Stem Cell Therapy vs. Total Knee Replacement

Knee Surgeon

Up until the latest developments came into play the last several years, older adults with arthritic or poorly functioning knees have only had further deterioration and total knee replacement in their future. As a knee surgeon from a practice like the Premier Osteoarthritis Centers of Pennsylvania can explain, knee replacement surgery, like most other surgeries, carries substantial risks, may have an extended hospital stay, and one to two months of healing and physical therapy to boot. 

For some patients, this process is painful and challenging. People with active lifestyles may be forced to give up specific high-impact activities for the rest of their lives. But, stem cell intervention may change traditional knee treatment routines and enable patients to return to their daily lives and activities with less pain and movement restriction.

What is Stem Cell Therapy?

Stem cell therapy can be a viable alternative to total joint replacement and other surgical interventions. In this procedure, a patient’s own stem cells are harvested, minimally processed, and injected back into the injured or arthritis-damaged joint. Adult stem cells have the unique ability to transform into different types of cells and may be able to create new cartilage in the knee.

A Comparison of Recovery Times

One of the biggest reasons that stem cell therapy has gained such popularity is its quick recovery time. Stem cell therapy is an outpatient procedure, so there is typically no need for an uncomfortable and risky (in terms of infection) hospital stay. 

After stem cell injection, most patients can walk around within 24 hours. A recovering stem cell patient may also wear a knee brace for a short time. There may be a low level of soreness in the joint several days to a week after the injection.

Once injected, the stem cells go to work repairing and regenerating tissue. It may take up to about three weeks for improvement to set in and repair and progress may continue for up to six months or so. Some patients may need additional injections—possible two or three in a year’s time.

On the other hand, knee surgery patients will typically spend a couple of days in the hospital after undergoing an invasive, extensive surgical alteration. A hospital stay can pose a significant staph infection risk. Once discharged from the hospital patients may have to go to a rehab facility for a time, or go home and undergo a regimen of outpatient physical therapy, which may consist of:

  • Walking to regain mobility
  • Knee-strengthening exercise
  • Slowly resuming normal daily activities

Additionally, knee surgery has other possible risks, including:

  • Infections
  • Heart attack
  • Stroke
  • Blood clots (leg or lungs)
  • Nerve damage

Plus, driving is usually restricted for 4 to 6 weeks after surgery. Certain weight-bearing activities may put too much pressure on the knee implant and must be avoided.

You may be wondering if stem cell therapy can help you. Your knee pain specialist can discuss all treatment options with you and make suggestions as to which treatments can help you the most.

The 28th Edition of The Best Lawyers in America© Recognizes Patterson Bray Attorneys

Patterson Bray AttorneysPatterson Bray is pleased to announce that attorneys Austin Rainey and Will Patterson were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in the 28th Edition of The Best Lawyers in America©. This is the second consecutive year that Austin Rainey and Will Patterson were recognized by Best Lawyers.

 

AUSTIN T. RAINEYAustin Rainey was recognized for his high caliber of work in the practice area of Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs.

 

 

 

Will Patterson was recognized for his high caliber of work in the practice areas of Commercial Litigation & Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants.

 

 

 

For more than three decades, Best Lawyers has been regarded – by both lawyers and the public – as the most credible measure of legal integrity and distinction in the United States. As such, Lindsay and Will’s recognition by Best Lawyers symbolizes excellence in practice.

Inclusion in Best Lawyers is based on a rigorous peer-review survey comprising more than 9.4 million confidential evaluations by top attorneys. Best Lawyers’ founding principle remains unchanged and forms the basis of their methodology: The best lawyers know who the best lawyers are, and attorneys do not pay to participate or be recognized. Best Lawyers lists are published in top-tier business and legal publications such as The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, and The New York Times.

For more information, check out the Best Lawyers website.

What Steps Should You Take if You Were Injured Due to Someone Else’s Negligent Actions? 

Nobody wants the hassle or pain of being in an unnecessary accident. Accidents happen every single day, though, which is why it is important to know what to do if you are ever involved in one. The very first thing you need to do is contact a personal injury lawyer, like one from Greenspan & Greenspan P.C., immediately. He or she will help you form your case and look at all of the details surrounding the accident to determine who was at fault and how much compensation you may be able to receive. 

Check Yourself for Severe Injuries

The very first thing you need to do after being involved in a bad accident is to check yourself for any serious injuries. If you think you were terribly injured and need assistance, ask someone nearby to call an ambulance. If there is not anyone around, call for one yourself. 

Call the Police to the Scene of the Accident

In many instances, you may want a police report about the accident. If someone else’s negligent actions caused it, for example, you will want an officer to come evaluate the scene of the accident and write down an incident report. This will offer an unbiased viewpoint on what may have happened to cause the accident. This report will give information of each of the people as well as offer some pieces of truth if your case goes to court. 

Get Witness Statements

If there were any witnesses, make sure you get their contact information and have them write down or give a voice recording on what they saw. These details are important to get in writing while the memory of the event is still fresh. The witness may be called upon to testify on your behalf at a later date. It can be a key to winning a personal injury case. 

Exchange Information with the Other Party

If someone else was involved or possibly at fault for the accident, you need to get their information so that you can reach out again about compensation. You may decide to go through their insurance or you may seek compensation by going to court. A lawyer will be useful for deciding what the best next steps to take will be.

Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer Today

You should not hesitate if you were injured in an accident. You need to contact a personal injury lawyer right away so that you do not miss the statute of limitations for filing. Every state has a deadline of filing a case if you were injured in an accident. If you miss it, there will be no chance of seeking compensation in the future. Your lawyer will evaluate your case immediately and make sure you stay on track for getting compensated for everything. Most personal injury lawyers offer free initial consultations and many work on a contingency fee basis, which means they do not collect compensation unless they win your case. 

Best Lawyers: The Injury & Malpractice Issue 2021® Recognizes Attorney Austin Rainey

AUSTIN T. RAINEY

Patterson Bray is pleased to announce that attorney Austin Rainey was recently selected by his peers for inclusion in the Best Lawyers: The Injury & Malpractice Issue 2021®.

Best Lawyers®, the oldest and most respected guide to the legal profession, released the inaugural edition of The Injury and Malpractice Issue.

Using information excerpted from the 2021 Editions of The Best Lawyers in America© and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch, this digital-only publication features more than 7,000 lawyers, including more than 300 “Lawyer of the Year” honorees and 500 “Ones to Watch” award recipients, recognized for their top legal talent in injury and malpractice-related practice areas. Practice areas included in The Injury and Malpractice Issue are:

  • Consumer Protection Law
  • Legal Malpractice Law
  • Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions
  • Medical Malpractice Law
  • Personal Injury Litigation
  • Product Liability Litigation
  • Professional Malpractice Law

In addition to the list of recognized lawyers, the publication includes injury and malpractice-focused editorial content. Featured articles highlight the danger of faulty product design, the risk of electronic medical records being altered, the hazards of neglected infrastructure, the risk that unlicensed hair stylists pose to the cosmetology industry, the efforts the federal government is taking to stop robocalls and more.

“For almost four decades, Best Lawyers has highlighted the exceptional achievements of those in the legal industry. We are proud to continuously present the most reliable, unbiased legal referrals worldwide,” says Best Lawyers CEO Phil Greer.

Check out the digital edition of Best Lawyers: The Injury & Malpractice Issue 2021® here!

4 Basic Types of Auto Insurance Coverage 

Car Accident Lawyer

Car insurance laws depend on the state in which you live. State laws mandate the kind of coverage you are required to carry and any minimum amounts of that coverage.There are many types of policies offered by insurance companies, and if your state does not require all of them, it may be worth the time to look into them. Learn some of the basics about car insurance policies and the variety that may be available to you.

Liability Coverage

The most fundamental auto insurance is considered liability coverage. It is typically mandatory. Liability coverage encompasses property damage and bodily injury. The property, in this instance, is usually the insured vehicle, but if you live in a fault-based state, it may cover the damage to the other vehicle. Bodily injury works in the same way, covering the other driver in an at-fault state. Liability coverage is set based on policy minimums required by state law.

Uninsured and Underinsured Coverage

In addition to liability coverage, you may be offered uninsured and underinsured motorist policies. These may be required to some extent by your home state. Even if they are not, you may want to check into adding them to your liability policy. That is because you may face a crash in which the at-fault driver does not either have sufficient coverage or has no insurance. In these cases, your underinsured or uninsured policy will kick in and cover your property damage and any medical bills.

Comprehensive Coverage

Comprehensive insurance policies deal with damage to your vehicle inflicted by something other than an accident. The most common incidents are theft, vandalism or a natural disaster. A hail storm, for instance, may leave extensive body damage to your car. This is not covered under your liability policy since it is not a vehicle crash. When your car is stolen, the comprehensive coverage policy will pay out the then-value of your vehicle.

Medical Payments Coverage

If you do suffer injuries from a car accident, you may wind up with extensive medical bills. If you live in a no-fault state, you will be required to carry medical payments coverage, called personal injury payments. Unlike liability coverage, this protects you and pays for the medical care you require after a crash. It also comes in handy should the opposing insurance company not pay out timely when the other driver is at fault.

It may help to speak to a car accident lawyer after an accident. A car accident lawyer can help you understand what happens next with your insurance company and the other driver. 

4 Types of Personal Injuries

Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

You might be wondering whether you have a viable personal injury case on your hands. As a pedestrian accident lawyer in Kansas City, MO from a firm like  Royce Injury Attorneys LLC can explain, you can gauge the validity of your case by comparing it to preexisting cases. There have been many personal injury cases throughout history, and these cases can all be placed into specific categories. Take a look at this list of four types of personal injury cases and see which sounds the most like your current situation.

1. Motor Vehicle Accidents

Motor vehicle accidents are quite common, and depending on your commute you might see them almost every day. These accidents occur when someone driving a car, bus, or truck makes an illegal maneuver or fails to pay attention to the road, which leads to one or more vehicles being struck or losing control. Drivers who speed and those who text and drive are frequently involved in motor vehicle accidents. People can sustain spinal cord injuries and broken bones as a result of such accidents.

2. Pedestrian Accidents

Pedestrian accidents involve an individual who is not in a vehicle being struck by a moving object, such as a car or motorcycle. A pedestrian can file a personal injury claim if he or she can prove that the person driving the vehicle was negligent in some way. For example, a driver could have run a red light or failed to stop at a stop sign. Pedestrians may suffer bone fractures or brain injuries after an accident.

3. Nursing Home Injuries

Elderly people can be abused or neglected while residing in a nursing home. Some senior citizens might fall and damage their skin and bones because nursing home staff members did not assist them correctly. Others have been victims of staff members who make grievous medication errors, fail to treat their infections, and forget to feed and hydrate them. People can file a claim on behalf of their elderly relatives if they can prove that nursing home practitioners and assistants mistreated them or did not conduct themselves professionally.

4. Animal Bites

Animal bites often occur when a pet, such as a dog, attacks an individual. Such bites can lead to nerve damage, severe infections, disfigurement, and emotional distress. Victims of animal violence must prove that the pet owner’s actions caused the attack. Maybe the owner did not leash the pet, or he or she let it roam without supervision. Keep in mind that many homeowner’s and renter’s insurance companies compensate victims of pet bites.

There are several kinds of personal injury cases. Contact a personal injury attorney as soon as you can to determine whether you have a legitimate one.

What Is the Statute of Limitations for Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit?

Personal Injury Lawyer

Statutes of limitations are state laws setting forth the times within which you have to file various types of lawsuits and other restrictions pertaining thereto. Each state has its own set of statutes of limitations, and they vary widely from state to state.

With regard to filing a personal injury lawsuit, the SOLs of most states give you 2-3 years from the date of your injury in which to file your suit. This time frame, however, may be considerably shorter depending on the type of personal injury lawsuit you file and against which defendant(s) you file it. Your wisest course of action is to contact an experienced local personal injury lawyer like one from Hall Justice Law Firm as soon as possible after your accident who can advise you of your state’s statute of limitations for your type of injury.

Types of Personal Injuries

Keep in mind that you can sustain a personal injury from a variety of causes, including the following:

  • Motor vehicle accident
  • Motorcycle, bicycle or pedestrian accident
  • Boating or other waterway accident
  • Medical malpractice
  • Nursing home abuse or neglect
  • Slip, trip, fall or other premises liability accident
  • Defective product accident
  • On-the-job accident

Types of Defendants

As stated, your state’s personal injury SOL may well depend on not only what type of injury you sustained, but also on the person or entity you plan to sue. For instance, many states severely limit the time in which you can file suit against a municipality, city or county if poor road conditions contributed to your accident.

Amount of Damages

Sometimes a state law will limit the amount of damages you can receive in a personal injury lawsuit, especially if the court determines that you were partially to blame for your own injuries.

Other laws, called damage caps, most often apply to the amount of punitive damages, if any, you can recover in addition to your economic and non-economic damages.

Still other laws may severely limit the circumstances under which you can sue an employer or coworker in addition to filing a workers’ compensation claim if you sustain a work-related injury. They may also limit the amount of damages you can receive in such a situation.

All in all, navigating your way through your state’s personal injury statutes of limitations and other laws can be quite tricky, at best. This is why you need the advice, counsel and representation of an experienced local personal injury lawyer who can ensure that your lawsuit is filed against the proper parties within the allotted time frame.

What I Need to Do When a Creditor Sues You

what to do when a creditor sues you

Consumer Protection Attorney

Getting sued by a creditor is unpleasant, but there is a path that leads to a better outcome than just accepting the lawsuit. First, don’t panic. It sounds cliché, but this happens all the time and debt collectors count on the fact that the average person will not know what to do. Hiring a consumer protection attorney who is experienced in dealing with debt collectors should be your first course of action. Do your research and make sure your attorney is an expert in the field and handles these types of cases on a regular basis.

When you are served with the lawsuit, the worst thing you can do is to ignore it. In fact, the sooner you contact an attorney, the better he/she will be able to serve you. In some states, the debt collector may be able to garnish your paycheck if you fail to respond and a judge rules in their favor. You have a right to challenge the debt collector’s right to sue you. Did you actually incur this debt? Can the company suing you prove that? Again, here is where your attorney’s expertise will come into play. Attorneys that do this type of work are very familiar with the debt collectors and their attorneys. Your attorney will try to show evidence in court that the debt collector cannot prove they own the debt. If they can do this successfully, the lawsuit will be dismissed.

If the debt collector can prove that you owe the debt, you may still be able to settle for a lesser amount than the total you are being sued on. Many times, debt collectors will allow consumers to settle for pennies on the dollar. Depending on whether the debt collector is the original creditor or a third-party debt buyer, they may accept as little as 40-50% of the total owed. They generally also provide payment plan options, so you do not have to pay one lump sum. Again, your attorney will be able to help negotiate that settlement because he/she will know how to deal with the debt collector and is familiar with their tactics.

If you are currently being sued on a debt whether you believe it is yours or not, don’t stick your head in the sand. Time is of the essence, and you should contact a consumer protection attorney for a consultation today! 

 

Discrimination and Harssment in the Workplace

Discrimination is being treated unfairly or differently for the worse, based on personal status or characteristics (such as race, gender, religion). When a coworker or boss makes a comment or does something that results in a hostile, threatening, or intimidating environment for someone else, that is considered harassment. If you aren’t sure about the rights that protect you as a person and employee, then consulting with a lawyer on your situation is advisable.

Examples of discrimination and/or harassment include:

  • Depending solely on word-of-mouth recruiting that tends to favor a certain kind of employee
  • Using discriminatory criteria when hiring, without being able to show how it relates to the job
  • Requesting that an agency only refers applicants of a particular status.
  • Not providing the same pay to workers in similar positions
  • Rejecting benefits after they were offered
  • Turning to the discriminatory preferences of customers, coworkers, or clients when choosing factors for employment
  • Requiring a specific kind of image or corporate look as prejudices in hiring
  • Firing employees based on unlawful reasons
  • Using a client or worker’s preferences to explain a demotion, discipline, or discharge
  • Making comments or requesting favors that are unwanted and sexual in nature
  • Conduct that creates a seriously threatening, unsafe, and harmful work environment for employees

There are almost limitless ways that discrimination or harassment can occur in the workplace. If you suspect that your adverse treatment at work is a result of discrimnation or harassment, getting legal assistance is paramount. 


Being the victim of a harassment or discriminatory incident can wreak havoc on a person’s mental health. It is more than worth talking with a legal professional if you aren’t sure what happened to you constitutes legal action. For more information, contact a reputable law firm as soon as possible, such as an employment discrimination lawyer from Eric Siegel Law.

Various Types of Personal Injury Claims

Do I need a Personal Injury Lawyer?

Cars and truck Mishaps: These mishaps can be due to the result of dui, speeding, negligent driving, and even being distracted by a cell phone.


Product Liability: Drownings, falls, burns, and poisoning can arise from defective products.
A pressure cooker that opens before it is depressurized and triggers burns is an example of this.


Medical Malpractice: Incompetence or negligence of a physician can cause surgical errors, inaccurate prescriptions, misdiagnosis, and giving birth injuries and prevail reasons for these claims.

Leaving a surgical tool in a body during a treatment would be considered medical malpractice.


Workplace Injury: If you slip and fall, were not trained to utilize equipment correctly, or were required to utilize faulty devices or products and are harmed on the job, you might have a case for injury.

Failure to train a staff member in the appropriate use of a forklift yet enabling the worker to operate it, triggering harm to themselves or others, is an example of this.


Properties Liability: This specific claim can be made due to hazardous or faulty conditions on someone’s residential or commercial property.

Someone who falls and breaks a leg since the owner stopped working to provide a warning about an unsteady staircase can submit a personal injury claim.


Other Examples:  The above examples prevail accident claims, but there are many more.

Attacks, repetitive strain injury, and dental mishaps can result in accident lawsuits also.



The Numbers

The U.S. Department of Justice has reported that there are over 400,000 injury claims each year.

  • 52% of personal injury claims were due to automobile accidents
  • 17% was because of premises liability
  • 15% were the outcome of medical malpractice
  • 5% happened due to item liability

Alabama has a two-year time limit from the date of injury to file a claim and does follow a “contributing negligence” guideline. This indicates that if you are at fault for any part of your mishap you may not receive any financial settlement.



Victim’s Rights

Personal injury claims are meant to protect the rights of the victim. It is very important that you do not think twice to get in touch with an attorney to secure those rights.

Usually, with the help of a lawyer, you will also recover more financial compensation due to the fact that your case existed by a professional who comprehends the laws pertinent to your case.

There are several different aspects to this type of law, as a Memphis personal injury lawyer like the ones at the law offices of Patterson Bray, can explain.