Author Archives: Jay Butchko
Medical Malpractice Lawsuits Related to Cannabis Potentially On the Horizon
Although it has not yet occurred, there is no question that a medical malpractice lawsuit related to cannabis is in the near future. This includes in states such as Rhode Island, where patients are allowed to purchase marijuana products from state-licensed dispensaries known as “compassion centers.” This is due, in part, to the fact… Read More »
Construction Accidents Are Placing Workers at Risk of a New Catastrophic Injury: Opioid Addiction
The construction industry has long been known as one of the most dangerous in terms of accidents and physical injuries for workers: Amputations, electrocution, fractures, falls, and more plague thousands of workers every year. In fact, the injury rate for construction workers is almost 80 percent higher than the national average for all workers…. Read More »
New Study Reveals That Those with Traumatic Brain Injuries Not Only Suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, But That Relevant Parts of Their Brains May Never Fully Recover
Neurologists have long been baffled by why U.S. military members who suffer concussion-like brain injuries end up suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder—an issue that also has significant implications for anyone who suffers from a personal injury and related litigation in general—until now. According to a recent study out of UCLA, traumatic brain injuries cause… Read More »
Widower Awarded Almost $160 Million in First Same-Sex Wrongful Death Claim Against Big Tobacco
In November, a jury awarded a widower close to $160 million in the first wrongful death claim brought by a same-sex couple against two of the largest tobacco companies in the country. The victim died from respiratory disease in 2018 after smoking for decades, and his husband pursued damages as the representative of his… Read More »
Lead Poisoning & Children’s Health in Rhode Island
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s announcement in October concerning the Childhood Lead Action Project here in Providence, Rhode Island raises significant concerns when it comes to public health issues related to lead exposure, especially for children. Lead exposure leads to significant injuries, especially during childhood development. If too much lead gets into the body… Read More »
Are Rhode Islanders in Danger of Serious Injury or Death When It Comes to The State’s Dams?
According to recent coverage by the Providence Journal, dozens of dams across Rhode Island are considered to be unsafe or potentially unsafe. “We are literally one storm away from loss of life,” according to numerous experts. For example, there have been a number of problems with the dam that holds the Curran Lower Reservoir…. Read More »
New Report Indicates That Rhode Island Has Some of the Worst Roads in The U.S.—How This Impacts Accident Rates
According to the most recent infrastructure report released by the American Society of Civil Engineers, Rhode Island has some of the worst roads in the United States. Specifically, its bridges, electrical grids, physical infrastructure, roads, tunnels, and more earned a D+–i.e. a barely passing grade, and amongst the top three worst ratings in the… Read More »
Tesla “Smart Summon” Feature Already Causing Auto Accidents
Tesla appears to be at the center of what might very well turn into a class action lawsuit, once again: It’s latest app feature—called the “Smart Summon”—has been documented causing car accidents, just since it was released to the public on September 26. The feature is designed to allow someone to “summon” their car… Read More »
Toxic Drinking Water Found at Rhode Island Army Installations
In September, news outlets reported that drinking water supplies in two Rhode Island army installations were found to be contaminated with elevated levels of the toxic, man-made chemicals Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (known as PFAS), which have been linked to cancer, immune system diseases, kidney disease, reproductive problems, thyroid disease, and other issues. The… Read More »
Rhode Island Woman Sent to Hospital with Blue Blood Highlights Catastrophic Injuries Caused That Can Result from Some Benzocaine Products
A recent incident involving a 25-year-old woman who went to the emergency room here in Rhode Island complaining of generalized weakness and shortness of breath – and whose blood was literally turning blue (“cyanosis”) due to a product called benzocaine – highlights the dangers that some products pose to certain members of the population,… Read More »
