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Casualty Chair Dan Altschuler Presents "Optional Equipment and Opening the Door to Liability" at 2015 International Seating Symposium on Feb. 27

February 26, 2015

Daniel S. Altschuler, Chair of the Firm's Casualty Litigation Department, presented "Optional Safety Equipment and Potentially Opening the Door to Liability," at the 2015 International Seating Symposium (ISS) in Nashville, TN. The presentation included co-presenter:

  • Mark R. Schmeler, PhD, OTR/L, ATP, Assistant Professor at the University of Pittsburgh

The selection, manufacturing, and supply of rehabilitation technology equipment involves numerous parties that include manufacturers, suppliers, and clinicians. These products often require significant customization and specifications based on client needs, which must be well documented to ensure that the product meets safety and operational requirements. Through a case study and other examples, this session addressed how key parties involved in the provision of medical equipment can ensure patient safety and mitigate against legal risks through diligent and thorough documentation.

The presentation provided three core learning objectives: 

  • Potential legal risks for all parties involved in the selection, manufacturing, and supply of complex rehabilitation technology.
  • Reasons why thorough documentation can mitigate legal risk by all parties involved in the provision of complex rehabilitation technology.
  • A case study and example of how companies were impacted by lack of proper documentation, quality control and oversight that resulted in litigation.

Produced by the University of Pittsburgh, Department of Rehabilitation Science & Technology Continuing Education Program (RSTCE),  the 31st ISS is the lead educational and scientific conference in the field of wheelchair seating & mobility and related technologies. 

ISS includes scientific and clinical papers, research forums, in-depth workshops, panel sessions, and an extensive exhibit hall. Presentations address the wheeled mobility and seating challenges and solutions for people with disabilities across the lifespan and conditions such as neuromuscular disorders, spinal cord injury and diseases of the spinal cord, orthopedic conditions, systemic conditions, obesity, and polytrauma.