Access To Justice

News developments that we’ll be watching at Sokolove Law:

Oil giant BP was ordered to pay $100 million in damages to contract workers after a federal  jury found that the company exposed the workers to toxic substances at its Texas City oil refinery in 2007, writes the Houston Chronicle. The story says that the plaintiffs alleged exposure to carbon disulfide while working on two refining units. BP said it will appeal the decision.

Tough new rules regarding the use of anti-psychotic drugs are being sought in the wake of a recent Chicago Tribune investigation that found the medications were sometimes used to “chemically restrain” elderly patients in Illinois nursing homes.  The Tribune reports today that health advocates are urging Gov. Pat Quinn’s Nursing Home Safety Task Force to target the problem.

People with pacemakers should think twice before undergoing an MRI scan.  ScienceDaily reports that FDA researchers have found that MRI scans may cause certain cardiac pacemakers to inadequately stimulate a patient’s heart due to the magnetic pulses from the MRI mixing with the electronic pulses from the pacemaker. This lack of stimulation could create a potentially dangerous situation for these patients, according to the article.

Industrial launderer Cintas has agreed to pay $6.5 million to settle a class action lawsuit alleging that it failed to pay a living wage to some of its laundry workers, writes the Associated Press. The tentative settlement provides $3.3 million in back wages and interest for more than 500 Southern California Cintas laundry workers at the company’s Ontario, Pico Rivera, and Whittier locations, according to a Workers United/SEIU press release. Cintas doesn’t admit wrongdoing in the settlement, says the AP.

Recent Recalls: The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CSPC) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced that Dorel Juvenile Group is voluntarily recalling about 477,000 Dorel infant car seat/carriers. These carriers were also sold under the Safety 1st, Cosco, Eddie Bauer, and Disney brands. Dorel said it has received 77 reports of the carrier handle fully or partially falling off. At least three injuries to infants have been reported, including a head injury, bumps, and bruises. The product can still be used as a car seat when properly installed, according to the CSPC.

We’ll be watching these developments here at Sokolove Law.