A Northern Virginia firefighter died when the tractor-trailer he was driving crashed head-on into another oncoming tractor-trailer. They were both traveling on a stretch of interstate 64 where there is only one lane open in each direction. The other truck fell into the median and crossed into the firefighter’s lane. The accident cut...
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Washington DC Doctor Suspended by Delaware for Role in Young Woman’s Death
Delaware’s medical disciplinary board suspended a doctor, who was also licensed in Washington, D.C., for six months for medical incompetence. A 19-year-old patient died after receiving a pain-relief injection from the doctor. She had been receiving treatment from the doctor for months after a car accident left her with lingering pain. One day in...
Read MoreMaryland Federal Judge Rules on the Use of Experts in Medical Malpractice Cases
In 2006, a mother and father took their infant daughter to the hospital because she was suffering from vomiting, diarrhea and choking. An emergency room doctor examined the little girl and told the parents to give her Pedialyte (an electrolyte solution) and then take her to a pediatrician. The family took the girl...
Read MoreFamily Sues DC Fire and EMS After Paramedics Refuse to Take 2-Year-Old to Hospital
The family of a two-year-old girl has filed a lawsuit against Washington, D.C. Fire and EMS. The girl died in February after she experienced trouble breathing. The family alleges that after they called 911, paramedics came to their home for only 10 minutes where they inadequately examined the girl and then refused to take her...
Read MoreWoman Killed in Hit-and-Run Accident Near Washington DC’s Dupont Circle
A New York City safety agency recently compiled a ranking of the most dangerous cities in the world for pedestrians. Cities outside of the United States fared considerably better, as American cities dominated the list. The most dangerous city in the world for pedestrians is Atlanta, with 10.97 deaths per 100,000 residents. Washington, D.C....
Read MoreVirginia Boy Killed in Accident While Riding on Back of Father’s Motorcycle
Motorcycle use in Northern Virginia has increased substantially in recent years. In 1994, there were just under 60,000 motorcycle registrations. In 2008, there were 177,147. With the increased popularity of motorcycles, however, also comes an increase in accidents and deaths. There were over 2,000 motorcycle accidents and 71 deaths in Virginia in 2009, and...
Read MoreConsumer Safety Experts Recommend Cordless Window Coverings after Maryland Baby Dies in Accident
With window cords injuring or killing many babies and toddlers over the years, experts at the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) have called on parents to switch to cordless window coverings. In 2009, companies recalled nearly 5.5 million window shades and blinds that posed dangers to children after three deaths and seven near strangulations....
Read MoreMaryland Workplace Deaths Rise Despite Nationwide Drop
A report from the Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics showed that workplace deaths in Maryland increased in 2009, rising to 65 from 60 the previous year. Washington, D.C. workplace fatalities numbered 10 in 2009, up from 9 in 2008, and Virginia saw a decrease from 156 to 118. Nationwide, 4,340 workers died...
Read MoreFairfax Teenager Killed in Electrical Accident while Trimming Trees
Unfortunately, accidents stemming from tree trimming remain all too common. A Washington man died last month when a falling tree part struck him on the head. A Richmond, Virginia worker died earlier in the year after a branch he was cutting fell onto a power line and electrocuted him. If negligence or poor safety...
Read MoreWashington DC Construction Worker Falls from Bucket Lift
Falls are the leading cause of fatalities for construction workers, with 400 to 500 deaths resulting from falls each year in the United States. They account for nearly one-third of all deaths in the construction industry. Some of the most common falls are those that occur from roofs, which can result from unprotected...
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