by gma | November 30th, 2011
November 30, 2011
Under normal circumstances, we tend to believe that drinking fruit juice is supposed to be good for us. New data released by a Consumer Reports study shows that the opposite may be true. They say that some commercial fruit juices may contain levels of arsenic and lead that are above safe limits.
Researchers collected 88 samples from 28 apple and three grape juices available in most grocery stores. Of the samples taken, 10 percent of the samples contained total arsenic levels above the standard allowed for drinking water–10 parts per billion (ppb). Lead levels at or above the 5 ppb limit also were found in 25 percent of all juice samples.
Sampled Brands Include:
- Apple & Eve (Apple)
- Wal-Mart Great Value (Apple)
- Mott’s (Apple)
- Welch’s (Grape)
- Walgreen’s (Grape)
Advocates for the Juice Product Association stated juice was safe for all consumers and that the industry, “Adheres to FDA guidelines.” However, there is no guideline set for toxins in fruit juice. In September, the FDA said it was considering setting one. Their report advises officials to set total arsenic limits in apple and grape juice at a maximum amount of 3 ppb. For lead, the recommendation is to at least meet the 5 ppb limit set for bottled water.
The Virginia Defective Product Attorneys with Geoff McDonald & Associates think commercial food manufacturers have a responsibility to supply consumers with safe food and beverages. Are current standards safe? Tell us what you think by posting to our Facebook page.
by gma | November 23rd, 2011
November 23, 2011
A Richmond, Virginia, woman and her daughter died after being involved in a collision with a tractor-trailer Saturday morning. CBS 6 News reported Sunday that accident happened at 10:20 AM on Chippenham Parkway, just before Jeff Davis Highway.
Virginia State Police say that the 29-year-old driver of a 2000 Lexus SUV was heading north along the highway with her 7-year-old daughter and 11-month-old son. For an unknown reason, the woman did not react to the slowing truck in front of her and plowed into the rear of the box truck. Although the woman was buckled in at the time of the crash, she died at the scene with her daughter, who was not buckled when the accident occurred. The woman’s infant son was properly restrained in a car seat, but was taken to Chippenham Medical Center to be treated for serious, but non-life threatening injuries. Neither the driver nor the passenger of the box truck was injured in the crash.
Investigators are hoping to speak with individuals who may have witnessed the accident in order to gain a better understanding of what happened.
The Virginia Auto Accident Attorneys with Geoff McDonald & Associates handle cases for injured car accident victims. If you have been hut in a crash, contact us today by filling out a free online consultation form.
by gma | November 16th, 2011
November 16, 2011
An employee at a Shoney’s restaurant in Henrico, Virginia, may have saved a toddler’s life on Monday night after a car hit the boy. According to CBS 6 News, the accident happened around 8:45 PM as the 3-year-old and his mother, who is five months pregnant, were walking into the restaurant.
The boy apparently got away from the mother as they were walking into the building and darted into the busy parking lot. The mother attempted to grab the young boy and pull him out of harms way from an oncoming car, but the two were struck. Luckily, an employee who was just getting off their shift who had EMT training saw the incident happen and came to the rescue.
Witnesses say the woman stabilized the boy until paramedics could arrive. The mother and her unborn child only suffered minor injuries and did not need medical attention. The young boy was taken to the VCU Medical Center to receive treatment for head injuries. He is still there listed under serious but stable condition.
Although the Shoney’s employee did a noble thing by helping in this situation, most legal professionals would urge someone not to help unless licensed to do so, as getting involved puts you at risk or fault if something goes wrong.
Accidents like these can cost thousands of dollars and your insurance company may not be willing to pay for it. If you find yourself stuck in a similar situation, contact the Virginia Auto Accident Attorneys with Geoff McDonald & Associates for a free consultation of your case.
by gma | November 9th, 2011
November 9, 2011
The pressure to perform can often times be too much for high school teens involved in sports. A traumatic brain injury like a concussion can only increase performance frustration on and off the field. That is why, according to News Channel 12, the Commonwealth of Virginia has made it mandatory for every school district to have a guideline for handling student athletes who have suffered concussions.
This is in large part due to one 16-year-old Northern Virginia teen who fought for the measure to be put into place after suffering a severe concussion while playing soccer. She was going up for a head ball when an opponent elbowed her in the temple. At first, she felt fine, and even continued to play the game. Later, a near-constant headache sent the teen to the hospital seeking help. Numerous tests were done and after the problem was diagnosed. It took her two months return to school and four months to fully recover.
Her testimony before a congressional panel and the State Board of Education, regarding the struggles she faced with her workload and a lack of compassion for the situation from teachers, led to an athletic policy for student athletes suffering from concussions as well as an academic protocol.
The Virginia Brain Injury Lawyers with Geoff McDonald & Associates would like to applaud the teen’s actions to help others and wish her the best of luck in her college endeavors. If you have been wrongfully treated in an accident similar to the one described above, contact Geoff McDonald & Associates today to have questions about your case answered.
by gma | November 2nd, 2011
November 2, 2011
Employers have a responsibility to keep their workers safe while on the job. However, that is not always the case. CBS 6 News reports investigators with the Richmond City Auditors Office are looking into allegations by several employees that the work conditions at the Richmond Juvenile Detention Center are dangerous, and that employees feel unsafe.
One of the whistle-blowers remembered the time a fellow officer was beaten by an inmate and left unconscious in a pool of blood because other officers couldn’t track down where the beating occurred in the facility, a problem later blamed on the security system.
Several employees reported also that cameras, locks, and intercoms throughout the building haven’t been working for as long as two years. This created a problem a short time ago when two kitchen workers were trapped between two security doors for 45-minutes after an electrical short circuit.
Auditors have 45 days to complete their investigation and submit their report containing their findings.
The Virginia Workers’ Compensation Lawyers with Geoff McDonald & Associates encourages anyone who feels unsafe in the workplace to tell a supervisor about your problem immediately. If the problem persists, contact us by filling out a free online consultation form. This way, we can talk about your case further and answer any questions you may have.
