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 Posted on February 18, 2013 in News

You don't have to be driving a car to be involved in a car accident. Last year over 600 people in Virginia were hurt on bicycles because of accidents, and 10 of those injuries resulted in death. On Tuesday, January 29, bicyclists took to the roads for a Bicycle Action Day in Richmond. It was an event designed to show support for the state legislators introducing bills that are intended to make the roadways safer for those biking across the Commonwealth.

Members of RideRichmond, a nonprofit organization of bicycle enthusiasts, met on the campus of Virginia Commonwealth University and biked to the General Assembly Building. Their trek was made in support of the new legislation that would require drivers to give bicycles more room on the road. The group praised the efforts of Chantilly-area Senator Chap Peterson (D-Fairfax) as well as Senator Bryce Reeves (R-Spotsylvania) and Delegate Alfonso Lopez (D-Arlington). All three have bills that target specific safety issues bicyclists face in their daily rides.

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 Posted on February 15, 2013 in Medical Malpractice

Did you try other weight loss options and they just didn't work? After researching and talking to your doctor, did you decide to undergo gastric bypass surgery? While you may have been informed of the risks involved with the surgery, were you adequately informed of the complications that could arise after the surgery? Gastric bypass patients are often put on a variety of supplements after their surgery, yet many are returning to their Virginia and DC doctors and hospitals with symptoms of malnutrition. The most common vitamin deficiencies in gastric bypass patients are B12, D, calcium, and iron. Read below and see if you are lacking vital nutrients as a result of your surgery:

Symptoms of malnutrition from gastric bypass surgery:

• Extreme fatigue or tiredness
• Dizziness
• Bleeding gums
• Tooth decay
• Fragile bones

Can lead to broken bones in the case of a fall or injury

• Inability to control your body temperature

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 Posted on February 14, 2013 in Catastrophic Injuries

When a loved one dies as a result of someone else's negligence, wrongful act, or malpractice, there are two types of claims that can be made: a wrongful death claim and a survival action claim. When a family is looking to collect damages following the death of a loved one, it is possible to get confused between the two types of claims. That is why it is important to understand the difference between bringing a wrongful death claim and bringing a survival action claim.

What Is a Wrongful Death Claim?

In a nutshell, a wrongful death claim is a claim filed by the closest living family member of the deceased (e.g., spouse, child, parent, etc.). That person acts as a representative and can collect damages for the surviving family members. For example, the wrongful death of a husband and father can leave a wife and children without the financial support they need. Thus, they should be able to collect for lost income. In addition, the death of a husband can cause the wife to suffer a loss of love and companionship. Plus, children who have lost a father suffer from the loss of support and guidance. All of these losses should be accounted for through a wrongful death lawsuit.

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 Posted on February 12, 2013 in Spinal Cord Injuries

Because of its vital role in the functioning of the body, when the spinal cord becomes damaged or injured, the results can be significant. However, not all spinal cord injuries result in complete paralysis as there are various types of spinal cord injuries. In this article, we will discover more about partial or incomplete spinal cord injuries. We will discuss the various categories of these injuries along with the effects that a person may sustain as a result of an incomplete spinal cord injury.

Understanding the Spinal Cord

The spinal column is composed of three main parts-the cord itself (made up of a column of nerves that run down the length of the back), the bones that protect the spinal cord, and the discs that act as cushions between the vertebrae. The location on the spine where the damage has occurred is what helps classify the injury as complete or incomplete. In a complete spinal cord injury, a person loses all function and sensation below the injured point. However, for an injury to be considered incomplete, not all functionality or sensation is lost.

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 Posted on February 10, 2013 in News

Two vehicles were involved in an accident along Pleasant Valley Road in Chantilly, Virginia. According to Fairfax County police, A Ford Escort and a Toyota Corolla collided head-on just before 10:30 a.m. on Monday, January 14, 2013.

The accident closed Pleasant Valley Road between Braddock Road and Jillians Forest Way for several hours as police investigated the crash. The road closure caused the traffic to back up for a few miles on Pleasant Valley Road.

According to police reports, the Escort, driven by a 24-year-old Gainesville woman, crossed over the median and struck the Corolla. The Toyota Corolla was driven by a 57-year-old resident of Centreville.

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue reported that six people were injured in the accident, including one child. The two most critically injured were transported via helicopter to Inova Fairfax Hospital. The other four were transported in ambulances to Inova as well. All had serious injuries.

Emergency personnel stated that five of the victims were in critical condition but were unsure about the condition of the sixth.

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 Posted on February 08, 2013 in Spinal Cord Injuries

If you suffered a spinal cord injury, you'll most likely want an attorney to represent you in your claim. This is because spinal cord injuries are difficult injuries which often leave victims in great need. Whether you were involved in a car accident, motorcycle crash, slip and fall accident, or other type of personal injury incident, it's important to consider all your options.

Why an Experienced Attorney May Help

One of the greatest needs you may have after suffering spinal cord damage is getting great legal help. Because spinal cord injuries are serious, it's critical to have an experienced attorney on your side. There are many reasons for this, such as:

• It's likely you'll be focused on your physical and emotional recovery and not on a lawsuit.
• There are laws and rules you may not know which a lawyer can inform you of.
• It's possible you may be suffering from depression and not thinking clearly.
• You may not know the full value of your claim.

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 Posted on January 20, 2013 in Brain Injuries

If your baby has been injured by shaken baby syndrome, you know the prognosis is bleak. There is nothing more heartbreaking than the serious injury or death of your beloved little baby. Therefore, as parents and caretakers it is your responsibility to keep your baby safe. Our Fairfax brain injury lawyers are sharing important tips with you for preventing shaken baby syndrome so that your baby stays safe and healthy.

Preventing Shaken Baby Syndrome

Important guidelines to follow for preventing shaken baby syndrome:

• Never shake your baby, even if you believe that you are only being playful
• Warn the baby's siblings of the dangers of shaken baby syndrome
• Always keep an eye on your baby, even a blow to the head can cause shaken baby syndrome
• Do not hold your baby if you are arguing
• If you are losing your temper or are stressed out, take a break away from your baby by putting your baby in a safe place or by asking for assistance from a family member or friend

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 Posted on January 09, 2013 in News

Thanksgiving 2012 was a deadly holiday season on Virginia's roadways. Preliminary reports from the Virginia State Police Department indicate that 13 people were killed on the state's highways between Wednesday, November 21, and Sunday, November 25. This is an increase from the past two years. Last holiday season 11 people died in motor vehicle crashes and in 2010 ten people died.

Included among the 13 fatalities were three pedestrians, one motorcyclist, and one double-fatality motor vehicle accident. Sadly, the youngest victim was only 17 years of age. The reports indicate that alcohol was a factor in three of the motor vehicle crashes and five of those killed in cars were not wearing seat belts.

In addition to these unfortunate fatalities, police also cited 9,976 drivers for speeding, 3,099 operators for reckless driving, 115 drivers for driving while intoxicated, 832 drivers and passengers for failing to wear seat belts, and 280 drivers for not using proper child safety restraints for the children in the vehicle.

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 Posted on January 05, 2013 in Birth Injuries

As an expecting mother, you've probably combed through articles on the internet and in magazines and you have probably read through book after book about being pregnant and what you can expect. You have probably also read about all of the possible problems and issues you may encounter as an expecting mom. And there is no doubt that you have likely read the terms "fetal distress" on numerous occasions, which can scare the daylights out of any expecting parent. Fetal distress can be serious because that means that the unborn baby is not getting enough oxygen while in the womb. At Shevlin Smith, our Virginia birth injury lawyers are here to speak with you if you have been told that your unborn baby is in fetal distress; we know how serious this can be.

Causes of fetal distress before labor:

• Placental abruption occurs when the placenta detaches from the uterus
• Umbilical cord becomes entangled around the baby's neck or a limb

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 Posted on January 02, 2013 in Birth Injuries

While it may sound like a complicated term, the Brachial Plexus is simply the group of nerves that runs from the spine, through the neck, and controls the shoulder, hand, and arm movements. Unfortunately, hurried medical personnel often injure this group of nerves during the delivery of a baby in Virginia.

When a baby's shoulder gets "stuck" on the mother's pelvic bone during delivery, there are several options available to doctors and nurses to ensure a safe delivery for both mom and baby. Many, however, will resort to the fastest method of delivery by pulling on the infant's head or by using tools like forceps or a vacuum to extract the baby.

A Brachial Plexus birth injury is caused when the head is pulled in the opposite direction of the shoulders. Imagine someone pressing down on your shoulders while another person pulls your head up. That strain is what causes the nerves and ligaments to be stretched, sprained, and sometimes torn.

There are four specific types of Brachial Plexus injuries recognized in Virginia:

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