Personal Watercraft Laws
The popularity of personal watercraft (wet jets, wave runners, sea dogs, jet skis) has exploded over the last several years. Unfortunately, along with this popularity has come a dramatic increase in injuries. Minnesota Laws ALL personal watercraft are considered motorboats. Thus, laws that govern any other motorboats also apply to personal watercraft. The following is…
Bike Safety
Bicycling is one of the most popular recreational activities in the U.S. and an important means of transportation. More than 70 percent of children ages 5 to 14 (27.7 million) ride bicycles. This age group rides 50 percent more than the average bicyclist and accounts for approximately 21 percent of all bicycle-related deaths and nearly…
Burns: Type of Burns
To distinguish a minor burn from a serious burn, the first step is to determine the degree and the extent of damage to body tissues. These three classifications will help you determine emergency care: First-degree The least serious burns are those in which only the outer layer of skin (epidermis) is burned. The skin is…
Bus Accidents- Fact Summary
If society believes seatbelts are desirable and necessary, then it’s a grave oversight for schools not to offer our children that choice. This lifesaving habit comes to a halt every September when the school year begins, as we send our children off to school on beltless buses. The arguments against seatbelts on school buses are…
Low Back Pain
Considerations: Low back pain usually involves spasm of the large, supportive muscles alongside the spine. Any injury to the back may produce muscle spasms and stiffness. Pain caused by muscular strain is usually confined to the back. Occasionally, it may radiate into the buttocks or upper leg(s). The onset of pain may be immediate or…
NECK, BACK OR SPINE INJURIES
Neck, back and spine injuries are the most common types of injuries that happen in auto accidents. For example, in a rear-end accident the victim’s head is often jerked back and forth rapidly. This sometimes forces the muscles in the neck and back to over stretch and cause severe swelling and pain. While chiropractic care…
Neck, Back or Spine Injuries – Automobile Accidents
Neck injuries are very common, especially to those involved in rear end automobile accidents. The main reason it is so common in vehicle accidents is that the vehicle headrest on the back of car seats limits the range of extension in one’s neck. A person’s head often is jerked back and forth rapidly sometimes forcing…
TIRE SAFETY: Everything Rides On It
Protection against avoidable breakdowns and crashes. Improved vehicle handling. Better fuel economy. Increased tire life. Just a few of the reasons to take five minutes every month to check your tires. Simply use the handy checklist below, and see the reverse side for more information on tire safety. Safety Checklist Check tire pressure regularly (at…
Putting Child Safety Ahead of Speed
Nothing should come before the safety of our children. I have introduced legislation this session on an issue of importance to us all, especially those of us with kids in school: a bill to lower speed limits in the school zones of Minnesota’s communities. Current Minnesota law lets local authorities establish a school zone speed…
Air Bag Safety
In 1998, an estimated 4,759 motor vehicle occupants’ lives were saved because of deployment of air bags during a vehicle crash. Air bags and correct seat belt use together are 75% effective in preventing serious head injuries and 66% effective in preventing serious chest injuries. While air bags were responsible for the deaths of many…
Air Bag On-Off Switches: Questions and Answers
What does the final rule allow? Beginning January 19, 1998, the final rule allows repair shops and dealers to install "on-off" switches that allow air bags in passenger cars and light trucks to be turned on and off in appropriate circumstances. Dealers and repair shops cannot perform this work without an authorization letter from the…
School Bus Safety: Minnesota Department of Public Safety
Your children can have a lot of fun taking the bus to school every day. And, making them aware of the safety rules below can make every ride a safe and happy one. Getting Ready for the Bus: Be on time for the bus. Leave home on time. Get to your bus stop about five…
Minnesota Bicycle Traffic Laws
Minnesota law gives bicyclists the same rights and privileges as drivers of other vehicles. Cyclists must be familiar with and obey all traffic laws applying to using the road. Highlights of the law: Ride as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway, except when passing, preparing for a left turn…
Helmet Laws for Bicycle Riders-United States
There is no federal law in the U.S. requiring bicycle helmets. States and localities began adopting laws in 1987, but there is no formal central registry for them. Here are the ones we are aware of as of this date. The States are probably all included, but some localities are likely to be missing. If…
Seat Belts in New School Buses
Students Are At Risk There have been at least 62,000 pupil injuries in reported school bus accidents in the period 1991 to 1996. There were at least 59 passenger fatalities. (Accident Facts, National Safety Council 1992-97 editions; Fatal Accident Reporting System) Research done by CNN shows that school bus passenger injuries have risen by 94%…
What Causes Car Accidents?
The dictionary defines accident as "an unexpected and undesirable event, a mishap unforeseen and without apparent cause." Strictly speaking, most accidents are not accidents at all: they are collisions that could and should have been avoided. So, what causes them, and how can you avoid them? Four factors contribute to the vast majority of collisions….
Worker and injury characteristics of amputation claims
The mention of amputation conjures images of people losing significant parts of their extremities. Fortunately, these are very rare occurrences. Most amputation claims involve the worker losing all or part of a finger. According to Bureau of Labor Statistics data, about 10,000 occupational amputations occur nationally each year. Most amputations occur to workers who operate…
Glossary of Terms Relating to Amputation
AAOP: American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists, A professional society of ABC board certified practitioners. Founded 1970 ABC: American Board for Certification in Orthotics and Prosthetics, A certification board for individuals and facilities providing orthotic and prosthetic services. Established 1948 Acquired Amputation: Limbs surgically removed due to disease or trauma. Adherent Scar Tissue: Tissue stuck…
A GUIDE TO DISABILITY RIGHTS LAWS
TABLE OF CONTENTS Americans with Disabilities Act Telecommunications Act Fair Housing Act Air Carrier Access Act Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act National Voter Registration Act Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Rehabilitation Act Architectural Barriers Act Other Sources of Disability Rights Information Statute Citations …
Sherburne County Faces $30 Million Lawsuit in Death of Inmate
MINNEAPOLIS—The beating death of a man confined to the Sherburne County Jail on a minor traffic violation has resulted in a $30 million wrongful death lawsuit against Sherburne County. The lawsuit, filed today in US District Court, seeks $10 million in compensatory and $20 million in punitive damages in the death of Carl Moyle, who…