Tag Archives: death

First Aid Safety, General Safety Issues, Hand Protection, Respiratory Safety

AID FOR THE PHILLIPINES

Following the most horrific typhoon to ever hit land anywhere,  last Friday, November 8th, almost two million people of the Phillipine Islands, were either killed, hurt, or left homeless, without food or clothes.  The hardest hit was Tacloban City, Leyte province in the central Phillipines.   The death toll remains unknown, because of the destruction and devastation thoughout the country.  President Benigno Aquino declared a state of national calamity.  Local military have been assisting citizens as best they can, passing out water and also trying to control looting. 

The people of the Phillipines are homeless, starving, and sick.  Twenty-one countries have pledged to send relief through food and sanitation products, as well as medical assistance, and money.  People are camping in the Tacloban City Astrodome, which brings back memories of the people of New Orleans, staying in the Superdome when Hurricane Katrina hit.  With thousands of people jammed inside the structure, one can only imagine the lack of sanitation.   Disease will take its toll on those who remain homeless. 

In Tacloban, a hillside mass burial was held Thursday, November 14th.  Bodies still remain in the streets.  Only few survivors have received water and food, due to the delay in reaching them.  Aid material is plentiful but because the airport was heavily damaged , planes couldn’t land, in addition,  destroyed and blocked roads had to be cleared.  Desperately needed aid has begun to reach some of the one-half million people that have been displaced by the disaster.  The U.S.S. George Washington aircraft carrier arrived on the Phillipine Sea near the Gulf of Leyte Thursday.  They will set up a position to assess damage and furnish needed food, water, and supplies.  Twenty-one helicopters aboard the carrier will be able to view and hopefully get to inaccessible places.  Six more U.S. ships are in the area, as well as the Marines.  

Over 4,000 persons have been confirmed dead, but those numbers are expected to far surpass the total.  It is going to take a long time to completely assess the damage and complete loss.  Medical aid and supplies are needed urgently.  Rescue workers and medical personnel will need personal protection, such as medical grade gloves, respirators, and other important gear to avoid disease. 

Worldwide charities will be gathering money, donations of food and clothing, and other items that can assist the typhoon victims.  Most of them have only the clothes they were wearing last Friday.  If you are able to help, please choose the charity you know will be dedicated to sending relief for the people of the Phillipines as soon as possible.

General Safety Issues

5 Amusement Park Tragedies

When you go to an amusement park you expect a day of rides, games, and fun—you do not expect to be injured, or worse, killed. Nothing can make you more wary about getting onto a ride than knowing that people do get seriously injured. Sometimes it is due to breaking of rules such as entering a restricted area, others it is the fault of the ride operator, and then there are the times when it is a ride malfunction that results in tragedy.

GUEST BLOG

This is the second article sent to us by Emily Kreifels, of the law firm of Console Hollawell, in New Jersey.  When we take family or friends to amusement parks, we anticipate having fun, but accidents can happen.  We know you will be interested in reading about five such tragedies.  Attorney, Richard Console is the author of this article, as well as the first one we published about toy recalls.  Please remember their website: http://www.consoleandhollawell.com/

amusement-park-accident-300x200When you go to an amusement park you expect a day of rides, games, and fun—you do not expect to be injured, or worse, killed. Nothing can make you more wary about getting onto a ride than knowing that people do get seriously injured. Sometimes it is due to breaking of rules such as entering a restricted area, others it is the fault of the ride operator, and then there are the times when it is a ride malfunction that results in tragedy.

There are some theme park accidents we will never forget. Here are some of the most notorious and memorable amusement park tragedies that have happened in this country.

Batman-Six-Flags-over-GeorgiaPhoto credit: WikiMedia.

Six Flags Over Georgia, Austell, GA

We have all seen the signs that hang on the fences surrounding amusement park attractions. They are there for a reason, and going beyond the signs could mean tragedy as it did for one teen at the Six Flags Over Georgia park. The teenager had just come off of the “Batman” ride when he made the decision to hop two fences, which said the area was restricted, along with one of his friends in order to retrieve the hat he lost during the ride. While in the restricted area the ride came past, decapitating the teen. The friend and individuals on the ride were not injured. The ride was said to have been going full speed at 50 miles per hour when it stuck the teen.

Six-Flags-Kentucky-Kingdom

Photo credit: rollercoasterpro.

Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom, Louisville, KY

It was supposed to be a day of fun when 14-year-old Kaitlyn Lasitter and her friends visited Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom in June 2007, but it ended in tragedy. The girls decided to ride the “Superman Tower of Power” attraction, and since there were no lines the girls decided to ride a second time. When the ride began the second time, Lasitter reported that the ride jolted, then she and her friends started to get hit with falling cables all over their bodies. The teen realized when they were finally on the ground that the cables had severed both of her feet. Doctors were able to reattach only the right foot. The family sued the park and they reached a settlement outside of court for an undisclosed amount.

Darien-Lake-Ride-of-Steel

Photo credit: WBTA1490.

Darien Lake Amusement Park, Darien, NY

Sgt. James Hackemer died when he fell out of the “Ride of Steel” at Darien Lake Amusement Park in July 2011. The Iraqi war veteran lost both of his legs in a roadside bombing while he was serving our country. Hackemer’s nephew, who attended the park with him, reported to the New York Post that he remembers his uncle asking the park staff which rides were okay for him to go on and they told them he was fine to go on them all. The “Ride of Steel,” a rollercoaster that is 208 feet high and reaches speeds upwards of 70 miles per hour, only offers a lap belt and bar to hold its guests in. The Sgt., having no legs and in turn no lap, should not have been allowed on the ride as it could not properly secure him. The victim fell out of the car on the first turn after the highest drop on the ride.

Disney-monorail

Photo credit: NTSB.

Disney World, Orlando, FL

One of the perks to staying in the Disney World park is that the monorail can transport you all over the park. In 2009, two monorail trains crashed, which caused the death of Austin Wuennenberg, 21, who was operating one of the trains. The crash was reported to have been a result of a beam not fully transferring over, causing the two trains to be on the same track. The park was fined by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the amount was undisclosed. Since the crash that caused $24,000,000 in damages, Disney has implemented new safety procedures that require monorail operators to carefully and diligently watch a beam change to try and avoid another crash.

Big-Thunder-Mountain-Train

Photo credit: Kevdo.

Disneyland, Anaheim, CA

Marcelo Torres, 22, was killed while riding the “Big Thunder Mountain Railroad” attraction in 2003. A locomotive separated from the track in a tunnel section of the ride, which injured several other guests in addition to killing Torres. He suffered blunt force trauma to the chest and bled out. The family settled out of court with the park for an undisclosed amount, but they did donate a large sum of money to a California college to set up a scholarship fund in their son’s name—he was a graphic designer.

If you or someone you love has been injured as a result of an amusement park accident contact a skilled personal injury attorney to get the compensation you deserve.  This information was furnished by http://www.consoleandhollawell.com/; we appreciate their sharing things that could happen when we are out for a fun day.

General Safety Issues

“HAZING” IS A CRUEL WORD

It seems the only time the word “hazing” is brought to our attention is when something horrible happens to a young person bent on joining some type of organization.  Just recently, the death of a Florida A&M drum major has been ruled a homicide, as reported by the state medical examiner’s office.  The young man had bruises to his chest, arms, shoulder, and back, as well as internal bleeding, which caused him to go into shock, which killed him.  The hazing occurred on the band bus, where he was found unresponsive, according to witnesses. 

Over the past several years, hazing cases have emerged.  A spot in the marching band is coveted and many bands are as revered as much as the sports team.  In 1998, a clarinet player from Ocala, Florida, said he was paddled around 300 times, sending him to the hospital and leaving him physically and emotionally scarred.   In 2001, a MU band member suffered kidney damage because of being beaten with a paddle.  In 2008, according to an AP release, two first-year French horn players in Southern University’s marching band had to be hospitalized after a beating.  In 2009, 20 members of Jackson State University’s band were suspended after being accused of hazing.  Now, Florida A&M is going to be taking steps to ensure that they can create a safe environment for the entire school community and that this will never happen again at FAMU.  One of the most important things for parents is the assurance that their children are going to be safe when they join a high school or college group.  Years ago, we were initiated when we entered high school as freshmen.  We had to wear silly things, or sing to a football hero, etc., but there was never the violence that is associated with hazing, as it seems to be now, in many cases.  We aren’t saying it happens in all groups, but there should be rules established to prevent injury or possible death to new members.

According to StopHazing.org, there are three types of hazing: Subtle Hazing; Harrassment Hazing; and Violent Hazing.  Here’s an explanation of each type.  See if any of them are familiar to you or someone you know: 

Subtle Hazing: Behaviors that emphasize a power imbalance between new and other members of the group or team.  Subtle is termed as such because this type is often taken-for-granted or accepted as harmless.  Some examples of this type of hazing are:

  • Deception.
  • Demerits.
  • Requiring new members to perform duties not assigned to others.
  • Socially isolating new members.
  • Silence periods with implied threats for violation.
  • Line-ups and drills on meaningless information.
  • Name calling.
  • Requiring new members to refer to other members with titles, while they are identified with demeaning terms.
  • Expecting certain items to always be in one’s possession.

Harassment Hazing:  Behaviors that cause emotional anguish or physical discomfort in order to feel like part of the group.  It confuses, frustrates and causes undue stress for new membership.  Here are some examples:

  • Threats or implied threats.
  • Verbal abuse
  • Asking new members to wear embarrassing or humiliating attire.
  • Stunt or skit nights with degrading, crude, or humiliating acts.
  • New members being told to perform personal service to other members.
  • Sleep deprivation.
  • Sexual stimulation.
  • Depriving new members of bodily cleanliness.
  • Be expected to harass others.

Violent Hazing:  Behaviors that have the potential to cause physical and/or emotional, or psychological harm.  Some examples:

  • Forced or coerced drug or alcohol consumption.
  • Beating, paddling, or other forms of assault.
  • Branding.
  • Forced or coerced ingestion of vile substances or concoctions.
  • Burning.
  • Water intoxication.
  • Expecting new members to abuse or mistreat animals.
  • Public nudity.
  • Bondage.
  • Requiring illegal activity.
  • Exposure to cold weather or extreme heat without appropriate protection.
  • Abductions or kidnaps. 

The problem of hazing is very complex, with no “easy answers.”  Every individual has an important role to play in helping to solve the problem of hazing.  We all must build awareness and develop intervention strategies to eliminate harmful hazing.  There’s no group worth being in to go through this type of humiliation and possible injury.  Hazing extends far beyond college fraternities and sororities, school groups, athletic teams, bands, and the military.  The activities of these groups should concur with fraternal law, ritual or policy or the regulations and policies of the educational institution.   Educational institutions owe it to their students to ensure their safety.

General Safety Issues

DO YOU KNOW THE SIGNS OF STROKE?

Are you aware that stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States, and that approximately 137,000 Americans die each year, resulting from stroke?  Cause of stroke is usually either a clot blocking the blood vessels, or bleeding in the brain.  It is important to recognize the signs of stroke and get medical help immediately.  The faster a person can receive medical attention, the greater their chance of recovery.  Because death or serious disabilities can be caused by stroke, here are some important symptoms to watch for:
q Sudden numbness, paralysis, or weakness in face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body.
q Abrupt vision changes.
q Slurred speech, drooling, or feeling confused.
q A severe headache that feels different from normal headaches and comes on quickly.
If you are with someone whom you suspect may be having a stroke, call for help immediately.  Some signs of stroke may be that the person may not be able to smile, talk, such as speak simple sentences, or raise both arms.  A rule of thumb to remember is S-T-R, which describes things you may ask them to do while waiting for an ambulance.  But a doctor must diagnose and treat the person, and time is of the essence!
There are many factors that contribute to stroke.  Keep these in mind:
à High blood pressure, high cholesterol or triglycerides, diabetes, obesity.  These are conditions that should be monitored often.  Salt intake should be limited.
à Risky behaviors, such as smoking, drinking too much alcohol, or physical inactivity.
à Heredity also plays a role in the risk of stroke.
Because I lost both my parents and three of my grandparents to stroke, I have known that there are things I must do to try to stay healthy.  I love to eat sweets, and I would be fibbing if I told you I always eat healthy.  But I exercise every day, (I still walk my dog Buddy every day, as well as go to the fitness center), watch my blood pressure, and try to avoid stress if possible.
A stroke can be debilitating for an individual and their family, as well.  We are fortunate that physical and occupational rehabilitation can restore patients to their normal functions in some cases.  By paying attention to our bodies and living a healthy lifestyle as much as possible, we all must try to avoid being a victim of stroke.
Source:
Centers for Disease Control
Web M.D.
Are you aware that stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States, and that approximately 137,000 Americans die each year, resulting from stroke?  Cause of stroke is usually either a clot blocking the blood vessels, or bleeding in the brain.  It is important to recognize the signs of stroke and get medical help immediately.  The faster a person can receive medical attention, the greater their chance of recovery.  Because death or serious disabilities can be caused by stroke, here are some important symptoms to watch for:
  • Sudden numbness, paralysis, or weakness in face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body.
  • Abrupt vision changes.
  • Slurred speech, drooling, or feeling confused.
  • A severe headache that feels different from normal headaches and comes on quickly.
If you are with someone whom you suspect may be having a stroke, call for help immediately.  Some signs of stroke may be that the person may not be able to smile, talk, such as speak simple sentences, or raise both arms.  A rule of thumb to remember is S-T-R, which describes things you may ask them to do while waiting for an ambulance.  But a doctor must diagnose and treat the person, and time is of the essence!
There are many factors that contribute to stroke.  Keep these in mind:
  • High blood pressure, high cholesterol or triglycerides, diabetes, obesity.  These are conditions that should be monitored often.  Salt intake should be limited.
  • Risky behaviors, such as smoking, drinking too much alcohol, or physical inactivity.
  • Heredity also plays a role in the risk of stroke.
Because I lost both my parents and three of my grandparents to stroke, I have known that there are things I must do to try to stay healthy.  I love to eat sweets, and I would be fibbing if I told you I always eat healthy.  But I exercise every day, (I still walk my dog Buddy every day, as well as go to the fitness center), watch my blood pressure, and try to avoid stress if possible.
A stroke can be debilitating for an individual and their family, as well.  We are fortunate that physical and occupational rehabilitation can restore patients to their normal functions in some cases.  By paying attention to our bodies and living a healthy lifestyle as much as possible, we all must try to avoid being a victim of stroke.
Source:
Centers for Disease Control
Web M.D.