Columbia Personal Injury Lawyer

South Carolina Man Dies in One-Car Accident

Jenny Albano — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 15:58:09 GMT

A man from Geogetown County, South Carolina died in a one-car accident on Sunday morning, March 30.

George Donnelly, 22, of Andrews was killed about 5:45 a.m. Sunday after his 1998 Camaro struck a ditch and overturned on S.C. 41 one mile South of U.S. 17 A, said a spokesman for the highway patrol. Donnelly who was ejected from the vehicle died of a closed head injury, said Georgetown County Coroner, Kenny Johnson.

Officials from the highway patrol stated that they did not know the cause of the accident, but it could have been speeding, a distraction, or fatigue. There will be an investigation into the accident; Donnelly was not wearing a seatbelt.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jenny Albano

Olivier brand Parmesan & Asiago Dip with Garlic & Basil Recalled Due to Contamination

Jenny Albano — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 20:50:39 GMT

Olivier Oil Products, Inc., in conjunction with the FDA, is recalling Olivier brand Parmesan & Asiago Dip with Garlic & Basil because it may be contaminated with Clostridium botulinum.

Clostridium botulinum is a bacterium which can cause life-threatening illness or death. Symptoms of botulism include: general weakness, dizziness, double-vision and trouble with speaking or swallowing. Difficulty in breathing, weakness of other muscles, abdominal distension and constipation may also be common symptoms. People experiencing these problems should seek immediate medical attention. There have been no reported illnesses.

The recalled products were sold at William-Sonoma stores across the U.S. and to Olivier Napa Valley stores in Truckee and St. Helena, California. The dip with the following lot codes are affected by the recall: OPA 34171; OPA 23471; OAP 17271; OAP 17671; OAP 36061; OAP 36161; OPA 33961.

The Olivier brand Parmesan & Asiago Dip with Garlic & Basil is packaged in an 11.76 ounce jar and the lot code is on the side of the glass jar where there is no label.

The Michigan Department of Agriculture is conducting recall audits checks to make sure that all potentially contaminated products are removed from stores and disposed of correctly.

When disposing of the dip, double-bag it and make sure bags are tightly closed, then place in a trash receptacle for non-recyclable trash. Retailers should only place the recalled product in locked receptacles that are not accessible to the public.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Jenny Albano

Brayer to Suspend Trasyol Marketing

Pete Strom — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 15:56:24 GMT

The United States Food and Drug Administration announced that Bayer Pharmaceuticals Corporation has agreed to suspend marketing of the drug Trasyol until preliminary results from a Canadian study suggesting an increased risk for death can be reviewed.

Trasyol is used to control bleeding during heart surgery in patients with an increased risk for blood loss. In 2006, the FDA strengthened the safety warnings required for labeling of Trasyol to reflect the risk for increased blood loss.

The FDA requested the marketing suspension based on the expected data of a Canadian study at Ottawa Health Research Institute. The FDA is still awaiting the full study results. Because of a lack of treatment options for patients at risk for excessive bleeding during heart surgery, the FDA is working with Bayer to phase out Trasyol's use so as to avoid alternative drug shortages.

For more information on this subject, please refer to the section on Drugs, Medical Devices, and Implants.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Pete Strom

Hundreds Evacuated After Train Derails, Spills Acid

Pete Strom — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 13:40:00 GMT

A train derailed in Minnesota early Monday morning, spilling acid and causing hundreds to evacuate and schools to close.

The train struck a parked train at about 4 a.m., causing at least one car to leak hydrochloric acid. Hydrochloric acid is a highly corrosive liquid that causes burns if it comes into contact with skin or eyes.

Approximately 50 cars derailed near Clara City, Minnesota as a result of the train accident. Clara City has a population of just over 1,000 residents and is located about 21 miles southwest of Willmar.

For more information on this subject, please refer to the section on Airline, Cruise, Bus, and Other Mass Transit.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Pete Strom

Voluntary Recall of Ground Beef in South Carolina

Pete Strom — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 14:32:17 GMT

Arko Veal Co. of Forest Park, Georgia has voluntarily recalled a shipment of ground beef to South Carolina because the shipment may contain E. coli.

More than 1,900 pounds of ground beef are being recalled, with some of that meat having been shipped to South Carolina.

The recalled beef includes fifty-pound cases of "Beef Patties Mix," "80/20." The recalled cases include the establishment number Est. 20766 and has a product code of 502250. The products were produced between October 7 and 9, 2007, and each recalled case bears on of those production dates.

The beef products were distributed to restaurants in Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. There was no retail distribution of the affected beef. No reports of illness have emerged to date. Routine testing discovered the E. coli contamination.

For more information on this subject, please refer to the section on Defective and Dangerous Products.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Pete Strom

South Carolina Ranks First in Violent Crime

Pete Strom — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 14:35:35 GMT

Recently released Federal Bureau of Investigation statistics show that South Carolina's violent crime rate was the highest in the nation in 2006, with two areas in the top five. Rising 0.5 percent, South Carolina's violent crime rate is 765 per 100,000 people, according to the FBI's Uniform Crime Report for 2006.

Violent crimes were up almost 2 percent nationwide. Included in violent crimes are murder, non-negligent manslaughter, forcible rape, robbery, and aggravated assault.

The third highest ranked city in America is located in South Carolina. Sumter ranks 3rd, only behind the large cites of Detroit and Memphis. Sumter rose to 3rd after being 24th in 2005. Another South Carolina city, Florence, ranks near the top at 5th.

Columbia's metro area, which includes Richland, Lexington, Kershaw, Calhoun, Fairfield, and Saluda counties, saw violent crime increase only a tenth of a percent. But, Columbia now ranks 36th, compared with 77th in 2005.

The FBI, however, warns against using such statistics to label areas "most dangerous" because statistics do not account for neighborhoods or lifestyle choices.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Pete Strom

Voluntary Recall of Play Yards After Infant Dies

Pete Strom — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 15:46:59 GMT

After the death of a 10-month old boy, Kolcraft Enterprises is voluntarily recalling approximately 425,000 infant play yards. The Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that a 10-month old infant was strangled on the changing table's strap that was hanging down into a Kolcraft's "Sesame Beginnings" Travel Play Yard.

The recall affects twelve Kolcraft play yards, all of which have raised changing tables containing a restraint strap that forms a loop beneath the changing table, creating a strangulation hazard for children in the play yard.

In addition to strangulation concerns, one play yard presents a suffocation hazard. The Contours 3-in-1 Play Yard has a raised rocking cradle that can trap a child against the side of the cradle and result in suffocation. Kolcraft reports that they have received about 45 reports of trapped children.

The recalled play yards were sold in a variety of colors and patterns and were manufactured in China. Retail stores nationwide sold the play yards between January 2001 and September 2007 and were priced between $50 and $130.

If you have a Kolcraft play yard, you should stop using in now and contact Kolcraft for instructions on free replacements and repairs. Kolcraft's recall instructs consumers to immediately cut off restraint straps from changing tables and to always remove the raised changing table before putting a child in the play yard.

For more information on this subject, please refer to the section on Defective and Dangerous Products.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Pete Strom

Fatal Car Accident on I-77 Kills 2

Pete Strom — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 15:26:43 GMT

2 Sumter men were killed earlier this week in a fatal car crash on I-77 in Fairfield County. The South Carolina Highway Patrol identified those who died at the scene as 66 year old Charles Ryles Senior and 32-year-old Leonel Garfia Servin.

Investigators say the 1999 Chevy truck ran off the road and into the median before overturning.

Neither man was wearing a seat belt at the time of the accident and both were thrown from the pickup truck. There were three additional passengers in the truck, all of whom were treated at a Columbia hospital, where one remains in critical condition.

For more information on auto accidents, please refer to our Auto Accidents Information page.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Pete Strom

Church Van Accident on 1-20 Leaves 1 Dead, 1 in ICU

Pete Strom — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 14:12:58 GMT

A church passenger van overturned in Lee County in South Carolina Sunday evening leaving 1 dead and 3 hospitalized. According to Highway Patrol Officers, the driver lost control after a rear tire on the van blew out.

As the driver tried to steady the van, Investigators say another tire blew out.

38-year-old Jacqueline M. Moore of Columbia died Sunday while receiving treatment at Carolina Pines Hospital. 3 other passengers remain hospitalized, including a 7 year-old patient who is in an Intensive Care Unit. 11 passengers were treated at area hospitals, including Carolina Pines and Palmetto Richland.

17 passengers were aboard the van at the time of the accident. The 1992 Ford van, traveling to a Florence service, belonged to the Prayer and Faith Temple in Hopkins, South Carolina. My heart goes out the families, friends, and communities of those affected by this unfortunate tragedy.

For more information on this subject matter, please refer to the section on Car and Motorcycle Accidents.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Pete Strom

Mattel Announces 3rd Recall in a Month

Pete Strom — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 13:52:47 GMT

Mattel and the Consumer Product Safety Commission announced its third recall in a less than a month late Tuesday. The company is recalling more than 800,000 Chinese-made toys that contain excess lead paint.

Most of the recalled toys include Barbie accessories that were manufacturing beginning September 30, 2006. Other recalled toys include Big Big World 6-in-1 Bongo Band toys made by the Fisher-Price unit of Mattel.

Mattel's previous recalls came August 1, 2007 and August 14, 2007, also because of excessive lead paint. Lead paint is especially dangerous for children and can cause brain damage if ingested.

More than 80% of the world's toys are made in China, making toy sellers nervous that buyers will avoid there products in the upcoming holiday season. Mattel, though, claims they are increasing their supervision of toy production at all levels. Mattel has also announced a plan to implement random testing and inspection of their suppliers.

For more information on this subject matter, please refer to the section on Defective and Dangerous Products.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Pete Strom