Steve Terry | TSR Injury Law

Minneapolis Broken Scapula Attorney

By Steve Terry | May 3, 2018

TSR Injury Law is a premier personal injury law firm with extensive litigation experience, including broken scapula cases. We want to help you obtain the compensation you need and deserve. Our personal injury attorneys are experts at proving liability in serious motor vehicle accidents. Call (612) TSR-TIME or submit our free consultation form.

Broken Scapula Injury

The scapula (shoulder blade) is a mobile, triangular-shaped bone. It is protected by an intricate system of muscles and cartilage. The scapula is seldom broken. Scapula fractures account for less than 1% of all broken bones.

Scapular fractures are caused by direct, high-intensity trauma. If there was enough force to break the scapula, 3 out of 4 victims will also sustain injuries to the chest wall, lungs, and / or shoulder joint.

Common causes of broken shoulder blades include the following:

Car Accidents
Truck Accidents
Motorcycle Accidents
Slip and Falls Accidents

Treatment of Broken Scapula

A broken scapula needs to be immobilized and then evaluated and treated at the hospital because it can be accompanied by severe, potentially life-threatening injuries. Surgery may be required for some scapula fractures. An orthopedic specialist may need to be consulted to determine the course of treatment.

Physical therapy is critical to avoid a frozen shoulder. The exercises are designed to improve the range of motion. Begin limited use of your shoulder right away. Passive stretching exercises should be continued until complete range of motion returns. This may take 6 months to 1 year.

Without treatment, a broken scapula can result in chronic shoulder pain and disability.

Contact a Minneapolis Broken Scapula Attorney

Our Minnesota Broken Scapula Attorneys are specialists in the field of personal injury law. Our partners are thorough, aggressive, and persuasive litigators — with a reputation for their ability to obtain excellent settlements and verdicts. Call (612) TSR-TIME or submit our contact form.

$2.3 Million Verdict For Car Crash Victim

By Steve Terry | May 2, 2018

Charles Slane and Rich Ruohonen just obtained a $2.3 Million verdict today for this wonderful 91-year old woman who lost her leg in a crash. American Family denied the claim saying it was her fault with only $50,000 in coverage. They blamed Jean even though their insured plead guilty for dropping a mattress on the highway that caused the crash.

TSR gave American Family an opportunity to do the right thing and pay Jean the $50,000 policy limit but they refused. Now American Family is on the hook for the whole amount. This great group of jurors from our community (pictured below) held the defendant and American Family accountable and provided justice for Jean. It’s TSR Time!! — with Myka Becker and 19 others at Hennepin County Government Center.

TSR Injury Law – Ph: (612) TSR-TIME.

New Levaquin Lawsuit is Filed in Minnesota

By Steve Terry | April 27, 2018

A new Levaquin lawsuit has been filed in Minnesota.

Albert Miller filed his lawsuit on September 14, against manufacturer Johnson & Johnson, citing that the drug is responsible for his injuries.

Miller says in his suit that he took Levaquin after being prescribed the drug by his physician and that he now has to undergo painful treatments for the long-term.

The damages he seeks include strict liability, unjust enrichment, negligence, breach of implied and express warranties, fraud, and deceptive trade practices.

Have you suffered serious side effects after taking the drug “Levaquin”? You may be eligible for compensation. Contact a personal injury lawyer in Bloomington, MN at TSR Injury Law for your free consultation.

TSR Injury Law – Ph: (612) TSR-TIME.

Currently, the U.S. Judicial Panel on multidistrict Litigation created an MDL to speed up the litigation and settlement process for the large number of lawsuits that are being filed against Johnson & Johnson. What the MDL does is promote efficiency in the way of consolidating legal issues so that time can be saved for all parties involved. It also conserves judicial resources.

This is different from a class action lawsuit because all of the cases are separate, which means they are treated one-by-one based upon the facts and the circumstances within each. Miller joined the MDL.

Approved by the FDA in 1997, the fluoroquinolone antibiotic was used to treat sinusitis, bronchitis, and other infections. However, it has been associated with the degrading of tendons and this has resulted in some patients experiencing tendon injuries.

Since it was approved, the FDA has required three warning labels to be added to the drug by Johnson & Johnson. The lawsuit, however, alleges that the company does not see the severity of the tendon issues that some people are experiencing.

It has been theorized by the medical community that the synthetic antibiotics in Levaquin are toxic to tendon fibers. This may be the reason behind the number of tendon ruptures that have occurred in patients taking Levaquin. Some patients have claimed they developed tendonitis as a result, while others have suffered ruptured tendons. Both tendon issues require long-term treatments.

Skull Fractures Lead to Death, Stillwater Man Charged with Murder

By Steve Terry | April 26, 2018

A Stillwater man has been charged with homicide for the death of Adam McCloud.

Eric Kaprice Richard, 22, is facing second-degree unintentional murder while he was committing another felony. He is also charged with manslaughter because of a fight he had with McCloud, 29, on September 28. The fight occurred at Smalley’s Caribbean Barbeque and Pirate Bar in Stillwater.

The complaint says that Richard got into an argument with McCloud over a spilled drink and that Richard repeatedly punched McCloud in the face and head, causing him to fall and hit his head on the ground. This resulted in him dying of complications from skull fractures.

Richard claimed he was defending himself after McCloud pushed him several times.

The judge set his bail at $200,000.

In the complaint, it says that a surveillance video shows the two men on the dance floor when McCloud accidentally knocked a drink out of Richard’s hand. There was a conversation between the two men before they left the dance floor. When they returned, Richard had a new drink in his hand. From then on, it appeared the men were friendly with each other, even dancing with one another and with others.

Shortly after the bar closed, McCloud was seen on the video doing what appeared to be a pushing motion. Another man then grabbed McCloud to take him away from the situation. That is when Richard was seen on the camera suddenly punching McCloud, knocking him to the ground.

The man who tried to take McCloud away from the fight told police that the argument occurred after McCloud had replaced Richard’s drink, but that the altercation was due to McCloud’s refusal to pay for it.

The witness said that the two men exchanged words, which resulted in McCloud pushing Richard. He said that McCloud did respond in self-defense by punching McCloud. Richard said that McCloud pushed him approximately four times. He said he took this as an assault, so he acted in self-defense. McCloud then fell to the ground.

The witness told police the two men had words; McCloud pushed Richard, and Richard responded in self-defense by punching McCloud. Richard was then removed from the bar.

Due to the fight, McCloud had intracranial bleeding that was caused by the skull fracture. This bleeding caused respiratory failure, which is what led to his October 4 death.

Traumatic brain injuries can be life changing for all parties involved. If you or someone that you care for has suffered a brain injury that was caused by another person, contact a licensed personal injury lawyer in Minneapolis at TSR Injury Law today.

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

Man Accused of Violating Raw Milk Laws

By Steve Terry | April 25, 2018

E. Coli, salmonella, and listeria are just some of the fatal diseases we think about when we hear the words “raw milk.”

A Minnesota man has been accused of violating state raw milk laws. His attorney argues that he was simply the middle man within a group of people who were sharing their food.

The man, Alvin Schlangen, a central Minnesota organic egg producer, is charged with three misdemeanor counts that include handling adulterated food, distributing unpasteurized milk, and not possessing a food handler’s license. Minnesota law does not allow the sale of raw milk directly to consumers from the farm where it is produced.

On September 19, a Hennepin County jury began their deliberations in the case. After ninety minutes behind closed doors, the jurors recessed for the day.

Schlangen has contended that he does not sell milk. He says that his role is the operator of a private buying club that distributes the milk to the members of the group that mainly resides in the Twin Cities area. He said he is just the delivery guy and that the members he delivers to lease the cows from Amish farmers.

However, the Agriculture Department says the state’s restrictions on raw milk sales are a must to protect the public from deadly diseases.

This presents a large rift between groups that state raw milk provides health benefits that their families would not get due to the pasteurization process killing beneficial bacteria, nutrients, and enzymes. Allergy relief and the prevention of certain diseases are touted as two of the benefits. State officials, on the other hand, state that raw milk can carry dangerous pathogens that can lead to salmonella, E. coli, and listeria.

Schlangen’s attorney states that he does not operate a business, so he is not doing anything illegal. He contends that the group is a voluntary association of people who share food with one another. He said this is not a reason for Schlangen to have a food handler’s license and that the state law does not apply to him.

While it appears no one has become ill within the food sharing group, those on the other side of the argument state that those who would become sick could hold Schlangen and all parties involved responsible for the debilitating illnesses that result from unpasteurized milk.

The state is requesting a guilty verdict on all counts with a maximum penalty of $1,000 in fines and 90 days in jail.

Defective Tire Claims Lawyer in Minnesota

By Steve Terry | April 23, 2018

“Rather than accepting responsibility for their mistakes, tire manufacturers almost always try to blame the tire’s owner for not maintaining the tire, running it without enough air (underinflated) or blamed the driver for losing control after the tire fails. But research has shown that when tread separates from a tire, even professional drivers have difficulty keeping the vehicle under control.

If you or a loved one have injured or killed because a tire lost its tread or otherwise failed, you may have a case against the tire manufacturer. The experienced Minneapolis car accident attorneys at TSR Injury Law will work hard for you to make sure you receive the compensation you deserve for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other expenses that have been the result of the injuries you sustained in the accident.

Types Of tire Defects

Manufacturing Defects The most common type of dangerous tire defect happens when the manufacturer makes a mistake in the way the tire is built or manufactured so that the tire that comes off the line is different that the intended design. These tire manufacturing defects – or mistakes in “”building”” the tire – can cause tires to fail and tread to separate from the tire. Tire manufacturing plants are notorious for requiring their employees to work long, hard hours in hot and uncomfortable conditions – conditions that lead to mistakes.

Aging Tires

After the Ford/Firestone crisis, Ford conducted an in depth study that determined tires older than 6 years should be taken out of service. This is important because most tire manufacturers do not notify either consumers or retailers that sell tires that the tires can become brittle and fail simply from sitting in a warehouse or on a retail shelf, making the tire weaker and prone to failure. Tragically, “”brand new”” tires that sat on the shelf for years can fail shortly after being put onto a vehicle. In these cases, both the retailer and the tire manufacturer may be responsible for the tire’s failure and resulting harm.

Contact the TSR Tire Defect Attorneys

We have stood toe-to-toe with tire manufacturers. We have the resources, the experience and the guts to take on these corporate giants and hold them responsible for tire defects that cause severe injury or even death. When you call us, you will work with a Minneapolis tire defect lawyer who will take the time to evaluate the tire failure and determine if you have a case. To learn more about how we can help you, call us today at (612) TSR-TIME or fill out our online contact form to schedule your free case evaluation. ”

Minnesota ATV Defect & Accident Lawyer

By Steve Terry | April 22, 2018

The ATV industry has been exploding for years. Traditional all-terrain vehicles and utility terrain vehicles (UTV), such as the Yamaha Rhino and John Deer Gator, can offer great utility and recreation, but they can also be dangerous. It can be difficult to comprehend why dangerous defects continue to occur within the manufacturing of these vehicles; defects which contribute to the injuries and deaths of riders and passengers.

As of December 31, 2010, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) calculated that there were 11,001 ATV-related fatalities between 1982 and 2010 in the United States. Over 300 of those accidents occurred in 2010, with 649 of them occurring in 2009, and it is expected that these numbers will continue to increase. However, 2010 alone had 115,000 ATV-related injuries treated in emergency rooms. Approximately 75 percent of those injuries were individuals over the age of 16.

Poor Design

One of the most common issues that Minneapolis ATV defect & accident lawyers see is poor design. This is also true for the UTV, such as the Yamaha Rhino. The Rhino has seen a lot of media attention and lawsuits in the past five years because of its propensity to roll over. Its poor safety design has led to severe injuries and fatalities.

Nonetheless, the perfect example of an ATV with a faulty design is the three-wheeler in the early 1980s. The manufacturers knew that there were risks associated with having only one wheel in the front and two in the back, but they continued to manufacture and sell millions of them. While they haven’t been produced since 1987, there are still some being used today.

Recovering Damages in an ATV or UTV Accident

When involved in an ATV or UTV accident that you feel was the fault of the manufacturer due to faulty parts or design, you need to speak to a Minnesota ATV defect & accident lawyer as soon as possible. You may be able to recover money for medical expenses, lost wages, and much more. Whether or not a defect was involved depends upon past defects that have occurred in that particular model. You need an attorney who knows how to reconstruct an ATV accident and about the mechanics of these vehicles.

When seeking compensation, the source of this compensation is the manufacturer, and it is your right to seek out compensation for all expenses that have resulted from your injuries or the injuries or death of a loved one.

Contact a Minneapolis ATV Defect & Accident Lawyer

If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in an ATV or UTV accident that is believed or known to be due to defective parts, you need to speak to a licensed Minneapolis personal injury attorney as soon as possible. We will evaluate every angle of your case and work hard to get the compensation you deserve awarded to you. To learn more about how we can help you, call us at (612) TSR-TIME, or fill out our online contact form to tell us about your case and schedule your free case evaluation.

Wright County Garbage Truck Hit by Train

By Steve Terry | April 21, 2018

While garbage truck accidents and train accidents usually exist on two completely different spectrums, this is one incident in which the two met and, fortunately, the results were not fatal.

Sean Michael, 41, of Conway St. Cloud was traveling westbound on 5th Street Southeast in Rockford Township on September 19 at 6:30 a.m when he come to a railroad crossing.

As Michael was crossing the tracks, the garbage truck had become stuck, but Michael was unsuccessful at freeing himself from the tracks. He then had difficulty getting out of the truck. Unfortunately, he did not get out of the truck before being struck by a Canadian Pacific Train that was heading Southeast on the tracks.

It has currently not been said why the truck was stuck on the tracks or why Michael had difficulty exiting the truck before the train struck. Fortunately, no one on the Canadian Pacific Train was not injured and fast thinking by the train’s engineer slowed the train down just enough to prevent Michael’s injuries from being worse.

Michael was airlifted to Mercy Hospital by Life Link. Life Link, along with Allina Ambulance, the Minnesota State Patrol, and the Buffalo Fire Department responded to the accident.

The accident is currently being investigated.

Listeria Prompts Ricotta Cheese Recall

By Steve Terry | April 20, 2018

It is time to check the ricotta cheese in your refrigerator if you have yet to use it or already disposed of it because you heard about this latest recall. As of September 12, 14 people had been affected in 11 states and this includes three fatalities due to Listeria that has been linked to imported ricotta salata cheese, according to the CDC website.

Forever Cheese Inc. voluntarily recalled a single lot of its Frescolina ricotta salata cheese on September 10 due to Listeria contamination.

Listeria is a foodborne bacterial illness that can sometimes be very severe. Some individuals may experience the typical symptoms of food poisoning, while others become very ill and can die from the bacteria. The CDC was able to quickly trace back the source of the bacteria that made 14 people very ill. All of the victims said that they consumed the cheese before becoming sick. The FDA has even been able to identify the exact strain of Listeria involved by testing an uncut sample of the cheese.

The cheese was sold to distributors that services restaurants in approximately 19 states and the contaminated units were shipped between June 20th and August 9. The lot number of the packages is T9425 with production code 441202. The packages contain one or both of these numbers.

Any remaining cheese should be discarded. This is especially important for pregnant women where Listeria can be very dangerous to the fetus. It is also potentially fatal for those with weakened immune systems, children, and older adults.

So far, there has been only one case in Minnesota of an individual becoming sick with 9 other states sharing the remaining 13 victims. All 14 of the individuals had to be hospitalized. Four of them were pregnant with two of them being newborns. The remaining patients were ages 56 to 87.

While this is a small number compared to the 800 cases of Listeria confirmed in laboratories throughout the United States, the fatality rate can be quite high.

Foods that have been linked to previous outbreaks include sprouts, cantaloupe, Mexican-style soft cheeses, celery, and ready-to-eat deli meat.

If you have consumed cheese not knowing that it was contaminated, you may be eligible for compensation. To learn more, contact a personal injury lawyer in Minneapolis at TSR Injury Law for your free consultation. Ph: (612) TSR-TIME.

Compression Fracture Injuries

By Steve Terry | April 17, 2018

A compression fracture may be debilitating, with lifelong implications. You need experienced, aggressive legal representation in order to receive the best settlement possible. We can help.

Our personal injury lawyers in Minneapolis will answer your questions, handle the medical and insurance issues, take care of all of the paperwork, and file your claim. Call (612) TSR-TIME or submit our contact form.

Compression Fracture Symptoms

The spine is comprised of 24 vertebrae. The main section of each vertebra is a large, round segment called the vertebral body. A compression fracture causes the vertebral body to collapse in height on one side. Severe compression fractures, as can happen in vehicle accidents, can push fragments of bone into the spinal column and impinge upon the spinal cord. The resultant damage can be partial or complete paralysis from the point of fracture and below:

pain in the neck and back
sporadic pain in the hips, abdomen, or thighs
numbness
tingling
weakness
loss of control of bladder or bowels

Treatment of Compression Fractures

Some traumatic compression fractures can heal without surgery. The most common treatments are medication to control the pain, decrease daily activity, and bracing. The brace is molded to conform tightly to the body and supports the back, restricting movement. In addition to preventing the wearer from bending forward, the brace holds the spine in a hyper-extended state. This takes most of the pressure off the vertebral body, allowing it to heal.

Severe fractures may need surgery to stabilize the vertebrae adjacent to the fracture site. As with any surgery, there is a risk of complications — and since you are dealing with the spine and spinal cord, they can be extremely serious. The complications include:

chronic pain
partial or total paralysis
the need for an additional surgery

Compression fractures take a minimum of 3 months to heal completely.

Contact A Reputable Lawyer

The team at TSR Injury Law are skilled, aggressive, and well-known for their ability to litigate difficult medical cases, including compression fractures and burst fractures. Call (612) TSR-TIME or submit our free consultation form.

Tibial Plateau Fracture Injury Compensation

By Steve Terry | April 17, 2018

The tibial plateau is critical to the load-bearing capabilities of the human body. Force is directed from the femoral condyles directly onto the tibial plateau, causing a fracture. Fractures of the plateau affect the alignment of the knee, stability, and range of motion (ROM). Most tibial plateau fractures occur in motor vehicle accidents or pedestrian accidents.

Types of Tibial Plateau Fractures

There are different classification systems that are widely accepted. In each of these systems, there are 6 types of fractures based on the fracture pattern and fragment anatomy. They are:

I. Wedge Fracture – high energy fracture seen mostly in younger patients, the wedge is not depressed (below the normal level)
II. Split Compression – very common in elderly with osteoporosis, the wedge is displaced and may be depressed
III. Local Compression Fracture of the Lateral Plateau – depression in the articular surface (part of the bone that comes into contact with other bone)
IV. Medial Plateau Fracture – high velocity fracture with bone fragmentation, in some cases not able to be reconstructed
V. Bicondylar Fracture – wedge fractures of medial and lateral plateau, in half of these cases there will be peripheral meniscal detachment
VI. Complex Bicondylar Fracture – high energy trauma with a combination of forces, tibial plateau break completely separated from the long bone (tibia), 1/3 are open fractures and nearly all of these breaks include extensive soft tissue damage

Complications with Tibial Plateau Fractures

With some tibial plateau fractures, there can be injury to the ligaments, peroneal nerve, menisci, or the popliteal artery. Other complications are:

loss of range of motion (ROM)
osteoarthritis
bone fragments
edema (accumulation of fluid)

Recovery from Tibial Plateau Fractures

Not all tibial plateau fractures require surgery. With or without surgery you will not be able to put weight on the broken leg for 6-12 weeks. During that time you will need to pursue therapy to maintain some muscle strength and to work on ROM. The degree of ROM you will be able to attain is dependent on the type of break, complications, and your commitment to physical therapy.

Tibial Plateau Fracture Attorneys

Our personal injury lawyers in Bloomington have a proven record of exceptional settlements and verdicts. Steve Terry, Chuck Slane, Rich Ruohonen, and Nate Bjerke have been named Super Lawyers many times by Minnesota Law & Politics. They will represent you aggressively and ethically.

Call (612) TSR-TIME or submit our free contact form.

Boating Under The Influence

By Steve Terry | April 16, 2018

What is BWI?

Most individuals are familiar with the laws regulating alcohol consumption and the operation of cars and other automobiles. However, few people are aware that similar laws exist governing alcohol consumption and boat operation.

Many individuals associate alcohol consumption and boating as a natural part of a fun weekend out on a lake. However, drinking and operating a boat is an extremely dangerous combination and can result in serious punishments.

Dangers of BWI

BWI, or boating while intoxicated (also known as BUI-boating under the influence), greatly increases the likelihood of being in a serious and potentially deadly accident. A 2002 study revealed that 39% of all boating fatalities were alcohol-related, and that this statistic has been rising over the years.

Additionally, a person who is operating a boat while under the influence of alcohol is 10 times more likely to be killed in a boating accident than if he or she were operating the boat sober.

In order to maintain safety for themselves and for everyone else on the water, individuals should never consume alcohol while operating a boat.

Penalties for BWI

Not only is boating while intoxicated extremely dangerous, but it is also a punishable offense. Individuals found guilty of boating while intoxicated can be sentenced with a number of penalties including:

A felony conviction
Serious fines
Jail time
Revocation of an automobile driver’s license

Exact penalties differ based on jurisdiction and the specifics of the situation. However, no matter what the situation is, boating while intoxicated carries with it stiff penalties.

Contact a Minnesota Boating DUI Lawyer

If you or someone you know has been injured in an alcohol-related boating accident, contact the Minnesota boating accident attorneys of TSR Injury Law today by calling (612) TSR-TIME to schedule a consultation or submit our contact form.