Washington Personal Injury Lawyer & Attorney : Regan Zambri & Long Law Firm : DC Metro Area Personal Injury Law Blog

Unlike conventional ovens, microwaves cook food from the inside out, right? 

Wrong, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (U.S.D.A), which warns that the "reverse cooking" myth often puts people at risk of food contamination when items like raw meat go under-cooked in the center.  The agency urges microwave oven users to utilize a cooking thermometer and check the temperature of all foods before serving them to ensure their safety.  Experts also advise heating potentially dangerous foods to the following temperatures:

• "Cook ground meats to 160 °F; ground poultry to 165 °F.
• Beef, veal, and lamb steaks, roasts, and chops may be cooked to 145 °F; all cuts of fresh pork, 160 °F.
• Poultry should reach a safe minimum internal temperature of 165 °F.
• Eggs and casseroles containing eggs, 160 °F.
• Fish should reach 145 °F.
• Always allow standing time, which completes the cooking, before checking the internal temperature with a food thermometer."

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Unsafe levels of chlorine byproducts have been detected in tap water samples taken throughout the District of Columbia, according to the Washington Post.  The District uses chloramine (a less potent chlorine substitute) to treat Potomac River water, generally making it safe to drink.  Since chloramine does not kill all the microbes that can colonize deep in the city's water pipes, the city conducts a one-month "chlorine burn" annually, switching from chloramine to chlorine to address the shortcoming.  Water samples were taken by the Environmental Working Group at the end of the month-long burn this spring, and 40% of the tests showed unsafe levels of chlorine pollutants.  The highest levels came from tests conducted at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, at an elementary school in Northwest Washington and at the home of a pregnant woman.  Some public health studies have associated similarly high levels of chlorine toxins with low birth weight and serious birth defects.  D.C. officials say the high toxin levels are probably only temporary, and that D.C. water meets federal safety standards, because chlorine concentration results are averaged over an entire year for reporting purposes, and the current high levels are only a temporary spike that will eventually subside.  Brita-type home water filters should remove these contaminates.

For information about your legal rights, please click here or call the law firm of Regan Zambri & Long, PLLC at 202-463-3030.

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Virginia's Civil Remedial Fees, which took effect on July 1, 2007, have prompted a public backlash not anticipated by state legislators -- all 140 of whom are up for re-election this fall.  The New York Times reports that angry drivers have been making their opinions known through a flood of phone calls and emails to lawmakers, and threatening to cast votes against those responsible for the new system of remedial fees -- fees that can range as high as $3,000 per offense, and apply only to Virginia residents.  Many legislators have asked Governor Tim Kaine to convene a special session of the legislature, so members can return to Richmond and vote to dismantle the law before the coming election.  So far, the governor has declined, arguing that the discussion can wait until January, and that the state needs the projected revenue the fees will generate.  Civil Remedial Fees were designed to generate $65 million in revenue each year.  Though it has been estimated that a one cent-per-gallon fuel tax could raise as much as $50 million per year, implementing the tax would require the alteration of a transportation financing bill, something many politicians believe would create a significant administrative burden.

Previously on the D.C. Metro Area Personal Injury Law Blog, we posted an article announcing the upcoming enforcement of Civil Remedial Fees in Virginia.

For information about your legal rights, please click here or call the law firm of Regan Zambri & Long, PLLC at 202-463-3030.

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Potomac River health and safety guidelines are inconsistent across local jurisdictions, according to a recent article in the Washington Post.  The District of Columbia bans swimming in the Potomac, Montgomery County says it's generally safe, and Prince George's County advises people to stay out, stopping short of a ban.   Environmental groups suggest that all of that advice could be prudent, depending on weather conditions.

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Older adults are the fastest-growing segment of the U.S. population -- a trend that will soon result in record numbers of senior drivers on the nation's highways.  Compared to previous generations, it's also a group that tends to spend more time behind the wheel.  As we have mentioned before on this blog, any unsafe or inattentive drivers can pose hazards, both to themselves and to others.

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The U.S. Supreme Court recently agreed to hear a product liability case with significant implications for the medical device industry and for any patient treated with medical devices.  The Public Citizen Litigation Group is representing Charles Riegel, in the case Riegel v. Medtronic; a case stemming from an incident in which Mr. Riegel was seriously injured by a defective cardiac catheter.  Medtronic asserts that the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act preempts state laws damages actions brought by injured patients in cases where the injury resulted from a device permanently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

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The profitability of selling medical malpractice insurance has skyrocketed in recent years, and consequently, most malpractice insurance companies have routinely "over-reserved" (set aside more profit) than is necessary.  These are among the findings of former Missouri Insurance Commissioner Jay Angoff, who recently analyzed the 2006 financial statements of the 15 largest medical malpractice insurance companies in the U.S., and issued a report entitled, "No Basis for High Insurance Rates:  An Analysis of the 15 Largest Medical Malpractice Insurers' 2006 Financial Statements."

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New Medicare beneficiaries who have previously been uninsured -- particularly those with diabetes or cardiovascular disease -- cost the Medicare program significantly more than those who were insured earlier, according to a new study in the New England Journal of Medicine. 

According to researchers, the costs associated with treating chronic disease complications are much greater than the costs of routine disease management or prevention.  Because most previously uninsured enrollees tend to comply with physician visits and medical procedures once they are eligible, researchers believe they probably would have addressed their health problems earlier had they been insured.

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Bicycle accidents bring nearly half a million people into U.S. emergency rooms each year, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC).  Approximately 700 of those patients die as a result of their injuries.  Bicycles can be dangerous for kids and adults, alike.  Before you take to the road or trail next time, be sure to take your health and safety into consideration.

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The Bayer Ascensia Contour Blood Glucose Monitoring System, Product 7152A has been recalled by Bayer Healthcare and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).  The reason for the recall is that the numeric display reports the wrong units of measure for Canadian users.  According to the recall notice, though the monitors should display results in mmol / L format, they are instead calibrated to display in mg / dL format -- a mistake that could easily lead to mis-management of blood sugar levels, potentially causing hypoglycemia. 

Patients with questions regarding the recall are instructed to call Bayer Healthcare at 1-574-256-3441.

For information about your legal rights, please click here or call the law firm of Regan Zambri & Long, PLLC at 202-463-3030.

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Guidant Heart Defibrillator manufacturer, Boston Scientific, settled about 4,000 patient lawsuits this week for $195 million, according to the New York Times.  Those patients claimed that the corporation neglected to inform them of potential flaws in the heart device -- at least seven people died following malfunctions caused by faulty insulation.

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According to a recent FDA Notice, Gerber Products Company (a division of Novartis Consumer Health) is voluntarily recalling 8-oz containers of Organic Rice and Organic Oatmeal baby cereals due to the presence of non-dissolving cereal lumps that pose a choking hazard in infants.  The food has been distributed across the United States, Puerto Rico and the Caribbean.  Consumers who have the cereal in their possession are instructed to call the Gerber Parents Resource Center at 1-800-443-7237, or 1-231-928-3000 to receive a refund. 

For information about your legal rights, please click here or call the law firm of Regan Zambri & Long, PLLC at 202-463-3030.

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Several canned products from Castleberry's Food Company may be contaminated with Botulism, and are being voluntarily recalled, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).  Following is a list of affected products:

• "Castleberry's Hot Dog Chili Sauce, 10 oz can (UPC 3030000101)
• Austex Hot Dog Chili Sauce, 10 oz can (UPC 3030099533)
• Kroger Hot Dog Chili Sauce, 10 oz can (UPC 1111083942)
• Morton House Corned Beef Hash, 15 oz can (UPC 7526665830)
• Cattle Drive Chili with Beans, 15 oz can (UPC 3030001515)
• Southern Home Corned Beef Hash, 15 oz can (UPC 0788015360)
• Meijer Corned Beef Hash, 15 oz can (UPC 4125095229)
• Castleberry's Chili with Beans, 15 oz can (UPC 3030001015)
• Castleberry's Barbecue Pork, 10 oz can (UPC 3030000402)
• Bunker Hill Chili No Beans, 10 oz can (UPC 7526604112)"
  

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Dog bite injuries send approximately 800,000 Americans to the doctor each year and half of those are children, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC).  Among those injured, approximately 386,000 go to emergency rooms, and nearly a dozen die. 

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The Hasbro corporation is recalling approximately 1 million children's Easy Bake ovens.  The move follows 249 incidents of kid's hands becoming stuck in the opening, and 77 incidents of burn injury, 16 of which involved second or third degree burns.  One 5-year-old girl sustained burns that necessitated finger amputation.  An earlier recall of the same toys involved the installation of a repair kit, whereas this recall requires a complete replacement of the toy.

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In an Op-Ed in the Montgomery Advertiser newspaper, Alabama Association for Justice President Bob Prince recently explained how the outcome of a $54 million suit against a metro dry cleaning business illustrates the strengths of the nation's legal system -- much to the chagrin of anti-consumer CEOs who peddle "tort reform."  The piece is reprinted below in its entirety.

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The New England Journal of Medicine has reported an incidence of a 37-year old man who was struck by lightning while jogging in a thunderstorm and listening to an iPod.  The authors warn that although lightning can strike a person directly, a phenomenon known as side flash -- which affected this man -- is much more common.  In instances of side flash, lightning strikes a nearby object, then jumps to a person.  The high resistance of the skin generally means that lightning is conducted over the outside of the body in these instances.  Because the man was sweaty, however, and the metal wires of his iPod were running into his ears, the flashover was disrupted, and the current was directed into and through the his head.  His tympanic membranes were perforated, among other injuries.

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A recall of the Thomas & Friends wooden train set by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has once more thrust the safety of imported goods -- particularly those from China -- into the spotlight.  This latest recall of the Thomas & Friends set stems from the presence of lead in paint used to manufacture the toys.  If ingested, the paint can cause brain damage.   According to the recall notice, approximately 1.5 million units are affected by the recall.  Customers are advised to collect the toys immediately, and to contact the importer for a replacement toy. 

The CPSC notice states: "For additional information, contact RC2 Corp. toll-free at (866) 725-4407 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Thursday  and between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. CT Friday, or visit the firm's Web site at recalls.rc2.com."

If you or a family member believe that you have a case involving personal injury or a defective product, 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.

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High school football players are three times more likely than college players to sustain catastrophic brain injuries while playing, according to a study recently published in the American Journal of Sports Medicine.  Catastrophic injuries are those that may include brain bleeding and swelling -- injuries that can easily leave a player with permanent brain damage.  Among U.S. high school players, seven of these catastrophic events occur annually, according to physicians.

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According to a recent study published in Pediatrics, the official journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics, between the years of 1990 and 2004, more than 140,000 kids made trips to U.S. emergency rooms due to lawn mower accidents -- almost 9,400 visits annually.  The average age of the injured children was 10.7 years, and 78% were boys.  Most typically, injuries included lacerations, burns, eye damage, soft tissue damage and bone fractures.

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Wherever the open road may lead you on vacation this summer, you'll get there safer and less stressed if you take time to prepare before pulling onto the highway.  Edmunds.com offers the following ten Summer Travel Tips to keep in mind prior to traveling:

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An important American Association for Justice poll reveals that voters are significantly worried about corporate malfeasance -- especially regarding the pharmaceutical industry -- and aren't likely to rally behind political candidates who advocate tort reform.  Less than a quarter of those polled believed that juries award too much money to victims of personal injury.

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Unfortunately, vacation season doesn't go unnoticed among thieves.  Before you take any extended trips this season, take a moment to evaluate your home's security and reduce your potential for burglary.  The Home Safety Council recommends the following to safeguard your home while you're away:

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Recently, multiple local news sources have reported that as many as 23 Arlington County, Virginia residents have been exposed to a rabid stray kitten and have begun taking a series of preventive rabies injections.  Authorities are searching for another kitten and the mother.

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The increased presence of camping, boat and motorcycle trailers on the nation's highways throughout the summer creates unique driving hazards for motorists. 

Interstate 95 was recently the scene of a truck accident that claimed the life of a 14-year-old North Carolina boy, whose family was towing a camping trailer behind their Ford pickup.  A wind disturbance from a passing tractor-trailer caused the camper-trailer to fish tail and the pickup driver to lose control.  The incident has been covered widely by local media outlets. 

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Following an expanded recall of the Kugel hernia patch, The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has inspected the headquarters of its manufacturer, Davol, Inc., and issued the company a warning, citing serious quality control problems related to the manufacture of its surgical patch and an associated fixation device.  The inspection was completed in March, 2007.

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A new standard for mattress safety has been mandated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) this month, requiring that mattresses manufactured on or after July 1, 2007 be more fire-resistant.  The standard is aimed specifically at reducing the release of heat in the event that a mattress is ignited.  CPSC estimates that design changes may prevent as many as 270 deaths and 1,330 injuries each year.

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Plans to allow Mexican truck traffic on U.S. roads earned the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) a failing report card from safety groups this week.  Public Citizen has reported that members of Congress, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, a trucking trade association and many other organizations presented some unfavorable opinion poll results to the agency in a recent press conference.

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Virginia law will ban cell phones and text messaging for drivers under 18, effective July 1, 2007.  According to a Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) press release, "The new law prohibits the use of cell phones, even if they are considered to be hands-free. It also prohibits text-messaging while driving...  All Virginia drivers under the age of 18 are issued provisional driver's licenses. A provisional license carries other limitations as well, such as restrictions on the number of passengers and driver curfews. The ban on cell-phone usage while driving is considered a secondary violation, similar in Virginia to safety belt laws."  

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