The Legal Blog of Iowa Injury Attorneys Brady & O'Shea

Should Iowa Auto Insurance Companies Be Required to Disclose Limits?

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 08:00:00 GMT

West Virginia's legislature just passed a law requiring insurance companies for negligent drivers to disclose their liability policy limits to the injured person before a lawsuit is filed. Similar legislation has been proposed to the Iowa Legislature but never passed.

This law, which has now been adopted in 12 states, makes sense for Iowa as well as other states. Essential law often will avoid the needless filing of a lawsuit involving very serious injuries and medical expenses when the negligent driver's liability insurance limits are very low. In those cases, a demand for the insurance policy limits likely will be paid without the need to file a lawsuit. In addition, it will allow an injured party and his or her attorney to determine whether to bring an underinsured motorist claim against the injured persons own insurance company. The law likely will simplify and speed up the process of resolving claims, for the benefit of both the injured party and insurance companies. The Iowa Legislature should take another look at this issue.

Don't Let the Bed Bugs Bite

Sat, 03 Mar 2012 08:00:00 GMT

In recent years, bed bugs have been on the rise and have become a serious issue for many people in Iowa. A bed-bug infestation is more than a mere inconvenience. It typically results in property loss, expense, and anxiety. It is important to regularly inspect your dwelling for signs of an infestation. You can start by checking for blood stains, droppings, and eggs in your bedding, upholstered furniture, and the cracks and crevices around your dwelling. Also, check your skin for bite marks. Bed bugs are most active when it is dark and can be difficult to spot during the day.

If you are a renter, before signing a lease, it is important to inspect the rental unit for signs of bed bugs. It may be more difficult to find bed bugs in a vacant unit. You should also ask your landlord if there have been signs of bed bugs in the unit you are renting or any of the surrounding units. A bed bug infestation in one rental unit can quickly spread to the surrounding units.

At the first sign of bed bugs, you should contact your landlord and a qualified professional to inspect your unit. You should also alert your neighbors of the bed-bug infestation. This will help minimize the spread of bed bugs. Typically, it is not recommended to vacate your rental unit during an infestation. This will likely lead to the spread bed bugs and make the infestation more difficult to treat.

What can you do if you are suffering or have suffered from a bed-bug infestation?
If your landlord failed to inform you of a bed-bug infestation or failed to timely handle the extermination of a bed-bug infestation, you may have a right to compensation. Find out how to protect you interests by talking with a knowledgeable Consumer Fraud attorney. You can call the Law Offices of Brady & O’Shea for a free legal consultation today at (319) 866-9277.

Smart Phones Aren’t So Smart if They Cause Cedar Rapids Car Crashes

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 08:00:00 GMT

With the ever increasing popularity of smart phones, drivers are becoming more distracted on the roads – no matter what the laws are. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), about 13.5 million drivers use cell phones at any given moment during the day. NHTSA also reports that approximately 3,092 deaths were caused by distracted drivers using cell phones last year. And Iowa is no exception. There are many Cedar Rapids auto accidents caused by distracted drivers on their cell phones.
This statistical information, along with the events of a chain-reaction accident in 2010, led the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to call for a nationwide ban on cell phone use while driving. On Tuesday, December 13, 2011, the NTSB asked for all states to ban drivers from using cell phones and other portable electronic devices – hands-free and hand-held. Of course, drivers would be allowed to use them in case of emergencies.
This recommendation came after a driver involved in last year’s Missouri pileup crash sent and received 11 text messages within minutes of the collision. His car rear-ended a tractor trailer at 55 mph and caused two school buses to wreck. In total, two people died and 38 were injured in this crash.
Although the NTSB cannot make their recommendation binding, they are strongly urging lawmakers to put this nationwide cell phone ban into law.
Many drivers and occupants in Iowa have been injured by distracted drivers. If you were hurt in an Eastern Iowa car accident, you may have rights to pursue a personal injury lawsuit. Call a knowledgeable Cedar Rapids accident attorney today at the Law Offices of Brady & O’Shea. You’ll receive a free legal consultation just by calling (319) 866-9277.

Minimize Brain Injuries in Iowa by Keeping Iowa Kids Safe this Holiday Season

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 08:00:00 GMT

Christmastime is when most toys are bought, and often because most children have been begging mommy and daddy for months for a specific toy. Although most toys are safe due to the higher standards of toy makers and stronger federal rules, some toys still have been known to hurt children.
Sometimes when children get new toys, they pass their older toys to another family in need. These can include toys with lead-based paint. The dangers of toys painted with lead paint are serious and can cause catastrophic results. When kids are exposed to lead, it can result in lead poisoning in Iowa, causing injuries such as a traumatic brain injury. It can also damage a child’s kidneys and nervous system.
It is critical to avoid purchasing toys painted with lead paint to minimize brain injuries in Iowa children.
So what can you do after the holidays to ensure that your child is safe?
Now that the holidays have passed, it is wise to inspect the toys your children received to make sure nothing was painted with lead or recalled. It is also critical to inspect the toys you will be giving away to other families or donating to charity. If toys are showing signs of wear, cracked paint or peeling surfaces, then do not keep them in circulation. It is better to destroy those toys than pass them around to other children. This way you may be able to save a child from lead poisoning and traumatic brain injuries in Iowa.
If your child has suffered a brain injury as a result of lead poisoning in Iowa, you may have rights to compensation. Find out how to protect your child’s interests by talking with a caring and experienced Eastern Iowa catastrophic injury lawyer. You can call the Law Offices of Brady & O’Shea for a free legal consultation with one of our skilled Cedar Rapids lead poisoning lawyers today at (319) 866-9277.

Safe Winter Driving Near Large Trucks Can Prevent an Iowa Truck Accident

Wed, 28 Dec 2011 08:00:00 GMT

Although not every day in winter is treacherous for driving, there are days when freezing rains coat Iowa roads with ice and blowing snow can obscure the vision of drivers on the road. When this happens, car and truck accidents in Eastern Iowa may occur due to these unavoidable risks.
Because you will most likely have to travel next to a tractor-trailer at some point during the winter months, you should know how to drive next to a truck in order to reduce your chances of being involved in a Cedar Rapids truck accident this winter.
AAA recommends the following tips for safe winter driving, including:

Be cautious and drive more slowly in adverse weather.
Do not drive when you are tired.
Avoid using cruise control when driving on ice and slippery surfaces.
Buckle up every time you drive.
Always make sure your tires are inflated properly and in good condition.
Be aware of weather conditions before traveling for long road trips.
Clean snow off of windshields in order to see clearly.
Accelerate slowly in the snow to avoid skidding out.
Remember it takes longer to stop in icy conditions.
Increase following distances.
Use your headlights.
Stay home if you don’t have to drive in the snow.

Everything you do – stopping, turning, accelerating – takes longer in snowy conditions. Remember to slow down and give yourself time to get to where you are going. If you find yourself behind a tractor-trailer, stay safely behind it until it is safe to pass. Remember that a trucker driver has a limited field of vision.
If you do everything right and still get injured in a tractor-trailer accident in Iowa, you should call a skilled Cedar Rapids truck accident attorney to learn about your rights. You can reach the Law Offices of Brady & O’Shea at (319) 866-9277 for a free legal consultation.

Preparing for a Rainy Day to Prevent Iowa Car Accident Injuries

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 08:00:00 GMT

Car accidents in Iowa and throughout this nation can cause serious, debilitating injuries or even death. Sadly, many crashes occur during winter months, as the weather is harsh, road conditions are dangerous, visibility is limited and vehicles aren't in good condition to operate during wet, winter weather.

Some of these factors are outside your control, but there are certain factors that you and every driver can control, including:

Checking your wiper blades is critical to being able to efficiently see out of your windshield. This is an inexpensive way to prepare your vehicle for rainy days on the road and may prevent a crash.
By checking your tire tread and tire pressure, you will know if it is time to replace your tires or if you have enough tread to keep traction on the road during a rainstorm.
Additionally, checking your vehicle's headlights, brake lights and taillights should be done frequently, as these are your vehicle's indicators. If these lights don't work, it will decrease your visibility and also cause other drivers not to see you, possibly resulting in an Eastern Iowa car accident.

When you prepare your vehicle in this way, you may minimize your chances of a Cedar Rapids car crash and injuries from occurring. When another driver doesn't see your vehicle on the road due to broken taillights or brake lights, he may rear-end your vehicle, causing:

Whiplash
Concussion
Head trauma
Traumatic brain injury
Herniated disc
Back and neck injuries
And more

If you have been injured in a Cedar Rapids auto accident due to someone else's fault, you may be entitled to financial compensation for your injuries, lost wages and more. Call a skilled Cedar Rapids personal injury lawyer at the Law Offices of Brady & O'Shea today for a free legal consultation at (319) 866-9277.

Has Fraud in Eastern Iowa Cost You More Than Your Identity?

Thu, 01 Dec 2011 08:00:00 GMT

You may not be hearing as much as you once did about identity theft; however, just because it is not the front-page story that it once was, that doesn’t mean it’s not occurring. Identity theft in Iowa and throughout this nation is still taking place, which means you still need to protect yourself from financial fraud in Iowa.

According to the Consumer Sentinel Network, a database the Federal Trade Commission created to collect identity theft and fraud complaints from consumers, there have been over 6.1 million complaints since the database was created in 1997. In 2010 alone, 1.3 million complaints were filed, and most of them were regarding identity theft followed by debt collection complaints.

However, Javelin Strategy & Research shows that the number of victims of identity theft in 2010 was down from 2009, but the out-of-pocket costs for consumers nearly doubled. This fact begs some to ask what is making the costs rise if less people are victims of identity fraud.

Because more and more people are watching their credit reports more closely, making identity theft more difficult, there has been a shift to debit card fraud. Debit cards often don’t have the same protections that credit cards provide, so consumers’ out-of-pocket expenses are higher when they are victimized in this way.

Experts advise that you should review your monthly credit card and bank account statements, keep accurate records and make sure to review your credit report carefully in order to not become a victim of financial fraud in Eastern Iowa or anywhere in this nation.

If you were a victim of financial fraud in Iowa, you may have more rights than what your bank or credit card companies are telling you about. Call an experienced financial fraud attorney in Cedar Rapids at the Law Offices of Brady & O’Shea at (319) 866-9277 for a free legal consultation.

Why Don’t More Truck Drivers Use Escape Ramps to Avoid Eastern Iowa Truck Crashes?

Thu, 17 Nov 2011 08:00:00 GMT

There you are, driving along down a hill or mountain pass with a loaded 18-wheeler weighing 80,000 pounds when you notice that your speed is increasing. You apply the brakes, but notice that they are not working properly and that they are fading.

What you need is a runaway truck ramp, also called a truck escape ramp. There aren't many in Eastern Iowa like the one on US 18 west of Marquette. When truckers are coming down a steep hill, sometimes their trucks get away from them and their brakes fail. When this happens, it can cause an Eastern Iowa truck accident involving innocent motorists that appear to be sitting ducks.

This is why truckers need escape ramps when their brakes go out. However, sometimes truck drivers think they can make it to the bottom or steer their truck to safety, but it rarely happens. When a truck's brakes overheat or malfunction, even in areas with heavy traffic or on steep hills, a trucker needs to use the runaway truck ramp if there is one. They are typically located in areas where big rig accidents across this nation occur.

If you have been involved and injured in an Eastern Iowa truck crash due to a trucker's negligence or a truck's brake failure, then you may have legal rights to a financial recovery. Find out if you can pursue compensation for your medical bills, physical therapy, occupational therapy, lost income, and more.

Call a qualified Cedar Rapids truck accident attorney today at the Law Offices of Brady & O'Shea for a free legal consultation at (319) 866-9277.

When Mail Fraud Turns into Financial Fraud in Iowa

Thu, 03 Nov 2011 08:00:00 GMT

So many different types of fraud occur each and every day around this nation. Sadly, fraudulent people are looking to deceive others in order to obtain another's money, identity, services or property. This often occurs through mail and wire fraud.

Mail fraud includes the use of the United States Postal Service or any other mail service to execute a fraudulent scheme. Wire fraud includes a telephone, internet, or other communication method used to carry out a scheme.

Mail and Phone Fraud in Iowa

People often receive letters in the mail from what they think is their credit card company or other financial institution. The instructions on these letters typically ask the consumer for their personal information and account numbers and to reply back through the mail or by dialing a phone number.

Consumers need to know that credit card companies and most financial institutions are not going to call, mail, or email their clients asking for their personal information or account numbers. This is most likely fraud at work. If you receive a letter or phone call that seems suspicious, you should:

Never give out your account information or personal information.
Report this letter or phone call to your credit card company or other financial institution.
Advise local law enforcement about the attempted fraudulent activity.
Report the fraudulent scheme to your local post office.

Schemes of this nature make you a victim of financial fraud in Iowa. If you have lost money due to mail and phone fraud, you should contact our skilled Cedar Rapids financial fraud lawyers at the Law Offices of Brady & O'Shea for legal help at (319) 866-9277, and receive a free, no-obligation consultation.

Could Aging Put Motorists at Risk for Cedar Rapids Car Accidents?

Wed, 02 Nov 2011 08:00:00 GMT

The truth of the matter is that we all age. Our eyes deteriorate over time and our health fails us. Some senior citizens recognize this and willingly give up the keys to their cars, but other elderly drivers won't let go of their freedom and continue to drive even when they shouldn't.

Keeping this in mind, it shouldn't be a surprise to learn that drivers over 85 years old are involved in more fatal accidents in Iowa and throughout this nation than any other age group. This may be because many seniors have lose some of their hearing, their eyesight deteriorates, and their reflexes get slower over time.

When these things start occurring, seniors often have problems with the following:

Lane drifting
Difficulty turning
Difficulty focusing on fast moving cars
Trouble with stopping in time
Difficulty spotting a pedestrian
Issues with distance and seeing an approaching car

If a senior is at the wheel when their eyes are failing them, they may pull out in front of another car, cut off a pedestrian, drift into another lane, or they may not see that the light turned red. Any of these things could lead to a Cedar Rapids auto accident.

If you are a child of an aging parent that has glaucoma, cataracts, or trouble seeing at night, you need to have a talk with your parent before it is too late. However, not all car accidents in Eastern Iowa are the fault of senior drivers. If your parent or family member has been hurt in a crash, they may have rights.

Call a qualified Cedar Rapids personal injury lawyer today at the Law Offices of Brady & O'Shea and receive a free, no-obligation consultation at (319) 866-9277 to find out if you or your family is entitled to financial compensation for medical expenses, loss of services, loss of companion, lost wages and more.

Checking Your Tires Can Help Prevent an Eastern Iowa Crash

Thu, 06 Oct 2011 08:00:00 GMT

Although we would like to think that all we have to do is make a car payment to drive our vehicles, more is required of us to drive our cars safely. Vehicle maintenance is critical to a car's longevity, and tire maintenance is vital to our safety and the safety of others sharing the road with us.

When a tire blows, it can cause a serious Cedar Rapids car accident. Sometimes the reason for blown tires is negligence, including:

Improperly inflated tires: when tires are not inflated with the correct tire pressure, it can lead to uneven wear and increased pressure on the tire, which may lead to a blowout.
Failure to maintain tires: tires should be rotated every 5,000 miles and should be checked periodically for tread depth. Tire tread should not be any lower than 1/16 of an inch.
Lack of tire inspection: checking for tread wear and sidewall damage is essential to our safety and should be done frequently.
Defective tires: a defect in the tire may be unnoticeable to a driver, but the tire manufacturer should be held liable for their manufacturing defect.
Incorrect tires: buying the wrong size tires for your car to save money is inexcusable, because it can lead to serious car accidents.
Poorly maintained spare tire: the spare tire is often forgotten about until it is needed. If the spare is not maintained properly, it could lead to a blowout and a Cedar Rapids car crash.

If another driver's tire blowout caused your Eastern Iowa car crash, you may be entitled to damages from the other driver or tire manufacturer. Call a skilled Cedar Rapids personal injury lawyer at the law offices of Brady & O'Shea today at (319) 866-9277 to schedule your free legal consultation today.

Risks Eastern Iowa Tow Truck Drivers Face on the Job

Sun, 02 Oct 2011 08:00:00 GMT

A tow truck driver's work is on the road. When a tow truck driver goes to work, he drives all day and faces numerous risks from distracted drivers. When tow operators stop on the interstate to recover vehicles, they are often not given much room by motorists, including semi trucks. Although dangerous, these are the facts surrounding their jobs.

Using flashing lights and wearing the proper equipment gives tow truck operators a certain amount of safety, but it's up to the public to move over and slow down when approaching the site of a towing operation.

One specific Eastern Iowa truck crash that occurred recently that killed four people east of Grinnell involved two tow truck drivers. According to police, two tow truck drivers were recovering a broken down semi truck on Interstate 80, when a second tractor-trailer crashed into them.

A tow truck operator in Cedar Rapids told the Eastern Iowa News Now that many drivers do not give them enough space when they are rescuing broken down vehicles on the interstates. If motorists treated tow trucks as emergency vehicles and moved over, it would decrease their chances of being involved in Cedar Rapids crashes and improve safety for everyone on the road.

How a Cedar Rapids Accident Attorney Can Help You

If you were injured, or if you are the family member of a tow truck driver that was killed in an Eastern Iowa crash caused by another motorist, you may have rights. Find out more about your rights to recovery from a skilled Iowa personal injury lawyer at the law offices of Brady & O'Shea. Call (319) 866-9277 to schedule your free legal consultation today.

Scam Artists Use Cancer Research to Con Iowa Victims Out of Money

Wed, 07 Sep 2011 08:00:00 GMT

Sadly, cancer has probably claimed the life of someone you know: a mother, father, grandparent, sibling, friend, spouse, or even your child. Cancer is a horrible disease that tugs at everyone's hearts, minds and emotions. Because scam artists know how awful cancer is and how much everyone would like to find a cure for it, they have used cancer research to con people out of their money through advance fee fraud in Iowa and throughout the U.S.

How does cancer research advance fee fraud work?

You may have been told that there is a revolutionary cancer research project that needs additional financing and there will be a 50% return on investors' money at the end of the project. You may want more than anything to help out. Who wouldn't want to see a breakthrough and find a cure for cancer?

Sadly, scam artists are playing with your emotions to entice you to think with your feelings and not with your head. They know that once they tell you a cancer story, or if you knew of someone who died of cancer, that you most likely will be emotionally invested and will not likely conduct any research on them or their fake company.

This cancer research advance fee fraud in Iowa and throughout this nation occurs more than we would like to think. Always do research on a person or company before investing any money with them or paying any type of advance fee. For a checklist of tips, please see our article Tips to Avoid Being a Victim of Iowa Advance Fee Fraud, and call a skilled Cedar Rapids financial fraud lawyer today at the law firm of Brady & O'Shea at (319) 866-9277 to schedule a free legal consultation.

Steps of a Ponzi Scheme Iowa Investors Should Be Aware Of

Fri, 02 Sep 2011 08:00:00 GMT

In a recent article, we explained more about Ponzi schemes and how investors are promised high and abnormal returns or dividends for their investments. Although scam artists may show investors numbers, they are exaggerated earnings in order to trick investors out of their money.

Although Ponzi schemes are basic Iowa financial fraud schemes, they are powerful and entice investors out of their money. The people who run Ponzi schemes follow basic principles that include:

Convince Investors: A scam artist is first going to convince a few people to invest their money with him.

Establish Credibility: The person running this Ponzi scheme has to be credible. Investors do not want to leave their money with just anyone. It needs to be someone already in the financial and investment industry who has a good name and has years of experience.

Return Investments: For a period of time, investors will receive the promised rate of return or better so that investors will not be questioning the operations or leery about the person who has their money.

Convince More Investors: Because the early investors will receive their promised investment back, their success is used to entice more investors into the operation. This way other investors are hearing of the success and are more willing to put their money into it.

Break the Pattern: At some point, investors will stop getting returns and the scam artist will take off with the money. Consumers will be left as victims of investment fraud in Iowa.

For more information on Ponzi schemes, read our article How to Avoid Becoming a Victim of Financial and Investment Fraud in Iowa. If you have been a victim of investment fraud or financial fraud in Iowa, please contact an experienced Cedar Rapids financial fraud lawyer today at the law firm of Brady & O'Shea at (319) 866-9277 for a free legal consultation.

Iowa Playground Safety and Prevention Strategies

Sun, 21 Aug 2011 08:00:00 GMT

Almost one-third of all playground fatalities and about 75% of playground-related injuries happen on public playgrounds, such as school playgrounds, city parks and community playgrounds, according to Safe Kids USA. And, about 40% of these incidents occur during May, June and September.

Because Iowa playground accidents and injuries occur often, parents of children should know prevention strategies in order to reduce their child's chances of being injured by playground equipment.

Some prevention strategies you should keep in mind include:

Separate Age-Appropriate Playgrounds: Look to see if there are separate age-appropriate playground areas for the different age groups of children. Educate your children on the different playground equipment that is and isn't acceptable for their age groups. Sadly, there are only 42% of playgrounds that have separate areas for children 2 to 5 and 5 to 12.
Adult Supervision: Inform your children that there always needs to be an adult on the playground watching them play. Increasing adult supervision on playgrounds can reduce the number of playground injuries in Iowa and throughout the nation.
Protective Surfaces: Look to see if there are wood chips, shredded rubber, sand or energy-absorbing materials under and around the playground equipment that will reduce injuries related to falls. If there are not the appropriate protective surfaces, do not allow your child to play on that playground equipment.

By doing these things, you will be able to reduce playground injury risks to your children. However, even if you have done everything you can to keep your kids safe your child may have still been injured in a Cedar Rapids playground accident.

If your son or daughter was injured by defective playground equipment or the lack of protective surfaces or supervision, please call the law offices of Brady & O'Shea at (319) 866-9277 to speak with a skilled Iowa product liability lawyer in a free legal consultation today.

Know the Laws that Protect Iowa Consumers from Defective Products

Tue, 16 Aug 2011 08:00:00 GMT

Defective products seriously injure thousands of people every year and even claim the lives of some. If you have been injured by a defective product or if you purchased a product that did not perform as promised, you have rights.

Many consumers do not know their rights or the laws that protect them. It is extremely important that you understand your rights as a consumer and that there are implied warranties, product liability laws, lemon laws, contract and warranty laws, safety rules, and a number of other laws in place to help protect you from bad products and companies.

Do not believe the myth that you have little or no recourse when you are defrauded by a company. You do have rights, and you should pursue an Iowa consumer fraud claim for your damages and losses.

When you are injured by a defective consumer product, you may be able to collect financial compensation for your injuries, medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages and more from one of the following liable parties:

Manufacturers
Designers
Parts maker or engineers
Reseller
And more

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and the Federal Trade Commission address consumer fraud complaints and support laws protecting consumers from bad companies and products. However, these federal agencies will not pursue a consumer fraud case on your behalf. In order to seek a recovery for your damages due to fraud, you will need to talk with an Iowa consumer fraud attorney who will protect your interests and fight for your recovery.

For more information about your rights, please contact an experienced Cedar Rapids consumer fraud lawyer at the law firm of Brady & O'Shea today at (319) 866-9277 for a free legal consultation.

Protect Yourself from Advanced Fee Loans and Iowa Financial Fraud

Sat, 13 Aug 2011 08:00:00 GMT

When people are hurting financially, they often tend to be vulnerable with their finances. Con artists know this and know how to use deceptive wording to target people who are trying to stay afloat.

If you are financially hurting, unemployed, have overdue bills, or need to repair your credit, watch out for advance fee loans, cash loans, credit repair schemes and financial fraud in Iowa.

Advanced fee loans occur when a company says they will give you a loan but they require you to pay an upfront fee that can range anywhere from $50 to $500. Once you do this, you may never hear from that company or salesperson again. Sadly, you do not get a loan and you can't get a refund because you were defrauded.

These advanced fee scams occur at many fraudulent companies offering other services such as credit repair for an advanced fee. Although the bulk of companies offering loans and credit repair services may be genuine, there are a handful of unscrupulous companies that are "bad seeds" and will cheat you out of your money.

How to Protect Yourself from Financial Fraud in Iowa

Before paying any advanced fee for a loan or any other service, review all contracts and materials before signing anything. Also, perform thorough research on the company you are considering doing business with.
You can also contact the Better Business Bureau or the Iowa attorney general's office to find out if there are any complaints against the company you are questioning. If in doubt, walk away.

How a Cedar Rapids Financial Fraud Attorney Can Help You

If you were a victim of financial fraud in Iowa, you have rights. You may be able to pursue a lawsuit or claim against the fraudulent company or individual that cheated you out of your money. For more information about your rights, call the law firm of Brady & O'Shea today at (319) 866-9277 and speak with an experienced financial fraud attorney.

Chelation Treatments for Iowa Lead Poisoning

Tue, 02 Aug 2011 08:00:00 GMT

Now that you know your child has been exposed to high levels of lead, you probably have many questions and want to know how you can help your child during this difficult time. Your doctor will most likely be the best source of information, as he or she will provide you with recommendations and treatments available.

Two common ways that lead poisoning in Iowa is treated in children with more severe cases is through drugs called chelators and EDTA therapy.

How Does Lead Poisoning Treatment Work?

Chelation treatments are given at a hospital under a doctor's supervision. They consist of medication that is administered intravenously (through the veins), intramuscularly (through the muscles), or by mouth. This type of treatment may only have to be done once; however, there are many children who need more than one session to lower the amount of lead in their blood.

The way this treatment works is that the medicine attaches to the lead found in the body and removes it by excretion through urine.

After chelation treatment, if your child's blood lead levels are more than 10 mcg/dL, then the doctor may recommend another chelation treatment. However, even after another treatment session, some children's blood lead levels won't get lower than 10 mcg/dL.

Another similar lead poisoning treatment process is called EDTA therapy. This type of procedure is to treat blood lead levels higher than 45 mcg/dL. Ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acid (EDTA) is a chemical treatment that binds to excess lead found in the body.

Treating high blood lead levels can be beneficial to some; however, it may not be possible to reverse all the damage that has been done. Talk to your doctor regarding which treatment is best for your child, and call an experienced Cedar Rapids lead poisoning attorney at Brady & O'Shea today if you believe you have an Iowa lead poisoning claim. We can be reached at (319) 866-9277 for a free legal evaluation.

Please request your FREE copy of our book, Get the Lead Out, which can help you and your family during this difficult time.

Common Injuries Children Sustain in Cedar Rapids Playground Accidents

Thu, 21 Jul 2011 08:00:00 GMT

Every parent wants to protect their child from harm; however, sometimes there are hidden design defects in products that children play with or defects in playground equipment that parents are not aware of.

Common defects in playground equipment in Iowa include:

Ladder defects - ladder steps are too far apart
Swing set defects - swings are too close together
Lack of shock absorbent surface - no safety mat below slides and swings
Loose bolts, nuts or screws holding swings and other playground equipment together
Poorly designed jungle gyms
Exposed corners that are sharp

When children are exposed to these dangers, injuries can occur, including:

Fractures and broken bones
Cuts and bruises
Strains and sprains
Head trauma
Brain injury
And more

In order to prevent your child from being injured on playground equipment, playground safety should be discussed. It is important that your child follows the playground rules and that your child is supervised at all times while on playground equipment. However, if defective equipment was to blame for your child's injuries, no amount of playground safety would have stopped the injuries from occurring.

If your child suffered an injury due to poorly maintained equipment or defective playground equipment in Cedar Rapids, you can hold a negligent business, school, city, or manufacturer liable for unsafe equipment.

If you believe your child suffered an injury due to defective playground equipment, call the law offices of Brady & O'Shea to talk with a skilled Cedar Rapids personal injury lawyer about your possible Iowa product liability case. Contact our office for a free legal evaluation at (319) 866-9277.

What are the Signs of Lead Poisoning in Children to be Aware of?

Sun, 17 Jul 2011 08:00:00 GMT

Although lead poisoning is dangerous and harmful for anyone, it is especially damaging for children. Kids under the age of six have a higher risk for severe and long-lasting damage from lead poisoning. Since lead interferes with children's nervous systems, repetitive exposure to lead can cause permanent behavioral and learning disorders.

Unfortunately, detecting child lead poisoning in Iowa can be hard, which is why parents need to know about the signs and symptoms to watch out for, including:

Physical Symptoms
Loss of appetite
Vomiting
Abdominal pain
Constipation
Weight loss
Anemia
Unexplained fatigue and drowsiness
Lack of interest in playing or no energy
Kidney failure
Hearing loss
Delayed or slowed growth
Clumsiness
Speech delay or loss of speech skills

Behavioral Symptoms

Learning disabilities and difficulties
Irritability
Aggressiveness
Easily distracted and trouble concentrating
Learning problems and decline in IQ

Sadly, children can be exposed to lead before birth and may experience a slowed or stunted growth and have learning difficulties right from the very beginning of their lives. Because lead has such a damaging impact on young children, parents need to look out for the signs of lead poisoning and get children tested if lead poisoning is suspected.

If lead poisoning is not detected until children have excessive blood lead levels, it can lead to seizures, coma, and even death. If you or your child is a victim of lead poisoning in Iowa, call an experienced Cedar Rapids lead poisoning attorney at Brady & O'Shea today at (319) 866-9277 for a free legal evaluation.

Please request your FREE copy of our book, Get the Lead Out, which can help you and your family during this difficult time.