Archive for the ‘ Safety ’ Category

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19
Aug

Labor Day “Booze It and Lose It” Campaign Begins

Ahh… you know summer is almost over when the Labor Day festivities begin. And today, the “festivity” in question is the annual Booze It & Lose It campaign by the Governor’s Highway Safety Program (GHSP).

From today, Friday, August 19 through Monday, September 5, the state will see checkpoints and stepped-up patrols in an effort to remove impaired drivers from the roads. How much of a force will be rallied? Well, in 2010, the Labor Day Booze It & Lose It campaign conducted more than 11,000 patrols and checkpoints.

“As summer comes to an end, law enforcement officers across the state will be removing impaired drivers from our roads,” North Carolina’s Transportation Secretary Gene Conti said. “Celebrating responsibly is simple; plan ahead and always designate a sober driver.”

According to the GHSP, in 2010, there were 500 alcohol-related crashes in North Carolina during the Labor Day campaign, resulting in 20 fatalities and 395 injuries. In addition, officers charged more than 3,200 North Carolina motorists with driving while impaired.

Enjoy summer, but please don’t drink and drive… you risk the loss of your license, at the very least.

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18
Aug

Menthol Cigarettes Harder to Quit Than Regular Cigarettes

August 18, 2011

Although it is known that the urban myth about menthol cigarettes containing fiberglass in order to cause small cuts in smokers’ mouth and throat so that more nicotine and menthol can be ingested is false, new studies are showing the minty smokes may be harder to quit, especially among minorities. A news release issued Monday by the Cancer Institute of New Jersey announced the findings of the organization’s study.

The study focused on the likelihood of quitting among smokers of menthol cigarettes versus non-menthol cigarettes throughout different ethnicities, and the findings were shocking.

Smoking menthols was much more common among African-Americans, with almost 72% of black smokers choosing menthols, than among Hispanics (28.1%) or whites (21%). The study was also one of the first to break the Hispanic population down into sub categories of ethnicity and found Puerto Ricans (62%) were more likely to smoke menthols than other Hispanic groups, such as Mexicans (19.9%).

Races with higher probabilities of smoking menthols also had a harder time quitting. Puerto Ricans who smoked menthols were 43% less likely to quit than those non-menthol smokers. African-Americans also had lower rates for quitting among menthol smokers, with a 19% success rate versus non-menthol smokers.

The Raleigh Personal Injury Lawyers with HensonFuerst would like to encourage all smokers to try to put the pack down. The medical benefits could save you tens of thousands of dollars and many headaches arguing with insurance for coverage of associated medical costs.

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16
Aug

North Carolina Teen Driver Logs

A new North Carolina law that goes into effect on October 1, 2011, changes the rules for teen drivers and how they can progress from having a learner’s permit to a provisional license. And according to an article in the News & Observer, a quirk in the language of the law could keep about 110,000 teens from getting their provisional licenses when expected. According to the N&O:

The law’s most sweeping change affects teens who want to trade up from a learner’s permit, which requires Mom or Dad in the front seat, to a provisional driver’s license, which carries fewer restrictions. They’ll have to produce logs – signed by parents – to show they drove with front-seat supervision for 60 hours. The logs must be spread over at least six weeks, including some night driving.

The problem is that teens who already have their learner’s permits and hoped to get their provisional licenses after October 1 will have to have driving logs…even though the logs hadn’t been required when their permits were issued. In fact, the blank forms haven’t even been distributed.

Sixty hours of front-seat time is a huge time commitment for teens, and even worse for parents. Can you imagine trying to find an extra 10 hours each week to go driving with your child?

Fortunately, the N&O has offered a solution:  Start keeping your own logs. When the official log forms are distributed, you can simply transfer the information from your own logs to the proper forms required by law.

Today’s N&O offers downloadable copies of a sample driving log you can print out and use until an official form becomes available, the Teen “Driving to Live” Contract, and a Skills Mastery Checklist. We’ve also provided the links to the forms here (click for a pdf link):

Driving Log

Driving To Live Contract

Skills Mastery Checklist

To read the full article describing the new law from the News & Observer, click here: http://www.newsobserver.com/2011/08/16/1415694/obstacle-to-teen-license-under.html#ixzz1VDjU92rZ

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10
Aug

Study to Examine Driving in Triangle Area

An article on WRAL.com reports that a federal project will be studying the driving behavior of about 3,100 people in six states, including our own. The goal is to discover the underlying causes of crashes and traffic congestion, and eventually to reduce driving fatality rates. The project, called the Second Strategic Highway Research Program’s Naturalistic Driving Study, or SHRP2, is the largest coordinated safety program every undertaken in the United States.

Researchers will install cameras in cars to  record drivers’ movements, and radar on the front of the cars to measure the cars’ proximity to other cars and objects.

“We’re actually getting in the car with the driver to see what’s happening prior to the crash,” said Martha Wilaby, Triangle site manager of the Second Strategic Highway Research Program’s Naturalistic Driving Study.

The study is recruiting drivers of all ages, but would like to find more drivers under age 25 and older than age 65. Study participants in North Carolina must live within 50 miles of Morrisville, own or lease a qualifying vehicle, and be willing to complete questionnaires and allow driving data to be collected every 3 to 6 months for the duration of the study, which could last up to about 2 years. (Click here for a link to qualifying vehicles: Eligible Vehicle List)

The study is still recruiting. To be considered for participation, contact Martha Wilaby, at 919-388-3424, or MarthaWilaby@westat.com.

To read the full study on WRAL.com, click here:  Study looks at behavior of Triangle drivers

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2
Aug

Ford Recalls 1.1 Million Pickup Trucks

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[from MSNBC.com

Some Ford pickup trucks are being recalled due to a problem with the way the fuel tanks are attached. Straps that hold the fuel tanks in place can corrode and break, which can cause the fuel lines to separate from the tank, ore for the tank to actually fall to the ground. The most common cause of the corrosion seems to be road de-icing chemicals.

According to an article on MSNBC.com, Ford reports three vehicle fires and one injury related to the fuel tank strap problem.

The recalled vehicles are:

  • Ford F-150 full-size pickups, model years 1997-2004
  • Ford F-250 pickups of less than 8,500 pounds, model years 1997-1999
  • Lincoln Blackwood trucks, model years 2002-2003

Ford will notify owners in mid-September and recommend that the fuel tank straps be replaced with versions that have a greater resistance to corrosion. In addition, dealers may install a cable support under the strap an an interim repair, or a steel reinforcement over the existing straps as a permanent repair.

For more specific information, visit the recall page from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) here:  Ford truck recall information

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28
Jul

Wakeboard Accidents Cause More Head Injuries in Children

July 28, 2011

A recent popularity surge in the sport of wakeboarding is sending many teens and young people to the emergency room with head injuries, according to a report by WRAL News. As WakeMed pediatrician Dr. Mark Piehl stated, “Recent research shows that the risk of a head injury in wakeboarding is about 5-10 times that compared to waterskiing.”

The sheer size of a wakeboard, which is wider and bulkier than a set of skis, can be one of the causes of higher injury rates. Factor in boards’ sharp edges and the fact that riders’ feet are strapped onto wakeboards much tighter than they would be on skis, and it’s easy to see why they have greater accident risks.

In one recent instance, a 16-year-old Apex, North Carolina boy fractured his skull during a wakeboarding trip. He suffered permanent memory loss, of both the event and the day leading up to it, and a huge gash across his head as a result of the accident. He says he will now wear a helmet when participating in the sport.

The Center for Injury Research and Policy offers several safety tips to follow while wakeboarding, such as always wearing proper safety equipment, including helmets and life-preservers.

The Raleigh Brain Injury Attorneys with HensonFuerst would like to remind and encourage those active in high-impact water sports to always wear a helmet while participating in these activities, as it may save your life.

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25
Jul

Workplace Accidents Worse After Lunch

Researchers in Spain have verified the existence of the Lunch Effect, that workplace accidents that occur between 1:00 pm and 5:00 pm are more serious and more likely to be fatal than accidents at any other time of day.

According to an article describing the research in ScienceDaily, the hours closest to lunchtime account for only about 18% of accidents, but nearly 30% of all workplace fatalities. The Lunch Effect is true for workers who are young or old…just starting on the job, or with years of experience…in small businesses, or in large corporations…at all times of the year…with all types of machinery…and for all manner of falls.

“The gravity and mortality rate of accidents are higher in the hours around lunchtime, regardless of who, how, when, where or with what the accident happens,” Miguel A. Camino López, lead author of the study, said. The researcher in the Engineering and Responsible Management Group at the University of Burgos focused on the construction sector for this study.

The Lunch Effect remained true, even after researchers took other factors into account, such as the possibility of alcohol consumption at lunch, or whether the workers took naps (remember: this was Spain, where the siesta is still respected). The researchers looked at all accidents suffered by constructions workers in Spain from 1990 to 2002–a total of 10,239,303 accidents.

“Companies can use these figures to help them understand the times of day with especially high levels of accident gravity and mortality,” stresses Camino. “Workers should be informed of these risks, and the Ministry of Employment should make greater efforts to promote preventive measures in the construction sector, such as continuous shifts.”

To read the full ScienceDaily article, click here:  Workplace Accidents Are Worse After Lunch

To read the article abstract from the journal Accident Analysis & Prevention, click here:  The special severity of occupational accidents

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22
Jul

New FDA Warning for Multaq

Multaq (generic name: dronedarone) is a drug used to treat patients who have a common type of abnormal heart rhythm called atrial fibrillation, or atrial flutter.

In January, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned that some people taking Multaq developed severe liver injury, including two cases of acute liver failure that lead to liver transplant. That was pretty bad, but today’s information is worse.

On July 21, 2011, the FDA notified healthcare professionals that a clinical trial evaluating Multaq was stopped when an early evaluation of the data found a that patients taking the drug had a  two-fold increase in death, as well as two-fold increases in stroke and hospitalization for heart failure.

According to the manufacturer’s website: MULTAQ is a prescription medicine used to lower the chance you would need to go into the hospital for heart problems. Sadly, the drug seems to cause more problems than it solves. Liver failure…stroke…heart failure…death. This is not a mild warning, it is a call to action.

The FDA has this advice:

At this time, patients taking Multaq should talk to their healthcare professional about whether they should continue to take Multaq for non-permanent atrial fibrillation. Patients should not stop taking Multaq without talking to a healthcare professional. Healthcare professionals should not prescribe Multaq to patients with permanent atrial fibrillation.

In addition, patients taking Multaq should watch for signs of liver problems and contact their physician immediately if they experience anorexia (lack of appetite or desire to eat), nausea, vomiting, fever, malaise, fatigue, right upper quadrant pain, jaundice, dark urine, or itching.

The FDA, Health Canada, and the European Union will all be conducting reviews of the drug and the latest data from the clinical trial. No doubt, this will not be the last we hear about the problems of Multaq.

If you believe that you have suffered injury or severe side effects from taking Multaq and would like to explore your legal options, the lawyers of HensonFuerst are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can reach us by phone (1-800-4-LAWMED) or by the contact form on our website (www.lawmed.com).

If you have questions, HensonFuerst has answers.

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21
Jul

Camp Lejeune Toxic Water Subject Of Discussion At Forums

July 21, 2011

Toxic well water at Camp Lejeune, in eastern North Carolina, was a hot topic at forums held on campus at The University of North Carolina at Wilmington on Wednesday. WRAL.com reported the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) formed the groups in the hopes of easing public concern by answering questions and offering information for education on the topic. ATSDR formed a seven-member community assistance panel to represent the marines and sailors from the base and to voice their opinions and concerns on the matter. The agency then held a second forum for the public that allowed time to answer any questions attendees may have and to discuss opportunities for future health studies.

The well water at Camp Lejeune had been poisoned for years by leaks in fuel tanks and other sources of pollution. With an estimate of over 1 million people exposed to the toxins, many cases of disease have been linked to the contamination. Retired Marine Master Sargent Jerry Ensminger lost a daughter who was conceived at the base to childhood Leukemia at the age of nine. Her form of Leukemia has since been linked to benzene, one of the many toxins found during testing at the camp site.

HensonFuerst has a team of experienced North Carolina Toxic Exposure Attorneys who can fight for the rights of benzene victims. Contact our legal team immediately for a free consultation of your case.

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13
Jul

Tainted Wipes Linked To Brain Damage, Deaths

Before every injections…before every catheter insertion…before anytime the skin needs to be punctured, the first step is to wipe the skin with an alcohol prep pad. Those are the little packets of rubbing alcohol-soaked gauze that are ever-present in hospitals and doctors’ offices. The alcohol pads sterilize the skin so that an injection is as safe as can be—last thing anyone wants is for dirt, bacteria, or other organisms to enter the body through the injection site.

So imagine what would happen if the pads were full of bacteria, if instead of sterilizing the skin, the pads themselves were a source of infection.

Unfortunately, we don’t have to imagine it. The worst did, indeed, happen.

In January, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the recall of Triad alcohol prep pads, alcohol swabs, and alcohol swab sticks due to potential microbial contamination. (Later, the recall was extended to include sterile lubricating jelly, used during vaginal examinations.)

The specific infecting bacteria were Bacillus cereus, which is rare, but most typically found in food poisoning, not hospital infections.

In April, the FDA took further action and seized more than $6 million in products distributed by Triad Group, including cough and cold products, nasal sprays, suppositories, medicated wipes, antifungal creams, and hemorrhoidal wipes. This action was taken after an FDA inspection found multiple violations of manufacturing safety practices.

NOT SOON ENOUGH

JoNel Aleccia, a reporter with MSNBC, has been tracking this story from the beginning, and is conducting her own investigation into the problems caused by the tainted wipes. (To read all related articles, click here: MSNBC’s investigation.) It’s a lot of information, so we’ll summarize the major points.

  • The FDA claims that the severity of the contamination wasn’t known until a Colorado hospital reported a life-threatening infection in November 2010. [MSNBC-1]
  • Then, on December 1, 2010, a lively 2-year-old boy in Houston died of acute bacterial meningitis caused by Bacillus cereus. [MSNBC-2]
  • By July 1, 2011, the FDA had received reports of a total of 8 deaths, 11 infections, and about 250 other health problems all linked to Triad Group products. Bacillus cereus was specifically cited as the cause of death of a 66-year-old man who was being treated for skin cancer and diabetes. [MSNBC-3]
  • Just this week, there was another heartbreaking story of a child whose life was permanently altered by an infection, possibly caused by a Triad wipe. Twin boys were born on September 1, 2007. One twin has developed normally, while his brother cannot walk or speak and must be fed through a stomach tube. He suffers from cerebral palsy and mental delays. And all his problems have been linked to a bacterial infection with Bacillus cereus, which damaged portions of his brain shortly after birth.

It is possible that Triad wipes were to blame. According to an MSNBC article:

An msnbc.com review of the documents shows that FDA inspectors in 2006 found that an H&P Industries Inc. plant in Mukwonago, Wis., “failed to adequately address potential contamination in raw material” used for drug products. In 2002, the firm was cited for failing to “verify the effectiveness of the sanitation process.” An investgation in 2000 found similar problems, inspectors reported.

According to the article, a top DFA official admitted to members of Congress that the agency should have issued a formal warning letter to the firm in August 2010, instead of allowing voluntary compliance.

It’s almost enough to make a person lose faith in the ability of the FDA to properly protect the public.

AFFECTED PRODUCTS

The contaminated products were made by Triad, but could be marketed under a variety of different names and different packaging kits, including:

  • Triad
  • Cardinal Health
  • PSS Select
  • Boca/Ultilet
  • Moore Medical
  • Walgreens
  • CVS
  • Conzellin
  • Smith & Nephew
  • Arixtra Starter Kit
  • Relistor
  • Betaseron pack
  • Boniva pack
  • Fuzeon pack
  • Nutropin A.Q. Pen pack
  • Pegasys Pak
  • TNKase pack
  • Extavia pack
  • Trelstar pack
  • Forteo starter kit
  • Churchill Medical Systems’ Skin-Prep Wipes

To read the initial FDA recall notice, and to learn how to report adverse effects, click here:  FDA recall notice

If you believe that you or someone you love has been injured as the result of infection caused by one of these products, the lawyers of HensonFuerst Attorneys can help you investigation your legal options. Someone is available 24/7 at 1-800-4-LAWMED. If you have questions, HensonFuerst has answers.

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