Flint Gets $15 Million for Water Crisis

More federal aid money is being provided for Flint, Michigan area residents affected by the Flint Water Crisis. According to a recent June 30, 2017 press release from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, approximately $15 million in funding will be provided to the Genesee County Healthy Start Program, which is overseen by the Genesee County Health Department. This program provides "health and social services for women, infants, and their families who have had, or are at risk for, lead exposure in Flint, Michigan and the surrounding community."  

The Department of Health and Human Services press release mentioned that not only can lead stay in the bones for decades, but that women and infants might face ongoing exposure through pregnancy and breastfeeding, even after the lead source is removed.  

Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Tom Price, M.D. commented, “[w]e understand the urgency of the situation, and this funding will help connect affected and at-risk Flint residents to comprehensive health and social services proven to mitigate the effects of lead exposure.” It's important for those who show symptoms from the Flint water to see their doctor and discuss the best medical course of treatment. 

As Flint, Michigan residents continue to recover from the Flint Water Crisis and the city's infrastructure continues to be restored, our personal injury law firm will continue to monitor new governmental aid for victims who have suffered injuries and general information for the public at large.  

More details regarding the Healthy Start Program can be found at this site: https://mchb.hrsa.gov/maternal-child-health-initiatives/healthy-start.

The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC is a Birmingham, Michigan personal injury firm. Our firm handles personal injury lawsuits throughout the state. Call 844.464.3476 today to speak to an experienced injury attorney today. We offer free consultations and honest and fair legal representation.

Hands Free Technology in Cars Makes Driving Safer

Could driving while using your smartphone make the roads safer? Well, we are about to soon find out, as automotive companies are partnering up with Android and iOS operating systems, allowing consumers to start seeing some added technology to their driving experience. As people become more connected, so will the things around them, especially as a part of the "auto industry's strategy and new product development," says Project Manager Andrew Brenner from Google's Android Auto.

In January, in Detroit, Michigan, Brenner spoke at the Automotive News World Congress and said, "Consumers are finally starting to shop for cars with the expectation that the vehicles operate with the technology, design and pace of innovation that they are used to with their mobile phones."

 

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Digital technology is vastly changing the driving experience from “connecting” to being “connected.” Consumers, under the strain of trying to use their phones in the safest way possible while driving and being under the radar from law enforcement, can now gain better piece of mind that their mobile device will have full functionally on their dash.

Android Auto, for example, which launched back in 2015, already offers user many apps including Pandora, iHeartRadio and Skype. The platform, which has 60 partners as of January, 2016, and has plans of increasing by 20 more according to Benner, was designed “with safety in mind.” With future plans of adding Google Maps with voice-guided navigation, live traffic information, lane guidance, on-demand Google Play Music, and voice calling in addition to messaging abilities, Android Auto could potentially provide users with a better and safer driving experience.

"Anything we can do to reduce distraction for people in their cars-whether they have an Android or iPhone-I think is a huge benefit," says Brenner.

Like its competitor, Apple Carplay offers similar apps although with a slightly different interface. iPhone users can also expect to gain more connectivity and options in their motor vehicles in the years to come.

With more hands free access, lawmakers may have to adjusts the rules for driving while using a cellular device.

But the bigger debate may not be which platform is better for drivers, but whether this new technology will have an effect on smartphone related automobile accidents. The National Safety Council, a nonprofit organization that stands on advocating safety for over 100 years, seems to think so. Back in 2012, the organization published a study titled “Understanding the Distracted Brain: Why Driving While Using Hands-Free Cell Phones is Risky Behavior,” indicating that cognitive use is a form of “distracted driving,” pointing at hands-free phones as the risky behavior. It’s no secret distracted driving incidents inflate lawsuits, injuries, and deaths. Subsequently, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and the automotive industry should get ready as cognitive distraction may become a hot topic in the coming future.

If you or someone you know has been involved in an auto accident involving a distracted driver, call The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC. Our attorneys are highly experienced in handling all types of car crashes. Call us today, at 844.4MI.FIRM for a free consultation.

Metro Detroit Physician Sentenced To 45 Years For Health Care Fraud

DETROIT, MI - Think you may be a victim of health care fraud? Well you aren’t the only one. A prominent Metro Detroit physician was recently sentenced to 45 years after he was found guilty of prescribing chemotherapy treatment to thousands of patients without probable cause.

The once prominent physician, Dr. Farid Fata sat in a courtroom in downtown Detroit last summer awaiting sentencing for over-treating, under-treating and mistreating hundreds of patients in addition to insurance fraud. Expert witness Robert Sobieray, a former patient of the doctor and present at the hearing, described the treatment the doctor recommended for his supposed “metastatic bone cancer.”

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Associate professor, Dr. David Steensma of Harvard Medical School and cancer physician testified for the prosecutors stating, 

“I’m not sure what they thought they were radiating.”

Sobieray, who was misled about the side effects of the chemo drug, Zometa, stated in front of the U.S. District Judge Paul Borman’s court during the sentencing last summer:

"I have one tooth left. I had to have pieces of my gums and teeth cut out."

About 22 victim's statements were read last year. Some called Fata an “evil monsters” and others dropped his credentials saying he no longer deserved the title of “doctor.”

Fata, a married father of three, plead guilty back in September of 2014 to one count of conspiring to pay and receive kickbacks, 13 counts of health care fraud and two counts of money laundering. Federal prosecutors said Fata had over 500 victims and has collected millions of dollars.

The hearing, which began on a Monday went on for a week with hundreds of victims giving their statements. Prosecutors aimed for a 175 year sentence but Fata’s attorneys fought for just a 25 year sentence. Fata received 45 years.

"One question was asked over and over, 'How was Dr. Fata allowed to get away with this?' In the pending civil litigation we hope to answer that question and hold accountable everyone who played a role in this epidemic of medical malpractice." said the personal injury lawyer who represented several of Fata’s victims in civil court. 

Source: freep.com

Involved in a personal injury accident? Contact a lawyer at The Michigan Law Firm, PLLC.  Our experienced legal team is ready to help with your injury lawsuit and recover the compensation you are entitled to under Michigan law.  Call us at 844.4MI.FIRM for a free consultation today.