Texas Injury Lawyers Blog

Published on: September 26, 2012

Group Claims Oil and Gas Wells in Texas Are Not Properly Inspected and Violations are Often Ignored

According to a report published by environmental watch group Earthworks, state regulators across the nation are placing Americans at risk by failing to properly inspect oil and gas wells. The report, titled Breaking All the Rules, examined regulatory data collected in six states: Colorado, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Texas.

The Earthworks research report claims most states do not have the resources or equipment necessary to adequately inspect every active oil and gas well within the state on a regular basis. For example, Pennsylvania guidelines suggest each active oil and gas well should be inspected five times per year. Instead, 91 percent of active wells were not inspected in 2010. According to the report, that means about 82,000 oil and gas wells in Pennsylvania were not examined by state regulators that year. In Colorado, 15 state inspectors were reportedly tasked with inspecting more than 16,000 wells in 2010. In New Mexico, 12 inspectors allegedly conducted a total of 20,780 reviews during the same year.

The report states oil and gas well safety violations are also poorly tracked. In both New Mexico and Colorado, comprehensive violation information is not available to the public. Instead, data is reportedly maintained on a well-by-well basis. Additionally, inspectors are reportedly free to determine whether an unsatisfactory well merits a violation. The group contends that companies who fail to adhere to health, safety, and environmental rules are rarely punished.

In the State of Texas, inspectors purportedly conducted more than 118,000 inspections and noted almost 56,000 violations in fiscal year 2012. Still, Earthworks maintains that action against oil and gas well operators is frequently deferred and financial penalties are often small. Patrick Creighton, a spokesperson for the Marcellus Shale Coalition, an oil and gas production company consortium, called the Earthworks report into question. According to Creighton, the report is false and contrary to publicly available facts. He alleged Earthworks published the report in an effort to spread fear about the safety of the oil and gas industry.

Oil and gas workers are placed at risk whenever an oil company fails to adhere to proper safety regulations. Oil and well drilling accidents can be extremely complicated and the process for obtaining damages for any resulting injuries is often tough to navigate. If you or a family member was hurt as a result of an oil and gas company’s negligence, you should speak with a skilled oil and gas accident attorney as soon as possible.

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Published on: September 19, 2012

FMCSA Implements Hand-Held Cell Phone Ban in Texas, Throughout Nation

By Carabin Shaw

Earlier this year, the nation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) implemented a hand-held mobile telephone ban for commercial vehicle operators. The federal regulation also applies to the driver of any vehicle that transports hazardous materials and requires a placard. According to the FMCSA, reaching for or using a hand-held device distracts drivers and significantly increases the likelihood of a crash.

The new rule took effect on January 3rd and states that truck drivers must pull over to the side of the road when using hand-held cellular telephones. It was reportedly implemented in an effort to increase safety and reduce the number of deadly crashes involving commercial motor vehicles. Under the rule, motor carriers are also prohibited from requiring or allowing drivers to use hand-held cellular telephones. A semi or other commercial vehicle driver who is caught violating the regulation will incur stiff penalties and sanctions.

In response to the new regulation, Wiseway Transportation Services, a Wisconsin-based furniture shipment company, has issued a smartphone to each of its drivers. The thin, Android-based phones replaced the more rugged push-to-talk telephones the drivers previously carried. Wiseway’s Director of Information Technology, Steven McKenna, stated the phones were purchased in an effort to ensure company drivers do not run afoul of the new safety law. The mobile phones now provided to Wiseway drivers offer a speakerphone and may be activated entirely by a driver’s voice. By using a completely hands-free device, McKenna hopes company drivers can stay on schedule without risking their commercial vehicle licenses, as well as the safety of themselves and others.

McKenna stated despite that the corporate-issued telephones are so-called smartphones, Wiseway opted to lockdown the software that could be used on each device. Only business appropriate email and other applications will be installed on the mobile phones in order to keep drivers on task. According to McKenna, the GPS feature in each phone also allows Wiseway to track a driver’s location and determine their general speed. He reportedly believes such capabilities will increase overall driver safety.

When a bus, semi, or other commercial vehicle collides with a car, the resulting damage can be catastrophic or fatal. If you were injured or a loved one was killed in an accident with a commercial vehicle, you may be eligible to receive financial compensation for your medical expenses, suffering, pain, lost wages, lost benefits, any resulting disability, and a host of other damages. In some situations, the victim of an accident with a commercial vehicle may also be awarded punitive damages. In the United States, the trucking industry is massive. You should not be required to stand up against them alone. If you were hurt in an accident with a tractor trailer or other commercial vehicle, you should contact a capable Texas truck accident lawyer as soon as possible.

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Published on: September 16, 2012

Melons Recalled Over Possible Listeria Contamination in Texas, Nationwide

By Carabin Shaw

Last month, Burch Farms in North Carolina issued a recall of nearly 14,000 cases of cantaloupes due to possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination. Initially, only 580 cases of cantaloupe were recalled. According to the nation’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the larger recall was issued following an Agency inspection that noted unsanitary conditions in the company’s melon packing area.

The recall was later expanded to include all cantaloupes and honeydew melons grown or distributed by Burch Farms during the 2012 season after the FDA found evidence of the bacteria that causes Listeriosis on honeydew melons sold by the company. The recalled melons were reportedly shipped to Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Exposure to Listeria monocytogenes may potentially cause serious and sometimes fatal infections. People who are most vulnerable to getting sick from Listeriosis include pregnant women, young children, the elderly, and anyone who suffers from a weakened immune system. Symptoms of infection include fever, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. Although no illnesses associated with the Burch Farms recall have been reported, it can take several weeks before Listeriosis symptoms become apparent.

Last year, a Listeriosis outbreak that was traced to allegedly unsanitary conditions at a Colorado farm sickened 147 individuals in at least 28 states. According to the Centers for Disease Control, 33 victims died as a result of eating cantaloupes grown or processed by Jensen Farms. Additionally, one pregnant woman allegedly miscarried as a result of contracting Listeriosis from consuming contaminated cantaloupe. The contaminated cantaloupe sold by Jensen Farms reportedly caused the worst food-borne illness outbreak in the United States in approximately 100 years. The company is currently facing numerous lawsuits over the Listeriosis outbreak.

Potential food-borne illness lawsuits are currently being evaluated throughout the United States. If you suffered a serious illness such as Listeriosis, or your loved one died as a result of eating contaminated food, you are advised to contact an experienced personal injury lawyer to discuss your legal right to recover damages.

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Published on: September 16, 2012

Ford Recalls Two SUV Models Over Potential Fire Hazards

By Carabin Shaw

Ford Motor Company has issued a recall for nearly 6,000 Ford Edge sport utility vehicles (SUVs) due to alleged safety hazards. According to the automaker, the SUVs pose a fire risk due to potential fuel leaks. 5,499 vehicles sold in the United States and 346 sold in Canada are reportedly part of the recall. The recall was issued after the company determined a metal housing on the fuel line pulse damper in 2012 Ford Edge SUVs manufactured with a 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine may crack and cause a steady leak that could ignite.

A Ford spokesperson, Susan Krusel, stated that the company used warranty claims data in order to identify 12 fuel leak claims. She also said no injuries or fires were reported as a result of potential leaks. Owners of the affected vehicles should receive recall notices in the mail after September 24th. Ford dealerships will reportedly replace faulty parts as well as provide Edge owners with a rental vehicle during repairs.

Meanwhile, Ford has also issued a second recall of approximately 7,600 Ford Escape SUVs over reported fire risks. 2013 Escape models built with a 1.6-liter EcoBoost engine may rapidly leak engine coolant if a cup plug in the cylinder head becomes dislodged. A chemical in the coolant can potentially ignite after coming into contact with an overheated engine. Although no customers have reported engine fires, one SUV was allegedly extinguished on a dealer’s lot in Nashville, Tennessee. About 6,150 vehicles in the United States and 1,300 vehicles in Canada are affected by the recall.

The recent Ford Escape recall followed closely behind another recall of the same model. In July, approximately 11,500 2013 Ford Escapes were recalled after three vehicle fires were reported. Ford Motor Company reportedly asked owners to immediately stop driving their new vehicle due to the dangers associated with the fire risk. Also in July, the automaker recalled nearly all 2013 Escape SUVs over a carpet padding safety issue. The carpet padding reportedly made it difficult for drivers to fully press the brake.

Thousands of consumers are injured or killed by defectively manufactured products every year. If you were hurt by a manufacturer or distributor’s unsafe product, you may be eligible to receive financial compensation for your medical costs, lost wages, suffering, pain, any resulting disability, and other damages. If you were injured by a defective or dangerous product, you should speak with an experienced Texas personal injury attorney who can help you protect your interests.

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Published on: August 30, 2012

Fresenius Medical Care Accused of Failure to Warn Patients of Known GranuFlo and Naturalyte Risks

By Carabin Shaw

One of the country’s largest dialysis operators, German-based Fresenius Medical Care, was recently investigated by the nation’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in response to a number of patient deaths. Following the investigation, the FDA issued a Class I recall for the company’s Naturalyte GranuFlo Acid Concentrate and Naturalyte Liquid Acid Concentrate products. The products are used to aid in the elimination of waste during the hemodialysis procedure. According to the FDA, they may also potentially raise serum bicarbonate levels in patients undergoing dialysis. A higher serum bicarbonate level can lead to cardiac arrest and death in some patients.

Fresenius Medical Care treats more than one-third of the approximately 400,000 dialysis patients across the United States. The company also reportedly supplies many of the dialysis machines and pharmaceutical products used at other dialysis centers nationwide. In fact, an estimated 125,000 patients are treated using GranuFlo or Naturalyte in non-company medical care centers every year.

According to an FDA official, Fresenius Medical Care is accused of failing to warn dialysis patients of the potentially fatal risks associated with use of its GranuFlo and Naturalyte products. In 2010, 941 dialysis patients who were treated with GranuFlo or Naturalyte experienced cardiac events inside of a Fresenius Medical Care clinic. Despite that the company sent an internal memorandum to warn of the heart risks associated with its products to its own dialysis center doctors, Fresenius Medical Care allegedly failed to notify other dialysis centers or the FDA.

Steven Silverman, the FDA’s Director of Compliance in the Medical Devices Division, stated it was quite troubling that Fresenius Medical Care failed to warn its entire customer base about the health risks associated with the GranuFlo and Naturalyte products. The company’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Franklin Maddux responded that the health risks were too preliminary to warrant publication in medical journals and Fresenius Medical Care had no other avenues through which to communicate with outside doctors who were using the product.

In March 2012, Fresenius Medical Care finally issued a warning to customers regarding the alleged increase in heart attack risk associated with use of the company’s products. In May, the FDA issued a safety alert for products such as Granuflo. The following month, a Class I recall was issued for GranuFlo and Naturalyte. A Class I recall is issued when there is a reasonable likelihood that exposure to a drug or medical product will result in a serious health complication or death.

Potential GranuFlo and Naturalyte lawsuits are being evaluated throughout the United States for health risks that may be associated with use of the products. If you or a loved one suffered a cardiac event after being treated with GranuFlo or Naturalyte, you should contact a qualified personal injury lawyer as soon as possible.

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Published on: August 28, 2012

FMCSA Makes Improvements to Compliance Safety Accountability Enforcement Program in Texas, Throughout Nation

By Carabin Shaw

The nation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) recently announced changes to the agency’s Compliance Safety Accountability enforcement program. The changes will reportedly allow high-risk bus and trucking companies to be more easily identified and compliance issues to be dealt with in a speedier fashion. According to Anne Ferro, FMCSA Administrator, the changes were designed to make existing safety programs more effective. Although the number of deaths in crashes that involved commercial vehicles declined by nearly 5 percent in 2011, approximately 4,000 people are killed in such collisions annually.

The Compliance Safety Accountability enforcement program changes include improved hazardous materials carrier compliance requirements, altering the way in which a driver’s hours of service are logged, weighing hours of service logbook violations equally whether paper or electronic, taking into account cargo load violations when determining vehicle maintenance compliance, and including equipment violations found during pre-trip inspections in safety evaluations. Additionally, one to five miles per hour speeding violations will be abandoned in favor of more recently implemented speedometer regulations, and the program will endeavor to more accurately reflect the inspection type on all recorded bus and truck violations. The Compliance Safety Accountability enforcement program changes are scheduled to take effect in December 2012.

Prior to implementing the safety enforcement program changes, the FMCSA provided the public with four months during which to review and comment on the proposed changes. Approximately 14,000 bus and trucking carriers reportedly participated in the public preview. About 1,700 law enforcement officers also contributed their thoughts regarding proposed system updates. Further monitoring will allegedly be conducted by the FMCSA before the new requirements are made public.

When a tractor-trailer collides with a passenger vehicle, the resulting injures are often catastrophic or fatal. If you were hurt or someone you love was killed in a collision with an 18 wheeler, you may be entitled to financial compensation for your medical costs, suffering and pain, lost wages and benefits, temporary or permanent disability, and a variety of other damages. In some instances, you may also be awarded punitive damages. In the United States, the trucking industry is enormous. You shouldn’t have to fight them alone. If you were hurt in an accident with an 18 wheeler, you need an experienced Texas truck accident attorney on your side.

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Published on: August 19, 2012

More Than One-Quarter Million SUVs Recalled in North America Over Fire Hazard

By Carabin Shaw

Automobile manufacturers Isuzu and General Motors have issued a recall for more than one-quarter million sport utility vehicles (SUVs) in North America. Approximately 258,000 model year 2006 and 2007 SUVs sold or registered in 20 states, the District of Columbia, and Canada are being recalled over a power window and door lock switch defect that can potentially cause a fire in the vehicle. The recall includes the following models: Buick Rainier, Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, Isuzu Ascender, and Saab 97-X. Although several automobile brands are subject to the recall, each of the vehicles at issue was manufactured by General Motors.

According to documents published on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration‘s (NHTSA) website, salt and chemical fluids used to clear icy winter roads may corrode the power window and lock circuit board located inside of the driver’s door. The power window switch in SUVs affected by the recall that are currently registered or were sold in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wisconsin will be replaced by automobile dealerships at no cost to the owner. Additionally, General Motors spokesperson Alan Adler stated the company will replace the switch free of charge for anyone living in a state that is not subject to the current recall at the request of the owner.

According to General Motors, although the company has received reports of 28 vehicle fires caused by the faulty circuit boards no physical injuries resulted. The NHTSA has also received more than one dozen SUV fire complaints. The registered owner of any vehicle that is subject to the recall will reportedly receive a letter from General Motors requesting that an appointment be scheduled in order to replace the faulty switch.

Unfortunately, thousands of consumers are hurt or killed by dangerous or defectively manufactured products each year. Many such injuries are completely preventable. If you were the victim of an injury caused by a defective or dangerous product, you may be able to file a claim against the company that manufactured or distributed it. When a manufacturer or distributor fails to ensure their product is safe for consumer use, an individual who is injured may be eligible to receive financial compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain, suffering, and more. If you were hurt by a dangerous or defective product, you should contact a skilled Texas personal injury lawyer to discuss your right to recovery.

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Published on: August 13, 2012

Oil Refinery Explosions Place Workers and Nearby Residents at Risk in Texas and Nationwide

By Carabin Shaw

In early August, more than four thousand residents of the area surrounding a Richmond, California oil refinery were taken to local hospitals for exposure to unknown quantities of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide following a fire at the facility. According to federal investigators, the explosion and resulting fire at the Chevron refinery was likely caused by a corroded pipe the company failed to replace following a safety inspection last fall. In addition to the smoke cloud that sent thousands to the hospital, more than one dozen workers were allegedly placed in harm’s way by the explosion.

A representative from the U.S. Chemical Safety Board stated the incident at the refinery began after a worker noticed a leak in one of the pipes. After the insulation surrounding the pipe was removed for inspection, a large vapor cloud reportedly formed. When workers realized the cloud had formed, they immediately left the area which ignited soon after. A similar incident occurred at the same facility in 1999. In response to the most recent explosion and fire, Chevron has set up an injury claim hotline.

Despite numerous federal safety regulations, the explosion was just one of multiple recent refinery fires across the nation. For example, an early morning explosion and fire at a west Tulsa refinery owned by HollyFrontier Corporation awoke residents of the surrounding community on August 2nd. Although flames were apparently visible from six miles away, no injuries were reported. The cause of that fire is currently under investigation.

The California and Oklahoma refinery fires occurred less than one month after British Petroleum (BP) agreed to pay approximately $13 million in penalties for worker health and safety risks at the company’s Texas City oil refinery. In a follow-up investigation, the nation’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued 270 failure-to-abate notices for more than 400 process safety management violations after the agency learned BP did not correct many of the hazardous conditions that led to a refinery explosion that killed 15 workers in March 2005. According to Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis, the BP settlement was designed to establish a culture of safety at the company’s Texas City refinery. Additionally, she said the goal of the agreement was to save the lives of refinery workers.

Clearly, both employees and nearby residents of oil refineries are placed at risk whenever a big oil company such as Chevron or BP fails to exercise proper safety measures. Oil refinery accidents can be extremely complicated and the process for obtaining compensation for any resulting injuries can be difficult to navigate. If you or a loved one was injured as a result of an oil company’s negligence, you should contact a capable oil and gas accident lawyer as soon as you are able.

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Published on: July 31, 2012

Manufacturers Recall Thousands of Strollers Over Child Safety Hazards in Texas, Nationwide

By Carabin Shaw

Last week, approximately 223,000 child strollers manufactured by Peg Perego between January 2004 and September 2007 were recalled over an alleged strangulation hazard. The company’s Venezia and Pliko-P3 strollers reportedly place children at risk for becoming trapped between trays affixed to the front of the product when a harness attached to the stroller is not being used. According to Peg Perego, the risk for strangulation is greatest for children under one-year of age. Only those products that include a single cup holder in the tray are being recalled. Strollers that include a bumper bar or more than one cup holder are not included in the recall.

The Peg Perego recall was issued after six-month-old child in California was strangled and a seven-month-old child in New York was nearly strangled. The strollers at issue were manufactured prior to the January 2008 implementation of a new industry standard that requires more space between a stroller tray and seat. According to the company, the voluntary standard was created in an effort to reduce or eliminate strangulation hazards in child strollers. The strollers at issue were sold at several retail stores including Babies R Us and Buy Buy Baby. The recalled Peg Perego strollers can be identified by the fact that the company name and stroller model name are both printed on the side of each stroller.

Kolcraft Enterprises Inc. also recently issued a recall for certain strollers. The recall was issued in response to alleged falling and choking hazards associated with one of the company’s products. Although no injuries were reported, approximately 5,600 Contours Options LT Model Number ZT012 strollers sold between February and July 2012 were recalled after the company learned of potential product defects. According to Kolcraft Enterprises, a child riding in one of the recalled strollers may be subjected to a fall hazard if the front wheel assembly breaks or becomes damaged. Additionally, detached basket assembly nuts may pose a choking hazard to small children. The strollers involved in the recall were sold at a number of child specialty stores, Burlington Coat Factory, and online. The model number and manufacturing date of the Contours Options LT strollers can be found on a label on the leg of each stroller.

It is critical for all parents to be vigilant about the safety of any product designed for use by their child or children. Car seats, bicycle carrier seats, and strollers are frequently not as safe as parents may believe. Additionally, retrofitted safety attachments may not provide your child with enough protection. Parents need to remember that any product can pose a real danger to your child. If your child was hurt, disfigured, or even killed by a stroller or other product designed for children, you should contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible.

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Published on: July 27, 2012

Merck Drug Propecia Linked to Long-Term Side Effects in Texas and Nationwide

By Carabin Shaw

New research published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine this month found that unwanted sexual side effects related to the anti-baldness drug Propecia may continue even after patients stop taking the drug. The study, conducted by researchers from George Washington University, asked 54 men who claimed they experienced side effects such as erectile dysfunction, shrunken genitalia, a lowered sex drive, depression, and anxiety after taking the drug for a period of at least three months about the length of time it took for their condition to improve. The author of the study, Dr. Michael Irwig, found that 96 percent of the men interviewed stated they continued to experience sexual problems more than one year after they stopped taking Propecia. According to Dr. Irwig, the results have led him to believe the drug may have inflicted permanent damage on some patients.

Propecia, or finasteride, was initially developed in 1992 by drug manufacturer Merck to treat men who experience issues related to an enlarged prostate. The drug blocks the body’s ability to create certain hormones that can contribute to hair loss in men and was approved for use in 1997. Although Merck reportedly informed the nation’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that some men experienced sexual side effects during clinical trials, the FDA’s website reports those side effects went away after patients stopped using the drug.

In 2011, the FDA required drug giant Merck to place a warning label on Propecia that states some men will experience sexual side effects that continue even after they stop taking the drug. The warning label was reportedly required after the FDA received over 400 reports of sexual side effects, about 60 of which failed to resolve within three months after patients stopped taking the drug. Earlier this year, the FDA required additional label warnings regarding specific sexual dysfunction disorders.

Merck has stated publicly that there is no evidence Propecia causes any sort of long-term sexual dysfunction and the drug’s label effectively warns patients regarding possible side effects related to taking it. According to Dr. Irwig, the number of patients who experience sexual side effects after taking Propecia is likely only around three percent of the overall population. Still, he stated that means thousands of men across the nation are affected because the drug is so commonly prescribed. Additionally, he said there is no way to predict who might be affected by Propecia.

Possible Propecia lawsuits are currently being evaluated throughout the United States due to a reportedly higher risk for sexual side effects such as shrunken genitalia, infertility, erectile dysfunction and neurological problems that lasted for more than three months after the drug was discontinued. If you or your loved one experienced sexual or other long-term side effects after taking Propecia or another prescription drug, you should discuss your case with a knowledgeable personal injury attorney.

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