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Motor Vehicle Accidents 
A North Ridge Health and Rehabilitation nurse mistakenly administered 600 mg of oxycodone to a resident, instead of 30mg which is was the maximum dosage prescribed by the resident’s physician.
The resident, Gary A. Schmidt, was 53 years-old and only a short-term rehabilitation resident. He died on April 2, 2017 and was found unconscious on the floor at the nursing home.
In 2015, a widespread outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease in an Illinois veterans’ home killed 13 residents and caused severe illness for 61 other residents. Eleven families are suing the state of Illinois for negligence because they say the spread of the disease was preventable.
Every winter season, hospital emergency rooms see a rise in weather-related accidents that result in a variety of injuries ranging from mild sprains and strains to serious head trauma.
School teachers face a variety of unique workplace hazards that put them at risk for serious injuries and illnesses like stress-related mental disorders, serious disease, repetitive stress injuries and workplace violence. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, educational service is on the list for the most dangerous industries in America.
Chemical field tests for synthetic opioids put police officers and first responders at significant risk for serious illness, accidental overdose, and death, even when the proper safety gear is used. Police officers are particularly vulnerable to work-related injuries from fentanyl exposure on routine DWI stops where they often encounter unknown substances.
Some medications are taken for work injuries act to relieve injury symptoms and promote healing, but they can also cause harmful side effects on otherwise healthy parts of the body. Debilitating injuries, permanent damages, addiction, and death can result from the use of post-injury medication.
More than 25 percent of cases involving nursing home abuse and neglect in the U.S. are not reported to proper authorities despite federal and state laws and regulations requiring them to do so. Federally funded nursing homes must report abuse and neglect incidents immediately; many facilities fail to make reports to the appropriate agencies.
Prolonged periods of immobility can lead to death for elderly nursing home residents. Many residents have health conditions that prevent even the most basic activities.
The U.S. Department of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has awarded health and safety grants to promote workplace safety. Grants will provide education and training on safety standards for young workers.
Bike messengers in Chicago face high risks of injuries due to car accidents, negligent drivers, and road rage. Riding at high speeds, bike messengers are vulnerable to a variety of sudden, unexpected on-the-job injuries.