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	<title>Class Action and Personal Injury BLOG</title>
	<link>http://www.classattorneysblog.com</link>
	<description>Helping victims of serious injuries with high-quality legal representation</description>
	<lastBuildDate>Fri, 18 May 2012 12:00:50 +0000</lastBuildDate>
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		<title>When are TBI Patients Most Susceptible to Depression?</title>
        <pubDate>Fri, 18 May 2012 12:00:50 +0000</pubDate>
		<description><![CDATA[Doctors published a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), which could have a profound effect on war veterans, a large population of traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients. A TBI patient with a major depressive disorder (MDD) is at a high risk of suicide, according to the study. Moreover, patients who experience MDD in addition to TBI will have significantly higher medical expenses for their treatment. However, doctors do not know of any reliable predictors of MDD in TBI patients. The researchers at the University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, looked at 559 adults with mild to severe TBI. Their results showed that in the first year after TBI, 297 patients suffered from a major depressive disorder (MDD). The TBI patients studied were mostly male who suffered head trauma in car crashes. Researchers noted that TBI patients have a risk of MDD throughout the first year...<br /> <a href="http://www.classattorneysblog.com/2012/05/when-are-tbi-patients-most-susceptible-to-depression/">Read More &#187;</a>]]></description>
		<link>http://www.classattorneysblog.com/2012/05/when-are-tbi-patients-most-susceptible-to-depression/</link>
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		<title>Does TBI Lead to Depression?</title>
        <pubDate>Wed, 16 May 2012 12:00:46 +0000</pubDate>
		<description><![CDATA[Researchers have long suspected that there is a link between traumatic brain injury (TBI) and depression. Now, doctors at the National Center for Medical Rehabilitation Research (NCMRR) are studying that potential link. Researchers hope to build upon smaller scale research, which suggests that TBI patients have increased rates of aggression and anxiety, in addition to more suicide attempts. So far, the NCMRR study show that rates of depression are significantly higher among those who have experienced TBI than among those who have not experienced TBI or the general population. This study, the first large-scale study of closely and routinely followed TBI patients, showed that the rate of depression among TBI survivors was nearly 8 times that of the general population. In the study, 53.1 percent of the participants reported depressions, compared to 6.7 percent in the general population. Of note in the study is that doctors previously thought that TBI...<br /> <a href="http://www.classattorneysblog.com/2012/05/does-tbi-lead-to-depression/">Read More &#187;</a>]]></description>
		<link>http://www.classattorneysblog.com/2012/05/does-tbi-lead-to-depression/</link>
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		<title>Did Head Trauma Cause NFL Player’s Suicide?</title>
        <pubDate>Mon, 14 May 2012 22:45:42 +0000</pubDate>
		<description><![CDATA[Former NFL player Junior Seau took his own life last month, and many suspect that head trauma caused the depression that led to his suicide. Seau’s suicide is not the first of its kind. Last year, another former NFL player named Dave Duerson committed suicide. Doctors examined Duerson’s brain and found that he suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy, which is severe head trauma. Twenty more former NFL players also suffer from the same condition. Doctors do not know at this point if Seau suffered from the condition, but investigators suspect that Seau shot himself in the chest in order to preserve his brain for study. The link between traumatic brain injury (TBI) and depression has been in the news for a while, but Seau’s recent suicide added even more urgency to the issue for athletes and non-athletes. Experts suspect that a career of repeated hits to the head caused head...<br /> <a href="http://www.classattorneysblog.com/2012/05/did-head-trauma-cause-nfl-player%e2%80%99s-suicide/">Read More &#187;</a>]]></description>
		<link>http://www.classattorneysblog.com/2012/05/did-head-trauma-cause-nfl-player%e2%80%99s-suicide/</link>
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		<title>How to Make a Motorcycle Ride Safer</title>
        <pubDate>Fri, 11 May 2012 12:00:04 +0000</pubDate>
		<description><![CDATA[The warm weather in California affords motorcycle riders the luxury of riding year-around. However, more time on the road increases the chance of a dangerous or fatal motorcycle accident. The latest data from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) indicates that there were about 106,000 motorcycle crashes in 2009. Over 4,400 riders lost their lives in the accidents. Motorcycle accident injuries may require extended hospital stays, which means time away from work. In addition to lost wages, there are insurance claims and liability issues to handle.  There are also long-term costs such as physical rehabilitation and therapy. Extreme injuries result in death and a subsequent wrongful death action. Take caution on the road when driving a motorcycle. Ride responsibly at safe speeds and be aware of road conditions at all times. Taking a motorcycle rider safety course, either for the first time or as a refresher course, would not...<br /> <a href="http://www.classattorneysblog.com/2012/05/how-to-make-a-motorcycle-ride-safer/">Read More &#187;</a>]]></description>
		<link>http://www.classattorneysblog.com/2012/05/how-to-make-a-motorcycle-ride-safer/</link>
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		<title>Arson and Construction Site Fires</title>
        <pubDate>Wed, 09 May 2012 12:00:04 +0000</pubDate>
		<description><![CDATA[A study by the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) found that there are approximately 4,800 construction site fires every year in the United States. Each construction site fire causes about $35 million in property loss, according to the USFA study. In addition, arson and open flame cause the majority of the construction site fires, 71 percent to be exact. The construction site fires cause not only millions in property loss but also cause on average 30 burn injuries and 10 deaths. Fires at construction sites are less likely to kill or injure civilians but they tend to cause more damage because there are no smoke alarms or sprinklers at work sites. March and July are peak months for construction site fires. Firefighters injured in construction site fires are twice as likely to be hit or struck by debris and other objects than firefighters at other fire sites. The study found that...<br /> <a href="http://www.classattorneysblog.com/2012/05/arson-and-construction-site-fires/">Read More &#187;</a>]]></description>
		<link>http://www.classattorneysblog.com/2012/05/arson-and-construction-site-fires/</link>
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		<title>Fires Remain a Danger After a Natural Disaster</title>
        <pubDate>Mon, 07 May 2012 12:00:23 +0000</pubDate>
		<description><![CDATA[In the wake of natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes and severe thunderstorms, there is still more danger lurking after the weather clears. The risk of carbon monoxide poisoning and deadly fires is ever-present in the wake of natural disasters, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Many residents will experience a loss of electrical power after disasters like hurricanes and tornadoes.  As a result, people will use gas-powered generators in order to keep power running in their homes. However, the exhaust from portable generators contains dangerously high levels of carbon monoxide. The CPSC cautions people never to run a portable generator indoors or inside a garage or shed. Carbon monoxide is odorless, colorless and can render someone unconscious in a matter of minutes. High levels of exposure usually results in death. The CPSC recommends that you install a carbon monoxide alarm inside your home. Homeowners should have an...<br /> <a href="http://www.classattorneysblog.com/2012/05/fires-remain-a-danger-after-a-natural-disaster/">Read More &#187;</a>]]></description>
		<link>http://www.classattorneysblog.com/2012/05/fires-remain-a-danger-after-a-natural-disaster/</link>
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		<title>California has Toughest Consumer Protection Laws in the Country</title>
        <pubDate>Fri, 04 May 2012 12:00:39 +0000</pubDate>
		<description><![CDATA[Some large class action lawsuits come about because a company attempted to defraud a large part of the consumer market. When this happens, there are state and federal consumer protection laws to protect consumers’ rights. The laws prevent businesses that engage in fraud or specified unfair practices from gaining an advantage over competitors and may provide additional protection for the weak and those unable to take care of themselves. At the federal level, consumers are protected by Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, Fair Credit Reporting Act and Truth in Lending Act, just to name a few. At the state level, California has the California Department of Consumer Affairs, which regulates approximately 2.3 million professionals in over 230 professions. We are fortunate in that California has the strongest consumer protection laws of any state in the country. California Law provides a wealth of consumer protection remedies, including injunctions, rescission, damages, and...<br /> <a href="http://www.classattorneysblog.com/2012/05/california-has-toughest-consumer-protection-laws-in-the-country/">Read More &#187;</a>]]></description>
		<link>http://www.classattorneysblog.com/2012/05/california-has-toughest-consumer-protection-laws-in-the-country/</link>
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		<title>Schoolyard Bully Paralyzes his Victim</title>
        <pubDate>Wed, 02 May 2012 12:00:49 +0000</pubDate>
		<description><![CDATA[Schoolyard bullying has gained national attention over the years, and it is something that kids and parents should not have to accept. Bullying can lead to childhood depression and poor performance in school. In addition, there are the physical injuries caused by the bully’s assault. Recently, a young victim in New Jersey received a $4.2 million settlement with his bully and the school board. Sawyer Rosenstein was 12-years-old when his tormentor punched him in the stomach. Two days later, he experienced severe pain and his parents rushed him to the hospital. Sawyer has not been able to walk ever since and is confined to a wheelchair. Doctors discovered that the bully’s punch caused a clot in a major artery above his abdomen. The clot moved to his spine where it burst and paralyzed Sawyer. Subsequently, doctors performed 19 surgeries including a complete spinal fusion. Sawyer is now 18-year-old. Sawyer’s parents...<br /> <a href="http://www.classattorneysblog.com/2012/05/schoolyard-bully-paralyzes-his-victim/">Read More &#187;</a>]]></description>
		<link>http://www.classattorneysblog.com/2012/05/schoolyard-bully-paralyzes-his-victim/</link>
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		<title>How Can Your Child Avoid Playground Injuries?</title>
        <pubDate>Mon, 30 Apr 2012 12:00:20 +0000</pubDate>
		<description><![CDATA[If you have children, you might already have some experience with playground injuries. According to the National Program for Playground Safety (NPPS), 70 percent of all playground injuries are from falls. Playground falls can result in broken bones, fractures, lacerations and head injuries. As a result, the NPPS hoped to raise awareness last week with Playground Safety Awareness Week. The NPPS has four tips to help keep your kids safe the next time you are at the playground. Remember to supervise your children while they play on the equipment. It can be easy to pull out your cell phone while they play, but watching them while they climb or swing is the best thing to do. Avoid playgrounds that are near busy highways and high-traffic areas. In addition, some swings are too big for toddlers. Make sure the swings have proper restraints for younger children. The safer playgrounds have sand...<br /> <a href="http://www.classattorneysblog.com/2012/04/how-can-your-child-avoid-playground-injuries/">Read More &#187;</a>]]></description>
		<link>http://www.classattorneysblog.com/2012/04/how-can-your-child-avoid-playground-injuries/</link>
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		<title>Why You Should Never Pull to the Roadside</title>
        <pubDate>Fri, 27 Apr 2012 12:00:12 +0000</pubDate>
		<description><![CDATA[Have you ever experienced car trouble and pulled your car to the side of the road as a result? If you are on a busy road or freeway, you are placing yourself in hazardous territory. One of the main incidents leading to a hit-and-run car accident is when a motorist experiences car trouble and pulls over on the roadside. While you cannot predict car trouble, there are things to keep in mind when it comes to remaining safe. If you have to stop on the highway, be safe and stop on the right shoulder – safety experts say that stopping on the left side increases your chances of being involved in an accident by 80 percent. Carry flares or triangles in your trunk to mark your location once you come to a stop on the side of the road &#8211; turn on your hazard lights as well. If you are...<br /> <a href="http://www.classattorneysblog.com/2012/04/why-you-should-never-pull-to-the-roadside/">Read More &#187;</a>]]></description>
		<link>http://www.classattorneysblog.com/2012/04/why-you-should-never-pull-to-the-roadside/</link>
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