Pennsylvania Injury Attorneys Blog

The attorneys and staff of O’Connor Law wish you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving and safe journey to those who are travelling this holiday weekend!

The Associated Press has reported that a leaking valve on a tanker spread driveway sealant over a nearly 40-mile stretch of the eastbound lanes of the Pennsylvania Turnpike between New Castle and the Oakmont Service Plaza on Tuesday night.

According to the article, turnpike officials said 150 or more cars were disabled when the tar-like substance covered their tires and wheels. Some state police and turnpike maintenance vehicles had to be towed away.

Maintenance crews dumped sand on the sealant and used snow plows to push it on to the shoulder of the road. Traffic was moving normally this morning.

On Nov. 15, Grove City College in Grove City, PA hosted a conversation with Hon. Clarence Thomas, associate justice, United States Supreme Court, and Hon. Alice Batchelder, chief judge, United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit at the 2011-2012 J. Howard Pew Memorial Lecture in Crawford Auditorium of Crawford Hall.

Prior to the lecture, Thomas spoke with students of a legal studies course entitled “The Founders’ Constitution.” Max Matherne, a 2011 summer intern with O’Connor Law, was selected in advance to lead the class in composing a list of questions for Justice Thomas about judicial philosophy, including the role of stare decisis in Thomas’s jurisprudence, the difficulty of ascertaining original intent, and Thomas’s views on affirmative action and the politics of race.

After class, Matherne had an opportunity to meet and have his picture taken with Thomas. Matherne is a History major at Grove City College. He is in his senior year. He will be attending law school in the fall of 2012.

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett recently signed the Safety in Youth Sports Act, a bill intended to prevent serious head injuries in student athletes and educate about the risks of concussions.

According to a new release, Corbett held a ceremonial signing of “the Concussion Bill,” at Lower Dauphin High School, Hummelstown, on Nov. 14.

“It’s time to take concussions seriously, before they ruin young lives,” Gov. Corbett said in the news release.

This week, the J.M. Smucker Company announced that it was voluntarily recalling 16-ounce jars of its “Smucker’s Natural Peanut Butter Chunky” due to possible salmonella contamination.

The recall affects jars sold between November 8-17 in our home state of Pennsylvania, as well as the District of Columbia and the following states: Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin.

Affected products contain the following information:

Schuylkill County’s VISION released a press release today to let county residents know that they will host a series of meetings open to the public to provide information and gain support for the development of a Community Health Center (CHC). The CHC would provide primary care to disadvantaged and low-income individuals and families.

The meetings will provide a description of the Community Health Center, as well as an opportunity for residents to get involved with defining needs and setting priorities as the Health Center develops.

Schuylkill County’s VISION is a non-profit organization that mobilizes organizations and individuals to make positive changes for Schuylkill County. To develop a Community Health Center, Schuylkill County’s VISION has brought together The Commonwealth Medical College and over 40 community organizations, agencies, and individuals, including the County’s three hospitals, practicing physicians, church groups, public provider agencies, and non-profit provider agencies.

Pennsylvania is sending a message…drive now, text later.

On Nov. 9 Gov. Tom Corbett signed legislation banning texting while driving on Pennsylvania roads. The new law making texting while driving a primary offense carries a $50 fine and takes effect in 120 days.

“Senate Bill 314 aims to put a halt to texting from behind the wheel and is intended to save lives,” Gov. Corbett said in a recent news release. “No text message is worth a human life. The message of this legislation is drive now, text later.”

Are you a woman who has received a transvaginal mesh implant due to Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI) or Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP)? These issues can arise in women whose vaginal walls, or pelvic floor, require extra support following childbirth, surgery, or an accident.

In July, the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) updated an earlier warning it issued about surgical mesh, adding that serious complications can result from this procedure and that it is “an area of continuing serious concern.”

In fact, the FDA warns that complications associated with transvaginal mesh are not rare. The FDA’s July 13 update also stated that it was not clear whether transvaginal POP repair using mesh is more effective than traditional non-mesh repair in all patients with POP. In fact, it may expose patients to greater risk.

There may not be a cure for the cold or flu, but there are ways you can reduce the risk that you or your children may get sick. The Family Health Guide offered these tips on Parenting.com.

Keeping Germs Away: Teach your kids to cover the mouth and nose with their armpit, rather than their hand, if they cough or sneeze. Viruses that cause colds and flu are usually transferred from one’s hand to the nose or mouth. Get them in the habit of washing their hands before eating, after using the bathroom, sneezing or coughing, and after they come home from school.

Boost Your Child’s Immune System: Kids can get an immunity boost from eating well, staying active, and getting enough sleep. Dark colored foods have plenty of phytonutrients (called “phytos”) that include immune-boosting power. A multi-vitamin with a vitamin D supplement for kids up to age 18 will do the trick or those kids who won’t touch fruits and vegetables.

Beginning Nov. 1, Pennsylvania residents having trouble heating their homes may not have to chose between food or fuel this winter.

The federally –funded Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, known as LIHEAP, offers cash grants to pay heating bills and are sent directly to the family’s utility company to offset costs.

Crisis grants are also available to families who may be in danger of being without heat and may be used to buy fuel or repair heating equipment.