Seniors' medications

Seniors’ medications can impact their driving

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Seniors (and Americans in general) are taking more medications than ever. Some two-thirds of seniors (those 65 and older) take at least five medications every day.

Prescription drugs can help people live longer by controlling things like high blood pressure and cholesterol levels. They can also relieve the aches and pains of arthritis and other conditions that limit people’s activity as they age.

However, all of these medications — both over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription — can impact people’s ability to drive safely. A single medication — even one as seemingly harmless as cough syrup, decongestant or antihistamine — can affect a person’s ability to drive. When these are taken by someone already taking pain pills, anti-depressants or tranquilizers, the results can be devastating.

Drugs can impact decision-making ability, reaction time, vision and perception — all of which are already slowed in many older drivers. Adding even one new medication to a person’s daily drug regimen can affect his or her ability to drive safely.

When anyone, regardless of age, is prescribed a new drug, it’s essential to make sure that the prescribing physician is aware of everything else the patient is taking, including prescription drugs, OTC medications and supplements. Someone who is put on a new medication may want to refrain from driving for a few days while they see how it impacts them. If a medication can be taken any time, it may be best to take it at bedtime.

If you’re involved in a crash that was caused by another motorist, part of the investigation should involve what medications that person was taking. A Louisville attorney can help you determine your legal options for seeking compensation to help cover your medical bills, lost wages and other damages.

Source: AAA Senior Driving, “Driving & Medications,” accessed Feb. 27, 2018

sharing the road with commercial trucks

Safety tips for sharing the road with commercial trucks

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No matter how hard you try to steer clear of them, if you find yourself on the highways in or around Louisville, you’ll always be near commercial trucks.

Since there is no way to avoid this, you need to do whatever it takes to maintain a high level of safety. This is easier said than done, but there are definite steps you can take to remain safe at all times.

Here are five things you should do when driving around commercial trucks (either on the highway or in the city):

  • Always be on your toes. It’s easy to lose focus when you’re driving on the highway, especially when you’re behind the wheel for an extended period. There’s never a good time to let your guard down, as an accident can happen in an instant.
  • Never take a chance with your safety. Yes, it can be inconvenient to drive close to commercial trucks. And yes, there will be times when you want to take a chance, such as by passing a truck in the right lane. However, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
  • Take caution when passing a truck. There will be times when you have no choice but to pass a truck, but you need to be careful when doing so. Make your move in the left lane, don’t drive in the trucker’s blind spot and leave plenty of space when getting back into the right lane.
  • Watch for truckers making a turn. For example, a trucker may need to set up a right turn by swinging far into the left lane. If the trucker can’t see you, there’s a chance your vehicle could be hit.
  • Leave extra space. There is never a good time to drive too close to a truck. For example, don’t ride a car length behind on the highway. Not only does this mean the trucker can’t see you, but it puts you in a bad spot should you need to stop in a hurry.

These tips can go a long way in keeping you safe when sharing the road with commercial trucks.

If you happen to be part of an accident, maybe because a trucker made a poor decision, call 911. After you receive treatment, learn more about the accident and your legal rights, as you may be able to seek compensation for injuries and other damages.

Driver in fatal DUI released early, arrested for DUI again

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A Louisville woman who lost her partner of more than a decade and father of her two children to a drunk driver is sharing the family’s pain upon learning that the woman who was responsible for the fatal crash was recently arrested on DUI charges.

The man was driving home from work in September 2014 when he was struck by the woman. Her blood alcohol concentration (BAC) was measured at .28 — more than triple the legal limit.

The man’s two young daughters and their mother live with his mother, who says they are speaking out because they don’t want other families to go through what they did. She says, “Back then, we didn’t have the strength to speak publicly.”

The drunk driver reached a plea deal on the reckless homicide charge in which she was to serve only five years. However, she was released two years ahead of schedule on probation. The victim’s girlfriend says, “That alcohol problem doesn’t go away, you need rehabilitation.”

The woman is due in court on this latest charge in April. She is currently behind bars at Metro Corrections with a cash bond of $1 million.

It was not reported whether the man’s family has taken any civil action against the driver who killed him. However, regardless of whether you believe justice was served by the criminal legal system or not, surviving loved ones can seek compensation for the death of a loved one to cover the considerable financial burden when a breadwinner of the family dies, along with compensation for other damages. An experienced Louisville attorney can help you review your legal options.

Source: WAVE 3 News, “Victim’s family reacts: Deadly DUI driver arrested again,” Andreina Centlivre, Feb. 17, 2018

Asbestos in Cosmetic Talcum Powder May Cause You Cancer

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Talcum powder may cause you to contract cancer from exposure to asbestos.  Unfortunately, the cosmetic talc industry has been trying to conceal this hazard for decades despite being aware of the risks.    

While baby power and other talcum powder products have been commonly used for decades, a well kept secret is that many of these products contain various types of asbestos putting people at risk of suffering asbestos diseases, such as mesothelioma.

If you have talcum powder products in your home, you should strongly consider removing them and no longer using such products.  While the cosmetic talc industry disputes their products contain asbestos, evidence strongly demonstrates they are wrong.  Unfortunately, the consequences could be dire to many of the millions of people who have used talcum powder on their children, their loved ones and themselves.    

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma and used cosmetic talcum powder, contact Satterely & Kelley.  We may be able to help you.    

Source: Fairwarning.org, “Baby Powder Battles: Johnson & Johnson Internal Documents Reveal Asbestos Worries,” Myron Levin, January 16, 2018.  

What Color Should Warning Signs Be?

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When there are clear and known hazards in the workplace or public spaces, it’s the property owner’s responsibility to warn people and keep them safe.

The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has established clear guidelines on how warning signs should look, including the colors assigned to different safety messages.

Warning signs use specific colors depending on the type of hazard. For example, a wet floor sign is typically bright yellow with black text, while fire hazard signs are often red.

ANSI Warning Sign Color Classifications

According to ANSI guidelines, warning sign colors should be classified as:

  • Red: Fire hazards, danger, and emergencies, indicating the need to stop immediately.
  • Yellow: Caution signs and warnings of physical dangers, such as slip and falls.
  • Orange: Warnings about electrical hazards or machine-related dangers.
  • Green: Safety equipment and safe conditions (except for firefighting equipment).
  • Purple: Radiation hazards.
  • Blue: General safety information and instructors.

To some degree, the color designations are based on the level of risk.

Red signs are the most eye-catching and are also used for immediate and possibly life-threatening dangers. Blue signs blend in more, but they don’t warn of a threat in such close proximity, just providing more general assistance. Purple signs are the least common, but they also warn of a high level of risk that could be fatal.

Why Colors Matter on Warning Signs

Color is one of the fastest ways to catch someone’s attention.

A bright right sign signals immediate danger in a way that blue or green never could. That’s why the ANSI uses color coding to quickly communicate risk levels and guide safe behavior.

People can get hurt if warning signs are missing, unclear, or improperly used. In some cases, failing to use the right color warning sign can even lead to liability claims against the property owner.

Were You Injured Because of Missing or Inadequate Signage?

If you were injured on someone else’s property in a way that could have easily been avoided with the right signage, you may be entitled to compensation. If so, it’s important that you know what legal options are open to you.

Call us at 855-385-9532, locally 502-589-5600, or contact us online to arrange a free initial consultation or for more information.