Toyota and Lexus recall

Forbes has reported that 3.8 million Toyota and Lexus vehicles are being recalled. The driver side floor mat in these vehicles becomes lodged under the accelerator. This defect has sadly already caused several deaths including a family of 4 in San Diego.

The National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration is urging owners of these vehicles to take immediate action by removing their floor mats.

GREENHOUSE EMISSIONS BILL WOULD REDUCE GASES BY 20%

The Washington Post reported today that “The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee will unveil a bill Wednesday that aims for a 20 percent reduction in U.S. greenhouse gas emissions from 2005 levels by the year 2020″ The House bill, authored by Reps. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) and Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), would mandate cutting emissions 17 percent by 2020. Both measures would require an 83 percent reduction in greenhouse gases from the 2005 baseline by 2050.

Oral contraceptives triggering investigation

As reported in The New York Times, some researchers are claiming that the oral contraceptives “Yaz” and “Yasmin” are putting women’s health at risk. The risks associated with these two contraceptive pills are higher than average risk for blood clot or stroke.

The death of one young woman who took these pills is now under investigation.

“Yaz” and “Yasmin” were marketed as oral contraceptives that not only helped prevent pregnancy but also reduced acne and premenstrual depression, this made the drugs appealing to many young women.

JOHNSON & JOHNSON RECALLS TYLENOL

A recent AAJ article reported that on Sept. 24, Johnson & Johnson’s announced it is voluntarily recalling 57 lots of infants’ and children’s liquid Tylenol [acetaminophen] products because of possible bacterial contamination. All of the products being recalled were made between April and June 2008 and include Children’s Tylenol Suspension 4 oz. Grape, Infants’ Tylenol Grape Suspension Drops 1/4 oz., and Children’s Tylenol Plus Cold/Allergy 4 oz. Bubble Gum. The recall was implemented because one of the inactive ingredients did not meet internal testing requirements. The manufacturer decided to recall all product that utilized any of the raw material manufactured at the same time as the raw material that tested positive for the bacteria.

Veteran Courts gaining national attention

On Wednesday, September 16, 2009 local Buffalo attorney (and a good friend of ours), Jennifer P. Stergion, Esq. participated in a Round table on Veterans Treatment Courts in Washington D.C.

Ms. Stergion serves as Chairperson on the Committee on Veterans and Service Members Legal Issues here in Buffalo N.Y. She was contacted by Chairman, Mr. Bob Filner of House Veterans’ Affairs to take part in the round table discussion.

The goal of the round table was to, “open up the broader thought process of how to help veterans fully integrate into society after service in the military.”

Thank you, Ms. Stergion for your commitment to all the men and women of the U.S. military, both past and present. Your efforts and hard work are appreciated and certainly not taken for granted or overlooked.

Deere and Co. new health plan

O.K. So this is not about “personal injury” per se. But this class action speaks to my roots and heart. As a former farmer, both vegetables and dairy, John Deere tractors were a coveted piece of equipment, and I praise all the men and women involved in building these machines. Every time I got to drive a John Deere tractor I felt especially proud. It has been reported that, “employees (of Deere & Co.) bled green, or had green blood.” I am in the same boat as far as my passion for the equipment goes.

The Quad- City Times has reported a class action against Deere & Co. of about 5,000 retirees.

It is reported that employees of Deere & Co. chose to work there not only for the supportive/family environment but also for the “promise” of life time health benefits for their husbands or wives after retirement.

This is all changing, hence the class action. It is reported that the new health plan is a decrease in benefits that violate ERISA. A decrease in benefits they were promised.

Georgia Supreme Court to review law regarding medical malpractice cap

The AAJ is reporting that The Georgia Supreme Court is going to review a 2005 law that places caps on medical malpractice recoveries. Attorneys for the plaintiff argue that the law punishes those who suffer the greatest injuries from medical malpractice and benefits the doctors that cause the injuries. This case involves a 75-year-old woman who has permanent disfigurement due to face lift surgery that went wrong. The law in question caps damages at $350,000 for pain and suffering. The plaintiff argues that the law takes away the jury’s right to decide how much a plaintiff should be compensated and violates plaintiff’s right to a jury trial. In this case the jury awarded $1,265,000 to Betty Nestlehutt, 71, in 2007 after she was left with permanent scars and discoloration from botched face lift.

In a few weeks John Feroleto, Esq and his wife, the Honorable Paula Feroleto will be recognized by the City of Buffalo for launching Buffalo’s law intern program.

2009 marked the first year of the Buffalo law intern program which matches attorneys with inner city youth. The 16 and 17 year olds are given an opportunity to work in downtown Buffalo law firms in paid internships.

The goal is to expose city youth to office settings, connect them to the legal system and allow them to see not only their own tremendous personal potential, but also possible future careers in the legal system.

The Feroleto’s look forward to the continued expansion of this budding program and hope to have even more students involved next summer. Autumn Green from Holy Angels Academy was a summer 2009 intern and she stated that the experience opened her eyes to areas of law she might like to pursue in college. For a full story, please see, The Buffalo Law Journal.

Toy Recall

Today, the Pittsburgh Post Gazette reported, that due to high levels of lead, “Team Work Trading” is recalling approximately 1, 400 children’s animal masks and pendants. These masks and pendants were sold from November 2008 – March 2009.

HEROES IN THE CITY OF GOOD NEIGHBORS

Michael Byham of Ironworkers Local 6 was on his way home after a day repairing the Grand Island Bridge. Suddenly, in front of him there was a six car collision.He saw a white utility van ahead of him plow into the compact car asending it spinning into another lane of traffic. That same truck than struck an SUV and flipped it on its side. When all the vehicles came to a rest, Byham ran to the crumpled compact. Another motorist, Dr. Dietrich Jehle called out to people trying to help the woman in the flipped vehicle. A woman was stuck in the car but waving Jehle back to the smashed compact. A man and two children were trapped. When flames erupted a rescuer opened the back of the truck involved in the accident and grabbed tools to use to free the trapped victims. One man secured a fire extinguisher. Jehle grabbed an ax. Another man grabbed a hammer.None of the car doors would open.They used hammers, fire extinguishers, someone even brought out a battery-powered reciprocating saw in brief moments to spontaneously and quickly perform a complicated extrication of a dad and two sons trapped in a fiery car.

Our hats go off to Byham, Dr. Jehle and all the unnamed heroes who saved lives Thursday. See the Buffalo News.