Archives : 2010 : August

Increase in Concussions among Student-Athletes

There has been an increase in the number of children taken to hospital emergency rooms with sports-related concussions.  A new study, which has just been published in the journal Pediatrics, shows that the number of children with such injuries actually doubled during a 10-year period, while the actual number of children participating in sports declined during the same period.

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CHP Continues Investigations into Runaway Truck Accident in Santa Barbara

The California Highway Patrol is continuing its investigation into a fatal accident caused by a runaway truck in Santa Barbara.  The crash killed a couple and their seven-year-old son.

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Accident-Related Costs Estimated at $99 billion a Year

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has come up with an estimate of the annual costs of traffic accidents.  The agency has come up with a staggering figure of $99 billion a year.  According to the agency, that is the total cost from the medical expenses resulting from these accidents, as well as the loss of productivity from these crashes.  That $99 billion figure translates into approximately $500 a year for every licensed motorist in the United States.

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Salmonella Outbreak in Egg Farm Results in Safety Violations

An egg farm in Iowa that is at the center of a nationwide salmonella food poisoning epidemic has a long history of health safety, environmental and employment violations.

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Johnson & Johnson Safety Overhaul After Recalls

After a number of product recalls including those related to some very popular children’s medications, a Johnson & Johnson safety overhaul of its quality control processes is taking place, bringing its drugs, medical device and consumer divisions under a single framework.  These efforts come as the company faces increased scrutiny over the conduct of one of its subsidiaries, McNeil Consumer Healthcare.

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Investigations Reveal Only One Ranger Present During California 200 Race Incident

On the night of the deadly California 200 race, there was just one Ranger within the area who the survivors had to rely on for emergency help.  The fact that there was just one Ranger in an area spread across more than 180,000 acres of land belonging to Bureau of Land Management, should alert California auto accident lawyers, and off-road racing enthusiasts to the dangers of allowing races to take place in conditions like these.

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Metrolink Agrees to $200 Million Maximum Liability for 2008 Train Accident

Metrolink and Connex Railroad have accepted a maximum $200 million liability for the Chatsworth train accident in 2008 that killed 25 people.  Under federal law, $200 million is the maximum liability for a train accident.  Metrolink and Connex Railroad filed court papers this week accepting that liability, and the court now must approve the settlement and distribute the money to the victims.

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Los Angeles Mayor Unveils New Bicycle Safety Campaign

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa is a man on a bicycle safety mission.  Last month, the mayor narrowly escaped serious injuries in a bicycle accident caused when a taxi cut off abruptly in front of him.  That experience has enlightened the mayor about the threat to Los Angeles bicyclists.  Since the crash, he has come out strongly in support of bicycle safety, and this week he unveiled a new bicycle safety campaign.

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One in Five US Motorists Admits to Drunk Driving

It’s not the kind of news that American motorists want to hear just a few days before an alcohol-heavy holiday weekend.  Unfortunately, a survey by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration confirms that the drunk driving threat is still as strong as ever.  The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced the survey results as part of its annual Labor Day crackdown.  The campaign includes a television and radio advertising campaign that has cost the agency approximately $13 million.

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General Motors Seatbelt Recall on 250,000 Vehicles

General Motors Co. is recalling approximately 250,000 crossover vehicles in a seatbelt recall because of seatbelts that may not latch.  According to the company, the recall includes 2009-2010 models of the Chevrolet Traverse, Buick Enclave, GMC Arcadia and the Saturn Outlook.  A total of 243, 403 vehicles are included in the recall, and most of these were sold inside the United States.  However, a few vehicles were sold in Canada, Mexico and other countries.

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