May 2017 - Page 3 of 3

I was involved in a charter bus accident. Can I sue the driver?

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Charter buses are a common way to transport participants in group activities and organizations. The buses can be a fun way to travel, and enjoy the trip as well as the ultimate destination. In general, charter buses are a safe method of transportation. However, accidents involving charter buses do occur.

When a passenger is injured in a charter bus accident, there may be several parties that could be held responsible for the injury. The charter bus company is in charge of maintaining the bus, hiring drivers, and meeting regulations. The bus driver may have been driving recklessly or may not be licensed to operate a charter bus. The bus’s equipment may have been defective. Tire blowouts are common for large buses, and a blowout can result in an accident.

In recent years, there have been a number of charter bus accidents. Victims of those accidents are entitled to compensation for their medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. However, accident cases involving charter buses can be complex. There are typically multiple parties involved, all of whom will most likely try to deny responsibility. Often, a detailed investigation into the accident must be performed, and a great deal of evidence gathered.

If you have been involved in a charter bus accident, you should speak with an attorney. You may be entitled to compensation. If you are in southern California, call me, Conal Doyle, Los Angeles automobile accident attorney at 310-385-0567. I have experience in helping victims of automobile collision receive large awards to help compensate them for their injuries. Call today to learn more or to schedule a free consultation on your case.

What are the purposes of intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring?

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Intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring involves using certain monitoring techniques to reduce the risk of iatrogenic damage to the nervous system during surgery. Specifically, there are three basic purposes of intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IONM):

– To locate neural structures during surgery;
– To test the function of neural structures during surgery; and
– To detect any injuries to the nervous system during surgery, which allows the surgeon to take immediate corrective measures.

Fortunately, there are few side effects to IONM itself. IONM involves attaching electrodes to the body, testing the nervous system, and monitoring the nervous system during surgery. Any possible side effects are typically minimal.

However, there is a greater risk that the IONM does not perform as intended. The equipment may malfunction during surgery, or the technician performing IONM may be poorly trained or distracted, and may fail to properly communicate with the surgeon.

When IONM is not performed correctly, and a patient is harmed as a result, that patient can seek compensation for his or her damages. Typically, the surgery involves the delicate brain, spinal cord, or nerves, and any damages can be large.

If you have been injured during a surgery being monitored by IONM, call me, Conal Doyle, Los Angeles IONM attorney, at 310-385-0567. He has experience in helping victims of IONM that has gone wrong. Call today to learn more or to schedule a free consultation.

I am an amputee and my doctor has recommended osseointegration. Will my insurance company cover that?

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Whether or not your insurance company will cover osseointegration is unclear, but it is possible it could be labeled an “experimental procedure” and coverage could be denied. Osseointegration is an implant that attaches to the bone in a residual limb, and goes through the skin. The implant takes the place of a socket, and it is intended to be used by the amputee for the remainder of his or her life.

Most amputees with prostheses use sockets. However, there are a number of issues with a socket, including problems with skin breakdown, pain, and other issues. Osseointegration can help with many of those issues, and has become more common across the world. Currently, osseointegration is only used with nonvascular amputations, such as those that occurred due to trauma or sarcoma.

The FDA is conducting clinical trials right now to find out if osseointegration is safe, and if it is a good alternative to using a socket. The FDA has approved the use of osseointegration, but only in limited circumstances until further studies are done. Osseointegration is being done currently in a number of other countries. Australia is currently leading the world in osseointegrations.

Because the FDA has only approved osseointegrations in limited circumstances, it is likely your insurance company would deny any payment for that type of procedure. However, if you believe that your insurance company is denying charges related to your amputation in bad faith, you may wish to speak with an attorney. Call me, Amputation Attorney Conal Doyle at 310-385-0567. I am an amputee as well as a personal injury attorney. Call today to learn more or to schedule a free consultation.