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Judge declares mistrial in Trinity guardrail lawsuit case

A federal judge in Texas declared a mistrial in the possible billion-dollar whistleblower lawsuit involving guardrails that are found on many of our nation’s highways.

The whistleblower and former industry business owner, Joshua Harman, filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of the American public claiming that Trinity guardrails, the ET-Plus model, are dangerous and deadly. The lawsuit contends that the guardrails were never properly tested or properly approved by the government. The allegations against Trinity Industries Inc., one of the biggest guardrail makers in the U.S., include that the highway guardrail systems are a deadly hazard that can spear cars on impact.

According to Bloomberg News, Trinity first gained federal approval for its ET-Plus end terminal in 2000. Harman’s suit alleges that the company changed the dimensions of the ET-Plus sometime between 2002 and 2005 without telling federal authorities. Apparently, Trinity modified an energy-absorbing end terminal, […]

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The hazards of summer driving

Summer may bring bright skies and sunny weather, but motorists still need to be cautious when driving on our nation’s highways. The clear conditions may cause some to throw caution to the wind and act carelessly, speeding or simply not paying attention. Pennsylvania State Police also report an increase in traffic and motorist assists throughout the summer.

In addition to normal daily traffic this time of year, the roads are filled with travelers heading to their summer vacation destinations. Following are some driving hazards to watch for this summer. With a little planning, many can be avoided.

• Summer Breakdowns – High temperature can aggravate existing tire damage and cause blowouts and flats. Overheating is another frequent issue for drivers in the summer. The high temperatures and increased use of the car’s air conditioner can cause cooling system problems. Low coolant levels, leaks, and broken electric cooling fans can all result in overheating and damage. […]

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The GM recall nightmare continues with more safety issues

The number of vehicles involved in the GM recall rose yesterday to 29 as GM recalled another 2.4 million cars and trucks. That brings the number of vehicles called in to repair defects this year alone to a record 13.6 million in the US. According to the Boston Globe, that’s more than the total number of cars GM sold in the US in the last five years, and surpasses GM’s previous US recall record of 10.75 million vehicles, set in 2004.

The latest recalls are to repair problems with safety belts in several crossover models, in addition to problems with airbags, gearshifts and retention clips in other cards. The recalls include Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Acadia full-size crossovers from the 2009-2013 model years. It also covers 2009-2010 Saturn Outlooks for a problem with the front safety lap belt cables. 2004-2008 Chevrolet Malibus and 2005-2008 Pontiac G6s with four-speed automatic transmission have been recalled for a problem with the gearshift cable. […]

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OSHA issues plan to help reduce workplace accidents, deaths

OSHA recently announced this year’s Site-Specific Targeting (SST) plan for general industry employers with 20 or more employees. The primary inspection list for federal OSHA jurisdiction will be comprised of 1,260 establishments in what the agency describes as high-hazard, non-construction industries.

It is OSHA’s goal that the inspection plan will reduce the number of injuries and illnesses that occur at individual workplaces by directing enforcement resources to workplaces with the highest rates of illness and injury. OSHA said the plan is based on survey data of 80,000 employers in high-hazard industries.

Those industries surveyed and targeted include manufacturing, trucking, warehousing, air transportation and courier services, automobiles, construction materials, scrap and waste, groceries, poultry products, department stores, and medical facilities. Among other things, the directive provides a checklist for compliance, safety, and health officers and provides scheduling and inspection procedures.

According to the US Department of Labor, […]

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Snow and Frigid Temperatures Cause Dangerous Road Conditions in Pennsylvania

Snowy road conditions have already caused hundreds of accidents in Pennsylvania this winter, shutting down highways and resulting in deaths and many injuries. During a sudden heavy storm over the recent holidays, a chain reaction crash involving 35 vehicles closed down a section of the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Several tractor-trailers were mixed in the wreckage, which caused a 4-mile traffic jam. Ten people were taken to area hospitals.

According to a Pennsylvania personal injury lawyer, those same wintry conditions existed when more than 40 vehicles piled up in multiple crashes on I-78, closing the interstate for a time, and resulting in more than 60 injuries. State Police also reported that sudden snow squalls causing numerous accidents resulted in the Northeast Extension of the turnpike being closed on Christmas Eve from Clarks Summit to Allentown. Numerous accidents have also been reported on smaller roadways throughout Pennsylvania.

Advice from Pennsylvania personal injury attorney Julia Munley on what to do if you are in an accident. […]