Blog Archive - September, 2015

Recently, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) imposed its largest ever civil penalty, $105 million, on Fiat Chrysler following alarming findings as to safety violations. The automaker giant has acknowledged its violations of the Motor Vehicle Safety Act and has agreed to repair defective vehicles, submit to federal oversight and buy back some defective vehicles.

A troubling hazmat situation has sickened at least 13 employees of the Cobb County recycling center, according to WSB TV. The incident began when a truck driver dropped off a load of materials and complained that he was having trouble breathing. As the materials were spread across the recycling facility, more employees began to experience breathing issues. Eventually, thirteen out of the sixteen employees who complained of breathing issues were transported to the hospital.

We recently reported on a tragic accident in Cartersville that claimed the life of a 30 year old mother of two. A local family was on their way home when a runaway tractor trailer pummeled into their car. The 30 year old mother, wife, and missionary was tragically killed instantly in the accident. The husband and two young children were injured.

A Georgia Department of Transportation Highway Emergency Response Operator (HERO) sadly suffered critical injuries recently after being hit by a car on the Downtown Connector, according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution. At the time of the accident, the HERO was setting flares to block two lanes of traffic following an accident in the northbound lanes. Suddenly, a 2006 Mazda driven by a 25 year old skidded into the HERO and struck another vehicle. Police arrested the driver of the Mazda on charges of driving under the influence, reckless driving and serious injury by vehicle.

Recently, MARTA (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority) announced that it had begun a new partnership with an unlikely company. MARTA officials said that in an effort to make transportation across Atlanta more convenient, they have partnered with popular ride sharing company, Uber. MARTA's CEO, Keith Parker, explains that with the new partnership, individuals looking for transportation can link directly to Uber's website from the MARTA app either while riding on the bus, at the train platform or at the station. This way, when the bus passenger arrives, the Uber vehicle will be waiting.

Recently, a five year old child unbuckled his seat belt and opened the emergency door on a daycare van, sending him tumbling out of the bus, according to WSB TV. The accident occurred on Georgia Highway 138 in Clayton County. The kindergartner fell out of the bus when it rounded a turn and then landed on the asphalt. Though thankfully not injured, the child was terrified after the experience. No citations were issued after the incident, but a local news station got inside the bus involved to demonstrate just how easy it is for the emergency door to be opened by even a young child.

Last month, twelve people were injured when a vehicle ran a stop sign and struck a Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) bus in Atlanta. The accident occurred on Thursday, August 13th at about 5:45 p.m. near the corner of Delowe Drive and Woodbury Avenue. Those injured included the bus driver, eight bus passengers and four passengers in the private motor vehicle. All injuries were thankfully non-life threatening. The driver of the passenger vehicle has received a citation for running the stop sign and causing the accident.

Georgia is a known for its temperate climate, but the State sees its share of adverse weather conditions as well, especially in the winter months. Heavy rains, ice and fog can all strike with little to no warning. Some Georgia drivers fail to slow down enough to account for poor weather conditions and their careless behavior leads to serious accidents and injuries.

On any given day in Georgia, you could drive through a road construction project. Georgia is a growing state with many road expansion and resurfacing projects. Road construction is often necessary to expand roads and keep highways in pristine condition. However, work zones can pose a threat to Georgia drivers and the possibility of accidents and injuries increase in these areas.

School is now in session for the year, and for many teen drivers, this is the first year they will be commuting from home to school. Teens who obtained their driver's license during the summer will now be driving themselves and possibly friends or younger siblings to and from class. While your teen is likely reveling in this newfound freedom, it is crucial that you take some important steps, among others, to lessen the likelihood that they will be involved in an accident.

The Dunwoody Police Department is targeting speeders in school zones as the school year officially begins. In the two weeks that school has been in session, police have written dozens of tickets to drivers who sped through school zones.  Unfortunately, drivers continue to speed, despite a campaign to make drivers slow down. The slowdown in school zones  was launched on August 10, the first day of school. Since that time, at least 50 tickets have been issued.

An elderly driver tragically died after crashing into a Dunwoody home, which frightened residents, but thankfully left them unharmed. In early July, the homeowner reports that she, her husband and their two children were asleep upstairs in their brick home when they heard a loud noise at about 4 a.m. They thought the sounds were perhaps an earthquake or fallen tree and rushed downstairs, only to find a car in their living room. The room was filled with smoke and the homeowners acted quickly to call 911.

A new study released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention might make you think twice before getting behind the wheel. Analyzing data compiled in 2012, the CDC found that about 1.8 percent of adults in America admit to driving while impaired at least once during a 30 day period. When this percentage is extrapolated to the entire United States population, it shockingly equates to approximately 4.2 million adults who drink and drive. Over half of all adults surveyed reported drinking and driving at least once in the last 30 days, with some admitted to more frequent alcohol use. This amounts to at least 121 million episodes of drinking and driving every year. Alarmingly, this figure accounts for only those drivers who admitted to alcohol use and it does not include drivers ages 18 and under.

Recently, a Cartersville family was on their way home when a tractor trailer crashed into their pickup truck, according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution. The parents reportedly worked as missionaries in Italy and had recently returned on furlough. They were traveling with their two young children, ages two and four. Sadly, the 30 year old missionary, wife and mother were killed instantly in the truck accident. The husband and children were injured, but expected to survive the horrific accident.

Semi-truck or tractor trailer fires can erupt following nearly any truck accident. Recently, in Coweta County, an accident between two tractor trailers led to a serious fire when one truck overturned, according to WSB TV. The highway was shut down for some time while fire fighters battled the blaze and cleaned up debris.

Recently, video emerged of a wrong way driver in Washington State. The video appeared on Reddit and depicts a vehicle traveling for some time in the wrong direction in the HOV lane. Timestamps show the incident as occurring on Thursday, July 30. Washington State Patrol officers have responded to the video, stating it is fortunate that no one was injured. Several months ago, a driver tragically died after she headed the wrong way on the roadway and collided head-on with another vehicle.

Recently, the City of Atlanta announced that the city would deploy a large fleet of electric vehicles by the end of 2015. The initiative is backed in part by Mayor Kasim Reed, who plans to make Atlanta a leader in sustainability and reduce the city's reliance on fossil fuels, which could save taxpayers thousands of dollars each year.

Recently, two people were injured, one particularly seriously, in an ATV rollover accident in Bryan County, according to a local news report. Georgia State Patrol reports that an ATV carrying two individuals rolled over at about 8 p.m. on July 26. One person had to be airlifted to the nearest trauma center. The accident comes a few months after another serious ATV accident in August. That accident involved a nine year old girl and her 14 year old sister. The two young children crashed their ATV into a fence, injuring the younger child wherein she required several months of hospitalization.

As football season kicks off, concussions are a major concern of coaches and players across the country. A new technology developed here in Georgia by Emory and Georgia tech researchers could change the way concussions are diagnosed. A device known as I-Detect administers a 15 minute test on the sidelines to determine if a player has sustained a concussion. The device is currently still in the testing phase but is expected to hit the market as early as next year.

If you have ever struggled to keep your eyes open while driving after working a long shift or suffering a sleepless night, then you have experienced the frightening feeling of driving while fatigued. The thought of driving a four thousand plus pound vehicle while driving at 60 miles per hour is enough to terrify any driver. While many motorists are concerned about being involved in an accident with an intoxicated driver, few consider the very real possibility of being hit by a drowsy driver.

Recently, a United States tourist from Atlanta died in a boating accident off Costa Rica. The thirty year old man hopped into the water while aboard a fishing expedition with several other tourists, including a family member. He tragically became entangled in the boat's propeller and died. The Red Cross responded to the scene of the accident, which occurred about three miles out from Los Sueños Marina.

A fatal accident that occurred on July 28 has left police puzzled, according to a local news report. The Atlanta Police Department is asking the public to come forward with information about the accident that occurred at the intersection of Emma Lena Way and Loop 59. Officers report that the morning crash resulted in one fatality and an injury. The car accident involved two vehicles, a Toyota Rav4 driven by a 25 year old and a Honda driven by a 76 year old. Police have not been able to determine which way the Honda was traveling. The 76 year old driver was flown by helicopter to a trauma hospital, but was tragically pronounced dead about two hours after the accident. The 25 year old driver is currently still hospitalized. Police hope that an eyewitness will step forward or other information will come to light to explain how this fatal accident occurred.

The failure to remove all surgical instruments at the end of a procedure occurs more often than many would suspect. According to NothingLeftBehind.org, a national surgical patient-safety project to prevent retained surgical items, it is estimated that between 2,000 and 4,000 occurrences of retained surgical items happen each year across the United States. Surgical sponges are a common item left behind, but they are hardly the only one. Safety pins and clips, needles, knife blades, cotton and gauze, electrosurgical items, as well as numerous other items have been reportedly left inside of patients after surgery.

When someone is killed due to the negligent, reckless or intentional actions of another in Georgia, the survivors should be eligible to bring a wrongful death claim. A wrongful death claim seeks compensation for the survivors of the deceased, intending to compensate them for their loss. Recovery will often include future lost income, emotional pain and suffering, loss of companionship and love, loss of consortium and more.

On July 26, a horrifying accident in China claimed the life of a mother just minutes after she saved her son from the same fate. Security camera footage depicts a seemingly innocent scene. A 31 year old mother is riding up the elevator with her young son. The escalator almost reaches the top and the woman lifts her son up in anticipation of stepping off. As she does, a metal panel collapses under her feet and she falls into the gap. With just her upper body remaining above the metal structure, she pushes her son forward to safety. A mall employee grabs the child and others attempt to save the mother, but she tragically disappears through the hole into the escalator shaft.

Recently, a Savannah woman was indicted on multiple charges of elder abuse and fraud after exploiting an elderly woman in her care, highlighting the growing problems of elder abuse. The elder caregiver was in charge of a 91 year old woman, according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution. She allegedly used the woman's credit card and financial information to steal at least $21,000. Overall, she defrauded the victim about 181 different times during the one year the woman was in her care and faces additional charges involving another elderly couple in her care, from whom she allegedly stole close to $4,500.

With the advent of online shopping and two day shipping, delivery trucks have become a familiar site along the roadways. During the holiday seasons especially, the number of delivery trucks on the roads increases drastically. Countless drivers are rushing from house to house in an attempt to meet deadlines and keep their deliveries on schedule. Unfortunately, when drivers are overwhelmed and stressed, they might not pay close enough attention to stop signs, speed limits or other vehicles that have the right of way.

In Cobb County, police officers are taking an innovative approach to catching distracted drivers. The Marietta Police Department has decided to go undercover to to find drivers who are texting, checking emails, tweeting or engaging in any other distracting behavior while driving, according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution. Recently, police officers dressed up as construction crew members at a busy intersection on Cobb Parkway. Interestingly, the drivers paid little attention to the "construction crew" and police officers were given a close look into the behavior of passing drivers.

Many people who have been injured in a car accident will ask the question—can I trust the insurance adjuster? The adjuster will often appear friendly at first and will likely apply some pressure on you to resolve the matter quickly. It is important for truck accident victims to always remember that the insurance adjuster is an adverse party. The insurance adjuster has an incentive to deny or minimize your claim and will look for all opportunities to do so.

Violence in the workplace is a serious problem that affects many employees across the United States. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), nearly two million American employees report having been the victims of workplace violence each year. Many more cases unfortunately go unreported. Workplace violence can strike at any time and in any workplace.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) reports that there are close to 4,000 fatal truck accidents each year. The majority of these fatalities involved the occupants of the passenger vehicle. Trucks generally weigh 20 to 30 times the average car or SUV, resulting in considerable damage to the occupants of the smaller vehicle. Losing your spouse in a truck accident is one of the most devastating things you could ever experience. This type of loss can tragically leave you emotionally distraught and in financial upheaval. However, there are steps you can take to obtain justice for the loss of your spouse and receive the financial compensation you deserve.

Since many students in Georgia use the school bus system, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) held a workshop on school bus safety with a focus on the addition of a three point belt system to all school buses. The NHTSA reports that between the years 2004 and 2013, 327 children died in school-transportation related accidents. A school-transportation accident involves a school bus or non-school bus functioning as a school transportation vehicle. Fifty four deaths involved occupants of school transportation vehicles, while 147 were occupants of other vehicles. Pedestrians  accounted for 116 deaths.

Truck accidents can leave their victims seriously injured, with considerable medical expenses and lost income. The majority of truck accident cases will not go to trial; rather, both parties will agree to a settlement before the trial date. The strength of your settlement will depend on several factors, including the skill of your attorney. Some truck accident plaintiffs that elect not to use an attorney will likely settle their claims for far less than they may otherwise have received. On the other hand, truck accident cases up against a knowledgeable truck accident attorney will likely pay an exceptional settlement in order to avoid the risk of trial.

Recently, two five and seven year old boys from Oklahoma were taken to the hospital for treatment of second and third degree sunburns that parents claim they suffered while in the custody of a daycare, according to WSB TV. The boys were dropped off at a daycare center around 9 a.m. and picked up after 5 p.m. The kids told their parents they had played at the splash pad all day without shirts on. Blisters covered their bodies, but that was only the beginning. The boys soon began to complain of trouble breathing and their chests swelled. They were flown to a Texas hospital with a children's burn unit where they were treated for second and third degree burns.

Each year, hundreds of drugs are manufactured and marketed by pharmaceutical companies across the nation. Each of these new drugs are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) before they reach the consumer. However, despite this multi-step safety screening process, dangerous drugs continue to kill thousands each year. Prescription drug deaths are on the rise. A drastic jump in the number of deaths due to prescription drug overdoses, which could be linked to a lack of warning by physicians, is quickly increasing the amount of deaths caused by drugs. Other drugs result in death due to dangerous side effects.

Electric shock occurs when a part of the body comes into contact with an electrical source and the electrical current passes through the body. The human body is largely composed of water, which makes it a strong conductor of electricity. Depending upon the severity of the shock, injuries can include muscle and nerve damage, heart attack, burns and even death.

The National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (NSCISC) (opens in a PDF) reports that about 12,500 new cases of spinal cord injury occur annually. Somewhere between 240,000 and 337,000 people are currently living with spinal cord injuries across the nation. The average age of injury is now 42, up from 29 in the 1970's. Approximately 80 percent of all spinal cord injury sufferers are men and most are sustained in vehicle crashes, falls, acts of violence, and sports. Most spinal cord injury sufferers spend about eleven days in the hospital, and many are transported to rehabilitation centers afterwards. The most commonly suffered injury is incomplete tetraplegia, followed by paraplegia. Less than one percent of spinal cord injury sufferers recovery completely from their injuries.

A few months ago, a 58 year old United States citizen was bitten by a Rottweiler at the Airbnb location he rented in Argentina. He sustained a large, painful gash and a handful of puncture wounds in the attack. Airbnb allows guests to stay in people's residential homes in order to avoid the often high costs associated with hotels or vacation rentals. Airbnb is international, with hosts listing homes across the world. The company also provides liability insurance that is intended to provide coverage in the event of an incident such as the recent dog attack. However, this attack and several other events have pointed to insurance and liability issues for hosts and guests alike.

Millions of car accidents occur each year. The chances are strong that either you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident in recent years. In fact, according to the car insurance industry, as reported by carinsurance.com, the average driver will file a claim at least once every 17.9 years. By these statistics, that means that if you obtain a driver's license at 16, the odds are quite high that you will experience some sort of crash by the time you turn 34, at the latest. In your lifetime, you will likely be involved in at least three or four accidents.

Recently, a 22 year old from Covington was tragically killed in a single vehicle accident along with his two passengers. Georgia State Patrol reports that the 22 year old was driving a Toyota Scion when it suddenly went off of the road. The accident occurred on I-20 eastbound at about 11:24 a.m. Officials report that the Scion suddenly left the roadway, crossed over the grassy shoulder and rammed into a tree. The car then then went airborne and struck another tree on the passenger side. The catastrophic accident claimed the lives of the 22 year old driver, another 22 year old of Conyers and a 27 year old from Newborn.

Many people do not realize that summertime is one of the deadliest seasons for automobile accidents. Summertime offers ideal driving conditions and weather, with excellent visibility, long daylight hours, and generally dry roads. So, how can this season be among the most dangerous? The answer lies largely in the number of drivers on the roadways and the increased incidence of drinking and driving. During the summer time, there is a high volume of holiday travelers. Families take advantage of children being off from school and hit the roadways to travel to new destinations. They also spend more hours driving around in their city and experiencing the sights. If one combines the increase in travel with a high number of alcohol impaired drivers, it becomes clear why summertime can present such hazards for drivers.

City officials in Atlanta might soon allow rideshare companies like Uber and Lyft to pick up passengers at Hartsfield Jackson International Airport. The Transportation Committee reports that initial discussions look promising as the city attempts to explore the best ways in which to implement this new form of transportation at the airport. Committee Chair Felicia Moore informed news organizations that it appears like it will be just a matter of time before Uber and other ridesharing companies are allowed to pickup at airports, the issue is really more of how the city will structure ridesharing pickups so as to maintain safety and efficiency.

In 2010, Georgia passed a new law designed to punish those who speed excessively. The Super Speeder Law stipulates that regular speeders will become Super Speeders when they are cited for driving over 75 miles per hour on a two lane road, or 85 miles per hour on any road or highway within Georgia. Those charged as a Super Speeder will face the fines and points that come with a standard speeding ticket. In addition to standard speeding ticket fines, the state will charge an additional $200 for your excessive speed. The fine goes directly to the Georgia Department of Driver Services and is essentially an administrative penalty. 

Train accidents come in many shapes and forms, and while some accidents do involve passenger trains, others do not. Some involve some type of cargo, which is sometimes flammable. Many of us remember the horrific train accident that occurred in Canada just two years ago, where forty-seven people lost their lives as a result of the derailment of a train carrying oil.

Teenagers represent the most at-risk age group for auto accidents. If your teen is approaching driving age, it can be helpful to enroll him or her in a driver's education course. While teens may not be enthusiastic about adding another course to their schedule, taking driver's education is required, dependent upon the age of your teen, and recommended for all new drivers.

The state of Florida historically has had very favorable laws when it comes to physician prescribing practices, especially as they relate to prescription pain medication. However, this has come at a great cost, as Florida has experienced significant hardship over the past decade in terms of serious injuries and deaths resulting from the overuse of prescription pain medication.

Car seats perform the vital function of keeping your children safe while driving. While all parents understand the importance of car seats, it is easy to become confused with the variety of seat types and various installation requirements. The car seat your child needs will depend upon his or her age, weight and size. The following is a look at some car seat guidelines intended to assist you in selecting the safest seat for your child.

Popular car seat maker Evenflo has developed a new car seat designed to prevent the tragic problem of hot car deaths among infants and toddlers. This unique new seat is called the Evenflo Advanced Embrace DLX. It comes with sensor safe technology that is one of a kind. The seat is able to link to the on board diagnostic port within the car. The sensor then links to the chest clip of the car seat. When the clip is closed and the car is in motion, a link is established. When you turn off the car, the sensor sounds an alert, intended to remind you to take your infant out of the car seat. The car seat will retail for $140 and will be in stores in August.

During warmer months, adults and children alike take to the waterways to enjoy boating and water sports, such as jet skiing, tubing and more. Georgia is home to a number of bodies of water that offer a refreshing respite to the heat. Unfortunately, summer time is also the most common time for boating and other water sport accidents. Each year, many individuals will tragically perish or become injured while boating, tubing, waterskiing or engaging in other water activities.

Careful drivers will often be on the lookout for hazards and emergency situations, such as potholes, ice, water or other obstacles on the roadway. They will likely observe all safety rules, ensuring they follow at a safe distance, stop at all stop signs or lights, and keep a close eye out for reckless drivers. Even the safest of drivers, however, can overlook one common cause of car accidents—worn or otherwise unsafe tread on their tires.

A shocking road rage incident in Florida led to the tragic death of a man in front of his family, according to a local news report. According to the Sheriff's Department, two men, one 51 and the other 44, had an aggressive interaction while driving. The 44 year old followed the other man to his residence. The second driver exited the vehicle and approached the first driver, where he threatened to physically harm him. The 51 year old fired several shots into the other individual, fatally wounding him. He then turned the gun on the deceased individual's family waiting in the car and held them at gunpoint until police arrived.

Large trucks create dangerous and frustrating situations for drivers when they cannot see the road or any potential obstacles ahead. Eighteen wheelers are massive vehicles that completely block the vision of vehicles behind. This can slow down traffic and create car accidents. Fortunately, technology giant, Samsung, has developed a solution to this decades old problem. Samsung has developed a "transparent truck" that would allow drivers behind the truck to see what is going on in the front of it.

Aggressive driving seems to have increased in the Atlanta area in the past few years and anyone traveling on our roadways can become a victim of an aggressive driving accident. In fact, an Atlanta attorney was recently arrested following an alleged road rage incident. It appears that a 21 year old woman left her workplace and honked her horn at another vehicle that was not turning fast enough. The Jaguar, driven by a 42 year old attorney, then proceeded to trail the other driver and she began honking her horn when the vehicle reached an intersection. The attorney allegedly "flicked off" the driver and threw a coffee mug at her window, shattering it, according to WSB Radio.

Car or truck accidents can be so sudden, leaving you in such a state of shock, that it is not always obvious you have experienced any sort of concussion or head trauma. There might not even be a physical mark in the event of a concussion, such as a bruise or a cut, but there can be unseen injuries. It is imperative that you understand the symptoms of concussion following an accident so that you will know whether you need to seek medical assistance.

When it comes to driving, many people are very quick to become angry at other drivers, especially in heavy traffic and when you are in a hurry. This is sometimes interesting, because many of us would never exhibit the same behavior if we accidentally bumped into someone while passing on a sidewalk. Whatever the reason may be for our quick reaction to get mad at other drivers, the situation becomes much different if people are injured in an accident.

Over a year ago, comedian and actor Tracy Morgan was seriously injured in a tractor trailer accident. The accident occurred when a Wal-Mart tractor trailer, traveling at excessive speeds, ran into a limousine carrying Morgan and several comedian friends as well as assistants. Morgan fortunately survived the crash but suffered serious injuries, including multiple broken bones and a brain injury that required an extensive stay in the hospital as well as much rehabilitation. However, Morgan's friend and fellow comedian James McNair tragically perished in the accident.

Ikea has issued a recall on about 27 million chests and dressers because these furniture items have the potential to tip over and injure or kill children if not properly anchored to the wall. Two children tragically died after an Ikea chest called the "Malm" fell on them in 2014. Moreover, Ikea has had reports of three additional deaths dating back to 1989 from tip-overs involving Ikea dressers and chests.

A number of teen automobile accidents and fatalities occur in Georgia every year. Nationally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that teen drivers between the ages of 16 and 19 are more at risk of motor vehicle accidents than any other age group. Moreover, teen drivers account for 30 percent of all motor vehicle accidents, but only 14 percent of the population. Teen drivers are less like to recognize hazards, more likely to speed or drive while intoxicated, and lack vital driving experience to prevent crashes.

Georgia, as well as the Southeast, experiences a vast array of weather conditions ranging from, among others, heavy rains, sleet and/or heavy snow, thunderstorms, tornados, and fog. Such conditions have the potential to play a role in any auto accident that can occur. Fog tends to be one weather condition that affects most drivers, as visibility can be severely hampered in very thick fog, with drivers barely able to see five to ten feet in front of their vehicles. Earlier this year, a Nicholasville, Kentucky police officer tragically lost his life in a three-vehicle accident, and a formal investigation concluded that fog and low light played a key role in causing the accident, according to a local news report.

Medication can both save lives and lead to death, depending on the type and quantity of medication administered to a patient. Given that there are varying doses of most medications, and medications can look alike, many pharmacies have inadvertently filled prescriptions for patients that contain the wrong dose of a medication, or even the wrong medication entirely. Confusion of patient names can also play a role in pharmacy errors.

Vehicles have certainly progressed significantly over the past few decades in terms of safety and limiting the number of serious injuries and death resulting from auto accidents. However, despite technological advances, accidents continue to occur for a variety of reasons, including, but not limited to, inattentive driving, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and the commission of traffic violations such as speeding or running a red light. Further, even if cars have become safer, the progression of technology in terms of the smart phone and some cameras can make any new advances in car safety less impactful.

Many of us have come to notice just how many outpatient surgical clinics there are in Georgia as well as throughout the entire United States. A great number of these clinics focus on orthopedic surgeries, such as spinal fusions, correction of herniated or bulging disks, and arthroscopic surgeries for the correction of shoulder, knee, hip and many other orthopedic conditions. There are also outpatient clinics that focus on cosmetology and elective surgeries, and these too provide convenience to patients, but regardless of what type of outpatient clinic exists, there are risks that everyone should be aware of.