Dallas Personal Injury Lawyer

CT Scans are supposed to detect cancer, but are they really causing it?

Jeff Rasansky — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 18:00:37 GMT

Recent studies have raised questions about the safety of CT scans. Commonly used to detect cancer, the scans are now being looked at as a potential cause of cancer. The scans use X-rays and computer processing tomography to produce three-dimensional images of the body and its various parts. The two studies, conducted in the United States, show that patients who have been exposed to radiation from CT scans may develop cancer years later. Just one CT scan can expose a patient to the same amount of radiation present in 309 chest x-rays, meaning that if the radiation does cause cancer, even a person who has had only a few CT scans may have been harmed by that exposure. The first study concluded that one 40-year-old woman out of 270 and one 40-year-old man out of 600 who underwent a CT scan of coronary arteries would each develop cancer as a result of the test. The second study found that of the 72 million CT scan images done in the United States in 2007 would result in the development of 29,000 supplementary cancers. The data excludes patients who already had a tumor or had the scan as part of end of life treatment.

These studies have received a great deal of attention because the risk of cancer suggested by the studies is much higher than previously thought to exist. Also, use of CT scans and the number of scans conducted in the U.S. has tripled in recent years. It’s possible that the new studies may have an impact on reversing that trend. Medical professionals may (and should) reevaluate the low-threshold for ordering a CT scan that has been present in the health field for the last decade. Although an excellent diagnostic tool, many have been quick to point out that CT scans are overused, and expensive in comparison to other methods. Yet, at this point, it is unclear whether the medical field will regulate the use of CT scans itself. There may need to be a policy change from the legislature in order to address the issue.

If you feel like you may be affected negatively by a medical mistake, product or tool, please don't hesitate to contact us at 1 (800) Attorney.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jeff Rasansky

What are hypotonic cerebral palsy symptoms?

Jeff Rasansky — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 14:25:56 GMT

Having a child is a beautiful and rewarding experience, but that doesn’t make it any less terrifying. A vast array of subtle and possibly harmful diseases or disorders can affect our infants. Rather than becoming alarmed or overprotective, though, parents should simply try to stay well informed about risk factors and remain vigilant for any possible symptoms. One specific disorder, hypotonic cerebral palsy, which is an indicator of harm to the cerebellum, exhibits symptoms that are recognizable at home.

The most dramatic sign of infant cerebral palsy is something called ‘floppy doll syndrome.’ The name says it all: babies appear like rag dolls, unable to support themselves and often succumbing to the force of gravity. Normally, babies offer resistance when you pull on their hands or feet. Cerebral palsy infants simply go along with the motion. Unaffected infants will often rest with their knees and elbows flexed; affected babies with relax with their limbs outstretched completely. Additionally, cerebral palsy infants may have trouble crawling, controlling their head, chewing, sucking, and, in especially dire cases, even breathing.

Cerebral palsy need not signify a life of hardship for an infant. Helping your child gain control of his or her body will be a tiring and sometimes seemingly hopeless experience, but it will help them in the future. As I said before, just remain watchful and consult a doctor if you have any concerns; an early diagnosis always helps.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jeff Rasansky

A contract with my new teen driver.

Jeff Rasansky — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 12:17:05 GMT

When your sixteen year old start to drive, it opens up all kinds of new worlds! Each of us has a different perspective on what it means for our teenager to start driving but at the same time we are all in agreement – we want them to be safe. I did what I do best to make sure my teenager is safe…I drew up a contract. A contract that shares my concern with my sixteen year old and puts my teenager in the safest and best position possible as a new driver.

Here is the ‘Safe Driving Contract’ you can use as a resource with your new teenage driver. Pass it around and make sure any teenager takes the safest route home.

Other resources for teen drivers.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jeff Rasansky

Yes, it pays to be a PPC Attorney

Jeff Rasansky — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 14:11:46 GMT

Last week we addressed the cost of being a PPC attorney. Just a little nudge to measure conversions when doing pay per click (PPC) campaigns like Adwords. Of course it is worth the investment but, you need to take a look at your keyword selections for tweaking and getting in to your niche. It takes a good cross-section of research.

Start by looking at what you want to accomplish in your interactive marketing. That includes making sure your search engine optimization and social media activities like Twitter search or Facebook are helping you to harness PPC and drive down the cost of those clicks. In the long run, the goal is to find the best clients possible and do it by knowing how they search on your practice areas online.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jeff Rasansky

The cost of being a PPC attorney.

Jeff Rasansky — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 17:36:20 GMT

Finance and travel have the top costs in the pay per click (PPC) campaigns run online by search engines like Google. But, being an attorney is right up there in cost per clicks. Just read this article by the New York Times or go directly to cwire.org and see a list of the highest paid search terms on the web. Samples of cost per click:

· $65.85 personal injury lawyer michigan
· $61.26 car accident attorney los angeles
· $59.39 arizona dui lawyer
· $55.57 mesothelioma attorneys
· $47.74 automobile accident lawyers
· $44.52 truck accident lawyers

What is the real cost? You could spend thousands each month but is it paying off? Do you have a conversion rate? Are you getting the clients you want from this type of advertising? It’s time to measure up and find out if the cost of being a PPC attorney is worth the investment.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jeff Rasansky

'Technology feeds' about drivers and driver studies

Jeff Rasansky — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 16:24:44 GMT

Here are some good videos on drivers and driver studies.

Safety belt fetes 50 years

Drivers get virtual "guardian angel"

Crash test warning

Marijuana makes for bad drivers

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jeff Rasansky

Are Tanning Booths as Dangerous as Tobacco?(2)

Jeff Rasansky — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 17:42:00 GMT

Tanning beds first arrived in the United States in 1978, and their design has not changed much since then. They contain a special blend of phosphors that bombard users with a combination of UVA and UVB ultraviolet radiation. This wavelength of light does two things. First, it stimulates a golden, glowing tan that will turns heads at the beach. Second, it causes melanoma, a deadly form of skin cancer.

It's no secret that tanning beds are dangerous. Recent studies have found that the risk for skin cancer increases by 75% for those who regularly use tanning beds, a statistic so worrisome that it has compelled the World Health Organization to classify the products in their highest cancer risk category. In 1988 the government began to regulate the beds at a federal level, primarily with restrictions on exposure times, variations between brands, and compulsory labeling of their dangerous side effects. Several states have issued their own guidelines since then.

All this information begs a comparison with the tobacco industry. Both cigarettes and tanning beds are products that can cause cancer, and both have been markets as tools to improve one's quality of life. Should the salon industry, then, expect impending, successful lawsuits?

Probably not. When individuals have sued tobacco companies for selling dangerous products, the companies have responded, successfully, that the pruchase of the product is an individual choice. To get around this argument, plaintiffs have claimed, again successfully, that cigarettes are so addictive that it isn't a choice to buy them. This argument, while persuasive and backed up by science for cigarettes, fails to apply to tanning beds; we all like looking tan, but we don't go through symptoms of withdrawal without it.

Furthermore, the fact that the tanning industry has been so closely regulated since its inception has helped stave off lawsuits. For tobacco companies, the laws applying to their product have constantly changed over the years; for tanning salons, the rules of the game were set from the very beginning. Therefore the tanning industry has been able to more conscientiously adhere to regulations and pre-emptively avoid any possible unlawful activity.

The lesson? Use tanning beds at your own risk. If you do end up with cancer, you'll need more than a lawyer to save your bronzed, gleaming skin.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jeff Rasansky

Are Tanning Booths as Dangerous as Tobacco?

Jeff Rasansky — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 17:20:00 GMT

It's no secret that tanning beds are dangerous. Recent studies have found that the risk for skin cancer increases by 75% for those who regularly use tanning beds, a statistic so worrisome that it has compelled the World Health Organization to classify the products in their highest cancer risk category. In 1988 the government began to regulate the beds at a federal level, primarily with restrictions on exposure times, variations between brands, and compulsory labeling of their dangerous side effects. Several states have issued their own guidelines since then.

All this information begs a comparison with the tobacco industry. Both cigarettes and tanning beds are products that can cause cancer, and both have been markets as tools to improve one's quality of life. Should the salon industry, then, expect impending, successful lawsuits?

Probably not. When individuals have sued tobacco companies for selling dangerous products, the companies have responded, successfully, that the pruchase of the product is an individual choice. To get around this argument, plaintiffs have claimed, again successfully, that cigarettes are so addictive that it isn't a choice to buy them. This argument, while persuasive and backed up by science for cigarettes, fails to apply to tanning beds; we all like looking tan, but we don't go through symptoms of withdrawal without it.

Furthermore, the fact that the tanning industry has been so closely regulated since its inception has helped stave off lawsuits. For tobacco companies, the laws applying to their product have constantly changed over the years; for tanning salons, the rules of the game were set from the very beginning. Therefore the tanning industry has been able to more conscientiously adhere to regulations and pre-emptively avoid any possible unlawful activity.

The lesson? Use tanning beds at your own risk. If you do end up with cancer, you'll need more than a lawyer to save your bronzed, gleaming skin.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jeff Rasansky

How Damaging Can Social Networks Be?

Jeff Rasansky — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 11:15:43 GMT

Today it’s not so much about what we say but when and how we say it. People who are posting on social networks need to realize it has repercussions across all aspects of their life. They can’t just post a personal message without a business colleague finding it and reading it. They can’t go out and party it up for the weekend without a friend posting pictures online and who wants to see that! Here are 5 ways to keep your online persona clean, honest and undamaging (as best possible).

1. Consider your medium. It might sound simple but don’t mix business with pleasure. Don’t post personal information on your business sites and try to keep your personal postings private.
2. Control your friends. Be careful who you let into your ‘friends’ circle in on your personal and business networks. Avoid guilt by association and be ready to reject or remove friends to preserve your image.
3. Monitor your state. Don’t post when you have been drinking, don’t post when you are angry. Always give yourself time to come down before you let the world know something you shouldn’t.
4. Be true to yourself. Always be who you are online. Fakes, when found out, will be driven out of the village never to be heard from again.
5. Know your tools. There are ways to track when your photos or postings are being use. Use those tools so you can be sure your information isn’t showing up in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Don’t miss this interview with the Legal Broadcast Network about an attorney’s client posting damaging info on his Facebook and MySpace pages that cost him at least $20,000! It really does pay to keep your social networking, well, undamaged.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jeff Rasansky

What influences whiplash recovery?

Jeff Rasansky — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 13:12:13 GMT

Whiplash is the most common traffic injury and has a lot of side effects and long lasting syptoms. A study by the Arthritis Care & Research Center author states "The results agree with our previous analysis in a cohort of patients compensated under a no-fault insurance scheme and support the hypothesis that the prognosis of whiplash injuries is influenced by the type and intensity of care received within the first month after injury,"

Over the years, evidence has grown that suggests the type and intensity of treatment received shortly after the injury can have long-lasting effects on the results of the care. All the more reason to seek immediate attention and justice for whiplash clients.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jeff Rasansky