The Cochran Firm Legal Blog

Many people are suffering today from the negligent or careless treatment they experienced at the hands of healthcare providers they trusted.

In the state of Florida, medical malpractice or medical negligence is considered to be the failure of a healthcare provider to act in accordance with the accepted standard of care in the medical community. What this means to all of us is a doctor, nurse or other healthcare provider must be held legally responsible for doing harm to patients if they act in a careless or negligent way.

Over the years the medical malpractice attorneys at The Cochran Firm have litigated a variety of medical malpractice and medical negligence cases and we have recovered millions of dollars in damages for devastated Florida families. The complexities of proving a healthcare provider was negligent requires investigation, knowledge of the medical facts involved and the resources available to the highly skilled team of medical malpractice attorneys at The Cochran Firm.

Please contact the highly skilled medical malpractice attorneys at the Miami, Florida location of The Cochran Firm if you have been a victim of medical malpractice or negligence to learn how we can recover damages for your injuries and pain and suffering and make sure the future ahead is secure for you and your family despite the harm done to you.

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There are thousands of cases of kidney dialysis errors committed every year in the United States. Kidney dialysis errors include mistakes in the administration of medications, vascular access injuries, excessive blood loss, the failure to properly monitor vital signs, inadequate supervision leading to patient falls, and improper maintenance of kidney dialysis machines. Though kidney disease is a killer, errors in kidney dialysis treatment are responsible for serious injuries and unnecessary deaths also.

If you are a person on kidney dialysis treatments or you care about a person who is on kidney dialysis treatments it is vitally important you make yourself aware of what good medical treatment should consist of. It is not safe to trust the kidney dialysis treatment center to do a good job without first educating yourself to the potential risks involved.

Kidney dialysis patients who believe that they have received inadequate or negligent care at a kidney dialysis treatment center should consult with an experienced kidney dialysis medical malpractice attorney at The Cochran Firm. When kidney dialysis machines are in the hands of undertrained or incompetent personnel or the machines themselves fail, there can be tragic consequences for the patient.

If you live in the Miami, Florida area and have suffered an injury during your kidney dialysis treatment, please contact The Cochran firm today and our expert kidney dialysis attorneys will evaluate your claim and advise you on how to proceed during a confidential consultation at no cost to you.

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Vehicle defects can lead to car accidents that result in serious injury or death. There has been a flood of recalls of defective vehicles that number in the millions in recent weeks.

The most common automobile defects involve defective accelerators or brakes, faulty tires and defective seatbelts and airbags, as well as malfunctioning fuel and electronic systems and poor design features and structural integrity.

Millions of defective cars are on the nation’s roadways and they are capable of causing injuries and deaths. Defective vehicles are one of the leading causes of car accidents with injuries in this country today; and if your vehicle is not one of the defective ones, you can almost be sure that the one next to you or behind you is on the list.

If you were injured as a result of an automobile accident involving a defective vehicle you are entitled to financial compensation due to the negligence of the automobile manufacturer. This financial compensation may include damages for physical and mental suffering, medical bills, car replacement costs, loss of wages, and in the event of a wrongful death, the costs of funeral and burial expenses and loss of companionship. The automobile accident attorneys at The Cochran Firm will work diligently to protect your legal rights and hold those responsible for your injuries legally and financially accountable.

If you live in the Miami, Florida area and have suffered injuries due to an accident involving a defective car, please contact The Cochran Firm today to learn how to proceed with your case from a highly skilled defective vehicle attorney.

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According to the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, over 1.5 million Americans suffer traumatic brain injuries every year. Of this number over 50,000 succumb to their injuries and over 235,000 are hospitalized.

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can be caused by an impact to the head that causes the brain to move inside the skull. Traumatic brain injuries are frequently the result of motor vehicle accidents, medical malpractice, sports injuries, criminal assaults, nursing home abuse, heart attacks or electrocutions. Permanent disabilities caused by a traumatic brain injury range from the mild to the severe with the area of the brain impacted usually determining the scope of disability.

The medical expenses incurred as a result of a traumatic brain injury are often much greater than your insurance coverage because of the life-long disability and life-long care and support needed to recover and survive such a devastating injury. The highly skilled brain injury attorneys at The Cochran Firm can help you recover financial compensation from those responsible for your injuries and will evaluate your medical requirements for the present and into the future, because they have experience in litigating brain injury lawsuits and have gained substantial financial compensation and lifetime care support for brain injured clients in the past.

If you live in the Miami, Florida area and are suffering with a traumatic brain injury, please contact the skilled traumatic brain injury attorneys at The Cochran Firm today to learn how to proceed with your claim for damages.

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Thousands of homes across America were constructed using defective Chinese drywall after a construction boom and repeated hurricane damage that was experienced between 2004 and 2007 created a shortage of domestically manufactured drywall.

Defective Chinese drywall causes a strong sulfur odor, reminiscent of rotten eggs, property damage and health problems like headaches, respiratory and sinus problems, nosebleeds and eye irritation. Homes constructed with defective Chinese drywall have been experiencing corroding electrical systems, heating and cooling systems and piping corrosion along with the health problems.

Over 100,000 homes are reported to be affected at this time and simply removing the defective Chinese drywall presents another problem. It has been reported that the removal procedure can actually release more toxic gases if not done properly.

Insurance companies are reportedly dropping homeowners or not renewing their homeowners insurance policies based on the presence of defective Chinese drywall in their homes. The defective product attorneys at The Cochran Firm are aggressively pursuing the international companies, builders and insurers involved in this complex issue for their clients.

If you live in the Miami, Florida area and your home has been affected by defective Chinese drywall, please contact The Cochran Firm today and allow the experienced defective product attorneys there to advise you on how to proceed to protect your legal rights and get the financial assistance you deserve.

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Rear end automobile collisions are the most frequent accident reported with fewer fatalities than any other automobile accident, but the occupants of the car do not usually come away from the collision uninjured.

The human body is not designed to withstand the impact of a rear end collision without suffering some damage. Over 2.5 million rear end collisions occur in the United States every year, and these low speed rear impact collisions can have serious physical consequences for the occupants.

One of the most common injuries suffered in a rear end collision is whiplash, also known as cervical acceleration/deceleration trauma. Whiplash occurs as a result of the sudden, violent, involuntary snapping back and forth action of the neck in a rear end collision.

Whiplash injuries are responsible for pain, swelling and stiffness of the ligaments and muscles of the neck area, headache, nausea, numbness and some loss of balance. The duration of the symptoms depends upon the severity of the injury, but can last weeks or months.

If you or someone you care about has been injured in a rear end automobile collision, you should consult an experienced rear end automobile collision attorney with expertise in this field of law like those at The Cochran Firm.

If you have been injured by someone else's negligence you deserve to be financially compensated for your medical expenses, lost wages, present and future and your pain and suffering.

Please contact the Miami, Florida office of The Cochran Firm today to schedule a no cost to you consultation to learn how to proceed with your case.

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Millions of Americans visit amusement parks, water parks, sports facilities and entertainment complexes annually. Unfortunately, accidents and injuries do occur at these venues despite safety procedures and precautions followed at these amusement parks and other entertainment and sport facilities.

Roller coasters and other "thrill-rides" are responsible for many amusement park injuries. Many amusement park attractions are built specifically to scare patrons. A rollercoaster traveling at speeds over 60 miles per hour is exciting but if an accident occurs, the result is often severe injuries, such as, whiplash, traumatic brain injuries or broken bones.

The lure of an amusement park is the promise of safe fun for the entire family, but children are injured every day on rides, in parking lots and elsewhere on the grounds of entertainment venues. When someone is injured at an entertainment venue, it is important to have the advice of an attorney familiar with cases involving amusement park and entertainment venue accidents, like The Cochran Firm lawyers. The venue owners need to be held legally responsible when an accident occurs on their property.

If you or someone you care about was injured at an amusement park, sports facility or other entertainment venue, please contact the Miami, Florida office of The Cochran Firm today to schedule a confidential consultation to learn all about your legal rights and what financial compensation.

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People are exposed to toxic chemicals or materials in many ways, including chemical spills, discharges from landfills, leaking underground storage tanks, and pollution from industrial facilities. A toxic tort refers to a certain kind of personal injury that happens as a consequence of exposure to toxic chemicals or materials.

Cancer is one disease that afflicts workers who are exposed to hazardous chemicals and materials without proper protective equipment or appropriate warnings. Workplace substances known to cause cancer include benzene, beryllium, vinyl chloride, trichloroethylene and ethylene oxide.

Exposure to hazardous materials may cause bronchiolitis/obliterans (popcorn worker's lung), hormonal and sexual dysfunctions, occupational asthma and stillbirths and miscarriages.

The companies that manufacture and sell these substances have an obligation to make certain workers are aware of the dangers involved and can protect themselves, or they should be held financially responsible for their employees who are harmed by exposure to these substances. Compensation for your pain and suffering, disability, medical expenses, emotional stress, loss of enjoyment of life or the death of a loved one is an entitlement in the case of a toxic tort.

If you or someone you care about was harmed by exposure to a toxic chemical or substance, please contact the Miami, Florida office of The Cochran Firm today to schedule a confidential consultation to protect your legal rights and get the financial compensation you deserve.

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Many motorcycle accidents are due to the negligence and recklessness of other drivers and not only the motorcycle rider. The failure of other drivers to actually see a motorcycle in traffic is one major cause of motorcycle accidents, with intersections being the most dangerous place to be.

Other common causes of motorcycle accidents are speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, defective equipment, road and weather hazards along with poor visibility. Dangerous driving behaviors exhibited by motorcycle operators that contribute to accidents include failure to yield, failure to change lanes properly, failure to observe a safe distance, passing on the shoulder and weaving in and out of car lanes.

A motorcycle accident can have catastrophic consequences for the motorcycle rider such as massive head trauma, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, severe burns and even death. These injuries place an enormous emotional, physical and financial burden on the victim and their loved ones. Serious injuries can mean serious medical expenses, lost income, and permanent disability.

If you reside in Miami, Florida or the surrounding area and you or someone you love has had the misfortune to be involved in a motorcycle accident, please contact an experienced motorcycle accident attorney at the Miami, Florida office of The Cochran Firm today to protect your legal rights and learn if you are entitled to compensation for your injuries.

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Many truck accidents are the result of truck driver error. Delivery deadlines and long hours on the road contribute to the causes of truck accidents. The majority of the injuries and deaths involved in truck accidents are suffered by the occupants of the other vehicle involved in the accident with a truck.

Common causes of truck accidents are speeding, alcohol and drug use, reckless or aggressive driving, fatigue, hazardous road conditions and mechanical failure due to poor equipment maintenance.

Estimates report that over 80% of truck accidents are the fault of the truck driver. If you are ever involved in an accident with a truck, it is important for you to know your adversary is the trucking company and not the truck driver. The trucking company should be held liable for your losses. You should be fully compensated for all your medical expenses related to the accident, any loss of income or future earning potential, and pain and suffering you have had to endure. You will need an experienced truck accident attorney protecting your legal rights and fighting to obtain justice for you while the trucking company is attempting to minimize their responsibility for your losses.

If you are a resident of Miami, Florida or the surrounding area, and you have suffered an injury in an accident involving a truck, please contact an experienced truck accident lawyer at The Cochran Firm's Miami, Florida office today to protect your legal rights.

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Nearly half of all incidents of medical malpractice occur in the emergency rooms around this country. Emergency room mistakes often lead to injuries, permanent disability and even death.

Common emergency room errors include the failure to evaluate the patient properly, misdiagnoses, delayed diagnoses, failure to diagnose, delayed treatment, diagnostic testing mistakes, inappropriate medication or the wrong dose. Reasons for these mistakes may include the emergency room is overcrowded and understaffed, the facilities are inadequate to deliver an expected standard of care and treatment, the staff is inadequately trained, and record keeping procedures and medication administering procedures are lacking.

However, none of these reasons matter to a person injured or killed by medical malpractice or negligence. If you have suffered because of emergency room medical malpractice you are entitled to be compensated for your losses. You may be entitled to damages for current and future medical expenses, current and future loss of wages, long term care expenses, rehabilitation costs and in the event of a death, final expenses.

If you live in Miami, Florida or the surrounding area and you or someone you care about was injured or died due to emergency room medical malpractice, please contact the Miami, Florida office of The Cochran Firm today to schedule a confidential consultation with an experienced emergency room medical malpractice attorney, at no cost to you to protect your legal rights.

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Subcontractors of the Fortune 500 Company Lennar Corp. used defective drywall imported from China to build homes in Florida and across the Southeastern United States. This defective product was made with high levels of sulfur compounds that emit harmful gases when exposed to humidity and moisture. The harmful gases caused severe problems to homeowners including:

• Spreading foul odors
• Corroding metals throughout the structure of the home
• Causing potentially harmful health problems for occupants

Lennar Corp. has been named in a lawsuit filed by a Florida resident who has experienced problems due to the defective drywall. Lennar Corp. has begun working on finding the homes that were built with the drywall to determine what repairs must take place to remove the drywall.

Defective Products

As consumers, we believe in good faith that manufacturers and distributing companies will only use safe products. Sometimes, however, manufacturers and companies use unsafe and defective consumer products to save a little money and to cut corners. This savings may come at a great cost to our loved ones.

Please contact the Cochran Firm's defective product lawyers in Miami if you own a home that has been built with defective Chinese drywall. All of your questions will be answered in a no-cost, confidential consultation.

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A West Palm Beach, Florida nursing home was fined $16,000 for health violations after a resident had a swarm of maggots crawl out of his cast. State regulators indicated that the Azalea Court nursing home failed to provide an adequate care plan for the resident after he broke his leg.

According to investigators, the nursing home was supposed to treat the resident's leg wound and cast every three days; however, nursing home records indicate that the wound was treated no more than once a week. This lack of care has been deemed responsible for the maggot infestation that entered the man's cast.

Earlier this year, state regulators placed the Azalea Court nursing home on a "watch list" due to several poor ratings on inspections. The nursing home received the lowest possible rating - one out of five stars - on its overall inspection grade. On that same report, the for-profit nursing home received one star for quality of care and quality of life measurements.

The nursing home received a "J" grade for protecting residents from mistreatment and nursing home abuse. This grade indicates that the safety and health of residents has been placed in "immediate jeopardy."

Nursing homes have an obligation to provide standards of care that will ensure the health and safety of their elderly residents. When they fail to provide this standard of care, they are guilty of nursing home abuse and may be held accountable for their actions in a court of law.

The nursing home abuse lawyers at The Cochran Firm have been protecting our nation's elderly from mistreatment for many years. If your loved one has been the victim of nursing home abuse, we can help you receive the compensation you deserve.

Please contact The Cochran Firm today to schedule a consultation. We serve clients nationwide.

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Physical and emotional abuses in a nursing home setting are relatively easy to recognize. Open wounds, bruises, bedsores are often signs of physical abuse or neglect, while agitation, remote and solitary behaviors are signs of emotional abuse.

Financial exploitation of the vulnerable elderly nursing home population happens daily in nursing homes and assisted living facilities around the country. Financial exploitation happens when a caregiver steals, withholds or misuses a vulnerable adult's money, property or valuables for their own personal advantage or profit.

The signs of financial exploitation of the elderly may include actually stealing money, property or valuables, borrowing money with no intention of repaying it, giving way the victim's possessions without their permission, and the fraudulent misuse of ATM or credit cards. Often deceit and intimidation is used to achieve the desired result. The caregiver may promise lifelong care in return for a joint bank account or a power of attorney. Many times the victim is totally unaware of the real intentions of the perpetrator.

Suspicious signatures on checks, missing funds and belongings and a sudden interest in the elderly adult's finances by caregivers are all warning signs that warrant investigation.

If you live in the Miami, Florida area and suspect someone you care about has been the victim of nursing home abuse in the form of financial exploitation, please contact the Miami office of The Cochran Firm to schedule a confidential consultation at no cost to you.

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The definition of a wrongful death is the death was a result of negligence or the actions of another, and the surviving dependents, beneficiaries or heirs are entitled to monetary damages or financial compensation. Unfortunately, thousands of wrongful deaths occur in this country every year.

Some of the most common causes of wrongful death are motor vehicle accidents, medical malpractice and construction or jobsite-related accidents. When someone dies as a result of the negligence of another party or parties, medical malpractice, or the actions of someone else, the family of the victim is entitled to file a wrongful death lawsuit against those responsible. Damages in wrongful death cases are awarded for medical expenses, lost wages, funeral expenses and other costs.

A wrongful death leaves those left behind emotionally and financially devastated. Laws governing wrongful death cases are complex. Every wrongful death case is different and must be examined in great detail by an experienced and highly-trained attorney to protect your rights. Also, there are time limits to observe in filing a wrongful death lawsuit which an experienced attorney will explain to you.

If you live in Miami, Florida or the surrounding area and someone you love has died due to the actions of another, please contact an experienced wrongful death attorney at The Cochran Firm's Miami office today to schedule a confidential consultation at no cost to you to learn all about your legal rights and what compensation you are entitled to.

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