TatumlegalAdmin, Author at Tatum Law Firm

July 8, 2014 by TatumlegalAdmin

Doctors in the South Write Up to Three Times as Many Painkiller Prescriptions as Other States, Legislative Action May be the Cure

The Insurance Journal recently reported on a Southern trend – a trend that is not too flattering for our medical professionals. The article showcases a color coded depiction of the United States where you can see how many prescription drugs are being prescribed per 100 people in that state. The Southern states, including North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, and Mississippi, maintain a shade of purple – signifying the prescription rate between 82-143 prescriptions per 100 people.

Florida, a state that used to fall victim to a large number of drug overdoses, reversed its trend and passed legislation that caused a 23 percent decrease in prescription drug related deaths statewide.

One glance at the chart details how prevalent prescription drug abuse is in the United States and especially in the South. As seen by state specific research reported in this article, it may be time to call out to the legislature to hold our medical professionals and our doctors’ offices accountable. States that have seen results after passing legislation include Florida, New York, and Tennessee, to name a few. [Read more…]

July 3, 2014 by TatumlegalAdmin

Judge Breaks the Rules and Gets Suspended for 60 Days, Court Deviates from the Recommended Sentence

The Supreme Court of Michigan recently issued an opinion in a judicial misconduct case, suspending the judge for 60 days without pay. Judge Morrow, sitting for the 3^rd Circuit Court in Wayne County, Michigan, received his punishment from the Supreme Court after the parties were unable to settle their claims outside of court.

There were ten instances of conduct that were complained of, however only eight were considered judicial misconduct. In fact, the first official to review the conduct, the master, only found two to be judicial misconduct, stating that though the Judge’s “methods are sometimes unorthodox, ‘his heart is in the right place[.]’”

Judges are expected to abide by the law and also by a code of professional ethics, just like most other professional persons. So, when Judge Morrow closed the courtroom doors during a post-conviction hearing without explanation, failed to sentence convicted persons as required by law, dismissed cases sua sponte, subpoenaed medical records without parties consent, and retrieved a prisoner from lockup and sentenced him without restraints or security; he was making his own law, not abiding by it.

[Read more…]

July 2, 2014 by TatumlegalAdmin

Tropical Storm Arthur Threatens Fourth of July Holiday Fun – What’s in Store for the Carolinas

Tropical Storm Arthur is this year’s first named storm of the Atlantic. Tropical Storms, with winds ranging between 39-73mph, still pose a threat to the safety of those within its reach. This storm could be bad news for travelers during the upcoming July 4^th Holiday weekend due to the increase in road traffic and the potential safety hazards.

As the storm continues along the coast, the Weather Channel has forecast Arthur to reach the Carolina’s sometime between Thursday and Friday. Hopefully, Arthur will die down before it ever reaches the Carolina Coast, allowing for safe and fun times as we celebrate our Nation’s Independence. However, those people enjoying the beach on this holiday weekend should still take precaution; tropical storms, even weak ones, can cause high surfs, rip currents, strong winds, and flooding.

If you are planning to vacation this weekend, especially if you are traveling towards the Carolina Coast, make sure to stay up to date with the latest Hurricane News. Should conditions begin to worsen, make sure your gas tank is full, you have cash on hand, and you are aware of the evacuation route. Most importantly, look for posted signs or flags on the beach warning swimmers of the rip currents. Heed the directions of those safety personnel on the beach and keep your loved ones safe.

[Read more…]

June 26, 2014 by TatumlegalAdmin

Personal Injury Claims in North Carolina – How do you know if you have a claim & how do you prove it?

Accidents occur daily and in various forms, whether it is a car accident, a slip and fall, a product defect, or even a workplace mishap. Unfortunately many of these accidents also involve some kind of injury; this may mean a physical injury or injury to your property.

What is Negligence?

Negligence claims help those who have been injured in an accident receive damages to make them whole again. Ultimately, if you think you have been injured as a result of someone else’s negligence, a good question to ask is whether a reasonably prudent person would have acted the same in similar circumstances? If the answer to this question is no, it is likely worth your while to pursue your options with an experienced personal injury attorney in your area.

How do you prove negligence?

To be able to be compensated for your injuries, plaintiffs (the injured parties) have the burden of proving four elements in a negligence claim – duty, breach, causation, and damages. [Read more…]

June 25, 2014 by TatumlegalAdmin

Ammonia Leak at Smithfield Packing Plant in NC Leads to Injured Workers

Just after 11 a.m., June 17th, a water heater tank collapsed severing an ammonia line at the Smithfield Packing Plant in Tar Heel, NC, causing the evacuation of the entire plant. The Smithfield Packing plant is the largest pork-processing plant in the world, with over 2,000 people working at the time of the leak. Fortunately, the ammonia leak left only eight of those 2,000 workers injured on Tuesday morning.

According to WRAL, not only was the plant evacuated, but authorities also closed Highway 87 for a stretch of about five miles so the hazmat teams could contain the leak and make the scene of the accident safe.

The Plant has had an ammonia leak before, in 2012, where six workers inhaled the fumes of the ammonia and five of those workers were hospitalized. Tuesday, eight workers were taken to Cape Fear Medical Center in Fayetteville due to minor inhalation or heat-related injuries.

[Read more…]

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Doctors in the South Write Up to Three Times as Many Painkiller Prescriptions as Other States, Legislative Action May be the Cure

Judge Breaks the Rules and Gets Suspended for 60 Days, Court Deviates from the Recommended Sentence

Tropical Storm Arthur Threatens Fourth of July Holiday Fun – What’s in Store for the Carolinas

Personal Injury Claims in North Carolina – How do you know if you have a claim & how do you prove it?

Ammonia Leak at Smithfield Packing Plant in NC Leads to Injured Workers

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