Chico Personal Injury Lawyer

Artificial Turf Being Investigated By CPSC For Lead Concerns

Jenny Albano — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 17:19:02 GMT

The CPSC is looking into potential health hazards from lead in artificial turf on school stadiums and parks across the country.

So far two fields in New Jersey have already been closed because state officials found there were high levels of lead in the turf, up to 10 times the amount of lead that is allowed in soil on contaminated sites that are being turned into homes. The lead could potentially be inhaled or swallowed by athletes from dust on the surface of the artificial turf.

In the U.S. there are around 3,5000 synthetic playing fields and about 800 are installed in schools, universities, parks, etc. each year. The CPSC wants to make sure that children using these fields are not put at risk.

Pigment containing lead chromate is used in some surfaces to make the grass green and hold its color in sunlight. But it is not clear how widely the compound is used. The New Jersey Health Department found lead in both of the nylon fields it tested, but in none of the 10 polyethylene surfaces it examined.

Fibers and dust from the turf may become airborne from wear and weathering, which could then be inhaled or swallowed by athletes.

New Jersey's epidemiologist, Dr. Eddy Bresnitz, has ordered tests to find out how easily fibers from the artificial turf can be inhaled or swallowed. He stated that the risk of playing on fields full of lead was probably low, but to take precaution after playing by washing thoroughly and washing clothes separately.

According to the president of the Synthetic Turf Council, Rick Doyle, lead is fixed in place in the nylon and does not leach out, and thus poses no health risk.

Lead can cause brain damage, kidney damage, and other illnesses, particularly in children.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jenny Albano

Children's Puppet Theaters Recalled for Lead Hazard

Chrissie Cole — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 22:36:03 GMT

In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Guidecraft Inc. announced a voluntary recall of approximately 10,000 children's puppet theaters. The surface paint on the wooden panels of the puppet theater contains excessive levels of lead.

The recalled puppet theater has a chalkboard surface on the front and colored side panels. The puppet theater measures about 35 inches in length, 14 inches in width and about 52 inches in height.

Consumers are advised to take the recalled puppet theatres away from small children immediately and to contact Guidecraft for a free replacement or product of equal value.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Guidecraft toll-free at (888) 824-1308 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's Web site at www.guidecraft.com.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chrissie Cole

Two Men Killed in California Motorcycle Accident

Chrissie Cole — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 22:54:14 GMT

A motorcycle accident in Montebello, claimed the lives of two men today, according to police.

The accident happened on Montebello Boulevard and Paramount Boulevard just after 9 p.m. last night, said the Montebello Police Department.

Both men were dead at the scene, according to police.

Prior to the crash, a motorist called 911 to report she was being followed by two men traveling on a motorcycle. Police are uncertain if she was being followed or why but a California Highway Patrol Officer in the area spotted a motorcycle that looked to be following a vehicle near Montebello Town Center.

Apparently the driver of the motorcycle saw the officer, sped up and the struck a curb and tree, killing himself and his passenger.

The female motorist who originally called 911 was not at the scene when police arrived.

For more information on this subject, please vist our section on Car & Motorcycle Accidents.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chrissie Cole

Bass Pro Shops Recalls Toddler Hats for Strangulation Hazard

Chrissie Cole — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 05:56:37 GMT

Paramount Apparel International announced a voluntary recall of hats, intended for small children, sold at Bass Pro Shops. The hats have a drawstring that can pose a strangulation hazard to small children.

Consumers should immediately stop using the hats and contact Paramount Apparel for a free replacement hat or to for a refund.

The recall involves an adjustable hat that has bungee drawstrings sewn into the crown of the hat. On the back inside of the hat is a label that reads "Bass Pro Shops." On the front of the hat is a zipper pocket with a silver boat-anchor appliqué with embroidered text.

Consumer Contact: For more information, contact Paramount Apparel toll-free at (800) 255-4287 between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. CT Monday through Friday or visit the firm's Web site at http://www.paramountapparel.com.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chrissie Cole

Nine Year Old Girl Suffers Serious Injuries in Car Accident

Chrissie Cole — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 20:45:20 GMT

A 9-year-old girl was seriously injured in a two-car accident on Monday. She was listed in fair condition, on Thursday, at UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento, California.

The girl was a passenger in a 1998 Honda being driven by a 33-year-old woman, of Magalia, that was traveling north. The woman told California Highway Patrol investigators she missed a right turn so she pulled into a two-way left turn lane, attempting to make a u-turn.

Another Magalia resident traveling south, said the woman waited until a patrol car passed her, but failed to see his 1931 Ford roadster that was traveling behind the patrol car and pulled out in front of him, allowing no time for him to stop.

The Ford struck the Honda on the passenger side. The driver suffered moderate injuries and was transported to Enloe Medical Center for treatment.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chrissie Cole

FDA Warns Consumers of Botulism Risk from Canned French Cut Green Beans

Chrissie Cole — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 00:18:25 GMT

Lakeside Foods Inc. is working with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to voluntarily recall 15,000 cases of French Cut Green Beans in 14.5 ounce cans, because they may not have been processed properly to eliminate the botulism toxin.

If consumed, the canned green beans can cause botulism. The FDA advises consumers of the possible risk of serious illness from ingesting these products. No reports of illness have been received to date.

The botulism toxin is very potent and botulism is a life-threatening illness. Botulism symptoms can begin as soon as six hours to as long as two weeks after eating foods contaminated with the toxin. Some symptoms may include blurred vision, double vision, difficulty swallowing, dry mouth and more. Botulism can cause paralysis of the breathing muscles that can be fatal in some cases.

The affected Lakeside cut green beans are sold nationwide under the following labels: Albertson's, Happy Harvest, Best Choice, Food Club, Bogopa, Valu Time, Hill Country Fare, HEB, Laura Lynn, Kroger, No Name, North Pride, Shop N Save, Shoppers Valu, Schnucks, Cub Foods, Dierbergs, Flavorite, IGA, Best Choice and Thrifty Maid. The specific codes (top line of can code) involved are: EAA5247, EAA5257, EAA5267, EAA5277, EAB5247, EAB5257, ECA5207, ECA5217, ECA5227, ECA5297, ECB5207, ECB5217, ECB5227, ECB5307.

Consumers that may have these products should discard them immediately. If date codes are missing or unreadable, consumers should throw the product away as a precaution.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chrissie Cole

FDA Warns: Risk of Botulism Poisoning From Hot Dog Chili Sauce

Chrissie Cole — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 22:57:23 GMT

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning to consumers not to eat ten ounce cans of Castleberry Hot Dog Chili Sauce with the UPC 3030000101 with "best by" dates (found on the lid) from April 30, 2009 to May 22, 2009 due to possible botulism contamination.

Consumers with any of these food products should throw them away immediately. If the best by date is missing or undetectable, consumers should discard the product.

An Indiana couple and two children in Texas who ingested these products became seriously ill and had to be hospitalized.

Botulism Symptoms can appear anywhere from six hours to two weeks after contact. Symptoms include: slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, dry mouth, double vision, muscle weakness that progresses down the body and more. In some cases botulism poisoning can be fatal.

Anyone who has recently eaten Castleberry's Hot Dog Chili Sauce or Kroger Hot Dog Chili Sauce and show any symptoms above should seek immediate medical attention.

Castleberry has informed FDA that it is voluntarily recalling all of the potentially contaminated products and is cooperating with FDA, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the states' active investigations into the cause of this contamination and scope of the products' distribution.

Castleberry is also voluntarily recalling a number of products that are not under FDA's regulatory authority. For a list of these products, visit: www.castleberrys.com/news_productrecall.asp.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chrissie Cole

Child Wins Damages in Medical Malpractice Lawsuit

Chrissie Cole — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 23:33:50 GMT

A jury has awarded $96 million in future damages in a medical malpractice case of a child who developed a rare neurological disorder that was caused by untreated jaundice after his birth four years ago at Verdugo Hills Hospital.

The current award value is $15 million, but it expected to reach $96 million over the course of medical care for the boy throughout his lifetime. Making it one of the largest jury awards in recent California court history.

The child was born in 2003 at Verdugo Hills Hospital under the care of Dr. Steven Wayne Nishibayashi, also a listed defendant in the case.

According to the lawsuit, Aidan exhibited several risk factors for kernicterus, a neurological disorder that can cause mental retardation, cerebral palsy and hearing loss, when he developed jaundice shortly after birth. The jaundice was a sign of the buildup of bilirubin, a yellow bile pigment, produced in greater quantities than a baby's liver can excrete.

The hospital and the doctor, the plaintiff's attorneys argued, should have been alert to that possibility and given him appropriate medical treatment to reduce the bilirubin buildup.

Shortly after his birth, his parents were concerned about his condition, but they were told the jaundice would go away by itself. The doctor and hospital gave the parents a pamphlet and told them jaundice was not a serious medical risk. However, the child ended up in the emergency room of another hospital where two blood transfusions failed.

California caps medical malpractice awards at $250,000. At this time it is unclear how the limit will affect Monday's award judgment.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chrissie Cole

Mom Dies in SUV Crash as her Son is Learning to Drive

Chrissie Cole — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 00:13:34 GMT

The mother of a teenager learning how to drive was killed in a car accident, Thursday, when their SUV crashed into a ditch.

The boy's stepfather was in the front passenger seat giving the boy driving instructions, while the mother and her baby were in the back.

All the occupants were wearing seatbelts and the infant was in a car seat at the time of the crash.

According to a California Highway Patrol Officer, the stepfather had told the teen to "turn left here," and the boy jerked the wheel causing the vehicle to plummet into a ditch. The vehicle was traveling 50 mph.

The mother was transported by helicopter to a hospital in Chico, where she was pronounced dead. The infant was injured and the stepfather suffered a fractured collarbone. The teenager had cuts to his hand but was otherwise okay.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Chrissie Cole

California Motorcylist Killed in Accident

Christina Cole — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 23:47:27 GMT

A 65-year-old California man lost his life this morning in a fatal motorcycle accident near the Mt. Rushmore monument after he lost control of his motorcycle and crashed head-on into an oncoming motorhome.

The accident happened at 10:25 a.m. on Highway 244, just three miles west of Mt. Rushmore, said South Dakota Highway Patrol.

Apparently, the motorcyclist failed to slow down for a curve and traveled into oncoming traffic, crashing a Texas man's motorhome. The motorcyclist had his helmet on but he died from fatal injuries sustained in the crash.

The victims name is being withheld pending family notification.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Christina Cole