O'Connor Law

This week is National Dog Bite Prevention Week and we at The Law Offices of Michael J. O’Connor & Associates, L.L.C. want to take this opportunity to share with you some facts, tips and strategies relevant to protecting yourself and your loved ones from the all too common occurrence of dog bites.

Did you know that each year in the U.S. alone, an estimated 5 million people are bitten by dogs? That is fully 2% of the population. About 800,000 of these people require medical attention as the result of the bite or attack, and about 15-20 die from their injuries. Based on these numbers, we feel it is important to make our clients and their friends and family members aware of ways to prevent dog bites.

Below are 8 specific steps to keep in mind when you are around a dog.

1. If you don’t know a dog, keep your distance. It is very common that a dog will act protective of his space and therefore, if you transgress into his territory, you are just asking to be bitten.

2. Don’t try to touch a dog before he has had a chance to warm up to you. Warming up is a process. The dog may want to sniff you or approach you slowly. Let him do that before you even think about touching him. Otherwise, he may bite you in self-defense.

3. Be gentle. Sometimes children want to jump right in and play rough with a dog. This is a mistake. Playing roughly with a dog will cause him to become excited and he may bite you in the midst of the confusion.

4. Don’t disturb a dog that is sleeping, eating, chewing on a bone or taking care of puppies. This is an invitation to being bitten.

5. Pay attention to a dog’s demeanor. If he seems mad, growls, bears his teeth, or snarls, you should know to stay away.

6. Don’t run from a dog. If you turn and run from a dog, whether in fear or fun, he may instinctively chase you as he would prey. Instead, you should stand your ground with an unfamiliar dog that appears even moderately aggressive. Once the situation is diffused, turn slowly and walk away without looking back.

7. Don’t do anything that may cause a dog to feel that you are challenging him. This could be as simple as looking a strange dog right in the eye. Instead, look indirectly at him but keep him in your peripheral vision.

8. Teach your children these strategies and never leave them alone with a strange dog.

At the Law Offices of Michael J. O’Connor, L.L.C., we see the unfortunate results of what can happen when a strange dog is not treated with the proper precautions. It is our sincere desire that you will not only become more aware of how to prevent a serious incident with a dog but that you will also help to make your family and friends aware of ways to prevent being bitten by a dog. If, however, you are bitten and require medical attention, we suggest that you call our offices and speak to one of our legal representatives to ensure that your rights are adequately protected. We can be reached at 570-874-3300 or toll free at 1-800-518-4LAW.

On November 9, 2006, the Workers’ Compensation Act was amended when Governor Edward G. Rendell signed into law ACT 147, which had passed unanimously by both the Pa. House and Senate. These important amendments include the following:

-As of January 1, 2007, workers injured before August 31, 1993 will receive minimum payments of $100 per week on eligible claims.

-The Act also created an Uninsured Employers Guaranty Fund, to provide payment of workers’ compensation benefits to injured workers whose employer failed to maintain insurance coverage for, or self-insure its liability for workers compensation. In the future, insurers and self-insured employers will pay an annual assessment to replenish this fund.

-In addition, the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation will be limited from assigning more than 75% of any workers’ compensation petitions to a single workers’ compensation judge in one county.

-Workers compensation judges will be required to establish a mandatory trial schedule at the initial hearing to include hearing dates, deadlines for the presentation of evidence and a date certain for the holding of a mandatory mediation conference to explore possible amicable resolutions to the pending litigation.

-Attorney fees for compromise and release settlement agreements are now limited to 20% of the settlement amount.

-Provisions for the number and appointment of members of the Workers’ Compensation Appeal Board were enacted along with further internal procedures for the Board and the requirement that each member comply with a code of ethics were included in Act 147.

-The Workers’ Compensation Office of Adjudication in accordance with Act 147 issued an Act 147 Resolution Hearing Procedure on March 13, 2007, which allows either party to request a resolution hearing and provides for the scheduling of a resolution hearing to approve compromise and release (settlement) agreements within 14 business days of a request for such a hearing. The judge holding the resolution hearing is required to issue a final decision within 5 business days of the hearing.

The ever changing amendments to the Workers’ Compensation Act, including those referenced above, highlights the importance of quickly obtaining skilled and professional legal counsel to protect an injured worker’s rights. If you need help navigating the system, please call our office at 800-518-4529 or visit us on the web at www.oconnorlaw.com

Production of the antibiotic Tequin, approved in 1999 to treat lung, sinus, and certain sexually transmitted diseases, was halted in 2006 after years of questionable research exerted forcible pressure on the drug’s manufacturer.

Health Canada published an article detailing a 2003 study of over 15,000 patients using Tequin. The report documented that patients taking Tequin were four times more likely to develop low blood-sugar and 17 times more likely to develop high blood-sugar than those on other antibiotics. Another report, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, indicated that people over age 65 taking Tequin were four times more likely to be hospitalized for low blood sugar compared with seniors taking other antibiotics. In addition to blood sugar disorder risks, Tequin has been associated with serious adverse side effects, including severe and sometimes fatal allergic reactions, dangerous diarrhea, cardiovascular complications, and central nervous system side effects such as seizures and psychosis.

In 2006, the Public Citizen Group filed a petition with the FDA demanding a Tequin recall. The petition cited 388 patients with blood-sugar irregularities associated with the drug, including 20 deaths and 159 hospitalizations since January 2000. According to Dr. Sidney Wolfe, director of Public Citizen's Health Research Group, “This drug carries unique risk but has no unique benefits and therefore should not be on the market.”

Later that year, the FDA released a comprehensive report documenting these blood-sugar disorder risks. After the release of this report, the manufacturer announced labeling changes to update prescription information and include a warning on the product. However, the manufacture experienced continued pressure from government groups and concerned citizens, and has recently stopped production of Tequin.

If you have experienced blood-sugar disorders or other serious side effects as a result of taking Tequin, you may be entitled to compensation for your struggles and should contact a legal professional to analyze your case.

For more information, contact the Law Offices of Michael J. O'Connor & Associates at 800-518-4529 or visit our website to fill out one of the contact forms (www.oconnorlaw.com). The initial consultation is free and the firm works on a contngency fee basis, so you pay nothing unless we recover money for you.