The expression “rolling coal” may make you stop and scratch your head unless you’ve heard it before. To “roll coal” means to belch black smoke from an altered diesel engine in order to upset or intimidate others, such as bicyclists, walkers, joggers, or those who drive hybrid vehicles. Some drivers do it to appear cool, […]
Category Archives: Personal Injury
Safety for All in Work Zones
You’ve seen the signs, such as “Give ‘em a brake” and “Let ‘em work, let ‘em live.” But maybe you still can’t help being a bit unhappy when a slowdown in a work zone occurs. We all have family to take care of, work to accomplish, and appointments to keep; all of us get that. […]
New Developments in Treating Serious Burns
Burn treatments, like many other areas of medical care, have undergone some technological improvements over recent years. While none of us really want to contemplate burns and burn injuries, the treatments are worth reading about. They range from sprayed-on human skin to topical treatments to fish skin used as a bandage. Burn Statistics and Facts […]
Wood Stove Safety
The smell and sound of a wood fire, the warmth that it emits, and possibly some savings for your wallet as well—no wonder so many of us enjoy heating our homes with wood stoves. Used properly, wood stoves can be an effective way to heat your place. But wood stoves also carry some risks if […]
Liability in Ridesharing (Uber) Accidents
Popular ridesharing companies, including Uber and Lyft, differ from traditional taxi companies considerably. Because of these differences, the issue of liability in the event of an accident is controversial and confusing. About Ridesharing Ridesharing companies allow consumers to hail vehicles directly from their smartphones. A nearby driver accepts the job, and the consumer is able […]
The Dangers of . . . Pokemon Go?
The latest gaming craze, Pokemon Go, has captured the imagination of a lot of folks. Called an “augmented reality” game, meaning that it blends the virtual world with the real world, it is free to use and debuted in early July of 2016. The point of the game? To “catch” Pokemon, which are electronic creatures. […]
E-cigarette Poisonings of Children Jumping Higher
E-cigarettes and the practice of vaping are often seen as a less-risky alternative to regular cigarettes. And they may be—for adults—but not for children. The liquid nicotine used in e-cigarettes has been responsible for poisoning nearly ten thousand kids over the past five and a half years. A concentrated dose of liquid nicotine can cause […]
Second Award of Large Punitive Damages against Pelvic Mesh/Transvaginal Tape Maker
In mid-February of 2016, a Philadelphia jury socked Ethicon, Inc., a unit of Johnson & Johnson, with a $13.5 million judgment because of a transvaginal tape (TVT) product called Prolift. (TVT products are also known as pelvic mesh products.) Nearly three-fourths of the award, $10 million, consisted of punitive damages. Punitive damages mean that the […]
Taking Care of Trees—and Ourselves
Trees are both useful and beautiful. They serve as wind breaks, give us welcome shade on a hot day, provide oxygen by consuming carbon dioxide, and improve the value of our property. We celebrate Arbor Day, which encourages Americans to plant and care for trees, on April 29 in 2016. Trees do need care and […]
Take the Chill Off Safely
You might know the following scenario: it’s cold outside and getting colder. Sitting around watching TV or simply relaxing with your family is making you shiver, and you don’t have a fireplace. Raising the thermostat setting for the entire house is expensive, so you turn to your portable heater. When the warm air shoots out, […]