Monticello Kentucky Personal Injury Blog

While the federal government is once again open, at least for the time being, the five-week shutdown had some serious impacts that could last far into the future. Besides the drastic effect that the shutdown had on the lives of federal workers and contractors, it also impacted the important regulatory work of federal agencies responsible for ensuring the safety of our food and other products.

Take the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which is an arm of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). That department was one of a dozen that received no money during the 35-day shutdown. NHTSA investigates safety complaints about vehicles and enforces recalls by automakers. However, there were no automotive recalls last month while NHTSA's 300-plus employees were furloughed.

According to the National Sleep Foundation, 24 hours without sleep is like having a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .10, well above the legal limit. You may think you can drive late into the night, but this research shows otherwise.

While many drivers admit to driving sleepy, some have no choice. Truck drivers often feel that they must go without sleep to make a delivery on time, or a family emergency compels you to drive across the state. Drowsy drivers can create dangerous driving conditions everywhere.

When we hear that there's been a serious truck accident in Kentucky – or anywhere, really – what's the first thing we usually think of? A tractor-trailer was involved.

But the truth is, there are lots of types of trucks involved in accidents. Two types that contribute to a steady stream of truck crashes around the United States are ready-mix concrete delivery trucks and dump trucks.

In 2017, the legislature of Kentucky approved The Medical Review Panel Act. This required every potential medical malpractice case to be passed through a review panel before it could be heard in court. Three physicians would vote whether the case really involved substandard care. While not binding, their opinions — which could be used in court — could have a chilling effect on any case.

The measure was part of an effort to cut down on what officials claimed were too many frivolous malpractice cases. In effect, however, it created a barrier to the courts for a select class of litigants. Hundreds of medical malpractice suits simply ground to a halt, their progress toward the court delayed at the bottleneck the panel created.