NTSB Recommends Lowering BAC to .05

by Arthur Elk In a report released earlier this week, the National Transportation Safety Board recommended that all 50 states should lower the threshold for drunk driving from .08 to .05 blood alcohol content (BAC).  According to the Washington Post, “That’s about one drink for a woman weighing less than 120 pounds, two for...

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Lipitor Lawsuit

Pfizer’s blockbuster cholesterol-lowering medication LIPITOR® (atorvastatin) has recently been associated with an increased risk of Type 2 Diabetes in women.  Lawsuits have been filed in courts around the country claiming that Pfizer failed to warn doctors and patients about the potential risks involved with using the drug. South Carolina – Evalina Smalls thought she...

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Judge OKs $40 million class-action settlement over Skechers shoes

By Arthur Elk At Elk & Elk, we’ve been investigating cases involving toning shoes, including Skechers, and false advertising claims made about what the shoes can do. Millions of Americans purchased the shoes, believing that wearing the shoes would firm and sculpt their muscles. Not only were those claims not true, but some customers...

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Manufacturer of surgical robot warns device may cause internal burns

Intuitive Surgical, maker of the daVinci Surgical Robot System, has released an “urgent medical device notification” alerting hospitals that the device could potentially cause internal burns to patients during surgical procedures. The notification, sent on May 8, warns that micro-cracks may develop in the da Vinci’s Monopolar Curved Scissors, creating links that may “create...

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Lawn mower accidents and injuries to children are preventable

As spring and summer bring warmer weather and the grass begins to grow more quickly, our neighborhoods are filled with the sounds of buzzing lawn mowers. Unfortunately, this common task of mowing the lawn can cause significant injury or death for tens of thousands of people across the nation. It’s especially important for parents...

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Deadly crashes caused by drivers on cellphones underreported

It should come as no surprise that cellphones are very distracting for drivers, and the consequences can be deadly. It’s also no surprise that the number of fatal cellphone-involved crashes are grossly underreported. The National Safety Council analyzed data from 180 fatal crashes that took place between 2009 and 2011 that resulted in one...

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City of San Francisco sues Monster for targeting young people

In the ongoing debate over the safety of caffeine additives, the city attorney of San Francisco is suing Monster Beverage for marketing its energy drinks to children. Dennis Herrera said this week that Monster is the “industry’s worst offender” in regards to the extent to which it targets youth and children. He points to...

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FDA consider tougher regulations on tanning beds

Do you know how dangerous tanning beds are? Did you know that they increase your risk of melanoma by nearly 75 percent? We are in the middle of peak tanning season, as teenage girls and young women get ready for prom and summer weddings. However, tanning beds could soon be the latest products to...

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Is it safe? Gum, other snacks getting a caffeine boost

Most of us enjoy a morning coffee to get the day started, or a bottle of Mountain Dew to help get through the afternoon. Caffeine is part of most of our lives and generally is not thought of as being dangerous. But it can be dangerous if it is used in excess, especially in...

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Softball bat recalled due to separation risk

Unless you wear a suit of armor like Robert Downey Jr. in “Iron Man 3,” there is always a risk of injury when you play sports. Having an aluminum bat split in two and flying into the stands is not something anyone expects to happen, but it has been happening and has prompted a...

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