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Author: Steve Terry

Steven Terry is the co-founder and current managing partner of TSR Injury Law. His practice consists solely of representing injured people and pursuing justice against wrongdoers. He has handled thousands of injury claims over a 20-plus-year career. Steve continues to exceed his clients' expectations and hold insurance companies responsible for the damage their insured's cause.

Garbage Truck Accident Fatally Injures 5 Year Old

By Steve Terry |

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

By Steve Terry |

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

By Steve Terry |

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

By Steve Terry |

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

By Steve Terry |

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.

Minnesota Good Faith Law

By Steve Terry |

The Minnesota Good Faith Law was signed into law April 18, 2008 and went into effect August 1, 2008. It applies to claims against your own insurance company — setting the standard of conduct for insurance companies when settling no fault (NF), underinsured (UIM), and uninsured (UM) policy claims. It requires that insurers have a credible basis for denying a claim by its insured — that they act in good faith toward the insured.

If you have been in a car accident, it is beneficial to have legal representation even for the no fault claim in order to ensure that the insurance company acts in good faith so that you receive fair compensation for damages. TSR Injury Law has years of experience combating insurance company injustices. Our Minneapolis personal injury attorneys have recovered millions for our clients. Call (612) TSR-TIME or submit our free consultation form.

Good Faith Law: Minnesota Statute 604.18

This good faith law is being hailed one of the most significant pro-consumer insurance legislation passed in Minnesota in many years. The basics of the law are:

  • The court may award damages and costs to an insured if the following can be proven against the insurer:
    • the absence of a reasonable basis for denying the benefits of the insurance policy; and
    • that the insurer knew of the lack of a reasonable basis for denying the benefits of the insurance policy or acted in reckless disregard of the lack of a reasonable basis for denying the benefits of the insurance policy

The damages awarded would be an amount equal to one-half of the proceeds awarded that are in excess of an amount offered by the insurer at least ten days before the trial begins, or $250,000, whichever is less. The court may also award reasonable attorney fees actually incurred for filing a good faith claim.

An example of how the good faith law will work:

The insurance company offers $20,000 on a policy with $100,000 limit, but the jury awards $200,000. If it can be proven that the insurance company’s offer violated the good faith law, the plaintiff will receive the $100,000 policy limit PLUS $90,000 (half of the difference between what was offered and what the jury awarded) in damages. In addition, the insurance company would be required to pay the attorney fees for the subsequent claim.

Minnesota Good Faith Claim Lawyer

The Good Faith Law should make insurance companies more accountable for their actions toward the insured. If you have been in a car accident, truck accident, or motorcycle accident, and you feel like the insurance company has not offered a reasonable amount, contact us today at (612) TSR-TIME. Our lawyers have years of experience handling Minneapolis auto accident cases. We have a reputation for getting the job done with excellent results.

Call (612) TSR-TIME  – No Fees Until We Win.

Fuel Truck Rollover Near Albertville, MN

By Steve Terry |

There was a semi truck / car accident today near Albertville, Minnesota. A tanker truck rolled over into the median on Interstate 94 about 11 a.m. The driver of the truck was maneuvering the truck to avoid hitting a car making an illegal U-turn, when his truck rolled over, leaking fuel all over the highway.

State Patrol Lt. Matt Langer reported that I-94, in both directions, will be closed for hours and thousands of vehicles will be redirected while crews take care of the clean up. The fuel was removed from the tanker by 6 p.m.

Two people sustained minor injuries. The driver of the car may be cited for the illegal U-turn.

Legal Help For Accident Victims

Our Minneapolis truck accident lawyers have years of experience with excellent success. We have recovered millions for victims of truck accidents and car accidents. Steve Terry, Chuck Slane, and Rich Ruohonen are consistently named Super Lawyers by Minneapolis St. Paul Magazine and Minnesota Law & Politics. If you have been in an accident call someone with experience, someone who knows the law, and someone who gets results. Call (612) TSR-TIME or submit our free consultation form.

TSR Injury Law Represents Victim of Circus Juventas Bleacher Collapse

By Steve Terry |

On Sunday, August 16th, the final summer performance of the St. Paul youth circus ended in disaster. The bleachers collapsed. Nearly 450 people fell, many sustaining minor injuries. 7 people were transported to the hospital with significant injuries. TSR Injury Law now represents a victim of the bleacher collapse.

The cause of the bleacher collapse is still not known. The city fined the circus for assembling the wooden bleachers without requesting an inspection prior to being used for a public performance. They had not been inspected since they were purchased in 2006. New bleachers have been installed at Circus Juventas and they have passed inspection by St. Paul officials.

How We Can Help You

Premises liability laws recognize the responsibility of the property owner for the well-being of anyone invited onto the property. Our Minneapolis personal injury attorneys are skilled, aggressive litigators with years of experience. Our partners are consistently named Minnesota Super Lawyers and are experts at establishing fault and proving liability. They have recovered millions for victims. Call (612) TSR-TIME or submit our free consultation form.

DWI Survivor Suffers from Spinal Injury

By Steve Terry |

Kellie Stein’s life changed drastically one day when she fell victim to a drunk driver. Now she says she just “lays there” and that she “just exists.”

On the other side is Kristin Kealy who is a single mother who had no criminal record and her driving record was clean. One night, she made the wrong decision and reached 90 miles per hour on a Coon Rapids road. Her drunkenness and her speed caused her to rear-end a Pontiac Firebird driven by Stein.

Now Stein is paralyzed from the neck down due to a severe spinal injury. In August, she had to leave the hospital to tell an Anoka County judge about the accident and how it changed her life forever.

Stein, 32, had to be rolled into the courtroom in a wheelchair by her boyfriend, who held the impact statement in front of her as she read it. She had dictated her statement to a hospital volunteer so she would be able to read it that day.

At first, her words were not audible as she spoke of the event. Kealy had been out drinking with friend at a Spring Lake Park Bar and at 1:30 a.m. was driving along Coon Rapids Boulevard at incredible speeds before crashing into Stein. A breath test showed that her BAC was .24, which was three times the .08 limit in Minnesota. At first, she told police she wasn’t driving.

As Stein continued to tell the judge about what occurred and the activities she can no longer perform on her own, her voice became stronger. She told him she cannot paint, garden, fish, or design landscapes. She does, however, plan on continuing her education, as she already has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and in psychology.

25-year-old Kealy received a one year jail sentence and said nothing to Stein during the court hearing. The judge sentenced her according to the sentencing guidelines, but he did tell Kealy that he would have sentenced her to spend more time in jail if he had more latitude to do so.

New Fungal Meningitis Cases Still Popping Up

By Steve Terry |

It is now January and new fungal meningitis cases are still popping up four months after the New England Compounding Center issued a voluntary recall of several lots of its steroid injection, Methylprednisolone Acetate. In addition to the new cases of fungal infections, other infections have come about as well.

It was found that the primary contaminant in the drug was Exserohilum, which is a type of black mold. The pathogens from the mold contaminated the three lots during the compounding process, which then led to fungal meningitis and other health issues in patients who received the injections. It has been estimated that as many as 14,000 patients were exposed to the contaminated drug and now the personal injury lawsuits have began.

As of now, there have been 664 reported cases and 40 of the individuals died from fungal meningitis.

And while fungal meningitis has received most of the attention, there have also been joint and spinal infections that have occurred near injection sites. Although new meningitis cases have come about, the number and frequency is starting to wane while the number of spinal infections is increasing. This has a lot to do with the fact that spinal infections can take a while to appear.

In Minnesota, there have been 10 cases of fungal meningitis since the late September outbreak and there are two reports of spinal infections. A total of six medical facilities in the state received the drug from the recalled lots. In addition, the FDA has said they cannot verify whether or not other drugs made at the New England Compounding Center are safe. It is estimated that 111 facilities throughout Minnesota have received other drugs from the facility.

Have you been exposed to contaminated medication? You may be eligible to receive financial compensation. Contact a Minneapolis personal injury lawyer from TSR Injury Law today for a free consultation. Ph: (612) TSR-TIME.

This nationwide outbreak has caused the FDA to scramble because of concerns that have been raised by the outbreak. In late December, there was a hearing held to establish how the federal government and the states should regulate compounding pharmacies. Right now, it is the responsibility of state pharmacy boards to oversee these facilities, but many of the pharmacies are expanding from small operations to large-scale distribution with clients in multiple states. This multi-state dealing is why it may be necessary to push for federal oversight.

At the same time, the government agencies have been struggling to keep up with complaints from patients. On December 20, 2012, the CDC encouraged doctors to consider using MRIs for patients who had pain that did not improve after getting the injection. The previous recommendation was just for patients that had symptoms that were worsening.

As time goes on, new recommendations may come about, improved oversight of compounding facilities may become a reality, and individuals may not have to worry so much about contaminated drugs.

Minneapolis Homeowner Liability Lawyer

By Steve Terry |

Homeowner liability accidents are ones that happen on someone else’s property. If you attend a friend’s party and slip and fall, if your child has a serious accident on your neighbor’s trampoline or if your husband drowns in a mate’s pool, all of these instances fall under the homeowner liability laws. If you or someone you love has been injured on someone else’s property, then you may be eligible for financial compensation, either from the homeowner or through their homeowner’s insurance company. Find out more about your legal rights by speaking to a Minnesota accident lawyer as soon as you can.

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

Common Homeowner Liability Claims

Homeowner liability or property liability cases include any serious accident or injury that occurs on someone else’s property. This may include:

How Homeowner Liability Insurance Works

Homeowners are required to purchase liability insurance as part as their homeowners’ insurance policy. Renters may also have liability insurance if they have chosen renter’s insurance. If not, then the landlord or owner of the building will have it.

The biggest problem with homeowner liability is that it is not clear cut. Insurance providers may only offer you the bare minimum and may even deny your claim the first time around. Dealing with a claim denial at this time if your life is the last thing you need. Speak to the experts to help you investigate and determine how much you are actually entitled to. We will make sure that there is no difference between your entitlement and your settlement.

Serious accidents that occur at a friend’s house can be hard on your emotionally and physically. You may feel that if you do ask for compensation that you are jeopardizing the friendship. However, you are entitled to compensation. If you are suffering from a serious accident you may be unable to work, to cover the additional medical costs and to continue to pay your own bills. Compensation from a homeowner’s liability case can help you recover damages to pay for:

  • Lost wages
  • Medical equipment and medication
  • Rehabilitation
  • Surgery, hospitalization and consultation costs
  • And more

You need to put your needs first. Your friend will understand. Homeowners liability insurance is there for a reason- make sure you use it to help you get back on your feet.

Contact a Minnesota Homeowner Liability Lawyer

At TSR Injury Law it is our goal to help you claim the compensation you deserve when faced with a homeowner or property liability case. We will work with you to ensure that the person or company responsible pays the necessary damages. We have the experience to represent you the whole way, even if the case goes to trial. Contact our team of Minneapolis personal injury lawyers today for a free initial consultation at (612) TSR-TIME.

Prison Medical Contractor Sued in Inmate’s Death

By Steve Terry |

Minnesota prisons utilize a private contractor for the medical care of prisoners and now that contractor is being sued for the wrongful death of an inmate who died from complications due to seizures in the Rush City prison.

The suit filed in federal court, alleges that a Corizon, Inc. doctor did not order an ambulance to come to the prison when prisoner Xavius Scullark-Johnson started having seizures. The suit further alleges that an ambulance crew was turned away by a nurse at the prison the next morning.

Corizon, which is based in Tennessee, is estimated to receive $28 million for its duties in caring for the 9,200 inmates in Minnesota’s prisons. The Minnesota Department of Corrections has also been named in the lawsuit that questions the quality of care that is being received by inmates.

The lawsuit states that the defendants left Scullark-Johnson in his cell by himself as he had a number of seizures. He was unable to control his body, was disoriented, and had received injuries from the seizures.

Corrections officials state that the Minnesota prison inmates receive the standard of care that the law requires them to have, which they say is equal to the care received by anyone in Minnesota.

In addition to these accusations against the doctor for Corizon, the lawsuit alleges that there were three nurses with the Corrections Department, as well as four prison guards that failed to care for Scullark-Johnson as he suffered as many as six seizures within a five hour period.

Undisclosed records have shown that the corrections officers responsible for Scullark-Johnson did not document his condition although they did remove his cellmate to another area after the cellmate was complaining that an ambulance should be sent.

This lawsuit has raised a number of questions regarding quality of care within prisons since it has been found that nine state prisoners have died due to the alleged denial of medical care. Another 21 inmates have allegedly suffered critical or very serious injuries due to the denial of care. It is believed that the staffing arrangements that are specified within the state’s contract with Corizon have played a role in the death and injury claims. The staffing arrangement entails nurses leaving by 11 p.m., which means corrections officers are the ones in charge of medical care.

According to court documents, the nurse who had turned away the ambulance for Scullark-Johnson, said to corrections investigators that she was not given adequate information by the overnight officers about the condition of Scullark-Johnson. However, the Corrections lieutenant said that she was informed that at least three seizures occurred and that his cellmate said there were at least six or seven seizures. The officer said that the nurse told him to let Scullark-Johnson sleep.

After turning the ambulance away, the nurse returned an hour later and found Scullark-Johnson face down in his cell and he was not responding. The ambulance then returned and the crew took him to a medical center where he was pronounced dead that night. He was taken off life support the next day.