Posted on October 31, 2006 by Regan Zambri & Long
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless gas produced by burning material containing carbon. CO poisoning can cause brain damage and, in severe cases, death. Because you cannot see it, smell it, or taste it, even at toxic or life threatening levels, it is considered a silent killer. Since so many deaths occur as the result of defective or poorly operated home heating devices, CO has been termed the "silent, cold weather killer." According to eMedicineHealth, it is the leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths in the United States. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that, while all people are at risk for CO poisoning, certain groups — unborn babies, infants, and people with chronic heart disease, anemia, or respiratory problems — are more susceptible to its effects.
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Posted on October 31, 2006 by Regan Zambri & Long
In 2001, a group of concerned parents in Southern California noticed that a certain lollipop popular in their community markets was recalled due to high levels of lead. They approached a local grassroots organization – the Environmental Health Coalition – with a request to test a wider range of candies. When initial results tested positive, the Orange County Register was approached about conducting an investigative report. They found a high rate of unsafe lead levels in candies specifically prevalent in local community stores.
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Posted on October 31, 2006 by Regan Zambri & Long
This morning, October 31, the U. S. Supreme Court heard argument in a critical case which will determine whether tobacco companies can be held accountable for punitive damages for egregious conduct in deceiving consumers for more than 50 years. The plaintiff, Jesse Williams, believed the industry fraudulent propaganda that cigarette smoking does not cause cancer. The case of Philip Morris v. Williams has been touted as the most important business case in front of the most pro-business Supreme Court in years and has already been the subject of a news blitz.
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Posted on October 31, 2006 by Regan Zambri & Long
A recent study performed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reveals that states with primary safety belt enforcement laws have lower fatality rates arising from automobile collisions. According to the study, safety belt use is the most effective measure available to passengers to prevent injuries from automobile crashes. In order to encourage the use of safety belts, many states have enacted safety belt legislation.
Safety belt laws vary but these laws generally can be classified as primary or secondary. Primary laws permit law enforcement officers to stop a vehicle and issue a citation for a safety belt violation, even if this is the only violation the officers notice. Secondary laws allow law enforcement officers to issue safety belt citations to motorists only after they stop drivers for other traffic violations. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data shows that the percentage of unbelted passenger fatalities in the states with primary laws is much lower than that in secondary states, 51 percent versus 65 percent during 2000–2004. Please review the entire study for more information on automobile collisions and safety statistics.
If you believe you or a family member suffered serious injuries as the result of an automobile collision that was another driver's fault, you may contact us on-line at Regan Zambri & Long or call us at (202) 463-3030 for a free consultation.
Posted on October 29, 2006 by Regan Zambri & Long
Because excited trick-or-treaters tend to forget about traffic rules, drivers need to slow down and be extra careful on Halloween, according to a statement from AAA Auto Club South.
AAA also suggests that drivers:
- Keep an eye out for children in dark costumes
- Follow all street signs carefully
- Be vigilant when entering and exiting alleys and driveways
The statement also offers advice for trick-or-treaters and parents.
If you or a family member believes that you have a case involving personal injuries from an automobile collision, please contact us online at Regan Zambri & Long or call us at (202) 463-3030 for a free consultation. If you would like to receive our complementary electronic newsletter, please click here.
Posted on October 29, 2006 by Regan Zambri & Long
October is AAA Car Care Month. Results of a new poll by the Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA) show that 86% of motorists don’t know how to check tire pressure, this represents a serious weakness in car maintenance that could cause accidents and injuries.
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Posted on October 28, 2006 by Regan Zambri & Long
A new study reported by the Journal of Adolescent Health has found that media literacy in students is substantially correlated with smoking behavior. The study found in particular that students with a higher smoking media literacy index were nearly 50% less likely to be current smokers or be susceptible to smoking in the future than their peers.
As reported by the Journal, media literacy is teaching students to watch Baywatch just as they would read Beowulf. As seen in the study, this approach holds some significance in influencing adolescent behavior, in particular as it relates to the prevention of smoking.
For more information on this study, media literacy, or adolescent issues please visit the Journal of Adolescent Health website.
Posted on October 27, 2006 by Regan Zambri & Long
The University of Michigan Trauma Burn Center reports that on Halloween between 4 and 10pm there is a significant increase in falls, pedestrian injuries, and burn-related injuries. In fact children are four and a half times more likely to get struck by a car on Halloween night than any other night of the year.
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Posted on October 25, 2006 by Regan Zambri & Long
Traffic deaths have increased to the highest level since 1990. According to the National Highway Safety Administration, the increase was due to more motorcycle and pedestrian deaths.
43,443 people were killed on the highways last year, up 1.4 percent from 42,836 in 2004, as reported by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. It was the highest number in a single year since 1990, when 44,599 people were killed.
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Posted on October 24, 2006 by Regan Zambri & Long
According to the National Crime Prevention Council and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, identity theft is the fastest growing crime in America, resulting in almost 10 million reported victims in 2004, and costing consumers $5 billion. According to the NCPC, victims report spending 30 hours and approximately $500, trying to recover after an identity crime. The numbers are staggering. All a thief needs is your Social Security Number to commit a crime.
Here are a few tips form the U.S. Postal Service:
- Review your consumer credit reports annually.
- Shred and destroy unwanted documents that contain personal information.
- Deposit mail in U.S. Postal Service collection boxes.
- Don’t leave mail in your mailbox overnight or on weekends.
Posted on October 23, 2006 by Regan Zambri & Long
The upcoming holiday season is prime vacation and travel season. For travelers within their own state or those visiting other cities for the first time, Diane Goldberg with USA Tourist , provides the following personal safety tips for vacationers and tourists alike:
Non-residents who are visiting an area for the first time should talk to locals about locations to avoid, especially at night.
Non-residents who are visiting an area for the first time should talk to locals about locations to avoid, especially at night.
· The U.S. is predominantly a car-dependant country, especially in areas outside of large cities where public transportation is not always available. Tourists should rent a cell phone for travels or ensure that their own phones are fully charged.
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Posted on October 22, 2006 by Regan Zambri & Long
The Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association has asked the state insurance commissioner to examine the premiums charged by the Connecticut Medical Insurance Company. It appears that the insurance firm is charging too much given its profits and reserves. The insurance firm made $12.5 million in profit last year, up from $7.6 million in 2004. Given these profits, and the size of its surplus, the Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association feels that the insurer should reduce premiums as much as 10 percent. The insurance commissioner is considering the request for a review, but no action has been taken yet.
Posted on October 21, 2006 by Regan Zambri & Long
The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) has labeled October as National Fire Safety Month. Across the country, fire departments will be focusing on educating the public on the importance of fire safety. Each year many lives are lost to fire. Many of these losses could have been avoided had proper precautions been taken. Fire Safety Month provides an excellent opportunity to focus on fire prevention and bring fire related issues to the forefront. There are numerous things that you can do to ensure that your family is prepared for a fire emergency. An excellent resource for fire safety tips is the USFA's handbook entitled: "Working Together for Fire Home Safety." The most important fire safety related tips that you can do for your family are to:
- Properly install, maintain, and test smoke detectors on each floor, outside each sleeping area, and in each bedroom.
- Develop and then practice your family's home fire escape plan. Everyone should know exactly what to do if you need to escape from your home.
Posted on October 15, 2006 by Regan Zambri & Long
In the District of Columbia, anyone using a cell phone while driving must use a hands-free device to do so. School bus drivers and learner’s permit holders are prohibited from using a cell phone under any circumstances. Law enforcement and emergency personnel may use cell phones while driving provided they are within the scope of their official duties. Anyone may use a cell phone to make an emergency call, such as to 911.
In Maryland, all drivers under 18 years of age are prohibited from operating cell phones while driving. The State Highway Agency recommends judicious cell phone use while driving. While there are no actual laws regulating cell phone use while driving, laws require a driver to be aware, alert, and safe while driving.
In Virginia, there are no prohibitions on cell phone use while driving. Localities may not pass laws limiting cell phone use while driving.
If you or a family member has suffered injuries from an automobile crash, please contact us on-line at Regan Zambri & Long or call us at 202-463-3030 for a free consultation. If you would like to receive our complimentary electronic newsletter, please click here.
Posted on October 14, 2006 by Regan Zambri & Long
Halloween can be a fun time for kids and adults, but it can also be one of the most dangerous nights of the year. Here are a few tips to follow to help ensure a safe and happy Halloween:
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Posted on October 14, 2006 by Regan Zambri & Long
According to a recent article in the Los Angeles Times, many products banned by other countries are imported into the United States for use. The article specifically focuses on birch and poplar plywood, which are readily available at stores such as Home Depot. This plywood is used by manufacturers to make everything from cabinets to furniture. According to the article, the plywood contains 100 times more formaldehyde than the legal limit in Japan and 30 times more than the acceptable limits in Europe. Formaldehyde is a cancer causing chemical used in the glue which binds the plywood together.
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Posted on October 14, 2006 by Regan Zambri & Long
According to a recent study by the National Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, the most common distraction for drivers is reaching for a moving object, such as a spilled drink. Reaching for a moving object increases the risk of crashes and near-crashes by ten times.
The following are the most common activities that lead to crashes and near-crashes, in order of frequency:
- "Using a wireless device, such as a cell phone
- Chatting and interacting with passengers
- Reaching for CDs, or other internal distractions
- Programming radio stations and tinkering with your dashboard
- Using an electric razor or checking lipstick,or other actions related to hygiene
- Unwrapping a burger or other things when eating at the wheel
- External distractions such as pointing out a funny billboard
- Talking or singing to yourself
- Smoking
- Daydreaming"
Posted on October 13, 2006 by Regan Zambri & Long
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently proposed that all vehicles include an electronic stability control (ESC) feature. ESC is the generic term for systems designed to improve a vehicle’s handling, particularly at limits where the driver is more likely to lose control of the vehicle. It uses brakes and engine power to keep a vehicle from veering out of control.
According to studies by the
National Institute for Highway Safety, fatalities would be reduced by 50% in single vehicle crashes and all crashes by more than one-third. The leading public health issue for teenagers is car crashes, since teens account for a disproportionate number of automobile crashes. Teenage drivers are involved in more single car crashes for a number of reasons, most often because they drive fast, they are more easily distracted, and they don’t use safety belts as frequently as older drivers.
NHTSA expects that, if adopted, the electronic stability control feature would become as revolutionary in vehicle crash safety as seat belts. Although seat belts protect when an accident happens, ESC prevents many accidents from happening.
If you or a family member believes that you have a case involving an automobile crash, please contact us on-line at Regan Zambri & Long or call us at 202-463-3030 for a free consultation. If you would like to receive our complimentary electronic newsletter, please click here.
Posted on October 12, 2006 by Regan Zambri & Long
The Nunes Company, Inc. based in Salinas California has initiated a recall of its lettuce for possible E. Coli contamination. The recall applies to green leaf lettuce distributed under the Foxy brand. The FDA determined the source of the E. Coli contamination was the water used to irrigate the lettuce plants in the field.
While there have been no cases reported of illness from the lettuce, the FDA urges suppliers and consumers alike to err on the side of caution. To limit the possibility of E. Coli contamination, in August 2006, the FDA in conjunction with California’s Department of Health Services and Department of Food and Agriculture launched the Lettuce Safety Initiative to minimize risks and create awareness. This initiative has since been expanded to include spinach and other leafy greens.
Resources:
FDA NewsLettuce Safety Initiative
Posted on October 11, 2006 by Regan Zambri & Long
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has filed a discrimination law suit against the popular restaurant chain Denny’s. The law suit alleges discrimination against disabled employees who were not provided reasonable accommodation as required by the American Disabilities Act (ADA) and fired after denial of medical leave related to their disability.
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Posted on October 9, 2006 by Regan Zambri & Long
A major automobile manufacturer recently introduced a new driver awareness program designed to reduce teen fatalities in traffic accidents. Almost 6,000 teens were killed each year in automobile accidents in 2003 and 2004. The first year a teenager drivers is the riskiest for being involved in accidents. The national manager for the program, Tracy Underwood, said that the program was initiated to promote family awareness of automobile safety. "We were looking at the driving statistics for teen fatalities in the U.S. And they were sobering." Begun in California and Texas in 2004, the Driving Expectations Program is expected to open at King's Island Amusement Park in October, 2006. Parents and their teens participate in the four-hour program that includes driving on a "distracted course," as well as classroom and driving sessions focusing on defensive driving and accident-avoidance techniques.
Posted on October 9, 2006 by Regan Zambri & Long
According to the National Crime Prevention Council, violent acts ranging from bullying and harassment, to more life-threatening incidents such as fights and school shootings, occur in schools across the nation on a daily basis. While most schools have implemented safety programs to keep students safe, the National Crime Prevention Council offers tips on how parents can take specific steps to improve the safety of their child’s school environment.
The National Crime Prevention Council, which developed the "Be Safe and Sound Initiative" in collaboration with the National PTA, provides the following tips for parents, community members and educators, on how to make schools a safer and more pleasant environment for learning.
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Posted on October 7, 2006 by Regan Zambri & Long
Court officials for the Federal and District of Columbia courts are warning citizens of an identity theft scam. Bogus calls are made by individuals claiming to be court officials, requesting confidential information, and threatening citizens with prosecution. The individual claims that a warrant is out for the citizen's arrest for failure to report for grand jury duty, then proceeds to ask for confidential information.
According to Dick Carelli, a spokesman for the federal court system, "Nobody from the District Court should be calling for jury duty. That's all done through the mail." He advises that anyone who receives such a call should hang up, then call the FBI or the courts.
Contact DC Courts for verfication of jury duty either through the DC Courts website or by calling 202-879-4604 or 202-879-1604.
District of Columbia main office: 202-354-3000.
Virginia Eastern District Court: 703-299-2100.
Maryland District Court Greenbelt Divisional Office: 301-344-0660.
Posted on October 6, 2006 by Regan Zambri & Long
Business Week recently detailed a listing of The Most Recalled Cars 2006.
For further information about automobile recalls, The National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration
provides a searchable database, forms for reporting defective products, and crash test results for SUVs, along with links to other auto safety websites.
Posted on October 5, 2006 by Regan Zambri & Long
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety released a study showing that drivers using phones are four times as likely to get into accidents with a high probability of injury.
The study was conducted in Western Australia, because US phone companies were not willing to release records. The study compared phone use within 10 minutes of an actual crash occurring. Between April 2002 and July 2004, the experience of approximately 500 drivers, all of whom received treatment in hospital emergency rooms for injuries sustained, served to verify 1997 research showing such phone usage was consistent with a fourfold increase in crashes involving property damage.
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