Rochester Legal Issues Blog

You have likely heard the campaigns about ending distracted driving. Cellphone companies have gotten in on the cause in an effort to force drivers to put down their phones behind the wheel. Unfortunately, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that accidents caused by distractions are still rising. In 2016, 3,450 motorists died in accidents due to in-car distractions.

Being distracted behind the wheel is getting easier, and cellphones are not the only culprit. It is a good idea to know what might qualify as a distraction before you find yourself in an accident.

Most New York parents worry about the safety of their teens when they begin driving; young people can be more impulsive than adults and make dangerous driving decisions as a result. Teenagers are also more distracted by cellphones and other gadgets than ever before, which increases the risk of them getting into accidents.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, car accidents are the top cause of death for U.S. teens between the ages of 15 and 18. Nearly 2,000 teen drivers were involved in fatal motor vehicle accidents in 2015, while another 99,000 were injured. Some common reasons that teen drivers crash include distracted driving, poor decision making, inclement weather and general inexperience operating a vehicle.

A global study on pediatric brain tumors that involved over 150 institutions revealed that traditional diagnostic methods often produced inaccurate diagnoses. For families in New York with children suffering from brain tumors, the study highlighted the importance of confirming a diagnosis with molecular profile testing.

The test, known specifically as DNA methylation profiling, looks at the molecular content of tumor cells. This analysis uncovers substantial differences among tumors with cells that largely look the same under a microscope. Traditionally, pathologists have arrived at their diagnoses based upon what cells look like, but their mistakes could cause patients to receive the wrong treatments.

The ECRI Institute has released its 2019 Top 10 Health Technology Hazards report. Addressing many of the hazards pointed out in the report will be of the highest priority to hospitals and medical centers in New York as it will help reduce the risk for patient injuries and deaths.

Topping the list are cybersecurity attacks where hackers target remote access to healthcare systems. These can render systems inoperative and expose or compromise the patient data that they hold, resulting in possible delays in the delivery of patient care.