Many people put their trust in healthcare professionals to treat an injury or a specific medical condition. However, mistakes can and do occur, unfortunately. Often considered the most common, most costly, and most dangerous of medical errors, a missed or delayed diagnosis prevents a patient from receiving appropriate medical treatment to prevent his or her ailment from worsening. A misdiagnosis is only considered medical malpractice when a physician acted negligently and took action that another doctor would not have taken given the same circumstances. This can be difficult to prove, but an experienced personal injury attorney can help uncover evidence of this negligence.

Reasons for a Missed Diagnosis or Misdiagnosis

There are several ways that a medical mistake can happen, and although most are unintentional, they can have profound effects on a patient. In some cases, a missed or misdiagnosis can leave someone in worse health than they were before visiting the doctor or hospital. In addition, the timing of it can be critical depending on his or her condition. For example, the timely diagnosis for advanced diseases such as cancer is crucial to provide the necessary treatment such as chemotherapy or radiation, which can stop a malignant tumor from growing or spreading to other body parts.

Besides human error, a few of the main issues that can cause a diagnostic error are:

Electric scooters or “e-scooters” as they are commonly known are a popular mode of transportation these days. Ideal for sightseeing in big cities like Chicago, they can also be used for commuters who want a way to get to the office without the hassle of traffic. Chicago’s 2020 E-Scooter Share Pilot program is allowing three e-scooter companies to operate in the city: Bird, Lime, and Spin. The 2020 pilot program runs from August to December, and it has been updated based on recommendations from users of the 2019 program. New regulations aim to enhance the safety of riders as well as nearby pedestrians or bicyclists. However, as with any motorized vehicle, there is a chance of being involved in an accident. Even if you own an e-scooter and you suffer an injury while riding it, you may be entitled to compensation depending on the circumstances. A skilled personal injury attorney can help you determine who is liable and hold them accountable so you can recover.

E-Scooter Safety to Avoid an Electric Scooter Accident

A new stipulation to this second pilot program requires all e-scooters to contain locks so riders can lock the device to a stationary object after they are done with their trip. This is being done in an effort to reduce cluttered sidewalks and maintain clear pathways for Chicago residents or visitors to the city, including those with disabilities who may be in wheelchairs. In addition, the e-scooter riders must abide by the following rules during their rental period:

• Riders cannot travel at a speed over 15 mph
• Users cannot use the e-scooters on sidewalks (only designated bike paths)
• The scooters may only be operated from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Riders must wear protective helmets

Manufacturers of electric scooters are responsible for ensuring their products meet certain standards to ensure the safety of their customers. Therefore, any type of scooter should go through a quality inspection before being put out on the market to purchase or rent. Defective or faulty equipment can lead to brake or steering failure, directly causing a rider to collide with another rider, a pedestrian, or a fixed object such as a wall or median.

Motor vehicle accidents can cause serious consequences, from extensive car damage to severe injuries. When a car collides with a semi-truck, the aftermath can be devastating, even fatal to the occupants of the automobile. This is partly due to the massive size and weight of the truck compared to the car. The trucking industry is strictly regulated at the federal and state levels. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) puts in place several rules and regulations to govern the trucking industry. If these regulations are not adhered to, a truck accident can occur. Although many people may think the truck driver would automatically be at fault for causing the crash, in some cases, a trucking organization or company may also be found liable for negligent behavior or actions.

A Driver’s Reckless Actions

Illinois truck drivers must obtain a commercial driver’s license (CDL) in order to operate their big rigs. A truck driver should take reasonable care to drive safely when working and if he or she does not, the results may be deadly. Below are a few examples of reckless behavior behind the wheel that can cause a truck accident:

Whenever someone gets behind the wheel of a vehicle, there is a risk of being involved in a car accident. In many cases, they are caused by motorists engaging in reckless behavior by going over the posted speed limit on our nation’s highways. However, accident reports show that a large number of collisions actually occur in parking lots. Various factors can cause parking lot crashes, but the majority are due to driver error. Although most people may not think they could be that serious, a parking lot car accident can result in serious to life-threatening and even fatal injuries depending on the circumstances. If you or your loved one were hurt in an auto accident, regardless of where it occurred, an experienced personal injury attorney can help you determine who is at fault and hold the negligent party responsible.

Actions That Increase the Risk of a Crash in a Parking Lot

Even if no speed limit signs are posted, there is an assumption that motorists should proceed slowly when driving in any type of parking lot since there are typically a lot of pedestrians walking through them. Some parking areas even have speed bumps to deter drivers from speeding in them. However, if someone is in a hurry, he or she may believe it is okay to go fast when pulling in and out of parking spaces. In most situations, the person pulling out of a spot should yield for other parties.

After a catastrophic injury, a person’s life can be changed forever. Injuries to the spinal cord can be especially devastating, leaving a victim paralyzed. Damage to the spinal cord can require immediate medical attention and even surgery to try to repair broken vertebrae. In many cases, a person is unable to regain function of his or her limbs, resulting in partial or full paralysis. There are many causes of such an injury, from automobile crashes to workplace accidents to simply tripping and falling. Regardless of what led to a spinal injury, a victim can face a long recovery and rehabilitation and may be unable to return to work. For many, long-term care is needed, which can put a significant financial strain on a victim and his or her family. With the help of an experienced personal injury attorney, you may be entitled to compensation if a negligent party was responsible for your injury.

Accidents That Can Cause Spinal Cord Damage

Most spinal cord injuries are caused by serious accidents, such as vehicle crashes, falls, sports, or recreational injuries. In many instances, the incident is a direct result of another party’s negligent behavior or actions. For example, if the proper safety precautions are not followed at a workplace, employees can fall and injure themselves. Similarly, being struck while walking or riding a bike or motorcycle offers little to no protection to the pedestrian or biker if they are hit by a car driving by a distracted or intoxicated motorist. The force of impact when thrown to the pavement or caught between vehicles can crush the bones of the neck or back, causing irreversible damage.

The most common types of accidents that can cause a spinal injury include the following: