Pennsylvania Injury Attorneys Blog

Blue Bell Ice Cream Recall

Published on: November 7, 2016 | O'Connor Law

There’s nothing better than the smile on a child’s face when they are given ice cream, but that smile can’t come at the cost of safety. Blue Bell Ice Cream has recalled some of their Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough and Cookie Two Step ice cream products. The recall affects the Sylacauga, Alabama plant, where a potential listeria outbreak is suspected.

This is not Blue Bell’s first encounter with a listeria-related recall. In 2015, three deaths connected to a Blue Bell listeria outbreak resulted in a national recall. In this case, the following ten states are carriers of products from the Alabama plant: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. No illnesses have been reported thus far.

In a press release, the company stated, “Although our products in the marketplace have passed our test and hold program, which requires that finished product samples test negative for Listeria monocytogenes, Blue Bell is initiating this recall out of an abundance of caution.”

Schuylkill County Sponsoring Fall Clean Up

Published on: August 12, 2016 | O'Connor Law

via Skook News

Schuylkill County has schedule a Fall Clean Up that will be open to all county residents.

The clean up is scheduled from September 12th to September 24th and will be funded through the County Commissioners Office at the State Department of Environmental Protection.

The Basics of Common Causes of Food Product Recalls

Published on: August 5, 2016 | O'Connor Law

When food product recalls occur, there is always a harmful or potentially harmful reason behind them. Most companies try to be as transparent as they can, but in some cases, that potential danger may be something you are not too familiar with. There are so many things that can affect or jeopardize a product and lead to a recall. Here are some of the common perpetrators behind food product recalls and the basics about each.

Listeria

From hot dogs to frozen vegetables, Listeria can send numerous products directly to the garbage or returned to their seller. A bacterium that infects and contaminates food, Listeria has around 15 species and can lead to serious illness or even death. According to the CDC, Listeria mostly affects older adults, pregnant women, newborns and adults with weakened immune systems. Symptoms include headaches, fevers, muscle aches, confusion, a loss of balance and convulsions. For pregnant women, the bacterium can cause premature delivery, stillbirth and miscarriages.

Signs for Identifying and Recognizing Reckless Drivers

Published on: August 4, 2016 | O'Connor Law

Reckless driving seems easy enough to spot, right? But, accidents still happen and it’s important to know the signs so that you can avoid getting in one. What seems like common sense can sometimes be overlooked on the road. Keep an eye out for these kinds of driving behaviors to ensure you and your passengers remain safe.

Ignoring Traffic Signs and Lights

If a car is continually running stop signs, blowing through red lights and simply ignoring the rules of the road, they are a hazard. Make sure you are obeying all traffic signs and lights, as well as staying away from those drivers who don’t, to prevent a potential accident.

Essure Nightmare: The Ariel Grace Story

Published on: August 2, 2016 | O'Connor Law

Kristiana Burrell lived in Fairview, North Carolina, where she was raising her six children, three of her own and three step-children. She made the decision to take an extra measure in her birth control plan and spoke to her gynecologist about an Essure implant.

After having the birth control device placed in her body, Kristiana continued to use traditional birth control methods as well, which is suggested by both Bayer – the drug manufacturer – and gynecologists who prescribe an Essure device. However, Essure failed her and she found herself pregnant with what would be her seventh child.

The Burrell family took the news of a new family member in a positive light and starting preparing for their new addition. They were very excited and started preparing for the baby immediately. But just 27 weeks into the presidency, tragedy struck.

IKEA Issues Historic Recall

Published on: July 20, 2016 | O'Connor Law

IKEA has issued a recall of nearly 29 million chests and dressers that have already been involved with the deaths of six children, and threatens many more. The recall represents one of the most comprehensive consumer safety recalls in American history.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) released a video (see below) demonstrating the dangers these products have on children. Using a mannequin child, the video depicts that when a child goes to open a drawer, and the dresser or chest is not properly anchored to the wall, the drawer along with the entire piece can fall forward onto the child.

Summer Tips for Protection Against the Sun

Published on: July 13, 2016 | O'Connor Law

Dangers in the workplace can come from many sources, and for those who frequently put in their hours outdoors under the hot summer sun, it is important to be familiar with crucial safety tips.

July is National UV Safety month, and what some people don’t realize is that skin is our largest organ that protects us against the heat and sunshine. Failing to protect our skin against the harmful UV rays from the sun can lead to more serious consequences than just sunburn and peeling skin. It can cause skin cancer, age spots and eye problems.

Here are some tips on how to battle against the UVs this month, and all summer long:

AAA Projects Record-Breaking Travel Numbers for This Independence Day Weekend

Published on: June 30, 2016 | O'Connor Law

Travelers this holiday weekend will be out in full force. In fact, AAA is projecting that over 43 million people will be hitting the road, air, rails and waterways to celebrate Independence Day somewhere other than the comfort of their own home. That figure is the highest total of any previous year and exceeds this year’s Memorial Day total by 5 million.

Of the 43 million travelers, a whopping 36 million (84%) of them will be traveling on the roadways by car. That figure is a 1.2% increase over last year. AAA President and CEO, Marshall Doney, says that lower prices at the fuel pump are the reason for the increased traffic. “Spurred by the lowest gas prices since 2005, more people than ever are planning to travel this Independence Day weekend.”

And Doney is right. National gas prices, on average, are 47 cents lower than they were over 4^th of July weekend in 2015.

Summer Travels Safety Reminders

Published on: June 20, 2016 | O'Connor Law

Summer brings many exciting things – warm weather, beach trips, days by the pool and more. However, it also brings a new list of potential dangers to the road.

This summer, stay safe by keeping these points in mind:

Increase in Younger Drivers

June is National Safety Month

Published on: June 10, 2016 | O'Connor Law

“Safety first” may seem like an old and perhaps cliche phrase, but, this month it means so much more.

According to the National Safety Council, June is annually deemed National Safety Month. This includes safety at home, at work, on the road and in the community. The focus of the month is to prevent injuries and deaths in each of these environments.

Each week in June, the NSC will be providing online materials for anyone to download and utilize during the month. Every week corresponds with a new safety topic: