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Firefighter injured in Englewood fire

A firefighter was seriously injured in an Englewood fire yesterday afternoon. Authorities say that the firefighter injured his left knee and that he was transported to Little Company of Mary Hospital in Evergreen Park. It is unclear how the firefighter injured his knee or whether he will be able to fully recover from this workplace accident. Most workplace accidents are covered under the Illinois Workers' Compensation Act. The law provides benefits that cover the medical costs associated with on-the-job injuries...

Evidence of defective hip implants grows

Some of the first DePuy hip implant cases are going to trial and mounting evidence shows that device maker Johnson & Johnson hid information regarding the dangerousness of these defective medical devices. Documents disclosed during the DePuy hip implant trial reveal that executives from Johnson & Johnson's DePuy Orthopaedics unit were aware of a critical design flaw in J&J's hip implants but kept selling the devices anyway. Lawyers say that the company callously sought to clear its inventories without regard...

Illinois Manufacturing Workers Exposed To Workplace Hazards

A recent investigation by federal health and safety inspectors found that workers at a Chatsworth, Illinois, manufacturing plant were exposed to preventable workplace hazards. Minnesota-based Prinsco Inc. faces up to $75,000 in fines for safety violations at its Illinois plant. Inspectors from the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration found several disturbing safety hazards at the Chatsworth facility including inadequate machine guards, inadequate guardrails, and improperly labeled electrical equipment. The guarding hazards were among the most severe...

Chicago Schools To Get Concussion Kits

In the midst of a growing awareness of the strong risk of traumatic brain injuries from contact sports, a foundation donated 80 concussion diagnosis kits to the Chicago public high school system last week. Even a seemingly minor impact can cause a dangerous traumatic brain injury and the foundation hopes to help protect young athletes. Chicago Public Schools currently requires concussion management training for its athletic staff. When player symptoms meet specified criteria, coaches must take them out of the...

Fungal meningitis outbreak slowing, experts say

The number of new fungal meningitis cases is slowing according to new CDC data. So far 438 cases of fungal meningitis have been reported in an outbreak that has killed at least 32. All of the fungal meningitis cases are linked to defective pharmaceuticals from the Massachusetts based New England Compounding Center, a specialty pharmacy. ABC News reports that the slowdown in fungal meningitis cases is predictable because this form of meningitis is not contagious. The back steroid linked to...

Girl bitten by SeaWorld dolphin

An 8-year-old girl was recently bitten by a dolphin at SeaWorld. WKMG-TV reports that the girl was visiting SeaWorld the day before Thanksgiving when she was allowed to feed fish to the dolphins. The girl's parents were recording her as she became momentarily distracted while holding an empty fish tray. The impatient dolphin she was feeding then lunged forward and snatched the tray from the girl's hand, biting her in the process. Video of the animal bite quickly went viral...

Head Injury and PTDS

While scientists have known for some time of the connection between traumatic brain injuries and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the link may be stronger than previously understood. Brain injuries are one of the most common wounds affecting soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. While it is obvious that an explosion or serious accident that causes head trauma can also cause the psychological condition associated with traumatic experiences, it is not clear just how deep this connection goes. New research indicates...

Do I Have A Case If I Get Hit By A Falling Tree?

If you or someone you know is struck by a falling tree or branch, the owner or possessor of the property upon which the tree sits may be liable for injuries or other damages caused. The owner or possessor of land can be held liable for injuries caused by falling tree branches if they knew of a disease or structural weakness in the tree. The owner/possessor of land can also be held legally liable if they have knowledge of facts...

IL Pasta Manufacturing Plant Fined Workplace Safety

A lack of written standard operating procedures for the ammonia refrigeration process No emergency action plan A failure to perform inspections and tests on process equipment A failure to address the hazards of the ammonia refrigeration process A failure to address the findings and recommendations of the process hazard analysis team Other safety violations found by federal inspectors revolve the company's failure to train its employees regarding hazard communication and provide emergency wash stations. The company has about two weeks...