, no matter where you are headed, will be much more enjoyable.

If you live in a big city, traveling to and from work each day often involves sitting in traffic for long periods of time, which can get boring.  While you could just listen to the radio, commercials and news broadcasts are often what you hear during these peak times of day.  iPod car adapters allow you to listen only to your particular selection of music, so your wait can at least be a little less monotonous.

Are you concerned that your car may be too old to accommodate this exciting technology?  Not to worry - with three options available, nearly any make or model can be transformed so that you can listen to your iPod everywhere you go.  If your vehicle is a few years old and came with a factory installed cassette player, you are in business!  A cassette adapter is all you need to be able to switch your car over from boring radio stations to music that rocks!

iPod car adapters can work with literally any Apple product, including the iPod Nano, iPod Shuffle and iPod Classic.  These adapters work by allowing your music to be broadcast through the stereo system in your car, so that you can use your stereo controls to choose the songs you want to play, which makes driving somewhat safer than messing with the iPod itself.

Of course as with most products, the more expensive option you choose the better sound quality you will get.  However, if you are on a limited budget and cash is tight, the less expensive options still allow you to listen to your favorite tunes and artists without interruption, and with adequate sound quality.  Installation is simple with most adapters, and even the most difficult can be done if you are somewhat mechanically inclined.

What are you waiting for?  Are you ready to end those boring commutes each morning and night, filled with commercials and songs that aren’t really your cup of tea?  iPod car adapters are possibly the best invention ever for loyal music fans.  Learn more about your options, and start traveling in a far more enjoyable fashion.

Dangers of Cell Phone Use Demonstated by Unicycling Clown

A new study involving legitimate research may seem lighthearted, but it demonstrates well the dangers of driving while using a cell phone, which is a real concern for California car accident lawyers.  They know all too well the increased accident rates that result from this behavior.  Distracted driving is making more and more headlines in the news each day, and for good reason.

In this study, the authors watched as a man rode a unicycle across the square on campus while wearing a clown suit, to see how aware the college students were.  Afterward, the authors interviewed approximately 150 college-age individuals who were walking across the campus square at the time, to learn if they noticed anything peculiar.  Interestingly, the students who were talking on cell phones, when asked if they noticed anything unusual, did not.  Even when the event of the clown riding a unicycle was mentioned, those who were using cell phones at the time were only half as likely to notice the peculiarity as others who were in the same area and not using electronics, or listening to music.

This study pointed out some very real findings.  Walking is one of the most natural activities of a human, but those talking on cell phones did not pay attention to their surroundings.  Driving a car is much more technical, so it is hard to imagine what the real dangers of talking on a cell phone or engaging in other distractions can result in.  These findings were pointed out by the lead researcher of the study, Ira Hyman Jr.

It seems that listening to music on iPods is not nearly as distracting as talking on a cell phone, according to this study.  Many have grouped distractions together, but it seems that this is a fallacy, and that having an actual conversation on a cell phone requires more effort than simply listening to music, as it means that the driver must listen to what the other person has to say, then concentrate on an answer.  This is difficult to do while still maintaining full attention on the road.

Also noted in the study is the fact that even those who are walking while talking on a cell phone are more distracted, walk more slowly, and generally weave in different directions more often.  It generally took someone talking on a cell phone 83 seconds to cross the square, while those listening to music or walking without any devices took an average of 74 to 75 seconds.  This study touches on another subject that California pedestrian accident lawyers have been aware of, which is pedestrian distractions.

The Reeves Law Group has offices across California and is dedicated to representing personal injury victims, including victims of pedestrian accidents.  Please contact us for a free consultation at (800) 644-8000.