Antilock Brakes Reduce Fatal Motorcycle Crashes

by October 30, 2008
Antilock braking systems (ABS) on motorcycles reduce fatal crashes by 38%, according to a study published by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.  Studies in 1988 and 2004 found that braking was a major factor contributing to motorcycle accidents.  ABS is a relatively new development on motorcycles.  In 1988, BMW was the first manufacturer to make the technology available on motorcycles.  Only 18% of vehicles in the most recent study were equipped with the ABS option.  The study did not examine the difference in riding habits among those buyers who purchased ABS and those who did not. Annual motorcyclist deaths in the United States more …. » Read more »

Employees Fight Back Against Retaliation

by October 27, 2008
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission recently reported that employees’ retaliation claims were up by 18 percent in 2007 from the year before and had doubled since 1992. These cases can be very costly for employers, as a recent Ohio case illustrates: An Ohio jury awarded $46.6 million to a man who claimed he was retaliated against for refusing to fire three elderly employees. The plaintiff alleged Republic Services Inc., a waste management company, forged documents that criticized his job performance, wrongfully terminated his employment, and interfered with his ability to obtain new employment. The verdict is being appealed. Luri v. Republic Services Inc., No. CV 07 633043 (Cuyahoga, …. » Read more »

President Passes Railroad Safety Law

by October 17, 2008
President Bush and Congress have passed the most comprehensive railroad safety legislation in three decades, according to published reports.  President Bush signed the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008 on Thursday.  The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is praising the move.  The law requires passenger railroads to install the Positive Train Control System (PTC) by 2015.  The PTC would control the train if the engineer failed to act. The deadly September Metrolink train collision in Chatsworth that killed 25 people and injured 135 others could have been prevented by the PTC system, the NTSB said.  The engineer in that crash failed to …. » Read more »

Jobless Rate Increases in California

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The San Diego Union Tribune reported that “California’s jobless rate surged to 7.7 percent last month, the highest level since 1996, as the economic spasms from the housing bust continued. More than 1.4 million workers were unemployed – up 61,000 from July and 413,000 from a year ago, the state Employment Development Department reported yesterday. Led by losses in construction and real estate, payrolls were down 72,700 jobs from a year earlier. San Diego County performed better than the state. August unemployment locally dipped slightly to 6.4 percent, but the rate was significantly higher than last August’s 4.8 percent.” (Entire …. » Read more »

Helpful Websites for Employment Law Issues

by October 9, 2008
Many government entities have posted helpful statistics, facts, statutes, and guides online. Here are some of the most helpful: For wage and hour questions, e.g., whether you are properly classified as an exempt employee, the California Division of Labor Standards Enforcement has useful information posted here. For information on discrimination, accomodation, and harassment, the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing has useful information posted here. For federal regulations regarding employment discrimination issues, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has useful information posted here. Of course, if you feel you are a victim of unlawful discrimination, harassment, or illegal wage practices, you …. » Read more »

Ten People Killed in California Bus Crash

by October 6, 2008
Ten people were killed and approximately 35 more were injured when a charter bus drifted off a rural California road, swerved back onto the road and then rolled into a ditch, according to published reports. The bus departed Sacramento Sunday and was headed for the Colusa Casino Resort.  The crash occurred in Williams, Calif. at 6:10 p.m., officials said.  The bus was approximately 10 miles from it destination.  Some passengers were thrown from the bus as it rolled, and others were crushed under the vehicle, according to the California Highway Patrol. None of the victims had been identified Monday.  The bus had an invalid Texas …. » Read more »

What To Do About Workplace Harassment

by October 2, 2008
  If you feel you’re being harassed at work, you must act. Report the harassment to your Human Resources department, or to any manager. Ideally, your report should be in writing. Keep a copy of your complaint! Also, you should make notes of conversations including who you talked to, when, and what was said.   Employees are expected to use any available reporting mechanism to attempt to internally resolve their employment issues. However, if your complaints are ignored, conditions worsen, or you are otherwise unsatisfied with your employer’s reaction, you need to contact an attorney. The experienced attorneys at The …. » Read more »

Top 11 Safest Cars

by October 1, 2008
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has named its top picks for the most crashworthy cars.  Among the winners are four small cars, two midsize cars, two SUVs, one large luxury car, one small pickup and a midsize convertible.  The Institute’s picks are the 2009 Honda Civic with optional electronic stability control, 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer with optional electronic stability control, 2008-09 Scion xB, 2009 Volkswagen Rabbit, 2009 Volkswagen Jetta, 2009 Volkswagen Passat, 2009 Lincoln MKS, 2009 Ford Flex, 2009 Honda Pilot, 2009 Toyota Tacoma and 2009 Volkswagen Eos. All of the winners have the best overall crash protection in their classes, the Institute said.  The vehicles earned …. » Read more »

Train Engineer Sent Text Message Seconds Before Crash

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The engineer of a commuter train that collided with a freight train near Los Angeles last month sent a text message 22 seconds before the crash, according to federal investigators.  Twenty-five people were killed and 135 others were injured in the September 12 crash in Chatsworth.  Metrolink engineer Robert Sanchez sent the message after receiving a message one minute and 20 seconds before the crash, according to federal investigators who reviewed his cell phone records.   Those records showed that Sanchez sent 24 messages and received 21 messages over a two-hour period during his morning shift.  He sent five messages and received seven messages during his …. » Read more »

Best Child Booster Seats

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More than a dozen car booster seats may not do a good enough job protecting children in crashes, according to one safety organization.  The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety identified 13 booster seats Wednesday that do not position children well enough to fit into adult seat belts.  The booster seats receiving low marks from the Institute are: the Compass B505, Compass B510, Cosco/Dorel Traveler, Evenflo Big Kid Confidence, Safety Angel Ride Ryte, Cosco/Dorel Alpha Omega, Cosco/Dorel (Eddie Bauer) Summit, Cosco Highback Booster, Dorel/Safety 1st (Eddie Bauer) Prospect, Evenflo Chase Comfort Touch, Evenflo Generations, Graco CarGo Zephyr and Safety 1st/Dorel Intera.  At least two of …. » Read more »