Yesterday The Baltimore Sun reported on privacy issues with digitalizing patients’ medical records. The article raises valid concerns about the risks associated with digitizing patients’ medical records. While paperless increases the efficiencies in transferring, updating and sharing a patient’s information, it also provides opportunities for insurance companies to alter records to avoid responsibility for coverage [...]
Nov
18
2010
18
2010
Oct
20
2010
20
2010
Allstate Insurance Reveals Unfair Claims Handling Process
In response to a multi-state examination of its bodily injury claims handling software, Colossus, Allstate has agreed to pay $10 million to 45 states following findings of inconsistent and potentially unfair claims handling processes. Allstate, home and auto insurer, infamously known for it’s motto of placing its insureds “in good hands,” uses a software program to [...]
Oct
19
2010
19
2010
Washington State Insurance Commissioner: Vote No on I-1082
Our State’s Insurance Commissioner, Mike Kriedler, deems I-1082 as the insurance industry’s way to unfairly ”Deny, Delay, Defend” valid on-the-job injury claims. Protect yourself, your family and your future. Read the fine print and make an informed decision when voting in November. As Insurance Commissioner, Mr. Kriedler is responsible to ensure Washington State insurance policyholders are [...]
Apr
20
2010
20
2010
Tanning Bed Addiction, Possible Need For FDA Regulation
The American Association for Justice (AAJ) reported today: The Los Angeles Times (4/20, Roan) reports that, according to a study published in the April issue of the Archives of Dermatology, “as many as a third of young people who use tanning beds may be addicted to the behavior.” While “it’s unclear how or why tanning [...]
Mar
17
2010
17
2010
Drunk Driver Gets 8 Years in Prison in Snohomish County
The Seattle Times reported that yesterday Matthew McDonald, who plead guilty to four counts of vehicular homicide, received a sentence of 8 years in prison by Snohomish County Superior Court Judge David Kurt. McDonald had a clean record before driving through a stop sign in Marysville into the side of a car carrying four adults. [...]
Nov
19
2009
19
2009
Seattle Bicycle Commuters: Traffic Laws Apply
Biking originated as a recreational activity. Over time in an increasingly congested region, many Puget Sound residents have adopted bicycling as a form of transportation to/from work. The majority of bicyclist commuters abide by the Washington State bike laws, however, there are the few that do not and unfortunately inflict serious personal injury upon innocent [...]
Nov
8
2009
8
2009
Puget Sound Winter Storm Preparedness
In light of recent extreme winds and rains, crashing trees and branches and the pond-sized roadway puddles around the Sound, individuals should take preventative measures to ensure themselves, their cars and their homes against avoidable loss and inconvenience. A great source is the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) storm preparedness website: Take Winter by [...]
Oct
30
2009
30
2009
Uninsured Children Have 60% Increased Chance of Dying
A recent John Hopkins study confirms that children who are uninsured are more likely to die in the hospital. This is not a matter of the child not receiving adequate care or priority treatment at the hospital, but rather an issue of adequate, routine care leading up to the hospital visit. Uninsured children do not [...]
Oct
21
2009
21
2009
Battle of Insurance Coverage: Workers’ Compensation v. Health Insurance
Another debate regarding which insurer should pay for the medical bills makes headlines. On April 12 nad 14, 2009, Pasadena hospital nurse, Amelia Mendoza, suffered traumatic brain injury when a patient repeatedly violently struck her in the head. A week following the attacks, Amelia (52 years old) collapsed with a stroke. Amelia’s private insurer, BlueCross [...]
Oct
19
2009
19
2009
Special Rules for Vespas and Scooters In Seattle
Although they maneuver and fit in places that a bicycle can – vespas and scooters can not legally travel in the same places as bicycles do on roadways. Seattle Municipal Code 11.53.190 provides one exception: vespas and scooters may enter a bike lane only when maneuvering a turn, and only after first yielding to bicyclists. [...]
