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Philly Man Having Heart Attack Dies Awaiting Treatment in Hospital ER then Robbed by Drug Addicts

Paul Napoli — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 08:35:04 GMT

December 2, 2009

A popular Philly local musician and high school counselor went to a hospital emergency room on Saturday complaining of heart attack symptoms. He sat untreated in the waiting room for 80 minutes, where he died and three homeless drug addicts robbed him of his wristwatch.

Joaquin Rivera, 63, of Frankford, walked two blocks from his home on Duffield Street to the emergency room of Atria Health's Frankford Campus in Northeast Philadelphia, where he checked in at 10:45 p.m. complaining of pain shooting from his left arm to his chest. He took a seat in the waiting room as a nurse instructed.

At 11:00 p.m., Richard Alten, 44, signed in for treatment at the emergency room and he, along with another man and woman companion, take a seat in the waiting room. The three conversed with Rivera.

According to witnesses, police believe Rivera lapsed into unconsciousness about an hour after checking in. All caught on the hospital’s security video, one of the three people he had spoken with in the waiting room then removed Rivera’s watch and briefly passed it to Alten. Alten was then called to see ER doctors and his companions left.

Around 11:45 p.m., a witness alerted hospital security that Rivera appeared to be dead and of the robbery.

“There's no resistance from Mr. Rivera at all, which is why we believe he's probably dead. There's no stirring from him," said Capt. Jack McGinnis, a city detective, of the security video.

Police took Richard Alten into custody. The other suspects, a black woman in her thirties and 5-foot-8 black man in dark pants who limped are wanted by police. McGinnis describes the three suspects as homeless drug addicts. Police say they may release hospital security video in hopes of catching the other two suspects.

Rivera was pronounced dead At 12:04 a.m., one hour and 19 minutes after arriving at the hospital.

"My father went there complaining about chest pains," Joaquin Rivera Jr., 25, said. "They made him wait there for over an hour. That is ridiculous. I feel like the hospital killed him. "

Joaquin Rivera was a popular folk musician in Philly, especially within the Puerto Rican community. He was a bilingual counselor at Olney High School and worked for the school district 36 years.

Funeral Mass for Joaquin Rivera will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Christ Church and St. Ambrose, 600 W. Venango St. Friends may call at 6 p.m. Friday at the John F. Givnish Funeral Home, 10975 Academy Road, and at 9 a.m. at the church. Burial will be in Greenmount Cemetery, Front and Luzerne streets.

Aria Frankford Hospital has released the following statement:

"Due to the pending criminal investigation and citing patient confidentiality, Aria Health is unable to comment with regards to the circumstances surrounding this patient's death. Aria Health is cooperating fully with the Philadelphia Police Department in connection with the investigation and offers its condolences to the patient's family. Aria officials are conducting an intensive internal investigation into this event and are coordinating their efforts with law enforcement."

Hospital negligence can result in serious injuries and even deaths. If you have been injured as the result of negligence while you were a patient in a hospital, or if a loved one died due to hospital negligence, you may be able to file a claim and collect compensation for pain and suffering, lost wages, medical expenses and other losses. Some of the most common forms of hospital negligence include wrong-site surgeries, medication errors, surgical errors, development of hospital-acquired infections, improper use of anesthesia, improper treatment of a diagnosed medical condition, failure to monitor or stabilize a patient, or improper use of a medical device. Call Napoli Bern Ripka, LLP at 888-529-4669 today to discuss your legal options.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Paul Napoli

Long Island Father of Two Dies in Hit and Run Motorcycle Crash

Paul Napoli — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 20:35:54 GMT

December 1, 2009

Nassau police continue to search for a hit and run driver that killed a motorcyclist in Franklin Square on Sunday morning.

John Deike, 46, was driving his Honda motorcycle northbound on Commonwealth Street at about 11:45 a.m. when a car traveling eastbound on Naple Avenue broadsided him at the intersection. The driver of the car fled the scene.

The 46-year-old father of two small children was only six houses away from his Franklin Square home where his family eagerly awaited his arrival to go see the Radio City Christmas Show in Manhattan. No one witnessed the accident, but a neighbor heard the collision down the street and notified Deiker’s wife, Christine.

Police arrived at the scene to find Deiker lying in the middle of the street, his motorcycle down and debris scattered in the roadway. Deiker had not been wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. Emergency personnel transported him to Franklin General Hospital, where he died from his injuries about an hour after the accident.

Police have determined, from the debris at the scene, that the hit and run driver’s vehicle is a 1991-1996 Buick Century.

Deiker’s parents said his wife Christine, 4-year-old son and 5-year-old daughter were inconsolable.

"At this point we are endeavoring to locate the individual who possibly struck Mr. Dieker. We're attempting to identity the vehicle," said Det. Sgt. John DiMartinis of the Nassau Homicide Squad.

Franklin Funeral Home, Inc. of Franklin Square, NY is entrusted with the funeral arrangements for John Deiker. Visitation Tuesday 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. Funeral Mass Wednesday 10:30 a.m. at St. Catherine of Sienna R.C. Church. Interment St. Charles Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Deiker family for their children's college fund.

Police are asking anyone with information regarding the crash to please contact the Nassau County Police Homicide Squad, or anonymously call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS.

If you or a loved one are injured or a loved one killed in a motorcycle accident, you need to contact a personal injury attorney who is experienced in motorcycle accidents as soon as possible. Visit www.NBRLawFirm.com or call 1-888-529-4669 to discuss your case and find out the best course of action to ensure that you get the medical care you need and compensation you deserve for your injuries or a loved one’s death.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Paul Napoli

Study Finds Uninsured Trauma Patients 80% More Likely to Die

Paul Napoli — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 20:32:57 GMT

November 30, 2009

In a new study published in the November issue of Archives of Surgery, Harvard University and Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston researchers found trauma patients without medical insurance are more likely to die those with insurance.

The researchers studied data submitted from 1,154 trauma centers to the National Trauma Data Bank for 687,091 U.S. adult patients admitted with blunt or penetrating trauma injuries from 2002 through 2006. The study did not include burn patients, people who were treated and released or those dead on arrival to the hospital.

The study researchers factored patients' age, gender, race and severity of injury and found that patients enrolled in commercial health plans, health maintenance organizations or Medicaid had an equal risk of death from traumatic injuries. Patients covered by Medicare had a 56% higher risk of death. Patients without insurance were 80% more likely to die from traumatic injuries.

"After admission to a hospital, trauma patients can have worse outcomes based on insurance status," the study authors wrote. "This concerning finding warrants more rigorous investigation to determine why such variation in mortality would exist in a system where equivalent care is not only expected but mandated by law."

The study did not identify a cause for the increased mortality rate of uninsured patients, but did say that uninsured patients may experience treatment delay or different care than insured patients. Authors cited another study of Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston by J S Haas and L Goldman that found uninsured trauma patients were less likely to be admitted to the hospital and received fewer services during their admission compared with insured trauma patients.

The Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act ensures that hospitals provide emergency care regardless of a patient’s ability to pay.

In 2007, according to the US Census Bureau, 45.7 million Americans (15.3%) were uninsured.

Medical malpractice occurs when a physician or other medical care provider does not follow the "reasonable standard of care" for a patient in a similar medical situation. This standard of care is based on what other people in similar professions would do when faced with the same situation. Emergency room doctors who treat trauma patients have different standards of care to uphold than specialists such as plastic surgeons and podiatrists. Medical malpractice can result in serious injuries and even death. If you have been injured as the result of medical malpractice while you were a patient in a hospital or if a loved one died due to Medical malpractice, you may be able to file a claim and collect compensation for pain and suffering, lost wages, medical expenses and other losses. Call Napoli Bern Ripka, LLP at 888-529-4669 today to discuss your legal options.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Paul Napoli

EPA Issues Rules to Reduce Water Pollution from Construction Sites

Paul Napoli — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 02:36:08 GMT

November 29, 2009

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a final rule aimed at reducing water pollution from construction and development industries.

The final rule, which takes effect in February 2010 and will be phased in over a four-year period, will require construction site owners and operators who disturb one or more acres to use erosion and sediment control best management practices (BMPs) and pollution prevention measures to prevent run off of pollutants from construction sites into nearby bodies of water.

It also requires construction site owners and operators who impact 10 or more acres to monitor stormwater discharges and comply with a numeric standard for the pollutant turbidity in those discharges. This is the first time that EPA has imposed national monitoring requirements and enforceable numeric limitations on construction site stormwater discharges.

Construction activities like clearing, excavating and grading significantly disturb the land and cause soil and sediment runoff, one of the leading causes of water quality problems nationwide.

“The disturbed soil, if not managed properly, can easily be washed off of the construction site during storms and enter water bodies,” the EPA Final Rule says. “Stormwater discharges from construction activities can cause an array of physical, chemical and biological impacts.”

If you or a family member have suffered illness or your property contaminated by soil or ground water pollution, toxic spillage, chemical seepage, improper waste disposal or other environmental issues from construction, mining or other industrial operations, it is important that you contact an attorney immediately to discuss your legal options. Call Napoli Bern Ripka, LLP today at 888-529-4669.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Paul Napoli

Driver Held on $1 Million Bail as Three Boys Remain Hospitalized in Philly

Paul Napoli — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 23:51:34 GMT

November 28, 2009

Dawn Denise Snell, 42, of the Philadelphia suburb of Lansdowne, is being held in the Delaware County Jail on $1 million cash bail after driving her car into three boys walking home from school in Upper Darby, PA.

Police Superintendent Michael Chitwood of the Upper Darby Police Department said Dawn Snell was speeding east in her Dodge Charger on Marshall Road about 12:10 p.m. Tuesday when she ran a red light, lost control of the car and swerved toward a group of five boys. She struck two boys, then hit a third as her car traveled along the sidewalk before ramming a parked car, the impact pushing it 15 feet, where Snell’s car finally came to rest 500 feet from the first impact. The windshield smashed by the force of the boys’ bodies’ impact.

The victims, seventh-graders Jemel Brunswick, 13, Philmon Beyene, 12, and Tyler Lowery, 12, were waiting to cross the street on their way home after an early release from school for the Thanksgiving holiday when they were run down. Ambulances rushed all three boys to Children's Hospital of Philadelphia in critical condition.

Brunswick and Beyene were in "extremely critical" condition, Chitwood said. Doctors performed surgery Tuesday night on Brunswick and Beyene to relieve pressure on their brains. Doctors transferred Brunswick to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania suffering multiple facial fractures, pelvic injuries and a serious wound to one of his lungs. Snell’s car hit Brunswick so hard that he was knocked out of his shoes. Beyene remains in a medically induced coma and on a respirator, treated for a fractured skull, multiple pelvic fractures and a lacerated pancreas. He also had surgery to save his right leg, Chitwood said. Lowery was in stable condition with less severe injuries.

"What the long-term consequences are, I couldn't tell you. They're going to be in the hospital for a long time," Chitwood said. “To knock someone out of their shoes, you have to be traveling at a pretty significant speed.”

Witnesses told police that Snell tried to flee the accident scene after hitting the boys. "Every one of them said there was no doubt she was trying to get away," Chitwood said.

Snell told police that she was rushing to get her daughter to SEPTA’s 69th Street Terminal to catch a train to Norristown. Snell's daughter said she believes something was wrong with the car and her mother was not trying to flee, but Chitwood said there is nothing to indicate a malfunction of the car.

Officials charged Snell Wednesday with aggravated assault, simple assault and a host of motor-vehicle counts including reckless driving and leaving the scene of an accident. Snell remains in the Delaware County Jail on $1 million cash bail while awaiting a preliminary hearing is scheduled for November 30.

"You could have two dead young men before the weekend is over," Chitwood said regarding the high bail.

If you or loved one has been injured or a loved one killed in pedestrian vs. motor vehicle accident, Napoli Bern Ripka, LLP has the experience and knowledge needed to successfully handle your auto accident case. Contact us immediately after an auto accident and we will discuss the situation with you and come up with a plan of action to help you get compensation for your injuries, property damage or a loved one’s wrongful death. Call 1-888-529-4669 today to discuss your case and find out the best course of action to ensure that you get the compensation you deserve.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Paul Napoli

New Law Increases Fines for Employers who Retaliate Against Employees

Paul Napoli — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 23:49:35 GMT

November 27, 2009

A new law that protects employees who report labor violations to the New York State Department of Labor from retaliation by employers went in to effect this week.

When employees file claims or provide information to the Department of Labor about violations, they may suffer employer retaliation such as discharge, demotion, pay cuts or reassignment to a less desirable work shift or work duties. Employees must be protected from such retaliations and although New York’s previous labor law prohibited employer retaliation, the new law offers a greater deterrent because of increased penalties.

Governor David A. Paterson said, “Every worker in New York is afforded basic protections under state labor law – minimum wage, meal breaks and the right to be paid in a timely manner. Oftentimes, when workers are not afforded those rights, many are too apprehensive to come forward due to fear of retaliation by their employers. This law will persuade more workers to come forward, while at the same time ensuring that lawbreaking employers who do retaliate against workers will face stiff penalties.”

Signed by Governor David A. Paterson on August 26, 2009, the new law increases the minimum civil penalty against employers who retaliate against employees from $200 to $2,000 and the maximum penalty from $1,000 to $10,000. Under the new law, the Commissioner of Labor may also award lost compensation to workers who have been victims of employer retaliation.

“All too often, workers who turn to the State Department of Labor to help them recover unpaid wages or receive help with other labor law violations end up getting fired, or are otherwise victims of workplace retaliation – including reduced hours, losses of benefits, and different work assignments – by their employers. Employers who willfully underpay their workers or otherwise violate labor rights and protections must be held accountable for their actions, and worker ‘whistleblowers’ who attempt to stand up for their rights must be able to come forward and seek help without fear of losing their jobs,” said State Senator George Onorato, the chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Labor.

Federal and state labor laws regulate the relationship between employers and employees. Labor law, also called employment law, is an entire body of laws, regulations, administrative rulings and case precedents that govern how trade unions, employees and employers must interact. This body of law also restricts some actions for these groups. These laws protect employees from being treated poorly by their employers. If an employer fails to follow these regulations, an employee may be able to file a claim for lost wages, back pay and other damages. An experienced attorney is a valuable asset to have when you are thinking of filing a labor law claim against your employer or former employer. Call Napoli Bern Ripka, LLP today at 888-529-4669 to discuss your legal options.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Paul Napoli

Elderly Couple Mowed Down on the Way to Church

Paul Napoli — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 23:47:06 GMT

November 26, 2009

A hit and run driver mowed down an elderly couple crossing the street on their way to a Staten Island church Wednesday night.

Peter S. Sabados, 78, and his wife Lillian Sabados, 77, were on their way to donate canned goods at their church, Our Lady Queen of Peace in New Dorp, when Allmir Lekperic, 26, struck the couple with his white Ford Econoline van and fled the scene.

Rev. Pancrose Kalist, pastor of Our Lady Queen of Peace Church, said he ran out of the church when he heard there was an accident. He knew immediately the victims were parishioners because the canned goods they were carrying for a special 7:30 p.m. charity mass were scattered in the street.

Kalist gave the couple their last sacraments as they lay waiting for emergency workers to arrive at the scene.

Ambulances transported the elderly couple to Staten Island University Hospital, Ocean Breeze, where Peter Sabados died about 45 minutes after the crash and Lillian Sabados died about 4 a.m. Thursday morning.

Allmir Lekperic is charged with leaving the scene of an accident and driving with a suspended license.

Six hours before the accident occurred, Rev. Kalist and the Principal of the parish school met with Department of Transportation officials to discuss traffic safety options where they suggested installation of a red light camera at the intersection.

If you or loved one has been injured or a loved one killed in pedestrian vs. motor vehicle accident, Napoli Bern Ripka LLP has the experience and knowledge needed to successfully handle your auto accident case. Contact us immediately after an auto accident and we will discuss the situation with you and come up with a plan of action to help you get compensation for your injuries, property damage or a loved one’s wrongful death. Call 1-888-529-4669 today to discuss your case and find out the best course of action to ensure that you get the compensation you deserve.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Paul Napoli

2 Teens Killed, 5 Injured in East Coventry Township, PA Crash

Paul Napoli — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 23:44:35 GMT

November 25, 2009

An accident killed two teens and injured five others Monday evening on Route 724 near Sanatoga Road in East Coventry Township, Chester County.

East Coventry police say a Honda SUV traveling westbound on Route 724 at about 8:45 p.m. and carrying six teenage boys crossed the eastbound lane, went up an embankment, rolled over and hit an oncoming Nissan sedan driven by Latasha Jones, 22, of Pottstown.

Andrew Case, 17, of Pottstown and Michael Cantamaglia, 16, of Barto, both juniors at Pottsgrove High School, were thrown from the SUV during the crash and pronounced dead at the scene.

Ambulances transported SUV passengers Garrett Sterner, 16, of Telford, and three Pottsgrove High School students, Dylan Kunrath, 17, Kyle Hilegas, 15, and the unidentified SUV driver to Reading Hospital.

Police did not release the SUV driver’s identity because of his age.

Latasha Jones, the driver of the Nissan, was transported and treated at Reading Hospital, then released, said a spokesperson.

Pottsgrove High School, which was closed for an in-service, opened Tuesday night with professional counselors to help anyone mourning the students.

If you or loved one has been injured or a loved one killed in an auto accident, Napoli Bern Ripka LLP has the experience and knowledge needed to successfully handle your auto accident case. Contact us immediately after an auto accident and we will discuss the situation with you and come up with a plan of action to help you get compensation for your injuries, property damage or a loved one’s wrongful death. Call 1-888-529-4669 today to discuss your case and find out the best course of action to ensure that you get the compensation you deserve.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Paul Napoli

FDA - New Seasonal Flu Vaccine Approved

Chrissie Cole — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 22:32:00 GMT

Agriflu, a new seasonal flu vaccine by Novartis’, was approved for sale by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Friday. Agriflu is not intended to fight the H1-N1 virus, also known as swine flu.

The vaccine, approved to prevent influenza subtypes A and B in people 18 or older, is administered as a single injection in the upper arm. The agency used an accelerated approval process but the company is required to conduct more tests to show Agriflu's effectiveness.

Common side effects of Agriflu found during clinical trials include: headache, muscle aches, pain, swelling, redness at the injection site and tiredness.

Novartis is also the maker of Fluvirin, another licensed vaccine for seasonal influenza, which is approved for people 4 and older.

While no vaccine is 100 percent effective in preventing the flu, vaccination is the key to prevention, the FDA said.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chrissie Cole

Recall Of Children’s Metal Pendants Expanded

Chrissie Cole — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 10:50:00 GMT

Team Work Trading, in cooperation with the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), is expanding a previous recall of Children’s Metal Pendants because they contain excessive levels of lead. The original recall was announced in September.

Lead is particularly damaging to children as it interferes with the developing nervous system and can cause permanent brain disorders such as learning, memory, and behavior.

To this date, there have been no reports of illnesses associated with the recalled products.

The recall includes 11 types of metal pendants sold with silver-coated chains. They feature symbols from the following animations/cartoons: “Bleach,” “Death Note,” “Naruto” and “One Piece.”

The recalled items should be taken away from children. Consumers can contact Team Work Trading for a refund or replacement product.

Consumer should immediately take the recalled pendants away from children and contact Team Work Trading to receive a full refund or replacement product.

Consumer Information: Call Team Work Trading collect at (213) 680-4489.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chrissie Cole