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Best Wheelchair Accessible Restaurants, Activites and Events in Minneapolis

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, nearly one in five Americans has some kind of disability, and 1 in 10 has a severe disability. With an aging population of baby boomers and the likelihood of having a disability increasing with age, the growth in the number of people with disabilities can be expected to accelerate in the coming decades.

For those with disabilities who like to go out, finding venues with adequate accessibility in Minneapolis is easier than you might think. That’s because Minneapolis is a leader in accessible public space, instituting a pedestrian ramp program for its streets decades before the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) went into effect.

Minneapolis Accessibility Resources

According to Minneapolis.org, which publishes a comprehensive Accessibility Guide:

  • All of the city’s downtown parks are accessible.
  • Miles of waterfront, the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden and regional parks (including Minnehaha Falls) are accessible.
  • More than seven miles of the skyway are accessible.

Sites like Abilitytrip.com can help you locate activities like those listed below in any city nationwide that provide access for those with wheelchairs or mobility issues.

Minneapolis Wheelchair-Friendly Activities:

  • Cathedral of St. Paul: The Cathedral is an impressive structure, built in the early 1900s and featuring a large dome. Wheelchair users can access the church through the doors on the left side of the building, where there is a ramp.
  • Guthrie Theater: The beautiful contemporary metal and glass building, settled on the bank of the river downtown is the Guthrie Theater. The theater has multiple stages to enjoy a play or concert, and all of the theaters offer accessible seating. There are also bars and restaurants located inside the Guthrie building that can be accessed by elevator. There is a steep ramp leading up the 53-meter cantilever, but it is not recommended to use this ramp if you’re in a manual wheelchair or have mobility problems. The evening views of the city from the cantilever are spectacular, and are made wheelchair accessible from the top platform.
  • Lyndale Market: “The Lyndale Market is an extensive farmers market featuring local produce, prepared foods and many different arts/crafts. It is a great weekend morning spot that is worth a trip.  The market is accessible – largely on the ground with ramps to upper stalls – but given the crowds it can be more challenging to navigate in a wheel chair.”
  • Mall of America: The Mall of America has over 500 stores, and even features an indoor amusement park in the center of the mall. The mall is accessible, and rents strollers, electric carts, and wheelchairs.
  • Minnesota State Capitol: Located in St. Paul, the state capitol building offers free tours year round, 7 days a week (closed holidays). According to the website, tours are “handicapped accessible.”
  • Summit Avenue and James J. Hill House: Summit Avenue is famous for its beautiful historical homes and other structures. The James J. Hill House, a wonderfully preserved gilded age mansion, offers tours to the general public. According to the website, tours are “handicapped accessible.”
  • Wineries: Just an hour from St. Paul, there are some fantastic wineries to do a little tasting. The Cannon River Valley Winery, located in Cannon Falls, MN, has a great atmosphere and is wheelchair accessible. Another great winery for tastings is the Falconer Winery located in Red Wing, MN. Note that there is a small step to get into the entrance, but there is also outdoor seating. There are also great antique shops in the area, such as Pottery Place Antiques, which is also located in Red Wing, near Falconer Winery.

One of the best sites for Minnesotans with disabilities is AccessMinnesota.org, which features listings for accessible lodging, restaurants, attractions, historic sites, nightclubs and bars, amusement parks, dialysis centers, arts / theatres, resorts, convention centers, transportation, and parks and campgrounds all over Minnesota.

Accessibility information courtesy of the U.S. Census Bureau, Minneapolis.org, Abilitytrip.com, and AccessMinnesota.org.

05 16, 2012 jdoornink Events
Personal Injury
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Handling Anger on Your Bike: When Fear Gets the Best of You

Bicycle Accident Lawyers in Minnesota

If you’re a cyclist, then you’ve been there, right in the thick of it – a situation where fear for your safety is so great that it becomes anger. It’s in those tense moments, where an inattentive motorist could mean the difference between your life and death, that most cyclists feel their tempers flair.

If you’ve been involved in a bicycle/automobile accident before, chances are you’re more than a little car shy, and your anger for inattentive motorists may be on a short trigger as well. However, riding angry can put you at an even greater risk and disadvantage on the road, leaving you blinded to other obstacles or dangers in your path.

It can also make you a less agreeable cyclist to others sharing the roadway – something that can cause issues to escalate, should a problem arise.

Here are some tips to help you avoid those potential road rage situations as well as keep your anger in check should tensions arise:

  • Minimize the risk of conflict by following the rules of the road.
  • Ride safely and courteously, using proper gear for visibility and using the proper signals.
  • Do not initiate conflict, and do not engage in conflict if someone attempts to initiate conflict with you.
  • If you feel your temper flairing, pull over and regroup before continuing on your journey. Taking a moment to calm down can make the rest of your ride safer and less tense.
  • Stay calm if confronted and do not let the other person influence your emotions or actions.
  • Be sure to report any violence, attempted violence, or threats of violence to law enforcement authorities and remove yourself from the situation.
  • Refrain from property damage; this will only cost you in the long run.
  • Remember, most people do not want to hurt a cyclist or be involved in conflict – they may simply have missed seeing you.
  • Even though there are courteous and attentive drivers on the road, the best offense is a good defense when riding your bicycle. It’s up to YOU to ensure your safety.

Ride safely, stay alert, and try your best to leave anger and grudges behind before hitting the road, and you’ll be a happier, healthier cyclist.

05 10, 2012 jdoornink Bike Accidents
Car Accidents
Personal Injury
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Metal-on-Metal Hip Replacements Explained

There are several dangers associated with metal-on-metal hip replacements. In this video, Meshbesher & Spence attorney Tony Nemo explains what those dangers are.

For more information, visit our hip replacement blog post or our article, The DePuy ASR Hip: Perhaps the Greatest Disaster in Orthopedic History.

05 02, 2012 jdoornink Access to Justice
Medical Device Recalls
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Failed Metal-on-Metal Hip Replacements

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is scheduled to discuss whether or not to make metal-on-metal hip implants subject to more rigorous testing at a two-day expert advisory panel meeting on June 27-28, 2012.

Metal-on-Metal Hip Replacement Controversy

After years of controversy surrounding these implants, the FDA is starting to take the issue seriously. Numerous studies of metal-on-metal hip replacements show a higher failure rate than implants made of other materials, including a recent study released by the National Joint Registry of England and Wales. It showed that, after five years, 6% of metal-on-metal hip replacements needed additional surgery to replace or repair them, as compared to roughly 2% of people with ceramic or plastic systems. Last May, the FDA ordered manufacturers of metal-on-metal implants to collect more safety data on the devices, including data related to metal ion concentrations in the blood stream.

Common patient complaints with metal-on-metal hip replacement failure include:

  • Metal breaks from constant weight-bearing stress
  • Fractures near the artificial joint
  • Artificial joint dislocation and instability
  • Loosening of the attachment between the bone and artificial device
  • Pain, stiffness, and infection due to loosening of attachment between device and bone.

Metal-on-Metal Hip Replacement, Metallosis, and Cancer

Outside of the high failure rate for these metal-on-metal replacements, there is a potentially more serious problem. The design of the systems leaves the metal ball and cup to abrade against one another, causing particles of chromium and cobalt to shed from the parts and enter the patients’ tissues and bloodstream.

This build-up of metal debris in the soft tissues is called metallosis, and can lead to the formation of pseudocysts (collections of fluid and dead tissue), which can destroy the surrounding muscle and bone.

In addition, recent studies link cobalt and chromium debris to an increase in the risk of cancer (particularly in the kidneys and bladder), and an increase in the risk of genetic damage.

The capper on all of this is that companies like DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc., a subsidiary of global giant Johnson & Johnson, have known this for years and have only recently decided to recall the ASR hip system from the U.S. marketplace (while still marketing the hip system to patients overseas).

What You Can Do if You’ve Had a Metal-on-Metal Hip Replacement

The problem with metal-on-metal hip implants is not limited to the DePuy ASR implant. If you were implanted with another device, including the DePuy Pinnacle hip, Zimmer Durom cup, or other metal-on-metal device, please visit our page on Defective Hip Replacement Recalls & Hip Surgery Lawsuits for more information, and contact us for a free consultation.

04 27, 2012 jdoornink Access to Justice
Medical Device Recalls
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John Patrick Sheehy

We are profoundly saddened by the sudden loss of our colleague and friend, John Sheehy.

John Patrick Sheehy of Minneapolis, died unexpectedly after a brief illness on April 14, 2012. Preceded in death by his father, Robert Patrick; aunt and godmother Ruth Sheehy Finnell; and many other aunts and uncles. Survived by his wife of 32 years, Kathleen Dunn Sheehy; daughters Madeline, Ellen, Marie; mother Mae Sheehy; brothers Francis (Maureen Dunn) and James (Leah), sisters Sharmaine Wittsack (Lyle); Nythar Sheehy, Colleen Sheehy (Peter Murphy), Michelle Halle (Earl), Theresa Sheehy; father and mother- in-law Warren and Nancy Dunn; sisters-in-law Erin Dunn (Ted Wentink), and Theresa Dunn; many wonderful nieces, nephews, and cousins-”the extended Sheehy Clan.”

From humble beginnings, John became one of the most accomplished trial lawyers in Minnesota. John was born in Minneapolis on February 21, 1955, the fourth child of eight born to Robert Patrick and Mae Daniels Sheehy. His mother raised the children, who were all under the age of fourteen at the time of his father’s premature death at age forty. After graduating from St. Louis Park High School, he earned a B.A. in history from the University of Minnesota in 1981 and a Law Degree from that school in 1984. John was managing partner at Meshbesher and Spence, where for 30 years he practiced civil and criminal law. At the age of 27, within two years of passing the bar exam, John argued a case before the U.S. Supreme Court and was so new to the law profession that the Court required a senior attorney be present when he argued against the U.S. Assistant Solicitor General. Ron Meshbesher served in that role. John loved his clients, took on the toughest cases, and he never forgot the poor and downtrodden. He was most proud of the free work he did for people in need. Jury awards for his clients achieved unparalleled results, as he never lost a civil trial, and was one of only two lawyers in Minnesota to be twice named Lawyer of the Year by Minnesota’s leading law journal. Passionate about his many interests, John enjoyed golf, fishing, antique cars, world travel, photography, books, music, and fine cooking. He loved nothing more than having family and friends gathered in his home for feasts and celebrations. He was proud of the family’s roots in International Falls and Duluth, MN. John was known for his large spirit, sharp wit, charming personality, and legendary generosity. His favorite song was “No Surrender” by Bruce Springsteen. John’s life was made complete by love for his family, and their love for him. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him. Many thanks to the physicians and nurses at Abbott Northwestern Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit who provided such excellent and compassionate care to John, and his family, during his illness.

Visitation Tuesday, April 17, 5 – 8 p.m. at Washburn-McReavy Edina Chapel, West 50th St. and Highway 100. Mass of Christian Burial at Church of the Incarnation, 3817 Pleasant Ave. S. on Wednesday, April 18 at 11:30 a.m. Interment following at Lakewood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family prefers donations to Minnesota AIDS Project or Minnesota United for All Families. www.Washburn-McReavy.com Edina Chapel 952-920-3996

Published in Star Tribune from April 16 to April 17, 2012

04 16, 2012 lhcarnes About Us Comments (2) Permalink

Health Risks of Binge Drinking and Alcoholism

Though significant strides have been made in the area of alcohol education and in reducing the number of drunken drivers on the road, many people still do not realize that alcohol is responsible for the deaths of 2.5 million people worldwide each year.

Internationally, nearly 4% of all deaths are alcohol related. More than half of these deaths are from Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) like cancer, cardiovascular disease and liver cirrhosis. Here in the U.S., alcohol use is the 3rd leading lifestyle-related cause of death.

According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, alcoholic beverage consumption should be done in moderation, which is defined as no more than 1 drink per day for women and no more than 2 drinks per day for men.

Sadly, some of those who do not follow these guidelines suffer from alcohol-related illness and untimely deaths.

 The Difference Between Binge Drinking and Alcoholism

Though both are considered forms of alcohol abuse, there are some significant differences between binge drinking and alcoholism. Binge drinking is something usually done in the short term in a social or celebratory setting, while alcoholism is long-term dependency, indicating a far deeper addiction to alcohol which requires intervention, detoxification, treatment, and professional support.

Binge Drinking

Binge drinkers, as defined by The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, are those whose pattern of drinking brings their body’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) to 0.08 grams percent or above. This occurs most often when, in a 2-hour period, men consume 5 or more drinks or women consume 4 or more drinks.

Most people who binge drink are not alcohol dependent. Because of this, they don’t consider their drinking problematic and may not fully understand the health risks to themselves and others.

Alcoholism

As defined by the American Medical Association (AMA), alcoholism is “a primary, chronic disease with genetic, psychosocial, and environmental factors influencing its development and manifestations.”

Alcoholism is characterized by:

  • Prolonged, frequent, and often heavy alcohol us
  • Inability to control alcohol consumption once begun
  • Physical dependence that manifests in withdrawal symptoms when the use of alcohol stops
  • Increased tolerance, meaning the user must increase his or her alcohol intake in order to achieve the same effects
  • Alcohol Interference with daily life activities
  • Social and/or legal problems arise from alcohol use

Short-Term Health Issues of Alcoholism

  • Alcohol poisoning
  • Alcoholic blackouts
  • Accidents (motor vehicle accidents, falls, burns, and accidental drowning)
  • Violence and injuries as a result of mishandling or use of firearms, sexual assault, and domestic violence
  • Risky sexual behaviors, sometimes leading to sexually transmitted diseases or unintended pregnancy
  • Neurological damage
  • Depression
  • Hair loss

Long-Term Health Risks of Alcohol Abuse

  • Neurological disorders
  • High blood pressure and stroke
  • Cardiovascular problems
  • Sexual dysfunction
  • Miscarriage, stillbirth and children born with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
  • Psychiatric problems, including depression, anxiety, and suicide
  • Increased incidence of cancer, especially of the mouth, throat, esophagus, liver, colon, and breast
  • Increased risk for a variety of liver diseases, including alcoholic hepatitis and cirrhosis
  • Gastrointestinal problems, including pancreatitis and gastritis

Alcohol Abuse and Drunk Driving

Though the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports a 30% decline in the number of drunk driving incidents in the last five years, they estimate that nearly 4 million Americans drove drunk in 2010.

According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), “While the nation has made great strides in reducing drunk driving over the years, it continues to be one of the leading causes of death and injury on America’s roads, claiming a life every 48 minutes.”

If you’ve been injured in a drunk driving accident, contact Meshbesher & Spence for a consultation with our personal injury attorneys. Our attorneys are available to visit you in the hospital, in your home, or in our offices, and they will help you determine if you will be able to recover damages for your injuries.

04 13, 2012 jdoornink Boating Accidents
Car Accidents
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New Study: Poor Patients are Less Likely to Make Medical Malpractice Claims

According to a recent study, poor people are less likely than people with more money to file a medical malpractice complaint. This finding contradicts the “unconscious bias” possessed by many doctors who wrongly think that low-income patients are more likely to sue.

The researchers of the study say that this type of bias might make a doctor less willing to treat low-income patients out of fear of not getting paid, or provide medical care of a lower quality than what would be given to a patient with more money.

The research team looked at social and medical studies to determine the difference in medical malpractice claims and litigation rates among patients that are socially disadvantaged compared to those that are not. The study recommends that physicians become more culturally competent, which could help them better relate to or treat someone belonging to a different ethnicity, race, socioeconomic status, sex, or sexual orientation.

One reason poor people are not as likely to file a complaint is that they believe they lack the resources to bring a claim.  Our Minnesota injury lawyers want you to know that your first consultation with Meshbesher & Spence is free.  Should you decide to work with an attorney, you will only have to pay legal fees if a settlement or verdict is reached, and that amount will come from the money you recover and not out of your own pocket.

It is the patient that suffers when medical mistakes are made or inadequate medical care is provided.  Do not be intimated about exploring your legal options or worry that filing a Minnesota medical malpractice case is an action that you cannot afford.

Poor Patients Less Likely to Sue Doctors, Analysis Shows, US News, February 28, 2012

04 09, 2012 Rachel Access to Justice
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Construction Site Safety

Tens of thousands are injured and, on average, over 1,000 construction workers die each year while on job sites according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). While some of these injuries are simply unfortunate accidents, many of them could have been prevented with the proper training and safety precautions.

Assumed Safety in Workplace

While it is human nature to believe that your safety needs have been taken care of for you in the workplace, the truth is that negligence, carelessness and improper adherence to safety regulations by coworkers or management could be putting you at risk.

Don’t assume that your coworkers have had the proper training, that the equipment is functioning correctly, and that you are not in danger.

Proper Safety and Liability

Remember, even if training and equipment appear to be as they should, forgetting to do regular maintenance of dangerous or heavy equipment and not properly marking potentially hazardous areas can leave employees in precarious circumstances.

Also, even if you or your coworkers have been working on a particular machine for years and years, in order to fulfill your obligation under OSHA, MSHA or the rules of civil liability known as Tort Law, all operators must have identifiable and verifiable training on the machine or equipment.

With roughly 150,000 construction site accidents reported every year by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, it pays to make certain your safety needs are properly met on the construction site.

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the potential hazards for workers in construction include:

  • Falls (from heights)
  • Trench collapse
  • Scaffold collapse
  • Electric shock and arc flash/arc blast
  • Failure to use proper personal protective equipment
  • Repetitive motion injuries

Falls: How to avoid being a casualty of the #1 safety issue on construction sites

  • Make sure that any scaffolding has been inspected by the proper personnel before you use it.
  • Wear the proper safety gear: a hard hat (at all times) and sturdy shoes with nonslip soles.
  • Watch out for co-workers on the scaffold, as well as those below.
  • Move cautiously and slowly when working on any scaffold – use common sense.
  • Speak to your supervisor if you’re unsure about the safety of working conditions on the scaffold.
  • Don’t overload your scaffold or take unnecessary chances with your safety.
  • Keep all unnecessary materials or debris cleared off the scaffold.
  • Be sure to steer clear of scaffolding when using a forklift or other heavy equipment.
  • Clean your materials off of the scaffold platform at the end of the day.
  • Do not use an outdoor scaffold in unsafe weather conditions.

For more information on how to keep yourself and your site safe, visit OSHA’s Pocket Guide for a detailed list of safety solutions and practical advice on how to avoid deadly accidents like these.

If you’ve been seriously injured in an accident at a construction site, don’t hesitate to call the experienced attorneys at Meshbesher & Spence to help ensure that you are adequately compensated for your injuries and emotional suffering.

03 29, 2012 jdoornink Access to Justice
Personal Injury
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Nighttime Running Safety

Nighttime Running Safety

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, about 40 percent of all crashes involving pedestrians occur at intersections, and more than half of all fatal pedestrian crashes occur at night, between the hours of 6 p.m. and midnight.

If you’re among the many who take to the streets for a run or walk after hours, make sure you keep safety in mind. Here are some tips to help avoid being just another nighttime statistic.

Nighttime Running and Walking Safety Tips

  • Try to run or walk in well-lit areas. At crosswalks where the lighting intensity has been increased, two studies found that crashes decreased by more than half.
  • Always wear reflective clothing. This ensures that others can see you clearly at night and reduces your chances of being hit.
  • Carry a light, durable flashlight with a strap or wear a headlamp. Make sure it is in good working order with fresh batteries. This will not only aid you in seeing your way, but will help increase your visibility to others.
  • Run with a buddy. This increases the chance you’ll be seen and allows for help in case of emergency.
  • Stay on the sidewalk and always use the crosswalk at night. Avoid areas where you would be forced to run in the roadway.
  • Never wear a headset when running or walking at night. One shouldn’t be used during the day either, but most especially shouldn’t be used at night when it is crucial that you use all available tools and senses to remain well aware of your surroundings.
  • Always walk or run facing traffic.
  • Make eye contact with drivers at intersections, prior to crossing the street.
  • Bring a cell phone or whistle in case of emergency.
  • Be aware of your surroundings, keeping alert and tuned in to what is happening around you.
  • Always carry identification with you when you leave the house or write your name, telephone number and blood type on the inside tongue of your running shoe.

Darkness can hide many obstacles and threaten your safety – not just in terms of motorists. Traveling on a well-lit path or making sure you have a light can keep you from tripping, falling or crashing into something in the dark. Remember, staying aware and prepared for the possible dangers that lie ahead is the best way to avoid an accident and stay safe. If something should happen, keep calm, use the tools you’ve taken with you to obtain help, and take care of yourself until help arrives.

03 20, 2012 jdoornink Pedestrian Accidents
Personal Injury
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Little-Known Minnesota Driving Laws

Obscure Driving Laws in Minnesota

All around the country, there are laws in the books that you may be unaware of in your daily life. You may even be breaking some. While some of these laws may seem comical or are so old that they’re no longer strictly enforced, others may be obscure but could still get you into a heap of trouble – especially when it comes to driving laws.

Odd, Contradictory, or Missing Statutes

  • Having a windshield on your car is not specifically required anywhere in Minnesota statutes. Though we highly recommend them!
  • If you do have a windshield, then you’re required by law to have working windshield wipers installed on your vehicle
  • If you’re driving your vehicle in reverse, you’re exempt from the seat belt law. (We don’t recommend foregoing your seat belt though, for obvious safety reasons.)
  • There is no law against driving barefoot. We highly recommend a shoe, though, as it provides better control than driving barefoot.
  • There is no state law against riding in the back of a pickup or a towed camper (though some cities have ordinances against it because it is not a safe thing to do).

Little-Known Driving Laws That Could Cost You

  • The 2002 Move Over Law requires drivers to move their cars a lane over when driving in the lane nearest an officer who is making a traffic stop.
  • The driver of a vehicle must yield to those drivers who issue an audible warning (honking) while attempting to overtake their vehicle. Once the driver has yielded, they cannot increase their speed again until the passing vehicle has completely overtaken them.
  • You can be stopped and cited for wearing your seat belt improperly (like moving your shoulder harness around your back or under your arm).
  • Cigarette filters or cigarette butts are specifically listed in the littering statutes, making them illegal to jettison from your vehicle.
  • Snowplow headlights cannot be used on a vehicle unless the plow is attached to the vehicle as well. According to the law, once the plow is removed, the auxiliary plow lights must be removed or covered with opaque material.

Whether laws are obscure or not, remember that no knowledge of the law is not an excuse that will hold up with the officer that pulls you over. Make sure you’re well versed in proper driving safety and the rules of Minnesota roads before you head out on it.

All little-known laws courtesy of Ask a Trooper’s Sgt. Curt S. Mowers of the Minnesota State Patrol.

03 08, 2012 jdoornink Car Accidents
Personal Injury
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