Car Accident Round-Up — Two SC Students Killed in Head-On Wreck

Two Charleston Students Killed In Car Accident

Two Charleston students are dead after a car accident Dec. 29 night in Aiken county, SC. Officials say 22-year-old Katie Scott and 24-year-old Alexander Bush died from injuries in the crash, according to news reports. Aiken County Coroner Tim Carlton says a Pathfinder driven by another South Carolina motorist hit the couple head-on as he tried to pass a car on Highway 302.

Two Massachusetts Drivers Killed in Head-On Accident

Two women were killed in a two-car accident Thursday night in Westport, MA, according to a news site. The Massachusetts State Police determined the driver of a Hyundai SUV drove the wrong way on Route 88 and struck a Toyota pickup head-on.  Drivers of both vehicles were killed, and a 3-year-old girl in a car seat in one vehicle was taken to a hospital with serious injuries to both her legs, the article stated.

Weather Causes Massive Pileup in Dakotas

Severe winds and heavy snowfall in the Dakotas and Minnesota caused a 100-car pileup on Interstate 94 and shut down the road just before New Year’s celebrations, USA Today reported. North Dakota Gov. Jack Dalrymple declared a statewide storm emergency on Dec. 30 and state Department of Transportation officials closed the interstate  in both directions after the accident.

GA Chain Reaction Car Wrecks Close Interstate 20

A Dec. 30 chain reaction of rear-end car accidents involved five vehicles on Interstate 20 and brought traffic to a standstill, according to news reports. The multi-vehicle wreck occurred in the eastbound lanes of Interstate 20 near Ga. Highway 138.  Two people were transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, and traffic was stopped for about 30 minutes.

Injuries or death as a result of motor vehicle accidents can be devastating. Under Pennsylvania’s laws, if you have been injured in a vehicle accident that was caused by another person’s carelessness or recklessness, you may be entitled to recover damages that include medical costs, property loss, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Please call the experienced vehicle accident lawyers at Munley, Munley & Cartwright at 1-800-318-5291 or use our online contact form for a free assessment of your case. We have offices conveniently located in Stroudsburg, Carbondale, Hamlin, Hazleton, Scranton, and Wilkes-Barre, PA.

Testing Reveals Hexavalent Chromium Present In Water Supply Of 31 Out Of 35 U.S. Cities

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has released a report which indicates that the tap water in 31 out of 35 cities contains hexavalent chromium, a known carcinogen or cancer-causing agent. This means that millions of residents in the U.S. are being exposed to the toxic chemical that was made famous in the 2000 movie “Erin Brockovich.”

Of the 35 cities whose tap water was tested, the highest concentrations were found in Honolulu (HI), Norman (OK), and Riverside (CA). Other heavily populated cities such as Chicago (IL), Los Angeles (CA), Miami (FL), and Phoenix (AZ) were also included in the list, according to news reports.

For many decades, hexavalent chromium was a widely used industrial chemical and has evidently leached its way into the water supply of 31 out of 35 cities that were tested throughout the US. Bethesda (MD) and Washington, D.C. were also on the list of cities where the chemical is showing up.

According to the OSHA website, chromium hexavalent (CrVI) compounds, often called hexavalent chromium, exist in several forms. Industrial uses of hexavalent chromium compounds include chromate pigments in dyes, paints, inks, and plastics; chromates added as anticorrosive agents to paints, primers, and other surface coatings; and chromic acid electroplated onto metal parts to provide a decorative or protective coating. Hexavalent chromium can also be formed when performing “hot work” such as welding on stainless steel or melting chromium metal.

Hexavalent chromium has been shown to cause lung cancer when inhaled in the workplace. Scientists have recently turned up evidence of cancer in laboratory animals when hexavalent chromium is ingested. The chemical has also been linked to liver and kidney damage in animals as well as various cancers.

To learn more about Pennsylvania product liability claims, contact the nationally recognized law firm of Munley, Munley & Cartwright, P.C for a free consultation by calling 1-800-318-LAW-1 or by using our online form.

Haunted House Sued Over Teen’s Death

Stltoday.com reports a haunted house called The Darkness in Soulard, Illinois, is the target of a wrongful death lawsuit filed by a 15-year-old girl’s father of Anchorage, Alaska.  Her mother filed a personal injury suit in St. Louis in April.

Both lawsuits against Halloween Productions, Inc. allege the artificial fog and sickly scents pumped into the St. Louis haunted house in October 2009 caused the death of the asthmatic teenager.  The girl, who had suffered from asthma since she was 4 years old, had breathing problems on the way home from the haunted house.  By the time she reached the hospital, her brain had been deprived of oxygen for seven minutes.  She died on November 12, 2010, after spending a year in a vegetative state.

The haunted house had posted several warning signs that people with respiratory problems should not go inside according to documents filed in the personal injury case.

The Scranton, Pennsylvania attorneys of Munley, Munley & Cartwright have years of experience representing the survivors of wrongful death victims.   For a free consultation of your legal claim throughout the state of Pennsylvania, please submit an online form or call us at: 1-800-318-LAW1.

Wrongful Death

Choking Hazard Causes American Eagle To Recall Toddler Girl’s Pants And Shorts

According to Norwalkplus.com, clothing manufacturer American Eagle Outfitters has voluntarily recalled 1,200 pants and shorts for toddler girls due to the possibility of a choking hazard.

According to the Department of Consumer Protection, the Pittsburgh, PA-based clothing company and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced the voluntary recall of several different girls’ clothing items.

Included in the recall were a variety of styles of jeans, pants, and shorts that have a metal clasp mounted at the waistline of the items. It is possible that the clasp can become detached from the waistline of the item and pose a choking hazard for toddler girls. Consumers have been urged to stop dressing their children in these items immediately and return them to the retailer.

American Eagle sold the items through www.77kids.com and their retail stores during the months of July and August 2010. The items were sold for between $24 and $34. Sizes involved in the recall were for 12 to 18 months up to 5 years. According to Norwalkplus.com, an online magazine, the following styles and garments are involved:

• #3007 – Skinny Cords;
• #3012 – Boyfriend Vintage Wash;
• #3013 – Cut-Off Bermuda shorts;
• #3029 – Flare Vintage Blue Wash;
• #3030 – Flare LT Wash;
• #3034 – Flare Rip and Repair;
• #3035 – Roll Cuff Bermuda shorts.

The company is providing all consumers who have purchased these items with a postage-paid envelope and return instructions so that they receive a full refund on the items.

At Munley, Munley & Cartwright, our goal is to provide exceptional legal services to our clients. To learn more about how we can put our experience to work for you in your Pennsylvania product liability claim, contact us today for a free consultation by calling 1-800-318-LAW-1 or by using our online form.

Toyota Set To Recall Sienna Mini-Vans Due To Possible Brake Failure

As if Toyota has not had its share of recall woes in recent months, the company is poised to announce another vehicle recall in January.

According to Reuters, Sienna mini-van owners are to be notified that there is a defect in the brake system that could reduce the vehicle’s ability to stop safely. Some 110,000 Sienna mini-vans will be involved in the recall, 92,000 of which are here in the U.S. The issue apparently involves the use of the parking brake which could damage the overall braking system.

According to Toyota officials, there have not been any accidents or injuries to date associated with this brake issue. However, a brake system failure is a critical issue and can result in fatalities for drivers of the vehicle and passengers.

The braking problem was supposedly corrected when Toyota installed differently designed parts on all Siennas that were manufactured after this past November 5.

At Munley, Munley & Cartwright, our goal is to provide exceptional legal services to our clients. We strive to achieve the highest standard of excellence for the protection of individual rights through team work and the use of our considerable resources and experience. For a free consultation regarding your defective auto parts injury claim, contact us today online for a free consultation or call us toll free at 1-800-318-LAW1.

OSHA Cites Paper Company For Numerous Safety Violations After Worker’s Death

Newman and Co., a Philadelphia-based paper manufacturing company, was recently cited by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for numerous safety and health violations in the workplace which resulted in the death of one of the company’s employees.

The individual was crushed to death in June 2010 during paper hopper loading operations. What resulted was a number of citations for “39 serious and 4 other-than-serious violations” according to the website workerscompensation.com.

Newman and Co. is now facing over $86,000 in fines, according to the article, as a result of violations which included:

• Blocked fire exits;
• Electrical hazards;
• Failure to remove hazardous objects from the aisles;
• Inadequate machine guards;
• Inadequate protection (lockout/tagout) against hazardous energy sources;
• Ineffective pest control.

The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 was passed into law to ensure employers were responsible for the safety and health of their employees in the workplace. OSHA enforces these standards in order to ensure the safety and health of U.S. employees in all types of industries. Additionally, OSHA also provides assistance, educational materials, and training to ensure that these policies are strictly followed in the workplace.

All persons injured at work should immediately seek a consult with an experienced attorney. For over 40 years, Munley, Munley & Cartwright has represented thousands of workers injured in the workplace. We would be happy to offer a free consultation with absolutely no obligation. Please contact us today for a free consultation or call us toll free at 1-800-318-LAW1.

NBA Basketball Team Sues Equipment Company for Injury

The Sacramento Kings are suing two U.S. based distributors and the Italian manufacturer of the Gymnic Plus Ball for at least $4 million reports news10.net.

The Kings allege the exercise ball caused guard Francisco Garcia to miss most of the last season and are seeking reimbursement of the wages they paid Garcia under the terms of his contract. 

While the official reason for Garcia being sidelined was a broken wrist, the team claims Garcia ‘suffered severe personal injuries’ when the exercise ball burst. According to the team, the ball was being used as intended.

If you have suffered a personal injury or lost a loved one due to a defective product, the experienced attorneys at Munley, Munley, & Cartwright law firm can help.  If you have been injured due to a product accident, call our office today at 1-800-318-LAW1 for a free assessment of your case or use our Free Online Accident Case Evaluation.

 Personal Injury

Car Accident Round-up — A Car Crashes At President Bush’s Texas Home

Car Crashes Onto Lawn At President Bush’s Home In Texas

A man who was visiting one of President Bush’s neighbors crashed into the front lawn of the president’s residence, reported abcNEWS/U.S. A Secret Service spokesman said the driver was questioned and released. The Bushes were home but never in danger.

Teenager Dies In Car Accident In California

A 19-year-old was the victim of a car accident this week in Sacramento County after she pulled her car into the path of a pickup truck, reported The Sacramento Bee. Tavernor Road has stop signs in both directions at Clay Station Road where the accident happened. At this time it was unclear if she stopped and then entered the intersection or if she slowed and rolled into the intersection.

Florida Restaurant Closes Temporarily Following Car Accident

Examiner.com reports the “Two Blondes and a Shrimp” restaurant in downtown Sanford was closed after a small blue sedan jumped onto the sidewalk and came to a stop when it ran into the restaurant after hitting several other buildings. The driver hit the gas instead of the brakes at a nearby intersection and went speeding down the sidewalk at about 50 mph. No one was severely injured.

Texas Man Killed When He Ran Into a Farm Plow

A 25-year-old Munday man was killed when his southbound car ran into a farm plow just south of Rhineland in Knox County. The plow was being towed behind a John Deere tractor which was headed north on Farm Road 267. He was pronounced dead at the scene, reports KTXS.com.

New York Woman Hospitalized After Hitting Utility Pole

The Saratogian reports a woman was hospitalized after her Jeep Laredo ran off the road and struck a utility pole before slamming into a tree. The accident happened on Ballard Road just past the Dimmick Road intersection in Wilton. She was taken by helicopter to Albany Medical Center.

Injuries or death as a result of motor vehicle accidents can be devastating. Under Pennsylvania’s laws, if you have been injured in a vehicle accident that was caused by another person’s carelessness or recklessness, you may be entitled to recover damages that include medical costs, property loss, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Please call the experienced vehicle accident lawyers at Munley, Munley & Cartwright at 1-800-318-5291 or use our online contact form for a free assessment of your case. We have offices conveniently located in Stroudsburg, Carbondale, Hamlin, Hazleton, Scranton, and Wilkes-Barre, PA.

$1.7 Million Judgment Against Johnson & Johnson Following Injury Due To Drug

A Minneapolis jury has awarded an 82-year-old man $1.1 million in punitive damages and $630,000 in compensatory damages against Johnson & Johnson for failing to warn patients its antibiotic, Levaquin, may cause tendon damage, reports the Star Tribune.

The case in U.S. District Court is the first of thousands of lawsuits filed nationwide by patients who claim tendon injuries after taking Levaquin.  This man was an active golfer and a mall-walker before rupturing or partially rupturing both Achilles tendons after taking Levaquin and a steroid for bronchitis five years ago – unaware of the risks with the drug combination.

The lawsuit was filed in 2008 against Johnson & Johnson and its Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals unit for failing to warn doctors and patients of Levaquin’s potential for tendon damage.

Johnson & Johnson claims the warning has been on the drug’s label since it became available in the U.S. in 1997.

Finding the right personal injury or product liability lawyer can be difficult.  If you or a loved one has been injured by a harmful prescription drug, the experienced attorneys at Munley, Munley & Cartwright can help.  For a free consultation regarding your legal concerns, contact us today for a free consultation or call us toll free at 1-800-318-LAW1 or online.

Dangerous Drugs and Their Side Effects

Top Trial Lawyers Share Their Winning Strategies

Attorneys Marion Munley and Matt Cartwright attended the American Association for Justice’s annual Weekend with the Stars in New York City December  9-11, where they joined with the nation’s preeminent trial lawyers, sharing winning strategies and techniques.

This year’s Weekend with the Stars “kicked-off” with a seminar devoted entirely to the DePuy Hip Implant Recall. This past August, DePuy Orthopedics, Inc. (A subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson) recalled the ASR Hip Resurfacing and the ASR XL Acetabular Systems, which came on the market in July 2003.

About 93,000 of the medical devices have been recalled due to increased rates of failure and elevated levels of cobalt and chromium, which leads to metallosis. It is estimated that one in 8 patients who received one of these DuPuy hip implants may need revision or a second hip replacement surgery.

Contact Our PA Car Accident Lawyers Today!

If you have been injured or a loved one killed in a car accident that was caused by another person’s carelessness or recklessness, you may be able to recover damages that include medical costs, property loss, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Please call Munley, Munley & Cartwright’s lawyers at 1-800-318-LAW1 for a free assessment of your case or use our Free Online Accident Case Evaluation.