The Official Blog for Dyer, Garofalo, Mann & Schultz

Avandia Just As Safe As Actos? New Study Debated

Avandia, a troubled diabetes drug produced by GlaxoSmithKline, has now become the poster-child for the problems with prescription drug approval in the Unisted States. In July of 2010 an FDA Advisory Panel issued a controversial recommendation to keep Avandia on the market, despite numerous reports that Avandia carried an increased risk of heart attack. Nearly one month after the FDA’s decision, the researching team at health insurer WellPoint Inc. came out with a study that claimed Avandia was just as safe as its main diabetes drug rival Actos.

The WellPoint study found that there was only a 4% increase in the risk of heart attack for both medications.  This study followed 36,628 patients who had submitted insurance claims to the company for either of the drugs between 2001 and 2005. Researchers compared the risk of heart attack, heart failure, and death for each patient over a 32 month period. The findings of the WellPoint study directly contradict the research results complied by the FDA and the US Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

To further add to the controversy, the FDA announced on August 25th that it was investigating whether GlaxoSmithKline illegally withheld data on Avandia. The FDA is concerned that GSK ignored a 2006 report that suggested a 31-percent increase in heart attack risk with use of the drug.  The FDA has alleged that GSK did not disclose this potential increase immediately.  Instead the company waited for six months to disclose the increased risk when another study was that found a heart-attack risk increase of 43 percent was made public.

With all the contradictory information circulating these days it can be hard to decipher the truth. Fortunately, the personal injury law firm of Dyer, Garofalo, Mann & Schultz has been dealing with these issues since they began and have expert knowledge about Avandia cases. If the side effects of Avandia have affected your life please contact the law offices of DGMS for a free consultation on your unique situation.

The law firm of Dyer, Garofalo, Mann & Schultz shall not be held liable for any errors, omissions or inaccurate information contained in this Blog, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.  These materials have been compiled, reviewed and corrected to the best of the author’s ability.  They are presented for educational purposes only and are not considered legal advice. No person should act or refrain from acting on the basis of any information contained in this Blog. Please seek appropriate legal or other professional advice on one’s own particular circumstances.

DGMS Now Reviewing Hip Implant Recall Cases

Always looking out for the best interests of the community, the personal injury lawyers at Dyer, Garofalo, Mann & Schultz will now be reviewing cases of defective hip replacement implants. Dyer, Garofalo, Mann & Schultz is offering this service free of charge for anyone who has recently had a hip replacement that used a Johnson & Johnson DePuy ASR or ASR XL Hip Replacement systems.

According to the official DePuy website, anyone who received a Johnson & Johnson DePuy ASR or ASR XL hip replacement system since 2005 has been advised to contact their surgeon for an evaluation, even if they are not experiencing problems.

It is also highly recommended that all patients contact a personal injury attorney to protect any rights they may have against Johnson & Johnson as a result of the hip replacement recall.  The law firm of Dyer, Garofalo, Mann & Schultz has extensive experience in handling Medical Device Recall cases and will investigate any Johnson & Johnson DePuy hip replacement case with no fees or expenses unless a recovery is obtained.

Going forward, DGMS plans to use this website as a resource for information on all aspects of this important recall. For more details, including information about symptoms of a defective hip implant, visit this defective hip implant webpage. You can also speak with a professional attorney free of charge by calling 1-800-223-8897 or by filling out a contact form.The law firm of Dyer, Garofalo, Mann & Schultz shall not be held liable for any errors, omissions or inaccurate information contained in this Blog, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.  These materials have been compiled, reviewed and corrected to the best of the author’s ability.  They are presented for educational purposes only and are not considered legal advice. No person should act or refrain from acting on the basis of any information contained in this Blog. Please seek appropriate legal or other professional advice on one’s own particular circumstances.

What to do if you think you have a Medical Malpractice Case in Ohio

If you are serious about filing a medical malpractice claim in Ohio, it can drastically help your case if you have taken the proper steps to prepare. A good school of thought to abide by is that the more information you gather, the stronger your case will be. 

1. Keep a Journal: this is a simple step and all that is required is writing down what happens as the patient receives medical care. This type of journal has many benefits. A journal makes the patient’s version of events and the overall case appear more credible to the jury or judge. It also helps prevent possible errors, even if a medical malpractice claim is not being contemplated. It is helpful when keeping a journal to not act as if you are constantly interrogating the health care providers. The best way to document is in a quiet manner, gently asking important questions.

One example of documenting with a journal would be if a nurse or physician forgets to treat a patient with a certain dose of medication. The patient’s family might then remind the medical staff, so that the patient does not suffer as a result of the poor medication management. Afterwards the family should then document the times and dosages of medicine administered to the patient. This helps prevent another medication mishap, and to avoid an overdose if it has not been documented by a nurse.

2. Acquire Medical Records: It is always helpful to review the medical records of the doctor or medical facility in question. Any inconsistencies that your medical malpractice lawyer can find will be helpful for your case. Prior and subsequent treatment records are also helpful for purposes of comparison.

The HIPAA medical privacy law gives you the right to see and get copies of your own medical records. There are a few exceptions to this that can be found here. In addition to HIPAA, many states, such as Ohio, have laws that allow a patient’s designated representatives to access medical records. Also, you should be aware that you can be charged "reasonable" fees for requesting medical records.  

3. Consult with a Medical Malpractice Lawyer: Eventually you will need to speak with a personal injury lawyer to determine if you have a medical malpractice case. In Ohio, the law firm of Dyer, Garofalo, Mann & Schultz will evaluate your case free of charge. Armed with a thorough journal and complete medical records, the medical malpractice lawyers from Dyer, Garofalo, Mann & Schultz will be able to accurately evaluate a patient’s case and determine if the patient has a medical malpractice lawsuit.  

Call 1-800-223-8897 or fill out a free consultation form to get started on your medical malpractice claim today.

The law firm of Dyer, Garofalo, Mann & Schultz shall not be held liable for any errors, omissions or inaccurate information contained in this Blog, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.  These materials have been compiled, reviewed and corrected to the best of the author’s ability.  They are presented for educational purposes only and are not considered legal advice. No person should act or refrain from acting on the basis of any information contained in this Blog. Please seek appropriate legal or other professional advice on one’s own particular circumstances.

Senate Working to Help FDA Lower Drug Recalls

On August 3, 2010, Senator Michael Bennet of Colorado, introduced new legislation which would increase the ability of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to regulate pharmaceutical drugs and active ingredients manufactured both in the U.S. and overseas. The proposal comes after a record-level 1,742 drug recalls were issued in 2009, doubling the total recalls in 2008.

“With record numbers of voluntary drug recalls in 2009, Americans rightly are worried about the safety and quality of drugs manufactured in developing countries,” said Allan Coukell, director of the Pew Prescription Project, a health policy initiative which studies federal oversight of drug safety.

An estimated 80 percent of all active ingredients in U.S. pharmaceutical drugs are imported from manufacturing plants located overseas.

"This bill will help to protect the drug supply chain by strengthening manufacturing quality standards… which is critical as drug companies increasingly rely on contractors in countries where regulatory standards may be lower than those in the United States," said Coukell.

Bennet's bill, the Drug Safety and Accountability Act of 2010, aims to ensure U.S. drugs are both safe and effective. If passed, the bill would strengthen manufacturer quality standards of prescription and over-the-counter drugs by allowing the FDA to track foreign drug manufacturing sites. The bill would also enchance the agency's ability to recall potentially-dangerous drugs and assess civil penalties for violations.

The bill's proposal comes in the wake of controversy surrounding high-profile prescription drug recalls and safety alerts involving drugs such as Accutane, a powerful acne medication that has been linked to serious gastrointestinal side effects. Accutane was quietly discontinued by the manufacturer in 2009, but many patients have since filed an Accutane lawsuit due to the occurrence of debilitating side effects of the drug. No formal Accutane recall was ever issued by the FDA in the nearly 30 years the drug remained on the market.

Avandia is another prescription drug that has come under heavy scrutiny lately, having been reviewed by the FDA twice in the last two years. Although the FDA has also not chosen to recall Avandia, there have been several lawsuits filed against manufacturer GlaxoSmithKline for adverse side effects related to an increased risk in heart attacks.

If you have suffered from side effects as the result of taking these or any other prescription medications contact the Law Firm of Dyer, Garofalo, Mann & Schultz for a free consultation. Our lawyers have years of experience working with victims of defective drugs and are happy to give you a complimentary evaluation of your situation to let you know if you may or may not have a case. Call 1-800-223-8897 or fill out our consultation form to get started.

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The law firm of Dyer, Garofalo, Mann & Schultz shall not be held liable for any errors, omissions or inaccurate information contained in this Blog, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.  These materials have been compiled, reviewed and corrected to the best of the author’s ability.  They are presented for educational purposes only and are not considered legal advice. No person should act or refrain from acting on the basis of any information contained in this Blog. Please seek appropriate legal or other professional advice on one’s own particular circumstances.

Statute of Limitations for Reglan Side Effects About to Expire

Patients who suspect they have suffered Reglan side effects should contact an attorney as soon as possible.

People who seek to file a lawsuit against the manufacturers of Reglan are running out of time. The time to file a claim for a Reglan related injury is quickly expiring and personal injury lawyers need plenty of time to obtain a client's records and evaluate the case before suit can be filed. Although this may seem like a simple task, there is a great deal of investigation that must take place prior to the filing of a lawsuit.

"One of our concerns is that we don't want to file claims where we're not clear on what happened," says Kate Gillespie an attorney for a firm that is handling Reglan claims. "It's unfortunate when someone comes to a lawyer and asks about their case but, the statute runs out in a week. Most attorneys won't take that case because they can't represent the client in good faith."

Because there currently is no centralized litigation for Reglan, attorneys look to the client's state of residence as a guide for the statute of limitations. The statute of limitation for Ohio is currently two years.  This means that patients who took Reglan for longer than three months and have been diagnosed with tardive dyskinesia, Parkinson's or Parkinson's-like symptoms, or have suffered symptoms like tardive dyskinesia without being diagnosed, should contact a personal injury as soon as possible.

The potential side effects from Reglan and its generic counterparts can cause debilitating symptoms.  We understand that this is a situation where medication is doing something it wasn't intended to do and is causing serious emotional and physical injury to people. Call Dyer, Garofalo, Mann & Schultz and let our team of personal injury lawyers evaluate your situation to see if you may have a case. Call our office at 1-800-223-9897 or submit an evaluation request through our free consultation form.

The law firm of Dyer, Garofalo, Mann & Schultz shall not be held liable for any errors, omissions or inaccurate information contained in this Blog, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.  These materials have been compiled, reviewed and corrected to the best of the author’s ability.  They are presented for educational purposes only and are not considered legal advice. No person should act or refrain from acting on the basis of any information contained in this Blog. Please seek appropriate legal or other professional advice on one’s own particular circumstances.

Doctors Admitting Mistakes Results in Fewer Medical Malpractice Lawsuits

New research shows that doctors admitting to their errors and offering compensation could be an effective way to prevent medical malpractice lawsuits.

In 2001, University of Michigan Health System launched a program encouraging medical professionals to report medical malpractice mistakes. The program included a procedure for telling patients and their families about errors, explaining who made the error, how it occurred and what steps were taken to prevent a similar mistake in the future. The program also encouraged medical professionals to make a sincere apology to the patient or their family, and put in place a fair financial compensation package for harm when at fault.

Medical professionals who used this program saw the monthly rate for new medical malpractice lawsuit claims fall by 36 percent, from just over 7 per 100,000 patient encounters to 4.52 per 100,000.

"Lots of people say that if we do the right thing and disclose errors, malpractice claims and liability will ruin it," explained study author Allen Kachalia. "What our findings show is it can be done, and in fact, liability costs and claims actually got better."

While improved sincerity, honest, and transparency among medical professionals will always be appreciated by patients, it will not always be enough to adequately provide for a patient’s well-being after a mistake has occurred.  Much of the nation's health care system is fragmented, and errors usually aren't caused by one person, but instead can involve communication problems between internists, surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses and technicians.

Medical malpractice lawsuits will always be an important way to catch these collective mistakes, and to help patients deal with the trauma of a medical mistake. The law firm of Dyer, Garofalo, Mann & Schultz has years of experience dealing with all types of medical malpractice injuries, and are particularly skilled at handling the most complex cases. DGM&S provides free legal consultations to anyone who thinks they may be the victim of a medical malpractice mistake. Simply click here or call 1-800-223-9897.

The law firm of Dyer, Garofalo, Mann & Schultz shall not be held liable for any errors, omissions or inaccurate information contained in this Blog, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.  These materials have been compiled, reviewed and corrected to the best of the author’s ability.  They are presented for educational purposes only and are not considered legal advice. No person should act or refrain from acting on the basis of any information contained in this Blog. Please seek appropriate legal or other professional advice on one’s own particular circumstances.

Behind the Scenes with the Tiger: Susan Grooms

You can’t always rely on reports, statistics, numbers, etc. to tell you exactly how your business is doing. Sometimes you need to take a look at the human capital to really get a feel for the heart and soul of a company. Dyer, Garofalo, Mann & Shultz is not just a law firm, but a family that works together toward one common goal- helping people! As such, it makes sense that in order to best understand our firm, one should look at the people behind it. People like Susan Grooms, one of our longest-serving employees.

Susan is a negotiations paralegal who has been with Dyer, Garofalo, Mann & Schultz for the past seventeen years. Since 1999 Susan has served as Team Coordinator, responsible for making sure her negotiations team remains on task and that all the client needs are being met. She consults with attorneys, sets new client appointments, and corresponds with doctors and insurance adjusters regarding clients. “Some days can be challenging, but the end result is priceless and always rewarding,” says Susan.

I had the opportunity to sit down with this DGM&S veteran and ask her a few questions to get a feel for what this firm is really all about. The results were enlightening. Take a look...

HollyKarban: In your opinion, what are three characteristics that make DGM&S different from other law firms?

SusanGrooms: First of all, the partners of the firm are very family oriented.  Because of that, they are most understanding of our need to deal with family issues, as in elder parent care, child care, etc. Secondly, the atmosphere here at DGM&S is very different from any other firm I have worked for.  The décor is casual, but professional, and that plays into how we work.  The third difference would be that we have a group that handles negotiations only and a group that handles the litigation issues.  That helps make us more efficient in what we do.  

HK: What changes have you seen through the years? Have clients changed? Have the cases changed?

SG: As far as the cases, I think that we have a much wider variety of cases, not just auto accidents and dog bites.  We now are involved in many class action suits, many involving drug complications.  In my opinion, the clients don’t change.  They are still people who come to us for our knowledge and expertise.  Many times they are scared and have had a bad experience with the insurance companies.  We do a lot of handholding, listening, and making sure the clients know we are taking good care of their cases.

HK: What do you think has made this law firm successful?

SG: This firm is successful because the partners are forward thinking gentlemen who are truly interested in making a difference in our clients’ lives and in their employees’ well-being.  As a long time employee, I have seen this firm make huge contributions (in both time and sponsorships) to many varied, important causes.  These include causes near and dear to the employees’ hearts, such as breast cancer research.  

HK: What are some of the challenges that you face?

SG:  The biggest challenge for me has been the changes in the laws over the years.  It is important to keep abreast of the laws as they change. Another challenge is keeping up with the latest technology. This firm is always on the cutting edge!


HK: If you could give clients 3 pieces of advice to improve their overall experience with filing a law suit, what would it be?

SG:

1. Trust your attorney! Know that he or she is working for your best interests all the time.
2. Be totally honest with attorney and staff. This lets us get the most out of your case and give you the largest settlement you deserve.
3. Be patient.  There is no timetable for how quickly a case will be settled, but you can be assured that at Dyer, Garofalo, Mann & Schultz we are working as fast and as hard as we can on every case.

 

HK: If you were to produce the next commercial for DGM&S law, what would you do?

SG: I would have all of the partners sitting together, and would have them each express their feelings of what they get from working with our clients.

The law firm of Dyer, Garofalo, Mann & Schultz shall not be held liable for any errors, omissions or inaccurate information contained in this Blog, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.  These materials have been compiled, reviewed and corrected to the best of the author’s ability.  They are presented for educational purposes only and are not considered legal advice. No person should act or refrain from acting on the basis of any information contained in this Blog. Please seek appropriate legal or other professional advice on one’s own particular circumstances.

NJ Court Overturns $10.5 Million Accutane Lawsuit

Accutane Case Will Be Sent To Retrial

The recent decision of a New Jersey appeals court to overturn a $10.5 million Accutane lawsuit verdict has drawn attention to the ongoing debate over the effectiveness of drug warning labels.

The reversal is the latest development in a lawsuit filed by Kamie Kendall, who first began taking Accutane in 1997 when she was 13 years old. Two years later, she began experiencing abnormal gastrointestinal symptoms and digestive problems. By her early 20's she had to have her rectum and colon removed. Experts link inflammatory bowel disease, suicidal ideation, and other problems to Accutane.

The crux of Kendall's argument against Roche Pharmaceuticals, the manufacturer of Accutane, was that the company did not do enough to warn her of the risks of severe gastrointestinal problems associated with the medication. Even though at 19, Kendall signed two informed consent forms stating she had read the patient warning information about Accutane, which included a warning to stop taking the medication if gastrointestinal problems occurred. The warnings were buried in 3,000 words of small print listing every trivial side-effect. Roche appealed the decision and an appeals court reversed the ruling because of an error made that limited the evidence Roche could put on.  Now that the appeals court has overturned the ruling, the case has been sent back for retrial.

Prescription Drug Information Overload?

The fight over drug warnings is not expected to die down anytime soon, however. Kendall's lawsuit is just one of many that draw into question the efficacy of warning and disclosure labels. As stricter drug laws require pharmaceutical companies to disclose more and more side effect information, some are questioning whether more information is better or worse for patients, as most of the information is presented in large blocks of text that are difficult to prioritize and comprehend.

In Kendall's case, the jury agreed that she had been so overloaded with warning information that it was understandable that it took her years to make the connection. A 2009 study conducted by researchers at Michigan State University supports this explanation. The study recorded the amount of time consumers spent looking at different sections on a medication box and asked them to recall specific purchasing information. The researchers found that patients paid much more attention to brand names than warning labels and were often unable to recall a number of key warning statements.

The Future of Prescription Drug Lawsuits

As the debate over drug safety warnings continues to play out in American courtrooms, a number of experts are calling for a deeper evaluation of the role both companies play in the struggle to determine the benefits and risks of a medication for each individual patient.

This means that just because a medication such as Accutane has been noted to cause a specific side effect, does not mean the drug companies are doing everything they should to inform the public. If you have used Accutane or any other kind of prescription medication, and are suffering from a side effect you believe was caused by that medication, consult with the law firm of Dyer, Garofalo, Mann & Schultz to see if you have a case.

The law firm of Dyer, Garofalo, Mann & Schultz shall not be held liable for any errors, omissions or inaccurate information contained in this Blog, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.  These materials have been compiled, reviewed and corrected to the best of the author’s ability.  They are presented for educational purposes only and are not considered legal advice. No person should act or refrain from acting on the basis of any information contained in this Blog. Please seek appropriate legal or other professional advice on one’s own particular circumstances.

Summer in Dayton’s Not Over

Hey, wait! Don’t grab those backpacks just yet! Yes, it is almost back-to-school time again, but we still have one good month of summer left. Enjoy it Dayton, get out there! The city has more to offer than meets the eye. Need an evening out without the kids? Don’t forget the historic Oregon District that is loaded with nightlife. Or maybe a good laugh? There’s La Comedia in Springboro and The Funny Bone at The Greene. To hot to be outside? Escape the August heat and catch an independent flick at the Neon downtown.  Of course, summer in Dayton would not be complete without the annual events at Riverscape. This year they have lots of fun on tap including:

Watertunes– August 14th @ 7:30pm
Dave Greer’s Classic Jazz Stompers– August 21st @ 7:30pm    
Touch– September 4th @ 7:30pm

Riverscape always has something for the entire family. Even if there is not an event scheduled, take some time to walk around, or jump in for some paddle boating. Get more details about their upcoming events by visiting their website.
If you are looking for concerts and don’t want to drive to Cincinnati, stay local and enjoy what the Fraze Pavilion has to offer. The Fraze has a variety of talented performers every year ranging from old school classics to up-and-coming artists. There is plenty of time to catch a show, check out a few of these scheduled performances:
 

Richard Marx– August 15th
Blake Shelton– August 19th
Flash Back to the  80’s with Billy Idol– September 3rd

For a full listing of  Fraze Pavillion events, go to www.fraze.com.

Of course, it would not be the end of summer in the Midwest without a county fair! This time of year the Miami Valley is surrounded by deep fried Twinkie pushers, proud livestock displays, and Medways full of games and prizes. See below for a full list of fairs in Dayton and the surrounding areas.

OHIO FAIRS IN AUGUST

Champaign County Fair in Urbana- August 6 - 13, 2010
Athens County Fair in Athens- August 6 - 14, 2010
Ross County Fair in Chillicothe- August 7 - 14, 2010
Licking County Hartford Fair in Croton- August 8 - 14, 2010
Richland County Fair in Mansfield- August 8 - 14, 2010
Cuyahoga County Fair in Berea- August 9 - 15, 2010
Scioto County Fair in Lucasville- August 9 - 14, 2010
Ashtabula County Fair in Jefferson- August 10 - 15, 2010
Erie County Fair in Sandusky- August 10 - 15, 2010
Hamilton County Fair in Carthage- August 10 - 14, 2010
Seneca County Fair in Attica- August 10 - 14, 2010 
Henry County Fair in Napoleon- August 13 - 19, 2010
Mercer County Fair in Celina- August 13 - 19, 2010
Miami County Fair in Troy- August 13 - 19, 2010
Muskingum County Fair in Zanesville- August 15 - 21, 2010
Holmes County Fair in Millersburg- August 16 - 21, 2010
Huron County Fair in Norwalk- August 16 - 21, 2010
Meigs County Fair in Pomeroy- August 16 - 21, 2010
Jefferson County Fair in Smithfield- August 17 - 22, 2010
Lake County Fair in Painesville- August 17 - 22, 2010
Allen County Fair in Lima- August 20 - 28, 2010
Darke County Fair in Greenville- August 20 - 28, 2010
Defiance County Fair in Hicksville- August 21 - 28, 2010
Monroe County Fair in Woodsfield- August 23 - 28, 2010
Lorain County Fair in Wellington- August 23 - 29, 2010
Portage County Fair in Randolph- August 24 - 29, 2010
Sandusky County Fair in Fremont- August 24 - 29, 2010
Noble County Fair in Caldwell- August 30 - September 4, 2010
Morrow County Fair in Mount Gilead- August 30 - September 6, 2010
Stark County Fair in Canton- August 31 - September 6, 2010

Make the most of your summer! Enjoy the warm sunshine, long days, and breezy nights.

The law firm of Dyer, Garofalo, Mann & Schultz shall not be held liable for any errors, omissions or inaccurate information contained in this Blog, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.  These materials have been compiled, reviewed and corrected to the best of the author’s ability.  They are presented for educational purposes only and are not considered legal advice. No person should act or refrain from acting on the basis of any information contained in this Blog. Please seek appropriate legal or other professional advice on one’s own particular circumstances.

Back to School Bus Safety in Ohio

Just a few more weeks and the kiddos will be heading back to school. As responsible parents, it is our job to make sure that they have everything they need to get the new school year started off right. We send them out to face the world with a complete breakfast, new clothes, a backpack full of school supplies, and possibly even the latest tech gadget. We trust that they will get to school unharmed as the large, diesel-powered yellow vessel carries them off to school. Hopefully the drivers discuss bus safety with the children during that first bus ride.

However, we can’t always rely on someone else to keep our children protected and informed. Going over a few simple bus safety rules with your child before he or she climbs aboard could prevent a tragedy.  School bus safety week is October 18th– October 22nd, 2010. Celebrate by staying accident free throughout the school year!

Safety At An Ohio Bus Stop

• Use sidewalks that go against traffic when walking to the bus stop.
• Always walk to the bus, never run, and stay away from construction sites.
• Arrive at the bust stop five to ten minutes early.
• Wait for the bus in a safe place that is away from the road. Do not talk to strangers, and go straight home when the bus drops you off.
• When the bus arrives, do not proceed until the stop sign is extended and the red flashing lights are on.
• Always look both ways before crossing the street.

Safety On An Ohio School Bus

• Go directly to your seat. Do not stand in the aisle while the bus is moving.
• When seated do not allow feet or book bags to block the aisle.
• Know where all the emergency exits are and do not block them.
• Politely call the driver’s name if you need something. Do not move freely about the bus for any reason and never distract the driver.
• If there is an emergency, do not panic. Listen closely to the driver and follow directions.
• Keep hands, feet, and any other objects inside and away from the windows at all times.

Safely Getting Off An Ohio School Bus

• Be sure that your shoes are tied and backpack or book bag straps are secure so you don’t get stuck in the door.
• Walk away from the bus immediately and do not stand close to the wheels.
• Always cross the street in front of the bus where the driver can see you.
• Remember to look both ways when crossing the street. Always use the cross walk when possible. Walk, do not run!
• If you are to be dropped off at a different location, be sure the bus driver is made aware in advance. Notification should be made by parents only.
• Never try to retrieve something dropped from underneath the bus.
• Never try to stop the bus driver for something left behind.

The law firm of Dyer, Garofalo, Mann & Schultz shall not be held liable for any errors, omissions or inaccurate information contained in this Blog, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.  These materials have been compiled, reviewed and corrected to the best of the author’s ability.  They are presented for educational purposes only and are not considered legal advice. No person should act or refrain from acting on the basis of any information contained in this Blog. Please seek appropriate legal or other professional advice on one’s own particular circumstances.