2008 December | www.reinerinjurylaw.com

Mis-starting Van Lurches Forward Fatally Pinning Man Against Wall

Posted under: Automobile Accidents, Wrongful Death — tslaughter @ 12:01 pm

CRESCENT CITY, Calif. – The Crescent City Police investigated a tragic accident on December 27, 2008 when a man was pinned between his own van and the wall of the Walgreens store. According to the Triplicate, the man had been having difficulty starting his van when he went to the front of the vehicle to work on it. His son was positioned behind the wheel and his wife was in the passenger seat when the vehicle suddenly lurched forward and slammed him against the wall. Whether the vehicle’s behavior was attributed to a mechanical defect in the vehicle should be investigated. The local authorities have not offered an explanation of the cause as of this date.

Our condolences go out to this tragically striken family.

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Pool and Spa Safety Law re Drain Entrapments Now In Force

Posted under: Pool Safety — tslaughter @ 10:12 am

On December 19, 2007, the Federal government enacted the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act which requires public pools and spas to be outfitted with anti-entrapment drain systems. Prior to this enactment, several deaths had been reported nationwide primarily involving children in spas where hair or other body parts became entangled in drain covers. In enacting this law, Congress allowed one year for public pools and spas to comply. That deadline is December 19, 2008.

The new law requires public pools and spas to have ASME/ANSI A112.19.9-2007 compliant drain covers installed. If the pool or spa has only one drain, a second anti-entrapment drain must also be installed.

Tens of thousands of public pools and spas must be in compliance. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is the enforcing agency. Given the lack of resources available for enforcement, it is likely that public pools and spas that are attractive to children will be targeted first. Failure to comply will result in closure of the facility. See CPSC bulletin.

This new safety law is of critical importance, particularly in the Northern California where public pools and spas abound. If you believe that a public facility is not in compliance with the law, please feel free to contact the Redding lawyers at Reiner, Simpson & Slaughter. We would be happy to advise the facility of the requirements of the law to prompt their compliance.

If you own a spa, it may be a good idea to obtain an anti-entrapment drain cover. We have not yet checked if these are available through local retail outlets. If you have information on this, we would appreciate hearing from you.

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Toymaker Mattel Pays $12 Million in Lead Paint Case

Posted under: Product Safety, Recalled Toys — tslaughter @ 9:54 am

On December 15, 2008, Mattel Inc., the world’s largest toymaker agreed to pay $12 million to 39 U.S. states to settle claims that it had distributed toys manufactured in China with lead paint. Mattel also agreed to comply with newly enacted Federal laws restricting lead paint content immediately. As quoted by Bloomberg.com, Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal stated, “This settlement should help stem the tsumani of toxic toys threatening to swamp playrooms and playpens, poisoning children.”

We applaud this settlement but still maintain that the government is not going far enough. The vast majority of these lead contaminated toys are manufactured in China and other Asian countries. Mattel is being held accountable in this country for toys it simply distributed. Mattel will likely stop purchasing toys from those manufacturers, or force them to stop using the paints. However, there does not appear to be any regulatory voice in these foreign lands, so the products will continue to “swamp” our market under non-brand names. Until every participant in the stream of commerce to this land, including the foreign manufacturers and distributors, are held fully accountable for the dangerous products that they sell in our markets, we will remain mired in the swamp. The government should look to legislate this protection, in coordination with the involved foreign nations, so that consumer safety is advanced, rather than manufacturing impunity.

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Arctic Cat Snowmobile Recalled

Posted under: Product Recall — tslaughter @ 10:18 am

The U.S. Consumer Protection Agency published a voluntary recall of the 2009 Arctic Cat Mountain Cat and Crossfire Snowmobiles. These models have defective mounting hardware for the fuel pump which allows fuel leakage and potential fire hazard.

These snowmobiles were distributed through authorized Arctic Cat dealers from June 2008 through November 2008 at a cost of between $7,500 and $13,100.

If you have one of these snowmobiles you are advised to immediately stop using the vehicle and contact your local dealer for a free repair.

The Redding lawyers at Reiner, Simpson & Slaughter maintain a product safety watch for products likely to be utilized in the Northern California region. If you have been injured by a defective product, we would be happy to advised you of your rights. There is no charge for an initial consultation.

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Flurry of Pedestrian Accidents Dim Holiday Season

Posted under: Automobile Accidents — tslaughter @ 11:21 am

In less than one week four pedestrian accidents have led to two fatalities in Northern California. We posted on the Redding accident on Court Street that ended the life of a 53-year-old employee of the Sheriff’s office, and another Redding accident on Eastside Ave. later that night which also resulted in a fatality. Just yesterday, we posted on a Susanville accident involving a Sheriff’s unit striking a woman in a crosswalk on Main Street. And then last night a 5-year-old boy was hit in a crosswalk while crossing Court Street with his mother. The boy was taken to Mercy Medical Center with a broken leg, dislocated thumb and various contusions and lacerations.

As we wrote yesterday in our Injuryboard.com blog, everyone needs to be a bit more circumspect and vigilent during this time of year to prevent these types of accidents. People are out and about a bit more than normal during this season. The weather and early darkness needs to be factored in. And, motorists and others are sometimes pre-occupied with the hustle and bustle of their schedules.

Let’s have a Happy Holiday season by being safe out there!

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Hearing Loss on the Rise in U.S. Children

Posted under: Child Health — tslaughter @ 4:44 pm

Everyone knows that blasting car stereos and cranked up MP3 players may have long term effects on hearing. A recent report of the Children’s Hearing Institute adds empirical evidence to the mix and reveals that an alarming increase in noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is occuring among the American youth.

Noise-induced hearing loss is caused when the hair cells of the inner ear are damaged. These hair cells are the sensory cells that convert sound into electrical signals transmitted to the brain. Once damaged, the hair cells do not grow back, causing permanent hearing loss.

The recent report estimates that one child in eight has a NIHL. This is approximately five million children that have incurred a preventable disability that will affect them throughout life.

The Children’s Hearing Institute has launched a “Turn it to the Left” campaign, to prompt everyone to turn the volume down. This means Ipods, cell phones, car stereos, and electric musical instruments. It also means reducing exposure to high noise environments that children encounter everyday, such as cafeterias, freeways, loud movies and city street noise. Time should be carved out for “quiet activities” such as reading, puzzles and art. How about a visit to the library? Ssshhh!

Jane Akre of Injuryboard.com has published several common sense ideas of how parents can help reduce the noise exposure to their children. As she says, we should all “protect young ears.”

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Drivers.

Posted under: Uncategorized — admin @ 7:20 am

BSI drivers.

Forte Technologies drivers.

Hi Val drivers.

Roland drivers.

Typhoon drivers.

PowerColor drivers.

Direct X (Microsoft) drivers.

ESS Technologies drivers.

Intex drivers.

Wearnes drivers.

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Drivers. Sound drivers. Soundcards drivers.

Posted under: Uncategorized — admin @ 7:20 am

Willie Nelson – Are lyrics

Metallica – To lyrics

50 Cent – Clue lyrics

40 Below Summer – Taxi lyrics

Hanson – Yearbook lyrics

Kevin Max – Return lyrics

Oingo Boingo – Hey! lyrics

50 Cent – Green lyrics

Oingo Boingo – Little lyrics

Staind – Waste lyrics

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Drivers.

Posted under: Uncategorized — admin @ 7:20 am

Aopen drivers.

AUDIOTRAK drivers.

Aria (Prometheus) drivers.

Digimate drivers.

Manli drivers.

Maestro drivers.

Adlib Multimedia drivers.

Golden Sound drivers.

Data Expert (Expert Media) drivers.

LiteOn Technology drivers.

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Reebok-CCM Recalls Hockey Helmets Due to Head/Neck Injuries

Posted under: Product Recall — tslaughter @ 6:24 pm

There is a small, but avid segment of young athletes in Northern California dedicated to the sport of roller hockey. There is a solid adult contingent as well. To all those that participate in this fun and exciting sport, a recent recall of hockey helmets manufactured by Reebok-CCM should be heeded.

On December 2, 2008, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission released a Recall Notice regarding Reebok-CCM Hockey helmets purchased between May of 2008 and July of 2008 for between $80 and $200 in sporting good stores throughout the nation. The helmets have a defective chin strap which can disengage during use. The helmets can then fall off, exposing players to severe potential head or neck injuries.

The recalled helmets have a HECC sticker on the back with a date code JUN -2013. See the Release for model designations if you believe you have one of these helmets. The helmets should be returned to the retailer for a replacement helmet.

Our Redding lawyers follow published recall releases concerning products commonly found or used in Northern California. We publish information concerning these defective products in hopes of eliminating them from the marketplace, and preventing product related injuries. If you have been injured by a product, or believe that it should be subjected to safety scrutiny or testing, we would be happy to hear from you to learn about these products.

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Blog

December 29, 2008

Mis-starting Van Lurches Forward Fatally Pinning Man Against Wall

December 24, 2008

Pool and Spa Safety Law re Drain Entrapments Now In Force

December 22, 2008

Toymaker Mattel Pays $12 Million in Lead Paint Case

December 17, 2008

Arctic Cat Snowmobile Recalled

December 16, 2008

Flurry of Pedestrian Accidents Dim Holiday Season

December 12, 2008

Hearing Loss on the Rise in U.S. Children

December 11, 2008

Drivers.

December 8, 2008

Drivers. Sound drivers. Soundcards drivers.

December 5, 2008

Drivers.

December 4, 2008

Reebok-CCM Recalls Hockey Helmets Due to Head/Neck Injuries