Minneapolis Bulging Disc Attorney

Any injury is scary, but a spinal injury is frightening — with very real fears for the future. We care about your injury and want to help. If your spinal injury was from an accident that was not your fault, you deserve compensation for your pain and suffering, medical expenses, and lost wages.

Contact our Minnesota Bulging Disc Lawyers at (612) TSR-TIME. TSR Injury Law has established a reputation for success in the area of personal injury litigation. Our partners have been named Minnesota Super Lawyers many times by their peers.

Bulging Disc Injury

Many bulging disc injuries are from deceleration in a car accident when the spine is restrained and bent over the seat belt, many times at an angle. A bulging disc most often occurs in the lower back, but may occur in the neck.

When the spine is stressed and pulled out of place, it can put uneven pressure on the disc and cause irritation and damage. A bulging disc can protrude into the spinal canal causing pain and potentially long-term repercussions if the disc ruptures or becomes herniated.

The spine is critical to the overall health of the body. The discs keep the spine flexible, allowing twisting, bending, and basically all physical activity. The gel in the discs absorb the stress of all the body movement. When a disc bulges or compresses, it can cause narrowing of the spinal canal leading to limited, painful movement.

A bulging disc is less severe than a ruptured or herniated disc, but if it goes undiagnosed or untreated may lead to the more serious ruptured or herniated disc.

Bulging Disc Diagnosis & Treatment

An x-ray will not reveal anything about the health of the disc, but may be used to verify the health of the bones. A physical exam and MRI are the best ways to diagnose a bulging disc.

A bulging disc may heal with rest and physical therapy. If the bulging disc becomes more serious by rupturing, surgery may be necessary to remove part of the disc or the entire disc. At this point, they may replace the disc with a synthetic disc or fuse the segments to prevent movement and instability.

Contact Us Today

If your injury was due to the negligence of another, you may be able to obtain compensation for past and future medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages, and other losses. Call (612) TSR-TIME today. We will schedule an appointment to discuss your case. If you prefer, submit our free consultation form. We will fight for justice in your case.

1 Dead, 8 Injured In Chisago County

A four-car crash, on Hwy 8 near Chisago City, left a 34-year-old woman dead. There were 9 people in the four vehicles. The other 8 occupants suffered minor injuries.

There were 3 vehicles waiting at a signal light on Hwy 8 at Johnson Lane. When the light turned green, they started to accelerate when they were rear-ended by a fourth vehicle, a 2000 Buick Century. According to the State Patrol, the fourth vehicle was traveling at highway speed.

The accident is under investigation. It did not appear to be alcohol-related.

Overall, the Labor Day weekend was relatively safe. The Minnesota State Patrol said that this was the only fatal accident this weekend. It was a significant drop from the 14 people killed in car crashes over Memorial Day weekend.

Help For Accident Victims’ Families

If your family has suffered spinal injuries, brain injuries, or even wrongful death, you need legal representation to optimize the insurance compensation. It is important to be checked by a doctor if you have been rear-ended at high speed even if you feel like you are not injured. In some cases the soft tissue injuries are not felt for a few days. For more information call (612) TSR-TIME and speak to a Minneapolis personal injury attorney or submit our free consultation form.

Tinnitus Injury Compensation Claims

While motor vehicle airbags have reduced the number of fatalities; unfortunately they have increased other vehicle injuries, including face, eye, chest, and ear injuries. It has been estimated that more than 200,000 airbags are deployed each year. A wide variety of airbag-induced ear injuries occur every year, many of them permanent. These include hearing loss, tinnitus, disequilibrium, and otalgia (ear pain). That number may increase significantly with the addition of lateral airbags as standard equipment on vehicles. In laboratory blast tests, it has been shown that if the ear aligns toward the blast it doubles the pressure experienced.

What Is Tinnitus?

Tinnitus is the perception of sound, or phantom noise, in the ears or head where no external source is present. Tinnitus can be intermittent or constant, in one ear or both ears. The volume can range from subtle to piercing.

Normal Means of Hearing: Sound would normally be a series of pressure waves that move the ear drum in and out. The chain of bones in the middle ear transform that, moving finally, the last bone in the chain called the stapes. Much like when you take a rock and throw it into the water you can see the waves ripple away from it, the stapes bone creates waves in the fluids of the inner ear. The inner ear compartment (cochlea) has small hair cells, called cilia, suspended in this fluid. As they move they discharge an electrical signal onto the hearing nerve and it is sent back to the brain where it is interpreted. So, the purpose of the cilia is to transmit the signal to the nerve and then on to the brain.

Why Is the Noise Created?

With tinnitus, the cilia are damaged or destroyed. In accidents, a head trauma can destroy cilia in the cochlea or the explosion of the air bag deploying can cause hearing loss and tinnitus.

You would think with the cilia destroyed, there would simply be hearing loss. That is not always the case. Most undamaged ears perceive that a signal is being created by the cilia. The cilium itself also creates a signal periodically which basically tells the brain there is silence. If that signal is lost, you get what is called disinhibition — the loss of the signal for silence.

When there is no signal telling the brain there is silence, the brain then interprets that as a noise or an abnormal perception — which can be described as ringing, buzzing, roaring, clicking, whistling, or hissing.

Treatment for Tinnitus

Cilia are similar to brain cells in that once they are destroyed they are gone forever. They do not heal or regenerate. People have tried different things to minimize the effects or improve the severity of tinnitus, including:

  • Taking supplements such as magnesium, zinc, Ginkgo biloba, or B vitamins
  • Acupuncture, cranio-sacral therapy, magnets, hyperbaric oxygen, or hypnosis
  • Avoidance of alcohol, nicotine, caffeine, foods with a high sugar content, use of tonic water

Treatment options:

  • There is one drug that is commercially available in the United States that has been used for the treatment of tinnitus, but it has a number of unacceptable side effects. Most people choose not to take it.
  • Hearing aids are an option, but can have a boom quality — they amplify frequencies that the patient does not want amplified.
  • Masking devices can be purchased that can create another noise at another frequency that is less objectionable or at a frequency with which there is less interference.

Tinnitus Injury? Contact Us Today

A personal injury attorney in Minneapolis from TSR Injury Law can work on your behalf to validate your injury to the insurance company. We have argued and won many cases of tinnitus. We know it is a debilitating condition and we know you need compensation for your loss. All of our attorneys are skilled, aggressive litigators with years of experience handling personal injury cases. To speak to a lawyer today, call (612) TSR-TIME or submit our contact form and a member from our team will be in contact with you shortly.

Free Consultation. Ph: (612) TSR-TIME.

Minnesota Day Care Provider Sued in Baby’s Death

A day care provider is being sued for the death of a baby that was in her care.

The wrongful death lawsuit filed by the parents of the baby states that the provider was negligent and that is what led to the baby’s death.

Last February, Grant Maloney, three-months old, died while he was sleeping at his Elko day care. His death was due to asphyxiation that resulted from him rolling over onto a small pillow and this has led to the parents alleging in their suit that their son was provided a poor sleeping environment by provider Karen P. Johnson.

The suit states that Johnson violated safe sleep practices and state law when she propped up the baby with a travel-size pillow. At the time she propped the baby with the pillow, he was swaddled in a blanket. When he rolled over, he rolled onto his face, unable to change position, and died from asphyxiation.

The lawsuit further states that Johnson was negligent and breached the standard of care, thus she created a treacherous sleep environment for the baby. Susan Maloney, the mother of baby Grant, says that she is suing on behalf of her; her husband, Russell Maloney; and the rest of their family.

Johnson has not returned calls from media seeking comment and her attorney has not issued any statements.

Grant Maloney’s death is just one of eight that have occurred within Minnesota day cares this year. All eight of these deaths occurred at in-home facilities. Earlier this month, a state panel performed a review of the child-care deaths that have occurred over the past ten years and made a series of safety recommendations based on what they found.

In the report, they stated that ¾ of the 86 deaths that have occurred in the past 10 years involved infants that were sleeping. The reasons why these infants passed away in their sleep had to do with day care providers not following safety standards.

As of now, Johnson’s day care license has been revoked by the state and she is appealing that revocation. The revocation order was issued in June and said that Johnson had not followed the sleep training guidelines she had been trained to adhere to. The guidelines state that placing a swaddled baby with a pillow is a safety violation.

So far, the Maloney family has reached a partial settlement with one of the insurance companies that insures Johnson.

Minneapolis Bell’s Palsy Lawyer

TSR Injury Law cares about your discomfort, pain, and fear of the future — and we want to help. If your Bell’s palsy was sustained in a motor vehicle accident due to the negligence of another, you deserve compensation for medical expenses, therapy, lost wages, disfigurement, and pain and suffering. Contact a Minneapolis Bell’s Palsy Lawyer at (612) TSR-TIME. Our lawyers have years of experience. We will work tirelessly to achieve a fair settlement.

Bell’s Palsy

Bell’s palsy is the paralysis of the facial nerve, called the seventh cranial nerve. An injury to the head or neck may lead to inflammation and swelling of the seventh cranial nerve — which may inhibit, damage, or kill the nerve. Bell’s palsy is usually a temporary paralysis; but if the nerve is killed, there is the possibility for some permanent damage.

The facial nerve has six- to seven-thousand nerve fibers that conduct electrical signals from the brain to the facial muscles, controlling contraction. Nerves have the capability to regenerate. If the facial nerve dies, the problem with regeneration is that there is no mechanism that reconnects the nerve fibers to the same muscle. The nerve fibers may actually implant into the wrong muscles of the face. This is referred to as synkinesis.

With synkinesis, the brain will send a signal for a muscle to contract, but since the nerve fiber is connected to a different part of the face, the wrong area will respond. So, if the eye was supposed to close, the eyebrow may raise instead. This may sound insignificant or even humorous, but in reality, it is frustrating, debilitating, and dangerous (in the example, the eye could suffer damage because it did not get protection from the eyelid).

Bell’s Palsy Symptoms

There are many symptoms of Bell’s palsy. Very few cases exhibit all of the symptoms.

  • Eye-related symptoms: cannot close eye completely, drooping eyelid, excessive tears, inability to produce tears, tears fail to coat and protect cornea, sensitivity to light
  • Mouth-related symptoms: drooping of one side of the mouth, drooling, sense of taste impaired or lost, difficulty eating, drinking and swallowing, difficulty speaking, asymmetrical smile
  • Ear-related symptoms: sensitivity to sound, pain in/near ear, balance problems
  • Nasal-related symptoms: nose either constantly runny or stuffy, sinus problems
  • General symptoms: forehead wrinkles disappear, muscle weakness or paralysis, overall droopy facial appearance, facial swelling, headaches, neck pains, memory problems, facial spasms

There is controversy in how to treat Bell’s palsy. With incomplete paralysis, treatment is usually unnecessary, because spontaneous recovery is common. When the paralysis is more severe, anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids, and therapy are prescribed.

Minneapolis Bell’s Palsy Attorney

Any impairment to the face is very difficult, stressful, and can affect one’s self-esteem and lead to issues with socialization and depression. If this impairment was due to negligence, legal representation could improve the possibility of fair compensation. Call (612) TSR-TIME or submit our free consultation form. Our partners have years of experience handling complex medical cases.

Golden Valley Therapist Surrenders License in Minnesota

Judith Henderson, a Golden Valley psychologist, has given up her license to practice after being accused of taking a patient shopping, traveling, dining, and theater excursions then billing the activities as therapy.

The Minnesota Board of Psychology says the 68-year-old charged more than $300,000 in fees to the patient over 10 years. Henderson does not admit or deny the allegations, but agreed to give up her license.

Ms. Henderson violated her professional relationship with the patient, the board stated, by extravagant socializing and then billing it as therapy. She allowed, and possibly encouraged, an inappropriate dependence by the patient.

Medical malpractice and abuse can take many forms. This abuse is unconscionable. It is taking advantage of a trusting, emotionally compromised person. The Minneapolis medical malpractice attorneys of TSR Injury Law are skilled, aggressive litigators with years of experience in personal injury law. Our partners are consistently named Super Lawyers. We will help you evaluate your case and fight for justice. Call (612) TSR-TIME or submit our free consultation form.

Fatal Crash Devastates Family

Lawunmi Olabisi-Barbington was a woman of few words, but she had a lot to celebrate, as she was working toward her law degree and her family was thriving. Her son was a very popular boy in his Anoka High School class.

In a split second, the dreams of the family were shattered because their van was struck in north Minneapolis on Interstate 94 by a vehicle that had already been involved in a collision. The van would roll several times before it would come to a stop and the end result would be three family members dead. Olabisi-Barbington, her son, and Modupe Olabisi were all killed in the fatal crash. Seun Eperutolu-Barbington was 16 and Modupe Olabisi was 80.

Now there is a community in Coon Rapids mourning this family, as well as a church in south Minneapolis rallying around a mourning family.

At Anoka High School, Seun was a football player and ran track. Because he was so popular with the other students, many of them are mourning and sharing stories about a boy who touched their lives. Everyone knew him and said he was the type of kid who would give the jacket off of his back if a student didn’t have one. He was the type of person others wanted to be around.

A sophomore at the high school, Seun dreamed of going to college and had just visited Minnesota State University in Mankato, although he was still over two years from finishing high school. His mother had stressed to him how important school was. His mother held a master’s degree in sociology from the University of Minnesota and was looking at law schools before she died.

This was a family that loved the Twin Cities.

It was the University of Minnesota that brought the family from Nigeria to the United States. Another sister, an Arizona resident, had attended the university 35 years ago. When her siblings visited her, they fell in love with the area and would make the move ten years after that. Only one brother lives in Nigeria.

The driver of the van, John Barbington, 52, is in serious condition that took his wife, son, and mother-in-law. He is known in their neighborhood as a “caregiver.” He takes care of other adults for a Brooklyn Park home health agency. His mother-in-law was a nurse practitioner in Nigeria, but never got a license in the United States.

It was Olabisis, a woman of very few words, who made a very big impact in lives without speaking many words. Approximately 19 years ago, she was involved in another I-94 accident in Minneapolis. Her car was struck by a drunk driver and she lost use of one arm. However, she learned to live without it.

Other members of the family who survived the crash but were in the hospital include Fisayo Barbington, 15; Faith Barbington, 12; Tobi Barbington, 5; and Oluremi Ogundare, 61.

Garbage Truck Accident Fatally Injures 5 Year Old

A commercial waste management truck rolled over Harris Nyumah, a 5-year-old who came from Liberia 3 years ago, and killed him instantly. The garbage truck accident occurred at about 11 a.m., on Thursday morning, near the intersection of 51st Ave. N and Ewing Ave. N.

Harris had been playing outside. He darted after his ball as it rolled into the street. The garbage truck was backing up and the driver could not see the boy.

The boy died at the scene and his body was taken to the Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s office. The garbage truck accident is still under investigation. The driver of the garbage truck is cooperating fully with the investigation and is said to be devastated. “At this point, I don’t anticipate any charges, but things could always change,” Commander Mike Reynolds said.

At TSR Injury Law, our truck accident lawyers in Minneapolis are compassionate, aggressive personal injury lawyers with years of experience. Our attorneys are consistently named Super Lawyers and Top Lawyers by their peers. Call for a free consultation, (612) TSR-TIME or submit our contact form.

Minneapolis Ulnar Radial Fracture Attorney

Steve Terry, Chuck Slane, Rich Ruohonen, and Nate Bjerke have years of experience handling broken bone injury cases and will effectively represent you in your accident injury claim. Call 612-TSR-TIME or submit our free consultation form.

Ulna – Radial Fractures

Forearm fractures occur mostly due to car accidents or slip and fall accidents. There are also some cases of blunt trauma breaks in workplace accidents.

For adults, fractures in both the ulna and radius usually requires surgery to stabilize the arm; without surgery there is no way to ensure the bones are properly aligned. Additionally, the bones must be reached through separate incisions on either side of the arm.

Fractures are classified as open or closed fractures. If there is a puncture at the site of the break, it is an open fracture. Open fractures need to be treated immediately by an orthopedic specialist to reduce the possibility of infection. The specialist will perform a neurological examination to assess sensory and motor functions. A vascular examination is necessary, too.

There are classifications of open fractures depending on:

  • the size of the puncture
  • the amount of contamination
  • the amount of soft tissue damage
  • whether there is adequate bone coverage
  • if there is arterial damage

Very often the extent of the damage is not known until surgery.

Types of Arm Fractures

  • Colles fracture describes a break across the ends of both the radius and ulna, which results in a backward and outward position of the hand in relation to the wrist. This is called a hyperextension injury. This is the most common wrist fracture.
  • Smith’s fracture is an injury where the end of the radius heads downward toward the palm. This is called a hyperflexion injury and is sometimes called a reverse Colles fracture.
  • Barton’s fracture involves the upper edge of the radius and the joint surface, and is usually accompanied by partial displacement, called subluxation, of the wrist with carpal bone displacement.
  • Hutchinson fracture refers to an isolated fracture of the radial bone, usually caused by direct trauma to the radial side of the wrist.

Ulnar Radial Fracture Rehabilitation

If you have sustained a fractured ulna or radius, rehabilitation will vary depending on the type of fracture and length of immobilization. Rehabilitation may include both physical therapy and occupational therapy.

The primary emphasis of physical therapy is to restore full range of motion and strength. Physical therapy is also helpful in reducing pain. The intensity of physical therapy is based upon stability of the fracture and wither it was an open or closed fracture. Special attention must be paid to regain the ability to have full palm-up position and full palm-down position. Occupational therapy may be necessary in dominant arm breaks. Hand dominance will influence the degree of disability during recovery.

The bones usually heal within 6 to 12 weeks. It takes longer for bone strength and load bearing capabilities to return. It can take up to several years. It is important to refrain from overloading the fracture site until the bone has regained its full strength.

Minnesota Ulnar Radial Fracture Lawyer

Our Minnesota Ulnar Radial Fracture Attorneys are capable, dynamic litigators with extensive experience. We will do all of the paperwork, handle the insurance companies, and file your claim. Call 612-TSR-TIME or submit our contact form.

Toyota Prius Recall – Prius Brake Failure – Lexus HS 250h Recalled

Toyota — the company that stood for quality — the company that could do no wrong — has major problems. Their seemingly invincible reputation is at stake. Xinhus News agency reported Saturday that Toyota of Japan has issued a mandatory recall of 270,000 units of its third-generation (2010) Prius hybrid car. It has officially been recalled in the United States now. The Lexus HS 250h is included in this recall because it has a similar component design to the 2010 Prius.

There have been more than 100 complaints and 4 accidents related to Toyota Prius brake failure. Toyota has admitted to a design failure in the anti-lock braking system. The brakes were designed to prevent skidding. Now the company is on a skid, with no end in sight.

Call (612) TSR-TIME for help today.

Toyota Prius Problems

Many 2010 Prius owners have reported that the brakes do not consistently engage when the brake pedal is pressed. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is assessing the scope of the problem. The NHTSA will look into reported momentary loss of braking capabilities.

The investigation comes as safety questions surround Toyota, which has already issued broad recalls for millions of its best-selling vehicles, including the Corolla and Camry, initially labeling the problem as being with the floor mats moving forward to press on the accelerator pedal. Ultimately, the recall was due to a design flaw with the gas pedal that allowed friction to build and the pedal to become stuck.

Toyota said it would unveil safety measures relating to the Prius brakes as soon as a new design is available. Most auto and safety experts are questioning Toyota’s integrity. They feel that Toyota has not disclosed the full extent of its safety flaws.

Toyota Recall Lawyers

Having a recall on your car is unnerving. It can undermine your confidence in the integrity of your vehicle. It may even change the way you live and drive — making you stay home more often, making you drive more tentatively, and even altering how you react in a crash-avoidance maneuver.

We want to help you in your fight for justice with the Toyota design defect, especially if the design defect led to a car accident. Call (612) TSR-TIME.

Minneapolis Spinal Injury Lawyers

We care about people who have been injured and we can help you file a claim to obtain deserved compensation. Call TSR today at 612-TSR-TIME or complete our online form and we’ll get in touch – we are here, waiting to take your call.

Spinal Injury Statistics

According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Association, there are more than 250,000 people in the United States living with a spinal cord injury. There are many more people that are living with other spinal injuries.The Minnesota spinal injury lawyers of TSR Injury Law believe that you should not have to suffer the consequences of an accident that was not your fault. We have helped thousands of people recover millions in compensation.Our partners have been named Minnesota Super Lawyers many times by Minnesota Law & Politics. To contact Steve Terry, Chuck Slane, Rich Ruohonen, or Nate Bjerke about your Minnesota spinal injury case, call 612-TSR-TIME or submit our free consultation form.

Types of Spinal Injury

Our Minnesota spinal injury lawyers have the necessary experience and insight to handle virtually any spinal damage case. We are prepared to do the research, arrange expert testimonials, and handle the litigation for a variety of spinal injury cases. Contact us for more information about:

  • Burst Fractures
  • Compression Fracture
  • Herniated Disc
  • Facet Joint Injuries
  • Soft Tissue Injury
  • Spinal Stenosis
  • Paraplegia
  • Back Injury
  • Radiofrequency Neurotomy (RFN) (treatment for facet joint injuries)
  • Spinal Fusion (treatment for herniated discs)
  • Laminectomy (treatment for spinal stenosis)

In addition to the pain and suffering these injuries can cause, they often require extensive, costly, and life-long medical treatments. If you are a victim of a spinal injury due to negligence, you may be able to obtain compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Causes of Spinal Damage

Spinal injuries are often caused by fully preventable accidents such as:

  • Motor Vehicle Accidents
  • Sports Injuries
  • Falls

Collisions involving automobiles are responsible for thousands of spinal injuries every year, including facet joint injuries (whiplash), vertebrae fractures, and paralysis.Whiplash is often thought of as a minor injury, but the truth is that severe cases can cause debilitating pain for months or years. The abnormal movements associated with whiplash may result in chronic neck pain, psychological problems, or even permanent disability. More importantly, any injury inflicted on an innocent party is unacceptable. That is why our Minnesota spinal injury lawyers strive for justice for our clients.

Contact Minnesota Spinal Injury Lawyers

We handle our cases with both efficiency and compassion. To discuss what we can do for you, contact us at 612-TSR-TIME or submit our free consultation form today – we’re here to help you get the help you deserve.

Twin Cities Clinic Sued in Meningitis Outbreak

A Brooklyn Park woman is suing a pain clinic in the Twin Cities area for being negligent in its use of steroids that were contaminated with the fungus that was responsible for the 2012 meningitis outbreak.

Traci Maccoux, 23, filed a lawsuit in mid-March against medical Pain Specialists, stating that she had received steroid injections at the clinic in the summer of 2012.

Maccoux is one of over 700 individuals who contracted meningitis because of the contaminated steroid injections originating from a Framingham, Massachusetts compounding facility.

This is the first lawsuit filed against Medical Advanced Pain Specialists, but is one of two clinics in Minnesota that purchased the contaminated steroids from the manufacturer, which has now had to file for bankruptcy.

Clinic officials have not commented on the lawsuit, but they made a brief statement on Monday stating they had attempted to address the questions and concerns of all individuals who receive care at their facility.

Maccoux is one of 12 confirmed meningitis cases in the state and was hospitalized in October for 10 days. The fungal meningitis infection she contracted was potentially deadly, as it involved infection of the spinal cord and brain. She had received her steroid shots in July and August.

In her lawsuit, she states that the pain clinic violated state law and breached its duty to its patients when it purchased the steroids from the compounding facility, which was not licensed to manufacture or sell the steroid in bulk. A federal investigation found that the New England Compounding Center was selling the steroid in bulk. They had sold approximately 17,000 vials in over 20 states.

Maccoux said in an interview that she was upset that the clinic had bought steroids from such a facility and had hoped that they would know better. She said she assumed that the clinic would ensure everything was safe.

Maccoux said that she found out in October that she was one of almost 1,000 people in Minnesota who had received the steroid injection from the contaminated vials. A few days later, it was confirmed that she had contracted fungal meningitis.

In her lawsuit, it is stated that she had extreme pain, hallucinations, blurry vision, flu-like symptoms, and dizziness. She is still taking the antifungal drug that saved her, but it has very uncomfortable side effects. She said she had to stop attending her college classes because she has been unable to drive or even work. So far her hospital bills are exceeding $110,000, according to her attorney.

If you have suffered serious side effects after coming into contact with a contaminated product, you may be eligible for compensation. For help learning more about the legal options that may be available to you, contact the Bloomington personal injury lawyers at TSR Injury Law today.

Free Consultation. Ph: (612) TSR-TIME.