Archive for October, 2011

0
26
Oct

Woman Convicted In Tennessee Nursing Home Abuse Case

October 26, 2011

A 36-year-old Jonesborough, Tennessee, woman who worked as a certified nursing assistant (CNA) at an area nursing home has been convicted of abuse and neglect of her patients. According to The Johnson City Press, the crimes occurred during her time working at the John M. Reed Nursing Home in January of 2010.

Witnesses stated in testimony that the CNA had on numerous occasions physically abused and threatened patients who upset her. Allegations arose after one of the patients told her daughter, “Not to upset them, because they will be mean to me.”

Nursing home administrators later questioned both the patient and their employee, at which point they determined the claims as true, fired the woman, and notified authorities. The CNA later admitted to the wrongdoing to Washington County Sheriff’s Department investigators, explaining that she has an anger management issue.

A plea agreement was reached in March with the District Attorneys Office, in which the woman pled guilty to four counts of neglect and abuse and received a sentence of up to 15 months in prison from a judge Tuesday. Due to her criminal background, the woman could be released in as little as four and a half months.

The Tennessee Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers with Hughes & Coleman recently suggested in interviews the best ways to keep a loved one safe in a nursing home is to check for reviews on the facility before placing a loved one, regularly visit them to check their welfare after being placed, and always ask questions of the caretakers.

Popularity: 2% [?]

0
19
Oct

Tennessee Car Crash Kills One And Injures Two Others

October 19, 2011

A late night crash earlier this week has left one person dead and two others seriously injured. News Channel 5 reports the accident occurred just before 10:00 PM Monday night on Hartsville Pike near Gallatin, Tennessee.

Investigators say that the driver of a maroon minivan drifted into the oncoming lane of traffic for an unknown reason and clipped the front, driver’s side corner of an older model pick up truck. The collision caused the truck to flip and roll into a ditch along the side of the road.

The driver of the truck was killed instantly in the crash. However, the passenger in the truck and the driver of the minivan survived. They were transported by LifeFlight helicopter to Vanderbilt Medical Center where they were listed in serious condition.

Although officials believe that drugs and alcohol did not play a part in the accident, they are performing toxicology tests on both drivers and are looking into whether fatigue may have been a contributing factor to the crash.

After a car crash, many people don’t know how to handle the fallout of the accident, such as damages and doctor bills. Founding Attorney, Lee Coleman, with the Tennessee Auto Accident Lawyers at Hughes & Coleman says these are the three things you need to know if you have been involved in a car crash.

Popularity: 2% [?]

0
14
Oct

Changes to Workers’ Compensation Laws Take Effect In Tennessee

October 11, 2011

A new law regarding workers’ compensation exemptions in the construction industry took effect earlier this month, allowing more individuals and companies to become eligible for the exemptions.

According to Channel 4 News, the new law allows businesses conducting commercial construction to opt-out of having workers’ compensation insurance provided that the businesses meet new ownership requirements of at least five individuals. Also, a person can qualify for exemption if he or she is associated with another business as long as all ownership requirements are met.

Another change is that exemptions are no longer automatic and must be either licensed through the Board of Licensing Contractors or be registered with the Secretary of State’s Office as a construction services provider. Each individual wishing to become exempt must also apply for the exemption with the Secretary of State’s Office at a cost of $100 per applicant for a two-year exemption. Those without a Tennessee Construction License will be charged $200 for the two-year exemption. A company can take neither of these steps until they have provided a Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) issued by the Internal Revenue Service.

Penalties for companies not in compliance with state workers’ compensation laws include large fines, as well as losing the right to conduct commercial construction business.

Founding attorney, Lee Coleman, with the Tennessee Workers’ Compensation Lawyers, at Hughes & Coleman, recently discussed many of the concerns business owners and employees may have regarding the impact workers’ compensation laws can have on their lives.

Popularity: 2% [?]

0
5
Oct

Medicare Cuts Could Affect Hundreds Of Tennesseans

October 5, 2011

The new American Jobs Act, designed to stimulate the economy and cut deficit, will take its funding from already-existing programs, such as Medicare, leaving these programs’ budgets hurting. The cuts will cause higher write-offs for doctors, leaving many healthcare providers wondering if they will be able to afford seeing Medicare patients. An increase in refusal to see Medicare patients could leave as many as one million recipients without a primary doctor.

Yesterday, News Channel 5 interviewed Dr. Newton Allen, Jr., who regularly sees numerous patients covered by the government’s healthcare. He said, “I have Medicare patients, and they’re apologetic when they look at the bill and they see what’s written off. They say ‘how can you [afford to] practice?”’

Founding attorney, Lee Coleman, with the Tennessee Insurance Dispute Lawyers at Hughes & Coleman, recently commented on cuts to the Medicare system by asserting that any monetary reduction in payments by the system to doctors and hospitals should not affect the treatment patients receive.

Popularity: 2% [?]