Innovative technology may enable thousands of paralyzed accident victims to walk again. Biometric exoskeletons are currently being tested by patients at different medical facilities across the country. So far, the results have been positive.

Marketed under the name Indego exoskeleton, the device works on the same principle as a Segway does. If a user leans forward, the device moves faster, while leaning back slows it down. The Indego essentially does the walking for a paralyzed person, allowing him or her to stand up and walk away. The device is constructed of with equipment that regulates a user’s posture, returning him or her to a balanced position.

When a user leans forward, the Indego enables him or her to stand up. Once standing, if a user leans forward again, the device will vibrate, which is a signal that a forward step is about to occur. To stop that step, a user only needs to lean back. If a user stays leaning forward, the device will continue to take steps until he or she leans back. The device even allows users to climb stairs.

The device is light, only weighing approximately 27 pounds and can snap apart in order to be easily transported. The manufacturers are hoping to receive FDA approval sometime this year.

According to national statistics, there are almost over one million people who have some form paralysis as a result of a spinal cord injury. Approximately 30 percent of injuries—362,000—happened from work-related accidents. Almost one-fourth of those injuries—311,000—are the result of a motor vehicle accident. Another 16 percent of spinal cord injury victims—206,000—were injured in a sports-related accident, and 9 percent of victims—112,000—were injured in some type of fall.

The cost of living with a spinal cord injury can be financially devastating. In the first year after a spinal cord injury, the average expenses can be anywhere between $228,566 and $775,567. The estimate lifetime cost is approximately $681,843 to over $3 million, depending on the severity of the injuries.

If you or a loved one suffers from paralysis or other spinal cord injuries as a result of an accident, contact an experienced Westport personal injury attorney to find out what legal recourse you may have against the party or parties responsible for the accident.

Imagine being involved in a low-impact car crash and having your air bag, a device designed to protect your safety, explode causing shrapnel to spray throughout your vehicle. This is the type of situation that many drivers have faced over the last several months due to defective air bags manufactured by Japanese automotive supplier Takata.

What began as a regional recall, focused specifically in high-humidity states, has now become a nationwide safety concern affecting approximately 7.8 million vehicles from 10 different automakers, according to Consumer Reports.

The catastrophic events linked to Takata air bags have included explosive shrapnel as a result of air bags inflating too quickly after collisions such as rear-end car accidents. Over 100 personal injuries and at least five fatalities have been reported thus far, which has prompted the recall expansion. Honda was the first to take its recall nationwide as demanded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, but in recent weeks, Ford, Mazda, Chrysler, and BMW have also followed suit, as reported by The New York Times.

Takata’s president has stepped down as the company continues involvement in this worldwide safety issue linked to its air bags installed in vehicles from 2002 through 2008. There are still lingering questions about the cause of more recent air bag injuries and which cars specifically are at inherent risk.

Car manufacturers are responsible in alerting consumers of any defectiveness regarding their products in a timely manner. If they are negligent in doing so, injuries can occur for which they hold accountability. Takata air bags have been directly linked to tragic events putting millions of people in danger. A woman in South Carolina has been the most recent victim reporting chest injuries sustained as a result of excessive force of the Takata air bag installed in her 2001 Honda.

If you or someone you know have been seriously injured as a result of a defective car part in Connecticut, contact a qualified Westport personal injury today. You may be eligible for compensation, which could help pay for any medical expenses acquired as a result of your injuries. Call our office for a free case evaluation.

The minivan has become the quintessential family vehicle. Pull into any school during morning drop-off or afternoon pickup, and you will typically see a convoy of minivans lined up for this daily family routine. However, a new study has revealed that minivans, instead of keeping a family protected in a car accident, may actually be a deathtrap.

Minivan Safety Testing

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) recently conducted testing on four of the most popular models of minivans. According to their findings, these tests revealed many of the “worst outcomes” for the types of test crashes the researchers conducted.

The four minivans modeled tested were Chrysler Town & Country, Dodge Grand Caravan (which is a twin to Chrylser’s model), Nissan Quest, and Toyota Sienna. Researchers wanted to determine how safe these vehicles are in small overlap front crashes. Overlap tests simulate what happens if a vehicle is hit in the front corner of the vehicle comes into contact with an object—such as another vehicle, utility pole or a tree.

According to the recent IIHS tests, three of the four minivans tested have critical flaws when it comes to protection from overlap crashes. Only the Toyota Sienna received an acceptable rating, although the IIHS report classified its structural performance as “subpar.”

Minivan Test Crash Results

When the Nissan Quest’s test crash occurred, the force of the impact pushed the lower hinge pillar in over two feet. The parking brake was moved over a foot-and-a-half towards the crash dummy in the driver’s seat, which trapped the dummy’s right foot between the toe pan and the brake pedal. The foot was wedged so deeply that the entire seat needed to be cut out and then technicians utilized a crowbar to free the foot. The dummy’s left leg was trapped between the instrumental panel and the seat. Additionally, when the airbag deployed, it smashed right into the dummy’s face. When testers measured the actual forces of the impact, especially along the length of the dummy’s left leg, there were areas where the force actually exceeded the amount the sensors could measure.

The Town & Country did no better in testing. The vehicle’s lower hinge pillar was pushed in 15 inches. The parking brake pedal gouged the dummy’s left leg and a steel brace from the under instrument panel tore the skin of the left knee of the dummy. The steering column and the door sill crushed towards the driver. Incredibly, when the vehicle’s front airbag deployed, it hit the crash dummy’s head, knocking it off and into the instrument panel. The side airbag offered little protection from the impact.

These tests crashes were performed at only 40 mph. Imagine if one of these crashes occurred with a family in the vehicle?

Contact a Compassionate Connecticut Wrongful Death Attorney

A vehicle collapsing on victims during an accident is unacceptable and a significant product defect these manufacturers need to address. If you have lost a family member in an accident caused by a defective motor vehicle, contact an experienced Westport wrongful death attorney to find out what legal action you may be able to take against the manufacturer.