20 articles in this category
The situation is common. Your child wants to play soccer or participate in an extra-curricular activity but as a condition of participation you are asked to sign a waiver releasing every participant, sponsor, coach, assistant, and every other conceivable person or entity from liability. What should you consider before signing such a release? First of […]
Recently, the consumer group World Against Toys Causing Harm (WATCH) published its annual list of the most dangerous toys of the year. One of the toys mentioned as being among the most dangerous is the Power Rangers Samurai Mega Blade, sold at Toys R Us, Kmart, and WalMart, which, when a flap is pulled by […]
Scammers come up with all sorts of schemes to trick people out of their hard-earned money. Money transfer scams have been so prevalent that recently, Western Union came under investigation by the Federal Trade Commission for neglecting to protect their customers against scams. Western Union ended up agreeing to refund over $500 million back to […]
On August 17, 2016, Governor Brown signed AB 2159, ensuring equal treatment of injured Californians regardless of immigration status when they seek damages in Court. This bill prohibits consideration of an injured person’s immigration status in personal injury and wrongful death suits. This bill will become law on January 1, 2017. Currently, juries consider immigration […]
Across America and throughout the world people with the same condition take the same drugs. However, the prices vary greatly. Take asthma, which affects 40 million Americans and countless millions throughout the world and is estimated by the Center for Disease Control and prevention to cost Americans $56 billion annually. One of the leading asthma […]
Today, the United States Supreme Court held that an arbitration clause in a contract was more important the federal antitrust law. This decision is incredibly damaging to antitrust, civil rights, and consumer rights laws because of its far-reaching scope and the ability of the more powerful party to a contract to block the path to […]
When a business is a party, does everyone stand the same before the US Supreme Court? We know from the controversial decision in Citizens United corporations have been allowed to spend as much as they wished in the election process. In other decisions the Roberts Court has shielded corporations from class action suits (Wal-Mart vs. […]
Although they look cool and stylish, novelty helmets present a catch-22. What may look cool does not necessarily work well as these helmets do not provide the adequate protection needed to prevent injury to your head. Even as more than 800,000 novelty helmets are sold in the U.S. every year, and as motorcycle crash deaths […]
On March 28, 2013, Bells Sports recalled 2,500 Bell Full Throttle Bike Helmets, full coverage bicycle motocross [BMX] helmets with a chin bar. These helmets were sold exclusively at Toys R Us between July 2012 and January 2013. The reason for the recall is that the buckle on the helmet’s safety strap can release in […]
A recent review published in the Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition found that with a very few exceptions, dietary supplements offer no benefits to well-nourished adults eating a Western diet and may in some cases actually be harmful. Dietary supplements are defined by law as products intended to supplement the diet that contain a […]
Inflatable bounce houses are becoming more and more popular at children’s birthday parties and other types of events such as amusement parks and fairs. A recent study in the journal Pediatrics discussed the increasing rate of injuries associated with these bounce houses. In the US, thirty children a day, or about one in every 45 […]
The FDA is investigating Monster Energy Drinks after receiving reports that it is linked to five deaths and one non-fatal heart attack. The energy drink, which comes in a 24 oz. can, contains 240 mgs. of caffeine which is 7 times the amount of caffeine in a 12 oz. cola. It has been linked to […]
By Mylene Reuvekamp With the recent injury to quarterback Colt McCoy, there has been a lot of discussion about concussions. Most people assume that a concussion or post-concussive syndrome can’t occur unless there has been a loss of consciousness. In fact, this is not the case and generally no physical swelling or bleeding are seen […]
By Thomas J. Brandi For a number of years, we have often read of children being badly burned in house fires where their pajamas actually made the fire’s effects worse due to issues of flammability. As a result, consumer advocates fought very hard to toughened standards and remove the market unsafe pajamas, greatly reducing the […]
As we go deeper into fall, our high schools and colleges are in the final push for league championships, rankings, and bowl bids. Unfortunately some of the equipment they are using is not protecting them in the violent world of football contact. On November 3, 2011 Under Armour and the CPSC announced a recall of […]
Throughout California, both in the cities and outlying areas, bicycles have become increasingly popular for both recreational and commuter use. In San Francisco, bikes flood special bike lanes on Market street, in the Mission district, South of Market area, the “wiggle”, Golden Gate Park, and along the waterfront in specially marked bike lanes with traffic devices called […]
As we approach Halloween, children of all ages will be getting costumes and going door to door for treats while adults are also costuming and going to parties and celebrations. But as we too often read after a Halloween tragedy, there are safety concerns that do not appear at first sight. For example, many kids […]
HBO has recently released a documentary entitled Hot Coffee which explores the infamous McDonald’s lawsuit in which Ms. Stella Liebeck spilled McDonald’s coffee on herself, suffering severe burns to the high temperature of the coffee, who funded the media blitz, and why. Watch the trailer below or click here to see it on Youtube: Hot […]
Last Sunday, Dan completed the 101st Annual Dipsea Race in Marin County. For those who don’t know, the Dipsea is a cross country foot race that runs 7.5 miles from Mill Valley to Stinson Beach over substantial hills and trails. For example, the highest peak the runners must conquer is the southern shoulder of Mount […]
Everyone knows that California requires all drivers to carry auto insurance. The legally required minimum insurance is a policy that provides coverage after an accident in the amount of $15,000 per person, not to exceed $30,000 per accident. This is commonly referred to as a 15/30 policy. It means that if you are the victim […]