Attorney Blog

CDC Guidelines to Help Prevent a Concussion

wsteele@barbaraswilliams.com; abrown@barbaraswilliams.com (News Author)12118 — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 08:00:00 EST

Worst States for Overall Nursing Home Staffing

wsteele@barbaraswilliams.com; abrown@barbaraswilliams.com (News Author)12119 — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 08:00:00 EST

Car Crash Victim Thought to be in Coma for 23 Years was Conscious

wsteele@barbaraswilliams.com; abrown@barbaraswilliams.com (News Author)11623 — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 08:00:00 EST

Brain injury sustained by young man while playing football as a lineman causes well known author Malcolm Gladwell to write New Yorker piece on the realities of brain injuries in the NFL

wsteele@barbaraswilliams.com; abrown@barbaraswilliams.com (News Author)11023 — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EST

Fatal Outcome Following Surgery Complication at California Hospital

wsteele@barbaraswilliams.com; abrown@barbaraswilliams.com (News Author)10897 — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EST

Astronomical Profits of Medical Malpractice Insurers Refutes Industry Claim that Frivolous Lawsuits Responsible for High Medical Costs

wsteele@barbaraswilliams.com; abrown@barbaraswilliams.com (News Author)10898 — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 08:00:00 EST

Increase in Motorcycle Deaths Raise Concerns

wsteele@barbaraswilliams.com; abrown@barbaraswilliams.com (News Author)10246 — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EST

Maryland Emergency Medical Services Board Changed Guidelines Following a 2008 Helicopter Crash

wsteele@barbaraswilliams.com; abrown@barbaraswilliams.com (News Author)10249 — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EST

In this Washington Post article, the events surrounding the crash of a Maryland State Police medical helicopter on September 27, 2008 are recounted.

Tractor Trailers Lethal on Interstate 81 near Winchester

wsteele@barbaraswilliams.com; abrown@barbaraswilliams.com (News Author)9753 — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 08:00:00 EST

In a recent Washington Post article, C. Davenport reports on the recent deaths caused by tractor trailers on Interstate 81. The interstate highway has become a magnet for trucks and the Washington Post reports that I-81 has more than twice as many fatalities for crashes as that on I-95, a more heavily traveled road in Virginia. Apparently the state cannot afford any solutions to this safety problem, rejecting an idea to build a parallel highway for trucks only or widening the road from two lanes in each direction to four.

Signs Posted for "Move-Over Law" are Misleading

wsteele@barbaraswilliams.com; abrown@barbaraswilliams.com (News Author)9633 — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 08:00:00 EST

Using Light to find Potential Treatments of Brain Diseases

wsteele@barbaraswilliams.com; abrown@barbaraswilliams.com (News Author)9634 — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 08:00:00 EST

Progresterone Showing Promise as Treatment in Warding off Brain Damage due to Head Trauma and Strokes

wsteele@barbaraswilliams.com; abrown@barbaraswilliams.com (News Author)9635 — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 08:00:00 EST

Advances in Treatments for Traumatic Brain Injury Patients Improves Outlook

wsteele@barbaraswilliams.com; abrown@barbaraswilliams.com (News Author)9472 — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 08:00:00 EST

Medical Liability Improves Patient Safety

wsteele@barbaraswilliams.com; abrown@barbaraswilliams.com (News Author)9474 — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 08:00:00 EST

Treating Back Pain

wsteele@barbaraswilliams.com; abrown@barbaraswilliams.com (News Author)9432 — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 08:00:00 EST

American Academy of Pediatrics 2009 Car Seat Safety Guide

wsteele@barbaraswilliams.com; abrown@barbaraswilliams.com (News Author)9140 — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST

AARP Urginig Congress to Make Binding Arbitration Clauses in Nursing Home Contracts Illegal

wsteele@barbaraswilliams.com; abrown@barbaraswilliams.com (News Author)9141 — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST

Teen Drivers at High Risk for Distraction and Death

wsteele@barbaraswilliams.com; abrown@barbaraswilliams.com (News Author)3412 — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST

Every year, teenage drivers are involved in 6,000 to 8,000 car crashes -- four times the rate of older drivers. A recent National Teen Driver Survey attempted to find out why. And to get more honest answers, researchers asked thousands of high school students what their friends do while driving. While some 90 percent of teen drivers say they don't drink and drive, nine out of 10 say they've seen passengers distracting the driver, or drivers using cell phones. More than a third say they don't wear seat belts consistently.

Study of Brain Injuries in Soldiers

wsteele@barbaraswilliams.com; abrown@barbaraswilliams.com (News Author)9118 — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST

Public Justice: Access to Justice Campaign

wsteele@barbaraswilliams.com; abrown@barbaraswilliams.com (News Author)8971 — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EST

President Obama nominates Judge Sonia Sotomayor for Supreme Court

wsteele@barbaraswilliams.com; abrown@barbaraswilliams.com (News Author)8778 — Thu, 28 May 2009 08:00:00 EST

Barbara S. Williams recently selected for the inaugural class of "Influential Women of Virginia," an award to recognize the outstanding efforts of women in all fields, including law, business, health care, education, and the arts.

wsteele@barbaraswilliams.com; abrown@barbaraswilliams.com (News Author)7885 — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 08:00:00 EST

A new awards program established by Virginia Lawyers Weekly recognizes outstanding efforts by women who are making notable contributions in all fields, including law, business, health care, education, and the arts. Please follow the link below for a complete list of the honorees.

Fairness in Nursing Home Arbitration Act Introduced in the House of Representatives

wsteele@barbaraswilliams.com; abrown@barbaraswilliams.com (News Author)7720 — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 08:00:00 EST

This article from the American Association for Justice discusses the Fairness in Nursing Home Arbitration Act, a bipartisan bill that was introduced in the U.S. House last week. Please follow the link below for further information.

Inova Fairfax on List of Top 50 U.S. Hospitals

wsteele@barbaraswilliams.com; abrown@barbaraswilliams.com (News Author)7593 — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 08:00:00 EST

Will Changes to the Law Help Reduce Car Crashes and Injuries

wsteele@barbaraswilliams.com; abrown@barbaraswilliams.com (News Author)7159 — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST

Traffic Deaths Dropped in Virginia and Tennessee in 2008

wsteele@barbaraswilliams.com; abrown@barbaraswilliams.com (News Author)7114 — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 08:00:00 EST

Causes of Childhood Deaths

wsteele@barbaraswilliams.com; abrown@barbaraswilliams.com (News Author)6835 — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 08:00:00 EST

Doctors Gain New Insights into How Vision Works

wsteele@barbaraswilliams.com; abrown@barbaraswilliams.com (News Author)6837 — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 08:00:00 EST

Later School Start Times Reduce the Risk of Car Crashes for Teenagers

wsteele@barbaraswilliams.com; abrown@barbaraswilliams.com (News Author)6838 — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 08:00:00 EST

Studies Show that Doctor Behavior can Lead to Medical Errors

wsteele@barbaraswilliams.com; abrown@barbaraswilliams.com (News Author)6697 — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 08:00:00 EST

Nursing home violations

wsteele@barbaraswilliams.com; abrown@barbaraswilliams.com (News Author)6004 — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 08:00:00 EST

Walking is Good For Your Brain

wsteele@barbaraswilliams.com; abrown@barbaraswilliams.com (News Author)5779 — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 08:00:00 EST

Centreville man who hit trooper must help with "Move Over" program

wsteele@barbaraswilliams.com; abrown@barbaraswilliams.com (News Author)5646 — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 08:00:00 EST

Hip replacements my be related to recalled socket components

wsteele@barbaraswilliams.com; abrown@barbaraswilliams.com (News Author)5321 — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 08:00:00 EST

According to physicians, an artificial hip component known as the Durom cup has been failing in hip replacement patients at a high rate. The manufacturer of the device, Zimmer Holdings, is the nation's largest producer of orthopedic devices.

Video shows dying woman ignored in New York hospital

wsteele@barbaraswilliams.com; abrown@barbaraswilliams.com (News Author)5193 — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 08:00:00 EST

Company found liable for trucker's 'negligent hiring'

wsteele@barbaraswilliams.com; abrown@barbaraswilliams.com (News Author)5182 — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 08:00:00 EST

Move Over Law Protects Troopers, EMT's, and Firefighters in Emergencies

wsteele@barbaraswilliams.com; abrown@barbaraswilliams.com (News Author)5094 — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 08:00:00 EST

Trooper P.C. Gardner is the fourth Virginia trooper to be struck by a passing vehicle in only six weeks. Virginia's General Assembly, recognizing the dire need to protect troopers from the danger of inattentive drivers, has passed an amended version of Virginia's "move-over" law. The law requires that motorists who are able to move into an adjacent lane away from the emergency vehicle that is on the side of the road must do so or face criminal penalties, including up to one year in jail and/or a $2,500 fine, and license suspension. The bill as revised and passed by the General Assembly takes out language that was previously used to differentiate between whether the emergency vehicle was actually in a lane of traffic or was instead on the shoulder of the road. As now written, all drivers must move over, if able, regardless of whether the emergency vehicle is in an actual lane of traffic or completely over on the shoulder of the road. A full text copy of the new law and its revision can be found here:

http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?081+ful+CHAP0818

Family Files Malicious Prosecution Suit After Battle With Insurer

wsteele@barbaraswilliams.com; abrown@barbaraswilliams.com (News Author)5095 — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 08:00:00 EST

Medical device debris left behind in patients presents unknown danger and can lead to years of suffering

wsteele@barbaraswilliams.com; abrown@barbaraswilliams.com (News Author)5036 — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 08:00:00 EST

Researchers fail to reveal consulting fees from drug makers

wsteele@barbaraswilliams.com; abrown@barbaraswilliams.com (News Author)5037 — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 08:00:00 EST

Radiologist failed to get test results to primary doctor before patient's death

wsteele@barbaraswilliams.com; abrown@barbaraswilliams.com (News Author)5040 — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 08:00:00 EST

Jury awards twice the amount of medical malpractice cap to woman for chronic foot pain that led to amputation

wsteele@barbaraswilliams.com; abrown@barbaraswilliams.com (News Author)4982 — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 08:00:00 EST

Drug maker Merck accused of improper ghostwriting during peer review process to gain FDA approval

wsteele@barbaraswilliams.com; abrown@barbaraswilliams.com (News Author)4854 — Tue, 20 May 2008 08:00:00 EST

Mother of badly injured boy sues over use of metal bats in Little League Baseball

wsteele@barbaraswilliams.com; abrown@barbaraswilliams.com (News Author)4855 — Tue, 20 May 2008 08:00:00 EST

Federal Regulators asked to review heart stent advertisements

wsteele@barbaraswilliams.com; abrown@barbaraswilliams.com (News Author)4838 — Thu, 15 May 2008 08:00:00 EST

Why do car accidents happen?

wsteele@barbaraswilliams.com; abrown@barbaraswilliams.com (News Author)3629 — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 08:00:00 EST

Dr. Mannering's study of accidents in Washington State from 1992 to 1997, a period during which air bags and antilock brakes became prevalent, showed that counter to what would seem logical, there was no major reduction in accidents even with the spread of two seemingly effective safety features. "It just shows how hard it is to determine what causes an accident," he said. "The one thing you might conclude — it's called an offset hypothesis — is that people have an acceptance of a level of safety. If they felt safer because of the air bags and brakes, then maybe they drove faster or switched the radio on and off more to, so to speak, compensate. "What seems like an exact science — determining who or what causes accidents — is actually quite difficult," Dr. Mannering said. Insurance companies, carmakers, inventors, safety advocates and clearly drivers themselves all have an interest in learning about what might reduce the number of accidents or at least make them less severe. Yet there is surprisingly little data to help them.

U.S., China Reach Auto Safety Agreement

wsteele@barbaraswilliams.com; abrown@barbaraswilliams.com (News Author)3467 — Sat, 29 Sep 2007 08:00:00 EST

The government on Wednesday signed an agreement with China that will improve information sharing on auto safety following last summer's recall of thousands of defective Chinese-made tires. The "memorandum of understanding" signed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and China's National Reform and Development Commission will "strengthen cooperation and communication" on several motor vehicle regulation and safety issues. In June, NHTSA ordered a U.S. importer, Foreign Tire Sales Inc., to recall as many as 450,000 tires it had bought from Hangzhou Zhongce Rubber Co. The Union, N.J.-based importer initially said it did not have the financial resources to conduct a full recall, but then announced in August that it would recall 255,000 tires.

The Importance of Experience in Brain Injury Cases

wsteele@barbaraswilliams.com; abrown@barbaraswilliams.com (News Author)2447 — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 08:00:00 EST

The most important thing that Barbara Williams brings to her clients is her experience. For more information, follow the link below.

Lawsuit Filed in Killing Of Man by Fairfax Police

wsteele@barbaraswilliams.com; abrown@barbaraswilliams.com (News Author)2449 — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 08:00:00 EST

The parents of Salvatore Culosi, who was shot to death last year by a Fairfax County tactical officer, filed a federal lawsuit yesterday against the county, the police chief and the officer, alleging that police exercised gross negligence by using deadly force to arrest a suspected sports gambler. "Nearly 14 months and still no justice for Sal," Culosi's parents, Salvatore and Anita Culosi, wrote in a statement yesterday. "Despite all our efforts, the county continues to refuse to answer our questions. This leaves us no recourse but to pursue truth and accountability through the courts." For more information, follow the link below.

State Farm Suspends New Homeowner Policies in Mississippi

wsteele@barbaraswilliams.com; abrown@barbaraswilliams.com (News Author)2301 — Wed, 28 Feb 2007 08:00:00 EST

Bob Woodruff Recovers From Wounds in Iraq

wsteele@barbaraswilliams.com; abrown@barbaraswilliams.com (News Author)2302 — Wed, 28 Feb 2007 08:00:00 EST

ABC News Reporter Bob Woodruff, who was injured while reporting on the war in Iraq, has made a recovery. Mr. Woodruff has proven to be a friend of the injured, having interviewed Kit Calahan while he was struggling with his rehabilitation. We are pleased that Mr. Woodruff has recovered and wish him the best.

Having trouble contacting an insurance company? Click here.

wsteele@barbaraswilliams.com; abrown@barbaraswilliams.com (News Author)2114 — Mon, 29 Jan 2007 08:00:00 EST

We have compiled a list of contact numbers for every major insurance company operating in the United States today. For more information, follow the link below.

Insurance Industry Posts Record Profits In 2006

wsteele@barbaraswilliams.com; abrown@barbaraswilliams.com (News Author)2115 — Mon, 29 Jan 2007 08:00:00 EST

WASHINGTON -- The insurance industry made record profits in 2006, and a new report out Monday said it's at customers' expense. Some consumer groups said companies are paying out lower claims and charging higher premiums than in the last 50 years. For more details, follow the link below.

State Farm agrees to Katrina Settlement

wsteele@barbaraswilliams.com; abrown@barbaraswilliams.com (News Author)2116 — Mon, 29 Jan 2007 08:00:00 EST

Jan. 23 (Bloomberg) -- State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Co. will reconsider thousands of Hurricane Katrina claims under a Mississippi settlement that may cost the insurer as much as $500 million, the state's attorney general said. State Farm, ordered to pay a Mississippi couple $2.7 million when it lost its first Katrina-related jury trial earlier this month, will pay policyholders a minimum of $50 million, according to Attorney General Jim Hood. Hood is dropping a civil lawsuit against the insurer and said he won't pursue criminal charges. For more information, follow the link below.

Teen's brain injuries are slow to heal

wsteele@barbaraswilliams.com; abrown@barbaraswilliams.com (News Author)2005 — Tue, 02 Jan 2007 08:00:00 EST

Fifteen-year-old Arielle Serrano still needs help to recover. Arielle was hit by a car in March as she crossed Dale Mabry Highway, by Plant High School. Her fractured bones - pelvic and lower right leg - have mended. But progress in healing her brain injuries has been slow. Doctors have described her as being in a "low-response state." She is more alert than a person in a coma, and has times when she sleeps and when she wakes. She is making slow progress, but she can't get up or do things for herself, said her father, Jose Serrano. For more details, follow the link below.

New Study Sheds Light on Hospital Infections

wsteele@barbaraswilliams.com; abrown@barbaraswilliams.com (News Author)2006 — Tue, 02 Jan 2007 08:00:00 EST

Hospital infections are responsible for thousands of deaths a year. The problem would be easy and inexpensive to fix. What are the HMO's and Hospital chains doing about it? Nothing.

Brain Injury May Occur Within One Millisecond After Head Hits Car Windshield

wsteele@barbaraswilliams.com; abrown@barbaraswilliams.com (News Author)1911 — Tue, 28 Nov 2006 08:00:00 EST

Research by a Sandia National Laboratories engineer and a University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center neurologist shows that brain injury may occur within one millisecond after a human head is thrust into a windshield as a result of a car accident. This happens prior to any overall motion of the head following impact with the windshield and is a new concept to consider for doctors interested in traumatic brain injury (TBI). For the rest of the story, follow the link below.

Virginia Suffered 347 Alcohol Related Fatalities in 2005

wsteele@barbaraswilliams.com; abrown@barbaraswilliams.com (News Author)1829 — Wed, 01 Nov 2006 08:00:00 EST

Drunk drivers that cause accidents deserve a lot more that just points on their licenses or a few days in jail. A drunk driver that causes a serious injury or death should be held responsible for financial losses that their victims suffer. Barbara S. Williams is an experienced attorney that has built her career on helping the injured receive fair and just compensation. Follow the link below for more information.

Army explores issue of living wills as more return from war in comas

wsteele@barbaraswilliams.com; abrown@barbaraswilliams.com (News Author)1764 — Fri, 06 Oct 2006 08:00:00 EST

A growing number of troops are returning from Iraq and Afghanistan with severe brain damage, prompting the Army to examine whether living wills or other care directives from soldiers ought to be available to battlefield doctors. The issue was raised this summer by wounded soldiers and families of casualties during a symposium sponsored by the Army's Wounded Warrior Program. For the whole story, follow the link below.

New Report on Insurance Companies Performance After Hurricane Katrina

wsteele@barbaraswilliams.com; abrown@barbaraswilliams.com (News Author)1698 — Tue, 05 Sep 2006 08:00:00 EST

Residents of the Gulf Coast region have had their coverage claims almost uniformly denied by their insurance companies, despite the fact that Big Insurance had a year of record-breaking profits. This serves as a reminder that when you are dealing with an insurance company, having legal representation is crucial. To read the whole story, follow the link below.