Most people don’t know that E. coli is actually a very common type of bacteria that exists in the human intestines and helps an individual digest and absorb food.  In general, this name is associated with intense digestive tract discomfort, which is caused by special strands of E. coli (for example, O157:H7).  Every year, these rare yet dangerous forms of E. coli infect nearly 75,000 individuals.  In most cases, the bacteria only cause severe discomfort that subsides after a few days.  However, these microorganisms can be extremely dangerous when they attack young children or people with immunodeficiencies.

A Food-borne Disease

E. coli is generally known as a food-borne disease, meaning that it enters an individual’s system through his or her ingestion of contaminated food.  Cattle meat is the most common carrier of disease-causing strands of E. coli, although it may be present in a number of other edibles including:

Salami
Alfalfa sprouts
Unpasteurized milk or juices
Contaminated water
Lettuce
Spinach
Tomatoes
Sausage

If restaurants and food manufacturers do not take the proper preparation steps – cooking and cleaning – before distributing their products to customers for ingestion, then they may be held liable for any cases of E. coli that arise.

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If you or someone you love has suffered from E. coli as a result of food production or service negligence, then you may have the right to claim compensation from the party responsible for this unnecessary pain.  Contact the Jacksonville personal injury lawyers at The Law Offices of Donald Guthrie today at 904-493-6455 to learn more about your legal rights.

When you visit a doctor’s office for diagnosis of and treatment for an ailment, the medical staff will have you fill out a form detailing your medical history.  The document will always request that you record any known drug allergies you have.  This information is necessary to ensure that the physician does not give you a dangerous medication that could spur a severe and life-threatening allergic reaction.  If you are given a drug to which you have a known allergy, then the physician or pharmacist may be held liable for your suffering on the premise of medical malpractice.

Common Drug Allergies

A drug allergy is an adverse reaction to a medication, caused by an abnormal immune system reaction to the substance.  This overproduction of antibodies and histamine can cause rashes, hives, wheezing and, in serious cases, anaphylaxis.  Depending on the severity of one’s allergy, the reaction may be deadly.

The most common drugs to which people are allergic include the following:

Sulfa
Anticonvulsants
Iodine dyes (used for x-rays)
Penicillin (among other antibiotics)
Insulin medication

Unless the patient is experiencing his or her first adverse drug reaction, allergic reactions to drugs generally result from a negligent physician or pharmacist who prescribes or distributes the wrong medication to a patient.  If you have been a victim of this type of professional negligence, you may have a right to damages.

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If you have suffered an allergic reaction to a drug because of a physician or pharmacist’s negligence, then you may have the right to claim compensation for your suffering.  Contact Jacksonville personal injury lawyer Donald Guthrie today at 904-493-6455 to discuss your situation with a qualified attorney.

Tetanus, though not generally thought of as a common disease, poses a real threat to those who do happen to contract it.  It is also known as lockjaw because, when left untreated, it will cause a victim’s muscles to seize up and render him or her unable to move the jaw.  People are encouraged to receive tetanus boosters every ten years or so to protect them against this dangerous illness.  Despite these precautions, however, some people still suffer injuries that result in their development of tetanus.

Risk Factors

Tetanus bacteria spores tend to exist in outdoor environments that harbor soil, dust, and animal waste.  They may remain dormant for long periods of time without dying before they encounter a human body in which they may thrive.  Most people associate tetanus with rusty nail puncture wounds because the rust provides a great habitat for the spores and the puncture wound distributes them deep in the human body.  

Other types of injuries that may result in the development of tetanus in the victim include the following:

Frostbite
Cuts or lacerations
Crush injuries
Abscesses
Childbirth
Surgery

It is the responsibility of property owners or possessors to maintain their premises in a safe manner when they are expecting guests.  If you have been injured on another person’s property and have developed tetanus as a result of this wound, then you may have the right to take legal action against the responsible party.

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If you would like to learn more about tetanus or premises liability, contact the Jacksonville personal injury lawyers at The Law Offices of Donald Guthrie today at 904-493-6455 to speak with a qualified attorney about your concerns.

Though many people may not be aware of it, pool drains actually pose a considerable threat for pool users – especially for young children.  While these features are necessary to keep the area sanitary and clean, poor installation, maintenance, or use of them may result in a tragic and deadly accident.  Because this danger posed such a persistent threat to pool users, a federal law was passed in 2007 mandating that all public pools and spas install drain covers.  Failure to comply with this regulation may hold the pool owner liable for any drain-related injuries that occur.

Pool Drain Injuries

Pool drains pose a number of life-shattering threats to those who have an unfortunate encounter with them.  These include the following dangers:

Entrapment: Having a body part get sucked up against the drain and being unable to free oneself; this may result in drowning
Hair Entrapment: Having one’s hair sucked up against the drain and being unable to free oneself; this may result in drowning
Evisceration/Disembowelment: Having one’s intestines pulled out of the body by a pool drain suction force; this bodily damage is irreparable and may result in death

Children in particular are at risk of suffering a pool drain injury because once sucked into these structures, they lack the strength to pull themselves away.  It only takes minutes for a trapped child to drown.

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If someone you love has died as a result of a pool drain accident, then you may have the right to take legal action against the party responsible for maintaining the area.  Contact the Jacksonville personal injury lawyers at The Law Offices of Don Guthrie today at 904-493-6455 to learn more about your legal options.