Bergen County Personal Injury Law Blog

The New Jersey product liability attorneys at Breslin and Breslin are reporting that some types of fruit sold at New Jersey Walmart stores have been recalled because of concerns over Listeria, the FDA said.

Errors in the operating room can be costly for patients, not only because of the health impacts but also due to the effects on their life. What makes these situations so maddening is that it is usually possible to prevent them when everyone involved in the procedure takes the initiative to put the patient first and follow the protocols established for safety.

Some of the most common problems in the operating room are known as never events. These are things that should never happen. Addressing them is good way for surgical programs to improve patient safety.

• Anesthesia errors: These are problems with the types of medications used and the dosages. Instead of reviewing the specifics only once, the anesthesiology team should check again to ensure they are doing things properly. This includes checking things during the course of the procedure.
• Nerve damage: Some damage in the nerves comes from the way the patient is positioned during the surgery. Paying attention to the body mechanics of the person can help to prevent this.
• Wrong-patient, wrong-procedure, wrong-site surgery: Avoiding these issues requires everyone who contacts the patient prior to the procedure to verify facts. The person should be asked their name. The type of surgery should be discussed. Some surgeons actually mark the location of the surgery with a marker.
• Retained objects in the patient: Anything that is used during the surgery should be accounted for before the patient is closed up. Different surgical programs will have different ways to do this. Some use a system of double checks, while others have written checklists that include everything that is used.
• Infections after the procedure: The days after a surgery have to include close monitoring. The risk of the site becoming infected is present since the skin is cut and foreign objects are part of procedures. Signs of this problem include redness, swelling and pain at the incision. It might ooze and you may run a fever. Immediate treatment is necessary.

The winter season is filled with snow and wintry precipitation in New Jersey. Businesses should be prepared for this ahead of time by having protocols in place for when entryways have snow and water tracked in. Without a plan in place, there is a chance that customers who come into the building might slip and fall, which can lead to serious injuries.

Keeping the entryways safe for customers starts with clearing the snow and ice from sidewalks and walkways outside. Even if they aren't perfect, having them mostly clear can help reduce the amount of snow and ice that clings to a customers' shoes when they come in.

Watchung Hills Regional High School senior Keith Garcia was playing in an away soccer game against Franklin High School on Oct. 29, 2015.