Economy, PA – A Beaver County Sunday school teacher was charged Wednesday, August 18, 2010, with having sex with a 12-year-old girl before class on church property, as reported by WPXI.com. According to police, the man had sex with the girl twice.

Thomas Law, 19, is charged with aggravated indecent assault, among others, for having sex with the girl in August 2009. Police claim the incidents happened on a couch in a building used for New Hope Evangelical Lutheran Church gatherings.

The girl’s mother found a note in early August discussing the relationship with Law. Economy police were informed of the possible relationship and began an investigation.

Police reported Law confessed to having sex with the child. He is currently free on bond.

It is unclear whether Law was a Sunday school teacher at the time of the relationship. Police report he was, while Law’s attorney says otherwise.

The pastor of New Hope Evangelical Lutheran Church said the church’s prayers are with the victim’s family.

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Philadelphia, PA – A Coatesville restaurant was found liable by a Common Pleas Court jury for serving alcohol to an intoxicated man who later drove his car and severely injured a Chester County woman, as reported by The Philadelphia Enquirer. The jury awarded Ryan Fell $6.8 million for her injuries.

Omar Villalava-Martinez visited the Famous Mexican Restaurant and Bar in Coatesville after a day of work on March 15, 2007. According to court documents, Fell drank 12 beers in two hours and had one shot to top it off.

The plaintiff’s attorney explained, “By his (Villalava-Martinez) own testimony, he became very drunk and they continued to serve him.”

Villalava-Martinez left the bar at approximately 9:30 p.m. and got into his Ford Explorer and drove west on Route 30. Approximately four miles down the road in Sadsbury, the sports-utility vehicle crossed the center line of the road and slammed into Ryan Fell’s Nissan.

Fell, who was 22 at the time, was seriously injured and her car was crumpled.

Fell’s attorney said, “There were so many breaks in her legs, nearly every bone was broken. Her ankle bone was ejected from her body, but fortunately [the surgeons] saved her foot.”

Doctors used 50 screws, along with metal plates to fix her legs. She still feels pain when she walks and running is not an option. She lost her administrative job as a result of her injuries and remains unemployed.

Villalava-Martinez was deported to Mexico because he was an illegal immigrant. Famous Mexican Restaurant & Bar has closed. Its previous chief executive officer was unreachable for comment.

Fell’s attorney said they were happy with the verdict.

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Sioux Falls, SD— Rubber cancer awareness bracelets are causing quite the stir in schools across the United States. The “I Love Boobies” breast cancer awareness bracelets have caused heated debates at schools in California, Colorado, Idaho, Florida, Wisconsin and more recently, South Dakota, as reported by USA Today.

Keep A Breast Foundation, a non-profit organization that seeks to increase breast cancer awareness among young people, created the awareness bracelets. The accessory sold for about $4, which benefits the foundation’s programs.

Baltic High School in South Dakota recently became the latest school to ban the bracelets. Baltic High School Principal Jim Aisenbrey said, “When we had an assembly the first day of school, I basically told the students we are not insensitive to the cause. I think everybody in the gym, including myself, has had a family member or relative or friend who has dealt with the issue. I do think there are more proper ways to bring this plight to the attention of people, and I don’t think this is a proper way.”

The bracelets were designed to spark discussions that may not have otherwise been brought up, potentially saving someone’s life.

The founder of the Keep A Breast Foundation defended the bracelet’s controversial message, “That’s the whole idea, its getting people to talk about breast cancer, its getting people to share their feelings about how this disease has impacted their life. The bracelet is doing what it’s meant to do—its making people talk.”

Legal News Reporter: Nicole Howley-Legal news for civil rights lawyers.

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Orem, UT– A four-vehicle crash along Interstate 15 killed one person near Lindon on Tuesday, August 31, 2010. The fatal wreck occurred around 6:10 a.m., near the 2000 North exit to Orem, as reported by the Salt Lake Tribune.

The Utah Highway Patrol stated that a Toyota Camry was merging onto I-15 north, when the car veered into an interior lane of traffic to avoid colliding with an oncoming semi truck. But the Camry’s attempts failed, the car struck the semi’s right front wheel, causing the car to be shot across the highway and into a concrete median.

The semi then switched lanes to avoid another collision with the Camry, but instead the semi’s trailer hit the right front bumper of a Dodge Ram pickup truck.

A Chevrolet van then swerved to miss the incapacitated Camry, which caused the van to roll through the interior lanes of traffic before slamming into and then rolling over a concrete barrier. The van the fell from the freeway bridge and onto a railroad track below.

The driver of the Chevy van was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver was identified as Dan Solis, 47, of Springville.

The driver of the Camry, a 54-year-old Orem woman, was rushed to Timpanogos Regional Hospital for treatment of minor injuries. The driver of the pickup truck or the semi were not injured.

The Utah Highway Patrol is investigating the fatal accident. No citations have been issued at this time.

Legal News Reporter: Nicole Howley-Legal news for Utah automobile accident attorneys.

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Oklahoma City, OK—One person was rushed to the hospital after being struck by an object that fell from a crane on the Chesapeake campus. The work-related accident occurred Tuesday night, August 31, 2010 at around 8:30 p.m., near 63rd Street and Western Avenue, as reported by News On 6.

The Oklahoma City police reported that a group of workers were dismantling a crane when an object fell from the crane and onto the workers below.

One worker was rushed by responding emergency crews to a nearby hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.

The identities of the workers have yet to be revealed. But, Silver Cliff Construction apparently employed the workers.

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is investigating the work-related accident.

The crane reportedly belongs to the Rent-a-Crane company.

Legal News Reporter: Nicole Howley- Legal news for Oklahoma construction accident attorneys.

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Baltimore, MD—What started out as a pleasant stroll along a Baltimore boardwalk ended with a mother and her two young daughters getting black henna tattoos. Black henna remains unapproved by the FDA for topical use and consequently left the youngest child with a severe skin reaction, according to a Wednesday, August 25, 2010 WBALTV report.

“My girls had been begging to do it [henna tattoos], and I kept saying no and no, and then finally, I said, ‘Oh, why not? It will be fun,” said Rebecca Barry, mother of 5-year-old Emileigh and 7-year-old Madison.

Shops advertising henna tattoos could be seen in all areas of the boardwalk, located near a Baltimore beach. The mother and her two young daughters chose a shop and each got henna tattoos.

However, it wasn’t until 10 days later that Emileigh seemingly developed a reaction to the temporary tattoo. According to Barry, “After the redness, there were bumps that started. The bumps progressed to blisters. The blisters kind of opened and she had oozing. It was extremely itchy, slightly painful. It was a disaster.”

Emileigh had several doctors visits after the skin reaction developed. “I was worried sick… There have been multiple prescriptions and creams and dermatologist visits now,” Barry alleged.

It was Emileigh’s pediatrician that identified the black henna and her subsequent reaction. Barry noted, “This was coal black, solid black, and we had no clue what that was. (It’s) not real all-natural safe henna that should have been applied.”

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) maintained that black henna often contains purified protein derivative (PPD). PPD is a chemical colorant, which is only approved for use in hair dye.

According to Stephen King, a Baltimore-based FDA representative, “It can cause some damage to the skin, either blistering and/or some type of scarring… With anything—any kind of coloring or anything that you add to your skin or put on your skin—it’s important to make a wise consumer decision. Do some research prior to doing anything.”

The FDA is expected to collect a sample of the black henna used and investigate the shop where the Barrys’ got their henna tattoos.

Legal News Reporter: Sandra Quinlan- Legal News for Maryland Product Liability Attorneys.

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Medina County, OH—Ten people, including seven elementary students, suffered injuries in a violent Wednesday afternoon, August 25, 2010 collision between school bus and tractor-trailer. The accident occurred at the intersection of State Route 109 and State Route 2/20A in York Township, according to information provided by Fox Toledo.

Eyewitness reports indicated a school bus was traveling along Rt. 2/20A when the driver attempted to turn south onto Rt. 109. Simultaneously, a semi hauling a flatbed trailer ran a red light and smashed into the turning school bus.

The bus was reportedly shuttling Swanton Local Schools elementary students back from the Wauseon Schools district, where some special needs students attend classes, when the York Twp. bus crash occurred.

Police alleged the bus driver, identified as 40-year-old Hartlett, along with a 41-year-old school aid, Lisa Elrod, and seven elementary students were rushed to Fulton County Heath Care Center to be treated for unspecified injuries.

The driver of the flatbed semi truck involved, 57-year-old Edward Kinsman, also suffered injuries in the bus-truck collision. He was flown to Mercy St. Vincent Medical Center via medical helicopter to be treated. Delta-based K&L Trucking reportedly owns the wrecked 18-wheeler.

Charges are pending the outcome of accident investigation.

Legal News Reporter: Sandra Quinlan- Legal News for Ohio Bus Accident Lawyers.

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Jacksonville, FL—More than three years after the Mayo Clinic discovered an outbreak of Hepatitis C in several of its transplant patients, the Jacksonville hospital has found a source. The clinic notified authorities Tuesday, August 24, 2010, that a former employee had passed the viral disease along to at least three patients, as reported by News4Jax.

The Mayo Clinic found that several transplant patients had been infected with Hepatitis C in 2007. An investigation was launched as a means of determining how the viral disease might have transmitted.

According to Dr. William Rupp, vice president of Mayo Clinic and CEO of Florida’s Mayo Clinic, “Because we had tested these patients before the treatment and after the treatment, we believed that this was a health-care-acquired infection.”

Rupp stated the clinic began searching for common factors that might have contributed to the spread of the health-care-acquired infection, but to no avail.

“We then discovered on further testing that at least three of these viral samples were nearly identical when we did genetic testing,” Rupp added.

After tracking down places where the infected patients interacted within the hospital, interventional technology appeared to be the sole common source.

Twenty-three interventional technology employees were subsequently tested for Hepatitis C. A 6-year Mayo Clinic radiology technician was the only worker whose test results came back positive.

“When we did that genetic testing on his Hepatitis C, it matched the Hepatitis C of the three patients… That provides a link to this chain that we have been chasing for a number of years,” said Rupp.

The unidentified radiology technician was fired Tuesday after admitting to diverting IV pain medication intended for the now-infected patients.

Rupp contended, “The employee took a syringe and injected himself with the mediation… He then switched out the needles and then injected it into the IV line. He may have through that he was being safe, but it only needed a minuscule amount of blood on the needle to transmit.”

“We uncovered a profoundly disturbing new piece of information—that is, that a single individual violated this sacred trust (with patients) with his behavior by placing our patients and our staff at risk… This is heartbreaking,” Rupp concluded.

Two of the three known infected patients have since died, though only one fatality had suspected ties to the disease. The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office was notified of the employee’s deplorable actions on Tuesday night.

Legal News Reporter: Sandra Quinlan- Legal News for Florida Medical Malpractice Lawyers.

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Frisco, TX—Infant and Toddler Hammock Metal Stands were voluntarily recalled by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the manufacturer, MamaLittleHelper LCC. The CPSC announced the recall on August 24, 2010, over a fall hazard the hammocks pose.

About six hammock stands were recalled after discovering that the C-shaped metal stand can break at the curved arm, where it attaches to the leg of the metal frame. The metal stands pose a fall hazard to infants in the hammock.

The CPSC reported, “The baby hammock hangs from the recalled metal C-shaped stand which is about five feet tall and is silver-colored. The metal C-shaped stands were sent to the six consumers with hammock model numbers 1010 and 1020 instead of the original metal frame advertised with the hammock.”

The metal stands were sold online at www.mamalittlehelper.com from December 2009 through February 2010. The stands sold for about $100 with the hammock.

Consumers are advised to contact MamaLittleHelper to receive a free metal hammock stand in exchange for the recalled C-shaped metal stand. The six consumers who have purchased the stands are being notified by MamaLittleHelper.

For further information, consumers can contact MamaLittleHelper toll-free at (866) 612-9986 between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, visit their website at www.mamalittlehelper.com or email the firm at recall@mamalittlehelper.com.

Legal News Reporter: Nicole Howley- Legal news for product liability lawyers.

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Columbus, GA—Char-Broil LLC, in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, voluntarily recalled vertical gas smokers due to injury hazards associated with them. The CPSC announced the product safety recall, which affects approximately 18,450 units, on Tuesday, August 24, 2010.

According to the CPSC, “When the temperature setting is in “low,” the smoker’s hose/valve/regulator (HVR) assembly does not allow sufficient gas to flow, causing the flame to extinguish. Gas continues to flow and build up inside the smoker. If the smoker is reignited the build-up of propane gas can cause an explosion that bursts the smoker’s door open, posing an injury hazard.”

Columbus-based Char-Broil has reportedly received five reports of defective gas smoker doors’ abruptly opening and striking consumers. Injuries varied from burns and lacerations to a report of a head concussion.

Defective Char-Broil vertical gas smokers with the model number 07701413, which weigh 75 pounds and measure 21.5” x 19.5” x 45.5” are subject to the recall. The model number is affixed to a metal tag on the right rear leg of the smoker, while a “G” inside a triangle was printed on the smokers’ regulator.

The potentially hazardous product was manufactured by China-based Ningbo Spring Communications and made available for purchase at Walmart and other retailers. The vertical gas smokers were sold between March 2008 and June 2010 for about $140.

Consumers have been urged to cease use of the risky smokers and contact Char-Broil toll-free at (866) 671-7988 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., or visit the company’s Web site at www.CharBroil.com to obtain a complimentary replacement hose/valve/regulator assembly and installation instructions.

Legal News Reporter: Sandra Quinlan- Legal News for Product Liability Lawyers.

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